Eddie Royal (11) runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. (Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE)

When the San Diego Chargers took on the New Orleans Saints last week, former Saints wide receiver Robert Meachem went off on his old team with 3 catches for 67 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Eddie Royal wants to do the same thing if he’s able to play against his former team on Monday Night Football. Royal’s name was put on the injury list Thursday with a strained hamstring, and he was limited in practice. On Friday, he was held out of practice.

Royal played for the Broncos for four seasons and had his best year in 2008 when he had 91 receptions for 980 yards and 5 touchdowns.

“They’ve got a big weapon,” Champ Bailey said of Royal. “Third down, special teams, they’re using him to the fullest over there. I wish we could have used him that much. I’m happy for Eddie personally, but we going out there to punish him this week.”

Since becoming a Charger, Royal has 11 catches for 76 yards and one touchdown in five games.

“He’s been nothing but great on the field and in the locker room,” quarterback Philip Rivers said.”"I’ve been so impressed with Eddie and all of our guys, but Eddie’s been awesome in the locker room, and just how unselfish and how sharp and smart he is about the offense, how he picked it up and what a good football feel he has. It’s been good to have him on our side.”

Royal killed the Chargers when he was on the other side, especially on returns, and that’s why the Chargers went after him once he became a free agent. During his rookie year, he had two late touchdowns when the Chargers were in Denver and then he returned a couple of kicks for touchdowns in 2009.

The Chargers know his ability and his potential.

“He’s added another playmaker to our team,” head coach Norv Turner said. “He’s added a guy that can make big plays on offense. We know he’s an outstanding punt returner. He had a big punt return called back in the Raider game. We haven’t had a lot of opportunities to get him loose as a returner, but he missed most of training camp so that put us a little bit behind.”

Royal is averaging just 5.4 yards on 7 returns with a long of 14 yards. If he’s able to play Monday, that hamstring could hamper him even more.

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Eddie Royal (19) celebrates with running back Peyton Hills (22) and safety David Bruton (30) after scoring on a kickoff return in the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. (Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee – US PRESSWIRE)

Today the Broncos announced that the 2012 Training Camp will begin on July 26, 2012.  That means that next month at this time Bronco Country will be celebrating the start of another new football season.  To help Bronco fans get through the next month, I am continuing to look back at past games against teams the Broncos will face in 2012.

After heading east in Week Five to face the New England Patriots, the Broncos will make another road trip, this time to the west coast for a divisional contest.  Week Six finds the Broncos making their second appearance of the season on Monday Night Football when they face the San Diego Chargers.  The Broncos have faced the Chargers in San Diego on Monday Night Football three times in the last five years.  Continue reading for a brief synopsis of those games.
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Brandon Stokley partnering with Peyton Manning again would bring stability to the Broncos lineup. (Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE)

With the Denver Broncos losing slot receiver Eddie Royal to the San Diego Chargers in free agency, the team is looking to a face of the past to help bring them to future glory.

Longtime Peyton Manning teammate and one-time Bronco wide receiver Brandon Stokley is expected to meet with the Broncos according to Jason La Canfora of NFL.com. 

The 35-year old Stokley has played for five NFL teams including the Indianapolis Colts from 2003 to 2006 and the Broncos from 2007-2009. Stokley has been living in the Denver area with his family and even hosted Manning during Manning’s visit to Denver during free agency.

Stokley’s best season came in ’04-’05 with the Colts when he had 68 receptions for 1,077 yards and 10 touchdowns. In his career, he has 339 receptions for 4,680 yards, and 34 touchdowns.

If the Broncos were to sign Stokley again, I think it’s a smart move. The team has so many young receivers that adding a veteran who has played with Manning before will only shorten their learning curve.  Plus, it gives Manning that sure set of hands.

Who can forget this play from a few years ago?

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