An unofficial review would say defensive lineman Ryan McBean was the first to see the surprise Broncos coach Josh McDaniels had in store for the team Friday.
And as McBean sprinted through the line of scrimmage before the ball was snapped and quarterback Kyle Orton was still shouting the cadence, an ice cream truck drove onto the practice field so a little dessert before dinner could be served.
“That is my first ice cream truck,” said linebacker Mario Haggan, an eighth-year veteran who’s seen a few things in the NFL.
“Football is fun and ice cream is fun,” safety Brian Dawkins said.
Broncos rookie quarterback Tim Tebow called it “a cool surprise.”
The white step van — with “Ice Cream Wagon” printed on the side — parked near midfield, with the chimes playing, and the players all finished their day with a little frozen reward.
McDaniels’ children and some of the players’ children ran onto the field, as well as children from the crowd of spectators.
The ice cream was served for roughly 20 minutes before the players returned to the locker room.
Elvis update.
Broncos outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil, who suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Wednesday evening’s practice, was in San Francisco on Friday to visit with Dr. Michael Dillingham for a second opinion on the injury.
Dillingham is on the medical staffs for the San Francisco 49ers and San Francisco Giants.
Dumervil is expected to have surgery soon that will include re-attaching his pectoral tendon. The recovery time from such a surgery is expected to be about five months.
Dawkins back.
After a few missed practices — something the veteran safety called “just one of those things” — Dawkins was back on the practice field Friday afternoon.
Dawkins took up his customary position in the Broncos’ starting defense for much of the day. After practice finished, he worked on his own, catching footballs launched out of the Jugs machine.
“I dropped two picks this camp already,” Dawkins said.
Footnotes.
The Broncos lost safety Josh Barrett on a little-used technicality Friday. All players who teams want to place on their injured reserve list must first clear waivers. Few have even been claimed during the 24-hour period, and it is looked upon as a formality. However, the Patriots claimed Barrett on Friday, so he moved to the New England active roster, where they will make a decision on his status. . . .
The NFL had several officials in town who made a presentation to the Broncos coaches and players on the rules changes and points of emphasis for the coming season. They will work Saturday’s open practice at Invesco Field at Mile High. . . .
Several players were given the afternoon practice off Friday including offensive lineman Russ Hochstein, tight end Daniel Graham and nose tackle Jamal Williams.
