Along with the news that the Broncos had hired Jack Del Rio as defensive coordinator last Friday, the team announced that Luke Richesson was joining the club as its strength and conditioning coach.
It’s a move that Del Rio said shouldn’t go unnoticed.
“I think he’s a really good coach,” Del Rio said in a conference call Monday. “He’s all about helping the team win.”
Richesson served in the same capacity with the Jaguars for the past three seasons, after Del Rio hired him in January, 2009.
Prior to that, Richesson designed and implemented programs at Athletes’ Performance, which provides training, nutrition and physical therapy to help elite collegiate football prospects prepare for the NFL Combine.
“I was looking to bring in a guy that was a little bit outside the box of traditional strength training,” Del Rio explained. “Luke, in the time that he had under his belt at (Athletes’ Performance), was very productive with getting guys ready for the combine, getting them ready to have special years.”
Del Rio found that in Jacksonville, many of his players wanted to go to Arizona to an Athletes’ Performance facility for their offseason training. So he asked them what was so special about the program before going to meet with Richesson to find out for himself.
“I interviewed him and he was terrific,” Del Rio said. “He’s more into functional strength, a lot of core strength, a lot of cutting-edge technology in regards to training the human body and recovery and all those things.”
From 2001 to 2008, Richesson not only worked with NFL veterans, he helped train 52 first-round draft picks — including four No. 1 overall selections — and more than 250 total draftees.
The coach, who enters his fourth season in the NFL, earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science while playing football at the University of Kansas.
“He’s a tireless worker,” Del Rio said of Richesson. “I think he’ll be an asset to the organization.”
-Gray Caldwell
Tags: Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio, Strength and Conditioning Coach Luke Richesson
Time will tell if replacing Tuten was as needed as I personally thought it was.
One thing is for sure, he has his work cut out for him this season. Last season was miserable in the conditioning department.
I am so very psyched about this. I don’t predict things very often, or very well, but this was a call I made at the beginning of the season, and I have a strong feeling the team will reap some major benefits. (Not from my prediction – but from Richesson’s hire, of course
)
This looks like a great hire. We need someone elite to help our players with their conditioning. It’s a big part of playing in Denver.
I’m just glad Tuten is gone. If this guy doesn’t pan out we better not hold on to him forever. I hope we learned our lesson.
We will see how this goes. May not have been Tutens fault afterall but I was read to see him leave. He actually survived my coach switches than most coaches.
TRB
Considering the Bronco players had enough gas left in the tank to win a number of games in the fourth quarter over tiring opposition I don’t know if it’s fair to say Tuten wasn’t doing a good job in some aspects of preparing players. What has concerned me , like some of you, are the number of injuries year after year. Maybe due to some of his training methods maybe just bad luck. I like what Del Rio has to say about this guy, functional strength just sounds like it would make sense for football players. I bet we see improvement next season in players staying healthy. Go Broncos!
I attribute some of the injuries this past season to no off season training. We all know that these guys are responsible for their training when not at Dove Valley, especially last season during the lockout, but, we all also know that the training done ws not up to par, so to speak. Top that off with a new coaching staff coming in, it added to the problems that we had this season. I look for a much better season this coming year. The players are going to have a miuch different off season with preparation for next season starting now instead of a few weeks prior to the season starting.
Then what should we attribute the mediocre to horrible season finishes in 9 of the last 11 seasons?
That’s right, Klis said the altitude…. Denver must of been at a lower altitude last century, LOL.
The only thing that is bad is that the JAGS had over 26 players on IR.
I hope that is not a part of the training.
actually the number was 27.
any idea on when Nike Jerseyes will be up for purchase?
good question DO .. I need me a Tebow Jersey … but ill prolly get a Miller Jersey to be on the safe side. Pretty sure he aint going no where. At least not for the next 3 yrs lol
TRB
They’ll be available in April.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/24/if-buying-nfl-jerseys-before-april-buyer-beware/
Also, the league has said they won’t be changed significantly, as originally reported.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/24/league-says-significant-changes-with-shift-to-nike-arent-coming/
Peyton Manning has been cleared to play by two doctors. Open the floodgates.
And there’s the caveat…..
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2012/02/report-manning-cleared-to-play-sort-of.html
Okay guys lots of news on the home front. We found a great apartment and got approved!!!YEAH. God is really looking out for us too, we were going to spend an extra night in Gainesville to rest but decided to come home Saturday instead of Sunday morning. Good thing we did because their was a 16 car pile up on 75 just 5 miles south of Gainesville on Sunday morning. 10 people lost their lives so we were lucky not to get in that mess. I just got my new phone and it is my first smart phone with android. I don’t know how to blog on it yet. I downloaded the broncos app and I also tried to access the blog through the browser but I can’t figure out how to talk on the blog. Can anyone help me?
