Van Pelt prepared to look his best - The Orange Mane

SoCalBronco · 05-18-2006, 01:23 AM

Van Pelt prepared to look his best
The ex-CSU star says he decided before Cutler was drafted to "grow up and get down to business."
By Joseph Sanchez
Denver Post Staff Writer

Broncos backup Bradlee Van Pelt, stretching before practice at the team's passing camp this week, says, "I know I'm a better thrower and I'll become a better thrower year after year." (Post / Cyrus McCrimmon)

It was not the long-haired, fun-loving Bradlee Van Pelt who showed up at the Broncos' passing camp this week. It was the short-haired, serious-minded professional Van Pelt.

The most dramatic change was to his look, which can best be described as a lot less Jake Plummer and a lot more Tom Brady.

Not only is the long hair gone, so is some of his upper-body bulk.

Van Pelt decided to "grow up and get down to business" during the offseason - a decision he said he made long before the Broncos made Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler their first pick in the NFL draft last month, the 11th overall choice.

"I got annoyed after a while when people would look at me and say, 'You know, you look like Jake,"' said Van Pelt, a former Colorado State star. "I was like, no, I've had long hair for like six years. I never was clean-cut. I'm not going to say Jake looked like me; I'm not going to go that far. But I looked at people going, 'What, you think I'm trying to copy Jake?'

"So when I cut it, Jake kind of looked at me and I was like, 'Yeah, I don't want to look like you anymore, buddy.' But it had nothing to do with Jake. It had to do with me personally, me getting down to business. And that's how you'll see me in July."

Van Pelt said his transformation began more than a year ago in training camp when he moved from fifth on the depth chart to the backup position.

"As the year went on and we got into the offseason," he said, "I started telling myself, 'All right, this is the year.' This is my third year in the system. I don't plan on being a backup my whole life. I've got to buckle down. There was no way at my current pace I was going to be able to be a prolific quarterback in the NFL."

That led to the change in his weight training, the

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haircut and some changes in his lifestyle that meant letting go of some unhealthy habits and getting a good eight hours of sleep every night.
"I'm not anywhere as bulky or as strong as I was in college or my first couple years (with the Broncos) upper body- wise," Van Pelt said. "I'm still very strong for a quarterback, but I realized that to become a little more flexible like a rubber band and to become a more natural thrower, I had to help my body.

"I used to think I could lift a lot of weights and still have a rhythmic movement, but it came very hard. So I've tweaked that a little bit, and I've found success with it. I'm not going to toot my own horn, but I know I'm a better thrower and I'll become a better thrower year after year. I want to become a great quarterback."

Van Pelt said when he heard whom the Broncos had drafted last month, he took a long hike to gather his thoughts.

He said he understands what the Broncos have invested in Cutler, but at this point he's not about to concede anything to Cutler or Plummer.

"As far as I know, I'm still No. 2," Van Pelt said. "I'm with the No. 2 group. I'm just going to make myself so good that no matter what happens, I'll be No. 1 someday, somewhere."

Joseph Sanchez can be reached at 303-820-5458 or jsanchez@denverpost.com.

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_3834769

SoCalBronco · 05-18-2006, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

"I got annoyed after a while when people would look at me and say, 'You know, you look like Jake,"' said Van Pelt, a former Colorado State star. "I was like, no, I've had long hair for like six years. I never was clean-cut. I'm not going to say Jake looked like me; I'm not going to go that far. But I looked at people going, 'What, you think I'm trying to copy Jake?'

"So when I cut it, Jake kind of looked at me and I was like, 'Yeah, I don't want to look like you anymore, buddy.'

Heh. Kinda amusing but a little awkward to say that stuff too.

Well, im glad he is working hard. I actually think he can be the long term backup here. He has some good physical tools, he can run around and looked better last preseason than he did before although didnt really show much in the way of being a passer in the SD regular season finale. He is still developing though and has made significant strides so far from where he was at when he was an option QB and 7th round pick. With an increased dedication, he should be able to continue to develop into a solid NFL backup.

