By all accounts, it was a good week of practice for the Broncos and the Cowboys this week. Coaches and players said they liked the work against another team. It sure was fun to watch.
The first thing I noticed at Wednesday morning’s practice was the increased intensity. There was a lot of chatter on the field. There seemed to be a high level of intensity. You could tell that players were hustling, scrambling, trying to do that little extra to make a play.
That was neat to see at training camp. Players will say that it is good to go against another team and I can see why. Just when training camp seemed to be grinding down, the Cowboys arrived and the tempo and energy picked up. I have to believe that was good for both teams.
If I had to pick a team to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl today, I would pick the Cowboys. They are big, strong, fast and talented. The Broncos were able to practice against one of the elite teams in the NFC, if not in the NFL.
And it seemed like the Broncos did more than just hang in there. I wasn’t in Dallas last year when the teams practiced against each other before their pre-season game. But people tell me that the Cowboys were more physical and it certainly showed in the game at the end of the week.
Not this week. I loved how the Broncos competed, they didn’t back down and they didn’t let the Cowboys intimidate them at all.
The verbal exchange between Cowboys’ CB Adam Jones and Broncos’ WR Brandon Marshall was fun but it also showed me that the Broncos wouldn’t back down, especially to a guy who isn’t even able to play at this point.
I loved how Broncos’ QB Jay Cutler quickly stood up for Marshall and said how they practice against guys like Champ Bailey every day. In the big picture, the whole exchange wasn’t about if Marshall was truly as good as Terrell Owens. It was more about the Broncos standing up and telling the Cowboys to keep their mouths shut.
On Thursday morning, Broncos’ DT Marcus Thomas scuffled with Cowboys offensive lineman Flozell Adams. Again, I like the Broncos’ intensity. The Broncos had a particularly good workout on Thursday morning and physically handled the Cowboys. I liked seeing that out of the Broncos.
I also thought that on Thursday afternoon, the Broncos’ first-team two-minute drill was sharp. Cutler found Tony Scheffler down the middle and mixed up passes to other receivers. At one point, Cowboys’ head coach Wade Phillips exhorted his defense with an emphatic “Come on!”
And how about Denver’s second round pick, WR Eddie Royal? I’m not sure the kid has dropped a pass in training camp. I know it’s just practice and just pre-season but that’s all he has had to show his stuff so far. And to this point, I am thoroughly impressed.
I n fact, that goes for the Broncos as a whole. Sure, training camp has just ended and it’s still pretty early in the pre-season, but I like what I see. I’m encouraged how this team seems to be progressing. I can already feel some excitement building for the regular season opener on September 8th.
What about you? Are you encouraged by the Broncos training camp? What are you looking for in the final pre-season games? Feel free to offer your thoughts and thanks for reading.
Best,
Mike
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[...] Original post by mike_rice [...]
Well, I’m posting this after the Broncos-Cowboys game…….Yeah, Eddie Royal seems to be the real deal. When I watch him play, I can’t help but think about how much he reminds me of Steve Smith, except for the fact that the keeps his mouth shut and doesn’t punch teamates, of course. This kid is going to be very, very good. To walk into the Broncos training camp as a rookie with all the receiver that the Broncos had in camp and to rise up to starter level for both of the first preseason games…………WOW, yeah this guy’s for real and I’m excited to see what he can do come the regular season.
navy_bronco-fan…I agree. I think Eddie Royal could turn out to be really, really good. I didn’t go to every training camp practice, but I couldn’t remember his dropping a pass at the practices I attended. He also seems to have his head on his shoulders. I’m excited to see how he keeps developing. Mike
Begining of mini camps, I was saying that he’ll mainly be Returning kicks/punts for the beginning of the season and would eventually become the #2 guy… but I was wrong… And I’m glad… He will have a big affect on our Offense through the entire year…