Live Reports Begin 7/31

Rumors have been swirling for awhile now, so let this be the official announcement that I will be heading out to Denver to take in 3 days of Broncos Training Camp.  I couldn't be more excited, being a Broncos fan that has to do all of this "fan stuff" from afar.  While watching on TV is nice and all, I want to see some of these Training Camp battles with my own eyes.  I arrive in Denver on 7/30 and will take in both workouts on 7/31, 8/1 and 8/2.

First, the important stuff.  If any of you will be taking in Training Camp while I am there, let me know!  I would love to meet some of you, and better yet, many of you have offered up drinks.  Never one to turn down a cold brew I'd be happy to oblige!  I'll have on the latest and greatest MHR T-Shirt on so I'll be easy to spot!

Next, there are a couple of Training Camp stories that are intriguing to me and I'll be keeping my eyes on: (in no particuler order)

1.  O-Line Battle - I want to see Chris Kuper and Eric Pears up close and personal.  I want to see if Tom Nalen is still a factor, and, of course, how Ryan Clady looks in pads going up against NFL defensive talent.

2.  WR Battle - Can Brandon Marshall take contact on his (still recovering) injured arm?  Who is going to step up and win the #2 WR battle.  Just how good of a receiver is Eddie Royal right now?

3.  Intriguing Undrafted Free Agents - I will be watching a couple of these guys very closely, starting with Wesley Woodyard and Tyler Polumbus

4.  The LB Corps - Is Niko Koutouvides the type of leader in the middle the Broncos need?  Can Boss Bailey stay healthy and step up his play?

5.  Quarterback - It is the Denver Broncos, right?  Gotta watch how #6 looks in his first real football work since being diagnosed with Diabetes.

6.  Running Back - If Selvin Young is going to run for 2000 yards it will start in Training Camp.  Specifically I will be watching for his ability to run inside and in short yardage.  I want to see Ryan Torain as well.  Of course, Peyton Hillis is on my watch list as well.

7.  Sense of Urgency - The biggest hing I am looking for is a sense of urgency.  I want to see inspired practices with alot of energy and some bloody noses.  A few shoves and punches would be refreshing as well.  If the Broncos are going to get back to being a tough, hardnosed football team, it needs to start Day 1.  Since camp will be a week old when I get there things should definitely be heating up.

So what have I missed?  Let me know and I will give my thoughts on what I see in those areas as well.  Want me to ask specific questions to specific players?  Let me know.  Make sure they aren't out of line.

Lastly, if you are going to Training Camp at a different time(FirstFan, for instance) let me know.  I'd love to get your impressions as well.  I want to make this a community effort!!! 

Strap it on, MHR, football is back and Your Source for the Denver Broncos is ready!!!

The RMN sent me this e-mail last week but just had the chance now to check it out.  If you are into Broncos Trivia, which I know many of you are, this might be a fun way to spend a few minutes....or hours. 

Whether it is first round draft picks, or the Ring of Fame, you can get your Broncos Trivia Fix!  Don't forget to let us know how you score!!!

Broncos Trivia

The Denver Broncos on Tuesday signed cornerback Jack Williams, whom they selected in the fourth round (119th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft from Kent State University. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Williams (5-foot-9, 185 pounds) totaled 20 takeaways (13 interceptions, 7 fumble recoveries) in 44 career games (37 starts) at Kent State. He finished his collegiate career with 245 tackles (167 solo), 13 interceptions (209 yds.), 25 pass breakups, three sacks (26 yds.), seven forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.

In 2007, Williams was named second-team All-Mid-American Conference after registering a career-high 93 tackles (70 solo) along with three interceptions while starting all 11 games played. A year earlier, he tied for first in the nation with five forced fumbles and added four interceptions in 12 games (10 starts) for the Golden Flashes.

Williams started all 11 games as a sophomore, posting four interceptions, and saw time in 10 games (5 starts) as a red-shirt freshman.

An all-state selection at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Va., Jack Williams was born on March 27, 1985.

With Williams' signing, the Broncos have signed seven of their nine selections from the 2008 NFL Draft.

