The Broncos haven’t gone through this many introductions since the 2007 draft. There were four new players in the locker room Wednesday, including three defensive linemen.
When the Broncos had finished their draft in late April, they had selected four players, including three defensive linemen.
The newcomers to the Broncos’ roster Wednesday were receiver Taylor Jacobs and defensive ends Patrick Carrington, Josh Mallard and Larry Birdine.
The roster shake-up was caused primarily by a need for healthy bodies. Rookie defensive end Jarvis Moss, the first of four players drafted by the Broncos this year, underwent season-ending surgery Tuesday to repair a damaged ankle and broken fibula. Starting defensive end John Engelberger has been so bothered by a shoulder injury he was forced to miss practice Wednesday.
If adding four new players also sent a message to the other players that they better start performing, so be it. In particular, the addition of three new defensive ends seems to point directly at veteran Simeon Rice, who ranks among the league’s all-time sack leaders but has none through eight games with the Broncos.
“The way I’ve been played, in and out, it’s been a mind trip,” Rice said. “But I’m not going to be distracted by anything and continue to progress. I’m going to get back real soon to the heights of what I played at before, whether it’s here or for somebody else.”
Lights, camera, action. With the cameras rolling, Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall said the team’s first-half performance was “all an act,” to pique the media’s interest and the “real Broncos” would show up in the second half. Later, Marshall said he was merely trying to add levity to the gloom and doom surrounding the club and hoped people didn’t take his comments the wrong way.
Schedule eases. Besides playing in a weak division, there is another reason for the Broncos not to give up hope – their second-half schedule. Only one of the Broncos’ final eight opponents has a winning record. That would be the 6-2 Tennessee Titans, whom the Broncos play Nov. 19 at Invesco Field at Mile High in a Monday night game. The other seven opponents are either 4-4, like the Chiefs, or worse.
Return for Titans? Broncos coach Mike Shanahan reiterated his hope receiver Javon Walker, out since Game 3 with a knee injury, could return next week for the game against Tennessee.
Eleven is the number. Broncos defensive coach Jim Bates on having too many men on the field for one play, and not enough men on others: “Totally inexcusable.” …
Bloom update. After working out last week for the Broncos, former University of Colorado star Jeremy Bloom worked out this week for the Raiders.
Lynch update. Safety John Lynch practiced Wednesday and is expected to play against the Chiefs.
