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Broncos rookie has Royal touch

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 17, 2008 at 1:08 p.m.

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Broncos receiver Eddie Royals is turning heads as he catches on quickly in the preseason.

Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Broncos receiver Eddie Royals is turning heads as he catches on quickly in the preseason.

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Eddie Royal was so productive in a few days facing Dallas, even hard-to-please Cowboys cornerback Adam Jones came away impressed.

"Eddie Royal's nice," said Jones, who last week got into a tongue-in-cheek game of verbal one-upmanship with the Broncos' other young receiving standout, Brandon Marshall.

"He's pretty quick," Jones added. "He's got problems getting off the jam, though."

Royal just smiled when he heard that last one.

Then again, he has been wearing a broad grin a lot lately - as have the Broncos, who have absolutely no complaints about their second-round pick, who already has worked his way into the starting lineup opposite Marshall.

Royal continued his hot preseason Saturday night in the Broncos' 23-13 victory against Dallas. The rookie shook defensive back Mike Jenkins along the right sideline on a 35-yard catch to highlight Denver's opening series. He added a leaping 32-yard reception over veteran cornerback Anthony Henry on the first play of the second quarter as the Broncos forged a 14-0 advantage.

"Certain people just have it. They have 'it,' and he has it," Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley said. "It's been fun to watch him get better every day. And he just brings it over to the game from practice, which is hard for a rookie to do."

Easy does it

Royal is doing it, too, with an easy demeanor that belies his status as a first-year player who's supposed to be going through a steep learning curve.

"Maybe I hide it well, I don't know," Royal said when asked whether his blood pressure is naturally low or if he's a good actor. "I played at a big program at Virginia Tech, so you've got to learn to put out the lights and focus on the game."

So far, Royal has been lights out, and his performances in Denver's two exhibition contests are only a small part of the equation.

He began his pro career in offseason minicamps by learning the slot position but has since added the flanker and split end positions to his repertoire.

He often is the last player off the field at practices after going through post-practice Juggs machine work, and he has been professional in accommodating every media request, even after those sessions.

Most of all, he has been a consistent playmaker in practices, whether in man or zone coverage, where he seems to have an innate feel for finding the open areas.

It's no wonder, then, that one Broncos official recently commented that while the Broncos knew they were getting an outstanding player in Royal with the 42nd overall pick in the draft in April, he has more than exceeded expectations.

Even in college, Royal didn't have eye-popping statistical numbers as a receiver. He averaged slightly fewer than 30 catches and 445 yards per season as a four-year starter, with the bulk of his production coming via the return game.

"His hands stay steady," Marshall said. "He knows his plays. He knows his position and makes plays. And you can't ask for a better teammate. This year's going to be a great year for him."

Perhaps, but Royal will have to deal with Marshall's early-season absence, which figures to change opponents' defensive approach in the secondary.

In a tough position

History is also against him since receiver, more than any other position, has meant one of the biggest adjustment periods for rookies who are facing stronger, quicker and more seasoned cornerbacks at the pro level.

Some proof: During the past 10 years, NFL teams have drafted 43 receivers in the first round; off those, only two had 1,000- yard seasons. There were only two more 1,000-yard campaigns by rookie receivers drafted after Round 1.

Additionally, 26 of those 43 first-round receivers never have had a 1,000-yard season, which underscores just how difficult the transition can be.

"I've heard about that. But everybody's different, so I haven't paid much attention to it," Royal countered. "I'm going to come out and play my game and not let anybody else's past success or whatever it is affect me. I'm trying to prepare so nothing's new out there to me."

Backup quarterback Patrick Ramsey suggested rookie receivers have struggled so much early because there's a steep learning curve picking up the different coverages and adjusting routes to combat those looks.

"College is pretty vanilla in my experience. And there's just a lot of things that change as the ball's snapped," Ramsey said. "It takes a little while to pick things up. And Eddie's been able to do that."

