Champ Bailey isn’t sure when he will work with the offense again, but he knows it’s coming.
Denver coach Mike Shanahan won’t say when or how much the star cornerback will work at receiver but said there will be times Bailey works into the offense.
“Yes, he will work in practice some with the offense at some point,” Shana- han said.
That is fine with Bailey, whose play at receiver last season went from a buzz in training camp to an afterthought by the end of the season.
“Anything I can do to help the team win, I’ll do,” Bailey said. “I want to play all the time, so I’m looking forward to it again.”
Bailey focused on receiver in some of the developmental camp season. He played offense in several games early last year, but it was something the team went away from around midseason. Bailey had one catch for 11 yards last season.
Bailey said he is heading into this season a better receiver than he was when he came to Denver in a trade with Washington for Clinton Portis.
“I watch Rod Smith run routes every day,” Bailey said. “That right there helps me. I think I’m smoother in my route running.”
The Broncos appear to be deeper at receiver, so having Bailey on offense likely would be in unusual packages.
“It’s probably best for a defensive player to play offense as a surprise or in different situations,” Bailey said. “That’s where you’ll see me.”
No concerns about Pryce
Three days into training camp, the Broncos are convinced Trevor Pryce’s back woes, which plagued his almost all of last season, are behind him.
Pryce, who had surgery on his back in September, has practiced every day, although he likely will rest one practice a day during two-a-day workouts.
“There’s no signs of any repercussions of his other injuries,” Shanahan said. “He’s full-speed ahead.”
Pryce said he doesn’t exactly feel good but that’s par for the course during camp.
“It’s just the normal rigor mortis of camp,” Pryce said. “I don’t feel any worse than I did this time last year before I was injured.”
Adjustments on the line
The Broncos on Sunday signed center Ben Nowland, who was cut Thursday by Washington. Nowland’s signing became necessary when Josh Sewell, a sixth-round pick in 2004, abruptly retired Saturday.
Sewell’s retirement moves sixth- round pick Chris Myers to backup center behind Tom Nalen. However, if Nalen gets hurt, left guard Ben Hamilton would be moved.
Still, Myers is excited about the extra work in training camp. He also is working at long snapper behind incumbent Mike Leach. Myers hasn’t snapped since high school.
“But I did it one-handed, so that doesn’t count,” Myers said.
Footnotes
The Broncos will consider candidates for their Ring of Fame as early as today. Former safety Steve Atwater is a top candidate. … Veteran Keith Burns has been working a lot with the second team at middle linebacker, and Terry Pierce has been working at outside linebacker.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
