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[b7b8586a]QB - George Pitts[/b7b8586a]
Pitts was acquired in the trade that sent 8-year veteran Edward Kimber to Durham. The 16-year veteran, signed a $12m three year contract on arrival in Denver and enters the year as the Dynomite starter. It's hoped he can lead the team for the duration of his contract to give rookie Quarterback Marcus Garibaldi and 3rd year veteran Roman Grigg time to develop. The Denver Front Office believe that by that time Garibaldi will be on a par with fellow rookies Dustin Hayes and Donnie Lowe plus 2nd year veteran Dwayne Bridges in what looks like becoming a pass dominated NC East. They have also been impressed with the play of Grigg in pre-season and believe he has a big future at Denver.
[b7b8586a]RB-John Lubin[/b7b8586a]
With the trade of QB Edward Kimber and the retirement of FB Daniel Kinney, Lubin has now become the backfield leader in Denver. After a slow start in 2004, Lubin finished the season strongly. Has just signed a $36million 5-year extension which should see Lubin finish his career in Denver. His chief back-up will be Louie Velazquez, who managed 618 yards and 5TD's in the role last year and showed a liking for big game-breaking runs. The 3rd RB will be Joseph Griesen, whose main role on the team is returning punts, taking one to the house last season v Tulsa. Tore knee cartlidge in the preseason and not expected back until Week 5.
[b7b8586a]FB-John Johnson[/b7b8586a]
The 6-year veteran was signed in FA from Las Vegas, Johnson was signed for his run bocking skills. Backing him up is 6th rd draft choice Thurman Davidson who is expected to excel on Special Teams
[b7b8586a]TE-Brandon Britton[/b7b8586a]
Britton, an 11-year veteran from Stanford, averages over 55 catches a season in the CFL. Denver will be looking for a similar output this year. Sharing back-up duties are John Archibald and rookie Louie Peace. Both should be active on gameday as Archibald is the teams long snapper, and Peace a Special Teams gunner. The 4th round pick has impressed everyone in Camp and it's hoped he will be the long-term replacement for Britton.
[b7b8586a]
FL-Ronald Arms[/b7b8586a]
Arms is the best reciever on the Dynomite team, though he has only 82 catches in two seasons in the CFL. Needs to play better if Denver are to have a big year offensively. Bobby Rodriguez has impressed the Denver coaches in the pre-seaon, and the undrafted free-agent should earn a spot on the 46 as a kick returner.
[b7b8586a]SE-Curtis Chilton[/b7b8586a]
Accquired via trade last season, Chilton had a solid season, catching 53 balls, in only 12 games, at an average of 14.6yds per catch. Denver are loking to similar production from Chilton this season. Lee McDonald has been brought in as the 3rd reciver his season. Has an eye for the big play an averaged 15 yards a catch for Albany last season. Will start the season returnng punts until Joseph Griesen is fit.
Edwin Stoltenberg was a second round draft pick in 2004 and had a solid rookie season, scoring 4 TD's. Will be the teams 4th reciever entering the season.
This year's 2nd round pick Roderick Mahoney will strugle to find playing time this season, but the coaches hope that after another training camp he should be pushing for a starting job in 2006.
[b7b8586a]LT-John Saldivar[/b7b8586a]
Signed as part of the Kimber trade, Saldivar is an exceptional pass blocker who, by his own admission played the run poorly for Durham in 2004. If he returns to his 2003 form he is one of the premier Left Tackles in the CFL. Is considered a massive improvement over last year's starter Eric Montenegro.
[b7b8586a]LG-David Peterson[/b7b8586a]
Denver are looking to Peterson to continue his awesome form so far in his CFL career. Is strong against both run and pass, and signed a $25m 6-year extension in the off-season.
[b7b8586a]C-Theo Garcia[/b7b8586a]
The heart of the Denver Offense, Garcia is coming off a fantastic 2004 that earned him All-League 2nd team honours. The leader of the line, he inspires all around him.
[b7b8586a]
RG-Don Gardner[/b7b8586a]
A 1st round pick in 2004, Gardner had an exceptional year, and the Denver Front Office were disappointed he wasn't mentioned more in the Offensive Rookie of the Year talk. It was tough to see past a RB averaging 3.6 yards a carry though! Will be looking for a solid sophomore year. Back-up Renaldo Browning has made great progress during his two camps.
