Nice article on Adams - The Orange Mane

Atlas · 10-16-2005, 09:33 PM

Adams sees clearly now with Broncos

By Jordan Conigliaro, October 16, 2005
SoCals link: http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2...s/sports03.txt

Charlie Adams has faced physical obstacles before in his football career. Twice he’s torn his anterior cruciate ligament, and twice he’s rehabbed his way back.

But those were unsubtle problems, obvious even to those without a medical degree and quickly diagnosed.

Last year, Adams began having a more nagging problem: He couldn’t catch the ball. When you’re a receiver, that’s a big no-no.

The former Cumberland Valley High School standout bobbled balls. He’d come off his route and find the throw approaching much quicker than he expected, leading tosome drops.

Most distressing, for a guy who’d already been cut by the Denver Broncos three times, he wasn’t impressing the coaches. When you’re an undrafted free agent in your third year of trying to make the team, you can’t have dropped passes or you won’t stick around.

Adams made the Broncos’ opening day roster last year, but was inactive for the first three games andthen got cut. After working out for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he returned to the Denver roster Dec. 8 after receiver Nate Jackson suffered a fractured left ankle and ended up periodically returning punts and kicks.

Sick of seeing the ball bounce off his fingertips, Adams decided to get help. That’s when he found out that his subtle problem had a very clear answer.

Adams (Associated Press)
“I wasn’t seeing the ball clearly, and it would sneak up on me,” he says. “I never thought I needed glasses or anything. I went and had my eyes checked and they said I needed them. I got the contacts, and now everything is sharper.”

Better vision has given Adams a new approach and a new job. He locked up the third spot on the Broncos’ receivers depth chart after a stellar preseason, helping send future Hall of Famer Jerry Rice into retirement.

Just as Adams could finally see better on the field, the coaches saw a big difference in Adams.

“He’s been more consistent throughout training camp,” head coach Mike Shanahan told DenverBroncos.com at the beginning of the regular season. “I told Charlie before the Arizona game that he was going to be our starting third wide receiver and to get ready to play.”

Heading into today’s matchup with the New England Patriots, Adams has 10 grabs for 109 yards and 148 return yards on special teams as a punt and kick returner. The Broncos are 4-1 and atop the AFC West standings after last week’s close win over the Washington Redskins.

The former all-state defensive player recently bought a house in Parker, Colo., near the Broncos’ training facility. That’s a big step after years of NFL disappointments. While Adams knows that the future is never guaranteed in the pros, he’s very happy with where he is now.

“That’s something that is definitely up to them. I would love to be here as long as I can. I definitely want to be here as long as I can, but that is up to them,” he admits.

Just four months ago, Adams’ roster spot seemed anything but secure. Heading into the 2005 Broncos training camp, Adams’ fourth summer session since graduating from Hofstra University, there were too many receivers for a 53-man roster.

Veteran Rod Smith and third-year player Ashley Lelie were penciled in as the team’s No. 1 and 2 receivers. That left Adams, Darius Watts, Triandos Luke, Todd Devoe and Rice vying for the remaining spots, including the No. 3 position, which meant significant playing time. Watts was the favorite because it he had the position in 2004.

Not only did Adams pull ahead of Watts, the 25-year-old Camp Hill native also beat out the NFL’s all-time leading receiver in Rice for the third receiving position. Adams also matched steps with rookie stud and former Oklahoma State speedster Darrent Williams and earned time returning punts and kicks.

After Adams turned in punt returns of 35 and 29 yards in the preseason, Shanahan made his decision.

“Coach Shanahan told me the week before I left the last preseason game,” Adams says. “He called me to the office. I was a little worried. It turned out to be good news, though, that I got the third spot. It felt good to hear that.”

Rice’s preseason presence received a lot of attention in Denver and nationally. The veteran was on a farewell tour looking for a chance to ride off with a contending team. Adams was simply looking for a job, but he ended up getting an education.

“He teaches by example,” Adams says about Rice. “Everything you hear about him is true in terms of his work ethic and his approach to the game

“It was great to see him. He’s out there before and after practice. Those are things that we do also, but to see him at (age) 43, that lets you know how he got to where he is. He never took a day off. He does everything the right way.”

