Broncos Report: Colbert still seeking to make an impact

Stellar play of Royal, Jackson cutting into receiver's repetitions

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 15, 2008 at 1:43 p.m.

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Photo by Chris Schneider © The Rocky

Keary Colbert wants to show the Broncos they’ll be in good hands if he is part of the receiver rotation.

His deal to open the free-agent signing period opened eyes, but so far, receiver Keary Colbert has struggled to gain notice in the Broncos camp.

Colbert has been a reserve for nearly the full duration of practices, while rookie Eddie Royal moved into the starting lineup and Darrell Jackson received substantial first-team practice repetitions.

Colbert wasn't among the 11 Denver players who logged at least one catch in the preseason opener at Houston last Saturday night.

"I feel like I've definitely gotten better the last week or so," Colbert said. "And, really, I set out to measure it off of a four-game preseason, and we're not even halfway there yet. I've still got some opportunities to go out there and make it happen."

Colbert took advantage of his chances in Thursday's afternoon practice. With Brandon Stokley being given the practice off and Jackson hurt, Colbert caught a couple of passes in a two-minute drill for the No. 1 offense against the Dallas Cowboys that culminated in a touchdown.

"It's always good to earn the trust of the quarterback," Colbert said of his two receptions from Jay Cutler.

"But I just have to go out and concentrate on my job of who's in, who's out."

Having depth at receiver that the team can bank on could be key, considering Brandon Marshall's suspension to start the regular season.

Colbert denied feeling any pressure attached to having signed a three-year contract that included a $2.5 million bonus.

He believes the longer he works within Denver's scheme, the more confident and comfortable he'll continue to be.

"I'm trying to do things to improve my game and be a better player," said Colbert, who stays after practice daily to catch balls from the Juggs machine. "I haven't arrived as a wide receiver. There's still a lot of room for improvement and a lot to be learned. And until that time comes, I have to push myself to get that done."

Manuel bumps Abdullah

Further proof that there are no sure things: Hamza Abdullah.

Through all the offseason machinations applied to Denver's safety corps, Abdullah appeared to be the one constant. The thought was John Lynch would have to fend off free-agent pickups Marquand Manuel and Marlon McCree and draft pick Josh Barrett.

But three weeks into training camp, Lynch is now with New England, replaced by McCree in the starting lineup.

A groin injury that lingered for 10 days kept Abdullah sidelined. By the time he was back for this week's workouts with Dallas, he'd been replaced by Manuel, who has started 41 games in four previous NFL stops.

"It has nothing to do with Hamza but how Marquand's playing," Broncos defensive coordinator Bob Slowik said. "He's had a great camp. He's really professional. He prepares in the classroom and works hard out here. He's coachable and he's been performing well, both in practice and in the game last week."

Slowik called Abdullah's injury "unfortunate" and not Abdullah's fault. But he added that if someone is "performing, producing and playing better," then it is possible to lose one's job when hurt. "You have to earn your job every day," Slowik said.

Covering all bases

Training camp is full of situational run-throughs, so players are ready when something occurs on game day.

The lengths coaches will go to was underscored earlier this week, when Denver assistant Scott O'Brien, anticipating a wet forecast for tonight's second preseason game, had the footballs his punters would use during drills dipped in water.

The footballs weren't soaked, just lightly spritzed, to ensure the slickness is at its highest level for the snapper-to-punter exchange.

"We used to do that a lot in college and high school," rookie punter Brett Kern. "It's one of those things you do, so if it is raining (tonight), you've already practiced for holding and punts, all that stuff. It's good to get ready for it."

The punting battle itself is a fluid situation.

Neither Kern nor Sam Paulescu has yet to take hold of the job, and each got only one opportunity in the Broncos' preseason opener.

Kern will start tonight against Dallas (7, CBS 4), then rotate with Paulescu the rest of the game, which is opposite of the setup against Houston.

"I like the way Sam's been consistent, working the ball right and left. That's probably been one of his strongest points, along with his handling time. He's very consistent," O'Brien said. "With Brett, he's gotten quicker and made good improvement there. Obviously, he's got a big leg to be able to hit the big ball, but he has to do it more consistently."

