Broncos recap

Jeff Legwold and Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 14, 2007 at midnight

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Deep thoughts

Coach Mike Shanahan said one of the reasons the Broncos have the ability to shop defensive tackle Gerard Warren is the team's depth at the position.

The Broncos came to training camp with 17 defensive linemen on the roster, 10 of those tackles, including rookie Tim Crowder, who has played end and tackle in some situations.

"We've got about 10 guys at that position; we know what Gerard can do and give a chance to evaluate those other guys," Shanahan said. "That's one of the reasons we would entertain a trade. . . . We've got a good feel of what Gerard can do."

"There are a lot of us," defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy said. "I'm sure (the Broncos) think there are some things we can do better than Gerard and that there are some things Gerard can do better than us. So we'll see what happens. But I've enjoyed playing with Gerard in my short time here so far."

The Broncos are hoping to secure at least a middle-round draft pick - a fourth- or fifth-rounder - but likely would do the deal for a seventh-rounder if it would get things done.

They are in search of draft picks given they unlikely are to receive a fourth-round pick from Tampa Bay for Jake Plummer because Plummer did not report to the Buccaneers - and if he is not on an NFL roster by draft day in April, the Broncos most likely will receive a sixth-round pick.

The Broncos also already traded their fourth-round pick in the 2008 draft to the Minnesota Vikings in April to move up to take defensive tackle Marcus Thomas.

Warren's salary is just less than $600,000 for this season, but those salary figures jump to more than $4 million in 2008, 2009 and 2010 - the last three years of his deal.

In Warren's place

Defensive line coach Bill Johnson admitted he knew "zero" about tackle Amon Gordon even after working with him this offseason for the first time. So during a break in meetings at Dove Valley last week, the two had a get-acquainted session.

Fans in a way got their own introduction to Gordon on Monday night. The third-year player, a waiver-wire pickup by the Broncos two years ago who missed all of 2004 and part of 2006 with knee problems, was in the starting lineup in place of Warren.

"He has made a move," Johnson said about Gordon before news of Warren's possible exit went public. "You keep preaching about what hard work and dedication and believing in technique and the system does and that's one guy that's bought into it hook, line and sinker."

The Broncos have felt for awhile that at 6-foot-2, 305 pounds, Gordon had the strength and lateral movement skills necessary to succeed, if he could avoid injuries.

Gordon said he's healthy and "as surprised as the next person" that Warren, one of his mentors when he came into the league with Cleveland, wasn't around and might not be for the long term.

As for his own situation, "Only the strong survive and you have to do what you have to do. And I'm trying to stick," Gordon said.

Hurtin' for certain

The twisted left knee first-round pick Jarvis Moss suffered Aug. 6 during a training-camp workout continues to linger. The defensive end is favoring the leg and he aggravated the injury chasing down 49ers quarterback Trent Dilfer.

"Nothing about anything I'm doing right now feels natural," Moss said. "I really can't move the way I feel I need to move to be competing right now. I just have to work hard in the training room to get it better.

"Hopefully, I can let it rest for a little bit and keep getting treatment and it'll be all right."

A magnetic resonance imaging exam after Moss got hurt came back clear. And he said he has seen improvement since the original injury.

He isn't sure what the plans are for him when the Broncos begin two sets of two-a-day practices with the Cowboys starting Wednesday.

"It's a little frustrating because you're not allowed to go out there and do what you know what you're capable of," he said.

Fellow rookie defensive end Tim Crowder was checked by team medical personnel in the first half for an apparent left shoulder injury but returned to the game.

Defensive end Kenny Peterson also briefly left the game after hyperextending his left knee but returned to the lineup.

Jersey swap

Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey swapped jerseys with San Francisco 49ers left tackle Jonas Jennings after the game.

Bailey and Jennings were college roommates at Georgia.

"I had his jersey from Buffalo so I needed one from the 49ers," Bailey said. "Costs you a jersey to get a jersey."

Prep work

Mike Bell remains in a tight battle with Cecil Sapp and still has a ways to go before settling into a backup role behind Travis Henry.

But Bell, who exploded onto the scene as a rookie when he unseated then-starter Tatum Bell last summer, believes he's better equipped to handle the challenges this year.

"I'm excited to see what I can do, especially in the run game," he said. "I'm way more patient than I was last year. I'm pressing the plays. Travis has helped me a lot, just the way he runs. And just recognizing fronts and defenses and blitzes, it's second nature to me now where the game's slowed down a lot."

Bell had runs of 13 and 8 yards among his first four carries and finished with 51 yards on 11 carries.

Numbers game

26 yards for Travis Henry in his first three carries. His night's work ended with the Broncos' first possession. He finished with 27 rushing yards on five carries with one touchdown.

2 starting offensive linemen - left tackle Matt Lepsis and left guard Ben Hamilton - did not play in the game. Center Tom Nalen played only eight plays.

He said it

"I've got kids. I can't afford to pay that bill. But it stayed on more than I thought it would. It only came off once or twice. We're still working on the solution."

Nate Webster, Broncos linebacker, on the NFL's point of emphasis on buckling chin straps securely to avoid helmets coming off, and his own penchant for having his headgear go flying. It occurred at least twice Monday night.

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