Drew Lock warming up before Tuesday's lighter Training Camp Practice. (Photo: Ben Swanson/Denver Broncos)
The Broncos went a bit lighter in their final practice before the first pre-season of the year. Vic Fangio had his players in helmets, shorts and a jersey, no pads.
This move makes sense on a few levels. First, his team has been going hard for nearly 2 weeks. And, because of the extra pre-season game, with Denver playing in Thursday’s Hall of Fame game, throttling back practice, especially when 70 or so players will play some to a lot of football, can only help his team’s collective energy level down the road.
While almost every starter, save for the 3 specialists, won’t play, Fangio did let us know 3 starters, who will play early. “We’re going have a few of them play a few plays: [T] Garett [Bolles], [OL] Dalton [Risner] and [C] Connor [McGovern].”
All of this makes sense, because Bolles, despite starting 32 games in the NFL, can always use more work. Risner has never played in and NFL game. And, McGovern needs to improve his shotgun snaps, as we’ve seen him struggle all training camp with that area of his game.
In addition to Thursday’s exhibition with the Falcons being the first “NFL” game for a number of players, it will also be the first time in Offensive Coordinator Rich Scangarello will call plays in an NFL setting. He’s quick to downplay this fact.
While Kevin Hogan gets the start at quarterback in Canton, all eyes will be on Drew Lock. The rookie, 2nd-rounder from Missouri will get his shot to show how he’s doing in Scangarello’s version of Kyle Shanahan’s version of Mike Shanahan’s version of Bill Walsh’s West Coast Offense.
Understandably, Lock is enthusiastic to play Thursday. “I'm just real excited,” he said. “We finally get to play against someone else that doesn't have a Broncos helmet on. We get to go compete and get to see what the guys around you are all about. And watch them go make plays. Really, you've been grinding out here on the field, or you've been in meeting rooms, you've been eating lunch or breakfast—but we all really want to see each other succeed. So, I am excited to go out there and get the ball in some guys' hands and let them go to work a little bit.”
Of course, the weekend is about the Hall of Fame, and Pat Bowlen and Champ Bailey’s enshrinement into the Hall. Broncos Country is expected to take over the Northeast, Ohio town, and I’d expect nothing less.
Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell, was the Broncos secondary Coach in the late 90s when Shanny was leading Denver to its first 2 Super Bowl titles. Thus, he saw plenty of HOFers on the other side of the ball, as well as future HOFer, Steve Atwater. But, when it comes to the best he’s ever seen, it sure seems like Bailey, whom he coached when he returned to Denver in 2010, is at the top of the list
The team is leaving Denverearly to tour the Hall of Fame. Fangio, who was with the Bears in the Hall of Fame Game a year ago, has some ideas of how his team’s tour may go, after touring the hall before.
“I’ve been there a few times,” he said. “I like to always zero in on some areas. I’m sure Munch (Offensive Line Coach Mike Munchak) will be there charging a fee to take a picture with the guys with his bust. It’ll be good. I’m going to try and get a picture with Mike standing next to his bust. That will be cool.”
Broncos Offensive Line Coach Mike Munchak at his Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement. (Photo: Pro Football Hall of Fame).