Day 2 of Camp

[SoCalBronco]

Thursday, June 2, 2005

Team Camp, Day 2: Adjusting to a New Teammate
By Andrew Mason
DenverBroncos.com

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- It's not that Jerry Rice's accomplishments aren't meaningful to cornerback Champ Bailey. Nothing could be further from the truth.


BRONCOS TV: RICE'S FIRST PRACTICE
JERRY RICE PRESS CONFERENCE
PHOTO GALLERY: RICE'S FIRST DENVER DAY

But when Bailey catches a glance of Rice running his routes and working at the Broncos' team camp, he sees a man who is just another receiver -- for now.

"Right now, he looks kind of like everybody else running the routes," Bailey said. "The guy’s going to pick it up real quick and then you'll start seeing the real Jerry Rice."

But just knowing that it's the NFL's all-time leading receiver lurking behind that No. 19 blue jersey gives fellow starting cornerback Lenny Walls pause.

"When you cover Jerry (compared to when) you cover D-Watts (Darius Watts), it's just a bit different," Walls said. "You can never have too many leaders, and hopefully he can come in and help us win games and help the younger guys out. It's always a positive to have the best in the game on your team, no matter if he's lost a step or not."

And, as Walls discovered Thursday, it's still a bit tough to corral Rice on the practice field.

"He did catch a ball on me today," Walls said. "I told him, 'Good job.' I lost my leverage -- which was my mistake -- but you give him credit; he caught the ball.

But not without a challenge.

"(Rice) said, 'You made me work for hard for that one,'" Walls said.

It's one thing for a young cornerback or wide receiver to be a little awestruck by the sight of the most prolific receiver in NFL history barreling downfield in his direction. But even Bailey remained stunned at the turn of events that brought Rice to Denver.

"I've played with some great players, but the greatest of all time? Who would've ever thought?"

HORSING AROUND: It seems to be a rite of spring -- the NFL either passing new rules or re-emphasizing old ones to put defensive players at a disadvantage.

Last year, it was an increased emphasis on illegal contact. This year, it's the banning of the "horse-collar" tackle made popular by Dallas Cowboys safety Roy Williams.

"Well, here we go," said Bailey, an exasperated look crossing his face. "They've got to stay consistent. They do it every year. They got to make it harder for us every year. I don’t know you going to prevent that. In the heat of the battle, anything can happen. (It's) unfortunate people get hurt, but that’s the risk you take when you play this game."

And it doesn't necessarily mean the horse-collar tackle will vanish. If it's a choice between grabbing the top of an offensive player's jersey from behind or allowing a touchdown, Walls would choose to make the tackle and accept the infraction.

"If you have to take a penalty to save a touchdown, I think that's worth it," Walls said. "Obviously, you can get them down the best way you can; nobody's trying to hurt anyone. You chase a guy from behind and obviously he's on his way to the end zone or to a big play."

Going for the legs isn't an option to Bailey.

"That usually never works," he said. "You end up being on the highlight film."

Defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban isn't directly affected by the rules tweaks or emphases in recent years; they've been more often about the defensive backfield than the front. But playing on the same side of the ball means he sympathizes with those two lines behind him on the field.

"I don't understand it," Ekuban said. "It seems like they're just trying everything in their power to get the offense in the end zone as much as possible, keep the revenue coming in, keep the fans happy. That's what it boils down to -- fans want to see touchdowns. They want to see Kansas City and the St. Louis Rams scoring 45, 50 points."

Bailey is out of ideas for solving the issue.

"Tell us to tuck our shirts in so you can't grab those," he said. "If you’re playing Ricky Williams you can grab a braid or something. I don’t know. I have no idea. You tell me."

EKUBAN STILL OUT: Saying that he is now at "90 percent" of full health, Ekuban said he's been working in individual drills and expects to participate in some of the team drills when the second week of team camp commences next Tuesday morning.

"This week, I'm working in individual drills," Ekuban said. "By next week, maybe I'll get a little bit of action, then by the (July) mini-camp I should be good to go. I would say (that) by July, I should be 100 percent."

Recovery from knee and shoulder injuries that hampered but never sidelined him last year has kept him from full-scale work to this point in the offseason.

[watermock]

"(Rice) said, 'You made me work for hard for that one,'" Walls said.

That's kinda ultra cool.

It's like Sanford and Son.

He has finally joined Wheezie, but it took him thirty years...

[Cito Pelon]

I'm looking forward to seeing Bailey, Walls, Slowik, Jimmy Spencer, and the new kids together. Last year was soooooooo messed up in the D backfield. It was ugly and pathetic at the same time.

Kennedy is gone, Herndon is gone, Middlebrooks is questionable, Lynch is slow and playing out of position, so it's gonna be interesting to see what the D backfield will look like. And to see if this new coaching alignment can get more out of their guys.

DJ moving to Sam means he has to be integrated into the pass D, there's a lot on the table for the D-staff and the players.

