24SuperChamp
08-01-2007, 12:39 PM
Tuesday's camp notebook
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By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News
August 1, 2007
12th man
Broncos quarterback prospect Darrell Hackney can quickly crunch the numbers when it comes to quarterbacks who were selected in the 2006 draft.
"Eleven of them," Hackney said. "Eleven. And you tell me all of those guys had better stats than me. But I know what I want to do in life. Football is my life, my dream - my goal is to someday start in the NFL. I'm never going to give up."
Hackney was not among the 11 - the Broncos' Jay Cutler, the Arizona Cardinals' Matt Leinart and the Tennessee Titans' Vince Young were the first-rounders in the quarterback class - and after he was released by the Cleveland Browns during training camp last year, Hackney was out of the league for the season.
The Broncos worked out Hackney in September and liked what they saw, signing him as a "futures" free agent in January.
Hackney, who twice threw for at least 3,000 yards in a season at Alabama-Birmingham, a total that included 417 yards in the Hawaii Bowl to end the 2004 season, certainly has the kind of arm the NFL covets.
It's his height - he was measured at 5-foot-11 5/8 at the scouting combine before the 2006 draft - and his weight (the Broncos list him at 248 pounds) that made some teams squirrelly.
But when it comes to throwing the ball - and several of his throws during camp have been worthy of a double take - Hackney believes he has the goods.
"I know it's not about college, it's about what can you do in this league," Hackney said. "Things are much faster. But if I'm 6-3, I'm in the first round and we're not even having this conversation. I let my play handle itself, but some people will always say I have to prove something to them just because of my height."
No Rice, please
Having been told his ailing left shoulder will be ready to go in a few weeks by noted surgeon Dr. James Andrews, free-agent defensive end Simeon Rice is making the rounds, looking for a new team.
The New York Giants have had him in for a physical, while the Titans are scheduled to bring him in as soon as today.
But as it stands now, don't expect the Broncos to take a look. Despite the fact coach Mike Shanahan often has coveted Rice during the years and some in the league believe he's tried to trade for Rice in the past, Rice's asking price is expected to be too high and the Broncos believe they already have a big enough crowd in the defensive line.
Rice was released Friday by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the team failed him on his physical. He missed eight games last season after surgery on the shoulder, but Andrews is said to have advised Rice the joint is structurally sound and he will be ready to play by mid-September.
Rice was second among active players at the end of the 2006 season with 121 sacks.
Numbers game
3 consecutive days cornerback Dré Bly has had an interception during team drills, a total that includes two during Tuesday's afternoon practice.
Spring fling
Former Washington Redskins and Houston Texans general manager Charley Casserly, who now works as an analyst for CBS, made the Broncos his first summer training camp stop.
But Casserly visited 12 teams during offseason workouts.
"I like to visit in the spring; there's a little more time with people," Casserly said. "In training camp, there is practice, meetings and meals and that's about it. And if you're not at practice, you're at a meeting, and if you're not at a meeting, you're at a meal."
His advice for making the spring swing is "don't hit bowling day." The Broncos traditionally end their July minicamp with a team bowling outing.
Daily highlights
Nate Webster was the third player to take a turn at strong-side linebacker with the starting defense. Webster, D.D. Lewis and Warrick Holdman have taken extended snaps with the starters in at least one practice.
Louis Green lined up for Ian Gold at weak-side linebacker when Gold was held out of practice.
Cornerback Champ Bailey recovered a bouncing fumble during the morning practice.
When safety Curome Cox tackled running back Mike Bell into the first row of the crowd to end a running play during the morning practice, Bell gave the ball to a fan.
The defense had a fumble recovery negated during the two-minute drill during the afternoon practice because at least one defender lined up in the neutral zone.
Quarterback Jay Cutler hit an uncovered Brian Clark for a big play during team drills in the afternoon.
Tuck it in
As if the Broncos rookie defensive linemen didn't have enough to worry about in high-intensity one-on-one drills.
