Depth Chart a Work in Progress
The first preseason game is in the books and there is even more excitement among Denver Broncos fans now, if that is even possible.
The 31-3 win over the Chicago Bears Thursday night was seen by fans and media throughout the state of Colorado and, due to the cut-ins by the NFL Network, many smaller game segments have been viewed nationally.
One of the favored topics of discussion is the depth chart. The first one was published last week, and quite naturally it stimulates great conversation.
First Depth Chart of 2011 Released
The depth chart for the Week 1 of the preseason has been released, and is now live on DenverBroncos.com.
Keep in mind the depth chart is always changing, especially during the preseason, but here’s an early peek at what the 2011 squad will look like.
Among the new starters on offense and defense are three rookies and two new players added to the roster since the start of training camp.
An Interesting New Depth Chart…The Broncos released a new and updated depth chart Saturday, with some interesting changes on it.
The starting lineup remains the same on offense, with Eddie Royal continuing to hold onto that #2 wideout spot opposite Brandon Marshall. But Glenn Martinez has moved up behind Marshall.
Nate Jackson remains at the #2 spot behind Daniel Graham, with Scheffler at the #3. Jackson has worked with Graham in the team’s two-tight end sets, and he started on Friday against the Packers, scoring a touchdown in the process.
Peyton Hillis holds onto the #2 fullback spot behind Cecil Sapp. He saw significant action Friday night and performed well.
On defense, Marquand Manuel is listed as the starter opposite Marlon McCree. Hamza Abdullah mans the #2 spot behind Manuel, with Roderick Rogers and Josh Barrett behind him, in that order.
Vickiel Vaughn is at #2 behind McCree.
Also, Brett Kern is listed as the starting punter.
You can check out the full depth chart here.
What do y’all think about the changes and how things have progressed?
– Adam Zinser, DenverBroncos.com
A.M. Blog: Day 11After a record-setting streak of days with the temperature above 90 degrees, Tuesday morning brought a much welcomed cool front. When I heard over the radio on the way to Dove Valley that the high was predicted to be 82 degrees, I laughed.
Thankfully, they were right. The players (and I) enjoyed temperatures in the low 70s throughout the morning camp session. And now for quick hits from practice.
ATTENDANCE REPORT: Hamza Abdullah remained on the sideline, nursing his strained groin. Peyton Hillis, after making it back onto the field yesterday morning, sat out again. Chad Mustard and Tom Nalen remain out with a right hamstring and left knee, respectively. Montrae Holland continues to work on his own, though he later came out and watched from the sidelines. He looks slimmer to me.
Champ Bailey also missed practice with a sore right hamstring. Bailey spent his time watching from the sidelines with teammates or on the field talking with Head Coach Mike Shanahan. But don’t worry Broncos Country, Shanahan quickly pointed out that No. 24 is a quick healer.
A.M. Blog: Day 10Both the offense and the defense looked sharp during this morning’s session. But throughout practice the offense had a slight edge on their defensive counterparts.
ATTENDANCE REPORT: Hamza Abdullah remained on the sidelines with a groin injury… Tom Nalen didn’t dress due to a right knee… Chad Mustard is still nursing a right hamstring. Montrae Holland is continuing to work with strength coach Rich Tuten to reach his reporting weight. Boss Bailey was back on the practice field after sitting out the last two sessions with soreness in his right knee.
POSTURING FOR POSITION: The battle for the starting middle linebacker position continues to be tight. Nate Webster was listed as the first team linebacker on the Broncos newly released depth chart but Niko Koutouvides got the reps with the first unit during this morning’s session. With Abdullah sitting out with his groin injury, Marquand Manuel was getting reps with the first team at strong safety.
First Depth Chart Released…The team has just officially released the 2008 depth chart. Though things may change over the course of the next few weeks, it provides a glimpse of who will be taking the field on Sundays.
Of note, Ryan Harris starts at right tackle. Not too much of a surprise since he took most of the reps thus far in training camp.
Darrell Jackson holds the number two WR spot across from Brandon Marshall.
Cecil Sapp starts at fullback.
Marcus Thomas will now line up with the ones at defensive tackle.
Nate Webster has taken over the starting MLB spot.
Hamza Abdullah and Marlon McCree take on the starting strong and free safety roles, respectively.
Sam Paulescu and Matt Prater are tops for the punting and kicking duties.
