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Broncos rookies making most of time in spotlight

Fab freshmen coming up big

By Lynn DeBruin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 20, 2008 at 9:46 p.m.

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Peyton Hillis makes a reception against the Miami Dolphins.

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As a group four months ago, they were so lacking in ability and creativity, they literally were booed off the stage.

"Awful," said tight end Nate Jackson, shaking his head at the memory.

In fact, rookie nights during training camp were so dreadful, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan opened the competition for prizes to veterans.

And Jackson won with a little George W. Bush impersonation.

How times have changed.

Ten games into the season, the rookies are stealing the show.

There's Peyton Hillis doing his best Mike Alstott impersonation, albeit with a Southern drawl, rattlesnake boots and camouflage-toned Under Armour in his wardrobe.

There's Eddie Royal, ranked fifth entering Week 12 in the AFC in receiving yardage. And Brett Kern, third in the AFC among punters.

There's Ryan Clady, a rock protecting Jay Cutler's blind side. And Spencer Lar sen, making history by starting at fullback and linebacker in the same game, not to mention his role on special teams.

"They were not a very entertaining group," Shanahan admitted, thinking back to those training camp nights. "But I'd take football players over entertainers any day."

All in all, the Broncos have had 10 rookies contribute (not counting Ryan Torain, who played briefly before an injury ended his season), with seven rookies combining to make 28 starts at nine positions.

And instead of counting the number of games lost because of rookie mistakes, the first-year players are a big reason the battered Broncos (6-4) have salvaged their season and remain atop the AFC West heading into Sunday's game (2:05 p.m., CBS 4) against the Oakland Raiders at Invesco Field at Mile High.

"I'm still trying to get some of their names, but that's the way it goes," veteran receiver Brandon Stokley said. "Good teams keep trucking. Bad teams feel sorry for themselves, and there's their season. Whoever is going in there is going in to play football."

Sure, rookies are more advanced than they were years ago thanks to improved weight programs, pro-style college offenses and better individual coaching.

But even old-timers see something special in the 2008 NFL rookie class as a whole.

"This may end up being the best draft class since 1983," said NFL.com senior writer Gil Brandt, a former Dallas Cowboys personnel guru. "We might not see four rookies in the Pro Bowl, which was the case last year, but this draft had great depth and better players overall from top to bottom."

On opening day, 37 rookies were in starting lineups, including five at left tackle.

Ten rookie running backs have posted 100-yard games, including Chris Johnson, (177 carries for 787 yards), the fastest player in the draft and a big reason Tennessee (10-0) is off to such a strong start.

"I don't know that this year's rookie class will end up with the likes of an Adrian Peterson, Joe Thomas and Patrick Willis, but a lot of players from the class of '08 will be around the league for a long time," said Brandt, who put four Broncos (Clady, Royal, Hillis and Kern) on his midseason all- rookie team.

It's only fitting a Broncos class that is as much blue-collar as blue-chip would include Hillis, who still could be spotted in his scouting combine sweat shirt this week.

He was drafted No. 227 out of Arkansas, and after serving mostly as a blocking back early in the season, he busted out with seven catches for 116 yards and a touchdown against Miami, then took over the tailback job two weeks ago.

It hasn't changed his good ol' boy manners or mannerisms.

He still says "yes, ma'am" and "no, sir," with a bunch of daggumits and goll-lees in between.

"When he first got here, I thought he was doing impressions of someone," cornerback Karl Paymah said. "Then one time in the training room, I heard him talk, and I'm like, 'Man, you really talk like that.' It's just him, who he is. Snakeskin boots, big belt. That's how he do it."

Friends from Arkansas can attest.

Before the big showdown against top- ranked Louisiana State last year, Hillis asked his coach if he could ride home with his parents afterward.

He did, even though he ended up scoring four touchdowns in the Razorbacks' 50-48 triple-overtime upset.

"It was duck and deer hunting season," Arkansas running backs coach Tim Horton said. "He wasn't about to let some celebration get in the way."

They don't get much more country than Hillis.

If he keeps doing it, the avid hunter might have some more game balls to display along with the 10-point deer he has mounted on his apartment wall.

"He's a big dude," injured running back Michael Pittman said of Hillis, not the deer. "You can tell he wants to do everything right. He's got a good heart, is a good person and is very coachable. To me, he's like (former Tampa Bay teammate) Mike Alstott, actually a little faster than Mike. He could be a household name in this league because he has some of the best hands I've ever seen."

