Good morning, Broncos Country!
This weekend's matchup with the #7-9 Rams will be "a dress rehearsal" for the Broncos' Super Bowl rematch opener, which happens in just 13 days.
That's 13 days until meaningful football is played and the Broncos quarterback situation is settled. At least for one week.
In the meantime, Saturday's game will be an important one for guys on the bubble of making the roster as well as for the head coach to make some big decisions about major positions before the first cut deadline on Sept.1.
"We have two games to play, and I think 14 players to let go. There are just so many things going on," coach Gary Kubiak said, noting several players out with injuries. "It is a grind right now. ...I've got a lot of things going on. I'm trying to get this team to opening day here in two weeks. We have a lot of questions to answer and things to get done."
The Quarterback question
One of those is deciding the backup quarterback to go up against the Rams. Trevor Siemian got the nod for starter despite a sore shoulder, but Kubiak said he is still unsure about who is going next. And while there appears to be a lot of public momentum for rookie Paxton Lynch over veteran Mark Sanchez (who coughed up the ball two times in last week's loss to the 49ers), Kubiak acknowledges he is still evaluating and mistakes aren't necessarily the deciding factor.
"No," Kubiak said point blank about No. 2 and 3. "I know who's going first. I haven't made a decision. I'm telling the truth."
And Kubiak insists previous NFL experience is not part of the equation.
"Zero. I'm looking at what's taken place the last six months," he said. "How they've handled themselves, how they've handled the team and how they respond to things. That's what I'm looking at."
Trevor's going to play "a lot" Saturday, and @cjandersonb22 and the RBs are ready to #BroncosIn60https://t.co/iT24gcWdoM
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 26, 2016
But as expected, the coach only had good things to say about each quarterback this week.
"I'm very excited about the progress Paxton has made," Kubiak noted Thursday. "We knew we had ground to make up and we knew he had a ton of talent, but he's really adapted to playing under center. He's making the calls. ...He really had a good week of practice. I think he's very confident in what he's doing .... He's going to be a fine young player."
Although Sanchez has gone from presumed starter to neck-and-neck with Siemian to possibly falling behind third stringer Lynch on Saturday, the coach says his veteran continues to be the same hard worker he's always been.
"He hasn't been different the last couple of days. He's been the same guy since he's been here," the coach said. "He works hard, prepares hard and is doing the same thing this week."
Kubiak had said he wanted to wait until the end of the week to name his second and third QB for Saturday, partly to see how they handle the mental aspects of the situation and the prep.
"Playing quarterback in the NFL, there's pressure. It's part of the business," Kubiak said. "I want them to go out there, cut it loose and play. You also have to own mistakes and correct mistakes as all players. I think they've all done a good job."
And should Sanchez wind up third on the depth chart, he always has street musician for a fallback career.
Dress rehearsal for the defense
While Kubiak is fretting over his quarterback depth chart, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is really looking forward to a game where his starters will finally see significant playing time, and the coach can run more of the looks he'll put out in the season.
"There's more game planning involved. It's really getting the whole team used to what we do on a regular game basis," Phillips said. "We won't do everything we do during the regular season, but a lot of things we do. It's the dress rehearsal game. ...I want to see our first group get out there and get after it."
That first group is going to include Aqib Talib and DeMarcus Ware for the first time this preseason, which will be a huge boost to the already stout defense. And of course it will mean more Von Miller too, who should see quite a bit more playing time in just his second preseason game.
"Talib looks good. He's moving well. He's making plays. He's a smart player anyway, but his movement looks good," Phillips said.
Ware, who will likely be on a play count this season, said he feels better than last year, which he guestimated to be about 70 percent at the end of the season.
"At the end of the year, he was DeMarcus Ware, Hall of Famer," Phillips pointed out. "If he was [70 percent] and he goes to 100 [percent], then watch out."
And the coach isn't the least bit worried about talent on his defense being able to pick up the slack when Ware is not in the game.
"We have some experience with an outside backer on first and second downs," Phillips said (haha, ya think?). "We have some guys that can play. We want to get the most out of DeMarcus as we can. Putting him in the game is a real force."
Hard not to get excited about these preseason numbers from the No. 1 defense.
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 26, 2016
" https://t.co/bYVcT3zA1x pic.twitter.com/tpEngnvE8R
Despite the Rams having a rather anemic offense in recent years, Phillips is not taking for granted the skills of its various quarterbacks Case Keenum and their version of Paxton lynch, running back, Todd Gurley.
"He's a great young back," Phillips said. "He had big yardage last year coming out. He was a high pick and proved himself in the league already. He's a challenge near the goal line, too. A big, strong, fast runner that really came through last year. He'll be a challenge for our run defense."
The D-line's run defense will definitely get tested Saturday night against Gurley, and newly acquired defensive lineman Henry Melton will get a chance to test his defensive chops with the Broncos playbook.
"He's very athletic," Kubiak said of Melton, adding that players who come in halfway through training camp look so much fresher than their new teammates. "He's played well in this league before. He just had some injuries. He'll get a chance here. He'll get to play a lot of football in the next five, six days."
Ladies and gentlemen, take your seats. The dress rehearsal is about to start.
Horse Tracks - docllv's pick of the week
The rise and fall and resurgence of Marlin Briscoe
Briscoe chipped away at such wrongheaded thinking as the first black quarterback to start in the game's modern era. While celebrating a historic achievement, he helped make possible for all the African-American quarterbacks to follow, Briscoe almost forgot he was behind bars.
