After taking Wednesday off, the Broncos got right back to work on Thursday.  As a sidenote, Mike Shanahan was a guest on Sirius NFL Radio yesterday talking about everything from Javon Walker/Travis Henry to Selvin Young to Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall.  Looking to find some audio for ya but it was an interesting 10 or so minutes.  Back to business.....

There are several articles out now talking about the Broncos drive for better character. Of course, these negative piles of journalistic pizzle are taking shots at the Broncos "focus", implying that character only comes into the equation when teams are losing. If you'd like to focus on the stuff going on off the field you can do that HERE and HERE. For me, I am going to focus on the field. The Broncos have cut bait with alot of locker room-cancer guys in the past few months and I support it, even if the the perception is the talent level of the team has dropped. I don't agree, and feel it is the name recognition that has taken a hit, but, as they told me in Journalism 101, "If it bleeds, it reads." Maybe that is why I avoided the MSM.

One player with a shady past, in terms of character, is Michael Pittman. With all the focus on cleaning house, Pittman was the one player brought into the fold that has had issues in the past. Pittman says he has grown and matured over the years --

I don't know if it was temper as (much as) it was (being) new in the marriage, I was used to do everything on my own, not having to share my life, and making bad decisions. I've matured.

I'm 32 years old now. I go around and talk to kids about it. Go to high schools. I speak at seminars. I talk about making right decisions. My wife and I are still together. We're in love. We've moved on from it and we're stronger from it.

While it's easy to paint Pittman with a broad stroke, there is a story that may change your mind a bit --

From Florida, Travis Sullivan read how Pittman's past transgressions were becoming an unfair, blanket description of the man he had come to admire. Sullivan came to know Pittman six years ago during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' training camp. Sullivan had written a letter to Pittman, enclosing a $100 check to cover his request for an autographed jersey for his 6-year-old son, Ryan.

Pittman sent back the check with the autographed jersey, then had tickets waiting for Ryan and his family for every home game. After each game, Pittman always handed Ryan his game gloves. To this day, Pittman and Ryan stay in touch.

"It's tough for me to put into words what I feel about him as a person for what he's done for my family," Travis Sullivan said. "There's people you read about in the paper and draw your own conclusions about who they are and what they are, but until you really get to know somebody, you probably don't know them."

I certainly don't condone the things that went on in Pittman's past, but 5 years since his last transgression is enough time to let it go.

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Rod Smith makes an appearance, Ebenezar Ekuban is getting frustrated and #20 was barely off the back of Travis Henry before another player laid claim. All that and more in today's Team Camp update!

No one knows exactly what the future is for Rod Smith but one thing's for sure, it will involve helping the Denver Broncos in some way, shape or form. Smith showed up on the practice field yesterday to help out with the receivers and expressed his love for the Orange and Blue -

I love the Denver Broncos, I love the organization, so there ain’t nothing that I wouldn’t do to help. Whether it is on the field or off the field, anything I can do, even just sitting there and talking to some of the guys who are playing receiver now, just giving them little tips and stuff like that. I enjoy that because I know it is going to help them, therefore it helps the organization. There isn’t anything that I wouldn’t do to get us back to where I feel we belong.

Smith already has the attention of one of the Broncos' newcomers, WR Keary Colbert -

Anytime you have a player with the experience like him and the career he has had, you want to listen and take good notes and try to implement them into your game.

He has had a career that has been remarkable. I’m really trying to put in a career and a season like he has done in the past. That’s the start of it really, getting to know how to do it through him. He has the blueprint, and I just have to follow it.

It is impressive that Smith is open to helping the younger guys, and even better that one of those guys is open to listen. Colbert can learn alot from a guy like Smith, and it seems he is willing to be taught.

So what advice has Smith given to Colbert?

Just trusting my speed, trusting the technique in certain routes. I have to come out here the next couple of days and practice it, perfect it.

I’m ready to get it going.

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The news from yesterday wasn't all about Travis Henry. The team was back on the practice field, this time for Team Camp.

Looks like the Broncos are testing the waters using John Lynch as a part-time player -

On nickel situations, Marlon McCree replaces John Lynch at safety.

