Denver ? Steve Beuerlein is supposed to be running.

Instead, he’s leapfrogging 3-year-old son Jacob and taking him down with a pile-driving tackle. Next is a game of chase with daughter Kailey, followed by a short run with the 4-year-old on his shoulders.

But this isn’t just fun for Beuerlein, it’s training. He’s 37 and about to start at quarterback for the first time in nearly two years. So any advantage helps.

“That’s how I’ve kind of stayed in game shape, I’ve let them jump all over me,” Beuerlein said. “I have a 5-year-old at home, too. I let him jump on me and wrestle whenever possible. If you’re not getting hit in a game, you have to get hit somehow to keep the joints used to it.”

Beuerlein was half-joking, but the Broncos have little doubt he’ll be ready to take control in place of starter Brian Griese on Sunday night against Indianapolis.

Griese could be out three weeks because of a sprained knee, and Beuerlein hasn’t started a game since Christmas Eve 2000. But the Broncos feel as comfortable as Beuerlein did with his kids earlier this week.

“We expect him to perform well,” Denver coach Mike Shanahan said. “Steve’s a competitor. He’s had a lot of experience. He knows our system. I’m sure he’s looking forward to the opportunity.”

After floating around with six teams in 16 seasons, Beuerlein relishes any playing time he gets.

Despondent and questioning his worth, Beuerlein jumped at the chance when Shanahan, his former coach with the Raiders, asked him to come to Denver.

“I didn’t know if I’d get a chance to play again or if I’d be able to find a situation where I’d want to play again,” Beuerlein said. “Fortunately this situation has come up for me.”

Beuerlein’s signing hasn’t made things any easier for Griese, who has been criticized for just about every move he’s made since taking over for John Elway in 1999.

Griese is friendly and well-spoken but has been portrayed as dour and unemotional. Beuerlein is affable and polite. He apologizes when his daughter starts crying during an interview.

It didn’t help that Beuerlein had a better training camp and nearly replaced Griese in the opening victory against St. Louis.

No matter what happens the next few weeks, Beuerlein plans to stick to the role in which he’s most comfortable.

“Whenever the time comes when it’s determined that he’s ready to go, then he’s the guy,” Beuerlein said. “I have no problem with that.”