Broncos report: Clady has had his hands full with Cowboys

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 14, 2008 at 7:56 p.m.

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Photo by Barry Gutierrez © The Rocky

The Broncos' Ryan Clady mixes it up with Cowboys linebacker Tearrius George during the teams' joint practices at Dove Valley.

There are easier ways to get through your first NFL preseason than tangle with two of the most athletic and savvy pass rushers in the league.

But that's exactly what Broncos rookie left tackle Ryan Clady has done in the span of a week.

"They are great pass rushers, just real strong overall players," Clady said. "You know it's going to be tough."

In his first preseason appearance in an NFL uniform, Clady found himself across from Texans defensive end Mario Williams, a 6-foot-6, 286-pounder who finished with 14 sacks last season.

And this week, in combined workouts with the Dallas Cowboys, Clady has squared off plenty with the other player in the league who had 14 sacks last season, outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware.

Ware has been a starter on the NFC's Pro Bowl team in each of past two seasons. At 6-4, 256 pounds, Ware usually has drawn raves from league scouts for his ability to shed blocks, even those from much bigger players.

Clady and Ware have been paired in many one-on-one drills the teams conducted, as well as in the team portion of the practices. When Ware has earned the advantage, he has done it with an explosive first step and his ability to keep working the blocker into the backfield.

When Clady has stifled Ware, it has been with his long arms and an even-keel demeanor that has allowed him to recover and use his quickness to get back in the play.

"I think those two are kind of the prototype for the position, just using their hands well and get their hands inside before you can," Clady said. "Definitely, having long arms is an advantage. That's the biggest difference (in the NFL), definitely the hands. They get them on you and try to get you in trouble. You're going to have some good times and some bad times just trying to sort through it."

Heating up

The two teams have played nice for the most part this week, but things did boil over some Thursday morning in what was close to being an ugly helmet-swinging fight.

Broncos defensive tackle Marcus Thomas and Cowboys tackle Flozell Adams had to be pulled apart in the first of two practices. But in the scuffle, Adams had pulled Thomas' helmet off and then swung the helmet, hitting Thomas' unprotected head during run-game drills.

"Usually, the second day is always that way," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. ". . . It never changes -- that second day is usually a little bit more competitive."

Shanahan also said he would not have classified it as a fight, "just a little pushing."

Thomas had stuffed a Cowboys running back in the backfield and Adams responded after the play. In the shoving and pushing, Adams got Thomas' helmet off and then swung it at Thomas as the two were separated.

The two sides quickly returned to drills as they continued to work in their second, and last, day together on the practice field.

"You can expect that, especially from those interior guys, because they're pretty much more hands-on and face-on every day," said Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens. "It'll get a little chippy, and that's just part of football. I think everybody regrouped and just got on with practice. It's not the first time teams have gotten into a little squabble."

"Tempers are going to flare up a little bit," Shanahan said. "That's the nature of this profession."

Waiting game

For almost two weeks, cornerback Champ Bailey's training camp day has been spent watching practice instead being in it because of a right hamstring injury.

"The only thing I'm frustrated with right now is my hammy," Bailey said. "I just want to get well; it's frustrating not being able to be out there competing with these guys."

Bailey has done conditioning work each day but is uncertain when he will return to the field. He won't play against the Cowboys on Saturday night.

"You can push it and try to make it and you raise your chances of tweaking it," Bailey said. "I think I know my body pretty well, because I've been through this and I think I'll know when it's time to come back. And when that time is, I'll be back out there."

Bailey has missed only three games in his previous nine years in the league.

Etc.

* By league rules, Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall has 10 calendar days to appeal his league-mandated suspension under the personal conduct policy. Today is the 10th day since Marshall's attorney, Harvey Steinberg, received the suspension letter, and as of Thursday evening, no appeal had yet been filed to the league. Marshall has referred all questions about the two- or three-game suspension to Steinberg, and Steinberg did not return messages Thursday.

* Quarterback Jay Cutler led a touchdown drive against the Cowboys starting defense when the two teams worked on the two-minute drill in the afternoon. Cutler rolled left to hit rookie Eddie Royal in the end zone. Royal had taken a heavy hit from Dallas cornerback Orlando Scandrick earlier in the drive.

* Wide receiver Darrell Jackson (right ankle) was added to the injury list Thursday, being held out of both practices. Center Casey Wiegmann was again held our of the afternoon practice. Jackson said he didn't expect to be out for very long. "It's not too bad."

• August 15, 2008

  7:03 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  upacreek333 writes:

  It would be great to know if it's going to be a two- or three-game suspension... we keep hearing reporters say it'll be either/or... why not ask Brandon if he's going to do what the commish is asking for and get some counseling. That'll make it a two-game suspension. If he doesn't, I would argue that he really hasn't come very far from the guy who got clipped by the fuzz three times in a year's span... So, how about it? Ask the guy. It's a valid question, even if he doesn't answer.

