Lelie just fine with progress in Denver
| • | Broncos edge Bills, 28-23 |
By Ryan Thorburn
Special to The Advertiser
DENVER — Chester McGlockton, the 324-pound defensive tackle, now has more touchdowns this season than Ashley Lelie.
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But the rookie wide receiver couldn't be happier with his situation.
Ashley Lelie said his current situation at the Denver Broncos is ideal.
The Denver Broncos are now 3-0 after a 28-23 victory over the Buffalo Bills yesterday at Invesco Field. And Lelie is getting more and more playing time while learning how to thrive in the NFL from Ed McCaffrey and Rod Smith.
"I totally believe so," Lelie said when asked if this were the ideal situation for him. "Because I can still get in and help when I can. When Ed and Rod are both in there I can just watch and learn."
For much of the game, the Broncos attacked the Bills using a triple wide-receiver set that included the first-round pick from Hawai'i. The fact that he was featured in the game plan makes it obvious Lelie is currently the No. 3 man over Scottie Montgomery and Kevin Kasper.
"I knew we were starting out with three wides," Lelie said. "I was excited, this was my chance to show that I belonged."
Brian Griese does not throw down the field often, or at least not often enough in recent years to silence his critics. But he went deep twice down the sideline in the first half to stretch the defense, with both attempts slipping through the outstretched hands of Lelie.
The quarterback eventually did connect with his new target for two completions totaling 36 yards. A week earlier, Griese had completed an 11-yard pass to Lelie on third down that kept a 99-yard touchdown drive alive in the fourth quarter of Denver's 24-14 win at San Francisco.
"Ashley's first catch was a pretty big one on that third down on that drive," Griese said. "If he doesn't make that play, we're off the field and our defense has to come back out. It's nice to see him get some catches."
McCaffrey and Smith combined for 10 catches, 129 yards and the clinching touchdown yesterday. The rookie is starting to catch on.
"I'm just in awe watching them," Lelie said. "They make some really great catches."
If McGlockton, who returned a fumble 24-yard for a touchdown, can score a touchdown, it shouldn't be long before the speedy Lelie crosses the goal line.
"Chester runs about a 6.3 (second) 40(-yard dash)," Lelie said. "But he got in the end zone. That's all that matters."
