| | Associated Press
GREELEY, Colo. -- He's led a choir of Muppets on Sesame
Street, scampered into the NFL record book and rubbed elbows with Tiger Woods.
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| Davis |
Even so, running back Terrell Davis expects to have some
big-time jitters when the Denver Broncos play their first preseason
game Saturday at Arizona.
"If I don't have butterflies, something is wrong," Davis said
Thursday. "Bird-sized."
When Davis takes the field, it will mark a major milestone in
his recovery from major knee surgery. Davis tore the anterior
cruciate ligament in his right knee while making a tackle after an
interception Oct. 3.
"He'll get into about 10 plays and maybe a few more," Broncos
coach Mike Shanahan said. "We'll give him a chance to carry the
ball a little bit. He's excited to get out there and take a couple of shots."
Two seasons ago, Davis became the fourth running back in NFL
history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. He now faces the
mental and physical challenge of regaining that MVP form.
The Broncos have been cautions with their three-time All-Pro,
limiting his practice time during training camp. Team owner Pat
Bowlen even said he would prefer to see Davis sit out Saturday's game.
"I'm ready to go," Davis said. "The longer I don't play, the
more anxiety is going to build up. So I want to get in there right away."
Davis will line up behind starting quarterback Brian Griese, who
endured heavy criticism during Denver's disappointing 6-10 season.
Shanahan said the first-string offense and defense will play one
quarter or about 15 snaps.
Whether it's one play or 15, rambunctious linebacker Bill
Romanowski is ready to get started.
"You can't tell me that games don't mean anything. Games mean a
lot," Romanowski said. "The preseason sets the stage for the
regular season. The years we've won Super Bowls around here, we've
had that feeling in the preseason. It's got to start this weekend."
Quarterback Gus Frerotte, who is expected to play about two
quarters in relief of Griese, had a slightly different perspective
as he continued to adapt to Shanahan's intricate offense.
"We'd like to win them all, but no matter what happens, that
first game against St. Louis, we're going to be 0-0," Frerotte
said. "I want to have a good game and try to do all the things
right. If something goes wrong, you've just got to fight it off and
come back."
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