The team reached day number three of passing camp on Thursday, and the practice was open to the media. Here are a few quick hits from today’s session.
POSTURING FOR POSITION
FIELDING PUNTS, CIRCUS STYLE
Six players practiced fielding punts as Kern and Britton Colquitt alternated lofting the ball downfield. Eddie Royal went first, followed by Nate Swift, Alphonso Smith, Kenny McKinley, David Grimes and Matt Willis.
After the first round of catches, the drill got a little more interesting. The players then tried to field punts with a ball in one hand. Then a ball in each hand. Then finally with three balls already in their arms — Royal, Swift and Smith successfully fielded the fourth.
Then, after practice, a player stepped up to field a punt who you shouldn’t expect to see in that position on Sundays. The offense chose undrafted free agent defensive tackle Chris Baker to field a punt to save the defense from extra meetings.
The 6-foot-2, 326-pound lineman watched the punt directly into his hands with no problem, much to the delight of his defensive teammates. That included Wesley Woodyard, who then punted the ball high in the air in celebration.
MAKING PLAYS
The shotgun snap came to Chris Simms, who backpedaled, looked around and fired a pass to a leaping Daniel Graham for the touchdown. The offensive players on the sidelines erupted, but the defense did as well, as Dumervil chased after Head Coach Josh McDaniels to plead his case that he had been there for the sack. In the end, the touchdown stood.
TWO MINUTE DOMINATION
We don’t know how the offense or defense has looked in drills up until today’s open practice, but one thing is for sure — in the two-minute drill, the first team defense looked pretty dangerous.
Kyle Orton completed his first pass to Royal on first down, but it was followed by an incomplete pass on second down. On third down, it looked like Orton had a nice completion to Royal on the sideline, but Goodman was right there to swat the ball out of his hands. On fourth down, the defense knocked down a pass at the line of scrimmage as plenty of celebrating ensued.
It looked like the second-team defense would put on a similar show, as the second-team offense’s drive started with a Marcus Thomas sack. Darcel McBath broke up a pass aimed at Jeb Putzier on second down, and another incomplete pass followed on third. On fourth down it looked like the defense got the stop, but a pass interference call kept the drive alive. Eventually Simms would find Chad Jackson in the corner of the end zone to give the offense a score in the drill.
Here are some more pictures from today’s action.
For more pictures of today’s practice, check out Thursday’s photo gallery.
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Passing Camp
This defense sounds pretty good. I would, however, like to see Robert Ayers lined up at one of the outer linebacker spots instead of the converted defensive tackle Darrell Reid.
yeah first post I believe in this team alot we should be very potent on defense
hey Reid is solid at run stop and pass rush just wait and see….i say rotation, rotation, rotation…fo sho!
I liked this report, it sounds promising and like they are having fun and building a lot of team unity. I like the punt drills. I am looking forward to reading more!!
Sounds like they were having a lot of fun out there. Wish I could be there to watch it.
getlynched47, yeah, I’m kind of curious as to how they plan on using Ayers, myself? I think he will be a star in the NFL. Maybe they want to bring him in on special plays for now and have him come in more as the season progresses? Maybe he’ll spell Reid for now? Dunno.
Always fun to read these, but dont get too over-excited about how well the D is doing, this was the same case at the minicamps last year
I had a feeling that the Broncos were content with their current defensive players when we didn’t really address that area during free agency and the draft. I’m really excited to see what our D is like in a real game. Also, I was under the impression that Ayers might line up at DE sometimes. Is there any truth to that?
J.J. Arrington got cut today after failing a physical. Makes me wonder what other broken down veterans McHoodie brought in that will end up lame!
Also don’t like reading about Orton’s passes being batted down. I hope it’s not due to lack of arm strength.
Hoping to hear better things about the O-fence as the weeks go by.
DynamicDave,
I want to wish you and your family all my condolocenses (spelling). May God be with you and your family.
By the way do you believe fields will be a starter. I do not, not at LB.
Torain ATV fan, thanks. it’s been a very hard time right now. Yeah, I think Fields will start. Remember that Nolan brought him with him from San Fran because he already knew the system. He has a jump on all the others who want to play NT.
987654321, according to the interview with McD, they were aware of JJ’s injury but they were hoping it was rehabbed enough. It wasn’t. They said they would always be open to the idea of bringing him back should he ever be ready. As for the O, the D always develops faster then the O. I wouldn’t worry about it too much. it’s way too early to be concerned with their development.
footballMANIAC, yes, it’s true. DE and OLB. Maybe even ILB at times. He is a hybrid.
i think if he starts it will be at NT. LB, im not so sure, especially when Boss comes back and if Moss can pick it up or Ayers will be the LB imo.
