DENVER (AP) -The Denver Broncos wrapped up their second seven-day camp Thursday when coach Mike Shanahan gathered his team after warmups and gave them an early weekend furlough.
They’ll return Monday to resume offseason weight training and will gather again for field work July 9-11 for their only mandatory minicamp before training camp begins 2 1/2 weeks later.
“We tried to play it off like he was trying to get us inspired to go up against the wind and weather today, but some of us had a sneaky suspicion he might let us get out of here today,” quarterback Jay Cutler said.
The Broncos have spent 14 days on the field over the past three weeks as they incorporate several new faces, mostly on defense, where they’ve retooled their line through free agency and the draft.
Cutler used these training sessions to get a better handle on the job he assumed late last season. He has a few new targets, including tight end Daniel Graham and running back Travis Henry.
“Those guys, as good as they are, they just kind of fit in and make things work,” Cutler said. “I think after a couple of days with those guys they were comfortable in the system.”
Cutler also had his first real chance to work with wide receiver Domenik Hixon, who missed his rookie season last year with a broken foot.
“I’m very excited. I’m very high on Hix,” Cutler said. “I think if you ask him, he had a great camp. I think he surprised a lot of people because we really didn’t know what we had on our hands. We really didn’t get to see him at all.
“And the offseason he worked out a little bit with me but his foot was still healing, so to get him out here and see what he can do, he adds another weapon.”
Cutler said he used these two camps as a means to get into more of a rhythm with his wide receivers.
While the Broncos revamped their defensive line to add bulk, they also added cornerback Dre’ Bly and moved outside linebacker D.J. Williams to the inside, moves that Cutler said helped his growth.
“It’s tough,” Cutler said. “They’re so good at disguise and then Champ (Bailey) is over there and he’s so good at anticipating what you’re going to do. It makes things kind of unrealistic for us as quarterbacks because other defenses aren’t going to be able to do the things our defense can do.”
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