After last night’s physical practice at INVESCO Field at Mile High, the team’s workload was a little lighter Friday afternoon. The players wore shorts — though some wore sweat pants — and most didn’t have pads on.
Here are some quick hits from the session, which lasted a little longer than two hours.
ROLL CALL: Nic Clemons was no longer wearing an orange jersey, back to his normal blue defensive jersey.
Rulon Davis, Brian Dawkins, Vernon Fox, Brandon Marshall and J’Vonne Parker did not participate in the session.
Wesley Woodyard walked off the practice field after a set of drills and did not return.
POSITIONING: The first offensive unit consisted of Brandon Stokley, Eddie Royal and Jabar Gaffney at receiver, Daniel Graham at tight end, Kyle Orton at quarterback, LaMont Jordan at running back, and the same five starters on the offensive line — Ryan Clady, Ben Hamilton, Casey Wiegmann, Chris Kuper and Ryan Harris.
The first defensive unit saw Ryan McBean, Ronald Fields and Kenny Peterson on the line, Darrell Reid, D.J. Williams, Andra Davis and Elvis Dumervil at linebacker, Champ Bailey and Andre’ Goodman at cornerback and David Bruton and Renaldo Hill at safety.Several other players cracked that lineup depending on the formation, including Robert Ayers, Josh Barrett, Jack Williams and Alphonso Smith.
Joshua Bell looked to be lined up at safety during a couple plays in one package, but also stepped up to play cornerback when an extra receiver came into the game.
DRILLS: Brett Kern worked one-on-one with special teams coordinator Mike Priefer on what looked like footwork and drops before punts. Priefer threw him the ball under-handed like a snap, and Kern caught it, took a few steps and dropped it as if he were punting.
Almost every day, linebackers coach Don Martindale and assistant linebackers coach Roman Phifer have run their unit through a drill that has them run side to side before the coaches throw them the ball to practice catching interceptions. During the drill today, Woodyard sprinted left, then right, then straight back, catching a pass over his shoulder left with one hand.
When the team worked on kickoff returns, the usual names came up — Royal, Smith and Kenny McKinley. But another player fielded a kick today who fans might not expect — Spencer Larsen. No, the inside linebacker/fullback isn’t making a run at the returner gig, he just practiced fielding kicks because he’s the “up” man, and short kicks might fall into his arms.
PLAYMAKERS: The slow tempo of practice meant there weren’t too many spectacular plays, but a few names stuck out.
Jordan broke up a potential interception by Hill early in what seemed to be an 11-on-11 walkthrough session, getting his hand on the ball in Hill’s arms to make sure the pass fell incomplete.
Nate Swift caught a long pass from Orton down the sideline, drawing some cheers from the crowd.
It was just walkthrough speed, so no plays were called dead, but on one play, Jarvis Moss broke through the offensive line to get to Simms. Instead of going for the hypothetical sack, he let the play continue, simply standing in front of him, jumping and waiving his arms.
QUICK HITS: Orton spent a lot of time under center this afternoon. Chris Simms and Tom Brandstater still got some snaps, but it seemed like today Orton got even more reps than usual, often staying at quarterback no matter who else was in on offense or defense.
The team seemed to be using the scoreboard placed on the side of the building at Dove Valley to help set up different situational plays. It displayed time left in the game and the score.
The players got to have a little fun at the end of practice. Harkening back to the first days of minicamps, two defensive linemen dropped back to field punts to earn a privilege for the team. This time it wasn’t to get out of meetings, however — it was the right to have no curfew tonight, the day before the team gets a day off from practice — a “mental health day,” as McDaniels put it. Peterson stepped back first, and as teammates reminded him to take the wind into account, tossing grass into the air and watching the wind take it, the veteran lineman calmly hauled in the punt before being mobbed by his teammates.
