Broncos camp report: Cutler being monitored

Trainer makes sure QB's blood sugar under control

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published July 25, 2008 at 3:42 p.m.
Updated July 25, 2008 at 7:09 p.m.

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The Broncos wanted Jay Cutler as their quarterback because of what he could do with his right arm, but on training camp's first day, they showed they are very interested in his left arm as well.

On his left triceps, beneath a wrap when he is on the practice field, is an electronic monitor - it's about the size of a tin of mints - that measures his blood sugar every minute.

"It just helps us keep track of how I'm reacting, where I'm at," Cutler said.

Cutler was diagnosed with Type I diabetes during the offseason and has since been trying to monitor his diet and medication as he learns to cope with the disease. Friday was the team's first training camp practice since the diagnosis, but Cutler, who takes daily insulin injections or wears a pump, had participated in team workouts in the offseason.

Broncos trainer Steve Antonopulos checks the device's readings throughout practice. Cutler and Antonopulos have spent much of the offseason, with the team's medical staff, trying to formulate a program for Cutler to go through practices and workouts as well as maintaining his weight.

"We're doing a great job of staying on top of it," Cutler said. "I've got so many monitors and pumps, we have the information we need to keep it under control."

TOSS AND TURN: It was a long night for Broncos rookie left tackle Ryan Clady, but when he reported to the team's Dove Valley complex Friday for the first day of training camp, he had a five-year contract with his name on it and the comfort of knowing he was in on time.

"I was pretty calm until I went to sleep (Thursday) and then I kind of woke up every hour, checking my phone to see if anything went down," Clady said. "I was a little nervous, but it all worked out for the best."

An all-night negotiating session that included Broncos assistant general managers Jeff Goodman and Brian Xanders, as well as Clady's agent, Pat Dye Jr., resulted in a five-year, $17.5 million deal that includes $11.5 million in guaranteed money for the projected starter.

Clady, who had said his goal was to be signed and in camp on time, held his own in the first day of drills and lined up with the first-team offense.

"(It was) real important, because I wanted to go through install," Clady said.

ROSTER MOVES: Rookie defensive tackle Carlton Powell and tight end/tackle Chad Mustard were placed on the Broncos' physically unable to perform list to start camp.

Powell, who suffered a right Achilles' tendon injury in offseason workouts, will miss the season, coach Mike Shanahan said, and Mustard has been sidelined since having surgery in late May to repair a torn hamstring.

Mustard is facing an eight-week recovery period.

ETC.: * Wide receiver Edell Shepherd suffered a left knee injury in the morning practice, and the Broncos were taking him for tests to check his anterior cruciate ligament. He hyperextended the knee on a catch.

* Starting right guard Montrae Holland, who is listed at 322 pounds on the roster, was held out of the morning practice because he reported overweight. Holland was fined for being 10 pounds in excess of his given reporting weight. He participated in a light workout in the afternoon, but Shanahan said Holland would be held out of morning practices until he made weight.

* When the Broncos starting defense lined up for the first time in team drills Friday, it was Kenny Peterson and Dewayne Robertson at the tackle spots. Also, Niko Koutouvides, who is competing with Nate Webster, lined up as the middle linebacker.

But, Webster is expected to get plenty of snaps with the first group as well in the coming weeks.

At safety, John Lynch lined up as a starter when the team was in a run look with an eight-man front. But when the Broncos went to a passing down look, it was Marlon McCree and Hamza Abdullah at the two safety spots.

• July 25, 2008

  8:01 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  Let's hope it's not serious for Sheperd. We'll keep our fingers crossed. I feel he needs to put on a bit of weight, though. 6'1" and only 175 lbs.? Geez, if he turned sideways and stuck his tongue out, he'd be zipper. I don't think he can handle the pounding that he'll receive in the NFL.

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