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Day 7 of Broncos camp is now and the books and we now have a full week of Broncos Training Camp in the books. Today we have Courtland Sutton doing Courtland Sutton things, Vance calling out his team, some information on tomorrow’s scrimmage, Von Miller the practice wrecker, news and notes, updates on the injuries, and more!
Another day, another impressive day from Courtland Sutton:
Same story, different day. Rookie wide receiver Courtland Sutton has been stacking impressive day on top of impressive days and today he did it against the Broncos best.
Only first team snaps for rookie WR Courtland Sutton today. #Broncos
— Ryan O'Halloran (@ryanohalloran) August 4, 2018
Sutton at least for the vast majority of practice was only receiving first-team reps during today’s practice according to The Denver Posts Ryan O’Halloran. This shows Sutton may have(at least for now) locked himself in as the Broncos number three wide receiver.
He has made big play after big player during Training Camp and today, he may have had his most impressive moment yet. During team drills, Sutton was matched up against number two corner Bradley Roby and ran a go route. Quarterback Case Keenum tossed it up and Sutton hauled in on Roby who was called for defensive pass interference and took it 95-yards for a touchdown.
Guess what?
— Ryan Koenigsberg (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 4, 2018
Courtland Sutton just had a 95-yard touchdown.
Oh... and he drew a PI on Bradley Roby in the process.
Veteran nose tackle Domata Peko compared Sutton to A.J. Green earlier in the week and the comparisons continued after practice today. Head Coach Vance Joseph compared Sutton to Texans All-Pro wide receiver, DeAndre Hopkins.
Like the Green comp, this is another big-time compliment for the rookie Sutton.
“He’s pretty good. I was in camp in Houston with [Texans WR DeAndre] Hopkins as a rookie—very comparable—great ball skills, huge catch radius. For rookies, it’s tough because it’s different levels. Obviously our camp, [and then] it’s a different level next Saturday versus the Vikings, the following week against Chicago. We’ll see. As camp goes on, obviously the intensity goes up. As the season goes on, the intensity goes up. We’ll see how he continues to develop.”
I know we haven’t played any games yet, but Sutton is really getting me excited. He beat up on Bradley Roby who is an established corner with a Super Bowl ring and a starting corner in this league. I understand if you were cautious about him when he was beating Langley and Yiadom, but now he’s beating the Broncos best.
#BroncosCamp Day 7️⃣ highlights pic.twitter.com/Hofi4jKnFF
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 4, 2018
(Note: The Sutton play is the first one shown here. Watch it.)
Hell, Roby even committed defensive pass interference and still couldn’t stop him. This performance led to All-Pro Von Miller to called Sutton “cold” when asked about the rookie after practice today.
“Who’s that? (Laughs) No. 14? Hey, that guy’s cold. Courtland’s cold. We really did a great job with the draft this year. We do a great job every year, but we did great a great job getting ‘14’ (Sutton), ‘55’ (OLB Bradley Chubb), all of those guys. The rookies that we have this year are phenomenal. Courtland, he just brings a whole new dynamic. We’ve got [WR] D.T. [Demaryius Thomas] and [WR] Emmanuel [Sanders] off the top. They give defenses hell already, and then you’ve got Courtland right here. It’s going to be fun. Then we’ve got a great quarterback. Offensive line has gotten a whole lot better, too. Courtland is great, I sit right by him in the team meeting room. He just has that fire in him. He’s going to be great”.
Sutton seems uncoverable and I cannot wait to see him beat up on opposing defenses this year. It is quite possible the Broncos could have the Offensive and Defensive rookie of the year this year.
Joseph challenges the team to start practice faster:
Head Coach Vance Joseph challenged his team after practice today after he wasn’t thrilled about how they started today’s practice. He says the offense didn’t come out focused today and said the defense did the same yesterday and that, that needs to change going forward.
We've got to start faster.#BroncosCamp pic.twitter.com/vzZaYCJkxg
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 4, 2018
Here is Joseph’s full comments on the effort level from his team.
“We’re doing OK. We’ve got to start faster, in my opinion. Today wasn’t good enough at the start, offensively. Yesterday it was defense, so we can’t pick and choose our times to come out and be focused. That’s a problem. We don’t want to start games down 14-0 and claw our way back into the game. That starts out here and that hasn’t been good enough the last two days.”
