Broncos Six-Pack: Oh, training camp, how do I love thee, let me count the ways

Oh training camp,
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
Peyton Manning's throws can reach, when in a lineman's sight
For the ends of Elway and ideal Fox.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
MHR read, by phone and computer-light.
I love thee freely, as Broncos strive for Super Bowls;
I love thee purely, as rookies yearn for reps.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I never lose
With their lost games, --- I love thee with the wins,
Losses, ties, of all my life! --- and, if Football choose,
I shall but love the Broncos better after camp.

Ahh... training camp. On Tuesday I embark for Colorado, my home state. I'll be crashing on the couch/spare bedroom of one MHR Staffer Ian Henson and spending nearly two weeks in the Rocky Mountain State, covering the first practice (as well as Wednesday's pre-camp media day) through the stadium practice Saturday August 3rd. This will be my fourth camp in the last five years.

What do I love? What am I look forward to? Let's break it down in this week's Six Pack.

I love... the Denver Broncos facility and staff

Dove Valley is beautiful, inside and out, though that beauty may be elevated in my mind simply due to the blue and orange decor. The PR staff is extremely helpful, extremely knowledgeable, and even more well-prepared. Training camp runs like clockwork because Broncos HQ is well-maintained and full of well-trained individuals.

I'm looking forward to... training camp battles

Sudden depth chart shuffles. Second stringers rising to the challenge of a starter's injury. Even at the start, the battles at running back and middle linebacker are particularly juicy this year, and I'm looking forward to seeing who comes out on top.

I'm looking forward to... seeing Wes Welker, Louis Vasquez, Sylvester Williams, and Montee Ball

These are the significant additions to the team this year, and while there are a ton of others as well, these players will bear increased scrutiny... and excitement.

I love... the drive to and back

I always try and take a different route to or from training camp to where I live in northern Arizona. One stop is always in Alamosa, my hometown, where I stay with family. Otherwise I try and take a different route to Denver each year.

I haven't settled on a route this year, so if you have a beautiful stretch of road you can recommend, I'm all ears. I'd also like to settle on a pit stop for the evening the night of my trip, though I may just camp it, and I'm all ears for recommendations in that arena as well.

I'm looking forward to... seeing the Peyton Manning Year 2 up-tempo offense in action

Something tells me Manning and the offense are going to be operating too quickly for me to take the types of notes I'm used to. By the time I get done writing the players involved and the route and who made the tackle and other details of the previous play, Manning will be finishing his audible for the next play.

I'm looking forward to... meeting fans, and seeing all of you

Right now we are planning an MHR and Broncos fans get-together for Saturday, August 3rd, before the stadium practice. A few MHR staffers will be there, and we'll also be extending an invitation to Kaptain Kirk. We may also meet at other times, but this will be the "big" day of an "official" MHR meet-up. Look for more info on this soon, and I can't wait to meet so many of you!

If you can make it that Saturday, let us know in the comments. For everyone - What do you love about camp, and what are you looking forward to?