Archive for May, 2009

« Older Entries

Meeting The New Guys - Part 3

May 30th, 2009 - 11:00am by mike_riceOther posts by mike_rice

In part three of our series of interviews with new Denver Broncos, we feature Broncos’ cornerback Alphonso Smith from Wake Forest University.

On the first day of the NFL Draft, the Broncos traded their own 2010 first-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for the 37th overall selection. Denver used that second round pick to take Smith.

We spoke with Alphonso when he visited Broncos headquarters on the second day of the draft.

Mike Rice: You’re a Denver Bronco. Can you believe it?

Alphonso Smith: I can. I can. I had a pretty good visit when I came out here and I left with a pretty good feeling in my heart that it was a possibility that I could be a Bronco.

MR: But until you hear your name, I guess you never really know, do you?

AS: You never really know. But when Coach McDaniels called I was like, ‘Yes, Broncos. At least it’s a team I want to go to.’ I’m still kind of soaking it in. I can believe it but at the same time I really can’t believe it.

Click to continue reading “Meeting The New Guys - Part 3″

Posted in Mike Rice | 157 Comments »

Schweiger Waived

May 29th, 2009 - 4:04pm by Zach EisendrathOther posts by Zach Eisendrath


The Broncos announced Friday that undrafted free agent linebacker Jeff Schweiger has been waived.

Schweiger joined the team on April 28th.

Schweiger saw time at defensive end in college, playing for San Jose State as a senior after competing for the University of Southern California during his first three collegiate seasons.

- Zach Eisendrath, DenverBroncos.com

Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 46 Comments »

Ready to Contribute

May 29th, 2009 - 2:53pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

Wesley Woodyard talked a little after Friday’s practice about all the change the defense is going through this offseason. In the mean time, he’s going through a few changes of his own.

“Last year we were really trained on strictly speed, getting ready for the Combine, but now it’s more about power and explosiveness, and that’s something we’ve been able to focus on in the offseason workouts,” Woodyard said.

He explained that one way he plans on being explosive is by adding weight to his lower body, which he has done this offseason. He said he’s up to 230 pounds, up from his 218-pound playing weight last season. But no worries, the extra weight won’t prevent him from “flying around” the same way he did last season.

Woodyard’s spot on the field is yet to be determined, as the team isn’t even finished with passing camp, let alone training camp, but he knows he’ll find ways to get on the field and make plays no matter what.

“Right now we’re just going through some different schemes on the defense,” he said. “Where I’m going to be on the field is still up in the air. Right now I’m just contributing on special teams like I did last year, and out there basically just having fun.”

Click to continue reading “Ready to Contribute”

Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 22 Comments »

Moreno: Celebration King

May 29th, 2009 - 9:23am by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

Just thought you all might be interested in watching the team’s newest No. 1 pick representing the Broncos as he won the Upper Deck 2009 NFL Rookie Touchdown Dance Challenge. Enjoy the show.

-Gray Cadwell, DenverBroncos.com

Tags:
Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 25 Comments »

Thursday’s Practice Recap

May 28th, 2009 - 2:44pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

The team reached day number three of passing camp on Thursday, and the practice was open to the media. Here are a few quick hits from today’s session.

POSTURING FOR POSITION

  • You can’t read too much into a depth chart during passing camp, but it looked like the first team defense consisted of Ryan McBean, Ronald Fields and Kenny Peterson on the line, Darrell Reid and Elvis Dumervil at outside linebacker, Andra Davis and D.J. Williams at the inside linebacker spots, Champ Bailey and Andre’ Goodman at cornerback and Brian Dawkins and Renaldo Hill at safety.
  • Spencer Larsen spent some time both in the backfield and with the linebackers.
  • LaMont Jordan decided to try out a new position as the team was switching between drills — he pulled Brett Kern aside and set up as the long snapper. It looks like Jordan will stick with the running back position, because let’s just say the snap didn’t hit its target.

    • Click to continue reading “Thursday’s Practice Recap”

    Tags:
    Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 46 Comments »

    Expect No Less

    May 27th, 2009 - 3:43pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

    Renaldo Hill spoke with the media after practice today, and he talked a little about how the team is coming together already this offseason.

    It’s a tough undertaking to step into a locker room filled with a lot of new names, but everyone is bonding and getting to know one another quickly.

    “That’s big about the offseason, because we’re pretty much around each other all day every day,” he said. “It gives us a chance to get to know one another. You might not get the names in the first couple weeks, but eventually you get around to knowing everyone and knowing everyone’s personality. That’s the good part about it — knowing who you’re going to be around helps you that much more on the football field.”

