Denver Broncos Training Camp 2010

Football season is upon us for yet another year. It has been a long few months without the sound of the NFL song. If you are a football fan like I am, you watch from the start of the drafts all the way to the Super Bowl. This year, since I live close to Denver, I decided to head up to the Broncos Training Camp. This is a free event - you only have to get there early to get a parking space and a good spot to watch all the action.

Unlike many NFL teams, the Denver Broncos don't leave town, but practice close to home. Dove Valley is the area of Denver that they utilize to train and it's a beautiful facility in a less crowded part of the city. Dove Valley exudes Bronco Fever and the training camp is a big fan favorite. It doesn't matter that you will be dripping with sweat by the time you leave, it is worth it.

From the second you walk onto the field, you are amazed. You see these guys on TV all the time and all of a sudden they are within shouting distance. The practice facility is a state of the art multi-building conglomerate. Huge Bronco emblems are displayed and the field itself is set up with a partial standard football field, with all of the Bronco logos and colors, as well as sections for special practices. There was a VIP area with tents and chairs that I am sure are paid for or provided by special request. The TV cameras were up on booms and huge speakers were set up on one end of the grounds to blast "Practice Music." There were probably 250 people scattered around the hill area. All around the practice field were gold clad security people to keep the crowd off of the field and maintain a clear walk area.

The big draw for me this year to go to the Broncos training camp was Tim Tebow. As a long time Gator fan and a follower for several years, I really wanted to get his autograph. I am also an avid football card collector. I have been collecting cards for many years to give to my grandchildren. I have a Tim Tebow Rookie card. I also was hoping to get an autograph on that card. However, I did not anticipate the crowd factor, nor the fact that practice didn't end on schedule and I was late for work.

The practice was great. Being at ground level and watching them play is a lot of fun. My favorite, newbie quarterback, No. 15, was very active on the field during this practice. He looked great. Brady Quinn, No. 9, was also looking great for this practice. The team was working hard throughout the morning. Good passing and lots of hits and tackles made it seem very real to a amateur training camp attendee like myself.

The Broncos are working hard this season. It is a given that Bronco fans will be out in force to support their team from the beginning to the end. If the practice sessions are any indication, the Broncos are going to come out swinging in this year's competition. They were playing some pretty tough football on Aug.6, but we will have to wait for the real season to begin before we can be sure.

The highlight throughout the morning was the music. Through these huge speakers on the end of the practice area, various songs pumped out. Artists like Movada, Jay-Z, Michael Jackson and more were opportunities for the players to cut up a little and to give the crowd a little extra entertainment. At any given moment, one of the guys would break out with a short dance while the music was blaring. The crowd loved it.

I haven't learned all of the new players yet and will probably wait until after the cuts to learn them, but the training camp was a great experience. I plan to attend again. If not this year, next year and I will take my Tim Tebow card back to try my luck with the autograph again. Denver Broncos training camp is a great chance to have some free fun and get to see some wonderful football action.

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