Royal admitted he struggled with the mental aspects of learning the playbook early on and, also, with the speed of the game. But, he added, he's more comfortable in both aspects now.

He has been driven by a determination not to be pigeonholed as a slot receiver and returner but instead to push to become a starter from Day 1.

"I envisioned it," Royal said. "You've got to have it in your head and see it."

And in the process, quarterback Jay Cutler has begun looking for him.

Cutler's faith in Royal showed particularly on the receiver's second catch Saturday, when Cutler lofted the ball high and let Royal go up for the leaping grab despite Henry's tight coverage.

"He plays like he's a giant," Marshall said. "And he runs like a rabbit."

Royal has worked hard on his ability to come in and out of his breaks smoothly. Early in camp, he was rounding off some of his cuts, but with coaching, he has helped smooth out some of the rough edges and been able to gain separation.

Cowboys safety Roy Williams described Royal as "shifty."

"I think he'll do some good things for that ballclub," he added.

At least Williams didn't say he was 10 times slower or weaker than anybody, as Jones did in comparing Marshall to Dallas' Terrell Owens.

"He's definitely grown and gotten better every day," Stokley said. "I just think he's going to be a special player in this league for a long time."

Comments

  • August 17, 2008

    2:07 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    The_Man writes:

    Royal was awesome!

  • August 17, 2008

    7:35 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    STR8_THINKER writes:

    It will be interesting to see how Shanahan and Cutler uses Fast Eddie while Marshall idles the first two (or three) games. With any luck, by the time Brandon returns, Speedy Edward will be well on his way to establishing his own synergy with Jay. A foundation upon which to build something offensively special, going forward. Our own, mile-hi version of the triplets, as it were.

  • August 17, 2008

    10:03 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    FTR writes:

    STR8_THINKER
    "the triplets" How about the return of the Three Amigos or better yet--- "EMS" Eddie, Marshall, and the the slot man Stokley.
    Emergemcy, Medical, Staff! Call the Bus.
    FTR

  • August 17, 2008

    10:22 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    OPETH72 writes:

    For quite a while the Broncos seemed to be desperate for a third WR. I think this year they have a pretty solid group of guys. Obviously, if Marshall continues on his pace, he will be a star. Now it seems Royal may do the same. It is still early on that one. I like our depth. I think even with Marshall out (unless his appeal is successful), and even with an injury here and there (that is always possible, if not likely) the passing game will be fine. I am starting to get pumped about this offense again. And that will definitely take some pressure off of the defense. If we can get off to some quick starts like we used to, the defense can play a lot looser and that could lead to some big plays. If nothing else, I do not see San Diego just walking all over us like they did in that nightmare I had. Wait, that was real. Twice. Not happening again, I would like to believe!

  • August 17, 2008

    10:39 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    LarryB writes:

    Good article on Fast Eddie. The guy is a bonafide weapon.

  • August 18, 2008

    7:15 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    STR8_THINKER writes:

    Might that bulge in your cheek be your adroitly placed tongue, FTR. The "Three Amigos, whom at times, led by the less-than-disciplined Vance Johnson, provided as much comedic presence as go-get 'em competence." I would hope the Royal Marshall show offer more long-term fly-catching prowess than that demonstrated by the middling trio.

  • August 18, 2008

    7:50 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Pigskin writes:

    Have to go with STR8THINKER.
    The Amigos had a few nice moments sprinkled in here and there (mostly because Elway's lasers could beat coverage, not them).
    But, aside from Mark Jackson's catch to end The Drive, the most memorable thing they did together was pose for a poster.

  • August 18, 2008

    8:22 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    LingLingfor_prez writes:

    Go Chargers!

