The newest horse in the Denver Broncos' stable is ready to ride. Lelie looking forward
Elam will be ready for opener
to debut
By Nick Abramo
nabramo@starbulletin.comWide receiver Ashley Lelie, Denver's first-round draft pick, is raring to play his first regular-season NFL game tomorrow.
"At first I was nervous," Lelie said in a phone interview Thursday. "But now I'm not. I'm getting focused, getting ready for the game."
Tomorrow's opener just happens to be against the St. Louis Rams, who have played in two of the last three Super Bowls.
"St. Louis has a reputation to keep," said Lelie, who is immensely popular in the 50th state after breaking nearly all of Hawaii's major career and single-season receiving records a year ago. "They're playing the Broncos; maybe they're thinking we're not that good because we didn't have a good season last year. So the last thing they want is for us to put a blemish on them.
"For us, it's a chance to prove how good we've come along. It's a true test for the upcoming season."
According to teammate Jason Elam (the all-time Hawaii place-kicking leader and 10-year NFL veteran), Denver's 8-8 record is about as low as Broncos fans and the Denver organization will allow.
Bouncing back strong is foremost on the minds of the Denver brass and that's one reason the Broncos drafted the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Lelie 19th overall. And Lelie feels fortunate to be part of the Rocky Mountain mix.
"Jason is a cool guy, and I'm out there every day with him at practice," said Lelie, who played his high-school ball at Radford. "My locker is right next to Ed McCaffrey and Rod Smith and Shannon Sharpe, and I'm talking to them and hanging out with them every day."
In four preseason games, the rookie caught 15 passes for 167 yards. In the final exhibition against Seattle, he had seven receptions for 86 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown from third-string quarterback Jarious Jackson.
"I knew they were going to throw to me in that situation," said Lelie, who is the Broncos' third receiver behind Smith and McCaffrey. "The week before (against Arizona), I thought I had a TD, but the ball hit the ground and popped out. (Against Seattle) it was a thrill to come down with it."
Denver's newest stallion will be striving for a lot more of those thrills at the other end of passes from starting quarterback Brian Griese.
"I hope for the Super Bowl ... to make it a memorable rookie season," he said.
National Football League