Audio: Talking Denver Broncos training camp on 104.3 The Fan

I covered the first week of Broncos training camp for Mile High Report last week. After Day 5 of practice, 104.3 The Fan had me on to talk about the team.

The audio from that interview can be heard below.


For more from 104.3 The Fan, follow them on Twitter.

To listen to more of my radio appearances, see my Radio archive.

Videos: QB Tim Tebow shows improvement at Eagles open practice

Quarterback Tim Tebow struggled early during the Eagles' practice open to fans at Lincoln Financial Field Sunday, throwing passes too low and high during warm ups. But as practice went on, Tebow's throwing showed improvement, and his throws were more accurate.

Tebow struggled throwing passes to receivers on air, but performed better during practice settings resembling game situations (11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills). At one point he got into the secondary on a read-option run. Later he connected on an intermediate pass in tight coverage.


Tebow looked, as usual, most comfortable when running.


It helped, of course, that defenders are not allowed to touch QBs during practice.


Overall, Sunday was not a bad showing for Tebow.


Tebow ran with Philly's third-team offense. The Eagles will take on the Colts in Week 1 of preseason play on Sunday, Aug. 16 on CBS. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.

Broncos' Demarcus Ware, Chris Harris post workout videos on IG

With training camp a little over two weeks away, two Broncos defenders gave their social media followers a look at their training on Monday.

Linebacker DeMarcus Ware posted numerous videos of his speed training.

A video posted by Demarcus Ware (@demarcusware) on Jul 20, 2015 at 11:49am PDT

And cornerback Chris Harris Jr. posted footage of his footwork training.

A video posted by Chris Harris (@chrisharrisjr) on Jul 20, 2015 at 10:36am PDT

Ware recorded 10 sacks in his first season with Denver last year. Harris recorded three interceptions and allowed no touchdown catches.

Both players made the Pro Bowl in 2014.

Ware, Harris, and their teammates will report to Dove Valley for training camp on Thursday, July 30. To see the team's full camp schedule, click here.

Broncos Rookie QB Ryan Katz Willing to do "Whatever it Takes"

Undrafted, unappreciated and undervalued, Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Ryan Katz is fighting to just make the practice squad unit in Denver. Undaunted, Katz is staying focused, stating that he is willing to do "whatever it takes."

"Honestly, I’m a competitor and I want to play—that’s the reason I’m out here," Katz said after practice earlier in the week. "I just have to stay in it, that’s what coach tells me, ‘You just gotta stay in it,’ and keep learning. Even though I’m not getting that many reps, I have to stay ready because at any moment my name could be called."

Katz (6'1", 217 pounds) joined the team out of San Diego State following April's draft. Read my complete story on the rookie quarterback at MileHighReport.com.

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 Training Camp Day 13 Report: Offensive Line Shuffles Around

Denver's offensive line was shuffled around at practice on Thursday.

The Denver Broncos were back on the practice field on Tuesday for their final full-padded practice before traveling to San Francisco for their Week 1 preseason match up against the 49ers on Thursday.

The offensive line was shuffled around and the offense as a whole rebounded after a poor team showing on Monday.  Notes and quotes below. 

Attendance and injury report

Tight end Jacob Tamme (quad) was back on the practice field in shorts on Tuesday but did not participate.  Middle linebacker Nate Irving was also back after being excused from practice yesterday. Safety Quinton Carter (knee) was also back, but did not participate.

Offensive tackles Orlando Franklin (hip) and Ryan Clady (shoulder) were both present, while Clady was limited and Franklin participated only in walk-through sessions with the offensive line.

"He’s a pretty tough player and thankfully he ended up OK," coach John Fox said of Franklin.

Broncos Training Camp Day 12 Report: Injuries, Offensive Struggles

Guard Louis Vasquez spent time at right tackle on Monday when Orlando Franklin went down with an injury.

After getting Sunday off, the Denver Broncos returned to Dove Valley on Monday for their twelfth day of training camp.  The team was hit again by the injury bug and the offense at times looked sloppy, as the defense came to play and a surprise receiver turned heads.

