Day 8: Big Money Kicking Ass

[SoCalBronco]

Day 8 Training Camp Notes: High Expectations for Warren
By Andrew Mason
DenverBroncos.com

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- If it wasn't already clear that Head Coach Mike Shanahan expects outstanding things from Gerard Warren, it became as transparent as newly-minted glass following Friday morning's practice.


BRONCOS TV: COURTNEY BROWN DISLOCATES HIS ELBOW | CAMP DAY SEVEN HIGHLIGHTS

"(Based on) what I've seen in the first week, I'll be disappointed if he's not in the Pro Bowl," Shanahan said.

Such praise is high, but worthy given the kind of week Warren has had, given his proclivity for batting down passes at the line of scrimmage, his durability in anchoring the first-team defensive line through two-a-day practices and his consistency at crashing the pocket from the interior.

[SoCalBronco]

"It's just the way he plays on a day-to-day basis, the way he works, hustles (in the) running game, passing game," Shanahan said. "I just expect him to play at that level because of what I've seen so far in this camp, and if he doesn't, I'll be disappointed, to be honest with you."

Warren doesn't see Shanahan's words as an additional burden.

"Ain't no pressure," Warren said. "It might be pressure for you because you ain't used to stuff like that. He's demanding the best out of me, so that's just motiviation."

But while Shanahan sees a future in Honolulu, Warren sees his February being spent someplace different.

"In Detroit, at the end of the year," Warren said, referring to the site of Super Bowl XL. "(The) Pro Bowl would be an extra bonus."

WHAT'S NEXT: Look for what is likely to be the most intense practice of training camp on Saturday morning.

"We have a little goal line situation where we actually tackle, and that's what we consider a scrimmage," Shanahan said.

It is the point where players fret the most about the possibility of serious injury -- something which is all too fresh in their minds after watching Courtney Brown hit the turf Thursday in shorts.

"Going live down there, you hand it off and hold your breath because you don't want to see anybody get hurt," quarterback Jake Plummer said, "but obviously it's a chance for us to go live, and really the only way for us to get a good look is to go full speed. It will be fun.

[SoCalBronco]

"It won't be one of those (practices) where coach is going to make us bang heads all day, but if we get some good work down in there it will be good for us."

SLIGHT DONNYBROOK: Defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban and offensive lineman Erik Pears engaged in a brief shoving match Friday morning, but it did not escalate into anything beyond the two first-year Broncos.

"It's a violent game and it's probably the first (exchange to) even (be called a) skirmish," Shanahan said. "I can't call it a fight; it wasn't a fight, because one guy wouldn't even allow himself to get into the fight. But you lose your poise in practice, you lose it during the games.

"You've got to keep your composure, and the teams that do fight usually fight during the season and a lot of times it will cost the team a game. What we try to do is practice and learn from those mistakes and hopefully it doesn't occur in a game."

CAMP BYTES: Denver spent much of the team phase of practice working on red-zone and two-minute drill scenarios, with various levels of success for the offense.

The second-team offense clicked the most effectively of the three units in two-minute drill work; quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt completed a 20-yard pass to Jerry Rice and a 25-yard slant to Jeb Putzier on back-to-back plays to move the offense from its 30 to the defense's 25. Jason Elam then drilled a 43-yard field-goal try to complete the march.

Denver's second-team defense then got the better of the No. 1 offense in two-minute drill work, as it forced four straight incompletions from midfield, including one play where Karl Paymah jumped on a Jake Plummer-to-Darius Watts pass attempt. The third-team offense, under the direction of Danny Kanell, went backwards with two plays being ruled sacks to torpedo the march.

"I think we settled in," safety Sam Brandon said. "We've been pretty consistent the whole time we've been out here as a defense -- 1s, 2s and 3s. We've just got to stay after them." ...

... Earlier in the practice, Brandon notched two interceptions off of Van Pelt during red-zone work ...

... Dorsett Davis got his hands on an interception towards the end of practice, jumping under a Matt Mauck pass that was tipped at the line of scrimmage by Markus Steele ...

... The first-team offense flourished in "move-the-ball" work, driving 70 yards in eight plays to a score on the second-team defense. Mike Anderson finished the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run; Plummer had completed all five of his passes for 55 yards on the drive to set up the touchdown ...

..

[SoCalBronco]

. One series later, Monsanto Pope and Trevor Pryce galvanized the No. 2 defense with back-to-back sacks of Van Pelt to come out victorious in its "move-the-ball" drill ...

... Jerry Rice made a pair of outstanding catches -- one in red-zone work where he got past a pair of defenders in the back of the end zone and adroitly placed both feet down before falling out of the back of the end zone with a Van Pelt pass, and another where he appeared to get a knee down for a 20-yard grab from Van Pelt before falling out of bounds. Lenny Walls and Nick Ferguson protested vociferously, but the Broncos' personnel watching and serving as referees ruled the play a catch ...

