Broncos training camp 2017: First padded practice will separate the men from the boys

Good morning, Broncos Country!

In the iconic words of Jim Ross, “It’s gonna be a slobberknocker.”

The goal for the Denver Broncos is to not get carried away and beat the holy hell out of each other. The first day of training camp is always exciting, but few days in the offseason bring as much emotion as the first padded practice. This is the first time the players will put the pads on since the 2016 season ended.

So when fans arrive at the UCHealth Training Center today, expect a show.

“I always say, ‘When you put the pads on, that’s the difference between the boys and the men.’ So, we’re going to see who the men are,” Emmanuel Sanders said after practice on Friday.

The first three days have been important to the development of the Broncos. Where they hope to get will come from the work they’ve put in. But when a player straps on those pads, it’s real. This is what football is all about. For all of the talk of where Denver is, this is their first test. Not only for the Broncos players, but the coaches and their evaluation.

“That’s huge because football is played in pads,” Broncos coach Vance Joseph said, as the emotion started rise. “When you evaluate the offensive line, it’s all about how physical you are, your fight back, your come off, your finish. With the defensive line, can a guy hold the point? Can he rush in pads? As far as that part, that’s a huge part of it.”

When a team straps on the pads for the first time, the testosterone gets a jolt of thousand volts. That is especially true for the guys in the trenches. They put the pads on and morph into Lyle Alzado.

“You don’t want to taper it too much,” Joseph said. “You want guys excited to play. Obviously, putting on pads for the first time is going to be exciting. It should be. It should be emotional because football is played in pads. I’m looking forward to that.”

The other big aspect to consider with the first padded practice is injuries. Remember, Ty Sambrailo injured his right elbow when Denver put on the pads last season. At this point, the Broncos can’t afford any more injuries. At the same point, when you play not to get injured, is when you get injured.

In both instances, players have to remain smart and keep their cool. View this as a game. If you lose your temper and do something stupid, you could cost your team. If training camp is meant to build recall and prepare for the season, this is no different.

“I’m a physical guy,” running back C.J. Anderson said. “If you’re in the way, I’m going to run into you. I haven’t had them on since October, so I definitely love to feel that feeling. I tell T.J. (Ward) and Darian (Stewart) give me a little bit more. Don’t give me a (Buffalo Bills fullback) Mike Tolbert game-like feel, but give me a little bit more. I tell them just give me a little bit more so I can feel that, so I can get used to my legs turning over and running through contact and doing some things that I haven’t done since October.”

Added guard Ronald Leary: “You just have to be smart with it. You expect to have some hard hits and contact, but you have to keep everybody off the ground. Just take care of your teammates. We’re enemies in camp, but during the season we all need each other.”

Broncos Tracks

Broncos Training Camp Quick Hits: Day 3
Trevor Siemian had an outstanding practice, but Head Coach Vance Joseph has a word of caution about getting too caught up in the day-to-day ups and downs of the QB competition.

Denver Broncos' Trevor Siemian, Paxton encounter some bumps Saturday - Denver Broncos Blog- ESPN
Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch each had quality stretches Saturday, but there were some forced throws into traffic.

'New-age' offensive line coming together in early stages of camp
As the line is growing together off the field, so is it growing together on it, even if the linemen aren't all the kind of linemen who dance to DMX.

The Pick Six: The MMQB's Peter King on the most intriguing Broncos, his camp tour and more
While visiting UCHealth Training Center to take in a Broncos training camp practice on Friday, The MMQB editor and Sports Illustrated senior writer Peter King answered questions for the inaugural edition of The Pick Six, a series of six-question interviews with special guests.

Injuries hit Denver Broncos hard in camp's first two days - NFL Nation- ESPN
With Devontae Booker then Shane Ray needing surgery, it hasn't exactly been smooth sailing for Vance Joseph in his first camp as Broncos coach.

Isaiah McKenzie is Broncos' answer to Chiefs' Tyreek Hill | 9news.com
As Bronco fans painfully remember, Denver got beat twice last year by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Broncos’ rookie wide receivers trending different directions
Carlos Henderson and Isaiah McKenzie were brought to Denver to impact the return game and compete at receiver. Through three days of training camp, one...

Kasim Edebali, Vontarrius Dora look to step up following Shane Ray's injury - Denver7 TheDenverChannel.com
Broncos tackle Menelik Watson believes linebacker Kasim Edebali can keep seat warm until Shane Ray returns.

New Broncos OLB Danny Mason dominated indoor football | Broncos Wire
New Denver Broncos outside linebacker Danny Mason dominated the Indoor Football League before entering the NFL.

Denver Broncos RB Jamaal Charles Is Craving Contact
The Broncos have taken it slow with Jamaal Charles. But with shells going on today, he's craving some of that good old-fashioned football contact.

Former KC Chiefs' RB Jamaal Charles appreciates patience but wants some hand-offs | The Kansas City Star
Former Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles appreciates his coach’s caution but he wants to get some more hand-offs as he embarks on his comeback in Denver.

