titan
08-09-2011, 12:00 AM
Tweets from Cecil Lammey tonight (@cecillammey):
as far as depth charts are concerned I was surprised Brady Quinn was not the 2nd QB listed as he's looked better than #tebow in practice
Of course surprised by Orange Julius listing but no doubt it will be very different by start of regular season
let's start with the QB position - Kyle Orton continued his strong performance, going thru progressions quickly and making good decisions
Orton also stayed away from just locking onto $$$ Lloyd. It was the first time in camp he didn't force it to him, made secondary reads
Again, defense can't sack him but you felt a sense of comfort and confidence coming from Orton, let's see it in a game 1st b4 we're excited
Brady Quinn put in another good performance today, some comments from media on sideline included 'I bet Brady is pissed' (4 being 3rd on DC)
Quinn didn't play pissed, but continued to look more comfortable and put in a strong showing for himself
Quinn is trusting what he sees on the field and it's resulting in bigger plays, defense not thinking 'easy out' w/BQ under center anymore
Quinn zipped a pass in between 2 defenders today that was dropped by Knowshon - I think he was surprised BQ squeezed it in there
now to #tebow - another up and down day, with most plays on the down side, kid is still holding onto ball too long
He did look good running the bootleg to his left, threw on the run & hit Orange Julius on a drag route, pass was tight w/good velocity
as I've always said w/QBs arm strength is overrated, but you have to spin it nicely, some struggle on the run but T2 looked good doing that
In the pocket it's a different story, unlike Quinn T2 is NOT trusting himself and is playing like he's afraid to make a mistake
Playing when you're afraid to make a mistake results in one not making any plays as a passer, T2 aiming the ball instead of just throwing it
the aiming takes extra time, makes his motion SUPER deliberate, and allows the defense to jump the route
several of Tebow's passes ended up short today, guys like Virgil Green wide open on swing route T2 puts it in the dirt
final note on Tebow, just like Sat scrimmage had Orange Julius wide open down sideline and pass was over his head by about 12 feet!
Orange Julius told me at Combine that he could jump over Kia and dunk - kid has hops and still couldn't reach errant Tebow pass
on to the RBs, today saw the return of LenDale White to the practice field, didn't do much but actually had a nice play on a screen pass!
Moreno had the 1 drop I described earlier but overall had a very good day catching the football. snatching passes w/arms extended away
most of Moreno's good runs net about 7 yards, and he's not having a ton of those, most of the time he dances behind line and is stuffed
Moreno's best carry saw him bounce out, then bounce in, jump cutting to daylight, 2nd level was stopped though
Moreno did a good job of hitting the hole hard, but does not show ability to run thru arm tackles, lack of leg drive means little YAcontact
saw Moreno try to get elusive with a spin move, but instead of spinning against the grain he pirouetted in 1 spot & was swallowed up
hat 'move' reminded me of the ballerina on top of my daughter's jewelry box - idea was right, execution was :puke:
There was one point during practice where Moreno seemed a little cramped up, he was sitting, stretching his right thigh and rubbing it
one more note on LenDale White, he did look quicker today, running with more urgency when he got a chance
Willis McGahee had a very strong day as a runner, and simply understands how to run in a zone system better than Moreno
He was getting to the 2nd level consistently and running through arm tackles once there
McGahee will stay low at the LOS and keeps his legs churning after initial contact, very crisp cuts when he changes direction
power and leg drive is there, vision, instincts and body control all look sharp too - he seems motivated to prove he still has 'it'
Brandon Minor made a few good plays again, including 1 catch on a wheel route where he spun, caught, and continued running in stride
Lance Ball was inconsistent today, one run he was cutting back against the grain to get to 2nd level, next run stuffed
when the hole is clogged he needs to be a battering ram, going to the edge just loses yards
saw Lance Ball try to sky over the pile (not even at the GL) like Sweetness, vertical not there and good way to get hurt
back to Brandon Minor... had a good stutter step to create space on 1 run, other run a jump cut cost him yards and ball was stripped
as @PostBroncos says - Jeremiah Johnson is my boy! Love the way this kid runs and hope he shows what he can do in preseason games
JJ had a nice bounce run where he baited (toying w/D again) into over committing inside, bounced outside for big run down sidelines
JJs next run not so nice as Braxton Kelley met him in the hole and stopped him in his tracks
JJ then did a nice job of quickly jumping over trash at the LOS, didn't sky but a quick hop then continued his run, guys agility is gr8
couple of quick defensive notes before I go to WR/TEs - Von Miller is everywhere! his speed might be the best of any pass rusher in #nfl
Not only is Miller fast but he has a quick first step and does a good job of anticipating the snap, Orton has to be happy Von can't hit him
saw Von get after the QB, stuff the run, and even work well in coverage today - nice all around game!
