Swiss Cheezhead Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 From July 29: Here's a massive surprise that I didn't expect, but probably should have: Nate Webster is playing ahead of Tony Scheffler at TE in two TE sets, and Webster has also been used in the slot ahead of Scheffler. "Nate is ahead of Tony right now, but it's the beginning of training camp," tight ends coach Pat McPherson said. "And in my mind, we're getting the same amount of protection, run blocks, and routes. They're all in one big group right now." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 From July 29: Here's a massive surprise that I didn't expect, but probably should have: Nate Webster is playing ahead of Tony Scheffler at TE in two TE sets, and Webster has also been used in the slot ahead of Scheffler. "Nate is ahead of Tony right now, but it's the beginning of training camp," tight ends coach Pat McPherson said. "And in my mind, we're getting the same amount of protection, run blocks, and routes. They're all in one big group right now." Scheffler's weakness is clearly in his blocking role as a TE, and Shanahan's TEs have to be capable of blocking well. Hell, the WRs have to block well. DEN is going back into it's old smashmouth running game as opposed to trying to spring faster RBs to the edge, so Webster may be a better fit in the overall O scheme and Scheffler may end up being more of a gimmick type TE & ST player unless his blocking improves a bunch. Cutler loves Scheffler though and when he is on the field will be targeted. Especially in the red zone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaumont Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 From July 29: Here's a massive surprise that I didn't expect, but probably should have: Nate Webster is playing ahead of Tony Scheffler at TE in two TE sets, and Webster has also been used in the slot ahead of Scheffler. "Nate is ahead of Tony right now, but it's the beginning of training camp," tight ends coach Pat McPherson said. "And in my mind, we're getting the same amount of protection, run blocks, and routes. They're all in one big group right now." Scheffler's weakness is clearly in his blocking role as a TE, and Shanahan's TEs have to be capable of blocking well. Hell, the WRs have to block well. DEN is going back into it's old smashmouth running game as opposed to trying to spring faster RBs to the edge, so Webster may be a better fit in the overall O scheme and Scheffler may end up being more of a gimmick type TE & ST player unless his blocking improves a bunch. Rookie FB Peyton Hillis has sat out the past 2 days with a tweaked left hammy. He's expected to miss a few more days. His chances of making the team are enhanced by the release of Mike Bell, and it's a pretty poorly kept secret that Shanahan likes the kid as a FB a lot - he fits Shanahan's FB requirements of being strong as an ox, ready to throw himself into anyone to clear a hole, and capable of catching out of the backfield - something FBs get to do as much as RBs when DEN's running game is working properly. It should also be noted that Hillis has taken no snaps at RB, something some people were speculating when DEN drafted him. With Hillis on the sidelines, Michael Pittman has been taking reps at FB with the 2nd team. That is allowing Torain to continue to take snaps with the second team at RB, and makes for an intriguing pairing with Pittman in the backfield. Darrell Jackson had a poor day, fumbling twice on reverses and getting his ass chewed out for missing an assignment. If he's going to go half heartedly at his job, he's going to find himself quickly as the #4 WR on this team. With his ability, he would seem to be in a perfect position to be a great #2 WR opposite Marshall, something he ought to excel at since he'll be getting lesser coverage than he's gotten his entire career. Marlon McCree picked off a pass as the second team O went against the second team D. Koutouvides was reinserted into the #1 MLB role. It's musical chairs there with Webster until Shanahan figures out which is the lesser of two evils at the position - something that says loads about Koutouvides' ability that he's not blowing away Webster and claiming the position as his own for keeps. Dre Bly made a nice play on a pass to Marshall and tipped it away at the last second. Bly is quietly having a very good camp and may be responding to the pressure applied by Foxworth in his bid to take the starting CB role opposite Bailey. Nate Jackson? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 (edited) Nate Jackson? Yes. From a blog. At tight end, Tony Scheffler and Nate Jackson lined up opposite each other, with Daniel Graham looking improved in the short passing game. The heavy involvement of Jackson over the last couple days may indicate depth chart movement at this position- meaning Jackson may have bumped Scheffler down. However, I don't see that being the case, as Scheffler has always been Cutler's favorite option on the field. From RMN In two-tight-end formations, Nate Jackson has been paired with Daniel Graham ahead of Tony Scheffler. Jackson also has gotten first crack as a slot receiver in certain spread formations. "Nate is ahead of Tony right now, but it's the beginning of training camp," tight ends coach Pat McPherson said. "And in my mind we're getting the same amount of protections, run blocks and routes. They're all in one big group right now." Jackson missed the final three months last season with a groin injury but took advantage of his offseason opportunity when Scheffler had lingering foot issues. "Ideally, we push each other and we can both - as well as our running backs and receivers - have our talents used accordingly," Jackson said. "We all have something to offer the team." Edited July 30, 2008 by Randall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 From July 29: Here's a massive surprise that I didn't expect, but probably