Stokley recovering and rejuvenated in Denver - The Orange Mane

dragondawg · 08-10-2007, 03:47 AM

By Jim Corbett, USA TODAY

DENVER — Jay Cutler was conducting pre-snap surveillance when veteran receiver Brandon Stokley warned the second-year Denver Broncos quarterback about a blitz coming from the blind side.

Two weeks into his initial Broncos training camp, Peyton Manning's slot receiver the past four seasons proved invaluable as a young quarterback's blitz detector, not to mention a dependable target with deceptive speed Good thing Stokley is ahead of schedule eight months after Achilles' tendon surgery.

With 13th-year franchise receptions leader Rod Smith coming off hip surgery that figures to sideline him for the season's first six games, Stokley, 31, is Cutler's most experienced eyes and hands on a talented young receiving corps.

"It's little things Brandon's helping Jay with," assistant head coach/quarterbacks Mike Heimerdinger says. "He's a great communicator and as good a route runner as I've ever seen. When we get our receivers healthy, we have a pretty good group."

Javon Walker is physically stronger two years after knee surgery and appears to be healing emotionally seven months after cornerback Darrent Williams died in his arms in the back of a stretch limousine following a New Year's morning drive-by shooting.

But the projected No. 2 receiver, second-year pro Brandon Marshall, has yet to practice after injuring his thigh. Domenik Hixon, David Kircus, Quincy Morgan and David Terrell are in the mix.

Seventy-two of Stokley's 199 career catches and 10 of his 22 touchdowns have come on third down, according to Stats Inc.

Nicknamed "The Slot Machine" in 2004 during a 68-catch, 10-touchdown, 1,077-yard season, Stokley, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne became the first trio of receivers in NFL history to eclipse 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Cutler figures to be as good as his supporting cast, considering the 11th overall selection in the 2006 draft showed flashes in five starts when coach Mike Shanahan benched ineffective Jake Plummer after Week 12.

"Brandon's huge for me," Cutler says. "Just working in the slot against linebackers and in the seams, he's got a great feel and wealth of experience."

When Stokley signed an incentive-laden, one-year deal worth more than $1 million in March, owner Pat Bowlen recalled his 144 receiving yards and two touchdowns on four catches in a 41-10 Colts wild-card rout in January 2004.

"He killed us," Bowlen says. "We couldn't cover him."

What the Broncos couldn't know was when Stokley would return from Dec. 20 surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles' suffered 10 days earlier against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

"A lot of people said he wouldn't be back until early in the season and he'd miss all of training camp," Shanahan says. "Here he is from the first day having a heck of a camp. Hopefully, he'll keep it going and not have any setbacks."

Limited by knee, ankle and the Achilles' injuries, Stokley had eight catches for 85 yards with a touchdown in 2006 and mulled retirement after the Colts' Super Bowl XLI championship run.

But Stokley returned for a ninth season because a quarterback had his back.

"When I tore my Achilles', Peyton was a great friend to me," Stokley says. "I was down. I didn't know if I wanted to play anymore. Peyton encouraged me."

The receiver who caught a 38-yard touchdown reception from Trent Dilfer in the Baltimore Ravens' Super Bowl XXXV win against the New York Giants chases one more big game.

"I'll always look at last year's Super Bowl with a little asterisk," he says. "I wanted to get back and win another one. I don't want to leave with any regrets."

Stokley's resilience appears to run in the family. Stokley and wife Lana have two healthy sons, Cameron and Carson, thanks to Indianapolis doctors, who helped save Cameron from a near-fatal meningitis bout nearly four years ago.

"If we bought him into the hospital a couple of hours later, he probably would have been dead," Stokley says. "I look at him sometimes, and I just think how special he is and how blessed we are to still have him."

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/footb...-stokley_N.htm

Odysseus · 08-10-2007, 04:19 AM

How good will it be to get Cutler exposed to Farvre's ex-receiver, Manning's ex-receiver, Elway's ex-reciever and Brady's ex-tight end?

I don't know of another Quarterback who can brag about that kind of receiving core wealth of knowledge.

Atlas · 08-10-2007, 04:31 AM

I think Stokely has been the surprise of camp. I know alot of us weren't counting on him because of health and a lot of people said he was camp fodder. HE could be the starting wr the first week of the season.

footstepsfrom#27 · 08-10-2007, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiettiger

How good will it be to get Cutler exposed to Farvre's ex-receiver, Manning's ex-receiver, Elway's ex-reciever and Brady's ex-tight end?

