Training camp has featured mostly good weather so far at Dove Valley, and Tuesday’s morning session was no different. It was a hot one, with barely a cloud in the sky.
Without further adieu, let’s get to the recap.
ROLL CALL
Louis Leonard (knee), Mitch Unrein (knee), Brandon Minor (knee) and Eddie Royal sat out practice. Brandon Lloyd (knee swelling) sat out the second half of pracitce, Nate Irving left with an ankle sprain, Richard Quinn left with a knee sprain and Derek Domino left with a finger sprain.
DRILLS
There were some interesting drills to start practice this morning, including a period focused on low blocks.
While the offensive linemen and wide receivers worked separately on diving low at blocking dummies, the defensive line, linebackers and secondary all worked individually as well on avoiding cut blocks.
Another new defensive drill had all 11 players sprint to a coach, who had the ball in his hands. The players huddled around the coach and kept their feet moving — simulating swarming to the ball as a unit.
DEFENSE SHOWS ITS STRENGTH
The defense dominated, for lack of a better word, the early team sessions in practice.
During the first team drill, the offense was backed up near its own goal line and working on getting into safer territory. The defense was having none of that. First, Kyle Orton led the offense, but his session was cut short when he fired a pass for Eric Decker that Champ Bailey cut right in front of for an interception.
Next, Tim Tebow stepped in, but he bobbled a snap and was wrapped up for a safety by Ty Warren.
Then it was Brady Quinn’s turn, and the defense snagged its second interception of the drill — this one by Syd’Quan Thompson, who has made plays on a regular basis throughout camp.
In the same drill, Knowshon Moreno found a hole to get the offense some space. Afterward, Defensive Line Coach Wayne Nunnely shouted to his linemen, “Be physical! Get off the blocks!”
OFFENSE ANSWERS
After taking the defense’s punishment for much of practice, the offense got some revenge during red zone drills. In one of the first passes of the drill, Orton faked to his right then threw back left to Daniel Fells, who was wide open for a touchdown.
Later in the drill, essentially the same play was run for Virgil Green, and the defense was ready all the way — but a big block by Stanley Daniels freed up the rookie tight end to get near the goal line.
The other quarterbacks saw success as well. Quinn found Dan Gronkowski for a touchdown in the heart of the defense in the middle of the end zone. Later, Tebow executed a shovel pass to Brandon Minor for another score.
PLAYMAKERS
Those drills weren’t the only time players shined on the field Friday.
DAILY JUKEBOX
There was a distinct summer theme during the stretch portion of practice, when music was blaring from the speakers.
First up, “Summertime,” by Kenny Chesney. That was followed immediately by another “Summertime,” this one by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince — aka Will Smith. Kanye West broke up the theme with “Power” before the music cut off and the players got to work.
QUICK HITS
The team is back on the field for a walkthrough closed to the public this evening at 6 p.m. The next public practice is tomorrow morning at 8:50 a.m. — the last one before Thursday’s exhibition game against the Cowboys.
Below are a few more photos from the session.
-Gray Caldwell
Tags: Training Camp
true2broncos, they are both first round “busts” but ill put my money on Ayers. kid is good, even at OLB out of position he seemed to be improving when he wasn’t injured. DE is his natural position and he did it pretty well in college. Might take some time but I see him having a good year. Him and Moreno.
When the offense is backed up to it’s own endzone, it’s always difficult to execute a successful drive. The D has a huge upper hand. I am not overly impressed with the D on Day 13, but definitely keep being disappointing by the offense. With 12 to 15 snaps on Thursday we may very well see 4 drives by the 1st team offense. However, I am still pumped about the season overall. Even though playoffs are completely out mind, it will be a breath of fresh air to see what the new regime can do.
John…Unfortunately I have to agree with you!…On another note, The way I see it, regardless who starts this season, Tebow will finish it!…and Caramello, I wouldn’t read too much into the picks/TDs…its just practice…Gametime will be different, for better or worse.
Ho Hum wins?
Two thoughts on this. 1 the NFL should consider themselves lucky IF it’s a 30% loss of revenue this season. After the lockout and all…
With that said, watching the defense should be more than worth the price of admission this season. Elvis is back in the building. Von Miller should be an impact rookie, making plays all over the field. And our secondary! Champ alone. But then we have weapon X. And many are expecting Rahim Moore to be another impact player as a rookie. We’ve got a revamped Dline. Competition at MLB and DJ back at his natural position. Corner opposite #24 is shaping up to be a great position battle. All whe being coached be the Defensive minded John Fox and the up and coming Dennis Allen. Something tells me our D will be far from “ho-hum”.
I haven’t even touched on the offense. But I guess since the chosen one hasn’t been chosen by the choosers, a lot of fans feel jilted?! Lloyd and his catches fitting for Cirque De Soleil! Moreno and McGahee with our philosophy supposedly returning to it’s roots. A young O-Line who will only get better with time. And most likely own the league for years to come(if only
they would make a pact and refuse to speak to the media).
So I guess it’s the QB position that will cause the ho humness…
The only player I would pay to watch, Elway, doesn’t play any more. I have no problem paying to see the team! (if I were spending my money on the NFL season this season)
It will be interesting to watch the Broncos and all teams in the NFL this season with teams coming together in such a short period of time. I’ve never watched a boring football game but some are sure more exciting than others. How can it be boring with guys like Brandon Lloyd and Tim Tebow on the team? I’m looking forward to having a running game and a better all around defense this year. It’s going to be fun watching Miller and Doom. If we are really lucky Ayres will have a break out year, if he does opposing QB’s will be running for their lives. I’m believing that Fox and Allen will have these guys excited and ready to play, preparations half the battle. Look how well Nolan did until he who should not be named interferred with his plan. I think we will see the same kind of turn around for our defensive team this season, if they can maintain the intensity and continue to improve every week we’ll have ourselves a winning season. That is, if we can run the ball, control the time of posession and avoid turnovers. It definitly all works together. Looking forward to Thursday, hopefully it won’t take too long to figure out what channel it’s on. Seems they seldom have the program guide correct when it comes to preseason games. Anybody know what time the game is scheduled to start? Go Broncos!
I think Ayers could have a good year as teams will be focusing on Doom and Miller and maybe overlook Ayers. To his benefit he’ll maybe be able to get in and make some plays.
imready – 0630 mdt.
/agree with sndvl
what is going to happen is orton will drive right down the feald and we will end up kicking a feild goal or he will throw a int. im sick of watching that happen….the only thing that will stop that is if we can get a good running game going this year that will make a big diffrence.
Thank you for the correction! Who knew I was doing it wrong the whole time…I knew “adieu” was goodbye in French, just thought that was the saying for some reason. Oh well, I’ll get it right from now on!