Beyond the playbook, the new guys also were learning the dress code, especially defensive tackle Marcus Thomas.
Defensive line coach Bill Johnson, even as Thomas was trying to digest the critique of his rush, would bark for Thomas to "tuck your shirt in."
"You have to expect that. I'm a rookie, they want to see what I can handle," Thomas said. "They want me to learn the right way from top to bottom. I'm ready for that and I want it.
"I want to do things right."
He said it
"We all have to bond together and all we have right now is each other and we're competing against the veterans."
Tim Crowder, rookie defensive end, on bonding with the team's other rookies in the defensive line.
Roster move
Linebacker Eddie Moore cleared waivers and the Broncos formally put him on reserve injured, so they retain his rights while he recovers from a right knee injury. Moore is expected to have surgery in the coming weeks.
Injury report
Linebacker Ian Gold (back spasms) sat out both practices.
Receiver Domenik Hixon suffered a first-degree shoulder separation during the morning practice and underwent a magnetic resonance imaging exam. He did not practice during the afternoon and could miss one or two days, but coach Mike Shanahan said the injury "wasn't that serious."
Rest up
Tackle Adam Meadows and receiver Brandon Stokley were given the morning practice off. Both practiced during the afternoon.
A host of players were given the afternoon practice off, including center Tom Nalen, tackle Matt Lepsis, running back Travis Henry, cornerback Champ Bailey, safety John Lynch, safety Nick Ferguson, defensive tackle Sam Adams and defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban.
If you go
Today
The Broncos will hold two practices. Morning practice starts at 8:30 a.m.; gates open at 7:30 a.m. Afternoon practice (special teams only so it will not include the full roster) begins at 3:40 p.m.; gates open at 2:40 p.m.
Thursday
There will be two full-team workouts. Morning practice starts at 8:30 a.m.; gates open at 7:30 a.m. Afternoon practice starts at 3:50 p.m.; gates open at 2:50 p.m.
STORY TOOLS
Email this story | Print
MORE STORIES
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News
August 1, 2007
12th man
Broncos quarterback prospect Darrell Hackney can quickly crunch the numbers when it comes to quarterbacks who were selected in the 2006 draft.
"Eleven of them," Hackney said. "Eleven. And you tell me all of those guys had better stats than me. But I know what I want to do in life. Football is my life, my dream - my goal is to someday start in the NFL. I'm never going to give up."
Hackney was not among the 11 - the Broncos' Jay Cutler, the Arizona Cardinals' Matt Leinart and the Tennessee Titans' Vince Young were the first-rounders in the quarterback class - and after he was released by the Cleveland Browns during training camp last year, Hackney was out of the league for the season.
The Broncos worked out Hackney in September and liked what they saw, signing him as a "futures" free agent in January.
Hackney, who twice threw for at least 3,000 yards in a season at Alabama-Birmingham, a total that included 417 yards in the Hawaii Bowl to end the 2004 season, certainly has the kind of arm the NFL covets.
It's his height - he was measured at 5-foot-11 5/8 at the scouting combine before the 2006 draft - and his weight (the Broncos list him at 248 pounds) that made some teams squirrelly.
But when it comes to throwing the ball - and several of his throws during camp have been worthy of a double take - Hackney believes he has the goods.
"I know it's not about college, it's about what can you do in this league," Hackney said. "Things are much faster. But if I'm 6-3, I'm in the first round and we're not even having this conversation. I let my play handle itself, but some people will always say I have to prove something to them just because of my height."
No Rice, please
Having been told his ailing left shoulder will be ready to go in a few weeks by noted surgeon Dr. James Andrews, free-agent defensive end Simeon Rice is making the rounds, looking for a new team.
The New York Giants have had him in for a physical, while the Titans are scheduled to bring him in as soon as today.
