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Day 9 of Broncos camp is in the books and it was the much anticipated stadium practice at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Over 20,000 fans filled up the seats at the Stadium to get their first look of their 2019 Denver Broncos .
Next time we're back at @broncosstadium, there will be actual football to be played.
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) July 28, 2019
the best plays from our #BroncosCamp stadium session pic.twitter.com/FYZ7kRJoY2
Today we have the Broncos reacting to the stadium practice, Joe Flacco getting more comfortable in the offense, Drew Lock’s good day, an injury report, news and notes, quotes, and more
Broncos react to the stadium practice
The Broncos spent their 9th Training Camp practice at Broncos Stadium at Mile High infront of over 20,000 fans. It wasn’t the 50,000 Head Coach Vic Fangio joked about, but it was still a solid turnout for the Broncos.
#BroncosCountry, you continue to amaze us!
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) July 27, 2019
We had 21,234 fans attend our first #BroncosCamp practice at @broncosstadium since 2014. pic.twitter.com/d2VHfo1fnQ
Head Coach Vic Fangio was asked about his impression about practicing in front of the fans and he told reporters that he thought this was a good move for everyone.
“It was good. I think it was good for everybody. I hope the fans enjoyed it. I think we had a pretty good crowd here. I don’t know what you’ve gotten in the past, but it was good. I think it was good for the players, good for the coaches, good for everybody. It was all positive.”
First round pick, tight end Noah Fant called his first experience in Broncos Stadium “amazing” and that it was a great atmosphere. He continued by saying he did not expect the amount of fans who did how to actually show up.
“I didn’t expect there would be this many fans here today. They came out and showed great support. I was hearing on the intercom there was upwards of 15,000 here. It’s something that’s pretty special and shows how much support they have.”
Starting quarterback Joe Flacco who has some memorable moments here at Mile High Stadium said that “it is a lot of fun here” and that his previous stops here he noted the energy this place has. So this was nothing new to the veteran quarterback.
“It’s a lot of fun in here. I think the first time I ever stepped in here you could tell the energy this place has. To come out here on a hot summer afternoon and have these many people show up for what is most likely a boring practice is pretty cool. It’s a lot of support for us.”
So overall, it sounds like it was a productive and eventful Training Cam practice in front of the fans.
Joe Flacco is starting to feel more comfortable
It took a little while, but veteran quarterback Joe Flacco has started to get into a groove and the results are showing.
First time at @broncosstadium in the right colors. #BroncosCamp | @JoeFlacco pic.twitter.com/MGV5u89mas
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) July 27, 2019
Head Coach Vic Fangio told reporters after practice that he believes that quarterback Joe Flacco is starting to get comfortable in the Broncos offense.
“I think Joe’s getting more comfortable. It’s a new team, new system. We all know he can throw well. I think he’s just got to get a little bit more efficient. Efficiency means a lot of things: throwing it to the right guy a little bit quicker; throwing it a little bit more accurate; getting more work with these routes and these receivers. We’re not there yet, but we’re getting better.”
Like Fangio, Flacco noted the progress the offense has made during the past three practices. He told reporters that it has been a struggle at times, but that they are beginning to get things to “pop” on that side of the ball.
“I honestly think over the last three days, we’re starting to see some of the progress and some of the hard work that we’ve been putting in. Vic’s (Head Coach Vic Fangio) defense does a really good job. They’ve seen a lot of the routes we’ve run all spring and all summer. I really think that the last few days we’ve starting to put it together. It’s been a struggle at times, but we’re starting to get some things to pop and guys being pretty consistent.”
The offense has been a concern for many during the first week or so of practices, but it really seems like they have turned the corner. As Fangio stated, this is a new offense, with a new quarterback, new offensive coordinator, and with a lot of youth on that side of the ball. It was going to take sometime before they started clicking on a cylinders. It is good sign that they have showed improvement and hopefully something we see continue to improve as the days and weeks go on.
Drew Lock has himself a day
Rookie quarterback Drew Lock had himself a solid practice today according to reports and he made some notable throws.
