Broncos training camp rewind, Day 6: WR debuts in 7-on-7 drills By Ryan O’Halloran Denver Post July 25, 2019

Player Attendance Did not practice: LB Todd Davis (calf, fifth consecutive missed practice), WR River Cracraft (oblique, fourth consecutive), TE Jake Butt (knee, third consecutive) and WR Juwann Winfree (calf, second consecutive).

Coach Vic Fangio said Butt has “hit a little pothole in his recovery (from ACL surgery), but I don’t think it’s anything too, too serious at this point. He could be out here (Thursday) or he could be another day or two.”

New injuries WR DaeSean Hamilton (hamstring). He was unable to finish practice after Fangio said he “tweaked” the hamstring.

Top play Late in 11-on-11 work, rookie TE outran rookie LB Justin Hollins down the left sideline to catch a pass from QB Joe Flacco.

Thumbs up WR Emmanuel Sanders: He took another step in his recovery by participating in 7-on-7.

S Justin Simmons: He intercepted QB Joe Flacco during 11-on-11.

Thumbs down Dropped/batted passes: In just the final period of 11-on-11, WRs Trinity Benson and Fred Brown dropped passes and DE Adam Gotsis and NT Billy Winn batted down passes.

The shade: The cloud cover didn’t arrive until practice was completed. Boo.

OLB Jeff Holland: During the first pass rush/protection period, he went 0-3 and jumped offside.

Odds and ends

The Broncos ran 74 snaps of 11-on-11.

WR Emmanuel Sanders (Achilles tendon) participated in 7-on-7 for the first time in training camp. “That was the plan today, to get him anywhere from 4-6 snaps in the 7-on-7 period,” coach Vic Fangio said. “That’s the starting point, and hopefully he’ll start doing more and more.”

Sanders made a diving catch from QB Joe Flacco. Sanders said: “When I caught it, I said, ‘I’m back, baby.’ It felt good. I’m looking forward to (Thursday) and getting better.” Sanders had been limited to individual drills during the first five days of practice. “Just talking with the trainers and knowing we have plenty of time and Week 1 (Sept. 9) is the most important thing, there’s no rush,” he said. “I do want to get back out there and do 1-on-1s and talk smack to (CB) Chris Harris and be myself, but at the same time, it’s a process and I have to respect that process.”

The Broncos had their first two scuffles of camp. The first was C Connor McGovern vs. DE Derek Wolfe, ending when Wolfe flung McGovern’s helmet after throwing several uppercuts that didn’t appear to land. The second skirmish was among backup players.

Fangio wasn’t happy with the postsnap activities. “Yeah, I do (mind it),” he said. “We talked about it. I don’t like it. There’s no need for it. We need to refrain from that.”

For his part, McGovern said: “The 2 p.m. practice, 95 degrees — things get a little hairy when it gets that hot. There’s no reason to beat each other up, but it was, ‘Hey, don’t do that,’ and ‘Hey, I’m going to do what I have to do.’”

Quarterback snaps (11-on-11): Flacco 26, Kevin Hogan 20, 21 and seven. Quarterback snaps (7-on-7): Flacco 14, Hogan seven, Lock seven and Rypien 12.

Of the Broncos’ practice after a day off, Fangio said: “I thought it was pretty good. There were parts in practice that got a little sluggish on both sides of the ball but leading into that period and after that, I think we dealt with it good.”

Signed Tuesday, P Justin Vogel went through his first practice. “We had two kickers for a while so now we’re going to go with two punters,” Fangio said. “It’s always good to have a revolving door there and the competition it will bring.”

The Broncos play Atlanta in next Thursday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. The starters traditionally haven’t played in that game. “There could be some starters that get a little playing time, but to be honest, we haven’t discussed it yet,” Fangio said.

ILB Alexander Johnson ran alongside ILB with the first-team defense and it was Josh Watson/Joe Jones on the second team.

Highlights from DL vs. OL: Following wins by OLB (vs. RT Ja’Wuan James) and Wolfe (vs. ), the offensive line won eight consecutive matchups, including two by RT Elijah Wilkinson vs. OLB Jeff Holland. Rookie DL Dre’Mont Jones showed quick hands in beating Brendel.

Odd during the second 11-on-11 period: One snap apiece for Flacco, Hogan, Flacco again and Rypien. Wolfe had a bat-down and S Dymonte Thomas/CB De’Vante Bausby pass break-ups.

The Broncos had a special guest at camp on Wednesday: winning QB showed up and played catch with his son Marshall.

Thursday’s practice 9:15-noon (open to fans).

“I don’t see myself as a role player.” How Broncos’ aims to build on breakout season. By Kyle Fredrickson Denver Post July 25, 2019

The play gets lost in a sea of Broncos highlights last season.

You can bet Tim Patrick remembers.

Denver’s offense faced first-and-long, trailing 17-0 in Oakland on Christmas Eve, when now-former quarterback Case Keenum received a third-down shotgun snap, faked a handoff and launched a deep fade down the near sideline. Patrick sprinted underneath the pass, leveraged his 6-foot-4 frame in tight coverage from Raiders’ cornerback Nick Nelson and pinned the football against his facemask with one outstretched right hand for a 26-yard gain.

A nondescript Week 16 play that actually resonates when you consider the trend.

“Playing those last couple games and having success,” Patrick said, “my confidence is through the roof right now.”

Patrick has earned consistent first-team practice repetitions into the second week of Broncos training camp thanks to a 2018 body of work defined by big plays — like nine receptions of 15-plus yards — that warrant legitimate optimism he’ll blossom into a greater role this season. Those sort of expectations didn’t seem logical to begin last training camp.

Patrick, undrafted from Utah in 2017, jumped from practice squads in Baltimore, San Francisco and Denver entering his second year in the league. Odds seemed stacked against him making the Broncos’ 2018 active roster after the team returned Emmanuel Sanders and , and then drafted and DaeSean Hamilton.

But Patrick beat out six players — Bryce Bobo, Mark Chapman, River Cracraft, John Diarse, Isaiah McKenzie and Jordan Leslie — to earn the team’s fifth and final wide receiver slot on 53-man roster cut day. Trading Thomas to Houston midseason helped vault Patrick to 23 catches for 315 yards and one on the year.

“It was more about being consistent,” Patrick said. “The whole coaching staff knew I could make plays, but they wanted to see if I could make them in this type of setting. There’s always a different test you’ve got to pass.

“My goals this year have changed. I still have to make the team, but my whole thought process is completely different from last year.”

Meticulous self-study of Patrick’s game often revealed early tells in routes that allowed defensive backs to predict his movement. Patrick described his style as “play-maker and not really technical.” The offseason remedy was refining the smallest details to eliminate those errors. “Tim is doing really well,” wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders said. “Coach (Zach Azzanni) was spotlighting him today during meetings and breaking down the film from two days ago. He was talking about his releases off the line and how well he’s playing; using him as an example for the young guys to show them exactly how it’s supposed to be done.”

The Broncos’ sixth-round draft selection of rookie wide receiver Juwann Winfree increases pressure on Patrick to perform. He hasn’t missed a beat so far while Winfree, an early star of training camp, has missed consecutive practices with a calf injury.

Yet Patrick isn’t concerned about his competition for snaps. His sole focus is making the most of his own opportunities.

“I don’t see myself as a role player,” Patrick said. “I want to show them I can be a No. 1 receiver. That’s my thought process going into this camp.”

Broncos LB voted No. 82 among NFL’s top 100 players By Joe Nguyen Denver Post July 25, 2019

After a stellar rookie season, Broncos linebacker Bradley Chubb was voted in at No. 82 on the NFL Top 100 list.

Chubb, who was selected with the fifth overall pick by Denver in the 2018 NFL draft, tallied 12 sacks and 60 tackles in his first year in the league.

“He had a lot of hype coming of the draft and he’s putting that hype to reality, I guess you could say,” 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens said in the NFL Network’s announcement video. Chubb recorded two sacks on Mullens when Denver played San Francisco last season.

The ninth annual ranking is determined by votes from NFL players.

Highlands Ranch grad ’s football journey leads him back home to Broncos By Parth Upadhyaya Denver Post July 25, 2019

Shortly after Mike Purcell was released in October 2017 by the Chicago Bears, his third NFL team in five months, he received life-changing news — again.

His wife, Christina, was pregnant with their second child.

It was already hard enough for her to criss-cross the country with their son, Kaimana. Throwing a daughter into the mix only added to the difficulty.

“It is tough,” Purcell said. “You end up bouncing around. But, you know, in the end, this is a job. This is how I provide for my family. So, family is one of my biggest motivations now.”

