Orlando, Fla. – The Broncos are exploring the idea of getting some extra playing time this summer.
They have had discussions with the Detroit Lions and Tennessee Titans – their first two preseason opponents – about working together for a couple of days before playing the games.
The Broncos open the preseason in Detroit, then host the Titans the next week. The workouts with the Lions would be in Allen Park, Mich., and the work with Tennessee would be at Dove Valley.
The Broncos went to Houston last year before their preseason opener against the Texans. The Broncos hosted teams when they trained in Greeley, but not at Dove Valley since training camp moved there in 2003.
“I always like the extra work,” Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said.
The only date set for the Broncos’ preseason is Aug. 27 at home against Houston and new coach Gary Kubiak, who was Shanahan’s offensive coordinator for 11 seasons. The game at Detroit will be sometime from Aug. 10-14, the home game against Tennessee will be from Aug. 17-21 and the game at Arizona will be from Aug. 31-Sept. 2.
The regular-season schedule could be released next week. There is a chance Denver will open the season on the road, likely at St. Louis or Cleveland.
Rushing the QB
Joey Harrington could be out of Denver’s plans in the next few days. The quarterback Detroit is looking to trade has visited Miami and Cincinnati, and those teams are likely to meet Harrington’s financial request and the Lions’ trade needs.
Denver has been granted permission to visit with Harrington, but Shanahan said nothing has been scheduled.
“To say we’re not interested would not be true,” Shanahan said. “But to say it could take awhile would be true.”
If Harrington is out of the picture, the Broncos likely will turn to Baltimore backup Anthony Wright or other veteran quarterbacks to find competition for incumbent backup Bradlee Van Pelt, a former Colorado State star.
Footnotes
Broncos special teams captain Keith Burns re-signed Wednesday after agreeing to terms weeks ago. … Shanahan said Nate Webster, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals, can back up all three linebacker spots.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
