Day 9 of Broncos Camp is in the books, and it’s officially game week! The Broncos have their preseason opener on Friday when they travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons. However, we still have three training camp practices this week ahead of that game.
Today, the Broncos were back in pads after a day off on Sunday and had some positive injury news! Luke Wattenberg, Marvin Mims, Jordan Turner, Nate Adkins, Eyioma Uwazurike and Sean Fresch Jr. all returned to practice in some capacity, so that was
good to see. Star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle remained out, but appears close to returning, so that’s good news too. However, the Broncos did suffer another soft tissue injury, this time to veteran running back JK Dobbins who left practice early with a trainer. Hopefully, like the rest of the soft tissue injuries this camp, Dobbins will be okay after a few days. After practice, Payton told reporters they’re working to eliminate these injuries and spent more time stretching today, so we’ll see how that goes in the future.
In today’s report, we have Bo Nix calling wide receiver Pat Bryant a positive part of training camp, offensive coordinator Davis Webb calling plays from the sideline, Payton talking injuries, all the injury updates, news and notes, tweets from camp, quotes, and more!
Pat Bryant has been a positive part of training camp
Wide receiver Pat Bryant has been the talk of training camp thus far. The second-year wide receiver have been making plays all of camp, has been praised by Sean Payton, Davis Webb, and his teammates, and now by quarterback Bo Nix.
Nix met with the media today after practice and told reporters that Bryant has been a “positive part of training camp” and that the talented receiver plays with an “edge”.
When asked about Bryant’s performance in camp thus far, Nix told reporters that he has been extremely consistent but also available the whole training camp. This availability has allowed him to get valuable reps and continue his development.
“I think for him, he’s been extremely consistent but also he’s been available the whole training camp. He’s taken a lot of reps and just competed very well. He just has a great edge to him, and I think when he gets out there against our [defensive backs], he competes at a high level and he makes great catches. We see it all the time with him and other guys and they’re just continuing to improve. For him, it’s only Year 2, so he has a lot left in his tank that we’re able to see at practice that I think he’s going to be able to show this year during the season. Overall he’s been a positive part of training camp for sure.”
Nix is right. The Broncos receiver room has been a bit banged up during camp. Jaylen Waddle has missed multiple practices, veteran Courtland Sutton is going through load management, and Marvin Mims missed a day due to injury as well. Bryant has been the constant presence at receiver for Nix, and it seems like the two have built up some chemistry.
We’ll see if that chemistry continues to grow as we progress through camp and the preseason, but it’s becoming more and more clear that Bryant is going to have a big part in this offense.
Davis Webb will call plays from the sideline
As we know, Head Coach Sean Payton handed playcalling duties to offensive coordinator Davis Webb this offseason. This will be the first time that Webb will be a coordinator or play caller, so there was some talk about where Webb will be on gamedays.
Earlier in camp, Payton told reporters that he wasn’t sure where Webb will be, but the other day, Webb said he would prefer to be on the sideline. Well, Webb got his way as Payton told reporters and Kay Adams that Webb will be calling plays from the sideline this season.
Payton was asked what the deciding factors will be in determining where Davis Webb will be calling plays this season. He told reporters, “It’s not like we’re splitting the atom”, and that he will likely call plays from the sideline and that he and Webb have the same vision there. He added that Webb’s presence as a teacher and Coordinator will be beneficial, and while the two haven’t officially had a conversation on the topic yet, he does see it happening.
“I just think his presence as a teacher and as a coordinator, everyone’s different. He and I haven’t even talked about it and I know he felt the same way I did. So we both answered your questions prior to a meeting. We still haven’t had that meeting, but that’s probably… Yes, I see that happening.”
Webb wanted to call plays from the sideline; Payton wants him to call plays from the sideline and has done the same throughout his career as a coach, and we can also add quarterback Bo Nix into the mix of people wanting Webb on the sidelines. He told reporters he always loved it when a play caller is on the sideline with him. Added they can feel the game a bit different, have a feel for the emotions, and that he’s excited he’s going to be down there with us.
“I’ve always loved it from a quarterback to a play caller when they’re on the sideline with me. I feel like they get the feel of the game a little bit differently. It’s obviously seeing the game from a different vantage point, but I think they get to feel the emotions on the sideline. They get to feel the comments from us coming off the sideline, what we’re seeing and all that kind of stuff. From his point of view and playing quarterback his whole career, I think that’s just where he feels comfortable. A lot of former quarterbacks like to call it from the sideline. I don’t know what that’s the case, but that just seems to be how play callers roll. I like when the play caller is there with me and I can come off and have the eye-to-eye conversation. We can sit down and look at the pictures and go through them together and really get to hear from him and not have to call up to the office or get on a headset. I think the eye-to-eye communication is really important, so I’m excited that he’s going to be down there with us.”
Frankly, I think this is the right move. Nix and Webb have a strong working relationship, and it will be best for both parties and the team if he’s on the sideline. They have enough veteran coaches to put up in the booth to communicate with Webb/Payton if needed. Webb on the sidelines working with Nix, the offense, and Payton is the right choice in my opinion.
