When asked about the qualities Vonnie Holliday brings to the Broncos, defensive coordinator Mike Nolan quickly labeled three things — maturity, experience, and an appreciation for what it takes to win.
Those qualities are an extension of Holliday’s work ethic over his 12 pro seasons. Recovering from a knee injury this summer arguably made the 2009 offseason his hardest.
The adversity only encouraged Holliday to find a path that landed him on Denver’s roster.
“I don’t encourage people not to go to training camp, but this year just taking that offseason off — no OTAs, mini camps, all those things — definitely saved my joints as a 12th-year guy,” Holliday said. “Coming into the season the freshest, the healthiest I’ve felt in a long time.”
Without training camp, the course to that fresh feeling was somewhat unorthodox. Holliday spent the summer months in Atlanta with his therapist, taking yoga classes to get his body into shape.
His 6-foot-5 frame prevented him from doing staple moves like the standing tree. But with a strong base of competitors in the room, Holliday made the most of his time there.
“I’m in the gym back in Atlanta with a lot of housewives, and they are working hard and I’m trying to outwork these women,” he smiled. “But they work hard. And I encourage anybody out there who wants to make a joke or a stab or laugh at me for taking these classes to come join me in the offseason and do some of this work and see if you make it through.”
Months removed from running underwater treadmills and other drills, Holliday has excelled on the field. He’s recorded two sacks over the last two weeks, including one that stripped the ball away from Tom Brady in the fourth quarter of the Broncos’ 20-17 overtime win over the Patriots.
Standing on a 5-0 team, Holliday can’t help but enjoy his role.
“It’s hard to complain with everything that is going on because obviously we are doing something right,” he said.
One of those right things is the credible leadership Holliday exudes in the Broncos’ locker room. Head Coach Josh McDaniels said that was not the reason for Holliday’s signing, but he loves that part of his game nonetheless.
“We would love all of our players to have the same type of leadership qualities that Vonnie Holliday does, but we knew Vonnie Holliday could still be an active, productive football player in our scheme,” McDaniels said. “A guy that we felt like we didn’t have to go through the spring and all of that stuff to try to get to where he could play in our system. That has proven to be the case.”
INJURY UPDATE
There was one change to the Broncos’ Injury Report on Friday, as LaMont Jordan was removed from the report.
The Chargers had two changes on their report. After not participating in Thursday’s practice, WR Kassim Osgood (back) was a full participant in Friday’s practice. After fully participating on Thursday, OLB Antwan Applewhite (Hamstring), did not participate on Friday.
Here are some more photos from the start of Friday’s session, including a quartet of wide receivers wearing their pajamas — Jabar Gaffney, Brandon Lloyd, Brandon Marshall and Kenny McKinley.
– Chris Gentilviso, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Head Coach Josh McDaniels, San Diego Chargers, Vonnie Holliday, Week 6
I can’t wait to see how well we do monday night. I hope for a breakout game for Hillis.
i hope knowshon get over 200 yards and hills with a least 1
touchdown
Seriously…what’s with the PJ’s? They look nice and comfy, but perhaps not best suited for football? Where can I get a pair?
Holliday has played much better than I figured he would, and has been a pretty big part of the D’s success. Great pickup.
I’m glad we have Holliday. He’s been a great change of pace guy, and he’s the one who got the sack/fumble on Brady last Sunday.
My 8 year old daughter has taken to watching the Broncos with her dad. She asked me the other day, “Have the Broncos ever lost?” LOL Abigail is wondering when the Game Zone will be up and running. Since week one we have been checking and the same notice has been up.
“The Broncos Kid Stuff Game Zone is currently under construction. Updated games will be added soon. Sorry for the inconvenience.”
If any one knows anything please let me know. I want to get her hooked while she’s young.
Lol HolleyBronco, bringing up the next gen bronco fan huh? lol, i feel every child, females as well should have some interest in football lol. good luck with that
Love the PJ squad. Im guessing its considerably warm out in Denver again or they wouldnt have those on lol. Seems Marshall has started something that his WR corp has decided include as a show of comradely i guess lol. I wonder if Marshall caught that pass lol. Ill give him one thing, he sure aint dropping passes like he did last year. After what mendenhall did to Chargers D, I have face in our RB core. Go Broncos.
TRB, I have to agree with you. I to believe that every child should have an interest in football. I have 6 year old twin boys and a 4 year old litte girl that are becoming Bronco fans more evey week. It doesn’t hurt that my wife and I are huge Bronco fans as well. There isn’t a room in our house that doesn’t have something orange and blue in it. We also have our superstitions as well. I have to have my 4 foot blow up Bronco guy in the front yard for every game and my stuffed Bronco dog sitting in his Bronco chair in front of the t.v. for every game.
This week they get to see the Broncos crush the chargers and take back the AFC WEST the way it is supposed to be.
—GO BRONCOS—
WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT GOING TO SD THIS MONDAY NIGHT, WE ARE COMING IN AS THE UNDERDOGS, I DONT KNOW IF JUST BECAUSE IM A DIE HARD BRONCO FAN, BUT I FEEL WE ARE THE BETTER TEAM. BUT THEN AGAIN WE NEED TO BEAT THE CHARGERS, TO GET RESPECT AS THE AFC WEST CONTENDERS, ONE GAME AT A TIME DENVER THIS SEASON IS OURS!!! 6-0 BABY!!!
60 MINUTES OF FOOTBALL GO BRONCOS!!!
Vonnie makes every Holliday jolly! GO BRONCOS!!! There are still some tools in the media picking against us. Who cares, we’ll be 6-0!
I think its significant the Buckhalter is back int he line up! That’s the difference maker! Our defense needs to play to the best of their abilities! Lets Go! Believe in The Mile High Magic!
Hillis is in the dog house or should I say the horse stall. He needs to quit making rookie mistakes he sould know better.
our offense will have a breakout game this week especially rushing the ball.marshal will have a good game too, glad to see him back in the family.need to play a lot better on st though.hillis is a beast like to see him get the ball more.go broncs kill those crybaby chargers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!