Broncos: Last-minute additions to the resume

GLENDALE, Ariz. • Most of the players on the field Friday night in the Denver Broncos’ preseason finale were fighting for jobs, and they won’t have to wait long to find out if they earned one.

Denver defeated the Arizona Cardinals 28-14 at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Broncos didn’t play any regular starters and held out some veteran backups such as quarterback Patrick Ramsey, running back Andre Hall, receivers Darrell Jackson and Brandon Stokley, defensive linemen Kenny Peterson and Ebenezer Ekuban and linebacker Jamie Winborn.

The deadline to cut rosters to 53 players is 2 p.m. today, or about 15 hours after the conclusion of Friday’s game.

The game was an audition for players such as quarterback Darrell Hackney, who played the entire game, and rookie tailback Anthony Alridge, who had 79 yards on 12 carries in the first half. Alridge’s 27-yard run in the second quarter was the longest for the Broncos this preseason. Hackney completed 9 of 13 passes for 57 yards in the first half and ran for 40 yards on four attempts.

Receiver Keary Colbert scored an 87-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter on a pass from Hackney. Colbert ran the final 60 yards for the score, and Hackney ran in for the 2-point conversion to give Denver a 21-14 lead.

Other players who took advantage of opportunities were defensive tackle Paul Carrington, who forced a fumble, rookie linebacker Wesley Woodyard, who had a sack and forced a pair of fumbles, and running back Michael Pittman, who scored the team’s first touchdown on a 1-yard run.

Rookie cornerback Jack Williams intercepted a pass and had a nifty 87-yard return for a touchdown to give Denver a 28-14 lead.

The Broncos’ pass defense struggled even though two players who shouldn’t be in any danger of not making the roster, fourth-year cornerbacks Domonique Foxworth and Karl Paymah, started and played the entire first half.

Quarterback Kurt Warner started the game for Arizona and completed all four passes for 48 yards. Matt Leinart, who was coming off a three-interception performance last week, relieved Warner and kept the offense rolling. In the second quarter, Leinart was 10 of 14 for 177 yards and a touchdown. On his touchdown pass, a 17-yarder to tight end Leonard Pope, Foxworth was closest in coverage. Paymah gave up some long plays as well, including a 27-yard catch to Jerheme Urban in which he was draped over Urban downffeld but Urban caught the ball anyway.

Arizona led 14-10 at halftime despite losing two fumbles. The Cardinals played many starters for most of the first quarter. Leinart came out of the game at halftime.

BRONCOS REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE

Sept. 8 at Oakland 8:15 p.m.

Sept. 14 VS. SAN DIEGO 2:15 p.m.

Sept. 21 VS. NEW ORLEANS 2:05 p.m.

Sept. 28 at Kansas City 1 p.m.

Oct. 5 VS. TAMPA BAY 2:05 p.m.

Oct. 12 VS. JACKSONVILLE 2:05 p.m.

Oct.20 at New England 6:30 p.m.

BYE WEEK

Nov. 2 VS. MIAMI 2:05 p.m.

Nov. 6 at Cleveland 6:15 p.m.

Nov. 16 at Atlanta 11 a.m.

Nov. 23 VS. OAKLAND 2:05 p.m.

Nov. 30 at New York Jets 11 a.m.

Dec. 7 VS. KANSAS CITY 2:05 p.m.

Dec. 14 at Carolina 11 a.m.

Dec. 21 VS. BUFFALO 2:05 p.m.

Dec. 28 at San Diego 2:15 p.m.

SEASON OPENER

Denver at Oakland, 8:15 p.m., Sept. 8, ESPN, 850 AM