Paul Ernster’s ability on kickoffs might have given him the edge over Todd Sauerbrun.
In his first game after the Broncos chose him over Sauerbrun, Ernster continued to shine, with all four kickoffs going into the end zone. Three were touchbacks and the other was returned to Oakland’s 22, which was called back to the 12 because of a holding penalty. Ernster is third in the NFL in touchbacks, with a .389 percentage (7-of-18).
“I feel really comfortable kicking off,” the first-year player said. “The kickoffs are going great. I want to find that consistency punting.”
Ernster is 24th in the NFL in punting with a gross average of 43.2 yards. The Broncos kept Ernster over Sauerbrun after the veteran’s four-game NFL suspension for using a banned substance ended last week.
“I feel good about the punting, but I feel there is room for improvements, and that goes for kicking off, too,” Ernster said. “Now that I have the job, I still have to keep it.”
Suggs works out
Former Cleveland Browns running back Lee Suggs was brought in for a workout as part of the Broncos’ Tuesday workout routine. Four other running backs also were brought in.
The Browns offered Suggs to Denver during the weekend of the draft in April. He was traded to the New York Jets in the preseason but the deal was nixed when Suggs failed a physical. He was later cut by the Browns.
Other running backs working out were Thump Belton of Syracuse, Troy Fleming of Tennessee, Andre Hall of South Florida and Kay-Jay Harris of West Virginia.
No correlation
Coach Mike Shanahan was asked Monday if he thought Denver’s slow start on offense had anything to do with the departure of Gary Kubiak, who was the offensive coordinator during Shanahan’s first 11 seasons as the Broncos’ coach. Assistant head coach Mike Heimerdinger is in charge of the passing game and offensive coordinator Rick Dennison heads the running game.
“Gary is a great coach,” Shanahan said. “It’s always tough when you lose coaches, there’s no question about it. But we’ve been doing the same things we have been doing. The rest of the coaches are here. We’ve been through this before. Our running game went down one year for a few games and it was because Alex Gibbs wasn’t here. All of a sudden our receivers weren’t as good and it was because Mike Heimerdinger wasn’t here. That’s the nature … What we have to do is correct the little things, and we’re capable of doing that. Hopefully we’ll get it done here in the near future.”
Footnotes
There is speculation the Dec. 3 game against visiting Seattle will be selected as an NBC night game as part of the flex scheduling plan that will go into effect late in the season. If not, there is a chance the Dec. 10 game at San Diego could be moved. … The Broncos’ defense has not allowed more than one third-down conversion in the second half of any game this season. …
Receiver Rod Smith needs 62 yards to break Floyd Little’s team record for combined yardage. Little had 12,173 yards, while Smith has 12,112 yards. … Former Broncos offensive lineman P.J. Alexander is expected to sign this week with Atlanta. … As expected, the NFL trading deadline passed without Denver making a deal. …
Sunday’s weather forecast for Cleveland includes a 60 percent chance of rain and temperatures in the 50s. … Former Denver offensive lineman Lennie Friedman is expected to see some playing time for the Browns.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
