NOTE: Thursday’s practice time has been changed from the morning to 4:50-7:30pm. It is still free and open to the public. Thank you.
After a 43-hour break, the longest since training camp started last week, the Denver Broncos hit the practice field this afternoon for an intense padded practice that focused a lot on two-minute drill.
There was plenty going on to keep the fans entertained as camp is really cranking up.
ROLL CALL
Newly acquired defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley jumped right into the mix. In his first practice, No. 77 joined the starting defensive line alongside Kevin Vickerson and ends Elvis Dumervil and Robert Ayers.
Linebacker D.J. Williams, running back Lendale White and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas did not participate.
FIRE DRILL
During the later of two team sessions during practice, the Broncos worked exclusively on the two minute drill with quarterbacks Kyle Orton, Tim Tebow and Brady Quinn all getting a shot at running the offense. Each time the ball started on their own 40-yard line with 1:10 left on the scoreboard clock mounted on the side of the team office building. The offense was down 20-14 to the defense.
Orton was up first and started with a 15-yard pass to running back Knowshon Moreno out of the backfield, who ran it out of bounds to stop the clock. After an incomplete pass to receiver Eric Decker, Orton found receiver Brandon Lloyd over the middle for a 12-yard gain, and then tight end Julius Thomas over the middle for a 22-yard gain. With the clock still running, Orton threw another incomplete pass Decker’s way after avoiding a sack by linebacker Von Miller, who made his way into the backfield. However, on the next play, second-and-10 from the 11-yard line with 12 seconds left, Orton found Thomas a yard deep into the end zone for a diving catch. Orton finished the drive 4-for-6 for 60 yards and the score.
Next up was Tebow, who got some help after his first completion, a 5-yard pass to running back Lance Ball, who ran out of bounds. On the next play, Tebow found receiver Matt Willis over the middle, who did a spin move that left two defensive backs running into each other and raced all the way down to the 32-yard line before going out of bounds. The sideline was jacked up as Moreno and Lloyd chased Willis back down the sideline with Lloyd giving the American Ninja Warrior a flying Ninja kick to the back. Tebow proceeded to throw an incomplete pass to receiver Britt Davis in the end zone but on the very next play, they redeemed themselves and Tebow hooked up with Davis on a 10-yard pass over the middle. Davis ran it the rest of the way for the touchdown. Tebow finished 3-for-4 for 60 yards and the score with 40 seconds left on the clock.
Last up was Quinn. The signal caller started out quick, connecting with receiver Eron Riley over the middle for a 9-yard gain, then hitting receiver D’Andre Goodwin over the middle for a 11-yard pickup. These didn’t stop the clock, so with 32 seconds left, Quinn found tight end Dan Gronkowski on a short route, but the play was broken up on a huge hit by linebacker Braxton Kelley, who has layed out several people already during camp. Quinn made up for it by hitting Riley with a diving 11-yard catch on the sideline and then running back Mario Fannin over the middle for a 7-yard gain. This left only 14 seconds on the clock so Quinn became the only quarterback to use a timeout. On the next play, Quinn came out of the timeout and threw to the end zone, but rookie linebacker Nate Irving was there for the interception on the goal line. Irving ran to the 13-yard line before sliding down. Quinn finished 4-for-6 for 38 yards and an interception.
DEFENSE DOMINATION
While the offense controlled the defense for most of the two-minute scrimmages, the defense, notably linebacker Joe Mays, dominated 9-on-7s (granted, they were up two players). Mays stoned Moreno in the backfield and on the next play, recovered a fumble from Lance Ball. Ball got redemption by running through linebacker Jason Hunter a few plays later but it was the defense’s time to shine as linebacker Lee Robinson wrapped up running back Brandon Minor for a solo stop in the backfield shortly after.
PLAYMAKERS
QUOTABLES
QUICK HITS
For more photos of today’s action, see below.
-Kenny Legan
Tags: Training Camp
orangecrushTD,
I was at the first training camp practice and Moreno looked much more cut. Additionally, Tebow did not look good in the first practice I went to. His footwork was bad and his throwing motion was often hitched like it was in college.
