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
That would be tough to rewrite to make it Country. HaHa!! That would be a neat trick.
Vic Lombardi says that “PFM just threaded the needle for a 20 yd TD pass over the middle” WHY CAN’T I BE THERE????
And S.D. likes to come out of the gate slow.
I have high hopes for Hillman, but even if he is great, we’re going to need more than he and McGahee.. Especially how many RB’s we’ve gone through in the past few years, as the NFL season is a grind.. Moreno is not the likely canidate considering he can’t stay healthy either, but I’m all for seeing if we can squeeze any last drops out of him, and if not, we need another guy to step up. My hope is Mario Fannin.
haha………I’m brainstorming it actually……….thinking of a chord progession that would fit the phrasing of the song……..
And I NEVER feel left out here with my broncos bloggin brothers and sisters! lol
Strand, SD is always the turtle comin out of the gate that’s for sure. I think their coaching staff is terrible! LOL
A buddy of mine and I are going to Dove Valley when camp starts. We went last year, and are heading up again this year. I can hardly wait.
Well maybe you leave that one a rap, Kod and when OC writes up the Wizard of Denver, that one can be country??
Their coaching staff stinks. They deserve to lose. I`m bias! HaHa!!
Strand, my BFF and my sister and I are going to the Seattle preseason game on August 18th
Holy cow!!! This is the coolest facemask I have seen!!!! Its for Justin Tuck of the Giants.
http://instagr.am/p/LyIu3JwoUx/
I need to write up a tune. Some of you might not appriciate Rock/Metal, but I sang in a metal band for 6 years in L.A. during the hairband days. I wrote all of the lyrics since I was the frontman. Great memories in those days.
Rock and Roll is one of the best inventions ever man.
Strand I like all kinds of music except for when the scream….That just gives me a headache lol. What I listen to depends on what im doing.
Thats cool Cat. How come you aren`t going?
They JUST posted pictures from today’s mini camp on the Broncos website, FYI.
http://www.denverbroncos.com/multimedia/photo-gallery/Broncos-Minicamp—Day-One/584988e8-4795-4d0c-beb8-01e250cd5c4c
Images from practice today!!!!!!!!!!
I am, reread my sentence! LOL
You`d hate me then in my music, I was a screamer. Many compared me to Rob Halford of Judas Preist back then. I held my own, but I`m no Halford. LOL
I just gotta say the picture of Page next to DMT made me laugh. Page looks so scrawny next to DMT LOL
LOL Strand. I have a few friends who do that. I go to their concerts sometimes but I wear earplugs so I dont get such a bad headache. Lol
Alaska, the Singers I enjoy are opera style singers. You gotta know how to hold a note and when to hold back. Its an art.
I love the pictures, they are great and make me want to be there even more!!!!!!!
Its not for everybody bro. I can appriciate that. You gotta be yourself. Life is grand!
Jesus…. Did DThomas put on some lbs???
http://www.denverbroncos.com/multimedia/photo-gallery/Broncos-Minicamp—Day-One/584988e8-4795-4d0c-beb8-01e250cd5c4c#bfc8c567-ea3a-4fde-a74a-58a9a6cc83ff
I wish these OTA`s were open to the public.
LOL OT That was actually the picture I was talking about! DT looks big and that makes Page look small or the other way around.
wow……….DMT looks freakin’ JACKED! Love it!
The Denver Post posted pictures too, but they obviously have a man crush on PFM! LOL
Demaryius still has those thin lower legs/feet that gave him all his health problems. Notice the ankle wraps over the shoes to attempt to keep it all together. And a bigger upper body is not good news for those matchsticks. Just my observation.
Kod – putting my vote in for the Country version. (the Bronco Country version) I think you will have to modify the lyrics some to get ‘er done – but worth it. Don’t bother with the screaming version for Strand. At least, that’s a ‘no’ vote here!!! LOL
DMT learned to work out from Tebow !!!
I think that is the reason you don’t see DMT doing much except the stiff arm and down hill running. Nothing against bird legs – mine were called that until they weren’t that anymore! LOL
Ya i wonder why dmt hasn’t blown up his legs. You would thing being a reciever he’d focus on it. Oh well. And I’m for a country AND rock version. Can be done i think w out much change
Maybe he can’t beef up his legs anymore than they already are… I dunno why he couldn’t, but maybe there’s a reason he can’t.
Ya true cat. I know guys that just work out their upper body cuz they get more results and their lower body is harder to build so they give up on it. I doubt an nfl player would not do it for that reason tho. Who knows but if he can he should.
Maybe OpThomas just has such a huge upper body, that his legs look disproportionate…? Lol
LOL Daddy.
How about some Georgia Satilites: (I got change in my pocket going jingle-lingle-ling).
Now theres some half rock half country there, cool band. LOL
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_20840252/broncos-run-game-still-top-priority-peyton-manning
So, it bothers me that they act like The Neck is lying when he says that we will have a balanced offense… Because I personally think that our running game is one of the reasons he chose us.
The more we run, the long Peyton Manning`s career can be prolonged.
LOL exactly, strand, but also the more balanced we are, which means a better overall offensive plan and hopefully good execution follows.
And my sentence makes no sense. I meant, the more balanced we are the better overall offensive plan which hopefully means good execution.
No worries there Cat. Its going to be a blast to watch the season unfold.
I do the same thing, my fingers get ahead of my brain.
We led the NFL in rushing last year NOT b/c of Tebow, but b/c we also led the NFL in rushing attempts… We need to run the ball effectively, but it is NOT a given that we will based on last years stats IMO… I am slightly concerned with our run game, as I have stated several times today..
Exactly! Can’t control it sometimes. My thoughts are right but my words are written all jumbled! lOL
OT, I hear you dude. I have faith in JJ. I think he has what it takes to be a sound RB. I prefer JJ over Moreno and Ball. I`m very curious about RB Mario Fannin.
OT I see what you’re saying. But now that we don’t have to lead the league in rushing attempts I think we are going to do just fine with our run game. Balanced is key.
Ball should be cut IMHO I dont think he can show more than last year which wasnt much. Fannin or JJ should take the spot. Moreno I want to give him one more year. I wouldnt mind seeing Fannin on the PS one more year while JJ is on roster I dont think JJ can be put on the PS. But that would be three scat backs to one big back.