Khan's Camp Report 8/6

[Kaylore]

Today was a great day to come to camp in terms of the weather. The sky was overcast and there was a very mild breeze that kept the temperature in the sixties. The weather made it nicer for everyone and the crowd was especially supportive of the team cheering and applauding them any time someone made a big play.

Obviously everyone has probably heard by now that Jarvis Moss went down in a lot of pain with a knee injury during line drills. I didn’t get a good view as I was watching the redzone passing drills on the opposite side of the field, but I did see him go down and get carted off. He was in a great deal of pain and was grabbing his knee. Coach Shanahan mentioned that it was a knee twist and that the ligament seemed to be still attached, but it looked quite a bit more serious than that. Let’s hope for the best.

They ran a lot more skill drills and then worked on redzone more this time. The hands specialist that Coach Bates brought in for the defensive line was there and helping guys work and moves and technique at getting offensive linemen’s hands off of you. This was very interesting to watch up close and see the variety of ways that a defensive line could beat a lineman with his hands. Not all these moves are for every player, but the idea is to give each player a variety of tools to be effective and then let the players use what works best for him.

They released the new depth chart today and there were no real surprises. The starting offense is as you’d expect. Stokely and Walker are the starting receivers, then it’s Brian Clark, Dominik Hixon, David Terrell, David Kircus and Quincy Morgan. Eslinger is the second team center, though I think it’s really Myers as Chris plays guard on the second team. The running backs are Henry, Sapp, Bell, Hall and Young.

Defense had a few more surprises. The first team D is the same except that Louis Green is listed as the number one backer. Shanahan made a point of mentioning that these positions could always change and I suspect that there are some mind games going on with some of this. The second team D line is made up of all three rookies plus Kennedy. Malard, Lewis and Webster are the linebackers. Paymah and Foxworth play outside and Hamzah and Cox are the safeties. They did tend to rotate these players around quite a bit.

I’ll be honest that after Moss went down I spent a fair amount of time talking to other people and trying to learn what happened and when we’d know what his condition was. It was much more difficult to concentrate after that. Here are some things I did notice.

Offensive Line – Chris Kuper had a pretty crappy practice. It started out well and then in twenty minute period he gave up three sacks. The last one Shanahan got upset with him and pulled him and put Montrae Holland in. It’s unfortunate for Chris because he had demonstrated enough last week to earn the starting position this morning, but then he started to get beat over and over and Shanahan had to send a message. Holland did better, but it would be hard not to as bad a practice as Kuper was having. I’m not sure if that change is reflective of that day or applies to the depth chart. We’ll see this afternoon.

Secondary – The secondary played very well today. John Lynch picked off a pass and ran it back. Champ let Brian Clark get by him on a post pattern after the offensive line had all day to throw. This occurred following the injury to moss. Bly had an off day after he bonked his wrist on a helmet and came out. The defense is doing an excellent job defending the bootleg. Nothing was open down field most of the day. Payma, Foxworth and Hamzah (pronounced "AHM-zah" no "h") are really impressive and playing with a lot of confidence. I'm still amazed at how physical Dominique is playing this year. He broke up a pass just by popping Brian Clark.

Quarterback – Cutler had a decent day. He made some good throws that were dropped and is finding his check down guys pretty well. He had quite a few drops and when Scheffler and Marshall get back on the field, I suspect we’ll see all the quarterbacks improve. Ramsey had a decent practice and made some throws, though he did get picked off by Lynch.

Defensive Line - The interior of the line was getting a lot pressure today. They were doing a good job bearing down on the pocket and getting through for some sacks. I still think that Burton is impressive, but he and Veal are stashed on the fourth team, so that must be bunch of mental errors and other such things that are hard to see with the naked eye. Sam Adams is still and absolute beast inside. He really is tough to run on.

Receivers – The receivers had quite a few drops today. Even Walker dropped one. They just aren’t getting open and are struggling to hang onto the ball because our corners are playing so physical with them. It will be interesting to see how both units matchup against other teams.

That’s all I have for right now. If I have time I’ll report this afternoon as well and let you all know what’s going on. Hopefully we’ll have more information on Moss’ situation by then.

[HEAV]

Montrae Holland will be starter week 1

[Steve Prefontaine]

As alway, thanks Kaylore. Any updates on when Scheffler or Marshall might be ready to practice?

[Kaylore]

Originally Posted by HEAV

Montrae Holland will be starter week 1

BOOOOOOOOO!

Kuper won the job the first week and then had a bad practice. He'll bounce back. The line in New Orleans wasn't very good and Holland was benched and then cut by them. I'll be worried if he is starting when we open.

[Kaylore]

Originally Posted by ECBronco

As alway, thanks Kaylore. Any updates on when Scheffler or Marshall might be ready to practice?

Nope.

[Vegas_Bronco]

I can imagine shanny wasn't in much of a pleasant mood after watching his #1 pick carted off the field. Was there any change in his mood or the practice, or the team?

[CBF1]

Marshall must have suffered a serious mangina injury to be out so long... And it will hurt him in the long run imo

[HEAV]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

BOOOOOOOOO!

Kuper won the job the first week and then had a bad practice. He'll bounce back. The line in New Orleans wasn't very good and Holland was benched and then cut by them. I'll be worried if he is starting when we open.

