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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Monday was a day for short-yardage, full-contact drills at Denver Broncos training camp, and running back Montee Ball talked about it as if it were Christmas morning.

He also ran about as wild as a rabid 10-year-old shredding through wrapping paper.

On his first three carries of the day, the second-year back, who’s being asked to shoulder the majority of the rushing load for the Broncos this season, burst into the secondary on three impressive runs. It was perhaps his best stretch of training camp thus far.

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A little later in the practice, Ball happened to bump into newcomer T.J. Ward in that part of the field. According to Ball, it was a little more than a bump.

When asked if he thought he would have de-cleated physical safety had the same scenario transpired in a game, Ball smiled.

“Most definitely,” he said. “And I’m most definitely going to talk to him about that in the locker room.”

After reading the same hypothetical suggestion on Twitter, Ward didn’t wait for Ball to get to the locker room before voicing a dissenting opinion.

Playful bantering aside, Ball said he’s enjoyed the opportunity to measure himself against Ward this training camp.

“You always want to see where you stand against a guy who’s that physical,” Ball said. “He’s been doing a great job of leading the team and making physical plays. He’s making us better by lowering his pads and making us finish runs.

RELATED: Listen to Ball’s comments in their entirety