It’s a fun vibe in the stadium pressbox, as the football season is officially open at the newly named Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

Fans are already making their way to their seats and players for both teams are warming up on the field.

The first player to hit the field this afternoon? Tim Tebow. Joining him now are a mix of guys — among them are Dan Gronkowski, Robert Ayers, Quinton Carter and David Bruton.

A quick note: this will be the seventh preseason meeting between the Bills and Broncos. Both teams have won three games — though the Broncos have won both matchups in Denver.

5:03 p.m. MDT: The special-teamers have hit the field in full uniform, and the Broncos will be wearing their traditional home blue jerseys with white pants. The Bills are donning all-whites.

5:16 p.m. MDT: John Elway just tweeted — “Looking forward to seeing our QBs tonight. Tim went in after Kyle last week, and Brady will go second tonight. All competing.”

So it sounds like Brady Quinn will officially take second-team snaps behind Kyle Orton tonight. Tim Tebow will be up third.

5:22 p.m. MDT: Steven Hauschka and Matt Prater both took shots at a 53-yard field goal just now as they’re warming up, and both drilled it through the uprights. Prater’s was HIGH up the net, though — looks like it would’ve been good from at least 15 yards farther.

Now the punters, kickers and snappers for both teams are chatting at midfield.

5:36 p.m. MDT: The quarterbacks, receivers, tight ends and kick returners are on the field for the Broncos — we’re less than an hour away from kickoff. And here come the defensive backs to cheers from the crowd.

5:45 p.m. MDT: Brian Dawkins, Brandon Lloyd, Ryan Clady and Eric Decker — all of whom missed some practice time this week — are in full uniform warming up on the field.

5:49 p.m. MDT: Looks to be a pretty hyped-up huddle in the end zone — and as usual, Broncos TV was right in the middle of it, so expect some of that footage postgame (if the language was suitable, of course…)

5:53 p.m. MDT: Pregame photos are here, courtesy of team photographer Eric Lars Bakke.

6:09 p.m. MDT: We’re less than a half hour away from kickoff, and the Broncos are leaving the field, heading through the tunnel back to the locker room. The Bills already left, so it’s an empty field for the moment — save for Thunder galloping across it, and Miles the mascot getting fans hyped up in the end zone.

6:12 p.m. MDT: Stanley Daniels, Demaryius Thomas, Richard Quinn, Marcus Thomas and Ty Warren will not suit up for the Broncos tonight. All five are recovering from injuries.

6:13 p.m. MDT: Among the Bills that will not suit up are Roscoe Parrish and Shawne Merriman. I’ll get you the full list when I can. Danny Batten will start at linebacker in Merriman’s place.

6:16 p.m. MDT: In addition to Parrish and Merriman, DB Justin Rogers, LB Kevin Sheppard, T Chris Hairston, WR Craig Davis, TE Shawn Nelson and LB Chris White will not play tonight for Buffalo.

6:26 p.m. MDT: The defense is being introduced, running through the tunnel — everybody is pretty jacked up, not the least of which is Brian Dawkins, who just executed an elaborate entrance that involved faking like he had a walker, then kicking it out of the way and sprinting toward Wesley Woodyard for a quick dance before making it through the line of teammates.

6:28 p.m. MDT: We’re very close to kickoff, so that’ll do it for the pregame blog. See you in the First Half Blog.

-Gray Caldwell

Tags: Buffalo Bills, pregame blog, Preseason Week 2

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