Nate Webster has been told to expect to be the starting strongside linebacker when the Broncos open the regular season in 14 days at Buffalo.
Still, Webster is not celebrating. He knows the starting assignment could be pulled at any time and he knows if he lets his guard down, he won’t keep the spot for long.
“We’ve talked and I’ve been told I’m the guy, but it really doesn’t mean much to me,” Webster said. “I mean, I’m happy I got the nod, but I have to get better. I won’t keep this job if I don’t get more consistent. I want to be John Lynch consistent, Champ Bailey consistent.”
The strongside linebacking job was one of the most intriguing of training camp and the preseason. D.D. Lewis started in San Francisco, but Webster was the starter in practice the next week and he started the past two games. Early contenders Eddie Moore and Warrick Holdman were injured and fell out of the mix.
Walker has the drops
Receiver Javon Walker had two dropped passes in the Broncos’ first drive. He was wide open both times, and the second drop cost Denver a first down inside the Browns’ 10-yard line. The Broncos had to settle for a Jason Elam field goal. Walker finished with one catch for 37 yards.
Meanwhile, Walker showed off a boxing-style championship belt with the photos of cornerback Darrent Williams and running back Damien Nash on it. Both players died during the offseason. Walker held Williams after he was shot Jan. 1.
Walker said he will take the belt and have it in his locker every game this season.
“They’ll be with us all season,” Walker said.
Elvis starts
Defensive end Elvis Dumervil started at defensive end, as the Broncos move on in the wake of Ebenezer Ekuban’s season-ending Achilles injury. Dumervil was a situational pass rusher last season, but he also might get the chance to play in base defense situations.
Alvin McKinley played some defensive end with the first unit as well. Other players who will compete for the defensive end job are rookies Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder and veteran Kenard Lang. Crowder has missed the past two games with an ankle injury. He is expected to play against Arizona.
No start
Standout Browns tight end Kellen Winslow did not start the game, because of unspecified reasons. Browns coach Romeo Crennel would not say exactly why Winslow did not start, other than it was a “coach’s decision.” He said Winslow was not injured, and he finished with three catches for 47 yards.
Fast clock?
Close observers of the main scoreboard clock might have noticed what seemed to be one that ran too fast. From the 2-minute warning until the 1-minute mark, when the Browns had the ball, the clocked ticked ahead faster than a normal second several times. Neither team made an issue of it.
Footnotes
The Broncos didn’t report any significant injuries. … The Broncos have to pare 14 players from the roster to get down to the 75-man limit by Tuesday. All teams must be at the 53-man roster limit Saturday.
