When you’re a team captain and you haven’t practiced in nearly 10 months, you get your own cheering section upon your return. Rod Smith’s just happened to be the defensive backfield.
The cornerbacks and safeties froze their own warmups early Wednesday afternoon, turned to the adjacent field, watched as the veteran wide receiver successfully leapt skyward for a pass and promptly broke up in a cacophony of hoots, hollers, and a chant that sounded more like a heartfelt ode from the South Stands than a bunch of teammates clowning around.
“We love Rod! We love Rod!”
Sure, it might have been half-joking, but the underlying sentiment was all heart. The Broncos’ longtime leader was back on the field, and even though he remained a vocal presence in the locker room and on the sidelines throughout his convalescence and rehabilitation from hip surgery, he was nevertheless missed in the practice-time milieu, where his teaching and leadership was typically most evident.
“It’s awesome,” John Lynch said. “He’s one of the great teammates I’ve ever been around. I’m glad he was around and stayed vocal and a leader when he was hurt, because he’s kind of the pulse of this team; the heart and soul, whatever you want to call it.
“It’s a comforting feeling when he’s around, but whenever he’s back on the field — I don’t know whether it’s this week or whenever, that place will erupt, and it’s going to be awesome.”
Smith is still listed on the physically unable to perform list, and the Broncos now have three weeks to decide whether to move him to the 53-man roster or place him on injured reserve, which would end his season.
Those, however, were concerns for future days. For this one, the Broncos were simply giddy to have their captain back.
Tags: John Lynch, Rod Smith
Holy moley welcome back Rod. Its good to see you in prectice again cant wait for you to get back out on the field
Great news!!!! Welcome back Rod!!!!
Oh man… this is just AWESOME! It’s like an early Christmas present for me, just to hear he’s back out there practicing. Make that roster, Rod! GO BRONCOS!
-CB
we need you rod get well soon denver broncos all the way .
hell yeah, ive been waiting for rod to come back!! woohoo, denver will be unstoppable!! maybe rod can straighten up brandon as well.. cant wait to see you on the field rod and thanks for the update mas!! whenrod makes a TD my mom will be furious because im going to be as loud as possible!!
GOOOOO BRONCOS!!
WHOOP THEM CHEESEHEADS!!!
welcome back rod , you the best It’s good to see you again I cant wait to see you back out on the field. GO BRONCOS
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Great News!!!!!!!!!!!!
ROD the broncos will be unstoppable, when you return to the field the broncos will be furios , and greatful, GO BRONCOS
Thanks for the inside scoop Andrew! He needs to add to those records!!!
This is GREAT news!!! I’m so excited to have him back at least practicing… I just hope that whenever he comes back to play in a game he will not have lost his edge. He’s been a part of this team since forever… he’s a necessity to this team. Love you Rod!!!! Come back REAL soon — we miss you.
GO BRONCOS & ROCKIES!!!!
Rockies better win tonight… this is so exciting. I can’t believe we’re in the World Series… I’m still shocked but thrilled.
Welcome back buddy!
Hope you make the roster…… we need you!
Go Broncos Go!
mr. bowlen, please let rod stay for as long as he wants.if we cut him i would be devastated.
This is the best news we could’ve hoped for. The guy epitomizes what the Broncos are and should strive to be. For my money, the most underrated WR (and one of the most underrated players) in NFL history. And for John Lynch (who knows a thing or two about being a good teammate) to say he is one of the best teammates ever, well that says a thing or two. To borrow an old movie line: “In Rod we trust!”
Great news he’s back on the PRACTICE field, but Mas, do you have any speculation from what you’ve seen or heard of when he might actually play in a game? I highly doubt it will be this week, but ya never know. How did he look in practice? Was it a full workout, or just getting back into things?
Thanks fo the update.
YEAH BABY! Rod hurry back so I can put you on my fantasy roster.
YEEEEEEESSS!!!!!!! Rod is back! I would really love it if he could come back and play, even if its not this season. I don’t want what happened with Terrell to happen to Rod.
