Training Camp starts today!

[randymon]

Hey cd, give me a refresher course on roster spots a team carries now going into 1st game including practice squad and pup list and??. How many players currently on Denver now? Trying to figure how many slots are available with recent roster increase,etc. How many Denver actually will have to waive or release??? Of course Sir, when you have time.

 

[cdumler7]

Hey randymon. Thankfully have a pretty slow day at the office today so have a bit of time to help you out with this.


Right now if I remember right the Broncos have 87 players on the current roster. They have to get down to 53 before the season starts so doing the math that means 34 players have to be cut. Right now players on the roster...


QB
Manning
Osweiler
Dysert
Renner


RB
Ball
Anderson
Hillman
Bibbs
Jorodis Williams
Brennan Clay
Juwan Thompson


WR
Thomas
Welker
Latimer
Caldwell
Sanders
Isaiah Burse
Nathan Palmer
Jordan Norwood
Greg Hardin
Bennie Fowler
Greg Wilson


OL
Clady
Franklin
Ramirez
Vasquez
Clark
Justice
Garland
Montgomery
Schofield
Paradis
Paul Cornick
Ryan Miller
Vinston Painter


TE
Thomas
Tamme
Green
Robinson
Cameron Morrah


I think that covers the offense

 

[cdumler7]

Now on to the defense...Decided to divide them up as it will look like too long of a post


DE
Wolfe
Jackson
Ware
Smith
Anunike
Hall Davis
Greg Latta
Chase Vaughn


DT
Knighton
Williams
Unrein
Vickerson
Austin
Sione Fua


Linebacker
Miller
Irving
Trevathon
Brandon Marshall
Jamar Chaney
Steven Johnson
Jerrell Harris
Lamin Barrow
Lerentee McCray
Shaquil Barrett
LJ Fort
Jameson Konz
Corey Nelson


CB
Talib
Harris
Bradly
Webster
Carter
Louis Young
Jerome Murphy
Jordan Sullen


Safety
Ward
Moore
Carter
Ihenacho
Bolden
Bruton
Boyett
Charles Mitchell


Then of course special teams you have
Colquitt
Prater
Brewer
and Ewald Mitch (competing with Prater for the kicker position)

 

[cdumler7]

Hey cd, give me a refresher course on roster spots a team carries now going into 1st game including practice squad and pup list and??. How many players currently on Denver now? Trying to figure how many slots are available with recent roster increase,etc. How many Denver actually will have to waive or release??? Of course Sir, when you have time.

Now to answer your questions in order

Last year the Broncos carried 3 QB's, 5 RB's, 5 WR's, 4 TE's, 9 OL, 7 DL, 6 LB, 11 DB's, and 3 specialist

I would expect some of that to change this year as I just don't see how we only carry 7 DL players or even 6 Linebackers. Expect us to only carry 10 DB's maybe even 9 (5 corners/4 safeties since Bolden can play both). I would expect us also to only carry 4 RB's this year but 6 WR's. We might only carry either 2 QB's or 3 TE's as well. It really is a guessing game right now of what we are going to do. We have some positions really loaded with talent that are going to be tough to cut.

Now as for PUP and practice squad...I think you can have as many players as you want on the PUP. Now if they are still on it when the season starts then they are not allowed on the active roster for at least 6 weeks if not more but have to be back on by a certain week otherwise they are cut/released or stuck on IR. They do not count against the 53 while on the PUP though. If and when they come back though the team would have to drop a player from the active roster. Right now Chris Harris is the only guy on that list and he is expected back this week sometime. On IR right now all we have is John Youbooty if I remember right.

Practice squads right now include up to 8 players. The league is looking at increasing that number but for the upcoming season that is the number. The Broncos unfortunately are going to struggle to hold onto some of these guys that they try to sneak onto the practice squad.

 

[BroncoInCALI]

I know this is a Peyton Manning Offense and all the other stuff about shelf life being limited......but after Ball, that list of Running Backs contains a ton of question marks........

 

[cdumler7]

Right now I think I can figure out about 30 or so of the 34 cuts we will most likely make (barring injury of course). They say most teams especially good ones already know 46 of the 53 players that will be on the roster come opening day. So that leaves maybe 6-8 spots still available.