Ty Warren is huge, like insanely huge, makes other DTs look like juco players, playing quick off the snap too
Joe Mays picked off Brady Quinn during 2-minute drill at the end of practice, was covering on short route to Julius, great anticipation
final defensive point, Jeremy Jarmon continues to get penetration *gasp* in the middle of the OLine - 2 'sacks' at least today
ready for some $$$Lloyd, gonna have to add another dollar sign the way he's playing!
was toying with rookie S Rahim Moore, getting open deep for big TD catch from Orton, split middle of defense for six
had a pass bounce off his chest, falling to ground (pretty much on his butt) he was able to gather the catch as defenders swooped in
Eric Decker barely made it into the notebook today, as did Eddie Royal, more of the same from both - Eddie w/speed out routes, ED ovr middle
David Anderson working as a returner, plus tough receiver over the middle, I feel he should make the team.
urious move by the team as many TEs lined up in the backfield as FBs today - even Orange Julius, weird to see him back there
Julius Thomas continued to play in line, and was put in motion, creates so many mismatches and is teams best move TE IMHO
Orange Julius had a high twisting catch, think Kellen Winslow Jr back at Mia vs Va Tech in 4th quarter - leaps, spins, catches, secures
I don't see any other TEs here even capable of making that type of play, Daniel Fells?!?! #please
Orange Julius did blast open a cutback lane for McGahee as in line TE, McGahee saw it and cut there quick
Other times he was getting his hands on guys but clearly doesn't have technique down as a blocker, effort guy but a Work In Progress
better than Virgil Green who failed to even get his hands on a guy (again) on a run where McGahee got to 2nd level, VGs guy tackled Willis
so far Virgil Green has been a disappointment to me, expected more from the rookie (not as a blocker, he's always been bad)
Green can be a smooth receiver, I've seen it on tape, but in person he lets too many passes in to his body, thinks about RAC too much
Dan Gronkowski is a decent 2 way TE, plus he can (and did) play a little FB - I think he's safe on roster
Daniel Fells has consistent hands, strong concentration, can play FB and block, I say he's safe
Rosario may be odd man out here, he's made some plays (1handed grab) but not getting a ton of looks cause lack of separation
Richard Quinn could also be out, blocking TEs who can't block are not long for this league
I still believe #broncos may try to squeeze Virgil Green thru to Practice Squad, it's a mistake as someone will snag him
The depth chart is a Work In Progress and the preseason games will help these players determine their fortune
In summation, don't read too much into the first depth chart of the preseason - things change pretty quick around here
as far as depth charts are concerned I was surprised Brady Quinn was not the 2nd QB listed as he's looked better than #tebow in practice
Of course surprised by Orange Julius listing but no doubt it will be very different by start of regular season
let's start with the QB position - Kyle Orton continued his strong performance, going thru progressions quickly and making good decisions
Orton also stayed away from just locking onto $$$ Lloyd. It was the first time in camp he didn't force it to him, made secondary reads
Again, defense can't sack him but you felt a sense of comfort and confidence coming from Orton, let's see it in a game 1st b4 we're excited
Brady Quinn put in another good performance today, some comments from media on sideline included 'I bet Brady is pissed' (4 being 3rd on DC)
Quinn didn't play pissed, but continued to look more comfortable and put in a strong showing for himself
Quinn is trusting what he sees on the field and it's resulting in bigger plays, defense not thinking 'easy out' w/BQ under center anymore
Quinn zipped a pass in between 2 defenders today that was dropped by Knowshon - I think he was surprised BQ squeezed it in there
now to #tebow - another up and down day, with most plays on the down side, kid is still holding onto ball too long
He did look good running the bootleg to his left, threw on the run & hit Orange Julius on a drag route, pass was tight w/good velocity
as I've always said w/QBs arm strength is overrated, but you have to spin it nicely, some struggle on the run but T2 looked good doing that
In the pocket it's a different story, unlike Quinn T2 is NOT trusting himself and is playing like he's afraid to make a mistake
Playing when you're afraid to make a mistake results in one not making any plays as a passer, T2 aiming the ball instead of just throwing it
the aiming takes extra time, makes his motion SUPER deliberate, and allows the defense to jump the route
several of Tebow's passes ended up short today, guys like Virgil Green wide open on swing route T2 puts it in the dirt
final note on Tebow, just like Sat scrimmage had Orange Julius wide open down sideline and pass was over his head by about 12 feet!
Orange Julius told me at Combine that he could jump over Kia and dunk - kid has hops and still couldn't reach errant Tebow pass
on to the RBs, today saw the return of LenDale White to the practice field, didn't do much but actually had a nice play on a screen pass!
