This Cecil is no sap

[dragondawg]

This Cecil is no sap
Broncos value running back Cecil Sapp for his versatility, athleticism, work ethic
By Joel A. Erickson
Denver Post Staff Writer

For some backup running backs, a broken leg in December can mean a fight for job security come August.

Especially for an undrafted free agent, half fullback and half tailback, with just one start in four NFL seasons.

But Cecil Sapp, who broke his left leg against Seattle in Week 13 last season, never had to worry. Not with the vote of confidence the Broncos gave him during the offseason.

Denver placed a second-round tender on Sapp, a restricted free agent, meaning that if any team signed the fifth-year player, it would have to send the Broncos a second-round draft pick in return.

That's a pretty steep price for a back with just 164 career yards rushing. But the Broncos scared potential suitors away from a player they value.

"Cecil is a guy that can do everything: play fullback, tailback and special teams," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "He is a natural athlete who works extremely hard."

And after a season in which Sapp played mostly fullback, the Broncos are trying to find out how Sapp fits in at the tailback spot, where he played at Colorado State. Sapp and Mike Bell have spent the early part of training camp battling for the No. 2 spot behind Travis Henry.

It's an important spot, considering Henry hasn't made the full 16 starts in a season since 2002. And in that role last year, Bell rushed for 677 yards and eight touchdowns behind the departed Tatum Bell.

For now, it's too early to call the race.

"We'll find out when we get to the preseason games and people are hitting them, they've got to run over people," said Mike Heimerdinger, the Broncos' top offensive assistant.

Sapp's versatility means that no matter where he lands on the depth chart, Heimerdinger can use him. Through the first week of training camp, Sapp has displayed good hands and route-running ability, Heimerdinger said, as well as a knack for protecting the passer - three qualities that are essential at the fullback position.

But Sapp's running skills are solid, too, as evidenced by the 8.0 yards-per-carry average he tallied in a limited role last year.

For Sapp, the transition is more about size and mentality than skills.

"I had to drop a couple pounds," said Sapp, who is listed at 229 pounds after playing at 238 last year. "And as a fullback, you go in there and block. As a running back, you have to try to make plays."

But there is another name missing from this battle, one that pops into Sapp's mind every once in a while during practice.

Former Broncos running back Damien Nash, who died of an apparent heart failure in February, shared an agent, David Canter, with Sapp, and when Nash first joined the Broncos, also a room. Nash lived with Sapp for about three weeks until Nash could find his own apartment.

And when Sapp's broken leg kept him inside during Denver's massive December blizzard, it was Nash who drove out into the snowstorm to bring Sapp some bottled water.

"I know he's not here with us, just trying to go to work, trying to compete for a position," Sapp said. "But my girlfriend talked to his wife, and she's doing OK."

As for that broken leg, Sapp said he spent the offseason married to the training room, and doesn't feel any lingering effects from the injury - which means he's conducting the battle with Bell at full strength.

"Mike Bell is a real good running back," Sapp said. "We're going to keep helping each other out, fighting hard, and the best man is going to win."

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_6552380

[DidISayThat?]

Cecil is great addition to this Bronco squad, I have much respect for a guy who can do it all. I hope he has a great 2008 season.

[Tombstone RJ]

I don't think Sapp will beat out Bell for the #2 spot at RB, but his versatility and STs play will keep him on the team for the foreseable future.

[dragondawg]

he might get the number 2

[Kaylore]

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

I don't think Sapp will beat out Bell for the #2 spot at RB, but his versatility and STs play will keep him on the team for the foreseable future.

It's that versatility that has made him the number two guy. Sapp has more of a second gear than Bell too, and he's a better receiver and blocker.

[dragondawg]

BELL'S TOLL: A year ago, undrafted rookie running back Mike Bell was king for a day when the depth chart came out and he was listed as the No. 1 running back.
This time, he's not even No. 2.
Travis Henry is the runaway starter, followed by converted fullback Cecil Sapp and then Bell, who rushed for eight touchdowns last year as Tatum Bell's backup.
Bell shrugged off his slide down the depth chart.
"I don't look at no stinkin' depth chart now," he said. "I'm more concerned about doing the same thing and doing it right. You can't get caught up on the depth chart right now. If you do, you're focusing on the wrong thing."
Sapp concurred.
"I don't look at the depth chart," he said. "It's too early to put much into them now. There's too much of the evaluating period left. We haven't played a preseason game yet."
Just like Bell, Sapp said he was "more concerned about consistency" than pecking order.
Coach Mike Shanahan didn't shed much light on his decision to list Sapp ahead of Bell.
"Travis Henry has looked very, very good throughout our practices and he's the No. 1 tailback and everybody else is fighting for that No. 2 and 3 spot," he said.
Quarterback Jay Cutler has been impressed with Henry, a free agent acquisition who ran for the Tennessee Titans last year.
"I'm probably more excited about him than anybody else," Cutler said. "The way he is hitting holes and reading blocks, getting out and catching the ball, I'm pretty excited about what he can do out there."


http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drm...661379,00.html

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Originally Posted by dragondawg

he might get the number 2

He's not a tailback.