When asked on how this can change, Joseph put the onus on his players to make that change going forward.
“The players have to change it. They have to come out of the locker room ready to play. Obviously, coaches, we’re ready to go. I’m ready to go every day. That’s on the players to come out here with an attitude of, ‘Let’s start fast today.’ That’s a mindset.”
To me, this seems like Joseph is just challenging his prior to the all-important scrimmage tomorrow. The defense started slow yesterday and gave up some big plays to the offense. Today, the offense started slow and the defense capitalized on that. So I view this as lighting a fire under his team a week into camp.
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Joseph noted this by this saying they basically try to keep camp fresh for the players so it doesn’t feel like “groundhog day” for them.
“That’s tough. As a coach, you try to structure your practice to keep it exciting. We do a lot of things. Like today we started out 3rd-and-10+, we went to a pressure period and we went back to an all-empty period. You want to keep them on their toes. That’s my job. It can’t be the same old thing every day, and it’s not. It can’t be Groundhog Day for players. If it is, they’re going to get bored and not work for you. It’s my job to keep it exciting and keep it moving.”
So again, I like this move by Joseph. You’re entering your second week of camp, you have a scrimmage tomorrow, and you’re simply trying to light a spark under his team.
Let’s see how it pays off tomorrow.
Tomorrow’s practice will be a scrimmage:
About this time last year, Vance Joseph and his team held a scrimmage before having the next day off. Well, that will continue this year as the Broncos will hold a full scrimmage tomorrow before having Monday off.
Broncos will scrimmage tomorrow— 1s vs 1s, 2s vs 2s. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 4, 2018
Joseph notes that it will be 1’s vs. 1’s, 2’s vs. 2’s, and 3’s vs. 3’s and that it will be an intense practice.
“Yes, the scrimmage is tomorrow. Ones versus ones, twos-twos and threes-threes with kicking in between. It won’t be long, but it’ll be intense.”
It will be about 40 to 50 snaps total but it will be the first taste of game-like action this 2018 Broncos will see.
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Joseph was asked what he would like to see from his team during this short but intense practice and he said he just wants to see improvements from everyone.
“Just improvement. You want guys to improve. We’ve got some young guys who are doing some good things, but still making a lot of mental mistakes. We want to see improvement tomorrow.”
So if you’re going to go to one practice this year, this seems like the one to go to.
Von Miller the practice wrecker:
There haven’t been many updates on the edge rushers throughout camp for a couple reasons. 1. They cannot actually get “sacks” and these plays continue even if the player gets there 2. Case Keenum has been getting rid of the ball fairly quickly throughout camp.
However, there is one more reason why we haven’t heard Von Miller’s name mentioned much specifically.
“I’m not going to say he’s unblockable, but he’s damn near unblockable” - Brandon Marshall on Von Miller. Vance Joseph said today that they have had to hold Miller back in camp because if they didn’t he would wreck practice.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) August 4, 2018
The Broncos and Vance Joseph don’t want to go all out because he simply would ruin practice for the offense.
“Von is a special player. When Von is on, he can totally wreck practice. I get it with Von. Von goes hard, but he understands if he goes really, really hard, he can wreck practice. I’m being honest. He had a couple plays today where he got upset and it looked like game day. We know what Von can do. I’m not worried about Von. Von is in great shape and Von loves to play, and so he’s right where he has to be for the season.”
Inside linebacker backed up Joseph’s comments about Von and said sometimes they take him out so he doesn’t ruin things.
“I’m not going to say he’s unblockable, but he’s near unblockable. We did all of these passing drills, these throwing drills, even in the run game, Von is a monster. Sometimes they take him out. He’s not always in because he could definitely wreck practice.”
So if you’re worried about the lack of Von Miller mentions, don’t sweat it. He’s still a freak and just waiting to wreck the Seahawks game plan come week one.
News and Notes:
- Vance Joseph said wide receiver Jordan Taylor is getting better but not close to returning to the field yet
- Punter Marquette King showed off his leg today booming punts all over the field today. He was even doing some impressive coffin corner punts. He’ll be a weapon for this team and defense.
- Running back Phillip Lindsay muffed a punt or two today. This isn’t great for the rookie back who is looking to crack the roster as a returner.
- The Broncos defense who has been beat by the offense a lot this camp had their best overall day as an unit which is nice to see.
