Minicamp Day 1

[SoCalBronco]

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=4278

Good audio links to interviews of shanny and a few players as well. Glad to see Brown participating.

[DivineLegion]

I hope for the seasons sake this works out...

[elsid13]

Best comment by Shanahan is "that you stand up and play or you're out of Denver"

[SoCalBronco]

Seems like Trevor isnt happy that the line is going to be used to be beaten up to protect the LBs.

[ØrangeÇrush]

Mini-Camp Day 1: Completing the D-Line

ekuban_brown_050706.jpgBy Andrew Mason
DenverBroncos.com

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- It was the moment for which Larry Coyer had waited throughout the offseason -- the morning when his 2005 defense became whole.

As mini-camp dawned on a warm Wednesday morning at Dove Valley, the grizzled defensive coordinator cast his eyes around the field and for the first time saw what the offseason reconstruction project on the defensive front had wrought.

Defensive linemen Courtney Brown and Ebenezer Ekuban were in uniform with helmets atop their sizable frames, joining fellow ex-Cleveland Browns Gerard Warren and Michael Myers, both of whom practiced through the team and quarterback camps.

Brown and Ekuban both brought first-round pedigrees and the stamp of approval from their position coach in Cleveland and now in Denver, Andre Patterson. Their first day brought exactly what Coyer would expect from a moment where they were tossed into the deep end of the Broncos' offseason work after being limited to scattered drills, rehabilitation work and spectating.

"It's their first day out, so I think they're probably swimming around a little bit," Coyer said. "Things are a little quicker. But it was good to have them out there. I'm sure they'll grow each day and be more comfortable with how we play and how fast the tempo of practice is."

With their arrival, the quartet of Browns arrivals was finally complete.

"They're big, skilled guys that are going to help us," Coyer said. "It just comes down to us developing that situation into a rotation, which we think is the key to defensive-line play, being able to rotate guys and keep us healthy. It's going to be really competitive."

The ex-Browns have merged smoothly into the Broncos' flow, according to Coyer. They haven't raised a ruckus; they've merely done their jobs.

"We hear all this about the Browns, (but) these guys have come in here and jumped into our program and they've done nothing more than become invisible -- which I think is the greatest compliment you can pay them," Coyer said. "They've busted their butts."

Both Ekuban and Brown were waiting for a chance to do just that on the field after being limited to rehabilitation and weight work for months following their respective surgeries.

[ØrangeÇrush]

"Everything feels great," Ekuban said. "I just have to get back in football shape and get used to running around and cutting. But so far, so good. For the first time out there, everything felt pretty good."

As for Brown, he opened the eyes of observers -- particularly former and current teammate Warren and the Broncos' defensive majordomo.

"It looked like the old Courtney Brown, especially in pass rush (situations)," Warren said. "One-on-one, I don't think anybody in the NFL can block the guy."

Coyer sees the same kind of upside.

"There's no question that he's a top draft choice; he's a big-time draft choice," Coyer said. "I think the guy's got a lot of stuff in him. I know this -- he wants to. If God smiles on him and keeps him healthy, they're going to know he's out there. He's a talented guy."

The arrivals of Brown, Ekuban, Warren, Myers, the return of Trevor Pryce from injury and an offseason that saw only one starting lineman depart (Reggie Hayward to the Jacksonville Jaguars in unrestricted free agency) left the Broncos laden with defensive linemen who have been full-time starters in recent years; others who've been first-teamers for the majority of a season the last four years include Luther Elliss, Raylee Johnson, Marco Coleman and Mario Fatafehi.

So there's depth. The lingering questions to be answered in the coming months revolve around the composition of the starting quartet and whether the group can collectively emerge to bolster an area that was the shakiest line of what was still a top-five defense.

Pryce, for one, was willing to brand this line the most talented he'd ever seen, but there was a catch.

"As far as talent -- individual talent -- yeah, it’s the best group of talent I’ve ever been around," Pryce said. "But that only gets you so far. How do the guys react to each other? How much do they want to win? How much beating can they take? How do they react to the scheme if the scheme’s not really at times built around us? That’s the most important thing. There’s talented guys walking the street. We can be as good as we want, it depends on how bad we want it."

MORE FROM MINI-CAMP:

[ØrangeÇrush]

Seems like Trevor isnt happy that the line is going to be used to be beaten up to protect the LBs.