But the fun wasn’t quite over, as Chris Baker stepped back to field a punt to earn the same privilege for the rookies. The first punt sailed over his head and he tried to run back and catch it over his shoulder, but it fell to the ground as he and his teammates laughed. McDaniels gave him another chance, however, and this time he called for a fair catch, stepped forward and let the ball fly over his head into the end zone, earning more laughs and high fives. On the third attempt, he found the ball in the air, backed up and fielded it perfectly in the end zone before throwing his arms in the air as his fellow rookies congratulated him.
DAILY JUKEBOX: Just a few tunes today, but they were some goodies.
Practice opened up with a little Michael Jackson – “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”
Stone Temple Pilots – “Plush”
Arrested Development – “Tennessee”
Metallica – “Enter Sandman”
During the last song, Ayers threw down some serious air guitar skills as the team finished up stretching, and Woodyard did a little head-banging as he started to run through linebacker drills.
QUOTABLE:
“I don’t have to see these guys. I can actually lay in my own bed and watch my own TV and cook my own food. Well, I won’t really be cooking. Eat my own food.”
-Kenny Peterson, joking on why tomorrow’s day off will be nice
The team has a day off from practice tomorrow, and will be back on the field at 2:30 p.m. MDT on Sunday, Aug. 9.
Below are the pictures from the morning session.
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Training Camp
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woodyard showed more than larsen
A 3-4 still is going to require someone covering the tight end. And a player like Gates is not going to be able to be covered by our linebackers even though they are an athletic bunch. I feel is skill set is very valuable and I hope McDaniels utilizes him.
Do you think Moreno will see time in our first pre season game w/ the 1′s?
if he shines he will. he will play whoever is better.
Larsen and Woodyard just bring two different sets of skills to our linebacking corp. Larsen is a rugged, meet you head on style. Woodyard isn’t real big… like 220lbs and is more of a playmaker and sideline to sideline tackler. Since Wilson, I feel we miss the prescence of a true ILB, I see that ability in Larsen
dont get me wrong i like barrett also. just think who is better this year. not what they did 1 or 2 games. if that was the case, josh bell would be cut. wish i think he will be anyway.
Do you think Ayers will see time w/ the 1′s against the 9ers?
what do you think of bell?
Atwater, i value your opinion.
i believe 2nd or 3rd preseason game he will get plenty. against niners maybe, i think coach will make him sweat a little for holding out. LOL.
Agreed. But performing in practice and performing in games are two completely different things. Look at Jack Williams stellar pre-season last year compared to getting owned in the regular season. I just would rather see Barrett getting his reps in over unproven rookies. Although the rookie safeties I think are going to really help us in years to come. They both have good speed/hitting combos
Despite the lack of pass rush Bell was still able to disrupt a few passes last season, but w/ all the CB’s we have I don’t think he makes the roster.
Atwater,
so who woulod you start Larsen or Woodyard.
Rugged or Playmaker?
Yea you have a lot of good insight as well ATV. Bell…. in games last year I had very little confidence in him. Kind of reminded me of how every big 3rd down reception a few years ago seemed to go against Foxworth. Bell seemed to fill that role quite a bit last year unfortunately. Then again he is young, so he should be given the benefit of the doubt that he’ll improve over the next few seasons.
I hope we keep a guy like him on the practice squad
wasnt the defensive players mad last year cuz slowik had them playing ten yards off the receiver?
Slowik was an idiot, our D looked lost all year last year.
thanks atwater, this how blogging should go. sometimes different opinion, but remembering we are on the same team. lol.
I’d start both to be honest but I’m becoming a huge fan of Larsen so if i had to pick one I’d go with him.
Ideally I’d love to see either DJ and Woodyard outside with Larsen and Davis in the middle
or Woodyard and Dumervil outside with Larsen and DJ inside
The depth we have this year is great and very underrated
haha I agree ATV
Your point about Slowik is excellent. The coushin (sp?) we gave opponents receiever’s last year was rediculous and even made Bailey look bad quite a bit. So maybe new system and bump-n-run is better suited for Bell
Ciusin (sp)? LMAO. i agree our LBs our awesome. I think Crowder and Moss might even show signs of players this year. Besides others expected to great.
coushin (sp?)
well gotta go, see you all later tonight or tommorow morning. G night all.
