Friday’s passing camp was called an “opportunity practice” for rookies and veterans new to the system. Several new faces took that opportunity to practice for the first time, including the team’s top 2010 draft pick, Demaryius Thomas.
Two players not on the field were Kyle Orton — one of the veterans who worked out separately — and Tom Brandstater, who Head Coach Josh McDaniels said the team has released.
“The reps have been dwindling, and to try to continue to keep a guy in a loop where he can be a competitive player on your team with very few reps, it’s hard to do,” McDaniels said. “I didn’t say (Brandstater) wasn’t a fit, we’ve just got three guys who are a better fit than he is.”
“Tom is going to go somewhere else and have an opportunity to make a career for himself,” he continued. “Certainly nothing that he did was negative or bad, it just wasn’t quite as good as the other guys. That’s the NFL.”
Brady Quinn and Tim Tebow split the repetitions during Friday’s practice.
Among the other newcomers to the practice field were Ryan Harris and J.J. Arrington and newly-signed players Kyle Eckel and Bruce Davis.
Another new addition was a receiver wearing No. 13 — Dicky Lyons, who switched from the No. 1 jersey he donned earlier in OTAs.
EXTRA ATTENTION
With so many newcomers — and so many veterans working out separately — Friday was a day for plenty of one-on-one coaching.
When Thomas was through with his turn in a drill, he stood with receivers coach Adam Gase, breaking down what the other receivers were doing. After practice, Thomas caught several garbage cans full of footballs launched from a JUGS machine, under the watch of Gase.
Arrington got some one-on-one time as well, as he went to the far field to work on handoffs with running backs coach Eric Studesville at one point while the rest of the team worked on a separate drill.
Players even got more tutoring from fellow players. Harris stood beside J.D. Walton for much of an offensive drill, seemingly giving him pointers throughout the session. And offensive line coach Clancy Barone was seen talking with Harris one-on-one throughout practice as well.
SHUFFLING THE LINEUP
With the camp comprised mainly of rookies and newcomers to the team, the lineups looked a little different. The first-unit offensive line featured Tyler Polumbus at left tackle, Zane Beadles at left guard, Walton at center, Seth Olsen at right guard and Harris at right tackle.
The second group of linemen was Chris Marinelli at left tackle, Stanley Daniels at left guard, Dustin Fry at center, Eric Olsen at right guard and D’Anthony Batiste at right tackle.
On defense, Marcus Thomas, Ronald Fields and Ryan McBean were on the line, while Jarvis Moss, Wesley Woodyard, Akin Ayodele and Ayers were at linebacker. Perrish Cox and Alphonso Smith lined up at cornerback, while Darcel McBath and Nate Jones stood in at safety.
Kenny McKinley, Cox, Smith and Syd’Quan Thompson took turns returning kicks, in that order.
DEFENSE ON TOP
Friday’s session seemed to be dominated by the defense. During one play in 11-on-11s, Quinn launched a pass downfield toward Toney Baker that was picked off by Josh Barrett. But as Barrett turned to run the other way, Baker stripped the ball from Barrett. Nevertheless, the defense fell on the loose ball for the turnover.
Later in the same drill, Alphonso Smith snagged a diving interception from Tim Tebow. He got up and sprinted downfield before being chased out of bounds by Eric Olsen and Fry.
During 7-on-7s, Brady Quinn fired a pass toward Richard Quinn, but with the defense closing fast, the ball bounced in the air only to be intercepted by Akin Ayodele. The linebacker ran it back for a touchdown, thanks to the blocking of Moss, who kept Brady Quinn from making the tackle. After the play, Josh McDaniels and quarterbacks coach Ben McDaniels pulled Brady Quinn and Tebow aside to discuss what happened on the play.
Cox was active throughout the day, breaking up several passes including a few in the red zone. Tony Carter got his hands on a pass to knock it to the ground as well, drawing cheers from his teammates on the sideline.
OFFENSE GETS REVENGE
Speaking of the red zone, when the offense and defense squared off in 7-on-7s near the goal line, Quinn and Tebow got their revenge. First it was Quinn who completed his first three passes, the third of which was a touchdown to Kenny McKinley. The connection drew disdain from Martindale, who took the blame — “That’s my fault, twos,” he said to the second-unit defense.