Sean Payton looking into the amount of soft tissue injuries
Since Sean Payton was hired by the Broncos, they went from being one of the most injured teams in the NFL to being one of the least injured. A big part of that was the hiring of Beau Lowery and his strength and conditioning staff. However, through the first week and a half of Broncos Camp, they have been dealing with multiple soft tissue injuries.
Players like Jaylen Waddle, Marvin Mims, and today running back JK Dobbins have all suffered soft tissue injuries. Thankfully, they have all been minor and the players have or will return to practice only after sitting out a handful of practices
Despite this, Payton told reporters that they’re looking into why these are happening and will be adjusting things to hopefully eliminate them moving forward.
Payton was asked what could be the reason for the amount of soft tissue injuries they have been getting, and he doesn’t think it’s due to the extreme heat currently happening in Denver, but they’ll continue to focus on the situation.
“I don’t think it’s heat related as much as you always try to look at your pre-practice routine, your hydration, obviously. It’s incumbent on the player. It’s hard for anyone to know your soft tissue, so I’m always looking at what we did leading up to maybe a period where someone had a strain. We had a warm down after practice, and we’ll continue to focus on it though.”
The Broncos have one more practice open to the public this week before a closed practice on Wednesday and then their game on Friday. So, hopefully they can figure out the cause for these injuries and work on eliminating them before Friday’s game.
Injury Report
- OL Nick Gargiulo remained on the PUP due to a knee injury he suffered last season
- Star WR Jaylen Waddle continued to sit out practice but is moving well and is expected back soon
- WR/KR Marvin Mims, who sat out Saturday’s practice, is back in pads for today’s practice
- Starting center Luke Wattenberg, who missed about a week of practice, is back in pads and practicing today
- TE/FB Nate Adkins, who missed Saturday’s practice, was back in pads and practicing today
- DL Eyioma Uwazurike left Saturday’s practice early with a trainer, is in pads and practicing today
- LB Jordan Turner was activated off the NFI today and was in pads and practicing – Source
- CB Sean Fresch Jr returned to practice after missing a couple of practices
- UDFA pass rusher Dasan McCullough continued to miss practice
- Backup center Alex Forsyth was not practicing today
- TE Caleb Lohner continued to miss practice
- CB Pat Surtain II joined Waddle, Wattenberg, Mims, Adkins, Key, Fresch Jr, Gargiulo, and McCullough on the side field for rehab after the stretch period ended
- WR Michael Bandy left practice with a trainer
- RB JK Dobbins left practice early with a trainer and is dealing with a soft tissue injury but should be fine according to HC Sean Payton; we’ll see
News and Notes
- Broncos were back in pads today after a day off on Sunday
- LB Jordan Turner was activated off the NFI list and was back at practice today – He’s a contender for the LB3 job so this is potentially a significant addition to the Broncos roster – Source
- With Luke Wattenberg working on the side field and Alex Forsyth sitting out practice, Michael Dieter was getting 1st-team center reps today
- Edge rusher Jonah Elliss had at least 2 sacks today
- Nix had big completions to Pat Bryant, Courtland Sutton, and Troy Franklin
- Eyni Uwazurike continues to be unblockable at times
- QB Bo Nix says that veteran TE Evan Engram is doing more blocking this year
- QB Bo Nix says that rookie RB Jonah Coleman is good as a pass catcher as he is a runner
- Defense won the day and finished strong during the final move-the-ball period
- It was a run-heavy practice, and the Broncos were better in that area than they have been in past practices
Tweets from Camp
Quotes
HC Sean Payton on if the players understand his expectations and what he wants to accomplish
“That’s the early part one of building a program and then ultimately any good team is taken over and run by its leaders. The standard, as you’re referencing, it’s held to by the captains that have been on last year’s team and the prior years. It’s their team, so that’s important.”
HC Sean Payton on TE Evan Engram’s progress entering his second year in the offense
“I think there’s a level of confidence relative to where he’s at and what he’s doing. You could see him play faster with that foundation; I feel that. Then that thing called confidence comes when you’re consistently doing it and I think we’re all seeing that. That’s good.”
HC Sean Payton on if QB Bo Nix leading the league in pass attempts is a concern
“Great question. Yes, I would say sometimes we go into a game with a certain… There are some games where you feel like this is going to be a little bit more one sided this way or the other. Yes, I think that’s more of a byproduct and a little bit, yeah, something that I would be… At the start of the season last year, I would have been a little surprised. Now to credit [QB] Bo [Nix], he’s healthy. A lot of these guys are playing their second quarterback, but still, it’s something we pay attention to.”
HC Sean Payton on WR Courtland Sutton and how his consistency has helped the offense
“[He’s] strong. [He’s] all the things you look for with the athleticism and his stature. I’m partial to bigger receivers. He’s a tremendous worker, tremendous leader. His strengths, you feel when there’s adversity. Again, he’s one of those guys that brings ten. As you get longer into this profession, you begin to appreciate those types of players even more than maybe you did 20 years ago, and he’s that type of player. All the intangibles along with the football skill set.”
