Day three of Denver Broncos Training Camp is in the books. It was the first day in pads for the team, and they will be in full pads for tomorrow's practice. Today we have Sanchez and Siemian splitting first team reps "50/50", Paxton Lynch finishing the day strong, Shane Ray the starter?, Adam Gotsis looking healthy and taking part in live action for the time as a Bronco, Kayvon earning praise, news and notes, and an injury update.
Siemian and Sanchez split 1st team reps:
The first team reps at the quarterback position were split 50/50 today between Mark Sanchez and Trevor Simeian.
It has been pretty much a 50-50 split Sanchez/Siemian with the starters today. #4Broncos
— Mark Haas (@markhaastv) July 30, 2016
This shouldn't come as a surprise because Broncos Head Coach Gary Kubiak has mentioned this would be the plan multiple times before camp and once camp started.
Kubiak said both players are doing "really well" right now, but still, are installing their offense.
"I think Trevor Siemian and Mark Sanchez are doing really well. I was looking at some numbers last night and they are good. They are consistent in what they are doing. We’ve got to keep going. We are installing the offense, so it takes us eight days to put our whole offense in. We’ll keep doing what we are doing. I want to see them do things a little faster, but that comes with confidence in what we are doing. Hopefully we’ll get going a little better."
Like Lynch, these two are still playing a little slow. Kubiak wants these two to start playing faster and that will come with time.
Paxton Lynch finishing the day strong:
As expected, rookie quarterback is having an up and down performance but ended today's practice on a strong note.
First move-the-ball period of camp ends w/ Lynch finding Kalif Raymond for a 39-yard touchdown pass. Good cap to an up-&-down day for Lynch.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) July 30, 2016
Lynch led the third-team offense 70 or so yards down the field and capped the drive off with a 39-yard touchdown pass to rookie receiver Kalif Raymond.
It was an up and down day reportedly for Lynch, but that has to be expected at this point. Kubiak was seen working one on one with Lynch prior to the 70-yard touchdown drive. The Broncos Head Coach is working with the rookie and trying to speed him up some.
"That’s football. You are going to go through highs and lows. First off, these kids are here because they know how to go through those things. They’ve been through some ups and downs to get a chance to play at this level. It’s our job to build him up. It’s also our job to motivate him and get him going. Hopefully there is a little bit of both. The bottom line is to get him to be as good a player as he can possibly be. He’s working really hard; he just gets hung up mentally sometimes. He gets a little slow, so I’m trying to speed him up and get him going."
Training Camp is all about learning from your mistakes, so hopefully Lynch can bounce back from an up and down day and continue to improve.
Rookie Adam Gotsis getting first live reps of the year:
The Broncos second-round pick Adam Gotsis missed the entire offseason rehabbing an ACL injury he suffered in late October, but participated in his first live action with the Broncos today.
DL Adam Gotsis getting first live team reps with second unit today #9news
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) July 30, 2016
According to Kubiak, he went about an hour and ten minutes today and he expects him to be 100% by next week.
Still great to see him out there and playing well. I saw fans on twitter saying he was pushing offensive lineman backward and just looked good for a defensive lineman taking part in his first NFL practice.
Shane Ray starting next to Von Miller?:
Broncos edge rusher Von Miller participated in some team drills today as he continues to be eased into action, but the storyline was who was playing opposite of him. That would be 2015 first-round pick Shane Ray, not Shaquil Barrett.
Von Miller is on the field for a portion of team. Shane Ray opposite of Von, not Shaq Barrett @X_RAYted56 @Millerlite40 @MOOCHIE048 #broncos
— Zac Stevens (@Zactionpacked) July 30, 2016
When Von left the field, Shaq joined Ray on the field as the Broncos starting edge rushers. Still interesting to see Ray get the nod ahead of Barrett when Von is on the field.
Ray spent time in the offseason adding muscle, eating right, and is now fully comfortable in Wade Phillip's defense. A breakout season could be on the horizon for the former first round pick.
Bennie Fowler quietly having a good camp:
According to the Denver Posts Cameron Wolfe, Denver Broncos wide receiver, Bennie Fowler is "quietly" having himself a good camp thus far.
Bennie Fowler is quietly having a good camp. Catching everything coming his way. Just made another tough one. #BroncosCamp
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) July 30, 2016
Fowler is battling Jordan Taylor, Cody Latimer, Jordan Norwood, and others for the number three job at receiver. However, Bennie says he is not only battling for the number three job but battling Thomas and Sanders for the starting jobs.
"I feel great. It’s a great competition. I’m not only competing with the guys that are looking for the third spot. I’m competing with Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders."
With Jordan Taylor getting all the attention recently it is nice to see Bennie also having a good Training Camp.
Kubiak singles out corner Kayvon Webster after practice:
Denver Broncos Head Coach singled out cornerback Kayvon Webster after today's practice and said he was a "great example for our football team today".
Kubiak: Kayvon was a great example for our football team today.
— Ryan Koenigsberg (@RyanKoenigsberg) July 30, 2016
Kubiak had the Broncos cornerback broke down the huddle after practice and praised his effort during today's practice.
"He broke the team down and practiced his tail off. He’s a great example today for the football team. He really has been. He played down the stretch last year in the playoffs. He’s a big player for us. He’s come back really focused on what he’s doing."