So maybe the players should concentrate all their mental energy on playing the Bronco D, and not waste time crying about "Oh, the League keeps picking on us, they want us to make clean tackles instead of being lazy and just horse-collaring a guy." Wah-wah-wah. Bailey needs to quit crying and make better plays. The guy's supposed to be a leader. A leader doesn't cry about how he's getting the shaft.

[DB-Freak]

Originally Posted by Cito Pelon

I'm looking forward to seeing Bailey, Walls, Slowik, Jimmy Spencer, and the new kids together. Last year was soooooooo messed up in the D backfield. It was ugly and pathetic at the same time.

Kennedy is gone, Herndon is gone, Middlebrooks is questionable, Lynch is slow and playing out of position, so it's gonna be interesting to see what the D backfield will look like. And to see if this new coaching alignment can get more out of their guys.

DJ moving to Sam means he has to be integrated into the pass D, there's a lot on the table for the D-staff and the players.

So maybe the players should concentrate all their mental energy on playing the Bronco D, and not waste time crying about "Oh, the League keeps picking on us, they want us to make clean tackles instead of being lazy and just horse-collaring a guy." Wah-wah-wah. Bailey needs to quit crying and make better plays. The guy's supposed to be a leader. A leader doesn't cry about how he's getting the shaft.

Since when was Bailey leader material?

He was never one, but you shouldn't expect him to be one.

[Cito Pelon]

Originally Posted by DB-Freak

Since when was Bailey leader material?

He was never one, but you shouldn't expect him to be one.

What, I'm asking too much? I don't see it that way. All I'm asking of Bailey is don't present yourself as a complainer. I realize there's so many press guys out there hounding players for a quote, looking to provoke a reaction, but Bailey, Wilson, these guys have to start being more bland. They're not doing the team any favors by being outspoken. The press are not their pals, they'll get bad press no matter how press-friendly they are, so when all is said and done, they're better off just being bland.

[DB-Freak]

Originally Posted by Cito Pelon

What, I'm asking too much? I don't see it that way. All I'm asking of Bailey is don't present yourself as a complainer. I realize there's so many press guys out there hounding players for a quote, looking to provoke a reaction, but Bailey, Wilson, these guys have to start being more bland. They're not doing the team any favors by being outspoken. The press are not their pals, they'll get bad press no matter how press-friendly they are, so when all is said and done, they're better off just being bland.

Are you an agent or something?

Who cares? Talking doesn't affect the performance.

[DarkHorse]

Originally Posted by Cito Pelon

I'm looking forward to seeing Bailey, Walls, Slowik, Jimmy Spencer, and the new kids together. Last year was soooooooo messed up in the D backfield. It was ugly and pathetic at the same time.

Kennedy is gone, Herndon is gone, Middlebrooks is questionable, Lynch is slow and playing out of position, so it's gonna be interesting to see what the D backfield will look like. And to see if this new coaching alignment can get more out of their guys.

DJ moving to Sam means he has to be integrated into the pass D, there's a lot on the table for the D-staff and the players.

So maybe the players should concentrate all their mental energy on playing the Bronco D, and not waste time crying about "Oh, the League keeps picking on us, they want us to make clean tackles instead of being lazy and just horse-collaring a guy." Wah-wah-wah. Bailey needs to quit crying and make better plays. The guy's supposed to be a leader. A leader doesn't cry about how he's getting the shaft.

Your absolutely right - the league should fine the players for having an opinion about the game that THEY play.

[DarkHorse]

Originally Posted by Cito Pelon

What, I'm asking too much? I don't see it that way. All I'm asking of Bailey is don't present yourself as a complainer. I realize there's so many press guys out there hounding players for a quote, looking to provoke a reaction, but Bailey, Wilson, these guys have to start being more bland. They're not doing the team any favors by being outspoken. The press are not their pals, they'll get bad press no matter how press-friendly they are, so when all is said and done, they're better off just being bland.

Again, cut their balls off for having an opinion about the game that THEY play.

Better yet, the league should force all teams to only draft mutes that way you never hear a peep out of them.

Opinions HA - who needs them?

[watermock]

shut up you idiots.

Your babbling.

[baja]

Originally Posted by watermock

shut up you idiots.

Your babbling.

And when you get accused of babbling by Watermock you have accomplished something

[DarkHorse]

I hope Mock was talking to me - i'm in cloud 9

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by Cito Pelon

What, I'm asking too much? I don't see it that way. All I'm asking of Bailey is don't present yourself as a complainer. I realize there's so many press guys out there hounding players for a quote, looking to provoke a reaction, but Bailey, Wilson, these guys have to start being more bland. They're not doing the team any favors by being outspoken. The press are not their pals, they'll get bad press no matter how press-friendly they are, so when all is said and done, they're better off just being bland.

This is obviously grown up talk. So much confusion over a little simple truth.

It does affect your game if you say something stupid. Ask Freddie Mitchell.

The press gets paid to be stupid so why should players be stupid for free? What is the point of having a guy mis quote you or put what you say out of context? Posters can't get it right around here and it's an open dialogue how the hell are you going to get it right on the National theater?

