ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — A year ago the Denver Broncos kept six linebackers on their roster coming out of training camp. But one of them was the then-suspended Von Miller.
That has led to rampant speculation about how many linebackers the Broncos will keep coming out of training camp this year, with the general consensus being between five and seven.
Out of the many uncertainties, one things appears to be clear: Lerentee McCray and Brandon Marshall are in the mix.
Both play the opposing outside linebacker positions, with Marshall playing on the weak side and McCray on the strong side. Both were on the Broncos’ roster a season ago.
Marshall was on the team’s practice squad in 2013 before being signed to the official roster in late December, and McCray spent the entire season on injured reserve.
The familiarity with the lay of the land in Broncos Country may play to their advantage, and Marshall knows that.
“I got acclimated with the coaches, the scheme, the offense,” Marshall said. “I think that gives me a leg up.”
On the team’s first day in pads Saturday, it appeared Marshall was also doing a fine job separating himself from the pack when it came to blitzing. On at least two occasions, he timed his rush well enough to waltz into the backfield and tap the quarterback for would-be sacks.
It was especially pleasing for Marshall considering the team has put what he called an “emphasis” on improving their blitz packages this training camp.
“We’ve got to get more pressure on the quarterback,” Marshall said. “That’s what I’m trying to provide. ”
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Typically, that pressure will come from the strong side linebacker, considering that’s the position typically occupied by Von Miller. McCray is trying to become the next man up at that side, and he certainly looks the part at 6-foot-3, 249 pounds.
But size does’t always translate on the field. And though McCray has had his moments this training camp, he was singled out by John Fox Saturday when the head coach got on the defense about reading the play clock before the snap and responding accordingly.
“It’s no secret,” McCray said. “I’ve got to get better at some aspects of my game. My cover skills and skills defending the run both need work too.”
The one category where McCray isn’t lacking? Effort. Just ask Miller.
“His motor is unique,” Miller said. “The dude doesn’t get tired. That’s Florida football, SEC football for you. It’s instilled in those guys.”
Danny Trevathan also tends to be well-qualified when it comes to judging effort.
Last training camp, he was one of the guys fighting for a roster spot. One regular season, 129 tackles and 3 interceptions later, Trevathan has become one of the leaders on the Broncos’ defense.
He got there, he says, by “embarrassing guys” in training camp.
“I call it embarrassing, but what you’re really trying to do is help guys improve,” Trevathan said. “Guys like (Marshall and McCray), I want to push them to great, just like I want them to push me to be great.”