Plenty of Class in Broncos Rookie Crew

[lawdog93]

Plenty of class in Broncos' rookie crew
Denver is putting its first-year players on the firing line, and they are responding with some fine performances.
By Mike Klis
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 11/09/2008 11:28:25 PM MST


For the Broncos, everything starts with their beginners.

Among the 44 players who played for the Broncos in their 34-30 win Thursday night at Cleveland, 11 were rookies. And from those 11, six essentially started: left tackle Ryan Clady, receiver Eddie Royal, running back Ryan Torain, fullback Peyton Hillis, outside linebacker Wesley Woodyard and punter Brett Kern.

Name another NFL team that won Sunday with roughly one-quarter rookies on its game-day roster and one-quarter rookies in its starting lineup.

"The thing is, we don't consider ourselves rookies," Royal said. "We've been with this team long enough to where everyone has pretty much established himself in a certain role. If we make a mistake, being a rookie is no excuse. We're expected to get the job done, just like everybody else."

There was no big-name quarterback in the Broncos' draft class of 2008. Nor was there a highly touted pass rusher or first-round running back. No running back in the second, third or fourth round, either.

What the Broncos have with this collection of rooks are players who like to buckle up both chin straps and block, tackle, snort, spit, smile and do it all over again.

Even the two biggest stars of the Broncos' rookie class, Clady and Royal, are players who never walk off the field with clean uniforms.

Plenty of class in Broncos' rookie crew - The Denver Post