Coach Mike Shanahan and quarterback Jake Plummer have stated their support for Broncos receiver Darius Watts, who fell on hard times last season.
As the team searches for more offensive weapons, the coach and quarterback said Watts could provide one.
“Oh, yeah, Darius can still do the job,” Shanahan said last month at the NFL meetings.
Last week, Plummer said Watts has “sick” ability.
Watts is happy to hear the words of encouragement as he prepares for his third NFL season.
“Anytime you have the support of your coach and quarterback, it’s good,” Watts said Thursday. “It’s good to know they’re behind me.”
Last year, Watts fell from being third on the depth chart in training camp to the sixth (and last) receiver. He was inactive the final 10 regular-season games, plus Denver’s two playoff games. He made two catches for 22 yards in 2005 after catching 31 passes as the No. 3 receiver during his rookie season. The former second-round draft pick had trouble holding onto the ball in the preseason last year.
Watts will compete with David Terrell and Charlie Adams for backup roles. The Broncos are likely to take a receiver early in the draft, perhaps with its first pick at No. 15.
Watts said he is determined to keep pushing to improve.
“You work to get better every day,” he said. “In the NFL, you can’t drop too many balls because there’s little room for error.”
Running, remembering
Plummer will participate Saturday in Pat’s Run in Tempe, Ariz.
The race is a tribute to Pat Tillman, Plummer’s former teammate and close friend at Arizona State and with the Arizona Cardinals.
Tillman was killed while serving in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army Rangers in April 2004.
Footnotes
No. 2 receiver Ashley Lelie is completing his second week of workouts on his own in Arizona, forgoing the Broncos’ offseason sessions. The workouts are voluntary, but the team encourages players to attend. Lelie, who has a $100,000 workout bonus, still could return to the team sessions. … The agent for former Colorado receiver Jeremy Bloom has sent a DVD with Bloom’s college highlights to NFL teams. Bloom, who last played in 2003, could be picked during the middle of the April 29-30 draft. … Detroit quarterback Joey Harrington has no visits set for the next several days. He has visited Cincinnati and Miami. Denver also has shown interest. … University of Pittsburgh product Greg Lee will be one of several college receivers to visit the Broncos next week in preparation for the draft.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
