Camp tidbit on the RB battle

[oldustyballs]

I found this on the footballguys forums.

QB: Jake Plummer looked sharp. Was delivering the ball accurately and crisply in the 7-on-7 drills and continued with his precision passing on 11-on-11 drills. Doesn't appear to be fazed by Jay Cutler looking over his shoulder. Jay Cutler got some work in but looked shaky as one would expect a rookie to look. Champ Bailey picked him off twice when Cutler failed to put enough mustard on the ball.

RB: Tatum Bell was the rave of Day 1. Bell looked noticeably bigger and was in great condition. Bell ran exclusively with the first team and looked even more explosive than ever. He consistently ripped huge gains through the middle and outran defnders to the corner before cutting upfield for what would have easily been 10-15 yard gains. While Bell was focused and modest, you could see an air of confidence and swagger to him...something apparently Mike Shanahan liked because several people overheard him go up to Tatum Bell and ask him if he's ready to run for 1600. Bell was seen joking around with Plummer and Rod Smith as the second team got their reps. Ron Dayne looked solid, but unspectacular. Dayne ran with the second team and performed ok, had a case of fumbilitis for a while, but pulled himself together to finish the practice well. Dayne's conditioning looked ok, but he was noticeably winded after his drills. The dog of the day was Cedric Cobbs. He couldn't finish his conditioning drills, and Bobby Turner ripped him a new one. When Cobbs got some reps in he ran the wrong play, fumbled, and dropped an easy swing pass which set Mike Shanahan on fire. At this point, Cobbs looks like he'll be lucky to be carried on the practice squad. Cobbs was also limping after practice.

WR: Rod Smith is...Rod Smith...Mr. reliable. Made some smooth catches and continues to be Plummer's go-to-man. Smith burned Champ Bailey for what appeared to have been about a 25-30 yard TD. Javon Walker was present but didnt get much work in. Walker participated in the conditioning drills but not in the football drills. The plan must be to work Walker in slowly over the summer. Watts still has hands of stone. Had several drops from Plummer and later Cutler. This could be the end of Watts in Denver. Lelie was not present.

I really hope this is true about Tatum Bell

Sounds like Watts is up to his old self. :ugh:

[The Hamburgler]

I found this on the footballguys forums.

QB: Jake Plummer looked sharp. Was delivering the ball accurately and crisply in the 7-on-7 drills and continued with his precision passing on 11-on-11 drills. Doesn't appear to be fazed by Jay Cutler looking over his shoulder. Jay Cutler got some work in but looked shaky as one would expect a rookie to look. Champ Bailey picked him off twice when Cutler failed to put enough mustard on the ball.

RB: Tatum Bell was the rave of Day 1. Bell looked noticeably bigger and was in great condition. Bell ran exclusively with the first team and looked even more explosive than ever. He consistently ripped huge gains through the middle and outran defnders to the corner before cutting upfield for what would have easily been 10-15 yard gains. While Bell was focused and modest, you could see an air of confidence and swagger to him...something apparently Mike Shanahan liked because several people overheard him go up to Tatum Bell and ask him if he's ready to run for 1600. Bell was seen joking around with Plummer and Rod Smith as the second team got their reps. Ron Dayne looked solid, but unspectacular. Dayne ran with the second team and performed ok, had a case of fumbilitis for a while, but pulled himself together to finish the practice well. Dayne's conditioning looked ok, but he was noticeably winded after his drills. The dog of the day was Cedric Cobbs. He couldn't finish his conditioning drills, and Bobby Turner ripped him a new one. When Cobbs got some reps in he ran the wrong play, fumbled, and dropped an easy swing pass which set Mike Shanahan on fire. At this point, Cobbs looks like he'll be lucky to be carried on the practice squad. Cobbs was also limping after practice.

WR: Rod Smith is...Rod Smith...Mr. reliable. Made some smooth catches and continues to be Plummer's go-to-man. Smith burned Champ Bailey for what appeared to have been about a 25-30 yard TD. Javon Walker was present but didnt get much work in. Walker participated in the conditioning drills but not in the football drills. The plan must be to work Walker in slowly over the summer. Watts still has hands of stone. Had several drops from Plummer and later Cutler. This could be the end of Watts in Denver. Lelie was not present.

