After a warm afternoon, dark clouds and a cool stiff breeze welcomed the players for the afternoon session. And while the weather may have thrown the guys for a loop, it was noting like the surprise the rookies had coming after stretch.
ROLL CALL: Brandon Stokley, Daniel Graham and Correll Buckhalter returned to practice this afternoon after sitting out the AM session. Those not on the field this evening included Brandon Marshall, Brian Dawkins, Nic Clemons, Ryan Torain and Rulon Davis.
POSITIONING: The team went through some extensive 11-on-11 work including time in the red zone, from the 30-yard line going to the opposite end zone and a spirited goal line session.
DRILLS: As the players wrapped up their stretching period, Head Coach Josh McDaniels called the team over to the south end of the field. There, the turf crew had been watering a grassy patch, making it a swampy mess. He asked the rookies to form a line and one-by-one, each rookie had to run and jump in the homemade Slip ‘n Slide to recover a fumble.
If going through the muck wasn’t enough, Lonie Paxton was standing off to the side with a hose, dousing the players as they slid across the mud. Buckets of water were also passed around by veterans who took turns adding to the dampness. The once-white pants they were wearing quickly became a dirty brown.
But it wasn’t just the players who had to go after the ball, offensive assistant Ben McDaniels and defensive assistant Jay Rodgers also took their turns.
“That was definitely an eye opener,” Tom Brandstater said of seeing the coaches take part in the drill. “I wasn’t expecting that. I turn around and see Coach flying through the air. We had two young coaches doing that and it was cool to see them doing the same thing with us. It’s Ben’s first year at this level, too, so it was good to see him do that.”
Check out the video of the drill from Broncos TV and a photo gallery.
PLAYMAKERS: The hit of the day belongs to Kenny Peterson. During an 11-on-11 drill, Peterson jumped the gap and met Buckhalter flush, drawing praise from teammates and coaches alike.
QUICK HITS: As mentioned above, the goal line drill was the most spirited session of the practice with the offense scoring four times and the defense stopping them four times. As the horn blew to end the drill, both sides of the ball begged and pleaded to break the tie, but they will have to wait another day.
DAILY JUKEBOX: It was a flashback to the late 70s and early 80s for the afternoon practice.
QUOTABLE: “Lonie (Paxton) told me — I guess he said in pregame when we were punting a little bit. He was like, ‘You ever recover a fumble?’ I said, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Alright, you’ll get to today.”
Britton Colquitt, on when he knew about the Slip ‘n Slide drill
More pictures are below. The team has moved tomorrow morning’s practice to 11:15 a.m. MDT. Also, don’t forget about tomorrow evening’s open practice at INVESCO Field at Mile High. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. MDT with practice starting around 6. The practice is free and open to the public. Click here for more on tomorrow night.
-Kyle Sonneman, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Slip N' Slide, Training Camp
first
yes i finally got it and lol rookies
go nate swift hope he makes it but he is in a tough spot battling the best wide recievers in the league
First what?
I was at the afternoon practice and must say the defense is looking better and better. I also heard Kenny P. and Chris Baker on the radio on the way home and they sounded really fired up, funny and ready to getr mean in the real thing.
Orange Crush!!!!!!!
hahahaha, that’s funny the rookies had to do that. That picture of Carter taking the Superman approach to it… too funny! Looks like fun, man I’m starting to feel left out! lol Sounds like it was a great practice to be at.
With faith…
GO BRONCOS in ’09!!!!
I have hope in everythign else working out. We have indredible talents. My only fear is the DL. We have some players but lets hope they can take on the line just the 3 of them. To be champs it all starts up front. Great oline = good running game and QB with all the time in the world (we’ve got that) great D line = stuff runs and pass rush which results in opportunities for the secondary. But im keepign the faith. Just can’t wait to seem em play next friday. Hopefully I get the game on the East Coast….Doubt it tho.
~Here’s Hoping We Shock The NFL
GO BRONCOS!!!
haha, I hear ya TRB. Hope I can get the game here in KC. For some reason they don’t like the Broncos here, LOL. Actually I’ve met more Bronco fans here than KC fans… now that’s funny.