In the NFL there is a line between the players who collect a paycheck and those who impact the league. Rice was an impact player, and Adams would love to rise to that level.

“A lot of pro football players say there is a difference between a professional and someone that is just in the NFL,” he says. “Everyone is trying to be a professional. True professionals like Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey and Jerry Rice teach you how to be a professional. I think that is something that needs to be learned when you get into the league.

“Not everyone has that. I think that is something that I have really improved on. I try to be real meticulous and study so I can make it easier on myself.”

Now, with his spot on the roster secure, Adams isn’t done proving himself. He’d love to become a big-play receiver.

“Now I am in a position to make plays to help the team win. That’s a big responsibility, and I am up to it,” Adams says.

“It feels so different because I haven’t been in that position in the NFL before. Plays that I make now can change the outcome of the game. I love that feeling. They stuck with me for three years when I wasn’t doing anything. I’m glad they kept me around for three years to give me that opportunity.”

ACL tears in high school (during his junior year) and college (during his senior year) could have ended his career. They certainly affected it. The high school injury limited his college offers to Division I-AA schools Villanova and Hofstra, and he went undrafted after college despite setting a school record for career receiving yards with 2,649.

Adams hasn’t had any problems with his knees since. He played for the NFL Europe’s Rhein Fire in 2003, where he led the club with 36 receptions for 358 yards and helped it earn a spot in the World Bowl.

It took Adams several years to finally catch on, which he attributes to a strong work ethic. But he also has good genes that helped get him that far.

The Adams family is well known in central Pennsylvania. Charlie’s two older brothers, Kevin and Askari, were also football standouts. Though Charlie, because of his college injury, was the only one to go to a Division I-AA program, he’s also become the only one to stick in the NFL.

Oldest brother Kevin, who played at Florida State, now lives in New Jersey and works in Manhattan.

Former CV and Penn State defensive back Askari, who had stints with the Buffalo Bills, the Canadian Football League and the XFL, coached the secondary at Mercyhurst College for two seasons. Shanahan invited him to work with the Broncos’ coaching staff during training camp, helping push a possible coaching career.

Charlie, he’s still working on the playing part. With a house, a secure roster spot and, of course, those very helpful contacts, Adams can finally feel a bit more secure about his future.

“I think I can get a lot better. I am nowhere near as good as I can be at receiver,” he says. “I just want to be consistent. I haven’t made any big plays yet for our team. I just think I can hopefully get some more plays down the field. I just like doing things to help the team win every Sunday.”

ludo21 · 10-16-2005, 09:58 PM

good find, rep for that!

I like Adams as the third guy and i hope he goes onto have a successful career.

Billy Clyde Puckett · 10-17-2005, 05:20 AM

Nice article, but then he goes out and drops the only pass thrown to him.

Odysseus · 10-17-2005, 05:29 AM

I hope Adams becomes like Rod Smith. Good read.

Good point Big Guy.

bloodsunday · 10-17-2005, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Guy

Nice article, but then he goes out and drops the only pass thrown to him.

That play was coming right at me from my vantage point... tough catch, but one that an NFL WR HAS TO MAKE. Maybe Watts is starting to rub his mojo off on Adams and Lelie?

Billy Clyde Puckett · 10-17-2005, 07:45 AM

I did see Watts make a good block. Can't remember the exact play.

SINISTER_ · 10-17-2005, 07:52 AM

Well Mabye Watts Should get his eyes Checked

Atlas · 10-17-2005, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiettiger

I hope Adams becomes like Rod Smith. Good read.

Good point Big Guy.

Again like I always says. Adams is wide open. Going over the middle which LBers and S are looking to take your head off and what does Jake do

LIke always he throws the ball too damn high. Adams then has to go up and expose his entire body to make the catch.

Granted it could/should have been caught but Jake always makes it so hard. Jake throw the ball and hit the WRs on their numbers!!!

Billy Clyde Puckett · 10-17-2005, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlas

Again like I always says. Adams is wide open. Going over the middle which LBers and S are looking to take your head off and what does Jake do

LIke always he throws the ball too damn high. Adams then has to go up and expose his entire body to make the catch.

Granted it could/should have been caught but Jake always makes it so hard. Jake throw the ball and hit the WRs on their numbers!!!

