The Broncos hit the practice field Monday after a day off Sunday to start the last week of training camp, and the weather wasn’t the only thing that was hot. Tensions and intensity rose as everyone was trying to raise their play. There were some spectacular plays, including arguably the play of training camp — which will be in Broncos TV’s highlight package — so without further ado, let’s get to it.
ROLL CALL
Receiver Eddie Royal was back practicing 100 percent. Royal had missed all or part of the last few padded practices with a hip injury. Cornerback Syd’Quan Thompson was still out with a injury. Tight end Richard Quinn and guard Stanley Daniels also sat out and defensive tackles Ty Warren and Marcus Thomas left practice with injuries.
Defensive tackle Louis Leonard was released and linebacker Derek Domino was waived earlier in the day, while receiver Greg Orton made his first practice appearance for the Broncos.
THE PLAY OF TRAINING CAMP
Arguably the play of training camp thus far came in the first team session of the afternoon. Rookie linebacker Nate Irving dropped into coverage as quarterback Tim Tebow went back to pass. As Tebow released it for tight end Julius Thomas downfield, Irving broke to his left. Then he jumped, and with his right hand he reached back behind himself at full extension for the leaping, one-handed interception. The ball stuck to his glove as if it was Velcro and Irving landed on his feet and was able to run 20 yards upfield. The defense whooped, hollered and all ran onto the field in a frenzy to give Irving props.
PLAYMAKERS
“This game is a tough game, a physical game, and when you’re banging on each other every day, it can get chippy,” Head Coach John Fox said. “It’s pretty typical of camp this time of year.”
DAILY JUKEBOX
1. “I’m Back” – T.I.
2. “Paradise City” – Guns N’ Roses
3. “Bottom of the Map” – Young Jeezy
DRILLS
A lot of drills today centered around the passing game. The cornerbacks and safeties did two separate drills that focused on interceptions. Assistant Secondary Coach Sam Garnes would heave the ball about 40 yards as the safeties would try to track it down. Secondary Coach Ron Milus worked with the cornerbacks, as they would cover a receiver running down the sideline and try to pick the ball off.
In one-on-one drills, linebackers worked on covering the running backs on a pass route out of the backfield and both the linebackers and safeties worked with the tight ends. The offensive players were able to catch the ball most of time; however, linebackers D.J. Williams and Woodyard broke up passes intended for McGahee and tight end Dan Gronkowski respectively. Moore also had a nice break up but on the offensive side, tight end Dante Rosario did a swift double move to completely fake out safety Darcel McBath.
Then the tables were turned for pass protections, as the running backs and tight ends had to block the linebackers and safeties. Veteran safety Brian Dawkins stood out as he got by his blocker with ease almost every time. During this time, the wide receivers worked on blocking the cornerbacks downfield as if for a screen pass. The defensive and offensive lines also went up against each other, and some notable performances included defensive tackle Ryan McBean getting around guard Manny Ramirez to draw loud praise from the defense, but Chris Clark got one back for the offense, holding off a tough Jason Hunter.
In one drill that didn’t involve the passing game, the running backs drove through sleds (like would-be tacklers), leading with their shoulder. Running Backs Coach Eric Studesville shouted instructions the whole time such as, “Stay square; bring your hips,” and the classic, “We pay for that weight room. Use it!”
QUICK HITS
The team will be back on the field Tuesday morning at 8:50 A.M. Check below for more photos of today’s action.
-Kenny Legan
Tags: Training Camp
GO BRONCOS!!
so the cut two players and signed one so we have one hole on the roster?
Maybe we `ll sign Maybin.
Hope warren isn’t hurt too much.
Go Broncos
Great to hear about the great play by Irving! I’m also stoked to see the sacks out of Miller and Doom. I just hope that the o-line will be able to protect the QB better come gametime. They looked good against the Cowboys, but our own D seems to be giving some trouble. Sounds like a good thing…
interesting article talking about how Fox is different to Mcd, and what it might mean: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/article_ec5c94c2-c783-11e0-a55c-0019bb30f31a.html
That’s a Kiz article we found in the DP and discussed this morning.
Oh missed that. Sorry for the repost.
Orton looks so good in red they had to put the pic up twice, LOL.
That’s fine just thought you should know why if no one comments.
Glad to hear Irving is stepping up,him and Mays will be in a hard fought battle for the starting ILB position,may the best man win,I hope whoever wins will be a leader,that MLB spot is like the QB on Defense,imo.
