The Sky Is Not Falling

by firstfan on Jul 31, 2009 2:37 PM MDT Comment 47 comments

A dedicated group of MHR "reporters" met today at Dove Valley to watch the first practice of the McDaniels era. Our consensus is that those who predict a 2-14 Denver record this year are dead wrong. Following are some of our observations:

There is a big focus on special teams. Practice started at 8:45 with punting and punt returns. This was revisited at 10:00. Paxton made at least three bad snaps. Britton Colquitt looked pretty good as competition at punter.
Spencer Larson wore the blue of Defense but lined up on offense on numerous occasions and then he called cadence and blocked on the punting team. The rumor that he also sold hot dogs is unfounded.
Lamont Jordan startyed at RB but split carries with Torrain, who looked spectacular on several lays. It is this writers opinion that if Torrain stays healthy (he wore a big brace on his knee) he will be a huge asset for this team.
Payton Hillis is everything he was last year. I would hate like hell to try to tackle that man.
Brandon Marshall practiced and made some electrifying catches that got the whole crowd excited. He is a dominant wide receiver. I felt he was playing with a chip on his shoulder. He seemed arrogant to me.
Defense front plays both 4-3 abd 3-4. Much of the 3-4 looks like a 5-2.
Gaffney caught most of the passes
In general - Our offensive line looked at mid-season form. They still zoneblock. Our defensive front seven is not as bad as we might have feared.

I have much more and will post later, but the overall consensus of our group, Papigrande, posternutbag, mike and myself, is that this team is going to cause problems this year for a lot of teams.

More Later.

Out

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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Comments

hmm

I don’t dig the paxton bad snap thing, that isn’t cool for someone so “perfect”

by Todd Jewell on Jul 31, 2009 2:42 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks FF!

Nice recap from a fan’s perspective.

Take my advice... I'm not using it!
"If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague."

by BroncTastic on Jul 31, 2009 3:06 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I look forward to it

the composition of your group is interesting, and should offer us a well-rounded assessment at the end of the day.
I look forward to hearing from PNB b/c his statements usually hold a healthy dose of realism, Mike b/c he knows when to see the cup half full, Papigrande and FF have both enlightened me numerous times.
Thanks for puttin in the “work” guys, great job so far.

you already know.

by justwhytee on Jul 31, 2009 3:12 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs

I second that

Thanks firstfan. I hope to meet up with you all tomorrow afternoon.

"You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left." – Yogi Berra
"No, I'm from Iowa, I only work in outer space."

by KaptainKirk on Jul 31, 2009 3:22 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

As will I

Is there a particular area you guys are all in that we can find you easily? Or are you easy to find anyway?

It's Orange Crush time. And no I am NOT talking about the soft-drink.
Which I beg the question: "Can liquid really be... soft?"

3 TE Set = 3 losses or less.

Do it MickeyD... 13-3!!

by USMCWall on Jul 31, 2009 5:34 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I will be at the east end of the parking lot with a cardbord MHR sign.

It all starts in the trenches - HT 11/11/08
Leave the hateful vitriol to the uninformed - HT 3/16/09

by firstfan on Jul 31, 2009 9:40 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gotcha.

"You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left." – Yogi Berra
"No, I'm from Iowa, I only work in outer space."

by KaptainKirk on Jul 31, 2009 11:20 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Firstfan!

Welcome back, my friend. I wish I was there with you this year!

Hillis/Moreno in '09

by Emmett Smith on Jul 31, 2009 4:02 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Next year for sure!

It all starts in the trenches - HT 11/11/08
Leave the hateful vitriol to the uninformed - HT 3/16/09

by firstfan on Jul 31, 2009 9:40 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks firstfan!

Your expert eye is always appreciated.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Jul 31, 2009 4:09 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

The "team" of reporters makes it a lot of fun. Thank you sir.

It all starts in the trenches - HT 11/11/08
Leave the hateful vitriol to the uninformed - HT 3/16/09

by firstfan on Jul 31, 2009 9:41 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Outstanding my eyes on the ground

http://www.davusx.net/assets/db/la_la_land.gif

"We should have kept Seattle and dumped San Diego from the Division"

Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!

by Jon Tollerud on Jul 31, 2009 4:26 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I wanna hear...

how the 11 on 11’s looked…who stood out? any pressure on the QB ?( I realize it’s day 1, but maybe someone showed somethin)

you already know.

by justwhytee on Jul 31, 2009 5:08 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I will make another post on the afternoon practice covering the 11 on 11s

It all starts in the trenches - HT 11/11/08
Leave the hateful vitriol to the uninformed - HT 3/16/09

by firstfan on Jul 31, 2009 9:42 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great news all over

Especially about Torain. If he’s healthy, what a bunch of RB’s we have!

