|
HOT TOPIC
There hasn't been much separation between Domonique Foxworth and Darrent Williams in the battle to determine who will start at the cornerback position opposite Champ Bailey for the Denver Broncos.
Foxworth and Williams are splitting time with the first-team defense in organized team activity practices, according to Foxworth, and both of them are making their share of plays.
"Right now we're back and forth, neck and neck," Foxworth said.
The Broncos feel pretty comfortable with both second-year cornerbacks. Williams, a second-round pick last year, quickly got a chance to start and held that job until he injured a groin muscle late in the year and missed some time.
Foxworth spent some time in the starting lineup as well. He replaced Bailey when Bailey dealt with a hamstring injury in midseason, and replaced Williams when Williams was injured.
Both have decent experience and a lot of talent, and no matter who ends up starting both will play a lot in the nickel defense.
Foxworth said he has noticed his own improvement during the offseason camps. He's making more plays because he can recognize what an offense is doing and how they are attacking him.
"I know both of those guys are going to help us," Broncos safety John Lynch said. "I've been impressed from day one when they came in, with the maturity playing a position that's tough to play. And you can see them taking the next step."
PLAYER NOTES
--Tight end Wesley Duke suffered a knee injury in team camp practice that needs nine months of recovery time. The Broncos waived Duke, and then had to put tight end Landon Trusty on injured reserve with a torn ACL in his knee.
The Broncos still have tight end Stephen Alexander, rookie Tony Scheffler and Nate Jackson, a former receiver who converted to tight end last year but was injured or inactive most of the season. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said he thinks the Broncos have enough depth at tight end as long as there are no more injuries.
--Wide receiver Javon Walker continues to rehab his injured knee. He tore the ACL in Green Bay's first game last season, but the Broncos traded for him during the NFL Draft because they felt Walker would be ready by training camp. Walker has done some minor drills running straight ahead, and he should be ready for training camp. Walker will probably be held out of Denver's minicamp July 6-8.
--Rookie receiver Domenik Hixon sat out of Denver's first offseason camp because he was recovering from a broken bone in his leg. Hixon participated in some of Denver's team camp June 6-8. Hixon could compete for kickoff or punt returner duties this season.
Coach Mike Shanahan said Hixson should be ready for Denver's minicamp in early July.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--S Chris Young (not tendered as RFA).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
--WR Charlie Adams had a decent season as Denver's third receiver and will be back.
--LB Louis Green is a good special teams player who fills a role for the Broncos.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--S Sam Brandon: Potential UFA; terms unknown.
--LB Keith Burns: UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--LB Patrick Chukwurah: UFA; terms unknown.
--RB Ron Dayne: UFA; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
--DE John Engelberger: Potential UFA; 3 yrs, $750,000 SB.
--LS Mike Leach: UFA; 4 yrs, terms unknown.
--OT Matt Lepsis: Potential UFA; $25M/4 yrs, SB unknown.
--DT Demetrin Veal: ERFA; terms unknown.
--DT Gerard Warren: UFA; 6 yrs, terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--DE Kenard Lang: FA Browns; $5.9M/3 yrs, $900,000 RB; 2006 cap: $1.9M.
--CB Willie Middlebrooks: FA; terms unknown.
--WR Javon Walker: Trade Packers.
--LB Nate Webster: UFA Bengals; $1.505M/2 yrs, $200,000 SB; 2006 cap: $685,000.
PLAYERS LOST
--RB Mike Anderson (released).
--DE Marco Coleman (retired).
--TE Wesley Duke (released).
--DT Monsanto Pope: UFA Jets; $625,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB.
--DE Trevor Pryce (released).
--TE Jeb Putzier (released).
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
|