 

[randymon]

Now to answer your questions in order

Last year the Broncos carried 3 QB's, 5 RB's, 5 WR's, 4 TE's, 9 OL, 7 DL, 6 LB, 11 DB's, and 3 specialist

I would expect some of that to change this year as I just don't see how we only carry 7 DL players or even 6 Linebackers. Expect us to only carry 10 DB's maybe even 9 (5 corners/4 safeties since Bolden can play both). I would expect us also to only carry 4 RB's this year but 6 WR's. We might only carry either 2 QB's or 3 TE's as well. It really is a guessing game right now of what we are going to do. We have some positions really loaded with talent that are going to be tough to cut.

Now as for PUP and practice squad...I think you can have as many players as you want on the PUP. Now if they are still on it when the season starts then they are not allowed on the active roster for at least 6 weeks if not more but have to be back on by a certain week otherwise they are cut/released or stuck on IR. They do not count against the 53 while on the PUP though. If and when they come back though the team would have to drop a player from the active roster. Right now Chris Harris is the only guy on that list and he is expected back this week sometime. On IR right now all we have is John Youbooty if I remember right.

Practice squads right now include up to 8 players. The league is looking at increasing that number but for the upcoming season that is the number. The Broncos unfortunately are going to struggle to hold onto some of these guys that they try to sneak onto the practice squad.

Thanks cd. Tht`s exactly what I was looking for,esp the pup list. Didn`t know you could put as many on there as you want. That`s important to know. So a pup candidate has to play by wk 6 or so. What`s the criteria for a player to qualify for that list? Is it easy for a team to feign an injury for a player or do they have to have an outside source evaluate that player to deem him available for pup? The reason I ask is, if you don`t have to be legitimate per say to qualify and you can put as many as you want on pup, that certainly is huge if you really covet those guys and you happen to suffer some IR casualties before that 6wks is up, that can be huge. I imagine you can put as many as you want on IR list as well,right? I know ( I hope its the case) everybody stays fairly healthy, then by the 6th game, the tough decisions will occur and then the shuffling between pup and practice squad will determine who has to be put on waivers or released. Maybe some sneak thru to be resigned on later day when situations during season might dictate such moves I guess. With all positions being maybe as deep as Denver has ever had, at least 8 of them(practice squad 8 and IR (if unfortunetly that happens) will be safe from other teams stealing them.

 

[cdumler7]

Thanks cd. Tht`s exactly what I was looking for,esp the pup list. Didn`t know you could put as many on there as you want. That`s important to know. So a pup candidate has to play by wk 6 or so. What`s the criteria for a player to qualify for that list? Is it easy for a team to feign an injury for a player or do they have to have an outside source evaluate that player to deem him available for pup? The reason I ask is, if you don`t have to be legitimate per say to qualify and you can put as many as you want on pup, that certainly is huge if you really covet those guys and you happen to suffer some IR casualties before that 6wks is up, that can be huge. I imagine you can put as many as you want on IR list as well,right? I know ( I hope its the case) everybody stays fairly healthy, then by the 6th game, the tough decisions will occur and then the shuffling between pup and practice squad will determine who has to be put on waivers or released. Maybe some sneak thru to be resigned on later day when situations during season might dictate such moves I guess. With all positions being maybe as deep as Denver has ever had, at least 8 of them(practice squad 8 and IR (if unfortunetly that happens) will be safe from other teams stealing them.

Ok so this is how I understand how all this works and I might not be right. There are 2 different kinds of PUP lists for the NFL. The first is pre-season PUP and regular season PUP. The pre-season one is one that a player can come off at any time. When on it though they cannot practice. They can use the medical facilities and be in meetings but that is it. The Regular season PUP is one where a player cannot return until after week 6 to practice. A team then once a player is activated has 21 days to put them on the roster and move someone off. IF they do not the player is then moved to IR.

Now with PUP you can have as many players as you want on it but again you only have a certain window (week 6 to week 11) to activate them. Also they must be on this list before the actual season starts (can't do it for a player that gets injured once the final 53 is established).

Now as for IR yes you can have as many players as you want on this list. Teams have actually used this as a way to save a player from hitting the open market. Last year the Broncos did this with Q. Smith and McCray in they could have been put on the PUP and probably returned at some point during the season but Broncos decided just to go ahead and IR them saving them for the next season. New England is probably the best team at hiding players away for a later date. They pretty much do this to any player that stands a chance to make the roster the next year if they can. I don't think a doctor has to completely check them out or it really can be just some kind of minor injury that all players have. Not the most honorable way to do things but it is a tactic pretty much every team uses any more. Now I will say that NFLPA is trying to crack down on some of this so look for some big time headlines dealing with this very topic over the next few seasons.

