Greetings once again from the media room here at Broncos headquarters. It’s been about two hours since everyone left the field, and I’ve been busy working on a couple of stories from the day — and, later on, I’ll be putting together a video snapshot of the doings from here at Dove Valley.

For now, these notes:

… Head Coach Mike Shanahan expects wide receiver Rod Smith to return to the field by training camp. “That’s our goal — that the first time we start practice in July, he’s ready to go,” Shanahan said. “To do that, there’s going to be a lot of conditioning that goes on throughout the month of June through the middle of July. So hopefully when we strap it up for the first day of camp, he’ll be ready to go.”

… Assistant head coach Jim Bates expounded on the experiment of using safety Steve Cargile at weakside linebacker — which was in part due to his success on special-teams coverage units late last year. “It’s important that we’re able to fill our two-deep (roster) and get quality special teams guys,” Bates said. “He has the intelligence to play two positions.” …

… Kenard Lang practiced through sore shoulders, Head Coach Mike Shanahan said, and Bates noted that Nick Ferguson returned to practice. However, the rehabilitation work continued for Smith, Brandon Stokley, Matt Lepsis and Sam Brandon …

… Bates also said the rookie defensive linemen have “a lot of catching up to do,” adding, “Rookies are rookies, and just getting them lined up and getting them in their stance and in their initial steps takes longer for the rookies (on the line) than any other position. But also they should improve more than any of the other guys, given the ability level they have.” …

… It seemed like D.J. Williams answered as many questions about being tapped to lead the breakdown as he did about moving to middle linebacker. Perhaps it was because his first day as practice leader saw him brush aside Jarvis Moss’ efforts to open practice. “It’s the first day and we needed more intensity than that. I could tell he was a little nervous,” Williams said. “So I sent up one of our oldie-but-goodies, (David) Kircus. He’s always going to get up there and give you a good dance.”

… Wide receiver Brandon Marshall told media that he ran with the first team in Smith’s absence, but the main topic of conversation was his difficult offseason that has witnessed an arrest and the deaths of Damien Nash and Darrent Williams, both of whom were close friends of his. “I got in an incident with the law. We had two deaths. I’ve definitely grown up,” Marshall said. “It’s sad to say, but sometimes you have to bump your head or go through some things to actually learn, so I’m glad it happened now rather than down the road in my career, and I can guarantee that I’ll be on top of everything from here on out.”

And, in closing this entry, a few more shots: