Broncos newcomers playing by the book

Being well-read helps in adaptation to pros

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published July 9, 2008 at 11:09 a.m.

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David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Broncos rookie tackle Ryan Clady, who was selected as the team's first-round pick in the NFL draft from Boise State, warms up before taking part in the team's quarterback camp in May.

The summer reading list for the youngest Broncos is a short one.

As in one book.

One book that isn't on anybody's best-seller list, won't be stacked in displays at the local coffee emporiums or ever appear in paperback.

But it is, without question, the only book that will allow the most youthful of Broncos hopefuls to play for rave reviews in the coming weeks and months.

"Right now, it's my bible," Broncos rookie cornerback Jack Williams said. "I don't read my Bible right now like my playbook. That's going to sound strange, but if you have a minute, you look at a page, you have two minutes, you look at two pages.

"Every night you better go through it. When we get back, you'll know it or you won't, and the team, you know, is going to move on with or without you. That's just how I look at it."

And with nearly two weeks remaining before Broncos players report July 24 for training camp, it is the approach the rookies and other new arrivals will have to take.

Because whether the players understand it, the Broncos coaches, from Mike Shanahan on down, already have started to make the lists.

"These days, because of all the work you do in the offseason, you come to (training) camp with a pretty good idea of who is capable of making your football team," Shanahan said. "You haven't decided, but you have a pretty good idea of the group you're choosing from.

"And the guys who are prepared, who are able to execute on the field when they get the chance, are the guys who give themselves the best chance to make it. It's all about getting it done in the opportunities you have."

Seizing opportunities

When Shanahan erased a scheduled two-day minicamp from the team's docket earlier this month, he said he did so because the players had performed well in on-field workouts.

In return, he said, they promised to remain committed to the offseason conditioning program -- it concluded this week for veteran players -- and to return for training camp prepared.

For the newcomers, that means being able to take the team's playbook from the classroom to the playing field each day and doing it efficiently and quickly.

"Even for me, and I've been in this league 11 years, but this is my first one here, so you know when camp opens, you have to be ready to play, to react, to be in the right place and you have to do it without thinking your way through it on the field," Broncos running back Michael Pittman said.

"I tell young guys all the time, when you think you know it, look at it again and again. Because you have to know it without thinking about it all the time. They call the play and, bam, you run it, that's how you have to be. I know I have to be like that; I signed a one-year deal, they're going to make up their mind about whether it should be longer than that by what I do on the field."

Key rookies

At the top of the need-to-know list are rookie left tackle Ryan Clady and rookie wide receiver/kick returner Eddie Royal.

Both were tossed into the starting lineup by Shanahan minutes after the team selected them with its first two picks in the April draft.

Clady, who was selected 12th overall, was inserted at left tackle, which, after quarterback, might be the most difficult position for an NFL rookie to play immediately.

Royal, the 42nd pick, will return kickoffs and punts and hopes to make inroads in the team's receiver rotation.

"I know what's expected of me," Clady said. "I look at it like I'm excited to be learning new techniques, a new system. This is the chance to do something maybe you've dreamed about, and if you don't study as much as you should, it's only going to get in the way of that."

Royal, for one, says he believes the playbook is just one piece of the big picture.

"You study, you know it so you can come out and show what you can do," Royal said. "But it's also a chance to work with a player like Brandon (Stokley). That's amazing to me. You would be crazy not to learn whatever you can from a guy like that, so you get ready, you ask questions and you don't waste his time.

"And I want to be looked at as more than a return man, and I know they can't do that if I don't know what to do."

So the clock is ticking and a season is waiting.

"I tell our guys all the time, 'You just have to get into the book,' " Broncos quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates said. "And I think they've all done that. But you can't hide if you don't. Everybody's going to know -- coaches, players, everybody -- if you haven't put in the time, and in the end, the only guy you hurt is you. Everybody else moves on, there are things to do."

That message is clear to young players such as Williams.

"I'm just a rookie, but I already know they don't wait for you in this league," Williams said. "So that means you better keep up."

Staff writer Lee Rasizer contributed to this report.

