Training Camp

In 2007 the Broncos entered Training Camp with high hopes. We suffered through two-a-days and did well in our first two preseason games. Then we played Dallas. We trained with the Cowboys most of the week prior and were confident going into the game that we would get a good look at our new talent. We were physically manhandled. We were dominated on both sides of the ball in the trenches in that game. I knew right then and there we were in for a long season. There simply wasn’t enough magic in the Coach Shanahan’s wand to make up for the lack of size, speed and talent in the trenches. 

I really wanted to see what progress we had made last year. Denver was doing the same “play with the Cowboys” deal they had done the previous year except in Denver instead of Dallas.  I made the pilgrimage to Denver for Training Camp with the goal of watching the Broncos practice a few times and then watch Denver play the Cowboys at Invesco.  I was greatly impressed.  We won the game, but more importantly we were competitive in the trenches. It was obvious to me at that early point that Clady was the real deal. Nalen was out by then and Wiegmann was picking up our system very quickly. On defense we really hadn’t solidified yet, but we held our own at the point of attack. We were not being pushed off the line of scrimmage five yards as we had the year before.

I could have predicted all of this from the four practices I had viewed the week before the Dallas game.  I knew from those practices that Eddie Royal was something special. I got to see many of the things I had learned on the MHR from Hoosier Teacher and styg in action. I had no computer so I had to phone my reports in to Bronco Bear to post for me.

Last year’s experience was so fantastic that I have decided to do it again this year. I have my tickets and will be in Denver from July 23rd until August 3rd. I know that multiple sets of eyes will be more effective than mine alone. Is any one willing to join me at training camp during those days? My vision is to have at least seven of us at each practice. I would like to have one set of eyes on O Line, D Line, Linebackers, CB’s and Safeties, WR/TE’s, RB/FB’s, and QB’s.  We would watch drills as well as 7 on 7’s and 11 on 11’s while focusing on our assigned areas. If we are really lucky we can get styg to develop evaluation sheets for each group. I am fairly certain ht will give us help in what to watch for in terms of schemes, such as the TED blocking by our linebackers. This would be key things to watch for such as fluid hips in DB’s or one-cut ability in RB’s.  Are our QB’s effective at looking off a D Back?

So, is anyone interested in joining me? Let me know. My email address is on my profile page and I would love to hear from anyone who would like to go. We might even be successful in getting Diehard to join us at The South for a refreshing beverage and the opportunity to shake hands with Jerry Sturm.

BTW, please rec. this post to keep it active for a few days so everyone gets a chance to see it. There are so many great posts these days that they drop off the most recent list in a day! Thanks.