In planning meetings this week, Broncos defensive coaches didn’t have to look far for someone to blame for what will be one of their biggest challenges Sunday: finding a way to cover Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates.
First-year Denver tight ends coach Tim Brewster molded Gates from a college basketball player into an NFL playmaker. Brewster, who spent the past three years with San Diego, has found a similar project in Wesley Duke.
The Broncos hope Duke is the next player to benefit under Brewster’s tutelage. Duke may get some time to play the role of his prototype on the scout team this week as he helps prepare the Broncos for Sunday’s game against the Chargers at Invesco Field at Mile High.
Duke, who played college basketball at Mercer, was the biggest surprise to make the Broncos’ 53-man roster. Like Gates, he’s trying to make the transition to the NFL.
“Wesley reminds me of Antonio in a lot of ways, just not because they’re both former college basketball players. They’re very athletic,” Brewster said. The big difference is that Antonio was a highly recruited player out of high school, so he had more experience than Wesley.
“But if Wesley works hard like Antonio, he can be a starting tight end in this league, too.”
Gates is looking forward to seeing his former coach this weekend. He knows Duke is getting the same intense coaching Gates received from Brewster.
“He was in your face, yelling at you,” Gates told San Diego reporters. “And I think at some point, that’s an advantage and a disadvantage, whatever the situation is. It’s whoever you are dealing with; it just happens that I could deal with it. Everybody can’t deal with that.
“I love him for doing it his way. He believed in that, and that’s what works for him. And if that’s the way he can get across to the players, I’m all for it, stick with it.”
Tryouts underway
The Broncos began their weekly tryout parade, which usually lasts the first several weeks of the season.
Tuesday the team brought in offensive linemen Martin Bibla, Jeremy Bridges, Jason Hilliard, Kerry Jenkins and Tim Provost.
Running back Quentin Griffin and defensive end Anton Palepoi, both cut by Denver on Sept. 3, were in Indianapolis for workouts. Griffin has been to Kansas City and Palepoi has auditioned for Oakland.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
