National Football League

Broncos WR Eddie Royal rebounding from rough year

Published Oct. 5, 2010 5:39 a.m. ET

foxsports

Broncos receiver Eddie Royal is flourishing a season after largely being forgotten.

Too bad he can't take full advantage of his burgeoning stats himself.

Turns out, Royal the fantasy football player was unable to draft Royal the receiver, watching as someone else selected him.

Any trades in the works?

''I let them have me,'' Royal said in a teleconference call Monday after the players were given the day off following a 26-20 win over Tennessee. ''It would've been better to have had myself so if I don't have a good game, I only let myself down.''

That's hardly been the case this season.

The speedy slot receiver with sticky hands has become an integral part of the offense again, catching 25 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns.

This after virtually disappearing from the offense last season as he struggled to pick up coach Josh McDaniels' complicated offense.

''It's always good when you can contribute to the offense, and contribute to a win,'' said Royal, who had 113 yards and a score in the win over the Titans. ''We're all competitors so we all want to go out there and make plays for our team.''

Royal is relishing his new role as a slot receiver, learning more and more about the position that New England's Wes Welker has thrived in for years.

''I'm able to do different things, able to catch the ball in space with room to run,'' Royal said. ''It's kind of like a punt return with some of those screens I'm getting.''

Royal and fellow wideouts Brandon Lloyd and Jabar Gaffney are receiving a lot of action these days with Denver's running game in shambles. The team had just 19 yards rushing against the Titans on Sunday as quarterback Kyle Orton led the way with 11.

Until that part of the offense gets sorted out, McDaniels said the Broncos are going to rely on Orton's right arm. Through four games, Orton has thrown for 1,419 yards, the second-most in NFL history behind Kurt Warner's start of 1,557 yards in 2000.

''Right now, that's the best way to move the football,'' McDaniels said. ''We're going to have to continue to do it.''

More passes to the receivers?

Royal certainly won't quibble.

And with Pro Bowler Brandon Marshall in Miami this season, there's even more receptions to go around. Lloyd has emerged as the deep threat for Orton, Royal the safety valve underneath. Gaffney finds a way to work into the mix, too.

''We're playing together, happy for one another when one has success,'' Royal said. ''Kyle is doing a very good job of leading us.''

Now if the Broncos can just keep Orton upright. He was constantly under pressure and sacked six times by the Titans.

''He took some hits, but kept getting up and kept staying in the pocket and making the throws we needed him to make,'' Royal said. ''We know in a close game he's going to be there for us.''

Royal never really got on a roll last season after setting franchise rookie records in 2008 for catches (91), yards (980) and touchdowns (5).

He chalked up his sophomore slump to digesting the intricate offense and failing to be in a groove with Orton. Royal went 11 games where he caught three passes or fewer and missed the final two games with a neck injury.

Still, he found a way to contribute on special teams, becoming just the second Broncos player to return a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns in the same game, a feat he accomplished at San Diego on Oct. 19.

He's again providing a boost on punt returns this season, stepping in for rookie Perrish Cox. Royal had four returns for 36 yards against the Titans.

Close to breaking any?

''You can't ask me that. I feel like I'm going to break it every time,'' Royal said, laughing. ''I'm getting into the flow of it again.''

Same as Royal the receiver.

NOTES: McDaniels said he would list RB Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) and CB Andre' Goodman (quad) as ''hopeful'' for the game at Baltimore on Sunday. ... After Orton called the Titans ''cheap'' following the game for their style of play, McDaniels defended his QB on Monday. ''I think that Kyle spoke his mind,'' McDaniels said. ''I have faith in whatever Kyle wants to say.'' ... Broncos safety Brian Dawns recorded his 22nd career sack Sunday. He's fourth all-time among defensive backs in NFL history. Rodney Harrison tops the list with 30 1/2 sacks.