I am eating Brownies and lately I have not really put much thought into free agency or the draft. The blogs are slow, but I think that just shows that fans need an offseason as well. We don’t play and train, but we are exhausted for plenty of other reasons. Constant debates, arguments, predictions, excitements, disappointments, etc.
Sometimes it is nice to just relax and not worry about all the work our beloved Broncos still have to do to be a contender. After all, there is not a whole lot we can do. Aside from reading up on the news of Del Rio and our new strength coach, everything is just a guessing game until FA.
Here’s to people flooding the blog closer to March. GO BRONCOS!
Evening news courtesy of NFL.com
INDIANAPOLIS — Someday, Tim Tebow hopes to be playing in the Super Bowl rather than just visiting.
The Denver Broncos quarterback made the media rounds at the Super Bowl on Thursday, talking about everything from what he needs to work on before next season to his admiration for Eli Manning and Tom Brady to his video game rivalry with his brother.
“You play the game to be in a game like this,” Tebow said during a taping of “NBC Sports Talk Live from the Super Bowl,” which was to air later Thursday. “It’s definitely a dream to be in a game like this.”
Tebowmania swept the country after Tebow led the Broncos to five fourth-quarter comebacks and four overtime victories — each more improbable than the last. He spawned a new verb, “Tebowing” — the practice of kneeling on one knee, elbow perched on the other, fist to forehead — and everyone was soon doing it. There was even a website devoted to the practice.
But a week after connecting with Demaryius Thomas on an 80-yard touchdown on the first play of overtime to beat heavily favored Pittsburgh in the wild-card round , Tebow and the Broncos were embarrassed by the New England Patriots .
“That Tom Brady is really good,” Tebow said when asked what he learned from the game. “And just to continue to work. … If we get better and continue to work, anything can happen.”
Tebow’s detractors have said he’d be better suited to play running back in the NFL than quarterback, with his unorthodox throwing motion. But Broncos boss John Elway has already declared Tebow the starter going into next season’s training camp, and the quarterback said he knows where he needs to improve.
“Definitely my footwork and drops,” he said. “Getting from receiver to receiver, my progressions. I continue to try and work on things and I was very blessed to have a good quarterback coach in Mike McCoy. But, ultimately, I’m just going out there and playing football.”
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press
Tebow watch 2012 is in full effect…
After living through the last year of Tebowmania, Tim Tebow says he’s the same guy he’s always been.
Keep in mind the 24-year-old Broncos QB made that claim during an interview Thursday on the “Super Bowl Live” set at Super Bowl XLVI, which was surrounded by fans four rows deep, who happened to be chanting his name.
Uh, yeah. Sure, Tim. We’re skeptical.
“It’s had a few ups and downs and some pretty cool moments,” Tebow said. “But, for the most part, I don’t believe I’ve changed. Hopefully I’m still the same guy. Just be very genuine, treat everybody still the same. I’ve been blessed to do some cool things in my life. I’m very thankful for that. Hopefully that ride can continue.”
In the last year of his life, Tebow has reached the iconic status Panthers rookie QB Cam Newton probably had in mind. Tebow has transcended sport, making him a world-wide figure recognized by everyone. Consider, for a moment, the act of “Tebowing” inspired by his end zone celebration has reached the Seven Wonders of the World.
Or, if that’s not proof enough, he’s been courted by Katy Perry’s parents and given a cold shoulder to Kim Kardashian.
Tebow finally relented that fame has had an impact, admitting that walking down the street, “sometimes it can be a little more difficult.”
How often does he really walk down the street?
“Not often,” Tebow said.
NFL.com
Congratulations Shaz! That is great news that you got an apartment, a phone, and avoided a nasty crash… all in the same weekend!
Nice Work!
Hi sndvl… How’s your day?
Hmmm… I did a little Ranting, and a little Raving… So now maybe time for a poem just to show I’m not a one note kind of guy…
‘If I were a Flower’
If I were a flower would you pick me just to
Stick me in the window for a week
Then press me in a book to keep
Or leave me till tomorrow with no sorrow
Of knowing the cold is my blanket and darkness
My beauty, for you will be saved to see
But only to see, every day of summer until
The sunbeams grow short, when flowers wilt
Pedals fall to Earth with the serenity of a Sunset
Grace and dignity denied by simple time
Forever forgotten, replaced by the repetitive
A look alike that knows no likeness of me,
Now in your eye is me to you, so what would you do
If I were a flower…
by Turtle
turtle
giants 34-faggos 21
going to manzinlo mex for a week better than -15 in winnipeg
LOL.
Learn something new every day. Today I learned it is possible to get excited over a strength and conditioning coach.
Go Broncos!! Sounds like a great hire!