I really hope this is true about Tatum Bell

Sounds like Watts is up to his old self. :ugh:

Hmmm By the sound of that, it doesnt seem like Cobbs isnt doing good at all(devilish smile).

[oldustyballs]

Hmmm By the sound of that, it doesnt seem like Cobbs isnt doing good at all(devilish smile).

I figured you would like that. :D

[underrated29]

alright, watts is a pro footbal player- the team should take all the money from fining lelie, and all of watts money--get a freakking neurologist and srugeon and fix his 3 fingers, or permanently attach little rubber grippies to his fingers and fingertips.

he is just to good to waste

[The Hamburgler]

alright, watts is a pro footbal player- the team should take all the money from fining lelie, and all of watts money--get a freakking neurologist and srugeon and fix his 3 fingers, or permanently attach little rubber grippies to his fingers and fingertips.

he is just to good to waste

Why would a brain doctor fix his fingers??????

[SimonSteele]

alright, watts is a pro footbal player- the team should take all the money from fining lelie, and all of watts money--get a freakking neurologist and srugeon and fix his 3 fingers, or permanently attach little rubber grippies to his fingers and fingertips.

he is just to good to waste

There are so many contradicting reports here can you really believe Watts looked bad until something official is written? I mean I heard Tatum looked horrible, now he looks great. I heard Champ had no picks, but Cutler was picked by him twice. I heard Cutler only threw 1 pick and that was to D. Veal. I heard Javon did more than just drills. I heard Watts only dropped one or two passes but no more or less than any of the other recievers.

[oldustyballs]

There are so many contradicting reports here can you really believe Watts looked bad until something official is written? I mean I heard Tatum looked horrible, now he looks great. I heard Champ had no picks, but Cutler was picked by him twice. I heard Cutler only threw 1 pick and that was to D. Veal. I heard Javon did more than just drills. I heard Watts only dropped one or two passes but no more or less than any of the other recievers.

Everything you stated was from the morning session.

Was there not two practices today.

[The Hamburgler]

Everything you stated was from the morning session.

Was there not two practices today.

i think that there were two today.

[SimonSteele]

Everything you stated was from the morning session.

Was there not two practices today.

Yeah, I didn't know the second had concluded though.

[underrated29]

hey now boys i thought you would all catch the sarcasm in that

my apologies for not adding one of these :goofy:

the neurologist tho, to me makes sense, because he has nerve damage, now i dont know if it just strictly in his fingers, but i would think that a brain seurgon would have a lot of knowledge on how nerves work and how to poetntially fix them. I also dont know what you would call a nerve doctor.

simon you are right, it was the morning session with nothing comfirmed, plus it si the first day, everyone usually has rust the first day.

lets hope he shakes it off

[ReleaseTheBeast7]

My God Tatum is going to be a monster :rockon:

Looks like Baby TO has himself in the slot now too!

[The Hamburgler]

I want to see how big tatum is now.

[D.J.55]

this still the first day. expect players that struggled today to be better tomorrow. i think still has a chance to be the starter, but he can't be running the wrong play and fumbling tomorrow or shanahan is going to cut this running backbattle from 3 way race to a 2 way race. i think nerves go to cobbs to day. i expect him to put on a show tomorrow.

[ReleaseTheBeast7]

Hmmm By the sound of that, it doesnt seem like Cobbs isnt doing good at all(devilish smile).

Yet it doesn't say ANYTHING about Mike Bell

[The Hamburgler]

Yet it doesn't say ANYTHING about Mike Bell

Shanny doesnt want our opponents this year to know anything about him. So they cant gameplan against him when he starts :D . Shanny is a Genius remember. :D But Mike Bell hasnt been covered alot in these reports. He isnt a big name player(yet :D )

[ReleaseTheBeast7]

Javon Walker was present but didnt get much work in. Walker participated in the conditioning drills but not in the football drills. The plan must be to work Walker in slowly over the summer

That's a load of crap... Shanny just said at his presser that Javon competed in ALL the full drills and was VERY impressive.

