Denver Broncos Training Camp Notes: Marshall a No-Show on Day Two

Pictures say a thousand words—or do they?

While Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall appears to be happy in this photo taken Monday at the unofficial start of the team’s training camp, it was clear after practice that he still wants to be traded from the team if he does not get more money.

“You know, it’s my obligation to be here and I’m here,” Marshall said, “I’m here. I can’t control that stuff. All I can do is worry about today, today I’m here (as a) Bronco. I’m excited about playing football.”

Marshall’s responses were far from inspiring to Bronco fans, but his mere presence at camp was enough to put the media and fans alike at some sort of peace.

Was.

After running through every drill on Monday, the Broncos’ Pro Bowl wide receiver was a no-show for the team’s light practice Tuesday morning.

Josh McDaniels is scheduled to meet the media following today’s practices, so be sure and tune in.

The Denver Broncos’ official Web site also reported that Marshall and new quarterback Kyle Orton spent several minutes off to the side at practice talking to one another. 

Take that for what it is worth, but it means something that the two are forming any semblance of a relationship.

Aside from the Marshall saga—which continues to bring the Broncos negative publicity—the team had the rest of its rookies and quarterbacks on hand for practice, save for both first round draft picks Robert Ayers and Knowshon Moreno.

Reports are that Ayers is close to a deal with the Broncos, and that his “people” and the Broncos plan on working all day to get a contract signed.

Moreno’s talks are apparently not so close, but he did sign a deal with Reebok. 

Both rookies are expected to have their deals done by the time veterans report on Friday morning.

Denver Broncos Secondary Improves Greatly with Alphonso Smith’s Signing

Today it was reported by ESPN NFL insider John Clayton that CB Alphonso Smith, the second-round draft pick from Wake Forest, was signed. Also, Darcel McBath, David Bruton, and Tom Brandstater penned deals, leaving Knowshon Moreno and Robert Ayers as the only two of Denver’s 10 picks unsigned.

Smith, who was projected by many to go in the first round, slipped to 37th to the Broncos. Smith showed he has great ball-hawking skills, collecting 21 interceptions in his time at Wake, making him the all time ACC leader in picks. He was also an all ACC selection in both 2007 and 2008.

Some say Smith, at 5’9″ and 190 pounds is too small to start in the NFL, but Smith has also been said to be a good tackler, and runstopper when needed. If not this year, since it seems Andre Goodman will start opposite Champ Bailey, then possibly in 2010 or ’11.

But that isn’t to say Smith won’t see playing time, as he was also a great returner in college, and looks to be the No. 1 returner on the team at this point.

Smith wasn’t the only bolstering done to the secondary on Sunday either, as McBath and Bruton are both free safeties.

McBath, who went in the second round as well, could eventually be a starter one day too. He averaged over 70 tackles a season from 2006-08, and was also all Big 12 his sophomore and junior seasons, while playing for Texas Tech. 

Bruton has a slimmer chance to one day start, but at 6’2″ 220 pounds, and with ability that led to 91 tackles, four interceptions, and two forced fumbles, he will be a great special teams player at the very least.

Overall, as the secondary has seen a complete overhaul this year, and with an aging Champ, it’s a welcome sight to see all this young talent walk into Dove Valley for Monday’s first day Rookies are required to be in camp.

Now, as far as his size and potential, we will see if Smith can be more like ex-Broncos youngsters Dominique Foxworth or Darrent Williams. Both were 5’9″, but Williams was far superior as a player, until his untimely death in 2007. Foxworth is still a solid corner, and a starter currently, but lacks the flash and athletic ability of an explosive corner.

Not to mention, Williams was special as a returner, as Smith hopes to be as well.

If I had to call it now, I would say Smith will end up reminding many Broncos fans of Williams with his flashy, athletic play.

Denver Broncos Training Camp: Part One—The Ifs, Ands, Or Buts

Entering the 2009 offseason, most pundits and Broncos haters assume that the Broncos will be as weak as President Obama’s health care reform plan this season (oh yes, I went there). 

Myself, I am a complete homer. Through my orange-and-blue beer goggles, I can always see a Super Bowl run for the Bronx each year. 

Only a true citizen of Bronco Country could be this relentless in the quest for another championship. So, in the words of a true Broncos fan, I’ve put together a summary of insanely optimistic views about this years team.

Rookie Training Camp Monday July 27, 2009

When I look at this year’s draft class, I can’t help but see future super stars.  Draft day gems, that the rest of the NFL so ignorantly passed up. 

Headed by two stout first round choices in Knowshon Moreno and Ryan Ayars…I mean Robert Ayers. 