I think with the newfound leadership we have on defense now it will set off some sparks in our new DL. Hopefully they’ll come out hungry every week and own the game.
With faith…
GO BRONCOS in ’09!!!!
Wow this is really something, I truly believe we are going to completely astound people this season. I just REALLY wished Knowshon Moreno couldve been there today to have fun and bond with all of his teammates. I just cant get why there has to be all this hard headache crap whenever your trying to sign draft rooks? It shouldnt be this hard and they should definitely do something about it!!! Please Moreno, if your reading this, at least go to training camp now why your deals bein worked out!!!! We need you
That is pretty cool they hoser down the rookies yes. all of them. where is the dawkin I hope he not hurt too much. maybe just strain pectorial muscle. the kenny petreson play ok at time last year guy. he was show some sign do some things player when others was corny.
I love the slip and slide drill. Those are the type of drills that can bring a team together and start gelling. Plus it teaches how to take advantage of the elements that most teams don’t think of preparing for. Not to mention all the turnovers are defense will be forcing this year!
first to comment
broncos504, you’re going to get it now.
The slip and slide was a classic idea and I definitely think it will help the Broncos get more turnovers this season. Last year, we were -17 in the turnover ratio and still just one game from the playoffs. If this is shored up, we’ll definitely see the Broncos as a playoff team. GO BRONCOS!!!
Dawkins is out for a few days hope it dosent affect him when it comes time to play.
I hope Moreno gets signed soon, but he has to be wondering what they will do to him when he finally gets to camp after what the rookies had to do today!
Sweet 16!
Im excited for this season…Everything that is happening in camp is great! its like it gets the team to bond closer, and enjoy things. You know how the old saying goes, have a great practice, have a great game. Though this is just Training Camp i feel this will carry over into the practices and games.
Well maybe if Mc. D copies every single thing the Pats do in practice maybe well win as much games lol.
Does anyone know how Orton is looking in practice?
Broncofreak,
Moreno is not allowed to practice until he gets a deal. Otherwise I’m sure he would be there. I believe it is a league rule. I wish the agents would stop being money hogs and just get these guys in camp.
I am so excited for this season. I think we have great potential. I hope we can stay healthy and make some noise.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For the most part, hes been pretty sharp
all pre season games will be showed live on nfl network. directtv offers the football package for 200 bucks, 4 payments of 50.
u guys have to read this. i hope knowshon reads this, and decides to sign, instead of waiting for crabtree too sign.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/08/06/source-parker-tells-niners-that-crabtree-will-re-enter-draft/
Guys, for everyone that is concerned on whether they can watch the games or not just go to a buffalo wild wings or hickory tavern or hooters or a sports bar!!! THEY GET EVERY GAME!!!
true, most cities also have a club for each team.
Yoo Guys, first time post on here. Been reading what you guys say for a while so thought I’d join in finally.
Been loving what has been reported out of training camp so far this year, little worried bout b-marsh and dawkins having to sit out but better now than in the season right?
i agree dynasty. i honestly not worried about marshall though. I think gaffney and mc kinley will step it up this year. i also think marshall might get suspended after his court date. i guess im just not counting on him, but still feel we will be allright. Dawkins we need.
Just one more week…
Go Broncooos!
i wish we could get just a few details on moreno’s contract hold up! im sure both sides are workin diligently to get a deal done, but seriously this is only hurting moreno! the longer he sits waiting for a contract, the further behind he will fall from all the guys in the backfield. i still think he will end up bein our main workhorse, but it just may not happen by week 1 of regular season. so lets get a deal done, and see what this rookie can do!
GO BRONCOS
pusherman!!! curtis mayfield…you know what that song is about….???? humm…players not dealers please!!
i went yesterday and it was a great practice. what i love is the music and the autograph at the end as i got 4 out of the 5 starters. (weigmann wasn’t there)
I know that sometimes they wait to sign to see what the guys that get drafted in front of them are going to get, but is he really holding out or does he just not have a deal yet? And let Crabtree wait til next year…another Bo Jackson…7th rd.