I question if this is credible or not.

[ReleaseTheBeast7]

He isnt a big name player(yet :D )

Nor will he ever be.

[WABronco]

That's a load of crap... Shanny just said at his presser that Javon competed in ALL the full drills and was VERY impressive.

I question if this is credible or not.
Agreed.

This stuff is nice for discussion, but it doesn't hold too much water in my eyes.

[The Hamburgler]

Nor will he ever be.

Like Cobbs is a big name player. He had like 1.7 ypc in NE. I would take anything over that.

[D.J.55]

Like Cobbs is a big name player. He had like 1.7 ypc in NE. I would take anything over that.

its not like he ever go his chance to show what he could do.

[The Hamburgler]

its not like he ever go his chance to show what he could do.

On his first major playing time game, that is what he got. But Bell hasnt got to show what he can do either.

[Lorcust]

Why would a brain doctor fix his fingers??????

His problem stems from nerve damage. So a doctor who specializesin nerves and the brain, a neurologist, could help. I'm not sure if Watts's problem is curable though.




Tatum Bell is looking like a beast, and really taking charge of the position like Shanahan hoped one back would do. Who knows? Maybe we don't need Thomas Jones is Bell can really proove to be a reliable asset and every down back.

I'd like to see a picture of Bell that said he is noticabely bigger.

I'm not expecting him to be cut like LT, but I'd hope he has a bit more muscle and a larger, more solid frame.

[tnedator]

Shanny doesnt want our opponents this year to know anything about him. So they cant gameplan against him when he starts . Shanny is a Genius remember. But Mike Bell hasnt been covered alot in these reports. He isnt a big name player(yet :D )

Ok, I guess you just have to dust off all the frequently used Dayne lines, and substitute Bell for Dayne? :)

[ReleaseTheBeast7]

Like Cobbs is a big name player. He had like 1.7 ypc in NE. I would take anything over that.

I'm not saying Cobbs is incredible or none of that... I'm tired of people like you saying "OHHH MIKE BELL'S THE FUTURE!", when in all honestly, you've never seen him play, and nor have I. I'm going off of what he has done that I have seen, and you know what that is? Going undrafted.

He's a nobody, same with Cobbs. They both suck, and they both won't make the team.

[30TDavis]

It is great to read this morning with the morning coffee that Tatum Bell was the talk of day one. I love the running back position (must have something to do with rugby league here in Australia) and I have fingers crossed that he is ready to step to be our guy that carries the load for the next five to eight years. As much as it hurts to say, I would love to see someone stick around and take TD's Denver Broncos career rushing yards record of 7,607 yards.

As others have mentioned, some news on Mike Bell's efforts would be appreciated.

Cedric Cobbs - hmmm - one member suggested he was a threat to Tatum and Dayne's starting job ... I didn't agree going off his touches so far in the NFL and he hasn't got off to a great start here. It is only day one though first impressions tend to linger.

"Smith burned Champ Bailey for what appeared to have been about a 25-30 yard TD."

Just love Rod Smith - I am sure Champ was quietly seething that the 35 y.o. veteran had burned him

:heh:

[tnedator]

Cedric Cobbs - hmmm - one member suggested he was a threat to Tatum and Dayne's starting job ... I didn't agree going off his touches so far in the NFL and he hasn't got off to a great start here. It is only day one though first impressions tend to linger.


In the post, it says he was limping, which has been his problem dating back to college. His measurables (size, speed) are impressive, but he was oft injured in college. He started his rookie year on PUP, and then only played in three regular season games (one carry in one, 5 in another, and 16 in one) and one pre-season game is second year (3 carries), so he has had virtually no NFL games to be evaluated in.

I believe Tatum is the back to beat, and have not bought into the notion that he can only carry the ball 10-15 times. However, all indications (from college and Shanny's mouth) was that Cobbs would make a run for playing time.

[Fan in exile]

I'm not saying Cobbs is incredible or none of that... I'm tired of people like you saying "OHHH MIKE BELL'S THE FUTURE!", when in all honestly, you've never seen him play, and nor have I. I'm going off of what he has done that I have seen, and you know what that is? Going undrafted.

