Broncos praise Lelie's progress

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer

SEATTLE — To hear the Denver Broncos' wide receivers tell it, they have quite a party set to go if only the guest of honor, Ashley Lelie, would finally come through on his part of the deal.

"When (the first NFL touchdown) does come, I tell you I'll be one excited dude," Ashley Lelie said. Advertiser library photo

"We're waiting, so I don't know what the problem is," veteran receiver Rod Smith says of his rookie understudy in mock disappointment. "We want to see him do some of those catches he made in college at Hawai'i. Maybe he's scared to score."

Actually, Smith says, "We just like to harass him a little bit. We like to have some fun with him, but we're all pulling for him. We want to see him get that first one and we're glad he's here and improving each week because we're going to need him in crunch time and in the playoffs."

It is a mark of the high regard Lelie is held just 10 games into his career that the Broncos are beginning to count on him for more than just down-the-road potential. That they are expecting big things so soon from one so young. "He's one of the first rookie (wide receivers) I've seen since I've been here who can come in and contribute right away," Smith says.

"You see him getting better and better every week he's out there," said quarterback Steve Beuerlein. "He's going to be a good one for a lot of years."

But after 23 catches — including two yesterday for 18 yards in the Broncos' 31-9 victory over the Seahawks — nobody is looking forward to that first trip to the end zone more than Lelie.

"When it does come, I tell you I'll be one excited dude," Lelie said. "Because scoring in the NFL really means something to me after growing up watching it ever since I can remember on TV. That would be incredible, especially if it helps the team win a game."

Teammates remind Lelie that he will be expected to perform an inaugural touchdown dance as well and have warned him not to blow it.

"I'll do something, but it will have to be spontaneous,"Lelie said. "It will probably be what I'm feeling at the moment — nothing planned."

In the meantime, Lelie says his fellow wide receivers have been his biggest backers and best tutors. "They definitely help me a lot. There's so much to learn at this level and they're willing to help me with it. Like, if I drop a ball in practice, they tell me to calm down, just relax and concentrate on what I have to do. They are really helping my progress."

Head coach Mike Shanahan, well aware that his No. 1 draft choice, the 19th overall selection in the draft, would otherwise just be winding up his senior year in Manoa if not for coming out early, says, "He's picked up the offense very quickly. He's making progress all the time, and is going to be a real good one for us."

UH head coach June Jones, who personally recommended Lelie to Shanahan, said the Broncos have been so pleased by the rookie's progress that owner Pat Bowlen wrote a letter predicting Lelie will be the team's best receiver in another year. The letter, Jones said, was posted on the Warriors' locker room bulletin board a week ago.

"I hope I can live up to that and prove all those people right," Lelie said.

Lelie added, "I want to get that first touchdown but right now I just have to concentrate on learning and getting experience so I can help the team. The other stuff will come as long as I continue to improve.

"Every day I feel like I get closer and closer to the (end zone)."

And to the party that is sure to follow.