When Tebow stepped under center, his first pass was a touchdown in the back corner of the end zone to Alric Arnett, drawing a big fist pump from Josh McDaniels.
His second pass was another touchdown connection with Arnett on the opposite side of the end zone, but the defensive backs on the sideline claimed it was offensive pass interference.
Toward the end of practice, Quinn lofted a pass downfield for Patrick Honeycutt, who leaped in the air to haul it in. Meanwhile, Syd’Quan Thompson was closing fast, and the two collided in midair going for the ball. Honeycutt came away with the reception and Thompson helped him up after a few seconds on the grass. The big play earned Honeycutt a fist bump from offensive coordinator Mike McCoy.
QUICK HITS
Below are photos of the practice session.
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
glad to see almost everyone out there
I am especially glad to see Harris out there. Without him in the line up last year our O-line suffered. Now we just need Clady to have a speedy recovery as well as a full recovery.
I am also glad that Thomas is out there we need him too, since we don’t have the Beast anymore.
Wow – Thomas looks huge!!!
I knew he had size, but he looks the piece… He has speed to burn, hopefully he has the ball skills and RAC…
- can you hear that… My heartbeat just quickened!
Is thomas actually running routes catching passes ?
He does look huge …………………. HEHEHEHE
Glad to see thomas out there finally. I heard kyle orton isn’t at practice and it’s just quinn and TT out there. Plus Brandstater got cut . . . probably a good move. GO BRONCOS!!!
Ha I was literally reading some story last week about Thomas and Decker being out till august! what happened to that? I am stoked to see him out there finally getting some reps! Harris and Arrington too! now hurry up and get better Clady and Decker
Anyone see who was lining up at LT? Beadles?
Please say Beadles and not Polumbus
Glad to see them all out there. Especially thomas, Dunno if the passing game will be up there this year so I am hoping for a very effective ground game. We will definitely need all the help we can get at WR. Hope Decker heals up fast. I am however very excited about Cox like I was last year about McBath. Think we got a steal in cox. Lets hope all goes well. And based on success this year is whether champ will come back or go to a team with a better chance at the trophy. Go Broncos Twenty-Ten. TRB out.
Glad to see Harris and Thomas out there,now if Clady can make a speedy recovery,we’ll be good to go on the Oline,I’m thinking Beadles at LG(if Clady gets back in time),and Walton will be a good,if not great Center,IMO.
Clady-Beadles-Walton-Kuper-Harris
Prob one of the best Olines in the NFL,if we’re healthy.
BFE
Like everyone else, I am thrilled to see Thomas out there getting in some practice time. Tells me its a good sign his injury is on the mend, quicker than expected. Go get ‘em boys!!!
Keep the faith Bronco Country…
GO BRONCOS in 2010!!!!!
Cant be a bad thing with the FB pick up. I know this fan sure would love to see Spencer aka Captain Crunch get some time at ILB!
Brandstater cut, doesnt come as much of a surprise. At least I can rest easy knowing my other guy, Orton aka Neckbeard, is here for one more year at least!!!
Thomas out there is another positive sign. We will need ALL the WRs to step up!
Oh, yeah, In the spirit of adding competition, We should add one more player- Elvis aka the DOOMinator!
GO BRONCOS 2K10!!!!!!!!!!
Looks like TT is doing pretty well out there . . . I’m GONNA say it now, TIM TEBOW WILL START BY WEEK 1. GO BRONCOS!!!
Glad to see Arlic Arnett getting some press. I go to WVU and he was great for us last year, very crisp routes and surprisingly good deep ball skills. Always trying to look for those undrafted sleepers to sneak in and make the squad.
Can’t wait to see Decker out there with Thomas
Beadles was playing left gaurd today. Glad to see Thomas on the field. Also glad to see harris as well. Sign Doom.
Nice to see the new faces working their butts out there, specially Thomas. Where were the starters? I read somewhere they were working separately… but doing what?
SIGN DOOM!
The Broncos on Friday signed OL Chris Kuper to a new six-year deal.
glad to see that pen aint rusty… now sign doom. please and thank you
Great news about Kuper. Doom will get his contract soon. We also have to deal with the other draft picks
Wow! I am really starting to love the direction of this team and its potential. I truly feel that one more good draft and another solid F/Agency we are serious SB contenders. I think this yr. we are defiantly playoff bound.
