Training Camp Report – Day 2

The Denver Broncos continued their training camp practices yesterday in preparation for the 2008 season. Saddened by our own absence at training camp this year, we’re resigned to take a look around the Internet and report what we can find. Again, this report is for yesterday’s practice… we’ll have more on today’s stuff throughout the day.

Studs

• Eddie Royal is the talk of early training camp. The guy is not only a shoo-in for the return game, but the latest buzz is that he can contribute on offense early and often. Everywhere you look, people are talking about his speed and his hands. He’s still a bit raw and needs some work, but this is something to really get excited about, Broncos fans!
• K Matt Prater is looking solid, making all but one field goal from past 40 yards. Until preseason, we won’t know for sure how the pressure will get to him, but the successful reps certainly put my mind somewhat at ease.
• My boy, Ryan Clady, improved on an inconsistent first day with his performance Saturday. Word is the guy’s not only huge, but playing very well in man-on-man and showing few rookie mistakes. If this holds true throughout the season, the Broncos are automatically improved.
• Other studs: WR Brandon Marshall, TE Tony Scheffler, QB Darrell Hackney, and DT Josh Mallard.

Duds

• Montrae, Montrae, Montrae. I can’t even express how disappointed I am in this guy. Montrae Holland never reported back to practice yesterday, and he hasn’t gotten his weight down yet. According to Head Coach Mike Shanahan, he still has quite a ways to go. “He’s going to have to lose about 20 pounds and it’s going to take some time,” Shanahan said. “When he loses it, he can come back.” Twenty pounds?! This is not good news about my favorite new Broncos last year.
• Ryan Harris was less than impressive today, with several independent reports voicing disappointment with our 2007 3rd round pick. Apparently he got beat on more than one occasion, leaving a bad taste in fans’ mouths. Something to definitely keep an eye on.

Injury Report

• Another player has been lost for the season – WR Edell Shepherd, who was a long shot to make the roster in the first place. After tearing his ACL the Broncos placed him on Injured Reserve, and Taylor Jacobs, whom the team cut a month or so ago, was re-signed.
• Ball of Steel, Chris Kuper. Balls of steel.

The Lighter Side

• It appears Wesley Woodyard‘s attempt to lead the stretching portion of practice in a camp was more successful than Clady’s rendition yesterday.

Quotes from Mike Shanahan, Boss Bailey, and Tony Scheffler after the jump.

HEAD COACH MIKE SHANAHAN

On how LB Boss Bailey fits in with the Broncos
“He’s been great. He did a great job during the offseason conditioning program and adjusted to our system very quickly. He’s got the ability to cover the tight end by himself. He plays as a coach… So far so good.”

On how LB Niko Koutouvides has played
“Good. We’ve been watching him for the last 17 days, and (we) try to get the pads on and the chance the evaluate everybody day by day. That’s what all the preseason is about—To get a pecking order and see these guys compete and see what they can do in special situations. It’s only the second day.”

On DE Jarvis Moss’ health
“Jarvis is fine. He’s had 17 practices so far, and I’m sure he’s looking forward to getting back into football shape. Any time you finish the last part of the season with an injury, it’s always a little tough to get back in the offseason. He did a great job in the offseason conditioning program. Hopefully he will continue on improving and be ready for the first preseason game.”

On WR Eddie Royal
“It doesn’t take any long to realize that he’ll become a top notch receiver as well as an excellent returner. He’s in great shape, and he’s a strong kid. But there is still a learning curve. Hopefully he will improve every day.”

LB BOSS BAILEY

On adjusting to his first training camp with the Broncos
“It is awesome. You have guys flying around. You can just tell from the guys’ energy level that everybody has bought into what we are doing and what type of flow we have on defense. That’s what you want, man. We had major carry over from practicing in the summer. We didn’t have to reinstall anything—We just went right at it and kept things going.”

On trying to hold back from full contact during practice
“It can be (frustrating) sometimes, but everybody does this. We did the same thing in Detroit, so you learn how to get used to that and that’s what preseason is for. We are just fighting to get to that first game.”

On how different it is for him in the Denver defensive system
“I’ve been through three or four defensive coordinators in Detroit, so I have seen some of everything. It’s not hard for me to adjust for anything at all. As long as the coaches explains it right and it makes sense then I’m all for it.”

On the Broncos’ locker room environment
“It’s been fun. We have a lot of clowns in there. From the defensive linemen to the defensive backs, even the linebacking corps. We have some clowns in that locker room. It’s been real fun. I’ve been enjoying myself.”

On who is the ‘class clown’ of the locker room
“Hamza (Abdullah), Fox (Domonique Foxworth) and Nate (Webster). The whole defensive line they are always clowning. It’s fun. It’s just fun to be around them. ”

On playing with his older brother, CB Champ Bailey
“It’s a lot more easier for me to be back on the field with my brother. It’s a comforting thing for me. It might be for him, too. I don’t know—You might have to ask him for that. It’s just been fun playing with him and watching and learning and trying to steal some moves from him.”

BRONCOS TIGHT END TONY SCHEFFLER

On the chemistry between him and Jay Cutler
“It’s good to be out there and taking some reps with him. He’s a great quarterback, so him and Patrick Ramsey and Darrel Hackney have all been getting reps from the top down. They are top notch quarterbacks.”

On what he liked about his performance in practice this morning
“The biggest thing for me is that I got my wind back today. I struggled a little but yesterday, just keeping my breath and that sort of thing. Foot felt great today. I didn’t notice the whole practice, so it feels good.”

On being a ‘go-to’ receiving option
“I think when the third down comes around, I’ll be one of the guys that Jay likes to come to. I just got to work on getting the ball in the air and seeing because I have been out of it for a little bit.”