Sanders: Offense is making ‘big-time plays’ at OTAs

Good morning, Broncos Country!

Case Keenum is no dummy. He knows there are a lot of high expectations of him in Denver this year - among Broncos’ brass, Broncos’ fans and certainly Broncos’ players.

So he has no intention of sliding through 2018 on his 2017 coattails or just leaving it up to “grindin’ on the field” to give him and his new team the same success he enjoyed with the Vikings last season.

Instead, he’s pulling Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders into the film room with him almost every day after OTAs to talk about ... practice.

Because that’s what it takes - as Emmanuel Sanders pointed out Wednesday.

“I’ve been a part of two Super Bowl teams and that’s what it takes,” No. 10 added. “That extra work that’s not mandatory, where guys are in there working out or working on their mental game. That right there, when it’s fourth quarter or when it’s fourth-and-5 or third-and-8. That’s the stuff that gets you over the hill.”

And based on Sanders biased-but-very-relevant opinion, it’s already paying off within the Broncos’ offense.

“I tell you what, everybody was making plays on the offensive side. A lot of big-time plays,” Sanders said, adding the wide receivers “went off” Wednesday and caught some “great balls” thrown their way.

And that includes rookies Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton.

“Oh, he’s a playmaker” Sanders said of Hamilton, calling him a “diamond in the rough” that fans should get excited about. “A lot of people don’t know about him but he has deceptive speed. He can get open on routes. He has good hands. He’s been making plays the whole entire time at OTAs.”

Rookie wide receiver Courtland Sutton (and fellow SMU Mustang with Sanders) has also been impressive - even if he looks more like a hoops player or a linebacker than a receiver.

“He does look like a basketball player,” Sanders said. “He looks like a linebacker or a safety or something. I mean this dude is swole. But he’s a receiver, he’s a good receiver.”

The depth of talent on the offense this year has Sanders looking forward to a much better season than the last two.

“I’m optimistic; I like what I’m seeing. I think offensively, from a schematics standpoint, you have so many different options in how we can attack people. I like that, so I’m optimistic about the season.”

It’s too early to be talking details about the Broncos’ offensive scheme, Sanders says - and especially on whether No. 10 will play slot this season, something he joked he’d only be inclined to do “if the ball is coming there.”

But Sanders does like the attack style the Broncos’ offense seems to be taking on so far.

“I think right now we’re just trying to find the formula,” the wide receiver said, adding that OTAs is about trying different attack modes - inside two minutes, in no huddles, etc. “Let’s see how the O-Line can handle the run blocking and the pass blocking, and the whole nine yards. So, we’ll see, but I think right now from a package standpoint we’re sitting pretty good.”

The offense is sitting pretty good from an intensity standpoint too.

“It’s feeling like training camp right now. Guys are diving for balls, heated arguments and whatnot,” Sanders said. “But we definitely have guys that want to go out there and make those plays. And they’re making them in OTAs.”

Like this one-hander from tight end Jake Butt yesterday:

Horse Tracks

AP source: Broncos’ Ray will undergo another wrist surgery | FOX31 Denver
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- A person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press that Denver Broncos outside linebacker Shane Ray will undergo a cleanup procedure on his left wrist and could miss several months.

Broncos OTA notes: Bigger Bolles should be better Bolles in year two | 9news.com
The average weight of the six offensive tackles voted to the Pro Bowl last year was 319.3 pounds.

Will Demaryius Thomas stay healthy enough to be the Broncos' No. 1 receiver? - Denver Broncos- ESPN
With a new quarterback and new playbook, a refreshed Demaryius Thomas is hoping to reach the playoffs and hit the 1,000-yard mark once again.

Shane Ray of Denver Broncos may miss start of season due to 4th wrist surgery
Shane Ray will undergo a fourth surgery on his left wrist, all in the past year, and his recovery could impact the start of the Broncos linebacker's season, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Former Michigan TE Jake Butt makes photo-worthy catches in Denver Broncos practice
Former Michigan football tight end Jake Butt made some photo-worthy catches in practice with the Denver Broncos this week.

Denver Broncos hope stressing details in summer will pay off in fall
Great teams become great and stay great because they maintain their hold on the details. Bad teams have a chance to improve quickly because they re-focus on the details. The Broncos fall in the second category.

Case Keenum showcasing traits needed to win championships
“I’ve been a part of two Super Bowl teams, and that’s what it takes,” Emmanuel Sanders said.

Five reasons why the Broncos will make the 2018 NFL playoffs - NFL.com
Among them..."this is a legit win-now group."

Will Demaryius Thomas stay healthy enough to be the Broncos' No. 1 receiver? - Denver Broncos- ESPN
With a new quarterback and new playbook, a refreshed Demaryius Thomas is hoping to reach the playoffs and hit the 1,000-yard mark once again.

Pederson, Eagles moving on from canceled WH visit - NFL.com
Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pederson says the team has shifted its focus back to football following the cancellation of their Super Bowl victory celebration at the White House.

Ravens lose two OTA sessions after rules violation - NFL.com
The Baltimore Ravens will lose the final two organized team activities sessions this week due to an undisclosed violation, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.

Eagles QB Carson Wentz cleared for 7-on-7 work - NFL.com
Less than six months after tearing his ACL against the Rams, Eagles franchise quarterback Carson Wentz received clearance for 7-on-7 work this week.

Former Houston Texans cheerleaders detail alleged mistreatment by team - The Washington Post
The claimed to have been underpaid, intimidated and body-shamed, while the Texans said they looked forward to “vigorously defending ourselves against these allegations."

Jenkins silently uses signs to bring attention to issues - NFL.com
Two days after the White House canceled the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl victory celebration, safety Malcolm Jenkins used Wednesday's media session to once bring attention to issues of social injustice.