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This morning's training camp practice at Dove Valley was a spirited one, with three fights breaking out on consecutive plays and starting linebacker Danny Trevathan being carted off the field with an apparent knee injury.
Update: Trevathan has fractured shin, will miss four to eight weeks
Practice began promptly at 8:50 am with the special teams punting unit going to work. For the session, all three units of special teams got plenty of work. The return job is far from decided at this point. At kick returner, Andre Caldwell or Omar Bolden could handle the job as they did last season. Wes Welker and Julius Thomas have taken reps as punt returners, but it is my belief that the team would rather not use them, but would like to see one of the CFA receivers (Jordan Norwood or Isaiah Burse) take the spot. With 3 more preseason games to go, I'd say Norwood has a slight edge.HORN.
Attendance Report
Emmanuel Sanders and Jacob Tamme returned to practice today, while C.J.Anderson (concussion protocol) and Montee Ball (appendectomy) were in shorts and did some light jogging. Still out are Greg Latta (hip) and Chase Vaughn (knee). It is good news that C.J. Anderson is out here during light jogging. It means his concussion symptoms won't keep him out very long.
In other news, Peyton Manning is looking good healthwise. His arm strength looks better, even though he makes his living in the short to intermediate passing game. As Coach Fox stated yesterday, Peyton isn't rehabbing and has actually been working out. Another note and probably due to the fact he IS working out, is his little pooch belly has decreased in size. He definitely looks to be in better shape. HORN.
Walkthroughs begin
The team does further preparation to meet the 49ers.
MLB Nate Irving has been having a very good camp so far, and I'd say that he will be taking and holding down the MLB spot this season. His coverage skills have improved and being in the same defense for 2+ seasons and having that understanding and comfortability has me thinking that this is his year. Consider the light bulb switched on.
It's also nice to see S Quinton Carter back on the practice field this year. I believe a certain amount of success for this year's defense will depend on Carter's health. He adds a dimension to the new look Jack Del Rio has to work with. Imagine what a 3 safety Nickel package could do against the run or pass. HORN.
Stretch Music
Today's sound mix included "Come With Me Now," "Come Get It Bae," "1000hp," "Problem," "Jungle," "I Wanna Get Better," "Rock Stone," "Black Widow" My verdict? Two thumbs down. HORN.
Practice begins
The team practices with a continuous cacophony of previously listed sound mix ot a facsimile thereof, in lieu of crowd noise at the enemy stadium. I see that Peyton is practicing with a glove on his throwing hand. All three units on both sides of the ball continue their preparation for Sunday's contest in San Francisco. They also work on different situational drills.
About this time, fights break out on three consecutive plays. Will Montgomery and Kevin Vickerson get chippy on the first snap. Then Brennan Clay gets involved with Duke Ihenacho and Danny Trevathan. On the third play a major melee ensues with Lerentee McCray and Paul Cornick. Head coach John Fox has to break this one up and huddles the team for some further comments. If you ask me, these guys are ready to beat up on San Francisco and Sunday can't come fast enough. HORN.
Things that stood out
Besides the tempers and the tempo, Emmanuel Sanders, Jordan Norwood, Wes Welker, Jacob Tamme andDemaryius Thomas stood out for the offense.
Defensively, David Bruton had a nice pass breakup, Rahim Moore intercepted a Brock Osweiler pass and Aqib Talib got a pick on a Peyton Manning pass.
Rahim was seen working again with Rod Woodson as the special teams took their reps. He said he wants to have multiple interceptions this year and not just contribute, but be a leader on this team. Practicing with a Hall of Fame DB is a good way to achieve that goal in my opinion.
The celebrity visitor today was Gilbert Brown, he of the large girth in Green Bay.
Quotables
Head coach John Fox on what his message was to the team after some of the physicality:
"I told them to keep control of their emotions. This will happen in games and it's something we are training for and try to improve."
On if the physicality is out of their system for next week's practice with the Texans:
"I don't think it will go totally perfect just like it doesn't in games. It's pretty typical of practices as well. You strive for perfection but very seldom do you get it."
Linebacker Nate Irving on what head coach Fox said during the huddle after all the physicality:
"Let's just be a smart team. He wants us to be tough, but we have to be smart when we're being tough. We don't want to be a dumb, tough team. We want to be a smart, tough team."
On if physicality is bound to happen:
"Nicks and injuries, it is. As we're getting into these dog days of camp, guys are getting chippy but, like I said, we have to be a little bit smarter than that."
TE Jacob Tamme on what he's seen from the team from a physical standpoint:
"I think we're preparing to play a pretty physical style of ball. I mean, every football team that I've played on has always wanted to be a physical team. WE talked about it, so it's just a matter of taking it out there with your pads and during it every Sunday and I think we've set the bar in a decent spot with our first preseason game. We just have to keep building on it."
On preseason scuffles and if they can go too far:
"Yeah, I think there's a healthy balance somewhere. You can't keep fighting your own guys. You can't have guys get hurt. I think everyone understands that, so it's not a big deal. Everything will be fine tomorrow, whenever we get back out there."
Linebacker Brandon Marshall on how confident he is that he can step up if [Danny] Trevathan is out:
"I'm very confident. Confidence is a big part of this game and I know I have the skillset; I have the mind to do it. So it's just a matter of opportunity. I will get it done."
The Broncos have the day off tomorrow and will resume practice Thursday morning at 10:25 am.
Go Broncos!
- Kaptain Kirk