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With a day off after their first preseason game of the season, the Denver Broncos went back to work early Saturday morning. Kapri Bibbs was in charge of the blue ball today and after putting the ball on the ground during one team session, there's a good chance he takes it home tonight.
Attendance Report
Emmanuel Sanders (quad) and Montee Ball (appendectomy) are out with the team, but won't be participating in this practice. Also out are C.J.Anderson sent home with concussion symptoms, Malik Jackson (excused/personal), Chase Vaughn (knee), Louis Young (groin) and Greg Latta (hip). HORN.
Walkthrough begins
The punt coverage unit is working today and the players are in shells and shorts. Jordan Norwood, Isaiah Burse,Rahim Moore, Wes Welker and Aqib Talib are fielding punts launched by the JUGG's machine. 10 minutes elapse before the next HORN.
The 1st team offense does their walkthrough segment in front of my position on the near field for another 10 minutes. Then the HORN signals for the team to assemble for the stretching period.
The Script's "Living in the hall of fame" plays through the giant speaker at the northeast corner of the field and that turns into Ozzy's "Crazy Train." After that, the players move into the individual position drill segment and the music continues with Kenny Chesney's "Sweet Summertime." Rihanna's remix of "Numa Numa" is next. I can't say as I've ever heard that one before. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers rendition of "The waiting is the hardest part" and then a song that sounds like the Beastie Boys finishes off the soundtrack. HORN.
Practice begins
11-on-11's begin with Peyton Manning and company rapidly marching down the field. Aqib Talib demonstrates a nice pass breakup against Andre Caldwell. Against Brock Osweiler and crew, defensive tackle Marvin Austin, who had a sack in the Seattle game, is able to bat a pass into the intercepting arms of linebacker Lerentee McCray. McCray takes it back for six, and before you know it, safety John Boyett has an interception at the goal line as well. Jerodis Williams has some nice carries in backup work. HORN.
Another team segment, with Ronnie Hillman getting much of the work with Peyton Manning, while Juwan Thompson does too. A few dropped passes by Peyton's guys don't deter Cody Latimer and Greg Wilson from each catching touchdown passes from Brock Osweiler. Kapri Bibbs gets a few carries in this sequence as well. Zac Dysert completes most of his passes, and Brennan Clay gets strung out wide by the defensive line's pursuit. HORN.
After a swig of water, special teams work begins. I see the usual suspects fielding punts, as well as one odd ball, Julius Thomas. HORN.
11 on 11's feature Ronnie Hillman and a Peyton Manning pass intended for Virgil Green broken up by Nate Irving. Nathan Palmer makes a nice one-handed catch from Brock Osweiler. A Zac Dysert pass for Greg Hardin is broken up by Jordan Sullen. HORN.
The first unit goes back to work with Peyton Manning hitting Wes Welker and Demaryius Thomas. Danny Trevathan catches Ronnie Hillman in the backfield, and Andre Caldwell makes a touchdown catch. Brock Osweiler pulls the ball down and scrambles. Juwan Thompson gets some work and Kapri Bibbs fumbles, with Charles Mitchell recovering the turnover. Brennan Clay and Jerodis Williams take cleanup reps at tailback and Dysert hits Isaiah Burse before the HORN sounds.
The special teams punt coverage takes a third session working on their coverage and downing the punt inside the 5 yard line. Jordan Norwood, Isaiah Burse and Wes Welker are shagging punts. I notice Rahim Moore working with Rod Woodson off to the side. Practice ends with the final two blasts of the HORN.
Quotables
Montee Ball on how he feels:
"I feel great. A lot better. Coming along well. The healing process is most definitely working. During a great job."
On how exciting this offense will be this season:
"Very exciting. Just looking at everybody's faces every day at work, they love working. They love to come out here and work. We love listening to the coaches. We love coming out here and working with each other, sweating with each other and fighting because we understand that the sky is the limit for us."
Linebacker Lerentee McCray on his interception today:
"It was a tipped pass and then I kind of caught it and went into the endzone. But it was a pretty good feeling to get my hands on the ball and go the other way."
On missing last season due to injury:
"I've just grown as a better player. Just a better football player overall---special teams to defense, anything I'm asked to do. I have an understanding of what I have to do to get my job done and all I have to do is go out there and get it done. Not being out last there year, it just hurt me. So I bring that energy and that attitude and that emotion out there to the field when I go play."
Head coach John Fox on if the team may bring in any more running backs to look at:
"We are always looking for ways to improve the team. 24/7/365 really, but right now there is nothing pressing. We feel pretty good about the group we have."
On if he liked the defensive front against Seattle:
"Yeah, I was pretty pleased all in all, really in all three phases. Obviously, it is the first game and we haven't had to be in a game situation since a year ago so as a coach you are always a little excited to see and maybe a little hesitant on how you are going to react. I thought all in all it was a pretty good outing, pretty good stat in all phases including the pass rushing."
It was a very uptempo practice session today. The players will have tomorrow off and resume on Monday morning to prepare for Sunday's game at San Francisco.
Go Broncos!
-- Kaptain Kirk