Denver Broncos quarterbacks (from left) Caleb Hanie, Peyton Manning, and Brock Osweiler participate in training camp practice on Sunday, July 29, 2012. (BroncoTalk.net photo)

“This is a little different,” Ring of Famer Karl Mecklenburg, a special guest of the Denver Broncos, said after practice today. “The idea that they got a day off coming up, and these one-a-days instead of two-a-days. It was nothing like that when I was playing.”

Indeed, Sunday was the fourth day of the Broncos’ 2012 training camp, and it was only the team’s fourth full practice (not counting the two media-only walkthrough sessions — which you shouldn’t). In years past the Broncos may have very well been sweating through their seventh or eighth practice on Day Four, but in 2012, with the NFL’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement, they’re in Session Four, and it was a good atmosphere to boot.

Day Four’s afternoon session was blanketed with clouds and tree cover for the 4,003 fans on the western hills of Dove Valley, and the team treated them with its first red zone work of camp. It also treated them with the appearance of Brian Dawkins and Mr. Mecklenburg, which was appropriate given the theme of the practice: the defense took control.

ROLL CALL

Right tackle Orlando Franklin sat out with what the team has determined was a slight concussion suffered Saturday, with Chris Clark predominantly filling in. Safety Quinton Carter continued to sit with a hamstring. Jamie Blatnick continues to be limited with an ankle, and Justin Bannan still has a strained calf, which sent him to the locker room at one point today.

MANNING, OFFENSE COME DOWN TO EARTH

Previous camp reports have been glowing, or if they haven’t been, it’s because I’m almost to the point of being numbed by how exquisite Peyton Manning‘s throws are. I’ve never seen a quarterback so consistently throw footballs exactly where they need to be, and I’ve never seen a quarterback so confident and in control of his offense as Manning has been.

Today, that was less the case; Manning and company fell down to earth a little bit. The stud signal caller had a few overthrown passes; he and his receiver were not always on the same page, and players like Demaryius Thomas and Virgil Green had a few drops.

Wide receiver Eric Decker, who did haul in a very nice end zone corner grab after cutting past Omar Bolden, credited the defense.

“Defense did [well],” Decker said. “We had a couple good plays offensively. I think maybe overall, defense probably got more in there but that’s the beauty of it. You come out every day, you battle and one side’s going to win and compete and make each other better.”

It was not a “bad practice” for the offense by any means (Manning was never intercepted, for instance), but when you have three excellent practices in a row, an average outing is noticeable, and Manning and company were merely average today.

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Denver Broncos rookie defensive lineman Derek Wolfe during training camp Saturday, July 28, 2012. (BroncoTalk.net photo)

One play, Derek Wolfe burst through the offensive line, sharing a sack of Caleb Hanie with Malik Jackson. A play later, he dove on a botched snap for the fumble recovery.

All this from the right defensive end position. Wolfe was drafted as a defensive tackle.

“I’m playing the call side defensive end right now, the three technique. Just all over the d-line,” Wolfe said. “That’s what I did in college, I played all over the place. I do what they need me to do.”

Versatility wasn’t what the Denver Broncos were looking for when they drafted Derek Wolfe with the 36th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. What the Broncos need from Wolfe — and what they drafted him for — was his notable relentlessness. They need someone tenacious on the defensive line who doesn’t quit. Wolfe fits that bill.

“I’m not the type of guy that’s going to run around you. I’m going to try to go through you,” boasted Wolfe. “That’s what happens when you put pads on. You try to go through people, you try to be physical.”

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The Denver Broncos have signed University of Colorado safety Anthony Perkins, according to his rep.

Congratulations to DEC client Anthony Perkins on signing with the @Denver_Broncos

— david canter (@davidcanter) July 28, 2012

Perkins, an unsigned, undrafted rookie, previously attended the Broncos’ mini-camp on a tryout basis in May. The Colorado product was hindered by injuries during his collegiate career, most recently a high ankle sprain that sidelined him four games in 2011.

