Beadles out to start as a rookie

Football Betting Lines

08/28/2010 -

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) - Rookie hazing didn't spare Zane Beadles, whose mop of hair earlier this month was reduced to stubble by the Denver Broncos' veteran players.

``It still shocks me every time I walk in front of the mirror,'' Beadles said.

Nearly as startling: the second-rounder's rise to prominence as an offensive guard this summer.

An offensive tackle at the University of Utah, Beadles has spent the bulk of his first NFL summer learning the finer points of playing in more confined spaces in the pros, though his practice repetitions have increased at tackle since the official end of camp.

``It's been difficult at times,'' Beadles said, referring to his transition to guard. ``There's definitely some differences in all aspects of the game. And it's been an adjustment getting there but I'm getting more comfortable every single day. I've just got to keep working and I'll get there eventually.''

While he is again expected to start Sunday night in Denver's third preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Invesco Field, he may actually do so at tackle. Broncos coaches still are trying to gauge whether Beadles can be a viable option there, too.

Coach Josh McDaniels said Friday that there have been ``no decisions made on who's going to be our starting left guard as we start the season,'' adding that first-year player Stanley Daniels still has a chance to unseat Beadles.

Daniels will get early snaps at left guard against the Steelers, perhaps with Beadles playing alongside him, given that All-Pro left tackle Ryan Clady (knee) isn't ready for game activity just yet. Beadles also will play at left guard on Sunday.

``It just means both players are competing and competing hard to be that player,'' McDaniels said when asked whether his public pronouncement is a referendum on Beadles' play to date. ``I think both players understand that they're not where we want them to be - or probably where they want to be, either - as far as their consistency and level of play all the time.''

Beadles started the first two preseason games and played almost the entire time.

He's attempting to become a franchise rarity: a first-year offensive lineman starting the regular season opener. Only Claudie Minor (1974), Tom Glassic (1976), Mark Cooper (1983), Russell Freeman (1992) and Ryan Clady (2008) have done so previously for Denver.

Center J.D. Walton, a third-round pick out of Baylor, is virtually assured of joining that group. If Beadles plays alongside him in Jacksonville on Sept. 12, it means the training-camp roommates will become the first pair to start in the offensive trenches for the Broncos in a Week 1.

``We definitely get excited and look forward to going out there and playing,'' Beadles said. ``And it's nice to have someone there who's going though the same things as you that you can study with and bounce things off of. We've had a lot of fun with it so far and we've gone over things each day, 'Let's try to work on this.' It's been great so far.''

EXTRA POINTS: Several players sat out Friday's preparations for the third preseason game, including WR Brandon Stokley (groin); S Darcel McBath (forearm); NT Jamal Williams (undisclosed); TEs Richard Quinn (ankle) and Daniel Graham (undisclosed); WR Demaryius Thomas (foot) and DE Ben Garland (Air Force service commitment). ... ILB D.J. Williams is expected to make his preseason debut Sunday. He missed most of camp with an undisclosed injury and when he practiced he wore a non-contact jersey. Williams is practicing fully now. ... RBs Correll Buckhalter (neck/back) and LenDale White (leg) are practicing this week but it's a long shot that either plays Sunday, particularly Buckhalter. The team wants to proceed cautiously with the pair, although coach Josh McDaniels didn't completely rule them out.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

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