Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

In with the new for Broncos

New-look team gets first tryout together starting this week

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published May 18, 2008 at 10:01 p.m.

Text size  

Poll

What will the Broncos record be this season?


  • See the results »
Jarvis Moss, right, is coming back from a broken right ankle last year.

Jarvis Moss, right, is coming back from a broken right ankle last year.

Brandon Marshall is recovering from forearm surgery.

Brandon Marshall is recovering from forearm surgery.

More Denver Broncos

More stories »

It's called quarterback camp, but it's come one, come all.

Beginning today, and lasting two weeks, Broncos rookies get their first NFL taste, and an earful from coaches.

The free-agent headline makers begin getting accustomed to orange-and-blue practice jerseys instead of the colors they sported elsewhere.

And optimism fills the air, regardless of perceived roster holes.

It's the first of three camps leading to the monthlong summer grind.

And it's the first opportunity for new players such as Boss Bailey, Niko Koutouvides, Darrell Jackson, Ryan Clady and Dewayne Robertson to begin setting a tone amid Broncos holdovers coming off a disappointing 7-9 season.

"It's getting to know one another and finding out everybody's likes and dislikes and getting a feel for each other, really," said Jackson, who joined the Broncos after seven years with the Seattle Seahawks and one with the San Francisco 49ers.

In hindsight, passing camp last season set an ominous tone.

The tragic deaths of Damien Nash and Darrent Williams still were fresh. Franchise stalwart Rod Smith was hobbling on a bad hip from which he never recovered. A couple of off-field incidents had the media reporting about lie-detector tests and mea culpas instead of catches and throws. And one week in, tight end Tony Scheffler broke his left foot.

No such negative backdrop exists now, just a lot of new faces to assimilate after a busy offseason.

"When you sit back, at first, you thought, 'Where are we going?' safety John Lynch recently said of the past several eventful months. "But it kind of all makes sense what they did. They tried to focus on high-character guys that can play. And we need to get that good feeling back in the locker room."

It all starts this week.

Five story lines to watch

* 1. Introductions please. The Broncos not only are bringing together the entire squad for the first time since last season, it will be the initial on-field work with defensive coordinator Bob Slowik and Jeremy Bates, who will coordinate the passing game with offensive coordinator Rick Dennison. So scheme basics will be introduced for the first time, even for many veterans.

* 2. All about timing. The receiving corps has added Jackson, Eddie Royal, Samie Parker, Keary Colbert and others to the mix. They will begin trying to earn quarterback Jay Cutler's favor for the first time in coordinated fashion while demonstrating their on-field strengths and weaknesses.

* 3.Man in the middle. The revamped trio of linebackers shifts D.J. Williams to the weak side and adds Bailey to the strong side. But these camps begin the long proving ground for Koutouvides, a career backup with Seattle. Koutouvides has to demonstrate in the coming months he has the ability and leadership chops to handle arguably the most pivotal defensive slot.

* 4. Leg men. Welcome to your summerlong experience, Mike Leach. The long snapper will look between his legs and see a different face (foot?) from now until September. Matt Prater and Garrett Hartley are competing at kicker. Brett Kern, Danny Baugher and Sam Paulescu are battling for punter duties. These jobs can't be won this early, but an odd-man out has emerged in past early minicamps.

* 5. Nice to see you. Rehabilitation is the ultimate of necessary evils; finishing it, a huge relief. Among the Broncos finally allowed to tape their ankles and slide sleeves over their knees for their first organized on-field work in months are center Tom Nalen (right biceps), guard Ben Hamilton (post-concussion symptoms), defensive ends Ebenezer Ekuban (right Achilles' tendon) and Jarvis Moss (right ankle) and tight end Nate Jackson (groin).

Rookie watch

Offensive tackle Clady and receiver Royal, the team's first two draft picks, headline the newcomers. There are a few basic rules for first-year players gathered for their initial pro camp: come early, arrive at meetings on time, get the veterans whatever they request and get ready for an earful from perfectionist coaches.

Otherwise, it's keep your head down and absorb as much as possible. The first weeks focus on fundamentals such as footwork and proper positioning, with a primer on terminology. The biggest shock, for some, figures to be the increased speed of the NFL game. Think of passing camp as a meet-and-greet with responsibilities.

Keep an eye on . . .

* Cutler. He has thrown with receivers on Tuesdays and Thursdays the past several weeks. But it's his first full-team activities since the news broke he's afflicted with Type 1 diabetes. The next few weeks will provide lessons about what to expect in terms of managing glucose levels when two-a-day practices begin. And on the field, it will be a gauge of how far he has come physically since his recovery began from a 35-pound weight loss and drop in strength from November until diagnosis in mid-April.

* Moss. The 2007 first-round draft pick has been making steady progress since the walking cast protecting his broken right ankle was removed in early February. He began running in late March and since has been fully indoctrinated into the strength and conditioning program. Moss is focused on improving admitted shortcomings last season in film study and on-field habits. His development is crucial to the Broncos' defensive success. Elvis Dumervil is a pass-rushing weapon on one side. Moss was selected to be the bookend force on the other side.

* Offensive line. Among the group finishing 2007, only right guard Montrae Holland figures to be aligned in the same spot to start camp. Hamilton and Nalen are well-versed in the system but will begin shaking off the rust of inactivity. While nothing will be decided up front until well into August, the plan for the two tackle spots will begin to take shape now and questions begin to get answers. Will Clady start from Day 1 at left tackle? Is Ryan Harris a left tackle, right tackle or both? Can Chris Kuper carry over his physical play from guard to blocking on the outside? How will Erik Pears respond to the challenges he'll face?