I will be at tomorrow’s practice and will let you know of any further observations I make.
I would also enjoy an unbiased report RSH … can’t trust the media. Rather trst fellow bloggers lol. I know u are no expert but tell me what it looks like as well. Much appreciated, and yes, Moreno is Cut. He put alot of work in, hopefully it Pays off. TRB
RSH,just call it like I see it,like I said earlier I ain’t no talent scout,I just root for the players I want drafted,that’s all.
I understand you can’t see into the future to tell how players will turn out,but McD wouldn’t know talent if it slapped him in the face!!!
BTW,I am a big Moreno fan as well,so let us know how things are going!
I will however give McD credit for drafting Decker,but Moreno and Ayers are still up in the air,but I liked the Ayers pick at the time,but wanted Orakpo instead of Moreno,but we will see how everything pans out!
Starting to resign myself to watching another year of Orton playing. So, I wonder, if we lose the first couple games will Orton get benched? Are we gonna have a QB carousel like a few teams did last year? All three QBs gonna start a game or two?
Honestly, if we have a good defense and a good running game this year, maybe any one of our QBs could win in Fox’s system. So if Orton starts all year, and we end up go 9-7, making the playoffs, and maybe even winning a playoff game, Orton will have won me back.
Perhaps the most likely (if not slightly optimistic) outcome is that Orton starts. With what should be a greatly improved defense (moving back to a 4-3 which better suits our Dline personnel, the addition of Rahim Moore, Von Miller, and the return of DOOM, and the architect of the Saints’ leading defense in Dennis Allen, with Fox as the new defensively oriented HC) and greatly Improved run game (addition of O. Franklin, Walton and Beatles should be better with a year under their belts, Addition of McGahee, Moreno should improve, and Fannin may just be a star in the making) Orton should be good enough to win games. But his body will break down at the end of the season like it has every year he has started, Tebow will probably play at the end of the season. Maybe even in a playoff game.
Sorry bout the wall of text. Go Broncos!!!
LMAO @ anyone but Jarvis Moss…
Thanks RSH. First practice could have been ruff for Tebow bc of the pressure us fans are putting on him to be the starter. However, you will have to give us a better evaluation tomorrow because it sounds like he has improved this week between Monday and today. Please post it on day 8 blog tomorrow. I look forward to reading a good scout report from you.
And alexanserg- I can’t imagine another season with Orton starting. He may be a good practice player, but he is not a leader like Tebow. He gets down and goes into his own coma when they are not playing well, he has 0% run threat, he cant finish drives, and there’s just something about him (hes just dull, and boring, and doesn’t do anything exciting). I’m just suprised Elway isn’t seeing this. Elway was not a strong rookie player, but he knows what it takes to lead a team. Everything about Tebow is what THIS TEAM NEEDS TO REBUILD. They need his hard work, commanding presence in and O huddle, sense of humor/seriousness depending on the situation, and his off the field accomplishments. I usually agree with the “best player is going to play” except for this situation. This is a rebuilding year (as much as I don’t want to except that) and this team, city, and fan base needs to give him an opportunity to see if he can be successful. All these analysts are saying we will be 9-7 at best, with any of our QBs. So, why not see if he will succeed. The worst that could happen is that he leads us to another 4-12 season, but at least at that point we will have gotten our evaluation of him and most important we will know. But I know he won’t fail. Its not in his dictionary. Read his book. All he talks about is hard work and working to be the best that his humanly possible. and you know the say “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” He will not fail! The Tebow era needs to begin and he will improve this franchise…
Sorry about the long post, but just set up a username and this is the first time I got a chance to let all the emotion out.
Anyone else that has been to camp, please provide some input to my previous comment. Thanks
TRB….I just read your link from two blogs ago. That’s some funny $;(&.
@ orangecrush. You’re preaching to the choir. I really hope Tebow starts from day one.
I think many are forgetting- Elway is in charge. Fox is the head coach. Between them (sorry Xman), they know how to evaluate the QB position.
