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Interior designs: Tryout using Ekuban to decorate tackle spot
Ahmad Terry © News
By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News
August 4, 2006
ENGLEWOOD - Ebenezer Ekuban is getting a crash course in interior line play.
Ekuban, an eight-year pro, is sliding over a spot on the defensive line for the first time in his career and trying his hand at defensive tackle in the Broncos' nickel package.
He's running with the second unit, behind rookie Elvis Dumervil, but as arguably the team's most accomplished pass rusher in terms of pro accomplishments, there still is time for him to move back to his natural position of end.
Defensive line coach Andre Patterson said Ekuban gets enough rush opportunities in base formations, where the player is a starter at right end, and merely wants to expose him to rushing inside in an ongoing effort to find the best four pass rushers.
"We're using it as an evaluation process," Patterson said.
Ekuban said the biggest change has been how much quicker things happen at tackle.
At end, he has two or three steps to get his hands up and get adapted to how the tackle is going to set up, but playing three technique, the guard immediately is on him and he has to be ready for hand play.
"I think what they're trying to do is a little bit of what Trevor (Pryce) did last year, having a person that can give the offense different looks and have a speed guy inside," Ekuban said. "I'm looking forward to the challenge."
EXPANDING HORIZONS: A sure sign of the progress made by undrafted free agent running back Mike Bell is that, for the first time, he is getting practice repetitions as a returner on punts and kickoffs.
He has moved to No. 3 tailback and gotten extensive work against the second-team defense but can help his chance for a roster spot if he also can contribute on special teams.
"In college, I wasn't on special teams, but I caught balls just in case of a situation like this," Bell said. "So I'm a little bit prepared."
SMALL-SCHOOL JEWEL: One of the young players getting glowing reviews from inside the organization is rookie offensive lineman Chris Kuper.
The fifth-round draft pick from Division II North Dakota has been running with the second team at right guard throughout camp and has demonstrated good balance, footwork and excellent upper-body strength.
He frequently has drawn praise during one-on-one pass rushing drills.
Kuper appears to have put himself in solid position to make the 53-player roster.
"I definitely want to be a guy that can contribute when the team needs me," the 6-foot-4, 302-pound Kuper said.
STEPPING UP: Linebacker Ian Gold smiled broadly as he watched Domonique Foxworth cut in front of receiver Todd Devoe, intercept a red-zone pass and head down the right sideline for a 95-yard touchdown during the morning practice.
"I love it," Gold yelled. "There's some competition out here!"
Foxworth still might be running behind fellow 2005 draftee Darrent Williams at right cornerback, but he isn't going away quietly, as he has strung together several good practices.
On the play before his interception, Foxworth batted away a fade pass to Darius Watts in the end zone.
The two went step for step down the left sideline on a deep go route later, but the pass was overthrown.
During the afternoon session, Foxworth outleaped David Terrell in the team period and intercepted his second pass of the day.
"Foxworth's competing hard and he's making improvements, so that's a positive situation," defensive coordinator Larry Coyer said.
ETC.: Receiver Rashaun Woods, claimed off waivers Wednesday, failed his physical after a magnetic resonance imaging exam revealed a hamstring pull. It's unlikely the Broncos will bring back the former No. 1 pick because he needs time to heal and there isn't a roster spot available. The team instead signed running back Damien Nash to fill the void created by the release of running back Marty Johnson. Nash was a fifth-round pick of the Tennessee Titans last season who played college ball with Missouri . . . Reserve linebacker T.J. Holowell injured his left calf during the second practice and, after examination by the training staff, was carted off the field . . . Watts remains the No. 3 receiver. With Javon Walker given the morning off and Rod Smith nursing a strained hamstring, Watts was the lone receiver in two tight-end formations, followed by rookie Brandon Marshall . . . Chris Myers replaced starter Ben Hamilton (right knee) at left guard in the morning. Hamilton returned for the second workout . . . John Engelberger has filled in for Courtney Brown (knee) as first-team defensive end. Kenard Lang had been running with the second unit earlier in camp.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nfl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23918_4893266,00.html
Ahmad Terry © News
By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News
August 4, 2006
ENGLEWOOD - Ebenezer Ekuban is getting a crash course in interior line play.