Moreno had the 1 drop I described earlier but overall had a very good day catching the football. snatching passes w/arms extended away
most of Moreno's good runs net about 7 yards, and he's not having a ton of those, most of the time he dances behind line and is stuffed
Moreno's best carry saw him bounce out, then bounce in, jump cutting to daylight, 2nd level was stopped though
Moreno did a good job of hitting the hole hard, but does not show ability to run thru arm tackles, lack of leg drive means little YAcontact
saw Moreno try to get elusive with a spin move, but instead of spinning against the grain he pirouetted in 1 spot & was swallowed up
hat 'move' reminded me of the ballerina on top of my daughter's jewelry box - idea was right, execution was :puke:
There was one point during practice where Moreno seemed a little cramped up, he was sitting, stretching his right thigh and rubbing it
one more note on LenDale White, he did look quicker today, running with more urgency when he got a chance
Willis McGahee had a very strong day as a runner, and simply understands how to run in a zone system better than Moreno
He was getting to the 2nd level consistently and running through arm tackles once there
McGahee will stay low at the LOS and keeps his legs churning after initial contact, very crisp cuts when he changes direction
power and leg drive is there, vision, instincts and body control all look sharp too - he seems motivated to prove he still has 'it'
Brandon Minor made a few good plays again, including 1 catch on a wheel route where he spun, caught, and continued running in stride
Lance Ball was inconsistent today, one run he was cutting back against the grain to get to 2nd level, next run stuffed
when the hole is clogged he needs to be a battering ram, going to the edge just loses yards
saw Lance Ball try to sky over the pile (not even at the GL) like Sweetness, vertical not there and good way to get hurt
back to Brandon Minor... had a good stutter step to create space on 1 run, other run a jump cut cost him yards and ball was stripped
as @PostBroncos says - Jeremiah Johnson is my boy! Love the way this kid runs and hope he shows what he can do in preseason games
JJ had a nice bounce run where he baited (toying w/D again) into over committing inside, bounced outside for big run down sidelines
JJs next run not so nice as Braxton Kelley met him in the hole and stopped him in his tracks
JJ then did a nice job of quickly jumping over trash at the LOS, didn't sky but a quick hop then continued his run, guys agility is gr8
couple of quick defensive notes before I go to WR/TEs - Von Miller is everywhere! his speed might be the best of any pass rusher in #nfl
Not only is Miller fast but he has a quick first step and does a good job of anticipating the snap, Orton has to be happy Von can't hit him
saw Von get after the QB, stuff the run, and even work well in coverage today - nice all around game!
Ty Warren is huge, like insanely huge, makes other DTs look like juco players, playing quick off the snap too
Joe Mays picked off Brady Quinn during 2-minute drill at the end of practice, was covering on short route to Julius, great anticipation
final defensive point, Jeremy Jarmon continues to get penetration *gasp* in the middle of the OLine - 2 'sacks' at least today
ready for some $$$Lloyd, gonna have to add another dollar sign the way he's playing!
was toying with rookie S Rahim Moore, getting open deep for big TD catch from Orton, split middle of defense for six
had a pass bounce off his chest, falling to ground (pretty much on his butt) he was able to gather the catch as defenders swooped in
Eric Decker barely made it into the notebook today, as did Eddie Royal, more of the same from both - Eddie w/speed out routes, ED ovr middle
David Anderson working as a returner, plus tough receiver over the middle, I feel he should make the team.
urious move by the team as many TEs lined up in the backfield as FBs today - even Orange Julius, weird to see him back there
Julius Thomas continued to play in line, and was put in motion, creates so many mismatches and is teams best move TE IMHO
Orange Julius had a high twisting catch, think Kellen Winslow Jr back at Mia vs Va Tech in 4th quarter - leaps, spins, catches, secures
I don't see any other TEs here even capable of making that type of play, Daniel Fells?!?! #please
Orange Julius did blast open a cutback lane for McGahee as in line TE, McGahee saw it and cut there quick
Other times he was getting his hands on guys but clearly doesn't have technique down as a blocker, effort guy but a Work In Progress
better than Virgil Green who failed to even get his hands on a guy (again) on a run where McGahee got to 2nd level, VGs guy tackled Willis
so far Virgil Green has been a disappointment to me, expected more from the rookie (not as a blocker, he's always been bad)
Green can be a smooth receiver, I've seen it on tape, but in person he lets too many passes in to his body, thinks about RAC too much
Dan Gronkowski is a decent 2 way TE, plus he can (and did) play a little FB - I think he's safe on roster
Daniel Fells has consistent hands, strong concentration, can play FB and block, I say he's safe
Rosario may be odd man out here, he's made some plays (1handed grab) but not getting a ton of looks cause lack of separation
Richard Quinn could also be out, blocking TEs who can't block are not long for this league
I still believe #broncos may try to squeeze Virgil Green thru to Practice Squad, it's a mistake as someone will snag him
The depth chart is a Work In Progress and the preseason games will help these players determine their fortune
In summation, don't read too much into the first depth chart of the preseason - things change pretty quick around here