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
My situation Cat is my attention span. LOL
LOL I think I think too fast, is that possible? My hands can’t keep up!
I really think we will see 20+ rush attempts and around 30 pass attempts. Very few deep passes too IMO would help Manning keep his strength.
If McGahee can handle the load as our big back, our scat backs should do just fine. I still like JJ.
If Manning puts up alot of points into the 3rd quarter and we`re up by two TD`s or more, we`ll run, run, run.
I agree AB, but Manning hasn’t been known to throw deep balls as much as you’d think so I’m sure he’ll throw some, but not a ton. I can’t wait to see how it all turns out though.
The only non question mark IMO is McGahee, and he has a lot of miles on him.. I agree not having 8 guys+ in the box will help, along with the threat of Peyton Manning pass, but the season is a grind, and we have to expect a few RB’s going down, which we can’t afford right now IMO.
I think we should take a one year flier on Cedric Benson, he’s a tough, physical runner, who is also durable and coming off three consecutinve 1,000+ yard seasons
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7180/career
I think JJ although a scat back can be effective between the tackles. Enough to help take the load off of McGahee.
Maybe, I mean maybe we`ll give Benson a look. If Benson is around a solid supporting cast, he just might work as a second big back. I`m skiddish about that idea though. Benson would come cheap, that`s for sure.
Cat I know he hasnt. I think he will throw no more than 5 because unlike Brees its not in thing.
OT If we cut Ball I wouldnt mind seeing Benson brought in. But his character issues make me think its a no.
Remember we are at the 90 man limit on roster. To sign we have to cut.
We don’t have any room to sign anyone unless we cut someone or trade someone.
OT, i didn`t know Benson had 3 consecutive 1000 yard seasons. That just might be the ticket. His problems off the field would be a concern in Denvers eyes. I`d go for it. Like I said, he`d come cheap.
There are a lot of guys who could be cut right now IMO, to make room for a vet RB. Benson’s off the field issues make it a long shot, but we need more depth at RB, especially when we want to keep a pitch count on Manning, whether we’re ready to admit that or not..
We cut a UFA player, not a big deal.
They admitted that they were keeping him to limited throws, but Brady is also being kept to limited throws so I don’t read too much into it.
Benson has only missed one game over the past two years, which I like as well. He and McGahee would be the hammer, and Hillman would be a change of pace
Benson has had no issues the last year now has he? All of his suspensions are done, right. If he`s signed by a team, he can play a full 16 games. In other words, he`s in the clear to start day one?!
No Benson please!!! Costs to much in the embarrassment column.
I think we get a solid half season out of McG before Fannin or Hillman need to show up big time. No doubt in my mind that McG doesn’t have a full season at a time, left to give.
I expect Moreno to be playing beyond himself at the beginning of the season with so much to prove – I hope we enter the season being able to call Knowshawn our #2. I don’t expect him to last long either but if he can get us deep into the season it will help Hillman mature into the back he needs to be. I’m hoping that Fannin / Hillman with JJ back up is the plan through the playoffs.
I still don’t know much about Fannin – never seen video on him – hearsay is good – anyone think he has the ability to be the #1.
Its hard to cut a CFA who we havnt seen much.I would much rather cut a camp body that most likely wont make the team and cant make the PS. CBS Joshua Moore and Tony Carter come to mind…
Strand I do think he is all good to go and clear of trouble stuff at the moment.
If I did sign Benson, it would be heavy laiden in incentives. If he screws up one time with a DUI or whatever, void the contract. Let him know your serious!
I think so too Alaska. I wasn`t sure bro.
I don’t have a lot to say….just stating that I have been around…hate talking this time of year because it is all speculation, nothing solid to talk about. everyt team looks great this time of year….you don’t have to hit anyone. Basically, just a hello and how are ya…enjoy the offseason the real thing ain’t far off.
Benson is one of those talkers. He’s a burden on a locker room. Likes to compete with the QB as team leader. Head games.
No thank you very much.
I didn’t mean the pitch count as a negative, as I hope we DO keep a pitch count on Manning, which is why I keep going on and on about the run game.. I would like to see us shock the league, and run more than people expect, and let Manning pick his spots. I don’t care who it is, but we need another RB, and I’m so sure if he on our current roster or not
Hey Carnage!!! Great to hear from you!
