Houston – When the Broncos drafted Darrent Williams in April, the initial plan was to use the diminutive but explosive player primarily as a return man.
The idea was the second-round pick from Oklahoma State would give the Broncos’ return game an immediate spark. Any help Williams might give the Denver defense as a rookie would be a bonus.
That was the plan, anyway.
“We got a player,” veteran safety John Lynch said Saturday night after Denver’s 20-14 victory over the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. “Not bad for a guy who I was told was expected to help just as a returner right away.”
Williams continued his dynamic preseason Saturday when he started at cornerback alongside veteran Lenny Walls. Williams got his chance because star left cornerback Champ Bailey has been hampered by a sore hamstring the past 10 days. Williams, who worked as the Broncos’ top nickel cornerback when Bailey was in, has been practicing with the first team with Bailey on the sideline.
While Williams has stood out the first two weeks of training camp, he knew his start Saturday would be the most challenging task of his short NFL career. He often lined up against Andre Johnson, the Texans’ star wide receiver.
“I was really pretty nervous at the start,” Williams said. “They went after me right away, and I felt it. But I settled down, and the game slowed down for me. I felt much more comfortable as the game went on.”
Playing in front of family members and friends from Fort Worth, Texas, his hometown, Williams had his ups and downs. It was clear Houston quarterback David Carr had designs on picking on the rookie.
Carr hit Johnson for a 15-yard gain with Williams covering on the Texans’ second offensive play. Five snaps later, Williams was called for pass interference at the Broncos’ 1-yard line while covering Johnson. The Broncos overcame the penalty with a goal-line stand.
“They’re going to come after me,” Williams said. “That’s fine with me.”
Williams had some bright spots, breaking up two passes. Despite his 5-foot-8, 188-pound frame, Williams was known in college as a strong tackler and displayed that ability.
Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said Williams’ performance was an extension of his strong training camp and excellent play in the three practices with the Texans last week before the teams’ preseason opener.
“I’m pretty impressed,” Shanahan said of Williams. “I was impressed the way he’s handled himself.”
Williams had kickoff returns of 26 and 24 yards and gained 10 yards on four punt returns.
Williams was the first of three cornerbacks Denver took in the second and third rounds. Karl Paymah and Domonique Foxworth were selected in the third round. Like Williams, Foxworth has been praised often by Shanahan the first two weeks of camp. Foxworth also is expected to play often for Denver this season.
Foxworth and Paymah played extensively and well Saturday, though Paymah was called for pass interference in the fourth quarter.
“All three rookie corners had a good night,” Lynch said. “The early returns are we hit home runs on all three.”
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
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Broncos watch
A look at five areas of focus in Denver’s first preseason game:
1. Trevor and the ex-Browns: A four-down, goal-line stand Saturday night saved an otherwise unsettling first-team defensive effort. Ebenezer Ekuban made a
big tackle for a 4-yard loss.
2. Competition at running back: Mike Anderson was in for all 18 first-team plays, but gained just 12 yards on six carries. Tatum Bell and Ron Dayne alternated from there, with Dayne rushing for a game-high 56 yards on 11 carries. Bell gained 11 yards.
3. Jerry Rice in a Broncos uniform: Hobbled by plantar fasciitis in his left heel, the NFL’s all-time leading receiver was held to a 6-yard catch from
Bradlee Van Pelt.
4. Rookie cornerbacks: Darrent Williams, Karl Paymah and Domonique Foxworth got hit with penalties, but they also demonstrated skills. Williams had a big hit and Foxworth maintained great coverage on an isolation deep throw near half’s end.
5. Kicking game: Paul Ernster’s kickoffs went to the 9, 6 and end zone. Todd Sauerbrun punted well, but one was returned 17 yards. Jason Elam made 27- and 24-yard field goals.