Injury Report:
- Tight end Jeff Heuerman missed his third straight practice with knee soreness.
- Safety Su’a Cravens sat out practice with knee soreness as well.
- Cornerback Tramaine Brock sat out practice with a hamstring issue.
Tweets from camp:
“This one’s for the Bowlens!”#AlzheimersAwarenessDay » https://t.co/xt9MPVfNxk pic.twitter.com/R7ItKNnRZZ
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 4, 2018
Wide receivers working their hands techniques to shake the defenders.
— Orange & Blue 760 (@OrangeBlue760) August 4, 2018
: @AnthonyRod33 pic.twitter.com/ztRviIPi8C
Last but not least... the one and only Von Miller.
— Orange & Blue 760 (@OrangeBlue760) August 4, 2018
: @AnthonyRod33 pic.twitter.com/9p4XwWLRlx
Here comes the head coach!
— Orange & Blue 760 (@OrangeBlue760) August 4, 2018
: @AnthonyRod33 pic.twitter.com/tsFCzlpK9O
Don’t mess with the Wolfe.
— Orange & Blue 760 (@OrangeBlue760) August 4, 2018
: @AnthonyRod33 pic.twitter.com/qAo0iFqryw
DeMarcus Ware is ready to continue getting his pass-rush consulting on!
— Orange & Blue 760 (@OrangeBlue760) August 4, 2018
: @AnthonyRod33 pic.twitter.com/355jyo3Kf5
Emmanuel Sanders is ready to get down to business on Day 7 of #Broncos training camp.
— Orange & Blue 760 (@OrangeBlue760) August 4, 2018
: @AnthonyRod33 pic.twitter.com/bfULbzFWvq
Chris Harris and Brandon Marshall are feeling it on Day 7 of #Broncos training camp!
— Orange & Blue 760 (@OrangeBlue760) August 4, 2018
: @AnthonyRod33 pic.twitter.com/IgolRD6ylB
Demaryius Thomas:
— Orange & Blue 760 (@OrangeBlue760) August 4, 2018
: @AnthonyRod33 pic.twitter.com/PTDuSLJF3l
Running backs continuing to refine that footwork and cutting ability on Day 7 of #Broncos training camp.
— Orange & Blue 760 (@OrangeBlue760) August 4, 2018
: @AnthonyRod33 pic.twitter.com/45ObFxdscK
Safeties refining the ability to keep the ball in bounds for interceptions.
— Orange & Blue 760 (@OrangeBlue760) August 4, 2018
: @AnthonyRod33 pic.twitter.com/Wrgy2ZPtuX
Team building community dog walking. Good to see the #Broncos getting creative in the team activities.
— Orange & Blue 760 (@OrangeBlue760) August 4, 2018
: @AnthonyRod33 pic.twitter.com/u0Aiyao1fz
How does Case and the #Broncos QBs look as they get some work with the WRs, #BroncosCountry?
— Orange & Blue 760 (@OrangeBlue760) August 4, 2018
: @AnthonyRod33 pic.twitter.com/s43s1EqKOY
Keenum and Lynch warming up with Sanders and Hamilton. Double time. pic.twitter.com/dC8Dc6jcbG
— Kyle Fredrickson (@kylefredrickson) August 4, 2018
Quarterbacks getting some work with the wide receivers outside the numbers.
