The Broncos were back on the field Monday afternoon for their first practice since the game at Houston. It was a full practice but didn’t get started until 2:45 so the players could have a little extra rest. There were a couple new names to the out of pads list, but a few familiar faces were back on the field as well. Here are some quick hits.
ATTENDANCE REPORT: Louis Green was at practice sporting a backwards orange hat and no neck brace, watching linebacker drills…Chad Mustard was back on the field, dressed out and running with the tight ends — sporting a freshly shaved head…Montrae Holland was dressed out as well and practiced with the offensive line…Hamza Abdullah, Boss Bailey, Champ Bailey, Ebenezer Ekuban, Peyton Hillis, Tom Nalen, Eric Pears and Ryan Torain were all on the out of pads list for Monday’s practice.
POSTURING FOR POSITION: During offensive drills, Jay Cutler harkened back to his high school days and lined up at safety…and helped lead the scout team on defense against the starters with Patrick Ramsey at the helm.
- The first unit offensive line remained the same as in Saturday’s preseason contest — Ryan Clady, Ben Hamilton, Casey Wiegmann, Chris Kuper and Ryan Harris.
- Spencer Larsen, wearing his new No. 46 jersey, continued practicing with the linebackers. The number change was to allow him to enter games as either a linebacker or fullback without having to check in with a referee.
- Eddie Royal lined up alongside Brandon Marshall with the first unit offense, just as he did against Houston.
- Niko Koutouvides lined up at the Mike linebacker position with the first unit defense.
FOCAL POINTS: The offense and defense faced off for some redzone plays…The offense worked on its last-minute drills with 35 seconds on the clock…The offensive and defensive lines and WRs and DBs practiced one-on-ones…Matt Prater, Brett Kern and Sam Paulescu worked on getting set up for a field goal with no timeouts. Prater and whoever was holding would run out, get set up and take the snap from Special Teams Coordinator Scott O’Brien while he counted down the seconds.
TAKE AWAYS: During wide receiver vs. defensive backs one-on-ones, Christian Morton stayed in between Darrell Jackson and Jay Cutler on coverage and got a hand on the ball, but Jackson stayed with it and caught the deflection in stride for what would have been a long touchdown.
- In the same drill, Domonique Foxworth snuck in front of Glenn Martinez for an interception down the sideline. Picks and long runs seem to have become a theme for Foxworth this camp.
- During redzone drills, Nate Jackson made a one-handed catch with his arm outstretched in the middle of a pack of defenders in the endzone. Later in practice he made another over-the-shoulder snag between a cornerback and a safety. On several plays he lined up out wide with Marshall and Royal on the opposite side.
- Eddie Royal caught a touchdown standing all alone in the same redzone drill, but his most impressive catch came in 7-on-7s later in practice. He ran a route toward the sideline, made the catch past a defender and tiptoed the line before regaining his balance and running to the endzone.
- Selvin Young burst through the line of scrimmage and fought his way past a charging Josh Barrett for a touchdown on a goal line play.
- John Engelberger made a solid defensive play in another goal line situation. Andre Hall found a hole through the middle of the line but Engelberger made a diving tackle to stop Hall short of the endzone.
- The offensive line seemed to be dominating the one-on-ones against the defense — Clady and Harris stood out on the first unit, consistently keeping their man away from the quarterback.
QUOTABLE: “I’m thankful to all the trainers. It was just extra precaution, really. You always want to get up and walk off and I asked them to let me to, but because of the extra precautions I had to go out on the stretcher just to get everything checked out to be sure.”
- Louis Green, on being carried off the field on a stretcher Saturday. Green said he has a little weakness in his left arm and some soreness, but he’s OK.
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Chad Mustard, Domonique Foxworth, Gray Caldwell, Jay Cutler, Louis Green, Montrae Holland, Nate Jackson, Training Camp
if broncos dont start getting guys healthy we are going to be in big trouble this year. the offensive line needs to get nalen and hollands fat A_ _ on the field asap. also what are they going to do about the LB situation, they seem doomed already. I hate to sound negative but this is not a good start and if it wasnt for bad luck we wouldnt have any luck. also whats up with selvin vs the texans, he’s talkin alot of stuff but he isnt going to get anything close to 2000 yards running like that. one writer for the post said he looked like he was running in wet cement. last thing, does champ plan on practicing this year. i know he doesnt need to much practice and he’s the best in the league but he hasnt been on the field in almost 2 weeks.
Hey guys, thanks for the updates. I love reading what’s going on in practice. If I wasn’t so far away (NY) I would be checking out practices every year. Anyway, great job!!
Here’s my question: Is it just me, or is Nate Jackson looking like a star this year? Is he our number one tight end or what? How do you think it’s going to shake out by the end of the season? I love Tony and Daniel but Nate’s catching everything. What do you think?
Thanks,
Andy in Syracuse
Oh, and to the OHbronco — man you gotta relax. Take a deep breath. It’s preseason, and though I never want guys to get hurt I was happy it happened in the first game and not in the third or fourth. As far as I’m concerned I would start my practice squad against the Texans and the Cowboys and the rest of the preseason. That way we would never have an injury to a starter. I hope champ sits out for the next 4 weeks.
