Few aspects of the Denver Broncos training camp top the risers and fallers.
Everyone knows the players who have their spots on the roster scribbled in ink. But it’s the players who are fighting for a spot or clawing their way up the depth chart that creates the best storylines. That’s especially true for rookies.
After Broncos practice on Wednesday, Sean Payton was asked if there has been a pleasant surprise at this point.
“Fair question. I think the young runner, you don’t feel a rookie with (running
back) Jonah (Coleman). He’s playing. It’s been harder with some of the linemen because we haven’t been in pads in fairness to them. Then a couple of these young linebackers, we’re getting to see them move around, make the calls. There’s a lot to that position, a lot of it is key and diagnose. That’s been good.”
The fact that Payton singled out Coleman is no doubt a positive sign (thanks, John Madden). When Denver selected the running back out of Washington in the fourth round, the pick was widely celebrated. Adding his running style and abilities to this offense gives the running back room another element and a different running style.
Now Coleman is getting praise from Payton as a pleasant surprise at this point in training camp.
But the compliments from Payton on Wednesday didn’t stop there. He was also asked about second-year receiver Pat Bryant and what area he’s progressed the most in since last year.
“(I’m) really pleased with how he’s doing,” Payton said to the media on Wednesday. “He’s just one of those congested ball catchers. His feet stay on the ground. So when receivers catch the ball with their feet on the ground, they’re usually pretty good run after the catch. You don’t see him skipping in the air or jumping. That means he has a lot of confidence in catching this thing the right way.
“I think in college in that final year (at Illinois), I think he had three walk-off touchdowns. Like literally last play of the game in-cuts where he caught it and didn’t … He was full stride when he caught it. If you’re breaking stride for a catch, there’s that tick of a second everyone gets a little bit of leverage on you. He’s extremely smart. He’s doing really well.”
We all know the players who are projected to make the biggest impact for the Broncos this season. Seeing the younger players shine at this point is what will make the team better.
