Broncos cutting it close

By Jason Kirk  |   Thursday, July 27, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Denver Broncos
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With training camp set to begin July 28, the Denver Broncos have signed just three of its seven draft picks. The team has reached an agreement with fourth-rounders Brandon Marshall and Elvis Dumervil, and sixth-round pick Greg Eslinger.

Marshall, a 6-4, 230 pound wide receiver, played four years at Central Florida. In 37 games, he caught 74 passes for 1,195 yards and 11 touchdowns. The former Golden Knight could have added to those totals had he not been moved to safety for the final seven games of the 2004 season, after injuries decimated UCF's defensive backfield. Marshall has impressed coaches and teammates so much during the Broncos' offseason workouts that he's been nicknamed "Baby T.O.," in reference to receiver Terrell Owens.

Dumervil, 5-11, 257 lbs., was a dominant force at the defensive end position for Louisville. In 44 career games, including 25 starts, he recorded 151 tackles, 42.5 tackles-for-loss, 32 sacks, 12 forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. His 32 sacks rank him 6th all-time in NCAA Division I-A play. The former Cardinal had such an incredible senior season that he won the 2005 Ted Hendricks College Defensive End of the Year Award and the 2005 Bronco Nagurski Award, given to the nation's best defensive player. He was also named a first-team All-American and was the Big East Defensive Player of the Year.

Eslinger, 6-3, 292 lbs., was a four-year starter on the offensive line for Minnesota. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2004 and was named to the 2005 AFCA Coaches' All-America Team. Eslinger was also won the 2005 Outland Trophy which is awarded to the nation's best lineman. He is the first true center to win the award since Dave Rimington of Nebraska in 1981 and '82.

Denver's four draft picks that remain unsigned are: QB Jay Cutler, TE Tony Scheffler, WR Domenik Hixon and OT Chris Kuper.
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