Walls article and more - The Orange Mane

TheReverend · 06-09-2005, 07:26 AM

Walls hoping injury cycle broken
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News
June 9, 2005

Denver Broncos cornerback Lenny Walls has his grip on a starting spot again.

Yet, he has been down this road before, and this time, Walls is hoping his surgically repaired right shoulder allows him to hang on to his spot in the secondary.

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"Shoulder's doing great, I'm not even worried about it right now," he said Wednesday during the Broncos' mini-camp. "Obviously when the pads come on I'll really be able to test it, but doing stuff like this, I don't even have to worry about it. It's strong, it's stable. I'm just ready to go."

Walls entered the Broncos' 2004 training camp as their starter at right cornerback, but then he suffered an ankle injury that required surgery and kept him out of much of the remainder of training camp.

He returned to play in Denver's regular-season opener against Kansas City but separated his right shoulder in the fourth quarter. And that started a cycle.

"It just seemed like every time I got close to getting back in there, it happened again," Walls said.

Then he dislocated the shoulder twice after returning from the separation - Oct. 17 against Oakland and Nov. 28 against Oakland - and finished the season on injured reserve. He underwent surgery Dec. 1 to repair the shoulder.

"I feel like I've been out for a long time," Walls said. "I'm excited to play. I've already got a passion for the game that's crazy; now that I've missed a lot of time, I just can't wait to go."

With the departure of Kelly Herndon in free agency - he signed with Seattle - Walls is working again with the starting defense. At 6-feet-4, he is the tallest cornerback in the league, and the Broncos want that reach in the lineup.

But with second-year cornerback Jeff Shoate, who played sparingly in some of the team's specialty packages last season, still recovering from knee surgery, the Broncos went into the April draft looking for insurance.

Their six picks included three cornerbacks.

"I take it as 'DB' is a really important position in this league," Walls said. "We had a lot of injuries last year and we could have used, probably, another one or two. Losing Kelly, obviously me being a free agent after the season, they have to think about the organization.

"I think it's a great move, and hopefully they can help us this year."

REFINE THE GAME: Linebacker D.J. Williams, who finished third last season in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, figures if he improves the quality of his play, an increase in the quantity of his tackles will follow.

"You don't want to say I want to have this many more tackles and this and that," Williams said.

"I just want to have less mistakes, less mental errors," Williams said.

Last season, Williams finished with 114 tackles and was only the second rookie in Broncos history to lead the team in tackles. Having played last season on the weak side - away from the tight end - much of the time, Williams will spend more time on the strong side (the same side of the formation as the tight end) because the Broncos have brought back linebacker Ian Gold.

STRETCH IT OUT: Defensive tackle Luther Elliss, who missed eight games last season because of chest, calf and back injuries, said he has implemented a stretching program that has included yoga and pilates to try to avoid injuries this season.

"I'm trying to make sure I don't have setbacks this time around," he said. Elliss, who is entering his 11th season, also lost about 20 pounds and is planning to play at about 300 pounds.

He weighed a little less than 320 last season. Elliss finished the '04 season on injured reserve after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back.

He missed 11 games in 2003 because of a torn chest muscle.

ETC.: Two players placed in NFL Europe by the Broncos were chosen to the All-NFL Europe League first team - defensive tackle Aaron Hunt and offensive tackle Tyson Clabo, who play for the Hamburg Sea Devils.

-------------

Congrats for the Europe guys... Hunt may be PS this year due to DL depth, but Clabo couldnt have stepped it up at a better time. Good news.

TotallyScrewed · 06-09-2005, 07:47 AM

Yeah, I'm hoping Clabo can switch to the guard spot and push to be the starting RG.

fontaine · 06-09-2005, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TotallyScrewed

Yeah, I'm hoping Clabo can switch to the guard spot and push to be the starting RG.

The OL competition is going to be a very good one this year. The starting four are set and it's open season on the RG position.

Coop will have to battle all these guys below for that spot.

Tyson Clabo (OG) : I see him more as a T prospect given how well he's done in NFL Europe as a pass protector at LT.

Anthony Clement (OT): He's been a starter for years at RT so he has the experience and is a huge guy who should give us more power in the running game.
Cornell Green (OT / OG): ??
Chris Myers (OG): Won't contribute this year. Might just have to go to the practice squad.
Josh Sewell (C): ??
Cameron Spikes (OT / OG): Is a marginal starter and was brought in for competition I think so he won't make is past final cuts.

I think it's going to come down to Clement and Coop. It's going to be interesting where they slot Clabo but it looks like we should have depth here and plenty of big guys.

TheReverend · 06-09-2005, 09:54 AM

I dont think Myers stays on the PS this year... I think with our lack of depth and his versatility he gets a roster spot.

Cito Pelon · 06-09-2005, 01:36 PM

I think Walls will have a big year. He has tons of skill.

It's strange though, how these NFL players are great athletes, but they don't know how to roll when they hit the ground. They stick their hands out and try to brake themselves - that's how Walls hurt his shoulder, same with Ray Lewis. Just tuck your head in and roll, it's not all that difficult.

