Practice this afternoon got a little wet and wild for the rookies, as what is becoming a training camp ritual got underway for the second consecutive year.
Under the smothering heat, the first-year Broncos stepped up to a patch behind the end zone that had been watered for the last several hours. One by one, they dove for loose footballs in a mud pit while the veterans sprayed them with hoses and doused them with buckets of water at the beginning of practice. Afterward, the rookies stood out in their mud-stained jerseys as they went about their normal practice routine.
The scorching heat probably made being soaking wet for the remainder of practice a little more bearable.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Newly signed wide receivers Britt Davis and Patrick Carter were already on the field for practice, and Jamal Williams made his return to the field, already lining up at nose tackle with the first unit for most of the 11-on-11 drills.
The rest of the first-team defense had Champ Bailey and Andre’ Goodman at corner with Renaldo Hill and Darcel McBath at safety, as Brian Dawkins sat out Thursday’s session. Justin Bannan — sporting a stylish mustache — and Ryan McBean were on either side of Williams on the front line, and Jarvis Moss, Mario Haggan, Wesley Woodyard and Robert Ayers stepped in at linebacker.
D’Anthony Batiste took first-team reps at left tackle alongside Zane Beadles, J.D. Walton, Chris Kuper and Ryan Harris on the offensive line. Lance Ball saw several first-team reps, and LenDale White took his first carries during team drills as a Bronco.
PLAYMAKERS
Early in team drills, Brady Quinn found Marquez Branson for a connection over the top of the defense, drawing loud applause from the crowd in attendance at Dove Valley.
During a red-zone drill, Quinn quickly found Ball out of the backfield, and the running back sprinted down the sideline for a touchdown. The score drew a shout of “Great play!” from Kyle Orton, while defensive coordinator Wink Martindale was less than pleased.
In the same red-zone drill, Orton bought time in the pocket before lofting a ball to the back corner of the end zone. Eddie Royal came sprinting toward the pass, diving for an acrobatic catch that sent him head over heels out of the back of the end zone. With NFL refs helping run practice, it was easy to determine whether the catch was a touchdown. The side judge ruled it a score, drawing complaints from Nate Jones — who was in coverage — and the rest of the defense on the sideline. The back judge came sprinting toward the play, however, blowing his whistle to overturn the call. He signaled that the ball touched the ground and it was an incomplete pass.
Moss found himself in space, 1-on-1 with Toney Baker after a handoff during 11-on-11 drills. The linebacker held his ground and made the open-field tackle, drawing cheers from his defensive teammates.
Orton launched a pass toward Brandon Lloyd on the sideline next to the crowd of onlookers at Dove Valley, and the leaping receiver came down with the ball with Goodman in tight coverage. The ref signaled that it was a completion, drawing raucous cheers from the crowd.
TWO-MINUTE DRILL
The team worked on a two-minute drill toward the end of practice, with the first-team offense and defense facing off. In the drill, Champ Bailey appeared to have an interception, but Head Coach Josh McDaniels signaled that he had blown the play dead after a sack — keep in mind defensive players can’t really tackle the quarterback during training camp — so the pick was null and void.
A couple plays later, Orton lofted a pass toward Daniel Graham, who jumped between two defenders to come down with the ball. Flags were thrown on the play — pass interference on Darcel McBath — so the penalty was declined and the offense kept moving.
Shortly thereafter, Orton dropped back and fired a strike through the defense to Royal in the back of the end zone for the game-winning touchdown, garnering a celebratory offensive huddle in the end zone and giving Royal a little redemption for the incompletion earlier during the red-zone drill.
Then a new group of offensive and defensive players ran in to take their turn at the two-minute drill. Tim Tebow stepped in under center. His first pass came flying toward Demaryius Thomas on the sideline, but Tony Carter snuck in and snatched the ball from the 6-foot-3 receiver’s hands for an interception, ending the drill and giving the defense the victory.