Horse Tracks - Broncos
Denver Broncos land five players in #NFLRank Top 100
It shouldn't surprise you who our highest ranked player is on #NFLRank Top 100 list.
Jeff Heuerman's constant injuries a concern; Bennie Fowler aiming for opening game return - The Denver Post
The Broncos are expecting a lot from tight end Jeff Heuerman this season, but it's not clear if he'll be able to live up those expectations..
2016 NFL Non-QB MVP for all 32 teams - Tyron Smith of Dallas Cowboys, Alshon Jeffery of Chicago Bears
NFL Nation reporters go beyond the QB position to pick out each team's MVP heading into the season, including Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith and Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery.
Denver Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas says his tweet to Washington Redskins CB Josh Norman was about 'speaking fact'
Asked why he took to Twitter to trash-talk Josh Norman, Demaryius Thomas responded: "It wasn't trash. It was speaking fact."
Denver Broncos' Paxton Lynch shows some of 'that bounce-back ability'
Rookie quarterback Paxton Lynch took some lumps in Denver's preseason game against the 49ers, but rebounded to finish his outing on a high note.
Quick Hits from the Broncos' Thursday practice
Head Coach Gary Kubiak has still not decided on a No. 2 quarterback, but he did discuss the progress of Paxton Lynch after Thursday's practice.
Joe Ellis, John Elway join prestigious league committees
Ellis will serve on the Stadium Committee, while Elway joins the Competition Committee.
Takeaways from the quarterbacks' Q&A sessions
Trevor Siemian, Mark Sanchez and Paxton Lynch all talked about where they stand heading into Saturday's game with Los Angeles.
Here's how @Skotty_Payne approaches the Lynch/Siemian debate these days. pic.twitter.com/leQoS7PN3B
— Ian St. Clair (@IanStClair) August 25, 2016
Horse Tracks - Rams + AFC West
The Way We Hear It: Los Angeles Rams QB Jared Goff coming along slower than expected | Pro Football Weekly
PFW is hearing the Rams' coaching staff might be stunting Goff's growth
LA Rams News: Gurley Fight, Quarterback Competition, Wide Receiver Breakdown And More Ahead Of Season Opener
Head coach Jeff Fisher doesn't want star Todd Gurley to be hit, but the running back was taken to the ground during practice Wednesday.
Los Angeles Rams Training Camp: 8/25 Practice Recap - Turf Show Times
The Rams held their final public practice of 2016 Training Camp today. Here are the biggest details as to what happened during practice.
Los Angeles Rams Training Camp: 8/25 Practice Recap - Turf Show Times
The Rams held their final public practice of 2016 Training Camp today. Here are the biggest details as to what happened during practice.
The Chargers were petty and terrible even before they tried to stiff Joey Bosa - SBNation.com
The Chargers’ impasse with Joey Bosa is just the latest example of the franchise disregarding its players and fans.
Chargers exec: Bosa's stance 'absolutely asinine' - NFL.com
As if the statement released by the Chargers wasn't emphatic enough, president of football operations John Spanos followed up by unloading on the representatives for No. 3 overall pick Joey Bosa.
Gates: Bolts will welcome Bosa back 'with open arms' - NFL.com
Off the field, the Joey Bosa-Chargers standoff is getting testy. But on the gridiron, Chargers players and coaches are toning down the animosity, instead offering an olive branch to the rookie.
Raiders excited to see "spectacular" rookie RB Jalen Richard play, will see time with first team Saturday - Silver And Black Pride
After some rave reviews from coaches, undrafted rookie Jalen Richard is expected to see some snaps with the first team this week.
The Kansas City Chiefs offense could be carrying the team this year - Arrowhead Pride
Sounds weird to say, doesn't it?
NFL’s new touchback rule is backfiring and the Broncos are trying to adjust – The Denver Post
Kickoffs are among the most dangerous plays in football, with two groups of 11 large men running full speed at each other, many of them young players trying to make a big hit to make a big impression on their coaches.
Tony Romo exits early after hit from behind - NFL.com
Cowboys nation is collectively holding its breath. Tony Romo was down in pain after Cliff Avril hit him from behind, and grabbed his back. Preseason sensation Dak Prescott replaced Romo under center.
Horse Tracks - "Why Your Team Sucks" (these can't get any funnier)
Why Your Team Sucks 2016: Los Angeles Rams
Your coach: Still Jeff Fisher, who has been losing long enough and consistently enough to have presided over TWO relocated NFL teams. Jeff Fisher is Hell's interim coach. Alongside defensive coordinator and Steven Seagal movie villain Gregg Williams, Fisher presides over what is arguably the most widely disliked team in football.
Why Your Team Sucks 2016: Houston Texans
Your 2015 record: 9-7, including losing a game to a literally incontinent Matt Hasselbeck. The Texans won the AFC South thanks to Andrew Luck getting hurt and the rest of the division being an open sewer pit. But something is deeply, deeply wrong with the NFL when a team like this clinches a playoff spot after picking up 58-year-old Brandon Weeden at the bus station.
Why Your Team Sucks 2016: Cincinnati Bengals
You will not find a less sympathetic snakebit team in all the world. Even their own fans don’t feel bad for them after what they pulled. Cris Collinsworth, himself a former Bengal, basically called for the entire Bengals organization to be jailed after last season's playoff disaster against the Steelers.