The Highlands Ranch High School product’s winding NFL journey has included stops with six franchises but just 25 games in six seasons — his last appearance on the field coming Jan. 1, 2017. Now, that road has led back home, where Purcell is hoping to finally stick as a part of the same Broncos team he cheered for as a child.

“To have those people be wearing that orange and blue and white, and to have those people cheering for you out there every day, it’s a great feeling,” he said of practicing in front of fans at training camp. “I mean, it’s hard to describe, but it’s a great feeling.”

The 6-foot-3, 327-pound nose tackle was born in Denver, but he’s found familiarity in more ways than one in the Mile High City.

Purcell started his career with the as an undrafted free agent in 2013, where he made the 53-man roster in December 2014. In his first two seasons, he played for Broncos coach Vic Fangio, then the 49ers defensive coordinator. That experience has made Purcell an interpreter for teammates learning Denver’s new defensive scheme.

Shelby Harris, a fellow nose tackle entering his third year with the Broncos, took notice of Purcell’s insight.

“He’s able to pass on knowledge,” Harris said. “Like, a lot of the stuff I’ve been learning on what to do is from Mike. So, I have a lot of appreciation for him.”

Harris is a player whose story echoes Purcell’s. Before he signed with Denver in January 2017, Harris had been released six times by three franchises.

Harris nearly quit football in 2016 when no team had signed him through Week 15. He worked a desk job for two months that fall at his wife’s workplace in San Ramon, Calif., before Dallas signed him to its practice squad.

His advice for guys like Purcell who have yet to find a home in the league?

“Don’t give up, man,” said Harris, who received a significant pay bump this offseason after totaling seven sacks the past two seasons with the Broncos. “Because at the end of the day, you never know when your blessings will come. You just gotta stick the course. I know Mike’s been killing it out here. He definitely deserves a look.”

Purcell hasn’t shown any signs of giving up.

Following his time in San Francisco, he had stints with practice squads of the Los Angeles Rams, Chicago, Carolina and Kansas City. This year, he played for the Salt Lake Stallions in the now-defunct Alliance of .

“I want to play football every chance I get,” Purcell said. “I’m gonna do the best I can wherever, and if things go my way, they go my way. If not, then I’m gonna keep fighting no matter what.”

Purcell will have to battle to lock up a spot on the Broncos’ 53-man roster. The team already has several established players on the defensive line, with five returners totaling 2,027 snaps last year.

A week into training camp, Purcell’s resolve has certainly caught the attention of Denver’s coaching staff. Defensive coordinator Ed Donatell specifically mentioned the 28-year-old’s toughness.

“He’s here to build depth and improve himself every time,” Donatell said after Sunday’s practice. “Over the years, every time a guy goes to a camp, they have a chance to improve a little bit. And those guys have made teams. We really respect the way he works and the way he’s dialing up and giving everything he has again.”

Christina, Kaimana and his 1-year-old daughter, Ke’ala, have set down roots in Christina’s hometown of Boise, Idaho. The family bought a house there two years into Purcell’s NFL career.

After a journeyman’s career, the former Wyoming star is hoping to find an NFL home not far from his old stomping grounds.

“Growing up, my goal was to play in the NFL,” Purcell said. “If it could be for the hometown team, it’d be like the biggest dream come true.”

Broncos notes: Sutton works on becoming more complete receiver By Mike Klis KUSA July 25, 2019

As a rookie, Courtland Sutton relied on one trick, although it was a good one.

That downfield, one on one, 50-50 ball? Sutton was pretty good at hauling those in. The Broncos’ second- round draft pick was third among NFL rookie receivers with 704 yards on a hefty 16.8 yards per catch.

In his second training camp, Sutton has been working on just about everything but his favorite trick. He’s been running, and catching, the sideline routes, middle patterns, slants, hooks, up and ins and up and outs.

He’s dropped a few. He needs to keep working on that. But Sutton has concentrated on becoming a more complete receiver in 2019.

"I think the offense we ran last year, and this year are two totally different offenses," he said. "This offseason that was one big thing I wanted to work on was being able to run every route on the route tree.

"I thought last year … but going back and watching the film there were a lot of tells that I was giving away that made it hard for me to run those routes on the tree. I really worked on being able to run all the intermediate routes, that I wouldn't just be a guy that's known for going deep on the outside. That's still something I have in my arsenal, but I want to be able to run all those routes so that it can set up those big shot plays."

Anything but soft

Remember halfway through the 2017 season when Broncos general manager John Elway said he thought his team “got a little bit soft” after its record slumped from 3-1 to 3-6?

The Broncos just had five training camp practices before 30 other teams got started. And they came back from their first off-day Wednesday to practice in 92-to- 95-degree afternoon heat for 2 ½ hours in full pads.

They may not be any good this year. But the Broncos won’t be soft.

Fight! Fight!

There was a heated exchange during an 11-on-11 period in which a helmet was flung 20 yards behind the line of scrimmage. The helmet belonged to center Connor McGovern. They helmet heave was delivered by defensive end Derek Wolfe. "We talked about it," said head coach Vic Fangio. "I don’t like it."

Bronco Bits

Former Broncos’ quarterback Peyton Manning watched part of practice Wednesday with his twin children Marshall and Mosley. …

Starting safety Justin Simmons came up with another , this one on a Joe Flacco overthrow on a pass intended for tight end Noah Fant. ...

Second-year receiver DaeSean Hamilton tweaked his hamstring early in practice and spent the rest of it observing. …

Starting inside linebacker Todd Davis is now off crutches and was seen walking gingerly on his strained calf Wednesday. …

Rookie receiver Juwann Winfree stretched with the team but then worked on the side with another injured receiver, River Cracraft.

Sanders' progress is encouraging as Butt 'hits pothole' in return By Mike Klis KUSA July 25, 2019

A return to training camp delivered the ups and downs of the NFL with two Broncos players going in opposite directions.

For veteran Emmanuel Sanders, it was all positive as he returns from his Achilles surgery. He participated in 7 on 7 Wednesday for the first time. (7 on 7 is everyone but four blockers and the pass rush).

First play, Sanders made a half-diving catch across the middle on a throw from Joe Flacco.

“Yeah, I’ve got to go watch that play,’’ Sanders said. “That’s what I kept telling the guys, ‘Did I have to dive?’’ But you know what, when I caught it, I said, I’m back. It felt good.”

When he otherwise observes practice, Sanders is often seen mentoring the young receivers. There have been some drops.

“I know sitting on the sideline it looks easy. Oh, my grandma could have made that catch. It’s just a lot harder than you think.’’

For tight end Jake Butt, coming back from his third ACL tear has been difficult. He’s missed the last three practices. He wore a leg-length sleeve on his left leg and did some walking and light jogging Wednesday but he appeared a ways from playing at NFL game-day speed.

“He hit a little pothole here in his road to recovery but I don’t think it’s anything too, too serious at this point,’’ said Broncos head coach Vic Fangio.

Butt needs a break from the football health gods, and soon. Sanders looks good for that season opener at Oakland.

WR Sanders (Achilles) participates in 7-on-7 drill By Jeff Legwold ESPN July 25, 2019

Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders on Wednesday continued his quest to return after tearing his Achilles tendon in time to start the team's regular-season opener against the Oakland Raiders on Sept. 9.

For the first time since his surgery on Dec. 6 to repair the injury he suffered a day earlier in practice, Sanders took part in a 7-on-7 passing drill in training camp. Sanders was with the offense for a handful of plays. To this point in training camp, he had participated in only the wide receivers' individual drills at the start of practice and had been held out of everything else.

Sanders also was precluded from taking part in the team's offseason program.

"It felt good out there,'' Sanders said after Wednesday's workout. "Felt good to be back, at least back to what I'm doing."

The Broncos completed their first week of training camp, and the players had their first day off on Wednesday.

Head coach Vic Fangio said the Broncos had decided to give Sanders a bit more work despite the day off. Fangio said they will now gradually work Sanders into more drills.

"That was the plan," Fangio said. "... Hopefully, slowly doing more and more."

Sanders, especially after the Broncos traded Demaryius Thomas to the in October, was a prominent figure in the team's passing game. He led the team in catches last season with 71 (29 more than the next player) and in receiving yards (868), and he tied for the team lead in receiving with four, even though he did not play in the final four games.

He made a bit of an entrance on Wednesday, given that his first reception in drills was a diving catch.

"I kept telling the guys if I have to dive I don't know," Sanders said.

"When I caught it I said, 'I'm back, baby.' It felt good."

He has consistently said throughout the offseason he expects to be ready for the season opener.

"We have plenty of time; Week 1 is the most important thing," Sanders said.

"I do want to get back out there ... at the same time, it's a process and I've got to respect that process."

