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Day 11 of Broncos Camp is now in the books and we’re nearing closer to the start of the regular season shockingly enough. Today, the Broncos returned to practice after canceling yesterday’s practice in a protest against the continuing racial injustice in this country. Today, we have Lloyd Cushenberry locking down the starting center job? Demar Dotson getting first-team reps, A.J. Bouye proving to be a ball hawk, injury updates, quotes, and more.
Rookie & the vet. pic.twitter.com/O5ZlOuz5LZ
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 28, 2020
Lloyd Cushenberry taking all of the first-team reps again
In what is becoming the norm during the Broncos training camp practices, the teams third-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, rookie center Lloyd Cushenberry once again started and ended the day as the teams starting center.
Lloyd Cushenberry once again starting the practice with the 1s at Center
— RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 28, 2020
It appears the rook has ran away with the job after Austin Schlottman and Patrick Morris split time there in early in camp. This was expected from the beginning of camp as Cushenberry was widely thought of a top-50 selection in the 2020 NFL Draft but then slipped into the third-round where the Broncos selected him.
His intelligence has been praised by coaches and he has held his own by all accounts against the likes of Pro Bowler Jurrell Casey and Shelby Harris. So, it appears the Broncos have themselves a good one here.
I think we can safely say that Cushenberry has a firm grip on the starting job by going off Head Coach Vic Fangio’s comments after practice. He told reporters that he would like to have all his starters figured out by the beginning of the week one practices which is a little over a week away.
“In the normal training camp, I’d say by the third preseason game. In this training camp I think we need to by the week of the first game when we start practicing. We’ll look for it to happen before then, but if it’s not we’ll keep letting it play out.”
Tomorrow’s stadium scrimmage where the team will try to mimic gameday as much as possible should be a good sign of where this competition stands. If Cushenberry spends the entire day with the first-team again, he’s your starter.
Demar Dotson gets first-team reps but it’s Elijah Wilkinson’s job to lose
It finally happened. The veteran right tackle Demar Dotson who many penciled in as the starting right tackle received his first first-team reps of Training Camp today.
Demar Dotson getting reps with the ones
— RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 28, 2020
Dotson has spent the vast majority of camp with the third-team offense so today’s promotion to the first-team should have been the story of camp. However, Head Coach Vic Fangio’s threw some cold water on these hot takes during his presser with the media.
When meeting with the media, Head Coach Vic Fangio essentially told reporters that the right tackle job is Elijah Wilkinson’s job to lose in these final practices of camp.
“He does, but it’s up to [G/T] Elijah [Wilkinson] to lose it too. As long as Elijah is playing the way we think he’s capable of playing, he’ll be the right tackle. If he’s struggling, then we have Demar there to replace him with.”
The quote does leave the door open for Dotson to get the job prior to week one, but it sounds like they would rather have Wilkinson earn the job instead of just giving it to the veteran.
Unfortunately for Wilkinson, he lines up against Von Miller for most of practice where Miller and even Malik Reed when Von sat out practice was beating him constantly according to reports. So I don’t know if this job is settled, but it sounds like Wilkinson has the job...for now.
A.J. Bouye proving to be a ball-hawking corner
Replacing cornerback Chris Harris Jr. was a priority this offseason and the Broncos hoped to accomplish this by acquiring veteran cornerback A.J. Bouye to be their number one corner this upcoming season and so far so good for both parties.
A.J. Bouye continues his strong camp. He ripped a pass away from Courtland Sutton for an interception on the first throw of the day. Then, he breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Sutton. Playing at a high level.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) August 28, 2020
Bouye showed out today, and has all of camp reportedly, by first intercepting a Drew Lock pass in his first attempt in team drills today and breaking up a pass against Courtland Sutton in the red zone as well.
His interceptions has become routing during camp thus far and Head Coach Vic Fangio praised his instincts as a reason for all these interceptions.
“He’s got good instincts. When you couple instincts with experience, you have a chance to be around the ball more often. He’s dove himself into learning our system, all the fine points that could help with corner. He’s picking them up quickly. He’s a good addition. We’re really happy to have him both as a player and a person. Looking forward to him.”
With Bryce Callahan looking healthy, the Broncos have an improved secondary but still need to figure out the rest of the unit in the final practices of camp.
