Broncos report: Shanahan predicting playoffs

The Rocky

Published August 1, 2008 at 9:42 p.m.

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Photo by Barry Gutierrez / The Rocky

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan made an on-air pledge, saying, "We're not going to miss the playoffs."

Coach Mike Shanahan shook up the talk-radio airwaves Friday, making an on-air pledge that seemed to fly in the face of his normal cautious approach with the media.

"We're not going to miss the playoffs," Shanahan told The Sports Guys on KKFN (104.3 FM) when queried about the vital nature of the upcoming season in Denver.

Shanahan then was asked if he was making a guarantee after back-to- back seasons without a postseason berth for the Broncos.

"Sure sounds like it," he responded.

Shanahan backed off slightly during his podium news conference after the morning practice, citing the importance of the team staying healthy after 72 lost games to injuries in 2007 but saying he had "some high expectations."

"I didn't make a guarantee," Shanahan later told the Rocky, adding, "They've got nothing to talk about, so they want to fire something up."

That doesn't mean the coach lacks confidence in this group to go to the postseason in the face of many skeptics, citing the five hours daily he puts in studying film and isolating on each player as reason for his confidence.

"I say that and I really believe that," he said of his playoff prediction. "But you've got to be lucky and don't have the injuries we've had. If we don't have the injuries, I'd be very disappointed if we didn't make the playoffs."

No matter how Shanahan's words are dissected, the message was evident to Ebenezer Ekuban, a 10-year pro.

"You rarely see a coach guaranteeing a playoff berth. Usually, it's an immature young player who doesn't know what he's talking about," Ekuban said. "But when a coach says that, it's a call to all the players and coaches that, hey, this is what I expect, and if you don't do it, either I'm gone or everybody else is going to be gone. It's a direct challenge to the players to step it up. When the coach says that, you better do it."

The Broncos never have missed the playoffs three straight years under Shanahan. The last time Denver went two seasons without playing into January, the club made the AFC wild- card game in 2003.

"He's expecting a lot out of us and at the same time we're expecting a lot out of the coaching staff to put us in position to win," tight end Daniel Graham said. "That's our goal, and we expect nothing less than that."

Strong first impression

Left tackle Ryan Clady, the team's No. 1 draft pick, has reinforced the faith the organization placed in him as an immediate starter, at least through the first week of training camp.

Clady has more than held his own in one-on-one matchups with defensive ends, including numerous battles with top pass rusher Elvis Dumervil, and he doesn't appear to be overwhelmed by the playbook.

"Our reports said he learned very well and he's done it," said Jim Goodman, the club's vice president of player personnel.

Physically, Clady's feet, range and sheer bulk have been apparent to Goodman, who said the rookie has been "ahead of the game" as a pass blocker.

"At Boise (State), he had some prerequisites to pass blocking that he's developed even further here," Goodman said.

Official presentation

A group of four officials gave its annual presentation on rules changes and points of emphasis.

The biggest impact could come from the tweaked forceout rule, in which receivers now must secure the ball and get both feet in bounds. The exception is when the target is carried by a defender out of the field of play when he would have gotten two feet in.

"Because it takes the judgment out of it, it makes it easier on everybody," back judge Scott Helverson said.

Incidental face masks will not be called. A twist, turn or pull must occur.

Snaps untouched by a player in position to receive a hand-to-hand snap no longer will be a false start, and either team can recover and advance.

Golden opportunity

One of the players actually benefiting from John Lynch's departure is rookie safety Josh Barrett.

The former Arizona State standout has run with the second unit at times the past few days and likely will be battling Roderick Rogers for the final roster spot at the position in the coming weeks.

Marquand Manuel, Hamza Abdullah and Marlon McCree, barring an injury/upset, already have an inside track on roster spots.

"There's a certain self-absorption that comes with what's going on," Barrett said. "You really need to focus on what you're doing and get better. You can't get caught up in anything other than that."

Broadening his horizons

The Broncos have been rotating rookie receiver Eddie Royal between the slot, where he initially was expected to contribute in the short term, and playing split wide.

"I feel really comfortable outside. I've always played outside, even in college. So it's something I'm used to," he said.

The second-round pick, who's had a good camp, might be needed as an outside target early in the season if Brandon Marshall is suspended.

"I have to work on getting off press coverage a lot better, and Brandon's helping me out with that," he said.

Etc.

* Marshall, despite several training camp drops, continued to demonstrate he's the team's premier offensive force, with a nice two-handed grab over Champ Bailey and a couple of TD receptions.

* The team has gone through its initial installation stage to the point where it began mixing in a wider variety of blitzes Friday.

* Linebacker Boss Bailey (knee inflammation) and center Tom Nalen (bursa sac, left knee) were held out of practice. Louis Green replaced Bailey. Casey Wiegmann ran with the first team in Nalen's absence. Safety Abdullah missed the final two periods in the morning because of a groin strain.

Saturday

There will be only one practice, at 8:30 a.m., primarily because a Broncos contingent will fly afterward to Canton, Ohio, for Gary Zimmerman's induction into the Hall of Fame. Gates open at 7:30 a.m.

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