In terms of on-field action, Thursday’s morning practice that officially kicked off the 2012 training camp resembled the work the Broncos did during minicamp and OTA practices in June and July. But unlike the team’s last practice back in mid-June, this morning’s session was packed with fans and television crews who swarmed Dove Valley for the Broncos’ first official practice of the season.
“Our practices in the offseason are closed so it’s exciting,” Head Coach John Fox said. “It’s different. It’s kind of why you play the game.”
Many in the record-setting crowd packed the team’s Dove Valley practice facility for their first glimpse of quarterback Peyton Manning. And according to Fox, Manning was as impressive today as he was during the team’s minicamp and OTA practices.
“We’ve been doing this,” Fox said. “We took a month off but we’ve been doing this most of the offseason. I think (Manning) has done outstanding. He’ll continue to improve just like everybody else on our football team and that’s the secret to this thing.”
Manning arrived in Denver during the same offseason that saw former Broncos safety and future Hall-of-Famer Brian Dawkins retire. Fox did not downplay the impact of having such a veteran presence in the locker room.
“Part of learning a profession, or getting better, or mastering, or improving in a profession, is watching guys who have done it very well or done it great,” Fox said. “You put guys back there, (former S) Brian Dawkins was with us a year ago, (CB) Champ Bailey is still there, a guy like Peyton Manning, and what they’ve accomplished, whether it’s MVPs, great numbers of Pro Bowls, those are great examples to watch and learn and our players have done that.”
Fox also said that he was pleased with all the work his team was able to fit into its first practice of 2012, which started at 8:50 a.m. and concluded just before 11:30 a.m.
“It went very well,” Fox said. “The tempo was good. We operated on the play number more so than the time period and we’re about six minutes ahead of schedule. I think that’s the advantage of having the OTAs and the offseason program. Guys are a little bit more acclimated to the tempo and the scheme.”
Ahhhhh! I am so happy. Today is the best day in forever!!!!!
NFL Network now, ESPN at 6
tlcat…
I heard that while watching ESPN. I’m pretty sure that’s what I heard! Definitely have to make sure to watch!
8:00 eastern time
Here is a very hysterical moment for y’all….
Today while Mark Sanchez was being talked to by the media, one of the media members actually called him Tim…his response…I’m Mark…..
Hahahah, how embarrassing is that!
Double O checking in!
Seems like we have been waiting forever for this day! Hope everyone is having a great summer!
GO BRONCOS!!!
Welcome new bloggers!
Just verified that it’s at 8 eastern a special just on the Broncos on Espn!
Mike Klis @MikeKlis
RG Chris Kuper moved better than I thought he would considering his ankle/fibula injury. But in team drills, Manny Ramirez was No. 1.
THanks freak… I’m in MT so I didn’t even think to put it in eastern time
Jealous you go to go! Was it just electric?
Never mind I’m a dork, I saw mikes post. I’m having issues.
I think that’s sad, I admit I laughed, but not fair for Mark Sanchez.
haha…
Yea I don’t think Sanchez is going to be able to play good with everyone chanting for Tebow..That pressure will crush him, just watch!
It’s going to happen, but the Jets don’t have the element of surprise that we had so I think they won’t do so well with Tebow either. IMO
It’s not fair for Sanchez but I don’t feel sorry for him…..it MIGHT make him better! You want your staring QB to be mentally strong. Can you imagine if Tebow was Mannings backup? Manning wouldn’t flinch!
I know!! LOL if his fans weren’t crazy…
SWEEEEET!!! 5 more minutes till we get an hour of Broncos TC on ESPN. I’m in heaven……..
5 minutes til Bronco camp on ESPN. 8:00 eastern time!!!
Sports heaven!!! HOLY COW! Having Peyton Manning got 12 times cooooooler today! LOL
Ahhhh!!!!
Marshall.. You’re telling me “it just doesn’t happen” BUT I am finally over it although I liked this article.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82ad51f9/article/brandon-marshall-jay-cutler-reunion-is-movie-material?module=HP11_content_stream
ESPN said that Peyton has 45 comeback wins…. he is second only to Brett Favre… so I am confused because that’s not what I came up with. Can you guys help me figure it out.