Kaylore · 05-18-2006, 01:33 AM

I kind of knew that BVP would face this thing the right way. He's dealing with it better than Ashlie is, that's for sure. I'm also glad he's ditching the college football party boy drunk jerk-off thing.

Sounds to me like we're going to see a hot race this camp between the three. Shanahan really believes in competition and forcing everyone on the team to earn their positions. Players will be fighting tooth and nail for playing time:

Bell vs Dayne
'Nique vs D-Wil
Cutler vs BVP
All wideouts vs all wideouts

No matter who loses, the Broncos win.

SoCalBronco · 05-18-2006, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

I kind of knew that BVP would face this thing the right way. He's dealing with it better than Ashlie is, that's for sure. I'm also glad he's ditching the college football party boy drunk jerk-off thing.

Sounds to me like we're going to see a hot race this camp between the three. Shanahan really believes in competition and rocing everyone on the team to earn their positions. Player will be fighting tooth and nail for playing time:

Bell vs Dayne
'Nique vs D-Wil
Cutler vs BVP
All wideouts vs all wideouts

No matter who loses, the Broncos win.

Yep. Good point, Khan.

Cooper is also going to have to actually earn it this year as opposed to getting it by default. The TE competition should be fun too. Alexander will probably end up being the starter in title, but its going to be a rotation based on game circumstances, it will be interesting to see how the playing time pie gets divided up at that position among SA, Duke, Scheffler and Marshall, who Shanny talked about as a possible TE/H-Back, despite being a college WR.

We'll also see how much, if any, Fergy and the veteran ends playing time gets cut into by Browner and Dumervil.

Pezman · 05-18-2006, 01:50 AM

All I care is that he wont be attending CU vs CSU games anymore. But salute to our third stringer for growing up at long last. Maybe he will find room to grow as a QB or whatever the hell it is he will be with this team. Is he still on the special teams squad?

SoCalBronco · 05-18-2006, 01:51 AM

Paymah is also going to have to make at least a little noise too or else he may not make the team. There's only so many slots in the secondary. Browner looks like he has a good shot at a spot...Cox and Sam Brandon are solid, and then ofcourse Champ, Lynch, D-Will and Foxy (oops...I mean Nique). There is very little if any room left, maybe a spot, two tops. We've cut line on 3rd rounders real quick before, and at corner too, LeSueur got the axe in Year 2.

They were saying good things about Karl Paymah's potential last year around the time of the practices and game with Houston in the preseason but he's going to have to flash some ability now.

It's a constant struggle, that's why Rod has been so successful. He came in as an UDFA, he was motivated by fear, he could have been out of the league at any time, no sweat. Things change fast in this league, you gotta keep producing, Q was the starter on opening day in 2004 and by the very next year he was practically out of the league.

Relatively high picks like Paymah and Watts need to flash some ability in camp and in the preseason, they could be flipping burgers in no time if they can't pull it off. It's a brutal world in the NFL....2nd round pick, early 3rd or not.

It's not just Van Pelt that's feeling the heat....but I'm glad that he appears to be re-doubling his efforts.

watermock · 05-18-2006, 01:53 AM

I like BVP.

Kaylore · 05-18-2006, 01:59 AM

I think it will be good. Shanahan hates complacency. He hates whenever there is any position where a player might know that they have a spot only because there isn't anyone better around.

I remember when I spoke with Foxworth, one of the things I was curious about was how competing for the same job at work affects your relationship with a friend. He was real cool about it and said they just pushed each other. I remembered how cool they were about pimping each other last year. When D-wil took that pass to the house in the Oakland game, the first player in his face telling him how cool he was was Foxworth.

The ones who can handle it will react in that kind of way. The ones who can't will go the way of Jeremy LeSeuer.

BroncoBuff · 05-18-2006, 02:15 AM

Maybe it's time for another "Stop the BVP Hating" threads ...

Killericon · 05-18-2006, 02:16 AM

The guy sucks. He can do whatever he wants.

