Broncos quarterbacks benefit from reporting to camp early

ENGLEWOOD — When the Denver Broncos veterans report to camp today, Kyle Orton and Chris Simms might ask what took them so long.

The quarterbacks had to report to camp with the rookies Monday. Their first thoughts upon hearing the early report date might not have been joyous, but the extra time helped.

“It’s the best thing for quarterbacks to get out here, get our minds going a little bit, get a head start on the rest of the team and the offense and come out here and knock some of the rust off, too,” Simms said.

Another benefit from the early work was throwing while wearing shoulder pads, something that always takes a little time to readjust to after the offseason.

Josh McDaniels’ offense is not easy to learn, as both quarterbacks showed when they struggled through the first minicamp in April. But when they reported to training camp, McDaniels noticed a difference.

“The information flow in the quarterback room is much quicker,” McDaniels said. “Their recall is certainly very high right now, and they know what to do.”

Orton said he was pleased to enter camp as the starter and spend all of his time with the first-team offense instead of being knee-deep in a quarterback controversy.

“Obviously, it helps to be able to get the majority of the reps and get the reps that I need,” Orton said. “So that’s great to be the face in the huddle and try to develop that leadership role starting right now.”

Ravens Eye Marshall

Yahoo Sports reported that two NFL sources said Baltimore might revisit the idea of trading for unhappy Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall if veteran Derrick Mason doesn’t return from his sudden retirement.

Recent Ravens history would indicate they aren’t likely to make the deal. Also, the Ravens think Mason’s retirement was partly a ploy to help get more money from the team.