For the first time since Thursday’s 31-3, preseason-opening win in Chicago, the Broncos were back on on the fields at Dove Valley for another training camp practice. Here are notes from the session, which featured plenty of defensive highlights.
First, today’s trivia question. Early in the first team session of practice, cornerback Champ Bailey broke up a Peyton Manning pass — or so it seemed. The intended receiver tracked the ball in the air and came away with the deflection, appearing to get both feet in bounds right at the sideline. Who was the receiver?
Leave your answers in the comments section of the blog, and the answer — and winner — will be revealed at 6 p.m. MDT.
ROLL CALL
Safety Jim Leonhard (knee), safety Quinton Carter (hamstring and knee), wide receiver Tyler Grisham (knee), Danny Trevathan (ankle), fullback Chris Gronkowski (groin), defensive tackle Justin Bannan (calf) and tackle Ryan Harris (ankle) did not participate in Saturday’s practice. Cornerback Tracy Porter was held out of part of practice due to a hamstring injury.
In addition, Head Coach John Fox said linebacker D.J. Williams was excused from practice due to a personal reason.
Linebacker Keith Brooking was able to participate in practice wearing full pads for the first time since signing with the team. He took the majority of his reps with the second-unit defense.
PLAYMAKERS
- During the first team drill of practice, linebacker Wesley Woodyard was active. First, he broke up a pass from Manning, and a few plays later, did one better, picking off the QB.
- Running back Ronnie Hillman, who didn’t play in Thursday’s preseason opener due to a hamstring injury, found plenty of space down the sideline during team drills. Quarterback Brock Osweiler rolled to his right and dumped off a pass to his fellow rookie, and Hillman raced up the field for a big gain.
- Wide receiver Gerell Robinson made a couple of notable plays during practice, first leaping for a deep connection from quarterback Adam Weber. Later during red-zone work with quarterback Caleb Hanie, he caught a diving touchdown at the front of the end zone.
- During 9-on-7 drills, defensive tackle Ty Warren stuffed a run at the line of scrimmage, drawing praise from the defensive sideline. Later in the drill, running back Xavier Omon busted a run up the middle, breaking several tackles and garnering cheers from the crowd in the process.
- In the second set of team drills, Manning’s first pass was to a wide open Joel Dreessen up the middle of the field for a big gain.
- Safety Rahim Moore made one of the best breakups of the morning, slapping the ball out of wide receiver Matthew Willis’ hands at the last second on a pass that would’ve netted a big gain for the offense.
- Moore’s competition for best pass breakup came via safety Rafael Bush, and later cornerback Tony Carter. On a pass aimed at wide receiver Brandon Stokley on the sideline, Bush gave a full-out dive to force an incompletion, and Assistant Secondary Coach Sam Garnes ran onto the field to congratulate him with a big helmet slap. As for Carter, he leaped to swat the ball away at its highest point after Hanie was about to connect with wide receiver Andre Caldwell on a deep bomb to the end zone.
- Caldwell was active during team drills, hauling in a sideline catch and then running the ball on an end-around on the very next play.
- The defense had a big day at practice, generating a good amount of pressure throughout the session. Both Mitch Unrein and Jason Hunter nearly had “sacks,” (keep in mind, quarterbacks are off limits), and linebacker Von Miller chased Manning out of the backfield on another play, forcing the four-time NFL MVP to throw the ball away.
- Early in practice, the defensive line ran through a drill where one lineman acted as a running back and the other’s job was to make the tackle. Throughout, the linemen seemed to enjoy playing on offense just as much as making the big hit. Defensive tackle Sealver Siliga juked out defensive end Jason Hunter pretty badly, which inspired the rest of the group. Defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson was next up with the football, throwing in a few stutter steps and yelling out “Mike Vick!”
- During the last team period of practice, Manning didn’t participate with the first-team offense, instead watching from the sideline. Fox said it was a “special period” that was “more of a service to the defense.” Manning stayed involved, however, shouting toward the huddle, “Full speed, offense! Let’s go!”
- Broncos alumni continue to head out to Dove Valley during training camp. Watching Saturday’s practice was former Broncos player-coach Jimmy Spencer. A cornerback in Denver from 2000-03, Spencer pulled double-duty in his final season in Denver, also handling assistant defensive backs coach duties.
Nicknamed “Teach,” Spencer was Denver’s defensive backs coach one his playing days were over in 2004, and also served as assistant defensive backs coach again in 2005 and 2006. - On a running play, it was Willis who drew the most praise, as Wide Receivers Coach Tyke Tolbert shouted “Atta way, Willis!” when the receiver made a key block.
- During team drills, the offense looked to cross up the defense on a handful of plays, calling two direct snaps and one flea flicker.
QUICK HITS
The Broncos are back on the field this evening for a walkthrough open only to media, then have a day off on Sunday. But the squad hits the practice fields at Dove Valley again Monday morning for a practice session free and open to the public. UPDATE: It is scheduled to begin at 10:35 a.m., and gates open an hour prior.
Click below for a photo gallery from Saturday’s practice.
Tags: Training Camp 2012
PUM PUM PUM
B-R-O-N-C-O-S BRONCOS BRONCOS BRONCOS!!!
AB that is EXACTLY why I will never play fantasy football!!
He will be so mad later when we rock the house this year!
Chad Johnson was arrested in Florida for Domestic Violence.
