Denver Broncos Training Camp 2010 – Jarvis jockeys for position – 08/05

Denver Broncos linebackers Robert Ayers and Jarvis Moss on Thursday, August 5, 2010 (BroncoTalk.net)

Left side. Right side. And around and around they go.

The two men tasked with filling in the shoes of Elvis Dumervil had a busy day Thursday. Linebackers Jarvis Moss and Robert Ayers, both former first round draft picks, switched from left and right outside linebacker on nearly every play in team drills as the Denver Broncos experimented with how best to address the hole Dumervil’s pectoral injury left behind.

“There’s no way we’re going to replace (Dumervil) in terms of his production as just a single pass rusher,” Head Coach Josh McDaniels said Thursday. “I don’t think that’s fair to anybody but the way we’re going to go about trying to replace him as a player who is on the field a lot. (It) may take a few different people and may take some creativity for us.”

“Both of those guys (Ayers and Moss) had phenomenal — they were two top vote getters in the offseason program in the linebacker position and they know the opportunity that they have before them,” McDaniels said.

So, on Day One A.D. (After Doom), how did the Drafted Duo do? I’ll give the edge to Moss, since that’s what the offensive line seemed to do, while reserving plenty of my remaining two days in Denver to observe, analyze, and finalize an opinion on the matter. Your Thursday p.m. practice report after the jump.

Attendance: Absent: RB Knowshon Moreno (who was seen heading to the adjacent training building in sweats and a T-shirt), RB Correll Buckhalter, S Brian Dawkins, LB D.J. Williams, OL Dustin Fry, DT Chris Baker, DL Ben Garland, DT Ronald Fields, LB Elvis Dumervil, LB Joe Mays, LB Darrell Reid, and T Ryan Clady.

Injury Report: Thankfully, mercifully, blissfully — nothing new to report Thursday.

Linebacker Jarvis Moss #94 of the Denver Bronocs takes part in practice during training camp at Dove Valley on August 5, 2010 in Englewood, Colorado. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

What I Liked

LB Jarvis Moss — I saw him obliterate LT D’Anthony Batiste with a bullrush for what would have been a sack (or at the very least a blatant holding penalty), and saw him get good push against Batiste a few other times. But for the most part, when he moved over to LOLB and had to face RT Ryan Harris, Jarvis was contained. But one time against Harris (and against good offensive tackles, one time is all it takes), Jarvis was ready to catch the technician off guard. A quick spin and Harris was on the ground, bringing Moss down with him right around Orton’s knees. Had it been game action, Moss would have wrapped up Orton for the sack.

Moss made a few plays in run support as well. He had a nice open field tackle on Toney Baker behind the line of scrimmage after getting past Harris’ block. He’s finding a way to get around his blocker’s outside edge and still make a play. Today might have been his best practice as a Bronco, and certainly the best I’ve seen.

Now, Moss still needs some work. He’s a bit awkward in his rush and gets shut down more often than not, but the main difference with Moss now from a year ago is his effort and intensity, play in and play out. A year ago he was contemplating retirement; this year he might have to start 16 games for the Broncos, and the work appears to be there. I recognize the difference in his motivation and honor him thus here.

WR Eddie Royal — After a quiet start to camp, Eddie Royal is coming on strong. He had a beautiful diving near-catch in the end zone that was originally ruled a touchdown (NFL refs were overseeing practice today), but the back judge ruled it incomplete after Nate Jones, who was in coverage, lobbied for it. He still had a number of good catches, though, including the Play of the Day.

NT Jamal Williams — Not any play in particular, just his physical presence. This guy is an imposing figure. I saw him outside the training room in a T-shirt throughout the week, and the guy looked big, but put a set of pads on the man, line him up next to his peers and you really gain an appreciation for his girth and strength. M-A-S-S-I-V-E. He’s even bigger than Justin Bannan, whose arms have already been giving me nightmares all week.

Mud Bowl II — It was a nice change of pace for the media, too. At least it was for this fan blogger.

What I Didn’t Like

TE Richard Quinn — The controversial second round draft choice from a year ago continues to drop passes, both in team and individual drills. It’s becoming disheartening.

RB Bruce Hall — It was the second day where Bruce Hall was “the guy,” meaning “the guy getting the most reps at running back,” and again I wasn’t overly impressed. He’s a small back who isn’t afraid to take a hit, which is good, but I just don’t see the speed or ability to avoid defenders I’d like for a guy that size. Nothing particularly “bad” here, Hall just hasn’t wow’ed me enough. In fact, for a few days now, none of the backs have.

Play of the Day

When Kyle Orton has a pocket, he can deliver quite a football, as evidenced by his two-minute drill-completing zinger to Eddie Royal on a post route in the end zone with 40 seconds left. Safety Darcel McBath hardly had a chance. It wasn’t a big play (snapped from within the red zone), but the protection was pristine, as was the execution.

Miscellany

RB LenDale White got to carry the football today (he was resigned to the sidelines yesterday afternoon), and on one run broke free to the right side to massive cheers from the crowd.

QB Tim Tebow got his first shot at a two-minute drill Thursday. It didn’t last long. On the first snap, Tebow threw an interception to CB Tony Carter. You can half-blame fellow first-rounder Demaryius Thomas, though — the ball was right in his hands when Carter snatched it away.

With pressure coming from his blind side, quarterback Kyle Orton threw the ball away to the right sideline. Bad idea: CB Champ Bailey was waiting and made the tip-toe-tapping catch for the interception. You really can’t throw to #24’s side of the field at all.

It’s always good to see Rod Smith. The franchise’s all-time leading receptions leader graced the sidelines with his presence today.

Up Next
Two-a-days continue at Dove Valley. Two open practices Friday, the first from 8:45 to 10:30 a.m.