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View Full Version : Differences aside it's time to go (mini)camping



TXBRONC
04-17-2009, 08:05 AM
While it doesn't give us big picture of how the team will do in the fall at least its football.

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_12160824

Revisions finally reach field
McDaniels plan begins with weekend minicamp
By Lindsay H. Jones
The Denver Post
Posted: 04/17/2009 12:30:00 AM MDT
Updated: 04/17/2009 01:21:15 AM MDT

At last, it's time for football.

It's been 96 drama-filled days since the Broncos hired Josh McDaniels, and the new coach will finally lead his first official practice when the team opens its first minicamp today at Dove Valley.

Though most players have been working out at team headquarters for more than a month, the minicamp will be the first time to truly see the changes McDaniels and new general manager Brian Xanders have made in what has been the most tumultuous offseason in recent memory.

The last time the Broncos donned pads — way back on Dec. 28, in a 52-21 loss to San Diego — Mike Shanahan was coach, Jay Cutler was the quarterback and the defense lined up in a 4-3 scheme. Considering that, the on-field start of the McDaniels era will feature plenty of interesting story lines.
Let's start with the biggest position change: quarterback. Kyle Orton, acquired in the trade that sent Cutler to Chicago two weeks ago, and Chris Simms are the only two quarterbacks on the roster, and the minicamp is the official start of the battle to replace Cutler as starter.

"Every day that I come to work is going to be big," Orton said. "You've got to put in a ton of hours and make every day count."

Then there are the running backs. McDaniel signed three tailbacks — Correll Buckhalter, J.J. Arrington and Lamont Jordan — to join holdovers Selvin Young, Ryan Torain and Peyton Hillis. Arrington (foot), Torain (knee) and Hillis (hamstring) are still recovering from various surgeries.

But the most sweeping changes are on defense.

McDaniels, Xanders and new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan dismantled the 2008 version, signed three defensive backs, two linemen, one inside linebacker and an outside linebacker-defensive end hybrid (Darrell Reid) to help the team transition to a 3-4 scheme.

"We're all learning," safety Brian Dawkins said. "Some of them have been through it, some defenses similar, so it's not as difficult for them. But the rest of us, once we learn a defense, then we can go out and jell and hopefully be a dominant one."

Several other key players are expected to miss this camp as they recover from injuries, including cornerback Champ Bailey, who had surgery on his elbow in January, and wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who had hip surgery March 31.

Tight end Tony Scheffler, who has opted to work out with a private trainer instead of at Dove Valley, is expected to participate.

Lindsay H. Jones: 303-954-1262 or ljones@denverpost.com



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Minicamp begins
What: First of four Broncos minicamps — three of the camps are for all positions; one camp is for the passing game only.

When: Today-Sunday

OTHER KEY DATES

Mandatory team camp: June 12-14

Preseason opener: Week of Aug. 13-16 at San Francisco

Regular-season opener: Sept. 13 at Cincinnati

Nomad
04-17-2009, 08:11 AM
Not that I live around Dove Valley, but is the public allowed to go to these camps??

TXBRONC
04-17-2009, 08:14 AM
Not that I live around Dove Valley, but is the public allowed to go to these camps??

If I remember correctly they are not.

Fan in Exile
04-17-2009, 08:34 AM
Finally, anyone know what kind of media access the team is going to allow, and where to check for updates?

Hobe
04-17-2009, 08:42 AM
Nice day for a mini-camp! They be in doors for sure.


Winter Storm Warning

Today: Snow. High near 37. North northwest wind between 14 and 17 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.:smow:

Denver Native (Carol)
04-17-2009, 08:43 AM
Finally, anyone know what kind of media access the team is going to allow, and where to check for updates?

Updates more than likely on denverpost, in denver times, cbs4 - that is, if the press is allowed to be there.

Also, major spring snow storm here, so, I would think that everything today will be inside the bubble, if they even start mini camp today.

