It’s a Colquitt family tradition
It was the summer of 2005, and two punters on the University of Tennessee roster were horsing around before practice
The senior-to-be drove one decent shot through the air, followed by a slight misfire. That uneven effort prompted then-Vols coach Phil Fullmer to give his redshirt freshman a look.
The youngster’s first attempt was a laser beam with no hang time, but about 50 yards in distance. Then, in almost instant-replay fashion, a second misfire occurred, just like the veteran incumbent had done moments earlier.
Fullmer was incredulous, blaring, “What, are you guys from the same mother or something?”
Well, actually they were. These were the Colquitts, Dustin and Britton.
Looking back now, that pre-practice frivolity marks the only time the siblings have even come close to competing against one another in their chosen athletic specialty.
Prod. Push. Teach. Cajole. Those always were more regular occurrences between the brothers.
But until Sunday, the two never had been measured against each other statistically in competition. They’ll get to do it in an NFL game, when Dustin’s Kansas City Chiefs visit Britton’s Denver Broncos at Invesco Field.
“There’s going to be a lot of competition,” said Broncos special teams coach Mike Priefer, who coaches Britton now and previously spent three years overseeing Dustin’s development with the Chiefs. “They’re both very prideful young men and it’s going to mean a lot to them. And the cool thing is it’s going to be twice a year for the next few years to come.”
The Denver Broncos face the loss of leading tackler D.J. Williams to an NFL suspension following his second drunken driving arrest.
The linebacker and defensive co-captain was charged with driving under the influence.
It’s his second such arrest. He pleaded guilty in September 2005 to driving drunk.
District attorney’s spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough said Williams was pulled over at 2:40 a.m. Friday for driving without headlights on. He was cited with DUI, as well as driving without headlights.
Browns’ Benard out
Browns linebacker Marcus Benard sat out practice and continues to be evaluated, one day after fainting in Cleveland’s locker room. Benard collapsed in front of his cubicle on Thursday.
He underwent tests at a Cleveland hospital and continues to be evaluated.
Giants WR Smith hurt
Wide receiver Steve Smith will miss the New York Giants’ game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday with what coach Tom Coughlin described as a partial tear of the pectoral muscle. Smith suffered the injury during Thursday’s practice.
Around the league
Tennessee Titans QB Vince Young continued to be limited with an ankle injury and will be a game-time decision Sunday against Miami. Kerry Collins would start under center if Young can’t play. … Bengals QB Carson Palmer was limited in practice by a sore passing shoulder, but is expected to start against the Colts. … Jaguars DE Aaron Kampman is out for the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee on Thursday.