Hamilton's situation makes Myers starter
Promotion could carry into season opener at Buffalo
By Mike Klis
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 08/27/2007 11:56:37 PM MDT
Until further notice, Chris Myers is the Broncos' starting left guard. Postconcussion symptoms have yet to clear from Ben Hamilton, which means he is questionable for the season opener Sept. 9 at Buffalo.
Hamilton started all 80 regular-season games the previous five seasons, but has missed the entire preseason after suffering a concussion early in training camp. He was expected to return Monday and play Thursday in the preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals at Invesco Field at Mile High, but recent cardio-fitness workouts left him feeling nauseous.
The Broncos will have Hamilton evaluated by a neurospecialist Wednesday. His agent, Peter Schaffer, is optimistic Hamilton will be ready by next week.
"The Broncos are taking great precaution in their approach to treating Ben," Schaffer said. "We have full confidence in their medical staff, which has been doing what's best for his personal and the team's well being, and we remain confident he will be ready to go for the opener."
If Hamilton isn't cleared by Monday, Myers will get the first start of his three-year career.
Myers was selected in the sixth round of the 2005 draft out of Miami.
Kircus among cuts
There's always Subway.
Wide receiver David Kircus, a feel-good story last season who wound up on the wrong side of the law this year, will be among the 11 players officially trimmed from the Broncos' roster today.
Unable to find an NFL job in 2005, Kircus worked at a Subway store for a couple months until he made a comeback with the Broncos last season, averaging 20.8 yards on nine catches.
Kircus didn't help his chances of making the team this year, though, when on May 20 he became involved in a scuffle at a late-night party in Centennial. Kircus was charged with felony assault after he was accused of punching a man in the face. He has pleaded not guilty, saying he acted in self defense. He is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 2 in Arapahoe County District Court.
Also cut before the Broncos' practice Monday were defensive end Kenard Lang, defensive tackle Demetrin Veal, wide receiver David Terrell, tailback Cedric Cobbs, fullback Troy Fleming, tight end Teyo Johnson and kicker Brandon Pace.
The team will announce those cuts, plus three more, today.
Kircus has more recent experience than the five candidates remaining for the No. 4 and No. 5 receiver spots. Domenik Hixon, Brian Clark, Quincy Morgan, Glenn Martinez and Marquay McDaniel combined for zero catches in 2006.
It's the Selvin effect
Modern medicine has nothing on the healing powers of Selvin Young. The undrafted rookie from Texas rushed for 91 yards during the preseason game Saturday against the Cleveland Browns. Not so coincidentally, running backs Travis Henry, Mike Bell and Andre Hall were back at practice Monday after missing last week with injuries.
"After a performance like that, we all understand it's a competition," said Henry, who really has no competition for the starting tailback job. "Selvin put himself in great position to make this football team."
Rookie defensive end Tim Crowder, Young's fellow Texas alum, also returned after missing the previous two preseason games with an ankle injury.
Footnotes
Elvis Dumervil will not play Thursday against
Arizona, which means he will maintain his position as a starting defensive end. ... Given the disappointing play of his No. 1 defense, coach Mike Shanahan was asked if he would break form and play his starters in the final preseason game. The answer: No.
Staff writer Mike Klis can be reached at 303-954-1055 or
mklis@denverpost.com.
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