Joe Klopfenstein didn’t have to watch game film of the opponent this past week. Entering his first NFL game, Klopfenstein knows all there is to know about the Broncos.
“That’s been my team all my life,” said the St. Louis Rams’ rookie tight end, a Grandview High School graduate who played at Colorado. “I know every Bronco defensive player as well as anybody. Up until this season, I followed that team very closely.”
Klopfenstein’s scouting report on himself? Be ready in the middle of the field.
“I know (Broncos safety) John Lynch will be there waiting for me,” he said. “It’s going to be crazy.”
When Klopfenstein was the third tight end taken in the April draft – the Rams took him in the second round with the 46th pick overall – he wasn’t sure what his immediate future held. However, the big, fast former CU star had an outstanding training camp. Klopfenstein, 6-feet-5 and 256 pounds, flew up the depth chart and last week was named the starter for the Rams’ opener against the Broncos at the Edward Jones Dome.
One of the players Klopfenstein beat out was third-round pick Dominique Byrd. The former Southern California star couldn’t keep up with Klopfenstein, who is more NFL-ready.
Many thought Klopfenstein would be taken a round later in a draft deep in tight ends, but his size and skills caught the Rams’ interest. His fast development resulted in his starting nod for today’s game.
Now, he will get a new view of his former favorite team.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to start,” said Klopfenstein, who will have about 10 family members from Colorado in attendance today. “Part of me would like the game in Denver, but that would be too crazy. This is good enough.”
Rogers and out
Detroit: Kudos to the Lions for cutting wide receiver Charles Rogers. This gets the Rod Marinelli era off on a strong note. Marinelli came from Tampa Bay with a reputation for being hard-nosed. Ridding himself of the former No. 2 pick in the draft will get the attention of his troops.
Rogers had to go. He is one strike away from a year’s suspension in the NFL’s substance abuse program. He has a history of injuries and failed to produce.
Sure, it’s terrible to lose the No. 2 pick three years into his career. Busts aren’t supposed to happen that high in the draft, but Marinelli showed Rogers’ former teammates that failure in Detroit will not be tolerated.
Passing on Carr?
Houston: Texans insiders say quarterback David Carr is on a short leash. New coach Gary Kubiak, a former Broncos quarterback and offensive coordinator, likes Carr but is not in love with the former No. 1 overall pick.
If Carr struggles early, Kubiak could turn to backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels. Rosenfels outperformed Carr in training camp and in the preseason. Rosenfels, who came over from Miami, is only 28 and could have a future. Kubiak, a noted quarterback guru, could decide it is Rosenfels who will be his quarterback of the future, not Carr.
This is interesting because Carr was the focus of Kubiak’s interview with the Texans’ brass, and he dedicated the offseason to working with Carr. But the former Fresno State star may never become a star in the NFL. Regardless of which quarterback leads the Texans this season, don’t be surprised if Houston is in the mix for Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn in next spring’s draft.
Offensive line a concern
Kansas City: Herm Edwards has vowed to make his team a defense-first unit, but the first-year Chiefs coach may be doing so because he has no choice.
Even though the Chiefs still have some offensive firepower, their glue – the offensive line – is undergoing a transformation. They have lost starting offensive tackles Willie Roaf and John Welbourn.
The Chiefs still have star guards Will Shields and Brian Waters, but the tackles will be missed.
Like Adam Meadows in Denver, Kyle Turley is coming back to the NFL after an extended layoff and is taking Roaf’s spot.
“I like Kyle Turley’s presence,” Edwards told Kansas City reporters. “He’s a guy that when you play a football game, you want him on your side.”
Still, Turley has to be rusty and the Chiefs’ rebuilt line will affect the entire offense. So, ready or not, the Kansas City defense must start sharing the load.
Bay Area baggage
Oakland: The Jerry Porter issue is likely to get ugly quickly. Porter wants to be traded, and the Raiders want the wide receiver gone.
This situation will be difficult to resolve. The Raiders, who were asking for two first-round picks for Porter, now will take one first-rounder. But they also want Porter, or the team that picks him up, to pay his $4 million signing bonus. None of this is going to happen.
Porter is a fine player, but no one will pay that much for him. Don’t be surprised if coach Art Shell sits him frequently as an example, but that could hurt the team as much as Porter. He is a playmaker and keeps defenses honest opposite Randy Moss.
Without Porter, the Raiders’ offense, already shaky, loses juice.
Around the league
Tennessee, New Orleans and Houston all made five roster moves after setting their 53-man rosters. Not a good sign. Sure, many teams make one or two moves after the final round of cuts, but these three teams changed 10 percent of their rosters after a full preseason. … A former Broncos quarterback is moving back to Denver while he tries to hook up with another team. Matt Mauck, cut by Denver last year, was cut by Tennessee last week. If the Broncos suffer an injury at the position, Mauck is a player they likely would consider. … It’s no surprise to many that former Broncos quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt went unclaimed last week. He may have to go to the Canadian Football League to hone his game before coming back to the NFL. … Sixth-round pick Wali Lundy of Virginia has impressed the Texans at running back. The rookie fits Kubiak’s system, which, of course, is the Broncos’ system. … Here’s a statistic that may make some teams realize late-round picks aren’t as valuable as some think. Only 50 percent of the players picked in rounds five through seven in April made their team’s 53-man rosters. Denver had two picks in those three rounds. Fifth-round pick Chris Kuper, a guard, is on the roster and sixth-round pick Greg Eslinger, a center, is on injured reserve. Many cut-day trades were declined because teams didn’t want to give up a late pick for a player who could help the roster now. In other words, don’t hoard that sixth-round pick that may not develop.
Broncos mailbag: Bill Williamson posts a new installment each Tuesday on DenverPost.com. Previous mailbags also are available on the website.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