Ekuban, an eight-year pro, is sliding over a spot on the defensive line for the first time in his career and trying his hand at defensive tackle in the Broncos' nickel package.
He's running with the second unit, behind rookie Elvis Dumervil, but as arguably the team's most accomplished pass rusher in terms of pro accomplishments, there still is time for him to move back to his natural position of end.
Defensive line coach Andre Patterson said Ekuban gets enough rush opportunities in base formations, where the player is a starter at right end, and merely wants to expose him to rushing inside in an ongoing effort to find the best four pass rushers.
"We're using it as an evaluation process," Patterson said.
Ekuban said the biggest change has been how much quicker things happen at tackle.
At end, he has two or three steps to get his hands up and get adapted to how the tackle is going to set up, but playing three technique, the guard immediately is on him and he has to be ready for hand play.
"I think what they're trying to do is a little bit of what Trevor (Pryce) did last year, having a person that can give the offense different looks and have a speed guy inside," Ekuban said. "I'm looking forward to the challenge."
EXPANDING HORIZONS: A sure sign of the progress made by undrafted free agent running back Mike Bell is that, for the first time, he is getting practice repetitions as a returner on punts and kickoffs.
He has moved to No. 3 tailback and gotten extensive work against the second-team defense but can help his chance for a roster spot if he also can contribute on special teams.
"In college, I wasn't on special teams, but I caught balls just in case of a situation like this," Bell said. "So I'm a little bit prepared."
SMALL-SCHOOL JEWEL: One of the young players getting glowing reviews from inside the organization is rookie offensive lineman Chris Kuper.
The fifth-round draft pick from Division II North Dakota has been running with the second team at right guard throughout camp and has demonstrated good balance, footwork and excellent upper-body strength.
He frequently has drawn praise during one-on-one pass rushing drills.
Kuper appears to have put himself in solid position to make the 53-player roster.
"I definitely want to be a guy that can contribute when the team needs me," the 6-foot-4, 302-pound Kuper said.
STEPPING UP: Linebacker Ian Gold smiled broadly as he watched Domonique Foxworth cut in front of receiver Todd Devoe, intercept a red-zone pass and head down the right sideline for a 95-yard touchdown during the morning practice.
"I love it," Gold yelled. "There's some competition out here!"
Foxworth still might be running behind fellow 2005 draftee Darrent Williams at right cornerback, but he isn't going away quietly, as he has strung together several good practices.
On the play before his interception, Foxworth batted away a fade pass to Darius Watts in the end zone.
The two went step for step down the left sideline on a deep go route later, but the pass was overthrown.
During the afternoon session, Foxworth outleaped David Terrell in the team period and intercepted his second pass of the day.
"Foxworth's competing hard and he's making improvements, so that's a positive situation," defensive coordinator Larry Coyer said.
ETC.: Receiver Rashaun Woods, claimed off waivers Wednesday, failed his physical after a magnetic resonance imaging exam revealed a hamstring pull. It's unlikely the Broncos will bring back the former No. 1 pick because he needs time to heal and there isn't a roster spot available. The team instead signed running back Damien Nash to fill the void created by the release of running back Marty Johnson. Nash was a fifth-round pick of the Tennessee Titans last season who played college ball with Missouri . . . Reserve linebacker T.J. Holowell injured his left calf during the second practice and, after examination by the training staff, was carted off the field . . . Watts remains the No. 3 receiver. With Javon Walker given the morning off and Rod Smith nursing a strained hamstring, Watts was the lone receiver in two tight-end formations, followed by rookie Brandon Marshall . . . Chris Myers replaced starter Ben Hamilton (right knee) at left guard in the morning. Hamilton returned for the second workout . . . John Engelberger has filled in for Courtney Brown (knee) as first-team defensive end. Kenard Lang had been running with the second unit earlier in camp.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nfl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23918_4893266,00.html