Another rainy day forced the Broncos and their newest players inside for the opening of rookie mini camp.
#Broncos Rookie Mini Camp day 1. Forced inside because of rain pic.twitter.com/8hyzERj0Ar
— BSNDenver.com (@BSNDenver) May 8, 2015
27 first and second year players along with 10 tryout hopefuls vying for a roster spot, gathered together for the first time at the Broncos brand new indoor facility.
Denver’s first round pick Shane Ray was limited in practice due to a foot injury, but he still participated in individual team drills.
Shane Ray in individual position drills. Wearing #56 #Broncospic.twitter.com/v9t1vHJ0JU
— BSNDenver.com (@BSNDenver) May 8, 2015
“It’s just a dream to finally be part of an NFL club and your first day of practice. Even though I wasn’t able to do much, just the experience in general was just a great feeling.” Ray told us after his first practice. “I understand it’s definitely part of the process for me to be 100 percent, because that’s the goal. Me as a competitor, of course I would like to be out there and competing and doing what I can, but this is something I have to be smart with and take the proper direction under the medical staff.”
Max Garcia was the second player up to the podium after practice and spoke about where he thinks he’ll fit on the offensive line.
Max Garcia “well we have a lot of work to do.” Says he’s learning guard right now but will probably trans to C pic.twitter.com/x1qkA0ovxo
— Adam Kinney (@AdamRKinney) May 8, 2015
When Garcia was asked about if he preferred one position over another he responded “Whichever one I can get a starting job the quickest.”
Ty Sam: I’m kind of playing wherever right now. We only have 7 guys so I’m just going where they need pic.twitter.com/OerNskaGUs
— BSNDenver.com (@BSNDenver) May 8, 2015
Second round pick Ty Sambrailo relished every moment of his homecoming and is excited to get to work. “I’m extremely ready. Obviously there is a process and a path that needs to be taken to get to a place where I can compete for that job.” Sambrailo will likely be in the mix for the Broncos starting right tackle job, but will play wherever he is needed.
Fifth round pick Jeff Heuerman had the big highlight during practice, snagging a one handed grab. Heuerman is staying humble though.
Heuerman had a one handed catch this morning, laughed it off and said he’s far from arriving. Glad to get out there pic.twitter.com/uCpqmVt6cR
— BSNDenver.com (@BSNDenver) May 8, 2015
Heuerman knows that there are many capable bodies ahead of him on the depth chart at the tight end position, but he isn’t going to let that stop him from learning. “I’m here to compete; I’m here to learn. I know those guys have been around for a while. They’ve played a lot of professional football. I’m here to learn from them and do what I can to help the team win. At the end of the day, that’s what matters to me.”
Stay tuned for more coverage as the Broncos will close their rookie mini camp tomorrow morning at team headquarters. We’ll get to talk to the rest of the draft picks along with both coordinators about how the rookies are transitioning to the NFL.
