Broncos Regulars To Sit This One Out

DENVER (AP) _ Mike Shanahan isn't going to deviate from his plan to rest his starters in the final exhibition tuneup against Arizona despite a dismal defensive showing in the preseason and an offense

Wednesday, August 29th 2007, 2:16 pm

By: News On 6

DENVER (AP) _ Mike Shanahan isn't going to deviate from his plan to rest his starters in the final exhibition tuneup against Arizona despite a dismal defensive showing in the preseason and an offense that never had all its parts working together.

``No change in philosophy,'' said the Denver Broncos coach who prefers to use the last preseason game as a job interview for the final half dozen or so roster spots.

New Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt is going to make his starters earn their time off Thursday night.

``We're going to go one, maybe two series,'' Whisenhunt said. ``If they play extremely well in the first series, maybe they'll be out.''

The most notable newcomer to the Cardinals' starting lineup is cornerback Rod Hood, who has supplanted Antrel Rolle, their first-round pick in 2005.

Arizona's second-year quarterback Matt Leinart has looked sharp, completing 17-of-23 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions in his last two games. But the Cardinals are still harping on him to improve his footwork.

``It's a constant battle,'' Whisenhunt said. ``He's been in some bad habits that are hard to break, and he's working hard to get out of those habits.''

Leinart said he just has ``to get in a groove and get comfortable.''

But not too comfortable because he'll be in a baseball cap by the time the first quarter is over just like fellow 2006 draftee Jay Cutler, who has spent all preseason working behind a makeshift line, handing off to a patchwork backfield and throwing to an improvised cast of receivers.

The Broncos' top three wide receivers _ Javon Walker, Brandon Marshall, Brandon Stokley _ have all missed time along with tight end Tony Scheffler. Rod Smith has yet to practice as he continues his recovery from offseason hip surgery that will sideline him through the first five games of the season at minimum.

Denver's top two running backs, Travis Henry (knee) and Mike Bell (hip) were hurt at Dallas two weeks ago and won't return until the opener Sept. 9 at Buffalo.

Left guard Ben Hamilton has been slow to recover from a concussion early in camp. He was expected to practice this week but became nauseated doing some drills and his return was put off indefinitely.

``He's seeing specialists, seeing the best in the world, and when he's ready to come back, he'll come back,'' Shanahan said. ``Hopefully, it's sooner rather than later.''

The Broncos assembled a roster in the offseason that would have made any fantasy player proud.

They added Henry, Stokley and tight end Daniel Graham on offense, cornerback Dre' Bly and tackle Sam Adams on defense and Todd Sauerbrun and Paul Smith on special teams. Then, they drafted Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder and Marcus Thomas to plug the middle and pressure the passer.

But all three rookies have seen their development stunted by injury, Sauerbrun had a mediocre camp and Cutler never really has lined up with the front-line unit. Denver's biggest worry, however, is on defense, where the starters have allowed 44 points in roughly six quarters.

The Broncos have been slow to adapt to new boss Jim Bates' system and sorely miss the leadership and play of middle linebacker Al Wilson, their captain and leading tackler last year whose neck injury and high salary led to his release in the offseason.

D.J. Williams is trying to replace him but all three of Denver's preseason opponents have exploited his inexperience and completed big plays over a wide-open middle.

Denver's strong secondary had been the lone bright spot before the Browns repeatedly burned Bly last week.

Shanahan blamed the defensive doldrums on a mixture of new personnel and a new scheme.

Still, he figures he's seen enough of the starters and things can get ironed out in practice.

``Well, if I needed to see more, they'd be playing'' Thursday night, Shanahan said. ``We've done this every year since I've been here, so this is no different than any other year.''