HC Sean Payton on his impression of T Frank Crum
“He’s very athletic, he’s got good feet. So that catch or those things you see… Every once in a while, there’ll be some drill and he’ll just stand out in it because he’s very comfortable moving his feet. So those guys that are versatile and smart, he really fits into those roles where he does… Obviously he’s competing now for a different type of roster spot. Those are all things that he does well. He’s kind of funny because he’s from a small area and I remember, I think it was the women’s soccer team from Wyoming was here and everyone knew Frank Crum and I was like, ‘What?’ Then Children’s Hospital in the spring, there were two different visits and these kids all knew Frank Crum and I’m like, ‘What is the deal with Frank Crum?’ But all positive things and he always approaches things with a smile on his face. He was one of the ones that was like, ‘Tell me what it was like this weekend.’ It was just fascinating to see his interest in that and those traits that he has are gifts.”
HC Sean Payton on what he sees in OL Kage Casey
“He’s got good feet and he’s smart. I think his ideal position is guard, but we’ll give him some center flex. He comes to us having been well coached. You feel that in his play and we felt that on film. We’ve been pretty fortunate with some of those draft picks or free agents on the offensive line.”
K Wil Lutz on his streak of 99-straight made extra points
“[I have] a lot of pride, and I don’t mind talking about it. I think it’s a cool feature. This game is decided by, if you look at the stats, it’s like something like 75 percent of games are decided by three points. So I take just as much pride in the extra point as I do a 55-yarder in the third quarter. It’s important. I think you saw in the Giants game, one point changes the entire approach of the game. So that comes from preparation and not having a lazy swing in those moments. It’s the kick you’re going to hit the most in the season. So it’s making sure you’re locked in for all 70, 60 extra points you’re going to have. Hopefully we can keep that going.”
QB Bo Nix on how the team has embraced being player-led on the field and in meetings
“I think it’s because we have so many guys that have been here for a while. We’ve built a team around the same guys, and we’ve brought people back. So I that’s really important, they’re hearing from the same voices. We have a great mix of young guys mixed with veteran guys. Right now it’s a player-led team, but we have great coaches and we have great coordinators, so they just put it in our hands. They let us go out there and play. We have guys that have been here and helped built what we’re building. I think it just goes from there.”
QB Bo Nix on RB RJ Harvey’s big play ability and where he has taken steps this offseason
“He’s done a great job of improving in the little things. It’s easy for a running back, once he gets the football, to go and be a play maker. I think it’s underrated what he does out of the backfield in protection and in multiple different run looks. We’ve asked him to do a lot more this offseason and this training camp, and he’s responded really well. You can tell that he’s growing and learning a little bit more as time goes and it’s not all new for him. Now he can sort of just play and make that Year 2 jump.”
QB Bo Nix on RB Jonah Coleman’s development
“You can tell he came from a developmental system in college. I think he did a really good job. He was coached really well in college. They did a lot of versatile things, so when he gets here, it’s not as big of a jump. He’s familiar with the verbiage, familiar with the positions that we’re putting him in and he’s just responding well. He’s great out of the backfield. He can run routes, he can catch and he’s explosive. I think as a running back, his strength is running in between the tackles and being physical. So I think with how our offense is evolving, how our running back position goes, he does a really good job of being able to do both and run and catch the ball out of the backfield.”
QB Bo Nix on what he has observed from TE Evan Engram in his second year in Denver
“I think his ability to [provide] strength in the run game is what’s showing right now. He’s a willing blocker. I think last year we used him a little bit more as a vertical pass threat, but I think him getting in the box and blocking is going to open more things up. That’s a gameplan thing, that’s a coaching thing, putting him in that position. I also think he’s willing and able, and I think that’s part of his game that he’s going to really be able to show off this year and not be on and off the field. He’ll just be able to play. He and ‘Traut’ (TE Adam Trautman), they’ll be able to roll and just be able to do anything that we ask them to do from that position. As a vertical passing threat, he’s one of the best in the league. He’s been that for a while, and I think he’s still in his prime. He’s still ready, and he’s still athletic and does all the things.”
QB Bo Nix on how facing CB Pat Surtain II in practice has helped him develop
“It’s actually funny, this year going into it I was actually like, ‘I’m going to try to attack good-on-good,’ a little bit more and attack him and give him some work. Now my first two years, if he was over there, I pretty much worked to the other side of the field, but I don’t think that does him diligence. I’m like, ‘Hey, I’m going to get him better at the same time.’ Now that I feel a little bit more confident and comfortable, I don’t mind throwing it his way and getting an incompletion on the stat sheet just to help him out every once in a while. He does a really good job, and every once in a while when we get to complete one on him, it kind of feels good for the morale of the offense. It shows us that we’re also really good and we can attack the best player in football on defense. So that’s really comforting and also great to know that he’s on our team and we don’t have to deal with him during the season.”
