Quick, can you name which player led the Broncos in interceptions last year?
No, it wasn’t Champ Bailey.
Think right cornerback. Yep, Andre Goodman, whose five interceptions in 2009 were more than all of the team’s other cornerbacks had combined.
Goodman considers it only a starting point. With turnover or injury trouble at nearly every other defensive position, Goodman has quietly provided the Broncos’ defense with stability and consistent play throughout training camp. He made one of the better defensive plays during practice Wednesday morning when he batted a pass away from wide receiver Brandon Lloyd in the end zone.
But Goodman is holding himself to high standards. “If I had to rate my camp so far, I would say it has been mediocre, nothing great, but nothing too bad,” he said.
In his second season with the Broncos, Goodman said his focus this offseason and throughout training camp has been on mental aspects of his game. He’s spending more time watching film and talking with his coaches to get a jump on opposing offenses.
“More than anything, I’m working on my route concepts and recognizing things early,” Goodman said. “When the offense breaks the huddle, you can read formations and you can pick on the routes they can or can’t run.”
He’s spent much of training camp lining up against Lloyd, Jabar Gaffney and Demaryius Thomas and will have a significant challenge in the Broncos’ preseason opener Sunday at Cincinnati, playing against the Bengals’ receiver duo of Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens to start the game.
“There’s a lot of things I’m trying to fine-tune before this game on Sunday,” Goodman said.
Lindsay H. Jones: 303-954-1262 or ljones@denverpost.com
Competing for a nickel
Champ Bailey and Andre Goodman have locked up starting jobs at left and right cornerback, respectively, but the nickel corner job remains up for the grabs. NFL reporter Lindsay H. Jones analyzes the contenders:
Nate Jones: Signed as a free agent from Miami, the veteran has the edge. He’s received the most work with the first-team nickel package. He had an interception during practice Wednesday morning.
Alphonso Smith: The second-year pro from Wake Forest also had an interception Wednesday morning. But he needs to make more standout plays to earn playing time.
Perrish Cox: The rookie fifth-round draft pick from Oklahoma State has had plenty of work with the No. 1 defense at left cornerback when Champ Bailey has taken practices off. Cox had two interceptions Wednesday.
Tony Carter: He jumped over Smith on the depth chart last year. But in this camp, he has spent no time with the first team.
Lindsay H. Jones, The Denver Post
