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Denver Broncos rookie receiver Eddie Royal, getting his first start because of Brandon Marshall’s one-game suspension, was nearly unstoppable in the Broncos 41-14 Kickoff Weekend opener against the Oakland Raiders last night. He repeatedly burned former Pro Bowl cornerback (and new Raider acquisition) DeAngelo Hall and wound up with nine catches for 146 yards and a touchdown. He also had two carries for nine yards and added 18 punt return yards. (He even attempted a pass but it was incomplete.) I won’t tell you I didn’t see this coming. I spoke with him back in February at the NFL Scouting Combine and he told me, in-part:

“A guy like Wes Welker is really in the mold of the type of player I’d like to be at the next level. He’s a great punt returner, but he gets in the slot and he knows how to find those holes in a defense. And he’s very productive. I think it’s important to show teams that you can do everything, that you’re a versatile player. I can return kicks, I can play the slot, and I can play the Z on the outside. It’s been very important to show the teams how much I know about coverages and playing the wide receiver position.”

Prophetic, wouldn’t you say? I believed him and I guess the Broncos believed him. He’s already got Denver fans talking Rookie-of-the-Year. And when Brandon Marshall returns next week — look out. If the Broncos can put 41 on a revamped (and supposedly improved) Raiders defense without their leading receiver, think of the possibilities when Brandon returns. Anyway, check out my complete NFL Draft interview with Eddie Royal.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Broncos Rookie Eddie Royal Kills Raiders

Image details: Virginia Tech v Georgia Tech served by picapp.com

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One of the most athletic players on Virginia Tech’s roster, wide receiver Eddie Royal established himself as the premier punt returner in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He also excelled as a kickoff returner and proved to be a dangerous threat running out of the backfield while showing off a strong arm for the option pass. In fact, Eddie holds the rare distinction of throwing a touchdown, catching twelve scoring passes, rushing once for a touchdown and returning three punts for scores during his career. It was also rare to see a receiver become a school’s career leader in all-purpose yards, but he did so by amassing 4,698 of them. And his 1,296 punt return yards established an ACC career-record. Any team looking for the next Devin Hester in the upcoming NFL Draft ought to seriously consider Eddie Royal, who could be his second-coming. I caught up with Eddie for this quick Q&A.

DAVID: As you enter the NFL Draft, Eddie, I think a lot of people are going to compare you to Devin Hester because you can’t underestimate the value of a great punt returner and how he can change a game around.

EDDIE: Devin Hester has helped me out a lot. He’s really shown how important a punt returner is. But the teams I’m talking to like me as a receiver also. A guy like Wes Welker is really in the mold of the type of player I’d like to be at the next level. He’s a great punt returner, but he gets in the slot and he knows how to find those holes in a defense. And he’s very productive. I think it’s important to show teams that you can do everything, that you’re a versatile player. I can return kicks, I can play the slot, and I can play the Z on the outside. It’s been very important to show the teams how much I know about coverages and playing the wide receiver position.

DAVID: Coach Beamer emphasized special teams at Virginia Tech. That had to help you develop into the multi-faceted player you are today.

EDDIE: It was big in the recruiting process. Special teams was big for me in high school, too. I returned kicks and punts in high school. It was important for me. Coach Beamer was the best at it so that was a key element in me going to Virginia Tech. He’s taught me so much. I don’t think the transition to the next level will be that hard.

DAVID: Between the Senior Bowl, the Combine and your Pro Day, what do you feel is the most influential to NFL teams?

EDDIE: I think the Pro Day is big because they really get to work you out. They tell you what to do, what routes they want to see you run. I think the Pro Day is more hands-on for the NFL teams. They get to see you run your routes. It’s not just the 40. It’s not just the bench. They see you out there doing what you do best.

DAVID: Was your Draft prep more work or more fun?

EDDIE: I had a lot of fun. I heard it was going to be a lot of work, but I had fun just opening up to the coaches. I feel like the more they know about me, the higher I’ll go.

DAVID: What was it like after the tragedy at Virginia Tech? It almost seemed like football helped to unify the school.

EDDIE: I think football was a part of the healing process. It helped us all out. It made you not think about it for a while and gave people something to go out and cheer about — something for people to come together and that was great for us.

DAVID: Who has been the biggest influence on your football career?