How they use Lynch this season, along with the other safeties on the roster, will be a huge question throughout the summer

Ebenezar Ekuban was being used at DT on third down, similar to the way he was being used in 2006.

DeWayne Robertson participated in his first full practice as a member of the Broncos and came out of it none the worse for wear -

It felt good. I went full-go. We're getting a lot of good coaching out there from Bill (Johnson) and Jake (Burney). We've just got to take the coaching and keep progressing.

Robertson has a chronic knee condition and is coming back from off-season wrist surgery.

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Today will mark the final day of the Broncos Quarterback Camp.  There won't be much time off, however, as the team gets right back to work next week.  AS a reminder, here are the important dates remaining for the Broncos this "Re-Loading Season" --

Team camp: June 2-6; June 9-13 (tentative).

* Minicamp: July 7-8.

* Training camp: Players report July 24.

Much of the news yesterday happened off the field as the Darrent Williams Teen Center was officially opened during a ceremony that was attended by Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen, Head Coach Mike Shanahan, Rosalind Williams, Darrent's mother and 30-40 Broncos players.

PHOTO COURTESY

It was a moving day, complete with 27 Orange and Blue colored balloons being released into the bright-blue Denver sky and speeches from dignitaries and Broncos staff alike. I could grab all the quotes, talk about all that was said, but feel it would do the whole thing a disservice. There are two quotes I feel deserve mention, one from Darrent's mother Rosalind. The other from Shanny.

First, Rosalind Williams, who admitted the true emotional healing won't begin until there is an arrest made in her son's murder -

It's very important we have closure to this. However, we're not going to dwell on that. I do believe the people are in custody, not for this crime but for a crime. We'll get it done. I'm really working closely with the Denver Police Department. I feel like we will get it done.

Then, Mike Shanahan, who has been affected by this tragedy on a very personal level. At the end of his speech, he looked right at Rosalind Williams and said the following -

One thing I would like to promise you. I know when you look at the Broncos, you're looking at your son Darrent, and we're going to make you proud this year. I promise you.

There is no telling how much the deaths of Williams and Dameion Nash had on the Broncos in 2007. Perhaps we were expecting too much when we thought they would use it as motivation with the wounds so fresh. Now, with time to heal, time to remember, and time to reflect, the Broncos, and their Head Coach, seem ready to make good on those promises.

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Some much to say, so little space!  Actually, I have all the space I want, and it's a good thing.  Yesterday seemed to be a busy day for guys getting injured(Dre Bly), guys feeling better(Jay Cutler) and guys that are simply off their rocker(Todd Sauerbrun). 

We'll start with the Quarterback. Jay Cutler says he is completely back to normal, or at least what normal is now. The weight is back to normal, the conditioning is back to normal, and cutler is ready to go --

I feel fine, I feel like I did last year at camp. I've gotten everything back, I can definitely feel a difference from March. I've got all of my zip. I can make all the deep throws. It definitely feels good to do that again.

Culter's teammates are also glad to see the 'old Jay' back --

Brandon Stokely - It's almost like night and day between right now and the end of last year.

Patrick Ramsey - He's not a different person. Jay's Jay, but at the same time, he's easier to be around - and I don't mean that in a negative way. He's not moody at all. He's himself all the time and doing a good job handling it.

Champ Bailey - When I heard about it, I wanted to see if he was the guy I expected him to be. And he's been exactly what I expected and gone through this like it's no problem. Who knows what he deals with behind closed doors, but in the public eye, he's been perfect.

For now, Cutler is forced to wear an insulin pump under his shirt, a device that will get removed before the real games begin. Cutler doesn't mind -

It keeps me level throughout the day so there's no real peaks or lows. I like it, for the most part.

Now that Cutler has his health back in order, he knows it is time to get to work and what could be waiting for him if the Broncos get off to a slow start --

If we go out and go 0-4, I'm going to get blamed for it whether I have diabetes or not.

The way Jay Cutler has handled this situation is another example why I'm proud to say Jay Cutler is the Quarterback of the Denver Broncos. A solid, solid, man.

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I hope you all had a great Holiday weekend.  I know I did and I once again thank those of you that kept the site rolling along.  The Broncos also enjoyed the weekend before getting back to it yesterday.  Let's take a look at was was seen and heard on Day 5.

