The final Broncos camp until training camp got underway on Friday under overcast skies and cooler temperatures. As the session wore on, more and more playmakers entered the fray in an action-packed practice.
LINEUP
In the first 7-on-7 drill of the day, Kyle Orton stepped up under center for the first reps, followed by Tim Tebow and then Brady Quinn. That same rotation held true during a 7-on-7 red zone drill later in practice, but during several 11-on-11 drills, the order was Orton, Quinn then Tebow.
A few new defenders saw repetitions with the first unit defense on Friday. Jarvis Moss and college free agent Kevin Alexander lined up at the outside linebacker spots with D.J. Williams and Mario Haggan inside, and Perrish Cox occasionally lined up outside at cornerback opposite Andre’ Goodman or Champ Bailey during certain drills.
The rest of the defensive lineup featured Justin Bannan, Jamal Williams and Ryan McBean on the line and Brian Dawkins and Renaldo Hill at safety.
During 7-on-7s, the first offensive group included Jabar Gaffney, Demaryius Thomas and Eddie Royal at receiver, Daniel Graham at tight end, Knowshon Moreno at running back and Orton at quarterback.
The first unit offensive line featured Tyler Polumbus at left tackle, Zane Beadles at left guard, J.D. Walton at center, Chris Kuper at right guard and Ryan Harris at right tackle. During the team’s final two-minute drill at the end of practice, D’Anthony Batiste took over at right tackle while the rest of the first-unit line remained intact.
Kenny McKinley, Royal and Cox were the three returners during a punt drill.
PLAYMAKERS
Fresh out of the gate it looked like the defense was in for another big day at practice. On Quinn’s first pass in 11-on-11s, he launched the ball downfield for McKinley. The pass sailed just past the receiver’s outstretched arms, however, and Alphonso Smith was there to haul in an over-the-shoulder interception.
When Tebow stepped under center, his first pass was picked off by Darcel McBath. “That’s two today!” shouted defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale. But the offense got back on track, and the next play was a quick screen pass from Tebow to Moreno for a big gain.
Orton’s second pass of 7-on-7s was a completion to a diving Matthew Willis, which drew cheers from the offense and coaching staff. When Quinn stepped under center, he fired what amounted to a jump ball to Thomas, who went up and got it over Tony Carter. On the next play, he found Moreno for a completion out of the backfield, and the running back put a move on Alexander in open space that left the rookie linebacker lying on the ground.
Later in the drill, Orton floated a pass over Bailey to Gaffney, who sprinted the rest of the way for a touchdown. The veteran cornerback had his revenge two plays later, however, picking off a pass from Tebow.
In 7-on-7 drills in the red zone, Orton stepped under center first and immediately found a wide-open Moreno for a touchdown. As the defense talked about what went wrong, Moreno handed the ball to Executive Director of Media Relations Patrick Smyth, who was watching along with the media on the sideline, and the running back and Gaffney proceeded to perform an elaborate celebration.
Running backs out of the backfield were a popular target on Friday, as Quinn lofted a pass over three defenders to Correll Buckhalter for what appeared to be a touchdown. The defense claimed Buckhalter was bobbling the pass as he ran out of bounds, and Martindale took it upon himself to call the pass incomplete.
On one play in the red zone, Orton found McKinley for a quick completion. After the play was over, Head Coach Josh McDaniels motioned for Orton to be “a little more patient” and wait for a certain route that was about to come open in the end zone. On the following play, Orton was flushed out of the pocket and rolled to his right. Meanwhile, Willis saw the play unfolding, broke off his route and sprinted to his right in the back of the end zone. Orton found the receiver for a touchdown, much to the delight of the rest of the offense.
In the same red-zone drill, Tebow couldn’t find an open receiver so he took off running downfield for a touchdown. The defense razzed him a little from the sideline for not throwing the ball, but McDaniels said the play was allowed to continue.
After Thomas leaped to haul in a back-shoulder pass from Orton in front of Goodman, Martindale instructed the defense to keep an eye on him. “We’ve got to cover their new toy,” he said of the 6-foot-3 rookie, prompting a smile from McDaniels. “Cover that tight end wearing 88.”
On the last play of 7-on-7s, Quinn nearly found Moreno out of the backfield for yet another touchdown, but Dawkins dove, and with his arms fully extended he broke up the pass. Needless to say, the incompletion brought plenty of cheers from the defensive sideline.
