Broncos report: Stokley's first priority may be third down

The Rocky

Published August 7, 2008 at 5:20 p.m.

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Video: Broncos wide receiver Eddie Royal talks about training camp and fellow rookie offensive tackle Ryan Clady. Watch »

It's the less-is-more option.

The less the Broncos have to use wide receiver Brandon Stokley as a starter, the more he can do in their third-down offense.

"I think he's the best slot receiver in the National Football League," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "So I want to make sure we have the right mix for him, so he can stay healthy and as productive as we need him to be."

Stokley, who is less than two years removed from a ruptured right Achilles' tendon that ended his 2006 season in Indianapolis, was forced into the lineup more than the Broncos would have liked in '07 because of injuries to Javon Walker and Rod Smith.

This year, the Broncos have taken great pains to manage Stokley's playing time in camp, even with the prospect of Brandon Marshall missing as many as three games while serving an NFL-mandated suspension.

Stokley has taken plays only as the third receiver in three-receiver sets and hasn't lined up in team drills in one of the starting outside spots.

"So I kind of got that feeling - because I've been working inside all camp long - no outside reps at all," Stokley said. "And I feel good - so far, so good."

Stokley started a career-high nine games last season for the Broncos, but he also missed the final three games after suffering a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee against Oakland in December.

"Really, I felt great until then," Stokley said.

"I was laying on the ground and my foot was up in the air, and I got kicked and ended up missing the last three games."

Stokley said it wasn't until late February that his knee felt right again. But because of that injury - and the fact Stokley ranked second in the NFL last season in percentage of receptions that went for first downs - Shanahan said he wants to ensure Stokley is available in the situations where the Broncos need him.

"Honestly, I was surprised last season I felt as good as I did, playing as many reps as I did," Stokley said. "But I feel great now, no problems at all."

Torain surgery

Shanahan said the Broncos will have a decision to make about rookie running back Ryan Torain when it comes time to trim the roster to 53 players later this month.

Torain is to undergo surgery today to repair ligament damage in his left elbow. He also fractured a bone as well - the radius, near his elbow - after a hit in Wednesday morning's practice, but the surgery could add another month to his recovery time, which now could be three months total.

"So we'll have to look at all that and make some choices," Shanahan said.

Torain was competing for the starting running back job and, at 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, he was the Broncos' best size/speed combination in the backfield. So, if it's possible, the team would like to get him on the field down the stretch.

A full three-month recovery would set his return for early November; if he recovers a little more quickly, it could be in October. And because of the placement of the Broncos' bye week, they will have played only seven games before Nov. 2.

To keep Torain on the 53-player roster, however, they would have to release a healthy player at the end of the preseason. Rosters go to 75 players Aug. 26 and to 53 players Aug. 30.

"It's a shame, but it was just kind a freak thing," Shanahan said. "But we got it repaired, and he'll heal up."

"Ryan was doing great," running back Andre Hall said. "At first, I thought it was just a bump and he'll come back soon, but, unfortunately, he has a pretty serious injury that will put him out for a while."

Torain was injured in a 9-on-7 running-game drill when he extended his left arm to break his fall.

More of the same

After only two weeks, Shanahan said he has seen enough of his current training camp format to repeat it in the future.

"If this is how the roster rules will be, then we'll always do camp like this," Shanahan said. "We want to be as healthy as possible for the season and still get our work in. I think it's worked out."

This year, the league limited camp rosters to 80 players - as many as 10 players fewer than in some years because there are no more roster exemptions for the defunct NFL Europe - so Shanahan has gone to one full contact workout in the morning, with the afternoon practice being a slowed-down "jog-through" or special-teams-only practice.

The Broncos have yet to wear their uniform pants in a practice during this camp, but they have worn shoulder pads and helmets for their contact drills.

"We spent three months getting in shape, so we're in shape," Shanahan said. "Now we just have to get the pads on them a little bit to get in football shape. We've been able to do that and stay relatively healthy."

Etc.

* In the first game action to sort out the battle at punter, Sam Paulescu will take the first punt in the preseason opener at Houston on Saturday (6 p.m. MDT, CBS 4), and then he and Brett Kern will alternate series after that, as needed.

* Linebacker Spencer Larsen lined up at fullback at times Thursday.

* The Broncos canceled their scheduled special-teams-only practice in the afternoon and used the morning practice as what Shanahan has called a "jog-through."

* The Rev. Leon Kelly and 15 children from Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives visited Broncos practice as guests of Marshall and defensive end Elvis Dumervil. Marshall and Dumervil also bought lunch for the group at an area restaurant.

Today

The Broncos will practice at 9:50 a.m. before leaving for Houston. The practice is closed to the public. The next public workout will be at 2:45 p.m. Monday. Gates open at 1:45.

That's a first down

NFL leaders in percentage of first-down receptions last season:

First Player, team Rec. downs Pct.

Terrell Owens, Dallas 81 69 85.2

Brandon Stokley, Denver 40 34 85.0

Justin Gage, Tenn. 55 45 81.8

Santonio Holmes, Pit. 52 42 80.8

• August 7, 2008

  8:07 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  Stokley will be a big part of our offense as far as keeping the drive alive. He will be the go-to-guy on 3rd down passing plays. He is up to the task.
  Just for laughs, I thought I'd share with the Bronco fans, a story about the intelligence of the Oakland community:
  WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS.
  Police in Oakland , CA spent two hours attempting to subdue a gunman who had barricaded himself inside his home. After firing ten tear gas canisters, officers discovered that the man was standing beside them in the police line, shouting, 'Please come out and give yourself up.'
  Yes, real brain surgeons.

• August 7, 2008

  9:37 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  FTR writes:

  Dynamicdave:
  Loved the post! Ha
  FTR

• August 8, 2008

  1:24 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  bigbadthor writes:

  Looks like Royal may have been the steal of the draft, if he is penciled in as the Number 2 already, Torain is going to have to go on the IR, I had the same injury and it takes too long (at least 3 to 6 months to recover). I am exicited about seeing what the group (WR/TE) can do together, to bad it won't be until week 3 at the earlist, also they seem to fail to mention Aldridge who seems like a Donte Hall type of player, someone that can score from anywhere if given space.

• August 8, 2008

  9:26 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  bigbadthor, Yep, this is Alridge's chance. he needs to step in and showcase his talents. From everything we've been told about the RB's and WR's, we have some quick players. Man, I'm glad it's preseason, though. What, with Champ not playing and Dre' hurt. I have faith in Foxworth but I'm a little uncertain about Paymah.

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