Training camp isn’t supposed to be fun for anyone, not with twice-daily practices in sweltering, 90-degree heat.
Montrae Holland only wishes he were able to participate.
“It’s been pretty frustrating,” Holland said. “Watching my teammates go out and battle has been pretty hard.”
Coach Mike Shanahan is not letting Holland, who started all 16 games at right guard in 2007, practice until he slims down to 325 pounds. Holland on Monday said that goal is still 9 pounds away.
To get there, Holland has been running outside, pushing sleds and exercising on a Stairmaster and a treadmill inside the team training facility, in addition to sticking to a restricted diet.
“You name it, I’ve been doing it,” Holland said. “I’ve been on the diet for a while now. I’ve just got to drop the last few pounds.”
The question now is whether Holland’s starting spot will be there for him when he returns.
Chris Kuper has been filling in at right guard despite a broken right hand, and Ryan Harris has been taking reps with the first team at right tackle.
“I just can’t wait to get back on the field,” Holland said. “I know I can play the game. I just want the opportunity to get better.”
Zim ready for Hall talk.
Gary Zimmerman says he has trimmed his Hall of Fame speech to less than the 10-minute limit.
“I’ve got it all done,” he said. “I just hope I don’t lock up with it.”
The former left tackle will become the second Broncos player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in a ceremony Saturday in Canton, Ohio. Zimmerman will be the fifth of six new Hall members to speak. Art Monk will go last.
The other bronzed Bronco, John Elway, is scheduled to attend the ceremony, as will several of Zimmerman’s former Broncos and Vikings teammates and a contingent of Denver coaches led by Mike Shanahan. Broncos owner Pat Bowlen will formally present Zimmerman.
Tardy but excused.
Linebackers D.J. Williams and Boss Bailey and running back Selvin Young were more than an hour late to Monday’s morning practice because they took steroid tests as required by the NFL.
The three were stuck inside the facility, able only to watch the workout through a window, until their bodies were ready to provide a full sample, Williams said.
Prater performs.
Kicker Matt Prater made a good impression in the special-teams practice Monday afternoon, booming multiple kickoffs out of the back of the end zone. It was his first chance to practice live kickoffs since camp started. Two of Prater’s kicks traveled about 85 wind-aided yards and would have landed in the employee parking lot if not for several pine trees. Another kick ricocheted off the upper half of the goalpost.
Prater hit 7-of-8 field-goal attempts in the morning session. His only miss was from 37 yards. All of his made attempts were from longer distances.
Lindsay H. Jones and Mike Klis, The Denver Post