  • August 18, 2008

    8:27 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    southernman7 writes:

    well pigskin good thing jay's got a gun. royal looks good but i aint crownin him till he gets a taste of a real secondary, then lets see how he breaks thru, the boy does have skills hope he has the mentals. O-line looked pretty good, was worried about the chemistry. Still can't stop the damm run though and nobody is blocking on the return game, come on coach emup

  • August 18, 2008

    8:29 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    southernman7 writes:

    ling ling wrong blog, i hope we kill the chargers this year i hate to see there fans so dam happy, rivers got a mouth but he is one tough son of a ##@$$%

  • August 18, 2008

    9:01 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    STR8_THINKER writes:

    You're right southernman7, it's all preface right now. We won't begin to build empirical data until the regular season begins. No one's comparing Fast Eddie to Steve Smith this early in his career, all Royal exhibits at this point is promise. However, here in the preseason that's all you can ask for.

  • August 18, 2008

    9:28 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    southernman7 writes:

    str8 your right cant ask for any more than to be able to sit recline drink cold one and watch FOOTBALL halleluaj the greatest game ever invented is back on the tube! do u think we could ask santa for a decent tackle and a middle linebacker with a bad attitude!

  • August 18, 2008

    9:58 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    bboy24broncos writes:

    It's too bad that the Sam Adam's "Speak Up!" blog isn't still here. A week before the draft this year, I posted a blog saying that the Broncos should pick up Eddie Royal if it was possible. I said I had seen him play at Virginia Tech and he was a good play maker. He was also a Devin Hester like return man. The Broncos needed both. When I posted that, 3/4 of the people on the blog were saying, "Who the hell is Eddie Royal? Pick DeSean Jackson!", and other people were saying, "Bboy24broncos, get off of this blog, you don't know what you're talking about!" Well, I bet half of them are saying now that Eddie Royal is the next best thing to Steve Smith. I think that Eddie Royal is a good reciever, but then again, it is only preseason. The real test will come Monday Night September 8, 2008. We'll see what happens.

  • August 18, 2008

    10:03 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    STR8_THINKER writes:

    Damn, this string has been overtaken by run-away straight thinking. Mercy!

  • August 18, 2008

    10:25 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    southernman7 writes:

    BBOY great foresight on royal star! hey man don't dislocate an elbow patten yourself on the back hehehhe! by the way who is sam adams? any body know anything about d-wayne robertson DT from the jets?

  • August 18, 2008

    11:26 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    makinew53 writes:

    After reading how horrible Javon Walker is doing for the Raiders, I am glad to see how Royal is turning it on. As good as Royal is doing translates to how bad Walker is playing! Raiders and Chargers are no match for the Broncos this year!!!! Rivers will be a no show with no Gates!

  • August 18, 2008

    11:34 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    SE7EN writes:

    Eddie and the First team offense looked pretty solid. We'll need Eddie to step it up when B. Marsh is out. The kid doesn't seem to let the pressure get to him.

    If Sam's blog was still up, you would see that I was NOT for picking DeSean Jackson, although I never knew anything about Royal. I'm glad the Broncos did.

  • August 18, 2008

    11:39 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    dilligaf writes:

    And to think he was taunted as a great kick returner and may help a little as a receiver. I think it has been the other way around.

  • August 18, 2008

    12:42 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    bboy24broncos writes:

    You're and idiot southernman7. I was agreeing with you that Eddie Royal has looked good in the preseason, but I'm not going to crown him yet. I was just saying that since Eddie Royal had one good game, all the naysayers when they drafted him are all saying he's the X Factor we've been looking for. Get off of your high horse, dumb a$$.

  • August 18, 2008

    2:47 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    RockLobster writes:

    Knew it couldn't go an without someone resorting to name-calling. Way to keep it intellectual, bboy.

    Eddie's gonna be a star as long as his small frame can take a beating. Jay's gotta be licking his chops with all his weapons. Could be a fun year, offensively at least. Jury's defintely still out on the other side of the ball.

  • August 18, 2008

    3:58 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    BlueSky writes:

    How about the new era of "Three Amigos" in Marshall, Stokley and Royal?

  • August 18, 2008

    4:24 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    bboy24broncos writes:

    sorry...I'll keep it intellectual...holy cow. Just havin a bad day, and then southernman7 has to be a smart guy.