He's a nobody, same with Cobbs. They both suck, and they both won't make the team.

I'm tired or the people who say someone sucks when they haven't seen him play. Thankfully Shanahan gets to make the personel decisions.

[30TDavis]

In the post, it says he was limping, which has been his problem dating back to college. His measurables (size, speed) are impressive, but he was oft injured in college. He started his rookie year on PUP, and then only played in three regular season games (one carry in one, 5 in another, and 16 in one) and one pre-season game is second year (3 carries), so he has had virtually no NFL games to be evaluated in.

I believe Tatum is the back to beat, and have not bought into the notion that he can only carry the ball 10-15 times. However, all indications (from college and Shanny's mouth) was that Cobbs would make a run for playing time.

Fair point, nice post.

I agree, I like the "measurables" that Cobbs offers - if Shanahan has stated he will "make a run for playing time", you have to also respect that too as the man knows how to find a 1000 yard rusher like no other :salute:

Tatum Bell will be our back I believe and once again agree, I don't buy in to the line that "he is not a running back up to carrying the load for a NFL team" - same thing was once said of Preist Holmes ...

[D.J.55]

On his first major playing time game, that is what he got. But Bell hasnt got to show what he can do either.

just because cobbs a one bad game doesn't mean hes a bad running back. i'm looking forward to see what he does in the some preseason games. i think he will impress the coaches.

[topscribe]

Why would a brain doctor fix his fingers??????
A neurologist works with neurons. Nerve cells are neurons. They run throughout the body.

Even the fingers. :coffee:

----

[SouthernBronco]

Yet it doesn't say ANYTHING about Mike Bell

Found this about Mike .

.. RB Mike Bell fumbled the ball a play after running backs coach Bobby Turner was heard screaming at Tatum Bell to squeeze the ball when in traffic.

http://www.9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=b742f512-0abe-421a-00c4-a510d398315a&TEMPLATEID=af6b6b60-ac1f-02c5-0012-a9383dc2f691

[MindField]

I found this on the footballguys forums.

QB: Jake Plummer looked sharp. Was delivering the ball accurately and crisply in the 7-on-7 drills and continued with his precision passing on 11-on-11 drills. Doesn't appear to be fazed by Jay Cutler looking over his shoulder. Jay Cutler got some work in but looked shaky as one would expect a rookie to look. Champ Bailey picked him off twice when Cutler failed to put enough mustard on the ball.

RB: Tatum Bell was the rave of Day 1. Bell looked noticeably bigger and was in great condition. Bell ran exclusively with the first team and looked even more explosive than ever. He consistently ripped huge gains through the middle and outran defnders to the corner before cutting upfield for what would have easily been 10-15 yard gains. While Bell was focused and modest, you could see an air of confidence and swagger to him...something apparently Mike Shanahan liked because several people overheard him go up to Tatum Bell and ask him if he's ready to run for 1600. Bell was seen joking around with Plummer and Rod Smith as the second team got their reps. Ron Dayne looked solid, but unspectacular. Dayne ran with the second team and performed ok, had a case of fumbilitis for a while, but pulled himself together to finish the practice well. Dayne's conditioning looked ok, but he was noticeably winded after his drills. The dog of the day was Cedric Cobbs. He couldn't finish his conditioning drills, and Bobby Turner ripped him a new one. When Cobbs got some reps in he ran the wrong play, fumbled, and dropped an easy swing pass which set Mike Shanahan on fire. At this point, Cobbs looks like he'll be lucky to be carried on the practice squad. Cobbs was also limping after practice.

WR: Rod Smith is...Rod Smith...Mr. reliable. Made some smooth catches and continues to be Plummer's go-to-man. Smith burned Champ Bailey for what appeared to have been about a 25-30 yard TD. Javon Walker was present but didnt get much work in. Walker participated in the conditioning drills but not in the football drills. The plan must be to work Walker in slowly over the summer. Watts still has hands of stone. Had several drops from Plummer and later Cutler. This could be the end of Watts in Denver. Lelie was not present.

