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Training Camp Observations 8/4


As promised (sort of), my attendance at practice this afternoon resulted in me taking sporadic notes.

First thing I noticed was the inconsistency of the training camp event staff. Same guys everyday, but they go by different rules. Last week, they were telling people to move all the way to the far end of the field when they first opened the rope and allowed us to sit down. Yesterday, they weren't letting people in until 30 minutes before practice. Today, I arrived with a friend 55 minutes early, and the parking lot was already jam packed and bunches of people were already covering the hillside. Maybe I'm just missing something, but what's the deal with that?

Practice started pretty much like all the others have with the team slowly filtering out and random music blaring (more of a rock feel today. Rage Against The Machine was an awesome choice). The normal drills were run where everyone looks like a Pro Bowler and I spend most of the time wondering why the people sitting behind me can't convince their kids that kicking me in the back is rude.

To be honest, I've seen the same drills enough times now that nobody really stood out to me anymore, so I didn't start writing anything down until things got revved up a little bit. I suppose that's my bad, homies.

My favorite drill of the day that wasn't offense versus defense involved some punt blocking drills. The guys working through the drill were Vernon Fox, David Bruton, Josh Barrett, Darcel McBath, and LaMont Jordan. McBath picked up the drill the quickest and blocked every punt I saw him break in on. Jordan did well in his limited time as he was replaced by Fox after blocking one. Bruton and Barrett were the slowest to pick it up and missed a couple of kicks before finally connecting and getting the props from the coaching staff.

Speaking of punting, the Punter competition heated up a bit today as they had the punters working against the guys who were just working to block their kicks. The stopwatch was busted out and Kern and Colquitt were both hitting punt with a hangtime of 4.6 seconds or more, with the only shank being a Colquitt kick that went 35 yards or so and hung for 3.8 seconds. After the Colquitt shank, Kern responded with a BOMB from his own 15 that ended up in the endzone after hanging in the air for 5.58 seconds. Colquitt finished up the drill on his next kick with one that looked exactly like Kern's, with an identical hangtime. If camp were to end tomorrow, I'd go with Kern because his coffin corner punts have been much better than Colquitt's, but the rook is at least pushing him a little bit.

The 7-on-7 drills brought about some nice developments and some more of the same. Orton looked good, the first team offense was fluid and Eddie Royal was a beast as usual. Chris Simms, however, looked pretty rough. After getting picked by Jack Williams, he turned around and got two passes in a row batted down, one by Marcus Thomas and the other by Mario Haggan. The defense looks decent, and when they moved the 7-on-7 down to the 10 yard line, they stuffed the first team defense several times. D.J. Williams is really starting to take over the leadership role on that defense as he was directing traffic and on multiple occasions reacted to the man in motion by calling for someone else to shift and that guy ended up breaking up the play. Now, I'm biased because DJ is my favorite Bronco, but he's really looked good this camp. I'll just say right now that Robert Ayers looked completely lost and on one play threw his hands up in the air while the play was going on and just watched it all unfold.  One other minor note for 7-on-7 action was Elvis Dumervil completely blew his coverage on whichever TE he was covering and had Simms seen it, he would have had an easy 6.

The 11-on-11 drills complete with officiating is where some of the "big news" came today. Jarvis Moss was pretty solid and played with an energy he didn't have last week when I pointed he looked pretty bad and not ready to play. He applied some good pressure coming around the corner, but still gets stood up too easily at times. I'm starting to think more and more that David Bruton isn't going to make it in this league because of his defensive prowess because he seems to be reacting to everything much too slowly. His foot speed and reaction time all seem much too slow. I sure hope he's an ace special teamer. Tim Crowder looks like the light bulb might be coming on because he's turned it up in the past couple of days and that continued today with him eating Ryan Harris up twice. Harris continued his struggles when Robert Ayers FLATTENED him and batted the pass down. Ayers finished practice strong as he took Tyler Polumbus for a ride on the school bus on the play immediately preceding his emasculation of Harris. Both plays resulted in incompletions as a direct result of the Ayers pressure. The biggest eye opener of the day was Kenny Peterson beating Ryan Clady pretty badly on a stunt and would have gotten the sack had he been allowed to hit the man in the orange jersey.

Practice ended with a two-minute drill and instead of stagnating and generally looking terrible as they did a few days ago, the offense was really clicking and Orton was making great decisions. They moved the ball efficiently and without mistakes and ended up with a first and goal at the 1 with 1 second left to play after a Defensive Pass Interference on Jack Williams, who was defending Brandon Stokley. Williams got his redemption on the next play as he ended practice with a bang by intercepting Orton and returning it 101 yards to the other endzone.

I don't know how to end one of these, so, uh, see you tomorrow when I hit up practice and attempt to convey anything noteworthy to you'uns.

Oh, one last thing, Eddie Royal looks awesome and made an outstanding catch OVER two defenders in the back of the endzone, but I forgot the drill so it wasn't included above. He looks awesome right now.

