Each week, for the past three weeks, the Broncos cut the Mustard.
In each of the past two weeks, the Broncos re-signed Chad Mustard in time to play the game on Sunday.
It’s not so bad, really. Know why Mustard was eating lunch Wednesday at a popular pizza and salad bar establishment in downtown Golden while his teammates were practicing at Dove Valley?
Because he could.
“It’s weird,” Mustard said. “It’s better than not being there at all, but I’d rather be there full time.”
A former receiver who became a guard, then a tight end, then an offensive tackle, then an offensive tackle/tight end, Mustard was among the Broncos’ final roster cuts Sept. 1. But because of injuries to offensive linemen Ben Hamilton and Ryan Harris and tight end Stephen Alexander, Mustard was re-signed for the trip to Buffalo and the season-opening victory against the Bills on Sept. 9.
He was cut again the following Monday, and re-signed again last Saturday for Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders.
“The nice part is both my hands were kind of banged up in training camp and this has allowed me to physically heal up,” Mustard said. “But mentally it’s a little more stressful than a normal game week, because I get the game plan Saturday morning.”
In each game, Mustard was blocking for Jason Elam on the final-play, game-winning kicks. And then the Monday after those exhilarating wins, Mustard was cut.
The players tease him about having the perfect world – playing on Sunday without the drudgery of practice. But it’s an emotional yo-yo that has given Mustard a newfound appreciation for the mundane workout.
“I want to be part of this team,” Mustard said. “I think we have something special going on. And so it was disappointing when I went in Monday like I normally would, I worked out, I watched the film and then I got the word that I was going to have to go again. It’s disappointing, but at the same time it’s better than not being there, and I still have an opportunity to play on Sunday.”
While the Broncos arrive early for meetings during the work week, Mustard can sleep in and work out at a nearby gym around mid-afternoon, a timeframe that simulates the Broncos’ practices. He will get on the Internet to research the opposition, just in case the Broncos call.
For the game Sunday against Jacksonville, Hamilton and Harris will again be out, so another return by Mustard is possible. But Alexander believes he’ll be ready, so maybe not.
“There’s no guarantee I’m going to get a call, but I’d like to be as prepared as possible,” Mustard said.
Rush to improve
It’s hard to believe the Jaguars’ tailback tandem of Fred Taylor, who has five seasons of at least 1,100 yards, and Maurice Jones-Drew, who had 13 touchdowns as a rookie last year, have combined for less than 3.4 yards a carry through the first two games.
Then again, the Broncos’ defense ranks 30th in the 32-team league by allowing 5.1 yards a carry.
“They will probably come in here and try to run the ball down our throats,” Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said.
Although the Broncos’ defense has allowed only 17 points in two games – special teams and the offense accounted for the other 17 – it has allowed an average of 156.0 rushing yards against Buffalo and Oakland.
“It’s taken more time than we’re used to and what we need to,” Broncos first-year defensive coach Jim Bates said of his scheme.
Footnotes
Hamilton, the Broncos’ starting right guard who has yet to play this year because of lingering concussion symptoms, returned to Dove Valley this week for daily treatment. He is not expected to play, however, before the bye in Week 6. … Backup safety Hamza Abdullah (hip) was held out of practice. Cornerback Dré Bly (shoulder), cornerback Domonique Foxworth (ankle) and linebacker Ian Gold (ankle) were on the injury report, but participated in practice. … Rookie defensive tackle Marcus Thomas will celebrate his 22nd birthday Sunday by playing against his hometown Jacksonville Jaguars. … The Broncos’ oldest player, Elam, 37, was named AFC special-teams player of the week. … Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway met with owner Pat Bowlen.
Staff writer Mike Klis can be reached at 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