I really hope this is true about Tatum Bell

Sounds like Watts is up to his old self. :ugh:


The report on Cobbs was wrong. The player in question was #20, Mike Bell. He was the one in Turner's doghouse today....Cobbs was actually quite good today.
With this rather glaring inaccuracy in reporting, I am mot sure I would believe anything more from the source.

[tnedator]

The report on Cobbs was wrong. The player in question was #20, Mike Bell. He was the one in Turner's doghouse today....Cobbs was actually quite good today.
With this rather glaring inaccuracy of reporting, I am mot sure I would believe anything more from the source.

According to Kaylore on Mane, the only back that ran well this afternoon in pads was Mike Bell. He said Tatum was awful, Dayne ok, and Cobbs fairly weak.

[MindField]

According to Kaylore on Mane, the only back that ran well this afternoon in pads was Mike Bell. He said Tatum was awful, Dayne ok, and Cobbs fairly weak.


I would respectfully disagree. Others I heard today, for example, called Dayne 'very impressive'....I can tell you Mike Bell was not. I would be willing to bet he will make his exit from the roster in the first round of cuts, if not before.

[tnedator]

I would respectfully disagree. Others I heard today, for example, called Dayne 'very impressive'....I can tell you Mike Bell was not. I would be willing to bet he will make his exit from the roster in the first round of cuts, if not before.

You can respectfully disagree all you want, but it isn't my opinion. I didn't see the practices. Here is the link to the post on Mane. Kaylore seems to give some pretty detailed reports and his opinion there and here seems to be very respected.

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showpost.php?p=1200141&postcount=19

[Kaylore]

I would respectfully disagree. Others I heard today, for example, called Dayne 'very impressive'....I can tell you Mike Bell was not. I would be willing to bet he will make his exit from the roster in the first round of cuts, if not before.
If fumbling the ball without contact is impressive, then I guess you're right! ;)

[SouthernBronco]

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=5780

Dove Valley Dispatches


ENTRIES
Throughout training camp, Managing Editor Andrew Mason will offer some quick-hit observations from each practice. Entries will come throughout each day at irregular intervals, but as frequently as he can get around to it.

BRONCOS TV
Get the lowdown on the tight ends, where Stephen Alexander provides the veteran leadership to a group of young and eager players.


LINING 'EM UP ...
The first-team defense Friday morning didn't look much different than the one the Broncos utilized for most of last year: Darrent Williams and Champ Bailey on the corners; John Lynch and Nick Ferguson manning the safety slots; Ian Gold, Al Wilson and D.J. Williams as the linebackers and a defensive line composed of ends Courtney Brown and Ebenezer Ekuban with tackles Michael Myers and Gerard Warren.

The year-to-year consistency continued in the first wave of situational substitutions. When the defense went into its first-team nickel formation, D.J. Williams was replaced by second-year cornerback Domonique Foxworth. Safety Sam Brandon came in when the Broncos went to their first-team "big nickel" package, just as he did throughout the 2005 season.

"We're pretty stable," Wilson said. "We feel good about the nucleus we have. We've got a nice mix of veterans and young guys ... We kind of work together and we're just going to see how it comes out."

The only change among the first unit was inserting Ekuban -- who did play substantially last year and tied for the team lead in sacks -- for Trevor Pryce, who was released in Februrary.

But Wilson didn't think there would be any dropoff without Pryce's presence when he was asked about the subject this morning.

"There's not. Any time you miss a guy like Trevor, we definitely feel like it's a hole in there, but at the same time we have some guys that really know how to play the game," he said. '"hen you've got a Gerard Warren, Ebenezer Ekuban, Michael Myers, Courtney Brown -- veteran guys that know what it takes -- you can fill that void that we have."

Defensive coordinator Larry Coyer expressed a similar sentiment Thursday.

"I will miss (Pryce) personally, but I think it's probably best for Trevor and best for Denver," Coyer said. "I think this was something that was a positive for both parties and I'm sure he'll have a great year. I hope we go on and have a great year, but I will miss him personally."

