Bronco Training Camp 2013

On Monday July 29, 2013 I made my annual visit to Broncos training camp.  My son and I arrived one hour early only to be surprised by the crowds:

I've been going to Broncos training camp at Dove Valley for years and this was the biggest crowd I have seen yet (on a Monday morning at 8 a.m. no less).  Broncomania is alive and well!  We ended up standing for three hours on the top of the hill next to the main practice field (around the 30 yard line):

 First up was punt catching practice.  Balls were launched from this machine to the Broncos returners:

 Dynamic returner Trindon Holliday didn't drop a ball during this drill - good to see!

 Wes Welker also took part in this drill.  The sure handed Welker also didn't drop a ball and looks like he may be the "safe" punt returner to replace Jim Leonhard.

  

Our 30 yard line location provided a good view of the action.

 

 Peyton Manning was in fine form - very accurate and with more arm strength than I remember from my camp visit last year. 

Wes Welker will be a great addition - it was strange seeing him in a Bronco uniform after watching him play for the Patriots in recent years.

 

Welker caught everything thrown his way this day and showed good moves to get open.

 

Here's Welker chatting with Manning in a break from the action.

Brock Osweiler (#17) showed impressive arm strength during his time, but also made a few mistakes.  Osweiler has the raw tools to be a good qb but I think game action will determine if he will be Peyton's successor in a few years.

The Broncos have some beef in the defensive line - here's Kevin Vickerson (99), rookie Sylvester Williams (92) and Terrance Knighton (94) next to Von Miller (58)

Miller (58) and Derek Wolfe (95) provide a good pass rush this day.

Uh oh!  #1 draft choice Sylvester Williams goes down with an injury in the middle of practice and limps off the field.  In a post practice press conference head coach John Fox thinks the injury isn't too serious.

 

Defensive backs David Bruton (30), Rahim Moore (26), and Champ Bailey (24) chat with coaches during a break.

On the offensive line, it was good to see coach Alex Gibbs back with the team and active in practice.  Though only part time Gibbs was very active in coaching the offensive line this day.

A new 1-2 punch at running back?  Here is Ronnie Hillman and rookie Montee Ball.

 

The team ran a number of plays where Ball was split wide in pass formation.  I thought Hillman and Ball both looked good, in addition to rookie free agent CJ Anderson at running back.

I always enjoy a visit to Broncos training camp for a close up look at the team.  I thought the offense looked great today - as long as the offensive line holds up to give Manning time to throw the Broncos should put a lot of points on the board.  The defense is more of a question mark, especially if Von Miller misses four games, but I think Denver will end up outscoring lots of teams this year.