San Francisco – Domonique Foxworth is not a disgruntled player. He is not asking for a trade.
He loves being a Bronco. He loves Denver. He loves his teammates. He wants to stay a Bronco forever.
But he also wants to play. That’s the bottom line. Foxworth wants to be on the field as much as possible. He thinks he deserves it.
But he knows he has to deal with the fact that, barring an injury to a starting defensive back, he is the fifth defensive back. In the Broncos’ 17-13 victory over San Francisco in the preseason opener Monday night, he watched as Denver opened the game in its base defense with starting cornerbacks Champ Bailey and Dré Bly on the field. Foxworth came on the field for the second series.
Late last week, Foxworth admitted it was difficult for him, but he knew he had to live with the situation.
“It’s extremely frustrating,” Foxworth said. “I know I can play. I have proven I can play. … I understand the team wants to get better and get as many good players as possible, and we’re very good in the secondary. But everyone wants to play every play.”
Foxworth knows he has to be patient. Known as one of the most articulate, bright and friendly players on the team, the 2005 third-round pick was the nickel back the past two seasons, playing behind Bailey and Darrent Williams. When Denver traded for Bly to replace the slain Williams and then signed him to a rich extension, Foxworth found himself in a similar position heading into his third season.
“When Dré came here, we went out to lunch and I told him I would be on his heels,” Foxworth said. “I really like Dré. We do a lot of things off the field together, and having him and Champ here is going to help my career.”
Foxworth has been told he will be the first player in at all four secondary spots should there be an injury. Foxworth, who played some safety last year when Nick Ferguson was injured, started in John Lynch’s spot at practice last Thursday when Lynch attended Bill Walsh’s funeral.
“Domonique is a very valuable guy,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “He’s a big part of what we do.”
Foxworth said he talked to Shanahan shortly before the start of training camp because he heard his name in trade rumors. The Chiefs brought up Foxworth’s name when the Broncos were pursuing safety Greg Wesley, but the Broncos declined to add Foxworth to the talks. After this season, Foxworth will be a restricted free agent. While it’s early, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Broncos put a first-round tender on Foxworth, meaning a team would have to offer Denver a first-round pick to dissuade the Broncos from matching a contract offer. If that scenario unfolds, Denver could easily opt to keep Foxworth anyway because of his value.
Foxworth has noticed that in defensive coordinator Jim Bates’ system, the nickel back is on the field more than in the previous regime’s.
“I think he may be the best nickel we’ve ever coached,” Bates said. “He has speed, he has skills and he plays very smart. He is exceptional.”
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
