In part three of our series of interviews with new Denver Broncos, we feature Broncos’ cornerback Alphonso Smith from Wake Forest University.
On the first day of the NFL Draft, the Broncos traded their own 2010 first-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for the 37th overall selection. Denver used that second round pick to take Smith.
We spoke with Alphonso when he visited Broncos headquarters on the second day of the draft.
Mike Rice: You’re a Denver Bronco. Can you believe it?
Alphonso Smith: I can. I can. I had a pretty good visit when I came out here and I left with a pretty good feeling in my heart that it was a possibility that I could be a Bronco.
MR: But until you hear your name, I guess you never really know, do you?
AS: You never really know. But when Coach McDaniels called I was like, ‘Yes, Broncos. At least it’s a team I want to go to.’ I’m still kind of soaking it in. I can believe it but at the same time I really can’t believe it.
MR: Why were you excited to potentially be with the Broncos?
AS: Coach Nolan, who’s the d-coordinator, (runs) basically the same defense we ran at Wake Forest. Being comfortable with that would give me a chance to play early. And just having the chance to play with guys I’ve admired like Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins and Renaldo Hill and Andre Goodman and guys like that. I’ve admired all of these guys and just to get the chance to work with them, along side them and try to win championships with them is just really refreshing. There’s no better situation for a rookie DB. Most guys have to go in and try to learn as they go. At least I have guys that have multi-Pro Bowlers under their belt that can guide me and teach me and help me understand and show me how to make plays and guide me to a Pro Bowl myself.
MR: I know you’ve heard this before but the Broncos traded a first round pick to move up and then select you. Does that make a statement to you about not only how much they wanted you but believe in your talent?
AS: Yeah, it does, especially (giving up) an unknown first round pick. Hopefully I can show the coaches that they were right. (I want to) prove them right and we won’t have to entertain this question after this year.
MR: You have said that you really felt like you had first round talent. The fact you went in the second round, does that motivate you more to prove something?
AS: Yeah, but at the same time, I’m a Bronco and I’m happy. If it took me to get to the second round to get to a team I prefer to go to, it really doesn’t matter. It’s all over now and it’s not where you start, it’s where you end. It starts when the season rolls around and everyone will forget about the draft picks if you’re not a top-five guy, top-ten guy. Everyone forgets so it really doesn’t matter.
MR: Twenty-one interceptions in your college career. How did you do that?
AS: First thing is just playing hard, playing like my hair is on fire. That’s the first thing because things happen. You might get beat but if you’re playing really hard sometimes it will fall right in your lap. The second thing I attribute it to is my coaching staff and my teammates, how we understood the game and how we all knew what was going on, our preparation.
MR: Thanks, Alphonso. It’s great to have you in Denver.
AS: Thanks for having me.
The Broncos continue their organized team activities in June. After a little time off, I’ll have more from the new guys and how he team is looking as training camp approaches.
Thanks for reading.
Best,
Mike
I see the scenario lol, and the reports were false, I heard the earliest would be before week 1 of the season on a Chiefs website.
they gave a 2nd round pick for him. very unlikely
Hey, who would’ve predicted Cutler being traded. anythings possible!
Exactly I just hope it doesn;t work out in a bad way, like Vick coming to Denver.
I wish the Broncos could have traded for Brady Quinn. That would have been awesome- Quinn showed real potential last year and he already knows the type of system that McDaniels is implementing because he learned it at Notre Dame. Maybe we could package Orton and Simms… (but I doubt Cleveland would even touch that deal, unless it had a couple draft picks…)
footballmaniac, Brady Quinn was my second favorite player out of that years draft class. I bet if we just offer next years first Cleveland will bite. and if neccessary, we could throw Orton or Boss in the deal, just to sweaten it.
NFL says Marshall won’t be suspended!
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d810a0c51&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true
Their is he link for all to read!
the not he
No Quinn in Denver. He’s just a rockstar. 1W-2L (and 1L was against our 08 D!!)
No Vick in Denver… Just imagine Vick playing in Cleveland… hehehe (dogs?)
Nice BMarsh won’t get suspended. Hope his hip heals soon.
