Fieldwork
What stood out about the morning session – other than an overall sloppy performance by the offense – was the steady but slight upward movement shown by tailback Tatum Bell and quarterback Jay Cutler. Each player is creeping up the depth chart via more repetitions. Tatum Bell is taking more repetitions away from starting tailback Ron Dayne and Cutler has eaten into some of No. 2 quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt’s time. apoach Mike Shanahan said nothing should be read into that and there hasn’t been any depth chart movement. However, that fact that Bell is working more often with the first team and Cutler is working more often the second team is a good development for them. Bell is still the No. 2 tailback and Cutler is still the No. 3 quarterback, but perhaps not for long.
Meanwhile, as camp drags on, the defense is getting antsy to start pounding. In the morning session – Friday’s afternoon workout was a special teams practice – linebacker Ian Gold slammed rookie tailback Mike Bell on the turf. Safety John Lynch ran up to Gold, looked down at the flattened Bell and asked, “Is he asleep, is he asleep?”
Cutler watch
Cutler showed his rocket arm in the morning practice by unleashing a 60-yard seed that was intended for fullback Kyle Johnson in the middle of the end zone. The ball was thrown a yard or two long, just out of Johnson’s reach. One of the reasons why Denver took Cutler with the No. 11 picks from Vanderbilt is because of his arm strength. It was there on that play.
Quote of the day
“Offensively, we have had too many dropped balls. We had a very average practice today,” Shanahan said after the morning practice.
Point after
One of the biggest ovations of the morning practice was reserved for a group of military personnel that was a guest of quarterback Jake Plummer and his foundation. The group of the Air Force’s 21st and 50th Space Wings practice at Peterson and Schriever Air Force bases. When the airmen and airwoman arrived, the large crowd at practice broke out in loud applause. After practice, the military members spent time with several players and were given footballs to have signed.
Meanwhile, 36-year-old receiver Rod Smith spent an extended period of time coaching the sons of Broncos’ assistant Mike Heimerdinger and Rick Dennison, concentrating on route running.
Saturday camp facts
Practice begins at 8:30 a.m. and will run approximately two hours. The practice will feature a short (about 10 minutes) goal-line workout. There will not be an afternoon practice. 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.