Cutler Has Everything Needed To Succeed

When you think about the Denver Broncos, you think about the Quarterback.  Such is life when the words "Legend" or "Greatest of All Time" precede someone who played the position on your team for over 15 years.  The shadow of John Elway has been a long one, towering over Broncos' signal callers for nearly a decade. 

Mike Shanahan tried the young QB approach with Brian Griese, then went the experienced veteran route with Jake Plummer.  Both were successful in getting the Broncos to the playoffs, with Plummer having the Broncos on the doorstep of the Super Bowl in 2005.  Then something happened.  As the losing coach in the 2005 AFC Championship Game, Shanny's runner-up prize was the honor of coaching the AFC team in the Pro Bowl.  His starting QB was Peyton Manning of the Colts.  Being up close and personal with Manning, a QB that showed alot of the same qualities as Shanny's own Hall of Fame quarterback Elway, showed the coach what he was missing in Plummer.  Something that in today's NFL is as crucial to winning as physical talent.

Shanny saw that he needed a quarterback that loved football.  Peyton Manning has made his life, 24/7, about football.  If he isn't on the practice field, he's in the film room.  Jake Plummer, who I have contended was as physically gifted as any quarterback in football, lost the love of the game somewhere between playing for a NFL black-hole and the death of close friend Pat Tillman.  Coming to work appeared to be a chore for Plummer.  Shanny knew it and when the opportunity arose to go grab one of the three franchise-type quarterbacks in the 2006 draft the Broncos did it, trading up to nab Jay Cutler with the 11th overall pick.  A new day had dawned in Denver.

That move, more than any, signaled what I have called a 5-year "re-tooling" plan.  The Broncos, or any intelligent team for that matter, would never say rebuilding.  Draft a young QB, however, and there are going to be growing pains.  It has been no different for the Broncos, who enter 2008 with a losing record in games started by Cutler(9-12).  That is a testament to the rest of the roster, more than of Cutler, and while he has made the mistakes young players make I think we have seen enough flashes of brilliance to know that if the Shadow of #7 was ever going to shorten a bit, #6 is the man to do it.  Diabetes be damned.

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The Denver Broncos on Monday signed center Kory Lichtensteiger, whom they selected in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft from Bowling Green State University. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Lichtensteiger (6-foot-3, 295 pounds) was honored with All-Mid-American Conference accolades during each of his four seasons at Bowling Green State. He was a four-year starter for the Falcons, tying their career record with 48 starts (48 games played).

In 2007, Lichtensteiger started all 13 games and was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy (nation's top center) in addition to receiving first-team all-conference accolades. His blocking helped BGSU rank second in the MAC in passing offense (278.9 ypg.).

After spending his first two seasons at guard, Lichtensteiger played center for the first time in his collegiate career as a junior in 2006. He started all 12 games that year, earning first-team All-MAC honors.

A first-team All-Northwest Conference pick as an offensive and defensive lineman at Crestview High School in Convoy, Ohio, Kory Lichtensteiger was born on March 22, 1985.

With Lichtensteiger's signing, the Broncos have signed six of their nine selections from the 2008 NFL Draft.

The Denver Broncos on Monday waived running back Mike Bell and kicker Garrett Hartley, Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced.

Bell, a third-year player, rushed for 680 yards on 163 carries (4.2 avg.) with eight touchdowns in 20 games (3 starts) as a Bronco. He entered the NFL with Denver on May 8, 2006, as a college free agent from the University of Arizona.

Hartley, a rookie, entered the NFL with the Broncos on April 28, 2008, as a college free agent from the University of Oklahoma.

Most of the "originals" know my feelings on Bell, or any undrafted FA in a big time role so I won't get into it.  Well, maybe I will on MHR Radio Wednesday.  Let's face it, when a player can't even get to camp without getting cut it really isn't that big of a loss.

I wish both men the best.

The offseason is over. It's time for the Broncos to strap on their helmets and hit the practice field to start preparations for the 2008 season at the team's annual training camp. And you're invited to come out and watch all the action, up close and personal. Practices are open to the public and absolutely free!

• Get the first look at the 2008 Broncos
• Take pictures
• Get player autographs
• Check out cool team memorabilia
• Shop for your own Broncos gear at the team store
• And much more!