Injury Report
- Nose tackle Mike Purcell returned to practice
- Cornerback De’Vante Bausby returned to practice
- Wide receiver Tim Patrick returned to practice
- Outside linebacker Malik Carney returned to practice
- Rookie wide receiver K.J. Hamler remained sidelined with a hamstring injury
- Inside linebacker Todd Davis remained sidelined with a calf injury but will return sooner rather than later according to Head Coach Vic Fangio
- Safety Alijah Holder remained sidelined with a soft tissue injury
- Wide receiver Juwaan Winfree remained sidelined with a groin injury
- Rookie cornerback Michael Ojemudia remained sidelined with a quad injury
Tweets from Camp
#Broncos return to practice #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/jqUhnmLiqK
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 28, 2020
DL Mike Purcell, CB De’Vante Bausby, WR Tim Patrick, OLB Malik Carney are all back practicing.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 28, 2020
Michael Ojemudia (quad) among those who remain out.
What’s Poppin? #Broncos practice. Those I see not practicing and working on side; @BamBamDavis51, Ojemudia, Holder and Winfree #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/VzSkmzOMtf
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 28, 2020
Perfect day for football at Broncos camp. Feels like fall pic.twitter.com/KZdcuPGilm
— RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 28, 2020
Todd Davis (calf) moving around pretty well on the side. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 28, 2020
KJ Hamler getting in some light work on side. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 28, 2020
#Broncos DLine and OLBs getting work in. #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/Ihf8tqer09
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 28, 2020
First pass of team period:
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 28, 2020
Lock targets Jeudy, but Bouye rips the ball away for an interception.
Lock throws a 40/50-yard bomb to Albert O. in 7-on-7.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 28, 2020
Nice play by the rookie to look it in as Justin Simmons came screaming toward him.
Dre'mont Jones with a nice TFL on Royce Freeman. Was in the backfield in a flash.
— RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 28, 2020
Drew Lock has been under pressure all day and it's forcing him to use the whole bag of tools.
— RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 28, 2020
Just scrambled out right and dropped a dime onto the hands of Jerry Jeudy on the sideline 20 yards down the field, just over the outstretched hands of Issac Yiadom.
Admittedly it’s hard to know where players stand on special teams w/o preseason games, but @Tyrie_1 is a rookie who has put himself in position to make team with good practices #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 28, 2020
A.J. Bouye with a PBU in coverage of Courtland Sutton in the end zone.
— RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 28, 2020
Defensive coach:
"BOU-YAYYYYY"
#Broncos @I_CU_boy, no surprise, continues having terrific camp. Had 7-yard TD run. He brings unique energy to every practice. #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 28, 2020
A.J. Bouye continues his strong camp. He ripped a pass away from Courtland Sutton for an interception on the first throw of the day. Then, he breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Sutton. Playing at a high level.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) August 28, 2020
Drew Lock with a tight-window throw to Courtland Sutton in the end zone. Sutton worked himself open on a slant and Drew threw a strike right over the head of A.J. Johnson.
— RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 28, 2020
One rookie getting some decent reps today is G Netane Muti. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 28, 2020
Von Miller just got around Wilkinson and would’ve had a strip-sack of Lock.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 28, 2020
Shelby Harris got shaken up a minute ago during the first play of team period.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 28, 2020
He’s being checked out by trainers.
Trainers having a look at Jerry Jeudy. Looks like he was favoring his right arm, elbow or shoulder after leaving the field following a catch.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) August 28, 2020
Driskel with a nice touch pass to Royce Freeman with Justin Hollins in coverage.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 28, 2020
#Broncos Driskel connects on TD with @AOkwuegbunam. He has good body control and is able to create separation at the end of routes. Such an intriguing prospect. #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 28, 2020
Undrafted rookie LeVante Bellamy has had a nice practice. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 28, 2020
I continue to be impressed by DaeSean Hamilton.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 28, 2020
Just made another tough catch.
He can be a consistent, reliable option for this offense.
Trainers briefly looked at Jerry Jeudy’s right arm after he caught a pass in red zone drills ... but Jeudy came right back in and is with the offense in the next team period.
— Jeff Legwold (@Jeff_Legwold) August 28, 2020
Rookie & the vet. pic.twitter.com/O5ZlOuz5LZ
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 28, 2020
Harris is also back in now after sitting out a period. https://t.co/UhzzsVaslU
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 28, 2020
#BroncosCountry LIVE: Coach Fangio meets the media after Day 11 of #BroncosCamp. https://t.co/gO01CKxUuQ
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 28, 2020
Fangio: The meeting yesterday was “something I was gonna have during the day,” but after talking to a player or two, he moved it up to the start of Thursday. They started the meeting early, then broke for lunch, had some position meetings, then came back and reconvened.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 28, 2020
Fangio: “I think our players responded well and they have some good things planned they can do, some programs that they can help, and we’re going to help them any way we can."