[b7b8586a]RT-Caleb Calder[/b7b8586a]
Rounding off an exceptional line is Calder, who was good run-blocking in 2004 but allowed far too many sacks. However he looked much better pass blocking in Camp. Backing him up is Harold Schmidt who was cut by Long Beach. The acquisitian of Schmidt, who is an awesome run-blocker, will hopefully keep Calder's level of performance high.
[b7b8586a]P-Billy Joe Thornton[/b7b8586a]
Thornton replaces 16-year veteran Chris Elswick who was traded to New Orleans, primarily for salary cap reasons. Has a strong leg, but will need to work on his directional punting.
[b7b8586a]
K-Gary Hutchins[/b7b8586a]
Was named the All-League 1st Team kicker in 2004 making 33 of 37 and all 39 extra points. Has looked a little rusty in pre-season, but the coaching staff know they have a kicker they can count on when the game is on the line.
[b7b8586a]LDE-Roosevelt Ezell[/b7b8586a]
Ezell, a 10-year veteran traded in from Baltimore, has a big role replacing the retired Booker Gresham. Denver are hoping Ezell can get close to the 10 sacks a season Gresham averaged.
[b7b8586a]LDT-Gary Davis[/b7b8586a]
The 12-year veteran has reported to the Denver coaches that he has never felt better coming out of Camp and they will be hoping that is reflected in his play this year. Davis is backed-up by John Deacon, who spent all of 2004 on IR re-habbing a knee injury pciked up in the 2003 season. Deacon doesn't appear to have lost a step during his abscence so should from part of an awesome 3-man rotation inside.
[b7b8586a]RDT-Melvin Beamon[/b7b8586a]
Beamon is coming back from an injury hit 2004, but the 310lb plugger is still a premier player inside. With Denver looking to get plays for John Deacon, it should ease the burden on Beamon, giving his body a better chance of holding up to the long season.
[b7b8586a]RDE-Zachery Duggan[/b7b8586a]
The 2004 sack leader, Duggan will be looking to go even better then last year's 16-sack season. Has a point to prove after only being named All-League 2nd team, despite lesding the league in sacks.
[b7b8586a]SLB-Werner Wilmoth[/b7b8586a]
Struggled with injury in 2004, Wilmoth is a team leader nad Denver hope he can play up to his 103 solo tackle 2003 season. Backing up at outside linebacker is 6-year veteran Bob Apple who will be looking ot contribute on special teams.
[b7b8586a]MLB-Kenneth Roberto[/b7b8586a]
After an outstanding 2004 season that included more than a 100 solo tackles and 5 interceptions, Denver are looking to lock Roberto into a long-term deal that will see him play the rest of his career in a Dynomite uniform. His back-up is promising 3rd year player Kim Collins.
[b7b8586a]WLB-Mark Wilk[/b7b8586a]
Lining up on the weakside is 4th year player Wilk. He's just signed a $13m 5year deal. Strong against the run, Denver are looking for him to get to the QB more in 2005.
[b7b8586a]LCB-Joel Sanderson[/b7b8586a]
Picked 2nd overall in this year's draft, there are high hopes that Sanderson will become an elite cornerback in the CFL. If he reaches his potential will be a major weapon for Defensive Coordinator Morris Huffman. Hugh Blackburn was a 3rd round choice in 2004 and is the team's Dime back.
[b7b8586a]RCB-Cristobal Teel[/b7b8586a]
Teel started all 16 games in 2004 and had a solid year grabbing 3 interceptions. Has a big chance to step up his play in 2005 as he is now the team's 2nd cornerback. Rob Hancock, an undrafted FA, will not see much playing-time on Defense, but it's hoped he can make an impact returning kick-offs.
[b7b8586a]SS-Jack Upshaw[/b7b8586a]
Released by Seattle after training camp this year, the Denver Front Office moved quickly to pick-up Upshaw. The 4th year man replaces 12-year veteran Burt Wilds when it became evident in camp that he had lost a step. Upshaw looks like a player with a big future ahead of him. Backing up both safety slots is Levi Menchaca, who will also be looking for tackles on special teams.
[b7b8586a]FS-Ray Halvorson[/b7b8586a]
Coming off a 6 interception season in 2004, Denver are looking for Halvorson to step up and be a leader now that Burt Wilds has moved to Charleston. Forms an exciting, young safety partnership with JacK Upshaw. Raleigh Brister will return as the teams nickel back in 2005, a role he filed in 2004.
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