After what undoubtedly has been the most trying offseason in Broncos history, Mike Shan- ahan told the squad before the opening of camp workouts on Wednesday to never forget Darrent Williams and Damien Nash.
Players trotted onto the practice fields at the team’s Dove Valley headquarters with memorial decals affixed to the back of their helmets. Each round, white decal frames the numbers 27 and 29, to honor the tragic deaths of Williams (jersey No. 27) and Nash (No. 29).
“This season is definitely dedicated to those guys,” wide receiver Brandon Marshall said.
The Broncos will embrace the memories of Williams and Nash and will not be afraid to talk about the tragedies, Shanahan told the media after the two- hour workout.
“They were two young guys that meant a lot to this organization that died at an early age,” Shanahan said. “We don’t understand why. But their memories are with us.”
Williams, a starting cornerback who ranked second on the team in interceptions (four) and third in solo tackles (79) in his second season with the team, was murdered in the early morning of New Year’s Day and just hours after the Broncos’ 2006 season finale.
Nash, a reserve running back who rushed for 66 yards on 18 carries in 2006, died Feb. 24, apparently of cardiac failure, in his hometown of St. Louis after a charity basketball game that he hosted.
“I told our players, 10 or 15 years from now, there will still be a number of things over at (Invesco Field at Mile High) that people can remember,” Shan- ahan said.
“Good first day”
Although the Broncos 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 weren’t out here for a long time, but we did get in some quality work.”
Smith still recovering
Conspicuously absent was the team’s all-time leader in receptions and touchdowns. Rod Smith, fourth among active NFL players in receptions (849) and receiving yards (11,389), underwent offseason hip surgery and likely will miss all the minicamps.
“Rod is a competitor; he’ll get out here as soon as he can,” Shanahan said. “We’re hoping to have him out by the start of training camp. That’s our goal – that the first time we start (regular) practices, he’s ready to go.”
Footnotes
The Broncos have had internal discussions regarding veteran defensive tackle Sam Adams, but they will gather more information before deciding whether to bring him in for a visit. Adams and Broncos defensive line coach Bill Johnson go way back – to 1993, when both were at Texas A&M. Nearly 14 years later, Adams was released Monday by the Cincinnati Bengals after an unproductive season in which he struggled with his conditioning. …
Others not participating in the Broncos’ mini-camp because of injuries are offensive tackle Matt Lepsis (knee), safety Sam Brandon (knee) and wide receiver Brandon Stokley (Achilles tendon). However, safety Nick Ferguson (knee) and running back Cecil Sapp (fractured fibula) have returned from their season-ending injuries in 2006. …
Shanahan was asked how the rookies looked. “All-pro, all of them,” he said, grinning.
Staff writer Mike Klis contributed to this report. Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
