UPDATED WITH TRANSACTION AT 2:05 P.M. MDT
With a game against the Seattle Seahawks tomorrow, Friday was essentially a “football Saturday” for the Broncos — meaning the practice was a quick walkthrough in preparation for the contest.
With that said, there weren’t a ton of “playmakers” to report from the session in shorts and shells.
ROLL CALL
Brandon Lloyd and Kyle Orton were back participating in practice after missing the end of Thursday’s practice due to a team decision and personal issue, respectively.
Head Coach John Fox confirmed after Thursday’s session that Orton left yesterday’s session early for the birth of his first child.
The newest member of the Broncos family is Olivia Taylor Orton (7 pounds, 18 inches), born at 3 a.m. today.
“That first child is exciting for everybody — man or woman,” Fox said. “It’s a neat thing. He’s very fortunate that everything went well and everybody is healthy.”
David Bruton was back on the field stretching with the team, but did some conditioning sprints for the most part while the rest of the defensive backs ran through drills.
Perrish Cox had an excused absence from practice.
QUICK HITS
FOX ON SATURDAY
Fox addressed a number of questions after practice, including whether Bruton will suit up on Saturday and how the quarterback rotation will look throughout the game.
Both will be “a game-time decision,” he said.
He said the third game of the preseason is an evaluation period, just like every other contest.
“At the end of the day, we’re just looking for improvement as a football team,” he said, adding that a win is still one of the objectives. “It’s always important to win. This game is only fun when you win. Whether it’s preseason or the regular season or playoff season, we’re always trying to win.”
TRANSACTION UPDATE
The team on Friday reached an injury settlement with tight end Richard Quinn. He has been waived from injured reserve.
He played 29 career games (4 starts) in his first two NFL seasons, seeing time on both offense and special teams.
USA FOOTBALL MONTH
The Broncos’ continued support for youth football will be evident in Sports Authority Field at Mile High tomorrow night through USA Football Month, a national campaign taking place throughout the NFL preseason. USA Football, the official youth football development partner of the Broncos and the NFL, serves America’s football community through coaching education, player skill development and player health initiatives. USA Football, the Broncos and the league’s other 31 teams award $1 million in football equipment grants to youth and high school football programs annually. Banners bearing logos of both the Broncos and USA Football will be displayed tomorrow night. USA Football’s logo also will be stenciled on the field to promote youth and amateur football.
More photos from Friday’s practice are below.
-Gray Caldwell
Tags: Preseason Week 3
This is a cool read and makes you feel good all over:
Fox said a week ago the defense was a little behind the offense, but the group went out and played aggressively against the Bills.
So much so that Broncos defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley, who played four seasons with the Eagles, said Denver defensive coordinator Dennis Allen may be as aggressive as the late Jim Johnson.
Johnson, who died of cancer in 2009, was a longtime NFL defensive coach who was considered one of the most aggressive.
“D.A. (Allen) might be as aggressive,” Bunkley said. “He just might be, we’ll see how that all plays out. I loved playing under Jim, he was a genius. Right now, what I’m feeling on that first night (against the Dallas Cowboys) and the night we played the Bills, it was a great feeling out there, we didn’t want to leave.”
I love Fox’s sense of humor, this is what he said following a Bronco family night talent show night before last I think:
Another rookie earning high marks was quarterback Adam Weber, who served as the show’s master of ceremonies while impersonating head coach John Fox.
Fox said Weber did a pretty good impersonation. But not that good.
“He was the only one conditioning today,” Fox joked.
And it’s now official, Shefter reads our blog, from his twitter:
AdamSchefter
Broncos QB news that doesn’t involve You Know Who: Kyle Orton left practice early Thursday; is about to become a dad, if he hasn’t already.
I mean I have been calling you know who you know who for over a week now, that’s all I call him every time I mention him. Pretty cool, hi Shef! Or it’s a heck of coincidence…
Where do you get this stuff bay?
Various sources, mainly the Denver Post but others like Shefter’s twitter and other guys’ twitter, NFL trade rumors in various publications, etc… can’t reveal all my sources, LOL.
What happened to Len Dale White? Didn’t see anything on Broncos press release. Next thing I know, updating my roster last Mon. he’s gone.
One thing I can tell you though is I don’t do ESPN or the NFLN, I’m a little weird that way.
I’m not high tech enough to tweet LOL guess I should start judging by all these live scroller bars on things such as the Hall of Fame induction show.
White, suffered from back spasms, then showed in preseason against Dallas that he was not fully recovered from the achiles tear, so they moved him out to make room for the youngsters, the likes of Jeremiah Johnson and Brandon Minor, sad but necessary move, he could go straight forward with good burst but no cut abilities the way I saw him in that game, achiles are tough.
There is nothing hi-tech about tweets, I don’t even tweet, I just get on certain guys’ twitter accounts and get their info.