If they are rolling with Orton (regardless of the popularity contest) we should trust them!
From personal experience, after two seasons of not trusting anything the last “regime” did…
We are headed in the right direction!
Return of the Mile High Magic in 2011!!!!!!!!!!!
3rdgen i assume u are refering to the wiki on Orton lol.
For the Tebow faithful I got a link to a practice of his where he shows why he is Tebow and we enjoy watching him. But don’t hold you breath alexan. Hate to bust your bubble and mine but its not looking like Tebow starts day one. Ill just enjoy the Preseason the best I can. First game is 1 week from today and I am excited. TRB out..
I hear ya on the trust thing sndvl. i was very Anti McD as well. I wanna trust the new regime and I do but the thing is I just think they are taking the easy way out … but hey, what do I know. I am not a former NFL great QB in the HOF nor am I a HC with like a decades worth of experience. TRB out…
BTW, TRB- that was hilarious…
I bet Ort ‘ppreciates just as much as Teb’s…
Return of the Mile High Magic in 2011!!!!!!!!!!!
I also agree. my family and I our huge tebow fans. and i cant see myself paying for the nfl ticket to watch boring orton play. watching tebow start those last 3 games gave me my money’s worth last year. i will cancel and wait to tebow plays or someone else. we know orton wont be here next year, and maybe tebow. but at least give him a chance. we seen what orton can do lets see what timmy can do. give him the 1st reps it wouldnt be fair to expect him to do any better and not give him the right practice. besides does anyone think we can make a playoff run with orton. because if not(which most of us think)then no harm on letting tebow start. I am happy our team is rebuilding. we seem to be heading in the right direction. lets finish that way with our qb situation. TEBOW 2011!
TRB, even with Coach Chaos last year- why did he sign Orton to the extension in the first place?
My guess- Tebow was a two year project all along!
Tebow in 2012
(cause no way was he admitting he made a mistake drafting Tebow. Right?)
we need to trade for Samuel. trade Orton to the Redskins for picks, then send the picks to PHI for Samuel IMO
I can see why most of you like Tebow, but the truth is he is not ready … Orton is … you think Orton doesn’t work hard??? … give me a break … look at the determination he’s showing in the early practices … you think the management/coaches think this is a rebuilding year??? … bull$*)# … they haven’t signed all those DLinemen and TEnds for nothing … they’ve been very judicious in their signings … and I think they are greatly pleased with their rookies … the main thing that will hurt them is the screwed up training camp/exhibition games … the exhibition games are VERY important to them … learning new coaches/new system and a lot of new teammates … but the nucleus is there from last year, with improved personell where it was needed … I’m very anxious for the exhibitions games … they may start slowly, but look for great improvement from the first game to the last game … and expect the first teams to play a lot, because they will really need the reps … so if Orton shows good from the start, he’ll probably get more than his share of the reps … this team will need that … I’m sorry, these guys want to WIN – NOW – they aren’t going to screw around and throw in the season, not until they play themselves into that … this is now a very professional coaching staff and management … so, not Tebow, not yet …
I want orton traded away for good value, and tebow to start. But it is looking more and more like orton will be around this year. It would suck for us fans, but honestly it would probably not be bad for tebow to have an extra year of hunger and work before he gets the full burden of full time starter.
But my point is, I came across this excerpt on espn:
“Tebow supporters will tout his unique skill set, which was most apparent in the red zone last season. His penchant for frequently keeping the ball to himself near the end zone resulted in a very efficient conversion percentage. During 10 trips to the red zone, Tebow threw for three touchdowns and rushed for five while throwing just one interception.
Orton proved more adept at passing inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, throwing for 13 touchdowns in 69 red-zone trips, but wasn’t able to match Tebow’s 80 percent touchdown percentage. ”
Seems to me every word of that is true, and it got me thinking. What if Tebow Time was synonymous with Red Zone? All us fans have noticed how good Orton is between the twenties, and how Tebow can punch it in. If we are gonna have to carry both QB’s why not use Orton between the twenties, and Tebow on all red zone and 3rd/4th and short situations? Orton has all the fundamentals, but fails in the clutch. Tebow lacks some fundamentals, but always comes through in the clutch. I think I am on to something here!