The Broncos are a little thin at wide receiver at the moment, what with Sanders' limited participation, rookie Juwann Winfree being held out of practice with a lower leg injury and DaeSean Hamilton being pulled from Wednesday's practice after being hurt.

"He tweaked his hamstring," Fangio said of Hamilton.

In Broncos’ chippy afternoon practice, key veteran takes significant step toward return By Nicki Jhabvala The Athletic July 25, 2019

The tempers flared when the heat seemed to reach its peak. First the scrum gathered at the 20-yard line, then a helmet flew, and a few choice words were issued before the players were pulled away from one another and team drills resumed. Defensive end Derek Wolfe, who days earlier joked that he’s typically been in at least a few fights by Day 2 of camp, was in there. As was center Connor McGovern.

Shortly after, another skirmish unfolded, with pushing and cursing before coach Vic Fangio quickly stepped in and broke it up.

The Broncos’ first of six scheduled afternoon practices featured full pads and near 95-degree heat that felt even warmer as the sun, unobstructed, beat down on the field. Fans watching from afar gathered tightly in the one sliver of shade that cut down the middle of the grassy berm, and players already drenched in sweat were cooled with cold towels.

Maybe it was the heat that got the blood flowing. Maybe it was simply inevitable a week into training camp.

“We talked about it. I don’t like it,” Fangio said of the fighting. “There’s no need for it. We need to refrain from that, and we talked about it.”

Some observations and news from Broncos camp:

A big step for Emmanuel Sanders The most notable, and positive, sign was from a five-minute span early in the workout when veteran receiver Emmanuel Sanders participated in seven-on-seven drills for the first time this year. Sanders is closing in on eight months post-Achilles surgery, and the plan was to work him back into practices slowly. For the first five days, he participated in individual work but not team drills.

Wednesday, he got his first taste of going full speed against defenders but was limited to only a handful of reps. His first target resulted in a diving catch.

“I have to go watch that play,” Sanders said. “That’s what I kept telling the guys, ‘Did I have to dive? I don’t know if I had to dive.’ But when I caught it, I said, ‘I’m back, baby.’ It felt good.”

Sanders said the plan is to gradually work his way up from seven-on-sevens to 11-on-11s and then full clearance.

The process has been an arduous one that Sanders has documented along the way to show his progress and dedication to returning. Being patient, however, hasn’t been so easy.

“I think just talking with the trainers and knowing we have plenty of time and that Week 1 is the most important thing, there’s really no rush,” he said. “I do want to get back out here, I do want to go one-on- ones and talk smack to Chris Harris and be myself. But at the same time, it’s a process, and I gotta respect that process.”

Consistently inconsistent Wednesday’s two-hour, 45-minute session was another roller-coaster ride for an offense struggling with consistency and a defense happy to take advantage. Safety Justin Simmons notched his third interception of training camp, off a Joe Flacco pass intended for rookie tight end Noah Fant. Wolfe had at least two batted passes at the line of scrimmage. Perfectly placed deep throws by the Broncos’ quartet of quarterbacks were mixed with many wildly off target. And the young (and somewhat depleted) receiving corps continued to struggle with drops.

Now six practices into a lengthy training camp, Fangio said he’s not looking for perfection, but more consistent production.

“Just efficiency,” he said. “Guys blocking guys they’re supposed to be with the right technique, guys running routes the way they’re supposed to be, guys catching it the way they should catch it, running backs with the proper reads and stuff. So it’s just efficiency, and we haven’t had that consistently yet. But that’s what we’re striving for.”

Setback for Jake Butt Jake Butt’s recovery from a third ACL injury has hit a bit of a snag, though not one that has Fangio too concerned yet. Butt missed practice Sunday after participating for three consecutive days. At the time, Fangio said it was “just normal back into play” for the tight end.

But he did not practice Monday either and when the Broncos returned from their day off Wednesday, Butt attended but did not participate.

“It’s more of what you’d expect,” Fangio said. “He’s hit a little pothole here in his road to recovery, but I don’t think it’s anything too, too serious at this point. He could be out here tomorrow or he could be another day or two.”

Injuries and drops Juwann Winfree, who suffered a leg injury over the weekend, sat out Monday’s practice as well and participated in early warmups Wednesday. But he was not wearing full pads and did not participate in the rest of the workout. Fangio said the team decided to hold him out one more day and is hopeful Winfree will return Thursday.

River Craft spent the afternoon working with trainers and observing practice as he continues to recover from an oblique injury. And early in the workout, during seven-on-seven drills, DaeSean Hamilton “tweaked” his hamstring and remained on the sideline for the rest of practice. Fangio said afterward that Hamilton is being evaluated further.

The Broncos’ 12-man receiving corps averages only 24 years old, skewed some by Sanders (32), who is the veteran leader of the youngest group he’s ever played alongside.

Drops continued to be a problem Wednesday, and it’s possible youth and nerves have contributed to the mistakes. Fangio has not appeared too concerned but has said flatly that the mistakes need to be corrected.

Sanders said he’s reminded the young group of the skill they had in college that led them to the Broncos.

But when asked whether he advises them to just relax after the mistakes, Sanders grinned widely and said: “Nah, I’m not that kind of guy. I’m more like, ‘Get your shit together. Let’s go.'”

Broncos offense seeks to avoid dropping the ball by not, um, dropping the ball By Troy Renck KMGH July 25, 2019

The Broncos acquired 34-year-old Joe Flacco to snap a three-year skid of offensive ineptitude. His résumé boasts Super Bowl MVP honors, and 10 playoff victories. He can stand in the flames and make a pass. But it has to be caught for him to make a difference. Six practices into training camp, the Broncos continue to struggle with drops. In a recent practice, there were double-figure drops. Wednesday, rookie Trinity Benson, an intriguing undrafted player, dropped a pair.

There are reasons, of course. A new offense, a new coordinator and a group of receivers -- save for Emmanuel Sanders who has sticky fingers -- whose youth shows through inconsistency.

"Drops are unacceptable," said second-year receiver Courtland Sutton, who had a few tough early practices, but has rebounded. "And that goes from the top down. It's unacceptable and we understand what it expected of us. ... It comes down (to) focus. I can't be selfish. The Oline is blocking its butt off so Joe can get a throw off. The runningbacks are picking up linebackers. If it's the seventh or eighth play in a row, we have to lock in. We have to make the plays and keep the team moving forward."

Drops in a vacuum happen. But depending on the time and place on the field, they can be devastating. The Broncos offense is not good enough to overcome gaffes on on routine plays. With the early miscues, the Broncos continued stressing fundamentals. Receivers coach Zach Azzanni drew rave reviews for bringing along a young corps last season. He works the players relentlessly, coaching them on every detail while having them put in plenty of time on the JUGS machine. Doing drills is one thing. Doing it in practice with the eyes of the berm and the eyes on the sky on them -- that can create issues.

Stress is a great divider. Sanders has lived it and is practically immune to drops at this point in his career. He worked 7-on-7 drills for the first time this summer and will graduate to team work soon. He made a diving catch on his first reception Wednesday. It's what he does. So does he remind the young guys to relax and take a deep breath?

"Nah, I am not that kind of guy. I am more like, 'Get your (stuff) together," said Sanders after the Broncos 2 1/2 practice in 95-degree heat. "It is the youngest group I have been around. Just trying to get these guys right. They are trying to make a roster and there is a lot of pressure. Sitting on the sideline, it looks easy, like 'Oh, my grandma could have made that catch.' It's a lot harder than you think," Sanders said. "They are trying to get acclimated. I am pushing for them. We still have 30 days of camp. Hopefully we can get that turned around and stop putting balls on the ground."

The good news -- behind the calendar sitting on the Broncos' side -- is the type of passing game the Broncos will employ. Yes, they need receivers on point, but running backs lined up wide on linebackers and tight ends exploiting the middle of the field will help define this attack. "Just efficiency," said coach Vic Fangio on what he's looking for from offense at this point in camp. "Guys running routes the way they are supposed to be, catching when they should catch it, runningbacks with proper reads. It's just efficiency and we haven't had that consistently yet. But that's what we are striving for."

Footnotes

The first skirmish of camp broke out. Defensive end Derek Wolfe and center Connor McGovern got into briefly, resulting in Wolfe tossing McGovern's helmet. Players understand tempers will flare. But Fangio doesn't want it. "There's no need for it. We need to refrain from it, and we've talked about it." ... Receiver Juwann Winfree (calf/ankle) is hopeful of participating fully in practice on Thursday. ... Tight end Jake Butt missed practice as he recovers from knee surgery. ... Receiver DaeSean Hamilton, who has had a solid camp, left practice early and will have his hamstring evaluated.

Sanders makes another big leap in his comeback By Arnie Stapleton Associated Press July 25, 2019

Emmanuel Sanders couldn't help himself.

