May 28, 2013; Englewood, CO, USA; Members of the Denver Broncos huddle before the start of organized team activities at the Broncos training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Football season is so close yet so very far away from beginning. However, the Denver Broncos will begin the first step towards training camp. Organized Team Activities bring us even closer to the regular season.
According to the National Football League, the dates have been announced of all the teams for their OTA’s and mandatory mini camps. The Broncos begin their OTA practices on May 27th. The Broncos have 13 practices over the span of 23 days which includes a mandatory camp for the Denver Broncos that will take place either during early or mid June.
The OTA practices are a great way for the Broncos of new and old to get to know each other. The team conduct drills during this time which can vary from 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills. During these drills, there is no contact permitted.
There will be many stories that will be followed in the Denver Broncos camp. Will we see Demaryius Thomas during this time? How will Peyton Manning look after recovering from his quad injury? How will the new zone blocking scheme offense look?
For the Broncos, the OTA practices will show what each player has to offer. During the few days that the team has off from the OTA practices can vary. Veterans normally use the off time to spend time in the community or with their families while rookies spend the off time during OTA practice to focus on seminars that are organized by the league as well as lectures.
It will be especially interesting during the OTA period how the Broncos’ draft picks take in the new experience becoming part of an NFL organization as they begin their journey towards a career in the NFL. The two rookies that I am paying attention to are Ty Sambrailo and Max Garcia. These two men were brought in for offensive line help.
We are one step closer starting in late May. The 2015 season is just around the corner.