McBath looking to make splash at camp Daniel Williams, DDN Staff Writer Thursday, July 30, 2009
Denver Broncos safety Darcel McBath hits a tackling dummy during drills at Broncos Training Camp in Dove Valley Tuesday afternoon. Denver Daily News photo by Hector Acevedo.

Many have questioned the Denver Broncos’ 2009 draft and several of 33-year-old new head coach Josh McDaniels’ picks.

However, one pick that never received criticism was the selection of Texas Tech corner-turned-safety Darcel McBath with the 48th overall pick in the second round.

Moreover, McBath might turn out to be quite a steal and the heir apparent starter at safety  after Brian Dawkins retires.

“I’m just going to try to fit in somewhere. I’m just going to work hard, do whatever I’m told to do. Just try to do my part, try to do some special teams,” McBath said. “I’ll do whatever I have to do to get on the field.”

And his hard work has been noticed by Broncos’ coaches, including McDaniels.

McDaniels was excited on draft day to pair McBath up with fellow draftee Alphonso Smith, a cornerback, and the duo may be the future of the Broncos secondary after Dawkins and Champ Bailey exit.

“Both Darcel [McBath] and Alphonso [Smith] have gotten their hands on a lot of balls. And that, to me, is sometimes something you can coach a player to improve in that area, and sometimes that’s instinctive, that’s something that they possess as football players,” McDaniels said.

“They can see the quarterback and the route at the same time, so they can get to the catch-point before the receiver does.”

McBath agrees with his head coach, and he thinks the Broncos also like him for a variety of other abilities he has.

“I think [the Broncos] like the way I play the deep ball. They just told me they like the way I play the game. I play hard. I’m going play hard every play,” McBath said. “I’m going to give them everything I’ve got every down, and I think that’s what they liked best.”

And McBath was the best and played against the best in college. McBath played cornerback for Texas Tech, which was a top-five nationally ranked team for much of 2008. 

In addition, as a cornerback, McBath was forced to battle super-talent Michael Crabtree, a Texas Tech wide receiver, in practice. Crabtree was regarded as the best pure talent in college football last season.

Crabtree was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the 10th overall pick of this year’s draft. 

“Playing against an offense like that, every receiver is good. We had to play the deep ball a lot, and I got pretty good at that. I worked hard at it everyday, and my man-on-man skills got a lot better,” McBath said. “I think Michael Crabtree was probably the best in the country, and I got the opportunity to go against him everyday, and it made me better.” 

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