McDaniels lightens team's load in evening practice
ENGLEWOOD • After four practices in full pads to open training camp, coach Josh McDaniels took it easy on his team Sunday evening with a light practice.
Veterans didn’t have to wear pads and worked at half speed in a learning session. Rookies and backups put on pads about halfway through the practice for some full contact work.
Two more practices are scheduled for today. The team doesn’t have two practices on consecutive days often, although McDaniels has followed through on his promise to have a more physical camp than former coach Mike Shanahan.
HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS
Receiver Kenny McKinley made a juggling catch at the end of the afternoon practice. … On the first two plays of an 11-on-11 drill in the morning, quarterback Kyle Orton threw deep and both passes should have been intercepted. … Rookie cornerback Alphonso Smith picked off a pass from rookie Tom Brandstater in the morning. … Receiver Eddie Royal caught a long pass from Orton, making a nice adjustment on the ball.
QUOTABLE
“He’s got a hit out on him.” — outside linebacker Tim Crowder, who was laid out by running back Peyton Hillis during a tackling drill Saturday
WHAT’S NEXT
The Broncos practice twice today — 8:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
FOCUSING ON
Mario Haggan, linebacker. Haggan played mostly middle linebacker last season but has been with the outside linebackers in camp. With Jarvis Moss and Robert Ayers not in camp, Haggan has been with the second-team unit as the left outside linebacker.
BLOG
“Defensive end Nic Clemons, who went down with what appeared to be a knee injury Saturday, might be able to return soon. Coach Josh McDaniels said Clemons won’t practice ‘for the next few days’ but his injury is not serious.” For reports, visit gazettebroncos.freedomblogging.com.
TWEETS
“Just heard from Ayers’ agent: ‘No progress.’ Most of the contracts around Ayers done, he’s still a holdout.” Get The Gazette’s camp coverage as soon as something happens on Twitter. Join and follow us @fs3142.
