DukeWoody
07-28-2008, 05:02 PM
broncos training camp
Dove Valley Days: CBs shining
By Lindsay H. Jones
The Denver Post
Article Launched: 07/28/2008 02:42:40 PM MDT
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_10023587
Broncos linebacker Nate Webster, left, reaches out to push down running back Michael Pittman during training camp. (AP | David Zalubowski)Highlight
With the exception of an 80-yard touchdown by WR Brandon Marshall late in the Monday morning practice, the cornerbacks were the stars to start the week. Champ Bailey and Domonique Foxworth each had interceptions, and Foxworth returned his (off Patrick Ramsey) more than 80 yards the other direction for a score. Still, Foxworth downplayed his pick six to reporters after practice. "As long as Champ's here, I stink," Foxworth deadpanned.
Lowlight
Second-year defensive end Jarvis Moss has been among the last - if not the very last - player to leave the field after most sessions this week, and it looked Monday morning like he needs the extra work. In a one-on-one pass rush drill, Moss, a first-round draft pick in 2007, was stuffed by Tyler Polumbus, the undrafted rookie from Colorado. Defensive line coach Jacob Burney wasn't happy, and screamed at Moss once Moss returned to the defense.
Position battle
Nate Webster spent his second-straight practice with the first team at middle linebacker. Look for Niko Koutouvides to be with the starters again on Tuesday. Though Selvin Young is the clear starter at tailback, undrafted rookie Anthony Alridge is making his case for a roster spot. Alridge, with his speed and shifty moves, had the most electric runs of any running back Monday morning.
Quote
"They've been slacking. Sometime this week we'll have to get someone to do it right, whether I have to do it myself or not," linebacker D.J. Williams on the rookies' dance performances during stretching this week.
Broncos bio
As a child growing up in Minnesota, Ryan Harris wasn't always comfortable being the biggest kid in his class. He admits he was chubby, with full cheeks and glasses, which sometimes made it hard to fit in. Football changed all that when his parents finally allowed him to play when he reached the eighth grade.
"For the first time, it was good to be big," Harris, now
6-foot-5, 300 pounds, said. "I always tell people that I love football because it was the first time a big person had a place. Offensive line is for big guys, and it gave me a sense of home."
Harris embraced his body, and even quit wrestling - his other favorite sport as a teen - because it made him too skinny in the offseason.
Now Harris, the Broncos' third-round draft pick in 2007, is making a push for a starting spot at right tackle. Harris spent much of his rookie year recovering from his second back surgery, and is now healthy in the preseason for the first time since his junior year at Notre Dame.
"I know that if I want to have a chance to start, I have to play my best football," Harris said.
Read more about Harris at All Things Broncos
Camp facts
The team will hold two practices Tuesday, both open to the public, at 8:30 a.m. and 3:50 p.m. Gates open one hour prior to the start. The afternoon session will be a "jog-through," only, so fans looking to see players in pad should come in the morning.
A.M. Blog: Day 4
http://blog.denverbroncos.com/denverbroncos/2008/07/28/am-blog-day-4/
More action from Dove Valley on Monday. The team may have been feeling the heat early, but as practice wore on the intensity heated up as well, and several big plays were made by both the offense and defense. It seemed to be the defense that shined the brightest on day four, however. Now for some quick hits.
ATTENDANCE REPORT: Montrae Holland did not take part in practice after participating in the jog-through yesterday afternoon…Peyton Hillis and Chad Mustard were on the out of pads list with a left hamstring and right hamstring, respectively…Boss Bailey, D.J. Williams and Selvin Young each came to practice about an hour after it started. Head Coach Mike Shanahan said he knew about the situation and said the players were excused. Williams explained that it was because of the NFL drug policy. “They didn’t allow us to come out until we gave them a sample … I weigh 7 pounds heavier than I usually do, I drank 10 to 12 waters.”
POSTURING FOR POSITION: With Bailey and Williams inside for the first half of practice, Louis Green and Jamie Winborn took their spots, running with the first unit linebackers along with Nate Webster at the Mike position.
On the inside of the defensive line, Alvin McKinley rotated in for Dewayne Robertson and Ebenezer Ekuban subbed for Kenny Peterson on the first unit.
FOCAL POINTS: The team worked on field goals, the typical 11-on-11s and some one-on-ones between DBs and receivers in the endzone. New to today’s practice was a drill involving three OLs, a QB and two RBs against two DLs and two LBs. Another drill involved two receivers and a quarterback against two corners and a safety. In that drill, rookie Josh Barrett played as the safety on every snap — he had a near-interception early on.