As far as I know we would be the first NFL team ever to use a QB by committee approach like that.
WieminCA, I have to disagree with you. Orton is not a very hard worker (dude doesn’t look like he’s lifted a weight ever) and especially compared to Tebow. The only reason he is showing that determination is because he is scared of Tebow. He doesn’t want to lose a starting job two a 2nd year player and then lose his trade value/contract value that he thinks he is worth. He is showing determination right now, but any real bronco fan will watch that dwindle away come playoff time. If you honestly think Orton is a franchise quarterback or even at best a QB that will take you deep in the playoffs you are silly and need to watch more football. However, I do agree that Tebow just may not be ready. He probably is a 2 year plan, but the only way he is going get better is by winning and loosing football games as a starter. We all watched last year; the Texans game where Tebow erupted the stadium as if we just won an AFC championship, despite the fact we were 3-11 before the clock ran out. We do indeed need the best players on the field, but we also need that excitement to build throughout this franchise and city.
I will admit that the best support we can give is to trust the new regime, but I just hope they are smart enough to know that if we are having another losing season half way through the season, it should indeed be Tebow time and time for Orton to step down.
I know for one that I refuse to buy a ticket to a bronco game this year unless Tebow is starting. I bought a ticket to the Raiders game last year and spent more time with my face in my hands and chanting “we want Tebow” than I did cheering. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice sh- You won’t fool me twice…
-Mile High salute-
Sndvl, are u seriously trying to say McD had a resason for doing something?!?!?! Sound the alarm, sandoval is losing it lol. Sure he signed him longer but he also signed him way above his worth so in my mind that was McD just throwing money away. He didn’t want Tebow to start and he probably never would have if McD didn’t get fired. Say what you May about Tebs but in 3 games against NFL talent on his first try, he either won, mounted combacks or was in it all the way. No blow outs no sir re, an he had the same D and run game as Orton. Just saying.
Alexan Ive thought of it as well but it doesnt work like that. Using 2 QBs never works. It throws off momentum and sync. Centers aren’t used to hearing a certain voice. ETC. can be confusing. McNabb and Vick tried it a while back … no dice. It just doesnt work. There is only one field General. Tebows redzone efficiency is very impressive tho. Precisely why I like him. He finishes what he starts. TRB out…
I understand and respect everyones opinion. but the thing i dont understand why keep orton around and start over tebow when you know we’re going to get rid of him. eveyone knows were in the andrew luck sweepstakes. and if we dont get him they will draft a qb next year. no doubt. so why not let tebow start. because if he doesnt, we all know elway is going to get rid of him and orton. and we would have never know what we had.
Plus it would suck since we bought 4 Tebow jerseys for the family last year. TEBOW 2011.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jifM0z0qTXw
1:24 into vid … start from there and listen to the commentary. Tell u alot about Tebow in practice and games lol. TRB out…
TRB, I like you man. You have a lot of intelligence about this organization.
I really want to stop hearing ditch our 2 QBs and go for Luck next year. First, lets watch and see how he plays this year before we go wanting to draft him. Second, lets not draft any more QBs for a couple seasons. Lets watch Orton choke, see how Tebow and Quinn can play and let our new coach build the rest of our team. Football is the most TEAM oriented sport there is. A QB that is great is always beneficial, but despite my hatred for Orton, our team still sucked last year. We need to build so many other things like our run game, deep pass defense, etc. We can sit on the QBs and watch them develop before we go waste another 1st round draft pick.
however, that is all irrelevent anyways. Orton will fail and Tebow will succeed. I just don’t want to be the fan base in 15 years looking back and saying “man… its a real shame we traded that Tebow, i wish we would have kept him” after he wins a few super bowls and a couple MVPs haha.