Good idea! Well, it’s nice talking live. I usually hit the blogs some hours late. Right now, I’ve got a lawn mower calling my name though. Need to hit it early to avoid this 107 or 108 degree heat that they’re calling for today. Ready for the game. Hope to see improvement. Love this new D. Hope it wasn’t an anomally or just a week Buffalo team.
And thanks for the White info. Hoped being a Denver guy (high school) he could have some success with the orange & blue.
Beginning to think Ayers aint just gonna cut it. Its a real pity as if he could perform like a round 1 draft pick he could so help coach Allen put up numerous mismatches with opposing offensive lines. With doom and miller looking immense ayers playing like a number 1 would see qbs coming out to face are defence with tears in their eyes.
I feel if we are to get to the playoffs this year we need to beat San Diego twice. Ayers stepping up would enable us to so rattle rivers.
Congratulations Kyle!! Where do I send this to make sure he gets it?BTW Light it up tonight I’ve got Broncos first half.Go Broncos!!
collies, I wouldn’t be so quick to discard Ayers:
When the Broncos are in their base defense, Ayers is at defensive end opposite Dumervil. When the team goes into its pass-rush defense and Miller switches from linebacker to defensive end, Ayers slides over to tackle and becomes an inside rusher.
It was from that spot that Ayers chased Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick from the pocket in last week’s preseason game, forcing Fitzpatrick’s bad pass that was deflected and subsequently intercepted.
“That’s what I did in college, and what I thought I would do the last two years here too, but now they’re playing me to my strengths. I’m definitely happy to be in that position,” Ayers said. “We’ve got our two best edge rushers, and I feel like I’m one of the best inside guys. I definitely take pride in that.”
Bay if your happy man I’m happy. My knowledge about schemes and what you can run in certain positions would not be that great. My aim this year is to get a bit more depth on that.
Do like what I am seeing in regards to potential. Think the the raiders game is critical for our season. Firstly they have a great running game. If we are to do anything this year we really need to get a handle on that.
Secondly it wil be coach Fox’s first game and nothing instills belief better than wins.
On tonights game would be really disappointed if we dont bury Seattle.
By the way can anyone tell me how to get this page to refresh automatically/
Yeah, I discussed that at length with other bloggers, the Raider game will be a more critical first game to our season than the first game usually is, if for no other reason that the last time the Raiders played us in Denver they inflicted on us arguably the worst loss in our franchise history at home, 59-14. And the first three games are key too, because if we don’t come out of those three fairly easy game at least 2-1 I honestly don’t see how we end up winning more games than last year, critical start indeed.
I’m not aware of any way to do that, need to hit your own green refresh icon at the top of your screen.
Thanks for that Bay. Just a small question mate. Is it possible in your experience watching the game, for us to make a run at the playoffs after what has happened the last 2 years?
I am quite positive in outlook so can sometimes be blinkered by that. So what I am wondering ( knowing you are a die hard bronco) as a realist whats your thoughts?
Yea collies Ayers will be fine. He is finally in his scheme. The type he played in college. Will take him time to get reacquainted and wipe out all the crap he learned over the last 2 years but I believe we will see steady improvement as this season goes on. And if Bay is starting to possibly believe … means something cuz the man was just about ready to jettison Ayers … and Moreno as a matter of fact. Hopefully they will win more people over this year. I am more inclined to blame McD for their poor performances than them. They are kinda like rookies to me right now. Clean slate. TRB
Well TRB if they play like 1st rounders (which I am sure we all agree they have not) this team is a hell of a lot better than people think.
We are currently 20/1 to win our division over here. I remember when we would have been 10/1 to win the lot. Seriously tempted to have a small wager on us. Then when we get to playoffs reload and go in again.
My thoughts about making the playoffs?
Unfortunately no.
Mainly because in our division it will take to win it as usual to make the playoffs as no wild card will come out of the West when you have multiple good teams in each the East, North and South divisions in the AFC and only two wild cards get in. And our division is still ran by the Chargers no matter how many people hope that will turn around, not this year, they still have everything they need on their roster and under Rivers they are much better positioned than us who are truly rebuilding from the ashes. It would be a miracle.
So maybe next year…
TRB, you’re not awake yet, BFE and I have ALWAYS been the strongest Ayers supporters here. Sometimes I wonder where you young men’s memories go….
I like your mentality, TRB. Not gauging those younger players by their performance over the past two years and looking at them as rookies. It’s positive and optimistic.
Collies, I saw on a betting website, can’t remember the name, though, that we are 115:1 for winning the super bowl. While it’s a stretch, it’d probably be worth putting a ten or twenty on those odds, just in case. lol
dfanaj, I bet you play the lottery, LOL.
Bay, if we come out of the gate at 3-0 the first three games I`m thinking of us ending at 7-9 and MAYBE 8-8. It depends how good our D does this year. Thats my take on it anyway. I think we can go 3-0. But after that, good luck.
strand, Monday is the first day for season record entries.
Roger that!