... Rod Smith made a pair of catches in the back corners of the end zone during red-zone work, getting past Walls for one and inching one step beyond Darrent Williams for another.

TRAINER'S ROOM: The Broncos' injury report was the lengthiest of camp so far. Cornerback Champ Bailey missed a second straight day of practice with a left hamstring injury, while injuries also sidelined Patrick Hape (calf), defensive end Chukie Nwokorie (groin) and linebacker Jashon Sykes (groin). Courtney Brown also missed practice; he will be out for three weeks with a dislocated elbow.

Running back Maurice Clarett returned to action Friday morning after sitting out Thursday's work with a groin injury.

Other players to miss practice included running back Quentin Griffin, cornerback Jeff Shoate and offensive tackle Matt Lepsis. Cornell Green took Lepsis' place at left tackle for the first team.

Linebacker Patrick Chukwurah hit the ground late in practice and lingered on the field for several minutes before walking away under his own power.

"I don't know if it was a head slap or what, but he seems to be doing okay," Shanahan said.

[DBroncos4life]

God if he is looking that good lets lock him up now!!!

[baja]

Shiit!! I Gottta Go To Detroit To See The Broncos Win The Super Bowl, Damn!!

[DBroncos4life]

Is Warren next to Pryce or is Myers? Also has Pryce been playing any DT or just DE?

[bpc]

Interesting notes. I'm excited to see a real emphasis on the red zone units this year. I think that will help both the offense and defense.

I think we should definitely open up negotiations if he is doing this will.

[SoCalBronco]

Quotes from this morning's practice:

Today's Quotes - 8/5 morning session

By Press Release
Date: Aug 5, 2005

Quotes from Mike Shanahan, Jake Plummer, Darrent Williams and Charlie Adams following this morning's practice session.

Head Coach Mike Shanahan

On linebacker Patrick Chukwurah, who took a hard hit in the morning practice
“He’s fine according to Greek (Broncos Head Athletic Trainer Steve Antonopulos). I don’t know if it was a (hit to his head) or what, but he seems to be doing OK.”

On the progress of defensive tackle Gerard Warren, who was acquired from Cleveland in an offseason trade
“I think he’s doing great. He’s one of our leaders. He’s a great hustler. He does everything you ask him to do. From what I’ve seen of him in the first week, I’d be disappointed if he’s not in the Pro Bowl. It’s just the way he plays on a day-to-day basis—the way he works, the way he hustles, running game, passing game. I just expect him to play at that level because of what I’ve seen thus far in this camp. If he doesn’t, I’ll be disappointed.”

On working on goal-line situations
“Well, we don’t really have a scrimmage. We have a little goal-line situation, where we will actually tackle, and that’s what we consider a scrimmage. In the red zone today, we had a lot of scenarios – second and 10 versus a nickel, third-down situations versus a nickel. Then we came back and did first and 10 in 7-on-7 and first and 10 as a team. It was an area of emphasis and obviously, we tried to work on it today.”

[SoCalBronco]

On defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban and tackle Erik Pears getting tangled up in the morning practice
“Well the thing about this game… It’s a violent game. This was probably the first skirmish. I can’t call it a fight because it wasn’t a fight. The one guy wouldn’t allow himself to get into the fight. But if you lose your poise during practice, you lose it during the game. You’ve got to keep your composure. The teams that do fight usually fight during the season, and a lot of times it costs the team the game. What we try to do is practice and learn from these mistakes. Hopefully, it doesn’t occur during a game.”

On his impression of running back Ron Dayne
“Ron’s done a great job. I think his running style fits our system. We watched him in college. We liked what he did in college. He’s come in here and worked extremely hard. I look forward to seeing him perform in game situations. He’s got a lot of ability and now we’ll get a chance to see him compete against other backs.”

Quarterback Jake Plummer

On the progress of the team in training camp
“Things are coming along like they should. We’ve still got a lot of work to do. Each day, we’re getting better and fighting through the tiredness and being sore. That’s what camp is for… just fight through mentally. Physically, everyone is hurting. You’ve got to be mentally into it. Soon, we’ll go down and break it up and get a look at a different team in Houston, which will be nice but we’ve just got to keep pushing.”

[SoCalBronco]

On the play of quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt
“He’s doing all right, making some plays. He’s not making some plays. He’s doing what we’re expecting of him. He’s going out there and trying hard. His ability to make plays comes out more in a game than it will in practice, but he’s working hard just like everyone else trying to get better.”

On the work in the red zone
“It feels good. I think we had a few plays we should have still made, but down there we have to find a way to get it into the end zone. Guys were stepping up, getting some good runs. Obviously, we’re not in pads so you can’t tell exactly how the run is, but guys are working hard down there.”

On how he feels he is throwing the football
“I feel like I’m throwing decent.”

