The Broncos are currently in the midst of their OTAs (organized team activities) in preparation for the 2012 season. The Broncos’ mini-camp this week caps the OTAs and will be the team’s final workouts before training camp begins in July.
Leading up to training camp, we’ll bring you some conversations that 850 KOA had with various members of the Broncos. Recently, 850 KOA had the chance to talk with Broncos’ Executive Vice President of Football Operations, John Elway (JE).
850 KOA: Are things quieting down a little before training camp starts?
JE: They are. Now that we’ve got Ty Warren re-done, which we’re excited about, we’re winding down. Mini-camp is (coming up). We had a good 10 OTAs (to) get everybody together, get everybody knowing each other and then finish with the mini-camp. From that point on, the players are done. The coaches and everybody will take some time off and get ready for camp.
850 KOA: The Broncos have been as busy as any team in the NFL over the past three months. You’ve rebuilt your offense. You’ve rebuilt the back end of your defense. Does it feel like you’ve been extraordinarily active?
JE: Yeah, it’s been a busy spring. But any time it’s constructive like we feel like it has been, we’re excited about where we are. You never know what you have until you get out there. Obviously in OTAs we’re just in helmets and we’re not in pads but it’s good to get there and see everybody running around. I mentioned this to Peyton the other day. Defensively, we’re doing a good job. Offensively, we had blitz periods and those types of things and had a tough time getting people open. (I told Peyton) there are two issues here. Either we’re a lot better on the back end, which I think we are, or we’re having a tough time getting open. But it’s been good. We’re real excited about the back end with (Drayton) Florence, Tracy Porter and (Omar) Bolden coming in, Mike Adams at the safety position plus Rahim (Moore) and Quinton Carter, two young safeties we drafted last year. They’ve had a real good spring. It’s exciting to see what we have going on.
850 KOA: As you began to prepare for the 2012 season, when did it sink in to you that you had to do something about the back end of the defense?
JE: When you look at the opportunities we had, especially at the end of last year, we really struggled against teams that spread us out, that went empty (backfield). New England. Detroit killed us early in the year. When they spread us out, we struggled. Tracy (Porter) was out there, we explored a lot of different corners. We were fortunate to land him in free agency.
850 KOA: What did you like most about Tracy Porter?
JE: He’s an athlete and he’s young. He’s got big-play ability and he’s a good cover guy. He can play inside or outside, which is important in the back end. He has that flexibility and he has some youth. We were aging back there. We flirted with Asante Samuel and tried to work something there. Then Drayton Florence came available and we were able to land him. We really liked him last year when he was a free agent and signed a one-year deal with the Bills. We’re excited about the experience and the physicality that he brings. We’ve got the depth back there now. When we got spread out last year, we knew we had to get some more people back there.
850 KOA: This offseason, it looked like you operated under the theme of improving the pass offense and the pass defense. As you were preparing for a role like you have in the NFL, how long have you had that vision that you know what the priorities are in the NFL today and those priorities are basically in the air?
JE: It starts with the quarterback and that’s the bottom line. I think things started really rolling for us in the Peyton sweepstakes and we were able to land Peyton. That really started the ball rolling for us and not because I played the position but I just understand how important it is to have a guy in that position that can do the things that Peyton Manning can do. Plus it attracts everybody else because everybody feels like they have a chance to win. It gives you the credibility, number one, and the chance right away to compete for a world championship (because) you’ve got that guy in that position. We saw that. The people that we signed migrated to Peyton and it lifts everybody else up on our football team.
Next time, we invite you to check out part two with John Elway. We’ll have his thoughts on what he thinks the Broncos’ offense will look like this season, what personnel groups the Broncos might use, what Peyton Manning brings to the organization and more.
Thanks for reading. Feel free to share your thoughts about the Broncos and where you think they stand as training camp gets closer.
Sincerely,
Mike
Tags: John Elway, Mike Rice
sorry to hear about your buddy DB………….
Prater is a no show today and we are trying out Adi Kunalic in Praters place!
