Ryan McBean a welcome leftover on Broncos defensive line
By Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post
POSTED: 08/13/2010 02:42:33 PM MDT
UPDATED: 08/13/2010 03:15:26 PM MDT


Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow takes a shot of Pepto-Bismol from a trainer during morning practice Friday at Invesco Field. More photos. (RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post)
How the Broncos fared in Friday's training camp practice at Dove Valley:

Highlight of the day:

In a secondary that includes Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins, it may be easy for some to overlook safety Renaldo Hill. But Hill, now entering his 10th season overall and second with the Broncos, is the one who is consistently getting people lined up correctly on defense, including several times Friday. When somebody has a pre-snap question at either linebacker or in the secondary, they are most often looking to Hill for the answer.

Lowlight of the day:

The Broncos offense spent a great deal of time on the run game early on in the workout and though the hitting was kept to a minimum, it's clear things are still a work in progress there given the injuries in the offensive line and in the backfield. The backs often looked tentative into the hole while the lead blockers and the ball carriers often weren't on the same path at the point of attack.
Quote

"There was an awful lot of panic after last year's first preseason game, not in the locker room, but kind of surrounding what happened."

— Broncos coach Josh McDaniels on last year's lose to San Francisco in preseason opener when Kyle Orton threw three interceptions.

Position battle

As the Broncos head into their first preseason game Sunday night, Ryan McBean has done his part to be the team's only repeat starter in the defensive line from a year ago.

The Broncos expended plenty of time and money re-vamping their defensive line in the wake of their collapse down the stretch last season. But through the off season and now deep into training camp, McBean has held strong at the right defensive end and figures to start against the Bengals.

McBean has largely made free-agent signee Jarvis Green a situational player in the Broncos' nickel package. Green signed a four-year deal that could worth up to $20 million if he hits all of the benchmarks.
McDaniels has said the Broncos will rotate the linemen plenty up front on defense, when the line up in Jacksonville for the regular-season opener, McBean will likely be the only one of the three who lined up there in last year's regular-season opener in Cincinnati.

Quarterback watch

Kyle Orton — Had a workmanlike day, but got plenty of work as the Broncos worked on what they will do against the Bengals.

Brady Quinn — Had a fumbled exchange fairly early in the workout; had a big play to Brandon Stokley in a 7-on-7 period.

Tim Tebow — Continued to work at the No. 3 spot, had a couple passes knocked away and couldn't connect with Stokley on a big play in team drills when the ball, a little behind Stokley, bounced off his shoulder pads.

Camp facts

The Broncos practiced for just over two hours Friday morning in Invesco Field at Mile High. Saturday they will gather at their Dove Valley complex before leaving for Cincinnati for Sunday night's preseason game. The next practice open to the public is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_15770880