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Broncos praise retiring Seau

Admiring Shanahan says linebacker lock to gain Hall of Fame

Jeff Legwold And Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 15, 2006 at midnight

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ENGLEWOOD - Broncos coach Mike Shanahan saw plenty of former Chargers linebacker Junior Seau's career in the AFC West and believes the 16-year veteran will end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday.

Seau formally announced his retirement Monday at the Chargers complex. The linebacker played 13 seasons in San Diego and the past three years with the Miami Dolphins.

"And that guy was so good I didn't even like to look at speed limit signs," Shanahan said. "I'd see that 55 and get nervous just driving down the highway thinking of him. He's a Hall of Fame player; (we) had a lot of great games against him throughout the years. He'd definitely keep you up late at night. Just a relentless player."

Seau's trademark fist pump after plays was one thing Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith said he would remember. Seau, who played in only 15 games combined in the past two years because of injuries, finished his career with 1,566 tackles, 52 sacks and 15 interceptions.

"All these years, honestly, it was a joy to watch," Smith said. "You didn't want him to make too many plays, because you knew he was going to jump up and do the fist pump. You didn't want him to do too many of those in the course of the day, and trust me, I've seen my share of them.

"He's a great guy, a great person. Some of the young guys should learn to play with that passion; maybe not express themselves the way he did, but that passion, you couldn't match that."

Seau was a 12-time Pro Bowl selection, but because the Chargers struggled through some of those years, he only played in six postseason games.

"He played a football game the way I like to play a football game," Smith said. "He was just a little more exuberant than I am. He played with a passion, man. Every time he was on the football field he was going 100 miles an hour, he never slowed down, first play, last play, it was all the same."

STAND TALL: Defensive coordinator Larry Coyer was frustrated by the failure of the Broncos defense to make sure tackles, particularly in the running game, in the preseason opener in Detroit.

Coyer, who said he was frustrated with the Broncos' work in the morning practice as well, added tackling was the "No. 1 downside" of the loss from his group. In his view, a 2.9-yard-a-carry average is more along the lines of what's needed for the defense to be a top-caliber unit.

"You've got to be urgent," Coyer said. "I don't care what the situation is or what kind of game you're playing. It's a game and you go play to win. And that's the only way we can win. That's how we play. We lose that, we're in trouble."

The Lions rushed 25 times for 123 yards, a 4.9-yard average, in a 20-13 victory Friday. There were four runs of 10-plus yards, including a couple of long quarterback scrambles out of trouble.

ON THE MEND: Safety Sam Brandon returned to practice last week but was in street clothes Friday night after his balky hamstring acted up. Brandon said he was only about 65 percent healed at workouts and became sore after testing his leg with a few deep passes before the game against the Lions.

Brandon expects to play Saturday night at home against Tennessee.

"It feels really good right now. I got through this practice and that's my main thing."

REALITY CHECK: Smith enjoyed watching Jay Cutler throw for 192 yards and a touchdown in a little less than two quarters of work against the Lions, but he didn't want to contribute to the escalating hype around the prized rookie.

"I'm not going to blow it out of proportion like you guys do," Smith said. "I'm sure you think he's John Elway or something. John Elway didn't start off great either, he had some rough times, and Jay's going to have some rough times.

"From the snaps he took and the decisions he made, he did a great job. He's going to get better, and that's what you want."

ETC.: Broncos tackle Adam Meadows returned to practice Monday after missing five days and the preseason opener with a strained left hamstring. Shanahan said Meadows, who only practiced in the afternoon workout, will not play Saturday against the Titans but will likely play against Houston on Aug. 27 . . . The Colts signed former Broncos defensive end George Gause on Monday.