GLENDALE, Ariz. — For the flight home, the Broncos should have reserved the back of the plane for all players on the roster bubble.
Otherwise, the temptation to eavesdrop on the discussion at the front of the plane may have been irresistible. And fateful.
After the Broncos defeated the Arizona Cardinals 28-14 at air-conditioned University of Phoenix Stadium on Friday night in the final preseason game for both teams, Denver coach Mike Shanahan and his staff were to watch the game film, and perhaps swap the occasional analysis, on the plane ride back to Denver.
There is a rush to evaluate because all teams must set their 53-man roster by 2 p.m. MDT Saturday. Whether the talk up front was good or bad, the players will find out soon enough.
The Broncos’ victory was particularly encouraging because none of their starters played, while Arizona played their best guys some. The Broncos’ second-string offense, led by third-string quarterback Darrell Hackney and fourth-string tailback Anthony Alridge, moved the ball in two drives against the Cardinals’ starting defense.
And the Broncos’ second-string defense stopped both drives by Arizona’s starting offense.
Shanahan has always used the last preseason game to evaluate players competing for his back-end roster spots, and to keep his top reserves sharp for whenever he calls upon them during the regular season.
Some of the potential roster developments from the final audition that may have stirred the front of the plane into serious discussion:
• Running back: Alridge can’t be a fourth-string tailback, anymore. It’s difficult to imagine Shanahan putting all that speed on his practice squad. It wasn’t just that Alridge rushed for 79 yards on 12 carries by halftime. It was that he almost broke three long touchdowns, settling instead for dashes of 17, 16 and 27 yards.
Should Alridge make the roster, it would likely force the Broncos to only keep two from the trio of Cecil Sapp, Peyton Hillis and Michael Pittman. The veteran Sapp and rookie Hillis are fullbacks. Pittman is a veteran tailback who can play some fullback.
• Offensive line: Knee-battered center Tom Nalen didn’t make the trip but indications are he has a spot reserved on the 53-man roster. Nalen might not be ready for the opener in Oakland, but the expectation is he should be ready by the second or third game.
Kory Lichtensteiger and Erik Pears are also expected to stick, and there may or may not be one more blocking spot available.
• No. 5 receiver: Keary Colbert probably already had the team made, but he erased all doubt with a go-ahead 86-yard touchdown catch and run off a simple slant pattern in the fourth quarter.
Clifford Russell probably didn’t hurt himself after making four catches in the first half and gaining 13 yards on a reverse that set up the Broncos’ only touchdown.
• Quarterback: While starter Jay Cutler conversed with owner Pat Bowlen on the sidelines before the game, backup Patrick Ramsey wasn’t able to play because of an elbow injury. Hackney played the whole game and was 17-for-26 for 208 yards and a touchdown, plus had 35 yards rushing on eight carries, plus ran in a two-point conversion.
• No. 4 tight end: If the Broncos keep four tight ends, they must choose between Chad Mustard and Brett Pierce.
• Defensive line: Alvin Mc- Kinley, Nic Clemons and Steven Harris rotated all game at the two defensive tackle positions. There might be only one spot available as Marcus Thomas, Dewayne Robertson and Kenny Peterson have secured jobs.
• Linebackers: Louis Green was terrific until suffering a finger injury in the second quarter. The Broncos may have to trim one from the trio of Green, Wesley Woodyard and Jordan Beck.
• Secondary: The most proven backup, cornerback Domonique Foxworth, had the toughest game. Strong safety Hamza Abdullah, however, re-established himself with two big hits and a fumble recovery. And rookie Jack Williams made a sensational 89-yard interception return with 5:42 remaining to clinch the victory. Williams was going to make the team, anyway, but he may have earned some regular-season playing time.
• Punter: The Broncos are about to cut a good punter. Both Sam Paulescu and rookie Brett Kern put their first punts inside the 10-yard line. Both had short second punts. Both put their third punts inside Arizona’s 20.
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com