QUICK HITS
The veterans continued to shout, “Get on it!” when the rookies didn’t pick up the ball right away after diving in the muddy patch behind the end zone.
Kyle McCarthy and Seth Olsen drew the loudest applause from the veterans, who approved of their intensity when diving for the loose ball. Riar Geer’s attempt actually drew boos from older players, who laughed and shouted, “You must do it again!” after the rookie tight end didn’t get muddy enough for their liking.
Even first-year coaches got involved in the festivities, as coaching assistants Craig Aukerman and Brian Callahan dove head-first into the mud.
Referees presided over practice, as a crew is in Denver to give a presentation Friday afternoon on new rule changes and points of emphasis for the 2011 season.
Rod Smith showed up at the end of the session and once again spent a long time talking with Thomas at the conclusion of practice.
TRAINING CAMP JUKEBOX
Wesley Woodyard’s playlist took center stage at the beginning of Thursday’s practice.
George Clinton’s “Atomic Dog” kicked things off during warmups, then most of the defense starting dancing as soon as the first few beats of California Swag District’s “Teach Me How to Dougie” kicked in. T.I.’s “I’m Back” rounded out Thursday’s selections.
Below are more photos from the session, with a full photo gallery to come featuring plenty of muddy rookies.
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: 2010, Training Camp
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Haha looks like Thompsons on a slip-n-slide.
Royal looks like he got pretty good gunns himself! I hope he has another year like his rookie year,or even better!
who’s # 42 ? please can’t find out.
White 26
Hall 29
Ball 35
Baker 40 Buck 28
moreno 27
???????? 42
Great to see Jamal.
Tuten is not the problem.
LETS GO DENVER!!!
I like to see the fun practice! our guys really deserve it! so what does anyone think about Adilius Thomas coming in to help the pass rush? I know i messed that up!
weareamr –
No. 42 was Kolby Smith, but he was released by the team when LenDale White was signed.
ADALIUS THOMAS anyone???
Thanks Gary for all the info. Hey Gary, set the record straight and wright a column about injuries in the NFL, can ya please. NO MORE SCAPEGOATS!!!! A BRONCO`S FAN, WIN OR LOSE!!!
Report: Dumervil mlost likely out for season with torn pectoral muscle
Just because someone would write an article about injuries in the NFL and why or why not they happen is not going to resolve this ongoing argument of whether Tuten has anything to do with it or not, it’s split about 50/50 and both sides make valid points. I enjoy it that way, if everybody saw the whole world with the same colored glasses it would bore me to death, just saying.
I agree 100% bay, like usual! haha
Thanks GARY, big props to u Bronco Bro
And we still have enough time with 4 preseason games and all of training camp to fill #92 spot, find a RB,have the o-line gel, fix the QB position, come up with starting WRs, find a TE who can stretch the field, come up with a D-Line rotation, Rearrange the LBing core, find a nickle DB, a dime DB, and see if the 1 punter we have can handle the job, whos gonna return punts, oh, and kickoffs, see if the new D-cordinator can call plays in the nfl, see if last years rooks can step in and contribute, see if any of this years rooks can help the team win some games.
Thats all. Plenty of time….
Go Broncos!!!
Whoever wrote that report is a dbag.
I do blame tuten for not conditioning our players well enough.
The clady thing wasn’t his fault, nor the Spencer larsen accident.
But, we have ran out of steam in the last few games for the past couple years. And we have been having a lot of unnecessary injury.
Fire tuten!
Is there any chance that we try Woodyard out in Doom’s spot? I know he is “undersized” as Doom was, but Wood has the drive and always seems to be on the ball and make the extra effort. I know it probably isn’t practical, but I’ve just always wanted Wood and DJ out there together, it’s a shame Wood is his backup because teaming them up wood be pretty scary.
I agree with you also florio like I said in the last blog, saying someone isn’t a fan because they disagree or dislike the coach is like stating that if you don’t agree with or like the president you are un-American! It just doesn’t make sense!
