clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

NFL Training Camp Day: Denver Broncos Day 12 news and notes

News and notes from day 12 of Denver Broncos Training Camp.

By Scotty Payne
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Day 12 of Denver Broncos Training Camp just wrapped up earlier today. Today we have Kubiak talking up a young linebacker, Wade Phillips talking about how great our cornerbacks are, an injury update, and more.

Kubiak talks up Zaire Anderson:

Head Coach Gary Kubiak has liked what he seen from undrafted rookie linebacker Zaire Anderson so far in Training Camp.

Kubiak had some nice things to say about Anderson

"Yeah, I can tell you've been watching because you're right, he has flashed. He flashes every day. He's small. You watch him stature-wise work out and you say, 'Can you play in there?' But there have been some great guys do that. I can think of Zach Thomas for many, many years standing across from that center. He's a leader. He handles the huddle really well. He loves contact. Reggie's done a good job with him, but you have to give the kid a lot of credit. He's come a long way."

Anderson is a 5'11", 220lb linebacker who is competing for a roster spot at inside linebacker. Right now he's listed at the bottom of the depth chart, but as Kubiak said, don't read too much into it.

A strong preseason from Anderson on defense and special teams could help him crack the roster. I think that he has a shot at making the roster but is more likely to land on the team's 10-man practice squad.

Wade Phillips says the Broncos cornerback duo is the best he's ever coached:

Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said that Broncos cornerbacks Chirs Harris Jr. and Aqib Talib are the best cornerback duo he has ever coached.

Wade says that Harris and Talib are better than his duo he had in Houston.

"They’re probably the best. I’ve had a lot of really good corners. The latest were the guys at Houston who were really good. But these guys are the best, I think, that I’ve been around. They rate with the Pro Bowlers that I’ve coached. They’re those kind of players. Don’t tell them I said that. They’ll get the big head. They’ll think they don’t have to practice anymore, but they’re really talented. And our other guys Roby’s coming along and Carter’s coming along. I mean we’ve got some guys that it will be tough losing some of them, probably."

That's quite the compliment coming from a guy who has been coaching in this league for many many many years. It's also not a very shocking statement. Chris Harris Jr. is arguably the best cornerback in the league, and Talib is pretty good himself.

The Broncos might have the best cornerback trio in the entire league. Last year's first-round pick Bradley Roby showed flashed of brilliance last season, and could have an even better sophomore season.

Manning's arm and conditioning are impressing players and coaches:

It appears that quarterback Peyton Manning put an extra emphasis on his conditioning this past offseason. Multiple players and now Head Coach Gary Kubiak have come away impressed by the 39-year old Manning.

Yesterday cornerback Chris Harris Jr. told ESPN Denver that he can tell Manning did something different this offseason. He said that he must have "changed his diet or something" with the way he is throwing the ball.

Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas commented on Manning's improved arm strength a couple days ago.

I don't know if you all are going to believe what I say, but I think it's a little more zip on it. I don't know how he can do that. He's an older guy—one of the oldest guys on the team—but I feel like every year around this time, there's almost more zip on his ball. You can notice it. He threw a couple posts today, probably 50, 60 yards, and I'm like, 'Whoa.' It's making me excited."

Hopefully he the extra rest Manning is receiving, and the emphasis on the run game will keep his arm and body fresh throughout the season.

Injury Report:

  • Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. was held out of practice today, but it was a precautionary move by Kubiak. Harris has a minor hamstring injury and they are being careful with it like they were with Emmanuel Sanders.
  • Speaking of Sanders, Kubiak pulled the receiver after 30 minutes of practice time because he "didn't look like himself". Kubiak is being smart with these guys.
  • Defensive end Derek Wolfe returned to practice and participated a little bit.
  • Nose Tackle Marvin Austin was wearing a high altitude mask during today's practice. He again was held out of practice.
  • The only other player not in pads for today's practice was linebacker, Lerentee McCray.

Tweets from practice:

Quotable:

Gary Kubiak on the offensive line adapting to game speed.

"I think it all depends on who the player is. With Sambrailo; Sambrailo mentally is great. He's been awesome. That has not been a problem, so the speed of the game I think is the first thing that he has to catch up on with Von  and DeMarcus on a regular basis. Max is a powerful guy. He's played in a lot of big games. Max was a center in college so he's trying to get it all down at guard and all the calls and all those things, so maybe it's a little bit different for him. I think it depends on the player. The biggest thing you look for as a coach when you put a young player out there is does it look like it's too big for him? Those guys have been pretty good. There's going to be some growing pains. I know that, but I like what they stand for and I like the way they work."

In This Stream

Broncos training camp 2015: Schedule, practice reports, photos, videos, and more

View all 148 stories

More From Mile High Report