Dove Valley – Not only is former University of Colorado offensive lineman Mark Fenton trying to adapt to another level of football, the rookie free agent is learning a different position in the Broncos mini-camps.
A center at CU, Fenton is spending all his time at guard.
“It’s going well so far,” said Fenton, a 6-foot-4, 295-pounder. “I’m playing a different position, so it takes some adjusting to.”
Fenton said he practiced some at guard while at CU but never played that position in a game.
“If you can play center, you can play guard,” Fenton said today after a two-hour team camp workout. “There isn’t much difference.”
As a junior at Colorado, Fenton was one of six finalists for the 2005 Rimington Award given to the nation’s best center. He earned 2006 preseason all-Big 12 Conference mention and was on several All-America watch lists. But a fractured right fibula limited his senior season to six games.
Fenton suffered the injury during the second quarter of the fourth game, against Georgia. He returned to action in the 11th game against Iowa State, as a reserve, and then was back in the starting lineup for the season finale against Nebraska.
“It’s 100 percent,” Fenton said of his leg. “I don’t have any problems with it at all.”
Although the regular training camp is more than six weeks away, Fenton said this already feels like the big time.
“There’s a difference,” Fenton said. “I’m playing now with grown men. When you’re in college, you’re also a student. But at this level, everybody is responsible for their own actions. I like it.”
Staff writer Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
