Injuries, fights and and other surprises at Broncos training camp

Head Coach John Fox addresses injuries:
“I think you’re concerned about all of them. You like them out there because this is all how we get better. We just take a next-man-up approach and that gives the guy behind him an opportunity.”

[Ronnie Hillman] “I don’t think it’s quite as bad. I think he tweaked it when he bounced outside on that one run so we’ll see about the severity of it. I don’t think it’s real severe though.”

Fullback Chris Gronkowski on his role with the team:
“I feel pretty good. I’m comfortable in the system. It’s something I’ve run in the past. I feel good out there—a little banged up but I should be good.”

“The second game is kind of like the first game. Once you get to the third and fourth, it’s more of really getting down to it, getting ready for the season to start.”

“It’s definitely very important. [QB Peyton Manning] has the arm to throw it every down but if you set up that run game it’s only going to help out the passing game. I think you noticed it in our first preseason game. We were almost 50-50 and it really helped out the passing game as well.”

Running Back Xavier Omon on making the team:
I’m not used to all these cameras in front of my face. It’s been good. I’m having fun, just trying to enjoy the ride. Hopefully I can continue it up and hopefully by the end of the 53-man roster I’m on the team.”

“Definitely, the offensive line was moving people. The more they move people, the better it goes for me. I was definitely getting confidence and it was just a fun ride. I was enjoying it while I could.”

“Just worry about myself. If you look around that’s when you start missing out on your opportunities. So I just do what I can, work as hard as I can, come prepared every day and give it my best.”

“Definitely, this could be my last shot. I’ve spent the last couple years on practice squads and now that I’m done with practice squads, that means that either I’m on the 53-man roster or I’m done. So there’s definitely a little bit more urgency but I’m taking it one day at a time and just enjoying the ride.”

“I’ve been blessed to be in this situation. I’m in a situation a lot of people would love to be in so again I’m just enjoying it. I’m going to go until I can’t go anymore.”

“I’m just worried about getting better. I’m not trying to impress people. I’ve gotten a lot of attention but my goal is to make the 53-man roster. Now if I’m getting attention with that, I guess that’s good. But if not, I’m just out to try to make the 53-man roster and play as hard as I can.”

“Of course its camp, you’re going to get banged up. But I don’t feel banged up. I don’t feel tired. I’m just trying to get better every day. That’s what our coaches always tell us, ‘if you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse.’ And that’s what I’m trying to do is every day come out here and get a little bit better.”

“It’s a great group of people in there. We’re competing with each other, but in a good way. We’re having fun with it. We don’t stab each other in the back. We understand that this is a business and we’re just going as hard as we can every day and letting the chips fall in their place.”

“Obviously everybody thinks that this is just a passing offense because of Peyton but Peyton loves a running back just as much as any other quarterback does. So it’s very important, and not just running the ball and pass blocking and getting out on your routes. There’s a lot more to being a running back than just running the ball. You have to protect the quarterback, you have to catch the ball, you just have to know a lot. So it’s very important to be a good running back in this league.”

“I don’t want to sound cocky but I try to be the jack of all trades. If I can do a little bit of everything, that means that I’m a complete back. I don’t want to just be a power back. I don’t want to just be a receiving back. I want to be a back that can do a little bit of everything.”

“I’m very comfortable with it and I’m just waiting for my opportunities. And when I get them I’m going to take off with it and go as far as I can.”

“Terrell Davis, I have the most respect for him. I’ve met him one time. He used to be my favorite running back when I was younger. Until I got older I didn’t realize what he had to go through. I think he was a sixth round pick. He went through a lot. He didn’t come out here and just get the starting job. He had to work hard and probably didn’t get a lot of opportunities at first and he kept working hard and he got opportunities and he’s one of the greatest running backs to ever play for the Broncos. So I’m definitely trying to follow in his footsteps and hopefully it all works out for me.”

“Just the way he ran the ball. He rushed for 2,000 yards, what can’t you like about him? He was a great back. He didn’t need all the credit. Obviously he was with one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game in John Elway and he probably was in his shadows a little bit. But being a running back, I saw him and I knew what he was doing and how important he was to the team.”

“He was definitely the person I idolized. He was a great running back and he did great things. I’m sure he wishes his career could have lasted a little bit longer, but he was a heck of a running back when he was here.”

“People don’t understand how hard it is to be an NFL running back, or even just an NFL player, not just a running back. There’s a lot more to it than just going out here and playing the game. It’s a business and any day can be your last. I’m just trying to enjoy it while I can.”

Middle Linebacker Joe Mays on hitting his own teammates:
“You tend to get tired. The main focus for us is to come out here and get better and to prepare for this upcoming week’s game.”

“It’s camp. That’s going to happen. Guys get tired. They feel like they’re getting pushed around too much or they’re doing too much on the surface. They have a little bit of attitude. That’s going to happen. We’re a family out here. We’re going to be fine. We’re going to go into the locker room and laugh about it when we get in.”

Injuries:
“[FS] Jim Leonhard, knee, [SS] Quinton Carter, hamstring and knee, [LB] Keith Brooking, hamstring, [CB] Tracy Porter, illness, [WLB] Danny Trevathan, ankle, [WR] Tyler Grisham, knee. Left practice for different reasons: [G] Chris Kuper, forearm, out 6 weeks,  [RB] Ronnie Hillman, hamstring, [DE] Jason Hunter, triceps. [DT] Ty Warren, excused for family reasons.”