The last open practice of passing camp took place on Monday, and the team was in high spirits. The weather was great — sunny, but with enough breeze that it wasn’t too hot — and the energy on the field was contagious. Head Coach Josh McDaniels even bantered back and forth with some of the media as practice was starting, commenting on the bright color of one reporter’s jacket.
Without further adieu, here are some notes from Monday’s practice session.
OFFENSIVE IN THE RED ZONE
Early in practice, the offense and defense lined up for one play in the red zone. As the units got set at the line of scrimmage, Kyle Orton barked out a few commands and tried to get the defense to show its hand. After a particularly loud shout, Robert Ayers jumped slightly forward, letting Orton know he intended to blitz. He alerted the offensive line, took the snap and lofted a pass to the back corner of the end zone where Brandon Stokley snatched the ball just in front of Jack Williams.
Later in practice it was the offense that shined again in the red zone. McDaniels announced the situation — ball on the two-yard line, both teams are out of timeouts and the offense needs to score. It’s one play to decide the game, and Chris Simms was at the helm. Simms took the snap, backpedaled, avoided some pressure and fired a pass to Jabar Gaffney, who made quite a catch in the corner of the end zone even though Champ Bailey seemed to have him blanketed.
QUICK HITS
Stokley seemed to have a pretty solid practice. He caught pass after pass after pass, often drawing groans from the defense who thought they had the play covered.
Just after warm-ups, Simms worked with running backs on catching the ball out of the backfield while Orton stepped aside to work on mechanics with McDaniels. The coach said earlier that he’s been working with each signal caller on alternating days.
Speaking of quarterbacks, each one practiced poise in the pocket with offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Mike McCoy simulating pressure by knocking them with blocking pads and forcing them to scramble before firing the pass.
Running backs and tight ends often went in motion out wide as receivers, something that seems to be prevalent in this offense, judging solely from the practices that have been open to the media.
During a hurry-up drill, Orton noticed the defense was taking a little long to substitute two players so he hurried the offense to the line and took the snap while too many defenders were on the field, drawing a penalty and subsequent first down.
At the end of each practice, the team runs sprints from one end of the field to another — the width of it, not the 100-yard length. It’s certainly not a race, but it’s obvious which players are having a little competition to see who can finish first. Two players won their shift of sprints every time — Joshua Bell and Simms.
After the sprints, the defensive line set up for one more drill — practicing knocking down balls at the line of scrimmage. Coaches aimed the JUGS machine high, launched the ball and the linemen jumped to swat away the “passes.”
Now, here are some pictures.
For more pictures, check out the photo gallery from Monday’s practice.
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Brandon Stokley, Chris Simms, Jabar Gaffney, Joshua Bell, Kyle Orton, Passing Camp
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Hearing about some of those little “intangibles” (the hurry-up to get the too many men on the field, the hard count to read the defensive blitz) are very encouraging.
Thanks Gray!
i am so freaking excited for the season to start! I love these camp updates. Keep them coming.
It would be nice to be paid to be a part of this UNBELIEVABLY REMARKABLE organization!!!!
I can’t imagine. Rockin’ post!!!! Thank You – and feel free to bombard us with as many as you can!!!! Where can we catch some footage of any passing camps? Can anyone? Either way, thanks again!
= )
did you guys read the article on Vince Wilfork… he is in his final year of his contract and wants a new one… i think if the patriots and wilfork dont find a solution Mcdaniels should trade for him… dont know what we should give up but he an elite NT… what are your thoughts on this?
Thanks Gray for another heads up on passing camp. It’s certainly looks like everyone getting it done, but I have noticed the offense seems to be making the big plays, then again I’m only going by whats written and I’m sure the defense got in their share of awesome stops.
To continue on my last post, it is passing camp after all so its only natural that we would hear how well the offense is doing.
I doubt we trade for Wilfork. They did get Brace who will be a legit NT. Wilfork is probably the best NT in the NFL. Would love to trade for him, but who? Looks like Passing camp is going good.
831_Broncos_Fan-
Should? Mcdaniels WILL sign (not trade for- you can’t trade for a free agent) him if they don’t work out a new deal, regardless. How many other (former) Patriots players has he signed? Gaffney, Paxton, Jordan… Whether McDaniels (who I have nothing against) is a genius or dunce will be determined this season by how well we do. I do think that Wilfork would be a good addition; we need a good nose tackle- both for pass pressure and to try to help with the run. I wouldn’t give more than a second round pick, though- he’s getting a bit old (Isn’t he in his 30′s? Or am I thinking of someone else?). If Albert Haynesworth hadn’t wanted so much money, I wish we could have signed him; he’d be a good nose, too.
Camp is going well, a lot more excitement and energy which is ALLLLLLL GOOOOOOOOD!
Wilfork? Dont think we have anything to trade with or cap space. But hey who knows after the earlier debarcle **cough**cough** But this would be a good thing.
PJBroncofanFunk –
Chris Hall of Broncos TV posts footage from each open practice, and this afternoon should be no exception. In today’s case, Chris has informed me that you should check out Eddie Royal’s interview video, which will be laced with a lot of practice footage.
-Gray
Wilfork is 26/7
Wilfork is 27. Turns 28 in October/November. If they dont get a deal done with him, i’m all for signing him in 2010.
does anyone know when is the deadline to sign disgrunteled players or if there is a deadline?
831-
If they are already under contract, there is no “deadline” to sign them because they are already signed. They can hold out, but that just ticks people off and they can be fined for it.
Why spend the BIG money on a player that does not fit the Bronco type. Besides, why has NE not extended Vince Wilfork’s contract?
