Posted Mon Jul 28th by Jonathan Douglas
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!
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!
Published on 07/28/2008 at Mon Jul 28 09:47.
Tagged: Eddie Royal,Jamie Winborn,Peyton Hillis,Top Stories.