Man this is getting annoying having to post to read other posts!
Everyone is different, they are many here who will defend whatever McD does just because he is the team’s coach so therefore they believe if he does something it has a purpose regardless of how assinine it might seem to someone else because as fans they feel they have to accept that and never ever question the top man, go with the flow and hope for the best. It works for them, it doesn’t work for me, that’s all, sometimes I have to go against the flow to satisfy my intellect, no biggie.
florio…I agree,and I don’t care if anybody says I’m not a true fan.I’ve only been watching the Broncos for 28 years !!and I’ll root for them the rest of my life,NOBODY AND I MEAN NODAMNBODY tells me I’m not a Broncos fan,I’ll have my opinion,and I’ll tell the whole world anytime I feel like it !!!!!!!! GO BRONCS!!!!!!!!!!
Tuten must go !!!!!!!!
A torn pectoral muscle has Zero yes Zero as in 0 to do with anything Rich Tuten did or did not due to prepare the Doom for the upcoming season! Injuries happen! I can only wonder how the Doom feels right now. We will move on and see who steps up. It’s not the end of our season!
In fact it will test the character of this McD built team. Witch is all about Team unity.
Just me.
GO BRONCOS
FTR
BFE92
I think your a Bronco Fan! You go boy with what ever you think!
FTR
If anything maybe the muscle was so strong it tore the tendon. Humm then what do we say? Crap Tuten you did your job to well? LOL
GO BRONCOS
FTR
I want to hear what 07 thinks?
FTR…thanks bro.I guess I’m just so damn frustrated with what’s going on right now,we finally see this team coming together,and them BAM !!! right outta the blue players start going down,it’s a hard cookie to swallow for all of us.Injuries are gonna happen in any sport at anytime,but if you’re body is not conditioned properly,it’s easier for injuries to happen.I’m not talkin’ bout Doom,I’m emphasizing someone elses point about our downfall the past 2 years when we fell apart in the 2nd half of both seasons,I think it’s got to do with conditioning.Just one man’s opinion that don’t mean a Helluva lot.
BFE
Nice to hear Rod Smith spent time with Thomas after the practice.
It sounds as if Orton shined today while Tebow had a tougher time, Quinn sounded like he did allright also. Moss held his own also and best of all Jamal Williams played NT most of the day with the 11′s. Great to have these pretty much in depth coverages of the practices, however I can’t wait for the pre season games as they will all be televised on the NFL channel even so not live. No better way to assess our team, now I’m kind of doing it like a blind man.
BFE92
Like I said there is truth in what you say and I feel your pain! I am not sticking up for Tuten! And maybe there should be a change made. We have early frustration in Broncos past that we all want corrected as far as the turn around on how we finish! Vent here thats what we do.
GO BRONCOS
FTR
BTW, the first Bronco pre season game against the Bengals on the 15th will be televised live on ESPN at 5 pm I believe. They’re gonna have a hay day with Tebow, Ochocinco and now T.O.
I thought I heard the other day it will be on the NFL network, either way its live and I can’t wait! that game has some big story lines, Tebows NFL debut, Quinn’s first game for Denver, T.O. and Ochos coming out party haha I wanna see how Parrish does out there, if he is as much of a ballhawk out there as he is in practice he will be BIG in no time!
I was Impressed at what white and Moss had to say today! Lendale seems really excited to be here and that makes me happy because I feel he really wants to be here and here only! and Jarvis was saying that he was “as motivated as Elvis” I really have a good feeling about him this year! If we can get Smith, Ayers, and Moss to play like we know they can this could actually be an exciting year for our Defense!
GO BRONCOS 2010
I agree, to me the fact that we lost Doom doesn’t change the fact that our D will be the side that I won’t worry about much this year, I will reserve the worries for the O.
