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In an article published Saturday, Boulder Camera sports writer Ryan Thorburn reminded us that at one point in their respective careers, Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey were unwanted.

Smith was not drafted and started his career on the Denver Broncos practice squad in 1994. He made one start in 1995, another in 1996 and has been a superstar since the back-to-back Super Bowl victories.

McCaffrey, the New York Giants' third-round pick in 1991, was cut by Dan Reeves two years later. He made four starts in his first four NFL seasons before blossoming in Mike Shanahan's system, beginning in 1995.

But now, despite all the past glory, the tandem is being asked to make room for former first-round pick Ashley Lelie.

"I really don't think it's a sacrifice because what's going to happen is we're going to win more games as a team," Smith said. "You might give up more plays, but at the same time, you're making yourself fresher. A guy who just runs a long go route doesn't even need to think, because he knows at least one of us is over there waiting to come in."

In the opener, only Smith caught a pass, actually five of them for 43 yards. Lelie ran two reverses for 12 yards. And McCaffrey did not have a reception for the first time in 68 games.

"I didn't know that," Smith said when told about the end of McCaffrey's streak. "It's not like I have any say, but it bothers me because it's some of those things that just goes with a team being on the field. He's a productive guy and this is how long he's been doing it consecutively, a certain amount of games or whatever.

"It probably doesn't bother him to the point where he'd be mad, but you just think out of 60 minutes, I should get at least one. As a receiver, you always want at least one."

Clinton Portis is being utilized more as a pass-catcher this sophomore season. Against Cincinnati he had five receptions for 39 yards and a lot of postgame smack for Smith.

"I'm going to start doing like receivers, I'm going to catch the ball, get what I can get and step out of bounds," said Portis, who also rushed for 120 yards. "Handing it off, I don't have any choice but to go off in the middle and bang. On the pass, straight to the sidelines and step out of bounds.

"I'm going to keep on making side bets with Rod that I'm going to have more catches than him. I think I'll kind of bob my head and tell the defense that it's going to Rod."

In a related note. ...

According to Pro Football Weekly, Shanahan wanted to make it clear to his talented trio of wide receivers that they all will have plenty of opportunities to make plays this year, no matter who gets the starting call.

Shanahan called Smith, McCaffrey and Lelie into his office last week to explain that playing time figures to be different from week to week, depending on the situation, opponent, play-calling, etc., and that none of them should worry about their roles being affected by one another.

It was assumed that Lelie would supplant McCaffrey in the lineup this fall, but the talented second-year wideout remains behind McCaffrey on the team's official depth chart heading into today's game -- despite the fact he started ahead of McCaffrey in the opener.