The sage is full of anxiety and indecision in undertaking anything, and so he is always successful.

Chuang - Tzu

by bradley on Jul 31, 2009 5:36 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Yep!

It all starts in the trenches - HT 11/11/08
Leave the hateful vitriol to the uninformed - HT 3/16/09

by firstfan on Jul 31, 2009 9:10 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I heard Lloyd made it look easy

I heard Brandon Lloyd looked great and caught everything, effortlessly.

But who will guard the guards themselves?

by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Jul 31, 2009 6:06 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

hehehehe.

I just got a wide smile and lol’d out loud. I can’t wait to see this team play!!!!

Peyton Hillis is also referred to in early Greek mythology by his other names such as Zeus or Poseidon.

by Joe Medina on Jul 31, 2009 6:39 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

His concern is not the spectacular catches,

it’s his ability to catch the ball in traffic (he doesn’t like to get hit). If I was McDaniels I would have Dawkins or Bruton lay the wood on him a couple of times, just to see how he reacts. The heart has to be there or he won’t make it, IMHO.

by bfree2bronc on Jul 31, 2009 8:45 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like the idea.

If I was McDaniels I would have Dawkins or Bruton lay the wood on him a couple of times, just to see how he reacts.

I saw a clip of Lloyd from last year. He was running laterally just beyond the LOS, looking back towards the QB. Camera angle was from above the QB. Here comes the ball, right at LLoyd’s head. He was looking right at it. Suddenly, he ducked! Sure looked like if he had time to duck he had time to catch it.

The sage is full of anxiety and indecision in undertaking anything, and so he is always successful.

Chuang - Tzu

by bradley on Aug 1, 2009 5:47 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah the ducked ball

It’s almost like he says “Ha, missed me!”. Not a highlight of Lloyd’s, to be sure. I doubt he makes the squad, but who knows.

by AllBroncsallday on Aug 1, 2009 11:27 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

He is not exactly Shannon Sharpe.

It all starts in the trenches - HT 11/11/08
Leave the hateful vitriol to the uninformed - HT 3/16/09

by firstfan on Jul 31, 2009 9:43 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks First Fan--Thanks to all of you at camp,

We who are scattered out— throughout— look forward,
with great anticipation, your next post, article, or communication,
on our Beloved Broncos…

Real Power, comes with the realization that One cannot change the Moment;
only ones perception of it: Atitude! JQM

by UB3 on Jul 31, 2009 7:22 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

yes we do

haha stuck here in ny and i keep refreshing mhr and twitter waiting for updates from camp lol

by Skotty on Jul 31, 2009 8:03 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Story of my life Skotty...

stuck in Massachusetts here….

Peyton Hillis is also referred to in early Greek mythology by his other names such as Zeus or Poseidon.

by Joe Medina on Jul 31, 2009 8:30 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

in vancouver...

refreshing MHR, twitter, DB.com, footballguys.com…any other suggestions?

you already know.

by justwhytee on Jul 31, 2009 9:12 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

if Schefter had a better outlet than Twitter...

I’d say follow him. You could always harass him until he gives you his phone number, or a restraining order…whichever hahaha.

Peyton Hillis is also referred to in early Greek mythology by his other names such as Zeus or Poseidon.

by Joe Medina on Jul 31, 2009 9:16 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

his twitter has been VERY active all day!

http://www.davusx.net/assets/db/la_la_land.gif

"We should have kept Seattle and dumped San Diego from the Division"

Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!

by Jon Tollerud on Jul 31, 2009 9:19 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

TDY in DC here...

by Velveeta on Jul 31, 2009 9:48 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well Joe

You can still go watch the Pats, if you like them that is. I always find the Patriots and Colts to be entertaining teams. Hard workers, good players, and good coaching.

It's Orange Crush time. And no I am NOT talking about the soft-drink.
Which I beg the question: "Can liquid really be... soft?"

