Both the offense and the defense looked sharp during this morning’s session. But throughout practice the offense had a slight edge on their defensive counterparts.
ATTENDANCE REPORT: Hamza Abdullah remained on the sidelines with a groin injury… Tom Nalen didn’t dress due to a right knee… Chad Mustard is still nursing a right hamstring. Montrae Holland is continuing to work with strength coach Rich Tuten to reach his reporting weight. Boss Bailey was back on the practice field after sitting out the last two sessions with soreness in his right knee.
POSTURING FOR POSITION: The battle for the starting middle linebacker position continues to be tight. Nate Webster was listed as the first team linebacker on the Broncos newly released depth chart but Niko Koutouvides got the reps with the first unit during this morning’s session. With Abdullah sitting out with his groin injury, Marquand Manuel was getting reps with the first team at strong safety.
The team debuted its first team defensive line as listed on the depth chart. Marcus Thomas joined John Engelberger, Elvis Dumervil and Dewayne Robertson on the first unit. Kenny Peterson, who had seen time thus far in camp with the first unit received reps with the second unit.
FOCAL POINTS: Practice was centered around full squad 11-on-11 drills. The team first worked on its passing and running attacks. From there practice focused on making plays in the redzone. The team then cycled back through again working on the passing and running game and again in the redzone. The Broncos closed out practice running several two-minute drills.
Kicker Matt Prater worked on his accuracy– the team wheeled out a second set of uprights on the 10-yard line and Prater practiced kicking through both sets of goal posts.
TAKE AWAYS: The offense and defense traded blows throughout practice.
Eddie Royal continued to impress with a leaping catch near the sideline for approximately a 35-yard gain.
The offense converted on several strikes through the air in the redzone with Brandon Marshall, Daniel Graham, Andre Hall and Michael Pittman all notching TD receptions.
Rookie running back Anthony Alridge continues to live up to his “Quick Six” nickname. Alridge had one long run down the sideline and had another long TD run down the opposite sideline.
Fellow rookie rusher Ryan Torain had a pair of touchdown scores in the redzone drill, he also showed his athleticism leaping over the defense on a dive and was only inches away from converting the touchdown.
Selvin Young and Andre Hall each had a pair of scores in the redzone.
Not to be outshined the defense stepped up several times during the redzone drill stuffing the runners and receivers short of the goal line.
The team closed out the morning with three 2-minute drills.
The first drill was headed by Patrick Ramsey. Ramsey completed a pass to Hall on second down. But after an incomplete pass to Marshall, a short gain to Glenn Martinez and a another incompletion, Ramsey was sacked on fourth down by Elvis Dumervil.
Jay Cutler was the quarterback on the second 2-minute drill. After an incomplete pass on a bootleg and a delay of game call, Cutler completed a pass to Brandon Stokley for a first down. After a false start call, a deflection by Tim Crowder, a short gain on a reception to Darrell Jackson and incomplete pass to Marshall, the defense again came through on fourth down pressuring Cutler on a scramble leading to an incomplete pass to the sidelines.
Third time was the charm for the Broncos offense. Darrell Hackney headed the final two-minute drive of the practice. After two straight completions to Taylor Jacobs gave the offense a first down and a short run by Torain, Hackney completed a long bomb to Clifford Russell to the 9-yard line. With 43 seconds remaining the clock, Alridge ran up the middle for the score.
And on that note the Broncos closed out the morning session.
QUOTABLE: “You faster than me?” Dre Bly to teammate Brandon Marshall as he covered Marshall’s route down the sideline.
“Heck yeah,” was Marshall’s response.
Check out this blog this afternoon for additional coverage.
-Jake Grilley, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Brandon Marshall, Depth Chart, Hamza Abdullah, Jake Grilley, Marcus Thomas, Matt Prater, Niko Koutouvides, Uncategorized
Thanks Jake.
Did Peyton Hillis dress today, or was he still sidelined by the hamstring injury? Thanks for the report as always.
-Kyle
-BroncoTalk.net
Kyle-
Peyton Hillis was in uniform for this morning’s practice.
-Jake
Jake,
Is Abdullah’s groin injury anything to be concerned about?
I can guarantee everybody that we’re going to see A LOT of Mike Bell on Saturday for the Broncos first pre-season game vs. Houston. Let’s hope we didn’t let go of a player that would’ve been a better choice than Young, Hall, or Torain…
Is there a set time for Nalens return?
or are they playing by ear?
Can anyone tell me why Tim Crowder isn’t starting on the defense? I like Big John, he’s a guy that gives you 100% all the time, but we need some talent out there to rush the passer and stuff the run.
getlynched47- Abdullah has been sitting out with what Head Coach Mike Shanahan has referred to as “tightness” in his groin. It doesn’t appear to be too serious but we will keep you updated.
meisner- An MRI on Nalen’s knee came back negative. Shanahan said that Nalen is a smart player and when he feels he is ready to play, he will be back out there.
hrdnokd- Crowder is listed as third unit left end on the newly released depth chart behind veterans John Engelberger and Ebenezer Ekuban, but Coach Shanahan has stated a number of positions are very close.
-Jake
Hey Jake, I was just wondering what the team will do if Marshall is suspended for three games. Would Colbert take his place or someone else?
Also, I was just wondering if Mike Leach has had reps a tight end?
on the roster hes a tight end but Ive never seen him play or practice that position. Is he JUST a Long snapper or what?
Dr. Doom,
As for Brandon Marshall there has been no official word yet from the NFL concerning a suspension, so until there is it would be unfair for me to speculate.
But in reference to Mike Leach, he has seen reps at tight end during training camp.
-Jake
ALL I know is that if EVRYONE has Been IMPRESSED with Aldridge we BETTER KEEP HIM and kind a way to utilize his explosiveness. He seems like a great weapon.!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Jake,
I am hearing a lot of good things about Eddie Royal…. Is there any chance he could end up breaking the starting rotation as a WR or where do you see him fitting in besided on sepcial teams?
FYI I saw a reprot at apprx. 12.15 rmt that the commish suspended B. Marshall for 3 games. It will hurt , but this team is loaded with talent at WR.
Kyle, It’s been reported that Demetrin Veal is working out @ Dove Valley, in another field adjacent to the regulary practice fields. Says he’s hungry to play,and his weight is up to 300lbs now. As he played well for us in the prototypical 8 man in the box formation in 05/06, might we be about to sign him to a DL spot vacated by Carlton Powell? Thoughts?