FIELDWORK
Bell, Foxworth shine
Among the morning workout stars were running back Tatum Bell and cornerback Domonique Foxworth. Bell, who occasionally gets the first rep ahead of Ron Dayne, broke free for roughly a 65-yard touchdown run, stiff-arming cornerback and fellow Oklahoma State product Darrent Williams as he crossed the goal line. “I had to take it to the end zone against him,” Bell said, smiling. “Best run I’ve had so far in camp.”
Foxworth was terrific in a three-play sequence on goal-to-go situations. On back-to-back fade patterns, he leaped to knock passes away from the much taller Brandon Marshall and Darius Watts. Foxworth then stepped in front of a curl pattern at the goal line to intercept Jake Plummer and return it the other way. “It’s something that coach (Bob Slowick) has us do in practice a lot,” Foxworth said. “It’s difficult to do, read the receiver and the quarterback at the same time. I was able to read both that time.”
POSITION BATTLE
Scheffler real deal
It’s early, but it appears the void left by the release of Jeb Putzier has been filled, and then some, by rookie right end Tony Scheffler. What Broncos coach Mike Shanahan proclaimed on draft day has been proved in workouts – Scheffler is a tight end-sized player with wide receiver-like hands. Scheffler beat John Lynch for a 30-yard reception during the morning’s controlled scrimmage. With Nate Jackson missing several workouts because of a sprained ankle, Scheffler has become the clear leader for the pass-catching tight end role vacated by Putzier.
GETTING OFFICIAL
Lynch’s luck better
The officiating crew led by Walt Anderson worked the Broncos’ morning scrimmages. The crew will be in camp through the Saturday morning live scrimmage. Anderson and his crew discussed rule changes at the team meeting Wednesday, and some of the defensive backs spoke up. “The DBs were complaining, ‘You can’t hit anyone anymore!’ Anderson said. “We told them you can hit ’em, you just can’t hit them in the head.” And no, the complainant was not John Lynch. “I think this is the first time in six years I didn’t make their film (of illegal hits),” Lynch said. Perhaps the biggest rule change this year is fumbles waved off on the field on down-by-contact calls are now reviewable.
CUTLER WATCH
Snap decision
This is one training camp when the third-string offense is getting almost as many plays as the second team. One guess as to why. Jay Cutler gets the occasional rep with the second-team offense, although Bradlee Van Pelt remains No. 2 on the depth chart.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Forever grateful
“I owe my career to Javon Walker. I’m sure he does not even remember those days. I told him the story, but he did not seem to care too much. I just said thank you and shook his hand.” – Foxworth, on how he got his first start at Maryland the week after Florida State quarterback Chris Rix threw five touchdown passes, one to Walker. Foxworth said four of those TD passes were against the Terrapins’ previous starting cornerback.
CAMP FACTS
If you go …
Friday’s schedule: On the eve of the biggest training camp day of the year, the Broncos will work out at 8:30 a.m., then hold a special teams-only practice 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: Located on the west side of the Broncos’ practice fields, parking is open on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking lots open one hour before each practice. The live scrimmage Saturday morning is expected to draw at least 2,200, according to Fred Fleming, who is in charge of crowd control, among other duties, during camp.
