The Broncos started their third and final mini-camp on Friday, and — for parts of the day — there was an unfamiliar sound emanating from the practice field.
For the first time in recent memory at Dove Valley, music boomed throughout the speakers surrounding the practice fields. Usually the only sound coming from practice has been simulated crowd noise, but Head Coach Josh McDaniels – as he was accustomed to doing in New England – used a collection of well-known songs to help his team work on silent snap counts, hand signals and overall communication skills.
The playlist was extensive, ranging from the likes of T.I. and Jay-Z to Bruce Springsteen and Metallica. Even the Monday Night Football theme song could be heard loudly at team headquarters. Regardless of their favorite genre, players seemed happy to hear the music during warm-ups and team drills. At one point in practice, the dancing duo of Chris Baker and J’Vonne Parker demonstrated some … um … interesting dance moves during Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” Perhaps the most ironic music-related moment came late into practice when the team was practicing late-game drills. Here was the situation: 1:40 on the clock, starting at your own 30-yard line down two with one timeout. Chris Simms was behind center. To set the mood even further, David Bowie’s, “Under Pressure” began playing on third down after two incompletions. The next play? After Simms’ pass deflected off of Nate Swift’s hands, the ball landed in Tim Crowder’s hands. Crowder proceeded to smartly down the ball at the five-yard line to run out the clock.
When asked if the songs came from his iPod, McDaniels joked, “Only the good ones,” and went on to say that assistant to the head coach Mark Thewes was responsible for arranging the tunes. No word yet if the team plans on releasing a “Music From Practice” mix-tape.
QUICK HITS:
- Zach Eisendrath, DenverBroncos.com
Cool…
Nate Swift! Yeah! Go Huskers!
I am very happy that there is FINALLY a Nebraska on the roster after years without one! I’m starting to feel more at home with the addition of Correll too.
I hope Swift makes the final cuts. This should be interesting to watch.
i love the updates. i like how mcdaniels plays music like under pressure during practice. this is so different from mike shanahan who didn’t do any fun things with players, yes i no some of u will say football isn’t fun it is serious but u gotta love what mcd is doing
OrangeCrush
i forgot to say congrats to Chris Kuper
Funny how the MSM makes such a big deal about Mr. Marshall not being at the first mandatory mini camp, but Mr. Kuper is left out completely. On the subject, I hope Our team and enough people congratulates you and the Mrs.! (thanks Iowa)
Can’t wait for the pics! Every time I hear more about Coach McDaniels’ methods, I get more excited for this season!
I have yet to read/ hear something (credible/reputable) that makes me think less of him and/or the way he is running the show.
Thanks for the update Zach!!!!
I was afraid a bit about this season ..But seeing how mcdenver is holding practice….It is kind of encouraging.. I hated seeing all of our great players not reach their full potential, or be able to play in the play offs..But with Mcdenver, i feel very confident we wont be a laughing stock in the NFL any more, but feared..
Im dissapointed with marshall in some parts, i understand about his contract and i too believe he deserves more money..BUT at the same time, some of the crap that goes on outside of the NFL is whats killing it.
great pics and updates, congrats Kuper on your marriage and i hope this marshall thing doesnt turn into a second cutler thing.
the way it wont turn out into the cutler thing is if thety extend his contract i. i say he deseves it and at the same time he doesnt. he does have the numbers for an extension but im more wooried if he gets in trouble again or if he is not physicaly ready. what ever happens we have great back ups too fill the void. i remember mcdaniels drafted a wr from N. Corolina(i think) but i forgot his name anyways this kid was top notch in college(read about him). if marshall doesnt want to return TRADE HIM for the best D LINEMAN we can get.
PLAYERS THESE DAYS ARENT LOYAL TO THEIR TEAM
PJBroncofanFunk-Kuper was out to GET MARRIED!!!!! Marsh wants more money, 2 totally different reasons. Marsh get on the field, the money will come dude.
First of all, congrats Kuper!
Marshall is very unlikely to get traded. It’s not like his agent is Bus Cook<–joke) and he didn’t show up. And to 831_Broncos_Fan, players these days aren’t loyal to their teams because teams aren’t loyal to their players. It’s all business. Loyalties do exist amongst players/coaches.
If you listened to the interview with mcd he is very up front about the whole marshall thing i like the fact he is using his own rules he is keeping this in the organiztion that way if marshall gets un happy and goes public he and his agent will look like the horses ass unlike the whole jay debacle, I would like to see brandon back he is one of the few bronco players that makes time for the fans before and after the game my son is only 6 and brandon took the time to lift him up take a picture and sign his marshall jersey my boy has both on the wall brandon js young and makes mistakes but the media and the NFL blow things out of proportion i am glad he will get to play the whole season if he is ready, and that mcd and marshall are handling it in house, Imean come on lawerence cocaine taylor, michael cut your own team mate irvin these guy’s got a slap on the wrist for there (mistakes)
Zach,
Good post. How are the other running backs looking right now? I’m really feeling a strong Moreno/ Hillis one-two punch this year. What do you think?