Fantastic news for Kuper, and some folks think Bowlen doesn’t pay… Best thing I’ve heard all day, for the team’s morale and mine, here are the terms of his contract since this website never mentions them:
The Broncos set up their offensive line for the future on Friday, signing lineman Chris Kuper to a six-year contract, with an extension worth more than $25 million. Kuper’s $5.1 million annual average in “new money” makes him the second-highest-paid offensive lineman in Broncos’ history. Retired left tackle Matt Lepsis had a $6.2 million average on his last contract. He will still work on the $2.521 million salary he was tendered as a restricted free agent in 2010. He will then receive $25.5 million over the next five years that will carry him through the 2015 season.
That comes out to a six-year deal worth $28.012 million. Of that, $13.021 million is guaranteed.
Not bad for a fifth round pick!!!!!!
NEWS FLASH!!!
Orton is in the wrong sport:
Earlier this week, Orton sunk a hole-in-one at the Cherry Creek Country Club. Orton used a 7 iron to ace the 190-yard, 17th hole. A 7 to cover 190? Altitude or no altitude, that’s some strength.
Man, that’s some long distance accuracy there but it just happens to be in the wrong sports arena, I wish I could witness long balls like that from him but for touchdowns… well, can’t be great at everything I guess, LOL.
Well it proves one thing he has some arm strength. To everyone who thinks Tebow will start week one I dont think its gunna happen now that brandy is gone, this proves orton is a bronco for this year and with that being said he is most fit for the position, although he may not finish as the started he will begin that way! I’m liking all the steps forward our team is taking I think its really going to start paying off!
GO BRONCOS!
Congrats to Kuper. Ya see, Bowlen is shoveling out the green. McD and Bowlen have a game plan and money is no object. Now it`s Doom`s turn. Sign the DOOMINATOR!!!
josh is going to have the #1 offense in the league within two years. the critics were right tebow wont translate to the nfl, he’ll transform it. much in the same way transformed high school and college. he won’t do it alone either, with the addition of decker(best hands i have ever seen), and thomas(huge upside), to an already potent offense i see this team going places. i see this offense getting more playing time than most because i also see more good things to come from an already prominent defence. i see a ring in our future…. and sooner than many may think. SIGHN DOOM!!!!
I’d be curious to know how many of the fans who thought and proclaimed when we acquired Cutler and Marshall that we were on the way to the promise land are the same fans who, now that we acquired Tebow, Thomas and Decker, are proclaiming the same. Probably 95 % are the same guys would be my guess.
Love the enthusiasm, agreed long term maybe we’ll get that good, but no sense in planning to buy super bowl tickets anytime soon though. Many, many, many things can happen between now and then. I will definitely take it a year at a time and see what happens, I’ll be excited about the possibility of a super bowl once I see one, but as for now I will keep my fingers crossed that we finish over 500 this year and if we do and remain healthy and the team plays as a team the way McD wants them to, then I’ll raise my expectations up a notch for the following year and so on.
I’m not going to place myself in a position to think we will win a super bowl in two or three years right now, since it took over 20 years of being good enough to challenge to get one before we finally did (1977 to 1997). It’s a long ride my friends and one I hope we take all the way once again, but there are 31 other teams working their rear ends off every year trying to do the same, the odds are what they are, not very high, everything has to fall into place for it to happen.
Starting with the fact that your team has to get hot at the correct time, in November and December, and as we all know too well that is the first thing we haven’t had a clue about the last few years, specially last year under McD, collapse of all collapses, so sorry if you think I’m pessimistic, I just call it as I see it and I have to see a whole lot more on the field in regular season before I get excited enough about our team to the point that I call them super bowl bound.
Just because we got free agents, a draft bunch and practices in jerseys without pads and basically no contact doesn’t make for a super bowl run. Instead we are currently an 8-8 team unable to get in the playoffs for four years running. One step at a time baby, it’s like climbing a ladder, if you attempt to bypass multiple steps on the way up you very well may crash all the way to the bottom. Just a little perspective here, don’t mean to step on anyone’s fun, it’s cool some are so crazed over our team’s chances and they are welcome to do so, but personally I rather just keep my feet on the ground for now. Specially after the last few seasons year end collapses, this year I will do my very best not to get overly excited about our chances until I see how we play in December. The year end collapses are like getting hit in the head with a hammer, it may hurt a lot the first couple times, but it may kill you after that, don’t need that, too old for those kind of emotions, gotta watch the ticker, LOL.
