Archive for July, 2009

Training Camp Day 1: P.M. Blog

July 31st, 2009 - 9:32pm by Zach EisendrathOther posts by Zach Eisendrath

Day one of training camp has come to a close. The Broncos completed their first evening practice on a brisk night at Dove Valley, lasting just over two hours.

After enjoying ideal conditions for the morning practice — warm temperatures with a bit of shade — temperatures dropped considerably for the p.m. practice. Still, for the most part the weather again cooperated, as the team managed to avoided the rain that fell at Dove Valley for much of the afternoon.

Here are some tidbits from the team’s second practice of the day:

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Training Camp Day 1: A.M. Blog

July 31st, 2009 - 11:52am by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

Check one more thing off the list on the road to the 2009 season — training camp is here. And the mass of fans lining the far hill of the Broncos practice fields almost an hour and a half before practice kicked off was a little taste of the excitement surrounding Day One.

As players came onto the field — dressed in full pads and uniform, including pants — some took a knee as soon as they hit the grass, pausing to take a moment before the unofficial start of another season.

It was perfect weather for the first day of practice — sunny with a little bit of shade. So without further adieu, here are some quick hits from the first practice session of the team’s 2009 training camp.

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The Real Work Begins

July 30th, 2009 - 10:43pm by mike_riceOther posts by mike_rice

Here we go. Full squad workouts are upon us at Broncos training camp. It is time to start the countdown to the regular season.

I am eager to see how this training camp goes. I have been impressed with the off-season work the Broncos have put in and now I am ready to see how this team comes together leading up to the regular season opener on September 13.

Here are the top three areas I’ll be following in camp:

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Shelton, Moulton Signed

July 30th, 2009 - 7:38pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

The Broncos on Thursday announced that wide receiver Travis Shelton (pictured above) and cornerback Rashod Moulton have been signed.

Shelton is a rookie out of Temple University, who originally signed with the team as an undrafted free agent on April 27. He totaled 64 receptions for 784 yards with four touchdowns at Temple, adding 25 rushes for 205 yards and 97 career kickoff returns for a school-record 2,507 yards with two touchdowns.

He earned second-team All-Mid-American Conference honors as a kickoff returner as a senior in 2008, leading the nation with a 31.3-yard return average while adding a 92-yard touchdown return at Kent State.

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Staying in Big 12 Country

July 30th, 2009 - 9:35am by Zach EisendrathOther posts by Zach Eisendrath

You’re Nate Swift. You just completed a stellar career at the University of Nebraska, a four-year stretch in which you set a school record with 166 receptions for 2,476 yards and also totaled 22 touchdowns in 51 games played.

So naturally, as a college free agent, you join the Denver Broncos – an NFL team in close proximity to the Cornhusker State – and you feel right at home in Big 12 Country, right?

“I have noticed a couple of people out here, but there are definitely more Colorado fans than Nebraska fans here that I’ve noticed so far,” Swift said. “CU fans for sure.”

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Media Frenzy As Usual

July 29th, 2009 - 4:28pm by jim_saccomanoOther posts by jim_saccomano

Training camp is under way, and is it ever!

Even though this is the “early reporting period,” I don’t think that applies to the media. We have had upwards of 55 people at a given practice, none with fewer than 35 (but, who’s counting)!

Seth Wickersham of ESPN.com visits on Thursday, Charley Casserly of CBS and Jay Glazer of FOX will be here on Friday. Next week, other out-of-towners are scheduled to make appearances, and this is all a mixed blessing.

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Wednesday Practice Report

July 29th, 2009 - 1:05pm by Chris GentilvisoOther posts by Chris Gentilviso

Wednesday’s practice came to a close with the Broncos completing an hour-long session chock full of different drills and installments.

Brandon Marshall, Lucas Taylor and D.J. Williams missed the morning session. Head Coach Josh McDaniels said it was due to residual soreness.

Here are some quick hits from Wednesday:

  • Brandon Stokley was at camp early for a second day in a row. His son, sporting a Carmelo Anthony Nuggets jersey Tuesday, wore an Eddie Royal jersey on Wednesday. Chad Jackson and Lonie Paxton were a few of the players spotted walking around Dove Valley today.
  • Linebackers coach Don Martindale had Wesley Woodyard and Lee Robinson working on goal-line stands, with each rotating between the tight end and linebacker position.
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    Dawkins on the Passing of Jim Johnson

    July 28th, 2009 - 5:20pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

    Jim Johnson, the former defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, passed away on Tuesday. He was the coordinator from 1999-2008, a 10-year period in which Brian Dawkins played for the club.

    The Broncos safety released a statement on the passing of Johnson on Tuesday.

    “This is a sad, sad day for myself and my Philadelphia family. Jim was tailor-made to coach in Philadelphia. He was a tough coach who wasn’t afraid to let you know how he was feeling, but at the same time, he cared about us deeply. He was an absolute blessing to me with the way he used me on the football field and allowed me to show my God-given ability. His confidence in me meant so much—he looked to create new defenses each week to utilize my talents. I have been praying for him every day, and those prayers won’t stop now. I’ll be praying for his family and their comfort during this difficult time.”

    Tuesday Practice Report

    July 28th, 2009 - 12:43pm by Gray CaldwellOther posts by Gray Caldwell

    Tuesday brought a lot less rain but a few more players to practice at Dove Valley.

    D.J. Williams and Wesley Woodyard joined the festivities — two more veterans recovering from injuries — after missing yesterday’s session with flu-like symptoms.

    Brandon Marshall and Lucas Taylor missed the morning session, which Head Coach Josh McDaniels said was a coaching decision due to soreness.

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    Changes That Will Make A Difference

    July 28th, 2009 - 9:19am by mike_riceOther posts by mike_rice

    It is time to get things going. Training camp started this week with rookies and selected veterans reporting to Dove Valley. Soon the rest of the players will be in; full squad practices begin on Friday.

    It was an offseason of change for the Broncos. They have a new head coach and coaching staff, a new set of quarterbacks and a revamped roster.

    Here are my choices for the top three moves the Broncos made in the offseason. Since I already wrote about the quarterback position in the last blog, I am not considering what happened with that position for this list.

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