Shazam!
04-17-2009, 09:00 AM
The Broncos shouldn't even have camp I guess with everyone thinking they'll go 4-12 or worse. Maybe they should just concede the season.

bcbronc
04-17-2009, 10:44 AM
The Broncos shouldn't even have camp I guess with everyone thinking they'll go 4-12 or worse. Maybe they should just concede the season.

hmmmm, interesting idea......what draft position would they get? :D


I'm really, really excited to see what we have on our front 7 (okay, maybe excited isn't quite the right word). If we can have 1-2 guys emerge as legit starters at DE, and 1-2 of Moss, Doom, Crowder can show some flashes standing up, it will really open up our options come draft day.

claymore
04-17-2009, 10:47 AM
hmmmm, interesting idea......what draft position would they get? :D


I'm really, really excited to see what we have on our front 7 (okay, maybe excited isn't quite the right word). If we can have 1-2 guys emerge as legit starters at DE, and 1-2 of Moss, Doom, Crowder can show some flashes standing up, it will really open up our options come draft day.

This Is why I dont want an OLB in the Draft. We need to see what we have. If we take one, it means McD has zero faith in Doom and Moss.

bcbronc
04-17-2009, 10:50 AM
This Is why I dont want an OLB in the Draft. We need to see what we have. If we take one, it means McD has zero faith in Doom and Moss.

that's my thinking as well. I don't mind a strong side OLB, someone up around 260+ lbs that can take on blockers and make plays against the run. But I don't want to add another pass rush specialist (obviously unless the coaching staff has zero confidence in Doom and Moss).

I'd rather fill some of the other holes on defense, then if neither Moss nor Doom rise to the occasion, use next years 2 #1s to address it.

MOtorboat
04-17-2009, 11:02 AM
This Is why I dont want an OLB in the Draft. We need to see what we have. If we take one, it means McD has zero faith in Doom and Moss.

Um...we HAVE to take at least two OLBs in the draft. If that makes Doom or Moss antsy, it should. We have no depth at the position at all, because we have no one that has ever played the position.

claymore
04-17-2009, 11:05 AM
Um...we HAVE to take at least two OLBs in the draft. If that makes Doom or Moss antsy, it should. We have no depth at the position at all, because we have no one that has ever played the position.

Well Hopefully we dont have to take them in the 1st. I just hope they switchover and perform. Its 2 less holes to fill.

underrated29
04-17-2009, 11:33 AM
The Broncos shouldn't even have camp I guess with everyone thinking they'll go 4-12 or worse. Maybe they should just concede the season.


Nah man, I want to watch the games because we might get to 5 wins.


I actually think we will get 5 wins. FTR

TXBRONC
04-17-2009, 11:33 AM
Well Hopefully we dont have to take them in the 1st. I just hope they switchover and perform. Its 2 less holes to fill.

I would hope that since they didn't do a lot to address the front line in free agency that it will take priority in the upcoming draft.

TXBRONC
04-17-2009, 12:00 PM
The Broncos shouldn't even have camp I guess with everyone thinking they'll go 4-12 or worse. Maybe they should just concede the season.

Oh come on Shaz its no big deal if people look at the Broncos state of affairs and come to the conclusion that we just might not have a winning record by the end of year. I think its a real possibility that we have a bad season but isn't going to keep me from hoping that win every game this next season.

dogfish
04-17-2009, 02:33 PM
Um...we HAVE to take at least two OLBs in the draft. If that makes Doom or Moss antsy, it should. We have no depth at the position at all, because we have no one that has ever played the position.

thank you!


after watching our absolute lack of pass rush crush all hopes of having a competent defense for how many years in a row now (?), i can't believe any broncos fan would have even the slightest qualms about adding pass rushers! hell, it's better to have more than two anyways-- worst case scenario you actually have that elusive thing called depth for a year or two, and then you can either trade off moss or doom, or let them walk in FA and potentially get a compensatory pick. . . even if both of them WERE proven stud edge rushers from the OLB spot, i still wouldn't mind taking advantage of this year's deep group, to bring in a prospect with serious upside that can be groomed to take over in a year or two. . . that's the way the steelers do it, folks!

jarvis moss has 3.5 sacks in two years, and has a pretty serious injury history-- if the coaching staff/FO counts on him for anything they deserve to be smacked in the head with a 2 x 4. . . . i'm excited to see if he can jumpstart his career through the position switch, but the FO needs to provide some quality alternatives in case that doesn't happen-- we saw how far relying on the guys we currently have to generate a pass rush got us last year. . . anybody want to repeat that little experiment? i know slowick and his "schemes" were awful, but the players have to take their share or responsibility also. . . .

