Foxsports team report & Passing camp updates on Mike Anderson

[TheReverend]

Broncos Team Report
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Patrick Saunders /
Posted: 16 hours ago




The Broncos began their two-week quarterback camp (May 16-26) with their backup QB spot wide open. Denver made pitches for Jeff Garcia and Gus Frerotte but were unable to land the veterans. That leaves veteran Danny Kanell, second-year players Matt Mauck and Bradlee Van Pelt and undrafted rookie free agent Chad Friehauf in the hunt. Mauck and Kanell are the favorites to win the job. Kanell has a strong arm and experience, and Mauck has his smarts and accuracy. Van Pelt, the former Colorado State star who's built like a linebacker, is the most intriguing. He's a great raw talent, but he was wildly inconsistent during his rookie training camp, and his passes were often off target. But if Van Pelt settles down and learns the system, he's got the arm strength and running skills needed for Denver's offense. Friehuaf, the record-setting QB from Division II Colorado School of Mines, comes in with great numbers, but he's bound to be awe-struck by playing at the pro level. . . .

It's clear that the Broncos are paying attention -- at long last -- to special teams. Their first pick of the draft (in Round 2) was speedy Oklahoma State cornerback Darrent Williams. He probably won't play much as a corner, but he's got the natural moves and instincts a punt and kickoff returner needs. In the seventh round the Broncos got Northern Arizona punter and kickoff specialist Paul Ernster, and Denver also is contemplating trading for Carolina Pro Bowl punter Todd Sauerbrun. Denver has suffered because of poor field position and the lack of an explosive punt returner for the last five seasons. Now coach Mike Shanahan has finally done something to correct the problem.


SCOUTING REPORT: There were those who thought safety John Lynch's career was finished when he underwent neck surgery in early 2004. He proved them wrong last year after signing with the Broncos. Lynch still hits hard and makes receivers think twice about coming across the middle. He's also a very instinctive player, and his 12 years in the league has taught him a lot of tricks. No Broncos defender reads the offense as well as Lynch. Yes, he has lost a step and he's not a great cover safety, so he gets beat deep more often than Denver would like. But he's excellent at stuffing the run and crowding the box. Most of all, Lynch is a leader, which is one of the reasons Denver signed him.


HONING THEIR GAMES: Giant right tackle George Foster -- 6-5, 340 pounds -- has remarkable quickness for a big man. What he needs to work on is his hand-to-hand technique. Last year, in his first year as a starter, Foster would often lose the battle when defensive ends got their hands on him. He needs to get better at grabbing and holding on inside the defender's pads -- moves that won't draw flags -- and he needs a better first punch to ward off hard-charging linemen. Foster also needs to improve his concentration so he doesn't draw false start penalties or get beat at the snap of the ball.


LINEBACKERS ANALYSIS: Grade: A A great combination of speed, size, solid tackling and playmaking ability makes this Denver's best unit. If D.J. Williams makes a smooth transition from the strong side to the weak side, this could be one of the top linebacker corps in the league. The only question is a lack of quality depth.


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Mike Anderson: Ready for a Renaissance?
By Andrew Mason
DenverBroncos.com

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- You can talk to Mike Anderson about the Broncos' crowded competition at running back; you can ask him about the recent arrivals of Maurice Clarett and Ron Dayne; you can query him about how he feels as he returns to the practice field for the first time in nearly nine months.


BRONCOS TV: CLARETT'S FIRST PRACTICE

Just don't even ask him whether he could have a recurrence of the torn groin that ended his 2004 campaign in the preseason. The very notion of it pains the usually unflappable face of the former Marine.

"Don't say that," Anderson said. "That's something I don't even want to talk about when I walk into the training room. To me, that's behind me. I did the rehab. I did all the things I could do in the offseason.

"I did everything that was asked of me, so I don't even want to talk about it."

Before looking ahead instead of back at the groin injury, one must glance at the present -- at the significance of the fact that Anderson practiced with his teammates on the first day of the team's quarterback camp -- his first organized on-field action since that dreadful moment late in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans when he was in on punt protection and his groin ruptured.

"Mike Anderson had a full practice (Monday)," Head Coach Mike Shanahan said. "He looked extremely good. He looked healthy."

But Anderson could have practiced much earlier, and believes that he could have been back on the field during the back half of the 2004 season were it not for the NFL's rules regarding injured reserve -- that once a player is there, he's there to stay through the end of the year.

"Right now, as we speak, I'm 100 percent. Right after the injury, we did two months straight of rehabbing every day with the trainers and after that I was back in the weight room," Anderson said. "By Christmastime I was back to being myself again.

"Ever since Halloween, I felt like I could get back out there and play."

