In the interest of protecting their investment and keeping their new run-stopper fresh, the Broncos are shutting down Dewayne Robertson for the rest of this passing camp.
It’s all part of a judicious plan the Broncos set up for the defensive tackle, who was essentially bought last month from the New York Jets.
“He probably could practice, but we’re a little bit cautious with him,” Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. “We know he’ll be able to go in the June camp. So we want to get him stronger in a couple different areas.”
Robertson had wrist surgery this year and has played his entire five-year NFL career with a chronic knee problem. After consummating the trade by paying Robertson a reduced rate of $4 million in bonuses and salary this season, the Broncos opted for a less-is-more plan.
Robertson, 26, will likely be among the veterans on the one-a-day schedule during training camp. And it’s virtually guaranteed he will play less than 65 percent of the snaps in games. Staying below that threshold means the Broncos won’t have to give the Jets a 2009 draft pick.
The Broncos also decided not to rush Robertson to the field. After he participated in the team’s first two offseason practices, he watched the last two from the sideline.
Eye on Clady.
Rookie left tackle Ryan Clady can sense the eyes of his offensive line peers are upon him. Veterans can’t help but be curious about the No. 12 overall draft pick, who came in as the starting left tackle and is about to get a contract with at least $11 million in guarantees.
“Yeah, I feel they’re watching me, but at the same time they’re helping me out,” the former Boise State star said after the team’s workout Thursday.
Shanahan didn’t mince words about the challenge Clady is facing.
“There’s a lot of pressure on him now,” Shanahan said. “We’re going to start him out at No. 1, but he’s going to have to earn that position.”
Footnotes.
Fullback Cecil Sapp was excused from practice Thursday because of a death in his family. . . . All 16 Broncos rookies — nine draft picks and seven undrafted free agents — will attend an NFL-sponsored tour of the Pro Football Hall of Fame on May 30.
Mike Klis, The Denver Post