— Orange & Blue 760 (@OrangeBlue760) August 4, 2018
: @AnthonyRod33 pic.twitter.com/NeR6QDKs7g
Back to back Keenum to Demaryius Thomas completions to start team period. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 4, 2018
First play of the day in 11-on-11’s: Case finds DT outside the numbers to the left side and DT hauls it in for a nice catch, as he extends his hands out towards the sideline for the grab. #Broncos #TrainingCamp @OrangeBlue760
— Anthony Rodriguez (@AnthonyRod33) August 4, 2018
Case Keenum with fantastic pass placement to DT on the outside. Thomas put Simmons on skates after the catch. #Broncos @1043TheFan
— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) August 4, 2018
Marquette King is BOOMING punts from his own 20 and landing them out of bounds at the opposing 5
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensBSN) August 4, 2018
Phillip Lindsay just dropped a punt in team punt work. Not something you want to see for Lindsay. #Broncos #TrainingCamp @OrangeBlue760
— Anthony Rodriguez (@AnthonyRod33) August 4, 2018
Demaryius Thomas juked Justin Simmons to the tune of “oooo’s and aaaah’s.” Safe to say DTs hips feel fine.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensBSN) August 4, 2018
Josey Jewell, working in the team period today, generates pressure that forces Paxton Lynch to scramble.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 4, 2018
Chad Kelly nearly intercepted on back-to-back plays just now. Multiple defenders in the area code of the first ball, and throws behind his receiver on the second ball. #Broncos #TrainingCamp @OrangeBlue760
— Anthony Rodriguez (@AnthonyRod33) August 4, 2018
Keishawn Bierria blew up two run plays in a 3-snap span during that 9-on-7 period.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 4, 2018
Brendan Langley back ahead of Isaac Yiadom as no 3 corner. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 4, 2018
Clinton McDonald with sack. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 4, 2018
First-team defense coming out swinging today. Looking sharp
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensBSN) August 4, 2018
With Tramaine Brock out with hamstring issue, Langley in at nickel. CJ Smith been getting run there as well. #Broncos #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 4, 2018
The first-team defense just dominated the first-team offense in an 11-on-11 set.
— Ryan Koenigsberg (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 4, 2018
Culminated with a Clinton McDonald sack on third down.
Phillip Lindsay with a shifty cut back inside. The electricity continues to flow through the former Buff. #Broncos #TrainingCamp @OrangeBlue760
— Anthony Rodriguez (@AnthonyRod33) August 4, 2018
Defense has been swarming today against all three QBs. #Broncos @OrangeBlue760
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) August 4, 2018
Philly Brown has a helmet, but no pads at practice. He’s getting closer to return
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensBSN) August 4, 2018
The defense seems like they are definitely building off that pick six yesterday. The unit has a swagger today, and is using the momentum of Will Parks’ pick six to have a solid Day 7 of camp. #Broncos #TrainingCamp @OrangeBlue760
— Anthony Rodriguez (@AnthonyRod33) August 4, 2018
Love the versatility of these RBs. Henderson continues to show some of the flash that we saw last camp/preseason. Lindsay just took a dump off pass nearly to the endzone with a shimmy to lose pursuing defenders. Excited to see RBs used in the passing game. @OrangeBlue760 #Broncos
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) August 4, 2018
Love the versatility of these RBs. Henderson continues to show some of the flash that we saw last camp/preseason. Lindsay just took a dump off pass nearly to the endzone with a shimmy to lose pursuing defenders. Excited to see RBs used in the passing game. @OrangeBlue760 #Broncos
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) August 4, 2018
Marquette King working on his coffin-corner punts. Phillip Lindsay just stopped one at the 1-yard line near the sideline.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 4, 2018
Only first team snaps for rookie WR Courtland Sutton today. #Broncos
— Ryan O'Halloran (@ryanohalloran) August 4, 2018
Sutton does it again!!! Perfect pass from Keenum for about 50 yards down the right sideline. Roby mistimed his jump and even hit called for PI! @Broncos @OrangeBlue760
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) August 4, 2018
Zaire Anderson ALMOST had a walk-in pick-six on Paxton. Drill has offense backed up inside their own 5 yard line. #Broncos @OrangeBlue760
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) August 4, 2018
Zach Kerr sack on Chad Kelly. Possible safety. @OrangeBlue760 #Broncos
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) August 4, 2018
Before each series Keenum throws a couple warmup tosses to “Hands” Harrington. Keenum then started series with sideline pass to Tim Patrick who kept toes in bounds. #9Sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 4, 2018
#Broncos WR Tim Patrick continues to enjoy nice camp in bid for roster spot #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 4, 2018
Phillip Lindsay gets a throw from Case Keenum and first team offense, but stellar coverage by Brandon Marshall.