The most difficult part of Anderson's recovery and return was not the surgery or the arduous rehabilitation in the months that followed -- it was those weeks at the season's close, when he felt healthy enough to play, but was consigned to the role of encourager.

"It was extremely hard -- especially ... during that time when I was ready to contribute and could help contribute in trying to make that push into the playoffs, I wasn't able to re-join the team," Anderson said. "All I could do was stand on the sidelines and watch and try to help the team as much as I could off the field."

Months later, it's time to help the team on it. The March trade of Reuben Droughns leaves Anderson as the only back on the team to have a 1,000-yard season in the NFL -- although it was five years ago. Since then, two now-former Broncos have combined for three 1,000-yard rushing campaigns -- one for Droughns and two by Clinton Portis.

Even though so much time has passed since Anderson was the team's every-down back for more than the occasional game, he feels as though he can post another 1,000-yard season, and told a gathering Monday that he is working at tailback once again.

"I've got it in me," Anderson said. "And I know, too, that for me to have a season such as that, I've got to go out and compete my tail off for the starting position."

The competition around him is young. Quentin Griffin, Tatum Bell and Clarett are products of the last three drafts in succession, and even though Dayne was a part of Anderson's 2000 draft class, the former Heisman Trophy winner is four and a half years his junior.

Despite the fact that he's the oldest back in the mix, it's one in which Anderson feels he'll have every opportunity to thrive. He did post a rare 100-yard rushing performance in a preseason contest at Seattle six days before the groin injury, so there is some evidence he can enjoy a renaissance.

"I think it's truly an open competition," Anderson said. "I looked at last year and how those guys went back and forth -- it was wide-open. You had different guys playing and starting different weeks; it was wide-open. But that's the way Coach (Shanahan) is. Whatever guy is working hardest, giving his all and standing above everybody else, that's the guy who's going to play."

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Looks like all good news... I like the proper Linebacking grade they gave us

[crazyhorse]

I've always liked Mike Anderson. Except when he was playing the Chiefs. But I have always liked the way he carries himself. At least publicly.

He has done whatever the Broncos have asked of him. Whether it be taking a pay cut, or being asked to play a position that he probably did not prefer to play. He is the kind of guy that the average Joe can relate to, and everyone pulls for.

[bloodsunday]

Originally Posted by TheReverend

Their first pick of the draft (in Round 2) was speedy Oklahoma State cornerback Darrent Williams. He probably won't play much as a corner, but he's got the natural moves and instincts a punt and kickoff returner needs.

See this is the kind of crap being reported. I hope its not true. If we took a special teams only player and left Vincent Jackson on the board I will go ape Sh*t. Based on what I have heard, this guy might have the most ability of any of the corners we drafted, just not the measurables. Nonetheless, the idea that Denver drafted him ONLY to return kicks scares the crap out of me. Bottom line IMO, if he doesn't develop into at least a nickel back then it was a wasted pick.

[TheReverend]

Hey I wouldnt worry about it. For the past couple years, the FO has done a pretty good job with the draft. We're stacked at CB and someone is going to step up and play a high level whether its dime, nickel, or even RCB. I think the same of our WR position and I think that's why Jackson stayed on the board.

[RaiderH8r]

Originally Posted by crazyhorse

I've always liked Mike Anderson. Except when he was playing the Chiefs. But I have always liked the way he carries himself. At least publicly.

He has done whatever the Broncos have asked of him. Whether it be taking a pay cut, or being asked to play a position that he probably did not prefer to play. He is the kind of guy that the average Joe can relate to, and everyone pulls for.

That's a solid, level-headed take I can support. I would really like to see MA get a shot carrying the ball again. I wanted it last year but the injury scrapped any hope of that. This guy has been the consumate team player and is a workhorse. I hope that good things happen to a good guy. Anderson has my early support however I think that our lack of a fullback will relegate him to lead blocking duties again this season. A role I'm sure he'll fill well.

[orange 4 life]

Originally Posted by crazyhorse

I've always liked Mike Anderson. Except when he was playing the Chiefs. But I have always liked the way he carries himself. At least publicly.

He has done whatever the Broncos have asked of him. Whether it be taking a pay cut, or being asked to play a position that he probably did not prefer to play. He is the kind of guy that the average Joe can relate to, and everyone pulls for.

its near impossible not to like mike.

he's a hell of a guy off the field too.

i pray he stays healthy and can make an impact this year.

he's a veteran leader, and the only one of our backs who goes back to the mile high salute days.

take it to em mike!!

[bendog]

rehabbing a ruptured groin? I thought you laid there with ice and hoped it'd heal soon?

