Thursday morning’s practice was once again open to the public, and fans showed up in record number — the 5,034 in attendance set another Dove Valley record. It’s the third time an attendance record has been broken during this year’s training camp, and the fans in attendance certainly got a show.
Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas had two of the biggest highlights of the afternoon, which we’ll get to shortly.
First and foremost, we’ve got a new feature in the blogs, and it comes with a prize. Today’s trivia question is this: During team drills, who tipped a Peyton Manning pass to himself for a one-handed grab while on the run? The answer will be revealed in the comments section of the blog at 6 p.m. MDT. In the event of a tie, the winner will be selected at random from the correct responses.
ROLL CALL
Yesterday, Head Coach John Fox reported that wide receiver Eric Decker had a groin strain. On Thursday, Decker was back on the field in full pads.
Missing from practice were safety Quinton Carter (hamstring and knee) and wide receivers D’Andre Goodwin (foot) and Greg Orton (ankle). Wide receiver Tyler Grisham (knee), running back Ronnie Hillman (hamstring) and tackle Orlando Franklin (concussion) were all on the practice field wearing shorts, but did not participate.
Newly signed wide receiver Cameron Kenney, wearing No. 19, participated in his first practice.
PLAYMAKERS
- There were plenty of playmakers during Thursday’s session, but we’ll start with Thomas. In the first team drill of the morning, Thomas caught a Manning pass on the sideline while on his knees. The very next play was another connection from Manning to Thomas on the sideline. This time, Thomas was on his feet, and he quickly used them to juke a defender and then stiff-arm another to the ground en route to what would have been a long touchdown.
- In the next team drill, Manning and Thomas were at it again. After taking the snap, Manning dropped back and fired a pass deep down the middle of the field for Thomas. Safety Rahim Moore was right there in coverage and cornerback Drayton Florence was closing fast, but Thomas leaped up and over Moore to bring down the ball, running the rest of the way for the score. When he got to the back of the end zone, Thomas high-fived a group of young fans. On his way back to the sideline, he was met by cornerback Champ Bailey for another five, and Manning congratulated the receiver with a helmet tap on the sideline.
- Running back Willis McGahee had a couple highlight plays as well, the first of which was a solid run to his right off a pitch. The second came on a screen pass. The veteran back grabbed the ball and took off downfield behind some key blocks from the offensive line for a big gain.
- Defensive end Elvis Dumervil had a “sack” on Manning during team drills, but the play was allowed to continue and Manning still let a pass fly toward Thomas, but Bailey was in tight coverage and forced the incompletion.
- Quarterback Adam Weber made his reps count on Thursday, first lofting a deep pass through coverage into the waiting hands of wide receiver Gerell Robinson for a big gain. At the very end of practice during a red-zone drill, Weber found a leaping Joel Dreessen in the back corner of the end zone for a touchdown that drew cheers from both the crowd and the offense.
- In the same red-zone drill, Manning found another tight end, Jacob Tamme, for a touchdown.
- Running back Xavier Omon had a highlight of his own early in team drills, running through two tackles and spinning out of another for a long gain that got the crowd riled up.
- Wide receiver Jason Hill caught a laser pass from quarterback Brock Osweiler in team drills, quickly reaching above his head while on the run.
PEYTON THE PRANKSTER
In between drills, Manning grabbed two water bottles to bring to the crowd. Little did the fans know, he loosened up the cap on one of them.
So he threw one bottle to a young fan and demonstrated that he should tilt his head all the way back and take a sip. He did, the crowd cheered, and the fan threw the bottle back. Then Peyton handed the rigged bottle to another young fan — and he got doused.
Andrew, 11, laughed right away.
“That was fun,” he smiled. “It was refreshing.”
“I’ll remember that until I’m 78.”
QUICK HITS
- Referees watched Thursday’s morning session, signaling when players scored touchdowns and even throwing an occasional flag.
- During special teams drills, cornerback Chris Harris sprinted downfield and leaped in the air to bat a ball away from the end zone and avoid a touchback. When it was cornerback Joshua Moore’s turn, the ball bounced into the end zone, leading Assistant Special Teams Coach Keith Burns to remind him, “You’ve gotta get there first, then look for the ball.”
- Defensive end Jason Hunter got reps with the first-unit D-line for the second straight practice. Defensive tackle Justin Bannan was also back with the ones, alongside fellow defensive tackle Ty Warren.
- As a whole, the offensive line seemed to win Thursday’s one-on-one session against the defensive line, but defensive end Ben Garland still managed a big highlight for the D. He bullied his way past rookie guard/center Philip Blake into the backfield, drawing praise from his defensive teammates.
The team is back on the field for a walkthrough session open only to media this evening. The next practice free and open to the public is scheduled for Friday afternoon at 2:20 p.m. MDT. Gates open an hour prior.
