Here's the catch: Dropped passes plaguing WR Watts

SouthernBronco · ^#1 08-01-2006, 09:36 PM

How long do we wait for Watts? Charlie Adams anyone?

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...l/15175218.htm

Here's the catch: Dropped passes plaguing WR Watts
PAT GRAHAM
Associated Press

DENVER - Near the goal line, receiver Darius Watts bluffed like he was going toward the sideline and immediately cut back into the middle.

The safety covering him was faked out of his cleats and the pass was on the money. But the ball hit Watts in the hands and fell to the turf during Tuesday's morning practice.

That's pretty much how training camp has been going for Watts.

Dropped passes have plagued Watts since he was drafted in the second round out of Marshall University in 2004.

The Broncos were hoping the drops were behind him. Denver coach Mike Shanahan even singled him out during team camp in June for his solid play.

"He showed a lot more confidence, very consistent catching the ball," Shanahan said. "Darius can always get open. He's got unbelievable quickness. He was a little inconsistent with his hands."

That's followed him into camp. He will make a sensational catch on a long play and then drop a ball over the middle. Shanahan has called him aside on occasion.

"I'm listening to what he's saying," Watts said. "I'm taking it in and trying to use what he's saying.

"You've got to have a short memory with it. You've got to hope for another chance to make up for it."

After Tuesday's practice, Watts remained behind to work on pass routes.

"I'm staying after because it's still on my mind," Watts said of the dropped pass. "I got to shake it off real quick."

During his rookie season, Watts caught 31 passes for 385 yards and one touchdown. Last season, he had just two catches and spent most of the year inactive.

Preseason will again be vital for Watts. A year ago, he made the team - and sent Jerry Rice into retirement - with a two-touchdown performance against Arizona in the final preseason game.

"Preseason games are always big," he said. "Everybody in the NFL is looking at you, so you got to do good. If they cut you here somebody else might see the game and want to pick you up. You've got to do your best."

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STOOPS PAYS A VISIT@: Successful coaches like to check out what other successful coaches are doing. That's why University of Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops and his staff showed up at Dove Valley on Tuesday.

"I've always had great admiration and respect for coach Shanahan and how his teams have played," Stoops said. "I thought it was a great opportunity to look at how they run their practices ... and meetings."

Although they've never crossed paths, Shanahan and Stoops have similar coaching stops on their resumes. Both coached at Florida and Oklahoma.

"At Oklahoma, he was with coach (Barry) Switzer for a period of time," Stoops said. "Coach Switzer always talks about coach Shanahan and what a great guy he was when he was with him."

Stoops even offered up some Oklahoma trivia involving Broncos owner Pat Bowlen.

"Mr. Bowlen has two degrees (business and law) from Oklahoma. Not many people know that," Stoops said.

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ROLLING MEADOWS@: Offensive lineman Adam Meadows arrived at practice Tuesday and is happy to be playing football again.

Meadows was in Carolina's training camp in 2004 before retiring due to a shoulder injury. Meadows has spent the last two years out of football after playing from 1997 to 2003 with Indianapolis.

"I was really missing it," Meadows said. "I'm rusty. I want to get there. I want to compete. Do I want to start? Absolutely. Am I going to start? Maybe not. But whatever role I'm in I want to do it well."

Meadows said his shoulder got so bad he couldn't even wash his face at night. That's why he decided to step away from the game. He ran a residential construction and real estate development company in Georgia, but realized he still had the urge to play football.

"This boat only goes down the river one time," Meadows said. "I've got to get on the boat. Let's go down the river until it won't go anymore."

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QUICK HITS@: Asked if there were any developments with holdout WR Ashley Lelie, GM Ted Sundquist said, "Nothing here." ... TE Nate Jackson was held out of practice with an ankle injury. "I'll be all right in a couple of days," Jackson said. ... WR Todd Devoe (shoulder), WR Domenik Hixon (foot), OT Erik Pears (finger), S Sam Brandon (hamstring) and DE Kenard Lang (stomach virus) also missed the morning workout. ... DE Courtney Brown missed some time with an inflamed knee. "(Holding him out is) more preventative than anything," Shanahan said.

AdamantiumBronco · ^#2 08-01-2006, 10:05 PM

If not for the drops he'd be No.3 for sure, and we would be solid running three reciever sets...

DenBronx · ^#3 08-01-2006, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darrentwilliams

If not for the drops he'd be No.3 for sure, and we would be solid running three reciever sets...

uh oh....looks like watts is going to lose ground quick. but i hear the words....marshal....marshal....marshal!

aberdien · ^#4 08-01-2006, 10:29 PM

I'd like to see Adams at #3.

If we still had B.J. Johnson...

I never saw that much potential in Watts anyway..

Javalon · ^#5 08-01-2006, 10:33 PM

Everybody has been having their bad days. Unfortunately, I think this is two in a row for Watts.

I'm still pulling for the guy. But if he can't cure his case of the dropsies, I don't believe he will be on the team for a fourth training camp.

Come on, Darius! You've got the tools to be a Pro Bowl receiver if you'll just make the catch! If he can just get over this, we'll have a dominant set of receivers.

Javalon · ^#6 08-01-2006, 10:36 PM

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