There was an article that I saw on The Mane put up by Patswin which said it best. The dumb butted reporter had the Broncos in ruins if Tatum Bell didn't do anything this year. The guy knows nothing about Bell let alone the Broncos. The press as a whole is useless. There are a lot of things that don't make the press that should. These are good news stories so they don't sell. What sells is blood, murder, fear, retribution, and death. If they can kill your career they will.

I think the press is intrusive and gives an artificial importance to stupid trivial events and the players should be focused not any of this fluffy

[Play2win]

Originally Posted by baja fan

And when you get accused of babbling by Watermock you have accomplished something

It definitely IS the END of the WORLD.

The 8th GREATEST SIN is BABBLING, As Written By Watermock.

Hollow be thy name...

[ozomulsion]

Originally Posted by quiettiger

There was an article that I saw on The Mane put up by Patswin which said it best. The dumb butted reporter had the Broncos in ruins if Tatum Bell didn't do anything this year. The guy knows nothing about Bell let alone the Broncos.

Tell me what you think that guy had wrong about Bell.

[fontaine]

Originally Posted by quiettiger

This is obviously grown up talk. So much confusion over a little simple truth.

It does affect your game if you say something stupid. Ask Freddie Mitchell.

The press gets paid to be stupid so why should players be stupid for free? What is the point of having a guy mis quote you or put what you say out of context? Posters can't get it right around here and it's an open dialogue how the hell are you going to get it right on the National theater?

There was an article that I saw on The Mane put up by Patswin which said it best. The dumb butted reporter had the Broncos in ruins if Tatum Bell didn't do anything this year. The guy knows nothing about Bell let alone the Broncos. The press as a whole is useless. There are a lot of things that don't make the press that should. These are good news stories so they don't sell. What sells is blood, murder, fear, retribution, and death. If they can kill your career they will.

I think the press is intrusive and gives an artificial importance to stupid trivial events and the players should be focused not any of this fluffy

This man spits the truth.

Are you still around the sandlands (my brother is heading out there soon enough) ?

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by ozomulsion

Tell me what you think that guy had wrong about Bell.

Let me flip that script...

1. How many running backs can we start besides Bell?
2. How many times has Shanny had a 1,000 yd running back? Bell is not a risk.
3. What are the odds an NFL starting RB didn't improve this off season?
4. Where in Bell's season last year did he did he show signs of being a bust?

[ND Bronco Fan]

Bell sold me in the Miami game, I saw flashes of the potential he had. Anyone got a gif of the run around the end when he hit the extra gear and blew by them?

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by fontaine

This man spits the truth.

Are you still around the sandlands (my brother is heading out there soon enough) ?

Tell him if he's north he'll be paying the rent but if he's south things are quiet right now. The enemy is fear. Your only friend is common sense.

The bugs here are nasty and everywhere. Everything bites, stings or slithers. Don't buy into the crap about camel spiders. They squish just like scorpions. The flies are not normal. He'll know what I mean after a few days.

Tell him to listen and learn ALL the training that he gets prior to coming over here but to remember to throw ALL that sh#t away.

Dust, sand, and dirt gets into everything. There is nothing you can do about it. Where I was at was glowing like the red planet. The sand storms can be pretty amazing.

I wish him all the best.

[Atlas]

Originally Posted by quiettiger

Tell him if he's north he'll be paying the rent but if he's south things are quiet right now. The enemy is fear. Your only friend is common sense.

The bugs here are nasty and everywhere. Everything bites, stings or slithers. Don't buy into the crap about camel spiders. They squish just like scorpions. The flies are not normal. He'll know what I mean after a few days.

Tell him to listen and learn ALL the training that he gets prior to coming over here but to remember to throw ALL that sh#t away.

Dust, sand, and dirt gets into everything. There is nothing you can do about it. Where I was at was glowing like the red planet. The sand storms can be pretty amazing.

I wish him all the best.

Sand flies are hell. They'll put you in the hospital if they get you while you are sleeping.

[Odysseus]

I didn't think a bug could bring a man down so bad but it's like a bad scene from The Mummy. Man was just walking to his tent and holy crap you'd think an invisible dog was eating his ass. I think sand fleas are from Satan.

They had these one really big nasty looking bugs come out that looking like scarabs? I stomped em and kicked them and kicked them like hockey pucks. Guy tells me "Those are poisonous! I looked it up." I shouted back. "They are poisonous if you eat em! Just don't eat them!" I didn't know and didn't care. It was 0200. Did he have a encyclopedia up his butt? Thing looked like it belonged in a scary movie.

When I get back I'm going to lay in a pile of grass and make a grass angel. I'm going run naked in the rain. I'm going to sit in the mountains so high that I don't have to talk to a single person for a whole month. I want to stay until I forget my name. I want to sit in a Wal Mart and just look at all the cool stuff that I can buy. I want to sit in a hot tub and listen to water bubbling and let the chlorine kill all the critters.

You learn to appreciate simple things.

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by baja fan

And when you get accused of babbling by Watermock you have accomplished something

He's like an online Barbie doll you never know what exciting outfit he's going to slip into next. It depends...is it Malibu Watermock or Christmas in the Hamptons Watermock or is it Watermock Matrix ensemble... It's tough being a drama queen.