The Broncos hit the field again Friday morning for their third practice, again without pads. This was easily the hottest practice in the early going of camp, due mostly to the humidity.
As players walked out of the locker room onto the field, there were a lot of exclamations of “Woo!” and “Oh my God!” even from Miami native Orlando Franklin. Nate Jones just went with a, “Nice and cool out here.”
ROLL CALL
There were plenty of new faces present, as earlier in the day the team inked third-round pick Nate Irving, meaning the club’s entire 2011 NFL Draft class is now under contract.
Irving wasn’t on the field at the start of practice, but made his way out a little later and jumped right into the action. Second-rounder Rahim Moore entered the fray as well, and in his first practice joined fellow rookie Quinton Carter in taking reps with the first-unit defense.
LINE ‘EM UP
The first units were peppered with rookies, as Moore and Carter were at safety and Von Miller was in at strongside linebacker. When Miller wasn’t on the field, fellow rookie Mike Mohamed stepped in.
On offense, Franklin continued to take reps with the first-unit offensive line at right tackle.
INJURIES
Mohamed entered the lineup when Miller stepped to the sideline and laid down beside Head Athletic Trainer Steve Antonopulos, who proceeded to work on the rookie’s right leg. Miller stayed on the field for a while, but eventually walked back into the locker room.
Later in practice, Carter took a ride on a cart across the field, but got up and walked under his own power into the locker room as well.
Head Coach John Fox said after practice that Miller has a quad bruise, and Carter was suffering from heat stress.
ONE-ON-ONES
During one-on-ones, the matchup the crowd enjoyed the most had to be Brandon Lloyd against Champ Bailey. Kyle Orton threw the ball deep to the end zone, and Lloyd nearly went up and got it but Bailey was having none of it, swatting the ball away.
Bailey had a big day, also picking off a Tim Tebow pass near the sideline, which drew its fair share of cheers as well.
Carter and David Bruton both had diving breakups to force incomplete passes during the drill.
Eddie Royal came back to make a back-shoulder grab of a pass from Orton just in front of Andre’ Goodman.
Goodman made up for it shortly thereafter, breaking up a deep bomb to the end zone from Tebow to Eric Decker.
PLAYMAKERS
There were a lot of 7-on-7 and team drills during the session, much to the delight of the crowd, and it made for a handful of big plays.
Royal was active, making catch after catch from Orton, finding plenty of open space but making a few catches in tight coverage as well. He had the most exciting play of the day, when he caught a pass from Orton over the middle, turned and sprinted upfield through defenders all the way to the end zone. Knowshon Moreno sprinted to greet him, leaping in the air for a celebration, and Lloyd prompted Royal to join him in a “you can’t see me” gesture.
Meanwhile, the catch of the day might go to Eric Decker. Orton fired a bullet over the middle, and with Bailey and Moore closing quickly, Decker leaped and snared the ball out of the air with his arms outstretched, drawing cheers from the crowd and praise from the quarterback.
When Miller was on the field, he made his presence felt again. Orton was on a hot streak during the first 7-on-7 session, as he completed every pass — until his last. The rookie linebacker leaped in front of Orton’s final attempt of the session and grabbed an interception, bringing raucous cheers from the crowd.
Brady Quinn drew cheers of his own when the pocket broke down in a team drill. The quarterback scrambled down the middle of the field and kept sprinting all the way to about the 5-yard line, when the defense finally wrapped him up.
QUICK HITS
Moore earned a high five from Coach Fox after contributing to tight coverage during a team drill.
After practice, Tebow was joking around and set his feet 20 yards away from the field goal uprights. He lofted a pass and drilled the crossbar on his first try.
Early on during quarterback drills, Offensive Coordinator Mike McCoy worked with Orton and Quinn while Quarterbacks Coach Adam Gase focused on Tebow and college free agent Adam Weber.
During the walkthrough portion of practice, Assistant Secondary Coach Sam Garnes gave pointers to Moore after every play.
Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen made sure his players always ran to the next drill, at one point singling out his star rookie: “Let’s go Von Miller, don’t be the last one over here!”
Plenty of players fielded kickoffs during the special teams portion of practice, including Decker, Cassius Vaughn, Brandon Bing, Perrish Cox, Lance Ball and Chris Harris.
The team will be back on the field Saturday morning at 8:50 a.m. in another session free and open to the public. Look for plenty more content on DenverBroncos.com shortly, and be sure to check the Training Camp page for all of our coverage in one place.
-Gray Caldwell
Tags: Training Camp
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Quote of the day:
“You wouldn’t say we’re one of the teams to beat in this league.” Bailey said.
OC, you still have plenty of time to rethink your 11-5 prediction, LMAO!!!!
I said earlier in the week that the problem was Ortons contract. He would ride the bench for me cause he is being ridiculous
I for one hope we don’t get McGhaee! I’d rather get a DT and keep the RB’s we have. Ball, White, and or Fannin would do good in our Offense. Ball proved himself last year, Fannin is a beast of a back, and White could be beastly if his healthy. Those guys want to be here and McGhaee he doesn’t! At least I don’t think he does.
if we bring in some one else at rb i think barber would come cheaper than mcghaee. wouldnt be a bad fit either for a change of pace or third down back.
