Aware of the numbers game developing at receiver, Charlie Adams’ mind was racing when he was summoned to coach Mike Shanahan’s office at 2 p.m. Thursday.
Scrapping an afternoon of team meetings and getting on a plane to meet the Dallas Cowboys in Oxnard, Calif., however, was unexpected.
Denver traded Adams, the team’s No. 3 receiver and return man last year, to Dallas for a sixth-round pick in 2007.
Adams, who practiced with the Broncos on Thursday morning, probably would have had a difficult time making Denver’s roster. However, in Dallas, he could be the No. 4 receiver.
“No clue that was coming,” Adams said Thursday night. “But with all the depth at the position, I think this is the best-case scenario for me.”
Denver general manager Ted Sundquist said the Cowboys approached the Broncos about the deal. Cowboys coach Bill Parcells had made it known that he was looking for a backup.
“I think it is a good situation for all three parties involved: the Broncos, Charlie and the Cowboys,” Sundquist said. “Charlie is a player that we had a lot of respect for and appreciation for. He was a good Bronco.”
Denver has an open roster spot but Sundquist said the team has no immediate plans of filling it. The team must cut 13 players by Aug. 29, so it may keep the spot open and release 12 players.
It appeared Adams was fighting with fellow incumbent Todd Devoe, David Terrell and rookie Brian Clark for the sixth and final spot. Brandon Marshall, David Kircus and Darius Watts appear to have the Nos. 3, 4 and 5 spots behind starters Javon Walker and Rod Smith.
“I knew it was going to be tight in Denver,” Adams said. “I felt like I had a chance but you never know. So this is much better than needing to go find a job in early September if I was going to get cut. Now I can go into the Cowboys’ camp and get going with them.”
Kircus on the rise?
With Marshall out the next two weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament injury, Kircus and Watts will battle for the No. 3 spot. Kircus moved ahead of Watts in Thursday’s practice.
“I don’t know what it means,” Kircus said. “I just know where I was at today. I have to continue working.”
Marshall is expected back for the Aug. 31 preseason game at Arizona.
Lelie update
The Broncos continue to work on trading receiver Ashley Lelie. The team is likely to accept a third-round pick for him.
Vikings coach Brad Childress said Thursday that the team is exploring possibilities at the position and considering the price tags of available receivers. Philadelphia and Chicago are also among the teams that may bite at giving up a No. 3 for Lelie.
Denver could entertain offers for other backups. There has been speculation the Jets are interested in running back Cedric Cobbs.
Bell gets low
Rookie running back Mike Bell said he spent the week concentrating on lowering his shoulder pads and running lower. He believes it will help prevent fumbles. Bell, the starting tailback, fumbled last week in Detroit.
“I ran high in college and I was hit a lot,” Bell said. “A couple of my teammates told me to get low this week and it has helped. I feel comfortable doing it.”
Footnote
Nate Jackson was working in three-tight end sets Thursday.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