Holland is a mauler in the running game. I just want to run, run, and run on teams.


Holland wasn't cut by the Saints. He was a free agent. He was given a one year deal back in 06 from the Saints.

While he isn't the best pass blocker (and not that nimble a foot) he can be serviceable.

I just want to smack teams in the mouth and run Henry down their throats.

[no-pseudo-fan]

Thanks Khan. I would like to stay optimistic about the Moss injury for now. Knee injuries are a curious fig!

[serious hops]

Thanks for the report, Kaylore. I know we're all probably more concerned with Moss' status right now, but I have a question if/when you have time. Aside from Walker, who looks the best at running vertical routes? Are we going to have another legitimate deep threat to stretch the field?

[UltimateHoboW/Shotgun]

I was sitting at about the 25-35 yard line when Moss went down. At first it looked like he knocked knees with #64. Moss took a couple of steps to the goal line and went down tried to get back up and went to ground again then the training crew took a look at him. He took off the pads and seemed to be trying to put pressure on the left leg. He seemed fine I never noticed the cart.

D-line:
I really hope that Moss is ok. Just before that, Moss was the best lineman during 1-on-1 pass rush drill. On 1 snap he did a bull rush with a spin inside that bet his guy and none of the other D-linemen had anything similar. Another D-linemen that was really good was Sam Adams. That guy is big. I mean he was a big guy among big guys. But the most impressive thing was he was able to move laterally and penetrate and stuff a couple of runs.
Linebackers:
DJ Williams- Had a good practice. I think he is going to be a good mike backer. DJ was able to sift throw trash and fill the hole and we all know how fast he can be in pass coverage.
Ian Gold- Most play went away from him so its hard to judge his abilities in these defense.
Nate Webster- He ran with the 1st D today. The one good thing he did was on a run play were he shed a block and used his mike linebacker expereince to sniff out the RB.
Cornerbacks:
Champ- Had an off morning. Got beat by Brian Clark on a deep post.
Bly- Also had an off morning. Lost his footing twice on 1-on-1 passing drill and on team scrimmage.
Foxworth- Got beat twice on corner routes on 1-on-1 but settled down towards the end of practice.
Paymah- Rarely got beat and defended a couple of passes. He might be 1 of the best suited to these defense.
Safety:
Lynch- Made an int. but it was at the other end of the field so I didn't get good look at the play.
Fergie- In this defense its going to ask Fergie to be more of a run-stopper then before, and during 5-on-5 run drill he did well.

Running Backs:
Travis Henry- Best of the bunch took the correct hole even if it was for a couple of yards.
Mike Bell- Really struggling. Not running with instinct or confidence except during goalline or redzone practice. One bad play was not catching a screen pass that hit him in the hands.
Andre Hall- Good change of pace back and good on draw and screens.
TE:
Dan Graham- Only TE to catch a pass that I could see and it was against Webster. It was a similar to a play to one on Friday. Webster had Man coverage responsibility and broke inside while Graham broke outside for a 15 yard gain.
WR:
Javon Walker- Had 1 bad drop in the end-zone during goal to go drill. Javon ran a five yard square in and the pass was a little behind him, but it hit him in the elbow and should have come in with it.
David Kircus- Very inconsitant. Had drops all over the field.
Brian Clark- Made a couple of nice catches on corner routes for TDs during 1-on-1 passing drills. Also made the deep post play on Champ.
D. Hixon- Didn't see much of him. However made a couple of nice catches during move the ball drill on the side line.

[OrangeShadow]

good to hear the d line is getting pressure

[Broncos_OTM]

i wonder if moss can get to number one by the end of the reason - me thinks he can

[Los Broncos]

Thanks Kaylore for the update, good as always.

Any news on Paymah?

[Watchthemiddle]

Interesting point you made about the WR's not being able to get open. This has been a re-occuring theme it seems for us over the years. I hope all of this work they are getting against the all world DB's will pay off for them over the season.

[Bronx33]

Originally Posted by OrangeShadow

good to hear the d line is getting pressure

Pressure on the QB during the regular season would be the best news.

[Kaylore]

Originally Posted by Lynchmob72

Thanks Kaylore for the update, good as always.

Any news on Paymah?

He still looks good and is the dimeback.

[SoCalBronco]

Excellent report Khan and UltimateSoldier.

[DenverBrit]

Thanks, guys.
As always, the time you take to give us TC reports is always appreciated.

[Kaylore]

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

Excellent report Khan and UltimateSoldier.

It sucks by myself. I can't watch both fields and we can't split things up like we did. Oh well.

[UltimateHoboW/Shotgun]

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

Excellent report Khan and UltimateSoldier.

Thanks. I'll try be there tomorrow.

[Bronco Billy]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

It sucks by myself. I can't watch both fields and we can't split things up like we did. Oh well.

Hook up with Ultimate Soldier!

[Hulamau]

I've liked Brian Clark since I read that article last year of his 'Rod Smithian' roots ... undrafted FA, great work ethic etc. he's listed at 6-2 - 205 as well which is decent size ... Made a great move on Dre shown on the latest Broncos.com video clip ... Barring any drop off or injury, looks like he makes the team this year.

[Hulamau]

Speaking of work ethic ... whats the deal with Marshall ... he said earlier last week there was no more pain in his thigh .. surely by now he is ready to go ...toch?