Not to mention JP Losman's ex-running back!

Sorry...

Smiling Assassin27 · 08-10-2007, 10:15 AM

...and Bradlee Van Pelt's tailback turned fullback turned tailback again...

(sorry, had to work for that BVP reference)

Odysseus · 08-10-2007, 10:22 AM

You know. That thar is funnnneee!

All this and not one person connected in Kevin Bacon!

Man-Goblin · 08-10-2007, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiettiger

You know. That thar is funnnneee!

All this and not one person connected in Kevin Bacon!

Actually....

Brandon Stokley played with Peyton Manning, who appeared in a Gatorade commercial with Derek Jeter, who appeared in a Gatorade commercial with Michael Jordan, who appeared in a really gay Hanes commercial with Kevin Bacon.

chaz · 08-10-2007, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man-Goblin

Actually....

Brandon Stokley played with Peyton Manning, who appeared in a Gatorade commercial with Derek Jeter, who appeared in a Gatorade commercial with Michael Jordan, who appeared in a really gay Hanes commercial with Kevin Bacon.

SoDak Bronco · 08-10-2007, 06:49 PM

Brandon Marshall or Brandon Stokely, who has more recptions this year??

dbfan4life · 08-10-2007, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man-Goblin

Actually....

Brandon Stokley played with Peyton Manning, who appeared in a Gatorade commercial with Derek Jeter, who appeared in a Gatorade commercial with Michael Jordan, who appeared in a really gay Hanes commercial with Kevin Bacon.

Oh my word! That was hilarious! You watch entirely too much TV!

Man-Goblin · 08-11-2007, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbfan4life

Oh my word! That was hilarious! You watch entirely too much TV!

Nah, wasn't that difficult.

cutthemdown · 08-11-2007, 01:56 AM

i don't trust his ability to play 16 games but it is good news he is looking good. Let's hope it's for real because we need players to step up at the WR spot.

Odysseus · 08-11-2007, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man-Goblin

Actually....

Brandon Stokley played with Peyton Manning, who appeared in a Gatorade commercial with Derek Jeter, who appeared in a Gatorade commercial with Michael Jordan, who appeared in a really gay Hanes commercial with Kevin Bacon.

Only on the Orangemane!

Rock Chalk · 08-11-2007, 11:06 AM

7 Degrees of Kevin Bacon.

MechanicalBull · 08-11-2007, 11:45 AM

I have seen it all now. Kevin Bacon can be tied to just about everyone. On to Stokley, right when we signed him I thought it was a good move by Denver with giving Cutler a good vet that catches the ball good and a reliable option if Marshall doesn't pan out or Rod doesn't come back.

I thought he would make it as a #3/4 now it seems like he might have even moved up quite a bit and making good progress.

