Around the web: Final week of Passing Camp

On Monday, the Broncos once again took the field for the final week of passing camp. On Wednesday, passing camp will conclude and players will get a break untill Friday the 11th, when Mandatory mini camp starts up. Here is a spin around the web with notes from today's practice;

Monday’s practice — like Friday — was an “opportunity practice” for rookies and younger players to get some on-field work as the veterans worked out separately. One new sighting was third-round pick Eric Decker, who was running back and forth catching passes from strength and conditioning coach Rich Tuten away from the rest of practice. Demaryius Thomas, Ryan Harris and J.J. Arrington — all of whom returned to practice last week — were involved in the team portions of practice for the first time. For the first set of 7-on-7 plays, Tebow was the first quarterback to step under center. In every other drill, however, Quinn took the first reps. [DenverBroncos.com]

So far, so good for Demaryius Thomas.

The Broncos’ top 2010 pick made another step forward to being able to work 100 percent Monday, working against a defense for the first time and catching a pair of passes, including a overhead, back-corner-of-the-end zone catch from Brady Quinn during a seven-on-seven red zone period. “It just felt good. I was happy to be out there competing, getting some more reps,” Thomas said. As Thomas worked with the team, fellow rookie Eric Decker worked with strength and conditioning coach Rich Tuten on an adjacent field. There remains no concrete timetable for the third-rounder to make his Dove Valley debut, although training camp remains the target. Quinn completed 16 of 31 passes with four touchdowns in red zone periods and two interceptions, while Tebow was 14-of-27 and matched Quinn with two interceptions and four red-zone period touchdowns. Both quarterbacks were plagued by drops and bobbles from the pass-catchers. [MaxDenver.com]

Most of the Broncos' veterans have been excused from the last two practices to give the younger and new players more practice time. Those practices might have reinforced Kyle Orton's value to the team. The defense had more established players practicing and almost all of the receivers the offense has been using won't be on the final roster. Also, practices in June aren't the ultimate measure of any player. Still, Brady Quinn and Tim Tebow didn't have their best days without Orton in practice. After Tebow threw an interception to Wesley Woodyard, coach Josh McDaniels screamed at the offense. However, McDaniels didn't seem concerned afterwards. He acknowledged that when there are turnovers a lot of times the defense makes a good play. And that his quarterbacks were working with an unusual crew of receivers. He was asked if the quarterbacks were progressing as fast as he would like. "Sometimes, sometimes not," McDaniels said. "You know I'm going to yell at them when they make mistakes and we're going to coach them hard. Right now we're showing them so many different things out there on defense, and a lot of times it's their first time seeing something. If that's the case, you're going to make some mistakes. That's what what we go into the film room and work through. "I think there's a lot of progress being made at that position. There's a lot of little things you guys don't get a chance to see or hear that to me shows a big step in the right direction." [Colorado Spring Gazette]

For all the attention Tim Tebow is getting, the first-round pick still has a long way to go in his development as a NFL quarterback. Offseason practices have shown that Tebow still has a lot to learn. He has looked tentative at times, checking down rather than make a mistake. His progressions are slow as he grasps a complex offense. None of that should be surprising. It's the typical learning curve for a rookie quarterback taking his first few repetitions in the NFL.
That doesn't mean Tebow hasn't shown some good things. Players have said he is physically ready, and has shown off good arm strength that proves he can make all the NFL throws. And Tebow has worked hard to not just ingratiate himself into the locker room but to learn the playbook. It's a slow process but he will be as ready as possible by training camp. "I knew it was going to be tough," Tebow said. "I've got to come out here with a great attitude and work hard every day, and do what they tell me, and that's how I'm going about it." [CBS Sports]
To launch his career as a pass rusher, Air Force graduate Ben Garland may have to ground his pursuit of becoming a pilot. It's a decision that weighs on the Denver Broncos rookie defensive lineman. Garland has earned a spot in a pilot training program at Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas. It`s a chance to fly jets for a living as he serves his five-year commitment to the Air Force. However, Garland`s prowess as a pass rusher with the Air Force Falcons earned him a spot with the Broncos this spring. Nothing guaranteed, no promises, just a shot to be on the same defense with Pro Bowlers like Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins. Also very appealing.
[Boulder Daily Camera]

Ryan Harris, who missed most of last season with a toe injury, took part in individual drills again Monday and said he expects to be at full strength in time for training camp. [AP]

Watch a video of Josh McDaniels talking about today's session by clicking right here. View more photos from OTA's by clicking here.