Denver Native (Carol)
08-24-2009, 07:53 PM
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_13190494
Wide receiver Eddie Royal almost certainly will be one of the Broncos' kick returners this season, but coach Josh McDaniels said the hunt is still on to choose who will give Royal some help.
Because Royal's primary role is on offense, the Broncos likely won't expose him to the risk of injury that would come with kickoff and punt returns. So rookies Alphonso Smith and Kenny McKinley have done the bulk of the work so far in the preseason, and rookie Nate Swift returned two punts in Seattle.
However, McKinley and Smith bobbled kickoffs in the Broncos' 27-13 loss to the Seahawks on Saturday night, and McKinley later fumbled on another return.
Asked after the game if he would take another look at who's taking the kicks, McDaniels said: "Yeah. I mean, Eddie is definitely going to be a factor in the return game whether it be kickoffs or punts. Both of the young kids, they've done some good things. (Saturday) they had a couple bobbles; you know nobody likes that. Kenny put the ball on the ground. We'll look at everything and evaluate it as we go along."
Wide receiver Chad Jackson did some limited work returning kickoffs for the Broncos last season and could be one option. The team would prefer that Royal return punts and let someone else return kickoffs.
Smith suffered a right leg injury Saturday that could limit him. Trainers worked on, and then wrapped, his leg just above his knee.
Royal said contributing factors Saturday may have been the rookies' zeal in trying to make a play and the Seahawks' Olindo Mare kicking a difficult ball to handle.
"For the last few years, a lot of people have been fumbling. He kicks a weird ball," Royal said. "Then Kenny got hit right on the ball. That's a tough play right there. You live and you learn. . . . You have to look it all the way in. Sometimes as soon as it hits your pads, you want to look and see where the defenders are. . . . As a returner the first thing is the most important thing, and that's catching the ball."
Marshall update.
The Broncos were back at their Dove Valley complex Sunday for meetings as well as required work in the weight room.
Wide receiver Brandon Marshall was said to be among them and was scheduled to be on the field Tuesday for the Broncos' next practice. The players will be off today.
McDaniels said Marshall did not make the trip to Seattle because he was among the players who were "not ready and able to play in this game."
The other three — safety Brian Dawkins, wide receiver Brandon Lloyd and running back Knowshon Moreno — are injured.
Asked if players were left behind for injuries only or for other reasons, McDaniels said, "Both."
McDaniels also answered "absolutely" when asked if Marshall would be at practice Tuesday.
Ready or not.
Having concluded two-a-day practices, the Broncos could get by with two quarterbacks throwing in drills this week. So rookie Tom Brandstater could be busier over the next few days if Chris Simms' ankle injury keeps him off the field.
Simms, who is Kyle Orton's backup, was hit low by Seahawks defensive end Nick Reed early in the fourth quarter — Reed was penalized for roughing the passer on the play — and suffered a sprained left ankle.
Simms left the stadium after the game on crutches and was to be evaluated again Sunday.
Brandstater, from Fresno State, replaced Simms and was 2-for-4 passing for 1 yard. He was sacked four times.
"I wish I was a little more composed (Saturday)," Brandstater said. "Hopefully, I can build on this experience."
Footnotes.
Royal had treatment for a left calf injury but said he felt fine after the game. Rookie cornerback Tony Carter also used crutches to get to the Broncos' bus Saturday because of a left ankle injury. Defensive lineman Marcus Thomas suffered a right shoulder injury and was to have his rotator cuff examined. . . . Matt Prater's 53-yard field goal during the first quarter Saturday was the second-longest field goal in a preseason game in Broncos history. Ola Kimrin kicked a 65-yard field goal against Seattle on Aug. 29, 2002.
Wide receiver Eddie Royal almost certainly will be one of the Broncos' kick returners this season, but coach Josh McDaniels said the hunt is still on to choose who will give Royal some help.
Because Royal's primary role is on offense, the Broncos likely won't expose him to the risk of injury that would come with kickoff and punt returns. So rookies Alphonso Smith and Kenny McKinley have done the bulk of the work so far in the preseason, and rookie Nate Swift returned two punts in Seattle.
However, McKinley and Smith bobbled kickoffs in the Broncos' 27-13 loss to the Seahawks on Saturday night, and McKinley later fumbled on another return.
Asked after the game if he would take another look at who's taking the kicks, McDaniels said: "Yeah. I mean, Eddie is definitely going to be a factor in the return game whether it be kickoffs or punts. Both of the young kids, they've done some good things. (Saturday) they had a couple bobbles; you know nobody likes that. Kenny put the ball on the ground. We'll look at everything and evaluate it as we go along."
Wide receiver Chad Jackson did some limited work returning kickoffs for the Broncos last season and could be one option. The team would prefer that Royal return punts and let someone else return kickoffs.
Smith suffered a right leg injury Saturday that could limit him. Trainers worked on, and then wrapped, his leg just above his knee.
Royal said contributing factors Saturday may have been the rookies' zeal in trying to make a play and the Seahawks' Olindo Mare kicking a difficult ball to handle.
"For the last few years, a lot of people have been fumbling. He kicks a weird ball," Royal said. "Then Kenny got hit right on the ball. That's a tough play right there. You live and you learn. . . . You have to look it all the way in. Sometimes as soon as it hits your pads, you want to look and see where the defenders are. . . . As a returner the first thing is the most important thing, and that's catching the ball."
Marshall update.
The Broncos were back at their Dove Valley complex Sunday for meetings as well as required work in the weight room.
Wide receiver Brandon Marshall was said to be among them and was scheduled to be on the field Tuesday for the Broncos' next practice. The players will be off today.
McDaniels said Marshall did not make the trip to Seattle because he was among the players who were "not ready and able to play in this game."
The other three — safety Brian Dawkins, wide receiver Brandon Lloyd and running back Knowshon Moreno — are injured.
Asked if players were left behind for injuries only or for other reasons, McDaniels said, "Both."
McDaniels also answered "absolutely" when asked if Marshall would be at practice Tuesday.
Ready or not.
Having concluded two-a-day practices, the Broncos could get by with two quarterbacks throwing in drills this week. So rookie Tom Brandstater could be busier over the next few days if Chris Simms' ankle injury keeps him off the field.
Simms, who is Kyle Orton's backup, was hit low by Seahawks defensive end Nick Reed early in the fourth quarter — Reed was penalized for roughing the passer on the play — and suffered a sprained left ankle.
Simms left the stadium after the game on crutches and was to be evaluated again Sunday.
Brandstater, from Fresno State, replaced Simms and was 2-for-4 passing for 1 yard. He was sacked four times.
"I wish I was a little more composed (Saturday)," Brandstater said. "Hopefully, I can build on this experience."
Footnotes.
Royal had treatment for a left calf injury but said he felt fine after the game. Rookie cornerback Tony Carter also used crutches to get to the Broncos' bus Saturday because of a left ankle injury. Defensive lineman Marcus Thomas suffered a right shoulder injury and was to have his rotator cuff examined. . . . Matt Prater's 53-yard field goal during the first quarter Saturday was the second-longest field goal in a preseason game in Broncos history. Ola Kimrin kicked a 65-yard field goal against Seattle on Aug. 29, 2002.