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By FRANK SCHWAB
THE GAZETTE
July 29, 2007
ENGLEWOOD -- Less than an hour into the first practice of training camp, everyone in earshot of Jim Bates got a taste of the new assistant head coach/defense’s enthusiasm.
After defensive tackle Sam Adams stuffed a run for no gain, Bates started yelling, then got the attention of the defensive players on the sideline to bellow out his praise of Adams, pointing out that was what he expected during practice.
“He’s always fired up,” defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban said. “He’s going 100 miles an hour, it seems like, every second on the practice field. That’s how he is, man, whether he’s eating lunch or on the field.”
Ekuban said the excitement helps give the players some extra energy during practice, much like with coordinator Larry Coyer last year.
“I think defensively, we thrive on that,” Ekuban said. “If we had a melancholy coach that sat back and didn’t say anything — who was very quiet and shy — it would probably show in the way we play.”
HIGH POINT
Before practice started, rookie defensive linemen Steven Harris and Marcus Thomas were called to lead the team’s cheer before stretching. Harris started clapping and Thomas went to the side to get the fans excited. Thomas, who weighs 315 pounds, took off his jersey and pads. From a running start, he did a cartwheel, a round off and a full backflip.
Coach Mike Shanahan said he saw that before when Thomas worked out for pro scouts, but many of the players were shocked.
“First time I’ve seen that, a big guy like that,” cornerback Champ Bailey said.
LOW POINT
Linebacker Nate Webster and receiver Javon Walker collided during a drill and were down for more than a minute. Walker stood first and Webster got up shortly after, and both walked off the field to the Broncos’ relief. Shanahan said both players got the wind knocked out of them and were fine.
Walker returned a few plays later and caught a couple of passes during a two-minute drill. Webster practiced in the afternoon.
QUOTABLE
“When you put the money on the table. I get paid a lot of money to go out there and play football. Now if you want to pay me to do a backflip, I’ll do a couple for you.” — CB Champ Bailey on when he will try a backflip like teammate Marcus Thomas performed Sunday.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Broncos practice at 8:30 a.m. today with gates opening for fans at 7:30 a.m., and have an afternoon special teams practice at 3:40 p.m. with gates opening at 2:40 p.m.
THREE TO WATCH
David Kircus, receiver: Kircus made perhaps the play of the day, beating the defense deep, then catching a 50-yard pass from Jay Cutler over his head as he tumbled to the ground.
Domenik Hixon, receiver: With Brandon Marshall out of practice, Hixon worked as the third receiver with the starting offense. Hixon had a good offseason and has a chance to play. He is the frontrunner for the punt returner job.
Todd Sauerbrun, punter: Sauerbrun drew the loudest cheers of the afternoon practice for an impressive performance. His best kick flew 80 yards in the air.
INJURY LIST
WR Rod Smith (hip, out indefinitely), WR Brandon Marshall (quadriceps, out one week), TE Tony Scheffler (broken foot, day-to-day), OT Doug Nienhuis (knee, day-to-day, CB Lamont Reid (arm, day-to-day)
(source: The Gazette) |
