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Day seven of Denver Broncos Training Camp left Broncos Head Coach Gary Kubiak a bit upset. It was a sloppy practice and all three quarterbacks struggled today but did end the day strong. We have Paxton Lynch taking reps with the 1's, quarterback struggles, Latimer looking good, an update on the punting battle, injury updates, news and notes, and more.
Paxton Lynch received some first-team reps but didn't have his best day
After a strong couple practices, quarterback Paxton Lynch earned himself some first team reps today during some 7 on 7 drills today. However, it wasn't the best day for the Broncos first-round pick.
Paxton Lynch just worked with the first team offense during 7 on 7. He's getting an opportunity @PaxtonLynch #BroncosCamp
— Zac Stevens (@Zactionpacked) August 3, 2016
Lynch went 0-3 during that drill with one drop. It wasn't his best showing, but a sign that Lynch has indeed gained on Sanchez and Siemian. The Broncos first team defense is the best in the business so of course, Lynch will struggle when going up against that unit for the first time.
Kubiak said Lynch had an "up and down day" and that he still has a ways to go still.
"Today looked like some of the practices he’s had, kind of up and down. He too, he gets a day off yesterday and he comes back in here and didn’t practice as well. It’s not just him. It’s a lot of guys. They need to go back and look at why. Pros do it all the time, not every now and then. He’s got a way to go."
Lynch showed to have a short memory once again and finished off his day with a solid 70-yard drive that ended with a 14 yard or so touchdown pass to rookie tight end Henry Krieger-Coble.
Paxton Lynch brilliant in leading 70-yd TD drive. 4 of 4 all for first downs. Finished with 14-ydish TD to TE Henry Krieger-Cobble #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 3, 2016
Lynch went 4 for 4 during that drive and finished his day strong. After a tough day, it is nice to finish your day on a high note and carry that momentum into Thursday's practice.
A rough day for the QB's and no one is stepping up:
It just wasn't a good day for any of the Broncos quarterbacks. Mark Sanchez had his usual "up and down" day and Trevor Siemian continued to be "captain check down" for the most part. '
Ugly overthrow from Sanchez. QBs struggling today. #BroncosCamp
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) August 3, 2016
Sanchez had a fumbled snap and 3 and out during his "move the chains drill". Defensive end Jared Crick batted down two of Sanchez's passes at the line.
Trevor Siemian may have been the best quarterback today, but that's not much of a compliment. He continued to mostly play it safe and take zero risks down the field. Lots of dinks and dunks for Siemian.
Siemian hitting on the short stuff. Shallow out. #BroncosCamp
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) August 3, 2016
Trevor "Alex Smith" Semian throws only safe passes. Avoids any risk. #BroncosCamp
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) August 3, 2016
Siemian did have a nice few plays today, but still hasn't done enough to pass the struggling Sanchez.
Not a glowing endorsement of Siemian, but backs up the "singles hitter" comment from the Denver Posts Cameron Wolfe. From everything I am reading, Siemian has the potential to be a nice backup, but probably nothing more than that.
Kubiak wants more consistency from his quarterbacks.
"We’ve had some good days. We’ve had some real good days. It just wasn’t as good as it needed to be today. As long as I’ve been doing this, it’s the way it works. You just have to keep going and try to be consistent. That’s what we’re working towards."
Now all three quarterbacks did end up finishing their day with touchdown drives. Siemian led a long drive that ended with a short pass to Juwan Thompson for a touchdown, and Sanchez received a second attempt and he hit receiver Jordan Taylor for another long highlight reel catch for a touchdown. It's nice to end on a strong note, but clearly, Kubiak wasn't pleased and seemed pissed about their effort today.
3 'C' themes QBs feel they want to improve on: Mark Sanchez - chemistry. Trevor Siemian - cadence. Paxton Lynch - consistency. #BroncosCamp
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 3, 2016
After six days of practices, Kubiak said that none of the three quarterbacks has separated themselves from the group yet.
"I don’t think anybody has taken off and done anything. I think they’ve all done what they did in the off season. They all continue to do it. We’ll just going here. We’ll start playing some people and playing some games. We’re going to find out."
All three quarterbacks still have plenty of time to work on these issues, but the clock is ticking.
Cody Latimer receives some praise from Kubiak
Broncos wide receiver Cody Latimer is entering a "make or break" sort of year. He has already seen Bennie Fowler and Jordan Taylor have great Camps thus far, so he needs to step his game up and so far he has.
@CodyLatimer14 is catching everything thrown his way today at practice camp for training football dudes. #BroncosCamp
— Brandon Perna (@BrandonPerna) August 3, 2016
He has had multiple long receptions in camp and has been showing his strong hands and athleticism as well. With the receiving position being as deep as it is, this is a much-needed showing from Latimer.
Kubiak said it has been a good camp for Latimer thus far.
"It’s been a good camp. Cody is in great condition. He can run all day, so you see him show up. The longer practices go, he tends to keep making plays. It’s important to him. You can see it. It’s a big year for him. We all know that. I think he’s pushing really hard and doing a good job."
That's good to hear in a make or break year for Latimer.
Colquitt appears to be ahead in the punting competition
After the Broncos spent a 7th round pick on rookie punter Riley Dixon, most assumed that spelled the end of Britton Colquitt in Denver, but the veteran punter isn't going out without a fight.
Don't count out Britton Colquitt in punter competition #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 3, 2016
Colquitt continued to punt with the first team today while the rookie Riley Dixon punted with the second team.
Kubiak said the punting battle is going to be a competitive one.
"They’re obviously two different guys. One is the veteran who had a tremendous season last year, especially late in the year. He was really big for us and had been around the league for a while. The other one is a young, very talented kid with a big leg. There’s a competition right there. They both have to hold for McManus too, so that’s a factor. It’s going to be very competitive. We knew that."
