Inside Slant (USA Today)

[GSRelyea]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/footb...oncos/home.htm

Inside Slant
Receiver Javon Walker's first few tests in training camp were passed easily. Walker, the Denver Broncos' prized acquisition from the offseason, tested his surgically repaired knee against defensive backs for the first time when camp started and he looked strong.
Walker went against Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey in many drills, a tough test coming back from a torn ACL. Walker moved fluidly and fast, showing no signs that his knee will be an issue this year.

"He looked like the old Javon Walker," Bailey said. "If he's rusty, I'd like to see him when he's not."

The Broncos have handled Walker with care. They wouldn't let him run drills against live competition in the team's July minicamp, even though Walker was trying to convince the coaches to let him loose. Denver stuck with its plan of waiting until training camp to get Walker in live drills, and then limit him to one practice a day to make sure he doesn't overwork his knee.

When Walker got through his first camp practice without any problems, there was a sense of relief from the Broncos and Walker.

"It felt good," Walker said. "As a matter of fact, it went better than what I was expecting. I wasn't thinking about the knee, I wasn't thinking about cutting, I was just trying to get back to my old self."

Walker's ability will give the Broncos a major boost on offense, if he's healthy. He said he was about 90 percent at the start of camp. Walker at 90 percent is still an upgrade at receiver. Ashley Lelie, who is holding out, had 42 catches and one touchdown last year. The Broncos would be disappointed if Walker doesn't blow those numbers away.

Another positive sign for the Broncos is how quickly Walker has fit in with his teammates. Although Walker threatened to hold out because of contract issues with Green Bay and had a falling out with quarterback Brett Favre, he was never considered a locker-room cancer. The Broncos had great chemistry during a 13-3 season last year, and it doesn't seem like Walker will disrupt that.

"Everybody knows that I'm not a bad guy off the field," Walker said. "I'm going to come in and help the team win, and once people get to know me, they'll see it for themselves."

CAMP CALENDAR: The Broncos began training camp on July 28, and break after a morning practice on August 18. The Broncos aren't having any joint practices against another team, as they did with Houston in 2003 and 2005, and won't have any practices at Invesco Field at Mile High.

NOTES, QUOTES

—Broncos punter Todd Sauerbrun admitted that when he took an over-the-counter supplement, he was concerned it might contain the banned substance ephedra. He took the supplement anyway and to his surprise he had a random drug test the next morning. Sauerbrun failed his test, lost his appeal and will be suspended for the first four games of the season.

"I made a dumb, dumb decision," Sauerbrun said. "I decided to do it thinking I could get away with it. I didn't."

—Receiver David Terrell started camp about seventh on the depth chart. He was on the roster but inactive for most of last season, and the Broncos were excited about his potential going into the offseason. But Terrell was passed by receivers like Darius Watts, rookie Brandon Marshall and David Kircus in the offseason and has to fight his way back in the mix.

"I thought I was doing well, and I'm still doing well," Terrell said. "I'm not tripping. I'm fine."

—Receiver Ashley Lelie wasn't worried enough about a $14,000 daily fine to come to training camp. Lelie didn't report to training camp as expected. Lelie wants a trade and his agent Peter Schaffer said the chances of Lelie eventually coming back to the Broncos are slim.

"Anything's possible, but that's not what we're shooting for," Schaffer said.

—Rookie first-round pick Jay Cutler has had his good and bad moments. He is working as the team's third quarterback behind Jake Plummer and Bradlee Van Pelt. On the first day of camp he finished the morning practice by throwing an interception right to defensive tackle Demetrin Veal, who was in zone coverage.

"I don't know how he didn't see the big man in the middle," Veal said. "Must be a rookie thing."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I could have really laid him out. He said, 'What happened?' and then I said '$20 million and up, I let them go.'" — Safety John Lynch on letting up instead of nailing wide receiver Javon Walker during practice.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

The Broncos signed veteran offensive tackle Adam Meadows to a three-year contract, and if healthy Meadows will give right tackle George Foster some instant competition for his starting job. Meadows was a starter for the Indianapolis Colts, but then abruptly retired from football after signing a big contract with Carolina because of chronic shoulder pain.

