The most eye-opening player in the first week of the Broncos’ training camp? Mike Bell, who worked his way into the mix for the starting tailback job.
The undrafted rookie free agent from the University of Arizona has been a surprise thus far, and he could work his way up the depth chart this week. Bell has shown he fits Denver’s running style, and some in the organization have compared his performance in camp to Terrell Davis’ in 1995.
If Bell has another strong week of practice, he likely will get significant playing time in the preseason opener Friday at Detroit, where he can show the team if he is ready to compete with Tatum Bell and Ron Dayne for the starting tailback job. Denver coach Mike Shanahan often lauded Bell for his work and strong running style in camp.
Bell was projected to be a mid-round pick, but a poor 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine and his pro day hurt his chances. Denver signed him and gave him a $20,000 signing bonus shortly after the draft.
Bell is a Denver native and a lifelong Broncos fan.
“I just want to give everything I have and compete,” Bell said.
QB change of pace
It has finally happened in Denver. The Broncos’ starting quarterback is flying under the radar.
At least for the first 10 days of training camp, Jake Plummer has been almost an afterthought.
“That’s what happens when you have a first-round pick in camp,” Shanahan said. “But Jake hasn’t been under the radar for us….He’s been great.”
In one of the most overshadowed stories in camp, Plummer has been outstanding thus far. Plummer, 31, has looked sharp in nearly every practice as he heads into his fourth season with the Broncos.
However, Plummer – a constant subject of headlines since arriving in Denver in 2003 – hasn’t been the main story. Jay Cutler, his understudy, has.
Cutler, selected out of Vanderbilt with the 11th pick in the NFL draft, is considered a franchise-type player and is expected to make a strong push to start in 2007. Thus, Cutler’s camp performance and his attempt to unseat Bradlee Van Pelt as Plummer’s backup has been the story.Meanwhile, the starter continues to plug away. “He’s having a very good camp,” Shanahan said of Plummer.
Starting slowly
Don’t expect to see all the Broncos starters playing in Friday night’s preseason opener at Detroit. There haven’t been any announcements by the team, but receiver Javon Walker isn’t expected to play. Walker suffered a torn ACL in Detroit on opening day last season while playing for the Green Bay Packers.
Walker likely will make his preseason debut against Tennessee on Aug. 19 at Invesco Field at Mile High.
Defensive end Courtney Brown, who been out for nearly a week with knee inflammation, is slowly being brought along, but he could miss a significant part of the preseason. Defensive tackle Gerard Warren could miss the entire preseason. He suffered a dislocated big toe on his left foot during Saturday morning’s workout. Warren is expected to be ready for the season opener, Sept. 10 at St. Louis.
Receiver Rod Smith is expected to return from a hamstring injury today.
Safety Sam Brandon, also nursing a hamstring injury, might return today, too. Tackle Adam Meadows may miss some time with a hamstring injury.
Lelie update
Although Ashley Lelie’s holdout from training camp has reached 11 days, the Broncos and Lelie’s agent are searching for a resolution. The agent, Peter Schaffer, said he and the team are looking for a suitable trade.
Interest in Lelie reportedly is heating up. Among teams that have shown interest are Baltimore, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco and Atlanta.
Lelie has amassed $154,000 in training camp fines.
Footnote
The Broncos are one of four finalists to play in a proposed preseason game in Beijing next year. The game is expected to be finalized in October and is contingent on world events and the construction schedule of a stadium in Beijing, the home of the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
Monday camp facts
Morning practice begins at 8:30
a.m. and will run approximately
two hours. The afternoon practice
begins at 3:50 p.m. and will continue
until about 5:30 p.m. Gates open
an hour before each practice. Admission
is free. Parking at the Broncos
headquarters is located on the
west side of the practice fields, and
is open on a first-come, first-served
basis. Non-alcoholic beverages will
be available for purchase at training
camp.