EDDIE: I’d say Coach Beamer. He taught me how to be a professional — to always be on time, studying film, the importance of being a team player — those little life lessons about football. Coach did a great job of teaching me.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

EMQB Interview: Eddie Royal

Today was the last official day for the media to be working at the NFL Scouting Combine. Only one head coach made an appearance today — Detroit Lions leader Rod Marinelli. And Indianapolis Colts President Bill Polian also stopped by. The final group of players to speak with the media were defensive backs. And LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey took his turn at the presser podium, making up for a missed opportunity yesterday because he was involved in a battery of tests at the hospital. I think he also wanted to clear the air regarding the rumors surrounding his attendance and ailing leg:

“I’m never surprised. I always try to set myself up to hear wild things. Some stuff I just wonder where people get it from. Even the reports saying I was not coming. I don’t know where that came from. It is what it is. I’m just trying to enjoy myself and make sure I’m taking care of my responsibility. Everybody is going to have their opinion on what they think about me and my game, but as long as I’m taking care of my business, that is all that matters to me ….. I have not missed a game since I got to LSU. Everybody gets bruised up. That’s the way I look at it. Who does not go through a season without getting bumps and bruises? I don’t think it’s an issue at all. I’ve played every game since I’ve been at LSU, my whole four years, so I do not think it’s a problem at all.”

Other than Glenn Dorsey, the talk of the day has been Arkansas RB Darren McFadden’s blazing 40-time as RBs, QBs and WRs worked out. Already considered one of the top prospects (and maybe the best overall athlete) in this Draft class, Darren ran a 4.33-40. I really didn’t expect him to get that good of a time. A 4.43 maybe. But, this was something to see. Darren was a blur. Somehow, that number was not the day’s best among running backs, though. East Carolina’s Chris Johnson ran a 4.24-40. This was nothing new for Chris. He is one of the fastest athletes at this Combine and a player teams are very seriously going to consider given his impressive collegiate stats and speed. One example — he had 408 total yards against Boise State in the Hawaii Bowl. And he’s comparing himself to Brian Westbrook. Sounds about right.

The quarterbacks impressed. My feeling that a bunch of these guys are going to make solid NFL QBs was supported by their workouts today. Joe Flacco showed off his big arm and speed for such a big guy. I thought Chad Henne (especially out-routes and deep throws) and Colt Brennan (20 of 21) also threw well. John David Booty looked sharp, especially on his long passes. He might be the most NFL-ready QB in this class. Brian Brohm showcased his accuracy, even on 45-yarders off seven- and five-step drops. Joshua Johnson is also a quarterback to watch. He was really off my radar screen until I saw his workout. Plus he ran the fastest 40-time (4.55) among the QBs. Matt Ryan (Boston College) and Andre Woodson (Kentucky) watched the action. Matt chose not to workout and Andre was nursing a hamstring.

The wideouts were a speedy bunch as five players came in under 4.4 in the 40. DeSean Jackson not only had the fastest 40-time (4.35) but he ran good routes and caught everything near him. He impressed me. One knock on him is his size (he’s a buck 70), but I think NFL’s team can utilize him much like the Bills use Roscoe Parrish or the Bears use Devin Hester. He’ll have a role for some NFL team in the fall. Indiana’s James Hardy is one of my “sleeper” picks if you can even call him that. In an NFL Network interview he admitted to needing to work on his blocking and route running, but this guy is going to be a good one. With his big frame, I think he has the potential to be unstoppable in one-on-one matchups.

Here are the winning numbers for quarterbacks, running backs and wideouts in their drills:

Quarterbacks – Bench Press (Bernard Morris, Marshall, 18); Broad Jump (Brian Brohm, Louisville, 9′7″); Vert Jump (Joshua Johnson, San Diego, 33.5″); 3-Cone Drill (Joe Flacco, Delaware, 6.82); 20-yard Shuttle (Alex Brink, Washington State, 4.19); 40-yard Dash (Joshua Johnson, San Diego, 4.55).

Running Backs – Bench Press (Jerome Felton, Furman, 30 and Carl Stewart, Auburn, 30); Broad Jump (Carl Stewart, Auburn, 11′2″ and Anthony Alridge, Houston, 11′2″); Vert Jump (Carl Stewart, Auburn, 39″); 3-Cone Drill (Ray Rice, Rutgers, 6.65); 20-yard Shuttle (Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois, 4.18); 60-yard Shuttle (Matt Forte, Tulane, 11.49); 40-yard Dash (Chris Johnson, East Carolina, 4.24).

Wideouts – Bench Press (Eddie Royal, Virginia Tech, 24); Broad Jump (Jerome Simpson, Coastal Carolina, 11′4″); Vert Jump (Keenan Burton, Kentucky, 38.5″); 3-Cone Drill (Harry Douglas, Louisville, 6.57); 20-yard Shuttle (Arman Shields, Richmond, 3.96); 60-yard Shuttle (Arman Shields, Richmond, 10.87); 40-yard Dash (DeSean Jackson, Cal, 4.35).

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL Scouting Combine 2008: Day Four