While some players around the NFL are using the break between minicamp and training camp for some rest and relaxation, others are using the free time to chase their off-the-field goals.
Tight end Joel Dreessen participated in the sixth annual NFL Broadcast Boot Camp in Mt. Lauren, N.J., where he spent four days learning the business from talent, producers and executives from each of the NFL’s broadcast partners.
“Our days were jam-packed,” Dreessen said of the experience. “We were in meetings all day long. It was really cool because we’d go to a meeting about a different facet of broadcasting, whether it be how to set up the teleprompter, how to do the in-studio analysis or how to do a play-by-play call — whether it be on the radio or on TV. Then we’d do the out-in-the-field reporting. We went to a bunch of meetings about how we would do each of those things and take notes, then go put our suit and tie on and get a chance to do it. Then we’d go watch the film and get feedback from some of the professionals like James Brown, Greg Cosell and Kenny Albert. It was exceptionally informative.”
At the conclusion of the camp, Dreessen, along with Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson earned a guest co-hosting spot on SiriusXM NFL Radio this season.
Dreessen and Burleson became the first players in the six years of the camp to earn a guest hosting position.
The Broadcast Boot Camp is directed by the NFL Player Engagement and NFL Broadcasting departments and covers a wide range of topics with instructors from each of the NFL’s broadcast partners – CBS, ESPN, FOX, NBC, NFL Network, SiriusXM, Dial Global Radio, plus local radio and TV.
Of the 105 players who took part in the Broadcast Boot Camp from 2007-2011, 44 have earned broadcasting jobs as a result of their participation in the program.
“I don’t know what exactly is going to come from that,” Dreessen said. “But I guess Sirius saw something they liked in me and want to explore that a little bit more.”
DenverBroncos.com had a chance to talk to Dreessen about his experience:
Where did your interest in the sports broadcasting industry come from?
“I’ve always had an interest in the broadcasting side of it just because as an NFL player, you’re always getting interviewed, you’re doing radio shows and you’re doing TV shows. I wanted to see if I was any good at being on the other side of the microphone. This was definitely an eye-opening experience, because it’s not as easy as it looks. It’s really not – as far as being smooth with your words and being able to edit your thoughts from your brain to your speaking voice. It was definitely eye opening.”
Do you think your background as a player helps you as a broadcaster?
“I definitely have the foundation of the work ethic of what it takes to excel at a different career. Plus, I wanted to do this because I’m not getting any younger. I have to start thinking about life after football eventually. Hopefully that isn’t for several more seasons down the road, but it’s something I definitely want to prepare for.”
Which type of broadcasting did you feel most comfortable with?
“The radio aspect, that’s something that I think I could pursue. That interested me, as well as the field reporting. That was fun to get out there and kind of go through the interview process. That impromptu stuff, I was better at.”
Was it strange having the tables turned with you asking the questions instead of answering them?
“Yeah, because you have to sit down and write a script and think of questions to ask and present it in a way that would be interesting to the viewers. It was tricky. It was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be.”
-Stuart Zaas
Tags: Broadcast Boot Camp, Joel Dreessen
OSS – My 1st BBBP – #88 Demaryius Thomas will go over a thousand yds receiving and catch 10 touchdowns!
Have a great time cat!
Awesome stuff Cat! GO BRONCOS!!!!
Morning Royal. The fire out here is about 15 miles from me. No homes have been lost as of yet, thank God! Its still at zero contained. The flames are about 100 FT high with several heads. This can get ugly. Blah!
Yeah I saw that on the news strand. Fire is crowning from tree top to tree top.
Crazy stuff. I can`t see the fire from my windows, but the cloud of smoke yesterday was orangish-black, real erie looking. The flames are on the other side of the mountain, the west side, so I only see the smoke so far. If the flames come over the mountain onto the east side, i`ll have a full front view. Thats something I don`t want to see, even though its I`m guessing, say 10 miles from the mountain peaks from were I live. It hasn`t reached that point.
Good Morning Broncos Country!
Hope everyone is enjoying their weekends. Well, yesterday was the audition for the commericial. My son, brother & his fiancé accompanied me. We were all decked out in our Bronco gear. Which was an adventure. Being June, in Wriglyville on a beautiful Saturday. So many hecklers… One guy in particular was barking from a bistro. I then asked had he forgotten about who won the Den/Chi game this past season…he didn’t have much to say after my brother interjected that his QB & new WR were former players in the orange & blue. He fired back something about Tebow when one of the ladies he was with called him an idiot and reminded him that we now have “The Neck”…. It was classic how quickly he stopped speaking!
As for the audition, it went well. We talked about our fandom and some memories. Game day routines & superstitions. My brother & his fiance discussed how thier wedding colors will be orange & blue. My two year old even threw in a Go Broncos! Lol…
Well, the material will go to the powers that be and they will make their decision. Hopefully we get called back. Because that would be AWESOME!!! But, if it doesn’t, we still had a good time yesterday.
Well, no news is good news at this time of year, except I keep expecting to be notified by my ESPN app about the Prater deal. Any day now…
Broncos Country Strong 2012!
Btw RBF1, Pueblo is about 40 min north of burg on I-25!
Stay safe strand… careful with the smoke inhilation and air quality.
Cool story sndvl… it will interesting to see how the Bears do this year, with those guys re-united. (Cutler & Marshall). I wish Broncos played them again, other than preseason.