Travis Henry has been officially put on notice. The Broncos reached a tentative agreement with Free Agent RB Michael Pittman, which should become official today after the 32 year-old passes a physical. You can read more about it HERE and HERE. We'll get to Henry in one second. As for Pittman, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus for those keeping score at home, thinks he can get some things done for the Broncos -

There's a lot of ways Michael can help the Broncos, he can play fullback, halfback, he can catch the ball out of the backfield, return punts and return kicks. He's a versatile back.

Pittman, whose arms dwarf most mens' thighs in terms of pure girth, feels healthy and ready to go --

I know I can play. I've got a lot of games left in me, I may be 32, but I feel more like I'm in my 20s. I plan on making the team, I don't plan on taking over anything. I'm just here to help.

In a time where there are "sexier" names available(Shaun Alexander), Pittman is the perfect signing for the Broncos, the exact type of player the Broncos have targeted this "Reloading Season", a low-risk, high-reward guy who is hungry, and most important, extremely flexible on the football field. Pittman can run, catch and return kicks and is the type of tough runner that will give the Broncos a boost in the red-zone and in short yardage situations. Solid acquisition.

What does the addition of Pittman mean for Travis Henry? Initially, nothing. Pittman isn't an every down back, and the Broncos would still like to see a return on their investment. It does put Henry on notice, however, that if he doesn't get on the field, and soon, that his likelihood of making the team decreases each day Selvin Young impresses and Henry is in the hot tub. After surmising Henry would be back for this week's work, Shanny gave a bit more realisitc report yesterday -

He can't go yet. Those hamstrings, you never know how long it's going to take, so I would say that chances are he'll be ready for the June camp. He will not be ready this week.

Translation: Be on the field next week, or else.

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The first of two weeks in this year's Quarterback Camp are complete and while there isn't much to be learned from a bunch of guys in shorts and a t-shirt it sure was nice to be talking about football again.

There is some news to speak of. Tony Scheffler had his foot examined and the news turned out to be better than expected. The soreness in his foot is nothing but that, but the Coach will still tread lightly this early in workouts.

We know there's not another break in there. You can see that on the X-rays. But there's something in there that keeps him quite sore, and, hopefully, with a couple weeks in the boot, he'll come back full speed and we don't aggravate the injury.

Nate Jackson, Scheffler's back-up, knows all too well how frustrated Scheff is with the chronic pain.

"He feels like, 'What am I doing wrong for this to happen?' It's the same time as last year, the same play. But I feel for him. He's a friend of mine, and I don't like to see him dealing with this. He'll be fine, though. It's not as bad as it was last year, I don't think."

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3 days are in the books and the Broncos suffered their first significant injury, though it has lingered for a year now.  Let's take a look at what(and who) went down yesterday --

Tony Scheffler will miss the next month of action due to recurring problems with his broken foot. It was during Quarterback Camp in 2007 that Scheffler initially broke the bone in his foot and played through pain all of last season.

There is concern that Scheff may have actually re-fractured the foot, though the Broncos are taking a wait-and-see approach. With Scheffler out of the lineup, old friend Nate Jackson will be counted on to take his place. With Daniel Graham proving last season that his strength is blocking, not running routes, the Broncos need a down-field threat from the Tight End position. Jackson signed a 1-year/$605,000 contract in March with a $425,000 signing bonus.

I have always felt an injury to one's foot, especially if you are a running back or tight end, can be extremely problematic. Scheffler has never been right since originally breaking his foot, but still was productive last season. After two seasons I was hoping 2008 would be a breakout season for Scheff who had become Jay Cutler's favorite target.  Despite not notching his first grab until week 5, Scheff still put together a solid season, totaling 49 catches for 549 yards and five touchdowns.

Back in March, Scheffler spoke about the importance of keeping the foot healthy --

"I've been continuing to keep maintenance on the foot. It's still in a little bit of pain, but it's something that's going to be gone by the time the season rolls around.

Scheffler took his confidence about the injury from QB Patrick Ramsey who dealt with a similar injury. As I have said, however, playing Quarterback is a lot different on your feet then playing Tight End. Keep your fingers crossed.

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