I’m changing this up again, after over a year. No more one-sentence quick hits of about 8 or 9 links long. Instead, 3-4 paragraphs discussing only the good news items of the day, then maybe a few quick links afterward. Just kicking the tires on this; let me know what you think.

• Jay Cutler picked the Cowboys apart during a two-minute drill Thursday afternoon. This tells me two things – Cutler’s growing into the elite quarterback that most hope he will become, and the offensive line handled their business. Ryan Clady, in particular, has had his hands full against Cowboys pass rusher DeMarcus Ware. The RMN has a nice breakdown of their matchups here. For the record, Cutler was 9 of 10 on the drill, with the only incompletion being a dropped pass by Brandon Marshall. Anyone not encouraged by this needs to check themselves.
• Speaking of the offense, the playcalling will be handled a little differently this year – no longer just from the headset of Head Coach Mike Shanahan. Offensive coaches Jeremy Bates (passing game coordinator), Rick Dennison (running game coordinator), and Jedd Fisch (WR coach) will do a play-by-committee approach with Bates giving Cutler the signals. Dennison and Bates will obviously have more say in their respective areas, running vs. passing.
• Ryan Torain discusses his surgery and rehab thus far in his latest blog post.  For now, he’s resting, but next week Greek will start the rehab and treatment process with Torain. Getting him back for the second half of the season could be a huge boost.
• D.J. Williams is happy to be back on the weak side.  He says his athleticism and vision make him a perfect fit for Will, and it’s hard to disagree.  He moves inside during nickel packages, showing his versatility.  I really, REALLY hope the Broncos work on a contract extension for him sooner rather than later.

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Yesterday’s winnder: Arden – “…and then Al Davis makes all the coaches go like this when he enters and exits the room…” Honorable mention: JD, Herc.

Nate Webster, au natural, with Doom looking on. (Getty Images)

Your wittiest, most cleverest captions in the comments…

FIGHT! Today’s headlines from the Broncos and Cowboys 2nd morning practice include a brawl between the teams, Nate Webster showing steps in becoming a leader, and plays made on both sides during team drills.

CBS4 Denver —

During a team drill, defensive tackle Marcus Thomas burst into the Cowboys backfield and stopped the running back for a loss.

That led to a shoving match and a moment later Cowboys offensive tackle Flozell Adams ripped off Thomas’ helmet and swung it like a club.

Instantly, all the players on the field and on the sideline plus all the coaches rushed in to break up the fight. The mob weaved and forth for a few seconds and then the two teams separated.

DenverBroncos.com —

Both teams got caught up in the scuffle, some shoves and words were exchanged, but cooler heads prevailed. Nate Webster made sure that the Cowboys were reminded of their frustrations, yelling, “defense” as the teams separated. A few plays later Webster literally reminded the Cowboys of their offensive stuggles, laying a devastating hit on a Cowboys receiver as he attempted to make a grab along the sideline.

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

HEAD COACH MIKE SHANAHAN

On the morning practice —
“I felt we had a great practice today, an extension of what we had yesterday. We got a chance to evaluate a lot of our people. We got a chance to evaluate them under different conditions, (and) we are very pleased.”

On practice being more intense than Wednesday’s sessions —
“Usually, the second day is always that way. It was the same way last year. I’ve probably practiced with a different team seven or eight times since I’ve been in the National Football League, and it never changes. That second day is usually a bit more competitive and we had some great work.”

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

So, you’ve been suspended two games from the NFL. You’re banned from the practice field. The team’s training facilities’ doors are all locked to you. Game tape is nowhere to be seen. You’re $52,000 less rich than you would have been otherwise, and you have all the time in the world on your hands.

Sounds like a recipe for disaster, no?

Not if you’re Brandon Marshall, and perhaps more importantly, your BFF just happens to be your quarterback. Jay Cutler will serve as Marshall’s host while Brandon serves his 2-3 game suspension, the Rocky Mountain News reports, allowing his wide receiver to stay in his basement in the interim.

That’s not all. Cutler and Marshall plan on making the best of this time together. Marshall outlined the plan after practice on Wednesday:

“What we’re going to do is, I’m going to stay in the game plan. And at night, we’re going to throw,” Marshall explained. “And after we throw, we’ll watch film and he’s going to go over the game plan with me as if I was there.”

Marshall hopes this will be a chance to show how grateful he’s been to Cutler and the Broncos organization.

“Jay’s been great,” Marshall said of his fall-back plan. “The whole Denver Broncos organization has been great to me.

“All I can do is just show them that I’m here now, and when I get back and be accountable.”

I have to say I love this move from all angles. What’s the old saying – idle hands are the devil’s tools? Nothing to worry about here. Marshall has taken Cutler’s previous comments in stride, and seems to be doing everything he can to turn the corner on his life and his career.

The bonus, from a strictly X’s and O’s standpoint, is that Marshall will be keyed into Denver’s game plan as they prepare for back-to-back weeks against division opponents – preparations that will surely come in handy when the teams meet again later in the year.

