Fieldwork
Bells take a toll
Broncos coach Mike Shanahan has said the two positions most difficult to evaluate during the no-tackle scrimmages are running back and safety. Why? Running backs need to prove they can break tackles and safeties are measured on how they can tackle in the open field. In that case, No. 1 running back Ron Dayne needs a game. The Bells, Tatum and Mike, are showing more impressive acceleration off the cutback during the workouts, so Dayne needs to prove he can gain more yards off broken tackles. The Broncos won’t start tackling until the preseason opener Aug. 11 at Detroit.
Position battle
Look who has leg up
In the Great Broncos Puntoff to succeed Todd Sauerbrun, the winner is Todd Sauerbrun. After nailing a towering, 65-yard punt that was caught a yard deep in the end zone, Sauerbrun received loud applause from the crowd, more proof
Broncos fans are a forgiving lot who put performance over transgressions, any day. Appreciative of the love, Sauerbrun raised his arms in salute to the crowd. As for the competition to replace Sauerbrun while he serves a four-game, season-opening suspension, Paul Ernster averaged 54.0 yards a punt to 43.0 yards for veteran Micah Knorr. “Paul has got as strong a leg as anybody in the league,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “Can he consistently punt and kick off in game situations?”
Cutler watch
Learning on the run
In the all-important morning session, the Broncos’ offense worked on red-zone and goal-line situations. Rookie quarterback Jay Cutler got a few chances, but mostly observed as veteran Jake Plummer put on a clinic on how to make something out of nothing. Plummer showed his trademark ability to escape and made accurate throws on the run while converting several plays into touchdowns. Bradlee Van Pelt also was effective. Cutler, who has impressed the coaching staff
with his poise under pressure, made a terrific touch pass while rolling left at the end of the workout.
Quote of the Day
“We think we have a chance to be a special defense so to see (the offense) have some success is impressive.” – Broncos safety John Lynch.
Stoops observer
Watching, learning
In the morning workout, coach Mike Shanahan called for a team huddle. Sneaking up from the sideline to listen in was Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, invited with the rest of his staff to observe the Broncos’ workouts. Stoops watched intently,
his desire to pick up something from Shanahan’s ways obvious. “Whether it’s practice drills, whether it’s schemes, for me, it was all of that, as well as practice organization,” Stoops said.
Wednesday’s camp facts
If you go
Schedule: Practice begins at 8:30 a.m. today. The afternoon session is for special teams and begins at 3:40 p.m.
Admission: Practices at Broncos headquarters in Arapahoe County are open to the public during training
camp. Admission is free.
Parking: Fans can park at Broncos headquarters on the west side of the practice fields on a first-come,
first-served basis. Space is limited, so arrive early. Parking lots open one hour before each practice.