Also just a quick note on the IR thing. The team can designate one IR player to return per season. This means that at any time during the season if a team picks one player with this designation they can have them come back at pretty much any point in the season and contribute if I remember right. They do not count against the 53 on the roster until they are actually activated.

 

[randymon]

Well done cd and thanks. Clears alot up. I do remember hearing about the new IR rule with now being able to bring back 1 player off IR during season. I do believe it started last yr or maybe the rule was passed and it begins this yr. Not sure. Anyway, I like it.

 

[randymon]

Hey randymon. Thankfully have a pretty slow day at the office today so have a bit of time to help you out with this.


Right now if I remember right the Broncos have 87 players on the current roster. They have to get down to 53 before the season starts so doing the math that means 34 players have to be cut. Right now players on the roster...


QB
Manning
Osweiler
Dysert
Renner


RB
Ball
Anderson
Hillman
Bibbs
Jorodis Williams
Brennan Clay
Juwan Thompson


WR
Thomas
Welker
Latimer
Caldwell
Sanders
Isaiah Burse
Nathan Palmer
Jordan Norwood
Greg Hardin
Bennie Fowler
Greg Wilson


OL
Clady
Franklin
Ramirez
Vasquez
Clark
Justice
Garland
Montgomery
Schofield
Paradis
Paul Cornick
Ryan Miller
Vinston Painter


TE
Thomas
Tamme
Green
Robinson
Cameron Morrah


I think that covers the offense

I do have a Jameson Konz TE Kent St on my list. Maybe be he`s listed as FB now or released. Also, Aslam Sterling OL Kansas

 

[cdumler7]

I do have a Jameson Konz TE Kent St on my list. Maybe be he`s listed as FB now or released. Also, Aslam Sterling OL Kansas

Aslem Sterling actually just randomly left the team. I keep looking for info on why he quit but can't find anything. All accounts said he was doing decent...probably wasn't going to make the team but stood a good chance at the practice squad.

I do think you are right that Konz is still on the team as a FB/TE hybrid type. Either way he most likely does not make the team.

As for actual camp news today since they are practicing at Mile High today should have a bit more. Few to start off with though...

D. Ware not practicing again today. Probably could have but with the rain like it was for practice the coaches didn't want to chance it. Makes sense where the team already knows what they have in him.

Sly Williams and Austin are getting quite a few snaps with the #1 defensive unit and are doing quite well actually. So we could have 4 guys with starting potential at the DT position this year. Williams and Austin both have been getting tons of penetration and would have even sacked Manning a couple of different times.

Some very good news is Miller is getting his first work in the 11-on-11 drill. One of the first plays doing this he was being blocked by our All-Pro RG Vasquez and pushed him to the side to make a play on Ball in the backfield. Man if he is doing this now when he is still maybe 85% I can't imagine what happens when he gets back to 100%.

Latimer continues to be the talk of camp making catches all over the field. This dude is going to get more playing time than most thought just a month ago.

Chris Harris if you hadn't heard was activated off the PUP list. Can't practice today as players have to have 3 noncontact practices before participating in pads. Same goes for DT today.

 

[MrDoc420]

I heard Irving went down today, but walked off under his own power......albeit gingerly.

Did you hear/see what happened?

 

[cdumler7]

Irving did go down and did walk off the field on his own. Doesn't seem like that serious of an injury as he was back out the next series so I wouldn't worry too much. I do worry about today's practice producing some kind of injury though with how wet the field is. Already reading a ton about players slipping on the field and that just usually leads to some freak injury. So far other than Irving going down a series haven't read anything else injury related.


A guy really surprising people with his development is Kayvon Webster. Had a pick-6 against Manning today and just has been all over the field. Looks a lot more confident this season.

 

[randymon]

I do have high expectations for Webster. Like I`ve said recently, for a rookie being thrown to the wolves and at a position that is extremely difficult with the wr friendly rules, he did pretty damn good imo last yr. You have to assume if the guy is dedicated and hungry he should be much improved with all that exp/learning he `s accumilated so far. I think he`s going to be very good and a pro bowler soon. I`am really liking the depth we seem to be seeing on the D line. If Austin, Smith and others are the real deal, Denver is going to be able to rotate these guys more often and keep the likes of Miller and Ware alot fresher during gms and thru the season and esp in Nov and Dec. Very excited

 

[cdumler7]

So 1st week of camp down and only 1 week until our first preseason game! Actual football starts in something like 3 days! I can't believe it is finally back!


