OAKLAND, Calif. >> Ashley Lelie was bleeding in the postgame locker room. It felt good, really good. Lelie gets physical
in career game
Life in the NFL
Star-Bulletin wire services
In the most physical game of his career, the rookie proved to be as tough as he is fast, making four difficult catches for 106 yards.
His body will recover. But if the Denver Broncos do not make the playoffs, it will take him much longer to get over the agony of the 28-16 loss to Oakland on Sunday at Network Associates Coliseum.
"They just got after it more than we did," said Lelie, who established a career-high with his first 100-yard game. "We thought we had a chance, definitely. We got a couple turnovers but didn't capitalize."
Lelie -- who averaged 26.5 yards per catch, including a long of 48 yards -- kept the Broncos' faint hope alive by making a 17-yard reception on fourth-and-15. But Ed McCaffrey and Shannon Sharpe let catchable throws slip through their hands in the end zone at the end of the last-minute drive.
"I made mistakes, there was a couple penalties that were called because of me," Lelie said. "I wouldn't say it was my best game, no. But I had fun out there until we lost."
Griese still hurting: Quarterback Brian Griese's sprained left knee was still sore yesterday, but the Broncos won't know until later this week whether he'll play Sunday's home game against Arizona.
Griese, who earlier missed two games with a similar injury, did not return to the game after he was sacked by Oakland's Bill Romanowski in the second quarter Sunday.
Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said yesterday Griese's knee was worse than three weeks ago, when he wasn't able to play against the San Diego Chargers.
Wide receiver Ed McCaffrey had a bruised sternum and hand, and running back Clinton Portis had a bruised kneecap. Shanahan believes both will be ready for the Cardinals.
National Football League