TAKE AWAYS: On three consecutive snaps during 11-on-11 drills, Marcus Thomas blew up the play — twice causing errant throws and once making a run-stopping tackle.
- Early in practice, Ryan Clady (No. 78) was blocking well on a running play and Jamie Winborn ended up on the ground after a big shove. Winborn clapped as he got up — “Good work, 7-8,” he said.
- Domonique Foxworth picked off a pass during a drill in the endzone, then proceeded to sprint all the way down the field to the other endzone while the entire offense left the sideline and chased him.
- During 11-on-11s when the offense was attempting to drive down the field, Brandon Marshall caught a bomb and streaked past defenders into the endzone. On the way back to the huddle, Louis Green joked to reporters, “Don’t none of y’all write that down.”
- Foxworth continued his solid play during camp, almost gathering in another interception in front of Glenn Martinez. Martinez broke up the play, however, and almost caught the ball with one hand on the way to the ground.
- Rookie Ryan Torain busted through a big hole in the line to a lot of crowd applause after Tom Nalen and Nate Webster ran into each other.
- The defense was on top of things Monday. During the two receivers vs. three DBs drill, Brandon Stokley dashed past rookie Jack Williams and called for the ball. Cutler let loose a spiral, but Jack Williams burst up to Stokley to break up the play.
- Champ Bailey continued to be Champ Bailey on Monday, leaping for a big interception during 11-on-11s that drew ooohs from the crowd.
- Kicker Matt Prater made 7-of-8 from 40-45 yards out. A camera tower was positioned directly between the goalposts, and Prater made a habit of hitting the platform on almost every kick. That reminds me of a story from the first day camp — Prater was lined up, practicing FGs on the field closest to the building. On a short kick, Prater lined up and booted the ball directly through the uprights — and over the protective net. The ball landed on top of a car in the player parking lot. No word on whether someone was a little unhappy with a dented roof.
QUOTABLE: “Nope. I stink. ‘Cause Champ’s here, and as long as Champ’s here I stink.”
-Domonique Foxworth, on whether he’s impressed with how he’s played so far in camp.
Dove Valley Days: CBs shining
By Lindsay H. Jones
The Denver Post
Article Launched: 07/28/2008 02:42:40 PM MDT
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_10023587
Broncos linebacker Nate Webster, left, reaches out to push down running back Michael Pittman during training camp. (AP | David Zalubowski)Highlight
With the exception of an 80-yard touchdown by WR Brandon Marshall late in the Monday morning practice, the cornerbacks were the stars to start the week. Champ Bailey and Domonique Foxworth each had interceptions, and Foxworth returned his (off Patrick Ramsey) more than 80 yards the other direction for a score. Still, Foxworth downplayed his pick six to reporters after practice. "As long as Champ's here, I stink," Foxworth deadpanned.
Lowlight
Second-year defensive end Jarvis Moss has been among the last - if not the very last - player to leave the field after most sessions this week, and it looked Monday morning like he needs the extra work. In a one-on-one pass rush drill, Moss, a first-round draft pick in 2007, was stuffed by Tyler Polumbus, the undrafted rookie from Colorado. Defensive line coach Jacob Burney wasn't happy, and screamed at Moss once Moss returned to the defense.
Position battle
Nate Webster spent his second-straight practice with the first team at middle linebacker. Look for Niko Koutouvides to be with the starters again on Tuesday. Though Selvin Young is the clear starter at tailback, undrafted rookie Anthony Alridge is making his case for a roster spot. Alridge, with his speed and shifty moves, had the most electric runs of any running back Monday morning.
Quote
"They've been slacking. Sometime this week we'll have to get someone to do it right, whether I have to do it myself or not," linebacker D.J. Williams on the rookies' dance performances during stretching this week.
Broncos bio
As a child growing up in Minnesota, Ryan Harris wasn't always comfortable being the biggest kid in his class. He admits he was chubby, with full cheeks and glasses, which sometimes made it hard to fit in. Football changed all that when his parents finally allowed him to play when he reached the eighth grade.
"For the first time, it was good to be big," Harris, now
6-foot-5, 300 pounds, said. "I always tell people that I love football because it was the first time a big person had a place. Offensive line is for big guys, and it gave me a sense of home."
