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Battles to watch on the final Friday
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It will not be the best Labor Day weekend for 22 Broncos hopefuls. The final preseason game is this Friday against Arizona, and for many it will be the last time they play in a NFL game. So, at Dove Valley today, we in the media decided to see if we could pick the cuts, which are due Saturday. Here are some players to watch on Friday night, because I think they are on the bubble.
Ebenezer Ekuban and Tim Crowder. There is a chance both will make the final 53-man roster, but Crowder has been as low as fourth on the depth chart in camp, and hasn't made a lot of noise in the games. This is only Crowder's second season, and I'd be surprised if the team gives up on him this early. But after being impressive early last season, he has become invisible at times.
As for Ekuban, he has had back spasms lately and didn't play against Green Bay. Mike Shanahan said last week that Ekuban was"close to Elvis Dumervil" when it came to pass-rushing skills, but after missing last season with an Achilles injury, you wonder how much Ekuban has left at the age of 32. The team does value his leadership, but the coach and players admit you have to be on the field to be a leader. I think Crowder may be the surprise cut of the weekend.
Michael Pittman, Cecil Sapp and Anthony Alridge. Andre Hall, Selvin Young, Ryan Torain and Peyton Hillis are on the team. The Broncos really love Hillis. His blocking is like Lorenzo Neal's, and he has hands like Roger Craig. The team thinks they really have a steal in this kid. Ryan Torain was very impressive in camp, and may be the starter in December if he can bounce back from his elbow injury. You know about Hall and Young. That makes four backs, and the team usually keeps five. Michael Pittman can play both fullback and running back, but Cecil Sapp is a great special teams player, but the team loves Anthony Alridge's speed. Alridge impressed both the Cowboys and Texans with that speed, and both teams may consider picking him up if his name hits the waiver wire. This could mean the Broncos keep six backs, or both Pittman and Sapp go and the team uses a tight end as another fullback if needed.
Brett Kern and Sam Paulescu. The biggest battle of this final Friday is the one for the punting position. The punter with the most impressive leg is Kern, but Paulescu has been the most consistent. I think Kern has the advantage, and will be the punter, but I won't be running to Vegas to wager on it.
I think Wesley Woodyard and Josh Barrett both make this team, and if the team decides to keep six running backs, maybe Keary Colbert is the odd man out at wide receiver.
Enjoy your BBQ, the games are for real in one week!
Click here to hear a breakdown of the past week by Mike Rice and I on "The Round-Up" on 850 KOA.
The Broncos and Raiders open on Monday, September 8 in Oakland. Keep up with the Raiders with Patrick Patterson, our Raiders Examiner, by clicking here.