— Cameron Parker (@CameronParkerPO) August 4, 2018
Keenum just hit Sanders on a 5-yard crossing pattern at midfield that Emmanuel might’ve taken to the house. That route is going to be VERY popular this season. #Broncos @OrangeBlue760
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) August 4, 2018
Butt with drop of Kelly pass. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 4, 2018
Isaiah McKenzie catches short Kelly slant, takes it to end zone. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 4, 2018
Jeff Holland just destroyed the pocket to get to Keenum. He’s got a strong bullrush.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensBSN) August 4, 2018
Jeff Holland sack on Case. Pocket collapsed with added pressure by Chubb. #Broncos @OrangeBlue760
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) August 4, 2018
#Broncos Von Miller sums up Courtland Sutton's training camp to this point. #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/qihMlj9x9d
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 4, 2018
Day 7 of #Broncos training camp is in the books! Courtland Sutton made another spectacular catch, the defense carried over the intensity and swagger from yesterday, and the team continues to improve overall. Thanks for following along with us on @OrangeBlue760! pic.twitter.com/7e2DcnyBlh
— Anthony Rodriguez (@AnthonyRod33) August 4, 2018
Vance Joseph said Courtland Sutton is “very comparable” with the type of receiver DeAndre Hopkins was as a receiver.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensBSN) August 4, 2018
“Great ball skills, huge catch radius.”
Hopkins had 52 receptions for 802 his rookie year.
“I’m not going to say he’s unblockable, but he’s damn near unblockable” - Brandon Marshall on Von Miller. Vance Joseph said today that they have had to hold Miller back in camp because if they didn’t he would wreck practice.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) August 4, 2018
Brandon Marshall says Devontae Booker is going to be “a really good back.” Points to his vision
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensBSN) August 4, 2018
Von Miller on Courtland Sutton:
— Ryan Koenigsberg (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 4, 2018
“That Guy cold, man. Courtland cold, man. Courtland cold.”
Von Miller on Josey Jewell: “Red Beard? You talking about Red Beard? That’s one of my favorite rookies.”
— Ryan Koenigsberg (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 4, 2018
Quotables:
Vance Joseph on if he is comfortable with the teams cornerback depth:
“I am. Right now, we’ve got a couple injuries so it looks thin out there, but obviously Chris [Harris Jr.] is playing at a high level for a long time, [Bradley] Roby is having a really good camp, Isaac Yiadom, as a rookie, has been impressive. [Tramaine] Brock is hurt right now and that makes it look thin. He’s a veteran player and he’s been a starter on playoff teams. I’m not worried about our depth when we’re healthy. It’s the first week and a half of camp and obviously hamstrings happen. We’ll get him back and it should look better for us at the back end.”
Vance Joseph on rookie inside linebacker Josey Jewell:
“He’s been good. Obviously, the hamstring slowed him down the first week, week and a half of camp, but he’s back. He had a good day today. How does he fit? He’s competing to be one of our backups. He has to be a core guy on special teams and he’s pushing to get playing time in our certain packages. I’ve been impressed with him from a mental standpoint. He doesn’t make mistakes and that’s a nice sign for a young player.”
Vance Joseph on the decision to rearrange players’ locker locations:
“It’s more about building the team. We want to be the best team and that’s important for us right now to kind of mix the guys up a little bit and have different conversations between different guys. If you keep offensive line and d-line separate and receivers and DBs (defensive backs) separate, those guys never talk and interact. We want more interaction from our team, just to be better teammates and be good people. That’s all, very simple.”
Defensive end Shelby Harris on the offensive line improvement:
“It makes you work because the D-line, we’re not getting as many clean wins off the ball as we did before, which is good because in most NFL games you’re not going to get clean wins off the ball to get to the quarterback. It’s just working, and especially with how experienced our D-line is—and I feel like we have a lot of depth—so it’s good that our O-line is keeping up because it’s making us work harder and making us better at the end of the day.”
LInebacker Brandon Marshall on the Broncos offense:
“It’s a lot more swag on the offense, a lot more confidence. [QB] Case [Keenum] gets back there and everybody else is doing their thing. Obviously, we always knew the receivers had talent. They were great, but now I feel like the whole unit is feeling it. The o-line is feeling it, the running backs are feeling it, the tight end group. There’s a lot more swagger and I think they’re going to light up the scoreboard a little bit.”
Von MIller on rookie linebacker Josey Jewell returning to practice:
“You’re talking about Red Beard (laughs)? That’s one of my favorite rookies. I just love the way he plays. He may be a rookie, but when you talk to him, it really doesn’t feel like he’s a rookie. When you see him play, it doesn’t look like he’s a rookie. He’s going to play in this league for a long time. I just like his intensity, I like having conversations with him. He’s going to be great for us.”