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Denver Native (Carol)
09-09-2010, 04:08 PM
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_16026484?source=rss

All the running backs on the Broncos' roster practiced together Wednesday — a rare, if not unprecedented, event for one of the team's most battered units.

That group included the four tailbacks: Knowshon Moreno, Correll Buckhalter, Andre Brown and Lance Ball.

Yet the backs who get carries in the season opener Sunday at Jacksonville will depend largely on how Moreno's hamstring holds up in his first full week of practice. He was injured Aug. 1, the first day of training camp.

Moreno suited up but did not play in the Broncos' preseason finale last week at Minnesota.

Moreno still appeared tentative during the part of practice that was open to the media Wednesday, and he lagged behind the other backs in a group jog.

"I just want to get back out there," Moreno said before practice. "Basically, that's what it all really comes down to."

Coach Josh McDaniels said before practice that he was hopeful Moreno would progress — and not suffer any setbacks — each day this week. That will determine how much of the workload Moreno can handle against the Jaguars.

Moreno and Buckhalter split carries in 2009. Moreno rushed for 947 yards on 247 carries (3.8 average). Buckhalter gained 642 yards on 120 carries (5.4).

Wednesday marked the first practice as a Bronco for Brown, who was signed over the weekend after being released by the Giants. He has been battling a case of turf toe.

Ball returned to practice after missing Tuesday's session to attend his grandmother's funeral on the East Coast.

Drink up.

The weather forecast Sunday in Jacksonville: temperatures over 90 degrees, with more than 70 percent humidity. Those are brutally hot conditions for a Denver team that has trained in a relatively cool, dry climate.

McDaniels said the Broncos' coaching staff discussed in the offseason the option of going to Florida early or practicing indoors, where the staff could manipulate the temperature, to help prepare for the opener.

Ultimately, McDaniels said the team decided to stick to its routine, with an added emphasis on hydration. Some players have been toting gallons of water at the Dove Valley complex in preparation.

"I'm not sure you can get used to it totally in one or two days. I think if you do that, you may risk wearing somebody down, injuring somebody before you make the trip," McDaniels said. "I think mentally we've just got to be ready to go. We know it's going to be hot. We know it's going to be humid. It was hot and humid in some of our preseason games, and we just have to stay hydrated."

Captains selected.

The Broncos announced the selection of seven team captains: quarterback Kyle Orton, tight end Daniel Graham and right guard Chris Kuper on offense; cornerback Champ Bailey, safety Brian Dawkins and linebacker D.J. Williams on defense; and linebacker Wesley Woodyard on special teams.

The captains were picked by the players. Orton, Graham, Bailey, Dawkins and Woodyard are captains for the second consecutive year.

"It's really the biggest honor you could have as a player, to have your peers say, 'This is who we want to be our leader and speak for us.' So you don't take it lightly; it doesn't come lightly," Orton said. "There's a lot of responsibility that comes with it, and I certainly look forward to it."

Footnotes.

Offensive tackle Ryan Harris (ankle) and safety Darcel McBath (forearm) missed their second consecutive practice. Both are likely out against Jacksonville. . . . Rookie quarterback Tim Tebow announced via his foundation's website that he has opened his first official Twitter and Facebook pages. Tebow's Twitter account had more than 13,000 followers by 4 p.m.

dogfish
09-09-2010, 05:17 PM
okay knowshon, time to show whether you can get it done or not!

dogfish
09-09-2010, 05:17 PM
also, does anyone know WTF is up with mcbath?

he broke a bone, it should be healed by now. . . did he re-injure it, or is something else wrong with him?



edit: hmmm, nope-- NFL.com has him listed as a forearm injury. . . what's up with that?