Bradley Chubb shows off some of the school supplies he donated as part of the Broncos "Stuff for Students" campaign. (Photo: Brandon Krisztal/KOA NewsRadio)
Day 9 of Broncos Training Camp had some positive moments, especially for the offense. However, as injuries start to mount up, player health may be come a focal point of this pre-season.
In addition to the guys who’ve already been on the shelf, Vic Fangio told us after practice that both right tackle Ja’Wuan James and linebacker Dekoda Watson are dealing with lower leg injuries. He also said that tight end Bug Howard’s apparent ankle injury from yesterday will keep him sidelined for a few weeks.
Speaking of Tight Ends, Jake Butt missed his 5th straight practice as he continues to feel the effects from tearing his ACL last September. Wide Receiver DaeSean Hamilton missed his 2nd consecutive day as he nurses a sore left hamstring.
Ron Leary’s absence was a planned veteran rest day.
Let’s focus on the right side of the line sitting out Friday, and look at who played in their place. Elijah Wilkinson, who garnered praise from the Coaches earlier in camp filled in at tackle and Jake Brendel at guard. For anyone wondering who the heck Jake Brendel is, well, he’s a 4th-year player from UCLA. He grew up outside of Dallas in the suburb of Plano and he’s spent time his rookie year with his hometown Cowboys, then the last 2 seasons in Miami, playing in all 16 games in 2017.
The re-worked right side may not be the sole reason for the offenses best day, but it’s an interesting tidbit.
Joe Flacco looked sharper than he has, and none of his passes were intercepted. In fact, in the first team period, he had a pass tipped at the line of scrimmage and it still found it’s way into the hands of Courtland Sutton as it rotated end over end.
Flacco's favorite target, by my unofficial count seems to be Tim Patrick. When he's had work with the first team, Juwann Winfree has seemed to catch everything Flacco's thrown to him(and really anything any QB has thrown to him). And, in recent days, undrafted rookie wideout Kelvin McKnight of Samford University(Not Stanford) has been a reliable pass-catcher for Flacco as well.
Following practice, Fangio, in his own way was sort of complimentary of the offense. “I thought it was a little better operation than it has been and that’s good to see,” he said. “Hopefully, when I go back look at it, it’s good play by them and not crappy play by the defense. Hopefully, it’s good play by both sides and they’re winning.”
It seemed clear to the media that this was the offenses best day, but as you can see and hear below, Fangio wasn’t racing to agree with us, but did relent.
The Broncos added depth at Wide Receiver Friday as well, bringing in journeyman slot guy Nick Williams who spent 2015 in Atlanta with Offensive Coordinator Rich Scangarello and Kyle Shanahan.
Williams, who got some work with the first team offense, spent his first 2 seasons in the NFL with Washington. That was followed by 3 years with the Falcons and stints with Tennessee and the Rams in 2018. In 6 NFL seasons, he has 30 catches, 280 receiving yards, 235 return yards and 2 touchdowns.
Nick Williams working in receiver drills at his first practice as a Bronco. (Photo: Brandon Krisztal/KOA NewsRadio)
I asked Fangio what the impetus to bring Williams in was “We’ve run low at receivers and particularly in the slot…but, he did a good job.” he said. “He’s a guy that doesn’t meet your height, weight and speed things that personnel people like, but he like a pretty damn (good) football player to me out there. Maybe all he needed was an opportunity and he’s got one now. Let’s see.”
Bradley Chubb participated in a presentation that highlighted his foundation’s donation to the Broncos “Stuff for school” campaign. The 2nd-year linebacker and his brother are getting their “Chubb Foundation” off-the-ground.
Chubb mentioned that it was important for him to give back because he and his brother, Brandon, a linebacker for the Carolina Panthers, were so fortunate to grow up the way they did, and they were always taught to help those less fortunate.
Who Doesn't Love Pancakes! (Photo: IHOP)
We’ll end today’s blog with Peyton Manning. #18 returned to watch practice for the 2nd time in 3 days. And while some think he’s angling for some sort of role with the team, he told me that the main reason he and his 8-year-old twins were back was for the Pancakes. Apparently Vance Joseph would have players and coaches bring their kids for breakfast on Saturday walk-throughs before home games and do a big pancake breakfast with all the exciting accompaniments you’d expect for a big group of kids. I’m not certain if the Manning twins attended one of those Saturday’s or not, but they certainly got wind of the Pancakes with sprinkles and according to Peyton, “it’s all they’ve talked about for 2 days.”