QUICK HITS
Eric Decker once again caught passes from strength and conditioning coach Rich Tuten off to the side for the first half of practice.
After the session, Thomas was talking with someone at midfield. It was hard to tell who at first, but it became clear — Rod Smith was back at Dove Valley, handing out a few pointers to the rookie wideout.
During 7-on-7s, Moss and Haggan did their best to distract Tebow. As the rookie quarterback scanned the field, both players continued to shout, “Hey Tebow! Hey Tebow! Hey Tebow!”
Practice closed with a two-minute drill led by Orton, which was capped off by a Matt Prater field goal.
When the team worked on punt returns, the coaches threw in a few fake punt formations to see if the return team would be ready. Doesn’t look like the team is in any hurry to have a repeat of the Washington game from last season.
The defensive line worked with coach Wayne Nunnely on reading and reacting to screen passes. The defensive line coach pointed to Jamal Williams as an example of how to do it — the 348-pound lineman returned an interception for a touchdown early in his career.
Below are photos from this morning’s practice courtesy of Kyle Sonneman.
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Brady Quinn, Chris Kuper, Correll Buckhalter, Demaryius Thomas, Eddie Royal, Elvis Dumervil, Jabar Gaffney, Kyle Eckel, Kyle Orton, Tim Tebow
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I won’t “troll” anyone, but yeah… if you believe in Klis, then you will be happier posting in the DP. That way of distorting reality those guys over there have is simply amazing. So according to this, Tebow is now #2 (he took reps in 7-on-7 drills ahead of Quinn), Doom fell to 2nd team because UCFA Alexander took reps with the first team, and Goody and Champ are about to loose their starter status because Cox alternated reps with the 1st team. Simply amazing.
Anyway, the “Hillis was here” made my day.
SIGN DOOM!
Good to have you Mr.Denver, yesterday was my 1st post too. I read all the time like you did, I just never made an account. Go Broncos.
Hello bronco family, will EVERYONE please do me a favor and just spend 10 minutes watching the best video ever made on Tim Tebow!!
Trust me it will MAKE YOUR DAY!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7xFznOSmvY
Hey give Ayers his dues dudes,he is primed for a Helluva year,man I watched the dude play for 4 years at the UT,MAN AND HE IS THE REAL DEAL,give this dude another chance and I will garunteeeee satisfaction!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will argue over Ayers with anyone who wants to put up a legetimate shot at him,the guy is transitioning from DE to OLB,HELL GIVE THE GUY A SHOT,why don’t ya,then grade him after 1 year,c’mon man the NFL is a lot faster,1 year is all I ask……..
BFE
strandoftds – lol, you want an autographed copy of my novel? haha wow, that’s a new one. Sure! Just my opinions on the whole Doom contract thing. Not to repeat myself over & over but he will get a contract that he has earned, something he has worked for the last couple of years. Take notice – as a rookie he didn’t get HANDED the largest contract ever for something he hasn’t done in the NFL… he will get a contract for what work & improvement he’s shown us in the last 4 years. That’s how it should be done. I hate that some rookies have gotten HUGE contracts in the past and they never played one down in the NFL before that. It’s a smack in the face to the vets who have earned their way to the big money. I just can’t fathom the idea of handing a guy a contract for something he never did as a pro and he could end up a flop. The big money should be earned if its gonna be handed out as if it grows on trees. Doom again is the definition of class act & he’s shown it through this whole situation of his contract negotiations lingering on and on. Its like he’s not even worried at all, yet here I sit going nuts about it. Gonna stop myself there before I continue my novel, lol…
Awesome video broncosfreak30 – thanks for sharing!!! Makes me love Tebow even more!! lol Like I needed any more encouragement to like the guy. He will do great things as a Bronco.
Oh and welcome BroncosFan501 to the fun! This is a wild bunch… gets better during the season. lol
Keep the faith Bronco Country…
GO BRONCOS in 2010!!!!
Cool to see Rod Smith out there giving thomas some pointers. GO BRONCOS!!!
“PAY DOOM”
Love to see , hear, anything Bronco. But can’t wait to read or see or hear the Denver Broncos have signed Elvis Dumervill to a 6 year, 72 million dollar deal including 40 mil guaranteed. That way I do not have to keep reading that guy who keeps putting up that ridiculous “PAY DOOM” on top of every post he makes.
