Denver Broncos players trotted onto the practice fields this morning for the first day of off-season workouts looking forward to a fresh start but not forgetting the tragedies that struck down two of their teammates.
Affixed to the helmet of each Bronco is a round, white decal with the numbers 27 and 29 to honor the passing of cornerback Darrent Williams (jersey No. 27) and running back Damien Nash (No. 29).
Williams, a starter who ranked second on the team in interceptions (four) and fourth in solo tackles (79) in his second season with Denver, was murdered in the early hours of New Year’s Day just after the Broncos’ season finale. Nash, a reserve who rushed for 66 yards on 18 carries in 2006, died of apparent cardiac failure Feb. 24 in his hometown of St. Louis after a charity basketball game that he hosted.
“We’ve talked about things that we are going to do at the stadium; some things we’ve already done,” Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said after the workout that lasted almost two hours.
“Their memory is going to stay here for a long time. We’re going to embrace it and not be afraid to talk about it. They were two young guys that meant a lot to this organization that died at an early age. We don’t understand why. But their memories are with us.”
Although the team practiced in shorts and without pads, Shanahan said he was impressed by what was accomplished. This is called a “Quarterback Camp,” but players on both sides of the ball participated.
“We had a good first day,” Shanahan said. “It’s always nice to get the draft choices in and, obviously, get a practice going with a lot of free agents. We got a lot of good work done today. We weren’t out here for a long time, but we did get in some quality work.
“I think everybody understands that all the positions are wide open,” Shanahan added. “… I think we have great competition at a number of positions. Time will tell.”
Staff writer Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