If only every player could think and act like Dawk does:
Dawkins still hasn’t recovered, as he continues to experience numbness and weakness along his side. After missing the Broncos’ two playoff games, Dawkins played in the Pro Bowl last Sunday, although, like every other player, he proceeded with extreme caution.
“I was trying to play through it, but it’s just not something I could do,” Dawkins said about missing the playoff games. “I would not have done anybody any favors by playing in those games. For anybody to suggest the Pro Bowl is played at the same intensity as the playoffs obviously didn’t watch the Pro Bowl.
“The playoffs are anything goes, and whatever you have to do to sacrifice your body, you do that. I would not have done any of my teammates any justice.”
Sacrifice your body for the team, and if you can’t don’t even bother, that’s the old way, the good days, the politically correct b.s. these days simply doesn’t cut it, babying everybody so nobody gets any boo-boos in the process, how sad it is…. and back then they made very little money and sacrificed their bodies, now they make millions and are pampered through asinine rules so they can remain just as healthy as the office bloke, what a joke.
BTW, he said Thursday the only way he would play one more NFL season is if he returns to the Broncos.
A true teammate!
You can coach strength and conditioning all you want but at the end of the day it is the players themselves that need to work hard and take care of their own bodies. In my opinion strength and conditioning should be better because of the lighter off-season activities.
Denver Broncos May Soon Swarm HOF Barrier
Posted Thu Feb 2nd by Jon Heath
For years, legendary quarterback John Elway was the only player representing the Denver Broncos historic franchise in Pro Football’s Hall of Fame. That all changed when offensive lineman Gary Zimmerman, running back Floyd Little and tight end Shannon Sharpewere enshrined during a four-year span.
Shannon Sharpe delivers his induction speech during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremonies at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on August 6, 2011. (Photo courtesy of David Richard/UPI)
The Broncos now have four players in the HOF and that number will grow in the coming years. Running back Terrell Davis, safety Steve Atwater and linebacker Randy Gradishar are expected to eventually get the nod, preferably sooner rather than later.
Joining Davis, Atwater and Gradishar as eligible (and deserving) HOF candidates over the next two years will be receiver Rod Smith, center Tom Nalen, kicker Jason Elam and safety John Lynch. There are four players representing the Broncos in Canton, Ohio, and seven more that will all be eligible by the year 2014.
Who the heck is Jon Heath.
Here is some good news this early this morning, from Klis.
Tebow taking part in Super festivities
Posted: 02/03/2012 01:00:00 AM MST
Updated: 02/03/2012 01:49:17 AM MST
By Mike Klis
The Denver Post
INDIANAPOLIS — Tim Tebow is smarting, but not necessarily from sore ribs.
He made Super Bowl appearances Wednesday and Thursday as a pitchman for EA Sports — and not as a Broncos quarterback preparing to play in the Big Game.
“Yeah, it’s a pretty cool experience,” Tebow said of the Super Bowl atmosphere. “What would make it exciting, though, is hopefully one day we’ll be able to play in this game.”
Tebow is still a bit tender from rib, chest and shoulder injuries suffered in a playoff game against the Patriots.
“I’m continuing to heal,” he said as he walked between Radio Row spots here Thursday. “But I’m getting there. I’m working certain body parts and working pretty hard. I’ll be able to do more hopefully next week.”
He taped a segment on the “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” show Wednesday.
“I didn’t see it,” Tebow said. “I went to bed before it came on. I got back, I was beat, so I fell asleep before it came on.”
After taping the Fallon show, Tebow went out to dinner at a restaurant where NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was seated at a nearby table. Goodell, who has previously stated his affection for how Tebow has represented the NFL shield, came over and greeted Tebow with a big man hug.
“He was very encouraging and very nice,” Tebow said. “It was a great opportunity to meet him and say hey.”
Tebow will hang around Indy through Saturday, when he is expected to win the GMC Never Say Never Award.
Could Tebow have played this week had the Broncos made it to Super Bowl XLVI?
“I think it would have been hard for anybody to take me out of that game,” he said.
********************
Now we know who won the “Never Say Never Moment” of the year. I wonder if it will be televised?
I found out, he is a blogger on Bronco talk, so when he says are expected it means he expects… alex is obviously hurting for feel good news, LOL.
shaztah,
Great news on the apartment find. When do you guys plan to make the move?
We knew that when he won it 4 times I think it was, in fact talked about it then, he was a shoe in for the yearly award. That’s what happens when you lose in games for 55 minutes and play the last 5 good enough to make a miracle out of a bad game. Don’t get me wrong happy for the young man and our Broncos, one more recognition.
BTW, sorry I can’t hepl you shaztah, I’m not an Android man just an Earthling, LOL.
help, HELP!