By the way, “Under Pressure” is a Queen song. In fact, after recording the song in Freddy Mercury’s studio David Bowie actually asked Queen not to make it public and once they did he actually threatened to take them to court. So it’s really a Queen song with David Bowie as a backup singer.
Honest mistake though.
it was ridiculous that the media spent most of the time talking about Marshall not being there…enough already..we know…us denver fans want to know more about the practice and qb competition…Love the updates….
Marshall is coming off hip surgery, and having trouble with the law many times, he should be at practice, and talking with the receivers and helping out, and not worry about the money..Marshall, you need to earn your money respectivley…we are going to give u an extension, but coming off hip surgery, and the trouble u been in…cmon dude……
Look at wilfork, showing up at camp, and hes the best at his position, and saying he wants to be there for his team…
emaldo - That was kinda my point, actually, is that it was a perfect contrast on principle/personal/political levels….
And honestly at the time, I think still I was in denial that B. would worry so much AT THIS TIME… anyway, we’ll see, I’m with Josh in what he said in the interview, “I’d like to see him on the field for us”…. Tear it up Bronco fans (and Broncos, of course).
Is it just me or does it appear that Stokley has been tearing it up? He catches everything thrown his way and seems to be the most reliable of all the WR’s. GO BRANDON!
I see I was right.
Nebraskan Bronco fans are happy for Nate Swift and Iowa Bronco fans are happy for Chris Kuper. I guess the only connection for Utah-based fans such as myself is Mike McCoy, the former signal-caller for the mighty Utah Utes. In any case, I’m glad everyone seems to be gelling and now that Marshall has come to Dove Valley, I’m sure he’ll get his contractual quandary ironed out. Keep up the good work guys and of course GO BRONCOS!!!
I bet Cutler is going to cry to his coach to get Marshall if traded.
I do like the idea of Boldin for Marshall.
congrats to Kuper
Zach / Anyone, Any chance of an update as to where Boss Bailey is and what he’s doing. I guess since he wasn’t in orange he is back to 100%? What spot is he playing?
I hope Torain makes final cuts, he is a capable starter in this league. If it weren’t for his injuries he would’ve been a 1,000 yard runner last year.
And a trade for Boldin for Marshall is just stupid. Boldin is at the peak of his career, and Marshall is still on the rise and he will be better than Boldin (and he’s younger). And with Rod Smith still helping him along, he will fix his off the field problems and become a great WR.
Kuper, short honeymoon huh!
Shoutout to Vegas neighbor DynamicDave. Stokley is second to none catching the ball. Coach Gage must use him wisely though.
I do not think that Boss is on the field yet. It is good to see Torain. IMO both may start the year on PUP.
If Marshall is gone, I see an opportunity for Chad Jackson. NO not to replace Brandon but to complete the four receiver set which is used in the spread. Remember his draft bio “Chad Jackson has it all from a physical standpoint. He has good size, is a very good athlete, and has excellent speed. He is built very well, and can go over the middle. His speed allows him to get downfield and his frame allows him to go up and get the ball. He has the ability to be an all around standout at wide receiver. ” and was taken in round 2 of 2005.
Chile,
There is one version of the song credited to Queen and David Bowie because they sang it together. Like actually.
Secondly, Give brandon a modest contract extension, two years 10 mil$ with the same clause Pacman had. If he gets suspended, he does not get paid, if he goes to jail, he does not get paid. and then next year we can judge better how he is in McD’s offense.
I definitely believe there should be some sort of clause on the contract. The way Marshall acts, it is not a given he will be there for us at all times. Suspensions are just to close. Plus, the broncos are not sure how he is going to respond from his injury.
I am so pumped about this years team. Im glad I didnt buy a Brandon Marshall jersey. I cany stand when these players dont honor there contracts. If I didnt show up for work you can bet my a## would be canned. Dont trade the crybaby. Fine his a## and let him hold out. He will be back in jail by Christmas. I will also take a shot in the dark and guess he was not at Fan Fair? I have two words for Jay and Brandon….Marion Hossa
Marshall is currently holding out. doesn’t look like his personality has changed much.
I don’t blame Marshall…
Yes, I would rather he stopped this and just honored his contract and get a new one after the year… But like everyone else says, “this IS a business”… and If you have talent, you want the money that goes with it….
And this is a normal thing… Every top notch player wants more money if they have more talent…
Hopefully it doesn’t last long, and they just renegotiate the contract
BRONCOBAILEY99….You dont blame Marshall? WOW. Did he not sign a contract? Let me get this straight, if a player gets hurt in the year our has a subpar year can the team withold money for having a down year. Show up, shut up and freakin play. 2 million is not enough, Coach please sit his a## on the bench. As I said before he will be in Jail by Christmas.
Seriously West Coast, players should be happy to be making at least a million a year!! More money, more problems