Probably the "at times" he's referring to is when and if they are really going with the 3-3-5 that was mentioned quite a bit.

[Kaylore]

John Fricke interviewed Rich Tuten and he said that Tatum Bell, Darius Watts and Nate Jackson made the most gains during the strength and conditioning program this off-season. The interviews is supposed to be at the z560 website, but I'm having trouble finding it.

[elsid13]

John Fricke interviewed Rich Tuten and he said that Tatum Bell, Darius Watts and Nate Jackson made the most gains during the strength and conditioning program this off-season. The interviews is supposed to be at the z560 website, but I'm having trouble finding it.


Thanks, and great job on the interview.

[SoCalBronco]

John Fricke interviewed Rich Tuten and he said that Tatum Bell, Darius Watts and Nate Jackson made the most gains during the strength and conditioning program this off-season. The interviews is supposed to be at the z560 website, but I'm having trouble finding it.

Good stuff, Khan. Keep us up to date if you hear anything on the local radio about how the camp went today.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

John Fricke interviewed Rich Tuten and he said that Tatum Bell, Darius Watts and Nate Jackson made the most gains during the strength and conditioning program this off-season. The interviews is supposed to be at the z560 website, but I'm having trouble finding it.

I also heard part of that interview. the negatives were his comments about not seeing Rice participate in any conditioning yet and when asked about Clarett, he hemmed and hawwed and finally said "Maurice and I will become very close in the next few weeks".

He did talk about the training regiment. Sounds very tough. also complimneted how hard Warren is working.

[SoCalBronco]

I also heard part of that interview. the negatives were his comments about not seeing Rice participate in any conditioning yet and when asked about Clarett, he hemmed and hawwed and finally said "Maurice and I will become very close in the next few weeks".

He did talk about the training regiment. Sounds very tough. also complimneted how hard Warren is working.

Thanks Big Guy.

[elsid13]

I also heard part of that interview. the negatives were his comments about not seeing Rice participate in any conditioning yet and when asked about Clarett, he hemmed and hawwed and finally said "Maurice and I will become very close in the next few weeks".

He did talk about the training regiment. Sounds very tough. also complimneted how hard Warren is working.

Rice will be in shape, we all know that. Clarett is going be Tuten new project.

[Kaylore]

Rice will be in shape, we all know that. Clarett is going be Tuten new project.
Yeah Big Guy pretty much nailed it. He didn't say much other than that he's got the veteran's pretty much nailed down. He said now he's focussing on the rookies more. when he said that he and Maurice were going to become very close there was a sadistic tone in his voice. Didn't you think so Big Guy? I mean you could tell that Clarret is going to get the FULL treatment.

[DB-Freak]

Clarett is too heavy.

His condition was going to suffer because of his heaviness and buffness. Please don't mistake Clarett being fat right now.

[Kaylore]

Clarett is too heavy.

His condition was going to suffer because of his heaviness and buffness. Please don't mistake Clarett being fat right now.
No he's not. But check out those pictures of mini camp with Todd Sauerbrun. Did you see his chins? Actually I don't care what he weighs as long as he'll boot the thing.

[DB-Freak]

No he's not. But check out those pictures of mini camp with Todd Sauerbrun. Did you see his chins? Actually I don't care what he weighs as long as he'll boot the thing.
I can't find the pictures.....

mind giving me the link?

[Kaylore]

I can't find the pictures.....

mind giving me the link?
http://www.denverbroncos.com/
Click the right link that says mini camp photos

[KillerBronco#76]

Im so happy to be getting info about the broncos again, I think im a Bronco news addict if i dont get enough i start going threw withdrawl.

[bpc]

We have the chance to be really good this year if we catch some breaks. I am so excited about Tatum Bell and Darius Watts this year. It will also be interesting to see our LB's on this team. I think our team is going to be very hard nosed for once. The schedule is tough but I think we'll be able to handle it this year. I'm excited.

[Taco John]

There’s talented guys walking the street.



And we should know! We've been bringing them in to play back-up QB for years now!

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Yeah Big Guy pretty much nailed it. He didn't say much other than that he's got the veteran's pretty much nailed down. He said now he's focussing on the rookies more. when he said that he and Maurice were going to become very close there was a sadistic tone in his voice. Didn't you think so Big Guy? I mean you could tell that Clarret is going to get the FULL treatment.

