News and notes from Day 7 of Broncos Camp

News and notes from Day 7 of Broncos Camp

Day 7 of Broncos Camp has wrapped up, and man, the defense dominated again. This unit was hyped up all offseason, and so far, they have lived up to, and possibly even exceeded, expectations in training camp. They forced turnovers, pressured the quarterback all practice, and just look like an elite unit.

In today’s report, we have the Broncos defense once again dominating the offense, Sean Payton hyping up Troy Franklin again, details on tomorrow’s scrimmage, plenty of promising injury updates, news and notes, tweets from camp, quotes, and more.

Broncos Defense Dominated

It has been the theme throughout camp. The Broncos’ defense dominated the Broncos’ offense, and this time, forced multiple turnovers and mistakes from them. Quarterback Bo Nix threw his first interceptions of camp, there were multiple pre-snap penalties, Payton benched the entire 2nd team offense at one point, and the defense won both move the ball drills to end practice.

Nix’s first interception happened after safety Talanoa Hufanaga made a “sick play,” according to Head Coach Sean Payton. He showed off his ability to read and react, and quickly closed in on a Bo Nix pass and made an incredible play on the ball.

“The play, the interception was an RPO. If you really looked at his [S Talanoa Hufanga] distance from the throw, I’ll bet it was like eight yards. So to be able to go up and catch that with a crowded look in front of him, I’m anxious to see it on film. I saw it from behind the line of scrimmage. The one thing over the years, if I asked you to give us the best safeties that are in the [Pro Football] Hall of Fame, the traits are always instincts and football smarts. Some are faster than others, but it’s hard to be real effective at that position if you don’t have those high football instincts. And certainly, he brings that. We made a comment in the offseason, there are certain players, the ball finds him, and he’s one of those guys. So that play was sick.”

Hufanga looks to be all the way back to his All-Pro form. If so, that would be a HUGE addition to the Broncos’ defense.

Besides Hufanga, Pat Surtain II had an interception of Bo Nix, Nik Bonitto, and the rest of the Broncos’ pass rushers were creating havoc, and the defense dominated the day once again.

With the defense dominating, that means the offense struggled. Nix threw his first interceptions of camp, the second team offense was completely pulled at one point, and they could no score in the final move the ball period. There were also a number of pre-snap penalties and Payton said after practice that this is something they need to clean up.

“[There was] a lot of pre-snap… I like that the officials are here and they’re going to try to call it, and there are some points of emphasis this year. I’d rather be diving into it right now than sit here. I told the players, I said, ‘I don’t want to turn and argue with the official. I’ve yet to see one of those win. I just want to make sure we understand what they saw and why they called it, period.’ And that’s it. So there were two or three times we were too deep at tackle. In a game, you get one warning, but we have to get that cleaned up. Then we had one period where it appeared that we had at least three false starts. So it’s easy to point to one. And then I grabbed the cues and I said, ‘Hey, let’s make sure we’re taking ownership in this.’ Some of them were check with me plays, but we have to get that cleaned up.”

It wasn’t the best day for the Broncos’ offense, but it’s only August 1st, one week into camp, and they’re going up against a damn good defense. Bad days, mistakes, and turnovers are going to happen, but they always have tomorrow to prove that they can bounce back.

Payton Praises Troy Franklin Again

Another theme throughout camp has been Head Coach Sean Payton praising second-year wide receiver Troy Franklin. The explosive Franklin has been making plays throughout camp, showing off his versatility and drawing praise from Payton.

Payton was asked about Franklin, and he once again said that he was having a good camp. He would add that Franklin is playing the ‘Z’ position at receiver, but that he is also playing the slot. Payton praised his speed and ability to run away and be a deep threat before saying Franklin is “a lot further along on”.

“He’s [WR Troy Franklin] having a good camp. I think he’s so much more versed in the system, the routes, he’s playing ‘Z’, but he’s also playing slot. So he’s working at two spots, and then I would say, his speed and you see his speed and runaway that you began to see, even in the Buffalo game in the playoffs, at Cincinnati, he can stretch the field, [WR] Marvin [Mims Jr.] can stretch the field. So some of the receivers are working one spot, and there’s a handful. [WR Devaughn] Vele working ‘X’ to sub, Troy’s working ‘Z’ to sub. [WR Michael] Bandy can play inside. He could play all the spots, but his best spot is inside. So it’s really trying to take the strengths of these players. But to your question, all the nuances coming from Oregon, where it’s double, it’s trips, there’s so many different splits information that he is a lot further along on.”

