Broncos

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4/DenverBroncos.com) ― An NFL player knows to answer when opportunity comes knocking on his door. For defensive tackle Demetrin Veal, his call came from the toe of teammate Gerard Warren

When Warren dislocated his left big toe in practice, it created a chance for Veal to get more time with the first team defense as it prepares for the season opener at St. Louis Sept. 10.

Though Veal had already made a positive impression among the coaching staff with his hard work and dedication, Warren's injury nine days into training camp thrust the second-team player into the spotlight.

"It's truly been a blessing, even though it comes from an unfortunate situation," Veal said. "But that's how defenses are made -- one guy goes down and another guy steps up. So I'm honored that from last year to this year they trust me enough to put me in the starting position."

Veal made his mark in the NFL with Denver in 2005 after short stints in Atlanta and Baltimore. The fourth-year pro was a contributor on the league's second-best rush defense last season, making 33 tackles (23 solo). He also recorded a sack and a fumble recovery.

When Warren went down, the Broncos knew from experience they could count on Veal.

"Demetrin played well for us last year; it's a good opportunity for him," safety John Lynch said. "Last year Champ (Bailey) got hurt (in training camp) and what that gave us was an opportunity for two young rookies to go in there and play against the likes of a Marvin Harrison (in the preseason) and kind of get thrown into the fire a little bit… They responded well. So hopefully it's the same situation."

Veal has caught the coaching staff's attention with his quickness and hustle. It's his desire to make the play that he credits for gaining his team's confidence.

"I'm just out there doing my job, hustling, playing the best I can and making plays when they come to me," Veal said. "That's the biggest thing a young guy can do - building trust, letting them know that anytime you're in there that there's no drop off."

The 6-foot-2, 288-pound defensive lineman never saw himself as a football player growing up - let alone a first-team performer. As an artist, Veal thought he might do his work on canvas instead of grass.

"I didn't start playing football until going into my senior year of high school," he noted. "It's just something I found I was good at."

Though pass rushes have replaced brush strokes for Veal, he is pleased with his new creative outlet and his body of work.

"Anything you do that has as much work in it as football is an art," he said. "There's very much a skill involved. It might not make sense to the outside world but, to you, it's beautiful."

Veal has been honing his defensive artistry since his days as a Tennessee Volunteer. That's tough this year considering Jay Cutler is a former Vanderbilt Commodore.

Cutler and the Commodores beat the Volunteers for the first time in more than two decades last season.

"I never played against Jay, so I don't have that much animosity towards him," Veal noted. "But they beat my school last year, so I guess there's a little bit of it. That's why I picked him off in the first practice."

Plays like his opening day interception have helped him gain the respect of his fellow defensive linemen, such as veterans Courtney Brown, Ebenezer Ekuban, Michael Myers and Warren -- all of whom came to Denver from the Browns.

"We've got me and maybe one other guy who are not Cleveland guys," Veal said with a chuckle. "That's pretty funny how everybody's from Cleveland, but it's still cool. They've accepted me with open arms as the young guy. I'm the young guy -- the baby -- besides Elvis (Dumervil) now."

Veal hopes his visit from opportunity isn't a short stay as he looks forward to someday being a veteran leader on the defensive line and making contributions for the Broncos for years to come.

"I'd love to be here and continue playing with this team. I love this organization, this team, these people here and the fans. I really hope I've found a home here. We'll see what happens."

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