Mike Klis - The Denver Post

Hot Topics: Denver Weather [http://www.denverpost.com/weathernews/ci_26292303/denver-weather-sports-fans-should-be-warm-perhaps?source=hot-topic-bar] Cool Cities Twelve Restaurant Broncos vs. Seahawks Tulo Talks "Change" Landon Donovan The Cannabist News Tips PREVIOUS COLUMNS Klis: Now hear this: Fans are vital to Broncos training camp - 08/03/2014 Klis: Broncos will get their chances to shut the Seahawks' big mouths - 07/27/2014 Klis: "Redskins" name eventually will change - 06/14/2014 Klis: Colin Kaepernick's first big deal began with Broncos - 06/08/2014 Klis: Kiddie corps to carry Denver Broncos - 05/31/2014 Klis: Nate Irving is the Denver Broncos' starting middle linebacker for now - 05/11/2014 Klis: Trading up still possible in deep draft - 05/04/2014 Klis: Big bucks can produce big mistakes - 04/20/2014 Klis: NFC West tough test for Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos to pass in 2014 - 04/12/2014 Klis: Johnny be good pro QB? If you're Manziel, it's unlikely - 03/30/2014 Mike Klis Klis: Now hear this: Fans are vital to Broncos training camp By Mike Klis The Denver Post Posted: 08/03/2014 12:01:00 AM MDT Updated: 08/03/2014 12:08:09 AM MDT Sunday's practice at Sports Authority Field at Mile High provided a great opportunity for Broncos fans to get autographs from the players. Offensive tackle Vinston Painter, left, and place-kicker Matt Prater are happy to fulfill fans' wishes. ( John Leyba, The Denver Post ) DENVER BRONCOS First-&-Orange blog Denver Broncos photos Broncos Mailbag Ask Mailbag questions Broncos stats and roster 2014 Broncos schedule Bronco Bus fan forum This has been the worst Broncos training camp in memory. Peyton Manning may once again lead a record-setting offense this year. DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib and T.J. Ward may transform Denver into a top-10 defense. The Broncos may win it all. Training camp, though, has bore no witness, just an unforgettable lesson. Sports stink without an audience. "I agree," Manning said. "It's nice when you throw a touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas and hear applause. And the defensive guys appreciate it as well when they break up a play or make a play. Players know when fans are out there. Players had a different look in their eye today knowing we were performing in front of people." With the exception of three practices at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, this has been a Broncos camp of selfish preparation. There have been no fans at Dove Valley to share in the dread. There were times during the Broncos' practices at their team headquarters last week when it became obvious the players needed their fans. There was not near the usual energy. Execution seemed listless. Point blame on the silence. "You don't want to mess up when they're out there," said defensive tackle Terrance Knighton. "Especially when they're right on top of you." To think that I have rarely acknowledged the fans' impact on any outcome. After a game, the winning players and coaches often thank their fans. The AFC championship trophy ceremony in the middle of Sports Authority Field in January was all about winning for those great Broncos fans. I never printed such statements. Players and coaches win games. If fans made a difference, the Cubs would be working on a 106-year dynasty. This training camp has taught me, and reminded the Broncos, that fans do matter. Know what a game would be without fans? Practice. Or training camp 2014 for the Broncos. It's true, nobody watches the Broncos practice during the offseason or regular season. And the Broncos have still managed play well on most Sundays in recent falls. Denver Broncos fans attend day four of the Denver Broncos 2014 training camp July 27, 2014 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. ( John Leyba, The Denver Post ) Training camp is different, though. Camp is the first time players hit each other. As camp moves through Week 2, bodies are sore. Legs get heavy. Muscles ache. Nothing a little cheer from the berm can't soothe. Where are the fans? "When the fans are out there, it feels like the season is near," said backup quarterback Brock Osweiler. "Now, it has the same feel as it does in the spring." I'm not sure what the Broncos could have done. Building a new indoor field house and remodeling the existing team headquarters have meant tearing up everything around it. There's no place to park. No safe place to sit. Interest didn't disappear. The three stadium practices drew a total of nearly 70,000 fans. "Peyton tries to score every time when the fans are out there," Knighton said. "You see him throw more deep balls at the stadium. He goes for it." The Broncos practiced through steady rain at their stadium Wednesday. Afterward, coach John Fox thanked the 9,000-plus fans for showing up. It made the paper. Mike Klis: mklis@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mikeklis Return to Top ( AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post ) Broncos Broncos trail Seahawks 10-7 after first half The Broncos begin the preseason with a barometer to see if their offseason makeover closed the gap on the Seahawks since the Super Bowl beatdown. The night began with good news as wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders will start after dealing with a slight quad strain. 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