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Broncos' Von Miller, Chris Harris Jr. ready to dominate Niners

Talk all you want about the starting quarterback, but it really won't matter who it is - not as long as the Broncos defense continues dominating.

By Laurie Lattimore-Volkmann

Good morning, Broncos Country!

So hey...does anyone know who's going to be quarterback Saturday?

Kidding, kidding...just wanted to see if I could get the same debate about the same topic going once again and win a bet. OK, that last part isn't true.

But here's some truth - It. Doesn't. Matter.

Because this move by Kubiak proves one thing - he's been telling us the truth when he says it's a dead-even race between his "co-No.1s."

And as Kubiak noted, he's looking at a lot of factors in the quarterback competition, so starting Trevor Siemian this week after starting Mark Sanchez last week is just making sure he can evaluate his QBs thoroughly - how he starts off a game, how/when he gets in rhythm, can he get his offense in rhythm and how will he handle another team's best defense?

"I'm looking at everything - leadership, how they handle the team," Kubiak said Thursday after a rather chippy second day with the Niners. "Obviously you want to make them each make the same amount of decisions. If I sent one of them out there and one throws it four times and the other throws it 15, I'd like to see that pretty equal."

Oh, don't worry. There won't be a "quarterback controversy" in Denver when Week 1 rolls around. Kubiak proved last year that that kind of thing only exists as a figment of the media's collective imagination, but it does not exist in the Broncos' locker room. So don't expect it to exist this year.

Rather, sit back and enjoy a good old-fashioned battle for a starting job between two capable players who will at some point - TBD - secede the throne to the up-and-comer. But that's a different week's (or season's) story.

Which leads me to more truth about our starting quarterback - It. Really. Doesn't. Matter.

Not when you have the Orange Rush, the No Fly Zone and the NFL's Best Front 7 (a defensive unit that could really use a nickname, by the way).

Just ask Chris Harris Jr.

"Coach Wade gave us our stats yesterday, and it was just ridiculous," Harris said about Wednesday's first joint practice with the 49ers. "You can definitely say that we're on the right page and headed in the right direction like we were last year."

Whether it was interceptions, sacks, not allowing touchdowns...you name it, they (forgive me) crushed it.

Andrew Mason reported that the defense continued its dominance against the Niners on Thursday, finishing the closed practice with two consecutive stops in the two-minute drill, forcing a turnover and then making Blaine Gabbert run to the sidelines (in fear no doubt) two out of four plays.

And then with no drop-off in dominance, the second team finished the drill in two plays as rookie John Tidwell intercepted Jeff Driskell.

Sure, it was just practice - and against a very mediocre (at best) offense. But these guys believe they are even better this season, so we best do the same.

"I feel like we impose our will on everybody," Harris Jr. said. "Everybody has to deal with us. They deal with our rushers and then they have to come out and deal with our passers. That's what we're going to do. We're going to play smash mouth. We're going to play aggressive. We're going to be a great tackle, fundamental team that plays smart."

And to make the upcoming game even more tantalizing, Von Miler is back in the lineup and he cannot wait to be there. The last time the Super Bowl MVP donned a helmet at Mile High he spent his day tormenting Tom Brady.

"To get back out there and play, is very good," Miller said. "It should be some good feels and should be a good start."

In his first game back after sitting out the last one while getting back in game shape, Miller doesn't have any specific goals in mind. He just wants to play. Full speed.

In other words, the Von Miller School of Tormenting will remain open.

"I just want to go out there and play football. I want to go out there and play full speed. I want to go out there and leave it all on the field."

#Truth.

Horse Tracks - docllv's picks of the week

John Elway handling Broncos quarterbacks situation perfectly (again) | NFL | Sporting News
It doesn't matter who emerges as the Broncos'  No. 1 quarterback in the preseason - John Elway is already its big winner.

100? 200? Doesn’t Matter. They Still Can’t Catch Usain Bolt. - The New York Times
Bolt won the 200 meter dash on Thursday, cementing his legacy as the most dominant sprinter of all time.

Horse Tracks

Adam Gotsis now an even bigger piece of the Broncos defense for 2016 and beyond – The Denver Post
So much of Gotsis’ impact is about building off his potential. Gotsis has brute strength, freaky athleticism and aggression.

Broncos Training Camp Takeaways via Andrew Mason: Day 22
Training camp concluded Thursday with a spirited practice and some continued growth from young players on the rise.

Denver Broncos defense likes early returns, ready for more - Denver Broncos Blog- ESPN
The Denver Broncos see no reason why their defense cannot have a repeat of its dominant 2015 season.

Broncos Training Camp Takeaways: Day 21
It's all about rookies such as Paxton Lynch, Henry Krieger-Coble and Justin Simmons as the 49ers practice with the Broncos.

Miller and Jerod-Eddie put friendship to the test
Broncos LB Von Miller and 49ers DL Tony Jerod-Eddie are best friends off the field, so we put their knowledge of each other to the test.

Rookies still at the front of Broncos' search for a kick returner
Kalif Raymond and Bralon Addison will get another chance to shine on special teams Saturday against the 49ers.

Von Miller may have dance fever, but he says 'football is everything'
When he's not dancing on TV or in a music video, Von Miller is practicing his moves on the football field.

Oakland Raiders QB Derek Carr can be a star, but don't forget the help - NFL
With an impenetrable offensive line and a blossoming receiving corps, Raiders QB Derek Carr has the supporting cast -- and the skills -- to make The Leap in Year 3.

Harrison, Peppers, Matthews to be interviewed by NFL - NFL.com
Players James Harrison, Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews agree to be interviewed by NFL investigators looking into allegations they obtained performance-enhancing drugs.

Eagles' Caleb Sturgis concussed from errant punt - NFL.com
Eagles kicker Caleb Sturgis suffered a concussion from an errant punt during warmups prior to Thursday night's tilt with the Pittsburgh Steelers and will not play, the team announced.

Justin Hunter: 'Everybody is on the chopping block' - NFL.com
Make no mistake about it: Tennessee's decision to ship wideout Dorial Green-Beckham to the Eagles made a lasting impression on the Titans' locker room -- and especially Justin Hunter.

Robert Griffin III continues to showcase deep ball - NFL.com
For the second straight week, Robert Griffin III connected on a beautifully thrown deep pass to Terrelle Pryor. This time it was a picture-perfect 50-yard hurl for a touchdown.

Jimmy Garoppolo starts slow, finishes strong for Pats - NFL.com
Jimmy Garoppolo started slowly and finished in strong fashion for the second straight week during the New England Patriots' preseason victory over the Chicago Bears.

What to watch for in this weekend's preseason games - NFL.com
The second week of the preseason is here and there are plenty of storylines as the teams continue their gridiron evaluations. Conor Orr breaks down what to watch for this weekend.

In This Stream

Broncos training camp 2016: Everything we know

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