C’mon man – speculate! You are the best at reading prior stats into future performance. Love to hear what you think! Then we can all argue about it. LOL
I`ll tell ya what, McGahee held his own last year. He did get tired towards the middle of the season. We just might need one more big RB. The Broncos know what their doing. Lets have some faith in Elway and Fox.
DB, I’m sure we already have plenty of talkers in our locker room, but you can’t shy away from what’s good for the team and sometimes a back like Benson is good for our team even if he’s a talker. If Willis goes down I don’t want to be out of luck with our running game.
DMT just jammed his finger. That is all. Got it all taped up and is fine.
Argue, debate, yell and scream at each other. LOL
I gotta go guys – I have a meeting to prepare for tonight.
But the discussion has lifted my cloud for a while!!! and that is good!
Heck, Shannon was a talker. LOL
Kicking biting and hitting our comps…. LOL
LMAO!!
Cat – I have written long articles on why and how great locker rooms and team chemistry are more important on championship teams than almost any other factor. Its is the reason why the most talented teams (ie. SD or Philly) almost never win and the ‘Bad News Bears’ story line gets rewritten over and over. This past year the Giants rallied around Manning #2 and his lack of respect. He has those guys playing beyond themselves and their abilities.
With the right Offensive Line almost anyone can run the ball – Shanny proved that over and over. We are going to be fine with our running back core. Don’t mess up the championship run with locker room issues!!!
Yeah but Sharpe never went after his QB. He was funny and positive. He build up his team with his mouthyness rather than tearing it down. All of his tearing down was on the opposing teams and he was the best at bad mouthing SD and Faiders.
Maybe I’m worrying too much, but it’s a long season, and Moreno, Fannin, and JJ are all coming off knee injuries
But I love how you seem to be unwilling to give these players extra chances at anything, DB. Just because Benson has had trouble, doesn’t mean that the Broncos wouldn’t be the best thing for him. Get his life turned around and all. And I completely understand what Eli was able to do last season, I am a huge Manning family fan and have been following Eli for ages, as he is just a bit older than I am. But there are quite a few talkers in his locker room and he has been able to move past the talking and have them walk the walk. But Diehl just got a DWI and he’s surely upset about it, but he wouldn’t write the guy off for making a mistake. And I doubt Manning would give Justin Tuck up for anything.
Go read what Coach Fox said about what DJ did… I love what he said about it. It’s on the Denver Post website.
Actually, is JJ coming off a knee injury?
Does anybody know if all of our draft picks are signed??? For some reason I think that we have 2 that are not signed yet… Maybe Oswiler and Hillman??? IDK
Melo correct. Hillman and Os have yet to be signed. Them along with Prater are the only three Broncos not under contract.
So my next question is how are Hillman and Oswiler able to practice if they’re not under contract???
*Osweiler
Just because they arnt under contract doesnt mean they cant partake. Prater can practice to if he wanted. They are on the Broncos just not under contract.
ab.. thanks, i thought for some reason you had to be signed to participate….
Nope. As long as the player is drafted by the team or had the franchise tag they can.
Manning and Fox interviews are on the broncos webpage.
by Andrew Mason, CBSSports.com
After inserting second-year S Rahim Moore into the first team last week, the Broncos moved him back to the second unit, but gave sixth-round pick Danny Trevathan a look at LB with the first-team nickel defense on Tuesday. “He’s attacked it really well as far as in the meeting rooms, in the playbook,” Coach John Fox said. “This game is so much mental and for a young guy, he’s caught on pretty quickly.”
Sucks to hear about Moore but great to hear about Trev!!!!
Patriots are really stocking up on TEs. They had 5 or 6 on roster and claimed TE Ballard off waivers from the Giants.
What do the Patriots have up their sleeve??
Melo – that’s Rottweiler!!! LOL
That’s right Cat – can’t figure out what’s the matter with me…imagine having high expectations of kids who make millions. LOL
and no mercy when they do the same stupid things into their 30′s.
(You want to know just how severe I take the DUI / DWI thing. If the NFL made the policy – I would be in favor of retro applying the standard even though it would cost us Prater. To me, nobody is worth the risk, even though Prater repented and was faithful at with Tebow’s and Dawkin’s Bible studies all last season.)