Herm Edwards is waaaaay off in his prediction IMO
Wow! Go watch Chris Hall’s video. I am beyond excited!!!!!!!!!! He looks good
What a load of crap!!! Herm Edwards a.k.a. Mr.-I-Know-Nothing-About-Winning-Football-Games-Cause-I-Did-Coach-The-Loser-Chiefs-After-All has us 2-4 in our first 6 games. Bull!!!! And has us 9-7 on the season. Thank God he isn’t our coach
07elway I KNOW!!! He has us losing to the Bengals? I’m just gonna say that we beat them and either the Pats or Ravens (we do have the Raven Killer) and go 11-5
Herm Edwards just had us going 9-7 this year. I still think we’ll win at least 10 games with Manning! I wouldn’t be surprised if we win 11-12.
The thing that it’s going to come down to is our defense more than our offense. We play very high explosive offenses this year with teams like the Steelers, Texans, Falcons, Ravens, Patriots, Saints, and Panthers.
Del Rio needs to focus with getting our players to the ball IMMEDIATELY! That will automatically stop the run and will make those offenses have to pass more which will give us more opportunities for sacks and turnovers!! If we are more dominant on defense then we can win 12-13 games and most definitely win a super bowl. It will be interesting to see the type of defense that Del Rio installs into our system this year. With him and Fox both together I am hoping for a top 10 defense…it’s not impossible…it’s just going to require A LOT of discipline!!
Amazing that even with Manning as our big addition, they STILL underestimate us. Ticks me off but my favorite part will be they all have to eat crow. And I will personally serve it to them
Denver haters…………
Man a whole entire hour for just our Broncos on ESPN….what a great session!! Thanks ESPN!!
Freak… I know. I still can’t believe I got to watch that much camp coverage today. I should go DO something since I’ve been a lazy bum!
Our defense will need to improve A LOT though. They’re weak once again. Lots of youngsters running our defense
The thing that everyone around the NFL is going to notice is that our defense is automatically better with Manning as QB. We were the WORST team for converting 3rd downs last year and that completely drained our defense. Our defense was on the field way too many times last year and was completely exhausted. Manning will put more pressure on other opposing offenses and will have to make them try to keep up which will cause them to pass. Our defense will be more fresh and Miller and Doom will be able to rush the quarterback with full force!!!
That’s true freak. Our D won’t be on the field as much but when they do get on the field, we need to make it short & sweet.
Just finished watching that espn special, and one thing stood out in particular. They showed a graphic of some of the other multiple mvp QB that had been traded. Some of the names were Joe montana, Brett Favre, and Kurt Warner. If I remember correctly, Montana took the chiefs deep into the playoffs, Favre led the Vikings to the Divisional Championship, and Warner narrowly missed a superbowl victory with the Cardinals.
Peyton Manning is better than all those guys, and the broncos as a team are better than all the teams those guys went to. Peyton needs about 4 good seasons to surpass Favre in all the records except for interceptions. I think he can do it, and what’s more, I think Peyton Manning has an excellent chance of becoming the first QB to ever win a superbowl as the starter or two different teams.
WOW the highlight video is now available to be seen on the broncos website. MUST WATCH!!! Awesome deep passes for touchdowns by Manning!! Great vid!
Plus! Just being around Peyton! Champ said yesterday that the defense is going into games knowing that they’re not going to face a better QB than the one they played against at practice. Besides!! our defense really helped us get to the playoffs. Don’t count them out!!!!
Alex, there is a first time for everything and I don’t see why we can’t be the team that happens for. To be the first QB to win a SB with two different teams would be amazing. NOT just for us, but for the sport too. I always have my hopes up for the Broncos to win the SB…
Broncos Country:
RING A DINGS no more Tick Tock. We are now on the clock to watch or Broncos come together for a 53 man dismantling team whoever they play!! If the rest of the world and so called experts wants us to be underdogs!! We like that, we crave that, and Bronco players feed off that. When was Denver ever in any super bowl predicted to be the winner? Watch out experts! Denver is coming!!!!!!
ILMSDB
FTR
I saw the prediction by Edwards. He`s off of his rocker. Like we`re really gonna lose at home to Houston, ya right! What an idiot.
I don`t see us losing to Atlanta either. And ya, Edwards is a loser HC. HaHa!!
We`ll win against N.O. too.
YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!! LMAO!!
New blog
They better s,ash the Saints… IM there baby!!