Kaylore · 05-18-2006, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroncoBuff1

Maybe it's time for another "Stop the BVP Hating" threads ...

I'm really curious how he'll look this year. He went from total garbage to serviceable in one year under Shanahan. I hated everything about him going into camp and he really won me (and more importantly the staff) over. Shanahan made a dick-head frat boy who can't throw a rock at the earth into an NFL quarterback.

Now think what he'll do when he has more to work with:

BroncoMan4ever · 05-18-2006, 02:20 AM

I actually think that BVP has the talent to make it as a solid starter somewhere in this league. The guy has size and strength speed and a descent arm. He sounds like a smart guy, so he will keep learning from Shanny and become a good all around QB. He knows that Cutler will become a backup this year so either he is playing to be number 3 or he is auditioning to place himself somewhere else in the league. In a couple of years I would not be surprised at all to see him being successful somewhere in this league. I don't think he will be happy to sit in the background and be a backup his entire career. And with the knowledge that Cutler and not him will be the man in Denver i n a couple of years, he will work his ass off for a new spot on a new team.

Atlas · 05-18-2006, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

Heh. Kinda amusing but a little awkward to say that stuff too.

Well, im glad he is working hard. I actually think he can be the long term backup here. He has some good physical tools, he can run around and looked better last preseason than he did before although didnt really show much in the way of being a passer in the SD regular season finale. He is still developing though and has made significant strides so far from where he was at when he was an option QB and 7th round pick. With an increased dedication, he should be able to continue to develop into a solid NFL backup.

You know in a different article they would have written that he has lost bulk and weight because he was lazy and fat.

It's another fluff article about a guy holding onto his job by a string.

elsid13 · 05-18-2006, 04:09 AM

The only people not happy with BVP's new mature attitude are the bartenders of Denver. It suck when a major revenue source drys up like that. Well maybe mock can move to Denver.

Swedish Extrovert · 05-18-2006, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

I don't plan on being a backup my whole life.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_3834769

Unfortunatley I don't see Van Pelt being a fixture to any team as a starter. I love the guy, and would love to see him as a Broncos backup. However, if he ever does start, I see it more as a traveler/interem type starter like Gus Frerotte.

ak1971 · 05-18-2006, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pezman

All I care is that he wont be attending CU vs CSU games anymore. But salute to our third stringer for growing up at long last. Maybe he will find room to grow as a QB or whatever the hell it is he will be with this team. Is he still on the special teams squad?

Pez,
Take a deep breath. Are you still bitter after all these years?
BTW I cant wait to bet CU into the toilet this year

Steve Sewell · 05-18-2006, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightySmurf

Unfortunatley I don't see Van Pelt being a fixture to any team as a starter. I love the guy, and would love to see him as a Broncos backup. However, if he ever does start, I see it more as a traveler/interem type starter like Gus Frerotte.

That would be a nice deal for BVP. The only problem is that he can't hit the broad side of a barn. Methinks some CSU homerism is seeping into Bronco fans opinion of BVP. Frerotte consistently earns those $1 mil one year contracts every year because he's one of the best backups in the NFL. Frerotte's one hell of a smart businessman.

ludo21 · 05-18-2006, 08:40 AM

BVP is really impressive.

I hope the guy does well, he doesnt have the QB talent Jake or Cutler does, but has a ton of hearT!!

footstepsfrom#27 · 05-18-2006, 08:41 AM

Quote:

"I got annoyed after a while when people would look at me and say, 'You know, you look like Jake,"' said Van Pelt, a former Colorado State star.

That would annoy me too...

BVP has the talent to be an NFL quarterback somewhere in this league...and if he's still around when Jake moves over for Cutler, I'm happy with him as the #2 guy. He fits the system well, can run and has a nice arm. It's not like his CSU experience really gave him a head start on the NFL.

