Bailey among 3 Broncos vets to start camp on sidelines

ENGLEWOOD – On the eve of training camp, cornerback Champ Bailey and two other Denver Broncos were put on the physically unable to perform list.

According to two sources who didn’t want to be named because the team didn’t announce the moves, Bailey was joined on the PUP list by safety Renaldo Hill and defensive tackle Marcus Thomas.

Players who begin camp on the PUP list can be added to the active roster anytime. One source said Thomas failed a conditioning test, which all veterans took Thursday after arriving. The reasons for Bailey and Hill being put on the list weren’t known. Bailey had elbow surgery after last season but did take part in offseason practices.

The three could be taken off the PUP list as soon as this morning. Linebackers Wesley Woodyard and D.J. Williams were placed on the PUP list Monday with what the team called a stomach virus and were practicing Tuesday.

Whoever is out on the field today better buckle their chinstraps — this camp will be much tougher than those in recent years.

Former coach Mike Shanahan rarely had his players in full pads. By the end of his tenure, the team would have only one “live” drill — for goal-line work — the entire camp. A list of veterans received afternoons off after morning practices. And last year, Shanahan made afternoon practices half speed during two-a-days in an effort to avoid injuries.

New coach Josh McDaniels won’t take it easy on players. No veterans will receive days off automatically. Pads will be on most of the time, and there will be plenty of hitting.

During a year of massive turnover on the team, McDaniels admits a physical camp is a chance to weed out players he doesn’t want.

“Hopefully we brought in the right kind of guys, and I’m hoping everyone enjoys it to some degree,” he said.

McDaniels brought that approach from New England; the Patriots often practiced in full pads during last year’s training camp. McDaniels said he wants to have a physical team, and this is how he plans to establish that.

“Every coach runs things differently — that’s football,” receiver Brandon Stokley said. “Coaches are going to do whatever they think is best for us.”