Irving, Texas – To understand how little veteran Patrick Ramsey has played quarterback since the 2004 season, Jay Cutler has taken virtually five times more NFL snaps.
And Cutler was playing for Vanderbilt two years ago.
So while Ramsey wasn’t sharp in his Broncos preseason debut Monday night in San Francisco against the 49ers, completing just 4-of-10 passes for 45 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown pass and an interception, little more could have been expected.
“I felt a little rusty,” he said. “There were things I could have done better, but we scored, we won and I’ll watch the tape and see where I need to improve.”
Ramsey threw just one pass last season for the New York Jets. Two years ago, he started the season opener for the Washington Redskins, only to be replaced for good in the second quarter.
That’s essentially one game in two years. By comparison, Cutler, who was selected in the first round of the 2006 draft, is Denver’s most experienced quarterback with five NFL starts. Ramsey’s extended bench time the past two years is why Broncos coach Mike Shanahan had him play three quarters against the 49ers. More will be expected from Ramsey in the next preseason game, Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys.
“It’s a new system, a new offense for me and I was glad for the opportunity to get a lot of snaps in,” Ramsey said.
Receiver report
Rod Smith, the Broncos’ all- time leading receiver who is coming off hip surgery, did not join the team on the trip to Texas. That means he is all but assured of opening the regular season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. PUP would automatically sideline him the first six weeks of the season.
The Broncos expect the No. 2 receiver, Brandon Marshall, to play Saturday, but No. 3 receiver Brandon Stokley continues to be bothered by a thigh injury and will not practice here today.
Domenik Hixon and Quincy Morgan helped secure the No. 4 and No. 5 receiver spots with their play in the preseason opener Monday. Besides combining for three catches worth 42 yards, Hixon and Morgan will be aided by their roles on special teams. Against the 49ers, Hixon returned one punt for 6 yards and Morgan brought back four kickoffs, one for 58 yards.
Brian Clark, who ran a reverse for 12 yards Monday and has experience as a returner, is the leading candidate for a sixth receiver, especially with David Kircus sitting out the preseason opener with a strained hamstring.
“I would like to get some catches this year,” Morgan said. “I know I can do it. But I just love playing football. Whether it’s returns, special teams, receiver, I just love being out there battling with the guys.”
The combined NFL receptions by Hixon, Morgan and Clark last season: zero. No wonder the Broncos haven’t given up on Smith returning.
Praise from Champ
When it comes to evaluating quarterbacks, Broncos star Champ Bailey offers special perspective, being a rare cornerback who covers receivers while keeping an eye on the passer.
Bailey said the Alex Smith he saw Monday for the 49ers was not the same quarterback he had seen the previous two years.
Smith finished 4-of-5 for 58 yards, including an 18-yard completion to Darrell Jackson that beat Bailey, while directing two scoring drives against the Broncos’ first-team defense.
“He looked confident when he dropped back, that’s the main thing,” Bailey said. “When he released it, you could just tell he knew what he was doing.”
Harris update
The Broncos are hoping rookie offensive tackle Ryan Harris can return from his back injury this week. Harris’ injury is a concern because he had back surgery while at Notre Dame, although he never missed a college start.
Staff writer Mike Klis can be reached at 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