The 32-year-old wide receiver made a diving grab for his first catch in his first 7-on-7 drill of Denver's training camp Wednesday.

Nifty but maybe not necessary.

''Yeah, I know. I've got to go watch that play. That's what I kept telling the guys. 'Did I have to dive?' I don't know if I had to dive,'' Sanders said. ''But you know what? When I got it, I said, 'I'm back, baby!'''

Sanders tore his left Achilles tendon in practice Dec. 5, cutting short a season in which he led the team with 71 catches for 868 yards and four touchdowns. He underwent surgery the next day and immediately declared he'd be back in six months.

Courtland Sutton, the second-year pro who's been the No. 1 receiver since Sanders was sidelined, loved seeing his fellow SMU alum make the kind of play that's been his trademark.

''It was amazing to be able to see him out there getting some 7-on-7 reps. It was so cool to be able to see him moving around against the defense and everything,'' Sutton said. ''The guy has been working his butt off, man. ... You all saw it because he put it on his Instagram, pretty much every day, of how hard he was in there working, doing rehab, doing the runs, everything.

''To see him go full-speed for the first couple of times it was awesome. There is a lot more coming from him. I hope you all know that we are going to get the Emmanuel Sanders back that everybody knows.''

That would be a big boost to the Broncos' revamped offense led by new coordinator Rich Scangarello and new quarterback Joe Flacco.

Without Sanders, the Broncos have been relying on a young receiving corps and an equally young tight end group, both of which have been hit by injuries since training camp began a week ago.

Tight end Jake Butt, coming back from a third ACL tear, missed his third consecutive practice Wednesday, and coach Vic Fangio said, ''he's hit a little pothole here in his road to recovery, but I don't think it's anything too, too serious at this point.''

Receivers Juwann Winfree (leg) and River Cracraft (muscle) were held out Wednesday and DaeSean Hamilton didn't finish practice after pulling a hamstring.

So, Sanders' workout was a godsend.

Sanders said he doesn't have a timetable for graduating to team drills or 1-on-1 sessions against defensive backs: ''There's really no rush,'' he said, noting his goal is to be ready for the opener Sept. 9 at Oakland. ''I do want to get back out there,'' Sanders said. ''I do want to go 1-on-1s and talk smack to Chris Harris Jr. and be myself. But at the same time, it's a process and I have to respect that process.''

With Sanders sidelined and a bevy of targets digesting the complicated West Coast offense 2.0, the first week of Broncos camp has been marked by numerous dropped passes.

''I'm trying to take it easy on the young guys,'' Sanders said. ''Obviously, you see them over there, they're on a Jugs machine right now. It's the youngest group that I've been around. Nobody is over 25. I'm 32. We've got a very young group. We're just trying to get these guys right.

''It's a lot of these guys' first training camp or second or third training camp. They're trying to make the roster. I know sitting on the sideline it looks easy. You think, 'Oh, my grandma could have made that catch.' But it's a lot harder than you think.''

Broncos Day 6 Camp report: Temperatures, tempers run hot By Andrew Mason DenverBroncos.com July 25, 2019

Practice skirmishes are as much a part of training camp as sweat, heat and autographs for fans after the work is done.

A pair of brief dustups dotted the Broncos' return to practice Wednesday afternoon, including one between starters Connor McGovern and Derek Wolfe after Wolfe knocked down a pass at the line of scrimmage -- one of two that Wolfe deflected during the practice. McGovern lost his helmet, and Wolfe sent it flying downfield.

It was hot, with the temperature spiking into the 90s for the team's first afternoon practice of the summer. It was also the sixth practice of training camp and the fourth with shells or pads. This is usually about the the time that tempers begin to boil.

But the ill feelings didn't linger.

"We're just competing. It's going to happen," McGovern said. "It's not the first time Wolfe and I have gotten after it. Wolfe and I are like brothers. We can do that between the whistles -- or after the whistle, I guess -- and go to one-on-one pass-rush [drills] and laugh about it and have a good time.

"It's not a big deal. I didn't want him to jump and bat the ball; he wanted to jump and bat the ball. So I was holding him down and he didn't like it very much, and that's how it goes."

The hot tempers cooled. But Head Coach Vic Fangio steamed a bit. This wasn't what he wanted to see.

"I don't like it," he said. "There's no need for it. We need to refrain from that, and we've talked about it."

There were no other scuffles among first-teamers for the rest of the practice Wednesday, so clearly Fangio got his point across.

*THE PUNTING DUEL BEGINS *

Former Packers Justin Vogel quickly got up to speed Wednesday, as he took turns with incumbent Colby Wadman during a pair of special-teams periods and another period in which the offense and punt teams ran plays from within 6 yards of their goal line.

The work was Vogel's first with a team since he spent the spring with the San Francisco 49ers before they waived him after drafting Utah's in the fourth round. "[Vogel] was a punter that we had some feeling for. He's out there," Fangio said. "We had two kickers for a while, so now we're going to go with two punters."

During the special-teams periods, the punters appeared close to each other. Vogel posted a higher gross average -- 47.8 yards to 44.8 -- but Wadman had a slightly better hang-time average, 4.59 seconds to Vogel's 4.58. Both also exceeded 4.0 seconds of hang time when asked to punt from their end zone.

"It's always good to have a revolving door there, besides the competition that [Vogel] will bring," Fangio said.

PRACTICE NOTES

... WR Emmanuel Sanders wasted no time getting into the action during his first seven-on-seven period of training camp. He caught the first pass of the period on a slant from Joe Flacco, then had another reception four snaps later past two defenders before he went back to the sideline.

"That was the plan, to get him anywhere from four to six plays in the seven-on-seven," Fangio said.

... WR DaeSean Hamilton had his repetitions cut short because he "tweaked his hamstring," Fangio said. With Hamilton sidelined and Sanders still working back up to speed, a slew of reserve receivers saw first- team repetitions, with Tim Patrick leading the way.

... Rookie tight end Noah Fant continued to turn short passes into long gains. Early in practice, he worked under the zone to get open as Kevin Hogan rolled to the right, allowing Hogan to hit him with a pass that allowed him to turn upfield and accumulate 15 more yards after the catch. Fant also had a reception to the left side just past linebacker Justin Hollins.

... Rookie quarterback Drew Lock showed decisiveness early during the seven-on-seven period. He completed all but one of his passes in that period, and the only incompletion was because of a drop by Brendan Langley. Lock also got the ball out in 2.1 seconds or fewer on all of those plays.

... The run defense had some solid moments during the day. One of its best sequences came during the second team period of practice, when Bradley Chubb and Alexander Johnson stuffed consecutive wins by Devontae Booker and Phillip Lindsay behind the line of scrimmage. On the next play, Chubb capped the outstanding work with a sack of quarterback Joe Flacco.

... Justin Simmons continued to be a ballhawk, intercepting a Flacco pass for Fant that sailed too high down the seam

... Rookie quarterback Brett Rypien got a seven-on-seven red-zone period against the No. 1 defense. He completed four passes, including one for a touchdown to rookie wide receiver Kelvin McKnight.

... A team red-zone period saw Lindsay score a touchdown on a 4-yard draw play that saw Ron Leary deliver a key block to spring Lindsay. But from there, the defense took over; the next two goal-to-go snaps saw Wolfe and Josey Jewell defuse a handoff and Von Miller generate right-flank pressure that forced Flacco into a third-and-goal incompletion.

That goal-to-go period also saw defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker continue his impressive playmaking at camp, as he leaped to break up a Lock pass on third-and-goal.

'I'm back, baby': Emmanuel Sanders returns to 7-on-7 work By Aric DiLalla DenverBroncos.com July 25, 2019

For the first time in training camp, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders participated in 7-on-7 drills.

"I didn’t watch him when he was in there," Head Coach Vic Fangio said Wednesday. "I’ll watch it when I go [in], but that was the plan today to get him anywhere from four to six plays in the 7-on-7 period. That’s the starting point, and hopefully, slowly, he’ll start doing more and more."

For the 10th-year receiver, it's simply the latest step in his return from an Achilles injury that he suffered in early December.

"I’m looking forward to continuously, gradually [returning to] 7-on-7 to team [and] hopefully 1-on-1’s," Sanders said. "Hopefully in two or three weeks here, I’ll be full speed and full go all the way around."

Sanders dove to make his first catch during the 7-on-7 period, and he said he asked his teammates afterward if he needed to make quite that effort to haul in the pass.

"I don’t know if I had to dive," Sanders said. "But when I caught it, I said ‘I’m back, baby.' It felt good. I’m looking forward to tomorrow [and] keep on getting better.”

