Coach Mike Shanahan and the Broncos reflected back Wednesday on their experiences with Maurice Clarett at training camp last year.
Most of the team had heard about Clarett’s latest arrest since the Broncos released him last summer. Clarett was arrested Wednesday in Columbus, Ohio, where police found four loaded guns in his vehicle after a highway chase.
Shanahan shocked the NFL last year by drafting Clarett with a third-pound pick. Clarett had been a star running back at Ohio State, but had not played for two years.
Shanahan recalled Clarett being a loner, and several Broncos said they hope Clarett will get his life straightened out.
“He was a guy who a lot of our players tried to take under their wing,” Shanahan said. “He was a loner-type guy. He kept his distance away from people, which was unusual because we have a veteran group who wants to help young guys.”
Shanahan also recalled Clarett being a sharp person.
“People make decisions on the direction they want to go and you can’t control that,” Shanahan said. “I don’t want to crucify anyone before I know the facts. It doesn’t sound very good, but I’m hoping he can work through it.”
Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey talked of Clarett, 22, needing to live “a positive life.”
“Everybody has their own issues and I don’t know what he’s dealing with, but hopefully he can bounce back,” Bailey said. “In this world, nothing surprises me. He’s still young, but I don’t know the situation he’s dealing with.”
Said kicker Jason Elam: “We tried to back him (last year) as much as we could. … You’re going to take criticism from everybody, whether it’s the coaching staff that’s trying to help you play better, the media or the fans. You have to roll with it. That’s part of the NFL. I hope he gets it straightened out.”
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
