The Broncos concluded their three-day mini camp Sunday afternoon. Here are some quick hits from today’s practice.
SPIRITED COMPETITION: Even though there was no contact during mini camp, there was some spirited back and forth between the offense and defense. Most of the talk was between Wesley Woodyard and Daniel Graham, with some Darrell Reid thrown in as well. All of it was in good fun, but you could tell the competition was fierce even in early May.
TWO MINUTES: After several spirited 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills, the team concluded practice with an 11-on-11 two-minute drill. Kyle Orton was five-of-six on his two-minute drive, completing three consecutive passes to Brandon Stokley before hitting Eddie Royal to set up a Matt Prater field goal. Chris Simms was up next, he was four-of-seven and completed two big passes to rookie Nate Swift to set up another Prater field goal.
SECONDARY SHINES: Although the offense had its moments on Sunday, so did the defense — especially the secondary. In 7-on-7 drills, Jabar Gaffney got behind the defense and went up to grab the reception, but a fast-closing Renaldo Hill knocked the ball away. Rookie Alphonso Smith also got into the action, knocking away a Simms pass intended for Chad Jackson. In 11-on-11 drills, both Andre Goodman and Jack Williams knocked away passes, Williams as he blitzed Orton who was looking for the bubble screen.
CATCHING PUNTS: At the end if practice, Head Coach Josh McDaniels gathered the team and gave them a challenge. If an offensive or defensive lineman was able to field a punt, their respective side of the ball wouldn’t have meetings following practice.
Ryan Harris represented the offense and Kenny Peterson the defense. Harris misjudged his punt, but made a nice diving recovery only to have the ball just fall out of his grasp — much to the enjoyment of the defense. Peterson — despite the heckling offense — was able to get under his opportunity and fielded the catch with ease.
Coach McDaniels gave the offense one more shot, but gave the defense the opportunity to pick which lineman would receive. Unanimously, they chose Ryan Clady. Brett Kern’s punt made Clady move to his left, but the big man was able to grab the punt cleanly and the offense and defense were able to call it a day without meetings.
“That was just something fun — I think the players got a kick out of it,” McDaniels said. “I told them if we had a good day of work today that we might throw them a bone, they had a good day of work so we let them have an opportunity to miss the very last meeting.”
MISC: Along with Prater’s two successful field goal attempts in 11-on-11, he was four-of-five during the field goal session, with his only miss coming on a bobbled hold by rookie Britton Colquitt … Tom Brandstater hit fellow rookie Kenny McKinley down the middle between two defenders in 7-on-7 drills … As the quarterbacks worked with the wide receivers, LaMont Jordan accurately fired passes to his fellow running backs … Donning number 66, Lonie Paxton snapped to the quarterbacks during 7-on-7 drills. Many had to double-take to make sure it wasn’t Tom Nalen back out there … With meetings canceled thanks to the punt catching skills of their teammates, Champ Bailey and Daniel Graham raced off the field in an effort to make it to the Pepsi Center before tip-off of the Nuggets – Mavericks playoff game … As the vets scampered off the field, all of the rookies worked on their conditioning with Strength and Conditioning Coach Rich Tuten. Many commented about the altitude as they were huffing and puffing off the field.
Here are some photos of the day and to read more about the day’s action, click here.
You mean watch His Knees
BroncoAussie heres my crack at da front seven.
LDE 96 Crowder, Tim 6′ 4″ 275
NT 75 Parker, Carlton 6′ 3″ 300 or 79 Thomas, Marcus 6′ 3″ 305
RDE 56 Ayers, Robert 6′ 3″ 272
LOLB 59 Woodyard, Wesley 6′ 1″ 230
LILB 54 Davis, Andra 6′ 1″ 250
RILB 55 Williams, D.J. 6′ 1″ 240 26
ROLB 92 Dumervil, Elvis 5′ 11″ 260
I think that doom nd ayers will rotate spots at LB nd DE. seeing as Doom is a lil undersived for a DE in a 3-4. but than again its never stopped him before. i think that larsen will play more offense nd be more of a special teams ace. nd boss, nd jarvis moss, will get significant time at there respective positions. I really think tht woodyard will get the starting job come august.
monodono how could u leave out the best player in our front seven the last couple years outta the starting rotation. tisk tisk. Jus kiddn man.
LATER !!!
Go Broncos !!!
i meant carlton powell at NT. not parker my mistake
Sportscenter just said that Jay Cutler told the press in Chicago that he could of done a better job of announcing the starting line up of the Nuggets then John Elway did. I hope that Sportscenter was joking because of how Jay said he had a stronger arm than Elway.
Our Defense is going to be to’ing and fro’ing from a 3-4 and a 4-3. Assuming we are playing a 3-4 as a base Defense I would imagine it looking like this …
DE – Marcus Thomas
NT – Carlton Powell
DE – Kenny Peterson
WOLB – Elvis Dumervil
TED ILB – Andra Davis
WILL ILB – DJ Williams
SOLB – Robert Ayers
I didn’t see any photos of Jay Cutler at mini-camp…. What’s up with that? Oh wait a minute… I almost forgot… McDaniels got rid of all the cry babies in Denver. Strong arm… Weak character. By the way I love all the rookies and free agents in Dove Valley. What a bunch of class acts. I like the way this team is shaping up especially with Cutler gone. This is a far cry from Shanny’s decisions to bring in Slo-Mo (Maurice Clarette), Dale Carter and that guy that pulled a gun at IHOP. Gardner??