Hercules Rockefeller · 05-18-2006, 08:55 AM

Translation: I've got to show Shanny why he should keep 3 QBs this year, instead of 2 like last year. 2 are locks to make the roster and I'm not one of them. I also need to show something in case I get cut, because my game film from my only NFL game is crap. Mike Vick looks more comfortable in the pocket than me.

bronco_diesel · 05-18-2006, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

The ones who can handle it will react in that kind of way. The ones who can't will go the way of Jeremy LeSeuer.

and Ashley Lelie

Man-Goblin · 05-18-2006, 09:03 AM

Now there's a hair cut you could set a watch to....

bendog · 05-18-2006, 09:15 AM

Convert him to safety

Hercules Rockefeller · 05-18-2006, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ak1971

Pez,
Take a deep breath. Are you still bitter after all these years?

Must suck to live off of one game. What's it been, 4 years now?

12th man · 05-18-2006, 09:48 AM

BVP is awsome. He's not afraid of competition. I admire that. now the question is, can he be the starter here? Im sure all of you or most of you, including me, say the answere is no. If we didn't get Cuter, Id say he would have had a good shot, with Cutler here who is just flat out better than BVP, he is only going to be a backup here.

With that said, and him wanting to be a starter, he'll probably be somewhere else someday in a year or two. personally, I don't want want him to leave. he's a great competitor and with him our qb core would be one of the best in the league, and when plummer leaves, he would be a great backup, to Cutler. But that's not what he wants. He wants to be a starter somwhere, and I don't think he can be that guy in Denver with Cutler here.

I am glad to see he is getting serious about playing, and is working hard. He might push Cutler in training camp and preseason. you never know. maybe he could win the second spot this year. anyway, it should be interesting to see if he did improve, and by how much. I can't wait for training camp and pre season.

05-18-2006, 01:23 AM	#1
SoCalBronco Nixonite Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 33,500 Adopt-a-Bronco: D.J. Williams	Van Pelt prepared to look his best Van Pelt prepared to look his best The ex-CSU star says he decided before Cutler was drafted to "grow up and get down to business." By Joseph Sanchez Denver Post Staff Writer Broncos backup Bradlee Van Pelt, stretching before practice at the team's passing camp this week, says, "I know I'm a better thrower and I'll become a better thrower year after year." (Post / Cyrus McCrimmon) It was not the long-haired, fun-loving Bradlee Van Pelt who showed up at the Broncos' passing camp this week. It was the short-haired, serious-minded professional Van Pelt. The most dramatic change was to his look, which can best be described as a lot less Jake Plummer and a lot more Tom Brady. Not only is the long hair gone, so is some of his upper-body bulk. Van Pelt decided to "grow up and get down to business" during the offseason - a decision he said he made long before the Broncos made Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler their first pick in the NFL draft last month, the 11th overall choice. "I got annoyed after a while when people would look at me and say, 'You know, you look like Jake,"' said Van Pelt, a former Colorado State star. "I was like, no, I've had long hair for like six years. I never was clean-cut. I'm not going to say Jake looked like me; I'm not going to go that far. But I looked at people going, 'What, you think I'm trying to copy Jake?' "So when I cut it, Jake kind of looked at me and I was like, 'Yeah, I don't want to look like you anymore, buddy.' But it had nothing to do with Jake. It had to do with me personally, me getting down to business. And that's how you'll see me in July." Van Pelt said his transformation began more than a year ago in training camp when he moved from fifth on the depth chart to the backup position. "As the year went on and we got into the offseason," he said, "I started telling myself, 'All right, this is the year.' This is my third year in the system. I don't plan on being a backup my whole life. I've got to buckle down. There was no way at my current pace I was going to be able to be a prolific quarterback in the NFL." That led to the change in his weight training, the -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Advertisement -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- haircut and some changes in his lifestyle that meant letting go of some unhealthy habits and getting a good eight hours of sleep every night. "I'm not anywhere as bulky or as strong as I was in college or my first couple years (with the Broncos) upper body- wise," Van Pelt said. "I'm still very strong for a quarterback, but I realized that to become a little more flexible like a rubber band and to become a more natural thrower, I had to help my body. "I used to think I could lift a lot of weights and still have a rhythmic movement, but it came very hard. So I've tweaked that a little bit, and I've found success with it. I'm not going to toot my own horn, but I know I'm a better thrower and I'll become a better thrower year after year. I want to become a great quarterback." Van Pelt said when he heard whom the Broncos had drafted last month, he took a long hike to gather his thoughts. He said he understands what the Broncos have invested in Cutler, but at this point he's not about to concede anything to Cutler or Plummer. "As far as I know, I'm still No. 2," Van Pelt said. "I'm with the No. 2 group. I'm just going to make myself so good that no matter what happens, I'll be No. 1 someday, somewhere." Joseph Sanchez can be reached at 303-820-5458 or jsanchez@denverpost.com. http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_3834769 __________________ ITS A PLAYOFF HOCKEY NIGHT IN PITTSBURGH!

