First Day of mini camp: Some interesting nuggets from Josh McDaniels, Doom and Champ!

Hey Y'All,

SO......finally the start of mini camps, and an interesting interview can be found here with Jedi McD, Doom and Champ with regards to the first day of camp.

Some great nuggets came out of the interview, which leads me, anyway, to question what we really may do in the draft, the feeling among the team and the REAL effect of Jay Cutler being traded.

1/ Josh McDaniels:

• 100% participation by all players with one excused absence....this included Tony Sheffler.
• The competition to be starting QB is TRUE competition. Orton and Simms recieved the same amount of reps.
• McDaniels commented that Chris Simms "is 100%" healthy and is strong.
• Meetings started at 8.30 and the whole team was early and ready to go at 8.25 am.
• Great first day with the teamwork great and everybody excited to be going in one direction.

McDaniels said Peyton Hillis took part in practice today, and is close to fully healed from last season's injury. "He did a lot of things well -- he's a versatile player, so we're going to try to use him in a lot of different roles," McDaniels said. "He carried the ball today, he blocked -- as much as you can block when you're going against air -- and caught the ball well. So he's going to do a lot of things. We really like his skill set and what he can do for us."

 

• Great news about the Rumblin' Redneck. This really makes me feel good!
• Emphasized competition among ALL positions and no one has been annointed a starter.
• McDaneils saying the schemes will be based around the players strengths and playing to those and him and his coaching staff are evaluating ALL players to evelauate the strengths and weaknesses.
• With regards to drafting a QB in the draft he said there ar "a handful of quarterbacks who could be successful in the league and with the team" and he would take a QB IFthe time was right in draft. He also stated that he does not want to go into training camp with only 2 QB's but he has before. They will not take a QB just to fill a spot but want the QB they take to come in and compete for a "role" in the team.
• Draft BPA in areas of need.
• He left the door open for moving up or down in the draft and for draft day deals.

2/ Champ Bailey:

• Champ VERY happy that Nolan is back as the DC. Nolan was his DC in his rookie year in Washington and he brings passionate and straight shooting to the postion.
• Really happy with the acquisition of Dawkins and having another "vocal leader and player" in the back fied.
• He also emphasised the team first attitude that is purveying at Dove Valley.
• When asked about Cutler Champ said the media blew it up and he was not surprised "to see a guy like that leave".

3/ Elvi Dumervil:

• He also emphasized the energy and excitement in the team.
• The team has one direction and everyone is buying in and moving in the same direction.
• Doom eluded to this team as a "special group".
• Not sure of role yet but he is ready for anything. This comes on the back of thios quote from Jedi:

The head coach also said the fact that the first mini camp was a week before the NFL Draft wasn't just a coincidence. "We want to know the players, we want to get to know them, and if that makes our decision easier or more difficult come draft day, then that's part of the process," he said.

 

There are some very positive conclusiuons to draw from this first day:

1. This is a very united team that is buying into the new regime. It is great to hear HC,and 2 respected veterans like Champ and Doom speak the same thing.
2. There is TRUE competition in ALL positions in this team. this makes our team better, hungrier, more united and more motivated. What a great change formthe last 5 years in Denver where the veterans were endangered species and could never lose their jobs. Guys like Nate Webster should have Mike Shanahan and Bob Slowik in his will......he got a better hand out last season than any government could give.
3. Peyton Hillis: These comments from Jedi lead me to believe that we are NOT going to get a Knowshon Moreno in the first round. Jedi seemed very high on Peyton and you can see his brain ticking over with regards to how many thing he can do with the Rumblin' Redneck. Peyton could be one of our biggest weapons, so I wont be surprised at all if we take NO RB in the draft.
4. McD comes across as focused and VERY prepared. They are set for the draft, have evaluated all positions.
5. With regards to quarterback, just from reading between the lines and with what Jedi said, we wont be drafting a QB in the first few rounds. We will take a flier in the later rounds which will give McD another development project. Thats a good thing!
6. Universal support from team with regards to coaching staff and FA pick ups. You dont Champ is stoked that he has recived B Dawk AND Nolan in one off season. When one of the greatest ever speaks like this, you know we are heading in the right direction.
7. Doom's call of this being a special group is SUPER encouraging. This seems to look to me to be a very tight knit and focused team already. the Cutler drama seems more like a galvanizing situation than a devisive one: the "us vs. the world" mentality. I LOVE IT!
8. One of the biggest things I took from Champ's conference (and I suggest everyone watch it to see if you agree with what I saw) was the demeanor he answered the question regarding the trade of Jay Cutler. He seemed pretty over it and not sad at all that Cutler has gone. Listen to his quote and you tell me if this sounds like a player that is worried they lost their QB. Maybe Cutler was not loved in the locker room as much as he thought, and runs in line with same comments that Stefan Fastis mentions in his book. Very strange!

Anyhow, I would love everyones take on this. I know it is only first day, but the interviews and reports out of Dove Valley are making me a very happy fan, and I think this team has  a lot more foing for it than the MSM, and even many fans, see.

Peace crew!