TRB is right man. He put on a show last year when he was starting. I felt excitement like we were headed to the playoffs even though we were having the worst season in our history. Thats the impact Tebow has. We better keep him and all we can do is hope he starts and hope he can bring this team back
-mile high salute-
Yeah, I would be perfectly alright if they cut Orton right now. I only want to see Tebow play. But as a fan of the Broncos, regardless of what they do I will be right there watching the games as long as they are still in playoff contention.
Unfortunately I will be watching them on tv since I currently live in Portland, OR, and I am broke as all-get-out
TRB, thanks for posting that video. EVERYONE NEEDS TO WATCH THAT. I watched that the other day and then again just now and both times it gave me chills. we were 3-11 at that time and that stadium was filled, excited, and as loud as it would have been if we were headed to the playoffs. Not many people have that affect on such a large group of fans in the NFL. He’s gonna make mistakes, but thats how he is gonna grow. My favorite part is right at 2:30. announcer says that “tebow is coming of age right before our eyes. Everyone is excited…
Its Tebow time man
-mile high salute-
I think the whole QB by committee thing could work here. It has never worked before but we have a unique position here of one QB that is perfectly satisfied in just not being responsible for losing the game, and another QB that has a well developed talent for coming through in the clutch.
Every broncos fan has surely seen this vid more than once, but it gives me the chills everytime I watch it. I’m at about 20 so far. It starts slow, but it ramps-up pretty good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t8QnCNPwfs
Thx OrangeCrushTD, means alot. I do what I can to contribute. We all do. Ive learned more from reading these blogs and other commentors on here than I can count lol.
alexan, we all know that vid very well. Gets you pumped every time. Funny thing is I am the second highest rated comment on that video about the butt smack LOL. Didn’t realize that till now. TRB out…
Michael Lombardi reports that Tim Tebow is not in Denvers Future plans any longer….Omg..
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82138cee/article/orton-or-tebow-fox-wont-say-but-others-arent-so-shy?module=HP11_headline_stack
AdamSchefter Adam Schefter
RT @espnnfl: LeBron James uses Twitter to back Broncos’ Tim Tebow http://es.pn/qcg4lE
one last post before i sign off. At least Tebow’s got Lebron in his corner lol. TRB out..
…All I want is for us to give Tebow a shot…wether it’s sooner or later I don’t care but I wanna see how Tebow holds up/improves over a 10+ game schedule….by the way it sounds like he is making strides in practice!
rbf1, it’s Bailey who replaced Dawkins on the front page picture and in orange!
Krieger is wondering the same thing atwater4HOF and I were joking about yesterday:
Before he became the team’s top football executive, John Elway was effusive in his praise of Andrew Luck, who just happens to play quarterback for Elway’s alma mater, Stanford University. Elway is not alone in his admiration. Luck figures to be the top pick in next year’s draft, meaning this year’s worst team should get him.
If none of the present Broncos quarterbacks profile as stars of that magnitude, would it be better in the long run, if you’ll pardon the irresistible rhyme, to suck for Luck? In the long run, will it really matter if the Broncos win seven games this season or three?
Then Krieger goes on with probably what is the key problem for the organization now:
Football Outsiders, a website that developed advanced statistics to judge teams and players, says Orton’s numbers make him most comparable to Drew Bledsoe, another largely immobile quarterback with a good arm, whom Tom Brady replaced in New England.
Based on the very small sample size of his three starts as a rookie, it says Tebow is most similar to Vince Evans, an athletic quarterback who enjoyed a 15-year NFL career with the Bears and Raiders, mostly as a backup.
These are sobering comparisons that suggest the current controversy is a lot of sound and fury signifying not that much.
What that does confirm is that Luck would be better than either Orton or Tebow and that it is asinine for the organization to carry two well over 8 million each “average to below average” QBs. That is the root of the problem as I see it, no one can justify that, wild horses or not. They couldn’t move Orton now the only thing left to do, as Tebow has reportedly become expendable, is to ship Tebow out, and we will be right back where we started when we find out that Tebow and his 8 mil plus contract is going to be just as hard to trade as Orton. And I remember here when for basically all of last year bloggers where saying the QQ is a great problem to have, and I have to sincerely disagree with that, there is no future for this organization with the QBs currently on the roster specially since now Tebow seems to have fallen out of favors with EFX, none of them under the current conditions is going to amount to anything long term, none.