05-18-2006, 01:33 AM	#3
Kaylore 6-37, Raider fans. Yummy birds and snow! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ceti Alpha V Posts: 41,321 Adopt-a-Bronco: Wesley Duke	I kind of knew that BVP would face this thing the right way. He's dealing with it better than Ashlie is, that's for sure. I'm also glad he's ditching the college football party boy drunk jerk-off thing. Sounds to me like we're going to see a hot race this camp between the three. Shanahan really believes in competition and forcing everyone on the team to earn their positions. Players will be fighting tooth and nail for playing time: Bell vs Dayne 'Nique vs D-Wil Cutler vs BVP All wideouts vs all wideouts No matter who loses, the Broncos win. Last edited by Kaylore; 05-18-2006 at 01:44 AM..

05-18-2006, 01:50 AM	#5
Pezman Livin the dream Andy did you hear about this one? Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Smoggy SoCal Posts: 9,833 Adopt-a-Bronco: DJ Williams	All I care is that he wont be attending CU vs CSU games anymore. But salute to our third stringer for growing up at long last. Maybe he will find room to grow as a QB or whatever the hell it is he will be with this team. Is he still on the special teams squad? __________________ Sitting on a beach, earning 20%

05-18-2006, 01:51 AM	#6
SoCalBronco Nixonite Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 33,500 Adopt-a-Bronco: D.J. Williams	Paymah is also going to have to make at least a little noise too or else he may not make the team. There's only so many slots in the secondary. Browner looks like he has a good shot at a spot...Cox and Sam Brandon are solid, and then ofcourse Champ, Lynch, D-Will and Foxy (oops...I mean Nique). There is very little if any room left, maybe a spot, two tops. We've cut line on 3rd rounders real quick before, and at corner too, LeSueur got the axe in Year 2. They were saying good things about Karl Paymah's potential last year around the time of the practices and game with Houston in the preseason but he's going to have to flash some ability now. It's a constant struggle, that's why Rod has been so successful. He came in as an UDFA, he was motivated by fear, he could have been out of the league at any time, no sweat. Things change fast in this league, you gotta keep producing, Q was the starter on opening day in 2004 and by the very next year he was practically out of the league. Relatively high picks like Paymah and Watts need to flash some ability in camp and in the preseason, they could be flipping burgers in no time if they can't pull it off. It's a brutal world in the NFL....2nd round pick, early 3rd or not. It's not just Van Pelt that's feeling the heat....but I'm glad that he appears to be re-doubling his efforts. __________________ ITS A PLAYOFF HOCKEY NIGHT IN PITTSBURGH!

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05-18-2006, 01:53 AM	#7
watermock "Hoodie Jr" "Hug me!" Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hot Springs, Ouachitah Posts: 77,090	I like BVP.

05-18-2006, 01:59 AM	#8
Kaylore 6-37, Raider fans. Yummy birds and snow! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ceti Alpha V Posts: 41,321 Adopt-a-Bronco: Wesley Duke	I think it will be good. Shanahan hates complacency. He hates whenever there is any position where a player might know that they have a spot only because there isn't anyone better around. I remember when I spoke with Foxworth, one of the things I was curious about was how competing for the same job at work affects your relationship with a friend. He was real cool about it and said they just pushed each other. I remembered how cool they were about pimping each other last year. When D-wil took that pass to the house in the Oakland game, the first player in his face telling him how cool he was was Foxworth. The ones who can handle it will react in that kind of way. The ones who can't will go the way of Jeremy LeSeuer.