What is wrong w/Hillis? Did he tear his hamstring? This is becoming a glaring concern, as I truly believe his presence means better support blocking for Cutler, lead blocking and ball carrying on short and goal, with safety screens to isolate his size and speed. Im concerned. Any updates?
Do Jarvis Moss/Boss Bailey really have what it takes?
I love Larsen/Barrett/Woodyard/Aldridge/Polumbo/Hillis/Royal/Clady. I really like this Christian Morton too. Where did he come from? His sack, speed, and tackling prowess was evident. But who is he?
We could be great, young, and competitive for years to come.
Andy-
Thanks for the kind words. Nate is having a very strong camp and I think he would have been a great receiving option for Cutler last year had he not gotten injured. He is still listed as the third team tight end on the newest depth chart and my guess is he will stay that way as the season starts. But he will play a big role once the season starts regardless of his depth chart position.
Thanks
I hope the Bailey Brothers don’t remain health casualties… They are great talents, but can’t get anything done from the sidelines
HOGblog-
No updates on Hillis. A hamstring is a very tricky injury. Once you think you are healthy, you should still probably wait a few more days. Hopefully he can show what he can do in the last couple of preseason games.
Morton was signed by the team at the end of last season as a free agent. He was drafted by the Patriots in 2004 and has spent time with Carolina, Washington and New England. He has some NFL game experience and his play has grabbed the attention of anyone who has watched him daily.
whats the word on montre holland? is he competing for the starting job or is he lower on the depth chart?
Thank you Kyle! You and your guys are doing a fantastic job…We all really appreciate you.
I know it’s tough to answer questions about jarvis moss/Crowder etc.. But Im a bit confused how Crowder went from a good rookie year, to 3rd team. Even thought I know the depth charts are a work in progress…as they should be.
Any thoughts on K2? Is he doing well? Is he understanding his role? Is he aggressive, and the tackling machine we were told he was?
Yea… it seems that injuries are just reoccuring over and over again! but its good! there wat 4 weeks until the opening! im good but i agree with columbus Nalen and some of the starters need to be doing sumthing not just sitting on the sideline or standing! Weight room! lets go guys work work work! preseason games i understand and going all out for practice i understand! but dont sit or stand and watch do something thats gonna get u in shape! i believe in orange and Blue! we’ll be fine!
ColumbusOHbronco,
Calm the hell down!! I wouldn’t really call Nalen fat, considering he is 286 lbs. I don’t think he is sitting out because he is out of shape and overweight…Holland is back on the field and has been since they left for Houston, so I don’t know why you are now complaining about him. And how can you be complaining about Champ??? DO you really want to see him break a leg playing against Dallas and then we would be screwed the whole year.
Champs good but he didnt do much last year he needs to be out there, this year is starting oble all these injuries and were only having one practice a day, i love the broncos but who knows about this year hopefully cutler will get it done this year but marshall being suspended the first two division games doesnt help either well see.
Thanks for the reports guys. Keep up the good work.
Since they keep switching between Niko and Nate at MLB in practice still I’m guessing Koutouvides will get the start against Dallas correct?
If I have said it once…I have said it once….Football is a marathon, not a sprint. If Champ has a nagging injury like a hamstring, there is no need to press it in an EXHIBITION game, and risk losing him for a regular season game. The same rings true for the other players. As a football player, you realize that you only need the exhibition games to get your timing down, and to play against plays that you are not OVERLY familiar with. Champ, being a vet, as well as the other veterans are fully prepared to deal with the rigors of the season. This is a golden opportunity for our team to work on its’ overall depth as the season approaches.
No one has said anything about the importance of anyone, except rookies to play in practice/exhibition games. However, resting Champ/D.Rob/Eukuban/Stokely/D Jackson makes sense fors sure. It’s nice to see them develop chemistry, but they know they’re going to start and they no how to practice and play. They’ve been doing it.
The story is much different w/rookies. No practice, no play, no rostser, no NFL. That’s my concern w/Hillis. He’s losing valuable time. I know the team knows he will be a member of the team. I just hate that this is lasting almost 2 wks, and updates are never provided. He needs to get in-sync with the offense.
I have to agree with those of you that blieve in resting the “key” players. Look, when you have injuries that aren’t prolonged, like it or not they give players opportunity. Woodyard for example is a prime example. Can anyone argue that this kid doesn’t want a chance. Maybe he gets one maybe he doesn’t but the kid left his heart on that field.
These preseason games give you nothing but a look at real time speed and hits that it’s. There’s no game planning against the opposition. Each head coach has their own agenda despite what the other team is doing. Chemistry in live action is another plus but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The boys will be ready.
Regarding Marshall, I know what he is to this team. However, I still like my chances with our offensive weapons against Oakland and San Diego. Royal, Tony, Nate, Aldridge, Young, Stokely, Pittman, Jackson, Colbert…..not worried.
P.S. kyle and crew, you guys are providing the best team to fan interaction in the league. NICE JOB!
GO GET EM BOYS!