I’M EXSTATIC THAT ROD IS BACK!!! YEAH!!! So much so I’m thinking of changing my name to LET ROD PLAY. Rod we are so glad you are back, you are the heart of this orginization! You sure were missed, don’t ever leave again. =)
I am so glad to hear Rod was on the practice field today!!! He has been one of my favorite Broncos players from when he first became a Bronco. He is still one of my favorite players so I am extremely happy to hear he is back to the practice field. The fans and the team has missed Rod so much! Welcome back Rod!!!!!
Hopefully he will be able to play toward the end of the season!!
Again, Welcome Back Rod!! =)
I think Smith should have his first game back be a home game against the Titans. I think that would be a huge lift for the team in general. As soon as they announce his name in the statdium the noise will be unbelievable. Although it would be huge lift for the KC game in three weeks. But I think I’m getting a head of myself.
It is about time this team gets some good news.
Welcome back rod…he will help with his leadership…..I predict another Broncos win!!
thanks great.. now well have another star wr to help us out since we loss jevon…the way i see it we have all good wrs
I cant say enough to express how I feel about Rod Smith. Without a doubt the greatest reciever in Broncos history.
Hey, would you happen to have some more pictures or videos of him practicing?
great to hear hes back on the practice field how long till he plays???????
Andrew-
Were you at the practice and/or any more details on Rod’s performance, what did he do, what didn’t he do?
Great to hear he’s back. Rod Smith is truly one of the greatest Broncos of all time.
HOT ROD!!!! need I say more, My CAPITAN!
I am so happy to see rod come back.. He is with out a doubt the best go to reciever, we dont need a deep threat like chad johnson or randy moss when we have a posession reciever like smith
Hell yeah!!! Welcome back Rod!
YES! Great news!
IN ROD WE TRUST!!!
i just got my very first bronco jersey this year (so i can wear my colors to the bears/broncos game); guess who’s jersey i bought???
welcome back captian
Rod Smith is a future Hall of Famer, no doubt about it. This is an emotional lift for the team. Just wondering who’s gonna get the ax to make room for him. Excited to see #80 back in action. Hoping he still has magic hands as always. Rod Smith is truly one of the most under rated players of all time. This will also be an upgrade to the running game. Smith is much more than a selfish wide receiver, he is a team mate. He contributes in more than one way. He is also humble, some of these younger recievers could take lessons from him (ie, Chad Johnson). Thanks for all the great years, hope to see you back and healthy real soon. To jump on the ban wagon with the rest “IN ROD WE TRUST”. GO BRONCOS!!!!!!
Welcome back “big guy”! We need you!
I love Rod too, he’s such a stud!!! Hurry back swiftly, Rod, we need your illustrious leadership to help shepherd a young, yet immensely talented squad.
Yeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaawwwwww!!!!!!
That’s the best news this team has had in a long time! Rod’s presence can only inspire his teammates. Glad to have #80 back, and I can’t wait to see him in game action again!
WELCOME BACK ROD WE NEED YOU. GO BRONCOS !11
I’m going to the bar!!!!!
I live in Chicago. Sooo as much as I would like to see him suit up for the 1st time November 25, I want the boy to throw on #80 November 19th…I know you CRAZY Bronco fans will lift that stadium off the ground when his name is called against Tennessee. I find it interesting how this timeline is working out. What ya all think…Bring back Rod during the next home game following Green Bay. Can you say emotional life!!!
This is HUGE!!! Welcome back Rod!!
p.s. Mr. Bowen, payroll is such an over used word. Keep Rod on it for the rest of his natural life.
DITTO to all of the above threads.
Wouldn’t it be great to see Rod on MNF to help raise the energy level to create that old Mile High magic thats currently missing at Invesco. Great to have you back Rod the team and fans need you. Have a great season!
Love it…welcome back!!!
Wow, this is great to hear, I the same as everyone above, I can’t wait for him to be back on the playing field.
welcome back rod hopefully we will see you play one more year take your time dont push it to hard take your time get better hope to see you on the feild soon.
Man your back on the field thats the best news i have heard this hole year, i hope you get on the roster if you dont you will always be my #1 player even if your not on the roster i have benn seeing you play since 1997 you are the best football player i have ever seen well i hope you get on the roster
ROD SMITH IS #1