Attendance and injury report

Middle linebacker Nate Irving was not present (excused for personal reasons), tight end Joel Dreessen (knee) did not participate as cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (ankle), wide receiver Greg Orton (ankle), and running back Jeremiah Johnson (toe) also sat out.

Tackle Ryan Clady was limited.

Left tackle Ryan Clady (shoulder) and safety Quinton Carter (knee) practiced on a limited basis, while right tackle Orlando Franklin (hip) and receiver Quincy McDuffie (hamstring) left the field during practice with injuries.  An MRI after practice for Franklin came back negative.

"(Franklin was) bumped and is being evaluated, so we'll keep you updated," an unworried coach John Fox said of Franklin's injury after practice.

Podcast: Talking Von Miller's Suspension, Broncos 2013 Expectations

The Funnel Sports Cake Radio Show had me on to talk about Von Miller's pending suspension and expectations for the Denver Broncos entering the 2013 season on Wednesday.  You can listen to the audio below:


Agree or disagree with one of my points?  Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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 Claim Rookie Cornerback Nigel Malone Off Waivers

After learning on Wednesday that cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will miss four-to-five weeks with a high ankle sprain, the Denver Broncos turned to the waiver wire to bring in additional depth.

The #Broncos have been assigned CB Nigel Malone via waivers from Pittsburgh.
— Denver Broncos (@DenverBroncos) August 1, 2013

The team signed Nigel Malone (5'10", 180 pounds), an undrafted rookie out of Kansas State University that was waived by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday.  In his final two seasons, Malone recorded 12 interceptions as a Wildcat.

The Broncos are already deep at the cornerback position, so Malone will face an uphill battle to make the final roster.  For now, he will provide camp depth in the secondary.

O'Reilly: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Out 4-5 Weeks With Ankle Injury

On Wednesday, Denver Broncos cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was carted off the field at Dove Valley with what an MRI later revealed to be a high ankle sprain.

"He has done it before, so I am not overly (concerned)," Broncos coach John Fox told USA Today after practice.  "We will just get him healthy and get him back out there."

According to Steven O'Reilly, a Florida-based golf professional who plays flag football with Rodgers-Cromartie in the offseason, DRC will be out approximately four-to-five weeks.

Tweeted O'Reilly on Wednesday afternoon:

Texted with DRC, he's in good spirits, said high ankle sprain, about a month to 5 weeks. Nothing too major
— Steven O'Reilly (@SteveOReilly) July 31, 2013

High ankle sprains are hard to predict, but if DRC does end up being out for five weeks, that would put him on track to return on September 4, a day before the team's season opener against the Baltimore Ravens.

Right now, a realistic date to expect DRC's return by could be the team's Week 2 match on the road against the New York Giants.  In DRC's absence, Chris Harris Jr. is expected to play across from Champ Bailey.

PHOTO: Mild Rookie Hazing is Alive and Well in the NFL...

It looks like Denver Broncos rookie safety Ross Rasner was asked to carry a few of the veteran's pads after practice on Monday.

Oh. All right. RT @nuggetsnews: Check out this #Broncos rookie: pic.twitter.com/p9iYHrvYP7
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 29, 2013

Rasner can be glad that the vets haven't touched his hair—yet.

Denver Broncos Rookie DT Sylvester Williams Limps Off Practice Field

On Monday, Denver Broncos rookie defensive tackle Sylvester Williams appeared to have suffered an injury.  According to multiple reports, Williams was seen limping off the field to the training room.

The injury bug continues to bite. Top pick Sylvester Williams hobbled inside the #Broncos facility favoring his left leg
— Brandon Krisztal (@BKDenverSports) July 29, 2013

Coach John Fox will comment on William's injury after practice, which is hopefully just something minor.  On Sunday, the team lost center Dan Koppen for the entire season due to an ACL tear.

Update:  Fox said after practice that Williams has a knee injury that he does not think is serious.

Update II:  Williams' MRI came back negative and he will be "day-to-day" going forward.  His injury is nothing serious.

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.

Broncos Will Place O-Lineman Chris Kuper and J.D. Walton on PUP List

When the Denver Broncos begin training camp practices on Thursday, they will place both guard Chris Kuper and center J.D. Walton on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, according to the Denver Post.

