The Broncos couldn’t have asked for better conditions for their final training camp practice. The morning session took place under slightly overcast skies with a cool breeze — a stark contrast from yesterday’s oppressively hot afternoon practice. A slight rainbow even marked the sky as players walked onto the practice field.
A crowd of 923 gathered to watch the final workout of the team’s 2010 training camp — putting the final Dove Valley attendance at 22,553. Two days before the preseason home opener against Detroit, the workout ended without post-practice running, providing an even happier ending to training camp 19 days after it officially kicked off.
From a personnel standpoint, defensive lineman Le Kevin Smith returned to the practice field after a few days off, while veterans Champ Bailey, Daniel Graham, Brandon Stokley and rookie Tim Tebow sat out the workout.
GETTING DEFENSIVE
After the defense won yesterday’s two-minute drill, the team lined up with exactly the same stakes on the final drive this morning. With 1:45 on the clock and one time out, the Kyle Orton-led offense took over at its own 20-yard line, down by three. The result was the same. Orton missed Bruce Hall on first down before hitting him for a 7-yard gain on second down. On the next play, Perrish Cox darted in at the last moment to knock a pass away from Jabar Gaffney. On fourth down, Orton missed Gaffney on a short pass, ending the drive without a first down as Mario Haggan triumphantly pointed the other way.
After a few more situational plays, punts and field goal attempts, practice ended for most of the veterans. The second-team offense and defense stayed out for a little longer to run their own two-minute drill.
DRILLS
The linebackers went through a position drill where they engaged a blocker holding a pad and reached up to swat down passes. Not wanting to risk an unnecessary injury, the coaching staff devised the drill to be done using Nerf footballs, instead of the real thing.
Defensive Coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale personally tossed short passes to the defensive backs, who worked on securing interceptions near the sideline while staying bounds.
During position drills, Matthew Willis, Alphonso Smith, Perrish Cox and Cassius Vaughn went through several special teams tackling drills with special teams coordinator Mike Priefer. One drill had the players working on staying low and launching themselves into a tackling dummy to simulate hitting a punt returner as he starts his return.
Britton Colquitt spent time during a 7-on-7 period angling punts toward the sideline on the other field.
PLAYMAKERS
For the second straight day, most of the full-team drills involved one side in red jerseys to simulate the Lions. During a defensive period, Ryan McBean stripped Lance Ball and recovered the fumble.
During an offensive 7-on-7 period, Matthew Willis made a nice adjustment on a jump ball from Brady Quinn to pull down a catch around Smith.
During a special teams period focused on punt coverage, Colquitt started by hitting punts from his own end zone and slowly worked up field. On one of the last reps, Colquitt’s strike bounced high inside the 5-yard line and Nate Jones saved the ball to Willis to pin the opposition deep in their own territory.
On the last play of a red zone 11-on-11 drill, Brandon Lloyd made a nifty catch in traffic from Orton and punctuated it with a reverse dunk of the football through the goal posts.
QUICK HITS
During special teams walkthrough at the beginning of practice, Marcus Thomas and Ronald Fields had some fun with the arm pads often used to help the receivers simulate getting off the line of scrimmage against press coverage. The defensive lineman conducted a brief fencing battle.
Between reps during an individual pass rushing drill, linebackers Jarvis Moss and Jammie Kirlew spent time working on using their hands at the point of attack, taking turns slapping away each others hands off their pads.
TRAINING CAMP JUKEBOX
The final day of training camp featured a diverse playlist that kicked off with “The High Road” by Broken Bells. Lil’ Wayne’s “We be Steady Mobbin’,” Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son,” and The Black Keys’ “Everlasting Light” finished the warm-up tunes.
- Eric Detweiler, DenverBroncos.com
Below are some pictures from the session:
Tags: 2010, Britton Colquitt, Denver Broncos, Kyle Orton, Le Kevin Smith, Training Camp
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im wondering if Tebows absence is that the injury is more serious than McDaniels thought, or he is just being carful?
YES
im pretty sure he just bruised them good. just a guess mind you but i think if he had cracked a rib he wouldnt have gotten up so quick. again just a guess.