While all eyes are on who will start opposite of Sutton in the Broncos offense, I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer here. I believe we’ll see multiple receivers rotate in and out of the offense, and they’ll figure out the hot hand throughout the year.

Rookie Pat Bryant is getting plenty of 1st team work, Marvin Mims will have his packages, Devaughn Vele will see snaps, Franklin will serve as a deep threat, and by the sounds of it, Trent Sherfield will have a role on the offense too.

We’ll see how it all shakes out.

Scrimmage Tomorrow

Tomorrow’s practice will be different from the rest. They are going to have their first scrimmage of the summer, and it’ll be the first true test for the Broncos’ offensive and defensive units.

After practice, Payton was asked about the scrimmage, and he gave a detailed answer on how tomorrow’s practice will go.

“So the practice, we’re still going to be up, full go up. Phase 1, I’m just going to give you how it’ll look. And you might remember from a year ago, Phase 1 might start with two punts and then put the offense on the 25-yard line. Then in the script, move the ball to different segments. Six plays with the ones back up, six plays with the twos, the threes that end, a kickoff segment, maybe another special team segment, break, hydrate. Phase 2 would start midfield, and the ball would move into the high red [zone]. It might start with punt cover, going in punt. Then we’d go to the offense-defense portion, and then we’d finish with kick return, three kick returns, then take a break. Phase 3 would be in the red zone, and then finish, we’ll run three two-point plays. It would start with maybe field goal, field goal block. So it’s us the night before, planning to some degree these situations so we know we’re going to get them, and yet it’s going to be the format of the practice is much different than what you’ve been seeing. We will stretch and get going, and then pretty soon, right into those three phases. We’ll finish with a two-minute, we’ll finish with a Hail Mary, both sides. So when it’s over with, there’s a lot of situational football that you put yourself in, and that’s what tomorrow’s [will be]. It will be around, I’m guessing last year we were around two hours on the field, but it was very similar to Saturday two years ago. That’s the plan for tomorrow.”

That is a loaded and frankly, very important practice for the Broncos and likely their most important one thus far. We’ll see if the offense can bounce back after a rough day and if the defense can continue to dominate like they have throughout the start of camp.

Injury Report

• WR A.T. Perry remained on the PUP and did not practice today
• Edge rusher Que Robinson missed today’s practice due to a bone bruise and had a big brace on his knee today. However, Payton told reporters that he will be back soon, as early as Monday – Source
• LB Alex Singleton continued to miss practice due to a broken thumb, but saw his cast downgrade to just a brace. He is expected to return to the practice field next week – Source
• LB Dre Greenlaw did not practice today but was out there and moving around well. It is a quad injury, but different from the one he suffered in the offseason, and is expected to be part of the 49ers‘ prep next week – Source

News and Notes

• Broncos signed LB Garrett Wallow and waived CB Mario Goodrich, per reports – Source
• Rookie WR Pat Bryant beat CB Pat Surtain II on a curl route to give the offense a first down – Source
• WR Michael Bandy had multiple 20+ yard catches today – Source
• K Wil Lutz easily made a 61-yard field goal with room to spare – Source
• It was a brutal day for the Broncos’ 2nd team offense – Source
• KOA’s Ryan Edwards believes that RB Blake Watson deserves more attention, looks bigger, and will have a great preseason – Source
• Broncos will have a scrimmage tomorrow before having a day off on Sunday
• There were officials at today’s practice, and the offense was flagged for multiple pre-snap penalties
• WR Troy Franklin says he has gained 5 to 8 pounds this offseason and now weighs 184-185ish – Source
• RB Jaleel McLaughlin says he gained 12 pounds and is up to 199 pounds and feels faster than ever – Source

Tweets from Camp

Notable Quotes

HC Sean Payton on quarterbacks throwing interceptions in practice

“Well, the play to [S Talanoa] Hufanga, I mean, that’s one where you look at it, you talk about it, and then you’re like, ‘All right.’ And then I think there was one other. On the film study, when you get a better look at it that meeting might sound like, ‘All right, here’s the play. What are you thinking here?’ And then, ‘Hey, you have to be alert.’ There’s one where [CB] Pat [Surtain II] was floating back off, [WR Courtland] Sutton was on a double move, and it was just the location error and you clean it up. You know with that route, that the corner, same route we ran against Houston in the same field corner overlapped and made an interception… The young corner who’s really good there against [Giants QB] Russell [Wilson]. What looks like an open receiver, so it’s understanding there’s a blind area that the ball can’t go and then it doesn’t happen again.”