• July 9, 2008

  1:30 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  orangeblood2 writes:

  I am totally pumped about Eddie Royal "with cheese". I have a feeling he will be a impact player in his first year. He was the best play maker at Va. Tech besides Michael Vick.

• July 9, 2008

  4:52 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  orangeblood2, awww, finally, we can talk about football again. Yes, I agree. Royal is going to be awesome. Go to this website,
  www.youtube.com/watch?v=rloo1rd4Bl4 . The kid will be fun to watch. 3.9 speed. Clady will do well, also. They said he is catching on real quick. Preseason will hopefully get him ready for the regular season, because it takes longer to learn that position. Now all that we have to do, is finish the paperwork and get the both of them to sign. We will be stronger and better (and faster) this year. Go Broncos.

• July 9, 2008

  8:48 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  CourtneyBrown98 writes:

  I must say the Broncos have gotten better at both ends of the football. Hopefully Marlon McCree can remember what plays the Chargers ran during training camp and can translate that on the football field. We definelty have alot of depth this year! I am excited about this year like none other!! GO BRONCOS!! and y in the h*ll do they call Denver the donkeys???????????? where did that come from??????????????????????????

• July 9, 2008

  9:35 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  CourtneyBrown98, A group of edumacated morons, got together and associated Broncos (horses) with donkeys. Of course, we know who the true a**'s are. I agree, McCree can give us some insight on San Diego. We need it so we don't take a thumping the way we did last year. As you said, we have much better talent then last year and more depth. It should be an exciting year.

• July 10, 2008

  12:11 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  LarryB writes:

  I got tired of starting out seemingly on the 15-yardline last year. FAST EDDIE will have the Broncos on the 35 before the other side realizes he even has the ball.

  In the article about McCree on the Broncos site, McCree said he had never in such an arduous conditioning program, and he's in the best shape of his life. Sounds like these guys are really dedicated.

  It's going to be a fun year.

• July 10, 2008

  6:29 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  hdfresh writes:

  Good point LarryB. Broncos had one of the worst starting field positions in the league. You can't expect your young quarterback to get you touchdowns all the time when you are starting at your own 5 yard line. Hope Eddie makes an impact.

• July 10, 2008

  9:05 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  fickbo writes:

  Well Guys I cant wait either, I have watched the few Broncos games from afar, alas I live in CostaRica and dont get everygame, but when I do--giggity giggity goo--looks like we have some strong new players this year its going to be very exciting especially the opener against Oakland,,GO BRONCOS!!!!

• July 10, 2008

  10:17 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  DavusX writes:

  3.9 speed? Eddie Royal ran the 40 in 4.39, which is pretty fast, but 3.9 is a bit ridiculous. Nobody has officially broken the 4 second barrier, although Darrell Green reportedly ran an (unofficial) 4.09 in the early of his carreer. That's about as fast as it gets for us humans.

  Now, if you're talking a 3.9 in a 36 yard dash, then I'm in total agreement ;)

  Regardless, we can agree that Royal has great speed and vision. I hope that translates to better field position on Sundays.

  GO BRONCOS

• July 10, 2008

  3:54 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  rc writes:

  "S Peyton Hillis (7): Good camp gets him in the offense quickly. "

  When did Hillis become a Safety???? *scratches head*

  lol Go Broncos!

• July 10, 2008

  4:13 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Pigskin writes:

  rc - I guess Hillis became a safety when Josh Barrett got left off the list.
  There were nine names and positions to copy down. Even a good j-school won't take you past five.

• July 10, 2008

  8:50 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  boltchiefr8drkilla writes:

  we got a good squad going into this season, although i'm a bit worried about clady on that LT facing the likes of merriman and peppers.

• July 11, 2008

  11:03 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  jugdish writes:

  Jugdish think this draft class very strong. Will be nice complement to last year. Still Broncos fans, this team is young and in transition. We do need a RB to rise to the top and the defense still has some questions. But future looks good. Jugdish like FAST EDDIE ROYAL WITH CHEESE!

• July 23, 2008

  1:35 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  CourtneyBrown98 writes:

  DYnamic Dave:::: i didnt refer the broncos to "donkeys" i asked why "they" called Denver Broncos the donkeys. TO ask where that terminology deprive. so learn how to read before you call someone a moron. Get your facts straight son.

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