| Ex-Browns safety Mike Adams faces his old teammates as a Bronco for the first time Sunday. (US Presswire) |
When safety Mike Adams left the Browns for the Broncos in free agency last March, he left behind a locker room full of friends -- and a ledger filled with letdowns.
The friends, he can do something to take care of this weekend.
"I've got guys talking smack, talking about how they want tickets," Adams said. "I got 'em tickets, though -- in the nosebleeds."
But the memories of five seasons that ended in various degrees of disappointment? The only way Adams can excise that is by helping the Broncos to the promised land of the Super Bowl, a place they haven't reached in nearly 14 years -- and a spot Adams could only dream of after playing the first eight seasons of his career in San Francisco (2004-06) and Cleveland (2007-11) without a playoff appearance.
Adams has now tasted success, but the Browns continue to languish, and even though he'll needle his old pals when they veer into smack talk, he empathizes for them -- especially as an ownership change has yet another head coach, Pat Shurmur, facing an uncertain future.
"It was kind of hard for myself because I wasn't getting any younger," Adams said. "I was getting up there. This is my ninth year and there still might be a change there. I can't imagine still being there, with organization and things changing.
"Ever since I [arrived] there, they've been trying to rebuild. At some point, you just move forward. But that's them. I'm here. It's different now. I'm happy. I'm content."
All that's missing from Adams' first season in Denver is a big play.
Other Broncos defenders have made game-changing plays this season. CB Champ Bailey intercepted a pass at Oakland to prevent a touchdown. CB Chris Harris has two touchdowns on interception returns. CB Tony Carter, LB Von Miller, CB Tracy Porter all have touchdowns; fellow safeties David Bruton, Jim Leonhard and Rahim Moore have interceptions.
Adams has had to settle for quiet effectiveness, often being half of bracket coverage against receivers streaking downfield, with his biggest play coming when he sprinted forward for a safety against Carolina QB Cam Newton late in the Broncos' 36-14 win over the Panthers on Nov. 11.
His teammates hope his interception drought ends Sunday.
"He's due for an interception for a touchdown, 12 tackles, a sack," Moore said. "It's going to be a good week for him."
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