Moreno is set to run all over anyone who stands in his way this season. Running behind the best offensive line in the NFL doesn’t hurt his chances of being yet another 1,000 yard back to head Denver’s potent rushing attack, either.

Moreno will also be spelled by Correll Buckhalter and fan-favorite Peyton Hillis. I pity the fools who try to stop our running game.

Ayers could be the Broncos new “freak” addition to a defensive front that was less than stellar the last two seasons. He’s got skill, a relentless motor, and a freaky physique. Coupled with Elvis Dumervil as the opposite rush end line backer, quarterbacks will be seeing orange and blue blurs in their nightmares.

To cap off the first day of the draft, the Broncos wheeled and dealed in the second round for some future stars that the rest of the NFL considered “reaches.”

Alphonso Smith is going to “bring it” in the secondary this year. I see him taking one to two interceptions back for seven points in a limited roll this year. Quarterbacks won’t want to throw to Bailey or Goodman, so Smith is going to be tested weekly in the nickel roll. He will also bring the pain to other teams in the rush defense. I’m going to go ahead and nickname him “Mini Champ” right now.

Darcel McBath will play a very limited role this year.  Think of the next two years for him as being enrolled in a graduate school for defensive backs. The deans of this most prestigious grad school are Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins. Once McBath graduates from Broncos Academy, he will be a true impact safety. 

Richard Quinn is a beast…and what was that? He can catch, too? Sounds a little bit like Daniel Graham, or Ben Watson in the making. It’s no surprise that Josh McDaniels went for a “Smash Mouth” tight end so early in the draft.

Tight end is the less talked about “hybrid” position in the NFL. Guys like Mike Ditka, Shannon Sharpe, and Mark Bavaro gave this position its name. You have to be able to block, run, catch, and fight.

Tight ends have to be some of the toughest guys out on the field. Quinn stands to add to this legacy of the long line of tough guys before him.

Kenny McKinley is the only other rookie that will be fighting for a starting job this training camp. This young play-maker from South Carolina is the front runner for the returner job. He may also be able to break into the offense’s roster as a fourth to fifth receiving option (as if Denver needs anymore talent on the offense). 

These will be the rookies to watch for the next couple of days. I have no doubt in my mind that Josh McDaniels has put together a good group of young players. 

GO BRONCOS!!!

(Next I will go over my opinion of the veteran offensive players.

Five Undrafted Free Agents To Watch For The Broncos

While top Bronco rookies battle it out during the preseason with top free agents to see who starts, there another battle raging among players. They are the afterthoughts, the players no one expects anything from.

Undrafted free agents are usually training camp fodder, but every once in a while, one turns out to be a hidden gem.

The list of great players who were undrafted free agents includes such notables as Rod Smith, Wes Welker, Kurt Warner and John Randle. This year the Broncos have a few of UFA’s who will bear watching.

 

Chris Baker

Josh McDaniels was widely criticized for not picking a candidate for the nose tackle position in the draft.

What escaped many people’s notice was that the Broncos quietly acquired a player whom many scouting combines projected as the seventh best defensive tackle in the 2009 rookie class.

Chris Baker is a 6’2”, 326 lb physical marvel with a 35.5 inch vertical leap and a 40 yard dash time of 5.02. Baker is a player who was on the New England Patriots radar for the 2010 draft. and was actually called in by them for a private workout.

Unfortunately for Chris Baker, he was a player at Penn State during a time when sports media was focusing on the 46 players who had been charged with a total of 163 counts of criminal behavior. The resulting sensitivity to any character issues cost Baker his place at Penn State and ultimately his place in the draft.

Now Chris Baker hopes to earn a spot in the rotation in a key defensive position for the Broncos.

 

Everette Pedescleaux

How does a 6’4.5”, 305 pound defensive end not get drafted? The answer is that Everette Pedescleaux was more dedicated to basketball than football for most of his college career.

Throughout prep school and his first two years of college, Pedescleaux was a two sport athlete whose main interest was basketball. When he finally began to focus on football, Pedescleaux began to truly develop as a defensive end.

While his low production over the course of his college career kept him from getting an invite to the scouting combine, his size and speed alone are intriguing. The key for this prospect will be his ability to continue to improve his technique. If he does that, he could well become a solid starting defensive end by the end of preseason.

 

Rulon Davis

The big knock on the Broncos defensive line was size along the defensive line. Rulon Davis, at 6’5″ and 290 pound,s could be one of the solutions. 

Every scout has Davis rated high for his size and athleticism. Davis’ character is of the highest caliber, as he served in the Marines during the Iraq War.

