Broncos Off-Season Training Program Begins - The Orange Mane

Kaylore · 04-04-2006, 02:02 AM

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.ph...4&storyID=5455

Present and Accounted For
By Andrew Mason
DenverBroncos.com

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Kyle Johnson wasn't taking a head count of his teammates in attendance at the first day of offseason conditioning workouts Monday at the team's headquarters. But a quick glance yielded exactly what he -- and the team's coaches -- wanted to see.

"When you're looking through the crowd of people to try to remember who's not there, then you know attendance is high," he said.

It was a crowd -- and, as the signings and contract extensions of the previous two and a half months proved, it was a crowd comprised almost entirely of familiar faces. Only two starters from the 2005 AFC Championship game are no longer with the team -- defensive end Trevor Pryce and running back Mike Anderson. Tight end Wesley Duke was also not present, owing to his allocation to the Hamburg Sea Devils of the NFL Europe League.

From Johnson's perspective, it was as though the team picked up where it left off in January -- at least in terms of camaraderie.

"Guys were really chummy when we were warming up today," Johnson said. "You noticed it right away. The few new guys have to be welcomed in, but in general, it's the same guys. It's not a new team.

"Obviously, when July hits, we're all going to be scrambling, so nothing's established, anyway, but it is great to be around the same group of guys you were around last year."

Johnson was in contact with his teammates over the past two months, but in a different capacity, as the team's assistant player representative to the NFL Players Association. As the Players Association and the league worked on the new collective bargaining agreement, Johnson tried to stay in touch with matters.

"This is my first year as assistant players' representative; obviously Rod (Smith) is the head players' rep, so people did come with certain questions, wanting to know certain things," Johnson said. "It was a little bit different for me in terms as keeping up-to-date, keeping abreast of what was going on, so I was constantly checking transactions and the news in wanting them to reach some kind of an agreement."

Nearly four weeks have passed since the agreement was ratified by NFL owners, leaving time to relax and refocus. By Monday, it was back to work.

"It was a good day," Johnson said. "Obviously they're trying to keep in mind that you're not back to full capacity just yet, but we're going to get there very soon. Just to get back out there and lift some weights and throw the ball around is a positive thing. But you want to keep in mind where you are, where you have to go, and progress accordingly."

Johnson said that strength and conditioning coach Rich Tuten didn't push the players to the breaking point.

"He could have really hurt us today if he wanted to," Johnson said. "I don't think he wanted to do that. I think he wants us to quickly get back to a better pace and take strides to being in better shape this year than we've ever been before."

And he hopes that -- combined with the continuity of keeping a conference finalist virtually intact -- leads to a better finish-line moment, even though Monday's work represented only the smallest first step of a nine-month journey.

"When you go 14-4, you don't necessarily have to make as many changes as a team that goes 2-14, so you did something right," Johnson said. "There's not necessarily a need to completely and totally change everything. You want to tweak and refine as opposed to completely renewing and changing."

All the renewal he needed came in the last two months.

"Last year -- after the 2004 season -- was the first year where I realized that it takes more than a couple of days to really refresh," Johnson said. "In college, you get that week after the bowl game in January to go home, and you're fine. You're full of energy. The NFL is a little more taxing on the brain and the body. We played 22 games altogether. It was like two college seasons. I think it took a little more time to establish homeostasis and get that balance, but the time we had was enough to be back now.

"The good thing now is you don't have to go full-tilt. It's not like you're back in pads. You come back, you work out, you catch balls, you get readjusted and then it's going to pick up as time goes by."

SoCalBronco · 04-04-2006, 02:08 AM

good stuff Khan, thanks.

Hopefully participation is at or near 100% again.

Atlas · 04-04-2006, 02:12 AM

Quote:

I think it took a little more time to establish homeostasis and get that balance

Pretty good for a football player!

GreatBronco16 · 04-04-2006, 02:14 AM

Well it seems like everyone that was suppose to be there was there. That is the great thing about Denver. About 99.9% of the players will show up to the offseason workouts.

Cito Pelon · 04-04-2006, 02:17 AM

I hope they do wind sprint after wind sprint. This has not been a dominant fourth-q team, and a lot of that has to with stamina. Wind sprints have a way of separating the men from the boys. I laugh at the combine where they measure a man's strength by reps at 225 lb barbells and 40 yd dashes. A better pro measure is times at 10 100 meter dashes.

Cito Pelon · 04-04-2006, 02:27 AM

"It was a good day," Johnson said. "Obviously they're trying to keep in mind that you're not back to full capacity just yet, but we're going to get there very soon. Just to get back out there and lift some weights and throw the ball around is a positive thing. But you want to keep in mind where you are, where you have to go, and progress accordingly."

