Dennis J. Georgatos
NFL Writer
Eddie Royal's touchdown reception in the Broncos' preseason opener at Cincinnati on Sunday represented Denver's first score of the year and the hope for Royal is that it's a sign of things to come for the third-year wide receiver.
After setting team rookie records in 2008 for receptions (91), yards receiving (980) and touchdowns receiving (5), Royal struggled in his first year in coach Josh McDaniels' system.
He also had trouble developing a strong rapport with quarterback Kyle Orton in their first year together, with his production plunging last season to 37 catches for 345 yards. Already, he has caught more touchdown passes from Orton (1) than he did all of last season (0).
The Broncos are counting on Royal to help pick up some of the slack left by the departure of Brandon Marshall, the talented receiver who clashed with McDaniels and was traded in the offseason to Miami.
Royal said he's back in a comfort zone after a year in the system and constant work in the offseason and at training camp with Orton.
``I know what's going on now. Last year was just new to me - new to everybody," said Royal, also a top return specialist. "So, each day was a day you had to come out and try not to make mistakes. You couldn't really focus on technique. You were trying to get the play down right. Now, I can focus more on technique and getting open."
Royal's big rookie season came with Mike Shanahan as the Broncos coach and Jay Cutler as quarterback. Both are gone now.
But with Royal gaining familiarity with the new system, he said he believes the numbers will take care of themselves if he just does his job.
``At the end of the day, whether that's me catching 10 balls or blocking for Knowshon [Moreno] or Correll [Buckhalter] in the backfield, you know I'm going to do whatever it takes to win. I've been in the league two years now, and I've experienced the ups and downs. At the end of the day, you just want to win."