Eddie Royal is the top return man on both punts and kickoffs.
Check out the entire depth chart here.
Let us know what y’all think about this!
– Adam Zinser, DenverBroncos.com
Week 1 Depth Chart NotesThe first depth chart reflecting the 53-man roster was issued this morning, and, as with the depth charts throughout the preseason, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the order in which Broncos took the field throughout the August slate of games, although it does reflect the absence of the players that were released in the last six days.
… Paul Smith is the only player listed as fullback, meaning, of course, he’s on the first team. Cecil Sapp did start against Arizona on Thursday, and Mike Bell also saw time at the fullback along with Sapp and Smith …
… The running-back quintet breaks down as follows:
1. Travis Henry
2. Cecil Sapp
3. Mike Bell
4. Andre Hall
5. Selvin Young …
… Domenik Hixon is listed as the No. 1 punt and kickoff returner. On punts he’s followed by Jeff Shoate; on kickoffs he’s followed by Hall, Brian Clark and Mike Bell …
… Elvis Dumervil is shown as the No. 1 right defensive end. Jarvis Moss backs him up. Dumervil, like the rest of the starters, did not play against Arizona last Thursday …
… The tight ends are shown as follows:
1. Daniel Graham
2. Stephen Alexander
3. Tony Scheffler
4. Nate Jackson
Jackson and Graham both started each of the first three preseason games, although Jackson was listed on the fourth team throughout training camp and the preseason …
… Brandon Stokley and Javon Walker are listed as the first-team receivers. Brandon Marshall and Brian Clark are shown on the second team, with Domenik Hixon as the third-teamer. Of note, though, is that Marshall drew the starting assignment for the third preseason game against Cleveland when he, Walker and Stokley were all healthy …
… In spite of not starting throughout the preseason, Chris Kuper is still listed as the first-team right guard, with Montrae Holland listed as the second-teamer …
… Amon Gordon and Sam Adams are the first-team tackles, with Marcus Thomas and Antwon Burton shown on the second team. Alvin McKinley is listed on the third unit.
THE FULL DEPTH CHART:
OFFENSE:
WR: 14 Brandon Stokley – 15 Brandon Marshall – 12 Domenik Hixon
LT: 78 Matt Lepsis – [74 Ryan Harris]
LG: 50 Ben Hamilton – 62 Chris Myers
C: 66 Tom Nalen
RG: 77 Chris Kuper – 70 Montrae Holland
RT: 64 Erik Pears – [75 Adam Meadows]
TE: 89 Daniel Graham – 82 Stephen Alexander – 88 Tony Scheffler – 81 Nate Jackson
WR: 84 Javon Walker – 86 Brian Clark
QB: 6 Jay Cutler – 8 Patrick Ramsey
RB: 20 Travis Henry – 37 Cecil Sapp – 30 Mike Bell – 23 Andre Hall – 35 Selvin Young
FB: 26 Paul Smith
DEFENSE:
LE: 60 John Engelberger – 96 Tim Crowder
LT: 95 Sam Adams – 93 Antwon Burton
RT: 63 Amon Gordon – 79 Marcus Thomas – 99 Alvin McKinley
RE: 92 Elvis Dumervil – 94 Jarvis Moss
WLB: 52 Ian Gold – 51 Wesly Mallard
MLB: 55 D.J. Williams – 54 D.D. Lewis
SLB: 58 Nate Webster – 53 Louis Green
LCB: 24 Champ Bailey – 41 Karl Paymah – 28 Jeff Shoate
RCB: 32 Dré Bly – 22 Domonique Foxworth
SS: 25 Nick Ferguson – 40 Curome Cox
FS: 47 John Lynch – 21 Hamza Abdullah
SPECIAL TEAMS:
P: 10 Todd Sauerbrun
K: 1 Jason Elam
KO: 10 Todd Sauerbrun
PR: 12 Domenik Hixon – 28 Jeff Shoate
KR: 12 Domenik Hixon – 23 Andre Hall – 86 Brian Clark – 30 Mike Bell
PC: 83 Mike Leach – 62 Chris Myers – 77 Chris Kuper
KC 83 Mike Leach – 77 Chris Kuper – 62 Chris Myers
H 10 Todd Sauerbrun – 6 Jay Cutler – 8 Patrick Ramsey
The players in brackets are injured.
More to come later today … until then, vaya con Dios.