DeMarcus Ware and the Broncos during training camp practice last week. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)
Last year, one of the NFL’s points of emphasis for officials was cutting down on profanity and inappropriate or offensive language during games. This year, the emphasis is on fights.
Local media here were briefed on the NFL’s rule changes that will allow officials to penalize and even eject players for fighting or playing any role in a brawl.
The league’s message was clear: Don’t fight. If on breaks out, stay away.
Oh the irony.
NFL training camps this year have been marred by brawls — among teammates and among opposing players during joint practices.
Panthers cornerback Josh Norman went after his quarterback, Cam Newton, during a practice.
The Redskins-Texans joint practice turned into an all-out melee.
So did the Rams’ and Cowboys’ practice, which resulted in a fist to the face of Dez Bryant. Panthers defensive tackle Michael Oher and Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon swapped jabs.
And of course there was the IK Enemkpali punch that broke Geno Smith’s jaw.
The Broncos have not been immune to joint practice fights. In 2008, when the Broncos hosted the Cowboys, then-rookie offensive tackle .
Last year, the Broncos hosted the Texans for a couple of days that results in a few skirmishes but no injuries. , prompting Clark to throw off his helmet. When Clark was flagged, Watt offered a bit of advice: “Don’t get mad when you get beat.”
Aqib Talib also exchanged a few words with Ronnie Brown, and Julius Thomas ignited tempers when he yelled “This is too easy,” after catching a touchdown pass during drills.
This week, though, the Broncos will again play host, to the 49ers on Wednesday and Thursday. “Fight Watch” may be in effect across the league, but the Broncos say their focus is elsewhere.
“You hear about the joint practices and people fighting and people getting hurt — you just got to be smart,” running back C.J. Anderson said Saturday. “We haven’t addressed (the fights). We’ll be smart in what we do. The Niners — they should be OK. Their players will be fired up, we’ll be fired up, but at the end of the day, it’s professional. You just have to know how to practice. You’re playing for the shield, so protect everybody that’s in that shield. Game day, if things happen, things just happen.”
Tempers started to flare during the Broncos’ practice last Tuesday, as Andre Caldwell showed his frustration after a dropped pass and Danny Trevathan popped Anderson late during team drills. The team chalked it up to players wanting to face an opponent other than each other. And coach Gary Kubiak hardly seemed concern about the rise in fighting during joint practices.
“I would like everybody to quit talking about it, to be honest with you,” he said last Thursday. “I want players to worry about playing and getting ready to play the game. … I expect us to practice hard, practice and get better next week, just like we did this week.”
