HBO's Hard Knocks featuring Denver Broncos tonight!

HBO's Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys features Dallas' trip to the Denver Broncos practice in Dove Valley this past week.

Sorry, forgot to announce this earlier, get your DV-R's ready. I'm watching it right now on the east coast. I'll be back to edit this with a review.

Denver Broncos vs. Dallas Cowboys: Pregame thoughts

I'm not going to be live blogging, but I will be jumping in with my thoughts tonight, so keep it on refresh after every quarter or so....

- Is Denver's defensive line the real deal?
- Can Denver's offensive line hold?
- How good is Eddie Royal?/Can we see him return a punt this game please Cowboys?
- Will Selvin Young outshine Andre Hall?
- Can Darrell Hackney take the reigns?

Don't believe the hype...

While there is little doubt that Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall is the real deal, don't take him embarrassing Dallas Cowboys Pacman Jones as the proof. Yes, Pacman is an up-and-coming corner back in the NFL, but he's still only a second-teamer. He will eventually challenge Anthony Henry, but if anyone's been watching Hard Knocks then they know, Pacman's not the prodigal son. What he is, is a great returner and a decent corner.

When can Denver fans believe the hype? After the first quarter today (Saturday), fans are going to get an opportunity to see DeWayne Robertson as a Bronco for what coach Mike Shanahan says will be 10-12 plays. Fans will also get to see the Denver Broncos secondary minus their best player (Champ Bailey will likely be out the entire preseason, why risk it?) go up against a very strong wide receiver corps in Dallas, featuring Terrell Owens, Jason Whitten and Patrick Crayton. Denver's offensive line vs. Dallas' defensive line and vice versa, Denver's defensive line will be tested immediately by the Cowboys run game.

The other thing to be on the watch for, rookie running back Anthony Aldridge will be out this game. If Andre Hall's going to make his point and push to be the starter, he has likely his only opportunity prior to the season to do it against Dallas. Denver only has three running backs suited for this game. If Andre Hall's going to make that push, the good news is that rookie fullback Peyton Hillis will be guiding him.

Shots Fired: Marcus Thomas vs. Flozell Adams

I was a major proponent of the Denver Broncos bring in Flozell Adams this off-season, I guess we can all see now why we didn't. Him and Marcus Thomas wouldn't have gotten along at all (haha). Today a fight broke out in which Flozell Adams, apparently, ripped off Denver defensive tackle Marcus Thomas' helmet and swung it back towards his face.

The HBO Hard Knocks crew should enjoy editing that one together and Denver fans can enjoy it next Wednesday night.

I would make this a two part Shots Fired article, but Brandon Marshall is owning Pacman Jones... It's funny to see these two jawing at each other, with the NFL's attention weighing heavily on both.

picture courtesy of AP via Dallas Morning News.

Denver Broncos Training Camp: Day 17, Dallas Cowboys

Is there worry in Denver that Champ Bailey and Dre Bly could go down this season? Was the competition at the lower end of the corner back depth chart not stiff enough? Is Denver worried that their wide receivers aren't being covered well enough?

Exit: Christian Morton and Lamont Reid. Enter: Wale Dada and Tyrone Poole.

Tyrone Poole visited Denver very early in camp and I suggested that "[Mike] Shanahan likes to bring on older players in camp to guide younger players along. For example, Jerry Rice retired as a Bronco." So that's that.

The Dallas Cowboys are in Dove Valley and so is HBO's Hard Knocks, so it should be exciting to get to see the clips next week on Wednesday, as Bronco fans are not allowed to attend these practices.

This is the first opportunity that Dallas players have had to hit, former Denver Broncos coach Wade Phillips does not allow hitting in his training camp. That being said, out of practice today were: Tom Nalen, Boss Bailey, Champ Bailey, Louis Green and Ryan Torain.

Here's some notes:

Wesley Woodyard, taking advantage of injuries to linebackers and strong performance in Saturday's game in Houston, cracked into the second team defense. As did Jordan Beck for what it's worth.

How was Denver's offensive line against Dallas' defensive line? Very good, Andre Hall performed exceptionally well. As Gray Caldwell on Denver's official site noted, "It seems every time he touched the ball, he would always get at least five or six yards before ever being touched." As far as I know, I'm the only Bronco fan willing to take Andre Hall seriously. I've been declaring him the starter for at least two months. Then again, I was wrong about Brandon Marshall's suspension. During eleven-on-elevens Dallas' 3-4 defense was only able to penetrate Denver's line on one play. They looked very impressive.

Speaking of Brandon Marshall, he owned Pacman Jones. Jones later commented that Marshall was, "Nowhere near Terrell Owens."

"That's fine, we go against Champ [Bailey] every day," Jay Cutler responded. Let's watch and see where the two former Tennessee boys take it (maybe even a Shots Fired: column).

I may have called the fullback position battle a little too early yesterday, Peyton Hillis could win it. He looked good blocking and catching going up against Dallas' starters. It's good to have him healthy and participating in practice.

Backup quarterback Patrick Ramsey also seems to have gotten himself together a little bit. He threw no interceptions this practice and connected with Keary Colbert and Clifford Russell on impressive passes.

Defensively Denver looked good going against the Dallas offense, despite Denver not having their number one corner and strong side linebacker. Jamie Winborn filled in well and DeWayne Robertson was a juggernaut during one-on-ones, I'm not going to jinx anything by getting too excited about Robertson's play.