Lets let Coach Nunnely find out who wants to play on the DL before panicking? He has some VERY interesting players that could be ready. Ryan McBean, Marcus Thomas, Carlton Powell, Ron Fields and Chris Baker. Lets also watch Everette Pedescleaux.
I did not include Robert Ayers because he will team with Elvis as OLB’ers.
I am excited to see that we are working on the red zone offense. Under Shanahan over the past few years we were awful in the red zone. Too many picks… Oh wait that was Cutler… LOL just kidding. Seriously, it’s good to see such focused practices.
I’m excited about the offense I know we will put up great numbers but the defense hasnt really shown anything yet during camps I mainly hear about the offense..that could be a good thing but also a bad thing…I hope the D picks it up
There has already been on fantasy football league made by bronco fans on this site and we are makin another one. I would like to invit any bronco ans to join it. What you have to do is go to yahoo fantasy sports and sign up to be a member of yahoo if you already havent. After that go to the fantasy football page and click on join a league, after that click on join custom league, then it will ask for your ID # and password, ID# is 62034 and password is orangecrush, then make your team name as your name on this site. then click save and continue and you can look at how much everything is worth. then click register and your ready to go once you do your rankings. i would ask that all bronco fans that havent signed up to sign up right away but hurry up cause theres only 9 spots left.
For the best in the game, just say my name.
it’s great to hear of excitement in the camps…
Alright, so I joined your league bronco#80. How do I play, I’ve never played fantasy games before?
I’m impressed with how things seem to be progressing. The Broncos appear to be headed in the right direction. This should be a great season. GO BRONCOS!!!
What up bronco nation, good to hear the O is starting to click. Don’t worry that we are not hearing anything about the D, wait until they put pads on. Then we will know who are the players and who the busters are.
Thanks for the heads up about MR. Hall, Gray! Every time there’s something new on Broncos TV, I watch it!
I didn’t know if there were rules against showing footage or just common sense reasoning for why it isn’t shown in abundance. Every piece of info feeds the off-season beast, so thanks again!!!!
I’m glad to hear some good news about #8. Sounds like he’s picking up the offense and is getting into a comfort zone since he can focus on drawing the defense off side and making them hurry off the field.
Nice update Gary.
What do you guys think about this??? Simms outplays Orton but McD will stick with Orton just out of foolish pride.
im joining the league now bronco#80
babychamp-broncos, wants to see the “D” pick it up. This is passing camp you won’t see the D until they start hitting
bronco#80 wens the draft
Broncosfan;
I think Orton gets the starting job. Simms has that kinda young, go get em’ swagger thing about him. It’s good don’t get me wrong but between the two (him and Orton) Simms is much more like Cutler than Orton.
Now Orton, although not flashy will manage a game better than Simms. Simms has the stronger arm but we know how McD feels about QB’s and arm strength. LOL!
Orton won’t make mistakes. He had a very good record in Chicago with a sub par offense and still won. He doesn’t make mistakes and put the offense in the best postion to win and I believe that’s what McD is going to want.
Oh…and I’m sure a little pride sprikled in there to
Either way..I think both of them will do a fine job under McD and the veteran leadership on this roster.
Oh….p.s.s.
I know it’s not even pre season yet, but Rivers you’re still a blow hole! I hope Ayers and Williams Blast you from 20 yard line to 20 yard line!
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
Gary-
Any idea what players are talking today?
k65777 –
Looks like Alphonso Smith will be at the podium this afternoon. Not entirely sure on the second player, but it’s looking like Andre’ Goodman will speak with the media as well.
-Gray
Thanks Gary
BRONCOSFAN-OHIO, either way one he hand picked, the other he traded for, so as for what you are asking no pride involded. mac will play the best man (anywhere). and that may differ from wk to wk. we may see a lot of Hillis one wk and 4 wideouts the next. mac don’t care about who the players ARE he only wants to win. I THINK HE IS GONA DO IT TOO.
Remember we didnt trade Cutler to Chicago for Orton. We traded Cutler to the Bears for draft picks, Orton was just thrown in to sweeten the deal that way the Broncos would bite and at least get a decent QB in return. Which brings us back to the previous question of will McDaniels play Orton because he gave up Jay for him? No the better player will play, interesting case about Simms is him being a south paw. Most athletes who are left handed with a strong arm usually end up as pitchers.
To the defense. Once the pads are on, we will know who is legit, and who are gonna be cut. Can’t wait till they put on the pads, i wanna know who is shining on defense.
I’m really looking forward to when the depth chart comes out, see how close my predictions were for the starting spots.
bronco#80 –
I just joined your fantasy league. I warn you, I’m good.
Here is the the Fantasy Footbal Rules and Instructions website
http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/football/rules/
For people in my fantasy league the draft is Fri. August 28 5:30 PM and theres still more slots open for people to join su hurry up. This is how you join. I would like to invite any bronco fans to join it. What you have to do is go to yahoo fantasy sports and sign up to be a member of yahoo if you already havent. After that go to the fantasy football page and click on join a league, after that click on join custom league, then it will ask for your ID # and password, ID# is 62034 and password is orangecrush, then make your team name as your name on this site. then click save and continue and you can look at how much everything is worth. then click register and your ready to go once you do your rankings. i would ask that all bronco fans that havent signed up to sign up right away.
Well, I have been a Bronco fan since AFL days and I just don’t like, or trust McD. I don’t think he is an honorable man and I wouldn’t work for him, either. I have quit jobs with dishonorable bosses, before.
I can say I will be watching the Bears a lot more closely than I ever used to. I can’t wait for the pre-season game the Broncos play against them. Too bad it is pre-season. It is going to be an odd game to watch.