Entering the NFL at the advanced age of 25, Davis’ stock in the draft was brought down by his history of leg injuries. The key to his success as a Bronco will be his ability to stay on the field.

 

Marquez Branson

One of the most intriguing pickups of this year’s undrafted free agent class is Central Arkansas tight end Marquez Branson. His great hands and ability to get down-field quickly made him a big play-maker in college.

Branson probably won’t make it onto the Broncos team as a tight end because he is not a good blocker, and the Broncos are strong in that position. Where Branson will have a big impact will be at the H-back position.

Peyton Hillis is currently the favorite to win the H-back position, but Branson will push him hard. Branson’s receiving skills may win the position for him outright; otherwise he will end up as a primary backup.

 

Lee Robinson

At 6’2.5”, 249 pounds Lee Robinson is considered undersized for his natural position as an outside linebacker in the 3-4 system. His weak coverage skills make a conversion to inside linebacker more of a project, which is why this prospect wasn’t drafted.

What Robinson does have though is great pass rushing ability and explosive speed against the run game. Look for Robinson to initially see situational action as a run stopping inside linebacker while he hones his coverage skills.

 

All five of these players have the potential to play important minutes during the course of this 2009 season.  This preseason may be a chance to watch one of them go from a lowly UFA to star.

 

 

Join Me at Denver Broncos Training Camp: Things Fans Need To Know

For those not in the know, the Denver Broncos begin their summer training camp on Monday morning, where quarterbacks and rookies will participate in lighter practice sessions to begin the week, and the rest of the team is set to show up on Thursday. 

In case anyone cares to know, or would possibly have the means/time to be interested in joining me, I will be making the roughly 10-hour trip from Sioux Falls, SD all the way to Englewood, CO on Thursday morning with my family, which includes fellow B/R writers Bryce Bedinger and Luke Steinborn.

As if that were not star-studded enough for everyone, I am aware that John Bena, aka TheSportsGuru of MileHighReport.com will be attending the Bronco festivities with press credentials as well.

Oh yes, and the CBS Correspondent, whomever he may be, will be there also.

If you plan on joining me for one of the greatest experiences ever (for Bronco fans, of course), there are some critical items of information that are a “must know” before you do.

Here is a list of practice times, rules, and regulations given out by the team, which I learned through MileHighReport.com via The Colorado Springs Gazette.

I have also bolded the practices that I will be attending in my 10-day stay in Colorado.

 

Schedule

• Friday: 8:45-10:30 a.m.; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Saturday: 2:30-4:30 p.m. (no morning practice)
• Aug. 2: 8:45-10:30 a.m.; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Aug. 3: 8:45-10:30 a.m.; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Aug. 4: 2:30-4:30 p.m. (no morning practice)
• Aug. 5: 8:45-10:30 a.m. (not open to public); 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Aug. 6: 8:45-10:30 a.m.; 6:30 p.m. (at Invesco Field at Mile High)
• Aug. 7: 2:30-4:30 p.m. (no morning practice)
• Aug. 8: No practices scheduled
• Aug. 9: 2:30-4:30 p.m. (no morning practice)
• Aug. 10: 8:45 a.m. (not open to public); 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Aug. 11: 8:45-10:30 a.m.; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Aug. 12: 2:30-4:30 p.m. (no morning practice)
• Aug. 13: No practices scheduled
• Aug. 14: Broncos at 49ers, preseason opener, 8 p.m.
• Aug. 15: No practices scheduled
• Aug. 16: 2:30-4:30 p.m. (no morning practice)
• Aug. 17: 8:45-10:30 a.m.; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Aug. 18: 2:30-4:30 p.m. (no morning practice)
• Aug. 19: 8:45-10:30 a.m.; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Aug. 20: 8:45-10:30 a.m.; 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Note: Gates open for fans an hour before practice. Practice times and dates are subject to change.

Directions from Colorado Springs to Dove Valley: Take Interstate 25 North to the Arapahoe Road exit, exit No. 197. Take a right (east) on Arapahoe to Potomac Street. Take a right (south) on Potomac Street, follow it approximately 1.5 miles to the Broncos complex, which is located at the intersection of Broncos Parkway and Potomac.

*****Invesco Field practice: On Aug. 6 the Broncos will practice at Invesco Field at Mile High at 6:30 p.m. The entire team will sign autographs after the practice as part of Fan Fair. Tickets are $20 or $10 for kids ages 2-12; kids 2 and under are free.*****

Parking: There is a parking lot west of the practice fields at the Broncos headquarters, which is free for fans. Space is limited. The lot opens one hour before the start of practice.

Admission: Admission for all practices at the team’s headquarters is free.

