-- Offensive lineman Daryn Colledge, a five-year starter for the Green Bay Packers and second-round pick in 2006, likely will be a free agent when the lockout ends. He has made two trips to visit troops — stopping at several ships in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf and the base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba — but has spent much of the lockout in Boise, working out with former Broncos Derek Schouman, Richie Brockel and Mike Coughlin. He also does lineman drills twice a week with Boise State senior left tackle Nate Potter, who is a projected high draft pick next year. Colledge might even participate in the Broncos’ player-run practices.
“It’s fun working with the young guys,” he said. “They’re hungry and ready to get after it.” Colledge and his wife, Megan, also are expecting their first child — a daughter — in about a month. “I don’t know if I’ve been more scared and more excited in my life, ever,” Colledge said.
The birth is part of what promises to be a life-changing summer. He and Megan have a home in Green Bay and are entrenched in the community, but there’s a good chance he’ll be playing somewhere else in 2011.
“I’m in the best shape I’ve been in since maybe I was a rookie,” Colledge said. “I’m ready for the next opportunity if it’s there and, if it’s not, if it’s Green Bay, I’m ready to be the best left guard I can be for them. … The thought of leaving there would be tough.”
-- Fullback Korey Hall got married May 23 in Mexico. The newlyweds have no idea where they’ll be living in a few months. Hall could be a restricted or unrestricted free agent, depending on how the lockout is resolved.
“There’s a lot of different scenarios for me,” he said. “… If I’m restricted, they’ll probably let me come back to camp and I’ll have to earn a spot.”
Hall has been a big part of the Packers special teams for four years but doesn’t expect to be one of the team’s top priorities in free agency.
“I would hope that having the opportunity to play in the Super Bowl and be on a great team like Green Bay I’d have some marketability somewhere else,” he said. “… I’d at least like to play for a couple more years.”
-- Colledge and Hall have talked about displaying their Super Bowl rings at an event in Boise sometime this summer. They get the hardware in a private ceremony June 16 at Lambeau Field. The NFL permitted contact between the organization and players to celebrate the victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.
“It’s the top of the mountain — this is what you dream about when you’re a kid,” Colledge said. “… It’s been a crazy ride. I’m excited to get the ring. I’m more excited to bring it back to Boise and get a chance to show it off and let the city of Boise see it.”
Only two other former Broncos have won Super Bowls — defensive linemen Markus Koch (twice, Redskins) and Kimo Von Oelhoffen (Steelers).
-- Wide receiver Austin Pettis spent part of last week in St. Louis sleeping on Rams quarterback Sam Bradford’s couch and participating in player-run, 7-on-7 drills. It was the third-round draft pick’s first chance to meet his new teammates. Bradford, who excelled as a rookie last year, helped Pettis get a feel for the offense. The quarterback drew up plays for the offense to run. The Rams are getting together again next week in Arizona.
“It was a real good experience,” Pettis said. “When this lockout is over, we’ll get to the real work, the real playbook.”
Pettis is living at home in Anaheim, Calif. He’ll be in town this week for an autograph event from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at The Blue & Orange Store and the Gridiron Dreams camp Friday and Saturday.
-- Safety Jeron Johnson still can’t figure out why he wasn’t drafted in April. He expected to go in the fourth or fifth round.
“I was pretty shocked. I wasn’t prepared for that for sure. … I’m going to move forward from here,” he said. “I was a little bitter for a few days, but I know what I’m capable of. I have confidence in myself that I can make a team.”
Johnson is living at home in Bellflower, Calif., and working out in Carson with former teammates Brandyn Thompson, Orlando Scandrick and Ryan Clady. He’s eager for the lockout to end.
“The longer it goes, the harder it’s going to be to make the actual team instead of the practice team,” he said.