Moreno’s cap hit is next to nothing this year, but jumps substantially next year in his final year under contract. This will be his last season in a Broncos uniform IMO, but I do expect him to be on the team this year given the little cap hit, and our questions at RB. I think they want to keep guys fresh, rather than grind one guy down. Guess we’ll see…
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d829bd871/article/which-nfl-team-has-improved-the-most-this-offseason
No respect for the Broncos. Headline: Manning does not impress!!!
Thanks Kod and Strand.
I just hope that DJ is cleared of his Specimen if he`s telling the truth. Now with his DUI situations, now thats a whole new ball game. Lets hope that the suspension is cut in half and DJ keeps his nose clean. He`s not learning from his mistakes. Roger Goddell sees a pattern and won`t put up with any hub bub. I bet he wins his trial in the Specimen case, but not the DUI thing. He`s still going to get fined ans suspended. I hope its not the full 6 weeks.
How do you place your Franchise tag on a player and then can’t get him signed???
Is this Kunalic thing just a ploy to get Prater to sign the contract that JE wants him to sign??? I like the tough negotiating but is it worth risking Prater. (The guy whose mistakes I can forgive because for now they don’t seem to be chronic.)
The Prater no-signing is not an issue. Its OTA`s. When Camp starts in late July comes around and he isn`t signed, then I worry. He`s a Kicker. It`ll work itself out. Kickers don`t need to be in full swing until camp.
As much as I love McGahee, I think it would be a little naive to expect him to have another big season. If it happens, great, but I’m not counting on it. I like Hillman, but he is a rookie. Johnson showed some flashes, and Ball is Ball.. My real hope is that Fannin steps it up this year, but I think we’ll need Moreno as well, as much as it pains me to say.. Of course, I’d be on board with picking up Cedric Benson on a one year deal, but I don’t think he fits the character guy profile..
I like JJ in the mix at RB. JJ before Moreno in my book.
From what I hear its money thats the issue in the deal. The franchise tag is just a way to keep other teams from signing them. He could attend but im assuming doesnt want to risk an injury that will hurt his negotiations. Plus he cant get into trouble because he isnt under contract.
DB can you do me a favor and email me. There is something I actually want to ask you that is a little personal for the blogs?
My email is e028536@hotmail.com it would be much appreciated.
Okay Gang……..here’s some comic relief at my expense. Found this old post while skimming through the blogs to find my first post…………which I found to be in October of 2008.
Anyways, keep this post in context……….we just went 6-0………..right before the wheels fell off. I laughed my a$$ off reading this………..can’t believe I posted that about Orton!!!!! It’s when my dislike of No-Show began though……and that went downhill fast too!
killerkod says:
October 20, 2009 at 8:50 am
I love this blog! I live in Newfoundland, Canada…..and trust me, there are only a handful of NFL fans here in the whole province, let alone Denver Bronco fans! So I watch the games at home and cheer alone! Nice to have a place to go and rant and rave about our boys!
I am so impressed with how these guys play as a TEAM! They feed off one another and when the D makes a big play, the O goes out and makes a big play of their own.
I love the way Moreno runs, but I’ve noticed in the past several weeks he has a hard time getting that 1-2 yards needed to convert a first down…..anyone have any thoughts on this? I’m sure it’s just a maturation process and he will learn what it takes to make those….as he did with his leaping run last night for the 1st…….but there’s nothing more disheartening than to not make those 3rd and shorts.
Kyle Orton, I take back everything I’ve said about you not being able to lead this team in the past…….when it’s crunch time, you come up big and you haven’t put this team in a bad position yet this season. Kudos to you!
And what can’t be said about our D. They just keep coming at teams and get them off the field. How many years has our 3rd down defense had me screaming at the tv…….but now they seem to always get the job done, especially in the 2nd half. It’s almost as if the first half is somewhat of a feeling out half and then the adjustments are implemented at halftime and they come out playing lights out football!
This TEAM is off the hook! We should be number 1 in the power rankings this week, if not 2 behind the saints…….but we should be ahead of the Vikings for sure!
GO BRONCOS GO!
I didn’t mean this was my first post………..just one that I found hilrious now looking back.