NFL's best, worst offensive arsenals, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, from 32-1 - 2017 NFL season
No quarterbacks, offensive linemen or coordinators allowed -- just pass-catchers and running backs. From 32-1, we're ranking every team's offensive weapons. They have the Broncos at No. 23.

In the N.F.L., It’s Quarterback Controversy Season - The New York Times
Training camps are about to open, with the top job on the line.

AFC West Tracks

Chargers rookie Isaac Rochelle has come a long way since 'hating' football - LA Times
Rookies are the first to arrive as the Chargers prepare for their first training camp since their move to Los Angeles

Los Angeles Chargers GM Tom Telesco likes QB Cardale Jones' upside
The Chargers were among the teams who worked out QB Cardale Jones at Ohio State before the Bills selected him in the 2016 draft.

Los Angeles Chargers Place Three on PUP List - Bolts From The Blue
Who did the Chargers place on PUP and should we be concerned?

Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes shows promise at camp | The Kansas City Star
Chiefs rookie quarterback Patrick Mahomes went to work on Saturday in the second full-squad practice at Missouri Western, opening the eyes of the coaching staff.

Kansas City Chiefs hope Kevin Pierre-Louis is the answer at linebacker
Looking to add depth at linebacker, the Chiefs are hopeful new acquisition Kevin Pierre-Louis can fit the bill.

Chiefs’ Tamba Hali says he would do things “a little bit different” - Arrowhead Pride
I didn’t expect KC Chiefs LB Tamba Hali’s tweets to become such a story line. I think it was the combination of Tamba not speaking out like that very often and it being so close to camp.

Raiders stand by LT Donald Penn as holdout continues – Las Vegas Review-Journal
Donald Penn is usually the one protecting the Raiders. On Saturday, they supported him.

No timetable for rookie Gareon Conley, others, who start camp on PUP
Rookie cornerback Gareon Conley signed a contract on Friday, but the first-round draft pick was among several Raiders who didn't practice on Saturday.

Raiders training camp day one wrap: Who steps up with Penn, others missing? - Silver And Black Pride
The story on the first day of camp was more about who wasn’t here than who was. With Donald Penn holding out over his contract and several others either on NFI or PUP, we got a good look at who the next man up was at each position.

NFL Tracks

Odell Beckham Jr. says he wants to be the highest-paid player in the NFL - SBNation.com
That’s a lofty goal for somebody who’s not a quarterback.

Todd Gurley is going to start making defenses fear him again in 2017 - SBNation.com
Gurley’s tantalizing skill set will help him return to form in 2017, and his sophomore slump will turn into a distant memory.

Bill Belichick has some very good advice about training camp - SBNation.com
Belichick wants you to know that things don’t really mean a whole lot ... yet.

Ezekiel Elliott case shows limits NFL faces in probing abuse claims - The Washington Post
Police in Ohio refused to share additional investigation information with league, limiting the scope and pace of its independent inquiry.

Jon Gruden on coaching return: 'I'm preparing' - NFL.com
Jon Gruden hasn't been a football head coach in nearly a decade. That hasn't stopped an onslaught of Gruden coaching rumors seemingly every offseason.

Ben Roethlisberger says retirement remains an option after 2017 | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Ben Roethlisberger will tie Terry Bradshaw for the longest tenure as a Steelers quarterback when he embarks on his 14th season. The question now becomes, will it be his last?

Cannabis and concussions: The NFL needs to listen - San Francisco Chronicle
This Bud’s for you. But not that bud. That’s the message from the NFL, which continues to stonewall efforts to make medical marijuana legal for its players while swimming in beer sponsorship money. It’s OK to drink yourself silly, fellas. And pop pills to your heart’s content. But don’t mess with the reefer.

Ray Lewis is the face of networks’ NFL failure | New York Post
Both TV and NFL teams are in the same leaking boat. They can’t find better, hire better. Or is there a critical shortage of credible humans?

Darrelle Revis wants to keep playing; little NFL interest - NFL.com
Former Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis continues to work out in an effort to make himself attractive to an NFL team, but he still isn't drawing "much legit interest," Ian Rapoport reports.

NFL CTE Study Reveals Football's Cruel New Math | Time.com
Baltimore Ravens player John Urschel announced that he will retire, likely to protect his brain from concussions. He won't be the last

Houston Texans' Deshaun Watson adjusting to speed of NFL step by step - Houston Texans Blog- ESPN
Getting "1 percent better in whatever I'm doing" have been words to live by for rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson in each session of Texans camp.

Seahawks' Russell Wilson has a bold goal: 'I want to play 25 years' in the NFL - CBSSports.com
Wilson wants to play longer than Manning, Brady and Favre

DeMarco Murray eager to do more in Titans' offense - NFL.com
Could DeMarco Murray see more than the 293 carries he tallied in 2016? The Titans running back said Friday he wouldn't mind an increased role in Tennessee's backfield.

Andrew Luck won't commit to potential return date - NFL.com
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has yet to throw a pass since undergoing shoulder surgery in January. Luck tried to ease concerns, saying there's no reason to "freak out."