08-10-2007, 03:47 AM	#1
dragondawg All Pro Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,009	Stokley recovering and rejuvenated in Denver By Jim Corbett, USA TODAY DENVER — Jay Cutler was conducting pre-snap surveillance when veteran receiver Brandon Stokley warned the second-year Denver Broncos quarterback about a blitz coming from the blind side. Two weeks into his initial Broncos training camp, Peyton Manning's slot receiver the past four seasons proved invaluable as a young quarterback's blitz detector, not to mention a dependable target with deceptive speed Good thing Stokley is ahead of schedule eight months after Achilles' tendon surgery. With 13th-year franchise receptions leader Rod Smith coming off hip surgery that figures to sideline him for the season's first six games, Stokley, 31, is Cutler's most experienced eyes and hands on a talented young receiving corps. "It's little things Brandon's helping Jay with," assistant head coach/quarterbacks Mike Heimerdinger says. "He's a great communicator and as good a route runner as I've ever seen. When we get our receivers healthy, we have a pretty good group." Javon Walker is physically stronger two years after knee surgery and appears to be healing emotionally seven months after cornerback Darrent Williams died in his arms in the back of a stretch limousine following a New Year's morning drive-by shooting. But the projected No. 2 receiver, second-year pro Brandon Marshall, has yet to practice after injuring his thigh. Domenik Hixon, David Kircus, Quincy Morgan and David Terrell are in the mix. Seventy-two of Stokley's 199 career catches and 10 of his 22 touchdowns have come on third down, according to Stats Inc. Nicknamed "The Slot Machine" in 2004 during a 68-catch, 10-touchdown, 1,077-yard season, Stokley, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne became the first trio of receivers in NFL history to eclipse 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. Cutler figures to be as good as his supporting cast, considering the 11th overall selection in the 2006 draft showed flashes in five starts when coach Mike Shanahan benched ineffective Jake Plummer after Week 12. "Brandon's huge for me," Cutler says. "Just working in the slot against linebackers and in the seams, he's got a great feel and wealth of experience." When Stokley signed an incentive-laden, one-year deal worth more than $1 million in March, owner Pat Bowlen recalled his 144 receiving yards and two touchdowns on four catches in a 41-10 Colts wild-card rout in January 2004. "He killed us," Bowlen says. "We couldn't cover him." What the Broncos couldn't know was when Stokley would return from Dec. 20 surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles' suffered 10 days earlier against the Jacksonville Jaguars. "A lot of people said he wouldn't be back until early in the season and he'd miss all of training camp," Shanahan says. "Here he is from the first day having a heck of a camp. Hopefully, he'll keep it going and not have any setbacks." Limited by knee, ankle and the Achilles' injuries, Stokley had eight catches for 85 yards with a touchdown in 2006 and mulled retirement after the Colts' Super Bowl XLI championship run. But Stokley returned for a ninth season because a quarterback had his back. "When I tore my Achilles', Peyton was a great friend to me," Stokley says. "I was down. I didn't know if I wanted to play anymore. Peyton encouraged me." The receiver who caught a 38-yard touchdown reception from Trent Dilfer in the Baltimore Ravens' Super Bowl XXXV win against the New York Giants chases one more big game. "I'll always look at last year's Super Bowl with a little asterisk," he says. "I wanted to get back and win another one. I don't want to leave with any regrets." Stokley's resilience appears to run in the family. Stokley and wife Lana have two healthy sons, Cameron and Carson, thanks to Indianapolis doctors, who helped save Cameron from a near-fatal meningitis bout nearly four years ago. "If we bought him into the hospital a couple of hours later, he probably would have been dead," Stokley says. "I look at him sometimes, and I just think how special he is and how blessed we are to still have him." http://www.usatoday.com/sports/footb...-stokley_N.htm

08-10-2007, 10:22 AM	#6
Odysseus Fan of the home team Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 12,107 Adopt-a-Bronco: Mark Schlereth	You know. That thar is funnnneee! All this and not one person connected in Kevin Bacon! Last edited by Odysseus; 08-10-2007 at 10:25 AM..

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08-10-2007, 04:19 AM	#2
Odysseus Fan of the home team Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 12,107 Adopt-a-Bronco: Mark Schlereth	How good will it be to get Cutler exposed to Farvre's ex-receiver, Manning's ex-receiver, Elway's ex-reciever and Brady's ex-tight end? I don't know of another Quarterback who can brag about that kind of receiving core wealth of knowledge.

08-10-2007, 04:31 AM	#3
Atlas Draft Defense Early&Often Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 18,526	I think Stokely has been the surprise of camp. I know alot of us weren't counting on him because of health and a lot of people said he was camp fodder. HE could be the starting wr the first week of the season.

08-10-2007, 10:15 AM	#5
Smiling Assassin27 STOP! KIPER TIME! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: In a van down by the river Posts: 10,978 Adopt-a-Bronco: Von Miller	...and Bradlee Van Pelt's tailback turned fullback turned tailback again... (sorry, had to work for that BVP reference)

08-10-2007, 06:49 PM	#9
SoDak Bronco Lace em' up and lets go!! Von Miller aka QB Killa Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: South Dakota Posts: 4,132 Adopt-a-Bronco: Robert Ayers	Brandon Marshall or Brandon Stokely, who has more recptions this year??

08-11-2007, 01:56 AM	#12
cutthemdown A verbis ad verbera Zimm to HOF Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Long Beach Posts: 32,480	i don't trust his ability to play 16 games but it is good news he is looking good. Let's hope it's for real because we need players to step up at the WR spot.

08-11-2007, 11:06 AM	#14
Rock Chalk Cheeky Bastards Laus Deo Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: The Backside of the Internet Posts: 29,940 Adopt-a-Bronco: Chris Harris	7 Degrees of Kevin Bacon.

08-11-2007, 11:45 AM	#15
MechanicalBull Interesting Times Ahead Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,825	I have seen it all now. Kevin Bacon can be tied to just about everyone. On to Stokley, right when we signed him I thought it was a good move by Denver with giving Cutler a good vet that catches the ball good and a reliable option if Marshall doesn't pan out or Rod doesn't come back. I thought he would make it as a #3/4 now it seems like he might have even moved up quite a bit and making good progress.