Welcome all the new Bronco Bros to comments are us and nobody cares:)
Go Broncos!!!
Not only some of us are thinking it has been a mistake from the front office not to have signed Doom to a contract already, here is what Bailey says about it:
“I’m trying not to bite my tongue and trying not to say too much at the same time, but he’s a guy that we need. And I wish things would work out a lot faster than they are.”
Don’t think I am too far off the deep end when I said many times this ongoing non-signing of Doom is detrimental to the team’s morale. It is what it is and I don’t think much of the front office for it, but hey, it’s their business, they run it how they wish, the future play of our team will tell whether this approach was worth it or not, not something that we needed to even deal with in the first place. Some signings and how you go about it are more important than others, after the McD cleansing of Shanahan players for performance and attitude reasons, it boggles the mind that they didn’t make a stronger effort to sign the player who most represents everything McD is looking for in a player quickly to show the rest of the team what they need to do to be appreciated. From a business point of view it seems like a no brainer, guess not, and all that’s talked about is team work, play as a team, well go ahead and make the decisions that will help your players get into that team spirit, like rewarding your most valuable players without dragging it along like enviable chores, at least that’s how it looks to me from here and it probably looks like that to Bailey and other players, how long can a contract take? just my opinion.
On the positive side of things, I really liked the effort put forth by broncosfreak30 in his 4:54 pm post yesterday, very good analogy of a lot of stuff and better explanations than most on why he thinks we are destined to great things. You almost convinced me on multiple points, not an easy thing to do, hahaha.
And about Klis, he is allowed more inside information than any of us will ever dream of getting, it would be stupid of me to ignore him.
Two posts back, meant “unenviable chores”, lol.
Bay, come on, you have to know that Klis (as many other reporters) creates news. That’s why he’s paid for. At some point, it is very respectable. And sure Klis has more info than any of us (together, lol). The BS comes when they arrange the info in certain way to say something that’s not there, just to have something “interesting to say”. Not a lie, but not the truth either. Agreed, in June there’s nothing as interesting in the NFL (unless a big trade happens or something like that). Klis must say something to earn his pay, and if there’s nothing to say… well, he has to create it. Objectivity lost = No argument = No controversy. Simple. He can say whatever he wants, and anybody can listen to him or not. This time I choose not.
Another point to support what I’ve said. Read my yesterday 9:44 post and then go to this link.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/405173-did-tim-tebow-just-jump-to-2-on-the-broncos-depth-chart?utm_campaign=buzztap&utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter
Simply amazing.
SIGN DOOM!
I hear you, but this not just an OTA, this is the mandatory mini camp before training camp, I think that we are getting to the point where McD wants to start defining his 1′s from his 2′s and 3′s. I hope Ayers will be a big contributor come regular season since he is the only player I predicted we would draft last year, but I can’t ignore the fact that he wasn’t with the ones even without Doom there. No arguing here, just interested about it enough that to me it’s worth mentioning is all, time will tell if it was significant or not, either way I have found Klis to be pretty reliable with his information and I kind of like some of his opinions also, so I keep an eye on what he reports. Anyhow I appreciate the civilized way in which you addressed me, unlike some others your points carried some weight.
BFE92: Saw Ayers in person a few times last year and he had some impact plays. There was a great sack against Romo that was called back due a defensive penalty. Ayers took him down hard. He was in the backfield and picked up Big Bens fumble and ran it back for a score against the Steelers. There were other plays as well.
When you compare him to the other guys that are now ahead of him, Ayers is definitely more athletic and is great at rushing the outside edge. As you mentioned, it was also a transition year for him. Let’s hope he works his way back.
Klis is alright at times and I agree with you all, but the guy I can`t stand is Kreiger. He`s way to harsh and critical for me. With him he`s alway`s dark and gloom with our Bronco`s. He paints a picture as if there is no hope in any player, coach, game, season, any situation. I truely beleave he wants the Bronco`s to fail. I wont read his trash at all. Oh ya, I believe Dooms pay day is right around the corner. Also Ayers is gonna be great I believe. No worrys there.
Thanks Bay…
I just call it like I see it. You also call it the way it is, haha we are just very straight shooters!
I just see us getting at least 10 wins this season, I really do. I will be very surprised if we do not obtain that goal. Our schedule is extremely easier than it was last year and we even won some of the hardest games last year with the patriots, chargers, cowboys, and giants. I really do think that Orton is going to be huge this year. We have more targets to throw to and Orton has been in the system for a whole year now as compared to only two months in the off season last year. You can see that he carries himself with confidence and determination, something I didn’t see last year.