Broncos S Quinton Carter‘s hamstring injury isn’t believed to be serious, so this looks like the Broncos are just adding another man to their camp roster. They still have one spot left following the release of Eric Page and Coryell Judie earlier this week.

Anthony Perkins [CU Buffs Profile]

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning throws at training camp on Saturday, July 28, 2012. (BroncoTalk.net photo)

The Denver Broncos donned the pads for the first time Saturday morning, and the sound of popping hard plastic echoed across the fields of Dove Valley. “It’s not really football when you don’t have pads on,” rookie defensive lineman Derek Wolfe volunteered. Indeed, the pads were a welcome addition to the Broncos’ 2012 training camp atmosphere.

So were the ooh’s and aah’s of the crowd, as Ring of Famers Karl Mecklenburg, Terrell Davis, and, of course, John Elway attended Saturday’s session, while Peyton Manning and Eric Decker put on a clinic for the 4,443 fans in attendance. That number broke the record set Thursday of 4,172; it was a hell of a Saturday morning show. One we’ll call, The Manning to Decker Show.

ROLL CALL

Safety Quinton Carter was held out following his hamstring injury yesterday. John Fox was hopeful they’ll get him back soon. Jamie Blatnick (ankle) continued to be limited.

John Elway (BroncoTalk.net photo)

INJURY REPORT

Right tackle Orlando Franklin left practice early with a “crick in his neck,” per Coach Fox.

THE MANNING TO DECKER SHOW

Wide receiver vs. defensive back one-on-ones are a highlight-worthy drill every practice, and today’s was no exception. The second snap of the drill was the best play of the day.

Eric Decker squared off against the one and only Champ Bailey, giving fans the perfect early setup: Hall of Fame quarterback vs. Hall of Fame cornerback, with the former’s favorite target in between. The setup didn’t disappoint. Decker ran deep down the right sideline, getting a step on Bailey as Manning threw for the end zone. The two connected for the touchdown right in front of the fans, who went absolutely wild.

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Denver Broncos players file into the South Suburban Sports Dome after lightning cancelled the outdoor practice Friday, July 27, 2012. (BroncoTalk.net photo)

Denver Broncos 2012 Training Camp Day 2 Practice Report

Nearly 3,000 Broncos fans gathered at Broncos Headquarters at Dove Valley for the second day of the team’s 2012 training camp… and nearly 3,000 fans were sent home 15 minutes later as the rain started drizzling and lightning threatened ominously nearby. The Broncos moved the practice into the South Suburban Sports Dome down the street (around 40-50 fans stood outside to cheer them on outdoors, but fans were not permitted inside).

“It was a little different,” Demaryius Thomas said. “Not enough room, but we got a lot of work done.”

Fortunately, so did we. Media were still allowed in the bubble, and our practice report from the session follows.

GOIN’ DEEP

Manning looked excellent in the bubble. He completed roughly 80% of his passes across all seven-on-seven or 11-on-11 drills, but the real highlight was Manning’s pass to Eric Decker near the end of practice. Decker ran a deep post that beat double coverage (Tracy Porter and Quinton Carter) and caught Manning’s throw in the end zone in stride.

ROLL CALL

Brandon Stokley was back at practice. Jamie Blatnick (ankle) and Justin Bannan (calf) did not participate. Quinton Carter injured his right hamstring and was seen pacing along the sideline late in practice.

NOT WET, STILL SLIPPERY

Lightning was no longer a scare in the indoor practice bubble dome, but the condition of the turf was, with players slipping often during warmups and team drills. Champ Bailey opted not to participate in seven-on-seven and full-team drills altogether (Drayton Florence filled in), and Carter’s injury occurred after he slipped on that long pass from Manning to Decker. Head Coach John Fox said they’re not in an immediate hurry to change indoor facilities, but they are aware it isn’t the best situation.

“We make do with what we got,” Fox said. “I try to stay off this stuff as much as possible, but at some times, like today, we needed the work, and this was the safe place to get it done.”

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

The Broncos will decide within the next hour to resume the outdoor session or move into their “bubble” down the street; we’ll update this post as soon as we get word.

