The Broncos put the pads back on again Sunday as the temperature at the team’s headquarters approached 90 degrees.

Several former Broncos took in the team’s practice as Tom Jackson and Brian Dawkins visited Dove Valley, while Karl Mecklenburg helped coach for the second day in a row. Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen visited with Mecklenburg and Jackson on the field before practice began.

ESPN broadcast from practice which helped pump up an already excitable crowd of 4,003 fans that encouraged the players with their raucous cheers throughout the session.

ROLL CALL
Guard Chris Kuper continued to rotate with Manny Ramirez at right guard as Kuper recovers from his late-season injury last year. Safety Quinton Carter (hamstring), defensive end Jamie Blatnick (ankle) and tackle Orlando Franklin (slight concussion) did not practice today. Defensive tackle Justin Bannan left practice with a strained calf and did not return.

As the offseason transitions to the preseason, the start of training camp is arguably the biggest milestone.

But the first day the pads go on takes everything to another level.

“We’re ready to get out there and finally have a chance to hit each other,” linebacker Wesley Woodyard smiled.

Saturday morning, the Broncos will don full pads for the first time in training camp.

The practice, which is open to the public, begins early — 8:50 a.m. MDT. Linebacker Joe Mays said the anticipation might make for a sleepless night.

“Tomorrow it’s going to have to be picked up just a couple notches,” he said. “The offense is definitely going to try to come at us tomorrow, and we have to be ready.”

The Broncos were back on the practice field Thursday evening for an hour-and-a-half walkthrough.

The slower-paced walkthrough sessions are designed to work on installing new plays and concepts and are completely non-contact. Players wear their jerseys, but no pads or even helmets.

Below are some quick hits from this evening’s session:

• Every player that participated in this morning’s practice was present for the walkthrough as well.
• Guard Chris Kuper, who is still recovering from an injury suffered during the final week of last season, went through the walkthrough with the first-team offensive line.