Hands-on policy

Elvis Dumervil is enjoying being slap-happy this summer.

Dumervil, the Broncos' leader in sacks last season, is trying to build on his success by using his upper body more effectively in an effort to take down more quarterbacks.

"I got a couple sacks on speed rushes but there's always room for improvement in technique, and I felt I need to hit on that a lot more," he said. "So I've added a couple moves to the arsenal."

The Broncos brought in one of defensive boss Jim Bates' career confidants, Joe Kim, to help all the linemen in that regard this offseason.

Kim, who owns a tae kwon do school and uses martial-arts principals applied to pass-rushing technique, will be in training camp this weekend for a follow-up session after helping Jason Taylor, Aaron Kampman and others during the past 15 years.

But Dumervil also relied on other sources to be armed and ready.

"My dad was a black belt, so when I was a kid, he'd teach me moves and stuff," Dumervil said. "So I kind of took what I got from him and kind of refined it more."

One of the new drills showcased each of the linemen standing in front of a defensive partner. Back and forth, the two players would work their karatelike moves in a football version of Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots.

It's pugilism with a purpose.

"Especially with a guy with my frame, tall and slender, hands are really important in keeping the offensive lineman's hands off of you," said defensive end Jarvis Moss, the team's first-round draft pick. "It just goes to show how important it is with them bringing in someone who'll be working (specifically) on our hands."

Injury report

Tight end Chad Mustard and receiver Marquay McDaniel each missed practice with hamstring issues.

Receiver Glenn Martinez pulled up with an apparent thigh problem.

Defensive tackle Sam Adams was in uniform but didn't participate in the morning team period. Defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy hurt his hand, ending his day. He's expected back today.

Receiver Rod Smith (left hip) and tight end Tony Scheffler (left foot) continued their rehabilitation regimens by working on resistance exercises on the field and doing some jogging between workouts.

Receiver Brandon Marshall (left quadriceps) hasn't been noticeable in his on-field work but said his timetable of a week to 10 days of missed time remains in place.

Receiver Domenik Hixon returned to practice after missing a day because of a slight separation of his right shoulder, as did linebacker Ian Gold (back spasms).

Quiet storm

He frequently was labeled a "wild horse rider" by former defensive coordinator Larry Coyer.

But when it comes to John Engelberger, that's where the flash attached to his name ends.

Engelberger participated in about 40 percent of the snaps on the front-four rotation last season and has had one sack in 30 career games with the Broncos. But all through organized team activities this spring and into training camp, he has been aligned with the first-team defense at strong-side defensive end.

"He's someone that has a lot of hidden production," defensive line coach Bill Johnson said. "He plays his gap, he's hitting his block, playing hard on the line of scrimmage, chasing the football. His numbers from a sack standpoint might not be like other people. But he's a good, solid football player."

Daily highlights

The Broncos continued to rotate strong-side linebackers, with Nate Webster getting his chance and loudly making his presence known verbally and with a couple of hard shots on running back Mike Bell during the morning session.

Though a long shot to make the active roster, first-year running back Andre Hall, from South Florida, again demonstrated he's the quickest and shiftiest of the players at his position in camp. He took a middle screen the distance against the third-team defense.

Jason Elam used up his normal camp allotment of field-goal misses in one practice period, hitting the right upright twice and pushing a 47-yard attempt left. Elam, though, was true on back-to-back 49-yard attempts to end the two-minute drill.

Receiver Domenik Hixon was among the players to watch entering camp but has dropped some tough passes in the clutch the first few days, including a fourth-down throw from quarterback Jay Cutler during the morning two-minute period.

Amid all the uncertainty at the receiver position, Javon Walker continues to have a solid camp. He made a deep sideline grab in seven-on-seven against cornerback Dré Bly and a first-down grab in front of cornerback Champ Bailey, who later got his revenge by cutting off receiver Brian Clark for an interception.

He said it

"It may take all through preseason or even into the middle of the regular season. I told Rod that he doesn't have a target date. He is on this football team. And I told him to get well."

Mike Shanahan, Broncos coach, on how he's approaching Rod Smith's recovery from left hip surgery.

If you go

Today

The Broncos will hold two full-squad practices. The morning session begins at 8:30 a.m.; the afternoon is at 3:50 p.m. Gates open one hour before each practice.

Friday

There will be two workouts. Morning practice (full team) begins at 8:30 a.m.; afternoon practice (special teams only) at 3:40 p.m. Gates open one hour before each practice.

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