DD,
dont waste time on 987654321, i think hes a cutler fan, so he is acting all hurt and try and make our coach look bad. I for one will give coach McD a year before i judge what he has done.
i honestly believe we are a better Overall team this year, than last year. I want to see at the end of the year these two stats, besides wins and losses.
Points scored this yr. vs. last yr.
points allowed this yr. vs. last yr.
that will be a big measurement
Sounds like Chris Simms is having a good camp. Drafting Moreno more sense now as we realize how minimal Arringtons chances were this coming year. Great to see the photos of the Broncos back in action !
our RB position is top-notch and we should come up with a better record (including playoff stats)
wait, has anyone heard about brett favre and viqueens?
Damn I had a little tingle run up my spine reading about training.. DAMN IM SO EXCITED THE SEASON IS COMING UP!!!!!
Farve – WHO CARES?
I thought is was Favray?
arrington getting cut means more time for Eddie Royal on punt returns. Oh Yea…
The king is back! Been gone for awhile. Can someone tell me what happened to Jay? Why he not on the team? lol just kidding. I see they cut JJ. Sad to hear about his knee. Torain might just make it.
good to have you back greatness. you can’t say your the king. according to all the people on this site Lebron is the king! LOL
No Chris the rookie from South Carolina will be the one. Kenny McKinley
Lebron better find away to win one first.
Am I the only one to notice that in the top picture it looks like Renaldo Hill is trying to grab Eddie Royals hips?
Dwight Howard is performing and winning games like he is the king. Of that series that is. lol Now I seen it but I look at it like. He can’t stay with him so he tryna hold. Also I think with my king and Dwight Howard statement. Has woke up the Cavs.
for those that want to know why Arrington was cut…
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP)—J.J. Arrington’s(notes) career with the Denver Broncos was halted before he even took his first handoff when the team released the tailback following a failed a physical due to a balky right knee.
Arrington signed a four-year deal worth about $10 million in early March and figured to be a third-down specialist for the Broncos in 2009, a role similar to the one he played last season for the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals.
However, the knee has been giving him trouble since he had arthroscopic surgery soon after the Cardinals’ loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl.
His agent, J.R. Rickert, said they’re consulting with doctors to decide on the next move.
“We’re doing our due diligence to get proper medical advice,” Rickert said. “He’s doing OK, a little disappointed under the circumstances. He was doing everything in his power to rehab his current situation.”
Denver had a rash of injuries in the backfield last season, placing seven tailbacks on injured reserve.
The team kept adding depth in the offseason, bringing in veterans Correll Buckhalter(notes), LaMont Jordan(notes) and Arrington. Denver also selected Knowshon Moreno(notes) with the 12th pick in the draft to bolster the backfield.
Broncos coach Josh McDaniels was hopeful Arrington could bounce back from the bothersome knee.
“It just got to the point where we realized and he realized that it wasn’t going to work out for him this year with the injury,” McDaniels said. “He was great for us when he was here, had a great attitude and great approach … Who knows, maybe we’ll get another opportunity down the road.”
That’s something Arrington’s camp would definitely consider.
“He had a great, albeit short, relationship with coach McDaniels,” Rickert said.
Um… this is not a good sign… The season hasn’t even started yet, and we’ve already lost a running back due to injury haha…
Yes, that does suck for Arrington, you can’t wish that on any player… but it is what it is… He failed the physical, and we don’t need a player that will be behind…
i like how Mc D’s honest hes not like shanny where shanny would say theres always room for improvement mc ds like there makin mistakes but u know what imma fix them lol
DrChris,
Hill is not trying to grab Royal’s hips, as you can see hill’s left hand and fingers are onthe blue stripe of Royals jersey and his right hand is out in front of ROyals wrist. looks liek he is getting ready to knock the pass the down
GREAT CAMP, KEEP IT UP
GO BRONCOS, \and yeah who cares abour Favre,retire already/
I will not give into the negativity. Rather, I will look at the good these mini-camps provide and we’ll see how far we can go during the upcoming season. All I know is Phillip Rivers will have hell to pay when he faces our defense. With that said, things will be better in Bronco Country than they were last season and we weren’t really terrible last year, all things considered.
Yeah, to see Phallus Slivers pulling grass out of his helmet would be sweet. And Cassel to flop would be poetic justice. And JaMarcus to lose out to Garcia would be funny stuff. A slap in the face of Al Davis, once again.
