Training camp: July 25 at Univ. of Northern Colo. in Greely, Colo.
2002 Schedule
Date
Vs.
Time
Sept. 8
STL.
4:15 p.m.
Sept. 15
at S.F.
4:15 p.m.
Sept. 22
BUF.
4:05 p.m.
Sept. 30
at Bal.
9 p.m.
Oct. 6
S.D.
4:05 p.m.
Oct. 13
MIA.
8:30 p.m.
Oct. 20
at K.C.
1 p.m.
Oct. 27
at N.E.
4:15 p.m.
Nov. 3
Open
Nov. 11
OAK.
9 p.m.
Nov. 17
at Sea.
4:15 p.m.
Nov. 24
IND.
8:30 p.m.
Dec. 1
at S.D.
4:05 p.m.
Dec. 8
at NYJ
4:15 p.m.
Dec. 15
K.C.
4:05 p.m.
Dec. 22
at Oak.
4:15 p.m.
Dec. 29
ARI.
4:15 p.m.
By B. Duane Cross, CNNSI.com
The return of Shannon Sharpe could be just the beginning as the Denver Broncos seek to avoid a second consecutive season out of the postseason fray. Sharpe returns to Denver after two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens; he left the Broncos as an unrestricted free agent following the 1999 season.
Sharpe, a 12-year veteran, is the NFL's all-time leader in receptions (692) and yards (8,604) by a tight end, and has been voted to eight Pro Bowls. Last year, Sharpe caught 73 passes for 811 yards and two touchdowns for the Ravens, and earned his eighth Pro Bowl selection.
But aside from Sharpe, other key players are returning from injury, including Ed McCaffrey, Rod Smith, Steve Beuerlein, Olandis Gary, Rob Moore and Terrell Davis.
"Last year after the second game we were the best offense in the league and we lost a few people," Shanahan said. "We have more depth and we probably will lose some people, but that's the nature of the game. You're just hoping you don't lose a lot of them."
Aside from Sharpe, the Broncos also added former Ravens defensive tackle Lional Dalton to bolster the front. "To tell you the truth, I like [defensive coordinator] Ray Rhodes' coaching style," said Dalton, who signed as a free agent in April. "I like the fact that if you're playing like crap, he's going to come up and tell you that you're playing like crap. He's not going to graze you. He's going to tell you you're playing like crap and I respect that."
The Broncos have missed the playoffs only three times since Mike Shanahan took over as head coach in 1995, but never in back-to-back years. In fact, the last time Denver missed the postseason in consecutive years was 1994-95, Wade Phillips' final year and Shanahan's first.
Fact
Rod Smith has 19 100-yard receiving games in the past three years, including a team record eight in 2000.
Rod Smith, WR -- Smith led all NFL receivers with 113 catches last season and has returned to the field for minicamp after recovering from a stress fracture in his lower leg.
To further complement Smith, McCaffrey also is about 100 percent healthy after breaking two bones in his left leg during the Broncos' opener last season. For depth, the Broncos signed free agent Moore, who is coming of knee surgery, and drafted Ashley Lelie.
"We have some guys who know how to get it done, and it is just good to get out and get back in the flow," Smith said during minicamp.
If McCaffrey returns to his 2000 form (101 catches, 1,317 yards and nine TDs) -- coupled with the return of Sharpe -- Smith could see a lot of open field.
Even with Smith being the team's only downfield option last season, he still managed the career high in catches plus 1,343 yards and 11 TDs. The additional offensive weapons bode well for QB Brian Griese, who is treading water in the make-or-break pool.
"Trust me, I can't go through another season like last year," Smith said of the injuries and on-field mistakes. "I think we have a lot of guys who work hard and this offseason they are working hard and I think they will definitely contribute to our football team. Having Rob and Ashley and having all these guys together, I think we have a group of guys who can go out there and get it done."
Fact
Terrell Davis' career average of 97.5 yards per game ranks third all-time, behind Jim Brown (104.3) and Barry Sanders (99.8).
Terrell Davis, RB -- The Broncos' injury-plagued top rusher was on the practice field June 13, three weeks after arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. "It felt good," Davis said.
Since blowing out his knee against the New York Jets three years ago, Davis has sat out 31 games and played only 13:
Oct. 3, 1999: Torn anterior cruciate ligament, partially tore his medial collateral ligament and suffered cartilage damage against the Jets. Missed the rest of the season.
Sept. 4, 2000: Sprained his left ankle in the second quarter against St. Louis. That injury, followed by a lower leg stress fracture, resulted in only four starts.
Sept. 20, 2001: Underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. Missed the next six games.
Nov. 12, 2001: Underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to remove damaged cartilage. Missed two games.
May 20, 2002: Underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to remove scar tissue.
"It is always good to have him back," head coach Mike Shanahan said during minicamp. "Hopefully there are no setbacks. He has been working hard. Once he gets to camp, hopefully he will be healthy."
Will Brian Griese finally shake the 'potential' tag?
Fact
After tying the team record for most 300-yard passing games in one season (five) in 2000, Brian Griese had only one -- Week 1 -- last season.
"I feel like a kid in a candy store again," Griese said during minicamp. "It's been real nice to have Eddie and Rod and Shannon in the huddle at one time and to think of the possibilities."
Yeah, the possibilities -- which begin with Griese.
The Broncos are 24-23 in the three years since John Elway retired. Granted, the running game has been a big question mark for the most part (see Davis, Terrell). But there is little room for error with Griese.
Last year's backup QB, Gus Frerotte, signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. The next two on the Broncos' depth chart are Beuerlein, a 15-year veteran, and Jarious Jackson, an untested third-year player.
With the return of McCaffrey and Sharpe, along with Smith and the development of Lelie, the burden of returning the Broncos to the postseason is on Griese. Beginning with a standout second year followed by an injury-shortened third year, Griese regressed in 2001.
He did throw a career-high 23 TDs, but he also had a career-high 19 interceptions -- and his QB rating dropped 24 points.
And then there's the "incident." While running down the driveway at a party hosted by Davis in May, Griese fell and knocked himself unconscious, according to Arapahoe County law enforcement officials. Griese received seven stitches above his right eye -- and was the target of much ridicule in the media when details of the "party" were not forthcoming.
Will Brian Griese finally shake the 'potential' tag?
