ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — When Marcedes Lewis reached a pivotal moment in a football career that would eventually lead him to Denver, several of his new teammates were just several months old.

That's no typo.

Lewis received career-defining advice as a sophomore at UCLA in 2003, the same year that Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin, outside linebacker Jonah Elliss and defensive lineman Sai'vion Jones were born.

So, no, Lewis is not your typical practice-squad signing.

But that's when Lewis took heed of coaching that has allowed him to build a two-decade NFL career. And should the 41-year-old be elevated or promoted to the active roster for game this year, he would become the oldest player to appear in Broncos history.

That advice for the future 2006 first-round pick who would go on to earn a Pro Bowl nod in 2010 after catching 10 touchdowns?

Learn to block. More apt: excel at it.

Jon Embree, who currently serves as the Dolphins' assistant head coach and tight ends coach and also had a stint as the University of Colorado's head coach, passed that on to Lewis when he arrived to coach at UCLA.

"He pulled me aside and was like, 'Hey, there's a lot of people that can catch the ball and run and do all of that. You want to play for a long time, you need to learn how to get your nose dirty,'" Lewis said Wednesday in Denver. "He was like, 'You want to be the best, it's about being an all-around tight end.' He's like, 'You want to play for a while? When you slow down, you'll still be able to block, because your technique is really good.'"

Three years later, as a rookie in Jacksonville, Lewis earned another indication that blocking could be a long-term meal ticket in a league where careers don't last long. In a series of Oklahoma drill reps — another indication of the time that has passed since Lewis entered the league — the rookie was dominant. Blocking for Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew, Lewis remembers flattening the first two defenders and clearing another player out of the way.

"[Taylor] was like, 'Hey, Slim. You keep blocking like that, you're going to be playing for a long time,'" Lewis said. "He texted me this morning and was like, 'Man, you're my hero. I can't believe you're doing this.'"

Lewis said he often reflects on that early conversation with Taylor, and it's a reason he's turned in one of the longest careers by a skill player in NFL history. Excluding quarterbacks, punters and kickers, only three players in NFL history have appeared in more games than Lewis: Pro Football Hall of Famers Jerry Rice, Bruce Matthews and Darrell Green.

For context, Lewis began his career the same year that Head Coach Sean Payton began his head-coaching career in New Orleans. DeMeco Ryans, the coach of the Broncos' Week 9 opponent, was drafted the same year — as were players like Reggie Bush, Vince Young and Jay Cutler. The Broncos were coming off an appearance in the AFC Championship Game, Jake Plummer was under center for Denver and Rod Smith was playing his final games of a Ring of Fame career.

But there's another truth after 285 games — including at least 15 in nine of the last 10 seasons — and three teams: Lewis still has more to give.

"Go pull up my film," Lewis said. "When I first started out, it was more so catching the ball. … Now I'm a point-of-contact blocker. I take that very serious and obviously the leadership and leading from the front, like I always have in my career. Just knowing the moment and making sure that we all stay present and [understanding] that, as easy as it is here today, it can be gone tomorrow. I live my life like I'm on a one-day contract. If I don't give my absolute best on whatever it is I'm doing that day, I can't renew my contract. That's for myself. That is a promise that I've made to myself. That's how I lead, and I transmute that energy into positive things and I rub off on people. It's one of my superpowers."

Payton said he's heard "unbelievable" reports regarding Lewis' leadership, and it was also clear to the Broncos that he was ready to play. Lewis heard from Denver on Monday during a trip to Joshua Tree National Park, boarded a plane for a workout and then quickly signed with the team's practice squad.

"I knew he'd been training, I knew he's in great shape," Payton said. "He's a tremendous blocker. … I'm glad he's here. He's a tremendous leader."

Payton said Lewis' obsession with taking care of his body has helped him extend his career, and he joked that Lewis could continue playing long into the future.

"I think when he's 55, he's going to be able to block the D-gap," Payton joked.

Even Lewis, though, didn't expect to be playing this long. He said he was "at peace" before signing with the Broncos, but he also noted the benefit of joining a team that leads its division and has high hopes for the remainder of the season.

"Especially me, when you're looking down the end of the barrel, that's pretty ideal," Lewis said. "I'm definitely in gratitude of the moment and looking forward to bringing what I can to help continue to push this team forward."

Lewis said he'll miss "building up the gristle in my bones to get ready for war" during training camp — perhaps another example of being an old-school player — but said the Broncos are giving him "bits and pieces" to help him learn the offense.

And while Lewis may be near the end of his career, he's not putting a limit on what may be next.

"I'm not going to question it," Lewis said. "I just know that I feel really good. … The durability is there, and my mental fortitude is what pushes me forward to be here standing in front of you right now and taking it one day at a time.

"I'm just going to continue to do that and just try to be the best that I can and help this team win."