Denver Native (Carol)
06-11-2010, 08:19 PM
http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=10176
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Elvis Dumervil smiled, laughed and joked with teammates as he went through drills on the opening day of Broncos' mandatory minicamp Friday. It was business as usual for a player who has established himself as one of the team's most fun-loving players, not to mention one of the league's fiercest pass rushers.
"I'm feeling good," Dumervil said after exiting the Dove Valley practice field. "It's good to come out and just watch the guys and support my teammates and just be a part of the team."
With the uncertainty across the league caused by the final year of the collective bargaining agreement, some restricted free agents have stayed away from June workouts until their contracts are finalized. Dumervil, who has yet to sign his tender as a restricted free agent, said he participated in the first day of the three-day camp because he loves playing the game.
Dumervil spent the start of the offseason training at home in Miami. He has relished the opportunity to work with the team's new additions and begin learning new defensive coordinator Don Martindale's system since joining the team for OTAs in May.
Even with questions about his contract, the reigning NFL sack leader said he continues to work hard to show his teammates how much he cares about the team.
His teammates received Dumervil's message loud and clear.
"I think it says a lot about him just being here," Champ Bailey said. "When he's actually under contract, I know he wants to know the system. He wants to know his teammates, and it feels good to me as a guy that's been around for a while to have a guy that's young like that take that approach."
Dumervil said he wouldn't want his absence to be a distraction. After four productive seasons in which he's totaled 43 career sacks, he's comfortable with the team and confident that his value on the field speaks for itself. The linebacker coming off his first Pro Bowl season pledged to remain positive.
"It is what it is," Dumervil said. "I'm not the guy to complain or be disappointed."
Head Coach Josh McDaniels said he hopes to continue moving forward to sign the former fourth-round pick to a contract extension. Until then, McDaniels said the team will continue negotiations in accordance with standard procedures outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.
"There's no negative to him at all," McDaniels said. "We're going to try to do the best we can to make sure he's here as long as we can keep him."
Bailey noted Dumervil's commitment to professionalism since entering the league in 2006. By being on the field Friday, Dumervil again demonstrated why he is one of the high-skill, high-character players that McDaniels covets.
That's why the 12th-year cornerback is confident that Dumervil will continue to add to his growing list of accolades as a Bronco.
"You want guys that you know what to expect from them -- guys that really appreciate what they have in front of them and are going to give all they've got to be the best that they can be," Bailey said. "That goes back to talking about Elvis. He's that guy."
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Elvis Dumervil smiled, laughed and joked with teammates as he went through drills on the opening day of Broncos' mandatory minicamp Friday. It was business as usual for a player who has established himself as one of the team's most fun-loving players, not to mention one of the league's fiercest pass rushers.
"I'm feeling good," Dumervil said after exiting the Dove Valley practice field. "It's good to come out and just watch the guys and support my teammates and just be a part of the team."
With the uncertainty across the league caused by the final year of the collective bargaining agreement, some restricted free agents have stayed away from June workouts until their contracts are finalized. Dumervil, who has yet to sign his tender as a restricted free agent, said he participated in the first day of the three-day camp because he loves playing the game.
Dumervil spent the start of the offseason training at home in Miami. He has relished the opportunity to work with the team's new additions and begin learning new defensive coordinator Don Martindale's system since joining the team for OTAs in May.
Even with questions about his contract, the reigning NFL sack leader said he continues to work hard to show his teammates how much he cares about the team.
His teammates received Dumervil's message loud and clear.
"I think it says a lot about him just being here," Champ Bailey said. "When he's actually under contract, I know he wants to know the system. He wants to know his teammates, and it feels good to me as a guy that's been around for a while to have a guy that's young like that take that approach."
Dumervil said he wouldn't want his absence to be a distraction. After four productive seasons in which he's totaled 43 career sacks, he's comfortable with the team and confident that his value on the field speaks for itself. The linebacker coming off his first Pro Bowl season pledged to remain positive.
"It is what it is," Dumervil said. "I'm not the guy to complain or be disappointed."
Head Coach Josh McDaniels said he hopes to continue moving forward to sign the former fourth-round pick to a contract extension. Until then, McDaniels said the team will continue negotiations in accordance with standard procedures outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.
"There's no negative to him at all," McDaniels said. "We're going to try to do the best we can to make sure he's here as long as we can keep him."
Bailey noted Dumervil's commitment to professionalism since entering the league in 2006. By being on the field Friday, Dumervil again demonstrated why he is one of the high-skill, high-character players that McDaniels covets.
That's why the 12th-year cornerback is confident that Dumervil will continue to add to his growing list of accolades as a Bronco.
"You want guys that you know what to expect from them -- guys that really appreciate what they have in front of them and are going to give all they've got to be the best that they can be," Bailey said. "That goes back to talking about Elvis. He's that guy."