The NFL draft represents a strange concoction of hope, dreams, deflated-ego trips and unlikely journeys.
The Broncos selected two cornerbacks on the final day, a mild surprise given the strength and depth of their secondary. Even more eye-opening, both came from the same school, Tulane.
Lorenzo Doss, one of the most accomplished players in the Green Wave’s history, came off the board in the fifth round. Taurean Nixon was a seventh-round pick.
“It was actually great,” Nixon said. “There were a lot of what-ifs in my house. My dad always said, ‘I have a feeling that you and Lorenzo will end up on the same team together.’ Everybody thinks I’m playing when I say that, but it really happened. When I got the call from Denver, it was like, ‘Wow!’ My whole house went crazy.”
Two corners, one school and a single instrumental coach.
Where Doss and Nixon are is because of where they were. Nobody considers Tulane an elite football institution, but Doss and Nixon received a doctorate in cornerback skills from co-defensive coordinator Lionel Washington. If the name rings a few chimes, it should. Washington played 15 years in the NFL, including the 1995-96 seasons as a starting cornerback for the Broncos.
He knows the position. More salient, he knows what it takes to play the position in the pros, lessons he conveyed to Doss and Nixon.
“These are great kids, hard workers. I told them, ‘You go in there and compete.’ That’s the biggest thing. And don’t let the game get too big,” Washington said during a spare moment off the recruiting trail. “You need to know who you are going against. One of their biggest strengths can be knowing their own weaknesses.”
Doss and Nixon never imagined this would happen last fall. Doss was a junior and no Tulane player had declared early for the draft since Lynarius Elpheage in 2002. Nixon surfaced, if only barely, on scouts’ radar as a slot corner with 4.3 speed in the 40-yard dash. He also showed rare unselfishness as a special-teams player after transferring from Memphis. Washington believed Nixon’s versatility would translate in the NFL. Still does.
“He can cover kicks, cover punts, block in punt protection. He can make things happen,” Washington said. “He’s smart and understands this could be his way to make the team.”
One word describes Doss: ballhawk. He intercepted 15 passes in his college career, second most ever by a Tulane player. He credited Washington for turning him into a playmaker. When Doss arrived at Tulane, he had no bad habits. There was a simple reason: he played wide receiver in high school.
“I didn’t really know too much about cornerback. (Washington) taught me the game,” Doss said. “He taught me technique.”
Doss and Nixon, who ran the third and fourth legs on Tulane’s 4×100 relay team, made for a strong team. Doss lined up primarily on the outside, with Nixon matched inside against frequent three- and four-wide receiver sets. What they learned could prove more important than what they accomplished.
Before returning to his alma mater, Washington worked in the NFL with the Raiders and Packers. He recreated that classroom environment on campus.
“I made a decision that we were going to do it like they do it in the league. I made the meetings similar,” Washington said. “They are both great at being very alert, always taking notes. The understanding they gained should help them adapt.”
That Doss is a Bronco remains in part because of skills that can’t be taught. He possesses recovery skills and strong hands. An interception against Connecticut last October convinced Washington of Doss’ NFL potential.
“He will do things that you don’t think he’s capable of doing. He made a play on the sideline, it was one of the best interceptions I have seen at any level,” Washington said. “It made me realize what potential he has. And he’s only going to get better.”
The Broncos are managing expectations. They like Doss’ cover skills and have talked about Nixon returning kicks. The path is not easy to the final roster. But it doesn’t hurt they are navigating it together with a compass provided by their coach.
“Everything is ahead of them. They are going to continue to learn who they are,” Washington said. “They are in a great position with enormous upside. I can’t wait to see what they accomplish.”
Troy E. Renck: trenck@denverpost.com or
