Ladell Betts runs through Justin King of the St. Louis Rams in 2009. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

How bad is the Denver Broncos current situation at running back?

I’m not sure, but you be the judge based on the fact that the Broncos are bringing in former Washington Redskins running back Ladell Betts tomorrow, according to NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora.

KDVR Fox 31’s Josina Anderson is citing sources close to the Broncos stating that Betts is in demand at the moment and is scheduled to fly to New Orleans for a workout with the Saints immediately after seeing the Broncos tomorrow.

Betts has spelled former Broncos running back Clinton Portis most of his career.  Last year he gained only 210 yards on 56 carries before suffering an  injury in November.

Betts’ best season came in 2006 when he rushed 245 times for 1,154 yards, with 53 receptions for 445 yards. He hadn’t rushed more than a 100 times prior and hasn’t since the 2006 season.

Most Broncos players were given a respite Tuesday afternoon, walking through plays in shorts and sweats (PHOTO: BroncoTalk.net)

It was an afternoon of rest for the majority of Denver Broncos players Tuesday that included the long-awaited on-field, in-jersey debut of one veteran free agent acquisition.

Attendance Report: NT Jamal Williams was in a practice jersey but only observed the walkthrough. LB D.J. Williams, S Josh Barrett, and WR Kenny McKinley also returned after missing the morning session, with limited or no participation. Practice was closed to the public.

I counted 34 Broncos with leg pads; they would ultimately complete the ensemble with shoulder pads in preparation of the drills and 11-on-11’s to come. All rookies donned the pads, including Tim Tebow, along with a number of backup veterans. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Demarius Thomas misses a pass during the afternoon session of the first day of NFL football training camp at Broncos headquarters in Englewood, Colo., Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

It was more defensive domination Tuesday as the Denver Broncos returned for Day Three of their 2010 training camp.  Fumbles and blown assignments highlighted a run-heavy practice that saw all four running backs split reps, although the offense certainly made a few highlight-reel-worthy plays.

Attendance Report: LB D.J. Williams, WR Kenny McKinley, S Josh Barrett, DL Chris Baker, NT Jamal Williams, LB Darrell Reid, T Ryan Clady, RB Knowshon Moreno, and RB Correll Buckhalter missed practice. 1,646 fans in attendance.

Studs

DL Ryan McBean — I’ve been impressed with McBean for a few practices now, and he finally gets a little spotlight for his efforts. In one-on-one drills, McBean is the toughest challenge for the opposing blocker. Today he tossed rookie Paul Duncan around before besting Tyler Polumbus a few minutes later. Moreover, the offense has struggled running to the left side in team drills in large part because Polumbus and Zane Beadles have yet to figure out how to handle both McBean and Elvis Dumervil. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Josh McDaniels, Perrish Cox, Toney Baker, Renaldo Hill, Brian Dawkins, and Justin Bannan address the media after Tuesday a.m. practice.

HEAD COACH JOSH McDANIELS

On if he saw any improvements today

“Maybe on one side. You know, again, we started well. I thought the offense finished well on the two-minute drive. You know, there were some things in the middle we weren’t real pleased with, but again that’s training camp. We’re making progress in a lot of different areas. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Running back Toney Baker, DB Perrish Cox, and head coach Josh McDaniels address the media after Tuesday’s morning practice.

RB Toney Baker

DB Perrish Cox Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams missed his second practice in three days Tuesday, leaving many wondering about the status of the 2009 Pro Bowl alternate. After practice, Head Coach Josh McDaniels said that his absence isn’t necessarily a sign that something is wrong.

“There are going to be a lot of guys in and out of training camp,” McDaniels said. “It’s not uncommon…. There are some guys we want to make sure we monitor and are smart with — we take care of. D.J. is one of them. That doesn’t mean that guys don’t have things we need to nourish back to health either, so you know, there’s nothing wrong with D.J. We’ll have him out here soon.”

Williams missed Sunday’s p.m. practice but participated fully in Monday’s session. He seemed to bounce back after what looked like a tough opening practice Sunday morning, but his absence Tuesday indicates there may be something setting back the former defensive captain.

Also missing from Tuesday practice were DL Chris Baker, S Josh Barrett, and WR Kenny McKinley. NT Jamal Williams, LB Darrell Reid, T Ryan Clady, and RB’s Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter continued to miss time due to injury or conditioning.

We’ll keep you posted on any developments on Williams, Baker, Barrett, and McKinley.  Full practice report in a bit.

HEAD COACH JOSH McDANIELS

On why the offense had to run a lap

“False start, not enough in the huddle, sloppy. Too many mistakes late in practice and when you get tired things like that can happen and we certainly can’t allow it, so just a reminder that that is the kind of stuff that will get you beat.” Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels talks following NFL football training camp at Broncos headquarters in Englewood, Colo., Monday, Aug. 2, 2010. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

It was a day of shouting, a day of cursing, and for the offense, a day of running laps late in practice as the Denver Broncos wrapped up Day Two of their 2010 training camp Monday.

“False start, not enough in the huddle,” Head Coach Josh McDaniels told reporters after practice when asked why he ordered the entire offense to run laps. “Sloppy.”

You could hear the coach’s frustrations throughout the entire practice. If they were mid-game, he might have been asking if they were going to “win a mother-****ing” one.

McDaniels was very vocal and hands-on with both the offense and defense Monday.

“It was better early, but then faded late,” McDaniels said. “We’re just focusing on trying to put together two hours of good football.”

While the tone and offensive punishment put a damper on an already cloudy day, the good news is that the Broncos escaped Monday’s practice injury-free, and ready for double duty Tuesday. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Head Coach Josh McDaniels, wide receivers Matthew Willis and Brandon Stokley, and quarterback Brady Quinn address the media after practice.

Josh McDaniels

Matthew Willis Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Denver Broncos quarterbacks (L-R) Brady Quinn and Tim Tebow walk down the field during practice in Englewood, Colorado July 30, 2010. Rookies worked out for three days before the veteran players report on August 1st. (REUTERS/Rick Wilking)

“BT Camp Scout” is a new feature I’m trying this year. Basically, while I’m covering camp, you can expect quotes, audio/video, and a general practice report at the end of each session — same as last year. But this is where I’ll dig into deeper notes of interest. I’ll talk about drills, who looked good, who didn’t; who hustled, who didn’t; and give away daily stud/dud awards. This is the stuff you won’t find anywhere else.

It’s 8:15 a.m., fifteen minutes before the Denver Broncos unofficially begin their 2010 season, and Kyle Orton, Brady Quinn, and Tim Tebow are all on the field. There’s no sign of tension after the offseason controversy involved in the drafting of Tebow, the trading for Quinn, or the contract status of Orton; all three know their place, but seeing them all out working early is a sign that none are prepared to relinquish valuable practice reps, let alone the attention of those coaches who would decide their fate.

As various receivers and tight ends toss footballs between the three quarterbacks, defensive lineman Ben Garland stretches on the east field alone. Garland, who has pledged himself to the Air Force and will leave camp to report if and when called, was making an early statement he would echo throughout practice: one of hard work, hustle, and noticeably good effort on every drill and every play.

Overall, as a team, the Broncos mirrored Garland’s effort in Day One. If there was one theme to the first day of practice, it was of hustle and effort, moreso than I can remember in last year’s camp opener. Click here to read the rest of this entry »