Doc, I mentioned earlier about their new rookie, Travis Shelton (WR). This is an eye opener: “Earned second-team All-Mid-American Conference honors as a kickoff returner as a senior in 2008, leading the nation with a 31.3-yard return average (23-720) while adding a 92-yard touchdown return (at Kent State 11/12/08).”
That’s pretty impressive.
Ya I don’t think we will see Royal receiving many punts or kick offs especially with the new rule breaking up the wedge! A few here and there to spell the returner when they are tired or have a stinger/injury but not much more!
As for the defense, I would like to know where they are having people line up in the 2nd unit as well, kinda see who the backups at positions are going to be so we can see who may be pushing hard for a starting spot.
Any info on that?
Dr. Chris…. The answer is YES LeBron James is the king. Did you see that game last night???? The guy is carrying his whole team. Nobody has shown up this playoffs to be a running mate for him this post season. If Gasol, Billups, or Lewis are on the Cavs this year then they walk through the playoffs. LeBron vs. the entire Majic team is a good series though.
Torrain
I could care less about those stats. As long as I see more wins over losses, I’ll be happy. 8-8 sucks. 10 – 6 much better! If we can get to 10 – 6, I’ll say McD did a great job as obviously we are building towards the future! Next season I would expect 11-5 or 12-4. I won’t judge until I see the outcome a couple years from now. I’m sure he can do a better job than any of us.
Who knows – in 5 years, we might be 18-0 with a Super Bowl win! Who knows?!
Who Knows NEXT SEASON we might be 18-0 with a Championship under our Belt. 9-7 would be a great year, because it proves that we can win without Cutler, and the team can do weel with such a tough schedule. But a somewhere from a 8-8 season to a 10-6 season looks like where we will land this year.
Check out what the NFL Network’s Jamie Dukes has to say about Sophmore slumps that involves Eddie Royal.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d810890f7/Sophomore-stars-and-slumps
Um I hope nobody is forgetting all about my man Hilllis. He should be our leading rusher if not a close second to Moreno. I wonder how this season is going to go for the QB situation. Will we keep a Orton or Sims at the starting postition or will we draft a new guy. I guess will have to see but lets win the division this year. Go Broncs!!!!!!!!!
Wait, so Ayers wasnt playing on the first team line-up?
Ron Fields is a 320lbs NT. NO he will not play LB.
Darrell Reid is a LB/DE from Indy and is familiar with rush LB.
I believe you will see Coach Nunnely ROTATE 6 players in the three positions. Remember the ‘type’ players they want, versatile so that they can play DE or NT in the 3-4 and DT in the 4-3.
Yes you may see Robert Ayers at DE but IMO he will be at OLB with Dumervil.
Yes 987654321 is a CutCook fan and would be a Jamie Dukes fan because he hates Coach McDaniels. BTW, what is Dukes, he has no knowledge of football. He was/is a dumb lineman.
Lets get some pads on these boys.
I would like to here some about how Moreno is progressing. I hope Ayers can get the starting job
dlmyers: OMG man I tried posting more of the same about Dukes right after 987654321 posted that but I guess it was flagged for language lol. Anyways Duke is like the dumbest guy ever, completely ignorant and thought the Broncos will fall completely apart after Cutler was traded lol. Royal wont have as big of a year because there are more weapons and the offense spreads the ball around more. It is a spread offense so he will have upwards of 80 catches just not the numbers he had last year, those were crazy number for a rook.
BroncosLax, dlmyers, yeah, Dukes is a real piece of work. Most of his W/L picks for the season are wrong, anyways. Oh, and BroncosLax, watch that language, ha, ha. Royal will be “off the hook” this season. Gaffney and Marshall, too. Heck, ALL the WR’s! LOL. I know that McD said that he will play Ayers as DE and OLB. He will be used as a hybrid.
Is anybody else worried a little about our QB position? I know its going to take some time for these guys to get on the same page, but I’ll be honest I’m a bit nervous. Also, has there been any talk about a suspension for Marshall, or is that under the rug.
jsmith – Of course people are worried! Don’t count me among them though… We have more potential, positive attitude and talent as a team, than we have in the past three seasons!!!!
Besides, if our team was the Lions, how ‘worried’ can you get… As a fan, you’re supposed to assume the worst is over – LoL!
There’s an article on espn about the Marshall situation – his ex is going to testify and press battery charges, according to the PR dude from the NFL, it is still ‘under review’. I’m looking forward to another enthralling season of Broncos football!!!! Thanks for the post Mr. C!
bronc55,
i agree. with u, if u see my message it says besides win and losses, i want 2 see those 2 stats. just an inckination of what type of improvements we have made.
inclination