PDA

View Full Version : Broncos WR Willis stands out at practice



Lonestar
08-02-2010, 02:57 PM
Broncos WR Willis stands out at practice
Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post
POSTED: 08/02/2010 07:58:46 AM MDT
UPDATED: 08/02/2010 08:41:21 AM MDT

Camp facts: The Broncos officially opened training camp with two workouts Sunday. Today they will practice once, 2:30-4:30 p.m., at their Dove Valley complex.

Highlight of the day: For many of the 3,103 people in attendance — a record since the team returned training camp to its practice facility in 2003 — the sight of Tim Tebow throwing, and running with, the ball was the high-water mark. The team also set a record for an afternoon/evening workout with 1,891 in attendance for Sunday's evening workout.

But on the field it was wide receiver Matt Willis who stood out.

Willis, who head coach Josh McDaniels has lauded for his offseason work, had a handful of acrobatic grabs, including a diving catch on a long ball from Brady Quinn and a top-shelf body adjustment to reel in a pass from Tebow shortly after in the morning workout.

Lowlight of the day: Poll NFL coaches on their biggest fear of training camp in the era of 80-player camp rosters and the answer will almost universally be injury.

The Broncos lived that fear Sunday morning as running backs Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter both left practice with injuries suffered in the same 7-on-7 drill.

Moreno's right leg buckled as he cut upfield after a pass reception while Buckhalter injured his left leg minutes later on a similar play. Moreno's injury, which is believed to be a severe hamstring pull, appeared more serious — he hopped into the locker room. Buckhalter has an extensive history of knee injuries having missed three full seasons in his career, but is believed to have suffered a muscle strain in his back.

As a result Kolby Smith, a former Chiefs running back signed in the weeks before camp opened, took much of the work with the starting offense.

Quotable: "You've got to think he's the most marketable guy in the league right now so he's definitely going to that attention. The only knock on him is he went to Florida." — Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey, a Georgia alum, on the fans' reaction to Tebow Sunday morning.

Position battle: There are more than a few places on the roster where the Broncos feel like they have improved their depth, but the position where those roster spots may be the hardest to come by when the final cuts are made is at wide receiver.

Most teams keep five or six on the roster, depending on their special teams duties — the Broncos entered their regular-season opener with six wide receivers last season — so things are already crowded on the outside.

Jabar Gaffney and Eddie Royal lined up with the offensive starters in team drills Sunday morning. The Broncos used a first-round pick on Demaryius Thomas as well as a fourth-round pick on Eric Decker in this past April's draft.

McDaniels has also consistently pointed out Willis' play in non-contact practices in the spring and early summer as well. Add Brandon Lloyd, Brandon Stokley and Kenny McKinley in the mix and there figures to be a surprise cut or two on the horizon.

Quarterback watch: Kyle Orton — Worked with the starters; continues to show the most confidence and accuracy in the offense.

Brady Quinn — Lined up as the No. 2. Looked more comfortable in team drills than he did at times in the offseason workouts.

Tim Tebow — Consistently the "it" guy to the crowd. Also ran the ball plenty when the pass pressure closed in.

Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com