Fangio on Drew Lock competing for No. 2 QB “He had some good periods here today. I think he did his best work in 7 on 7 which isn’t football. But it’s progress. You need to see that progress in 11 on 11 and then ultimately in games. But, he’s getting better.’’ #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) July 27, 2019
Head Coach Vic Fangio was asked about Lock’s play and he told reporters that Lock had himself a few good periods in 7-on-7. However, in typical Vic Fangio fashion, he downplayed that by saying that 7-on-7’s isn’t real football.
“He’s doing well. He had some good periods here today. I think he did his best work in the 7-on-7, which isn’t football, but it’s progress. You need to see that progress in 11-on-11 and then ultimately in games, but he’s getting better.”
Lock is fighting for the Broncos backup job and by most accounts is having himself a solid all around camp thus far. The rookie mistakes are happening and it’s still a learning process, but all in all, it’s going well.
He was asked if he felt that his game has progressed since the start of camp, and he told reporters that he does feel himself progressing.
“I do. I do feel myself progressing. I feel like at the beginning I definitely had some things I needed on work on. I went back home and worked on them. Came back out for training camp a lot more confident, a lot more progressed in what it takes to be a quarterback. I still have a lot to work on.”
As Fangio stated, Lock’s best period was during 7-on-7’s and Lock was asked about this after practice. When asked how he felt about his performance during that period, he told reporters that it felt really good.
“I felt really good. I felt alright all day today. It was obviously different in front of all of these people, but I’ve played in front of 100,000 people before. It’s just going out there, making plays and doing what you’ve done in training camp.”
It’s great to see that Lock has been playing well and progressing throughout camp. His play on 7-on-7’s is promising to see and hopefully he can carry that success over to real football as Fangio would put it.
News and notes
- Rookie linebacker Justin Hollins took over Von Miller’s first team reps at edge rusher.
- UDFA linebacker Josh Watson continues to get first-team reps at inside linebacker for the Broncos.
- Fangio was upset with the amount of penalties and drops that the team had during today’s practice.
- Linebacker Jeff Holland saw plenty of first-team action in place of Von Miller as well.
Injury report
- Von MIller and Emmanuel Sanders were excused from today’s practice to attend a friends funeral.
- River Cracraft continues to sit out practice with a muscle injury.
- Todd Davis continues to sit out practice with a calf injury.
- Wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton continues to sit out practice with a hamstring injury.
- Linebacker Dekoda Watson is sitting out practice as well.
- Offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James is sitting out practice as well with a minor injury.
- Tight end Bug Howard is out for about a week with a sprained ankle.
- Cornerback Bryce Callahan left practice early and went to the locker room. His foot was stepped on per reports. X-Rays were negative so he should be fine.
Tweets from camp
Didn’t take long for nearby hometown kid to get Stadium love. #DaltonRisner #9sports pic.twitter.com/HtDsXPhdzy
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) July 27, 2019
Crowd filing in for practice pic.twitter.com/lY2J122aiG
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) July 27, 2019
“This is surreal. A dream come true,” @Dalton_Risner66 said. So cool. #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/BPt5cVnN74
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) July 27, 2019
#Broncos @Derek_Wolfe95 and Joe Flacco and Josh Watson take the field. #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/E21voOEHMk
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) July 27, 2019
Joe Flacco gets a standing ovation from #BroncosCountry as he jogs onto the field @1043TheFan
— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) July 27, 2019
Here’s today’s practice schedule at @broncosstadium. @AllbrightNFL @MRiceKOA @KOANewsRadio pic.twitter.com/PO01i1oc8h
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) July 27, 2019
#Broncos safety @jsimms1119 playing catch with the crowd as we’re getting set for today’s practice. @KOANewsRadio #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/nRlJjFReIO
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) July 27, 2019
Chris Harris Jr. gets a huge ovation — sounded like the loudest so far — as he takes the field.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) July 27, 2019
Broncos CB Chris Harris gets a large ovation inside Broncos Stadium as practice No. 9 is about to begin pic.twitter.com/gJ6ZcJb5VA
— Kyle Fredrickson (@kylefredrickson) July 27, 2019
Vic Fangio on the jumbotron: “It’s great for he guys to get out here in front of Broncos Country ... It spices up practice a little bit.”