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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Nice write up

I was wondering how much Moss was going to be into practice, not easy to come back when you quit.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun" - Ash from Army of Darkness
"H.I., you're young and you got your health, what you want with a job?" - Evelle from Raising Arizona
"It happens sometimes. People just explode. Natural causes." - Agent Rogersz from Repoman

by Broncoman on Aug 4, 2009 11:04 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

It's cliche

but some guys need to hit bottom before they come into their own.

by SlowWhiteGuy on Aug 5, 2009 12:00 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thank you...

for slam dunking the funk for us.

Much appreciated.

J

by Jezru on Aug 5, 2009 12:13 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Nice observations

And I really appreciate the focus on the defense.

Lady, you want me to answer you if this old airplane is safe to fly? Just how in the world do you think it got to be this old?
— Anon

Both optimists and pessimists contribute to the society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute.
— George Bernard Shaw

by Choochoobonewagon on Aug 5, 2009 12:25 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Wasn't intentional, I promise.

It just happened to be where I was sitting allowed me to see the defense much easier than the offense. That, and all of my favorite Broncos are defensive players.

I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.

by SlamDunkTheFunk on Aug 5, 2009 1:06 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

I am excited for the defense this year

for the first time in a long time. New scheme, new faces and hopefully some renewed enthusiasm. Here is to hoping that they are as exciting to watch again, since its been a while, haha.

But in all honesty, the defense is probably where I will be focusing my attention if I can make it to a camp session this year and I appreciate the insight whether intentional or not!

Lady, you want me to answer you if this old airplane is safe to fly? Just how in the world do you think it got to be this old?
— Anon

Both optimists and pessimists contribute to the society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute.
— George Bernard Shaw

by Choochoobonewagon on Aug 5, 2009 10:31 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Very well done.

Oh, and that kid behind you? Kick him back. That always gets the parents attention. (Of course, then you might have to kick them too…)

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Aug 5, 2009 5:25 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Yo Funk

This has been said many times and will be said many times more. THANK YOU TO FUNK, KK, OUR LEADER JOHN, and many many others.

Like others I’m stuck on the East coast and have been waking up 30 min early every day to get this type of recap before heading into the office. My wife thinks I need a 12 step program to quit. After feeding our Daughter I’m logging on for the morning practice up dates too (part of her annoyance and alot of time on the computer) when I get home from work.

Many of you keep our Bronco blood flowing and thank you for your work.

Bronco Learning Curve

"I don’t want to lose any time... I don’t want the team thinking I’m a money-first guy. I’m here to play football and to win. Money is secondary." Robert Ayers
"I’m still around .... I might just do it for my own well-being. I don’t get no bonuses for it, I’m just doing it because this is what I do." Doom
"He can throw a fastball, he can throw a touch ball, he throws an awesome deep ball" Brandon Lloyd on K.O.

by sbhchawk on Aug 5, 2009 5:52 AM MDT reply actions   1 recs

oh, and I loved

the part about Ayers throwing his hands up in confusion. I want the kid to be great. But its good to know how much the other guys learned while he was getting his pay. Hint freaking Hint Mr. Moreno. Now go study your playbook, talk to Andra Davis and Coach Nolan about assignments in the 3/4 and show us why you deserve that $ kid.

Bronco Learning Curve

"I don’t want to lose any time... I don’t want the team thinking I’m a money-first guy. I’m here to play football and to win. Money is secondary." Robert Ayers
"I’m still around .... I might just do it for my own well-being. I don’t get no bonuses for it, I’m just doing it because this is what I do." Doom
"He can throw a fastball, he can throw a touch ball, he throws an awesome deep ball" Brandon Lloyd on K.O.

by sbhchawk on Aug 5, 2009 5:55 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks!

Bruton must be doing something well. Based on all the reports I’ve read, he’s consistently been #2 behind Dawkins…which sort of surprised me because Barrett seems to be playing well.

There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance-- that principle is contempt prior to investigation."
-- Herbert Spencer

by PredominantlyOrange on Aug 5, 2009 6:39 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

different positions?

It seems that they are using them differently. They appear to put Bruton behind Dawk as the second string SS, but use Barrett more as a nickel guy, covering TE and almost playing as a second LB with DJ. They are both being used in special teams situations, it seems. Well, that’s my interpretation of second hand accounts. I’m on the east coast, constantly refreshing Broncos sites looking for updates. :)

by BroncosBassist on Aug 5, 2009 6:56 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

I just wonder if the roster is big enough for both.

I hope so. I don’t see either clearing waivers to make it back to the PC and you have to figure McBath has already made the team. Carrying 5 safeties would be tough.

There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance-- that principle is contempt prior to investigation."
-- Herbert Spencer

by PredominantlyOrange on Aug 5, 2009 7:09 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm pretty sure Josh Barrett is not PS elegible?

Kaptain Kirk did an excellent post a few weeks ago on the PS, and might be able to confirm?

by British Bronco on Aug 5, 2009 9:37 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Correct

Josh has 2 years experience, so he does not qualify for the PS.