Broncos rookie review

When the Broncos walked into the Black Hole to face the Oakland Raiders in the opener Sept. 8, the rookies pretty much were an unknown commodity. Since then, they've been collecting more than game programs or room keys as souvenirs. They've got stats, game balls and wins. The contributions they've made.

* RYAN CLADY, left tackle

The lowdown: First-round pick (12th overall) is one of two rookies in the league to start every game at offensive tackle. Through 10 games, has been called for only two penalties and has not given up a full sack, according to Stats Inc.

The rookie wall: "I don't really expect to hit the wall. I'm just preparing for the rest of the season, game by game."

What told you this wasn't college anymore? "(Dallas linebacker) DeMarcus Ware, in preseason. He was real impressive. It was definitely a learning experience."

* EDDIE ROYAL, receiver

The lowdown: Second-round pick (42nd overall) was fifth receiver taken but leads rookies with 56 catches for 659 yards and is on pace for 93 receptions, which would be second most by a rookie in league history behind Anquin Boldin in 2003. Also, his 31.2-yard kickoff return average ranks fourth in the league.

The rookie wall: "I don't really think about it. I'm having too much fun out here and in the locker room with these guys. They make it easy on me to have fun and not think about any wall."

Surviving the season: "I'm trying to take care of my body, doing extra things like cold tub and a massage once or twice a week. When I'm not playing football, I'm probably sleeping."

* KORY LICHTENSTEIGER, offensive lineman

The lowdown: Primary contributions for fourth-round pick have come on special teams, but he also has lined up as an H-back in short-yardage situations, helping clear the way for several touchdown runs by Michael Pittman.

The rookie wall: "After the bye week, you come back and feel like you should at least be about done, but you're only halfway through the season and you've got to buckle down and get ready for the long haul."

Biggest surprise: "Just the support you get in this community. I come from a small school where we were lucky to get 15,000 for a game. In this town, it seems like everybody knows you even if you're not a big-time guy on the team. My brother was at the airport, and the guy checking his ticket is like, 'Lichtensteiger. We have a guy who plays for the Broncos with that name.' "

* JACK WILLIAMS, cornerback

The lowdown: Fourth-round pick took over as the Broncos' nickel back against Kansas City and also plays special teams.

When he knew he belonged: "In preseason. I made a couple of plays that gave me some confidence. I had an interception in the Cowboys game, and in the Arizona game, I got another and scored."

When he stopped feeling like a rookie: "I don't really think anybody feels like a rookie. Everybody's been playing a key role on the team."

Biggest surprise: "The amount of preparation that goes into each week. It's pretty tough because you come off a loss and you're still thinking about that loss or coming off a win and still thinking about that win. You've got to put all that away because there are so many games and you've got to be ready for the next week."

* SPENCER LARSEN, fullback/linebacker

The lowdown: Against Atlanta, the sixth- round pick became the first Broncos player to start on offense (fullback) and defense (linebacker). He also played on special teams.

The rookie wall: "It's been really fast for me. It hasn't been a long and grueling 14 weeks. There's so much preparation; each week has gone by so fast."

Biggest surprise: "The vets and how well they treat the rookies. Once the season starts, it doesn't matter where you came from or what round you were drafted. It's, 'Can you help us win?' And they kind of let you into a little bit of their circle."

When he knew he belonged: "After the Kansas City game, I kind of felt like I can make this special teams thing work."

* PEYTON HILLIS, fullback/running back

The lowdown: Seventh-round pick started at fullback early in season, then took over as starting running back in second half against Cleveland. His seven catches for 116 yards against Miami were most by a back since Floyd Little in 1974. Three touchdowns in past three games.

The rookie wall: "Everybody has aches and pains. Nothing real serious."

Biggest surprise: "All the running backs getting hurt."

* BRETT KERN, punter

The lowdown: Undrafted free agent out of Toledo ranks seventh in the NFL entering Week 12 in net punting average (39.5).

Biggest surprise: "The speed of the game, yet having to stay consistent with what you're doing."

When he knew he belonged: "Just warming up against the other punters."

Best moment: "The Tampa Bay game. I had a punt and (Karl) Paymah made a great tackle at the 9-yard line. I felt like that changed the momentum."

Souvenir: "I have the first ball that I kicked (from the Raiders game), with the NFL Kickoff logo on it."

* TYLER POLUMBUS, tackle

The lowdown: Undrafted free agent from Colorado has played in every game this season, primarily on special teams.

When he knew he belonged: "You never feel comfortable, but at the same time, you've got to feel confident. Once you made the team, you said, 'I'm here and will do the best I can to stay here.' "

The rookie wall: "I've heard people talk about it. Guys in college are about done now, but I haven't hit it yet. But it is long season."

