Denver Broncos Training Camp 2010 – 08/04 a.m. – Perrish Cox ascends

Denver Broncos defensive backs Nate Jones (33), Perrish Cox (32) and Alphonso Smith (22) run drills in training camp on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 (BroncoTalk.net).

When a star player isn’t participating in practice, it represents an opportunity for someone buried on the depth chart to step up and make a statement.  Today, rookie cornerback Perrish Cox did exactly that.

Cox started in place of Champ Bailey, who was missing from this morning’s private session, and finished practice with two interceptions and a number of pass breakups.  The rookie from Oklahoma State, who was selected by the Broncos in the 5th round (137th overall) of this year’s draft, was aggressive in his coverage, consistent in his technique, and ball-hungry when the quarterback threw his way.

“Going in with the one’s, I was nervous,” Cox said after practice. “I didn’t want to make no mistakes, and that was kind of the biggest part.  I was thinking so much.  It was kind of hurting me on the smaller things, as far as where my hip is and everything.  So getting in a few days under my belt with (the ones) has put me in a bit of a comfort mode where I’m kind of comfortable, studying my playbook as much as I can, and talking to Coach Ed (secondary coach Ed Donatell).” 

His previous experience with the first team paid off.  He first intercepted Kyle Orton by jumping a short crossing route intended for Richard Quinn.  Later, he picked off Orton again, this time with a hugely impressive leaping grab at Orton’s deep sideline attempt to Brandon Lloyd.  Cox’s impressive day also included a number of pass breakups, at least two of which came in the end zone.

His coaches were pleased, indeed.

“Coach Ed used to come at me after every practice and say, ‘Technique, technique, technique!’,” Cox said. “Today he kind of backed off, gave me a high five.”

Cox wasn’t the only one shuffling the depth chart Wednesday (however temporarily in his case) — D’Anthony Batiste took over the left tackle spot from Tyler Polumbus.

Attendance: 13 players missed the morning session: T Ryan Clady, LB Darrell Reid, NT Jamal Williams, RB Knowshon Moreno, RB Correll Buckhalter, CB Champ Bailey, S Brian Dawkins, S Josh Barrett, WR Kenny McKinley, WR Brandon Stokley, DT Chris Baker, LB Joe Mays, and LB D.J. Williams.  The session was closed to the public, although there were a few hundred VIP guests in attendance.

Injury Report: NT Ronald Fields left practice early, walking to the locker room under his own power. This left the Broncos without a pure nose tackle in uniform, with Jamal Williams PUP’ed and Chris Baker out. Marcus Thomas filled in in their absence. McDaniels indicated after practice that Jamal could see the field for the first time tomorrow.

What I Liked

CB Perrish Cox — What really impressed me today was his aggression and closing speed.  He has an eye for the football and the ability to adjust quickly — moreso than his opposing receivers in the instances I saw today.  When Tim Tebow threw late on a route to Demaryius Thomas, it was Cox, not Thomas, who better adjusted to make the play (in this case a pass breakup). Just a great day for the rook.

Denver Broncos wide receivers Eddie Royal (19) and Matthew Willis (12) participate in the team's training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010 (BroncoTalk.net)

WR Eddie Royal — Royal was getting pretty consistent separation today, which was a nice change.  He was also getting behind the defense repeatedly, and if his quarterbacks had thrown nicer balls he would have had a number of deep catches (they were overthrown a few times).  His deep touchdown reception from Orton, however, was the offensive play of the day.

LB Jarvis Moss — A nice, bounce-back day for Jarvis, who was a “Dud” yesterday.  I saw him more energetic and aggressive today, causing disruption at the line of scrimmage, and on one play he was able to quickly burst through the offensive line unblocked for a sack.

What I Didn’t Like

QB Kyle Orton — I don’t want to rip on Orton, because he’s clearly the best quarterback of the three.  He has command of the field, his teammates’ respect, and did indeed have a number of good throws today.  But he had a number of bad ones, too.  He only completed one or two passes in red zone work (the defense simply dominated) and had at least three interceptions, possibly more, in summation today.  The first team’s attempt at the two-minute drill ended on the third play, when Orton’s 15-yard bullet over the middle was intercepted by Nate Jones. A lot of these slip-ups can be attributed to the slew of young receivers he’s working with, and the fact that it’s still early in camp and the veteran defense has a discernable edge. But some of that falls on #8, too, so he gets mentioned here.

TE Richard Quinn — Quinn hasn’t been all that impressive in training camp thus far.  There was noticeable confusion on Quinn’s part on a number of routes, which drew angry shouts his way from a number of coaches.  While I’m certainly not watching Quinn the entire time every practice, I can’t remember him hauling in a single difficult or even impressive catch.

Play of the Day #1

Cox’s ridiculous deep sideline interception intended for Brandon Lloyd, captured in all its photographic glory here.

Play of the Day #2

In red zone work, Jabar Gaffney had the jump on Andre Goodman for the touchdown, and Orton delivered the football right on the mark.  Goodman threw his hands up in the air just in time to disrupt Gaffney’s catch; the ball bobbled between the two for a few micro-seconds before Goodman came up with it for the blind end-zone interception.

Play of the Day #3

For a minute or two, the offense was clicking, and these back-to-back plays are evidence.  Orton hit Jabar Gaffney over the middle (and over Akin Ayodele‘s head) for a large gain.  On the next play, he delivered a beautiful rainbow that hit Eddie Royal in stride for a touchdown, beating Goodman in coverage.

Miscellany

I failed to watch Batiste closely at starting left tackle today, but at one point the 314-pound behemoth could be seen lumbering around the west field, “running” a lap. He must have done something wrong. … Matt Prater drilled what looked like a 60-plus yard field goal early in practice. Later, in the middle of offensive formations, one coach started yelling an indiscernable word, and the field goal unit hustled onto the field. In what I’m unofficially calling less than eight seconds, Prater was knocking in another field goal with no time to prepare. It reminded me very much of Mike Shanahan‘s famous “Toro!” play in 2007’s opening game against Buffalo, where the field goal squad had seconds to lineup for Jason Elam‘s game-winner. Fun to see that effect simulated in practice. … RB Bruce Hall got the majority of carries today as the backs continue to rotate reps. He’s a shifty guy who isn’t scared to run inside, but the defense dominated on the ground today, too.

Up Next

The Broncos’ next practice is today from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and open to the public.