BRONCOS: Some players must make most of short time in practice

ENGLEWOOD - Once Travis Henry, Cecil Sapp and Mike Bell have taken their turns in practice, Denver Broncos fourth-string tailback Andre Hall might get a few snaps.

Even then, Hall has to share some of the leftover repetitions with fifth-string tailback Selvin Young.

That’s training camp reality for many players. The players who aren’t starters or established backups have to impress the coaches to earn a job. That’s not always easy.

“I get, max, 10-12 reps a day,” Hall said. “It’s good if I do get that. When I do get one, I have to focus on that one and try to bust it up on that one.”

The Broncos don’t discriminate against players who weren’t high draft picks, which means the players low on the depth chart have hope if they can catch the coaches’ attention.

Running back Mike Bell was undrafted last year and was a key contributor. Tight end Chad Mustard was a schoolteacher in 2005, yet made the Broncos in 2006.

Receiver Brian Clark got a job after entering training camp as an undrafted rookie last year. He made the practice squad, then was signed to the active roster Oct. 23 and played in six games. He didn’t get many repetitions in camp last year, but said he made the most of them by knowing his plays and not making mistakes.

“They say they look at every single rep, and you have to take that to heart,” Clark said. “You have to realize if you’re out there one play, they’re looking at that one play and that might be your only shot of the whole week. That’s stressful.”

Linebacker Wesly Mallard played in 59 games with Tampa Bay, New England and the New York Giants, and signed with Denver on the first day of training camp. A little more than a week later, he was listed as the second-team weakside linebacker. He said his experience helped him learn the defense quickly and know what the coaches wanted.

“You have to get yourself ready for practice every day,” Mallard said. “You’re always trying to make that impression. You don’t know who they’re going to keep, who they like or if they like you.”

Undrafted rookie Roderick Rogers is listed as the fourth-team strong safety, which means he gets little practice time. Usually the first- and second-stringers get most of the snaps, with the third team getting the leftovers. Rogers said he is aiming to make the roster, despite the odds.

“You’re at the bottom of the totem pole, so you have to prove yourself,” Rogers said.

Hall is one of the players on the roster bubble. He could earn a spot on the active roster if the Broncos keep a fourth tailback, but could make the practice squad if he is released.

He said he’s trying to impress running backs coach Bobby Turner every day, but doesn’t think being a teacher’s pet will help.

“It’s not going to take me chasing him and telling him this and that and trying to kiss his butt,” Hall said. “That’s not going t[BODY]o work. I’m not going to do that. I’m going to be a man and go on like everyone else, and when I get a chance to go, do my best and know what I’m doing.”

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