Lonestar
06-10-2009, 06:35 PM
Brian Dawkins spoke to the media after practice Wednesday afternoon at
By Zach Eisendrath
DenverBroncos.com
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- It may only be June, but there is a sense of enthusiasm making its way around Dove Valley these days.
Brian Dawkinss can feel it. At his first edition of Fan Fair on Saturday, he was humbled by the turnout of fans who were excited to meet him at INVESCO Field at Mile High. During the team's 11-day passing camp, which came to a close Wednesday, Dawkins said he could feel similar exhilaration among his peers.
"Obviously there is an excitement here," he said. "We're battling against the offense; we're battling against one another to see who can make the most plays on defense. It's a fun atmosphere."
With the close of passing camp, the players have a day off before beginning a mandatory three-day mini-camp on Friday, the team's final OTA before essentially a month-long layoff.
After that? Training camp and then the 2009 campaign. Dawkins, like many of his teammates, is especially looking forward to the latter.
"I know I'm looking for camp to be over with so I can play the season," he said. "I don't know about looking for camp to get here, but I think it's important. I know it's a cliché, but you really have to take it one day at a time because there are situations and circumstances every day at practice that we make mistakes on and need to correct."
According to Dawkins, correcting mistakes starts with personal accountability. Every player needs to study the playbook and dedicate themselves to making the 2009 Broncos a playoff team.
"What I mean by dedication is your workouts have to be intense," he said. "You can't not work out for a period of time and think 'I'm just going to be alright.' You can't just think 'I have all the plays down' and not study them. And you have to take care of your body. What that means is getting your proper sleep and eating the right things."
So far things have lived up to Dawkins' standards. He said he believes organized team activities have been bringing out the best in everybody, which is a good sign. It is his belief that OTAs are building blocks towards establishing confidence as a unit heading toward training camp.
With one final mini-camp standing between the team and training camp, the club has an opportunity to get more comfortable in Head Coach Josh McDaniels' system.
"We have some very talented guys out there on the field," Richard Quinn said. "Guys out there running around; flying around making plays. It's exciting to watch. We're getting better every day. The offense is making the defense better, the defense is making the offense better."
With the amount of passion being displayed on a daily basis during passing camp, one can imagine the intensity picking up even further when pads and helmets enter the equation come late July.
By that time, the Broncos will hopefully have the mental part of the game down and be able to focus more on the physical aspects.
"We're still thinking a little bit now," Dawkins said. "But once you stop thinking, you can play football."
http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=9083
By Zach Eisendrath
DenverBroncos.com
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- It may only be June, but there is a sense of enthusiasm making its way around Dove Valley these days.
Brian Dawkinss can feel it. At his first edition of Fan Fair on Saturday, he was humbled by the turnout of fans who were excited to meet him at INVESCO Field at Mile High. During the team's 11-day passing camp, which came to a close Wednesday, Dawkins said he could feel similar exhilaration among his peers.
"Obviously there is an excitement here," he said. "We're battling against the offense; we're battling against one another to see who can make the most plays on defense. It's a fun atmosphere."
With the close of passing camp, the players have a day off before beginning a mandatory three-day mini-camp on Friday, the team's final OTA before essentially a month-long layoff.
After that? Training camp and then the 2009 campaign. Dawkins, like many of his teammates, is especially looking forward to the latter.
"I know I'm looking for camp to be over with so I can play the season," he said. "I don't know about looking for camp to get here, but I think it's important. I know it's a cliché, but you really have to take it one day at a time because there are situations and circumstances every day at practice that we make mistakes on and need to correct."
According to Dawkins, correcting mistakes starts with personal accountability. Every player needs to study the playbook and dedicate themselves to making the 2009 Broncos a playoff team.
"What I mean by dedication is your workouts have to be intense," he said. "You can't not work out for a period of time and think 'I'm just going to be alright.' You can't just think 'I have all the plays down' and not study them. And you have to take care of your body. What that means is getting your proper sleep and eating the right things."
So far things have lived up to Dawkins' standards. He said he believes organized team activities have been bringing out the best in everybody, which is a good sign. It is his belief that OTAs are building blocks towards establishing confidence as a unit heading toward training camp.
With one final mini-camp standing between the team and training camp, the club has an opportunity to get more comfortable in Head Coach Josh McDaniels' system.
"We have some very talented guys out there on the field," Richard Quinn said. "Guys out there running around; flying around making plays. It's exciting to watch. We're getting better every day. The offense is making the defense better, the defense is making the offense better."
With the amount of passion being displayed on a daily basis during passing camp, one can imagine the intensity picking up even further when pads and helmets enter the equation come late July.
By that time, the Broncos will hopefully have the mental part of the game down and be able to focus more on the physical aspects.
"We're still thinking a little bit now," Dawkins said. "But once you stop thinking, you can play football."
http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=9083