*** Posted at 2:54 p.m. MDT ***


STARTING UP ...
I choose not to start this series of entries with any grandiose sentiments that combine the sentimentality of a Hallmark card with the flowery prose of an overwrought romantic novel.

I'd rather get right to the point, so here goes:

Training camp got underway this morning with all players but Ashley Lelie present. Of those present, only Domenik Hixon sat out; he hasn't practiced fully since joining the team as a fourth-round pick.

The Broncos wasted little time getting straight to work; the receivers and cornerbacks had two one-on-one sessions -- one that began at midfield, and another that took place at the goal line consisting mostly of fade routes.

Turnovers were in short supply for the defense; Demetrin Veal notched the only interception of the day, nabbing a short pass up the middle off the arm of Jay Cutler. Ian Gold nearly had an interception in seven-on-seven drills earlier in the practice, while some extra hustle from Curome Cox allowed him to strip the football from running back Mike Bell.

The players practiced in shorts; Al Wilson thought they would put on shoulder pads when they re-took the field for the afternoon practice at 3:50 p.m., but he didn't think that the lack of pads was due to the morning heat; the temperature inched into the 80s about an hour into practice and registered 84 degrees by the time it ended.

"I doubt it," Wilson said. "It's not the time to take it easy."

Denver closed out the morning with some special-teams work for about half the players on the team.

Next session's at 3:50 p.m. MDT. More to come before then ...

[tnedator]

If fumbling the ball without contact is impressive, then I guess you're right! ;)

Guess I don't have to talk about the well respected reporter, since he can share his insight in person.

Great TC reports today.

[MindField]

There are so many contradicting reports here can you really believe Watts looked bad until something official is written? I mean I heard Tatum looked horrible, now he looks great. I heard Champ had no picks, but Cutler was picked by him twice. I heard Cutler only threw 1 pick and that was to D. Veal. I heard Javon did more than just drills. I heard Watts only dropped one or two passes but no more or less than any of the other recievers.


I agree. I was at the practices, and in previous seasons, I offered my in depth reports from Camp. I have decided not to do that anymore, for this reason. For those of you not in Denver, who do you belive? It becomes confusing and frustrating. So I am limiting my reports to just some individual things I see when I am at practice.

But I heard the same thing...Tatum looked great, then I heard he sucked....then I heard Dayne was great, etc, etc....the truth is, to me both looked OK. The only thing I corrected was someone apparently got Mike Bell and Cedric Cobbs confused, because it was M. Bell that fumbled, dropped the passes and got reemed by Bobby Turner. That stuff happened right in front of me.

[Kaylore]

I agree. I was at the practices, and in previous seasons, I offered my in depth reports from Camp. I have decided not to do that anymore, for this reason. For those of you not in Denver, who do you belive? It becomes confusing and frustrating. So I am limiting my reports to just some individual things I see when I am at practice.

But I heard the same thing...Tatum looked great, then I heard he sucked....then I heard Dayne was great, etc, etc....the truth is, to me both looked OK. The only thing I corrected was someone apparently got Mike Bell and Cedric Cobbs confused, because it was M. Bell that fumbled, dropped the passes and got reemed by Bobby Turner. That stuff happened right in front of me.
I saw the dropped pass, but apparently missed the fumble.

[30TDavis]

I agree. I was at the practices, and in previous seasons, I offered my in depth reports from Camp. I have decided not to do that anymore, for this reason. For those of you not in Denver, who do you belive? It becomes confusing and frustrating.

Couldn't of said it better.

I unfortunately sit on the other side of the world and the multitude of reports vary from person to person, quote to quote. It makes it a hard process in deciphering who to believe and what to take from training camp.

I will rely personally on the what I read from the official website and from Bronco TV.

No disrespect to any of the members on here contributing, though I am not up to speed on who is a reliable source for information. This time next year I should have a clearer picture, as of today I am unable to say that.

I will continue to read the different views from those attending camp with hope the general feel of what has happened on any given day remains largely consistent across the board. Opinions vary, granted, though those reading would like to think those offering an insight can tell a good play from a horrible one.

All in all, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts on what is happening in training camp. I envy your position, one day soon I hopefully will be joining you

;)