With cornerback Aqib Talib sidelined for a bit, Webster has a golden opportunity to prove himself on the defensive side of the ball. We already know what he does on Special Teams and could be entering a leadership role on this team. With David Bruton Jr. signing with the Washington Redskins in the offseason, he could replace his role on special teams and his leadership role as well.
Today looked like a big step in that direction.
News and notes:
- Gary Kubiak said Special Teams will play a factor in running back Ronnie Hillman making the team.
- Edge rusher Von Miller and rookie defensive end Adam Gotsis should be full go by next week.
- Wide receiver DeVier Posey who is considered a longshot to make the team is making a bunch of catches at camp.
- A rough day for kicker Brandon McManus who missed a handful of field goal attempts today.
- Cornerback Kayvon Webster and rookie safety Will Parks had multiple pass breakups during today's practice.
- Defensive end Derek Wolfe has been unstoppable during camp.
- Safety Darian Stewart expects the Broncos defense to be faster this year because they're more comfortable with Wade Phillips defense.
Injury Report:
- Nose tackles Sylvester Williams and Phil Taylor sat out today's practice after suffering injuries on Friday. Kubiak said MRI's on both players came back good and they're both "fine".
- Sylvester Williams is expected to miss one more practice according to Kubiak.
- Phil Taylor will be back at practice on Sunday.
- Cornerback Aqib Talib still remains on the NFI list but was seen running up and a down a hill prior to practice. Seems like he will be activated off it very soon which is excellent news.
- Veteran edge rusher DeMarcus Ware also remains on the NFI and probably will be on it for another few weeks. Broncos aren't rushing him back.
Tweets from Practice:
1st day in pads--real football today.
— Wade Phillips (@sonofbum) July 30, 2016
There is no doubt a fan favorite. Von Miller greeted to a standing ovation and chants of "MVP" @Millerlite40 pic.twitter.com/eqqPl4vfUc
— Zac Stevens (@Zactionpacked) July 30, 2016
Team stretch and the fans join in at #BroncosCamp pic.twitter.com/Snpwz4cIPk
— Kirk Michael Davis (@Kaptain_Kirk62) July 30, 2016
.@TheREALrodSmith (far left) at Broncos camp today. Say hi. pic.twitter.com/DqmuejF6sn
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) July 30, 2016
Clancy Barone coaching up the #Broncos offensive line at #BroncosCamp. What I'm watching today. pic.twitter.com/m00zQcskLd
— Ian St. Clair (@IanStClair) July 30, 2016
Paxton Lynch practices taking snaps from the gun. Even though Peyton is gone they won't completely abandon shotgun pic.twitter.com/KihRdRM2QM
— Zac Stevens (@Zactionpacked) July 30, 2016
No Fly Zone. #4Broncos pic.twitter.com/FfvNqQt2T9
— Mark Haas (@markhaastv) July 30, 2016
Like what I see from @RussellOkung. Shows good foot work and quickness. Good stuff at this point. pic.twitter.com/fYVgsPLQOp
— Ian St. Clair (@IanStClair) July 30, 2016
Fun drill right in front of me at #BroncosCamp. #Broncos offensive coordinator Rick Dennison doing some coaching. pic.twitter.com/ZADhfAGasz
— Ian St. Clair (@IanStClair) July 30, 2016
Not sure if the first few days have looked this way, but Paxton was great in 7 on 7...#PFL #Broncos #BroncosCamp #ChampCamp
— Steven Kriz (@skriz24) July 30, 2016
#Broncos Lynch throws TD pass to Kalif Raymond. Love Lynch's enthusiasm. Ran to the end zone to greet Raymond
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) July 30, 2016
This was the only down the field drive of the day and it was for Lynch. He's having his own private camp
— Darren McKee (@dmac1043) July 30, 2016
Kayvon Webster and Will Parks both had multiple Pass Breakups today at #BroncosCamp
— Kirk Davis (@MHR_KaptainKirk) July 30, 2016
Another aspect I've noticed is Kubiak does like Shanahan with how he lingers at practice. Does a lot of watching.
— Ian St. Clair (@IanStClair) July 30, 2016
As expected when Kubiak's offense isn't running the ball they will be throwing it deep #BroncosCamp
— Zac Stevens (@Zactionpacked) July 30, 2016
Double HORN blast signals the end of Day 3 from #BroncosCamp
— Kirk Michael Davis (@Kaptain_Kirk62) July 30, 2016
Notable quotes:
Kubiak on the third team offense vs. the third team defense to end practice.
"I am going to do that a little bit at the end of practice a little bit. I told those kids just now that’s a game day form. They’re going to play in the preseason and how much they play really depends on a lot of things. I’m going to let them play at the end of practice sometimes. Everybody’s watching to see how they do. Paxton took his group down the field. That’s what he’s been doing. He struggles a little bit and then he does something really good. He just has to keep moving."
Kubiak on Ty Sambrailo's transition to right guard.
"It’s different for him. When you play tackle people are away from you. When you play guard, people are right in your nose. I think he’s adapting to that. I think he’s getting better each day and he is in good health. He’s holding up. I think he has a ways to go, but he is adjusting to that environment."