Broncos' Ekuban, others say experience pays off in camp

By Pat Rooney, Special to the Rocky

Published August 10, 2008 at 11:23 p.m.

Text size  

• 0 Comments
• Email
• Print

Generally, one of the benefits of age is supposed to be increased wisdom.

In Ebenezer Ekuban's case, that wisdom has manifested itself in a more deliberate pace in his morning routine during training camp.

Not to worry, Broncos fans. Ekuban hardly is loafing and simply going through the paces as he tries to rebound from a torn Achilles' tendon that cost him the 2007 season.

Now in his 10th NFL training camp, Ekuban has learned the fine art of pacing himself through the drudgery of his mornings. The seemingly endless merry- go-round of meetings, weight room sessions, film study and practices that mark the schedule of a typical training camp can drive a man mad.

Young players easily can be overwhelmed by the schedule, sometimes nullifying whatever physical gifts they are trying to showcase on the field. In the case of older players like Ekuban, staying focused during the daily grind has become a skill as honed and ingrained as blocking and tackling.

"Being a young player, you darn near lose your breath before even the first snap of practice," Ekuban said. "I get in at 6:30 in the morning every time. I get in and warm my body up. I get on the bike, in the hot whirlpool. When I was younger, I would just come in and get taped and go practice. The older I've gotten, it's advantageous to get my body warmed up."

Ekuban is among seven Broncos going through training camp for at least the 10th time, a group that also includes Champ Bailey, Dre Bly, Tom Nalen, Michael Pittman, Casey Wiegmann and Brandon Stokley.

Experience allows such players to not be overwhelmed when they report to Dove Valley. Other than Nalen, all of those players have gone through training camp with multiple teams, helping to smooth the adjustment as they are herded from a meeting to practice and back again.

"It makes it a little easier as a veteran," said Pittman, who is fighting for a roster spot at running back. "Being around 11 years myself, you already know what to expect coming into camp. You know it's going to be long. You know it's going to be hard. It's a grind. You have to get through it. You have to be mentally focused. You have to be mentally strong. Coaches are yelling at you. Players are coming at you. Rookies, they're not used to doing something like this."

Most of the 10-year camp veterans claim staying focused is easier, not more difficult, as the years wear on. Few players last as long as they have without maintaining sharp focus throughout every practice and meeting.

Yet, while the mental focus sharpens, the physical demands become more draining. No 10-year veteran is as spry as the kids right out of college, so keeping focused while younger players are adjusting helps veterans maintain their edge.

"The first two or three days, everything is new," Ekuban said. "Around the fourth, fifth, sixth day, when you're running the same plays, it does get a little tedious. But you know what? That's what training camp is for. It's to see who's paying attention, who's going to stay alert and stay on their toes, and it shows up in the practice field."

Featured

• Through Your Lens

  

  Submit your photos or see the Editor's Choice slide show here.

• Rocky Multimedia

  

  The news comes alive in our videos and slide shows. Catch up on what's happening today.

• Holiday Lights

  

  Is your house the jolliest on the block? Submit your holiday lights display.

• Holiday Gift Guide

  

  Looking to get a jump-start on the holiday shopping season?

• Mount Crushmore

  

  Which four Broncos greats should be immortalized on Mount Crushmore? Vote here.

• Bronco Dean's rant

  

  Listen to Bronco Dean's midweek rant on the Chiefs.

• Broncos Video

  

  Get the latest from Dove Valley as the Broncos prepare for Sunday's matchup.

• Calendar wallpaper

  

  Download this month's desktop wallpaper calendar

• Sam Adams' Open Mic

  

  Open Mic: Stirrin' the Soup with Matt Iseman