Thursday's Broncos report: Stokley 'definitely' playing Saturday

Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 23, 2007 at midnight

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ENGLEWOOD – Brandon Stokley in recent seasons considered preseason as something akin to dentist visits – not exactly something to get excited about, but necessary.

Not this year.

"It means more," he said.

Stokley is primed to "definitely" make his debut Saturday night at wide receiver for the Denver Broncos against the Cleveland Browns. He'll do so not only coming back from a ruptured Achilles suffered last December. Sprains to his ankle and knee also ruined his final season with the Indianapolis Colts, so being able to take the field healthy has been elusive until now.

"I'm looking forward to it. I really am," said Stokley, who signed with Denver on March 22 as a free agent. "I'm excited about being out there again playing football. It's been a long time and something I've worked for a long time."

Stokley was held out of the preseason opener as a precaution. A thigh strain sidelined him last Saturday. But he's practiced full-go this week.

"I feel great," he said. "I have my aches like everybody else. But it just feels good to be able to run and run pain-free."

He added that getting extensive practice repetitions the last several days also has him back within the flow of the offense.

"I missed so much and you need to be out there practicing. You can only look at it so much on video."

Night moves

Selvin Young isn't afraid of getting extra carries this week given Denver's depleted backfield.

In fact, the undrafted rookie says there's not much he does fear.

"The only thing I'm scared of is the dark," he admitted.

Given Denver will be playing its third straight night game, that could be problematic. But, oddly, Young says he's always fared best in the p.m. hours.

There are banks of lights at stadiums, after all.

Time in meeting rooms is OK, too, since the projector cuts through the darkness.

Young's coach at Texas, Mack Brown, knew all about Young's dilemma. Brown would prod the halfback before prime-time games by telling the player that he knew he'd put his phobia aside.

"They're not going to turn out the lights today . . . " he'd reassure him. "So go out and have a good game."

Young at least has good reason to fear pitch-black conditions. And, no, he didn't fall down a well as a child.

"Growing up, there were five brothers and we only had one room and it's as dark as all know-what, with feet in your face, toes all over the place -- in one bed," Young recalled. "So I always liked to sleep with the light on."

Told that passing along such sensitive information might not be the best idea given his rookie status and the pranks that veteran players are apt pull, Young shot back that he didn't care.

"Once the lights come on they better be ready to deal with me," he said. "I'm pretty tough."

Shut out

Former Broncos running back, and Ring of Fame member, Floyd Little was not selected Thursday as one of the two Seniors nominees for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2008. Little was one of 15 finalists the seniors committee considered at a meeting in Canton, Ohio.

Former Chiefs defensive back Emmitt Thomas and formeer Chicago Cardinals back Marshall Goldberg -- a two-way player in the mid 40s - were the two chosen.

Huge strides

The Broncos opened up both preseason games in two tight-end formations, and both times Nate Jackson started opposite Daniel Graham.

Jackson had a solid training camp in his fifth year in Denver. He received extra practiced repetitions with Tony Scheffler missing time while rehabilitating from foot surgery and so far has been able to hold the second-year player off.

"To be in that position now is not a surprise," Jackson said. "It's something I feel I'm capable of and can excel at."

Jackson's become more accustomed to playing at 235 pounds after beginning his career as a receiver and has improved his technique as a run blocker.

He's always had sure hands.

"You're always learning and there are always idiosyncrasies and details you have to pay attention to every day. But overall, my health, knowledge of the team, system, play on special teams, I'm more comfortable with everything," he said.

Work in progress

Getting a read on how the special teams are progressing through the first two preseason games is complicated by shifting personnel.

And there's been no game-planning either.

Quincy Morgan had a nifty 58-yard return against San Francisco. Paul Ernster and Todd Sauerbrun combined for three touchbacks Saturday vs. Dallas on kickoffs. Those are some of the positive signs.

The down moments have included four kickoff returns past the 30-yard-line allowed, a 15-yard punt by Sauerbrun vs. the Cowboys and a lack of opportunities returning punts by Denver players.

The overriding theme for new special teams coach Scott O'Brien currently is stressing fundamentals and knowledge of assignments, then finding consistent playmakers for the long term.

"It's still evaluation," O'Brien said, adding the effort has been good but the production inconsistent so far. "Who are those guys that you put out there? The results everybody looks for, but before the results we've got to make sure we can handle our techniques and do our responsibilities."

ETC.

• Safety Curome Cox (shoulder) practiced for the second straight day but likely will be held out Saturday. Guard Ben Hamilton (concussion) also isn't expected to play. Newcomer John Browning is definitely out after going through only two practices following a year out of football.

Jeff Legwold contributed to this report

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