Editor's Note: In the weeks leading up to training camp, DenverBroncos.com will take you inside the roster, position-by-position. The final installment in the eight-part series examines the specialists.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Fostering a competitive practice environment remains one of the pillars of Head Coach Josh McDaniels' coaching philosophy.
Accordingly, many of the Broncos' offseason personnel decisions were designed to stockpile talent and create depth at as many positions as possible. Across the roster, even the most veteran players know they'll have to work to hold off their hungry, young teammates with the 2010 season approaching.
But as the Broncos prepare for McDaniels' second training camp, the team's specialists are a notable exception to that principle.
With just one kicker, punter and long snapper on the roster, the Broncos appear set on special teams entering the season.
Still the specialists understand that in a highly competitive league, no in-house competition doesn't mean they won't have to perform just the same in training camp. In many ways, Colquitt said the situation provides a unique challenge all its own.
"I feel more confident, but at the same time, it's not about who you're going against," Colquitt said of his approach to the season. "It's still you're going against yourself."
Prater's impressive 2009 season earned him job security heading into this season.
Earlier this offseason, the fifth-year kicker from Central Florida said he hoped to strengthen his leg and revealed a lofty goal for the 2010 season: to "lead the league in every category this year."
Prater hopes the positive attitude will help him improve on a season in which he hit 30 of 35 field goals and all 32 extra points.
"I was always confident in what I could do," said Prater, whose .797 career field goal percentage ranks second in team history. "I try to take it the same (as previous offseason.) Just go work at it. If you're not getting better, you're getting worse."
Colquitt, a second-year player out of Tennessee, got his introduction to the NFL in Broncos training camp last season. The 25-year-old ultimately lost out to Brett Kern in camp, but he impressed the Broncos enough that they signed him to their active roster in Week 17 last season.
Buoyed by a newfound maturity, Colquitt beat out A.J. Trapasso with his consistency during OTAs. He hopes to continue that momentum into training camp and the 2010 season.
"It just gives me confidence to work as hard as I can to prove to them that they made the right decision," Colquitt said. "You're obviously competing to be the best you can be, but you're also doing it so this organization doesn't regret its decision."
Under the direction of special teams coordinator Mike Priefer, the specialists want to make sure their teammates and coaches don't have to worry about the kicking game in 2010.
Prater said that committment to excellence is enough to drive them in training camp -- even if they're not facing the pressure of a training camp competition this time around.
"You want to make everything," Prater said. "Realistically you can't make them all, but you want to be pretty close to perfect."
MEET THE SPECIALISTS:
Britton Colquitt: While he's never attempted an NFL punt, Colquitt averaged 42.6 yards on 209 attempts during his Tennessee career.
Lonie Paxton: A three-time Super Bowl champion, Paxton has played in 171 of 177 possible games since entering the league in 2000.
Matt Prater: Prater's strong leg has helped him record the second-most touchbacks (47) and sixth-most 50-yard field goals (7) among NFL kickers the last two years.