So with all that said, is there a better way to go than to finish at the bottom of the NFL regardless of what winning a few games means this year, a very difficult question to answer, at least for me, we’re in a pickle ladies and gents.
That’s why they wanted a 2nd rounder for Orton. They’d use Tebow and that 2nd rounder and our 1st rounder as trade bait to get a shot at Luck. Just my opinion….
I guess the only way I’ll get to see Tebow start for the Broncos is in Madden LOL!
Check this out, this is how accurate this Hoge guy is about his ability to judge NFL talent;
You know, this guy Hoge played 8 years and never even started a game until his 5th year. He got all of 3,000 yards in 8 years as a RB. WOW wasn’t he a success LOL. I also saw a post from 2008 where he and other analysts were saying that Brian Burch or whatever his name is would be the future of the Packers after Favre because Rogers was inaccurate, inconsistant and didn’t have the ability to become a true NFL QB. Well guess what he didn’t know crap then and he doesn’t know crap now. Tebow will succeed and prove everyone wrong just like he always has.Here is the video to prove it. http://www.fanphooey.com/blog/982
Yeah bay, I saw that yesterday evening when I logged on to read the lastest posts. Nice photo of #24!! CBA must be resolved…..lol!
After a few days of training camp, the impression, that started out as a gut feeling, solidifies – we will be better off with Orton as the starting QB. He is not mobile, he is not athletic, but he makes quick and solid decisions. The offense of the McD-Broncos was easy to anticipate, due to a suspect running game, often playing catch-up. Defenses, that can disrespect the run, make the passing game difficult. In this situation, Orton held up well. He should be even better now – provided D an run improved.
If the overall situation for our offense has not changed, Tebow would add a threat due to his running ability, but we have to expect many more mistakes from his passing.
–> I could live well with another year of Orton.
I honestly think that us fans provide a better analysis of players than these so call “expert analysis” people. A big part of their analysis is also whether they personally like a player. Obviously if you don’t like them you’ll provide a biased analysis against them. I however try and provide an unbiased opinion….try to.
This really doesn’t have anything to do with football but I saw a quote the other day and it really got me thinking, it said something like: “Put politicians on minimum wage & watch how fast things change.” Yeah the first thing they’d change is the minimum wage scale LOL! Sorry just watching some news and stuff.
Did Merril Hoge really twee those things or did Kyle Orton hack his twitter account? LOL!
*tweet
I honestly don’t care if Orton is better or if we win a couple more games this year only to have him choke when it counts. I can’t stand Orton. He has no desire to win and it makes me feel ill to watch him play. If Tebow doesn’t start I am not going to buy any tickets to the games this year.
Unfortunately none of what is being said about our QQ the majority of the time is that it’s costing over 17 mil on our salary cap, or roughly 15% of it, just for QB’s who aren’t the long term answer according to the organization as far as we can tell, that to me is the real connundrum and one the organization must address however they can in my opinion. Keeping things the way they are $ wise is suicidal for the rest of the squad. Aren’t the money problems for the Broncos regarding the cap all we’ve been hearing all off season, that cannot be minimized, without money there is no team.
It really is a concern but in one hand you have the orginization that is interested in winning now and the other you have the salary cap issue. Now if said hands were going to “clap” it seems that getting rid of Tebow would be more in line with what the orginization would want. Then when Orton hits the road look to the draft for the QB of the future…
Tebow has never been a practice player. He wasn’t in HS, he wasn’t in college and he isn’t now. He was always rough around the edges in practice. That is what practice is for, to smooth off the rough edges. Orton has always been a practice player. Nobody in his face, time to read, room to execute. If their opinion is based entirely off what they see in practice, no wonder they are confused. The book on Orton for most teams will be load the box and shut down the run, make him throw, put the heat on when he does. Then we will see if he can perform. He hasn’t so far in his career but, who knows, maybe things will change.