• Brandon Marshall strikes back at Adam Jones‘ comments in yesterday’s afternoon practice.  [ESPN]
• This morning, he has a new sign: “Adam’s no Pacman.”  I think he’s calling you out, Mr. Jones.  [Denver Post]
• Marshall and Jay Cutler have a plan to get through the suspension blues: becoming roommates!  [Rocky Mountain News]
• Eddie Royal had another strong practice Wednesday against the Cowboys.  [DPO]
• The traveling circus that is the Dallas Cowboys.  [RMN]
• Yes, we get it – the Cowboys are bigger.  [Boulder Daily Camera]
• Samie Parker is still holding out hope to contribute.  [RMN]
• Ryan Torain hopes to get healthy so his impact can be felt as well.  [Colorado Springs Gazette]
• Cowboys Coach Wade Wilson and Cutler have something in common.  [DPO]

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Yesterday’s winner: It’s a tie, I can’t decide. Boisebroncoguy – “Step… 2… 3… 4… turn…. 2… 3… 4… now dip.” GreasyQTip – “New From Fox: Full Contact Dancing With The Stars.” Honorable mention: andy b. Today’s Create-a-Caption:

Cowboys Coach Wade Phillips and Shanny (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Your wittiest, most cleverest captions in the comments…

ProFootballTalk.com is reporting that former Denver Broncos safety John Lynch has signed with the New England Patriots. The nine-time Pro Bowler visited with the team on Wednesday.

I love John Lynch and can’t thank him enough for his years in Denver. He was a stand up guy and a leader on this team, both physically and vocally. Those types of guys are hard to find. I wish him the best in New England.

The blogosphere is erupting with news from the first day of practice between the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos – we already discussed how Pacman Jones tried to rip into Brandon Marshall – let’s run down the other notes from practice.

DenverBroncos.com —

In defensive line vs. offensive line one-on-ones, Dewayne Robertson looked to be unstoppable. Whether it was one-on-ones or two-on-twos, the 6-foot-1, 308-pound defensive tackle consistently bullied his way to the quarterback.

Dallas Morning News —

Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler was confusing some of the Cowboys’ secondary players with some shoulder fakes during 11-on-11. Adam Jones bit on one fake on a completion.

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

HEAD COACH MIKE SHANAHAN

On the morning practice with the Cowboys
“I thought we got some great work in today. I thought both sides were very professional in their approach. We have a little different schemes on both sides of the ball, and it was good work for Dallas and obviously the Broncos. We have a practice this afternoon, and I’m looking forward to that.

“They have a different type of offense and a different type of defense. We get a chance to work against a 3-4 look, and they get a chance to take a look at a four-man front. I thought it was good for both teams. It was a very healthy practice and there was some good, fresh hitting. You go against somebody where you don’t know their tendencies, so everybody plays a little bit more honest and it’s a good evaluation process for us.”

More quotes from Coach and Cutler after the jump »

Looks like Marshall had no trouble beating Pacman here. (Kyle Sonneman – DenverBroncos.com)

It didn’t take long for the practices between the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos to get ugly. Cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones drew first blood, when asked to compare Broncos WR Brandon Marshall with oft-compared Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens:

“He’s nowhere near T.O. He’s a good athlete, but he ain’t on T.O.’s level. T.O. is 10 times faster and 10 times bigger. I wouldn’t say he’s nowhere near T.O.”

Marshall’s quarterback, Jay Cutler, was quick to defend his #1 target, reminding everyone that they couldn’t care less about Jones’ opinion. “We go against Champ Bailey every day.”

Reportedly Marshall and Cutler got the best of Jones repeatedly in drills this morning – read more about this morning’s practice here. I love Cutler’s response – short and to the point. If Marshall can’t hold a candle to T.O., and Jones can’t cover Marshall for the life of him, what does that say about a guy a lot of Cowboys fans are hoping will become the team’s premiere #2 cornerback this year?

Pacman rips Marshall [CBS4 Denver]

Practice? We’re talking about practice?! Practice?!

Yes, Allen, we’re talking about practice. Last year the sessions between the Denver Broncos and the Dallas Cowboys didn’t go so well. It was precursor to a disastrous 34-20 preseason loss where the score doesn’t quite tell the whole story. That game was a precursor to the most disappointing Denver Broncos season since 1996.

Yes, fellow fans, I’m sitting up and paying attention to these camp reports. I want to make sure that Jarvis Moss isn’t getting knocked around against their big offensive linemen again (and the defensive line in general). I want to make sure our offensive line can better handle their defense. I want to see Cutler pick apart their secondary with the poise and accuracy he’s capable of, given the time and protection in the pocket.

The DenverBroncos.com blog will have updates, as well as this Cowboys blog that will give a Dallas angle twice. I plan on following both closely.

The Cowboys had their way with us last year – I’m not intimidated, I’m thirsty for revenge, and I hope my Broncos come with that same attitude all week.

Photo Credit: AP/Matt Slocum