Johnson said that strength and conditioning coach Rich Tuten didn't push the players to the breaking point.

"He could have really hurt us today if he wanted to," Johnson said. "I don't think he wanted to do that. I think he wants us to quickly get back to a better pace and take strides to being in better shape this year than we've ever been before."

Yeah, well, that "better pace" better include a lot of wind sprints, 'cause you guys looked like you were out of gas in the fourth quarter all last year.

Atlas · 04-04-2006, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cito Pelon

Yeah, well, that "better pace" better include a lot of wind sprints, 'cause you guys looked like you were out of gas in the fourth quarter all last year.

Actually Denver played about even with the opponent in the 4th quarter. It was the 3rd quarter where they were outscored 83-37.

Kaylore · 04-04-2006, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlas

Actually Denver played about even with the opponent in the 4th quarter. It was the 3rd quarter where they were outscored 83-37.

Except for the Giants game.

12th man · 04-04-2006, 12:32 PM

good post. I can't wait for training camp to start

Garcia Bronco · 04-04-2006, 12:54 PM

goose bumps

GSRelyea · 04-04-2006, 12:55 PM

Anyone know when the schedule is going to released?

Kaylore · 04-04-2006, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSRelyea

Anyone know when the schedule is going to released?

I heard this Thursday, but I'm not sure.

Billy Clyde Puckett · 04-04-2006, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

I heard this Thursday, but I'm not sure.

So Kaylore, Can we count on you to sneak into the workout rooms and give us great reports like you did from camp last year?

Kaylore · 04-04-2006, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Guy

So Kaylore, Can we count on you to sneak into the workout rooms and give us great reports like you did from camp last year?

First of all, that sounds creepy. Second, not unless I can pose as a janitor.

ro_50 · 04-04-2006, 01:59 PM

Kyle Johnson is one of my favorite Broncos.

Good to see the guys getting at it again.

Billy Clyde Puckett · 04-04-2006, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

First of all, that sounds creepy. Second, not unless I can pose as a janitor.

Come on now Kaylore - You know we would have ten page threads here after each day's bench press counts.

2KBack · 04-04-2006, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ro_50

Kyle Johnson is one of my favorite Broncos.

Good to see the guys getting at it again.

They guy is really making himself into a valuable asset. He works hard, and has fun, it must say something that he is the assistant player rep behind Rod.

elsid13 · 04-04-2006, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

First of all, that sounds creepy. Second, not unless I can pose as a janitor.

You know that we all would be here willing to pitch in for bail money. Now go in there and take one for the team, because there is no crying in football!!!

04-04-2006, 02:02 AM	#1
Kaylore 6-37, Raider fans. Yummy birds and snow! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ceti Alpha V Posts: 41,074 Adopt-a-Bronco: Wesley Duke	Broncos Off-Season Training Program Begins http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.ph...4&storyID=5455 Present and Accounted For By Andrew Mason DenverBroncos.com ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Kyle Johnson wasn't taking a head count of his teammates in attendance at the first day of offseason conditioning workouts Monday at the team's headquarters. But a quick glance yielded exactly what he -- and the team's coaches -- wanted to see. "When you're looking through the crowd of people to try to remember who's not there, then you know attendance is high," he said. It was a crowd -- and, as the signings and contract extensions of the previous two and a half months proved, it was a crowd comprised almost entirely of familiar faces. Only two starters from the 2005 AFC Championship game are no longer with the team -- defensive end Trevor Pryce and running back Mike Anderson. Tight end Wesley Duke was also not present, owing to his allocation to the Hamburg Sea Devils of the NFL Europe League. From Johnson's perspective, it was as though the team picked up where it left off in January -- at least in terms of camaraderie. "Guys were really chummy when we were warming up today," Johnson said. "You noticed it right away. The few new guys have to be welcomed in, but in general, it's the same guys. It's not a new team. "Obviously, when July hits, we're all going to be scrambling, so nothing's established, anyway, but it is great to be around the same group of guys you were around last year." Johnson was in contact with his teammates over the past two months, but in a different capacity, as the team's assistant player representative to the NFL Players Association. As the Players Association and the league worked on the new collective bargaining agreement, Johnson tried to stay in touch with matters. "This is my first year as assistant players' representative; obviously Rod (Smith) is the head players' rep, so people did come with certain questions, wanting to know certain things," Johnson said. "It was a little bit different for me in terms as keeping up-to-date, keeping abreast of what was going on, so I was constantly checking transactions and the news in wanting them to reach some kind of an agreement." Nearly four weeks have passed since the agreement was ratified by NFL owners, leaving time to relax and refocus. By Monday, it was back to work. "It was a good day," Johnson said. "Obviously they're trying to keep in mind that you're not back to full capacity just yet, but we're going to get there very soon. Just to get back out there and lift some weights and throw the ball around is a positive thing. But you want to keep in mind where you are, where you have to go, and progress accordingly." Johnson said that strength and conditioning coach Rich Tuten didn't push the players to the breaking point. "He could have really hurt us today if he wanted to," Johnson said. "I don't think he wanted to do that. I think he wants us to quickly get back to a better pace and take strides to being in better shape this year than we've ever been before." And he hopes that -- combined with the continuity of keeping a conference finalist virtually intact -- leads to a better finish-line moment, even though Monday's work represented only the smallest first step of a nine-month journey. "When you go 14-4, you don't necessarily have to make as many changes as a team that goes 2-14, so you did something right," Johnson said. "There's not necessarily a need to completely and totally change everything. You want to tweak and refine as opposed to completely renewing and changing." All the renewal he needed came in the last two months. "Last year -- after the 2004 season -- was the first year where I realized that it takes more than a couple of days to really refresh," Johnson said. "In college, you get that week after the bowl game in January to go home, and you're fine. You're full of energy. The NFL is a little more taxing on the brain and the body. We played 22 games altogether. It was like two college seasons. I think it took a little more time to establish homeostasis and get that balance, but the time we had was enough to be back now. "The good thing now is you don't have to go full-tilt. It's not like you're back in pads. You come back, you work out, you catch balls, you get readjusted and then it's going to pick up as time goes by."

