Lonestar
07-07-2009, 10:25 PM
By Chris Gentilviso
DenverBroncos.com
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Go back to the little things and they'll translate into the big things.
That was the message Broncos receiving legend Rod Smith gave to the team's current corps of receivers at the close of a June passing camp session.
Reunited with Head Coach Josh McDaniels, Chad Jackson looks to make an impact for the Broncos this season
For Chad Jackson, one of those little things arrived last season.
His first catch with the Broncos came for 19 yards, in the first quarter of a resounding 34-17 win over the then-first place New York Jets. The reception put his team in the red zone, and led to a 10-point advantage.
"It's been a while since I've caught a pass, and it felt good to actually get the ball and run with it," Jackson said during passing camp.
It was his first catch since 2006. It was his only catch in 2008. But that reception set the tone for Jackson to shift his focus to bigger things in 2009.
Three weeks away from his first training camp with the Broncos, the four-year receiver has already formed his motto for what he'd like to accomplish.
"There's a lot of people out there that know what I can do," Jackson said. "I just haven't done it in a while. But once I get the ball this season, I can show everybody what I can do."
Jackson's comfort stems from the fluid feel he already has for Head Coach Josh McDaniels' offensive system.
With McDaniels as his coordinator in 2006, Jackson demonstrated his big-play capabilities. Three of his 13 catches during that rookie season were for touchdowns, and McDaniels' playbook is back in play to help him replicate those numbers.
"I know the offense already," Jackson said. "Knowing all the plays, that's kind of an advantage I have. So I'm thankful for that."
Along with that advantage, Jackson sports an awareness of the 11 other receivers getting their feet wet in the new system. He and new arrival Jabar Gaffney, who also previously played for McDaniels, are serving as models of how to grasp the nuances.
"Just different routes," receiver Eddie Royal said. "Hearing the different terminology. Just learning where to line up. We're having fun with it and getting better every day."
While Jackson is well in the mix at receiver, he is already a known commodity on special teams. The 6-foot-1 speedster tied a team record last season, netting 162 yards on eight kickoff returns.
If asked to complete the same role this season, he would oblige.
"I'll happily do it," Jackson said. "I have no problem doing it - whatever I can do to help the team."
In helping the team as best as he can, Jackson is concurrently helping himself reach professional heights he knows he's capable of.
"I feel like I have a chance right now," he said. "I know what I'm doing and I know I can go out there and compete with these guys and guys across the league."
http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=9138
just FWIW Marshall did not get to here Rods advise..
**
DenverBroncos.com
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Go back to the little things and they'll translate into the big things.
That was the message Broncos receiving legend Rod Smith gave to the team's current corps of receivers at the close of a June passing camp session.
Reunited with Head Coach Josh McDaniels, Chad Jackson looks to make an impact for the Broncos this season
For Chad Jackson, one of those little things arrived last season.
His first catch with the Broncos came for 19 yards, in the first quarter of a resounding 34-17 win over the then-first place New York Jets. The reception put his team in the red zone, and led to a 10-point advantage.
"It's been a while since I've caught a pass, and it felt good to actually get the ball and run with it," Jackson said during passing camp.
It was his first catch since 2006. It was his only catch in 2008. But that reception set the tone for Jackson to shift his focus to bigger things in 2009.
Three weeks away from his first training camp with the Broncos, the four-year receiver has already formed his motto for what he'd like to accomplish.
"There's a lot of people out there that know what I can do," Jackson said. "I just haven't done it in a while. But once I get the ball this season, I can show everybody what I can do."
Jackson's comfort stems from the fluid feel he already has for Head Coach Josh McDaniels' offensive system.
With McDaniels as his coordinator in 2006, Jackson demonstrated his big-play capabilities. Three of his 13 catches during that rookie season were for touchdowns, and McDaniels' playbook is back in play to help him replicate those numbers.
"I know the offense already," Jackson said. "Knowing all the plays, that's kind of an advantage I have. So I'm thankful for that."
Along with that advantage, Jackson sports an awareness of the 11 other receivers getting their feet wet in the new system. He and new arrival Jabar Gaffney, who also previously played for McDaniels, are serving as models of how to grasp the nuances.
"Just different routes," receiver Eddie Royal said. "Hearing the different terminology. Just learning where to line up. We're having fun with it and getting better every day."
While Jackson is well in the mix at receiver, he is already a known commodity on special teams. The 6-foot-1 speedster tied a team record last season, netting 162 yards on eight kickoff returns.
If asked to complete the same role this season, he would oblige.
"I'll happily do it," Jackson said. "I have no problem doing it - whatever I can do to help the team."
In helping the team as best as he can, Jackson is concurrently helping himself reach professional heights he knows he's capable of.
"I feel like I have a chance right now," he said. "I know what I'm doing and I know I can go out there and compete with these guys and guys across the league."
http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=9138
just FWIW Marshall did not get to here Rods advise..
**