Cell phones: Cell phone activity is prohibited inside the ticketed areas during training camp. That includes calls, text messages, live blogging, and transmissions to social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter.

Bags: Fans can bring soft-sided bags no larger than 12 cubic inches.

Seating: There will be no bleacher seats available, and lawn chairs are not allowed. Fans can stand in designated areas to watch practice.

Cameras: Still cameras are permitted, but video cameras are not.  

Autographs: Players from a designated position group will sign autographs after each practice, in the south end zone of the artificial turf field.

Food and beverage: There will be no food concessions, but non-alcoholic beverages will be available for sale. Food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted in small quantities.

Umbrellas: Umbrellas are not permitted.

 

So, for any of you thinking you could get in to Dove Valley Headquarters with an umbrella, better think again. 

In all seriousness, this is a very generous donation, so to say, by the Broncos to their fans.  For two weeks, every single fan in the nation is allowed to come watch this team in whatever action for absolutely no fee.  Unless, of course, you are attending the Invesco Field practice, which is apparently $20.

If you have access to Facebook, I would encourage you to add me as a friend and view my pictures from last year’s experience.  Champ Bailey himself posed for a picture for my dad.

I caught a pass from Darrell Hackney, had a conversation before and after practice with Brett Kern, took pictures on my cell phone with Tony Scheffler and Brandon Marshall, and followed Jay Cutler out of the facility in his white Hummer.

It is almost as if you are part of the squad.

This season, unlike most, I do not care which players I run into, meet, or get pictures and autographs from.  I do not care because I have learned that if you care, you end up a disappointed person.

Last season at the Denver Broncos Fan Fair, three men opted to leave an autograph line because the two players that were signing were unknowns.

Their names were Peyton Hillis and Wesley Woodyard.

You just never know who will be a gem, and who is going to be a jerk (Javon Walker, Jay Cutler).

This is also a very kid-friendly event.  In fact, If you hold a kid in your arms you are probably more likely to get some autographs and pictures than anybody.

Players cannot resist the honest and pure heart of a child, for they cannot sell autographs on E-Bay.

I could go into so much more detail, but I will finish by saying I look forward to seeing at least some of Bleacher Report other than myself represented at Denver Broncos training camp.

If you plan on going, and would like to get in touch with me, e-mail me and we will make plans for it.  If you are of the spontaneous type, you can find me near the front of the waiting line to get inside Dove Valley around an hour and a half before practice starts.

I’ll be the one with all the Broncos gear on.

In case there are any baseball fans out there, I will also be attending two Rockies games on the seventh and eighth.

Why?

They are hosting my beloved Chicago Cubs.  It does not get any better than a baseball game at Coors Field, folks.  I will tell you what.

See you in the Rocky Mountains Bronco fans.

Denver Broncos Sign Fifth Round Pick, Wide Receiver Kenny McKinley

The Denver Broncos made their first roster move in quite some time on Wednesday when the signed fifth round draft pick Kenny McKinley.

According to The Denver Post, McKinley’s deal is similar to seventh round pick Blake Schlueter’s, and is four years in length.

McKinley is the second of 10 Broncos draft picks to sign, and most, if not all rookies expect to have deals finalized prior to training camp.

The Broncos traded up in the fifth round to acquire McKinley, so the team really feels he has some skill, possibly as a return man initially.

A former South Carolina star, McKinley was regarded as the “best wide receiver” former head coach Steve Spurrier has ever coached.

In his time with the Gamecocks, McKinley hauled in 207 passes, which is third best in the history of the Southeastern Conference. 

Some close to the Broncos’ camp feel he would be an ideal heir apparent to slot receiver Brandon Stokley, and McKinley certainly fits the bill of a solid route-running receiver with deceptive speed and good hands.

The Post also reported that former SEC rival and first round draft pick Robert Ayers, a hybrid DE/OLB that Mike Klis calls a “defensive tackle” expects to sign his deal well before the start of training camp.

Official Denver Broncos Training Camp Preview

Yes NFL fans, the time has finally come—the season is upon us.

For the Denver Broncos, the 2009 season cannot come soon enough. This team has faced more criticism and negative media than many others in recent memory, and it is all because of the loss of one player who shall not be named.

Despite the best efforts of the likes of Jamie Dukes, Solomon Wilcots, and Tim Hasselbeck, Bronco fans are still eager for the upcoming campaign. Whether that eagerness is uneasy or not, fans are sure to be on the edge of their seats.

With this article, I hope to provide readers with the most comprehensive team preview available on the Web or in print. It will be a recap of my “Inside the Denver Broncos’ Roster” series, so prepare yourselves for a mouthful.

 

2009 NFL Draft Recap