Bronco players on the bubble dread call

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 28, 2008 at 9:36 p.m.

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Photo by Brian Lehmann / The Rocky

Rookie linebacker Spencer Larsen, who lost his niece drowned and welcomed a new son this summer, said: "I feel like, under the circumstances, I've done as well as I can."

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It is the truth of truths in the NFL.

That the supply of jerseys, lockers and game-day checks never, ever, meets demand.

"Simple thing," Broncos safety Marquand Manuel said. "The call comes, and it comes to plenty of guys every year. You pick it up, and that's it, you're out. So I always tell young guys, 'You never know when it's your last day, so you can't wait to Sunday to play. Play every single day.' "

"This is a business," Broncos cornerback Dre Bly said. "They are going to go with the 53 they think are best. That's just it - you know it going in."

And when the Broncos finish their preseason business tonight in Glendale, Ariz., less than 12 hours will pass before many of the players who were in uniform for the game will be told their NFL ride is over.

Rosters league-wide must be trimmed to 53 players by 2 p.m. MDT Saturday. The math says the Broncos have 75 players on their roster tonight, so by Saturday, at least 21 of those players won't get the news they want to hear. Especially because receiver Brandon Marshall will be moved to reserve/suspended because he will be suspended for the first game of the season.

"You know, it doesn't change, from the first time I had to do it to where I'm at now," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "It's absolutely the worst thing I have to do. Guys give you everything they've got from March 24 - they go through the offseason programs, the OTAs (organized team activities), summer camp, preseason games. Some guys are rookies, and obviously, some guys have been in the league for a while, 10 to 15 years, and you've got to let them know they don't have a job. That's pretty hard."

It's also annual and very necessary.

For some, such as eight-time Pro Bowl selection Champ Bailey, the worry of not having a roster spot as August turns to September is nonexistent.

But for most players in most NFL training camps, working through the days on the field and trying not to worry about what's eventually going to happen is a tricky balance.

"You always tell yourself not to worry about it because you don't make the call, it's not your decision," said Broncos running back Andre Hall, who had been cut by the Buccaneers and the Bears before finding a spot with the Broncos last season. "You try not to think about it, but it's hard not to, especially if you didn't get the reps in practice like you thought. It's hard to show what you can do with only two or three plays every day."

Shanahan said the process of trying to make final roster decisions is why he doesn't often play starters in the preseason finale. He traditionally has given his first-teamers the night off in the fourth preseason game, to avoid injury and to get one last look at people who are further down the depth chart.

For some, such as rookie linebacker Spencer Larsen, it will be the best chance to show what he can do after an emotionally tumultuous summer. Earlier this month, Larsen's second son, Gunnar, was born the same day as the burial of his 2-year-old niece, Kamber Ann, the victim of an accidental drowning.

Larsen, a sixth-round pick in April. traveled to Phoenix twice during training camp because of the events and said it all has weighed on him.

"I feel like, under the circumstances, I've done as well as I can," Larsen said. "I'm happy with it. Obviously, you wish you could have more of an impact, but that's why (tonight's) game is so important to me."

"It was hard there for a while to keep my focus on what I was supposed to be doing, but the last couple weeks, I've been a little more focused and trying to work through it all. But I can't lie, those first two weeks, it was a struggle to stay focused, but we all understand what happens now."

So the Broncos' chartered flight will land in the early morning hours Saturday, and by midday, Shanahan likely will be meeting with those players who didn't make the team's final roster.

Players will be wanting to avoid their cell phones and the ensuing summonses to the team's Dove Valley complex, but they know they must answer when the team's number pops up.

"It still doesn't get much easier," Shanahan said. "But you let them know why - you're not necessarily always right, but you try to give them an idea, a reason why they didn't make the team. Some guys really want to talk, and some guys just want to get up and go. Everybody's a little different.

"I've had a couple guys say, 'Hey, you're making a big mistake,' and I usually say, 'You may be right,' and, sometimes, they are right, and those are the ones you keep going over and over again in your mind because you don't want them to happen again."

• August 29, 2008

  7:31 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  improvise88 writes:

  For anyone who thinks the job of an NFL head coach is cushy or easy (I could hope no one is that clueless, but just read the DP comment boards once and you realize a lot of people are) picture yourself in the final cut-down picture. You have to crush 20+ guys dreams after they beat themselves senseless for 5 months, most of them having done it for almost no money during that time. I for one would never want that job.

• August 29, 2008

  2:11 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  atm726 writes:

  I hope they find a spot for Wesley Woodyard, he has shown speed and instincts that some of their other linebackers lack.

• August 29, 2008

  2:56 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  OPETH72 writes:

  Improvise, you are 110% correct. Man that has to blow for both sides, the player and the coach. And you are right, the DP board is full of the "clueless".

• August 29, 2008

  3:20 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  myerda00 writes:

  As most teams do, they find a spot for their draft choices. Do our nine make it? I think yes with Larsen on PS. Powell on PUP. I think we carry five CB's because Jack Williams will not pass waivers.
  I think the Broncos use the Marshall spot for Nalen for the week then if he is still not ready then IR or retire.
  AZ game will define if Gandy and Alexander make the 53. I think they keep both Polumbus and Pears.
  Can you see two more trades before second game?

• August 29, 2008

  6:25 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Soldier7 writes:

  ATM726,

  I am with you on Woodyard. He is a little undersized, but I think
  he will be a great asset to this team

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