Damn Baylin,got plenty of time on your hands this morning???j/k…LOL
Glad to be back,also glad to see kuper get his $$$$$$$$$$,now give DOOM his!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pay DOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Superbowl, Superbowl, Superbowl, Superbowl.
Superbowl, Superbowl, Superbowl!!! Just kidding baylin, by the way, my former tag was TorainAtvFan, thought i would change my name, since i mean the guy hasnt been with us for at least a year now, lol.
Cool ATV now KFS, you’re sticking with the ground game moniker, the trenches and the ground game is my kind of game.
yeah, running game always opens up the passing game, i think Knowshon should help with this, more this year and of course are offensive line if healthy will be nasty I believe.
yeah, running game always opens up the passing game, i think Knowshon should help with this, more this year and of course our offensive line if healthy will be nasty I believe.
Thats great news for Kuper. Great long term signing!
Good to see Thomas finally out on the field, and he looks the part, hopefully he can play it well. Can’t wait for Decker to get on the field as well.
Yes… it would be great to see Knowshon to hit 1000 yds, hoping he sees 2000 from the line of scrimmage.
Can’t wait for August, 2 things happen preseason and Madden 11.
Gooo Broncos!!!!
im really excited for perrish cox
i also really hope alric arnett makes the team i loved him at WVU
and the defence seems it never lost a step without mike nolan
cant wait for the season to start!
GO BRONCOS 2010!!!!!!
Yeah Cox looks like he’s for real,what a steal in the 5th round!!!!!
Great to see Kuper get the long terem contract he so richly deserves. Obviously, much is happening on the QT as far as negoiations goes. That’s the way it should be done. Doom is not far behind is getting his due rewards. Our O line now has the potential to be a dominating line for 5-10 years. I’m sure, with two new members of the O line, that this year will be a major learnning experience, but the sky’s the limit after that. Broncos should be anywhere from 9-7 to 11-5, not the 4-12 Sporting News predicted.
Great to see DMT out there. Hope he can make an impact this year.
Yeah,florio,can’t wait to see what Bay Bay and Decker can do.
I think McD is definatly headed in the right direction. Building a team cant happen in 1 or 2 years tho. But as i see it, McD has already put together his offense. First Drafted Moreno to be the Broncos RB. Then this year he got his QB in Tebow, and 2 WR’s in Thomas and Deckers. He already has 3 great O’linemen in Clady, Harris, and Kuper, so he drafted some young prospects this year to try a fill in the other 2 spots. D Graham is a solid TE and leader. And i’m expecting Royal to improve on his play this year with 1 year of experience in the system, and i think he could definatly fit in as a Welker like slot receiver. Gaffney is also gonna be solid since hes been in the system longer than most, including his time in New England. Give all these guys a year or two to gel with each other and i think this will be one of the greastest offenses to take the field. May not be this season, but at least the pieces are now in place. All they have to do is get some more experience playing with each other. Can’t wait to get a taste of the offense to come this season!
I just finished my first broncos music video.you guys should check it out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWd5TvLv1_8
baylin, im definitely not one of those fans, i stopped liking cutler when he made the dumbest suggestion of his carrer by saying he had a bigger arm than elway. i dont think i can remember a draft with this much talent. when golden tate fell to 60 i knew that this was going to be one of if not the biggest draft in history. when the bilitnikoff award winner almost falls to the third round you know that there’s some talent. i think that this draft class maybe the babyboomer generation of th nfl. i also think that the broncs got the cream of the crop. thats why i think this offense is poised for glory. i may be a bit biased but what if im right?
T-BONE, it would be F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C!!!!
I like seeing all our guys, I hate even when the last person on the depth chart is hurt, because you never know how someone can contribute, its a butterfly effect, because you never know who will be a playmaker.
no doubt db89, look at hawthorne from seattle. came in week five for hurt pro bowler tatupu and led team in tackes and interceptions. theres always sleepers, watch out for syd’quan i see him in a pro bowl someday. i watched him for four years, pig time playmaker great under pressure, dont know how we got him in the seventh? crazy draft!!!
watch this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMk77JUWmw0 syd’quan thompson highlights
if he polishes his technique and puts on fifteen pounds of beef like dawk did he can have a carrer. great timing and instincts!!!