Broncos complete rookie deals; Smith on PUP - The Orange Mane

ICON · 07-28-2007, 09:36 PM

DENVER (July 28, 2007) -- The Denver Broncos signed first-round draft pick Jarvis Moss and second-rounder Tim Crowder, meaning there will be no holdouts when camp begins July 29.

However, Rod Smith, the team's career leader in receptions and touchdowns, is among a handful of veterans who will start camp on the physically unable to perform list, coach Mike Shanahan said.

Smith is still recovering from offseason hip surgery. He says he hasn't entertained thoughts of retiring, but acknowledges he doesn't have a roster spot secure.

"I'm not worried about it, I've just got to try to get better, and basically what that does is gives me the opportunity to go out and get the work that I need," said Smith, who will spend his days working out with strength and conditioning coach Rich Tuten instead of catching passes from Jay Cutler.

The 37-year-old receiver, who has more receptions (849), yards receiving (11,389) and touchdowns (68) than any undrafted player in NFL history, gained just 512 yards last year, only the second time in 10 years he hasn't reached 1,000.

In February he went in for what was supposed to a routine procedure but the operation turned into a major surgery to fix a torn labrum, frayed cartilage, bone spurs and floating fragments.

Smith has no idea when he'll be healthy.

"The thing is I have to basically listen to my body for once in my life," Smith said. "When it's ready to go, I'll know. And hopefully that's in a great time frame for me to go and get back out on the field during this camp and go back to doing what I do."

Joining the 14-year veteran Smith on the sideline will be wide receiver Brandon Marshall (thigh) and tight end Tony Scheffler (foot), two second-year players who hope to have big roles in the offense.

Marshall is expected to unseat Smith as the team's No. 2 wide receiver, although his injury-filled offseason has put a crimp in those plans.

"It's a setback," lamented Marshall, who missed most of training camp last year with a knee injury.

Marshall figured he might miss up to 10 days.

"It (stinks) to start off the season like this, but I'll be back," he said. "I'm a competitor and I'm going to push myself and I'm going to hit the books hard, so I'll be all right."

With Smith and Marshall out, second-year pro Domenik Hixon, who missed all of last season with a broken foot, should get plenty of snaps opposite Javon Walker.

New defensive boss Jim Bates said free agent strongside linebacker Eddie Moore will also begin camp on the PUP list because of a lingering knee injury.

"He's still having trouble with the knee, probably will have to have it scoped again," Bates said. "And we'll just have to see where he is four or five weeks from now, wherever the timetable or his rehab would be."

That doesn't mean the job will necessarily go to fellow free agent Warrick Holdman, although the nine-year veteran will get the first shot.

"The Sam (linebacker) position on the defense is as wide open as any," Bates said. "We're going to try as many as five guys, watch it unfold."

D.J. Williams, who played the position last year, has moved to middle linebacker with the release of Al Wilson, a team captain whose neck injury and high salary led to his offseason departure.

Of the Broncos' four draft picks, three are defensive linemen, Moss, Crowder and Marcus Thomas. Crowder signed a four-year deal. Neither his agent nor Moss's returned phone messages seeking comment.

cutthemdown · 07-28-2007, 10:02 PM

good job once again by the front office getting all the picks in on time. Hopefully at least one of them can contribute this year.

dragondawg · 07-28-2007, 10:42 PM

Broncos shelve Smith, Marshall, Scheffler , Moore

Injuries sideline players as training camp begins

BY FRANK SCHWAB, THE GAZETTE
THE GAZETTE

ENGLEWOOD -- Receiver Rod Smith won’t practice Sunday morning when the Denver Broncos start training camp. A bigger concern for the Broncos might be that Smith’s anticipated replacement in the starting lineup, Brandon Marshall, won’t be ready either.

Marshall has an injured quadriceps muscle, and said he will miss about a week of practice. The Broncos planned to insert Marshall into the starting lineup opposite Javon Walker after Marshall finished last season well.

But nagging injuries kept Marshall out of many offseason practices, and now he’ll miss more time in training camp. Smith, Marshall and tight end Tony Scheffler will begin training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Coach Mike Shanahan said once they are healthy, they will be activated and return to practice. Smith, the Broncos’ all-time leading receiver, is recovering from hip surgery and said he expected to start camp on the PUP list.