Serious? Wow.
Say he head butted his wife because he found a receipt for condoms? No judgement from me here. After Elvis I’m waiting for facts… Won’t overreact. Never really liked the guy though, but this is his first arrest?
sndvl! I got your prediction…
I’m excited about Iggy and think that he will enjoy playing with Lawson and the rest of the guys here. This team will compete in the west, but man, the Lakers will be really tough to stop this season literally starting five all-stars and four potential HOF (I exclude Metta Artest on this list because I think his off court issues will give him problems with many current balloteers…)
I’m not liking giving up AAA, or Big Al as they were two of my personal favorites, but they must like a couple of the young guys. They also gave up a protected pick, which I’m not sure is good or bad because I do not really fallow the nuance of NBA contractual mathematics so, long story Short I’d say I’m happy with where the Nuggets are and think they will have a very exciting team this season…
Please excuse me! Please repost the song Cat!!
Thanks Cat!!
FTR
Why, hello FTR.
Prediction: 11-5 wins AFC West Division.
If our D continues to play like they did last Thursday, then we might have the #1 D in the NFL in 2012. Its too early at the moment, but dang our Defense kicked some butt. I`m excited!
Take Me Back to Mile High-And Solute: Way back in the days of 1986, the south stands are a rockin, and we`re only down by 6. It`s 2 minute warning, and John boys at the two. He`s got his back side in the end zone, and 98 yards to put in the final screws. Just before the ref blows the whistle, a player yells (not this time Elway). And because of that blow-hole jester, there`s gonna be a price to pay. TAKE ME BACK TO MILE HIGH!! AND WE WANT THE MILE HIGH SOLUTE!! I see that rocket from Elways gun, soaring through the ORANGE-BLUE SKYS!! It`s 1st n goal at the south`s 5 yard line, hand the rock to TD for A MILE HIGH SOLUTE!! Now our fans are heading home, with that win, riding home on high. TAKE ME BACK TO MILE HIGH!! AND WE WANT THE MILE HIGH SOLUTE!! Now John Elway went and retired, on a 2 SUPERBOWL WINS back to back, MILE HIGH NOTE! After John boy announced his retirement, our Denver Broncos went through a death valley dry spell, and couldn`t even get a single QB`s vote. Greise to Jake the Snake, then onto cry-baby-oh-whah-whah Cutler. Then to TITANIC, the south paw TEBOW, he had a little of MILE HIGH MAGIC of his own. TAKE ME BACK TO MILE HIGH!! AND WE WANT THE MILE HIGH SOLUTE!! Go get him Mr. Elway, who`s now top dog, the DENVER BRONCOS boss. He went and pulled some strings, to bring in PEYTON MANNING, who`s just been tossed. Like the old saying goes (whats another mans trash, is another mans treasure). Yes, we want PEYTON MANNING, through and through, lets get that gun-slinger for every measure. I want another SUPERBOWL WIN, for Pat Bowlen lets WIN IT soon. How about, some MILE HIGH MAGIC, for the BRONCOS FANS and THE MILE HIGH CREW!! OH YES, we just pulled the trigger on MANNING, and John Elway is going down in history, with nabbing the best free agent in the NFL, the Denver Broncos history. TAKE ME BACK TO MILE HIGH!! AND WE WANT THE MILE HIGH SOLUTE!! TAKE ME BACK, TO THAT OLD MILE HIGH MAGIC, OF OLD!! TAKE ME BACK TO MILE HIGH!! SOLUTE!!!!
STRANDOFTDS AUGUST 10, 2012
I don’t know why it posted like that. Kod the one in the bloc before is better set up than the one I just posted.
While I am as excited as everyone else about thursdays performance, we have to remember there was no cutler, forte, urlacher or peppers. Having said that I realize we only would face them for a drive or 2. But im not ready to give the Broncos best d in the league just yet lol. I just want to see improvment every week!! GO BRONCOS!
Morning Broncos Country. I want to watch some more Broncos football. Bring it!
The potential is there to be a top 5 D this year. Too early to know, but for a first preseason game, our D looked better especiallly at tackling than in years past. We were in position for the most part and no missed tackles. I liked what I saw.
100% agree strand, the off season drags on forever!
Yeah I hear ya but we basically faced a CFL caliber roster we should have smashed them like that. But it was nice to see everyone wrapping guys up at the point of contact.
I am really excited for Siliga. I think him and Wolfe will be monsters on the dline.
Your right though Scalp, way too early to say about the D being #1. We sure looked good. Time will tell. HaHa!!
That dudes a hulk, Wow!
Our X`s n O`s dominated theirs throughout the game, strength for strength. We ran it down their throats.
The Bears looked flat.
I hope it is like that all year!!! I love a solid run game, opens up so many options in the offense! Im not too greedy lol all I ask is a top 10 D and top 5 O lol
Now thats doable I think.
Well, the Broncos vs Bears game is on NFLN again. I`m ready for the regular season already.
new blog
I know we played against the bears second QB but Jason Campbell has kicked our butt plenty of times the last few years and he wasn’t able to do that Thursday. Don’t remind me that Jay didn’t play, I think as soon as they found out Peyton was playing he should’ve played no matter what, but there ya go, he avoids us again!
Had a dream we went to the SB and beat Eli 21-17.
im so ready 4 the steelers i cant hardly stand it a new era orange crush cause defense wins championships