should have: Nate Webster is playing ahead of Tony Scheffler at TE in two TE sets, and Webster has also been used in the slot ahead of Scheffler. well hey, look on the bright side...at least that means he'll be playing less at MLB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted July 30, 2008 Author Share Posted July 30, 2008 well hey, look on the bright side...at least that means he'll be playing less at MLB. Geez, every freakin' day. You just keep on bustin' my balls, Az. That's Jackson & not Webster at TE, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted July 30, 2008 Author Share Posted July 30, 2008 Everyone knows you enjoy it. Heck, you're the one inviting us to that "club" in Boulder. Nah, I'm trying to get a gathering at Rancho BB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingfish247 Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 ...Darrell Jackson had a poor day, fumbling twice on reverses and getting his ass chewed out for missing an assignment. If he's going to go half heartedly at his job, he's going to find himself quickly as the #4 WR on this team. With his ability, he would seem to be in a perfect position to be a great #2 WR opposite Marshall, something he ought to excel at since he'll be getting lesser coverage than he's gotten his entire career. ... Maybe it's just me but Darrell Jackson does not seem like the type of WR that would be effective on a reverse, fumble or no fumble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hat Trick Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Maybe it's just me but Darrell Jackson does not seem like the type of WR that would be effective on a reverse, fumble or no fumble. I was thinking the same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted July 31, 2008 Author Share Posted July 31, 2008 July 30: Hamza Abdullah got reamed by his position coaches after flattening Selvin Young after Young caught a swing pass and was cruising down the sidelines. Abdullah got enough of an earful that he barked back, drawing the wrath of Shanahan, who undressed him on the spot. Contact is allowed at camp, but open field full contact is strongly discouraged in an effort to try to reduce injuries. My thoughts on the whole thing: DEN has been terrible at tackling the past couple of years. They need to get in some full contact work all over the field. It's great that guys follow assignments and look good getting to the right spot, but if they can't finish the deal - and in recent years they've been awful at it - what good does it do? In other news. Both Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal caught long TD passes, Marshall from Cutler and Royal from Darrell Hackney. Marshall producing long TDs is getting to be routine, and Royal's play has been the talk of the rookies in camp. He may fill more of a role than return man and occasional WR in 3 wide sets. The kid is showing some serious skills. If you drafted him in a dyansty league, you may have found a diamond in the rough. C Tom Nalen started practice but quickly sat out with his knee bothering him. Casey Wiegmann filled in at C for him. It would appear the knee pain is a nuisance thing for Nalen. Michael Pittman and Peyton Hillis also sat out practice, Pittman as a vet precaution and Hillis with his tweaked hammy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawks21 Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Niko Koutouvides is NOT an NFL caliber middle linebacker. Wow, Webster must be really bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted August 1, 2008 Author Share Posted August 1, 2008 July 31: Ryan Torain is getting significant reps with the 1st team and apparently is impressing. TE candidate Brett Pierce made a superb diving catch on a Cutler thrown seam route down the middle of the field. Wiegmann again was at C as Nalen sat out and is going to get an MRI on his knee. Word is that the problem is not the knee itself but the bursa that is causing the irritation. Right now the position is that it isn't a big deal and nursing Nalen is preventative. DL Josh Mallard has been getting some looks with the 1st team D line at all positions, particularly in passing down situations. Practice is closed to the public this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted August 2, 2008 Author Share Posted August 2, 2008 (edited) Aug 1: Shanahan in a radio interview yesterday on 104.3 FM sports radio's morning show did something very uncharacteristic: He guaranteed that DEN would make the playoffs. He specifically cited the large amount of O talent and the remarkably improved play of the D - something numerous other D players have also commented on in that they all understand the D and are not missing assignments or are acting in confusion like they did with last year's schemes - as making DEN playoff capable again. Shanahan's statement has caught the attention of several vets. 1st round OT Ryan Clady is getting rave reviews, especially in his pass blocking. Reports were that he came into camp with outstanding fundamentals and has now taken his game to an entirely different level. In practice, he has been completely negating pass rushers, and in particular outquicking even Elvis Dumervil. Marshall again caught at least one TD pass, this time notching 2 TDs and outfoxing Champ Bailey for a jump ball. With Pittman missing practice again, Torain continues to get large numbers of first and second team reps and has apparently been impressing everyone. In fact, there has been little to no news about Selvin Young's progress in over a week. With John Lynch moving on, rookie Josh Barrett has been moved up to second team S and has been making some reportedly eye popping hits. Reports from 2 independent sources are saying that on one play, he blitzed through a seam, literally went through the RB protection - "crumpling" the blocker - and posted a hard sack. The word is out that he hits like a LB and