3 TE Set = 3 losses or less.

Do it MickeyD... 13-3!!

by USMCWall on Aug 1, 2009 8:01 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

well the trouble is...

i’m at least 2 hours away from their camp. If I’m traveling 2 hours to see a camp, I’m going to NJ to see the Giants or the Jets. I like Eli Manning and I’m really interested in Sanchez as well. I just don’t like Massachusetts lol.

Peyton Hillis is also referred to in early Greek mythology by his other names such as Zeus or Poseidon.

by Joe Medina on Aug 1, 2009 8:47 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haha.

Well I can’t give you my opion there, im not big on NFC teams. I only really like the Bucs and the Eagles over there.

It's Orange Crush time. And no I am NOT talking about the soft-drink.
Which I beg the question: "Can liquid really be... soft?"

3 TE Set = 3 losses or less.

Do it MickeyD... 13-3!!

by USMCWall on Aug 1, 2009 10:24 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Its all about the AFC Baby

Broncos (of course), Steelers, Colts, Patriots, and Ravens. I like to watch all those teams. Miami is getting exciting again too.

P.S. I forgot to mention the Niners for NFC teams. I used to live over in Fresno, CA. And since I didn’t get Denver games there is no WAY I was going to watch our Division Rivals! Unless of course they were playing us! Haha.

It's Orange Crush time. And no I am NOT talking about the soft-drink.
Which I beg the question: "Can liquid really be... soft?"

3 TE Set = 3 losses or less.

Do it MickeyD... 13-3!!

by USMCWall on Aug 1, 2009 10:26 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just read your post

on the Steelers fan site about the flat tire. No wonder you hate Massachesetts!

It's Orange Crush time. And no I am NOT talking about the soft-drink.
Which I beg the question: "Can liquid really be... soft?"

3 TE Set = 3 losses or less.

Do it MickeyD... 13-3!!

by USMCWall on Aug 2, 2009 12:06 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I KNOW RIGHT?!

I can’t stand this place!

Peyton Hillis is also referred to in early Greek mythology by his other names such as Zeus or Poseidon.

by Joe Medina on Aug 2, 2009 12:10 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome firstwatch...firstfan..

by bfree2bronc on Jul 31, 2009 8:46 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks guys!

More comments from the group concerning the morning practice:
Orton
   Good ball hanbdling skills – hand-offs and fakes.
  ~throws pretty spiral
  ~ sure doesn’t have Cutler’s laser arm.
  ~good footwork
  ~excellent touch throw over Wesley Woodyard to Jabar Gaffney

~This is a much looser camp than a /shanahan camp. Music playing, much focus on fundamentals, very youthfull.

~Brandstater is no Elway but I think he is an NFL QB.

~I didn’t realise Simms is a southpaw.

~We run MANY drills wwith timing patterns with RBs and TEs.

Defense:
~ Doom is all LB now
Base is 3-4
   Doom and Darrell Reid apear to be OLB, but everybodys shifs around so much it is difficult to tell
  ~Front three appear to be McBean, Fields, and Kenny Peterson
  Comments on front seven:
     ~ McBean stuffs the run well and penetrates on passes. Beat Clady more than once.
     ~ Carlton Powell is playing NT and might have had too many doughnuts while on rehab.
     ~Nic Clemons has great energy and gets off the ball quickly – very athletic
     ~ Ron Fields reads the run quickly and sheds blocks nicely
     ~ Askew got stopped repeatedly by Harrris.
      ~ Alphonso Smith is excellent. Could be the next Eddie Royal. Returned KOs and punts w/ Royal
General Comments:
~The O Line looks lean and athletic
~ In all of McD’s distain for yoga part of the stretching exercize looks similar to the sun salutation.
~J’vonne Parker has the best feet in the crossover drills. Looks like Fred Astaire
~Many “bubble screens to Royal and McKinney.
~Nate Swift didn’t look swift. Maybe a little confused.
~CJ Jones dropped a couple of easy catches and then made a couple of circus catches. ??
~Chad Jackson sure looks bigger than 6’1”
~Lots of screens
~Alphonso Smith and Josh Bell blocked a punt aqgfainst the first team punting team.
~ for having a new offense and a new defense, everybody loked like they knew what they were doing.
~ Quinn looks like a Graham clone.

I will make another post on the Afternoon Practice later.

Thanks again to all for your comments. I will try to answer questions as best i can.

It all starts in the trenches - HT 11/11/08
Leave the hateful vitriol to the uninformed - HT 3/16/09

by firstfan on Jul 31, 2009 9:37 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

The sweet part is Orton doesn't need the laser arm, all he needs is the mentality to score points.