I see tension is running high in these training camps. Way to go irving. Sad it was on tebow but way to go. They called it first team but last I checked both tebow and irving aint first team. Not unless they get first team reps which is pretty cool. Last sat we played without DJ and DJ makes a difference. Currently our best and most versatile LB. So im looking forward to sat with the full cast. Hope Ty is ok. We sunk alot of,money into him and we could really use him — Later days, TRb
this sat i will be dissapointed if tebow doesnt get one drive with the ones
I’d like to see Tebow and Quinn get some reps with the 1st team Saturday,if Orton is going to start,we need to know where we stand with Tebow and Quinn,short off season hurt both those guys!
@Baylin: If you’re talking about the article entitled “Analysis: Broncos’ number of interest — 500 rushing attempts this season,” it’s a different article.
The one I linked discusses the relevant personality traits of the two coaches, rather than statistics.
I say play Orton,Tebow,and Quinn,give them all two series each with the 1st team,then we can see what each QB really looks like!
I think Moreno gets 1200 yards this season and MaGahee gets 600!
For sure. Tebow and Quinn both outplayed Orton on Thur. Would be great to see what they look like playing with and against first stringers.
Moreno looked promising against the Cowboys, thats a good start.
new blog again. lol
I`d like to see Tebow play on the 1st team first series and see what he can do.
Is it saturday yet??
if anyone has info on warrens injury plz post. thanks
I didn`t know Warren got hurt. Was it in todays practice?
I know Alex, this is the one I’m talking about. Of course I posted the 500 one too.
John Elway stayed awhile after practice to help Tim Tebow. In the Denver Post.
This is how I want to see our roster look like by Week 1 (certain positions).
WR (Not in order): Lloyd, Decker, Royal, Thomas, Davis, Willis
LBs: DJ Williams, Irving, Miller
Dline: Dumervil, Warren, Bunkley, Ayers
TE: Thomas, Green, Rosario, maybe Quinn
CBs: Bailey, Goodman, Thompson, cox, Vaughn
S: Moore, Dawkins, Carter, Burton, McCarthy
I hope Decker, Cox, Miller, Moore and Ayers make some serious noise this year so we wont have to worry about those positions in the offseason
Yeah, about Warren:
In a five-minute span, the two veteran tackles playing with the Broncos’ No. 1 defense, Marcus Thomas, left, and Ty Warren, departed with injuries.
Thomas suffered a strained right pectoral muscle. Warren had an arm injury.
“Hopefully, they’re not serious,” said coach John Fox.
Nasty, great line-up. There`s a chance D. Thomas could be placed on IR. It all depends on if he`s healing fast. We`re sure deep at WR.
I hear the Saints severed ties with John Stinchcomb, he was splitting time with first team and probably wants to start only but Broncos should see whats up with him
Anyone going to the game this Saturday that has cheap, good tickets. I get back in town and need my football fix.
Moreno looked great in the preseason game i thought. Orton looked like a punk. His first series on 2nd down and goal he throws it in the ground and then 3rd down he throws it out the back of the end-zone. He has no motivation to get to the end-zone by any means necessary. That’s why people want Tebow to play (He can get those 3rd and 6 or 3rd and 11′s and he will stay on his feet until the end zone). Although, Orton did a great job of looking of receivers and finding the open man. Nice crisp passes too.
Go Broncos
-mile high salute)
We should trade for Samuel IMO
When are we going to sign Clady to a long term deal? We cant just let him walk after this year and I would be mad if we franchised him next year
To make a move on Asante Samual would be a good move but expensive and probably a 2nd round pick in 2012. Is it worth a 2nd, that I`m not sure of. I like the player but not at the expense of losing a high draft pick.
That is why we should trade Orton to San Fran, Miami, or the Redskins in a three way trade that lands them a high(ish) draft pick and lands us Samuel. I can dream can’t I?
I have been reading every blog. I agree that all the QB’s need to get first team reps on Sat. It is the only fair way to tell who should start the season. I personally want Tebow. Orton either looks homeless or he looks like the kid nobody wants to sit by at lunch.
LMAO @ 0723.
Trade Tebow to Miami. He plays better in warm weather and those Floridians love watching him run around. Who cares if he can’t pass, he’s exciting to watch.
On Orton’s series in game 1 there was twice when he had a wide open shot on running it into the endzone for the score but we all know he is a puss and gets scared, Tebow would have run it in thats for sure.
looks like warrens injury could be season ending. i have a source but Ill wait to post it soon on the next blog
Source or no source, just from reading the DP it sure as heck sounds to me as if Warren could well be done for the season, it’s just that it’s such a very hard pill to swallow the top brass are taking their time assessing it like the article said..
SportsCenter reported Warren has a torn tricep and very well could miss the whole season. This sucks.
Warren will miss most or all of the season. He is getting very injury prone now anyway. Too bad because he was going to start with Thomas, leaving us Bunkley and Vickerson as backups, giving us a solid four man rotation.