Heavy workload

The Broncos' backs are against the wall.

Ryan Torain is already out for three months after elbow surgery.

Now Anthony Alridge is nursing a hamstring injury he suffered late in Thursday's second practice and likely will miss tonight's game.

With Denver reticent to wear down starting tailback Selvin Young, Andre Hall and Michael Pittman - who has been playing fullback for much of camp with Peyton Hillis nursing a hamstring problem - had better prepare for a long night of carries.

"Give me 25," Hall said Friday after the Broncos' walk-through. "I'll take the 25 and be more than happy with it."

Coach Mike Shanahan called the attrition "part of the preseason" and a problem the team will have to work through.

"We have no choice," he said.

Another player who could be more sore than normal come Sunday morning is third-string quarterback Darrell Hackney.

Backup Patrick Ramsey missed practice to be with his expectant wife. It's unclear whether he'll be available tonight, and Hackney and Jay Cutler, who'll likely play only about one quarter, are the only quarterbacks on the roster.

Etc.

* Niko Koutovides will open at middle linebacker, backed by Nate Webster, who started the preseason opener.

* Among the Broncos players sitting out tonight are cornerback Champ Bailey (hamstring), linebackers Boss Bailey (ankle) and Louis Green (neck), tackle Erik Pears (back), center Tom Nalen (knee) and wide receiver Darrell Jackson (ankle).

* Backup tackle Tyler Polumbus said several of his family members and friends will be on hand as he plays his first game at Invesco Field since he played there with the University of Colorado against Colorado State.

• August 15, 2008

  4:19 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  CourtneyBrown98 writes:

  i figured marquand manuel to grab a spot from the beginning.. marlon mcCree, Marquan manuel, dre bly, champ bailey!! thats what i thought from the beginning!!

• August 15, 2008

  5:04 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  bigbadthor writes:

  I think it will be McCree and Hamza, but look for Barret to make a strong push for one of the spots, especially if he continues to show the type of range.

• August 15, 2008

  5:37 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  bigbadthor, I agree. They have been really raving about Josh. If nothing else, we will have some depth this year at some key positions.

• August 15, 2008

  6:57 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  R8R_H8R writes:

  I can not believe that Keary Colbert is being beat out by an extremely under-sized rookie who can not take the beating of being a full time starter.

  This is by FAR the most depth the Denver Broncos have ever had at Wide Receiver. Here, it has always been 2 starters, and not even a 3rd receiver that was adequate. Now, with B-Marshall, B-Stokes, D-Jackson, E. Royal, and the Colbert Report, that is quite impressive a line up.

  One injury will not automatically end the Offense this season

• August 15, 2008

  9:02 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  R8R_H8R, I wouldn't be so quick to say Royal can't take the beating to be a starter. Remember, he is also doing kickoff returns and punt returns. They will be working him plenty and he will be taking plenty of hits, just like he took, while in college. He is small, but strong as a horse.

• August 15, 2008

  9:04 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  hoppman writes:

  Wow that might just be the most positive post R8R_H8R has ever graced us with.

  It is the most depth the Broncos have had at the receiver position in years, Colbert could be the odd man out if they decide to keep someone else. Colbert may need to step it up or he could be released.

  Am I the only one thinking the coaches are sending a message to Abdullah?!

  The running back position is getting a little thin.

  Eddie Royal is doing just fine, I hope we see some creative use of his unique skills this year.

• August 15, 2008

  9:32 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Spider writes:

  Personally, I'm excited to see Hackney get a lot of snaps. I really think that if they are only going to keep two QB's it should be Hackney over Ramsey.

• August 15, 2008

  9:46 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  Spider, I'm not so sure. Hackney always seems to hang around so I think they might keep 3. And Ramsey looked good when he played last year. He struggled this 1st preseason game, but then again, he was not playing entirely with the starters. I liked Ramsey and would like to see him stick it out.

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