TXBRONC
04-17-2009, 06:58 PM
thank you!


after watching our absolute lack of pass rush crush all hopes of having a competent defense for how many years in a row now (?), i can't believe any broncos fan would have even the slightest qualms about adding pass rushers! hell, it's better to have more than two anyways-- worst case scenario you actually have that elusive thing called depth for a year or two, and then you can either trade off moss or doom, or let them walk in FA and potentially get a compensatory pick. . . even if both of them WERE proven stud edge rushers from the OLB spot, i still wouldn't mind taking advantage of this year's deep group, to bring in a prospect with serious upside that can be groomed to take over in a year or two. . . that's the way the steelers do it, folks!

jarvis moss has 3.5 sacks in two years, and has a pretty serious injury history-- if the coaching staff/FO counts on him for anything they deserve to be smacked in the head with a 2 x 4. . . . i'm excited to see if he can jumpstart his career through the position switch, but the FO needs to provide some quality alternatives in case that doesn't happen-- we saw how far relying on the guys we currently have to generate a pass rush got us last year. . . anybody want to repeat that little experiment? i know slowick and his "schemes" were awful, but the players have to take their share or responsibility also. . . .

No doubt even if Dumervil and Moss were to succeed we need still need the depth.

bcbronc
04-17-2009, 07:28 PM
thank you!


after watching our absolute lack of pass rush crush all hopes of having a competent defense for how many years in a row now (?), i can't believe any broncos fan would have even the slightest qualms about adding pass rushers! hell, it's better to have more than two anyways-- worst case scenario you actually have that elusive thing called depth for a year or two, and then you can either trade off moss or doom, or let them walk in FA and potentially get a compensatory pick. . . even if both of them WERE proven stud edge rushers from the OLB spot, i still wouldn't mind taking advantage of this year's deep group, to bring in a prospect with serious upside that can be groomed to take over in a year or two. . . that's the way the steelers do it, folks!

jarvis moss has 3.5 sacks in two years, and has a pretty serious injury history-- if the coaching staff/FO counts on him for anything they deserve to be smacked in the head with a 2 x 4. . . . i'm excited to see if he can jumpstart his career through the position switch, but the FO needs to provide some quality alternatives in case that doesn't happen-- we saw how far relying on the guys we currently have to generate a pass rush got us last year. . . anybody want to repeat that little experiment? i know slowick and his "schemes" were awful, but the players have to take their share or responsibility also. . . .

I'm all for adding an OLB in this draft, but he has to have the size and strength to play the strong side. I don't want another 240lber that can't take on blocks or play in traffic.

dogfish
04-17-2009, 09:18 PM
I'm all for adding an OLB in this draft, but he has to have the size and strength to play the strong side. I don't want another 240lber that can't take on blocks or play in traffic.


i definitely agree that that's an ideal scenario, and that's why sintim is one of my top choices-- he's a ready-made NFL 3-4 SAM, and could probably start right away. . . i think barwin also projects well to the strong side with a year or two in the weight room-- he needs to get stronger, but i think he's an inherently tough, physical player who doesn't mind doing the dirty work, and with some good coaching and plenty of reps he has the footspeed and change of direction to excell in coverage. . . and having spent time playing tight end gives him an awful lot of familiarity with what they'll be trying to do, which i think is an advantage. . .

OTOH, there is just NO WAY i pass on a guy like everette brown just because he looks more like a weakside 'backer! IMO that's exactly the kind of short-sighted, needs based approach to the draft that we can't afford. . . obviously i don't want to get carried away with comparison because i know what the odds are, but brown has the raw skills to potentially reach a demarcus ware level of production-- as far as i'm concerned, if you have a chance to draft a pass rusher with those skills, you do it and don't worry about where you're going to fit him into your current roster, just like the G-men did with kiwi a few years ago. . . you can never have too many quality pass rushers, and as much as i love doom, with neither him nor moss having proven anything in the 3-4, i just don't feel that either of them is a guy that you pass on a blue chip edge rusher because you have them on your roster. . .

if brown's there i don't think twice about taking him-- we can always find another SAM later if need be. . . if he even comes close to realizing his potential, 3-4 years down the road no one remembers who we had when we drafted him. . . NFL teams change out an average of 30% of their roster each year. . .