Biggest adjustment: "The mental game is even more stepped up when you get to the professional level."

* WESLEY WOODYARD, linebacker

The lowdown: Undrafted free agent played solely on special teams before starting at weak-side linebacker in place of injured D.J. Williams. He was second on the team with 11 tackles against Atlanta.

When he knew he belonged: "I think it really kind of hit me the first day of camp when all the linebackers came over to me and recognized I was going to be a good player. Once you gain the respect of your fellow peers, that's where it starts."

Biggest surprise: "I was thinking everybody was not going to be cool with the rookies. They mess with us time to time, but I was surprised to see guys like Champ Bailey and (Jay) Cutler being cool with everybody."

* JOSH BELL, cornerback

The lowdown: Undrafted free agent spent camp with San Diego before being signed onto the practice squad Sept. 24. Promoted to active roster Oct. 27. Filled in as nickel corner against Miami but took over starting job against Atlanta.

When he knew he belonged: "The first week when I was on practice squad and coach (Mike) Shanahan came to me and said he liked how I worked and if kept working that way I was going to be here for a while."

Biggest surprise: "To be starting as a rookie. I would expect to be a special teams demon or something."

Biggest adjustment: "To slow my heart rate down. It took me halfway through the second quarter against Atlanta. You have all this enthusiasm running through your body and it's still shaking while you're on the field because you want to explode. But you've got to conserve that energy because you might have to run 40 yards down the field."

Comments

  • November 20, 2008

    11:08 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    J_easy writes:

    i really like this rookie class of new age broncos i hope they keep up the good work and get us to the playoffs maybe the superbowl go broncs take it one game at a time baby

  • November 21, 2008

    1:39 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    golfdoc writes:

    i hope that next years draft is as great as this past one. it has been a pleasure watching the passion on this team. it has infected the veterans and their all playing with youthful exuberance.

  • November 21, 2008

    4:34 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    nmbronco1 writes:

    On draft day I liked the looks of who the Broncos picked, and now that the season has progressed these guys - including the free agent rookies - have really shown up bigtime. Wesley Woodyard was a steal as a free agent - many draft projections had him as a solid 4th round choice. Hillis a great 7th round pick, and both Clady and Royal have fully justified their high picks. Ryan Torain looked good in his half of a game too. The last two Bronco games have been pretty exciting. Maybe that kick in the rear the Patriots gave the Broncos forced a new edge on this team. This year might be the beginning of some good seasons to come for the Denver Broncos. Don't we have something like 14 picks in next years draft?

  • November 21, 2008

    7:46 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    LingLingfor_prez writes:

    Go Chargers! I say you dump Marshall and just let the rookies do their thing since they seem to look more promising anyway. On another note, even if the Chargers and Broncos were tied and it was the last game of the season, I could never hope for a Raiders win, I can't stand them! Just my impartial moment for today.

  • November 21, 2008

    9:39 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Jubei writes:

    LingLing:

    I'll bet you wish we would dump Marshall! Maybe if you guys let go of Merriman and Gates... Jackson is pretty good too.

    We all love to hate the Raiders. The only other team that comes close to getting the amount of disgust from me like the Raiders would be the Cowboys. I'll root for just about any team that plays the Raiders or Cowboys.

    I have a feeling that your first home loss is coming against the Colts...

  • November 21, 2008

    10:11 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    LingLingfor_prez writes:

    Jubei,
    If you have a feeling, might as well make a prediction. No one can do as bad as Peter King, lol!

  • November 21, 2008

    12:10 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    kansasbronco writes:

    Yea, go Colts! Pretty cool to see the Broncos first draft class with an emphasis on character stepping up. Kinda reminds you of the New England teams over the last few years, a few fringe guys but overall a group of guys that perform beyond their physical stats. Royal is too short, Hillis is too slow, Woodyard too small, wonderlic was too low for an LT... Sometimes players that want it more take it, let's hope that continues and the DL keeps up the unselfish work we saw last week on the road.

  • November 21, 2008

    9:06 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    bronc4evah writes:

    Excellent draft class to go with good prior drafts. If we hit this good next year with our picks, watch out. I love the fact that they are all getting a lot of valuable experience playing. This year isn't over yet, and I like the direction we're headed.

  • November 22, 2008

    10:26 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    Ling Ling, the only reason you said to get rid of Marshall, is because he torched your boys in the 1st game. You know he'll stomp your boys a 2nd time, as well. Nice try though at trying to diss your secret hero.