This is about the overachieving mentor and his petulant protege.
Rod Smith joined the Broncos in 1994 with virtually no chance, undrafted yet undaunted. He carried on as the Broncos brought in four-time Pro Bowl selection Anthony Miller, then several other NFL-proven wide receivers, including Mike Pritchard, Ed McCaffrey, Robert Brooks, Eddie Kennison and Willie Green.
Smith outperformed them all, but his team has never stopped searching for his possible replacement. Twice during his tenure, the Broncos used first-round draft choices on wide receivers, Marcus Nash and Ashley Lelie.
Now, as he’s about to turn 36, Smith will welcome another challenger to his role as the team’s primary receiver. This time it’s Javon Walker, a former Green Bay Packers star who was acquired last weekend for a second-round draft pick.
“They can bring in all the first-round draft picks and Pro Bowlers they want,” Smith said. “They’re not going to be push me any more or less.”
Then there’s Lelie, another name on the long list of candidates who have tried to eclipse Smith.
The Broncos bring in one receiver with an NFL pedigree – the only one of the past four years – and Lelie reacts by throwing a T.O.-like conniption.
Lelie demanded to be traded because the Broncos briefly flirted with the idea of adding Terrell Owens. Then Lelie said he would sit out the 2006 season because the Broncos added Walker, a former Pro Bowl wideout who is coming off a knee injury that essentially forced him to miss the 2005 season. Walker and the Broncos have agreed in principal on a six-year contract that is expected to be signed Monday.
The Broncos tried acquiescing to Lelie’s desires by dealing him to the Houston Texans and former Denver offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak on draft day, but the sides couldn’t agree on compensation.
With the draft over, the chances of a trade erode as Lelie’s holdout builds.
“I talked to Ashley,” Smith said. “I care a lot about him, not only as a player but as a person. … I really want whatever he’s doing to work out for him. I talked to him before he even decided to do whatever he’s doing and I told him my thoughts on it. He had his perspective and what his understanding of it was and it was something he had to do. I said, ‘Know what? Do what’s best for you.”‘
In one sense Smith’s attitude mirrors Lelie’s.
“This is the time of year right now when it’s all individual,” Smith said.
The difference is, when Smith thinks of himself, it’s about embracing the challenge of competition. As Lelie works out in Arizona while vowing never to return, he sends the message that competition must be avoided at all costs – even if that cost is $1.4 million, what Lelie would be forfeiting in salary and bonuses by sitting out the year.
Can any Broncos fan imagine Smith taking such a stand in the name of self-interest?
“I’ve got to make sure I’m in the best shape to be able to go out there and compete with guys like Javon Walker – he’s trying to take my job, too,” Smith said. “Charlie Adams, Todd Devoe, David (Terrell), Darius (Watts), they’re all after my job. And I’m after their job. That’s the way this business is made. Every year they’re going to bring in guys.”
Not surprisingly, money may be at the root of Lelie’s protest. His contract expires after this season. With Smith and Walker as the projected starting two wide receivers, Lelie believes he’s destined for the No. 3 slot, a position that figures into less than 50 percent of the Broncos’ run-first offense.
Lelie wants to reach free agency coming off a No. 1 receiver- like 70- or 80-catch season, not 20 or 30. Fearing he could be burned later, Lelie is hoping he can better his position now.
Smith said that while he’s pulling for Lelie, he also hopes the resolution benefits the Broncos.
“If Ashley comes back, it’s no big deal,” Smith said. “If Ashley doesn’t come back, to me it’s no big deal. I love having him on my football team. I think it would be a wasted talent to not be on the football field during the football season, but it’s his business and I can’t knock that.”
Staff writer Mike Klis can be reached at 303-820-5440 or mklis@denverpost.com.