Well guys GOOD news!!!
Miller and Carter are back at practice for padded practice today!!!!!
Having just turned 33 in a job that usually spits out 30-somethings, Champ Bailey is aware some folks say quarterbacks aren’t as afraid of him as they used to be. When passers really need a completion, they’re a little more willing to look his way.
But ask him where he believes his game is as his 13th season approaches and Bailey is bluntly confident.
“I’m still elite, definitely,” Bailey said. “I’m still one of the top-five corners in this game. I look at my whole game, not just covering, not just tackling, not just one area, my whole game. I’m definitely one of the elite — still.”
Got to love this guy!!!
The Broncos began their first practice of the day in pads this morning at 8:50 at Dove Valley in front of hundreds of early-morning fans.
Linebacker Von Miller, the No. 2 overall pick, was back in action today after leaving Friday’s practice with a bruised quadricep. Rookie safety Quinton Carter also returned, in pads, after being carted off the field Friday due to heat stress.
I’d take Barber over McGhaee but Barber’s problem is he runs a little too hard at times which makes him very injury prone. Fannin and White are guys who I feel know when to use power and when to use finesse. b freak that’s great news!!
On another note we will have a nice WR core even without Thomas. Maybe even one of the best that Fox has ever had!
Bay, I’m trying to keep the faith in the “Tribunal” but it is getting really hard! It is starting to look like events are driving them rather than the other way around. They are now in a loose-loose situation with a QB that don’t want long term but can’t get rid of, a QB that they don’t know much about but can’t get in the game, and at the end of all this, they will be going into the 2012 draft with the previous starter gone and an unknown commodity and still won’t know whether they need to draft a QB or not. This could mess up the Broncos for a couple of years if they don’t figure something out. The only known in this situation is that Orton ,, in their opinions, is not the long term answer. Everything else is up in the air. It will take a tough decision to get out of this but I am beginning to have my doubts that anyone is willing to make it.
Well..I think Denver still wants to send Orton somewhere…There seems to be alot of teams that think they have decent QB’s, but I think once preseason starts alot of those teams are gunna realize they need something better..and thats when you will see teams like the Dolphins, Seahawks, Bills, Redskins and possibly Vikings start fighting over Orton and then we can get value..as soon as someone other than Miami starts showing intrest we will be in business!
Well I’m to the point now to where if Orton starts then he starts. I am sure most of all of you know I want Tebow to start more than anything because he has SOO many more qualities to himself than Orton could ever dream about. I’m just missing my Bronco football to NO extent and just want to see our guys play!!! While the whole QB controversy has been a big issue and a HUGE headache, I just want to make sure that our running game and defense is VASTLY improved. Give me that and I will be happy! Also, SIGN SOME D@MN DT’S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Been away for awhile! Can someone update me on who we have resigned, who we have released, and who we have got in free agency? Thanks
Broncos may have interest in DE Tyler Brayton
The Carolina Panthers released veteran defensive end Tyler Brayton on Friday. Brayton, a former University of Colorado slatwart, could be a fit with the Broncos as a versatile lineman who could back up Robert Ayers at left defensive end and play inside on passing downs.
The 6-foot-6, 280-pound Brayton played the past three years for Broncos coach John Fox in Carolina. Brayton had a combined 9 1/2 sacks in 2008-09.
Williams, Hill, spectators at practice
While the rest of their teammates are in pads for the first time this season, veteran linebacker D.J. Williams and safety Renaldo Hill are watching in jerseys and shorts.
Williams participated in the first three practices — two non-padded practices and one walk-through. Hill has not gone through a regular practice yet. John Fox said on Thursday that Hill was being held out because of dehydration.
We’ll get an update on these two players’ status after practice ends around 11:30 a.m.
Other spectators today include Brian Dawkins, Matt Prater, Ryan McBean and Wesley Woodyard. All four are prohibited from practicing until the new league year starts on Aug. 4.
Bro…
We traded Gaffney for Jarmon.
Kept Ryan McBean
Apparently signed McGahee but not official yet
Signed Ronnell Brown- DT
Signed all of our Rooks
Denver Ronnell Brown (DT) Signed.
Denver Deron Mayo (LB) Signed.
Denver James Rogers (CB) Signed.
Denver Mark Dell (WR) Signed.
Denver Brandon Bing (CB) Signed.
Denver Jamel Hamler (WR) Signed.
Denver Mario Fannin (RB)
Denver Laurence Maroney (RB) Declared free agent.
Denver Matt Prater (K) Restricted free agent.
Denver Marcus Thomas (DT) Declared free agent.
Denver Ryan Harris (T) Declared free agent.
Denver Wesley Woodyard (LB) Restricted free agent.
Denver Ronald Fields (DT) Declared free agent.
Denver Kyle Eckel (RB) Declared free agent.
Buckhalter and Coats Released, McLaughlin Waived
Ryan McBean signed his exclusive rights tender and Wesley Woodyard and Matt Prater signed their RFA tenders to officially rejoin the Broncos.
That’s it so far I believe…
We also signed a few more CFA’s but is not a biggie!