Atlas · 06-09-2005, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fontaine

Cameron Spikes (OT / OG): Is a marginal starter and was brought in for competition I think so he won't make is past final cuts.
.

Spikes was a starter in this league. I wouldn't write him off so quick.

Mr. Trout · 06-09-2005, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlas

Spikes was a starter in this league. I wouldn't write him off so quick.

I agree. he has as good a chance as the other guys

SpringStein · 06-09-2005, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheReverend

I dont think Myers stays on the PS this year... I think with our lack of depth and his versatility he gets a roster spot.

Agree...at least I hope so.

06-09-2005, 07:26 AM	#1
TheReverend www.PatrickTurley.org ^ buy this... twice Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 33,019 Adopt-a-Bronco: Mike Shanahan	Walls article and more Walls hoping injury cycle broken By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News June 9, 2005 Denver Broncos cornerback Lenny Walls has his grip on a starting spot again. Yet, he has been down this road before, and this time, Walls is hoping his surgically repaired right shoulder allows him to hang on to his spot in the secondary. Advertisement "Shoulder's doing great, I'm not even worried about it right now," he said Wednesday during the Broncos' mini-camp. "Obviously when the pads come on I'll really be able to test it, but doing stuff like this, I don't even have to worry about it. It's strong, it's stable. I'm just ready to go." Walls entered the Broncos' 2004 training camp as their starter at right cornerback, but then he suffered an ankle injury that required surgery and kept him out of much of the remainder of training camp. He returned to play in Denver's regular-season opener against Kansas City but separated his right shoulder in the fourth quarter. And that started a cycle. "It just seemed like every time I got close to getting back in there, it happened again," Walls said. Then he dislocated the shoulder twice after returning from the separation - Oct. 17 against Oakland and Nov. 28 against Oakland - and finished the season on injured reserve. He underwent surgery Dec. 1 to repair the shoulder. "I feel like I've been out for a long time," Walls said. "I'm excited to play. I've already got a passion for the game that's crazy; now that I've missed a lot of time, I just can't wait to go." With the departure of Kelly Herndon in free agency - he signed with Seattle - Walls is working again with the starting defense. At 6-feet-4, he is the tallest cornerback in the league, and the Broncos want that reach in the lineup. But with second-year cornerback Jeff Shoate, who played sparingly in some of the team's specialty packages last season, still recovering from knee surgery, the Broncos went into the April draft looking for insurance. Their six picks included three cornerbacks. "I take it as 'DB' is a really important position in this league," Walls said. "We had a lot of injuries last year and we could have used, probably, another one or two. Losing Kelly, obviously me being a free agent after the season, they have to think about the organization. "I think it's a great move, and hopefully they can help us this year." REFINE THE GAME: Linebacker D.J. Williams, who finished third last season in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, figures if he improves the quality of his play, an increase in the quantity of his tackles will follow. "You don't want to say I want to have this many more tackles and this and that," Williams said. "I just want to have less mistakes, less mental errors," Williams said. Last season, Williams finished with 114 tackles and was only the second rookie in Broncos history to lead the team in tackles. Having played last season on the weak side - away from the tight end - much of the time, Williams will spend more time on the strong side (the same side of the formation as the tight end) because the Broncos have brought back linebacker Ian Gold. STRETCH IT OUT: Defensive tackle Luther Elliss, who missed eight games last season because of chest, calf and back injuries, said he has implemented a stretching program that has included yoga and pilates to try to avoid injuries this season. "I'm trying to make sure I don't have setbacks this time around," he said. Elliss, who is entering his 11th season, also lost about 20 pounds and is planning to play at about 300 pounds. He weighed a little less than 320 last season. Elliss finished the '04 season on injured reserve after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back. He missed 11 games in 2003 because of a torn chest muscle. ETC.: Two players placed in NFL Europe by the Broncos were chosen to the All-NFL Europe League first team - defensive tackle Aaron Hunt and offensive tackle Tyson Clabo, who play for the Hamburg Sea Devils. ------------- Congrats for the Europe guys... Hunt may be PS this year due to DL depth, but Clabo couldnt have stepped it up at a better time. Good news.

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06-09-2005, 07:47 AM	#2
TotallyScrewed Ring of Famer Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,597	Yeah, I'm hoping Clabo can switch to the guard spot and push to be the starting RG.

06-09-2005, 09:54 AM	#4
TheReverend www.PatrickTurley.org ^ buy this... twice Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 33,019 Adopt-a-Bronco: Mike Shanahan	I dont think Myers stays on the PS this year... I think with our lack of depth and his versatility he gets a roster spot.

06-09-2005, 01:36 PM	#5
Cito Pelon Attack at all times . . . Happy dog at the Divide Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: AFC West Championshipville Posts: 15,194 Adopt-a-Bronco: Elvis	I think Walls will have a big year. He has tons of skill. It's strange though, how these NFL players are great athletes, but they don't know how to roll when they hit the ground. They stick their hands out and try to brake themselves - that's how Walls hurt his shoulder, same with Ray Lewis. Just tuck your head in and roll, it's not all that difficult.