Yep - Maurice will definitely be carrying around one very sweaty jock strap.

[broncosteven]

And we should know! We've been bringing them in to play back-up QB for years now!

& starting them at DT...Fatafehi & Holland to name a few...

Sure will be nice to see some 1st round picks to be in rotation rather than street free agents.

[DBroncos4life]

& starting them at DT...Fatafehi & Holland to name a few...

Sure will be nice to see some 1st round picks to be in rotation rather than street free agents.



Fatafehi will still get playing time. I don't know why people give him a hard time. He's been nothing but solid and he does push the pocket some. He has 5 sacks in the last two years which isn't that bad considering he rotates in and out a lot. I'm glad we have guys like him on the team. Now it would be nice to have better guys around him or starting infront of him which I think we do now, but at the sametime I know that when a guy like Fatafehi is on the field he is giving it his all and not slacking off because he's a so called star.

[Rohirrim]

Nate Jackson is my dark horse this season. Don't be surprised to see him step it up and turn some heads.

[broncosteven]

Fatafehi will still get playing time. I don't know why people give him a hard time. He's been nothing but solid and he does push the pocket some. He has 5 sacks in the last two years which isn't that bad considering he rotates in and out a lot. I'm glad we have guys like him on the team. Now it would be nice to have better guys around him or starting infront of him which I think we do now, but at the sametime I know that when a guy like Fatafehi is on the field he is giving it his all and not slacking off because he's a so called star.

I like him too but he is not a Stud starter or future probowler. He is a great asset coming off the bench but it is nice to have 1st round talent for once rather than having to scour the streets of the US to uncover one gem in 5 brought in.

I love the fact that the Broncos take time to find Street FA's Rod was great post draft pickup but he is the only SFA that I know who has been to probowl.

[Traveler]

I like him too but he is not a Stud starter or future probowler. He is a great asset coming off the bench but it is nice to have 1st round talent for once rather than having to scour the streets of the US to uncover one gem in 5 brought in.

I love the fact that the Broncos take time to find Street FA's Rod was great post draft pickup but he is the only SFA that I know who has been to probowl.


I and others have been saying this since Elway retired. Hell, I think Popps has been screaming at the top of his lungs about lack of 1st round DL talent for several years.

Now that there are actually bluechip players (all with so-called baggage) I'm excited to see what a talented Bronco DL will do.

[TotallyScrewed]

Trevor said it best...will the play for each other? I think the hint is..."watch this she-it".

[Atlas]

Fatafehi will still get playing time. I don't know why people give him a hard time. He's been nothing but solid and he does push the pocket some. He has 5 sacks in the last two years which isn't that bad considering he rotates in and out a lot. I'm glad we have guys like him on the team. Now it would be nice to have better guys around him or starting infront of him which I think we do now, but at the sametime I know that when a guy like Fatafehi is on the field he is giving it his all and not slacking off because he's a so called star.

I like Fatafehi but he is what he is. I think he'll have a hard time making the team this year. Myers is a player in the same mold has him. If Myers makes the team which I think he will Fatafehi could be playing somewhere else next year.

[bendog]

I wonder how his conversion to TE will go. Assuming House isn't arrested, Den could just go with Jackson and Putz and run House in on short yardage. There's still the Leach factor though.

[Atlas]

I wonder how his conversion to TE will go. Assuming House isn't arrested, Den could just go with Jackson and Putz and run House in on short yardage. There's still the Leach factor though.
Putz and Alexander are the starters. Hopfully Leach and Hape will get cut.

[bendog]

I was sort of hoping Alexander would be cut. But I know you're right. If Putz goes down, it's be tough having no back up but a guy making the transisiton. However, carrying 3 plus Leach and/or Hape .....

[Atlas]

I was sort of hoping Alexander would be cut. But I know you're right. If Putz goes down, it's be tough having no back up but a guy making the transisiton. However, carrying 3 plus Leach and/or Hape .....

Alexander is going to be good. He is a pass catching TE with some good skills. He will be a good compliment to Putz.

[bendog]

Alexander was ok. He's a little brittle, but he's not being asked to do too much. My gripe against him is that Nate Jackson has the speed to split the safeties. If he could play at 225 and scrape off a linebacker in zone blocking, our offense would be much more effective.

[Kaylore]

Trevor said it best...will the play for each other? I think the hint is..."watch this she-it".
That's pretty much what Marco Coleman told me.