• August 15, 2008

  7:49 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  orange761 writes:

  There have been at least a half dozen articles were they have asked Marshall if he was going to comply and he has said he is doing what the Commish asked him to do to reduce the suspension to 2 games.

• August 15, 2008

  9:56 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  herreraj writes:

  Ryan Clady is going to have a long season, and as the season goes on he will get better and better.BUT towards the end of the season he is going to struggle because he isn't use to 16 game seasons, the year is going to wear him down. So Shanny baby needs to be ready to give him some help towards the latter part of the year. The good thing though,
  is if Harris the right tackle is the starter he will get better and better, and has already experienced a long season so hopefuly he will be fine. Now for the trash talkin part. The Broncos are going to slap the Chargers around in Denver for sure. And Phillip im going to cry a River is going to keep crying the rivers. Come on Charger fans what have you got!
  Joe baby Williams is a Charger Fan. He's your ammo. He dosen't like the Denver Broncos

• August 15, 2008

  10:06 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  sbhchawk writes:

  Hey Creek, read the article "Marshall has referred all questions about the two- or three-game suspension to Steinberg, and Steinberg did not return messages Thursday"

  sounds like they are asking and he's not responding.

• August 15, 2008

  12:42 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  denfanincali writes:

  I don't know if I am alone on this but for me the jury is still out on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. I hate all of his antics and posturing. He is in the news more than FOOTBALL itself and especially moreso than Tagliabue and Rozelle ever were.

  I mean, how freaking long does it take to render a decision? What's with all this "when we come to a decision, we'll let you know" crap? Or, "we'll be sure to let you know before the season starts in FOUR weeks!" If jury's presiding over capital murder cases can come back with a verdict in a few hours then stop with the peacocking all ready and tell us how long a guy has to sit out. If you care about the game you would speed up this process and give the coaches the time to plan. You have enough information in front of you to make a decision without making all of us hold our breaths. So make one already without your habitual need for a media frenzy because you do this for every single case. It’s getting old.

  So, do I like Goodell? Not sure. I guess I will render my verdict in 3-4 weeks or before the season starts.

• August 15, 2008

  3:56 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  dsheil writes:

  Hey denfanincali, the decision HAS been made. Brandon Marshall has a three game suspension that can be reduced to two games if he complies with specific counseling requests and other specific terms. It is up to Brandon to meet the requirements, then request the three weeks be reduced to two.

  Where in CA are you? I live in Farifield (between Sacramento and San Francisco).

• August 15, 2008

  4:01 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  broncodano writes:

  denfanincali...

  Im in Silicone Valley myself, so MILE HIGH SALUTE to another fan at the sharp end of the stick...

  (i dont mind auto accidents out here in California... just means i hit a bunch of raider fans with my Monster Truck....)

  I too am tired of the Scene Stealing Commish. If all matters were equal, then Flozel Adams would be suspended for hitting a Bronco player in the head with a swinging helmet.

  Where is the suspension or punishment for that? I just agree with you that there seems to be an EVIL EMPEROR in charge of the football universe, and he seems to be a glory hog as well. How can the system be fair if the ruling is set by the Commish ALONE, and then the appeals go back to the same office of the Commish that brought down the original ruling?

  Imagine if you will, a courtroom..

  Would the defendant please stand... youre guilty.

  Ok, your honor. Id like to appeal.

  An appeal?? Uh, ok, that is within your rights... uhhhh.. your still guilty. Guards, take him away....

  bd

• August 15, 2008

  4:01 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Shaupeen writes:

  Speaking of heat, dsheil, how's the temperature in Fairfield? Can you cook a roast in a locked car today?

• August 15, 2008

  5:10 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  Shaupeen, broncodano, dsheil, you guys have nothing on our city for the heat. Las Vegas. It was around 108 (hotter in certain parts of the city). It gets to be about 135-140 in a car. Anyways, to the football talk. Lets see Adams start trouble during the game when Thomas stuffs him again. Unsportsmanlike conduct and some yardage lost is always good. It sounds like Marshall is excepting his suspension. The only thing I think they will try to get, is the 3 game, to 2.

• August 15, 2008

  8:20 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Brain writes:

  It better only be 2 games; I need him on my fantasy team.

• August 15, 2008

  8:49 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  Brain, ha, ha, yeah, that could hurt. Maybe after the two games missed, he'll come out with a point to prove. You know, on a mission, so that he can make up lost ground? I think he'll be fired up and utilized a lot. I think it will be only two. If Goodell is a man of class, then he will make it two. Why would he dangle a carrot in front of Brandon? If Marshall does what is asked, then Goodell should stand by his word. It would be classless to do otherwise. It sends a bad message to the players who are trying to do the correct thing, but instead, gets kicked while they're down.

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