Houston – Go ahead, sell Bradlee Van Pelt short.
The 2005 Broncos are about to begin their preseason schedule, and there is a growing sense that what makes this one different from the others is enormous curiosity surrounding Van Pelt. Does he have the goods to become a No. 2 NFL quarterback?
This is not the question of the Broncos’ preseason. This is a slight. Then again, Michigan State once tried to make him a linebacker, and Colorado State tried talking him into running back, so Van Pelt is plenty used to it.
The question for Van Pelt, as the Broncos get ready to play their first preseason game Saturday night against the Houston Texans, is not whether he can win the No. 2 quarterback spot. The question is whether by the end of preseason, will he become much closer to No. 1 than No. 3?
“I know I’m on the right track,” Van Pelt said. “I know I’m going to be very good one day. I know I’m going to be a starter in the league.”
Until then, with respect to Trevor Pryce’s back, Jerry Rice’s legs and reads progressing through Jake Plummer’s mind, the most significant issues addressed in exhibition games are at the back end of the roster. And not since John Elway waited his turn in the preseason of 1983 has a backup generated more attention than Van Pelt.
Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said players are evaluated daily in workouts, and the occasional depth chart shuffles prove it. Generating revenue, however, is not the only reason the NFL plays a preseason schedule.
“You need to see how guys perform when the lights are on,” Shanahan said. “The guys who do it in practice more consistently are the guys who do it on game days. But some guys will help themselves because they might be inconsistent in practice but they actually shine in the games.”
Here are five roster spots that figure to be won or lost during the Broncos’ four preseason games:
No. 2 quarterback
To begin the preseason, Plummer will guide the Broncos’ No. 1 offense for about 10 to 12 plays. Then it will be time for Van Pelt, the former Colorado State star, to take his first meaningful test as an NFL quarterback.
“No matter what happens, if I go out there and have a bad performance, which I don’t plan on having, I’m still going to lace the cleats up the next morning and not let anyone tell me I blew it because I failed in my first preseason game,” Van Pelt said. “At the same time, I realize there is importance in this game. They do want to see how I will perform, but that pressure is there for everyone in the NFL. Jake Plummer, even though he’s better at dealing with the pressure than I am right now, people are still going to expect him to perform well.”
Say this about Van Pelt: He’s not afraid to communicate his feelings.
Third kicker
Jason Elam will kick field goals and extra points. Todd Sauerbrun will be the punter. The question is whether rookie Paul Ernster can regularly drive the ball deep on kickoffs.
“Definitely, you need these games for your kickers,” Shanahan said.
If Ernster shows he can regularly reach the end zone, especially in the second and third preseason games at Invesco Field at Mile High, the Broncos probably will keep him as their third kicker and allow Sauerbrun’s leg to stay fresh for those pivotal fourth-quarter punts. But if Ernster performs inconsistently, Sauerbrun will handle both kickoff and punting duties.
“You can be a practice All-American or a practice Pro Bowler, but practice doesn’t mean anything if you can’t do it in the game,” Ernster said.
Running backs
There has been no deviation during training camp workouts. Mike Anderson always has been the No. 1 tailback despite his approaching 32nd birthday and missing all last season with a groin injury. Tatum Bell spells Anderson about every third play.
With rookie Maurice Clarett home nursing a groin injury in Dove Valley, the primary competition may be between Ron Dayne and Quentin Griffin for the third running back. The loser may get cut.
“Running backs and safeties are two positions you want to see what they do in game situations,” Shanahan said. “Safeties, because they get a chance to hit; running backs, because you want to see how they react live.”
Fifth receiver
In his three seasons with the Broncos, receiver Charlie Adams has made a gradual impact on special teams, but he has yet to catch a regular-season pass. Through the first two weeks of camp, Adams noticed along with everybody else how newcomer Todd Devoe has received more than his share of opportunities to win the No. 5 receiver job.
“Every year, they want to see as early as possible what they have with their new guys,” Adams said. “Devoe has been getting a chance, but that doesn’t bother me because a couple years ago, I was that guy.”
While Devoe has shown he can make the tough catch, he also leads the workouts in drops and is listed behind Adams and Triandos Luke, who had six receptions as a rookie last season.
The top four receivers are set with Rod Smith, Ashley Lelie, Darius Watts and Rice.
“The preseason games are important for the starters because they need game situations, too,” Adams said. “But they’re more important for us guys who are fighting for a job. You have to perform when it counts.”
Offensive line
Depth in this area may be the team’s biggest concern as the season-ending, offseason injury suffered by P.J. Alexander and unexpected retirement of Josh Sewell left the Broncos scrambling for the waiver wire.
The starting five, from left to right, will be Matt Lepsis, Ben Hamilton, Tom Nalen, Cooper Carlisle and George Foster.
At backup tackle, Cornell Green appears to have a slight edge over erstwhile tight end Dwayne Carswell. At guard, waiver-wire find Chris Watton and sixth-round draft choice Chris Myers can win jobs with a strong preseason.
Staff writer Mike Klis can be reached at 303-820-5440 or mklis@denverpost.com.