05-18-2006, 02:15 AM	#9
BroncoBuff *************** Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 25,470 Adopt-a-Bronco: QUANTERUS SMITH	Maybe it's time for another "Stop the BVP Hating" threads ...

05-18-2006, 02:16 AM	#10
Killericon YES A DT!!!!!! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: From Calgary, in Halifax for School Posts: 7,730 Adopt-a-Bronco: watermock	The guy sucks. He can do whatever he wants.

05-18-2006, 02:20 AM	#12
BroncoMan4ever Ring of Famer Here to chew bubblegum and kick ass Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 11,668 Adopt-a-Bronco: VIRGIL GREEN!!!	I actually think that BVP has the talent to make it as a solid starter somewhere in this league. The guy has size and strength speed and a descent arm. He sounds like a smart guy, so he will keep learning from Shanny and become a good all around QB. He knows that Cutler will become a backup this year so either he is playing to be number 3 or he is auditioning to place himself somewhere else in the league. In a couple of years I would not be surprised at all to see him being successful somewhere in this league. I don't think he will be happy to sit in the background and be a backup his entire career. And with the knowledge that Cutler and not him will be the man in Denver i n a couple of years, he will work his ass off for a new spot on a new team.

05-18-2006, 04:09 AM	#14
elsid13 Lost In Space Bóg, Honor, Ojczyzna Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: DC Posts: 19,139	The only people not happy with BVP's new mature attitude are the bartenders of Denver. It suck when a major revenue source drys up like that. Well maybe mock can move to Denver.

05-18-2006, 08:40 AM	#18
ludo21 RIP Darrent Williams Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 17,973 Adopt-a-Bronco: Paul Ernster	BVP is really impressive. I hope the guy does well, he doesnt have the QB talent Jake or Cutler does, but has a ton of hearT!!

05-18-2006, 08:55 AM	#20
Hercules Rockefeller Ring of Famer Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 16,013 Adopt-a-Bronco: DJ Williams	Translation: I've got to show Shanny why he should keep 3 QBs this year, instead of 2 like last year. 2 are locks to make the roster and I'm not one of them. I also need to show something in case I get cut, because my game film from my only NFL game is crap. Mike Vick looks more comfortable in the pocket than me.

05-18-2006, 09:03 AM	#22
Man-Goblin Giving You The Business Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Huntersville, NC Posts: 5,601 Adopt-a-Bronco: Woodyard	Now there's a hair cut you could set a watch to....

05-18-2006, 09:15 AM	#23
bendog Marginally Continent David Bowens, he'd be an upgrade Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Folsom Prison Posts: 19,935 Adopt-a-Bronco: David Bowens	Convert him to safety

05-18-2006, 09:48 AM	#25
12th man Ring of Famer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Trinidad Colorado Posts: 1,634	BVP is awsome. He's not afraid of competition. I admire that. now the question is, can he be the starter here? Im sure all of you or most of you, including me, say the answere is no. If we didn't get Cuter, Id say he would have had a good shot, with Cutler here who is just flat out better than BVP, he is only going to be a backup here. With that said, and him wanting to be a starter, he'll probably be somewhere else someday in a year or two. personally, I don't want want him to leave. he's a great competitor and with him our qb core would be one of the best in the league, and when plummer leaves, he would be a great backup, to Cutler. But that's not what he wants. He wants to be a starter somwhere, and I don't think he can be that guy in Denver with Cutler here. I am glad to see he is getting serious about playing, and is working hard. He might push Cutler in training camp and preseason. you never know. maybe he could win the second spot this year. anyway, it should be interesting to see if he did improve, and by how much. I can't wait for training camp and pre season.