Lelei Is An Ash

Ashley Lelei ended the season as a solid #2 receiver. He had a year remaining on his deal and never questioned the Broncos about redoing his deal. He probably thought he would play one more year and then cash in as a free agent or get resigned to a huge deal as Rod Smith walked off into the sunset. Let me make that point clear - he was not upset at the Broncos at the end of the season. What made him upset was that the Broncos started talking about T.O. and then traded for Javon Walker on draft day. All of a sudden, he's not coming to practices or anything and he feels he isn't being paid enough. Hmmmm. Some athletes would say "Wow. This makes our team much better." Well, they wouldn't say that exactly, they'd say "Yo we're BANGIN' now, dog" or something like that. My point is, when a team brings in someone that threatens your job - you can do 2 things. You can "man up", get pissed off, come in with a chip on your shoulder and prove to your team that you own the #2 spot and Javon Walker can't take it from you - or you can sit home and cry like a little girl with a skinned knee and not come to practice. The first example shows your teammates what you're made of. Jake Plummer may be fuming internally because the Broncos drafted Jay Cutler. Publically, he welcomed that challenge and basically said "Bring it". I may hate Shanahan as a coach (and person) but he isn't stupid. Drafting Cutler may make Jake a little bit better as a QB. Not good enough to beat the Stillers in the AFC Championship game mind you - but some players may need extra incentive to play their best. Hines Ward is another perfect example. Did he sit home and cry after the Steelers drafted Troy Edwards? No. Did he sit home and cry when they drafted Plaxico Burress? No. He got mad, and better. He wanted to prove them wrong and prove them wrong he did. Look at him now. So, Ashley Lelei, are you going to come to camp and fight for your starting spot or are you going to be self-centered and hurt your team? You were in the AFC Championship game last year. You need to be thinking that a healthy Javon Walker could push your team over the top (not gonna happen). Even if you get moved to the slot - you're a burner and will still catch balls as the person covering you will not be as a good as a starting CB. Grow up.