The part that eluded Jay Cutler, and was a part of the Broncos failure.

by bfree2bronc on Jul 31, 2009 9:49 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nothing on Chris Baker???

by bfree2bronc on Jul 31, 2009 9:59 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Baker

I read a note somewhere that he blew threw the line so fast on one occasion he’d have had a sure sack if it was a real game

The sage is full of anxiety and indecision in undertaking anything, and so he is always successful.

Chuang - Tzu

by bradley on Aug 1, 2009 12:31 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

swift and jackson

I think Swift is probably a camp body. But I think Chad Jackson makes this team and contributes. Especially so if Marshall’s gone.

But who will guard the guards themselves?

by Agent Jerry Fletcher on Aug 1, 2009 12:40 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was talking to a die hard Steeler fan today and he told me that get rid of Cutler and adding Orton was a grave mistake.

I didn’t retort with him because if any of you know dealing with anybody from PA is like dealing with a goat. All you will ever do with them is butt heads, and I wasn’t in to butting heads (especially after a few beers). But, my mind kept reeling in the curent situation we are in and the things that we have seen. I for one feel Orton will do better than our previous QB just on the weight of proving to the world that there is a quarterback other than that one. I tried to relate to my friend that the Steelers won 5 of their games by a margin of 3.4 points, and he chided back, but we won the Super Bowl. I said yes you guys did, but on the other hand you very well could have went 7-9 or 8-8 very easily. He didn’t want to hear that. They were 3.4 points close to being a 7-9 team and close to the cellar. We this year can score more points with this offense and we can allow less points with this defense and be in the same boat as the Steelers were last year. It’s just that close!

by bfree2bronc on Jul 31, 2009 9:46 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs

Many thanks, firstfan!

You guys are helping all of us that are far away keep tabs on the team!

Go Broncos!

" Life is what happens while you're making other plans "

by hairybear on Jul 31, 2009 9:53 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

The Sky is not Falling

Hi Guys, thanks for the update sounds like our first practice was well organized by our first year head coach. Glad to hear you guys like what you saw and the potential looks good for 2009. I hope you’re right because I for one don’t believe anything written in or out side of Denver. Looking forward to more…

oc60

by oc60 on Aug 1, 2009 12:53 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Couple of take-aways from Day 1 AM practice:

1. Torain and Hillis are definitely feeling like their old selves again.
2. Gaffney and Lloyd caught the majority of the passes and both looked good doing it.
3. Orton definitely doesn’t have the same zip on the ball as you know who, but has a nice looking pass and can get it downfield okay (more of a rainbow than I’m used to seeing). Orton seems to have the weakest arm of the three QBs. Simms had some nice crisp passes.
4. Defensive Line did not impress…at all. Tough to tell too much from a single practice, but let’s hope a couple of guys can step it up.
5. Jarvis Moss was getting pushed all over the field at LB. Didn’t seem to take blocks well.
6. Pay the man!!! (you know who I’m talking about)
7. I liked to see hitting and full pads from day one. Lots of people are concerned about injuries, but who had more injuries than the Broncos the last couple of seasons.
8. All 3 QBs came over to talk to fans and sign autographs after practice. I suggest to Orton that he bring back the beard and he said it’s in the works. Numerous other Broncos were spread around the field after practice signing authographs.
9. For a brand new offense and defense, everyone seemed to know their roles and only once did McD have to stop a play and correct some things.
10. LOTS of screens. All types of screens. WR bubble screens, HB & FB screens, misdirection screens. I’m not sure if that’s indicative of what we’ll see this year or if it was just practice screens day.
11. We’ve got a player in Alphonso.
12. Fans were upbeat and ready for a good season.
13. It was really fun to meet Firstfan, Papigrande, and Guru. Nice to put some faces with the names.

"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!

by PosterNutbag on Aug 1, 2009 12:57 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

thank u for the report

very nice great work very imfroative maybe we made the right choice i have nfl network will the see the fist 2 broncos games live

okay i have cereal palsy arhrtis and chronic fatiue as well i have a grea life loveing folks some days are better that other days i got a make a wish in 2001 saw my favorive team the broncos was the trip of the lifetime i wish everyone couild gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that ok but i bleed organ and bule

by j-man on Aug 1, 2009 2:29 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs