Broncos reporter Bill Williamson provides news, notes and anecdotes from the team’s training camp today:
Fieldwork
In another long workout – it lasted about two hours, 30 minutes – the defense made up ground on the offense overall, a day after the offense was the bright light of the work day.
The defense seemed to set the tone this morning before a special team workout in the afternoon. The unit – a turnover machine in 2005 – came up with some big plays. Cornerback Darrent Williams took a Bradlee Van Pelt pass back for a touchdown on a perfect read. The play was reminiscent of Williams’ game-sealing interception return for a TD last year at Oakland.
This is not to say the offense didn’t have its moments. New star receiver Javon Walker continued to make startling plays. He had a wonderful one-handed grab over cornerback Domonique Foxworth. Walker had no business making that play. But he is showing that he is both healthy and as advertised. Undrafted rookie Brian Clark also made a spectacular, diving one-handed grab in the morning session.
Assistant head coach Mike Heimerdinger – known for
getting on players when they needed it when he was a receiver’s coach in Denver during the Super Bowl run – was riding rookie Brandon Marshall after he was stripped of the ball. It has been one of Marshall’s few bad habits of camp and Heimerdinger was letting him know it.
Biography
In what is a strong receiver group, receiver David Kircus is making a play to make the team. Kircus always seems to be open and can make things happen after the catch. Wednesday morning. Kircus caught the ball near the sideline and made a fantastic move on Champ Bailey – yes, Bailey – to get inside and turn up the field. When you’re making nifty moves against Bailey, you’re getting noticed.
Kircus was a small-school star at Grand Valley State. He was on and off his hometown Lions’ practice squad for the 2003 and 2004 season after being a sixth-round pick in 2003. Kircus, 26, was out of football last year.
The point after
The strong leg of Jason Elam was back at it again. During the morning session, the Broncos were working toward the south end zone. That was not good for one unlucky car in the parking lot. A particularly long Elam boot landed into the windshield of a parked car. The windshield did not pull through.
Cutler watch
First-round pick Jay Cutler continued to make strides and show why Denver traded up to the No. 11 pick to snare him. Cutler made several pinpoint passes in one-on-one drills and showed outstanding poise in team drills.
Quote of the day
“I thought my car was going to float away,” Bailey talking about torrential downpour that hit Dove Valley on Tuesday night.
Thursday camp facts
Practice begins at 8:30 a.m. and will run approximately two hours. The afternoon practice begins at 3:50 p.m. and will run to around 5:30 p.m. Gates open an hour before each practice. Admission is free. Parking at the Broncos headquarters is located on the west side of the practice fields, and is open on a first-come, first-served basis. Non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase at training camp.