At last, it’s time for football.
It’s been 96 drama-filled days since the Broncos hired Josh McDaniels, and the new coach will finally lead his first official practice when the team opens its first minicamp today at Dove Valley.
Though most players have been working out at team headquarters for more than a month, the minicamp will be the first time to truly see the changes McDaniels and new general manager Brian Xanders have made in what has been the most tumultuous offseason in recent memory.
The last time the Broncos donned pads — way back on Dec. 28, in a 52-21 loss to San Diego — Mike Shanahan was coach, Jay Cutler was the quarterback and the defense lined up in a 4-3 scheme. Considering that, the on-field start of the McDaniels era will feature plenty of interesting story lines.
Let’s start with the biggest position change: quarterback. Kyle Orton, acquired in the trade that sent Cutler to Chicago two weeks ago, and Chris Simms are the only two quarterbacks on the roster, and the minicamp is the official start of the battle to replace Cutler as starter.
“Every day that I come to work is going to be big,” Orton said. “You’ve got to put in a ton of hours and make every day count.”
Then there are the running backs. McDaniel signed three tailbacks — Correll Buckhalter, J.J. Arrington and Lamont Jordan — to join holdovers Selvin Young, Ryan Torain and Peyton Hillis. Arrington (foot), Torain (knee) and Hillis (hamstring) are still recovering from various surgeries.
But the most sweeping changes are on defense.
McDaniels, Xanders and new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan dismantled the 2008 version, signed three defensive backs, two linemen, one inside linebacker and an outside linebacker-defensive end hybrid (Darrell Reid) to help the team transition to a 3-4 scheme.
“We’re all learning,” safety Brian Dawkins said. “Some of them have been through it, some defenses similar, so it’s not as difficult for them. But the rest of us, once we learn a defense, then we can go out and jell and hopefully be a dominant one.”
Several other key players are expected to miss this camp as they recover from injuries, including cornerback Champ Bailey, who had surgery on his elbow in January, and wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who had hip surgery March 31.
Tight end Tony Scheffler, who has opted to work out with a private trainer instead of at Dove Valley, is expected to participate.
Lindsay H. Jones: 303-954-1262 or ljones@denverpost.com
Minicamp begins
What: First of four Broncos minicamps — three of the camps are for all positions; one camp is for the passing game only.
When: Today-Sunday
OTHER KEY DATES
Mandatory team camp: June 12-14
Preseason opener: Week of Aug. 13-16 at San Francisco
Regular-season opener: Sept. 13 at Cincinnati