Hey Yovi I agree that to disagree with a coach is not a factor for making someone a non-fan. I think what the guy was saying is everything that goes wrong , then they just blame the coach cuz they dont like him. I personally like McD but dont agree with him on everything, but I dont blame him for something such as an injury, you know what I mean. i might question his playcalling, him not signing morte depth at certain positions, but not because Doom got injured.
Again I will post this because I think some missed it. I have noticed that comments work fine on my PC, but they do not work correctly on my Mac. So my question is, people that are having trouble commenting what computer you using, Mac or PC?
Don’t know that since mine works fine and it’s a PC.
BA…I use a PC and sometimes have the problem and sometimes not,most of the time I have to post before I can see other posts,I think there’s a glitch in the new homepage.
If our Dline holds up and gets a few sacks,and Ayers and Moss can get a few,and maybe a few blitz packages get a few more,we might manage to get to the QB this year,we actually have a huge problem when one man has to do all the pass rushing,it’s about time we get back to some tough D,I can remember one year we led the NFL in sacks with like 52 I think,but like I say it can’t fall in one man’s lap to get to the QB,it needs to be spread out we need to rush the passer from both sides and up the middle!
BFE
Hmm interesting, is an werid issue.
BFE, McD is considering the option of moving Haggan back to the outside.
BTW, new Mike Rice blog.
The season might not be a total loss,Hell I didn’t expect to win the Superbowl anyway.If we can grow and jell as a team,and keep our good players signed(especially Champ)we can still gain experience and make a run at the playoffs,and then wait till the 2011 season to claim our AFC West title back and maybe make a run at the Superbowl.
I think Lendale White will surprise a lot of people,the man is only 25,and still is one Helluva RB,I just hope McD gives him a fair shake,I think he can have a shot at being a franchise RB,really.I know we picked him up for depth and short yardage but I think he is starting material,should be interesting to see what happens.When Moreno and Buck get healthy,we’ll have one of the best RB stables in the NFL,if our Oline can get healthy and jell we should be a LOT better pounding the rock this year,that in itself will help the passing game tremendously.IMO.
The blog doesn’t work properly on my pc, ipad or blackberry.
Fire Tuten!
Glad to see Williams out there finally!
Btw guys, does anyone think that we should pick up Schobel or Adailus Thomas. It definitely couldn’t hurt us at all!!
hahaha, great freakin practise, was there myself, got to see Tebow, and Eddie royal afterwards those guys are freakin awsome, didnt get an autograph the freakin place was swamped.. loved it, just turned 24 and this has to be the best birthday gift ever.
ha I’m jealous! How did we look? KFS I agree! I like McD and disagree with him sometimes, but i Personally hope he’s here for a long time! If we can get schobel I would be pumped, the guys old but he can bring even more talent and experience to our D! same goes for adailius!
Can our first preseason game start tomorrow please?? This is literally driving me absolutely crazy!!
broncosfreak i feel your pain, I wish pre-season started soon also. LOL. Im not sure on Schoebel, I believe he played in a 4-3 defense as a DE. I believe thats why he wanted out of Buffalo, they where switching to a 3-4. But Elvis converted sand had 17 sacks his first year, maybe Schoebel would do close to the same if he came, just a long learning curve in little time.
KFS, I forgot who said it but I heard we will use more 4-3 D this year since Doom may be done.
Actually, it’s the man himself McD, as reported by Woody:
“We’re not going to bring someone in because you can’t get anyone of Elvis’ capability,” McDaniels said. “We’ll go on with the players we have. We’re not going back to the 4-3 (defense) full time, but we’ve been working on it in camp, and we’ll use it more because of the depth and quality we have in the line. We’ve got versatility on defense.”
Gotta love our rookies. Not breaking with tradition in doing the slip n slide in the muck! I bet if it was Dez, he’d be like “hell no, I didn’t feel like it so I’m not gonna do it! Let the veterans do it. I ain’t diving into that!” LOL!
Man I`m looking forward to the games.