Harris embraced his body, and even quit wrestling - his other favorite sport as a teen - because it made him too skinny in the offseason.
Now Harris, the Broncos' third-round draft pick in 2007, is making a push for a starting spot at right tackle. Harris spent much of his rookie year recovering from his second back surgery, and is now healthy in the preseason for the first time since his junior year at Notre Dame.
"I know that if I want to have a chance to start, I have to play my best football," Harris said.
Read more about Harris at All Things Broncos
Camp facts
The team will hold two practices Tuesday, both open to the public, at 8:30 a.m. and 3:50 p.m. Gates open one hour prior to the start. The afternoon session will be a "jog-through," only, so fans looking to see players in pad should come in the morning.
A.M. Blog: Day 4
http://blog.denverbroncos.com/denverbroncos/2008/07/28/am-blog-day-4/
More action from Dove Valley on Monday. The team may have been feeling the heat early, but as practice wore on the intensity heated up as well, and several big plays were made by both the offense and defense. It seemed to be the defense that shined the brightest on day four, however. Now for some quick hits.
ATTENDANCE REPORT: Montrae Holland did not take part in practice after participating in the jog-through yesterday afternoon…Peyton Hillis and Chad Mustard were on the out of pads list with a left hamstring and right hamstring, respectively…Boss Bailey, D.J. Williams and Selvin Young each came to practice about an hour after it started. Head Coach Mike Shanahan said he knew about the situation and said the players were excused. Williams explained that it was because of the NFL drug policy. “They didn’t allow us to come out until we gave them a sample … I weigh 7 pounds heavier than I usually do, I drank 10 to 12 waters.”
POSTURING FOR POSITION: With Bailey and Williams inside for the first half of practice, Louis Green and Jamie Winborn took their spots, running with the first unit linebackers along with Nate Webster at the Mike position.
On the inside of the defensive line, Alvin McKinley rotated in for Dewayne Robertson and Ebenezer Ekuban subbed for Kenny Peterson on the first unit.
FOCAL POINTS: The team worked on field goals, the typical 11-on-11s and some one-on-ones between DBs and receivers in the endzone. New to today’s practice was a drill involving three OLs, a QB and two RBs against two DLs and two LBs. Another drill involved two receivers and a quarterback against two corners and a safety. In that drill, rookie Josh Barrett played as the safety on every snap — he had a near-interception early on.
TAKE AWAYS: On three consecutive snaps during 11-on-11 drills, Marcus Thomas blew up the play — twice causing errant throws and once making a run-stopping tackle.
- Early in practice, Ryan Clady (No. 78) was blocking well on a running play and Jamie Winborn ended up on the ground after a big shove. Winborn clapped as he got up — “Good work, 7-8,” he said.
- Domonique Foxworth picked off a pass during a drill in the endzone, then proceeded to sprint all the way down the field to the other endzone while the entire offense left the sideline and chased him.
- During 11-on-11s when the offense was attempting to drive down the field, Brandon Marshall caught a bomb and streaked past defenders into the endzone. On the way back to the huddle, Louis Green joked to reporters, “Don’t none of y’all write that down.”
- Foxworth continued his solid play during camp, almost gathering in another interception in front of Glenn Martinez. Martinez broke up the play, however, and almost caught the ball with one hand on the way to the ground.
- Rookie Ryan Torain busted through a big hole in the line to a lot of crowd applause after Tom Nalen and Nate Webster ran into each other.
- The defense was on top of things Monday. During the two receivers vs. three DBs drill, Brandon Stokley dashed past rookie Jack Williams and called for the ball. Cutler let loose a spiral, but Jack Williams burst up to Stokley to break up the play.
- Champ Bailey continued to be Champ Bailey on Monday, leaping for a big interception during 11-on-11s that drew ooohs from the crowd.
- Kicker Matt Prater made 7-of-8 from 40-45 yards out. A camera tower was positioned directly between the goalposts, and Prater made a habit of hitting the platform on almost every kick. That reminds me of a story from the first day camp — Prater was lined up, practicing FGs on the field closest to the building. On a short kick, Prater lined up and booted the ball directly through the uprights — and over the protective net. The ball landed on top of a car in the player parking lot. No word on whether someone was a little unhappy with a dented roof.
QUOTABLE: “Nope. I stink. ‘Cause Champ’s here, and as long as Champ’s here I stink.”
-Domonique Foxworth, on whether he’s impressed with how he’s played so far in camp.