Wide receiver Courtland Sutton is eager to see Sanders continue to progress.

“It was amazing being able to see him out there getting some 7-on-7 reps,” Sutton said. “It was so cool being able to see him moving around against the defense and everything. The guy has been working his butt off. Ever since he got hurt, he went in and took care of what he had to take care of and in the offseason took care what he needed to take care of and worked his butt off. Y’all all saw it because he put it on his Instagram pretty much every day of how hard he was in there working, doing rehab, doing the runs, everything. To see him come out here and be able to go full speed for the first couple times, it was awesome and there’s a lot more coming from that. I hope y’all know that we’re going to get the Emmanuel Sanders back that everybody knows.”

As Sanders continues the recovery process, he said he and the training staff won't push him back too soon.

"I think just talking with the trainers and just knowing we have plenty of time and [that] Week 1 is the most important thing [is important]," Sanders said. "There’s really no rush. I do want to get back out here. I do want to go 1-on-1 and talk smack to Chris Harris and be myself, but at the same time, it’s a process, and I’ve got to respect that process."

INJURY UPDATES Wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton did not finish practice after suffering an injury.

"He tweaked his hamstring during practice, and we're evaluating it now," Fangio said.

Tight end Jake Butt (knee) missed his third consecutive practice, and Fangio said "he's hit a little pothole here in his road to recovery."

"I don't think it's anything too, too serious at this point," Fangio said. "He could be out here tomorrow or he could be another day or two."

Wide receiver Juwann Winfree (leg), meanwhile, missed his second consecutive practice.

"I think Winfree’s getting better," Fangio said. "We just decided to give him one more day. I think he’ll be out here tomorrow, but don’t hold me to that."

Wide receiver River Cracraft (muscle) and linebacker Todd Davis (calf) were also held out of practice.

MORE THAN A DEEP THREAT

In 2018, Courtland Sutton made a living on deep passes down the field. Whether he hauled them in or drew pass interference penalties, Sutton was a threat every time he took off down the sideline.

This year, though, Sutton is looking to do more.

“This offseason, that was one big thing I wanted to work on: being able to run every route on the route tree,” Sutton said Wednesday. “I feel like last year I said I could run every route on the route tree, but going back and watching the film, there were a lot of tells that I was giving away that made it hard for me to run those routes on the tree. I really worked on being able to run all those intermediate routes so that I wouldn’t just be a guy that’s known for going deep on the outside. That’s still something I have in my arsenal, but I want to be able to run all of those routes so that it can set up those big-shot plays.”

A HALL OF FAME PLAN

The Pro Football Hall of Fame game is just over a week away, but Fangio said the coaching staff hasn't decided which players would appear in the game.

"We haven’t sat down and talked about it yet," Fangio said. "There could be some starters that get a little playing time, but to be honest with you, we haven’t really discussed it yet."

Most teams tend to hold the majority of their starters out for the Hall of Fame game and let their younger players benefit from the reps.

The Broncos are scheduled to hold five more practices before leaving for Canton, Ohio for the game. NO NEED FOR SCUFFLES

The Broncos had their first scuffle of training camp when Connor McGovern and Derek Wolfe exchanged words after a team-period play.

Fangio made it clear after practice that he was not a fan of the extra-curricular activity.

"We talked about it," Fangio said. "I don’t like it. There’s no need for it. We need to refrain from that."

Emmanuel Sanders has a strong message for the young receivers dropping passes By Zac Stevens BSN Denver July 25, 2019

Drop. Drop. Drop.

Through the first week of Broncos training camp, the football has been on the ground early and often, left and right, day in and day out.

“It’s very unacceptable,” Courtland Sutton, the team’s self-proclaimed No. 1 receiver, said after another drop-filled practice on Wednesday afternoon. “Drops at our position are unacceptable at any level.”

“We understand what’s expected of us. When everyone just continues to say, ‘Oh that’s unacceptable. That’s unacceptable.’ We know that. As soon as it hits our hands and hits the ground, we know that’s unacceptable. We don’t want to drop it… Thank you all for reminding us.”

Courtland clearly doesn’t want to hear it. He gets it. He knows.

Vic Fangio’s already had to address the issue in the public, simply saying the group needed to catch more passes off the jugs machine and from the quarterbacks. The receivers have likely heard it time and time again from their coach, Zach Azzanni.

But there’s one more person who isn’t just going to gloss over the all-important.

“I’m trying to talk to these young guys,” Emmanuel Sanders, the veteran of the receiving corps, said after practice Wednesday as many of the younger receivers caught passes from the jugs machine just yards away. “We’ve got a young group. It’s probably the youngest group—it is the youngest group I’ve been around. No one is over 25, and I’m 32. We’ve got a very young group.”

In fact, outside of Emmanuel Sanders, with River Cracraft sidelined due to an oblique injury, not one receiver on the field Wednesday has had three full training camps in their career. Talk about young.

“I’m just trying to get these guys right,” Sanders said. “They are trying to make a roster. There’s a lot of pressure out here, believe it or not. I know sitting on the sideline it looks easy like, ‘Oh my grandma could have made that catch,’ but it’s just a lot harder than you think. They are just trying to get acclimated with that.

“I’m pushing for those guys,” he added. “We’ve still got 30 more days of camp so hopefully, we can turn that around and stop putting balls on the ground.”

As the veteran that doesn’t get caught up in the rush of training camp, Sanders’ message to the young group must be to take a deep breath, slow down and be themselves, right?

“Nah, nah. I’m not that kind of guy,” he said with a big, growing smile. “I’m more like, ‘get your shit together.’”

“At the end of the day, we’re all blessed to be able to play this game and so it’s all about putting everything together and going out and being a baller. I tell them all the time, ‘You’re here for a reason. Be who you were in college because what you did in college got you here. Just let all of the nerves go and understand if it’s meant for you, it’s meant for you.’”

And be a baller like Emmanuel, of course.

One player that has shined through the first six practice of camp is undrafted rookie Trinity Benson out of East Central.

At 6-foot, 180 pounds, No. 2 was initially profiled as a speedster. But he’s quickly proven he’s a do-it-all receiver.

“TB’s been doing well. He’s explosive. He’s fast,” Sanders said, referring to Denver’s undrafted receiver, not Tom Brady. “I told him the other day, he reminds me of myself when I was a rookie. He has long speed. He has good hands. He’s got a lot of upside to him.”

Outside of a drop on Wednesday, Benson’s listened to Emmanuel’s sound advice, got his stuff together, been a baller, let his nerves go and, most importantly, held onto the ball.

This isn’t peewee, high school or college anymore. In the NFL, the most simple, and honest, way to limit drops is simply taking care of business. And Emmanuel isn’t afraid to shoot it straight with the youngins.

The Broncos may be boring, but that’s not a bad thing By James Merilatt 104.3 The Fan July 25, 2019

Yawn.

That’s the first word that comes to mind when describing the first week of Broncos training camp. By and large, the media BBQ and five days of practice have resulted in a collective case of drowsiness in Denver.

All anyone has to do in order to get a sense of this is spend a little time on the hillside with the fans. It takes one session of training camp to get a clear picture.

For one thing, there’s plenty of room available, as the crowds are noticeably down this season. That’s a clear sign that Broncos Country isn’t exactly clamoring to get a firsthand look at Vic Fangio, Joe Flacco and other newcomers. The days of Tebow Mania and Peyton Manning are a distant memory. In addition, there isn’t much to get excited about during practice. Team warm-ups have generated the biggest cheers on most days, as big plays and huge ovations have been few and far between. That’s the byproduct of an offense that hasn’t stretched the field a lot with long passes; it’s hard to get too pumped about check-down throws to the tight end.

In other words, the 2019 edition of the Broncos looks to be, well, boring. And that’s okay.

Quite frankly, a team that’s making a bunch of headlines in July is probably doing it for all of the wrong reasons. Controversies, injuries, high-profile position battles, suspensions, questionable signings – those things generate a lot of talk during camp, but they don’t usually translate into wins come September and beyond.

That’s certainly been the case the past three years in Denver. Training camps in 2016, ’17 and ’18 were all filled with intrigue, but the team went a combined 20-28 during those campaigns.

A quarterback battle would certainly make practice more interesting, giving everyone the chance to break down every throw made by the combatants. But having a clear-cut No. 1 behind center has finally allowed the Broncos to spend training camp getting the first-team offense in sync. And based on early results, they clearly need the time to get on the same page.

Fights between the Pro Bowl wide receiver and All-Pro cornerback certainly spice things up a bit, providing an easy post-practice storyline for the gathered media. But that type of discord between the offense and the defense, when one group is clearly tired of having to carry the other, doesn’t create an atmosphere that is going remain positive during the ups and downs of a long, 16-game season.