But as it stands now, don't expect the Broncos to take a look. Despite the fact coach Mike Shanahan often has coveted Rice during the years and some in the league believe he's tried to trade for Rice in the past, Rice's asking price is expected to be too high and the Broncos believe they already have a big enough crowd in the defensive line.
Rice was released Friday by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the team failed him on his physical. He missed eight games last season after surgery on the shoulder, but Andrews is said to have advised Rice the joint is structurally sound and he will be ready to play by mid-September.
Rice was second among active players at the end of the 2006 season with 121 sacks.
Numbers game
3 consecutive days cornerback Dré Bly has had an interception during team drills, a total that includes two during Tuesday's afternoon practice.
Spring fling
Former Washington Redskins and Houston Texans general manager Charley Casserly, who now works as an analyst for CBS, made the Broncos his first summer training camp stop.
But Casserly visited 12 teams during offseason workouts.
"I like to visit in the spring; there's a little more time with people," Casserly said. "In training camp, there is practice, meetings and meals and that's about it. And if you're not at practice, you're at a meeting, and if you're not at a meeting, you're at a meal."
His advice for making the spring swing is "don't hit bowling day." The Broncos traditionally end their July minicamp with a team bowling outing.
Daily highlights
Nate Webster was the third player to take a turn at strong-side linebacker with the starting defense. Webster, D.D. Lewis and Warrick Holdman have taken extended snaps with the starters in at least one practice.
Louis Green lined up for Ian Gold at weak-side linebacker when Gold was held out of practice.
Cornerback Champ Bailey recovered a bouncing fumble during the morning practice.
When safety Curome Cox tackled running back Mike Bell into the first row of the crowd to end a running play during the morning practice, Bell gave the ball to a fan.
The defense had a fumble recovery negated during the two-minute drill during the afternoon practice because at least one defender lined up in the neutral zone.
Quarterback Jay Cutler hit an uncovered Brian Clark for a big play during team drills in the afternoon.
Tuck it in
As if the Broncos rookie defensive linemen didn't have enough to worry about in high-intensity one-on-one drills.
Beyond the playbook, the new guys also were learning the dress code, especially defensive tackle Marcus Thomas.
Defensive line coach Bill Johnson, even as Thomas was trying to digest the critique of his rush, would bark for Thomas to "tuck your shirt in."
"You have to expect that. I'm a rookie, they want to see what I can handle," Thomas said. "They want me to learn the right way from top to bottom. I'm ready for that and I want it.
"I want to do things right."
He said it
"We all have to bond together and all we have right now is each other and we're competing against the veterans."
Tim Crowder, rookie defensive end, on bonding with the team's other rookies in the defensive line.
Roster move
Linebacker Eddie Moore cleared waivers and the Broncos formally put him on reserve injured, so they retain his rights while he recovers from a right knee injury. Moore is expected to have surgery in the coming weeks.
Injury report
Linebacker Ian Gold (back spasms) sat out both practices.
Receiver Domenik Hixon suffered a first-degree shoulder separation during the morning practice and underwent a magnetic resonance imaging exam. He did not practice during the afternoon and could miss one or two days, but coach Mike Shanahan said the injury "wasn't that serious."
Rest up
Tackle Adam Meadows and receiver Brandon Stokley were given the morning practice off. Both practiced during the afternoon.
A host of players were given the afternoon practice off, including center Tom Nalen, tackle Matt Lepsis, running back Travis Henry, cornerback Champ Bailey, safety John Lynch, safety Nick Ferguson, defensive tackle Sam Adams and defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban.
If you go
Today
The Broncos will hold two practices. Morning practice starts at 8:30 a.m.; gates open at 7:30 a.m. Afternoon practice (special teams only so it will not include the full roster) begins at 3:40 p.m.; gates open at 2:40 p.m.
Thursday
There will be two full-team workouts. Morning practice starts at 8:30 a.m.; gates open at 7:30 a.m. Afternoon practice starts at 3:50 p.m.; gates open at 2:50 p.m.