Lining up behind Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer, Cecil Sapp broke toward the line, took a hard cut and faded to the left flat. Sapp reached high and snatched the ball out of the air and made a move up the field.
That type of versatility and progress Sapp has made this offseason has put him in line for the starting fullback position.
Sapp was a power tailback when he played at Colorado State, rushing for 2,482 yards in his career, which concluded with the 2002 Liberty Bowl. But in his three years in the NFL he has proved himself to be adept at everything short of throwing the ball to himself. He can power the ball up the middle in short-yardage situations, block, create big holes for the running back behind him and catch balls out of the backfield.
“If we go in with two fullbacks and two tailbacks, and one of them goes down, they also put me back there at tailback,” Sapp said. “Yes, I can catch the ball real well and I can block real well. I’m just versatile. I think the coaches see a lot of things in me and I see a lot of things in myself. I just have to go out there and prove it to them.”
After being signed as an undrafted rookie in 2003 and playing in just six games his first two years with the Broncos, Sapp emerged as a solid contributor in 16 games last season on special teams and at times at tailback and fullback. Sapp said that during his first couple of years with the Broncos he didn’t know what to expect and found it difficult to switch from tailback to fullback. Now he says he holds nothing back, and this season he hopes to win the starting fullback job over last season’s starter, Kyle Johnson.
“I set my goals to be the No. 1 fullback for the Denver Broncos in 2006,” Sapp said. “I think I am getting better and I can see improvement every day.”
The competition at fullback includes Johnson, Brandon Miree and Rashon Powers-Neal. All have gotten a share of the snaps so far in training camp. And while they’re all friends, they’re also fighting for spots on the Broncos’ opening-day roster.
“The competition is going good, helping each other out,” Sapp said. “We’re all friends out here. But once you put on these pads, the guys on the other side are your enemies. You are trying to go out there and earn a spot on the roster, but they are still your teammates.”
After a recent morning practice, Sapp was not finished. After all but five players had left the field, Sapp ran a few laps around the field. It was 95 degrees at Dove Valley that day and after nearly three hours of practice, Sapp showed his work ethic and drive to succeed. That type of after-practice work has been noticed by teammates and could garner Sapp a starting job in Plummer’s backfield.
“I have been a big Cecil fan since he got here,” Plummer said. “He works hard, he comes in every day to get better and he’s done a great job in the offseason. He is a guy that won’t shy away from contact. He’s going to hit you and open up some holes for the running backs.”
The Broncos have yet to determine who their starting tailback will be, making the starting fullback job that much more important. Whether it is Ron Dayne or Tatum Bell coming out of the backfield, someone must help open up the holes.
The do-everything Sapp could help present a clearer picture of the backfield.
“Cecil has been working very hard, and he’s very tough,” Denver coach Mike Shanahan said. “He’s a very good blocker and has been outstanding on special teams. He always strives to get better.”
Staff writer Brandon Meachum can be reached at 303-820-1720 or bmeachum@denverpost.com.
