It has become a television sitcom cliché.
Guy goes into a bar, asks the bartender how he’s doing and the beer pusher responds with a lackluster “living the dream.”
That’s Lawrence Vickers these days. But there’s no sarcasm in Vickers’ voice. Vickers regularly wakes up not believing where he’s about to spend his day.
“I am living the dream, for real,” the former University of Colorado fullback said. “I live it every day. I wake up every morning, so happy that me being a NFL player isn’t a dream. I am living the dream. To say I’m proud to be in the NFL would be an understatement.”
Nearly three months into the NFL season, counting training camp, Vickers still is giddy. Most rookies at this point have become accustomed to the daily grind of the season – especially rookies such as Vickers, on a losing team. His Cleveland Browns are 1-4. The glow usually has worn off by now.
Not for Vickers.
“It hasn’t even hit me that I’m in the league yet,” Vickers said. “It sort of did when we played Baltimore (Sept. 24) and I was on the field with Ray Lewis and I went against Ed Reed and we thudded up a little bit. During the game, they were just numbers to me, but afterward, I was like, ‘Wow, that was Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.’ But I’m still waiting for it to hit me hard.”
Vickers, selected by the Browns in the sixth round, will gain further NFL experience against the Broncos today in Cleveland. While at CU, Vickers said he went to some Broncos games and is familiar with several of their players.
“I wish the game was in Denver,” Vickers said. “But the idea of playing the Broncos is good enough for me.”
Vickers is playing fullback and on special teams. Although Vickers said he is looking for the opportunity to earn more playing time, he is ecstatic to be playing as much as he is. Most sixth-round picks are satisfied with a practice-squad spot.
“I love special teams and doing my thing there,” Vickers said. “Of course, playing on offense is what I want to do more, but even getting some playing time there has been a great. I’m enjoying every minute of it.”
Hard Edge in Arizona
Arizona: You have to wonder what’s going through the mind of Edgerrin James. He won in college at Miami, won in the NFL at Indianapolis and now is in Arizona. The Cardinals are 1-5, coming off one of the most disheartening recent losses in the NFL, and he is not productive.
James signed with the Cardinals as a free agent in March. “Edge” got money, but little else. His numbers are way down, and things hit a low in an amazing 24-23 loss to Chicago on Monday night. James – who made a critical fumble that was returned for a touchdown in the Bears’ furious fourth-quarter comeback – rushed for only 55 yards on 36 carries. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it’s the most carries in NFL history that a player didn’t average 2 yards per carry. Tough times for James, indeed.
Not Pack’s greatest catch
Green Bay: Many in the NFL were happy to see the league slap Packers receiver Koren Robinson with a suspension that will last at least a year. The pleasure is nothing personal against Robinson, who continues to struggle with alcohol, but is pointed at the Packers.
Many in the league were upset Green Bay signed Robinson so shortly after his recent flame-out in Minnesota. Many thought the Packers’ desperation disregarded the message that should be sent under such circumstances. Now the Packers have to deal with the embarrassment of signing Robinson while he had a suspension pending.
Grounded in Houston
Houston: One of the reasons the Texans are struggling is their running game. That was a strong point of Gary Kubiak’s offense when he was offensive coordinator of the Broncos the past 11 seasons.
It’s not happening in his first season as a head coach. Houston gained only 34 yards rushing last week in a lopsided loss at Dallas, the second lowest in the team’s history. Former Broncos running back Ron Dayne has had his struggles since becoming the team’s starter, and rookie Wali Lundy may get more of the carries.
Although Kubiak has resurrected quarterback David Carr’s career, he still is looking to get the rushing game going.
Wearing out his welcome
Oakland: The Raiders were not opposed to dealing receiver Randy Moss, and talk about Moss ending up in New England wasn’t absurd, but nothing got to the serious stages.
The Raiders have all but had it with Moss. It took Minnesota seven seasons to get to that point.
He isn’t as dominant on the field for the Raiders as he was earlier in his career with Minnesota, because hamstring and ankle injuries are starting to take their tolls. Plus, Moss has been making a public habit of airing the team’s dirty laundry. Last week, some Broncos were amazed Moss was talking about things other than football during the game.
If Art Shell is back as head coach next year – who else could Al Davis get to take the job? – expect Moss and Jerry Porter to be elsewhere. Porter is entering is second week of team suspension for practice-field insubordination.