We’ve seen that stuff before. It’s nice to be without it for a change.

That type of nonsense has been non-existent through the first week of training camp. So too have other distractions like music during practice, a head coach who doesn’t seem to know how he’s supposed to answer the most basic questions and signing one of the NFL’s most-notorious bad boys – all things that were prevalent since the Broncos hoisted the Lombardi Trophy after .

Training camp is supposed to be a place for teaching and studying. The coaches are the professors, while the players are the pupils. Removing things that aren’t conducive to learning is a positive move.

So too is having an offense that isn’t going to break any NFL scoring records.

Sure, it’d be great if Denver had playmakers all over the field, a first-rate offensive line and a gunslinger at quarterback; that’d be fun to watch on a weekly basis. But that’s not how the roster is built.

BRONCOS CAMP | All the info fans headed to UCHealth Training Center need to know

The Broncos have primarily invested on the defensive side of the ball; that’s where their best players reside. So they’re counting on Von Miller, Chris Harris Jr., Bradley Chubb, , , Derek Wolfe and others to carry them to victory. How does a team win by riding their defense? By playing relatively boring football.

In 2019, Denver’s offense needs to not get them beat. They need to avoid three-and-outs, which resulted in the defense being on the field too much in past seasons. They need to avoid turnovers, which bailed out opponents by giving them a short field. And they need to capitalize on opportunities when they arise, which didn’t happen enough under and Case Keenum.

The Broncos will do that by running the ball, with a healthy dose of Phillip Lindsay and on a game-in, game-out basis. They’ll also do it by having Joe Flacco check down to tight ends and running backs, avoiding costly . And they’ll do it by having a quarterback who can make the big throw when he needs to, like converting a fourth-and-10 throw during a end-of-game drill at Monday’s practice.

Denver will also get it done by playing smart football. Take a knee when a kickoff comes into the end zone instead of running it out to the 12-yard line. Avoid penalties that keep drives alive for the opposition or put Flacco in a bad down-and-distance situation. Be willing to accept the fact that any drive ending with a kick – punt, field goal or extra point – is a good one.

If the Broncos can consistently force teams to drive 80 yards on their defense in order to score touchdowns, they’ll be fine. If they give them shorter fields, with only three plays of rest between drives, they’ll be in trouble. Denver needs the scoreboard to read 14-10 or 20-17 when the clock strikes 00:00 at the end of the fourth quarter this season. That’s their recipe for success; they aren’t built to win shootouts.

The best way to make those finals a reality, with the Broncos on the right side of the outcome, is to play a conservative brand of football. That’s why what’s happening at training camp shouldn’t be seen as a negative; it’s a sign that the plan is getting implemented. The Broncos are going to be boring in 2019. And that’s a good thing. Emmanuel Sanders returns to lead the young wideouts By James Merilatt 104.3 The Fan July 25, 2019

After five practices where the Broncos offense struggled, the team got a jumpstart when training camp resumed on Wednesday – Emmanuel Sanders was back in the fold. Kind of.

For the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon last December, Denver’s top wide receiver participated in part of practice. He didn’t just sprint. He didn’t just run routes. He didn’t just catch passes. He actually played football.

“I felt good out there,” Sanders explained after practice. “I’m happy to be back, at least back on what I’m doing.”

During the first 7-on-7 drill of Wednesday’s afternoon session, the veteran wideout was lining up on the outside, running routes and catching passes from Joe Flacco. It was a welcome sight, as Denver needs the wideout on the field if they’re going to be effective in 2019.

The spark Sanders can provide was immediately evident. While only participating in a handful of plays, he posted one of the highlights of training camp, laying out for a pass over the middle that generated plenty of cheers from the faithful gathered on the hill.

“I’ve got to go watch that play,” Sanders said after practice. “I don’t know if I had to dive. But you know what? When I got it, I said, ‘I’m back, baby!’ It felt good. I’m looking forward to tomorrow and keeping on getting better.”

The play got the crowd fired up, but Sanders being on the field seemed to spark his teammates. Two days after a drop-fest that had Broncos Country wondering what was going on, the veteran wide receiver being on the field seemed to up everyone’s game.

“To see him be able to come out here and go full speed for the first couple of times, it was awesome,” Courtland Sutton explained. “There is a lot more coming from that. I hope you all know that we are going to get the Emmanuel Sanders back that everybody knows.”

As has been the theme throughout camp, where Vic Fangio has taken a no-nonsense approach with his team, Sanders didn’t sugarcoat his dissatisfaction with his teammates. He let them know that dropping passes was unacceptable.

“I am more like, ‘Get your (bleep) together; let’s go,’” Sanders said about his leadership style. “It’s all about putting everything together and going out and being a baller.

While blunt with his fellow wideouts, Sanders also knows that he’s dealing with an inexperienced group. It’s going to take time for everyone to develop into bonafide pros.

“I tell them all the time: ‘You’re here for a reason; be who you were in college because what you did in college got you here,'” Sanders added. “‘Just let all the nerves go and understand that if it’s meant for you, it’s meant for you.’”

He knows he’s dealing with some players with much less experience than him.

“It’s the youngest group that I’ve been around,” Sanders explained. “Nobody is over 25. We’ve got a very young group. (We’re) just trying to get these guys right. I know sitting on the sideline it looks easy. (You may think), ‘Oh my grandma could have made that catch.’ But it’s a lot harder than you think.”

The wideout has a point. Other than him, the Broncos wide receiver room doesn’t boast anyone with much service time.

Sutton (23), DaeSean Hamilton (24), Tim Patrick (25) and River Cracraft (24) are entering their second seasons in the NFL, making them the next-most-seasoned veterans. Behind them on the depth chart are rookies like Juwann Winfree (22), Jamarius Way (22), Trinity Benson (22) and Kelvin McKnight (22), first- year pros Fred Brown (25) and Steven Dunbar (23), and converted cornerback Brendan Langley (24).

That’s a stunningly green group of wide receivers. It’s no wonder the Broncos offense has sputtered without the one experienced pass catcher on the field.

“They are just trying to get acclimated with that, but I’m pushing for those young guys,” Sanders added. “We still have 30 more days of camp, so hopefully we can turn that around and stop putting balls on the ground.”

Getting Sanders back on the field would be great news no matter the situation at his position. But his return, given how woefully green the Broncos are at wideout, is critical to Denver’s offensive success in 2019.

He’s their best pass catcher, no doubt. But Sanders is also the on-field leader for a group of young, talented wideouts trying to find their way at the NFL level.

That’s why Wednesday was a such a big day for the Broncos. The importance of getting Emmanuel Sanders back on the field can’t be overstated.

Courtland Sutton wants to be more than a one-trick pony By James Merilatt 104.3 The Fan July 25, 2019

Last year at this time, Courtland Sutton was the toast of town. On a daily basis, the rookie wide receiver was making a circus catch during training camp, providing the fans in attendance plenty to cheer and the media covering the team someone to hype.

Fast forward 12 months, however, and the tune is different. This season, Sutton isn’t making a highlight- reel play on a daily basis. In fact, he’s earning more jeers than cheers, mostly because of repeated dropped passes during practice.

“Drops in our position are unacceptable at any level, whether it’s routes on air, 7-on-7 or team,” Sutton said on Wednesday afternoon about the problem that’s plagued him and his fellow wideouts during the first week of training damp. “Whatever the period is, drops in our position are really unacceptable. So, when we hear everybody saying, ‘Oh, that’s unacceptable,’ we already know that. Thank you for reminding us.”

But before two much is made of the second-year wide receiver’s supposed drop off in “production,” it’s best to evaluate what’s actually going on. Instead of worrying about making one big play per day, Sutton is using training camp to hone his game.

“I think practice is structured a little bit different,” Sutton explained. “(Vic) Fangio is attacking practice in a different way. A lot of those 50-50 balls you all saw came in 1-on-1s. Right now, coach knows that’s something that I have in my arsenal. It’s like, ‘Why keep being that horse? Add something to the game, don’t just be a one-trick pony.’ That was something I did a lot last camp. But that was last camp. We’re moving onto this year and being able to bring new things into the game so it’s not just being a one-trick pony.”

Last season, the wide receiver was essentially a one-dimensional threat. That’s something he’s tried to work on this year.

“One big thing I wanted to work on was being able to run every route on the route tree,” Sutton added. “Last year, I said that I was able to run every route on the route tree. But going back and watching the film, there were a lot of tells that I was giving away that made it hard for me to run those routes on the tree.”

That diversity will help Sutton be a better receiver.

“I really worked on being able to run all the intermediate routes, that I wouldn’t just be a guy that’s known for going deep on the outside,” he added. “That’s still something I have in my arsenal, but I want to be able to run all those routes so that it can set up those big-shot plays.”