Numbers game

36 new players on the roster since the end of the 2007 season. The team has added 16 draft picks or college free agents, acquired defensive tackle Robertson from the Jets in a trade, welcomed six unrestricted free agents, signed six street free agents and added seven future-contract players.

Missing in action

* Receiver Brandon Marshall won't practice as he continues to recover from injuries and surgery to his right forearm suffered in a horseplay incident with his brother at a Florida resort in March. He can participate in team and position meetings.

* As a precaution, Ekuban might shoot for the June minicamp despite extensive personal workouts during the past several months.

He said it

"We've got some new terminology. The new 'D' coordinator wants to establish his personality and identity and get guys on the same page, so I think it will be fun. It'll be interesting to see how things go from one camp to another. And we get to tape the rookies to the goal posts, all that fun stuff."

Marlon McCree, Broncos safety, on beginning the process that leads to training camp.

Offseason schedule

* Quarterback camp: Today through Thursday; May 27-30.

* Team camp: June 2-6; June 9-13 (tentative).

* Minicamp: July 7-8.

* Training camp: Players report July 24.

Comments

  • May 19, 2008

    6 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    tmcd writes:

    Finally! Let's get it on. This may be one of the most interesting series of practices and camps we have had in a long time. I hope several of these new additions become serious studs as well as some of our second year draft picks like Moss, Crowder and Thomas. Mostly, I hope Brandon Marshall can fully recover by training camp.

  • May 19, 2008

    6:26 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    orangeblood2 writes:

    I was thinking in regards to Eddie Royal. The education he is going to receive lining up against Champ Bailey. That combined with the coaches instruction is bound to do wonders for him. I hope he does not get discouraged. Hopefully he has the mindset to accept the lessons. I seems like maybe A. Lelie got discouraged and B. Marshall embraced it. Those are the only names I can think of at the moment. How about the education Champ got from going against the pro's pro, Rod Smith.

  • May 19, 2008

    7:37 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    NJBroncosFan writes:

    IF Moss recovers and is dominant, him mixed with Robertson and Elvis Dumervil would make our D-Line amazing, granted no injuries and Robertson and Jarvis dont turn out to be busts

  • May 19, 2008

    9:08 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    bronc4evah writes:

    Thanks Lee, was good to read a well written article about the Broncos to get the spring preseason juices flowing. This year is definitely off to a much more positive start with more hope for improvement. The new influx of youth promises that our team is building to the future for a championship down the road. Will be interesting to see how the teams chemistry is with all the new players. Its always sad to see longtime vets go, but fresh bodies are the wellspring that keeps the NFL lifeblood strong.

  • May 19, 2008

    12:30 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Spider writes:

    What kind of Bronco fan would ever consider the possibility of a sub .500 season?

  • May 19, 2008

    3:04 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jibbons writes:

    Dan predicts sub .500 season, better not make any bets at vegas this year, Dan the Man has informed us and so it is.

    Now everybody else reveal what your vote was and we can laugh at you for not agreeing with Dan, unless you agree with Dan, in which case, start making your stock purchases now you prescient devil you.

  • May 19, 2008

    4:23 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    maverick7 writes:

    You know, its like Shanny (if the broncs have another 500 season should be gonzo)says the backups are one play away from being starters...The talent is there and question will be sustainability. if they stay healthy, who knows anything is possible. BTW I still don't like our RBs, too fragile, I like Young the best because he has that burst right at the line. Hopefully they stay healthy.

  • May 19, 2008

    5:08 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Hollywood writes:

    A QB that has NEVER had a winning season EVER in is 1 full season starting, what will we ever do.

  • May 19, 2008

    5:57 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    TONE writes:

    Hollywood, come on. Would you rather have the other QB instead. He is doing pretty good and he'll be fine in the coming years.

  • May 19, 2008

    8:52 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    broncodano writes:

    Dan has a right to his opinion. I personally think the Broncos got much better this year, and in regards to Cutler never having a winning season, well his first full season...

    He played with type 1 diabetes.

    Im suprised he was able to compete at all. How difficult is it physically to DROP 35 POUNDS and play professional football? Two major things happened for Cutler this year. One he was diagnosed properly and will be healthy now. Two, he had a great year last year with a team that was, for the most part, injured. Now he has a healthy line, healthy receivers, and a running game again.

    Sorry, Dan, but i dont agree with your assement.

    We rebuild this year, and have a shot at the playoffs, but we will truly start to shine next year, when we get our rookies trained.

    Great storms announce themselves with slight breezes...

    bd

  • May 19, 2008

    9:15 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Brain writes:

    Broncos have a 7-9 season and from some it sounds like we were one of the worst teams in the league last year. Denver had some bad things happen last year and still finished 7-9.

    Denver's OL last year had Nalen and Hamilton out for most of the season, Lepsis was not himself and retired. Hopefully Clady will turn-out or maybe Harris will pan-out in his 2nd season at LT, Eric Pears has played well for a 6-7 round draft choice but wasn't drafted, he was a college free agent, we are fine at RT; Nalen, Holland, Hamilton, Pears and Clady looks decent if everyone can stay healthy.

  • May 19, 2008

    10:22 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Ringo writes:

    The Broncos have no chance this season . There's three phases of the game that the Broncos have trouble with: offense,defense,and special teams. San Diego will run away with the division .