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 28, 2020
Fangio: “Coaches innately are concerned [about the lack of practice time], but we all knew that was going to be an improvise-and-adjust training camp, and yesterday was one of those days we improvised and adjusted,” adding that the team will be better for it.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 28, 2020
Vic Fangio says he wants to have the starters figured out by the start of Week 1’s practices.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) August 28, 2020
Just over a week away.
Fangio: Everybody that spoke yesterday in the meeting resonated with him … “to pick one or two [players] wouldn’t be good, because all of them resonated with me."
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 28, 2020
Fangio: Ojemudia is “getting better,” as is Todd Davis. Fangio reiterates that Davis’ injury is “nowhere near the calf injury he had last year,” and that he’ll be back “sooner rather than later,” but not tomorrow.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 28, 2020
Fangio: “I see good work” from Royce Freeman. “He’s an NFL-quality back and he deserves to be on our team and we’re blessed to have three good, NFL-quality backs and a rookie that’s doing good, too."
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 28, 2020
Fangio's on tomorrow's practice at @EmpowerField at Mile High:
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 28, 2020
"We're going to try to make it as game-like as we can."
Said the team will do pre-game warmups and simulate the start of a game and a halftime.
Fangio, on Demar Dotson & whether he has a chance to start at RT: “He does, but it’s up to Elijah to lose it, too. As long as Elijah is playing the way we think he’s capable of playing, he’ll be the right tackle. If he’s struggling, we’ll have Demar there to replace him with."
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 28, 2020
#BroncosCountry LIVE: @Melvingordon25 meets the media after Day 11 of #BroncosCamp. https://t.co/ivVTNzaO3g
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 28, 2020
#Broncos @Melvingordon25 "Seeing what was going on my community (in Kenosha) was heartbreaking. It really hits home. It was just really emotional for me (When talking to the team)." #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 28, 2020
Melvin Gordon is from Kenosha, Wis., & has long been active in community work in his hometown. With power & emotion, he said, "I've been doing things in the community, but clearly, not enough. Not enough.” Says he wants to network, branch out, seek advice & get ideas to help.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 28, 2020
#BroncosCountry LIVE: @jsimms1119 meets the media after Day 11 of #BroncosCamp. https://t.co/TY9lp6mw5J
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 28, 2020
Quotables
Head Coach Vic Fangio on tomorrow’s practice at Mile High Stadium
“We’re going to try and make it as game-like as we can. We’re going to come out and go through pregame warmups just like we would on a pregame for a real game. We’re going to time it out just like we would for a real game. We’re going to go in after pregame warmups. We’re going to come out at the same time we kind of would for a real game. We’re going to have a kickoff. We’re going to put the ball at different places on the field to start series and drives. We’re going to incorporate kicks in there, whether it be a PAT, a field goal or a punt. Then we’re actually at some point, we’re going to go in like a halftime. There’s going to be a 10-minute delay. We’re not going to go the full 12. We’ll be in there for 10 minutes, come back out, let them get loose like they would have to in a real game, kick if off for the second half and repeat that same sequence. Put the ball in different spots to try and hit all the situations. I’ll control the down and distance a lot just to try and make sure we hit some situations that way. We’re going to try and make it as game-like as we can.”
Head Coach Vic Fangio On how valuable tomorrow’s stadium practice is because they did not have the preseason games
“I think it’s valuable from a lot of different small areas. One, we have guys that have never been in that stadium. That’s going to be good for them. Even the guys that have been in the stadium, it’s always good to go back down there and be in your stadium. It’s good to intermix the kicking game plays as they would happen in a game. We do that during practice in the season with field goals, but we’re going to try and do it with everybody. The substitution process with guys getting in and out will be good to practice. We’re going to have—I’m not sure what the crowd noise rules are. I’m hearing different things, but whatever they are, we’re going to have the crowd noise in there that I think you’re going to be allowed to use for stadiums that have no fans. Obviously, we’re doing it so our offense will experience it in the stadiums that we’re playing in with no fans. Then the defense will be able to experience the noise we’ll use at home games. There’re a lot of little crumbs that I think make it worthwhile. After it, if we feel we need to go down there and do it again to some degree before Tennessee, we’ll do it again.”