The Denver Broncos came out with shells for Day 8 of training camp. As usual, all eyes were on the two quarterbacks fighting for the starting job this season. This race is becoming akin to the race between the tortoise and the hare. One is consistent; slow and steady, while the other is erratic; hot and cold. You can guess which is which and who is likely to win this race.
One quarterback begins to separate himself from the other
Trevor Siemian:
Trevor Siemian came out hot and even when he cooled later in practice maintained a consistent, steady force. He didn’t have the biggest plays of the day, not did he have the worst plays of the day. Just right there, steady.
Big time Trevor day today. Not even close. Good rhythm. TD passes. Touch. He crushed lynch.
— Darren McKee (@dmac1043) August 4, 2017
Today has been a win for Trevor. Not flashy, just steady. Paxton has some nice throws but coupled w/INT & batted passes #Broncos @1043TheFan
— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) August 4, 2017
It’s fun to see how the media portray’s what they see out there or what agenda they are trying to push. Dmac is clearly off his rocker with hyperbole and according to him, Siemian has dominated every day of practice.
On the other hand, Lemmey is more prone to sing the praise of Lynch, so if he is saying Trevor won the day then Trevor won the day. If Siemian had played the entire practice like he did in the first series and Lynch played the entire practice like he did in the first series, then Dmac would be 100% spot on. Unfortunately, it looks like he stopped watching practice after that first series and now looks like a fool with his lazy analysis.
That said, Siemian is starting to put a little distance between himself and Lynch. The distance isn’t great, but I am starting to notice that he is gaining some momentum here.
Paxton Lynch:
Paxton Lynch is needs more reps. He isn’t going to get them. This has me thinking that though the quarterback competition is close, it is starting to swing in Siemian’s direction based purely on experience and how many reps each quarterback has gotten in their careers.
Lynch might be in that unfortunate situation of needing more reps and not getting them. https://t.co/br7y0yU0V4
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 4, 2017
There is always a chance Lynch could regain some ground and have a big preseason game, but the lack of reps is going to hurt him far more than it will hurt Siemian. I suspect this will only become more evident with each passing practice and preseason game.
Lynch has time and could still win this starting job outright, but the tortoise is nearing the finish line and if the hare doesn’t start running he’s going to come up just short.
Scrimmage on Saturday:
The Broncos will conduct their first scrimmage on Saturday. It should be an exciting time for fans and also give both quarterbacks a chance to improvise a little more as if things were a real game situation. Vance Joseph didn’t name a starter, but I suspect it will be Siemian. He’s earned the job through eight days of camp.
VJ on which quarterback will go first in the scrimmage: "I'm not sure yet, I'm not sure."
— Ryan Koenigsberg (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 4, 2017
The bigger thing to watch is how the revamped offensive line holds its own in pass protection and the run game.
“I think all the practices and the scrimmage will be talked about on Sunday morning of where we are,” Joseph said on Thursday. “It’s kind of the halfway point. Starting Monday, we’re going to have a training camp day, but Tuesday and Wednesday are more Chicago. Absolutely, that’s going to be a big deal for our roster as far as who’s doing things the right way. Who’s making plays? Who’s making less errors? That’s going to be a big part of what we’re doing. When you say scrimmage, it should tweak a player to say, ‘Hey, my best is needed.’ That’s why you say scrimmage for these guys so you can get their best.”
Joseph and his staff will have a hundred other things to watch, but we kind of know where this teams weaknesses were last year and that’s going to be the biggest concern for us fans.
Defense impressed with new offensive line:
Derek Wolfe thinks the new offensive is doing a great job out there, which is high praise from a guy going up against them on every snap in practice.
Wolfe: "Our offensive line is doing a great job."
— Ryan Koenigsberg (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 4, 2017
That is good news for Trevor Siemian, who needs a little more time to get the ball out and for the running backs who need a little more room to run to get some positive yardage on early downs.
Injury report:
- Safety T.J. Ward injured his hamstring. Getting an MRI; no status to report.
- Linebacker Todd Davis sprained his shoulder; no status yet.
