After a week of successful practices at Stanford University, the Denver Broncos completed their final walkthrough this afternoon at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA in preparation for Super Bowl 50.
According to the Pool Practice Report by Emily Kaplan released to the media, the session lasted just 45 minutes and most players wore sneakers, and some wore baseball caps or sunglasses, as they conducted scripted scenarios on offense, defense and special teams at a light jog pace. No quarterback attempted a throw of more than 10 yards.
All 53 players participated. “Oh yeah, they’re all good,” coach Gary Kubiak said, per Kaplan. “With what we did today, they better be able to practice.”
Kubiak also said that there are no changes to the lineup, signifying the three starters nursing injuries last week — safeties T.J. Ward (ankle) and Darian Stewart (knee), and guard Louis Vasquez (knee) —are good to go.
According to the report, Kubiak stressed that the Broncos are trying to mimic their regular schedule as closely as possible, including a Saturday night curfew.
“Oh absolutely there’s a curfew, for me and for them, the coach said. “Same one we have every week. It’s time to get some rest and get ready to go.” Kubiak said before the game he will study “like normal” and “try to relax as much as I can.”
“I’ve been around some good Super Bowl coaches,” Kubiak said. “I’ve definitely talked to a lot of guys, [Mike] Shanahan, [Dan] Reeves, who have been there before. I try to take a little bit from all of them and try to do it the best way we think to do it.”
According to Kaplan, the empty stadium was eerily silent until around 11:30 a.m. (PST).
Just as Saturday is typically family day in Denver, the Broncos kept with tradition by inviting their traveling party onto the field. A parade of nearly 1,000 people poured onto the sideline — friends and family of the players, coaches, as well as the support staff. As practice ended at 11:45, players went over to take photos and greet their guests.
Quarterback Peyton Manning made bee-line to the end zone where wide receiver DeMaryius Thomas embraced his mother, Katrina Smith.
Six months ago, Smith was released after spending 15 years in federal prison.
Manning gave Smith a hug, chatted, and the three posed for a photo. “He loves playing with you,” Smith said. Manning smiled, said goodbye, then was among the first players to walk back into the tunnel.
Super Bowl 50 kicks off tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. (EST)/ 3:30 p.m. (PST).
The game will air on CBS.
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