I think the problem is is that the critics see how we lost great talent and are overlooking the great talent that we’ve obtained. We have actually gotten more than we have lost. Lost Marshall, got Thomas and Deck. Lost Scheffler, got Branson, who I think will be absolutely amazing. Picked up 3 great DL. Our secondary improved, which I didn’t even think was possible. Our return game is going to be sick with Cox back there who I see winning out the position. Our kicking game will be excellent as it was last year. We have a complete better punter in colquitt.
The only thing that worries me is our linebackers. I think they’ll do good though. Haggan is really good and I think he’ll do great on the inside stopping the run. I really think Woodyard will get lots of time this year as he should. Dude is a beast! Also I am very proud of Moss stepping up and starting to improve!
I LOVE ME SOME BRONCOS COUNTRY!!
Btw Bay…
Did you get a chance to watch that video I posted on Tebow above?
You have to give it to McDaniels in picking Bryant. He is sustaining injury after injury. Thomas is a complete beast and will pick defenses apart like another beast we used to have. What was his name again…haha!
Definitely meant in my post above for NOT PICKING Bryant. I keep getting so excited in these blogs that I keep posting errors.
Out of curiosity, I wonder if DOOM is gonna sign this RFA contract by Monday, even though their still in negociations with his new deal they are working on?
freak30, I did watch the Tebow video, thanks, I thought it was obviously totally pro-Tebow, they tried to throw some humor in there, not always succeeding, but I thought the music to picture was great at times. Kind of an outrageous finish to it when the guy says Tebow will break all of Elway’s records, but since it was all in good fun I took it like a man, LOL. Liked how he finished saying something that if you don’t think he will break all these records, it’s because you’re no Tebow, that was pretty funny.
From what I hear everyone seems to think Doom will sign his tender by Monday, and from my point of view I don’t see why he wouldn’t, there is no animosity between him and the front office, just negociations.
And BFE, I agree whole heartidly with you, Ayers can still become the player we think he is for our Broncos. This will be a very important year not only for him, but also for Moreno and Phonzy, those three guys were our top picks last year and they need to step it up big time, the second year can be a tipping point for a rookie, if you don’t produce at all it could be the start of the end, specially for Phonzy with all the secondary help we have brought in of late. I hope they all succeed.
Watching the USA just tying England in the world cup on ABC, second half will start any minute. Even if you don’t like soccer, this is a monumental game since the two teams haven’t played against eachother in the world cup for sixty years! In another interesting twist it’s like Gulf of Mexico vs British Petroleum, LOL.
Yea Bay,
It was a great game. Had some luck on that ball going in through England’s goalie.
Yeah but England’s goalie got some luck when the upright post saved him… Overall a great tie for the USA.
Way off topic but great to see the USA at least tie with England. I’m a huge soccer fan as well so I’m excited to see them not get run over. They still have a chance. GO USA!!!!
Keep the faith Bronco Country…
GO BRONCOS in 2010!!!!
Regarding the Doom issue, Have Faith guys. Do you believe in your team or not? Well the front office is part of the team as well and we don’t know anything about what’s going on there. Dumervil is great and represents everything we and they want in a Bronco. And he wants to be here.
It’ll happen. Have faith!
Casey, oh it will happen, no doubt in my mind, the way it has dragged on is the only problem I have with it, doesn’t make any business sense to me to drag your feet signing one of your best player and role model is all I’m saying, sends a real mixed message to the team, hence reactions like Bailey had, it’s not just me thinking that way, I bet you it’s the majority of the team, bad for morale is my point, even when they sign him not all will be forgotten I’m afraid, just my opinion.
BIC,
People are funny. They have both endless and nonexistant memories. Its very subconsciously selective for each individual. I agree with your point and think this should have been dealt with a long time ago. But that’s me with time on my hands. What about the players??
That said I’ll bet the rookies are so busy with what’s on their minds they don’t have the time or interest to worry about someone else’s contract.
The veterans are a different story. With as much turnover as they’ve seen in the recent Broncos and movement from our new additions, I bet they’re viewing this chapter with a lot of interest. But the veterans are a big minority now.
But the fact that we, and everybody, are even talking about this only supports your argument that this is a problem and more importantly a distraction.
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