Ah brain lapse there. cushion**** And I sure hope Moss can find his niche at speed rusher in the 3-4 at OLB. It’d be a shame for us to cut him because you see flashes of potential but he can’t seem to get it to all come together.
Crowder already showed he can play at a pro level when he had 4 sacks and a TD his rookie year. Unfortunatley Moss has had some ijury issuse, but I like his athleticism.
But unfortunately Crowder didn’t show signs of improvement last year. He’s still young so he can’t be ruled out just yet.
Crowder didn’t get a chance to show his improvement last year he was inactive for most of the games.
Was this because of injury? My memory is a little foggy with him
I don’t remember.
Well if it was for injury then yea I agree he didn’t get the chance to show it. If not, that means he just wasn’t performing and was inactive based on ability. 6 games and failed to record a sack. I think he has a chance to bounce back this year though, because you’re right his rookie year he did show some flashes of ability
The biggest difference between the new coaches and last years coaches, they chose players that fit the system. I think Slowik, and Shanny (as much as I respect the guy) didn’t chose the right players on defense. This team has a lot of depth and players that fit the system, so they will be much improved no matter what anyone says. This time next week it’s… GAME TIME!!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!!
What do you think of Baker, former starter at Penn. That’s a pretty big acomplisment.
Im looking for Baker to be a steal for us. He has good size and is physical off the line. he sucks up blockers which is what we need from him so our linebackers can make plays.
I like Baker alot… he’s a big dude. We really need to find a long term answer at NT to sure up this 3-4. Hopefully we can groom him into that role because he definitely has the size for it
I agree with Dr.Chris24. If he works hard and keeps his nose clean, he will definitely be a steal.
Do you think he can play end? He’s pretty athletic and that’s the position he played at Hampton when he had 8 sacks.
I’d rather see him try and be our long term solution at NT but I think he could also have success at end as well. His style reminds me of Ngata from Baltimore
Anything is possible. If Nolan and company feel playing at the end is where he belongs, they’ll put him there.
Agreed. His versatility is a great asset and Nolan will find a good fit for him
What about that Everrete guy who’s last name I can’t spell? 6-5 and 312, is he an end or tackle?
He played DT in college but apparently was also on the basketball team a couple of yers. Seems like he has the athleticism to do either, just like Baker.
When’s the depth chart comming out? does anyone know?
I love McDaniels. This is how you keep morale up. I hate to say it, but Shanahan never could. I love what he’s doin, and he’s doin it with style. Keep it up McD
I think I read that it comes out this Monday… not 100% sure on that though. I’m really anxious to see where McDaniels is placing everyone, we have a lot of versatility at all positions
Has anyone Here been to the camps, and if so how does fields look against these double teams and is McBean really good enough to be out there w/ the 1′s? McBean spent last season on our PS.
moreno finally signed….YEEESSSS!!!!!
Did anyone catch what Cutler said about Denver fans today on sportscenter. He said that denver fans really didn’t support the team. More and more you truly see his true colors. I’m so glad he gone. also glad to see everyone has sighned
The depth chart comes out on Monday. Why do people keep bringing up Cutler? Who cares what he says in Chicago. Point is he is not here! Most of u r the ones saying stop talking about Cutler but keep sayin he said this, he said that stuff. And before keep talking about the same subject, why don’t you guys check the previous blogs because I can guarantee you the minute Cutler had that interview somebody on here was typing.
On a brighter I am really starting to feel our D. We need B-Dawk.
“Give Us Some Respect Right Now!” I love that guy B-Dawk
*brighter note
100th comment!
I agree… enough about Cutlet.
I also like what coach McD is doing. There is an energy in the locker room and on the playing field that has been lacking the past few years.