Rahim Moore (26) during mini camp drills at the Broncos training facility. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
Day three of Broncos training camp had the team in pads, finally.
“This game is about habits, and building habits, hopefully good ones,” head coach John Fox said after Saturday’s practice. “It’s the first time we have been in pads since January. I thought it was a very good first day.”
Perhaps no one was as happy about being in pads as the linemen. After all, without pads they’re just going through the motions. Once they can hit, then they can really start getting aggressive.
That’s why in Saturday’s practice, things really opened up for the run game.
“I think our guys enjoyed it today,” offensive coordinator Adam Gase said of being in pads. “We had some big runs, which is a different feel for us because it seems like without pads the holes close up a lot quicker. It seemed like those holes were a little bigger today. You saw some explosive plays and that is what we are looking for.”
The fans who attended practice were so excited that the pads were on that they even stretched alongside the team in warmups. Nervous energy?
“That’s a moment I’ll never forget,” safety Rahim Moore said. “Even [CB] Champ [Bailey] was like, ‘What are they doing?’ I said, ‘Man, they’re stretching.’ It was a great moment. It was very funny.”
Moore got an interception in one-on-one drills today against rookie Lamaar Thomas. The fans’ encouragement must have made an impact on Moore. That or the fact that he was the first defensive player on the field today improved his performance. Either way, Moore celebrated and let the fans know about the pick.
“I want to start back up that excitement,” Moore said. “That’s why, when I make plays, I want to celebrate. I don’t care. I love the fans; they’re the best I’ve ever seen.”
Moore is trying win the fans back after his (and others’) costly mistake gave the Ravens the tying touchdown in the 2012 playoffs.
“I think the guy has grown from it,” Fox said. “In this business there are a lot of eyes watching you and with that comes a lot of criticism.”
The Broncos will go through their walkthrough at 6:00 p.m. this evening, but then gates will reopen to the fans for the team’s 10:25 a.m. practice on Sunday.
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