It’s clear, through the Broncos’ acquisition of Simeon Rice, rookie defensive ends Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder aren’t going to dominate right away.
Which NFL rookie does, anymore? Mario Williams was the No. 1 overall draft pick last year, and the Houston defensive end didn’t get his first sack until his fourth game. Moss was the 17th overall pick this year, but a preseason knee injury set him back at least a week. Crowder was the Broncos’ second-round pick, but a badly sprained ankle suffered three weeks ago still is bothering him to the point he is iffy for the opener at Buffalo.
The injuries to Moss and Crowder help explain the presence of Rice, who will play Sunday against the Bills.
“It would set anybody back, but especially for a rookie who gets held out for a week or two, it hampers their development during a learning stage,” Broncos head defensive coach Jim Bates said.
There was a second element to the Rice signing, though, that wasn’t half bad for Moss and Crowder. Rice’s contract was limited to one year. By not giving Rice a multiyear contract, the Broncos told Moss and Crowder they remain in their future plans.
Until then, the rookie ends can be brought along without the pressure of producing immediately, which their injuries wouldn’t allow.
“I’m sure that had something to do with it,” Crowder said. “I think another reason they brought him in was to help me and Jarvis learn from one of the best pass rushers of all time.”
What does Rice know about Moss and Crowder?
“I’m still in the learning process,” Rice said. “I’m not one of those guys who pays attention to football when I’m not playing. I’m not a big fan. I don’t watch ‘SportsCenter.’ I don’t watch games.”
Rice ready for work
Rice’s first day with the Broncos was all business. Long after the team’s workout was finished Wednesday, he stayed to run several wind sprints. Coach Mike Shanahan said Rice would be in for 15 to 20 plays against Buffalo. One more sack would jump Rice past Clyde Simmons into 12th place on the all-time sack list.
Elvis Dumervil remains the starter.
“That’s the plan, unless there’s a game-time decision I don’t know about,” Dumervil said.
Bring it on, Champ
Bills quarterback J.P. Losman was asked by the Buffalo media Wednesday how much impact he felt Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey would have on the Bills’ game plan, which ordinarily features wide receiver Lee Evans.
“Not much,” Losman said. “If they want to play one on one with (Evans), we are going to take our chances. It’s our best receiver versus their best corner.”
Modest Myers
Chris Myers has been waiting two years for his first NFL start. Now that it’s here, Myers is making sure he’s not getting carried away. He knows his opportunity to start at left guard Sunday occurred because of Ben Hamilton’s concussion injury. And Myers has no illusions about replacing Hamilton full time.
“It’s unfortunate what happened to Ben,” Myers said. “I’m sure once Ben gets healthy, he’ll have his spot back, and I’m trying to fill it for the time being. I think having Matt Lepsis on my left side, and Tom Nalen on my right, those are two of the best in the game, so that makes it that much more comfortable for me going into the game.”
Footnotes
Nate Jackson appears to be ahead of Tony Scheffler this week at the Broncos’ “receiving” tight end. Scheffler continues to heal from the broken foot he suffered in May. “Those two are in good competition,” Shanahan said. …
Sam Adams was held out of practice Wednesday, but Shanahan said the defensive tackle would be on the field today. This could be Adams’ practice program throughout the season. …
Offensive tackle Adam Meadows returned to practice for the first time since straining his calf three weeks ago in Dallas. …
Backup “blocking” tight end Stephen Alexander practiced on a limited basis. …
The Broncos worked out offensive linemen Ben Archibald, Brian Johnson, Norm Katnik and Brandon Torrey.
Staff writer Mike Klis can be reached at 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