Broncospsycho77
04-17-2009, 10:18 PM
While it doesn't give us big picture of how the team will do in the fall at least its football.

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_12160824

Revisions finally reach field
McDaniels plan begins with weekend minicamp
By Lindsay H. Jones
The Denver Post
Posted: 04/17/2009 12:30:00 AM MDT
Updated: 04/17/2009 01:21:15 AM MDT

At last, it's time for football.

It's been 96 drama-filled days since the Broncos hired Josh McDaniels, and the new coach will finally lead his first official practice when the team opens its first minicamp today at Dove Valley.

Though most players have been working out at team headquarters for more than a month, the minicamp will be the first time to truly see the changes McDaniels and new general manager Brian Xanders have made in what has been the most tumultuous offseason in recent memory.

The last time the Broncos donned pads — way back on Dec. 28, in a 52-21 loss to San Diego — Mike Shanahan was coach, Jay Cutler was the quarterback and the defense lined up in a 4-3 scheme. Considering that, the on-field start of the McDaniels era will feature plenty of interesting story lines.
Let's start with the biggest position change: quarterback. Kyle Orton, acquired in the trade that sent Cutler to Chicago two weeks ago, and Chris Simms are the only two quarterbacks on the roster, and the minicamp is the official start of the battle to replace Cutler as starter.

"Every day that I come to work is going to be big," Orton said. "You've got to put in a ton of hours and make every day count."

Then there are the running backs. McDaniel signed three tailbacks — Correll Buckhalter, J.J. Arrington and Lamont Jordan — to join holdovers Selvin Young, Ryan Torain and Peyton Hillis. Arrington (foot), Torain (knee) and Hillis (hamstring) are still recovering from various surgeries.

But the most sweeping changes are on defense.

McDaniels, Xanders and new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan dismantled the 2008 version, signed three defensive backs, two linemen, one inside linebacker and an outside linebacker-defensive end hybrid (Darrell Reid) to help the team transition to a 3-4 scheme.

"We're all learning," safety Brian Dawkins said. "Some of them have been through it, some defenses similar, so it's not as difficult for them. But the rest of us, once we learn a defense, then we can go out and jell and hopefully be a dominant one."

Several other key players are expected to miss this camp as they recover from injuries, including cornerback Champ Bailey, who had surgery on his elbow in January, and wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who had hip surgery March 31.

Tight end Tony Scheffler, who has opted to work out with a private trainer instead of at Dove Valley, is expected to participate.


There's that word again...

slim
04-17-2009, 10:34 PM
There's that word again...

Good thing Niner is not here.

bcbronc
04-17-2009, 10:55 PM
if brown's there i don't think twice about taking him-- we can always find another SAM later if need be. . . if he even comes close to realizing his potential, 3-4 years down the road no one remembers who we had when we drafted him. . . NFL teams change out an average of 30% of their roster each year. . .

and we do have 2-3 lesser options for SOLB on the roster in Boss, Crowder, and Reid. I consider all three longer shots than Doom/Moss, but none of the five are anywhere in the ballpark of a sure thing. If there's a pass rusher that McX feels is a game changer and potential pro-bowl pass rusher, then I agree you take him. especially considering where we pick, there's a lot of value in a pick like that.

but I don't this we HAVE to take a pass-rusher in the first round, or even the second. there's a big pool of the hybrid DE/OLB types in this draft, and I'm thinking we'll be able to get a good prospect as late as 84. I'd take your opinion on these guys over mine, but guys like Cody Brown, Sidbury, Kruger, and Veikune will probably be on the board in the 3rd-4th rounds. they might not be the elite talent at the top of the draft (I'll defer to you on that) but with the amount of holes we have on defense, I don't want to force a pass rusher into the first round.

I'm just as happy taking one of the 2nd or 3rd tier guys in the 2nd or 3rd round and giving Moss/Doom a look, as long as the picks we do make hit. we don't need to completely rebuild this defense over night. as long as we fill 2-3 holes this year, we have two 1sts next year that we can prioritize finding that pass rusher, if needed.