This year’s practices have a goal in mind. Sutton is trying to eliminate his weaknesses, instead of just building upon his strengths.

“I appreciate Rich (Scangarello) giving me those opportunities to go out there and fine tune my craft and be able to show that I can run all those intermediate routes and get those first downs, keep the chains moving,” the wideout continued. “Without it just being a deep post, deep go, or something like that.”

While this approach might make training camp a little less exciting, it’s hopefully going to make a difference during the season. Last year’s August highlights didn’t translate to the field in September, largely because opposing defensive backs knew what was coming.

“(I don’t want to be) a guy where they are like, ‘Oh, 14 is in, he’s able to go deep,’” Sutton explained. “You probably won’t hear too many DBs saying that (this season). I can get in and out of any route and that’s one thing I’m just really trying to incorporate into my game.”

Sutton has always been a threat on 50-50 jump balls and deep routes. Now, he’s trying to become a player who can impact the game all over the field.

That transformation is a work in progress, something that will take time. But the wideout believes he has the right coaches to show him the way.

“Coach Z (Zach Azzanni) is on my butt about making sure that I’m not having any tells and that I am being really critical of my game tape and my practice tape,” Sutton said. “(He’s) making sure that I don’t just say, ‘Hey, I made the catch,’ or, ‘Hey, I got open.’ Well, did the DB slip? Did I lean? What was going on in that route to help me get to that point? So just being really critical of it and being able to add most of those routes to my game.”

Now, those of us watching practice just have to be patient. It’s not about dominating in July and August; it’s about producing when the leaves start to fall, the days get shorter and the temperatures drop.

The work needed is put in now, even if it’s not always a lot of fun to watch.

Five Burning Questions: Broncos rookie Juwann Winfree on journey West By Johnny Hart 104.3 The Fan July 25, 2019

Despite missing practice toward the end of the first week of training camp, rookie wide receiver Juwann Winfree has turned heads out at UCHealth Training Center.

A sixth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Winfree’s story shouldn’t be too unfamiliar to football fans in the region, as he played his final two college seasons at the University of Colorado.

Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan caught up with Winfree during the first week of Broncos Camp to talk about coming out West and more.

Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan digital content producer Johnny Hart: Where is the spot to get late-night grub in Boulder?

Denver Broncos wide receiver Juwann Winfree: I’m going to probably go on The Hill. Maybe Cheba Hut. I might go to Cheba Hut. Illegal Pete’s. I like Illegal Pete’s at night. That’s the spot at night. I go with my friends. We chill out there.

Hart: From Englewood, New Jersey, to Englewood, Colorado. Is that strange for you?

Winfree: It honestly shows that it was meant to be. It kind of helps me prove that it was kind of meant to be. God was on my side on that one. It’s just crazy how things end up. Englewood, New Jersey. Englewood, Colorado. The University of Colorado to the Denver Broncos. So, it’s crazy. I’m just thankful.

Hard: How did you end up coming from New Jersey to here?

Winfree: A long journey, man. I went to the University of Maryland first and ran into some issues there. I went to Coffeyville (Community College) my sophomore year. Played there. Coffeyville’s in Kansas. Colorado kind of recruits the Midwest area region. So, I was on their radar. I had some old coaches from Maryland who were at Colorado, so that was a connection that kind of brought me up there. I was able to see it, and once I saw it — I saw the kind of team they had and where it was headed and where they were headed — that was all I needed.

Hart: What was your first impression when you came out West?

Winfree: It was beautiful, man. There was nothing I was really expecting from Colorado. I’d never been to Colorado, never really knew much about it. I just knew there were mountains. And I got there … you take that ride down to Boulder and you finally get to that top and you see the whole university, you see just everything, it was just amazing. You know? It sealed the deal for me. I’ve never been anywhere like that. Just chill, everybody’s nice. Beautiful. Nature. It was just … I love it.

Hart: As a kid who grew up wanting to play in the NFL as a wide receiver, if you had a poster on your wall what player would be on it?

Winfree: A lot of people, man. I’d definitely say … maybe … that’s a tough one man because I like a lot of players. Maybe Randy Moss though. That’s the best player ever.

AFC training camp battles to watch: Dolphins QB, Bills RB, more By Gregg Rosenthal NFL.com July 25, 2019

1) Miami Dolphins quarterback: Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. .

Fitzpatrick reportedly played better than Rosen throughout the spring, which isn't a huge surprise. There's a reason why Fitzpatrick has thrown for over 29,000 yards in a career that began on Mike Martz's St. Louis Rams: Fitz can play! This is the only legitimate starting quarterback competition in the AFC and a close race doesn't necessarily go to the youngster. It's easier to imagine the Dolphins replacing Fitzpatrick as the starter after a few losses, once new Dolphins coach Brian Flores decides it's time to evaluate Rosen's potential to lead the team in 2020 and beyond.

2) Buffalo Bills running backs: LeSean McCoy vs. Frank Gore vs. T.J. Yeldon vs. Devin Singletary vs. Marcus Murphy vs. Senorise Perry.

McCoy could face a numbers crunch if everyone else at the position stays healthy, which usually doesn't happen in August. Murphy and Perry are listed here because of their special teams value, something that McCoy, Gore and Yeldon don't provide. It's possible Yeldon is the odd man out if he suffers a camp injury after earning only $500,000 guaranteed on his contract. Singletary is safe as a third-round rookie, and I don't want to live in a world where The Inconvenient Truth's career ends on cutdown day.

3) Denver Broncos running backs: Phillip Lindsay vs. Royce Freeman.

The very existence of this battle is disrespectful to Lindsay and shows how difficult it is to shake pre-draft evaluations. Lindsay was a Pro Bowl revelation as an undrafted rookie a season ago, but a late-season wrist injury combined with a new coaching staff, Freeman's superior size (240 pounds!) and his draft position as a 2018 third-rounder means that nothing will be handed to Lindsay. All signs point to a committee approach under new coordinator Rich Scangarello in an effort to keep both players fresh. "Scangs" has alluded to using the two backs similarly to how the Falcons used Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, so Lindsay will have to earn his playing time all over again. A healthy start to camp is aiding that effort.

4) wide receivers: N'Keal Harry vs. Phillip Dorsett vs. Demaryius Thomas vs. Dontrelle Inman vs. Braxton Berrios.

Bill Belichick's annual plan to throw receivers against the wall and see who sticks has fewer options this year. With hurt to start camp, Harry and Dorsett look like the only safe options above to even make the roster. Thomas has to show he's healthy or risk getting cut, while the entire group should be ready to face increased competition via trade or the waiver wire.

5) New England Patriots running backs: Sony Michel vs. James White vs. Damien Harris vs. Rex Burkhead vs. Brandon Bolden.

This battle is mostly about how snaps will be divvied up among Patriots backs early in the season and whether Burkhead will make the team. Fullback James Develin and Bolden are good bets to make the squad because of special teams value, while the Patriots may as well induct James White into the Patriots Hall of Fame now. That leaves Burkhead fighting for his livelihood, while Harris and Michel compete for between-the-tackles carries. Michel's persistent knee troubles explain why the Patriots drafted Harris in the third round.

6) defensive end: Alex Okafor vs. Emmanuel Ogbah vs. Breeland Speaks vs. Tanoh Kpassagnon.

The Chiefs jettisoned star pass rushers Justin Houston and in anticipation of transitioning to new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's 4-3 scheme. Trade acquisition Frank Clark will hold one starting job, while general manager Brett Veach did an underrated job building quality depth throughout the position. Okafor and Ogbah are solid, if unspectacular, rotational ends. Kpassagnon and especially Speaks showed flashes of potential last year. If the Chiefs' defense is going to improve, this group will need to step up.

7) No. 2 outside receiver: Donte Moncrief vs. James Washington vs. Diontae Johnson.

Moncrief was the subject of some offseason hype pieces because of his instant chemistry with Ben Roethlisberger. He's certainly shown more in his erratic career than Washington did as a rookie, while Johnson is a third-round newbie on a team that usually develops its players slowly. Meanwhile, Eli Rogers and Ryan Switzer are poised to duke it out for snaps in the slot.

8) Denver Broncos tight end: Noah Fant vs. vs. Jake Butt.

There's an assumption that Fant will step into the starting job as one of Joe Flacco's top receivers immediately, but his sluggish first week of camp has provided a reminder that it's rarely that easy for rookie tight ends. This battle is ultimately about Fant taking on expectations and showing he can mentally handle the myriad responsibilities of an every-down tight end.

9) outside linebackers: Tim Williams vs. vs. vs. vs. Pernell McPhee.