Must go.
Go Broncooos!
If were just going to give away draft picks and Orton for Brady Quinn (which by the way is waaaay to much) why not just trade for Vince Young since he wants out?
I for one dont want either one, Orton and Simms will suffice.
If the idea is to trade for Vince. They might as well wait till Vick gets cut. Please stop with that he tortured dogs. Like he was just picking healthy dogs and doing whatever to them. If you do your research then you’d know. Dog fighting was to the death or till the dog could not fight anymore. This was not boxing like they had rounds. People in opposite corners. When the round over they giving rub downs and water. People have committed murder or had a hand in it. I dont see them banned from the league. People on this site wanted Ray Lewis. People in this league have done hit and runs. They not banned or even suspended. I guess a dogs life is more important than a humans. I with he should not been dog fighting idea. Just like horse racing though when a horse comes up lame. You don’t hear about the horse no more. They may not drown, shock, or starve them to death. Death does happen to the horse. A gun does not make it any better.
does anyone know if eddie royal will be playing 2nd reiceiver or is he going to play slot receiver?
For thinking they ( as in the horses) get put out to stud. Look it up only 10% get that treatment. It’s not the humane part it’s the money. If no money is their to have him put out to stud. Then it’s well you know.
831_Bronco he will play the slot in 3wr or if a TE is spit out wide. Like Wes on the Pats. Its by design and formation.
If McD is impressed with Scheffler then why the he!! did we draft Quinn?
Chris I think Bowlen got in his ear about running people off. So instead of pushing people out. He took a real hard look at them. Thus him saying he likes him now. lol Like I said before you can’t fix a mistake with another.
then who will be #2 TE, Scheffler or Quinn?
I think Sheffler will be #1 and Gram #2.
McD’s system requires a blocking TE so I think Graham and Quinn will be in twin sets regularly and Scheffler comes in on passing situatuions.
Sheffler is more like Watson the Pats starting TE. If he thought so highly of Gram why didn’t he fight to keep him? Plus the reason he high on Sheffler now is because of his blocking.
I think Marshall is really hurting himself by not working out with the team… i’m worried he’s not going to be on the same page or gel as well as the other guys.. Right now everybody is going through the process together. DOE’S ANYBODY FEEL THE SAME WAY?
Hey, Doc, G007. I think Doc, is right, they will use Scheff in passing situations. I also think they can do a 3 TE set (all blocking) with Hillis also blocking and the 4 of them helping to punch some huge holes for Moreno.
thatdude807, yeah, I mentioned it on the ESPN blog that I think he should be there to at least gel with the other teammates. A lot of new faces in the crowd. Study the playbook, attend meetings, you know? I wish he would get this little TO attitude out of his system. He could have rehabbed at Dove valley with the team. I think it’s a bad move on his part.
He will be at training camp so don’t be too down guys. It’s next week.
I think Sheffler will be in their on running downs too. It would look to obvious if when he playing we pass. When he not we run most of the time. One of the reason they fired Shanny is that be became predicable. Wouldn’t that be the same if Sheffler was only their in passing downs.
G007, correct. As I said, also use a 2-3 TE set and Hillis to block also. Hand off to Moreno. Or have Hillis do a quick block and fake to Moreno then do a short pass to Hillis. So many possibilities
will eddie royal get more catches and touchdowsn playing 2nd receiver or slot receiver?
I think either way, eddie will have the most TDs on the team…
The offense has a lot of short passes, and he just so happends to be the fastest reciever… So I think he’ll be able to break for a big gain… (Just like Wes Welker does, even though he plays slot all of the time)…
But then again… Moss did break the record for most TDs in a season by a receiver, and most of those were from big pass plays…
But my money would go towards Royal…
We’ll people just look at the Pats old vids. No WR stays in one set position. They all play different spots. Man
lol I see thing has not change on here. First off what’s going on to everyone that knows me. Also to thoughs who don’t. Marshall got through one hoop. If he beat this case that will be another. NFL still gonna look into the ATL dispute if he loses the case. So lets keep our fingers crossed.