So here is a review of the 1st week...


Quarterbacks...Peyton is well being Peyton. Osweiler has made it clear he is the #2 on this team. There is no competition this year. Dysert refuses to throw over 10 yards unless the guy is like 10 yards open down the field. This might be the year we only keep 2 quarterbacks on the roster. Renner has only thrown 1 pass all week in actual team drills so as much as I like this kid practice squad is the best he can hope for.


Running Backs...Ball has the starter role for sure unless there is an injury. Hillman has actually looked like the #2 back as he has looked much quicker and stronger at camp. Anderson has looked good as well. So those 3 for sure make the team. For the #4 spot it really looks like a race between Bibbs and Clay. Right now most reports have Clay ahead in the competition.


Wide Receivers...We pretty much know the first 5 that make the team. Burse looks like he is going to make it as a 6th receiver/returner guy for the team.


Tight End...Thomas, Tamme, and Green will make the team. Not sure if we keep a 4th TE this year or not.


Offensive Line...The starters after the first week are Clady, Franklin, Ramirez, Vasquez, and Clark like we assumed. Justice is pushing for a shot at starting and the rookie Schofield is being given a few opportunities. Behind them Montgomery has been the 2nd Center so I would expect him to make the team pushing Paradis towards the practice squad. Painter will most likely make the team as he has been running with the 2nd team. Overall this has been the unit that has looked the worst at camp. The starters have been ok but giving up lots of sacks so far. Could be the DL is just ridiculous this year though.


DL...This will probably be the toughest group to make cuts on. Right now for the DT position you have Knighton and Williams guaranteed to make it. Behind them though is some major competition. Unrein has been a solid guy for a while for us but depending on Vickerson coming back from injury it looks like he could be the odd man out this year. The guy having probably the biggest surprise camp so far has to be Marvin Austin. The guy is just tearing through the OL like they are little children.


Linebacker...This is another position that has some tough decisions ahead. Obviously Trevathan, Irving, and Miller make the team. Beyond them Barrow is probably promised a spot and maybe McCray. Another guy making a name for himself is Brandon Marshall (not the WR Marshall though). He has actually been our other coverage linebacker and has been doing really well. Beyond those 6 though it is very tough to tell who is next or if any others make it.


Corner...The first 4 are a given of Talib, Harris, Webster, and Roby. Behind them though is a nice group of unprovens with a couple of veterans. Right now the guy who is in line for that 5th spot (could be 6th if you could Omar Bolden as a Corner or Safety) is Louis Young. He is 6'1" and runs like a 4.4 forty. He has been making plays all over the field. He is hurt right now though so we shall see.


Safety...This group again depends on where you put Bolden but if he is a Corner most likely we only keep 4 safeties...those would be Moore, Ward, Carter, and Bruton. Ihenacho unfortunately could be gone from this team.

 

[MrDoc420]

cd....when you say Brock made it clear that he's #2, what do you see in him maybe a little different from last year that'd make you believe that? Just curious....

I honestly thought Dysert would legitimately challenge him for the #2 spot this year. Obviously I'm only measuring their success/potential from what I saw in preseason last year, but I thought they were both equally good.......and bad.

 

[cdumler7]

cd....when you say Brock made it clear that he's #2, what do you see in him maybe a little different from last year that'd make you believe that? Just curious....

I honestly thought Dysert would legitimately challenge him for the #2 spot this year. Obviously I'm only measuring their success/potential from what I saw in preseason last year, but I thought they were both equally good.......and bad.

I haven't been at practice so all of this is second hand reporting. Essentially the reports are he looks a lot better with his footwork and throwing mechanics. His decision making and accuracy have both looked much better as well. The main negative against Osweiler right now is he needs to still get quicker with his progressions. He still holds onto the ball way too long. All reports though are it is not even close for the #2 spot. Dysert still refuses to throw further than 10 yards and his decision making by many accounts might be worse than last year. He just is not making a good enough impression that he is worthy of a roster spot.

 

[Morpheus]

Good perspective about being a fan.

Misconceptions about the Broncos roster - Mile High Report

 

[Morpheus]

Some unexpected players standing out in camp

Broncos Six-Pack: The surprise stars of Broncos training camp - Mile High Report

 

[Wamu]

Thinking of going down to the stadium tomorrow for the Broncos scrimmage.