For most NFL teams, the minicamp is a forgettable prelude to training camp. For this year's Denver Broncos, however, the three-day event in Englewood was a revealing look into the team's future.
Familiar faces, such as WR Rod Smith and head coach Mike Shanahan, were there as a reminder of the successful 13-3 team that made it to the AFC title game last year. With them there, another season of excellence looks promising.
The new faces, however — and the absent one — gathered all of the attention. Not even QB Jake Plummer's transition from a long-haired mountain man to a clean-shaven, short-haired crew cut compared in the headlines.
Most notable was Broncos' top draft pick Jay Cutler. His presence was hyped by the press, who hounded him from the moment he arrived at minicamp. When it was Cutler's turn to speak to the media, he was asked when he would be taking the No. 1 quarterback spot on the roster. "You guys are persistent," Cutler said to the reporters. "I don't know. I'm just going to compete and do what I do on the field."
Despite the grandiose predictions by the press, the rookie himself had a more humble view of where he stood after day one. "I didn't have a clue what was going on," Cutler said. "I'm playing catch-up with [Plummer and Bradlee Van Pelt] right now."
Head coach Mike Shanahan had a realistic view of Cutler's performance, saying, "He's done a good job (but) there's a big learning curve ... He's just got to get better every day, and he's working extremely hard."
Jake Plummer, currently the Broncos' starting quarterback, is in no danger of losing his position. However, minicamp performances by Cutler as well as current backup Bradlee Van Pelt indicated that the second string position won't be earned without a fight.
Shanahan had much praise for Van Pelt, calling his first day's practice the best of his career. "He's a worker," Shanahan said. "He works on doing the little things the right way."
Former Packer Javon Walker donned a Bronco uniform for the first time and participated in the practice, despite a knee injury that wasn't fully healed. "I wanted to jump into one-on-ones," said an eager Walker, "but they said they didn't want to rush anything."
"We have a plan over the next three weeks to keep working him like he's working now," added Shanahan. "Hopefully, by the first day of camp, he's ready to go full speed."
A full recovery and a strong effort in training camp will earn Walker a starting position on the Broncos' roster, no questions asked. What is in question is whether or not WR Ashlie Lelie will start — and for which team?
Trade rumors of sending Lelie to New England sparked when it was reported that Lelie was unhappy with his position on the Broncos and wanted to be the No. 1 starter for the Patriots. Head coach Bill Belichick tore down the rumors in mid-June, ending speculation that TE Daniel Graham was being traded to the Broncos for Lelie.
Lelie's no-show at the Broncos' minicamp sparked an emotional response from WR Rod Smith, who expressed concern about his teammate's absence — not just as a football player, but as a friend. He had some advice for Lelie:
"The advice I'm going to give is that I'm going to kick his ass because he hasn't called me back. He's in town; I called him and we were supposed to have lunch, and it wasn't about football. I just wanted to see how he was doing, and for some reason, we didn't connect ... I care about him as a person."
Head coach Mike Shanahan's words to Lelie were straightforward and all-business. "If you want to compete to be the No. 1 guy, why not be here? Why not come in here and try to do what you can do and make a name for yourself at a place that drafted you No. 1?"
Shanahan remarked that he would still like to have Lelie on the Broncos roster, but his absence at minicamp may have cost him the top slot he desires. If Lelie doesn't stay in Denver, the team will adapt. "It's just like a guy coming in here and spraining an ankle," Shanahan explained. "We have a lot of depth in a lot of different positions."
A trade for Lelie is not out of the question, but not likely. "It would be different if people were beating down the walls to get him, but they're not," Shanahan said.
Lelie's fate will depend first and foremost on whether or not he shows up at training camp on July 28. If he does, he will have a lot to prove.
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