Roles revolve for Broncos

ENGLEWOOD • One of the biggest lessons in the NFL is to not get too comfortable with your role. Stick around a few weeks and it's likely to change.

Of the 53 players on the Broncos' active roster, 37 have seen their role change at least a little bit since training camp began in July. Some players have experienced dramatic changes. Safety Calvin Lowry was with Tennessee in August, and he started Denver's last game. Spencer Larsen was a linebacker at the beginning of camp; he has become a starting fullback. Chris Kuper started at right tackle, moved to right guard when then-starter Montrae Holland came to camp overweight, and has stayed at guard.

Some players, like linebacker Nate Webster, punter Brett Kern and running back Michael Pittman, moved up the depth chart. Others like receiver Darrell Jackson, defensive end John Engelberger and running back Selvin Young, moved down.

Karl Paymah is a prime example of how things change. He started training camp as the fourth cornerback. He moved up to third during camp and his spot was seemingly solidified when Domonique Foxworth was traded. Then he struggled in the first few games and was demoted back to fourth cornerback. But when Champ Bailey suffered a groin injury, Paymah went from barely in the defensive plans to a starting position, leapfrogging third cornerback Jack Williams.

"You've got to worry about what you can control, because in this game you can be a starter and the next day you don't know when you're going to see the field," Paymah said. "That's the frustrating thing about the game, but you can't worry about what's going on upstairs, when you get the opportunity you have to rise to the occasion."

Veterans understand how it works. Pittman has been through many role changes in his 11-year career, and he has had a wild ride this year. In camp he went from a deep reserve at tailback to fullback, and back to tailback by the start of the season. He was the short-yardage specialist at the beginning of the regular season, then saw his role increase on normal downs until he became the unquestioned starter two games ago.

Pittman expressed his desire to be on the team late in the preseason, but never worried about what his role was at any time.

"Being a veteran, I didn't panic," Pittman said. "I just waited for this opportunity to start.

I was with the backups in camp a majority of the time, and I made the most of it."

Injuries play a big part in shifting job duties. Bailey and Paymah weren't the only ones affected by Bailey's injury. Cornerback Josh Bell was signed to the active roster from the practice squad. Cornerback Rashod Moulton was signed to Bell's old spot on the practice squad.

Sometimes, performance dictates change. Pittman knew he couldn't panic when he was low on the depth chart, but he also said young players can't assume they have a permanent hold on a starting spot.

"When you're young, sometimes you get a fat head and think that because you just put up 150 yards you're invincible and you don't have to practice or something like that," Pittman said. "Not every guy acts like that, but sometimes they do."

Players move up and down the depth chart, and sometimes from position to position or team to team, throughout the NFL season.

"You have to learn to adapt," said defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban, who was out with an injury last season but reclaimed his starting job before Denver's last game. "Guys that can adapt are usually the guys that last in the league a long time."

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Contact the writer: 476-4891 or frank.schwab@gazette.com. Check out our Broncos blog at gazettebroncos.freedomblogging.com