Training Camp

[cdumler7]

Also was looking at our depth chart a little earlier and while I know we haven't even seen these guys in a preseason game what is everybody's prediction about the RB's, TE's, and WR's?

At the RB position we have Anderson, Ball, Hillman, Thompson, and Bibbs. Depending on the season Kubiak has sometimes only kept 3 RB's and others 4.

At the TE position we have Green, Daniels, Casey, Joe Don Duncan (One thing to think about with this position and with the RB position is good chance the coaches want to keep at least one of these guys to play the FB position).

At WR this might be the craziest position in we have DT, Latimer, Sanders, Caldwell, Taylor, Norwood, Fowler, Patton, Palmer, and Burse. Most likely only keep 5 at this position.

As much as I love that our team has some amazing depth this year it is also going to be tough to say good bye to some of these guys knowing just how hard they have worked and good chance that on at least a few other teams they would have made the cut with less depth at the positions.

 

[Duffman]

I think we'll either have Casey at FB and cut Duncan or keep Casey at TE, cut Duncan, move Thompson to FB and keep Anderson, Ball, and Hillman.

 

[TDs3nOut]

Also was looking at our depth chart a little earlier and while I know we haven't even seen these guys in a preseason game what is everybody's prediction about the RB's, TE's, and WR's?

At the RB position we have Anderson, Ball, Hillman, Thompson, and Bibbs. Depending on the season Kubiak has sometimes only kept 3 RB's and others 4.

At the TE position we have Green, Daniels, Casey, Joe Don Duncan (One thing to think about with this position and with the RB position is good chance the coaches want to keep at least one of these guys to play the FB position).

At WR this might be the craziest position in we have DT, Latimer, Sanders, Caldwell, Taylor, Norwood, Fowler, Patton, Palmer, and Burse. Most likely only keep 5 at this position.

As much as I love that our team has some amazing depth this year it is also going to be tough to say good bye to some of these guys knowing just how hard they have worked and good chance that on at least a few other teams they would have made the cut with less depth at the positions.

As you mention, we'll have a better idea after the preseason, but as it stands now, here is my guess:

RB -- Anderson, Ball, Hillman, and Thompson (possible Juwan can play FB)
TE/FB -- Daniels, Green, Casey, and Duncan
WR -- Thomas, Sanders, Latimer, Patton, and Fowler

 

[cdumler7]

I think we'll either have Casey at FB and cut Duncan or keep Casey at TE, cut Duncan, move Thompson to FB and keep Anderson, Ball, and Hillman.

I'm definitely torn on some of that. From what I understand Duncan is the very definition of what Elway had said at the end of the year of looking for guys that will go down kicking and screaming. He had a hit today at practice that some of the fans said looked like it knocked the fillings out of one of the linebackers. To me that reminds me of our Super Bowl years with Howard Griffith. Throw in he is like Griffith in not only being a great blocker but also has some good hands out of the back field and enough wiggle or at least power to run over those Corners/Safeties that would try to cover him. To me Duncan is the only one of our guys that can do that as Casey is too small and just not that power guy and Thompson as well is way too small to really be that full time FB that you really look for. He can be a guy that comes in giving us a more 2-back set that can surprise but I just don't see any true FB other than Duncan.

 

[cdumler7]

As you mention, we'll have a better idea after the preseason, but as it stands now, here is my guess:

RB -- Anderson, Ball, Hillman, and Thompson (possible Juwan can play FB)
TE/FB -- Daniels, Green, Casey, and Duncan
WR -- Thomas, Sanders, Latimer, Patton, and Fowler

Just to give people a head's up the team has yet to play Thompson a single snap at FB this training camp. It doesn't mean they won't at some point and doesn't mean he can't get some snaps there even during a game but I don't see him being the answer at FB. I mean we are talking about a guy that is probably 20 maybe 30 lbs. too light to be that big bruiser of a FB that you really want. That is why I honestly do think Duncan has a big place on this team and will be a surprise to some. He is my guy that the main stream media after about week 5 or so will be asking the question of "Who the heck is this Joe Don Duncan kid?"

 

[TDs3nOut]

Just to give people a head's up the team has yet to play Thompson a single snap at FB this training camp. It doesn't mean they won't at some point and doesn't mean he can't get some snaps there even during a game but I don't see him being the answer at FB. I mean we are talking about a guy that is probably 20 maybe 30 lbs. too light to be that big bruiser of a FB that you really want. That is why I honestly do think Duncan has a big place on this team and will be a surprise to some. He is my guy that the main stream media after about week 5 or so will be asking the question of "Who the heck is this Joe Don Duncan kid?"

I had read some speculation that Thompson might get a look at FB. I actually thought that he is bigger than he is, but he's only listed at 224 lbs on espn.com, about the same as CJ. I guess between Casey (who I feel sure will make the team) and Duncan (who I think is likely to make the team), it probably doesn't make sense to see what Thompson can do at FB.