Thought I’d try another approach just for fun.
LDE 69 Parker, J’Vonne 6′ 4″ 325
NT 71 Baker, Chris 6′ 2″ 326
RDE 91 Fields, Ronald 6′ 2″ 315
LOLB 59 Woodyard, Wesley 6′ 1″ 230
LILB 46 Larsen, Spencer 6′ 2″ 240
RILB 55 Williams, D.J. 6′ 1″ 240
ROLB92 Dumervil, Elvis 5′ 11″ 260
that was fun…….
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
lomaxgr, that is exactly how I would like to see it too.
Or how about this one,
LDE 79 Thomas, Marcus 6′ 3″ 305
LDT 69 Parker, J’Vonne 6′ 4″ 325
RDT 71 Baker, Chris 6′ 2″ 326
LDE 94 Moss, Jarvis 6′ 6″ 265
LOLB 46 Larsen, Spencer 6′ 2″ 240
MLB 55 Williams, D.J. 6′ 1″ 240
ROLB 59 Woodyard, Wesley 6′ 1″ 230
Looking at the roster , The Broncos are more suited to the 4-3.
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
3-4
DE K. Peterson
NT Ronald fields
DE Darrel Reid
LOLB R. Ayers
LILB Andra Davis
RILB DJ Williams
ROLB E Doom
4-3
DE E. DOOM
DT M. Thomas
DT R fields
DE R Ayers
ROLB W. Woodyard?
ILB DJ Williams
LOLB J. Moss
I dont know about moss though in the 4-3 maybe move Ayers there and Tim Crowder play end?
Looking at the roster i dont think there is much of a choice but to start with a 4-3 defence
DE Ayers
DT Powell
DT Thomas
DE Doom
Will: DJ
Mike: Larsen
Sam: Woodyard
broncosaussie—- i would say in a 4-3 ayers powell thomas doom dj larsen woodyard in 3-4 powell ayers fields on the line larsen davis in the middle boss and woodyard outside
I like the idea of the 3-4. I think that after listening to McDaniels comments, our defense will not be a standard 3-4. More like a moving 3-4, similar to Pittsburgs’. That is why Ayers is learning the linebacking and Dumervil is studing so hard to do the same. I belive it will look something like this depending on the package (rush or cover).
DJ. Williams……..Andra Davis……….Elvis D…………..Wesly W.
Marcus Thomas……Chris Baker……..Tim Crowder
or
DJ. W………Robert Ayers…………Andra Davis………..Boss Bailey
Tim Crowder………Parker, J’Vonne………..Jarvis Moss
This is gonna be tough, look at all the possible talent! Either way, I see some of our favorite guys staying on the team in some great pash rushing packages and in some speed cover packages.
Orange Crush!!!
Question, has anyone seen Brandon Mashall in camp?
Here is how i see it
ROLB Boss Bailey
LOLB Wesley Woodyard
SILB Andra Davis
WILB DJ Williams
NT Carlton Powel
LE Marcus Thomas
RE Tim Crowder/Robert Ayers
I am actually starting to shy away from the idea of a 3-4 even though I like the concept. I think with the players we have now, a 4-3 could be much stronger then it was last year.
LOLB Robert Ayers/Boss Bailey
MLB Andra Davis
ROLB DJ Williams/Wesley Woodyard
LE Elvis Dumerville/Tim Crowder
DT Carlton Powell
DT Chris Baker
RE Marcus Thomas/Jarvis Moss
This gives the Broncos a mix between size and speed which can be extremly beneficial, tell me your thoughts?
I am really frustrated though with the amount of depth we have on the line and and LB. I mean there are a lot of LBs who have talent, potential and have motors. The trouble is finding a way to utilize all of them
i think boss will be LE. otherwise i think Broncosaussie’s right
I think there is 0 possibility of Boss playing on the line, he weighs 230lbs lol and has 4.5-4.4 speed
why isn’t Tom Brandstater in competition for the starting job?
3-4
DE K. Peterson/Thomas
NT Ronald fields/Parker/Baker
DE Darrel Reid/Carlton
LOLB R. Ayers/J.Moss
LILB Andra Davis/Boss
RILB DJ Williams/Larsen
ROLB E Doom/Crowder
4-3
DE E. DOOM/J.Moss
DT M. Thomas/Carlton
DT R fields/Peterson
DE R Ayers/Crowder
ROLB Boss/Woodyard
ILB Davis/Larsen
LOLB D.Will/Ayers
Starters/subs
Broncoslax, I honestly expect Boss Bailey to be cut. I’m pretty sure Brandon Marshall weighs more than him. LOL
Good guess, lol they weigh the same. the problem I have there is that he can be a great player, I think 10-20lbs and resisting injury can do that…
Dr. Chris He has to learn the Offense first. Plus how they gonna trade Cutler and say a 6 round pick beat out the guy they traded for him. Plus beat out the back-up getting paid more than Cutler was getting paid. It would just look and fell so bad. I don’t think they wanna even put the kid under that pressure. If he was doing better than both of them. He would not compete till next yr.