Around the league
Before being fired as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator, Jim Fassel was considered a fairly hot head coaching prospect. It will be difficult for him to get a head coaching job after being fired in midseason. Fassel, the word was, would be a candidate at Stanford if Walt Harris got fired. Stanford likely would be hesitant to hire a head coach who is out of work. Tough break for Fassel. …
Watch for the Broncos to consider signing rookie quarterback Darrell Hackney later this season or early next season with the idea of sending him to NFL Europe. Hackney, from Alabama-Birmingham, was with Cleveland during the preseason. He is a big, strong player who fits Denver’s system. …
It was a bit surprising to see the Texans sign defensive lineman Lionel Dalton this week. …
It is a head scratcher that the Buccaneers were able to snatch a second-round pick from Indianapolis for defensive tackle Anthony McFarland, who has been average for the past couple of seasons. But McFarland was good when Tony Dungy was the Buccaneers coach. Dungy, of course, will be McFarland’s coach with the Colts. …
Yes, that’s the same Tyson Clabo, the former Broncos training-camp body who was inserted into the Falcons’ starting lineup (at guard) this week. Clabo’s promotion came when Matt Lehr was suspended by the NFL for using steroids.
Dream weaver
The excitement of being an NFL player coats former University of Colorado player Lawrence Vickers in his rookie season with the Cleveland Browns, who host the Broncos today:
Age: 23
Hometown: Houston
Vickers’ role: Fullback and special-teams player.
Background: Starred at Colorado. Was the Browns’ sixth-round pick in April.
The skinny: Considered one of the better young fullbacks to join the league in recent seasons. The Browns like his enthusiasm and work ethic. Vickers has been a standout on special teams. He looks like a keeper.
Off the field: He was a media and fan favorite while at Boulder. Vickers has a zest for life and loves to talk.
FYI: Vickers is so proud of playing in the NFL, he introduces himself as “Lawrence Vickers of the Cleveland Browns” on his cellphone’s voicemail.
EXTRA POINTS
AT ISSUE
NFL’s sad sackings
What: Assistant coaches being fired during the season.
Background: It was Bloody Tuesday last week as two NFL offensive coordinators lost their jobs. It’s rare for NFL teams to make coaching moves during the season. Having two coaches go down the same day is shocking. But that was the case when Baltimore coach Brian Billick fired offensive coordinator Jim Fassel, then hours later Arizona coach Dennis Green demoted offensive coordinator Keith Rowen and promoted quarterbacks coach Mike Kruczek. Fassel’s firing came after the Ravens suddenly went from 4-0 to 4-2. Rowen lost his spot hours after the Cardinals blew a gigantic fourth-quarter lead to the Bears on “Monday Night Football.”
Williamson’s take: Both firings were cop-outs by the head coaches. It’s early, and neither team’s issues were the fault of the offensive coordinators. If there was a firing in Arizona, it should have been Green who got dumped. That inexcusable loss is his embarrassment and his responsibility. Rowen became one of the all-time scapegoats in sports. Fassel has been quoted as saying Billick told him he was being fired because Billick felt his job is on the line and he needed to take a bigger role in the offense. These firings smack of head coaches trying to cover their own tails.
THE HOT SEAT
Monstrous pratfall
Who: Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman.
When: Until he proves otherwise.
Why: Lost in the immediate chaos of the Bears’ unlikely victory at Arizona to improve their record to 6-0 was the horrendous performance by Grossman. After the glow wore off, it became obvious to the Bears, their fans and Grossman that such performances cannot be duplicated if the Bears truly have Super Bowl hopes. Grossman was responsible for six turnovers. The Bears have a bye this week, then play back-to-back home games against San Francisco and Miami, who have combined for three wins. Grossman has a chance to get it right again. He started hot and made folks consider the defense-rich Bears a serious Super Bowl threat. Grossman must show the performance against Arizona was a fluke.
ROOKIE WATCH
Wimbley a threat
Who: Cleveland Browns defensive end Kamerion Wimbley
When: Today against the Broncos at Cleveland
Why: Wimbley is one of the Browns’ better defensive players. He will challenge tackles Matt Lepsis and George Foster on passing downs. The 13th pick in the first round from Florida State, Wimbley leads the Browns with three sacks. One of the best pure pass rushers in the draft, Wimbley’s game has transferred nicely to the NFL. He is big and fast. Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer must be on alert. The rookie will be coming after him.
Broncos mailbag: Bill Williamson posts a new installment each Tuesday on DenverPost.com. Previous mailbags also are available on the website.
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