 

[cdumler7]

I had read some speculation that Thompson might get a look at FB. I actually thought that he is bigger than he is, but he's only listed at 224 lbs on espn.com, about the same as CJ. I guess between Casey (who I feel sure will make the team) and Duncan (who I think is likely to make the team), it probably doesn't make sense to see what Thompson can do at FB.

Here is what I would love to see the Broncos bring back this season. I would love to see them run the T-formation. This is where you have 2-TE's on the OL. You then have a FB in the middle of 2 HB's and you just have no idea which way the play is going but have Anderson and Thompson be the two back so either way you go you have a big HB paving the way with Duncan following right behind. I think on the goal line this would be an unstoppable formation. Lots of muscle wherever the hole is at.

Another is the wishbone which has some similar ideas to it as that of the T-formation. I know these are old school but with so many teams forming their roster to stop the pass these days I do actually think some of these old school formations could make a come back with teams just not having the beef up front to always match up. We could also go the old school college Veer formation.

 

[TDs3nOut]

Here is what I would love to see the Broncos bring back this season. I would love to see them run the T-formation. This is where you have 2-TE's on the OL. You then have a FB in the middle of 2 HB's and you just have no idea which way the play is going but have Anderson and Thompson be the two back so either way you go you have a big HB paving the way with Duncan following right behind. I think on the goal line this would be an unstoppable formation. Lots of muscle wherever the hole is at.

Another is the wishbone which has some similar ideas to it as that of the T-formation. I know these are old school but with so many teams forming their roster to stop the pass these days I do actually think some of these old school formations could make a come back with teams just not having the beef up front to always match up. We could also go the old school college Veer formation.

I don't know whether those formations would work or not -- perhaps they would -- but you are certainly right that they are old school!

Since you mention the Veer, I feel compelled to mention that it was invented by the great Bill Yeoman at UH, which in turn reminds me that Wade Phillips is a Coog! LOL

I am looking forward to seeing Duncan play. Hoping he might be the best blocking back we've had since Howard Griffith.

 

[cdumler7]

I don't know whether those formations would work or not -- perhaps they would -- but you are certainly right that they are old school!

Since you mention the Veer, I feel compelled to mention that it was invented by the great Bill Yeoman at UH, which in turn reminds me that Wade Phillips is a Coog! LOL

I am looking forward to seeing Duncan play. Hoping he might be the best blocking back we've had since Howard Griffith.

Haha nice throw back reference. Yeah not sure how they would do but like I said I do actually kind of like them for our team. Many of them have the 2-TE set which we have guys in Daniels, Casey, and even Green that have shown they can both block and be a decent receiver. We also have RB's/FB that have shown to have good hands so I do think this is a formation that we can run near the goal line and even surprise some people that we throw out of the system. The only problem with many of these systems is the fact that it takes DT, Sanders, and Latimer off the field and those 3 could be some of our best weapons on the entire team.

On that note I do think the team will start out early in the season playing in big formations helping especially Sambrailo out on the left side. Unfortunately this probably means Latimer spends a little more time on the sideline until the team feels they can take the training wheels off of Sambrailo maybe half way through the season.

 

[cdumler7]

Can't believe I forgot to mention this earlier in some of the reports but Peyton has impressed not only with his accuracy but with his arm strength at camp. They said he had a perfect 50 yard bomb thrown to Sanders the other day that left the players that have seen him for the last 3 years even impressed with his pass. He hit about 3 of these in practice on Friday.

Also maybe even bigger news Peyton ran a roll out play didn't see anybody open and actually took off running down the field picking up quite a few yards. This maybe brings back some bad memories from last year's playoff loss where he had open field and didn't take off running. Might be a different story this year or maybe the same once the hitting starts but good to hear they are moving Peyton around and having him run even Kubiak's well known roll out plays.

 

[WalkerBoh]

I've been saying for a couple years that we could use a FB in this offense that can also catch passes. Encountered a lot of resistance from some who just couldn't see Manning running such an offense. He just "had to have his 3 wr sets" after all. I think we are finally on the right track offensively, and I think Manning will grow to appreciate how it can help him. Manning moving around a bit is going to throw some teams for a loop.

As for Kubiak and his weaknesses, that's why we (and teams in general) need a strong GM presence. Too often head coaches take on too much power and the team falters. Shanny is a Denver case in point. I think Kubiak working under Elway will eliminate those weaknesses.

Watching Manning on a designed roll out is going to be freaky to watch.