Marshall’s progress might be slowed by missing the beginning of camp, which could turn into a detriment for the Broncos’ offense.

“It never helps you when you’re not practicing,” Shanahan said.

Marshall, who is in his second season and has 20 career catches, said missing practice is “definitely a setback,” and he doesn’t blame Shanahan if he’s frustrated with him.

“I’m frustrated with myself,” Marshall said.

Broncos assistant head coach/defense Jim Bates said outside linebacker Eddie Moore’s knee, which kept him out of football last season, is bothering him again. Bates said Moore will be put on the PUP list and might need arthroscopic knee surgery that would keep him out 4-5 weeks.

Moore worked as a starter for most of the offseason. Bates said the starting strongside linebacker job will be wide open, with five linebackers competing. Warrick Holdman and Nate Webster could be the early favorites to win the job.

Having Marshall, Smith and Scheffler out at the start of camp takes away three receivers Denver is hoping will contribute. Scheffler has a broken foot, which he suffered in an offseason practice. Smith didn’t practice at all this offseason, but said he has made more progress in the past three weeks than he did in his first three months of rehabilitation. He started jogging since the Broncos last minicamp, which ended July 10.

Smith doesn’t know when he will return to practice, but said he will be patient.

“I’m not worried about it,” Smith said. “I just have to try to get better.”

While Marshall is out, second-year receiver Domenik Hixon will get more practice repetitions. Hixon missed last season with a foot injury, but made a positive impression during the offseason.

Brandon Stokley should also be ready for the start of camp. He is recovering from a torn Achilles’ tendon, but he said the plan is for him to practice once a day in camp.

http://www.gazette.com/sports/marsha..._practice.html

theAPAOps5 · 07-28-2007, 11:14 PM

Jebus 10 days of camp is not good to miss. Marshall better hope he doesn't come back only to fall out again with another injury. Some people are just snake bit I guess.

As for Rod man they might have well wrote said that he ended up needing a total hip replacement. Alas, it looks like his career is definately nearing the end.

07-28-2007, 09:36 PM	#1
ICON \|^\|Punter of Gnomes\|^\| Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..Snap! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Long Beach Posts: 2,607 Adopt-a-Bronco: Nate Irving	Broncos complete rookie deals; Smith on PUP DENVER (July 28, 2007) -- The Denver Broncos signed first-round draft pick Jarvis Moss and second-rounder Tim Crowder, meaning there will be no holdouts when camp begins July 29. However, Rod Smith, the team's career leader in receptions and touchdowns, is among a handful of veterans who will start camp on the physically unable to perform list, coach Mike Shanahan said. Smith is still recovering from offseason hip surgery. He says he hasn't entertained thoughts of retiring, but acknowledges he doesn't have a roster spot secure. "I'm not worried about it, I've just got to try to get better, and basically what that does is gives me the opportunity to go out and get the work that I need," said Smith, who will spend his days working out with strength and conditioning coach Rich Tuten instead of catching passes from Jay Cutler. The 37-year-old receiver, who has more receptions (849), yards receiving (11,389) and touchdowns (68) than any undrafted player in NFL history, gained just 512 yards last year, only the second time in 10 years he hasn't reached 1,000. In February he went in for what was supposed to a routine procedure but the operation turned into a major surgery to fix a torn labrum, frayed cartilage, bone spurs and floating fragments. Smith has no idea when he'll be healthy. "The thing is I have to basically listen to my body for once in my life," Smith said. "When it's ready to go, I'll know. And hopefully that's in a great time frame for me to go and get back out on the field during this camp and go back to doing what I do." Joining the 14-year veteran Smith on the sideline will be wide receiver Brandon Marshall (thigh) and tight end Tony Scheffler (foot), two second-year players who hope to have big roles in the offense. Marshall is expected to unseat Smith as the team's No. 2 wide receiver, although his injury-filled offseason has put a crimp in those plans. "It's a setback," lamented Marshall, who missed most of training camp last year with a knee injury. Marshall figured he might miss up to 10 days. "It (stinks) to start off the season like this, but I'll be back," he said. "I'm a competitor and I'm going to push myself and I'm going to hit the books hard, so I'll be all right." With Smith and Marshall out, second-year pro Domenik Hixon, who missed all of last season with a broken foot, should get plenty of snaps opposite Javon Walker. New defensive boss Jim Bates said free agent strongside linebacker Eddie Moore will also begin camp on the PUP list because of a lingering knee injury. "He's still having trouble with the knee, probably will have to have it scoped again," Bates said. "And we'll just have to see where he is four or five weeks from now, wherever the timetable or his rehab would be." That doesn't mean the job will necessarily go to fellow free agent Warrick Holdman, although the nine-year veteran will get the first shot. "The Sam (linebacker) position on the defense is as wide open as any," Bates said. "We're going to try as many as five guys, watch it unfold." D.J. Williams, who played the position last year, has moved to middle linebacker with the release of Al Wilson, a team captain whose neck injury and high salary led to his offseason departure. Of the Broncos' four draft picks, three are defensive linemen, Moss, Crowder and Marcus Thomas. Crowder signed a four-year deal. Neither his agent nor Moss's returned phone messages seeking comment.

