Denver Broncos 2013 Training Camp: Clady, DRC Return to Practice

On Day 13 (19 including non-practice days) of training camp, the Denver Broncos hit the field with enthusiasm—specifically running back Knowshon Moreno, who came out of the locker room singing, again.

Moreno is part of a three-way running back competition between himself and youngsters Ronnie Hillman and Montee Ball. None of the three RBs have been able to create much separation in the competition, but Hillman is currently listed as the team's starter.

"Ronnie did a great job," offensive coordinator Adam Gase said when asked about the running back's Week 1 preseason performance after practice on Saturday. "It was good to see him get out there and do his thing. And then Montee, same thing. I think he got outside one time. It was good to see him just stick his foot in the ground and get vertical."

Gase had only good things to say of both Hillman and Ball and also gave kudos to Moreno.

"Those two guys are doing a good job, as far as trying to execute what we want them to do. They’re good in pass (blocking), and Knowshon had a tough pickup in the formation we were in. He did a good job of stepping up and trying to take the heat off of Brock Osweiler a little bit."

As of now, there is no clear front-runner in the running back competition. But that's only one of the many story lines we've been following at camp.

Broncos and NFL Confirm "Mile High Salute" Will Still Be Allowed

Yesterday, we caught wind of some outrage over new NFL celebration policies that forbade taunts including—or so it was thought—military salutes.

As it turns out, saluting will still be allowed, as long as it is not done in a taunting fashion.  This should serve as a reminder that when rumors—and reports—surface, it is always wise to double check sources.

We went straight to the original source, the NFL's rule book.  The rules clearly state that players will be penalized only if any of the acts are committed directly at an opponent.

But not everyone—did anyone else?—read the actual rules before passing on the misinformation.  To help clarify the policy, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy tweeted the following this morning:

to clear up bad info re: td celebrations like military salute/spinning ball: only flagged if player does it directly @ opponent
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) August 7, 2013

Additionally, I reached out to the team last night and they responded this morning, confirming that saluting the fans isn't directed at an opponent, and therefore, is not considering taunting.

The "Mile High Salute" isn't going anywhere.  Salute your heart out, Montee Ball.

Ronnie Hillman's A Starter on Denver Broncos First Depth Chart of 2013

The Denver Broncos released their first depth chart of 2013 on Sunday afternoon.  In the backfield, second-year running back Ronnie Hillman is listed as the starter.

Hillman beat out rookie Montee Ball (listed as No. 2) and veteran Knowshon Moreno (listed as No. 3).  In the team's scrimmage at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Saturday evening, Hillman and Ball ran with the first-team offense.

The Broncos will travel to take on the San Francisco 49ers in their first preseason game of 2013 on Thursday ($10 tickets here) and Hillman will be running with the first-team offense.  Apart of Hillman jumping both Moreno and Ball, there are few other surprises on the first offensive depth chart.

Veteran center Ryan Lilja, who signed with the team on Wednesday, is listed as the fourth center, but that will likely change by the time Week 1 rolls around.

View the complete depth chart after the jump.

Five Quick Hits From Denver Broncos 2013 Training Camp Scrimmage

Defensive end Robert Ayers enjoys the rain and pumps up the fans.  (Casey Barrett/MileHighReport.com)

The Denver Broncos and their fans got their first taste of live-action football on Saturday during a team scrimmage at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.  Below are five quick hits from the scrimmage.

Fans are crazy about the Broncos, or just crazy.

Fans began entering the stadium at 4:30 for a scrimmage that was scheduled to begin at 7:00.  Inclement weather (thunder, lightening and a whole lot of rain) delayed the scrimmage twice.  From 7:00 to the conclusion of the scrimmage (which wound up starting around 8:00), thousands of fans sat, stood, danced and chanted "Here we go, Broncos, here we go!" in the pouring rain.

A downpour only served to heighten the enthusiasm of 44,439 fans at the Summer Scrimmage: http://t.co/0zSqL0lAaw
— Denver Broncos (@DenverBroncos) August 4, 2013

The players helped entertain the fans during the downpour by running out and sliding headfirst across the wet field and giving hive-fives around the stadium on several different occasions during the delay.

PHOTOS: Denver Broncos Rookies Get Hazed With New Haircuts

Just in time for Saturday's team scrimmage at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver Broncos rookies received beautiful new haircuts on Friday evening, courtesy of the team's veterans.

(Photo courtesy of cornerback Omar Bolden—@Os_Island—on Twitter)

It has become a tradition at Dove Valley for the veterans to give the rookies shiny new hairdos prior to the team's August scrimmage.  Below is rooke running back Montee Ball:

(Photo courtesy of fullback Jacob Hester—@JacobHester22—on Twitter)

Hazing is, of course, loved by the veterans and loathed by the rookies.  But refusing to having their hair trimmed results in far worse punishment, or so we hear.

Gave in to the rookie hazing today wouldnt.have been.fun if we.didnt participate lol
— Kayvon Webster(NIÑO) (@KWEBB36) August 3, 2013

On a different note, former Broncos running back Terrell Davis was at Dove Valley reporting for NFL Network on Friday.  After practice, Davis met Ball for the first time, which must have been a very cool moment.

Denver Broncos 2013 Training Camp Quick Hits: Day 1

(Photo courtesy of @Bmackey34)

The Denver Broncos kicked off training camp on Thursday with two practice sessions at the team's Dove Valley headquarters.  Below, we've compiled some of the best quick hits from the day that was:

• Over 3,000 fans and 120 media members were in attendance, with the first fans arriving in line at the gate at 2:30 this morning.

• For Thursday's morning session, all players except rookie defensive tackle Sylvester Williams were present. After Williams signed a four-year, $7.6 million deal with the team, he made his debut in the afternoon session.

• Offensive tackle Ryan Clady (shoulder) participated in individual drills and rookie defensive end Quanterus Smith fully participated while center J.D. Walton and guard Chris Kuper sat out (the two offensive linemen were placed on the team's PUP list).

VIDEO: Watch Denver Broncos Ronnie Hillman Bulk Up for Camp

Earlier this month, BleacherReport.com caught up with Denver Broncos second-year running back Ronnie Hillman, who has bulked up in preparation for his second season.


Hillman will be competing with rookie Montee Ball and veteran Knowshon Moreno to win the starting running back gig in Denver this summer.