On participating in goal-line drills Saturday
“You know the goal line – going live down there – you just hand it off and hold your breath because you don’t want to see anyone get hurt. Obviously, it’s a good chance to go live. Really, the only way to get a good look down there is to go full speed. It will be fun. It won’t be one of those where coach (Shanahan) is going to make us bang heads all day, but if we get in some good work down there, it will be good for us.”

On who has impressed him among the Broncos’ wide receivers
“There’s a lot of those guys working hard. Obviously, Ashley (Lelie) is continuing to get better. Darius (Watts) continues to have his ups and downs. He has to continue to get consistent. Charlie Adams is having a great camp. I think he’s made a lot of great plays, good routes (and is a) great blocker. All the guys are working hard. Besides that, all the young guys are just a little inconsistent right now. That happens when you get tired and sore. Those guys run so much. It’s a tough deal for them sometimes, but they have to get mentally tough and come out every day wanting to get better.”

On wide receiver Jerry Rice
“Who’s that? (laughs) Jerry’s doing good. He’s an older guy. We’re not running him into the ground right now. We know he’ll be valuable to us in games. He doesn’t do many things wrong. When he gets a chance to make plays… Today, he made a couple of real good catches for us.”

[SoCalBronco]

Cornerback Darrent Williams

On having veteran receivers give him advice
“It does helps a lot because once I know what I did wrong, I can do whatever it takes to correct it. I always try to make sure that I only make the same mistake once. ”

On how he is going to spend his day off
“Sleeping and drinking a lot of Gatorade and water. I do not plan on doing much. My main goal is to just stay off of my feet. I know that we are going down to Houston next week, so I have to get ready for this first preseason game.”

On comparing practice at Oklahoma State and Denver
“We did have some hard practices, but not quite this speed. Here everything we do is at full speed, every play, all day. At Oklahoma State, you got some plays off and you could just chill, relax and try to keep your legs fresh. But not here. Out here, you have be going to get it every play or the coaches are going to let you know about it.”

[SoCalBronco]

Wide Receiver Charlie Adams

On being consistent
“That is a big reason why I was not here the whole season last year, so that is something that I tried to focus on during this offseason. Right now, all of the work that I did seems to be paying off. All I can do not is focus on them one at a time as they come to me. ”

On seeing the veterans practice and its effect on him
“These guys are a big for me. It goes all the way back to (former Broncos wide receiver) Ed McCaffrey, and I even told (wide receiver) Rod (Smith) that if it was not for him and Ed, I would not be here. Jerry (Rice) does not do anything but build on that. They are always telling us any and every little thing that could possibly get us open or gain a step or two because that is all it takes. Rod and Jerry help us out a lot with the little things, especially things that you may not see, while just watching the game or film. These are all big things that really help you get up into the league.”

On transitioning into the preseason
“It is one thing when you are making plays out here, but they want to see you do it on gameday. This is something that everybody has to do and if you do not make plays on the weekend then you probably will not be here. That is something that everyone out here has to work on and do, but I especially have to do it.”

On playing Houston and seeing new faces
“They do have some good corners down there, but every day we go against (cornerback) Champ Bailey and (cornerback) Lenny Walls. We also have all of these young corners who are doing extremely well, so I think we go against the best corners every day. I do not think they are going to show us anything that we have not seen here.”

[ludo21]

I am really hoping Adams proves worthy of that 5th spot or possibly work himself intot he 4th spot. He is a typical WR big and fast. Hopefully he shows us some things this preseason so he can get on the 53 man roster at training camps end.

[kent156]

pro bowl i like the sound of that

[Arkie]

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

Quotes from Mike Shanahan...On wide receiver Jerry Rice
“Who’s that? (laughs) Jerry’s doing good. He’s an older guy. We’re not running him into the ground right now. We know he’ll be valuable to us in games. He doesn’t do many things wrong. When he gets a chance to make plays… Today, he made a couple of real good catches for us.”

That's an understatement.

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

Jerry Rice made a pair of outstanding catches -- one in red-zone work where he got past a pair of defenders in the back of the end zone and adroitly placed both feet down before falling out of the back of the end zone with a Van Pelt pass, and another where he appeared to get a knee down for a 20-yard grab from Van Pelt before falling out of bounds. Lenny Walls and Nick Ferguson protested vociferously, but the Broncos' personnel watching and serving as referees ruled the play a catch ...

[TheReverend]

Sam Brandon=Perennial Training Camp All-Star

[Play2win]

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

SLIGHT DONNYBROOK: Defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban and offensive lineman Erik Pears engaged in a brief shoving match Friday morning, but it did not escalate into anything beyond the two first-year Broncos.

"It's a violent game and it's probably the first (exchange to) even (be called a) skirmish," Shanahan said. "I can't call it a fight; it wasn't a fight, because one guy wouldn't even allow himself to get into the fight. But you lose your poise in practice, you lose it during the games.

What about Al Wilson and Nails...