First the linemen went in, followed in no particular order by the receivers, linebackers and just about everybody else.
Staying back on the Broncos’ far practice field was Darius Watts, who was catching footballs shot out of a machine from about 30 yards away.
“I just have to work at what I’ve been doing wrong,” said Watts, who has failed to haul in six passes that touched his hands through two preseason games.
When Watts was satisfied with his day’s work and the machine was put away, the only players remaining were Jerry Rice and quarterbacks Bradlee Van Pelt and Matt Mauck, who stayed on the near field to throw pass routes to the NFL’s all-time leading receiver.
And people don’t think the Broncos’ No. 3 receiver spot is a big deal?
“The more I work, the better I feel,” Rice said. “The less I work, it takes a little while.”
Watts was the No. 3 receiver entering the preseason. But slippery hands dropped him to No. 4, behind Rice. And Charlie Adams appears to be pushing Watts for No. 4.
Rice was excused from the first three days of workouts this week so he could attend to family business in the San Francisco area.
To compensate for missed time, Rice put in overtime Thursday in hopes he’ll be at his best for the preseason game Saturday night against the Indianapolis Colts at Invesco Field at Mile High.
“I hope to get a little bit more action this game and try to get a feel for what’s going to happen in the regular season,” Rice said. “I think we’re going to be in the game for a little while, and I’m always excited about that because it takes awhile to get a feel out there. … I would like to play the majority of every exhibition game.”
The hybrid
The Broncos’ linebacking corps, widely touted as among the NFL’s best, has a fourth member playing with the first team. Besides starters Al Wilson, D.J. Williams and Ian Gold, the Broncos bring in Patrick Chukwurah on third-down passing situations.
The catch: Chukwurah, a fifth-year linebacker from Wyoming, lines up as a defensive end in the nickel package.
“I have a little more responsibility, but the more you can do in this game, the better off you are,” Chukwurah said.
“We’re doing a few more things with him than we did a year ago,” Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. “When you take a look at a guy like that who plays linebacker and also has the ability to pass rush, it gives you the ability to do a few more things. The first thing you have to do is threaten the quarterback. Pat, the last couple games last year, was effective rushing the quarterback, and I think he’ll continue to get better.”
Van Pelt’s throws
In his previous preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, Van Pelt missed some open receivers and completed just 7-of-18 passes (39 percent).
When Van Pelt missed, he usually missed high, particularly while rolling left.
“I’d rather miss high than miss low,” Van Pelt said. “I’m a young quarterback, I’m making mistakes. If I was 17-for-17, I don’t know if I’d be the backup.”
In some ways, the Broncos’ coaching staff was encouraged Van Pelt had an off night. To wit: A kid can’t learn from mistakes if he doesn’t make them.
“The good thing about the game is you want to see him hit some rough spots and see how he comes back from it,” Broncos quarterback coach Pat McPherson said. “He battled through it, and if he makes that guy miss (at the 5-yard line early in the fourth quarter), he goes out on a touchdown.”
Sauerbrun likely cleared
NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said in a statement Thursday that Carolina Panthers players involved in a steroid prescription scandal last season – including punter Todd Sauerbrun who is now with the Broncos – will not be suspended.
Tagliabue said the NFL’s drug policy, as it is written, does not cover such infractions. Sauerbrun was accused of having filled prescriptions for steroids written by Dr. James Shortt of West Columbia, S.C.
Footnote
Mike Anderson, Tatum Bell and Ron Dayne will play the first three quarters at running back. Quentin Griffin, back from knee surgery, will play the fourth.
Mike Klis can be reached at 303-820-5440 or mklis@denverpost.com.
