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Published on 07/28/2008 at Mon Jul 28 09:47.
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My 2008 Favorite Lesser-known Broncos

Posted Mon Jul 28th by

As I mentioned yesterday, I’ve been away from my beloved Broncos Blog too long!

I even missed my annual post about the one or two lesser known players I’ll be championing this Training Camp. For those of you unfamiliar with this yearly tradition, let me quickly recap.

Every year I find one or two players buried deep in Denver’s roster (or even practice squad) that I begin championing to friends and family. Over the year’s only a couple have risen to the starting line up while most turn out to be duds — and are quietly sent packing. Here’s a look at some of my choices from the last few years:

1999-2000 – 6th round pick, TE Desmond Clark

2001 – 6th round pick, WR Kevin Kasper

2002-03 – FB Reuben Droughns and Safety Sam Brandon

2003-04 – WR/TE Nate Jackson and RB/FB Cecil Sapp

2005 – QB Bradlee Van Pelt and CB Darrent Williams

2006 – WR David Kircus, RB Mike Bell and Safety Hamza Abdullah

Last year I was a strong supporter of RB Andre Hall and followed closely Safety Roderick Rogers. Both players are college free agents, which I think makes them more interesting for me. Hall is currently behind Young (another great undrafted guy that has my deepest respect… although I continue to pull for Hall). Rogers had a great INT early this camp, so maybe he’ll rise to the challenge this year!

Line Break

So, now we’re on to 2008! This year I really like LB Jamie Winborn. This guy grabbed my attention big time last season by landing a couple killer hits for us on Special Teams. I’m a big fan of the lesser known guys who make a name for themselves on ST. I also really like FB Peyton Hillis. As I’ve mentioned my boss is a HUGE hogs fan so I have a good reason for keeping up with him. And, as you all well know by now, I’m a big fan of those nameless heroes called Fullbacks, so that’s two good reasons to watch him this year. And lastly, I have a questionable one… I can’t call Eddie Royal a lesser known Bronco (heck he was our second rounder). However, early on I felt like everyone was down on him and I ended up defending our pick of Royal to practically everyone. Therefore, he’s sort of become an honorary member of my list this year.

So, there you have it… My 2008 list of underdogs that I’ll be pulling for during camp and preseason in hopes they make the team and crack the starting line up.

And now it’s your turn! What lesser known guys on our roster are you pulling for? Is there a guy with a back story or a particular skill set you really like even though no one knows about him?

I’d love to hear from you on your favorite lesser known Broncos!

  • broncosmang

    Mallard, Martinez, Alridge. I like em all. I am a huge fan of Crowder. I really think that long term he could be a Strahan type power end.

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Jonathan Douglas

    I understand Martinez is doing really well in camp this year. He certainly surprised me last year coming in and playing like he did.

  • TJ

    I’m pulling for LB Wesley Woodyard. He was very productive in college and could be a suprise.

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    I was pulling for Samie Parker to rebound, but he’s become a ghost in training camp. I’m already giving up on him, lol.

    I’d like to see what Dylan Gandy can do. He’s an interesting prospect to me. Also, Nate Webster, although I’m not sure he “counts” similar to your Royal. :) A lot of fans are pulling for Kouts, but I think we need Webster’s speed and ability to shed blocks and am hoping the helmet-flying LB gets the nod.

  • Ben

    Go WESLEY WOODYARD. I also like aldridge(By the way he looked amazing 2day at training camp.) and josh barret. A few more guys ill root 4 r Hillis, D-Jax, and of course Jack Williams.

  • http://www.broncomadness.com Garret Barnes

    Glenn Martinez!!!!!!! Nate Webster, and Peyton Hillis,

  • broncobear

    It’s a very tough call, which tells you a lot about the makeup of this team, but I’m going to go with Jamie Winborn. He has come up from a drug-addicted mother, living without plumbing and loading trucks with watermelons at age 10 to making it to Vanderbilt (and graduating). From there he has fought with injuries and difficulties to lead the Brncos in special teams tackles for 2007. Playing out of position at SAM he still did a fine job for us under hard circumstances last year.

    Although I love having DJ at Will, it’s agood feeling knowing that if he (of Boss) goes doen, we have a talented and experienced man waiting just behind.

    Woodyard, Alridge, Hillis, Rodgers and Barrett are all great stories, but given the sheer immensity of the challenges Winborn has overcome, he gets my vote.

  • Richard

    Sorry guys, but this isn’t “Queen for day” (god I’m showing my age with that Allusion). The best sob story isn’t necessarily the best unknown Bronco. I would love to see Tyler Polumbus make the team. He of Cherry Creek HS( the same HS as Jack Elway, John’s son) and CU (local boy does good). I’m also a fan of Eric Pears ( another local boy does well: CSU). I am , of course an agnostic on the CU vs CSU battle as a Colorodo School of Mines grad. Even though he isn’t “unknown”, I am really pulling for Peyton Hillis.