Broncos reporter Bill Williamson provides news, notes and anecdotes from the team’s training camp today:
Fieldwork
Last of two-a-days
Wednesday was the Broncos’ final two-a-day practice of the preseason. Training camp winds down today with a full morning practice followed by a special teams workout in the afternoon. Friday, there will be a short morning practice in
preparation for Saturday night’s game against the Tennessee Titans at Invesco Field at Mile High. In Wednesday’s morning session, the team worked on the red zone, short-yardage passing and the two-minute drill. Receiver Javon Walker stood out. Second-year cornerback Darrent Williams continues his outstanding play.
Cutler watch
Showing support
Continuing to show his school spirit, quarterback Jay Cutler – whom the Broncos took with the No. 11 pick in the April draft – is hoping to support his Vanderbilt Commodores when they go to the Big House. Vandy will open the season at Michigan on Sept. 2. Cutler – if his Broncos’ schedule allows it – is hoping to be on the sideline for the game.
Quote of the day
“That is what camp is all about, people competing for the job. Everybody is on the bubble except for a few. I wouldn’t say Champ (Bailey) is on the bubble, would you?” Denver coach Mike Shanahan, responding to a question about who is on the “bubble” for the rest of the preseason.
Point after
A day to remember
Allison Sheehan of Littleton had a real-life brush with the Broncos on Wednesday afternoon. Sheehan, 8, was with her family at practice when receiver David Terrell, trying to catch a ball, ran into her. Sheehan was not hurt and ended up with
a lifetime memory. Coach Mike Shanahan had her address the team after practice, then she and her family had dinner with the team. She also went home with some memorabilia.
Shanny barometer
Shanahan was in a good, loose mood Wednesday. He briefly stopped by the sidelines to chat with camp observers. Later, during an end-zone passing drill, Shanahan warned nearby camera operators to step back for safety reasons.
Biography
Famous teammates
Rashon Powers-Neal has been around great athletes since he was 8 years old. Growing up in St. Paul, Minn., Powers-
Neal – an undrafted rookie fullback from Notre Dame – was football teammates with Joe Mauer and Terrell Suggs. The three played together until Suggs moved to Arizona at age 14. Mauer now is a star catcher for the hometown Minnesota Twins and Suggs is a standout defensive end for the Baltimore Ravens. Powers-Neal and Mauer starred together at Cretin-Derham High in St. Paul. Powers-Neal currently is third string for the Broncos and has a chance to be on the practice squad.
Thursday Camp Fact
If you go…
Practice begins at 8:30 a.m. and will run approximately two hours. The afternoon practice is a special teams workout and begins at 3:40 p.m. and will run about an hour 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.