Players and their superstitions:
Giants’ good-luck pizzas from Umbertos on Long Island are on a plane to Indianapolis right now to feed the players after practice.
I guess if you have the dough to do so, LOL.
This would debunk the myth that RG3 would be out of the question for teams down the draft board:
Mel Kiper’s top six: 1. QB Andrew Luck; 2. OT Matt Kalil; 3. RB Trent Richardson; 4. CB Morris Claiborne; 5. WR Justin Blackmon; 6. RG III.
But what does Kiper know…
That would put RG3 with Shanny and the Redskins.
Here is an exerpt from an article I found interesting. The article is quite long so I placed the link at the end for those wishing to read the entire article.
QBs Brandon Weeden, Russell Wilson display some negatives for NFL scouts
Posted: 02/03/2012 01:00:00 AM MST
Updated: 02/03/2012 01:13:06 AM MST
By Jeff Legwold
The quarterbacks always get a little more scrutiny in the game situations. The consensus after the week in Mobile, Ala., was that Arizona’s Nick Foles likely helped himself the most among the quarterbacks, showing an NFL arm with what Redskins coach Mike Shanahan asked him to do.
Foles followed a good week of practice with an 11-of-15 passing performance for 136 yards and a touchdown.
Weeden performed well in practice, but there are certainly still some concerns about the fact he will turn 29 during his rookie season in the NFL and about some struggles with his mobility at the Senior Bowl. He did have some shoulder troubles that, at least in part, ended his minor-league baseball career that medical staffs around the league will be looking at when Weeden is at the scouting combine later this month.
But in his pre-draft workouts, Weeden is going to have to find a way to show at least a little more mobility in the pocket, indicating he can avoid pressure if he has to.
Wilson, coming off a big season at Wisconsin, showed good arm strength all week at the Senior Bowl. The former Colorado Rockies minor-leaguer made all the throws and showed he could throw both on the move and in the pocket.
He was 4-of-7 passing for 45 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the game.
But Wilson also measured 5-foot-10 5/8 and weighed 203 pounds. That will be an issue for him to overcome as he moves toward the April draft.
Shorter quarterbacks have to show they can play with anticipation — it’s how Drew Brees has performed so well — make quick decisions and deliver the ball. Wilson showed well in interviews with teams and in many of the drills, but many teams will consider him a situational option at best at quarterback because of his size.
****************
Something else I thought interesting from the article.
NFL coaching staffs also coached each team — the Redskins’ staff coached the South team last week, and the Vikings’ staff handled the North team — so those teams get the added benefits of seeing how the players go through some short meetings through the week.
A few players were late for meetings this past week, which is the kind of thing scouts don’t like to see. Some of those players were surprised to hear they would have been fined had they been late for, or missed, a meeting once they were in the NFL.
The actual game is not considered quite as important. Many of the top personnel people, such as general managers and most of the coaches in attendance, leave after Wednesday’s practices because that’s the last day the players are in pads.
Some scouts remain for the game, but that is considered just another way to see the players in a competitive situation.
Here is the link to the article.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_19880243?source=rss
Foles is the only QB who impressed at the Senior bowl, he could very well be the third QB picked this year.
I wasn’t privey to the Sr. Bowl. I was pre-empted for hockey!
Foles or Tannehill.
I remember.
Anyway this is how walterfootball has our #25 pick as of now:
Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
Brodrick Bunkley had a great year as a run-stuffer, but the Broncos don’t really have anything next to him. Ryan McBean and free agent Marcus Thomas were both OK in run support, while offering absolutely nothing in terms of a pass rush. Fletcher Cox is the top player on the board, so I don’t see why Denver would pass on him.
Hard to argue any of that…
I like the guy. I watched him some this past season. If he translates some of his college play to the pro level, he will be a brute on the d-line. I like that for our 1st selection.
And this is how they have our second round pick at #57
Denver Broncos: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
John Fox loves utilizing multiple running backs. Knowshon Moreno can’t stay healthy and isn’t very good anyway. Willis McGahee is nearing the end of his career, and he wore down at the end of the year. Doug Martin has drawn some comparisons to Ray Rice.
I can’t argue with any of that either, so they say DT and RB, so with my board that would leave the need for a CB with the next pick.
Let’s take a look at what they have there.
Yep, right on schedule, LOL:
At #88:
Denver Broncos: Dwight Bentley, CB, Louisiana-Lafayette
Both of Denver’s starting cornerbacks will turn 34 before the 2012 season begins. With an even older Brian Dawkins edging close to retirement, the Broncos are desperate for youth in the defensive backfield.
It can’t be that easy to predict our needs? Can it?
Well, crap, giving everybody a legs up on the draft contest….oh well.
yeah, I liked that article. Only reason I repeated any of it.