A backup wide receiver in his first year with the Broncos, Andre Caldwell should not be confused with those wide-eyed youngsters just feeling their way around after being promoted from the practice squad. Caldwell knows the territory.

Caldwell was signed during the offseason as an unrestricted free agent after catching 124 passes in four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Not drawing much playing time this season has been an adjustment for the native Floridian.

"It's tough, because I want to be out there in games battling with the guys I go to work with every day," Caldwell said. "But this is the NFL, and you never know what's going to happen with injuries and things. Whenever I get a chance, I want to prove to these coaches that I can play, and I never want to go back to the bench again."

Blog: First-and-Orange


Q: Which was the bigger thrill — catching a touchdown pass for Florida against Ohio State in the 2006 national championship game or recording 51 receptions in 2009, your second year in the NFL?

A: I'd have to say the national championship game. That's something that as a kid you dream about. To be able to do that, it was the best feeling I've had in football.

Q: How about having Tim Tebow as a Gators teammate?

A: Tim is a great guy. He was the hardest-working player I've ever been around. I hope he has nothing but success in the future.

Q: Your older brother, Reche Caldwell, played six seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver for San Diego (2002-05), New England (2006) and Washington (2007). Did he make it easier for you to adapt and adjust to playing at this level?

A: That was a big plus for me, understanding how to go into a season and what to expect. He helped me understand how to read defenses and prepare for games. He worked with me during the offseason, so I think I had an advantage over some guys that didn't have that when they were growing up. Before I even got to the NFL, I'd been around NFL players, so I knew how to act. I knew how to act like a man.

Q: You're 6-foot, 190 pounds and have the nickname "Bubba." Usually, Bubbas are big guys. How did you get that nickname?

A: When I was a little kid, I was a fat baby. I was like that until I was 4 years old. My brother called me that and I've been called Bubba ever since. Just about everybody calls me Bubba — except my wife, she hates it, hates it.

Q: How is it to catch passes from Peyton Manning?

A: It's great. He makes the game a lot easier. He puts the ball on the money. He puts you in the right place. He definitely throws a catchable ball. It's soft. It lands right in your hands. You just have to put your hands there.

Q: Enjoying living in Denver?

A: Denver's been great. I enjoy it a lot more than living in Cincinnati. There's a lot of things to do. There's a great fan base. They support you all the way. That's a great plus to have.

Q: Anything you want to experience in Colorado that you haven't had a chance yet?

A: I want to go into the mountains and see how it is up there. I have a lot of friends that talk about being in the mountains and hanging out. I look forward to doing that in the offseason.

Q: Had you heard the Chamber of Commerce pitch that Denver has more days of sunshine than Miami?

A: The team was telling me that during free agency. I didn't believe it at all. But it's true, there is a lot of sun out here.


Andre Caldwell file

Position: Wide receiver
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 190 pounds
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
College: Florida
Draft: Third round (No. 97 overall) by Cincinnati in 2008
Career stats: 124 catches for 1,172 yards and six touchdowns, all with the Bengals
2012 stats: five games, no catches