As a former New York Giants great and father of a Broncos backup quarterback, Brad Van Pelt has a dilemma.
While his son stands on the visiting sideline during the Broncos-Giants game Sunday, Dad will spend the first half glad-handing the VIPs in the corporate suites at Giants Stadium.
“I told Frank Mara, the only problem I’m going to have is deciding whether I should wear my Broncos cap and Giants shirt, or Giants cap and Broncos shirt,” father Van Pelt said.
Mara, the Giants’ director of promotions and son of owner Wellington Mara, told the wisecracking Van Pelt that while he was on the Giants’ clock, there would be no Broncos wear.
“So at halftime, I’ll switch to my Broncos gear,” Van Pelt said. “I’ll have it on for the victory.”
With Brad Van Pelt, blood and the future supersedes legacy and the past. The senior Van Pelt was a five-time Pro Bowler who played with the Giants from 1973-83. The junior Van Pelt, who goes by Bradlee, was the focus of the Broncos’ preseason but has yet to replace starting quarterback Jake Plummer for even one snap six games into the season.
“If I know Bradlee, he’s fit to be tied and can’t wait to get in there,” Van Pelt said. “But when your team is winning, it makes it a little easier to be patient.”
Clutch leg
It has been known for a while that Broncos punter Todd Sauerbrun has perhaps the NFL’s strongest leg. What the Broncos are beginning to appreciate is how strong Sauerbrun’s leg is when the team needs it most.
No punt is more crucial than when the team is backed up deep in its own territory. Sauerbrun has punted eight times when the ball was snapped from inside his own 25-yard line and averaged an NFL-best 52.8 yards.
“I guess I’m probably a hair more focused when we’re backed up,” Sauerbrun said. “I give myself a little mental note that I have to get these guys out of a jam. My goal is to contribute to a win instead of that don’t- mess-it-up type of mind-set.”
The Rock of Ekuban
Contrary to what Ebenezer Ekuban’s cruel grade-school classmates used to think, the name “Ebenezer” did not derive from Charles Dickens’ idea of how to best introduce his Scrooge.
Born in Ghana, Ekuban’s given name was pulled from the first book of Samuel by his mother. Ebenezer means “rock of help” in Hebrew. How appropriate for a defensive end who was acquired from Cleveland in March to help fortify the Broncos’ front four.
“My mom told me the story about my name, but you know how it is when your mom’s talking,” Ekuban said. “You’re like, ‘OK, Mom, I’m going to go out and play now.”‘
As the Old Testament story goes, the prophet Samuel had set up a memorial rock between two towns to signify a great victory battle. Samuel named that rock Ebenezer.
“When I was younger, I hated it,” Ekuban said. “In elementary school, kids used to tease me about it because of Scrooge. But as I got into high school, 13, 14 years old, it was cool with me. It’s unique. Now, I love it.”
Footnotes
Strong safety Nick Ferguson was upgraded Thursday from questionable to probable. … Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young was at Broncos headquarters Wednesday interviewing quarterback Jake Plummer and coach Mike Shanahan for ESPN’s pregame show. … There is a 70 percent chance of rain Sunday at Giants Stadium, although the chances could diminish by the 2:15 MDT p.m. kickoff.
Mike Klis can be reached at 303-820-5440 or mklis@denverpost.com.