Tweets from practice:
Broncos fans set another UCHealth Training Center record Friday with attendance of 6,567. Entire organization appreciative of the support! pic.twitter.com/UJe5ydd8s2
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) August 4, 2017
#BroncosCountry showed up today. Easily the most crowded day I've been to. Tomorrow should be even more packed.#Broncos #BroncosCamp pic.twitter.com/KibtitxmsO
— Ryan Greene (@RGreene5280) August 4, 2017
Yo look at @PhillyWill11 securing that bag ️ #Broncos #BroncosCamp #BroncosCountry #BroncosEurope pic.twitter.com/a4nsCkUeEa
— Ryan Greene (@RGreene5280) August 4, 2017
Siemian has a perfect pass to Isaiah McKenzie, touchdown. Orion Stewart on the coverage.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 4, 2017
Not be outdone twice, Orion Stewart breaks up what would have been a Siemian touchdown to Jeff Heuerman.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 4, 2017
Paxton Lynch is struggling mightily today. Passes errant, and when they're on target, being knocked away by quick-handed DBs.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 4, 2017
Paxton hooks up with Bennie for TD on crosser #Broncos @1043TheFan
— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) August 4, 2017
And some more pics from Day 8 of #BroncosCamp @BossWard43 @PaxtonLynch @gbolles72 #Broncos #BroncosCountry #BroncosEurope pic.twitter.com/SfTR6PAOC4
— Ryan Greene (@RGreene5280) August 4, 2017
Tyrique Jarrett bat's down a Siemian pass at the line of scrimmage. De'Angelo Henderson's got the moves all of the way to the endzone.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 4, 2017
Great catch by Latimer in goal-to-go -- fade route, Siemian to Latimer -- over the head of Doss back left corner. Nice adjustment by Latimer
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 4, 2017
Back-to-back Lynch TDs to Ridley and Sharp. Liked what he did on the Ridley TD, moved right, looked ahead, then threw to Ridley at RT pylon.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 4, 2017
Demaryius Thomas matches up with Lorenzo Doss in 7-on-7s. Lynch looks the opposite way, interception Bradley Roby.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 4, 2017
Lynch finds Demaryius Thomas in the endzone in the next play.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 4, 2017
Siemian has a pass incinerated out of the sky, batted down by Kevin Snyder.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 4, 2017
Von out here with a whistle on his off day... Just blowing it aimlessly after plays.
— Ryan Koenigsberg (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 4, 2017
Today is showing off the depth of the "No-Fly Zone," too. Roby and Doss are making plays on the ball. Langley getting involved, too.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 4, 2017
#Broncos DeMarcus Walker continues to show flashes of potential as OLB. Impressive athlete @DenverChannel
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 4, 2017
First snap of the first Tema drill from the 50, Lynch hit DT in what would have been a TD. Whistled dead.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 4, 2017
Second drop of the series for Demaryius Thomas. Both would be considered drops.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 4, 2017
Siemian to Heuerman is good on an out route for about 4 yards.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 4, 2017
Paxton picked by Doss. Ball was tipped by Danny Mason. May have gone for 6 the other way.
— Ryan Koenigsberg (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 4, 2017
Today Paxton was a beat late on some throws. To me that means he's not trusting his eyes. Timing was wonky #Broncos @1043TheFan
— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) August 4, 2017
#McMoney https://t.co/qdQWyfTFUT
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 4, 2017
84 caught a bunch of passes today. Looks great. Man if he can catch a pass whew something else
— Darren McKee (@dmac1043) August 4, 2017
Doss had a pick 6 off a tip off 12 today. He's looked good pic.twitter.com/lCklw9z3Ax
— Darren McKee (@dmac1043) August 4, 2017
Vance's answer on Paxton's batted balls at the LOS. On game day, the oline "would jab them in the gut" when the dline jumps to hit the ball
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) August 4, 2017
Siemian more efficient, confident today than Lynch, whose inconsistencies (+ lack of reps) are killing him.
— Zack Kelberman (@Kelberman247) August 4, 2017
Scorecard: Siemian 4, Lynch 3
Notable quotes:
Vance Joseph said scrimmages and games are a bigger deal for quarterbacks:
#Broncos Joseph said scrimmages and preseason game bigger deal for QBs @DenverChannel pic.twitter.com/vN5XdleVXa
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 4, 2017
Derek Wolfe wants to see 30-40 sacks between he and Von Miller:
Wolfe talks about the improvement on the run d. Says no reason he and Von can't combine for 30-40 sacks pic.twitter.com/ukeMzhIU1B
— Darren McKee (@dmac1043) August 4, 2017
C.J. Anderson says the Broncos running backs are going to bring it:
CJ says he and the running backs are bringing it. pic.twitter.com/91unGz5bFr
— Darren McKee (@dmac1043) August 4, 2017
Darian Stewart is making things sound a lot like 2016, which is good for Siemian:
Stewart: "Paxton can run. He can get outside of the pocket. Trevor is smart and savvy. He's doing great things and making the right play."
— Ryan Koenigsberg (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 4, 2017