By Arnie Stapleton, AP Sports Writer
CBS4 Broncos Insiders
Sept. 11, 2007
(AP) ENGLEWOOD, Colo. Pass-rusher Simeon Rice showed enough in his 17 snaps to supplant Elvis Dumervil as the Broncos' starter at right defensive end.
Rice made two big plays in his Denver debut, batting down a pass and making a tackle for loss.
"I was happy with him," Shanahan said. "Tim Crowder couldn't play because of his (sprained) ankle. I asked Simeon to come in and play between 15 and 20 plays. He came in there and ... made a couple of big-time plays, that one on a reverse and I just got a good feel, so I think he'll really help us down the line."
Crowder, a rookie, has been dealing with a high ankle sprain for more than a month.
Shanahan also was pleased with his offensive line, where left tackle Matt Lepsis returned to the lineup after missing most of last season with a knee injury and Erik Pears made his first start at right tackle. Both of the guards -- Chris Myers on the left and Montrae Holland on the right -- made their Broncos debut.
"I thought they did great," Shanahan said. "I was pretty pleased with how they handled themselves."
The loss of Lepsis last year had a domino effect that stalled the offense.
"It was good to get Matt back. He's got a lot of confidence in that knee," Shanahan said.
EXTRA POINTS: CB Domonique Foxworth is nursing a sprained ankle and LB Louis Green is recovering from a blow to the head. ... K Jason Elam missed just twice last year when Jake Plummer was his holder. With Todd Sauerbrun holding, he missed twice on Sunday. "I think there's always an adjustment," Shanahan said. "But Jason would be the first person not to blame it on the holder, that's for sure." ... New MLB D.J. Williams led the Broncos with nine tackles. "It's going to be a growing experience, he's going to get better each game," Shanahan said. "I thought for his first game he played well."
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