Denver Broncos Quarterback Camp Day 2 - News and Notes

Day 2 of Quarterback Camp didn't have the storylines of Day 1 , but that doesn't mean there's nothing to report.  Let's take a look around to see what was seen and heard --

A big disappointment in 2007 was the defense. Jarvis Moss was disappointed as well. Not being on the field has left the Broncos' First Round pick in 2007 with something to prove --

I feel it, I've got a little chip on my shoulder. Being out, I'm ready to go play football. I'd be ready if it started tomorrow.

Of course, there have been alot of additions to the defense, something Moss sees as a benefit -

That's what makes the team good, the competition among each other, when training camp hits, competition will definitely pick up. That's exactly what we need, guys fighting for position and getting better every single day.

The Head Coach surely sees a difference in Moss --

His conditioning is looking better, for him to come back his second year should be a positive. Usually those linemen learn a lot that first year; there's a lot to learn. I'd be surprised if he doesn't come back and play well.

As for other defensive players, John Lynch knows they have to get better --

You always look forward to getting back out on the field, particularly after a year that turns out how you really didn't want it to finish. There's a lot of pride in this organization and it just simply isn't good enough what's happened the last couple of years, and we've got to find a way to fight our way out of it. That's the start of this.

After being critical of the roster moves early in the Rebuilding Season, Champ Bailey has had a change of heart --

There's always going to be questions because you don't know what's going on a lot of times. But down the road, things start explaining themselves. A few years ago, we drafted three cornerbacks, and it showed up later why. You've just got to be patient.

Champ also had more to say about the silent treatment the team is receiving nationally --

One thing I can really say is, nobody's really excited about the Broncos this year outside of this locker room. But we are, we know what type of talent we have, and one thing you have to do is stop listening to the outside world anyway and keep our confidence up because anything's possible. When you've got a great quarterback, you can do a lot of things. And I think we're on the verge of having a great one.

It's good to see Champ, the closest thing we have to a vocal defensive leader, on and off the field, go to bat for his teammates and the organization. There are alot of younger players on this team and they are going to take their lead from guys like Champ and John Lynch.

Elvis Dumervil is also excited to get started in 2008 --

We made our moves and it wasn't big names but it was great for us, even if it's not the big, crazy names, I think the pieces of the puzzle we're putting together fit. And we got a lot of big names the year before and it didn't really work out that well. Now you're bringing in guys who fit the system and it's not a bunch of individual guys. They want to work and do what it takes to take another step.

We all know there is alot riding on just how good Niko Koutouvides is. For his part, Niko is nearly as concerned. In fact, many people feel he'd have been a starter by now if not playing behind Pro Bowler Lofa Tatupu --

We all kind of felt that way, me and Lofa, he's my best friend up there. We still talk all the time. He felt for me. Even the coach, even my linebacker coach, the D-coordinator, they all knew. What are you gonna do? You've got two Pro Bowlers, Julian (Peterson) and Lofa, and then you got another good player, Leroy Hill. So there's only so much you can do. I'm not the type of player which, if I'm a backup, I'm just going to go pout and not play hard. Part of my game was special teams. So I said, 'Hey, I'm going to take it and run with it.' I learned as much as I could there.

Shanny knows that there are question marks, but he likes what he saw on film --

I've watched him play for four years, I've watched him play in preseason. I think he brings a lot to the table. He's a guy that was either first or second or third in the National Football League in (special teams) tackles. A guy who can tackle in the open field and plays the 'Mike' linebacker position. I like what we evaluated in the preseason. It gives us a lot of confidence that he'll come in and play well.

Of course, that doesn't mean the Coach won't promote competition --

There's still a lot of competition there, it doesn't mean that he'll keep that position because you never know through preseason. We've got a lot of guys that have some ability and have played quite a bit in the National Football League. So time will tell.

Alot has been made about the frequent shifting of positions by D.J. Williams. A return to the weakside has Williams excited to play football again, without the pressures involved in the Middle --

It's only been two days so you can't tell a whole lot, but I enjoy the 'Will' position. It's not a mentally tough position. I think it's a position for an athletic linebacker and so far it's going pretty well.

With news of NFL Owners opting out of the CBA, a couple Broncos players offered up their thoughts on the situation --

John Lynch --

I think life is good for all sides, the game is at an all-time popularity high. The fans are enjoying it. My feeling always is, why mess with success? There are always things like this that go on in terms of negotiations. Hopefully, they come to an agreement.

Domonique Foxworth --

It’s an exciting prospect for us. The owners have said that it’s something they’re open to, so we’ll see what happens, I think everyone would agree the NFL is the best and most profitable league, so starting to make wholesale changes and making us like other sports would be a mistake. I think that, at least in the recent history of the league, players and owners have been able to come to an understanding that works for everybody.

Woody Paige has his own unique view of the Broncos after two practices.