[Jason in LA]

I wouldn't worry about it either. Williams has to have good CB skills to be taken that high. Like most rookie CBs, he won't see a lot of playing time his rookie year. But if he can light it up as a returner he'll be well worth the pick. Darren Gorden doesn't get any run around here, but he helped the team out a lot during the Super Bowl years with his returns. He had a lot of returns that set the Broncos up with good field position, and he threw in some TDs. Remember Jermane Lewis on the '00 Ravens? He had a lot of returns that set them up in scoring position. They needed it because they didn't have a good O. I don't even have to ask about Dante Hall. Take him off the Chiefs in '03 and they aren't 13-3. If the Broncos can get a returner who is a difference maker they'll be a better team.

[bloodsunday]

Originally Posted by TheReverend

We're stacked at CB

Damn we should be. We use like 50% of our picks and FA money on that position. I am not all that high on any of them other than the starters. All 3 of the CBs we took this year were considered reaches by scouts. That doesn't mean a whole lot except that we could potentially have gotten them later if we hadn't traded our picks away for d-lineman. Paymah and Foxworth play our type of scheme, but other than that there is just raw talent (speed and size).

Here's to hoping that one or two of them step up.

[Odysseus]

If Williams is just a top ten returner he was worth the pick. He WILL get some CB time I promise you but it will be later in the season.

Anderson deserves a shot. A groin injury is no joke. It's HARD to come back from. If anyone can do it it's Mike.

I want to see our linebackers blitz more but that is going to depend on our guys not getting stuffed on the line. We desperately need more interceptions on defense.

[Ratboy]

Williams is a ballhawk.

[TotallyScrewed]

Originally Posted by crazyhorse

I've always liked Mike Anderson. Except when he was playing the Chiefs. But I have always liked the way he carries himself. At least publicly.

He has done whatever the Broncos have asked of him. Whether it be taking a pay cut, or being asked to play a position that he probably did not prefer to play. He is the kind of guy that the average Joe can relate to, and everyone pulls for.

See, when you write stuff like that, I can whole-heartedly agree with you. The one thing the Broncos and the league have asked Mike not to do and he did it anyway, is the weed. Mikes' got that behind him hopefully and moves forward.

"You must spread some rep around before giving any to CrazyHorse."

[crazyhorse]

Originally Posted by TotallyScrewed

See, when you write stuff like that, I can whole-heartedly agree with you. The one thing the Broncos and the league have asked Mike not to do and he did it anyway, is the weed. Mikes' got that behind him hopefully and moves forward.

"You must spread some rep around before giving any to CrazyHorse."

I appreciate the kind words.

I don't even mind the weed thing. There are a lot of good people smoking weed in this world. I do believe however that if it is a banned substance and you sign a contract, you should honor it.

[TheReverend]

Originally Posted by bloodsunday

Damn we should be. We use like 50% of our picks and FA money on that position. I am not all that high on any of them other than the starters. All 3 of the CBs we took this year were considered reaches by scouts. That doesn't mean a whole lot except that we could potentially have gotten them later if we hadn't traded our picks away for d-lineman. Paymah and Foxworth play our type of scheme, but other than that there is just raw talent (speed and size).

Here's to hoping that one or two of them step up.

Ah, yes... the scouts. The same people who said Marino pushes the ball and wouldnt make it in the NFL, and the analysts that said we couldn't beat green bay in the superbowl. I trust our FO. Williams may have been a reach at CB, but not as a returner, as well. Foxworth and Paymah were reaches because they struggle in zone... we dont really play zone. They're big and fast and may be able to handle to some people in that 5 yrd cushion. If not, oh well, we have 2 first rounders next year.

Let it rain, all the way to Detroit.

Reverend out.

[TheReverend]

Originally Posted by bloodsunday

Damn we should be. We use like 50% of our picks and FA money on that position. I am not all that high on any of them other than the starters. All 3 of the CBs we took this year were considered reaches by scouts. That doesn't mean a whole lot except that we could potentially have gotten them later if we hadn't traded our picks away for d-lineman. Paymah and Foxworth play our type of scheme, but other than that there is just raw talent (speed and size).

Here's to hoping that one or two of them step up.

Ah, yes... the scouts. The same people who said Marino pushes the ball and wouldnt make it in the NFL, and the analysts that said we couldn't beat green bay in the superbowl. I trust our FO. Williams may have been a reach at CB, but not as a returner, as well. Foxworth and Paymah were reaches because they struggle in zone... we dont really play zone. They're big and fast and may be able to handle to some people in that 5 yrd cushion. If not, oh well, we have 2 first rounders next year.

Let it rain, all the way to Detroit.

Reverend out.

[Ballhawk]

Originally Posted by Ratboy

Williams is a ballhawk.

Ballhawk is not a Williams...not sure how this will effect the upcoming season, but wanted to clarify.

[Jason in LA]

They said Watts was a reach. So far he's looking like a good pick. Hell, they said John Mobley was a reach. He had a number of very good years. The draft is a crap shoot.