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By Arnie Stapleton
AP Sports Writer
(July 30, 2007)
ENVER — The best play at the Denver Broncos’ first day of camp wasn’t Javon Walker coming down with the ball on a deflected pass, David Kircus hauling in a 50-yard reception from Jay Cutler between three defenders or Todd Sauerbrun booting an 80-yard punt.
No, the top performance occurred during team stretching when rookie defensive tackle Marcus Thomas was called out in front of the group in a tradition the players call “break down.” Some players do a little dance, others a little shake. Some are laughed at, others are admired for their athleticism or rhythm.
Thomas, a 300-pound-plus defensive tackle from Florida, did a back-flip that so astonished his teammates he was quickly mobbed by several of them as the crowd roared its approval.
“I actually saw it in college once and when he did his workouts for the pro scouts,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “A lot of his coaches were there. During that time, he started his workouts doing that so I had kind of anticipated it. Most of our players never see that, so they are a little bit surprised. He did a round off and a back flip, not many guys can do that at 325 pounds.”
“That was impressive,” defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban said. “You know we have been practicing that for two weeks. I think I’ll try to do that tomorrow.”
Pro Bowl safety Champ Bailey laughed when asked when he’ll follow suit.
“When you put some money on the table,” he said. “I get paid a lot of money to play football. If you want to pay me to do a back flip, I will do a couple for you.
“The first time I’ve seen that,” Bailey added. “A big guy like that.”
“My jaw dropped,” pass-rusher Kenard Lang said. “I certainly can’t do that.”
Thomas hopes to impress in practice, too.
One of those who raised eyebrows on Day 1 was Sauerbrun, who provided the highlight of the afternoon workout with his 80-yard punt.
“I have been watching him since he has been here. If he gets a little bit of wind he is trying to make field goals from back there,” Shanahan said. “One of his punts had almost six seconds of hang time. He punted extremely well and he has had a good offseason program. Hopefully he can keep it up.”
Sauerbrun rejoined the Broncos in the offseason after he was ruled a free agent. He was waived by the Broncos last year after using a weight-loss product containing the dietary aid ephedra, which is banned by the NFL.
FIRST SCARE: The first scare of training camp came about 90 minutes into the workout Sunday when wide receiver Javon Walker and linebacker Nate Webster collided. Walker stayed down for a minute and Webster for a couple before getting up.
It was a scary sight for a team that’s thin at both positions because of injuries.
Walker shook it off and made a spectacular grab on a ball that was deflected by cornerback Karl Paymah 10 minutes later.
(source: Associated Press) |