Maybe they should paint that avatar on the WRs chest so he would keep his eyes on the target

Atlas · 10-17-2005, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Guy

Maybe they should paint that avatar on the WRs chest so he would keep his eyes on the target

That wouldn't work after all he is nailing a Bronco cheerleader.

orinjkrush · 10-17-2005, 04:49 PM

hey how bout some rep for Shanny giving Charlie's brother a coaching shot. rep!!

10-16-2005, 09:33 PM	#1
Atlas Draft Defense Early&Often Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 18,526	Nice article on Adams Adams sees clearly now with Broncos By Jordan Conigliaro, October 16, 2005 SoCals link: http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2...s/sports03.txt Charlie Adams has faced physical obstacles before in his football career. Twice he’s torn his anterior cruciate ligament, and twice he’s rehabbed his way back. But those were unsubtle problems, obvious even to those without a medical degree and quickly diagnosed. Last year, Adams began having a more nagging problem: He couldn’t catch the ball. When you’re a receiver, that’s a big no-no. The former Cumberland Valley High School standout bobbled balls. He’d come off his route and find the throw approaching much quicker than he expected, leading tosome drops. Most distressing, for a guy who’d already been cut by the Denver Broncos three times, he wasn’t impressing the coaches. When you’re an undrafted free agent in your third year of trying to make the team, you can’t have dropped passes or you won’t stick around. Adams made the Broncos’ opening day roster last year, but was inactive for the first three games andthen got cut. After working out for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he returned to the Denver roster Dec. 8 after receiver Nate Jackson suffered a fractured left ankle and ended up periodically returning punts and kicks. Sick of seeing the ball bounce off his fingertips, Adams decided to get help. That’s when he found out that his subtle problem had a very clear answer. Adams (Associated Press) “I wasn’t seeing the ball clearly, and it would sneak up on me,” he says. “I never thought I needed glasses or anything. I went and had my eyes checked and they said I needed them. I got the contacts, and now everything is sharper.” Better vision has given Adams a new approach and a new job. He locked up the third spot on the Broncos’ receivers depth chart after a stellar preseason, helping send future Hall of Famer Jerry Rice into retirement. Just as Adams could finally see better on the field, the coaches saw a big difference in Adams. “He’s been more consistent throughout training camp,” head coach Mike Shanahan told DenverBroncos.com at the beginning of the regular season. “I told Charlie before the Arizona game that he was going to be our starting third wide receiver and to get ready to play.” Heading into today’s matchup with the New England Patriots, Adams has 10 grabs for 109 yards and 148 return yards on special teams as a punt and kick returner. The Broncos are 4-1 and atop the AFC West standings after last week’s close win over the Washington Redskins. The former all-state defensive player recently bought a house in Parker, Colo., near the Broncos’ training facility. That’s a big step after years of NFL disappointments. While Adams knows that the future is never guaranteed in the pros, he’s very happy with where he is now. “That’s something that is definitely up to them. I would love to be here as long as I can. I definitely want to be here as long as I can, but that is up to them,” he admits. Just four months ago, Adams’ roster spot seemed anything but secure. Heading into the 2005 Broncos training camp, Adams’ fourth summer session since graduating from Hofstra University, there were too many receivers for a 53-man roster. Veteran Rod Smith and third-year player Ashley Lelie were penciled in as the team’s No. 1 and 2 receivers. That left Adams, Darius Watts, Triandos Luke, Todd Devoe and Rice vying for the remaining spots, including the No. 3 position, which meant significant playing time. Watts was the favorite because it he had the position in 2004. Not only did Adams pull ahead of Watts, the 25-year-old Camp Hill native also beat out the NFL’s all-time leading receiver in Rice for the third receiving position. Adams also matched steps with rookie stud and former Oklahoma State speedster Darrent Williams and earned time returning punts and kicks. After Adams turned in punt returns of 35 and 29 yards in the preseason, Shanahan made his decision. “Coach Shanahan told me the week before I left the last preseason game,” Adams says. “He called me to the office. I was a little worried. It turned out to be good news, though, that I got the third spot. It felt good to hear that.” Rice’s preseason presence received a lot of attention in Denver and nationally. The veteran was on a farewell tour looking for a chance to ride off with a contending team. Adams was simply looking for a job, but he ended up getting an education. “He teaches by example,” Adams says about Rice. “Everything you hear about him is true in terms of his work ethic and his approach to the game “It was great to see him. He’s out there before and after practice. Those are things that we do also, but to see him at (age) 43, that lets you know how he got to where he is. He never took a day off. He does everything the right way.” In the NFL there is a line between the players who collect a paycheck and those who impact the league. Rice was an impact player, and Adams would love to rise to that level. “A lot of pro football players say there is a difference between a professional and someone that is just in the NFL,” he says. “Everyone is trying to be a professional. True professionals like Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey and Jerry Rice teach you how to be a professional. I think that is something that needs to be learned when you get into the league. “Not everyone has that. I think that is something that I have really improved on. I try to be real meticulous and study so I can make it easier on myself.” Now, with his spot on the roster secure, Adams isn’t done proving himself. He’d love to become a big-play receiver. “Now I am in a position to make plays to help the team win. That’s a big responsibility, and I am up to it,” Adams says. “It feels so different because I haven’t been in that position in the NFL before. Plays that I make now can change the outcome of the game. I love that feeling. They stuck with me for three years when I wasn’t doing anything. I’m glad they kept me around for three years to give me that opportunity.” ACL tears in high school (during his junior year) and college (during his senior year) could have ended his career. They certainly affected it. The high school injury limited his college offers to Division I-AA schools Villanova and Hofstra, and he went undrafted after college despite setting a school record for career receiving yards with 2,649. Adams hasn’t had any problems with his knees since. He played for the NFL Europe’s Rhein Fire in 2003, where he led the club with 36 receptions for 358 yards and helped it earn a spot in the World Bowl. It took Adams several years to finally catch on, which he attributes to a strong work ethic. But he also has good genes that helped get him that far. The Adams family is well known in central Pennsylvania. Charlie’s two older brothers, Kevin and Askari, were also football standouts. Though Charlie, because of his college injury, was the only one to go to a Division I-AA program, he’s also become the only one to stick in the NFL. Oldest brother Kevin, who played at Florida State, now lives in New Jersey and works in Manhattan. Former CV and Penn State defensive back Askari, who had stints with the Buffalo Bills, the Canadian Football League and the XFL, coached the secondary at Mercyhurst College for two seasons. Shanahan invited him to work with the Broncos’ coaching staff during training camp, helping push a possible coaching career. Charlie, he’s still working on the playing part. With a house, a secure roster spot and, of course, those very helpful contacts, Adams can finally feel a bit more secure about his future. “I think I can get a lot better. I am nowhere near as good as I can be at receiver,” he says. “I just want to be consistent. I haven’t made any big plays yet for our team. I just think I can hopefully get some more plays down the field. I just like doing things to help the team win every Sunday.”