Shanahan just likes throwing Sapp's name out there on the depth charts to motivate the other guys, he does it every year.

[Mediator12]

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

He's not a tailback.

Shanahan just likes throwing Sapp's name out there on the depth charts to motivate the other guys, he does it every year.

I disagree. If they are using him in multiple sets, he could very easily be in there on passing dwons instead of Henry or with Henry. He brings valuable skills as a second HB where Bell is establishing himself as an inconsistent number 3 breather back. He could be a true option in the flats on third and medium and open up the deep seams and deep outs. None of the other RB's are threatening in the flats.

How they use the RB's in the underneath passing game is crucial in setting up the deep and intermediate routes. I just read an incredible article by Walt Harris on how to attack different coverages from the two back system as per the WCO variants and having 2 RB's that can split the hook zones for the Flat coverage defenders really opens up the inside seams.

I would not be surprised to see Sapp being that versatile pass catching number 2 RB/FB in passing situations based on that philosophy of passing game that Shanahan and Heimerdinger are using.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Originally Posted by Mediator12

I disagree. If they are using him in multiple sets, he could very easily be in there on passing dwons instead of Henry or with Henry. He brings valuable skills as a second HB where Bell is establishing himself as an inconsistent number 3 breather back. He could be a true option in the flats on third and medium and open up the deep seams and deep outs. None of the other RB's are threatening in the flats.

How they use the RB's in the underneath passing game is crucial in setting up the deep and intermediate routes. I just read an incredible article by Walt Harris on how to attack different coverages from the two back system as per the WCO variants and having 2 RB's that can split the hook zones for the Flat coverage defenders really opens up the inside seams.

I would not be surprised to see Sapp being that versatile pass catching number 2 RB/FB in passing situations based on that philosophy of passing game that Shanahan and Heimerdinger are using.

Sapp is S L O W and not a tailback, unless he somehow gained a bunch of speed this offseason..

[Mediator12]

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

Sapp is S L O W and not a tailback, unless he somehow gained a bunch of speed this offseason..

See, Mike Bell He is slow, inconsistent, and has hands of stone. Sapp has two up on him at this point

[Steve Sewell]

Originally Posted by DidISayThat?

Cecil is great addition to this Bronco squad, I have much respect for a guy who can do it all. I hope he has a great 2008 season.

We need to remember though, that he is a Lamb...

[Steve Sewell]

Originally Posted by Mediator12

Walt Harris

[Mediator12]

Originally Posted by Steve Sewell

What's up with that? Harris is an incredible coach that has roots into the WCO offense. The problem is that he wants to be a head coach and still run the QB's, OC, and Head coach Duties. Guy is still a passing game Guru that taught Gruden and many other OC's and even head coaches the nuances of the passing game.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

I was at camp for an hour or so this morning. Sapp hit every hole and broke off a couple of long ones. The only time I saw Bell he was at the back of a crowd sulking.

[BigPlayShay]

Cecil is a perfect back for Single back formations.

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by Billy Clyde Puckett

I was at camp for an hour or so this morning. Sapp hit every hole and broke off a couple of long ones. The only time I saw Bell he was at the back of a crowd sulking.

Billy Clyde you dun got nuthin but pure mean.

[Odysseus]

Somebody want to send Mock an autographed Cecil Sapp jersey? I think he would be thrilled to know about his adopted Bronco.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Originally Posted by quiettiger

Billy Clyde you dun got nuthin but pure mean.

Do you expect me to be like Bob and say that every player in uniform is a superstar?

[cmhargrove]

Originally Posted by Billy Clyde Puckett

I was at camp for an hour or so this morning. Sapp hit every hole and broke off a couple of long ones. The only time I saw Bell he was at the back of a crowd sulking.

When I look at Sapp, I think he is the same kind of guy that Reuben was. He just needed the opportunity to fire himself up.

I think both guys make the team, but it will be very interesting to see how the preseason shakes out (performance + injuries). It's still way too early to call this one. I would just like to know why Mike Bell isn't competing in the same way as he was last year? Too much pressure? Upset about Travis? I don't get it...

[ak1971]

in honor of Cecil (a photo of his autograph)

[dragondawg]

nice