Both players are recovering from ankle surgeries and will not be back until at least six weeks into the season.  In Walton's absence, veteran Dan Koppen is expected to start at center and free-agent signee Louis Vasquez is expected to start at guard, where Kuper had been a starter since 2007.

Meanwhile, left tackle Ryan Clady, who just signed a five-year deal with the team earlier this month, is recovering from shoulder surgery and may miss up to three weeks of training camp, also per the 'Post.

In the meantime, Denver's starting five may look something like this:

                         LT             LG              C                   RG                RT

Chris Clark, Zane Beadles, Dan Koppen, Louis Vasquez, Orlando Franklin

Broncos players reported to Dove Valley on Wednesday and will hit the practice field on Thursday.  Their first preseason game will be played on Thursday, Aug. 8 in San Francisco against the 49ers.

Prior to their game against the 49ers, the Broncos will hold a team scrimmage at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Saturday, Aug. 3—admission is free.  To buy tickets to Denver's preseason and regular season matches, check out Denver Broncos tickets from GoTickets.

VIDEO: Denver's Von Miller Says Broncos Will Remain "Focused"

On Monday, news broke that Denver Broncos star outside linebacker Von Miller is facing a four-game suspension for breaking the league's substance-abuse policy.

Miller is going to appeal the suspension and has maintained that he did "nothing wrong," and he is being supported by the NFL Players Association.  For his part, coach John Fox said on Wednesday that Miller will not face punishment from the team and will practice with the first-team defense until the Broncos "hear something differently."

"We're focused on the task at hand," added Miller.


Miller emphasized that he could not candidly comment on the situation until it is resolved.  It is expected to be "resolved" by September, when the league will either comply with Miller's appeal or enforce his suspension.

Once a decision has been made, details on as to why Miller was suspended will probably come out.  According to the NFLPA, he was not suspended for PEDs, which raises suspicion that he may have been docked for recreational drugs.

Miller will join his teammates at practice tomorrow morning when the team kicks off training camp practices.  Until a decision is made by the league's front office, it will be business as usual at Dove Valley.

Former Denver Broncos RB Terrell Davis Joins NFL Network's Crew

Former Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis is returning to the NFL—as a media member.

Davis has signed a two-year deal with the league's NFL Network as an analyst and reporter, according to the Denver Post's Dusty Saunders.  Davis spent time with the network from 2006-2009 and will now be returning to fill a higher profile role.

Davis will contribute to "Inside Training Camp Live," "NFL AM," and "NFL Total Access."

"I'm working with and watching TV professionals.  One of my mentors is Solomon Wilcots (of CBS Sports). I like the way he analyzes teams and reports on what's happening on the field," Davis told the 'Post.

On August 2nd, Davis will cover the Broncos' training camp for the network.

Kenny Chesney Concerts Leaving Field Damage Behind

(Courtesy of DenverBroncos.com)

The Denver Broncos have been hyping up their new mega scoreboard that was installed as part of the team's $30 million spent on upgrades to Sports Authority Field at Mile High this summer.

The team has every reason to brag—the new scoreboard is big, really big.  The scoreboard looks great, but how will the field look this fall?

Country singer Kenny Chesney will perform at the stadium on July 20 as part of his 'No Shoes Nation' Tour. Unfortunately, Chesney's concerts have a poor track record with past host stadiums.

Earlier this month, Heinz Field and the local area surrounding the stadium in Pittsburgh were trashed during a Chesney concert.

“It smells horrible, you can smell the beer and the urine,” Harletta Walker of Ross Township told KDKA (via PFT).  “They cleaned up the trash, but they should have run the street sweeper through here, it’s horrible.”

As Mike Florio notes, a Chesney concert did minor damage at Lambeau Field in 2011 and another concert was blamed for poor field conditions at FedEx Field late in the season.  The problem is caused because the fans attend the concerts at field level where a stage is set up, not in the stands as if attending a football game.

The Broncos will undoubtedly have the field covered and protected as best they can, but 52,000 fans will do a number on any field.  Denver did host a Chesney concert last summer, with no indications of notable field damage reported.

Two weeks after the Chesney concert, the Broncos will hold a team scrimmage at the stadium on Saturday, August 3.  The scrimmage will be free and open to the public.