"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 Aug 5, 2009 11:29 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

2 years experience?

Barrett was a rookie in 08.

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

Chuang - Tzu

by bradley on Aug 5, 2009 11:56 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pardon Me

this will be his 2nd year. He was on the Active Roster long enough last year and played in 6 games, giving him 1 year of accrued experience according to the CBA. That makes him ineligible for the PS.

My apologies, Yahoo says 2 years, but doesn’t state whether he is going into or already has 2 years.

"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 Aug 5, 2009 12:07 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

One year or two years

I often get frustrated with the various nfl mags – they sometimes list a player as having, say, two years experience and another as having one, when they came into the league at the same time. But I agree with you that Barrett is ineleigible for the PS.

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

Chuang - Tzu

by bradley on Aug 5, 2009 12:11 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks KK for confiming.

I hope Barrett makes it – he has so much physical upside, and the mental knocks against him going into the draft last year appear to have been misplaced.

by British Bronco on Aug 5, 2009 1:43 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Barrett will make the team

If we only keep 4 safeties, Bruton will be the odd man out, but then he’ll end up on the PS.

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

Chuang - Tzu

by bradley on Aug 5, 2009 2:10 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

If Burton is a good speical teams player, he would NEVER make it through waivers. Nearly every NFL team will find a spot for a cheap young special teams ace.

Love the Broncos, don't like their Coach.

by McGeorge on Aug 5, 2009 9:26 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe

But most teams will stick with who they already have, the ones that have been practicing with them for months. Unless they’ve lost a safety/special teams player to injury. I agree it’s a risk with Bruton to waive him and hope to resign him to the PS. Anyway, I think the Broncos will keep five safeties.

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

Chuang - Tzu

by bradley on Aug 6, 2009 5:23 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Experience...

Some mags define “experience” as years in the NFL, and some as years as a starter. Often they don’t provide the context for the reader to know which is which.

To make matters worse, writers within a mag while sometimes each use the word differently.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Aug 6, 2009 7:03 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Safety

is not thed only position on which we will have to make some very difficult decisions.

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

by firstfan on Aug 5, 2009 10:20 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

YA

Isn’t it great!

Tis better not to throw it to the deep receiver but the open receiver.

by Kfustud on Aug 5, 2009 2:38 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks Funk

All you get from drafting the "best player available" is a team full of good football players.

by orangeblood on Aug 5, 2009 7:03 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Good Job Funk

and Thank you.

"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 Aug 5, 2009 7:12 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Thanks for bringin' the full Funk

Had to say it.

This is what we wanted...
Hey, look what we got!

by pubkeeper on Aug 5, 2009 7:16 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

LOL

+1 with a BDawk flavor!

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 Aug 5, 2009 7:55 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Adding to the musical reference

They played two of the greatest Pearl Jam songs ever: Black and Corduroy.

I don’t want breakaway speed. I want break-some-poor-fool-as-I-bowl-you-over power getting 6 yards off a play that should have been stopped for 2 at most.

by sadaraine on Aug 5, 2009 9:13 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

They did

and I’m annoyed I forgot to mention that. I’ll try to keep better track of the musax today.

I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.

by SlamDunkTheFunk on Aug 5, 2009 9:23 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

In very serious news today...

Steve Tyler, front man for Aerosmith (perhaps my favorite band) was injured in a fall off the stage and had to be air-lifted to a hospital.

It isn’t football news, but the band does do its share of NFL performances.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Aug 6, 2009 7:06 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks Funk and Guru

I liked the way it ended up being about the D. Thats are big issue. The O will come around.

live and die blue and orange

by jerry251 on Aug 5, 2009 9:41 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Great reporting Funk, keep it up.

I have only been back in alaska one day from Training camp and I miss it already! You are my morning “fix”. Thank you.

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

by firstfan on Aug 5, 2009 10:22 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Thanks, Funk!

Your report was timely and appreciated. Please keep them coming for those of us far away!

Rec’d for sure.

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

by hairybear on Aug 5, 2009 11:53 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Phenomenal work, SDTF

Thanks so much for being our eyes!

by Douglas A. Lee on Aug 5, 2009 11:54 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Thanks for taking the time to post this.

DJ is also my favorite player. I am in Iraq and my orange #55 DJ Williams jersey is hanging right next to my combat uniforms. I would keep it next to my body armor, but that is in the humvee.

I haven’t heard much about McBath. Anyone know how he is doing?

by Orange Crush II on Aug 5, 2009 1:16 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

He's solid, if unspectacular.

He’s around the ball frequently, and I’ve heard the coaches getting on him for the good and bad after almost every play. Seems to be a very coachable player with good natural instincts. I think he’s got an upside as a middle of the road starter in the NFL if he keeps this up. One of those “good at lots of stuff, great at nothing except being good” types of players.

I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.

by SlamDunkTheFunk on Aug 5, 2009 1:34 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks Slam.

Love the Broncos, don't like their Coach.

by McGeorge on Aug 5, 2009 9:25 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

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