— Kyle Fredrickson (@kylefredrickson) July 27, 2019
Safe to say that today’s #BroncosCamp practice has been the best attendance to date this camp.
— Cody Roark (@CodyRoarkNFL) July 27, 2019
S T R A P S E A S O N ⬇️#BroncosCamp | @ChrisHarrisJr pic.twitter.com/imlK1i6If1
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) July 27, 2019
#Broncos Dancing Bears, um, defensive linemen getting work done #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/S22gIeEvhC
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) July 27, 2019
#Broncos @astronaut and OLBs polishing pass rush techniques #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/3bsa3LTEhk
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) July 27, 2019
A few fan signs spotted around Broncos Stadium pic.twitter.com/TDvMy9gt4Z
— Kyle Fredrickson (@kylefredrickson) July 27, 2019
@SuttonCourtland’s got HOPS‼️#BroncosCamp pic.twitter.com/93xofDBfzi
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) July 27, 2019
Jeff Holland getting pressure, breaks up pass play as Hogan throws it in the dirt. #Broncos @1043TheFan
— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) July 27, 2019
Devontae Jackson looking good early with a 2nd team and 3rd team carry. The team likes him due to explosive play. #Broncos @1043TheFan
— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) July 27, 2019
Just for the fans, Flacco aired out a deep one to Courtland Sutton. Close but incomplete. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) July 27, 2019
Noah Fant gets first grab of the day. Justin Simmons easily reads the route and 'stops' him for little gain. #Broncos @1043TheFan
— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) July 27, 2019
Noah Fant gets first grab of the day. Justin Simmons easily reads the route and 'stops' him for little gain. #Broncos @1043TheFan
— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) July 27, 2019
Hogan to zone-busting Sutton across middle. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) July 27, 2019
There he is again. Joe Jones with tight coverage and the PBU on a Drew Lock pass.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensBSN) July 27, 2019
Kevin Hogan loves Juwann Winfree. Looked his way all day yesterday. First pass from Hogan today? Winfree.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensBSN) July 27, 2019
Team period, Flacco to Fant. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) July 27, 2019
Scangarello has opened up the playbook a bit over the last couple days, no surprise it's coincided with the offense moving the ball more.
— Ryan Koenigsberg (@RyanKoenigsberg) July 27, 2019
Austin Fort continues to prove his worth as a run blocker in this new Broncos Offense. Sealing the edge. @MileHighReport
— Luke Patterson (@LukePattersonLP) July 27, 2019
Royce Freeman for one. Third and 7. Flacco to Janovich. He got little, but now it's 4th and 4. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) July 27, 2019
Flacco incomplete to Fumagalli. McManus on for 48-yard FG. Good. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) July 27, 2019
Call it 2nd and 6. Hogan floats one outside intended for Sutton. Incomplete. Third down. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) July 27, 2019
SACK Jeff Holland on Kevin Hogan.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensBSN) July 27, 2019
Joe Flacco leads the first-team offense from the defense’s 45 to the defense’s 30 to set up a Brandon McManus 47-yard FG.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensBSN) July 27, 2019
Drew Lock in there. Nice run by David Williams but a flag. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) July 27, 2019
Lock nice throw across middle, complete to Fred Brown. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) July 27, 2019
Drew Lock just lasered one in to Fred Brown 25 yards down the field. Had to get it there quick with Dymonte Thomas closing down and he did.
— Ryan Koenigsberg (@RyanKoenigsberg) July 27, 2019
#Broncos Yiadom filling in for Callahan, who left field with potential injury early in practice. Will update on Callahan post practice #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) July 27, 2019
First at the rook in @broncosstadium.#BroncosCamp pic.twitter.com/b2Vfv0eByf
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) July 27, 2019
Dalton Risner throwing around guys in the pit. Fun to watch. #Broncos @1043TheFan
— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) July 27, 2019
Lock with a beauty 7-on-7 throw to Brown on post. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) July 27, 2019
Brendan Langley nice sideline catch from Drew Lock. #Broncos @1043TheFan
— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) July 27, 2019
Lock with a terrific long out throw to Brendan Langley. 7 on 7, but Lock is humming it. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) July 27, 2019
Lock with a terrific long out throw to Brendan Langley. 7 on 7, but Lock is humming it. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) July 27, 2019
Lock with another dime to Downtown Fred Brown, this time in 7-on-7 for a 40 yard gain in double coverage.
