Jock Itch Pitchin' a tent for Broncos training camp

Let’s face it: Unless you’re an incurable football junkie, dragging your ass down to Dove Valley to watch Broncos training camp isn’t that exciting. The Bronco organization runs its public practices with all the charm of a North Korean border checkpoint: You can only sit in one roped-off section, and gruff security guards will quickly correct any behavior not approved by the Broncos bigwigs. It’s understandable, though, seeing as how the team is tuning up for the season and doesn't need some clown from Northglenn mucking up a crucial practice with his Lady Gaga ringtone.

Training camp, otherwise, is a mixed bag of boring repetition and an occasional flash of physical brilliance. The real reason to celebrate the annual three-week grind is that it signifies football season is just around the corner.

This is welcome news for Bronco fans because this offseason was pretty dismal. Mike Shanahan got fired and boy-genius Josh McDaniels inelegantly replaced him. Bronco Nation scratched its collective head in bewilderment as McDaniels tried to snag one-year-wonder QB Matt Cassel from his old team the New England Patriots and, well, you know how that turned out. The Broncos are staring down the barrel of a very tough schedule without a Pro Bowl QB and now have two career backups scrambling to fill his shoes. But while the last six months have been like sitting around waiting for a root canal, there’s some sweet, sweet Novocain on its way as training camp kicks off this Friday, July 31.

Public practices run through Aug. 20 and won’t cost you a dime. There are usually two practices a day, but before venturing out to Dove Valley, I’d suggest you check the schedule first. If you don’t get there early enough, you’ll be relegated to the side of the grassy-knoll fans, and while it’s not a bad view, it will just remind you of your crappy seats at Mile High. It’s really not so bad being on that side because you could be the recipient of an errant fade pass by one of the Broncos' new quarterbacks. Hell, if you catch it, you might even be given a contract.

I’ve been to a couple of training camps and would recommend it for any fan to see at least once. But unless you’re out there every day, you have no way of knowing whether new QB Kyle Orton is performing well. For that, I’d suggest following one of Denver’s fine daily sports writers or radio programs (gratuitous plug: Mile High Sports Radio AM 1510), who are, in fact, out there every day. A couple of big plays on both sides of the ball will occur when the offense and defense square off, but that’s typically the only highlight of sitting out on a hill in the sun with a bunch of other football dorks.

For my money, the best way to experience training camp is when it shifts to Mile High on Thursday, Aug. 6. They haven’t held practice at the stadium in a while, but it’s really a treat when they do. There are plenty of seats, and you can sit on the 50-yard line right near the field. And the last time I was out there, they served beer, which may be the only thing that can make the troublesome upcoming season go down a little easier.