The 2012 Broncos rookie class isn’t the only group enjoying its first NFL offseason together as a unit this year.
John Fox and his coaching staff didn’t have a typical NFL offseason a year ago due to the lockout.
This year, they’ve enjoyed the opportunity to work with the players both on and off the field.
“This is way different from a year ago when we went out on the field and practiced basically for the first time just before we were going to go out there for real,” Secondary Coach Ron Milus said. “So this time, this year, having the opportunity to work with these guys prior to training camp has been a big, big help.”
In 2011, the coaches and players weren’t able to work together until the beginning of training camp in late July.
That was especially difficult on the Broncos since the new coaching staff had a brand new playbook to install. In a typical offseason, teams like Denver that had hired a new head coach would have been given extra OTA sessions. Instead, the Broncos had to teach their entire new system during the grind of training camp.
“This year has been great,” Linebackers Coach Richard Smith said. “Last year we didn’t have any of the OTAs to be able to teach our players our new system. We had to go right into training camp with it.
Right now I think we’re much further along as a football team. Right now, starting the season we’re going to be way ahead of where we were a year ago at this time.”
Without having to introduce a brand new system to the team, coaches have been able to use OTAs and minicamps to work on smaller details of the game that had to be taught at the same time as the playbook during training camp.
During the 2011 training camp, Fox had nameplates taped to players’ helmets as the entire team got to know one another for the first time.
With a full offseason under their belts, players and coaches can focus on learning the playbook and perfecting their on-field skills rather than trying to remember their teammates’ names.
“It was good to have the players here to be able to go on the field and work with some fundamentals,” Wide Receivers Coach Tyke Tolbert said. “Last year we were doing all that in training camp, trying to get to know our players, how they run routes and all that stuff. It’s a whole lot different this year.
We’re able to work with them hands-on. We’re able to work some footwork drills, some ball drills. We didn’t get a chance to do that last year.
“This offseason has been very helpful and very beneficial for us.”
-Stuart Zaas
Tags: Head Coach John Fox, Linebackers Coach Richard Smith, Secondary Coach Ron Milus, Wide Receivers Coach Tyke Tolbert
jeez…………can training camp just start already? UGH! My patience are wearing thin! lol
Well, this year things can get back to some normalcy as far as OTA`s and other offseason preperations. It makes this offseason time wise go much quicker.
Any word on Buzz yet?
http://broncotalk.net/2012/06/38190/broncos-news/nfl-news-notes/vikings-percy-harvin-seeking-to-be-traded/
Dang it!!! Dang it!!! Dang it!!! Dang it!!! Dang it!!! Dang it!!! Dang it!!! Dang it!!!
It’ll never happen but it does stimulate the imagination!!!
Buzz is MIA!!! any buzz sightings???
No word on buzz that I’ve seen strand.
strand… a little less than 7 weeks to go for first pre-season game vs. Bears… can’t wait!
That`ll get the blood pumping in Broncoland. I just want get Camp underway. I`m going up to Dove Valley when it starts.
Hows Denver Royal? Pretty hot here the last few days except today, it is a little cooler.
101 degrees over the weekend in Highlands Ranch….alot cooler today though strand.
That’s awesome strand.. I know you mentioned you had a great time last time you went!! (camp).
Kod – totally disagree that Hanie will lose out to Weber. Hanie is a good QB. He’s no good like most QB’s without an O-line. Weber is shorter and will look like a rookie on an NFL field.
Have you emailed buzz, strand?
Here’s a AWESOME video of Page against Northern Illinois who gets FIVE touchdowns in the game which makes him only the second MAC player to have 5 tds in a single game, with the other one being Randy Moss!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnvQXzpGPng
DB, right? I know it’ll never happen, but I’ve loved Percy Harvin since he played for the Gators. He is a beast… But we can’t be too greedy now and I don’t want to lose any guys we already have… I doubt they’d trade him unless they got a quality WR in return and I’m attached to DMT and Decker… I think Peyton is too!
I have full faith tht buzz’ll be back when training camp starts!
Btw, it is currently 68 degrees here in lovely CasperWyoming. I can’t wait to go to Florida!!! Brrrrr
Looks like the kid has a nose for the goal line and is a sure handed punt returner. Fits right in on a Royalless team.