Click below for today’s photo gallery.
Tags: Training Camp 2012
hmmmmmm, if I had to guess, I would say it was Decker.
Brandon Stokley
Alright – nice post Gray! Great details on todays practice!!
Nice to read Demaryius Thomas had a great morning outing!!
Also great to read Peyton getting involved with the Fans and having some fun!!
In answer to your trivia question…. my guess is Jacob Tamme !!
Was it Willis Mcgahee?
Joel Dreessen!
(Strand, I’m going to have to post more than five comments in two weeks… They’re giving prizes away!!! LOL I will come read your comments about practice later ;-P)
Brandon Stokely
sndvl – where are you??? we’ve got some trivia!!!
Lance Ball?
Due to the wording, I think it was a defender. I’ll go with Mike Adams.
My other guess…………Tracey Porter
My guess would be McGahee.
Was it champ.
Rahim Moore
I have to go with…Joel Dreessen!
It was Brandon Stokely
Von Miller coming off a blitz! Get em
Lance Ball
These camp blogs are scarce with commentators this year. Usually Draft and Camp bring the fans out on here. Maybe they aren’t on here because they are there live in person lol. Who knows, just a lil too scanty. Can’t let the Bronco blue flame die. We got the best blog in the NFL. Lot of us found that out like an offseason ago. Kudos to the writers for always keeping us informed and the camera man for the shots. Manning to Thomas might be deadly if he can stay healthy. Will have to factor that in my fantasy leagues (health concern that is). Looking forward to seeing some more of the undrafted rookie phenom Chris Harris this year. hopefully he progresses, instead of regressing. No sophmore slumps for any of our picks last year please. Anyway … Go Broncos.
Later days, TRB out…
Super Mannin has a great sense of humor because not only can ball not one hand a catch, man can’t even catch a damn cold lol
My guess would be tamme i suppose (assuming he was even out there)
TRB
It was Lance Ball, after a fake bubble-screen to Stokley baby!
Brandon Stokely
Was it Julius Thomas?
My second guess was going to be Von Miller……
My answer is the “Os” #6.
I’m going with Wesley Woodyard
Brandon Stokley
Trivia Question Answer: Brandon Stokley
Mario Fannin!!
Lance Ball
Trivia Question Answer: Brandon Stokley, what a beast!!
Mark Dell!
Appreciate it, Royalbroncofan1. And I’ll post the trivia answer here in just about 20 minutes.
And thank you, TRB. Hopefully the dialog picks back up soon — we’ve got a game in a week!
what was the question?
Alright, the time has come.
Today’s trivia question was: During team drills, who tipped a Peyton Manning pass to himself for a one-handed grab while on the run?
The answer: Brandon Stokley.
Congrats to the seven people with the correct answer — in order to settle the tiebreaker, I went to random.org and had it generate a random number between 1 and 7. That’s how we’ll handle tie breakers for the rest of camp.
Without further ado, today’s winner is Broncos82. Congratulations! We will reach out to you shortly and get your information to send a Broncos prize pack.
I heard that fannin had a good day. I am still interested in him. He was the talk of camp last year. Hopefully he blows up during pre season. Hope decker isn’t going to have health issues this year. He is to have a all pro year!!!!
How cool is that?!? Congrats Broncos82, I am very curious as to whats in that Broncos Prize Pack. Thanks Gray, I think this is a very nice addition to the blog and I look forward to winning one in the future!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!
Manning to DMT all day baby!
Greetings from our Nations Capitol!
I’m just getting caught up now, and even though I couldn’t get an entry in on time, let me just say how cool the contest idea is Gray!
Demaryius Thomas is an absolute monster, and will literally explode this season. I really hope we have someone in the organization who can help this young man deal with the fame that is about to be thrust upon him..
Aww. What?
I would have guessed wrong though. Was going to say Moreno. Lol…
Great to hear the chemistry developing between Manning and DMT. Good news on the injuries too!
Congrats Broncos 82! You lucky luck Bronco you!!
hey all. long time broncos fan but new to the blog. I am a very big fan of this blog and read it all of the time.
I was going to guess DMT for the trivia question but dang its good to see stokley back in orange and blue. That tip drill isn’t his first rodeo (i.e. denver vs cinci, week 2, 2009) GO BRONCOS!!!!!!
That is so awsome, thank you Gary! Thank you for the congrats CARAMELLOO and ScalptheCheifs. Can not wait for the season to start, GO Broncos!!!!!
My guess is good ol’ Brandon Stokley
Im from New Jersey..Ive been a Bronco fan since I can remember..I’m all alone out here representing for Denver..Especially being surrounded by nothing but Giants and Jets fans..But one day hopefully I can make it out there to be with my brothers and sisters that bleed Orange just like me…Peace!!!