Bay, not so much on the lottery, though I understand why you’d think that. lol
I think I’ve given up on the Idea of TT. He will be Benched this year. Kyle Orton’s Contract is up after this year so therefore if we are not trading him this season. Then we will not trade him. He will be a free agent so now we have no chance of getting any kind of value for him. TT will still be under contract. We can get Value for him. So i think TT will be Traded, Orton will be given a new contract. Athough I don’t Know if TT will be a good QB. I like Orton but do not think he is our “franchise qb” I think we will be Drafting Qb’s in late rounds of the draft for a few years now before we get a new QB. But I will Root for Orton all the way. I hope he can bring us to Glory.
If the Denver Broncos go after a QB next year, I`d want Andrew Luck, Matt Barkley, or Kellen Moore. But thats IF Tebows gone and out of the Broncos plans. I highly doubt it though. I believe Tim going to be around for the long haul. He needs to be groomed for a few years it looks like.
My guess is that QB Adam Weber will make the practice sqaud for the Broncos and make the 53 man roster next year. Thats my projection on it anyhow.
Couple of things… The benching of tebow is the right move. I’ve been of the opinion that he needs at least anothe year, and unfortunately maybe more. Quinn performing like he has is good to see, and the best a case scenario would be Kyle Ortin tear it up this year but we lose enough games that we let Quinn finish the year and he, too, tears it up. Then, we put them both on the trading block and not wanting to risk them going to other teams when released, we get great trade offers for them both, in the form of draft picks. Next we take those draft picks, say a 2nd and 2 3rds, plus our 12th pick (& u know it’ll b the dang 12th pick), our natural 2nd & 3rd, plus if necessary a 1 or a 2 in 2013, though hopefully not, and get the 1st pick in the draft in return from the chiefs (cuz they suck). And with that pick, the Denver broncos select Andrew luck, quarterback, from stanford. And we have our next elway. Or we keep Quinn as a backup and start tebow with fingers crossed he’s the real deal. And he just might be, but I don’t see it yet. Just a thought.
Looks like we were all thinking the same thing at the same time. Funny. I also like what i see out of the D. I am an ayers fan as well, and I like our dline rotation a lot. The secondary will b pretty good too with Vaughn coming on strong as well as McCarthy. I like that McCarthy backs up dawk, because dawk will show him all the right stuff and we may see McCarthy be a pro bowler eventually, and he and Moore will make a superior safety tandem for years to come. Haven’t really heard much about Irving, but I hope he meets his potential as well. Could be an elite D in as little as 2 to 3 years. I love what I’m seeing, it’s ridiculously better than what we had going on before.
Two players to keep an eye on tonight on the defense
-Robert Ayers
-Joe Mays
I havnt heared much of them this preseason and will be watching what they can do.
Super pumped for this game!! Three quarters of pretty much what we will get in the regular season!
GOO BRONCOOOOS!!
Louisiana, hows it going? just a heads up man, Dream Theaters new cd comes out September 13, You probably already know but thought I`d let you know dude.
Man I`m looking forward to tonights game. This will be a good gauge for the up coming season. We`ll fan an idea.
BRO, this will be a good game I think.
Yes i am super pumped
ooops wrong spelling, We`ll HAVE an idea from tonights game. LOL
A taste of things to come.
GO BRONCOS!
Right on strand. Sept 12th I think but yep I’m gonna get my copy. Just seems weird with no portnoy. Gonna be hard to follow in his footsteps. I think their last album was my favorite (or at least top 3) so let’s see what we get with this one. I can’t watch the game til 2m morning on NFL network. Wanna see it without known what happens so gonna stay off the site at game time til it’s over for me. Dying to see the starters for three quarters. It’s almost regular season time and I CAN’T WAIT!!!
I know, it`ll be a trip to hear the CD with Mike, but it`ll be great I believe. And I hear you on not getting on until later, I`m the same way. Good to hear from you dude. GO BRONCOS!!
And lastly on their new drummer Mike Mangini. He is in the guinness book of world records for the fastest stroke with 1,203 in a single minute. Mangini will hold his own.
GO ORANGE AND BLUE!!!!
Lousianna, Your scenario in which Orton and Quinn get traded at this year doesn’t quite make sense. Im not sure if u are aware but they are gonna be unrestricted FA’s I believe. The only way we can trade them is if we give them an extension, which we won’t and which they don’t want. Short of a full time commitment to them as our starter (either one of them) they’d rather take thier chances on the open market. Something they both haven’t had a chance to do. Since they have been traded or recieved extensions or still riding out thier initial contracts. I believe TT is ready to learn the experience way now but this year, next year … doesn’t really matter … You can’t stop greatness, you can only delay it — and if he is meant to be great, it will happen. Everything happens in its time. TRB
Some day Safety Kyle McCarty will be a regular starter for our Denver Broncos if he`s continues to perform as he has done in practice and in the preseason games this last month. I like what the young man has done so far this year.
no matter what happens this year I know the broncos have some really awesome potential in our rookies not to mention all the young players. a few that I look forward to watching is Miller, Moore, Decker, Franklyn. I really hope that cox can get his personal life under control because he has proven to be a standout for our D. GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!