On Monday, a number of guys were at Dove Valley continuing their rehab from injuries in 2008, or they were just stopping by. Today, a pair of Broncos stopped in after getting into town ahead of time for Monday’s offseason conditioning program.
Matt Prater and Brandon Stokley were hanging out down in the locker room. Both players have spent their offseason spending time with family back in their respective home states.
The kicker traveled down to Florida to enjoy time with his three brothers and the nice weather “instead of freezing out here” he said with a laugh.
“I hung out with the family back in Florida,” Prater said. “That’s pretty much it. I’ve been lifting weights, trying to stay in shape, but I took a little time off.”
One of his favorite things to do in his time off is go fishing, so he made up for lost time on the water by reeling them in with his brothers. A self-proclaimed “home body,” Prater isn’t one to do a lot of traveling. He’d rather just kick back with his family and enjoy spending time with them.
But just because he may have spent a lot of time on a boat doesn’t mean he lost touch with football completely. In fact, he had a chance to talk on the phone with a couple of guys who will play a major role in his kicking duties — special teams coordinator Mike Priefer and longsnapper Lonie Paxton.
“Coach Priefer called me a few times, and it was really nice of him to do that. We’ve stayed in touch,” Prater said. “The new longsnapper Lonie Paxton called me. It was good to hear from him, and I’m looking forward to working with these new guys.”
He has not, however, had a chance to speak with Head Coach Josh McDaniels yet, though he hopes he may be able to do so today before things get started next week.
Either way, he’s excited about getting the team back together in Dove Valley for the workouts to begin building for the 2009 season.
“I’m looking forward to these workouts, getting to see everybody,” Prater said. “Everybody’s out of town, so I’ve been bored out of my mind. But I love working out, so it will be good to get back here with the guys.”
As for Stokley, spending time with his family was the best part of the offseason as well. He traveled back to Louisiana to kick back and relax with his wife and kids.
“I’ve really enjoyed the offseason. I’ve had a lot of time to relax, play golf and hang out with the family,” Stokley said. “I pretty much just went down to Louisiana and hung out down there. I didn’t do too much. That’s always really nice. I think it’s key to kind of rejuvenate yourself. Once you come back here, you’re ready to work and concentrate on football. But that time is good to just get away from everything and get your focus back.”
Like Prater, he has had a chance to speak with some of his coaches. He hasn’t yet started digging into the new offense that McDaniels will be implementing though. But he’s excited about getting to work on it and all the new things the Broncos will be doing in 2009.
As for the workouts set to begin Monday, the 11-year veteran has a slightly different take. When asked if he’s looking forward to the start of the conditioning program, he shook his head and smiled.
“Not very much at all,” he said with a laugh. “That first week is always really tough. You get really sore, so I’m not really looking forward to that part too much. After that first week, you get into a good routine and get the soreness out, but you’ve got to start somewhere.”
Mostly he’s just looking forward to spending time with his teammates again.
“Being around all the guys is the best. Starting off fresh, new and everybody has that same goal. We’ll be working hard to reach that goal, and that’s what it’s all about.”
– Adam Zinser, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: 2009, Adam Zinser, Brandon Stokley, Josh McDaniels, Lonie Paxton, Matt Prater, Mike Priefer, Offseason
I’m not much of a stat guy, but…those stats tell all that needs to be said…Punches n Bunches.
rnst… you make 0 sense… proof read YOUR stuff like 20 times before you post…
You’re right 19eddieroyal there’s not a single thing on this entire website about the cutler situation and i’ve been waiting to say somethin about it. Now first of all why would anyone consider trading cutler. I mean his game is getting better every season. Why would we trade him after we sat through 2 years of rebuilding, especially for CASSEL!!!! Don’t get me wrong now he’s decent but no way do he match to cutler’s arm strength or his ability to see the field. I honestly think cassel was just a supporting player in new england and if they decide to trade cutler i definitely don’t want him. it seems like mcdaniels is trying to the broncs into the pats. After last year’s offensive performance there is no reason for anything to be changed cuz if it aint broke don’t try to fix it.
As a bronco fan i feel gutwrenched that Pat Bowlen is just standing by letting this happen. I know mcdaniels the coach and i know cutler feels betrayed and since mcdaniels feels he has authority for the first time in his life he isn’t going to swallow his pride and apoligize. But neither has to say anything cutler justs needs to prove to mcdaniels he’s the guy by showing up to practice and later on the the summer cutler will get the deal he wanted.
Lets not be stupid now KEEP CUTLER IN DENVER!!!!!!!!
You know this whole Cutler thing is getting really old really fast. Yes mistakes were made on both ends and it hurt egos and such, but Cutler needs to quit being a baby and step up and be a man. Show up to workouts hash this thing out with coach Mac and Bowlen so we can get on with a run to the super bowl. Coach Mac also needs to step up and be a man and admit the things he did wrong as well. As for the people who have said that they were no longer going to be Bronco fans because of the Cutler deal or because Shanny got fired I just have 2 words for ya GOOD BYE!!!! Those are people that were never true Bronco fans to begin with. You don’t quit liking and supporting your team because of one player,coach or bad decision. Cutler is not the Denver Broncos and Shanny was not the Denver Broncos. They are and were simply a piece of the puzzle nothing more. Cutler you want people to respect and believe in you as a leader? Then shut your mouth grow up and show up to work outs with a leadership attitude no the cry babt one you cuurently have and prove coach Mac wrong.
After reading many of these posts I have to say, whether you like Jay Cutler or not is not the issue whatsoever. Did you see last season? Cutler has problems bouncing back from his mistakes. He gets upset way to easy and he allows his emotions to interfere with his gameplay. Not a very honorable trait for a man who is supposed to be the leader of our offense. I think Cutler is a great player when he is focused don’t get me wrong, we have not seen that type of arm strength since you know who, but he needs to get with the program. On to another note I am very impressed with the free agent pick ups we have a lot of talent in many positions that were lacking, atleast with competition to be number one guy in that position. I look forward to the New Coach, new leadership and just good old Bronco Football. BRONCO NATION!!!