    And Hill knows who he’s going to be around in the defensive secondary — former teammate and playmaker Andre’ Goodman, future Hall-of-Famers Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins and three 2009 NFL Draft picks, among others. The hope is that going into this year that unit can create more plays to help the team win games.

    Click to continue reading “Expect No Less”

    Tags: , ,
    Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 127 Comments »

    Barrett and Prater Kick Off Camp

    May 26th, 2009 - 3:55pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

    The team kicked off the first day of 11 days of passing camp on Tuesday, and Matt Prater and Josh Barrett spoke with the media afterward. Here are the highlights of their press sessions.

    BARRETT

    The second-year safety said this stretch of camps is a little different than the first two mini-camps. The main difference is it feels like they’re starting to be able to play football a little more smoothly instead of learning something new at every turn.

    “It’s definitely a more comfortable stage to be in,” he said. “You’re picking up things a lot quicker, there’s not as much lag time between when you learn something and then when you’re able to apply it on the field. So having that, it’s helpful.”

    But Barrett said there’s certainly still learning going on. For him and the other defensive backs in particular, some of that learning has come from Brian Dawkins.

    “I just try to take in little things,” Barrett said. “You don’t even have to ask questions, but through his actions, through his demeanor you can pretty much pick up on a lot of stuff.”

    One of the things the secondary is learning about is bringing a game-time work ethic to practice. Barrett said the defensive secondary talks every day about how unacceptable the number of takeaways was last year. Now they’re taking steps to make sure they force more turnovers and make more game-changing plays in 2009.

    “We’ve got drills that are just for stripping the ball, just for working on what we call low-impact angles, where you’re not going to be the guy maybe to make the first hit, but you might be the first guy to be able to get a shot at the ball to get the ball loose,” he explained. “So certain things like that, aggressiveness like that is what we really need to work on.”

    Prater’s talking points are after the jump.

    Click to continue reading “Barrett and Prater Kick Off Camp”

    Tags: , ,
    Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 53 Comments »

    Passing Camp News

    May 26th, 2009 - 12:51pm by Kyle SonnemanOther posts by Kyle Sonneman

    The team’s first two mini-camps are behind them, and now there’s only one more stretch of camps before a long break, then training camp.

    Starting today the team is taking part in an 11-day passing camp. The camp will be held from May 26-29, June 2-5 and 8-10. During that stretch, there will be three completely open practices, where we will bring you pictures from the sessions, Broncos TV packages and blog notebooks from practice. Those dates are Thursday, May 28; Wednesday, June 3; and Monday, June 8. Also on those days Head Coach Josh McDaniels will speak to the media coming off the practice field.

    DenverBroncos.com will have stories posted up every day after practice, as typically two players per day will step to the podium in the media room. We will have video, audio and stories from their press conferences.

    Tags:
    Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 2 Comments »

    Graduating to the NFL

    May 23rd, 2009 - 2:59pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

    For the past few weeks, college students everywhere have celebrated their graduations. For some of the Broncos’ most recent draft picks, it’s no different.

    Richard Quinn graduated from the University of North Carolina last December, but that didn’t stop him from showing up to the Class of 2009’s commencement on May 10.

    “I got done with school early,” Quinn said. “But I just went out there to show some love. The main thing is I was just happy to be out there with all my friends and celebrate one last time with them.”

    He wore the blue cap just like everyone else, but there was one big difference with his outfit — instead of the accompanying gown, he sported his new Broncos “09″ jersey.

    Click to continue reading “Graduating to the NFL”

    Tags:
    Posted in DenverBroncos.com | 114 Comments »

    Meeting The New Guys - Part 2

    May 22nd, 2009 - 1:57pm by mike_riceOther posts by mike_rice

    This is part two of our interview series with some of the Broncos’ 2009 draft picks. We had the chance to speak with several of them on the second day of the NFL draft, April 26, at Broncos’ headquarters.

    With the 18th overall pick, the Broncos selected Robert Ayers a defensive lineman/linebacker from the University of Tennessee.

    Mike Rice: Did you have any idea that you would be the Broncos’ pick?

    Robert Ayers: During the process, I felt like this was a good fit for me. From talking with the coaches, I felt like I was a guy they were targeting and the pieces fell into place. I’m more than happy to be here. I think I’m going to fit well with the team and I’ll do all I can to help this organization. It’s all about winning. They were one or two games short last year. I’m not going to be that piece that gets us over the hump but hopefully I can be a small part of the building block. You got great guys like Brian Dawkins and Champ Bailey here so I feel like we can get things turned around. I’m willing to do whatever I can do to get it turned around.

    Click to continue reading “Meeting The New Guys - Part 2″

    Posted in Mike Rice | 9 Comments »

    « Older Entries