I see their is alot of talk about the Slot WR position. I guess Peton got everyone thinking thats a one man position since he always says “Brandon Stockley is the best slot WR in the NFL”. lol Truth is that we we’ll have more than just one person playing that position. You think when the Pats play 1 RB, 1FB, 2WR, and 1TE. That Wes Welker didn’t come on the field? That formation does not have a slot. lol Don’t get caught up in just one position.
Greatness is right its gonna be more than one person playing that position. Gaffney, Stockley, Sheffler, Royal, and even Marshall will be in the slot during the coarse of the game.
greatness007.. horse racing vs dog fighting? there is no comparing them. whan a horse is retired from racing 10% (your words) are put out to stud, that is b/c most are ‘fixed’ in the begining. the others are SOLD, mostly to the people working the track or some one that wants the prestiage of owning a famous horse. when the DOG loses a fight they kill it. not like a hores. Only when a horse cannot walk do they ‘put it down’. In dog fighting, they don’t waist the ‘lead’ they just put it in the ring and let the other dog kill it. it is slow and painful and you can’t see a diff in the two? the horse is still worth money. This is why VICK HAS NO MORELS
BroncoBailey… There is no way Royal leads the team in touchdowns. JMAC’s offense spreads the ball around too much. The safe bet is on a receiving running back who will get a lot of touches. The safe bet is on Moreno for the mose TD’s on the team.
greatness007- Comparing horse racing to dog fighting is the most obsurd thing I have heard. It may be true that only 10% of horses go to stud, but that does not mean the rest are killed. I used to work at the race track. The horses that retire or do not make it on the track are often turned into show jumpers, ranch horses, barrel racers, pets and just riding horses. We even sold a few of our race horses to people that were going to use them as Polo Ponies.
The sport of horse racing is about what horse can cross the finish line first. In dog fighting, seeing animals get hurt and killed is the sport.
Anyone who thows a puppy against wall (like the charges said) is an idiot. Vick is a Thug.
texark-fan, beefdirkus, well said, there is no comparing the two. greatness007 I grew up with horses and my sister is a veterinarian when a horse is done racing they are not killed, texark-fan is right only the ones with broken legs who have no possibility of recovery are “put down” and when that happens it is not with a gun as you put it. They are put down in a humane way with a needle and medication that relieves pain and puts them to sleep. It is in no way like allowing two dogs to tear each other apart and either letting them slowly bleed to death or to pick them up in the air and slam them against the ground. It is disgusting to think about these idiots watching and cheering as this goes on.
@ Texarkfan,
I love the people of Texas as I was on a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints mission in El Paso. Yes, I met plenty of Cowboys fans but they were still nice and friendly (unlike their owner, Jerry Jones). The weird thing is I love the Mavericks in the NBA but I just can’t get with the Cowboys (obviously neither can you or you wouldn’t be with we Broncos fans). Because they refuse to fire Wade Phillips they deserve all the affliction and shortcomings they get. It’s so fun to go online and hear everybody crucify McDaniels before he’s coached a game. How stupid will these analysts look when they eat crow. Things will be fine in Bronco Country. Marshall has been cleared of wrongdoing, now he just needs to dominate. One more good year is all we ask and then he’ll get the contract he wants. GO BRONCOS!!!
Where you’re wrong at is I never compared the to so called sports. What I compared was the putting the animals out of their pain and suffering. The horse that become show ponies are horse that could not compete in the first place. The info I got this from were 2 places. Rosecoft in OxonHill, MD and Dover Downs in Delaware of course. So I guess you were a better caretaker or trainer where you worked at then the people there. I was doing research on the accidental killing if 20 horses back in the day. You might of heard of that since you work in the field. I did say he should not have been running a dogfighting ring in the first place. I guess no one seen that. My whole point was why not a out cry for when these things happen. Why not they get put in jail for the rest of their life. Like everyone want Vick to be. Why not keep them away from any race tracks and horses. Like everyone want Vick to do with dogs and the NFL. Everyone probably need a second chance is that what your thinking? Why not him then? Oh yeah I also have a copy of Vick’s charges he got convicted on. Their and none of throwing puppies against the wall! We have a Report comming out on him too. So I have the facts. Not speaking hearsay. All I was saying is that people have killed people(humans) and can go back to work. People have killed animals in inhumane ways. They can go back to work. Why can’t he? If you can’t understand that. Then so be it.