ROLL CALL: As expected, wide receiver Brandon Stokley returned to practice after missing the opening session with the flu. We were busy confirming all players were present at practice when Mother Nature struck.

UPDATE: Practice resumed two minutes after publish!

UPDATE #2: AAaaaannnd two minutes after that, we’re moving to the practice bubble!

Be sure to follow me on Twitter for more Broncos updates throughout the day.

Denver Broncos News

Record Crowd Reacts To New Look | DenverBroncos.com
The wait is over. Training camp starts at Dove Valley as Peyton Manning and the Broncos run through a high tempo opening day practice. (VIDEO)

Denver Broncos 2012 Training Camp: Day 1 | BroncoTalk
The first training camp practice of the Denver Broncos in 2012 went off without a hitch, and in front of a record crowd.

Broncos Training Camp Practice Report: Day 1 | MaxDenver.com
Peyton Manning hadn’t seen — or heard — anything quite like the reception he received Thursday morning as he took the field in front of Broncos fans for the first time.

Record crowd watches Peyton Manning’s debut at Broncos training camp | Denver Post
The line started to form well before sunrise, and at exactly 7:55 a.m., the first Broncos fans were allowed inside the gates of Dove Valley.
Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Peyton Manning and other Denver Broncos quarterback prepare to throw as they warm up for the first training camp practice of the 2012 season. (BroncoTalk.net photo)

The first training camp practice of the Denver Broncos in 2012 went off without a hitch, and in front of a record crowd.

“It was a good first day,” Peyton Manning said. “You can tell guys have been working. Guys have continued their training since OTA’s.”

It was a particularly good first day for Manning. The Broncos’ new starting signal caller looked and sounded sharp on the field, and he had the ringing support of the 4,372 fans in attendance. Every completion (and his passes were completions, far more often than not) was greeted by a roar of applause from the surrounding grassy knolls. Manning didn’t display exceptional arm strength by any means, but was crisp with his throws and accurate in his timing. The crowd got excited, and for good reason.

ATTENDANCE REPORT: WR Brandon Stokley (flu) was out. DT Justin Bannan (calf) was limited. DE Jason Blatnick (ankle) was limited. G Chris Kuper practiced fully and without any brace or boot, although G Manny Ramirez saw most of the first team snaps. RB Knowshon Moreno practiced fully with a large brace on his right knee. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning throws to Willis McGahee on the first day of Denver Broncos 2012 training camp. (BroncoTalk.net photo)

Tebowmania, move over. There’s a bigger ticket in town.

4,372 fans atttended the first practice of Denver Broncos training camp Thursday, setting a record for the Broncos’ Dove Valley location. The record was previously set on August 1, 2010, a throng of 3,103 to see Tim Tebow in his rookie year. That’s an increase of over 1,200 fans.

Does Peyton Manning have the same buzz and crazed following as Tim Tebow? No. Denver’s team expectations are just higher, and fans recognize it.

(This post was updated to reflect final attendance counts.)

Me and the Broncnator at Barrelmania Day 2011

Come meet former Denver Broncos Rod Smith, Billy Thompson, Ron Egloff and more tomorrow night at the Barrels of Love Foundation event, a silent auction benefiting children’s charities in memory of Tim “The Barrelman” McKennan.

This isn’t your typical player meet-and-greet, either: these players won’t be sitting behind tables signing autographs. They’ll be mingling with everyone at the event, ready to share stories over a beer.

When: Thursday, July 25, 2012, 5-8 p.m.
Where: Wystones Tea
7323 W. Alaska Drive
Lakewood, Colorado 80226

Also, I will get up on stage and sing for any and all BT readers brave enough to meet me, Ian Henson, and Josh Temple at the event tomorrow night.

I’m serious. I moonlight as a musician and Mrs. Barrelman has asked me to play. So if having a beer with Rod Smith and buying awesome Broncos memorabilia for children’s charities aren’t enough reasons to come out Thursday night, laughing hysterically at me on stage should be. See you there!