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Aug 8, 2008 6:06 pm US/Mountain
Broncos' Holland Drops Pounds, May Play Vs. Texans
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DENVER (AP) ―
For the first two weeks of the Denver Broncos' training camp, Montrae Holland had a personalized conditioning program.
The veteran offensive guard arrived overweight, so he was banished to a far corner of the complex to push a blocking sled and do other exercises under the supervision of strength and conditioning coach Rich Tuten.
The rest of the team worked on football drills while Holland worked at shedding pounds.
His reporting weight hasn't been disclosed, but Holland was listed at 325 pounds last season, when he started all 16 games at right guard for the Broncos.
He received a reprieve on Friday when coach Mike Shanahan announced Holland would make the trip with the Broncos for Saturday's preseason game at Houston.
"He's worked extremely hard and he's watching his diet so the weight will come down fairly quickly," Shanahan said.
Asked how much weight he lost, Holland said: "I can't get into that. A lot. I feel a lot better."
"It's great to be back and great to feel like I'm a part of the team," Holland said.
Shanahan wasn't initially going to take Holland to Houston. Injuries to several offensive linemen changed his mind.
"We have a couple of guys that are sore," Shanahan said. "I can only put him in (the game) in an emergency situation."
Shanahan said Holland could be ready to practice against Dallas when the Cowboys come to Denver to practice with the Broncos next week.
The Broncos had nothing to report on running back Ryan Torain, who underwent surgery Thursday to repair ligament damage to his left elbow. Torain is expected to be out of action for three months.
Shanahan said Nate Webster and Niko Koutouvides are still battling for the starting job at middle linebacker. Webster is currently listed No. 1 on the depth chart.
"You've got two good football players, and it's very close," Shanahan said. "Both of them will get a chance to play with the starting defense and practices and game situations will dictate who will start."
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(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