BradJamesBroncoFan is still got the June case to worry about. If he get convicted. The NFL said they will take a hard look at it. So lets hope for the best.
Greatness007 I get what your saying. Cuz these same people saying we need BMarsh back. Forget what he did in the past we need him to win. You dealing with people who treat animals better than humans. So you can’t win or get your point across. They want Vick to never get out of jail. Also to have a lifetime band from the NFL. We got people who have done worse crimes against humans. They want them on the Broncos. I get it Greatness007. They never will. Same people spend a 100 dollars on a coat for a dog. Won’t help their family members out when they need money. I have alot of Pitbulls not for fighting. I breed them and sell them. I don’t treat them better than my kids, Family members , or humans in general. These people do. Remember that.
At least someone is reading exactly what I’m typing. I didn’t compare the 2 sports. Just the idea of when a horse breaks his or her leg. They not becoming Show pony or etc. Barboro got a pass because of the out cry. You think sports net works were covering his injury because he was gonna become a show pony. When they made the point the he was not gonna race anymore. They were screaming not to put him down. That was not make him a show pony. He was worth more than all the horses you HAVE SEEN. You’re right UUB. I’m preaching to the wrong quire. So with that said it’s a dead point to me now.
Someone asked should we trade for Vince Young. I said if that was the Idea then just wait and get Vick for free.(no draft pick loss) Then all this happened. Just defending the point.
I was not comparing the incidents just the perception. I don’t want either one Vick or Marshall. It’s the perception that killing dogs is bad and hitting women is ok. No one on here bashed Marshall for beating on Women. NO ONE! All I have read was we need Bmarsh. Stay low and get ready for the season. Someone mention Vick. Oh he killed dogs we don’t need him here. That does not sound right to me.
Thats what I was tryna say. Wrong is wrong! You can’t pick between the 2. People killed people. Their was no out cry to rid of them from the NFL. Thats it! That’s all! People Running People over with their cars. No one said anything about throwing them out the NFL or Missing any games. People got hit and left for dead! Killing dogs is worse than that? It’s not they are both inhumane you can’t pick between the 2. Now lets end this!
Mike Rice my apologies to you for ruining your blog. Didn’t mean for it to go this far.
As for Alphonzo if he pass out to be a shut down corner. Who take over for Champ when he retires. Then it was a good deal.
I think Mike finds this entertaining. It’s like Eddie Griffin said” You can rape and kill people. Just leave them dogs alone.
I know that was a joke UUB. Lets just drop this.
On a sad note, just read the Albuquerque Journal (Albuquerque NM). A 13 yr old boy by the name of Corbin Hayes drowned in the Rio Grande River. He was missing for 5 days before his body was recovered yesterday…(6/2/09). The young boy played baseball and football.
The article mentioned that his favorite team was the Denver Broncos. The other kids who attended school with him held a vigil and brought orange and blue flowers in honor of his favorite team. My son is the same age and plays baseball and football as well.
royalbroncofan1 : I heard about this story all week long, I live her in albuquerque and it was a sad to hear this happen. God Bless Corbin and what a big loss to the young bronco family.
greetnessoo7 so, if i read you right ,you are saying (in general principal) that if i don’t want vick for his dog fighting than i should not want bmarsh as well for his off the field problems. ok well i have never killed a dog nor do i hit my wife. so in conclusion than: i don’t want b-marsh either. i was never a big fan of his anyway (t o type mouth)
you are right what is good for the goose is good for the gander.
you should have made your point just a little clearer, but after reading you and uub talking i figured it out.
brad james are you still in E P?
Texark-Fan I think Greatness007 was really upset by that. I haven’t seen a post from him the rest of the day. I’ll be very interested to read his article in the Washington Post off the net about Vick. He say or should I say print the wrong thing. He might loose that ESPN internship.
uub, upset about what?