Jay Cutler received the highest honor from his teammates heading into his first full season as the Broncos starting quarterback.
He is one of five captains.
The players also voted center Tom Nalen as an offensive captain. The defensive captains are cornerback Champ Bailey and safety John Lynch.
Coach Mike Shanahan said the special-teams captain will change every game. Kicker Jason Elam was voted as captain for Sunday’s season opener at Buffalo.
Cutler received the honor after playing just five games as a rookie last season.
“It gives you an idea what the team thinks of him,” Shanahan said today.
Per league regulations, captains will wear a “C” on their jerseys during games starting this season.
Lelie saga continues
The Broncos’ saga with former receiver Ashley Lelie is not over.
The team is still seeking $440,000 in money that Denver won in arbitration last year. According to a NFL source, the Broncos plan to file a lawsuit in federal court after Lelie didn’t make payments at agreed upon deadlines.
Denver traded Lelie to Atlanta in August 2006 after he held out from training camp. Lelie, now with San Francisco, won a grievance against Denver last year. The Broncos had to repay Lelie $220,00 in roster bonus money.
Crowder limited
Shanahan said rookie defensive end Tim Crowder was limited in practice Friday with an ankle injury and is listed as questionable for the Buffalo game. He also missed practice Thursday. Crowder was injured Aug. 16 at Dallas and he aggravated the injury against Arizona on Aug. 30. Cornerback Karl Paymah (concussion) and tight end Stephen Alexander (bruised calf) also continued to be limited in practice. Alexander is expected to play against the Bills, though.
Footnote
Shanahan said newly signed defensive end Simeon Rice continued to work with the goal of playing Sunday. … As he often does before road games, Shanahan had crowd noise piped in at practice so the team can get accustomed to playing in a hostile environment. Practice was moved up an hour to help the team prepare for the 11 a.m. Mountain Time start.
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
