How the Broncos fared in Wednesday’s training camp practice at Dove Valley:
Highlight
Remember all those rushing yards the Broncos’ defense surrendered against the likes of Jamaal Charles, Michael Bush and Ladell Betts in the second half of last season? There have been two “live” goal-line drills during training camp where the offense runs the ball and the defense knows it’s a run. There were several handoffs in this scenario Saturday night and several more today. The offense has yet to score. No doubt, the Broncos’ defensive front appears far stouter against the run this year with the likes of Jamal Williams, Ron Fields and Justin Bannan providing an interior push.
Quote
“Nobody runs on the Denver Broncos, especially down here.”
— Fired up defensive line coach Wayne Nunnely, exhorting his unit after it repeatedly stuffed the offense during a goal-line run drill.
Lowlight
Is it time for the Broncos to pull a Brett Favre on the remaining days of training camp? During that same goal-line running drill today, the Broncos lost tight end Marquez Branson to a significant right ankle injury. Branson, who was to fill Tony Scheffler’s “receiving” tight end role this season, was carted off the field, then helped into the locker room. The list of injured Broncos includes their top three running backs (Knowshon Moreno, Correll Buckhalter, LenDale White); two top offensive linemen (Ryan Clady, Chris Kuper), two top rookie receivers (DeMaryius Thomas, Eric Decker) and their top receiving tight end.
Position battle
In a drill where offensive linemen go one-on-one with defensive linemen, the most intriguing matchup was 13-year, Pro Bowl nose tackle Jamal Williams going against rookie center J.D. Walton. In the first rep, Williams burrowed Walton back to the quarterback in a second flat. The next time, Williams got an initial surge, but Walton was able to hold his ground. “Just working on getting us better,” Williams said.
Quarterback watch
Kyle Orton — After a tough morning when he was picked off twice, he had two beautiful deep pass completions to Brandon Lloyd and Brandon Stokley.
Brady Quinn — If they’re open, he hits them.
Tim Tebow — It was dark, everybody was in the locker room, and Tebow was in the end zone doing about 15 minutes of ab exercises. The kid is a workout warrior.
Camp schedule:
Thursday: One practice, 2:30-4:30, open to the public. Admission and parking are free.
