The Denver Broncos of 2008 have been hit by injuries like few teams in recent memory.
It has been unusual, to say the least, to watch the number of players on the Broncos’ injured reserve list reach double figures.
But you have a schedule, and you have to keep playing, and every time a player goes down it gives an opportunity to another, and in this case, a younger player.
Denver’s young player’s contributions have been tremendous this year, and couple those efforts with the team’s first place standing in the AFC Western Division and you get bright promise for future seasons.
No position has been exempt from the development of young players.
The offensive line has the two youngest starting tackles in franchise history, and the two youngest currently active in the entire NFL. And both Ryan Clady and Ryan Harris are playing great. Clady certainly is a candidate for Rookie of the Year honors, and is an obvious choice for the All-Rookie team.
Of course, quarterback Jay Cutler, wide receiver Brandon Marshall and tight end Tony Scheffler are just third year players, but another young weapon is rookie receiver Eddie Royal. Royal is making one of the biggest splashes in the NFL rookie pool this season.
Royal figures to break virtually every Broncos rookie receiving record and is tearing into the total yardage marks as well. Royal has had two 90-yard plays in as many weeks. Setting himself up for a touchdown against Miami and breaking off a 94-yard touchdown against Cleveland.
Punter Brett Kern is a rookie and placekicker Matt Prater is technically in his second year, but just barely, having seen virtually no action before this season. Both have done a great job on special teams.
Speaking of special teams, rookie linebacker Wesley Woodyard made his mark there before moving into the starting lineup with a great 10-tackle game against Cleveland.
Fullbacks Spencer Larsen and Peyton Hillis both have drawn raves from fans and coaches for their hard hitting.
Elvis Dumervil has been the Broncos’ best pass rusher over the past three seasons and is just now in his third year, while fellow defensive lineman Marcus Thomas is starting in just his second year.
While the defensive backfield has been led by the always brilliant Champ Bailey — now injured — and a crew of veteran players, rookie Josh Bell has come on to provide very aggressive play as the starter in Denver’s nickel package. Third-year man Karl Paymah also had a big interception in a starting role at Cleveland, playing in place of the injured Bailey.
Youth is always exciting.
It makes some mistakes, but the mistakes of youth often are tempered by infectious enthusiasm that spills over to teammates and to the fans as well, and every play gives each player more experience and another chance to improve.
So right now the Broncos wish they had a better won-loss record, but the team remains in first place in a season long battle with the San Diego Chargers, and the 2008 Broncos are giving proof to the axiom that in sport as in life — youth must be served.
Tags: Brandon Marshall, Brett Kern, Champ Bailey, Eddie Royal, Peyton Hillis, Ryan Clady, Ryan Harris, Spencer Larsen, Wesley Woodyard
youth got served!
Even if we don’t beat out San Diego this year, we will for sure next year because this team will be unstoppable for years to come when we get our injured guys back and the young guys grow up. The future is bright in Denver.
i like the youth on our team and hope pat can sign them all and keep them together. as well as go out and fill in the gaps were we dont have youth and gets some good players in. i would like to see mr bowlen sign some defensive players in free agency this off season and also pull some moves to move up in draft and get 2 impact players in first 2 rounds like he did last year to help this team. perferably and running back and best player avail on defense with first 2 picks.
jim i like all this young talent we have on this team . but i know one thing i believe dan graham deserves alot of credit he blocks well and has made several key catches lately. he fits our system well. lets win again. go broncos.
These young ones have no choice but to step up and do this team proud. Unless they want all of Broncos Country hunting ‘em down for not giving it their all in a game. They have alot of pressure sitting on their shoulders with having to fill in for people like the Bailey Bros. but now is their time to shine. Its sad to see Champ out for so long and Boss out for the year but now it gives these young ones a chance to show those two and the rest of us that they are capable of doing some great things. We have so much talent on this team just sitting around, it needs to be put to use and these guys have done a pretty good job for our given situations.
Just keep saying to yourself that our team could be MUCH worse like the 1-8 Chiefs!!! We are not them and we are never going to be them, we are a better football team but we’re not the best, yet. We are capable of it though and the youth on this team is putting us in that direction of greatness.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!
These young guys are good for us
Eddie’s doing good and deep frying any corner who’s on him.
sad to see ryan and all the other RB’s on injured reserve but just need to belive in yourself boy and hold your head’s high
Let’s go do some hunting in atlanta
I agree with you columbusOHbronco, we really need to keep this team together so that we can succeed in the future. It seems as though, and hopefully I am right, that they are happy in Denver and like playing together so even if they were offered more money to go elsewhere, they would stay in a place that they are going to have success.
The Broncos and Utah Jazz mirror each other. Although the sports are different both the Broncos and Jazz have great young talent which should keep them atop the AFC West and NBA’s Western Conference, respectively, for years to come. Eddie Royal is swiftly becoming one of my favorites on the team while Spencer Larsen, Peyton Hillis and Josh Bell have all been outstanding when called upon. It’s good being a Broncos fan, especially with all of this marvelous talent which will only improve!
Having good depth on your team is always a plus,but im hoping these young guys can help shore up a hurting defense also.Lets remember:DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!!!!!
Yes, it sure is a treat to have such great young talent on one team. Hopefully it can remain intact long enough to bring the team a championship!