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Broncos' Robertson excited to get on the field

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 16, 2008 at 6:27 p.m.

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Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler attempts a pass during the first quarter. Cutler was very sharp in Denver's second preseason game of the year as started the game with 12 straight completions.

Darin McGregor © The Rocky

Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler attempts a pass during the first quarter. Cutler was very sharp in Denver's second preseason game of the year as started the game with 12 straight completions.

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Broncos running back Andre Hall is brought down by a Cowboys defender during the first quarter of the teams' preseason game Saturday night at Invesco Field at Mile High.

Photo by Darin McGregor © The Rocky

Broncos running back Andre Hall is brought down by a Cowboys defender during the first quarter of the teams' preseason game Saturday night at Invesco Field at Mile High.

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Broncos defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson was slated to get his first action of the preseason Saturday night, action he says he's been waiting for.

"I want to get out there a little bit, get a couple hits and continue to get ready,'' Robertson said.

It is slated to be a cameo at most – 10 or 12 plays – but could be rain-shortened as well with all of the rain in the area the past few days having soaked the field.

One of the most significant defensive players the Broncos acquired in free agency this offseason – the Broncos sent a conditional draft pick to the Jets in a trade -- Robertson has been waiting to get some game action as he continues to re-build his conditioning after offseason knee and wrist surgeries.

Robertson didn't pass the Broncos physical before the trade, but had played 80 percent of the regular-season snaps with the Jets despite his injuries and the Broncos were hoping for a similar output.

"I'm good health-wise,'' Robertson said. "By the time I got here for the offseason workouts I wasn't in a cast any more – I had it on for about two months – so I'm getting back to where I want to be as far as being in football shape.''

Robertson was given every third day or so off during training camp and did not play against Houston in the preseason opener.

He said he's excited about his potential in the Broncos defensive scheme after feeling somewhat miscast in the Jets' 3-4 defense under Eric Mangini. Robertson often played the nose tackle for the Jets, right over the center, while he will play closer to the guard in the Broncos' look.

"And this is a one-gap defense, one guy, one gap,'' Robertson said. "And in a one gap you can put players in the right position to make plays. You do that you can have some success.

"You can't take a guy out of his craft.''

Ears wide open

Experience had helped the youngest member of the Broncos receiving corps.

The Broncos signed wide receivers Darrell Jackson (in his ninth season), Samie Parker (fifth season) and Keary Colbert (fifth year) in the offseason and the guy it may have benefited the most is rookie Eddie Royal.

"When you have some veterans like that each guy can work off another because they're all bringing a lot of different experiences in different situations from different offenses, so it's probably helped Eddie Royal more than anyone else in our room,'' said Broncos wide receivers coach Jedd Fisch.

"He can see all of the different guys, hope they approach things and I think it's helped him.''

Royal has launched himself up the depth chart at wide receiver and has been working with the starting offense of late. And with Brandon Marshall facing a two- or three-game suspension to open the season Royal could quickly be the No. 1 option in the passing offense.

"The learning curve is steep,'' Fisch said. "But what we have tried to focus on is playing fast and if you're thinking on every play, you're not going to play as fast. But we've gotten faster every day.''

Etc.

Rookie running back Anthony Alridge, who was held out of Friday's practice because of a sore hamstring, was not in uniform Saturday night. Cornerback Champ Bailey (hamstring), center Tom Nalen (knee), linebacker Boss Bailey (ankle) and Jackson (ankle) were also held out as expected … The Broncos will move into a one-a-day practice schedule this week for the remainder of the preseason … For the Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman, linebacker Anthony Spencer (knee) were not in uniform. Linebacker Kevin Burnett (knee) returned to Dallas earlier in the week to have arthroscopic surgery.

Comments

  • August 16, 2008

    8:24 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    OPETH72 writes:

    Looking freakin' good Mr. Cutler!!!! The running game needs to pick it up or it is going to be a pre-Davis, "Elway situation" all over again. We need a solid running back and we need him now!!! Someone step it up or we will need a trade. And as I write this I must say (sarcastically), nice coverage there, Foxworth............................

  • August 16, 2008

    8:33 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    OPETH72 writes:

    And seeing as how I live in the Dallas area (hate the Cowgirls), I am forced to sit here as they grill Romo and help him make excuses for why they couldn't put very much offensive power behind them. Apparently because camp is now ending they are thinking about being home rather than the game. Not possible they are just getting schooled by the team that did the same at their scrimmages this week. Dallas media=pretentious and not living in reality...........

  • August 17, 2008

    3:29 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    OPETH72, I think Shanahan is going to alternate Selvin and Hall on a regular basis. It keeps them fresh and the ball moving. Why change what is working???

  • August 17, 2008

    11:37 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    OPETH72 writes:

    I didn't see it much as working. Not last night and not so far. Not to mention the size of those guys. I respect the fact they have heart, but the brutality that is inflicted in this sport doesn't care a whole lot about that factor. I just think we need to get that "one guy" that when you need a couple, and you hand him the ball, you have that confidence he is going to get that couple, and maybe more. Are you to tell me that right now when that ball is handed off you have that confidence? Trust me, I will be happy to be wrong on this, but at this point I have grown tired of the question marks in the running game year in and year out. Sure, there has been some success here and there, and the yards per game have been ok, but there has been no security. Especially when we needed those clutch yards for a first down. If we are so good at developing running backs, why can't we have one guy who is a star?

  • August 17, 2008

    1:11 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    OPETH72, I think that the "one back attack" is not a priority. Jacksonville uses 2 big backs. So do several other teams. I think Denver will be fine. We punched it in at the goal line, last night with no problem. By using 2 backs like Hall and Young, they will stay fresh and can last the year. Have the faith. The running game is going to be ok.

  • August 17, 2008

    2:12 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    OPETH72 writes:

    Like I say, I would love to be wrong. I understand the Jacksonville comparison. I have just watched us use this approach for a while now and, again, while we have had the numbers overall, nothing too impressive has shown itself. I get that there are other factors involved (gameplan, playcalling, defense, etc.). So I hope that maybe a feared passing game will set up the run. I still really wish we could find one guy that scared the opposing team. Henry could have been that guy, but couldn't handle himself very well. We should still keep searching at least until Torain heals. Maybe he is the answer...........

  • August 17, 2008

    2:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    OPETH72, yeah, it stunk to lose Torain. He would have been awesome. We will just have to wait and see how he rehabs. Hall can scare some people. He has that quick speed and is a hard runner. Selvin can break a big one at any given time. he showed that last year. We need Alridge healthy again , as well. Hillis, too.

  • August 18, 2008

    11:58 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    dilligaf writes:

    I know by rights this will be Jarvis Moss rookie year but if this is the best he can play against 3rd string O-lineman he is looking like one of the biggest 1st round picks in Bronco history. That includes Ted Gregory.