dragondawg
06-04-2008, 02:06 AM
By FRANK SCHWAB
THE GAZETTE
ENGLEWOOD • Almost 4 months after he went on the reserve/retired list and 17 months since his last game, Denver Broncos receiver Rod Smith can't bring himself to announce his retirement.
Smith was at the team's facility Tuesday, offering tips to some of the receivers after a minicamp practice. He had a second hip surgery this year, and the Broncos put him on the reserve/retired list as a salary cap move.
Smith, 38, can petition for reinstatement if he wants to return, but the chances of Denver's all-time leading receiver playing again appear incredibly slim.
"You can't slam the door on your opportunity when you still have a chance for it to be open," Smith said. "You can't just close the door on that. When it's time to close the door, trust me, I'm going to close it and wish the Broncos the best."
Smith said his hip is feeling better.
He can shoot baskets, run and go about his everyday life without pain - none of which he could do last year.He acknowledged that he would have a long way to go to get into football shape.
Barring a miraculous comeback on the field, Smith could return in another role.
He said he hasn't been approached by coach Mike Shanahan or owner Pat Bowlen with a job offer after his playing career, but Smith said he would be open to the possibility.
"I love the Denver Broncos, I love the organization," he said. "So ain't nothing I wouldn't do to help, whether it's on the field or off the field."
Full-time coaching appears out of the question because Smith has said he doesn't want to work the long hours. But the team could use his leadership and experience in some capacity, perhaps as a consultant.
"Even if it's just one or two times being out here, his knowledge is so valuable you have to take advantage of that," receiver Keary Colbert said.
http://www.gazette.com/sports/hip_36984___article.html/appears_says.html
THE GAZETTE
ENGLEWOOD • Almost 4 months after he went on the reserve/retired list and 17 months since his last game, Denver Broncos receiver Rod Smith can't bring himself to announce his retirement.
Smith was at the team's facility Tuesday, offering tips to some of the receivers after a minicamp practice. He had a second hip surgery this year, and the Broncos put him on the reserve/retired list as a salary cap move.
Smith, 38, can petition for reinstatement if he wants to return, but the chances of Denver's all-time leading receiver playing again appear incredibly slim.
"You can't slam the door on your opportunity when you still have a chance for it to be open," Smith said. "You can't just close the door on that. When it's time to close the door, trust me, I'm going to close it and wish the Broncos the best."
Smith said his hip is feeling better.
He can shoot baskets, run and go about his everyday life without pain - none of which he could do last year.He acknowledged that he would have a long way to go to get into football shape.
Barring a miraculous comeback on the field, Smith could return in another role.
He said he hasn't been approached by coach Mike Shanahan or owner Pat Bowlen with a job offer after his playing career, but Smith said he would be open to the possibility.
"I love the Denver Broncos, I love the organization," he said. "So ain't nothing I wouldn't do to help, whether it's on the field or off the field."
Full-time coaching appears out of the question because Smith has said he doesn't want to work the long hours. But the team could use his leadership and experience in some capacity, perhaps as a consultant.
"Even if it's just one or two times being out here, his knowledge is so valuable you have to take advantage of that," receiver Keary Colbert said.
http://www.gazette.com/sports/hip_36984___article.html/appears_says.html