HC Sean Payton on if there is room for QB Bo Nix to explore his game in practice

“I don’t know that we’re ever exploring. Meaning I think there’s confidence in certain throws, and yet there’s still a structure to each pattern. Then more than anything, it’s the defensive deployment. A lot of times when the ball’s being snapped, the experienced quarterback knows that moment, the most likely one-two combination based on the rotation. So there’s a lot of elimination that’s taking place as you go to the line, post-snap, all right I’m over here, down. So sometimes you have a true progression read where you’re just looking at receivers. I understand your question, and yet I’m good with his current exploration.”

HC Sean Payton on ILB Levelle Bailey

“Good. We were discussing him [ILB Levelle Bailey] last night. He’s very smart. So for a second-year player at a position like that, it’s night and day where he is at today and a year ago as an undrafted free agent where he was at. special teams will be important. All those things where he could get on the field. We’ve been impressed and I’m glad we have him.”

HC Sean Payton on what has impressed him most about QB Bo Nix and how he has improved since last year

“Well, there’s a poise. The other thing is, and you can’t underestimate, the communication has to be paramount, on point. In other words, we can’t snap a ball with a receiver really who didn’t get the call. The communication on the road, it’s going to be signals. He’s operated… Think about this, 20 years ago, the quarterback in our league in two-minute, and the amount of change and the amount of the learning curve compared to today’s quarterback, who a lot of these guys are operating no huddle, they’re using the clap cadence from college. So they’re much further along with spontaneous offense. Some of them are in the middle of the first quarter. So I think that helps, especially for a guy like him.”

HC Sean Payton on the meaning of the term Joker

“It’s just something when we were trying to identify the tight ends or running backs that are rare pass receivers, that’d be the definition [on] AI, Wikipedia. Tight ends and running backs that are rare receivers. Historically speaking, I’ve had [former Saints RB Darren] Sproles, I’ve had [former Saints RB Reggie] Bush, I’ve had [Saints RB Alvin] Kamara, [former Saints TE Jimmy] Graham, [former Giants TE Jeremy] Shockey, [TE Evan] Engram. Then the runners, none of them have gotten their wings yet, but [RB RJ] Harvey’s a candidate. [RB] Jaleel McLaughlin, he’s been to Joker school now for two years. He’s not gotten his wings. But do you understand? In one draft, Detroit landed a tight end, and [Lions RB Jahmyr] Gibbs, we would defend them as both Joker threats. And so [Chiefs TE Travis] Kelce, obviously, you’re going to look at as one of those Joker tight ends. They’re hard to find. In other words, there’ll be some drafts where there may only be one or two candidates and maybe a couple of runners. But when you have them, when you think about where their catch radius is relative… Because it’s easy in our league to take a receiver away. I mean it’s very easy to, and it’s easy to take an individual away, but when you have the interior tight end and halfback as threats like that, then it gives you a lot more options.”

RB Jaleel McLaughlin on strengthening his passing game abilities

“That’s something I’ve been working on in the offseason. Just trying to find the right spots and be where they want me to be at in the pass game [and] also in protection. Cleaning my eyes up and now I feel great. Now I feel like I can get out fast because I see there’s not a pressure coming. I also can beat someone to the spot when there is a pressure coming. I just feel great, and my routes feel awesome as well. I love that [Head] Coach [Sean] Payton is taking pride in it as well and telling me the right things to do in the pass game. It’s great.”

IDL Malcolm Roach on the growth of ILB Levelle Bailey

“I think [Head] Coach [Sean] Payton hit it on the head with that. It’s crazy, I asked [ILB] Levelle [Bailey] the other day, ‘When you went to college, you were a safety, right?’ Because I could tell the way he played. And he was like, ‘Yeah, I was a nickel.’ I said I could tell because his cover skills are so good, and you can tell he’s kind of learning how to play the position of linebacker. When you see the way he comes downhill now compared to last year—and he put on a little weight. He got a few bricks in his pocket and stuff like that. The confidence is there, and I tell him all the time, ‘The opportunity is there, you have to take it.’ Not saying we know as a team, but we have to know we can depend on you because we don’t know how the season is going to go. We don’t know who might go down and things like that. I always tell him, ‘There is going to be a game where we are depending on [No.] 56 to step up. [If] you keep showing us what you’re showing us on this field, we’re going to have the utmost respect and faith in you to come out there and do it.’ It’s night and day and I love it. I love to see young, undrafted guys take the opportunity because that was me. You can’t look back after you get it.”