Oakland, Calif. – The Broncos often this season have faced teams that entered with sexier, charismatic, big-play receivers.
But Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie by game’s end keep winning the battle in contribution and performance.
It happened again here Sunday in Denver’s 31-17 victory over the Raiders. Randy Moss and Jerry Porter, the Raiders’ starting duo, are more flashy than the Broncos’ starters.
You would be hard-pressed to find a general manager in pro football who would not select the Oakland starting receivers over Denver’s.
At the end, though, Moss and Porter had nine catches. Smith and Lelie had eight. Moss and Porter gained 114 receiving yards. Smith and Lelie gained 126. Moss caught a touchdown and Smith caught one.
And the longest catch of the day belonged to Lelie, for 41 yards. Moss’ long grab was for 29 yards. Porter’s was for only 11.
That smacks the Raiders where it hurts.
Their offensive game is the long ball, and they have long prided themselves on their ability to burn defenses with it. But when you top a team in the area that is its strength, its identity, that goes a long way in the rest of its game unraveling.
If you look at Smith and Lelie and measure their value simply by their ability to dominate on smoke routes – taking a 2-yard hitch, giving a juke and running the distance – well, they fall short. It is not the dominant element in either’s game.
But if you analyze their value by their completeness, their effectiveness as run blockers, pass catchers, their energy and competitiveness on short and intermediate routes and their savvy, this pair is an integral piece to the Broncos’ 7-2 season.
Smith’s 27-yard touchdown catch early in the second quarter against the Raiders was the game’s first score and the first of 23 consecutive Denver points.
The way he set up the Raiders defense with a curl and go, the angle he took on the reception in the end zone that provided a shield and lane for his grab, all of it was handsomely done.
Little wonder Smith is the Broncos’ all-time touchdown maker.
Lelie not only produced the 41-yard catch but also a 37-yarder.
On both, he illustrated his talent at getting free downfield and maneuvering to make the catch. Those are among the reasons he led the league in average yards gained per catch a season ago and why he remains among the best in that regard this season.
Coach Mike Shanahan has said that he never has coached a more consummate pro than Smith.
Smith knows all receiver positions. He is a technician who exploits the weaknesses of defenders. He is a courageous run blocker. But the traits that Shanahan loves best are Smith’s preparation and ability to take it to the field.
Lelie possesses speed and sure hands. He has come a long way since his drops in the season opener at Miami. He has come a long way since the Broncos drafted him from Hawaii, where he excelled in the run- and-shoot offense. That is not an offense designed to ask receivers to block adeptly.
Lelie is growing tougher, and the Broncos want that to continue in his run blocking and on intermediate routes against frisky bump coverage.
Smith and Lelie are smart receivers.
They have become a rare complementing pair.
What they bring most to the Broncos is a willingness to compete, to be matched against more heralded receivers but create ways to finish on top.
They help bring an attitude to the Denver offense, to each of their teammates, that the Broncos are a team that expects to win. No hoping and wishing, but a confidence that permeates throughout the club.
Ask the Raiders right now how invaluable that is to a team.
Staff writer Thomas Georgecan be reached at 303-820-1994 or tgeorge@denverpost.com.