is around the ball all the time. Pittman, Nalen, and SLB Boss Bailey were held out of practice. Edited August 2, 2008 by Bronco Billy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted August 4, 2008 Author Share Posted August 4, 2008 The Broncos release their 1st depth chart of camp: Broncos Offense Pos. First Team Second Team Third Team Fourth Team WR Brandon Marshall Eddie Royal Glenn Martinez Clifford Russell LT Ryan Clady Erik Pears LG Ben Hamilton Dylan Gandy Kory Lichtensteiger C Tom Nalen Casey Wiegmann P.J. Alexander RG Chris Kuper Montrae Holland Mitch Erikson RT Ryan Harris Tyler Polumbus TE Daniel Graham Tony Scheffler Nate Jackson Brett Pierce WR Darrell Jackson Brandon Stokley Keary Colbert Samie Parker QB Jay Cutler Patrick Ramsey Darrell Hackney RB Selvin Young Andre Hall Ryan Torain Anthony Alridge FB Cecil Sapp Peyton Hillis Michael Pittman Broncos Defense Pos. First Team Second Team Third Team Fourth Team LE John Engelberger Ebenezar Ekuban Tim Crowder LT Dewayne Robertson Alvin McKinley Nic Clemons RT Marcus Thomas Kenny Peterson Josh Mallard Steven Harris RE Elvis Dumervil Jarvis Moss Paul Carrington Larry Birdine WLB D.J. Williams Jamie Winborn Wesley Woodyard MLB Nate Webster Niko Koutouvides Spencer Larsen Manuel Padilla SLB Boss Bailey Louis Green Jordan Beck LCB Champ Bailey Domonique Foxworth Jack Williams RCB Dre Bly Karl Paymeh Christian Morton Lamont Reid SS Hamza Abdullah Roderick Rogers Josh Barrett FS Marlon McCree Marquand Manuel Vickiel Vaughn Broncos Specialists Pos. First Team Second Team Third Team Fourth Team P Sam Paulescu Brett Kern K Matt Prater Sam Paulescu Brett Kern KO Matt Prater Sam Paulescu Brett Kern PR Eddie Royal Glenn Martinez Marquay McDaniel Samie Parker KR Eddie Royal Andre Hall Anthony Alridge Clifford Russell PLS Mike Leach Tony Scheffler Josh Mallard KLS Mike Leach Josh Mallard Brett Pierce H Brett Kern Sam Paulescu Patrick Ramsey link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted August 4, 2008 Author Share Posted August 4, 2008 Kerry Colbert has been drawing rave reviews. He's listed as the 5th best WR on the team. Andre Hall has been running with the third team at RB. He's listed as the #2 RB. Michael Pittman is listed as 3rd team FB. Domonique Foxworth has been battling Bly for a starting CB spot - here he's listed behind Bailey. Webster is listed ahead of Koutouvides at MLB. Looks like there is some serious mind games regarding motivation going on here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingfish247 Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Why the fooook is DGraham starting TE? They should trade him for whatever future draft pick they can get. I'll leave it to the Denver experts but, IIRC, Shanahan uses 2 TE sets very often. Also, Graham isn't a spectacular receiver but he's a force in the run game and pass protection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yo mama Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Michael Pittman is listed as FB? Yeah, they asked him to start playing FB last week, or so. Pittman was fine with that (though he is a bit undersized, IMO) and later went on to say that Selvin Young is the starter, in his opinion. Granted, Pittman ain't the coach. But he's close to the situation and, at least to start the season, it doesn't sound like Pittman is in contention to be the lead ball carrier. The Bronco's initial depth chart seems to confirm this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Why the fooook is DGraham starting TE? because he is by far their best player at the position (mostly because he happens to be able to block)? from a fantasy perspective though, scheffler is no doubt the "#1 TE" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 I'm looking forward to seeing Eddie Royal this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hat Trick Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 I'm looking forward to seeing Eddie Royal this weekend. And? anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 And? anyone? Now I'm looking forward to seeing Royal next week. Hall had a couple of nice runs and Young struggled. A work in progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hat Trick Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Now I'm looking forward to seeing Royal next week. Hall had a couple of nice runs and Young struggled. A work in progress. Not following you.....how did Royal look? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicCEO Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 (edited) Now I'm looking forward to seeing Royal next week. Hall had a couple of nice runs and Young struggled. A work in progress. Royal only had two catches in the first half tonight, but they were great. I'm very excited about his prospects. Plus Stokely had a few catches, and I'd forgotten all about him. I think even without Marshall, the Broncos will have a good passing game. Hall had another couple of nice runs in this game... breaking and bouncing off tackles for 4-5 extra yards. Selvin did not look as awesome. I'm kinda hoping Hall wins the job based on his carries, but maybe he doesn't block well. Edited August 17, 2008 by AtomicCEO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qdaddyo Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 Any news/rumors on the RB situation? Is Young still the #1 guy? Will Hall get goal line carries? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted August 26, 2008 Author Share Posted August 26, 2008 Any news/rumors on the RB situation? Is Young still the #1 guy? Will Hall get goal line carries? It looks like Hall is the short yardage guy by default. He's looked pretty good in those situations. It appears that Young is RB1 with Hall splitting carries. Torain better get back in a hurry. That's a damned small backfield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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