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10-16-2005, 09:58 PM	#2
ludo21 RIP Darrent Williams Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 17,903 Adopt-a-Bronco: Paul Ernster	good find, rep for that! I like Adams as the third guy and i hope he goes onto have a successful career.

10-17-2005, 05:20 AM	#3
Billy Clyde Puckett Billy=Semi Tough Big Guy Looking down on KC, SD and Oakland Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: between 5,000 and 10,000 feet elevation Posts: 12,665 Adopt-a-Bronco: John Elway	Nice article, but then he goes out and drops the only pass thrown to him.

10-17-2005, 05:29 AM	#4
Odysseus Fan of the home team Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 12,107 Adopt-a-Bronco: Mark Schlereth	I hope Adams becomes like Rod Smith. Good read. Good point Big Guy.

10-17-2005, 07:45 AM	#6
Billy Clyde Puckett Billy=Semi Tough Big Guy Looking down on KC, SD and Oakland Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: between 5,000 and 10,000 feet elevation Posts: 12,665 Adopt-a-Bronco: John Elway	I did see Watts make a good block. Can't remember the exact play.

10-17-2005, 07:52 AM	#7
SINISTER_ I want Lenny Back.... Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 114	Well Mabye Watts Should get his eyes Checked

10-17-2005, 04:49 PM	#11
orinjkrush ... Prospects for the future... Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DistrictOfCorruption Posts: 4,914 Adopt-a-Bronco: Ben Garland	hey how bout some rep for Shanny giving Charlie's brother a coaching shot. rep!!