In a phenomenal piece in the New York Times‘ Fifth Down Blog, former Denver Broncos tight end Nate Jackson (who was on the team from 2003-2008) breaks down what it’s like to participate in training camp at football’s highest level.

As one might expect, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Jackson breaks down the daily grind, the verbal abuse from the coaches, and how players spend their precious downtime (“however they can: napping, video games, reading, crying.”).

Okay, none of it is sunshine and rainbows.

The verbal haranguing (from the coaches) isn’t exclusive to the field. In meetings every day and night, it continues. The decibel level decreases, but it’s no less biting. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Mike Shanahan has moved on to Washington, but he left quite a financial mess for Josh McDaniels and company in Dove Valley (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Josh McDaniels inherited a number of messes when he became Denver Broncos head coach, but perhaps none were as dramatic as the amount of “dead money” on the Broncos salary cap. Denver led the league — by a number of degrees — with $29.5 million in dead cap money in 2009.

One year later, consider Mike Shanahan‘s multi-million dollar mess cleaned up. From Woody Paige’s latest mailbag in the Denver Post —

Actually, the Broncos have about $1.5 million in dead money this season. Last year they led the league only in dead money — approximately $29.5 million. That amount cut deeply in the Broncos’ ability to sign free agents last year because it counted as almost a quarter of the $128 million salary cap for the team.

As Hardy used to say to Laurel (way before your father’s time, Jason): “This is another fine mess you’ve gotten us into.” Thank you, Mike Shanahan.

We were as big of Shanahan fans as anybody, but there’s no denying “The Mastermind” hadn’t quite “mastered” professional football economics. Josh and GM Brian Xanders cleaned up the Broncos’ cap while still bringing in the likes of Brian Dawkins, Jabar Gaffney, and Jamal Williams through free agency. Job well done, fellas.

Woody’s Mailbag: Broncos’ hopes all in the names dropping in 2010 [Denver Post]

Every year, right before their first preseason game, NFL teams release their current and very tentative depth chart. According to this one Brandon Lloyd is the number one wide reciever. Take a look for yourself. Offsense and special teams after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

• Broncos greats Terrell Davis and Steve Atwater are “interning” with Mike Shanahan in Washington.  Warning: some of these images are disturbing.
• Champ Bailey is firmly rooted in Josh McDaniels‘ corner.
• Woody Paige, trying to dethrone Kyle Orton as starting quarterback?  Nooo….
• Wednesday p.m. practice report: Brandon Stokley continues to shine, and LB Joe Mays earns some first team reps.
• The early practice didn’t go so smoothly for the offense.
• Questions loom regarding RB Correll Buckhalter‘s health, amplifying the importance of LenDale White and Justin Fargas heading into the season.
• CB Andre Goodman says he’s focusing on the mental aspects of his game this offseason.
• The latest on Shawne Merriman‘s potential ending of his holdout is straight-up Favre-esque.

Another linebacker hits the dust, but this time not in the form of an injury (at least not directly). The Broncos have waived linebacker Nick Greisen in order to make room for Johnny Williams. Greisen, a former backup to Ray Lewis, was signed last year only to tear his ACL during training camp.

Williams, who played for Kentucky in college will join former teammate Wesley Woodyard. After spending preseason playing for Jacksonville, he was waived and then signed to Pittsburgh’s practice squad on September 5th. Williams is the third Kentucky Wildcat linebacker to play for the Broncos in the past year (Woodyard and Braxton Kelley). Press release after the jump. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Lance Ball runs during practice at Dove Valley. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

In the NFL a team consists of 60 some players, countless amounts of coaches, trainers and a doctor. The business side is an owner, a general manager, a press office, the sales team, web team and the list goes on…

Though it can be argued that the thankless position lies in the public relations office or concessions, the real thankless position lies on the practice squad. If you don’t believe me think back to the last time an NFL P.R. person put their life or body on the line for a story.

The practice squad is full of some the greatest football players the NFL has ever known. They’re good enough to make it into the league; they’re extraordinary in that they’re in that less than 1% of college football players who actually get to continue on professionally… Yet, all they get in return for putting their body, their mind and their lives on the line is practice.

Study next week’s opponent, not so you can play against them, but so you can play like them. Study next week’s opponent; not because you want to beat them, but because you want to be them.

This is the life of a practice squad player in the NFL.

One of those players was kind enough to spend a bit of time with me last weekend.

His name is Lance Ball, you may not know him, but you should. Josh McDaniels does and he hand picked him amongst everyone that was available to play on his team.

(Interview after the break)

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Linebacker Robert Ayers #56 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)

At some point, the tidal wave of injuries hitting Denver needs to taper, right?

Denver Broncos outside linebacker Robert Ayers left the practice field Wednesday with an apparent left elbow/arm injury but appears to be okay, while wide receiver Jabar Gaffney also left practice with an unspecified injury.

“I’m OK,” Ayers told the Denver Post. “I just got checked out. I’m fine.”

Tight end Marquez Branson might not be so lucky.  Earlier in practice, Branson was carted off the field with a right leg/ankle injury.  Branson’s injury appeared serious.

One good day of injury news was about all the football gods could afford Mile High Country, apparently.  Glad Ayers is okay, and wish Gaffney and Branson speedy recoveries.

• SI’s Don Banks does a terrific job in his Broncos camp report,  touting LB Robert Ayers.
• ESPN’s Bill Williamson says the receiving corps looks good sans Marshall.
• BREAKING: Tight end Marquez Branson was carted off the practice field Wednesday.
• Matthew Willis and Brandon Stokley provided the big plays in practice Tuesday.
• The Broncos’ preseason game release depth chart reveals very little.
• Matt Prater is quietly and consistently getting the job done.
• Focus on the Family buys Broncos TV ad space, and insists it’s not just because of Tim Tebow.  Suuuurrrre….
• Friar Tim no more.
• The Broncos aren’t the only AFC West team with RB injury issues.

A day after Elvis Dumervil underwent surgery to repair a torn pectoral — recall that the Broncos were waiting for this surgery to really determine how long Dumervil would be out — the Post’s Mike Klis opens his mailbag with this little ditty:

“Let’s begin this mailbag by stating that based on nearly everything I’ve been hearing, Elvis Dumervil is expected back this season.”

It’s ok, do your little dance around the computer, we’ll be here….

…Never mind, just keep dancing. We still are.

Broncos Mailbag: Denver insured on Doom, but he’ll be back [Denver Post]

As we reported yesterday, the Denver Broncos brought in running back Justin Fargas Tuesday to finalize a contract.  On Wednesday morning, the team announced the signing, making Fargas officially a Bronco.  Press release after the jump. Click here to read the rest of this entry »