— Ryan Koenigsberg (@RyanKoenigsberg) July 27, 2019
Got the biggest ovation from the crowd so far.
Drew Lock looks good.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensBSN) July 27, 2019
Red zone, 7 on 7, Flacco drills to Royce Freeman in end zone for 14-yard TD. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) July 27, 2019
Beautiful, Flacco to Muhammad for TD from inside the 10. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) July 27, 2019
Phillip Lindsay has not participated in 11-on-11 team work yet. Is on the offensive bench in uniform.
— Kyle Fredrickson (@kylefredrickson) July 27, 2019
Devontae Booker with big run up the gut. #Broncos @1043TheFan they gave him a lane and he took it to the 2nd team defense
— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) July 27, 2019
Flacco to Patrick for nice gain. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) July 27, 2019
Lock is out with 2s. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) July 27, 2019
#Broncos Rypien with short scoring pass to @SamfordFootball’s own Kelvin McKnight. #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) July 27, 2019
Goal line drill. 2s vs 1s. Hollins in at ILB. #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) July 27, 2019
Holder with nice breakup on Patrick in end zone off Flacco pass. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) July 27, 2019
#Broncos Flacco with a pair of short passes to Devontae Booker and Courtland Sutton. Booker scored. #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) July 27, 2019
Adam Gotsis WITH A PICK-SIX.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensBSN) July 27, 2019
Snagged the ball at the LOS from Drew Lock and trotted 10 yards into the end zone.
He then kicked the ball into the crowd
Vic Fangio on Phillip Lindsay missing practice: “Phillip is getting chiropractic treatment and the guy over did it. So, the hell with chiropractors, let’s just play football.”
— Ryan Koenigsberg (@RyanKoenigsberg) July 27, 2019
#Broncos Fangio said Callahan got foot stepped on. Same foot hurt last year. XRays negative. Also @I_CU_boy sat out with sore neck. “To hell with chiropractors,” Fangio said. #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/uqORLTxELL
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) July 27, 2019
Vic Fangio asked of an offensive head coach would end practice on a pick six: “If I was the defensive coordinator he would because I would have taken the defense off the field.”
— Ryan Koenigsberg (@RyanKoenigsberg) July 27, 2019
Vic Fangio signing autographs pic.twitter.com/15Ti6G2Zwc
— Ryan Koenigsberg (@RyanKoenigsberg) July 27, 2019
#Broncos Fangio likes progress from Flacco but said must be more efficient. Drops are an issue. And Fangio was clearly disappointed with 12 penalties. #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/0VB7iJyIXA
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) July 27, 2019
Joe Flacco on the offense: “It’s been a struggle at times but I really think it’s been coming together he last few days.”
— Ryan Koenigsberg (@RyanKoenigsberg) July 27, 2019
Quotes
Head Coach Vic Fangio on if he feels that the team has made strides wrapping this week of training camp practices.
“We definitely have made some strides. Where we haven’t is in the penalties. We had 12 penalties today. This is half of an NFL officiating crew out here. Eight of them on offense. Four of them on defense. Way too many. This team last year was 31st in the NFL in penalties called. That’s got to stop. We’ve got to improve that. We’ve emphasized it. Obviously, I haven’t done a good enough job of doing that and obviously they haven’t done a good enough job of listening. That’s got to be a main focus. It has been and has to continue.”
Quarterback Drew Lock on getting a standing ovation today when he came out.
“That is something special. I have a lot to prove and a lot to do with my time here in Denver, but hopefully keep on getting the standing ovation when you walk in. But no, it warmed my heart a little bit to know this place is accepting me like that.”
Offensive lineman Dalton Risner on what it was like coming out on the field for the first time at Broncos Stadium at Mile High.
“Honestly, it was surreal. I walked out, I’m in a stadium a part of the Denver Broncos. The fans welcomed me. It was an unreal experience. I can’t help but smile thinking about it.”