In case you’ve been vacationing in Baghdad, you already know the Broncos used three of their four draft choices on defensive linemen.
They traded up to draft Florida defensive end Jarvis Moss in the first round, then traded up in the fourth to grab Moss’ former college teammate, Marcus Thomas.
So which rookie lineman figures to make the biggest impact this season? It could be neither of the above. It could be second-rounder Tim Crowder of Texas.
Makes sense if you think about it. Moss and Thomas were drafted for their potential. Moss didn’t start a game in college until last season, and Thomas was suspended after five games. Crowder, meanwhile, was a four-year starter for the Longhorns.
Lo and behold, it’s Crowder who appears to be a notch ahead of the other two in the early going. But just so you know? In the Broncos’ perfect world, it won’t play out that way during the season.
If the Broncos are going to be the special team Mike Shanahan envisions, Moss and Thomas will have to grow up in a hurry. The Broncos need both to be players, not spectators, as rookies.
Jim Armstrong issues regular reports from training camp throughout the day along with video takes from the sidelines and snippets where fans get to do the talking. Visit .