Royal, Buzz hadn`t sent me a email, so no.
Prater needs to sign like yesterday. This is driving me nuts!
Or last week! LOL
Trade Harvin for Moreno and DJ Williams.
The problem is Williams counts 5 million against the cap so Minnesota won`t have it.
So how about Harvin for Moreno, straight up.
Percy Harvins’ a very talented player….must not be looking forward to the Viking transition out of the cellar in the NFC North.
The Packers, Lions, and Bears are all very competative right now. They better try to restructure his contract cuz the Vikes don’t have much else.
Hi to the great fans in Wyoming… didn’t know you were from Casper, cat!
Yeah, the Vikes need to do everything in their power to keep Harvin. Minnesota is known for being cheap and disfunctional in house. Pay your talent if you want to improve your team.
Harvin and Peterson are the heart and soul of their offense.
They also have the FB from Stanford, Gerhart and TE Rudolph, but not many playmakers, with exception to the two you mentioned strand.
Thanks for the link on Eric Page, freak. The kid has quick feet. Looks like Stokely & Willis have some competition for the slot.
Could make the PS but you never know, right. Looking forward to seeing how these guys do in pre-season.
And those two you mentioned are only going to get better.
The Broncos are loaded at WR… forgot they signed former Jaguar, Jason Hill. Didn’t forget Andre “Bubba” Caldwell though.. (former Bengal)..lol. He’s got speed but like TRB said, you’ve got to be able to run routes.
Royal, I think I just said Wyoming, not sure if I ever said the city! Lol… Wyoming is Broncos Country though (-;
What’s the point of building a new stadium if you trade your talent away. I doubt Harvin is going anywhere, but with the other three teams in tha division… they have little chance of being successful.
Cat, I should be in Cheyenne Wyoming today, but couldn`t make it. Big bummer. The summer has just started, so theres plenty of time for me to go up and fish with my friend. Next time. LOL
Come to AZ… 110+ lol… AND DRY!!
my bad cat for assuming you’re from Casper……good to read the weathers nice and cool there though..lol.
I built a house in Pine Dale Wyoming a few years back, and saw many Broncos fans there. I was pleasantly surprised.
hey strand, whats up? cat. royal, good to see everyone posting. even az freak, not sure if ive seen you here. slowly but surely we’ll come out of this offseason funk and the blog will once again come alive.
i was checking out the harvin stuff and they even have a blog going on espn debating which afc west team would be best for him. its definately the broncos but i dont want him. too much money and we dont really need him that bad. i have faith one of those draft picks will be what we need as a returner and our wr core is set. other than that. NOTHING.
Evening LBF. How you doing bro?
man i’m wore out. work has gotten outta control man and we’re coming out of a slump where some employees were let go and now i have to work extra hard now that it picked back up. but i guess working alot is better than working none!!
Amen to that LouisianaBroncofan. Work for me is hit and miss as of lately. Life is still grand!
Ya strand it is and Denver’s 2012 domination will just make it that much better.
how ya doing lbf? long time no blog 4 me
No, royal! You are right. My post didn’t make sense. I just meant I don’t think I hadever told you guys I was from Casper sorry for being confusing. I am from Casper!
In other news that is not Broncos related (thats my mo today) CONGRATS to Landy for winning the Calder Trophy. Denver knows how to pick them! KEEPIT UP’
Carry on Cat! I never think you make sense anyway!!! LOL JK – cuz you set yourself up for that!!! LOL
My 95 YO grandma had a stroke today and I have 6 talks / sermons to give next week. I don’t think I’m going to be around much in the coming weeks.
Don’t say anything that I should be here to argue with. LOL
Carry on!!!
Don’t have much to say during these doldrums. So, I figured I would link some choice vids. Hope yall lake em:
The Drive
http://www.hulu.com/watch/288105
97 season http://www.hulu.com/watch/124172
98 season http://www.hulu.com/watch/124175
2005 season http://www.hulu.com/watch/124124?team=denver-broncos&show=3824#s-p1-so-i3
Colts Bears SB http://www.hulu.com/watch/124344