Tempe, Ariz. – Mr. Bradlee’s wild ride will make a final, pivotal preseason stop tonight.
Who knows what will happen as fledgling in-state folk hero and Broncos backup quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt makes his first NFL start.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but something’s going to happen,” the former Colorado State star said. “It’s up to me to make it good.”
In the last preseason tuneup, in which nearly every Denver starter will be held out, Van Pelt is expected to start and likely play at least the first half tonight against the Arizona Cardinals at Sun Devil Stadium.
Van Pelt entered minicamp as the No. 4 quarterback after spending last season on the practice squad. He’ll be facing his biggest test to sew up the No. 2 spot tonight. The Cardinals’ starting defense, featuring outstanding pass rushing ends Bertrand Berry and Chike Okeafor, could be on the field much of the first half in a game that likely will be played in 100-plus degree weather.
“This is really my biggest game ever,” Van Pelt said. “I’m nervous, I’m excited, but most of all, I’m ready to prove myself.”
Van Pelt’s ability to wrap up the backup job behind Jake Plummer is one of the Broncos’ few remaining issues, along with whether rookie Paul Ernster will force the team to keep three kickers and whether struggling receiver Darius Watts enters the regular-season opener at Miami on Sept. 11 with some momentum.
Van Pelt supplanted last year’s backup, Danny Kanell, on Aug. 2. Kanell was cut this week. Fellow 2004 seventh-round pick Matt Mauck, who also was on the practice squad last year, has been working as the third-string quarterback and likely will finish tonight’s game.
The Broncos could look at outside options for a reserve quarterback over the weekend, but it is more likely they’ll keep an in-house player for the backup job.
“We’re still evaluating Bradlee,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “But we like what we’ve seen. He’s improving each week.”
The freewheeling Van Pelt has completed 20-of-41 passes for 256 yards in the preseason. He has thrown one touchdown pass – and hasn’t been intercepted – while registering a passer rating of 76.9. Van Pelt, a mobile playmaker, has gained 91 yards rushing on 12 carries. He made a 40-yard run on his first drive of the preseason against Houston.
Van Pelt has become one of the biggest stories of training camp. Rousing applause has greeted Van Pelt -popular in college – upon his entrances in two games at Invesco Field at Mile High.
It has been a custom this preseason for Van Pelt to grade himself after each game. He has said he throws the ball too high sometimes, presses too much and runs around too much before deciding what to do.
“I had to tell him after the Indianapolis game (last Saturday) that he wasn’t all that bad,” Broncos quarterbacks coach Pat McPherson said. “He’s tough on himself, but he is getting better each game.”
Tonight will be Van Pelt’s final chance before Plummer takes the reins for good.
“I’m close, I’m close,” Van Pelt said. “But I want to be there now. That’s why I’m looking forward to this game. It’s my chance to get there.”
Staff writer Bill Williamsoncan be reached at 303-820-5450