Just reading the blogs, I love all of the possibilities, and can’t wait to see how Nolan mixes this salad bowl up!
Boss might have to take a pay cut. That’s if he’s not producing.
where would you see him playing in the 3-4 defense? He can’t rush as an OLB and he’s not bulk enough to play in the middle. The only way I see him making the team is as a special teams player but if I remember right, Shanahan gave him a handsome paycheck so he would be getting overpaid.
It depends on his practice performance, and the other qbs game performances, I dont see him playing this year or most of next
I think if he puts 15lbs on he can be a starting olb he has the speed, just need weight and muscle
Greatness, Orton was just a bonus in the deal. JMac just really wanted the draft picks.
Dr. Chris The Redskins offered the same deal and Jason Cambell. We said no so Orton had a some part in the saying yes.
HomeTeam007 great point about McDaniels stating the Broncos will use a pittsburgh style 3-4. That is why I think we could see Dubervil at inside linebacker just like the steelers used 300 pound Levon Kirkland. Get that big body that can work in space and get interior gap penetration, stout against the run and also pressure on the QB from the inside.
Greatness, I think that was a matter of who fit his system better. Jason Campbell is a west-coast style quarterback and Orton is a sit in the pocket and take what the defense gives you. Also Orton ran a similar offense at Purdue.
This is what my starting defense looks like.
DE Thomas/Peterson
NT Baker/Fields/Thomas
DE Darrel Reid/Crowder
LOLB R. Ayers/J.Moss
LILB Andra Davis/Boss
RILB DJ Williams/Larsen
ROLB E Doom/Crowder
Good point. As for the D. I think like when Shanny had a the D-line subbing in and out. Mc Daniels will do that with the front-7. When there isn’t a hurry-up O going on.
Too much talent to just leave on the bench!
Steelers cut LB Foote, Here is the link
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9537134/Steelers-cut-LB-Foote,-five-year-starter
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
why NOT get Larry Foote???????? We need him, and he needs us… lets make it happen McD!
Just read this article on Rulon Davis, which was a great !!
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_12286294
We need more players like Davis in the NFL, not criminal fools
The Pats are gonna get him! They need him more than us. Plus they can pay him more than us.
I get ya on the paying part, but your telling me that a Super Bowl contending deffense needs a Super Bowl type LB more than a NON-SB team?… I don’t know about that bro…
Isn’t Boss Bailey the most experienced 3-4 LB we have? When he was healthy last season, he was all over the place making tackles and covering TEs and RBs. How could he not be a starter and/or see significant playing time this season?
boss bailey won’t see significant playing time because he will be hurt AGAIN. at least that seems to be his history. he could be a great lb but always gets injured.
I agree, Larry Foote would be a fine addition to our defense and his experience can help out the young guys.
Hey this is a little bit off topic but I have a question, every time I post a comment I have to reenter my password, is their any way how it will keep me automatically signed in?
Great work with the teams guys, I agree with everyone when you look at the teams we are better suited for a 4-3 D. So I think that we will be rotating schemes between the 4-3 and 3-4 all year and that players will be rotated in and out all year round. The only person I can think of that can start all game is DJ. He is the only stand out player on D for the front 7. Where is everyone else can be changed and rotated. So look for multiple looks this year on D and I think they will go to a more tradinational 3-4 D next year with the players we get then.
Dr Chris, use firefox it saves passwords.
3-4
NT Carlton Powell
DE Marcus Thomas
DE Tim Crowder or Ebenezer Ekuban
OLB Robert Ayers
OLB Boss Bailey or Elvis Dumervill
WILB D.J. Williams
SILB Andre Davis or Wesley Woodyard
4-3
DE Robert Ayers
DT Marcus Spears
DT Carlton Powell
DE Elvis Dumervil or Jarvis Moss
WLB D.J. Williams
MLB Andre Davis
SLB Boss Bailey or Wesley Woodyard
Thats honestly what i think and what i think would be the best for the broncos. It has experience and Youth in that roster
Larry Foote is a no, the team doesn’t have the cap room for him. And we have 14 LBs. Though a few of those are LB/DE hyrbirds, but still got to many already, would have to cut players to get him, boss, moss, doom, crowder maybe.
Thank you BroncoAussie. People think we playing Madden the video game or something. That’s the reason we not gonna get we have to many. They would have to cut 3 guys to pay him. With this being a new system and not knowing true what we have all ready.(no contact drill yet) They are not gonna make the move. On the other hand, I said the Pats will get him or the Dolphins. The reason is they can pay him and they dont have as many LB as we do. They would have to cut Boss, Moss Doom,and Crowder to pay him. The Broncos think all of them can play and as it is now. We’re under the cap so it cap friendly. New coaches, new scheme ,don’t know what they have so what does that mean? No Foote that’s what it would seem. You can put that one in your offseason gift cards. lol