Meadows wanted to make a comeback and became a free agent when Carolina cut him. The Broncos doctors said he was healthy enough to play and Meadows chose the Broncos over several other interested teams.

—P Micah Knorr was signed to a one-year contract. With Todd Sauerbrun suspended for the first four games, the Broncos will need a punter who can also kick off. Knorr did both during his first stint with Denver. Knorr and second-year punter Paul Ernster will compete for the job.

—CB Karl Paymah, a third-round pick last year, had a strong offseason. He is still behind Champ Bailey and fellow second-year players Darrent Williams and Domonique Foxworth, but Paymah will have a chance to contribute on defense this year.

—WR David Kircus has a good shot at making the roster. He has caught plenty of passes in the first few days of camp. He can also return kickoffs, a position the Broncos need help at.

—QB Bradlee Van Pelt started camp as Denver's second quarterback ahead of first-round pick Jay Cutler. Van Pelt looks comfortable running the second team and his experience in the system could give him the edge in the battle to be Jake Plummer's backup.

—TE Nate Jackson could end up being used in passing situations this year. Jackson is a former receiver with good size and speed. He can help replace Jeb Putzier, who was released this offseason.

BATTLE OF THE WEEK: Cecil Sapp vs. Kyle Johnson for starting FB — Johnson started last year but Sapp moved ahead of him on the depth chart with a solid offseason. Sapp has looked good in the first few days of camp, but Johnson knows the offense well and won't give up the job without a fight. Neither is a devastating lead blocker. Sapp, a productive tailback in college at Colorado State, has good running ability. Both players are solid receivers out of the backfield.

OTHER BATTLE FRONTS: CB Darrent Williams has stayed ahead of Domonique Foxworth for the starting job opposite Champ Bailey. Both players will see a lot of playing time in the nickel defense.

—David Kircus, Charlie Adams and Roc Alexander are the top three candidates to return kickoffs. Darrent Williams, an explosive punt returner, is a starter on defense and wasn't very effective on kickoff returns last year so there's little reason for the Broncos to expose him to injury returning kickoffs.

—TE Tony Scheffler is working ahead of Nate Jackson for the No. 2 tight end spot.

—PLAYER OF THE WEEK: RB Mike Bell — Bell has been the surprise of early camp. Bell, an undrafted rookie from Arizona, is fourth on the depth chart behind Ron Dayne, Tatum Bell and Cedric Cobbs, but displayed some great running ability during the first few days of camp. He hits the hole hard and showed off some moves when he spun out of a tackle by starting defensive tackle Michael Myers for some extra yards.

"He's been very impressive," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "A lot of players see him making some plays."

ROOKIE REPORT: QB Jay Cutler is still learning the offense. It will take him a while, but he has flashed the physical skills that made him a first-round pick.

—TE Tony Scheffler is smooth on pass routes and could be a contributor on offense this season. The Broncos like using two tight-end sets in passing situations.

—WR Brandon Marshall is No. 4 on the depth chart at receiver and made some nice catches during the early days of camp. Marshall is a big receiver with good speed.

—DL Elvis Dumervil played end in college but the Broncos have him working at tackle in nickel situations. Dumervil could contribute as a pass rusher this year.

—C Greg Eslinger has worked with the second-team offense at center. He is athletic and mobile, which fits Denver's scheme.

INJURY REPORT: WR Domenik Hixon is out indefinitely with a foot injury he suffered in a workout before the draft. He was expected to compete for Denver's kickoff return job.

—S Sam Brandon has a strained hamstring but should be back in less than a week.

[Popps]

BATTLE OF THE WEEK: Cecil Sapp vs. Kyle Johnson for starting FB — Johnson started last year but Sapp moved ahead of him on the depth chart with a solid offseason. Sapp has looked good in the first few days of camp, but Johnson knows the offense well and won't give up the job without a fight. Neither is a devastating lead blocker. Sapp, a productive tailback in college at Colorado State, has good running ability. Both players are solid receivers out of the backfield.


That's a little surprising to me. Good to hear he's making progress, though.

Just wondering, why don't we ever go after a true FB? Griffith was such a vital part of our offense. Guess it's hard to find good lead blockers?