LMAO Kod!!!! Thats hilarious!!!!! Thanks for the much needed comedic relief I needed just now LOL
Trust me, I’m not a Moreno fan by ANY means. But we definitely need to be able to run the ball, as well as provide Manning easy screen pass options. I don’t think we’re going to ask Manning to air it our 40+ times a game, at least I hope not. The only reason I say keep Moreno around this season is b/c he is cheap this year, and he’s good on screens and pass protection. Of course, this all provided he comes to camp in shape, with a new focus and determination, looking to prove his doubters wrong. If not, he’s simply not worth it.
Fun to look back on and laugh at ourselves. I know I have many posts back then that I can laugh about and say to myself, you were way off on that one. LOL! Good stuff Kod.
I`m all for keeping Knowshon for one more season. Its going to be RB by committee as we already know. I`m looking forward to see how Hill plays. I think Hillman is going to tear up the field.
BAD NEWS
Thomas is still being looked at, appears to be in some pain rocking his head back and forth. Now he is kneeling down on the sidelines.
Decker is now checking on DMT
Just read a tweet from jones at DP that DMT had his fingers checked by a trainer after deflected pass. Hope it’s just precautionary.
lol I read that tweet wrong…………either way he’s back to practicing and all seems to be good.
Whew! Glad DMT is fine.
So, it seems like Elway and Peyton talk all the time, so that make me happy. DB, we didn’t have as much to improve as other teams did so I see why we aren’t on the list. Just IMO.
Thats good Kod!!! From the tweet I posted it seemed a lot more was wrong.
Elway and Manning, two greats minds thinking alike. YEEEES!!!!!
Cat while I agree we didnt have much we still improved greatly. Im not even meaning Manning. But Porter Florence and Adams add to our defensive backfield. Tamme and Dreesen add much needed vet TEs. Caldwell and Stokes add to our WRs. While Bannan adds depth to DT. We improved what we needed to and are much more improved than those teams IMO
Well, of course I agree with you AB. I think we are better than everybody, but I don’t think the NFL thinks like that. Nd unlike us, they are still questioning Peyton’s abilities (-;
Alaska, seeing all of that talent in just one paragraph makes me get excited about our team. Bro, you struck a nerve. LOL
LOL Cat!!!! True lol
Strand and thats just NEW talent in FA! LOL
I`m getting antsy for the season to start. LOL
so cat…………you think you and AB are better than all of us? hahaha Just having fun twisting words!
“Well, of course I agree with you AB. I think we are better than everybody” LMAO
We are so stacked!!!! I think people are doubting us for so many reasons but we have so much talent it’s a little ridiculous. LOL
Yes, our draft class! OK! Thats it! Now you`ve done it! LMAO!!
Dude we=Broncos LOL
LOL Kod!!!!
LOL Strand AND thats not even the talent we already had before this year!!!!!!
We`re better than the rest of the AFC West. I don`t think K.C., raiders, or S.D. have a shot.
Kod is worried I’m leaning him out so let me rephrase:
Well, of course I agree with you AB. I think the Broncos are better than everybody else, but I don’t think the NFL thinks like that.
If Moreno doesn’t make the team, that means someone else beat him out, and I’m cool with that. I don’t really care who it is, I just want us to be able to run the ball, and run the clock.. All I’m saying is the way it stands know, given all the factors, I would bet he makes the team.
Just having a little bit of some fun Alaska. LOL
and then AB backs it up and says:
“LOL Cat!!!! True lol”
Some egos! LMAO
Just playin’ and having fun kids!
AB and the talking heads have got me not counting out KC strand. But I still think we’re pretty set to take the west.
LOL… Awwww… Kod is feeling left out (-;
I think Hillman will get the second gig behind McGahee. He`ll turn some heads when he gets into camp or OTA`s.
KC is going to be better gettting some guys back from injury, but I see their weak spot being QB, and our stregths are pass rush and secondary.. Advantage: Denver
Kod, how ya doin with the country music version of The Neck to the Deck to the DMT?
Time will tell Cat. I think K.C. has problems at the QB position. IMO
Yeah, we have the best QB in the division and SD is 2nd then KC and Oak imo