04-04-2006, 02:08 AM	#2
SoCalBronco Nixonite Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 33,315 Adopt-a-Bronco: D.J. Williams	good stuff Khan, thanks. Hopefully participation is at or near 100% again. __________________ ITS A PLAYOFF HOCKEY NIGHT IN PITTSBURGH!

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04-04-2006, 02:14 AM	#4
GreatBronco16 !!!TEAM!!! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Bama Baby Posts: 5,847 Adopt-a-Bronco: The Defense	Well it seems like everyone that was suppose to be there was there. That is the great thing about Denver. About 99.9% of the players will show up to the offseason workouts.

04-04-2006, 02:17 AM	#5
Cito Pelon Attack at all times . . . Happy dog at the Divide Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: AFC West Championshipville Posts: 15,207 Adopt-a-Bronco: Elvis	I hope they do wind sprint after wind sprint. This has not been a dominant fourth-q team, and a lot of that has to with stamina. Wind sprints have a way of separating the men from the boys. I laugh at the combine where they measure a man's strength by reps at 225 lb barbells and 40 yd dashes. A better pro measure is times at 10 100 meter dashes.

04-04-2006, 02:27 AM	#6
Cito Pelon Attack at all times . . . Happy dog at the Divide Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: AFC West Championshipville Posts: 15,207 Adopt-a-Bronco: Elvis	"It was a good day," Johnson said. "Obviously they're trying to keep in mind that you're not back to full capacity just yet, but we're going to get there very soon. Just to get back out there and lift some weights and throw the ball around is a positive thing. But you want to keep in mind where you are, where you have to go, and progress accordingly." Johnson said that strength and conditioning coach Rich Tuten didn't push the players to the breaking point. "He could have really hurt us today if he wanted to," Johnson said. "I don't think he wanted to do that. I think he wants us to quickly get back to a better pace and take strides to being in better shape this year than we've ever been before." Yeah, well, that "better pace" better include a lot of wind sprints, 'cause you guys looked like you were out of gas in the fourth quarter all last year.

04-04-2006, 12:32 PM	#9
12th man Ring of Famer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Trinidad Colorado Posts: 1,634	good post. I can't wait for training camp to start

04-04-2006, 12:54 PM	#10
Garcia Bronco Hokie since 1993 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 45,991 Adopt-a-Bronco: Tom Jackson	goose bumps

04-04-2006, 12:55 PM	#11
GSRelyea NEWOUTDOORSMEN.COM Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Saratoga, NY Posts: 1,074 Adopt-a-Bronco: Al Wilson	Anyone know when the schedule is going to released?

04-04-2006, 01:59 PM	#15
ro_50 Ring of Famer Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Somewhere in Jersey Posts: 3,782	Kyle Johnson is one of my favorite Broncos. Good to see the guys getting at it again.