Hope you guys pass the audition!!
News says evacuations are in place for Manitou Springs and Cascade.
Hey y’all. Hope everyone had a nice weekend. I just found out I have to go to Great Neck, NY tomorrow. Normally I wouldn’t think twice about it, but it made me chuckle given the recent blog discussions, and I thought I’d share
Royalbfan1: Got it.
I don’t think TD is given due credit. IMO he is arguably the best RB ever. I don’t think any other RB was as dominant in their prime as TD was. 2 SB rings, League mvp, SB mvp, only the 4th 200 yards season ever, all in a 4 year span. Longevity aside, there was never a RB that was quite as dominant as TD was in his prime.
2000 yards season* of course
Sndvl, I love your story. It is amazing to me how much power I have to kill an argument with a name. It’s been a long time since Bronco fans have had that kind of power. Feels good!!!!!
Good Morning Broncos Country!
Hope everyone had a great weekend. I’m suffering from a serious case of the Monday’s here this morning. UGH!
Still no Prater signing sighting………….oh well, I keep telling myself any day now, any day. I’m sure they’ll get it done……..
I agree with you alex………….TD was the most dominate back in his prime. It’s unfortunate that longgevity will probably be the one issue that keeps him out of Canton. If he was able to prolong his career a little longer, I don’t think there would ever be a doubt.
That being said, in my eyes, there is no doubt. The dude was a stud running back that was virtually unstoppable who unfortunatley suffered what would eventually be deemed a career ending injury. Like you said, he wasn’t a flash in the pan player who had 1 good season……….he was consistant in all those years before getting hurt.
You’ve got my vote TD! And I’m not sure if we’ll ever see a back of your calibre in a Broncos uniform again.
Thanks for the update on the audition sndvl. I hope you get it and glad you enjoyed the experience at least………that’s the main thing.
Amazing to see only 64 posts on the same blog, over the weekend at that………..lol A sure sign that things have certainly SLOWED DOWN! haha
Go Broncos!
Here’s my debate question for the day…………
Who will have a more productive season and why? Decker or DMT or the tandum of TE’s Dressen and Tamme?
DMT Kod. Manning loves his size.
Leaving the hospital finally after 3 weeks in basically. Good to be going home.
Where is the Prater news? Or Big Brock or Hillman??
Man I want camp or news so bad Ive been keeping track of baseball news and NBA draft nes and FA.
Hurry up with some news….
Peace out Broncos country!!! Ill be on more now!! LOL not that anyone else will be!
Alaska, get better dude. Your a good source and asset to our blog. Hang in there buddy.
Kod, I say DMT and Decker. The TE`s are outlets, even though Manning likes to utilize them alot. All apart of the offensive scheme. Thats a good thing.
More record high temps today. This Waldo Canyon fire is still zero contained. Its not for from my place. We`re safe for now and it looks like it`ll stay that way. Too close for comfort though. Crazy stuff.
Hey Strand……….I meant between Decker, DMT, or the tight ends together……………
I’m thinking DMT…………he has bigger play ability IMO……..but I also think Decks has a chance too for his ability up the middle…………It would be amazing to have two 1000+ yard receivers!
Hope you’re doing well AB! Missed you round here!
Sup fellas!
Hope everyone on here in CO is doing ok with the fires going crazy out there. Breaks my heart to see my home burning up like this. Some of my cousins up in Fort Collins have had to be evacuated once already, not sure if they will have to be again. Not too long ago is just 2 or 3 miles from their house.
As for our Broncos, I think it will be a big year for Decker & Thomas. They will be seeing a lot of action with throw-happy Manning. Will be fun to watch these two young receivers catching passes from a great arm. Stay healthy and we will have a dynamic duo. Now if we only had a solid run game………..
Alright I’m bored…. bring on training camp!!!
Good Morning Kod.
That’s a good question. During his time in Indy, Manning seemed to be able to distribute the ball to all receivers, (TE & WR’s). Based on what JE said not long ago, the running game will play a bigger part for Manning led offense. I could see this initially, but of course we all know PM will have his variation of what worked so well for him in Indy, installed in this new offense. There will be games with the TE’s are targeted more based on what the D gives Manning.
It will be interesting to see what the Broncos do once they establish the run, as in the past, when Mannings’ offense had established the run (or at least even just the threat of a run), they liked to go to the “three verticals” play, typically off of play-action. Against a true Cover 2, two-deep look, the idea was for the inside receiver, often someone like TE Dallas Clark or Jacob Tamme, to split the safeties while the outside receivers stretched them by running down the sideline. But each receiver had the freedom to break off his route — the inside receiver to bend his post into a square-in or curl, and the outside receivers to convert their vertical route into comebacks.
Once all the receiving corp are comfortable with the new system, look for Manning to run his variations of the slant, verticals, curls, crossing routes, shallow digs, and the deep play action pass, depending on personnel package on the field.
So in answer to your question kod… I’d say both groups….(TE & WR) should do very well….lol.
Afternoon Royal, afternoon 07Elway. Camp is coming up fast. Lets take care of some business this year with Manning at the helm. GO BRONCOS 2012!!
Kod, thats a good question. I`d say DMT is going to light it up in 2012 and have a breakout year this year.
Good afternoon strand and 07 elway !!
Hope you’re feeling better AB.