The breakup between Travis Henry and the Broncos hasn’t changed anything for Selvin Young, the second-year running back said Tuesday in his first public comments since the Broncos released Henry last week.
“It hasn’t affected me none whatsoever,” said Young, who rushed for 729 yards last season. “My job is to come out and be prepared and ready to go, no different if I was behind a guy.”
Broncos coach Mike Shanahan had tabbed Young as the No. 1 tailback going into training camp, and that move was cemented when the Broncos dumped the troubled Henry on June 2.
“The decision (Shanahan) made, I’m going to stand behind it,” Young said. “If it reflects on me, well, it’s a decision he made, and his belief in me and the other guys we have at our position.”
Young, who signed with the Broncos last year as an undrafted rookie out of Texas, has not been shy this offseason about his big-time goals, namely to rush for 2,000 yards. He didn’t back off his plans Tuesday. He said he is focusing on lifting weights and “eating good” — as evidenced by the salad he was eating while teammates were snacking on cookies after practice — so he can stay healthy during the season.
“I’m coming out and taking the reps with the ones (starters), and I feel like it is my job to be a leader, be an example for the guys that are behind me, and continue to put pressure on those guys, because they’re putting pressure on me, also,” Young said.
Scheffler sighting.
Tight end Tony Scheffler dressed Tuesday for the first time after reinjuring his left foot May 19. Scheffler did not run routes or catch passes with his teammates, however. He returned to the field to stretch and jog about an hour after Tuesday’s practice finished. . . . Center Tom Nalen did not practice after having his knee scoped on Friday.
Plummer update.
Former Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday settled for $3.5 million. The Bucs had been seeking a $7 million prorated signing bonus from Plummer, who decided to retire in March 2007, just before his rights were traded to Tampa Bay.
Lindsay H. Jones, The Denver Post