Mario Fannin and Brandon Bing are the biggest names of the CFA’s that we’ve signed!
Brayton is 31 and has 15.5 sacks in his whole nfl career.
ha sounds like about the same last time i checked, why wont we sign anyone lets go!!!
This not signing any FA`s is getting old real quick.
Yeah you really have to be a naturally pumped up dude to get excited about any of this….
henryac, you know my feelings are a carbon copy of yours, said the other day at length that we need to start Tebow this season if only for the sole purpoese of finding out what we will have to do with the 2012 draft about QBs because as you say everyone knows Orton is not the solution long term in Denver. Why no one seems to be willing to make the tough decisions is kind of beyond me, I guess piling up as many wins as possible for Fox takes precedence over finding out what we need to do for the well being of the franchise long term. And then again maybe Fox will start Tebow over Orton and everything will look like going in the right direction, that’s my only hope at this point.
Right now we are basically illiterate about Tebow’s abilities to succeed in the NFL, and by starting Orton we will remain so right up to the 2012 draft, then what?
The end result of starting Orton over Tebow would be litterally like throwing a year away. And for what, 6 wins or 8 at best, once again, we’ve done that five years in a row now I think, what’s the upside of that, I just don’t get it, If Orton starts over Tebow obviously no one has explained the recent history of our team to Fox, that’s all I could figure… Maybe he thinks a season with an 8-8 record would fix all ails in Denver, well if that’s the case he is sadly mistaking, and winning 8 games with our schedule ir a real stretch anyway…. too weird, I guess either I have become too smart about the game or the organization has gotten way too smart for me, because very little of what’s going on makes much sense to me anymore. That’s it, I must be becoming senile, I knew sooner or later it would be starting, well I’m on my way, LOL.
Maybe, just maybe Orton gets traded before the regular season begins. As for now the Trade talks are dead as a door nail. Freaken boring as hell.
Kyle Orton starting puts us behind another two years. With Tebow starting at least we`re moving forward in the right direction. With Orton it`s another below average season. There`s nothing to be excited about with Kyle playing.
bay, I figured it out. You, me and the rest of the bloggers keep trying to apply common sense when that is obviously not the guiding force with the front office. No wonder we stay confused all the time, we keep trying to use logic when none is called for. Maybe we all need to go completely irrational for awhile and see if it comes closer to what they actually do. You never know, it might work!
Coaches claim Orton is better than Tebow…if that’s true…what Now?
At least we have three quarterbacks to work with. One with experience and two first round draft picks. The cream will rise to the top and it is a long season. What happens when Orton is gone and TT happens to get hurt, now we depend on Quinn. Might be nice to have three and I’m betting TT will get starts along the way for all the right reasons. He either earns the spot, steps up due to injury, or will be given ample time to prove himself before the season is done cause the powers to be want to know if TT is our future. Orton will be gone in due time either by trade or free agency at season’s end. So much hand wringing going on. It will be okay.
Just be patient … 4 exibition games should tell us something … then – if we start 0 – 3 , you know who’ll come in … if we start 2 – 1 or 3 – 0, we’ll all be cheering wildly for whoevers the QB … anyway, if we suck, you know Orton won’t still be starting QB … just relax and enjoy the drama …
What I mean to say, is – Orton won’t be our starting QB if we’re a losing team … he’ll only keep that spot if we win … so, for us – it’s win-win …
Wiemin, with our schedule we ABSOLUTELY need to win the first two or three games, at home against the Raiders, at Cinci and at Tennessee, because after that it’s brutal for the following 13 games, every single one of them, even the second to last one at the Bills on Christmas eve. Point being starting 3-0 would just help keeping Orton at the helm, if indeed he is and we all know how the rest of the season goes on after a hot start with him.
But I enjoy your cautiously optimistic approach and danso’s too, much appreciated.
The 13 brutal games in a row to close the season I was talking about:
At Green Bay
SD
At Miami
Detroit
At Oakland
At KC
Jets
At SD
At Minn
Chicago
New England
At Buffalo
KC
I we win three of these it will be an EXCELLENT result!
are the Broncos asking to much for Orton ?
Orton is asking too much for Orton, go back and read the posts from early this morning on this blog.
This plays into our hands so I find it hard to believe that we are so channeled int McGahee if it’s so hard to get a deal done with him:
The RB market is flooded: J. Addai, R. Brown, R. Williams, Cadillac, C. Benson, A. Bradshaw.
into McGahee
I forgot, nobody wants to come and play here, at least no one has so far since the only player we got was through the Gaffney trade, it bears repeating, scary stuff.
Even Panthers players, so far…
It looks like we`re going to get what we asked for, builing through the draft. We sure aren`t going to pick up any FA`s. It looks to me that if Orton does start then we are in the running for the #1 overall pick and come the contest I`ll be bringing my win total way down to perhaps 2 wins for the season. Isn`t that nice?!
If Orton gets traded and Tim starts then I`ll up the anty.
NEW BLOG!
what happened to the idea of the broncos going for a DT thru free agency. we got a running back that no other team wanted. is the brass feeding the bronco fans abunch of b/s like they did last year?
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