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07-28-2007, 10:02 PM	#2
cutthemdown A verbis ad verbera Zimm to HOF Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Long Beach Posts: 32,531	good job once again by the front office getting all the picks in on time. Hopefully at least one of them can contribute this year.

07-28-2007, 10:42 PM	#3
dragondawg All Pro Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,009	Broncos shelve Smith, Marshall, Scheffler , Moore Injuries sideline players as training camp begins BY FRANK SCHWAB, THE GAZETTE THE GAZETTE ENGLEWOOD -- Receiver Rod Smith won’t practice Sunday morning when the Denver Broncos start training camp. A bigger concern for the Broncos might be that Smith’s anticipated replacement in the starting lineup, Brandon Marshall, won’t be ready either. Marshall has an injured quadriceps muscle, and said he will miss about a week of practice. The Broncos planned to insert Marshall into the starting lineup opposite Javon Walker after Marshall finished last season well. But nagging injuries kept Marshall out of many offseason practices, and now he’ll miss more time in training camp. Smith, Marshall and tight end Tony Scheffler will begin training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Coach Mike Shanahan said once they are healthy, they will be activated and return to practice. Smith, the Broncos’ all-time leading receiver, is recovering from hip surgery and said he expected to start camp on the PUP list. Marshall’s progress might be slowed by missing the beginning of camp, which could turn into a detriment for the Broncos’ offense. “It never helps you when you’re not practicing,” Shanahan said. Marshall, who is in his second season and has 20 career catches, said missing practice is “definitely a setback,” and he doesn’t blame Shanahan if he’s frustrated with him. “I’m frustrated with myself,” Marshall said. Broncos assistant head coach/defense Jim Bates said outside linebacker Eddie Moore’s knee, which kept him out of football last season, is bothering him again. Bates said Moore will be put on the PUP list and might need arthroscopic knee surgery that would keep him out 4-5 weeks. Moore worked as a starter for most of the offseason. Bates said the starting strongside linebacker job will be wide open, with five linebackers competing. Warrick Holdman and Nate Webster could be the early favorites to win the job. Having Marshall, Smith and Scheffler out at the start of camp takes away three receivers Denver is hoping will contribute. Scheffler has a broken foot, which he suffered in an offseason practice. Smith didn’t practice at all this offseason, but said he has made more progress in the past three weeks than he did in his first three months of rehabilitation. He started jogging since the Broncos last minicamp, which ended July 10. Smith doesn’t know when he will return to practice, but said he will be patient. “I’m not worried about it,” Smith said. “I just have to try to get better.” While Marshall is out, second-year receiver Domenik Hixon will get more practice repetitions. Hixon missed last season with a foot injury, but made a positive impression during the offseason. Brandon Stokley should also be ready for the start of camp. He is recovering from a torn Achilles’ tendon, but he said the plan is for him to practice once a day in camp. http://www.gazette.com/sports/marsha..._practice.html

07-28-2007, 11:14 PM	#4
theAPAOps5 A new beginning! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 26,058 Adopt-a-Bronco: Watermock - RIP	Jebus 10 days of camp is not good to miss. Marshall better hope he doesn't come back only to fall out again with another injury. Some people are just snake bit I guess. As for Rod man they might have well wrote said that he ended up needing a total hip replacement. Alas, it looks like his career is definately nearing the end.