Go Bronos
“THE BATTLE IS WON IN THE TRENCHES”
Rayjr, I hope you are right
Yea, dont think Tebows Injury is major especially since he left under his own power. Plus the last day of training camp wasn’t important enough. Good thing he is not the starter. Doesn’t have to worry about playing and being in more harms way, but I hope he is ready for preseason games. I wanna see more Quinn and Tebow less Orton. Not cuz I dont care about Orton, but because Orton is the current best and we already all know what he can do. And with the way we have been plagued with injuries I think it might be best for our only fully prepared QB to stay out of harms way. Besides Quinn and Tebow could use the experience. So we can determine whether to trade Quinn or not. The thing tho is that even if we trade him. We will still have to get another QB so that we go into the season 3 QBs deep as it is usually required. All starters might actually wanna only play 1 drive or something. Before we start hurting some more. Hope Bey Bey and Decker are ready to go.
Just saw Baylins post that Lagerrette Blount punched again and all I can say is wow. cuz when he went undrafted I thought he would be a steal. But he clearly has uncontrollable anger issues, seeing as how he punched a guy with a helmet on lol. Sometimes just gotta be professional even when provoked. Funny thing is Coach Fisher pretty much said that that wasnt the first punch that has been thrown at camp lol. What kinda camp are they running? lol
Sorry guys to not be excited about this practice, it doesn’t sound like much went right specially for the O again in the two minute drill. I have a feeling this game Saturday could be a tough one to watch, I hear Bailey, Kuper, Stokley and Graham won’t play now, and Tebow most likely too, plus all the other usuals who won’t dress up, geee…
Looking forward to the Bronco`s playing the Lions on Saturday.
Bay…I never worry about the offense struggling in practice. The D knows every play they run and every audible. The D should dominate practice. Now if the D is getting schooled….I worry.
Yeah, all the D has to do is react, so it is easier, but we are still miles away from where we need to be offensive wise, and that has been my thought all off season that the O worries me a heck of a lot more than the D, so I naturally keep an eye out on the O, and it was ok with the ones against the Bengals but other than that it has been a struggle, specially on the ground, specially in short yardage and specially at the goal line, so I’ll worry about it some more while you don’t, haha. .
I thought it was pretty funny when McDaniel’s was asked if he thought people were trying the hit Tebow harder because of who he is. McD said something to the effect of “it probably isn’t smart for defenders to do that because the other guy got knocked out.” LMAO…. I know that isn’t the exact quote but it gives you the jist. Tebow may have gotten some bruised ribs but the defender got knocked the f— out. hahaha.
But in all seriousness, Tebow does need to get better at deciding when or when not to sacrifice his body.
Go Broncos…..
I agree that Quinn needs more reps in preseason games… I don’t know if we are in time to get another QB, even for a 2nd stringer, who can chew all the playbook and be ready. Last year when KO broke his finger someone came (#9… I don’t remember his name), but never played.
Go Broncooos!
mcd did a good job of getting rid off the drama in denver. Now if he was able to get rid of this injury bug, we should be fine!!!
posting to c
Orton gets 1 year contract extension
Congratulations to Kyle Orton on his new contract extension. KO has done a great job of doing his homework during the offseason, and is now putting it in play! Let’s go KO !!!
Kyle Orton 29-19 as a starter with Chicago/Denver.
Tim Tebow was impressive last Saturday evening.
He’s only going to get better! (lesson learned).
Brady Quinn unfortunately had a subpar outing. Honestly felt that he would do better due to familiarity with base system. At times looked like he was pressing, but mechanics need more work. Hope he has a better outing Saturday evening.
Former QB Tom Brandstater I believe, would have done better at this point, if he was still with us. He’s history but last year we learned that even though he was only a rookie, he showed more potential during pre-season than Simms.
Hope we don’t have our best backup at #3 like last year.
Just my opinion from the outside looking in.
i think Tebow has a better chance of being number 2 the way he played over quinn i also think our problem with KO is he dont take enough shots down the feild we need the big plays and he had the WRs to do it last year. i also dont think the whole team is on board with the coach or believe in what hes doing i think thats clear we went 6 and 0 then 2 and 8 second half of the season im hearing sports announcers saying oakland could beat us out for second in the divison and already giving it to the Charger we used to have the toughest division ine the leauge now everyone talks like theres only one team i have been a bronco fan for 43 years i want to have faith but im not sure about some of the moves this coach is making