Lonestar
05-30-2009, 03:27 AM
The Denver Post
Posted: 05/30/2009 01:00:00 AM MDT
Updated: 05/30/2009 01:41:12 AM MDT
Chris Simms has chucked his way back into the quarterback competition.
For most of the offseason, Kyle Orton appeared to be the front-runner to replace Jay Cutler as the Broncos' new quarterback. It was Orton who had the most recent playing experience, going 9-6 in 15 starts for the Bears last season while Simms hasn't played in nearly three seasons.
"I understand everybody else looking at it that way, but to me it doesn't even matter," Simms said. "Regardless, I'm coming out here trying to do my best, trying to learn the offense and compete. At the end of the day, you do your best and let the coaches make their decision."
Simms clearly got more first-team reps in the passing camp session Thursday that was open to the media.
Has Simms moved ahead of Orton in the quarterback competition?
"No," Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said. "Same thing. Both of them will take reps with the (first team), and we're going to keep doing that until it becomes clear and apparent, and it's not yet. They're both doing some good things, and they're both making some mistakes. When one seems to put himself ahead of the other, then it will be an easy decision."
The front three?
In the three minicamp sessions that have been open to the media, the three defensive linemen who have played the most in the Broncos' 3-4 base defense have been Kenny Peterson, Ryan McBean and Ronald Fields.
Broncos fans are familiar with Peterson, who is entering his fourth season in Denver, but may not know much about McBean or Fields. McBean was a fourth-round draft choice of the Steelers in 2007 and spent all of last season on the Broncos' practice squad. Fields started nine games at nose tackle for Mike Nolan's 49ers in 2006. Nolan is now the Broncos' defensive coordinator.
"Both (McBean and Fields) have the characteristics we look for," McDaniels said. "They're going to be physical players that are also active. They're not going to stand in there and do nothing and hold up on the tackle. They're going to move and stunt and pass rush. Those two players have done well for themselves this spring, but there's more than a handful that have done well."
Hold on, kids.
It's way early, but so far veterans are holding off the Broncos' top draft picks for first-string positions.
Correll Buckhalter is the first-string tailback, ahead of first-round pick Knowshon Moreno. Elvis Dumervil and Darrell Reid are at the defensive end positions, ahead of first-round pick Robert Ayers.
Cornerback Jack Williams and nickel safety Josh Barrett are ahead of second-round picks Alphonso Smith and Darcel McBath. And second-round tight end Richard Quinn has spent considerable time observing Daniel Graham and Tony Scheffler.
Posted: 05/30/2009 01:00:00 AM MDT
Updated: 05/30/2009 01:41:12 AM MDT
Chris Simms has chucked his way back into the quarterback competition.
For most of the offseason, Kyle Orton appeared to be the front-runner to replace Jay Cutler as the Broncos' new quarterback. It was Orton who had the most recent playing experience, going 9-6 in 15 starts for the Bears last season while Simms hasn't played in nearly three seasons.
"I understand everybody else looking at it that way, but to me it doesn't even matter," Simms said. "Regardless, I'm coming out here trying to do my best, trying to learn the offense and compete. At the end of the day, you do your best and let the coaches make their decision."
Simms clearly got more first-team reps in the passing camp session Thursday that was open to the media.
Has Simms moved ahead of Orton in the quarterback competition?
"No," Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said. "Same thing. Both of them will take reps with the (first team), and we're going to keep doing that until it becomes clear and apparent, and it's not yet. They're both doing some good things, and they're both making some mistakes. When one seems to put himself ahead of the other, then it will be an easy decision."
The front three?
In the three minicamp sessions that have been open to the media, the three defensive linemen who have played the most in the Broncos' 3-4 base defense have been Kenny Peterson, Ryan McBean and Ronald Fields.
Broncos fans are familiar with Peterson, who is entering his fourth season in Denver, but may not know much about McBean or Fields. McBean was a fourth-round draft choice of the Steelers in 2007 and spent all of last season on the Broncos' practice squad. Fields started nine games at nose tackle for Mike Nolan's 49ers in 2006. Nolan is now the Broncos' defensive coordinator.
"Both (McBean and Fields) have the characteristics we look for," McDaniels said. "They're going to be physical players that are also active. They're not going to stand in there and do nothing and hold up on the tackle. They're going to move and stunt and pass rush. Those two players have done well for themselves this spring, but there's more than a handful that have done well."
Hold on, kids.
It's way early, but so far veterans are holding off the Broncos' top draft picks for first-string positions.
Correll Buckhalter is the first-string tailback, ahead of first-round pick Knowshon Moreno. Elvis Dumervil and Darrell Reid are at the defensive end positions, ahead of first-round pick Robert Ayers.
Cornerback Jack Williams and nickel safety Josh Barrett are ahead of second-round picks Alphonso Smith and Darcel McBath. And second-round tight end Richard Quinn has spent considerable time observing Daniel Graham and Tony Scheffler.