Ultimately I believe this battle will come down to who punts the best during the Preseason so I wouldn't read too much into this just yet.
News and notes:
- Tackle/guard Michael Schofield took first-team reps at guard today while Max Garcia sat out.
- Rookie guard Connor McGovern continued to take first-team reps at guard today as well in place of the injured Ty Sambrailo. Could the rookie earn himself a starting job?
- Second-year cornerback Lorenzo Doss earned first team reps today with Aqib Talib and Kayvon Webster out.
- Rookie linebacker Kyle Kragen played some inside linebacker today. Was an outside linebacker for all of OTA's/Minicamp.
- Rookie safety Justin Simmons was getting 1st team work in nickel packages.
- Wide receiver Jordan Taylor made another highlight reel catch today.
- Running back Ronnie Hillman was yelled at by Kubiak and eventually pulled.
- Kubiak was frustrated with the team today after their mistake filled practice. Called together to ramp up their intensity. He was clearly upset with them.
- Kubiak was impressed with Kapri Bibbs today.
- Jared Crick, Sly Williams, and Vance Walker all broke up passes at the line of scrimmage today.
Injury report
- Cornerback Kayvon Webster sat out practice today. He had a wrap on his left leg. According to Kubiak, Webster has a thigh bruise.
- Guard Max Garcia sat out practice. According to Kubiak, Garcia rolled his ankle during a walk-through practice.
- Guard Ty Sambrailo continued to sit out practice with an elbow injury.
- Guard Sam Brenner who is dealing with a concussion sat out practice as well.
- Wide receiver Marlon Brown is receiving an MRI on his back injury.
- Defensive lineman Sylvester Williams and Vance Walker returned to practice.
- Running back Ronnie Hillman returned to practice after suffering a back injury on Sunday.
- Tight end Jon Phillips continues to sit out practice.
- Veteran's Aqib Talib and DeMarcus Ware continued to be on NFI list.
- Defensive end Kenny Anunike remained on PUP list.
Tweets from Practice
crowds just keep getting bigger & louder over at #BroncosCamp pic.twitter.com/okaF55quqC
— Mic Rastrelli (@c_rasta5) August 3, 2016
Newest #Broncos Donald Stephenson and Russell Okung #ChampCamp pic.twitter.com/umws3YcneO
— 104.3 The FAN (@1043TheFan) August 3, 2016
QB Paxton Lynch tosses a ball after practicing play action. Mark Sanchez fills in at RB for the drill @Mark_Sanchez pic.twitter.com/EhUk3KaCvI
— Zac Stevens (@Zactionpacked) August 3, 2016
O-Lineman getting after it!! #Broncos #ChampCamp pic.twitter.com/dw2rquxFWe
— 104.3 The FAN (@1043TheFan) August 3, 2016
Rookie Guard Connor McGovern (60) trying to earn a starting spot on the roster @McGovenator60 #BroncosCamp pic.twitter.com/6pFvvDyd3N
— Zac Stevens (@Zactionpacked) August 3, 2016
The future of the Broncos: Paxton Lynch handoff to Devontae Booker @PaxtonLynch @dbook23 #BroncosCamp #Broncos pic.twitter.com/yfZeWpNz4m
— Zac Stevens (@Zactionpacked) August 3, 2016
Lot of teaching going on here in the trenches... #BroncosCamp pic.twitter.com/nP8Uf9UYp6
— Nick Griffith (@NickGriffithTV) August 3, 2016
Broncos RBs at work. Starting to feel bad for the sled. https://t.co/DN1g7xLrDp
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 3, 2016
Ty Sambrailo just walked out with a large brace on his right elbow. pic.twitter.com/VwTXBQDaT0
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 3, 2016
WRs getting open, Sanchez last two throws a quarter second late. #BroncosCamp
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) August 3, 2016
Paxton Lynch has had one of those "mama told me there would be days like this" practices #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 3, 2016
Brandon McManus kicks a 30 TD FG and the double HORN signals The end of Day 6 #BroncosCamp
— Kirk Davis (@MHR_KaptainKirk) August 3, 2016
They wanted him.
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 3, 2016
They got him.#BroncosCamp pic.twitter.com/uwvQKOzoLj
Devontae Booker in May: "I'm not there to carry pads, I'm there to take someone's job."
— Ryan Koenigsberg (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 3, 2016
Devontae Booker today: pic.twitter.com/tBtZ9hj1xY
Mark Sanchez looked like a backup QB at Broncos practice today. Gary Kubiak was not pleased with QBs.
— Woody Paige (@woodypaige) August 3, 2016
Notable quotes
Kubiak's message to the team when he gathered them together halfway through practice
"We had a day off yesterday and we didn’t respond very well. Good teams, when you get a break day and come back, are bouncing around. We came back lethargic, not practicing very well and not practicing very well at quarterback today. I just let them know. We battled back at the end, but we just have to continue to find our leaders on this team and the guys that are going to step up when things get hard. Things are hard right now, so we have to push."
Lynch on how he started and finished today's practice
"That just comes down to the consistency thing. I didn’t come out here and have the best practice that I should have had today. I don’t think a lot of us did, that’s why Kubiak said what he said whenever he pulled the team up and kind of got us going. At the end, you get a chance to finish practice even though you didn’t practice so well in the beginning. That’s sort of what I had in my head. I have one more drive for the rest of the day. That was the last rep that I was going to get today, so I had to make the best of it."
Cornerback Bradley Roby on how the defense responded to Kubiak's meeting
"After he made it known, I think we picked our intensity up. On defense, we got a fumble right after that. He had to snap us out of it. That's his job as a head coach, when he sees that we're not performing the way that he wants us to perform, to get us out of it. I think he did that today."