The team will practice at its headquarters in Englewood, Colo., for a fifth consecutive year.

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  VERSUS  

via www.sportsbooks.ro    via pictopia.com

Last night on MHR Radio, I talked at length about Peyton Hillis, and how psyched I was about the prospects of him making an impact as a Denver Bronco.  Then BroncoBear wrote an excellent FanPost which I promoted to the front page singing the praises of Hillis.

I was going to put this in the comments of that post, but wanted it to have it's own separate space.  I'm looking for your help.  To me, Jacob Hester is the same type of player as Peyton Hillis.  Sure, Hester was used more as a running back by LSU, but look at the attributes -

Peyton Hillis -

Height: 6-03/4 | Weight: 240 | 40-Time: 4.58

Jacob Hester -

Height: 5-105/8 | Weight: 226 | 40-Time: 4.62

Hillis is bigger and faster than Hester.  Obviously, the San Diego Chargers, who drafted Hester early in the 3rd Round felt differently.  Over 150 players were drafted after the Chargers took Hester, while Hillis waited.  What was the reason?

BroncoBear mentions Scott Wright, and I am a big fan of his site - NFLDraftCountdown.com.  Wright ranked Hillis the #1 FB on the board, specifically stating that Hillis would be perfect in the West Coast scheme - Non-traditional, West Coast fullback who can contribute in a number of ways  - Sounds like a perfect fit.

Meanwhile, isn't as high on Hester, whom he calls "jack of all trades, master of none"

This is going to be fun to watch over the next several years as Hillis and Hester meet twice a year.  I'm interested to hear from DaBolts or any other Chargers fan what Hester's role in SD will be.  He's not the power fullback, in the mold of Lorenzo Neal, nor is he the basher runner in the mold of Michael Turner.

Over 150 players were picked between Hester and Hillis, yet Hillis is bigger and faster, and that is before the added bulk. I think the Broncos got a steal with Hillis and I am psyched!

Dumervil will continue to crush opposing QB's in '08

A few days ago we took a look at the interior of the defensive line. We all know the problem the Broncos had stopping the run, and there has been plenty of talk about why. The Broncos have gone to great lengths to improve the interior, both on the line and at linebacker. Equally important to me is the ability to create a pass rush from the front four. As the New York Giants reminded us in Super Bowl XLII, it doesn't matter who the quarterback is, or how talented the offense is, if you can create constant pressure with your front 4 you are going to have a chance to win the game.

Let's look at the stats, shall we? Again, sack totals are not tied directly to the defensive end position, but I do believe an effective pass rush, generated by the front four, is directly related to a team's success. The D-End is a big part of that. When the Broncos were winning more games in a 3-year period than anyone ever('96-'98), they were consistently in the top-10 in sacks -

1996 - 40 sacks - #8
1997 - 44 sacks - #10
1998 - 47 sacks - #6

Fast forward to the past 5 years, and the Broncos haven't had the same success. Ironically, when the Broncos advanced to the AFC Championship in 2005 they had their worst season in terms of sacks -

2003 - 36 sacks - #13
2004 - 38 sacks - #14
2005 - 28 sacks - #28
2006 - 35 sacks - #15
2007 - 33 sacks - #16

Does that mean that getting to the quarterback isn't that important?  Of course not. In 2005, the Broncos knew they didn't have a great pass rush up front so they sent the house, alot.  Think back to the playoff game against the Patriots, the Broncos blitzed 8 or 9 guys almost every play.  Finally we came up against a team, the Steelers, that handled that pressure.  The result was....well...we don't need to talk about it.

The rebuilding of the d-line began, and it went into overdrive in the 2007 draft.  The Broncos focused heavily on the defensive ends in last year's draft, taking Jarvis Moss in Round 1 and Tim Crowder in Round 2. The goal was to let the rookies come along slowly with veterans John Engelberger and Ebenezer Ekuban getting a majority of the reps, along with Elvis Dumervil. Those plans ended when Ekuban blew out his Achilles in the pre-season.  The result was a struggling defense. 

Heading into 2008, the Broncos look to be healthy and hungry up front and are primed to break out.  If we are talking about a successful season in 6 months, the following group would have had a huge hand in it.  Let's meet them.

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