McCaffrey not
at full speed
The Broncos' best-case scenario was that wide receiver Ed McCaffrey would be able to fully participate in team drills by the time their mini-camp concludes next week.But despite making weekly progress while recovering from hernia surgery, McCaffrey maintains that scenario isn't going to play out.
"Coaches and trainers are always overly optimistic," he told the Rocky Mountain News on Thursday.
McCaffrey estimated he is only about 75 percent ready physically and, at most, will run pass routes without being defended over the final four practices of the mini-camp.
In the meantime, Hawaii alumnus Ashley Lelie has ascended to McCaffrey's starting spot opposite Rod Smith. Chris Cole and Herb Haygood currently are working with the second group.
Newly signed quarterback Jake Plummer's timing already seems to be down with Smith, Lelie and Jeb Putzier. He hasn't worked much with McCaffrey and Shannon Sharpe yet.
In the long run, McCaffrey's primary goal is to report to camp at full speed and healthy.
"It's unfortunate I can't participate as much as I would like in this camp," he said. "But there's still time to get together with the quarterbacks during the off-season conditioning program before training camp."
Hawaii alum is last tackle standing
There's a reason the NFL's best left tackles command signing bonuses exceeding $10 million.The position is crucial to protecting quarterbacks and allowing offenses to operate smoothly.
The Seattle Seahawks were well-armed at the position when Pro Bowl choice Walter Jones was in the lineup.
But with Jones in a contract dispute, the team's depth at the position is tenuous. That depth might now be fleeting as well.
Michael Thompson, the tackle Seattle acquired in April as insurance for Jones, suffered a hyperextended right knee during a minicamp practice Tuesday.
Wayne Hunter, a third-round choice from Hawaii, was the last true left tackle standing when practice concluded. Hunter is a former defensive lineman with one year of experience at left tackle.
"That is a big question mark there," line coach Tom Lovat told the Tacoma News Tribune.
The extent of Thompson's injury was not immediately known. He came to Seattle from Atlanta with a history of knee troubles.
The Seahawks hope to reach agreement with Jones, who missed the first two regular-season games during a contract dispute last year, before the season.
Star-Bulletin wire services