 

[randymon]

I find myself pretty much rooting for all those guys to make team but I know it's not going to happen. I'm going to wait till after 2nd gm of preseason to get better feel for which guys I think stand a good shot at being final roster guys. Right now with virtually no real gm exposure to view of these guys, I really can't even guess. Except of course the ones we all figure to make team. I have my favs of course in Bibbs,JTaylor,JDD,Barrett,Patton,everyone on the O-line cause we might need them and a couple more guys.

 

[randymon]

Joe Don got a little payback today after " big " hit. Sounds like he's ok and ran off field and to locker room under his own power . Being looked after and so far no negative reports. What I'd like to know is who put the hit on him that put that big boy down. No small feat. Anybody see it?

 

[TDs3nOut]

Joe Don got a little payback today after " big " hit. Sounds like he's ok and ran off field and to locker room under his own power . Being looked after and so far no negative reports. What I'd like to know is who put the hit on him that put that big boy down. No small feat. Anybody see it?

This is all I saw about Duncan yesterday: " .. FB/TE Joe Don Duncan left practice with a neck injury suffered in a collision as he pulled to the right side to block for RB Montee Ball. Trainers examined him on the field before he walked back to the locker room under his own power."

 

[cdumler7]

I've been saying for a couple years that we could use a FB in this offense that can also catch passes. Encountered a lot of resistance from some who just couldn't see Manning running such an offense. He just "had to have his 3 wr sets" after all. I think we are finally on the right track offensively, and I think Manning will grow to appreciate how it can help him. Manning moving around a bit is going to throw some teams for a loop.

As for Kubiak and his weaknesses, that's why we (and teams in general) need a strong GM presence. Too often head coaches take on too much power and the team falters. Shanny is a Denver case in point. I think Kubiak working under Elway will eliminate those weaknesses.

Watching Manning on a designed roll out is going to be freaky to watch.

I was one of those saying we couldn't have a FB with this offense. It was based on what Manning has had in the past and what he likes to do on offense. I am starting to see the light the more I read from camp though as the team really is trying to make this team less and less about Manning and more about the entire team and finding different ways to win. I'm loving when I read about Joe Don Duncan lighting somebody up or that of Manning actually running the boot leg play and actually looking good at it. People have to remember that Manning spent the majority of his off season training with a guy known for helping to increase speed and quickness late in the career of some of the top professionals. This guy has helped quite a few of the top athletes save their careers at the end. Heck even the Broncos trainer said that Manning actually set his all time highs in weightlifting since he came to Denver and they were saying at practice Manning was firing some perfect 50 yard bombs.

 

[cdumler7]

This is all I saw about Duncan yesterday: " .. FB/TE Joe Don Duncan left practice with a neck injury suffered in a collision as he pulled to the right side to block for RB Montee Ball. Trainers examined him on the field before he walked back to the locker room under his own power."

Duncan was back for the walk through later that evening so doesn't sound like it was more than just a stinger.

 

[randymon]

Of course Denver wants to keep Manning as healthy as possible later in season and rightfully so but I think Elway and co. have figured out even without an ageing qb, if SB history has taught us anything is that your chances to get there and win is based on a good run game, a smart qb, strong D and good special teams play. A high octane throwing offense with a mediocre D will almost always fall to a balanced offense with a strong D. Hopefully we'll have that with this team this yr and so far I believe it is possible.

 

[cdumler7]

Denver Broncos first depth chart came out today! Now can't read too much into this yet but there are a few things of interest.

1) They have the OL right now as Sambrailo-Garcia-Paradis-Vasquez-Harris. So 3 guys starting that have never taken an actual snap in an NFL game. They are definitely fine with trusting the young guys.

2) At WR it looks like Caldwell is still our 4th WR on the team. Nathan Palmer and Jordan Norwood are the two on the depth chart next.

3) At the RB position they have Anderson, Ball, Hillman as the top-3.

4) The NT position does have some surprise. No surprise on the starter in Sly but behind him they have the rookie Kilgo, then newly signed Fua, and finally that of Austin. Most thought Austin would maybe even push for the starter spot. Maybe this is the team telling him "time to get out of the tub and back onto the field to earn your spot on this team."

5) Omar Bolden is listed as both the kick off and punt returner for the team.

 

[cdumler7]

Also wanted to put this out there but will be at Training Camp on Wednesday if anybody happens to be around let me know and maybe go get a beer after practice. Would love to meet any of you that I could. Always enjoy this group.

 

[randymon]

Yeah Cd saw that not too long ago and agree the biggest surprises,if you want to call them that at this juncture who be Parridis, Kilgore and Bolden ( punt returns over Patton). I was watching highlights of Kilgore and listening to Kubs talk about him and it looks very positive for him so far anyway. Hillman they also mentioned might have to find a niche in ST's to solidify roster spot as well. J Thompson seems to have edge with his FB and ST's play. Can't wait to see these guys and others come Fri. We should get a decent look at who wants a job more for a lot of these guys. Hope my boy Bibbs impresses