Outside linebacker in Baltimore's system has a long tradition of getting guys paid, including Terrell Suggs throughout his 16-year Ravens career. Suggs' departure surprised the Ravens and the team failed in its bid to keep Za'Darius Smith from the Packers. That leaves Matt Judon as the only incumbent defensive coordinator Don Martindale can trust. Bowser (second-rounder) and Williams (third-rounder) have struggled to develop despite getting drafted pretty highly in 2017. New general manager Eric DeCosta took Ferguson in the third round of this year's draft, then took fliers on Ray and McPhee, who once used this position as a stepping stone to his own big free-agent contract elsewhere. The sheer quantity of options here is a sign that the position is in unfamiliar territory.

10) Jacksonville Jaguars wide receivers: Marqise Lee vs. Dede Westbrook vs. Chris Conley vs. D.J. Chark vs. Keelan Cole vs. Terrelle Pryor.

I like this group more than most. There are a ton of ifs, but Westbrook's athleticism, Lee's savvy in the slot, Conley's toughness and Cole's big-play ability go together well. There's enough talent here to give Nick Foles a solid supporting cast, but the pecking order remains up for grabs.

Ten more battles to monitor 11) Baltimore Ravens wide receivers: vs. vs. Chris Moore vs. Jordan Lasley vs. Michael Floyd. Other than Willie Snead, what wideouts will be catching passes from ? Brown's foot ailment only complicates matters.

12) Miami Dolphins offensive line. After left tackle Laremy Tunsil, the rest of this group is open-ended. That will only make life more difficult for the winner of position battle No. 1 listed above.

13) Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker: Quincy Williams vs. Ramik Wilson vs. Najee Goode. This is the battle that Telvin Smith's surprise absence has wrought.

14) Houston Texans offensive line. There are a lot of unknowns and players with position flexibility across the entire Texans offensive line, with virtually no starting jobs solidified heading into camp.

15) Houston Texans tight end: Jordan Thomas vs. Jordan Akins. They don't have big names, but this might be the most promising Texans tight end group in years. (That's an admittedly low bar.)

16) Cincinnati Bengals backup quarterback: Jeff Driskel vs. Ryan Finley. Driskel is the heavy favorite here, especially after Finley inspired some rough practice reports in OTAs.

17) Oakland Raiders slot receiver: Hunter Renfrow vs. Ryan Grant vs. J.J. Nelson. Anyone playing between Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams will see some advantageous coverages.

18) Tennessee Titans No. 3 receiver: A.J. Brown vs. Taywan Taylor vs. Tajae Sharpe. Who'll claim the most snaps after Corey Davis and Adam Humphries? Can the hype bunnies of Titans training camp past hold off GM Jon Robinson's latest attempt to solve the longtime trouble spot?

19) New York Jets cornerback. Trumaine Johnson is paid too much not to have one starting job, but the rest of the depth chart looks as thin as any cornerback group in football.

20) Jacksonville Jaguars backup quarterback: vs. Alex McGough. The possibility of a Nick Foles injury should keep the Jaguars front office up at night.

2019 NFL season: Predicting when rookie quarterbacks will start By Marc Sessler NFL.com July 25, 2019

Kyler Murray,

Drafted: Round 1, Pick No. 1 overall.

Competition for the job: Veteran Brett Hundley.

Path to QB1: General manager Steve Keim's one-word response when asked in May if Murray would start in Week 1: "Yes." Nothing stands in Murray's way. Not after the Cardinals hit the ejector seat on 2018 first-rounder Josh Rosen to go all in on Murray, the hand-picked commander of new coach Kliff Kingsbury's boundary-stretching Air Raid offense. Murray was praised early by All-Pro wideout Larry Fitzgerald for his detailed grasp of a playbook that read like alien code to vast sections of the veteran locker room. The future is now.

When will he start? Murray's draft pedigree, dangerous mobility and supreme athletic gifts make him a lock to start right away, barring unmitigated disaster in the desert.

Daniel Jones, New York Giants

Drafted: Round 1, Pick No. 6 overall.

Competition for the job: Starter Eli Manning and, if we must, veterans Kyle Lauletta and Alex Tanney.

Path to QB1: The competition for Jones extends beyond an aging Manning to include a team owner, front office and coaching staff seemingly set on clinging to Eli for as long as the passer's fading arm remains structurally attached to his body. I have to wonder what coach Pat Shurmur truly desires after stating in June that Jones has a shot to steal the role, saying: "I think we're going to play the very best player."

Sounds like someone got to Shurmur, though, with NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reporting Monday that "it's not really an open quarterback competition" in New York. Giants fans have every right to question what is happening inside the building. While forward-thinking teams move boldly toward tomorrow, the G-Men confusingly bask in the past, with Manning costing the club $23 million-plus this season after a $22 million price tag in 2018.

When will he start? Despite all that, I predict the Giants -- likely to flounder early -- will give in to enormous public pressure and kick off the Daniel Jones era with New York's Week 7 tilt at home against the Arizona Cardinals.

Dwayne Haskins, Washington Redskins

Drafted: Round 1, Pick No. 15 overall. Competition for the job: Veterans Case Keenum and Colt McCoy.

Path to QB1: Haskins is a big-bodied pocket passer who stirs Jay Gruden's drink. The Redskins coach fawned over the rookie at minicamp, telling scribes: "You see the 'wow' plays and you're like, 'Jesus.' When he's on, there's nobody you'd rather have than Dwayne. Really. It's pretty. He stands tall; he has a cannon, and he can quicken up his release.

He's got great touch. Strong, powerful arm; strong, powerful body." Gruden also noted that "sometimes when [Haskins is] off, he's abnormally off. It's kind of weird." The 22-year-old might need time to develop, but Gruden's future with the club feels shaky at best. Tying himself to an intriguing rookie -- not the vanilla Case Keenum -- could be just what the doctor ordered.

When will he start? Why wait? Toss Haskins into the unforgiving fire against the Eagles in the season opener and never look back.

Drew Lock, Denver Broncos

Drafted: Round 2, Pick No. 42 overall.

Competition for the job: Starter Joe Flacco.

Path to QB1: Broncos coach Vic Fangio minced no words when asked about Lock at the start of training camp, saying: "He's not a quarterback yet -- he's a hard-throwing pitcher that doesn't know how to pitch yet."

Ouchy.

John Elway's second-round pick offers juicy arm strength but looms as a project, and there's a savvy veteran standing in his way. Joe Flacco spent last season losing his job to rookie Lamar Jackson in Baltimore, but the situation in Denver is entirely different. The no-nonsense Fangio isn't about to roll the dice on Lock unless Flacco is suddenly kidnapped by an irate band of Scandinavian poets.

When will he start? I'm projecting a late-season spot start for Lock once the Broncos are removed from postseason contention. Week 17 at home against the Raiders sounds about right.

BONUS: Josh Rosen, Rookie-year do-over with the Miami Dolphins

Drafted in 2018: Round 1, Pick No. 10 overall by the Arizona Cardinals.

Competition for the job: Veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Path to QB1: He's no rookie, but nobody deserves a fresh start more than Rosen. Jettisoned by the Cardinals after an inglorious offseason full of whispers about the team's fascination with Kyler Murray, Rosen now finds himself locked into a South Beach-based quarterback tussle with Fitzpatrick. The Dolphins were smart to bring Rosen aboard.

The roster is decidedly lacking, but Miami can use 2019 to fully evaluate an intriguing young signal-caller. It's Rosen's job to convince the front office that Miami doesn't need to spend high on a quarterback in next year's draft.

When will he start? Fitzpatrick might be the better player -- TBD -- but Rosen must see the field early and often for the Fins to assess what they have going forward. I see no value in delaying that process. I'd start Rosen in Week 1.

Emmanuel Sanders progresses to team drills at Broncos camp By Josh Alper Pro Football Talk July 25, 2019

Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders‘s return from a torn Achilles took another step forward at Wednesday’s practice.

Sanders took part in 7-on-7 drills, which marks his first team work since being injured last year. Sanders made a diving catch on the first play of that portion of practice and said after the session that he told himself he’s back after making that grab.

Sanders took part in only a handful of team snaps on Wednesday, so he’s not all the way back to a regular workload. Sanders said that’s fine with him.

‘I think just talking with the trainers and just knowing we have plenty of time and [that] Week One is the most important thing [is important],” Sanders said, via the team’s website. “There’s really no rush. I do want to get back out here. I do want to go 1-on-1 and talk smack to Chris Harris and be myself, but at the same time, it’s a process, and I’ve got to respect that process.”

The Broncos practiced without wide receivers Juwann Winfree and River Cracraft due to injuries and DaeSean Hamilton was pulled on Wednesday after tweaking his hamstring, so there are other health concerns in Denver as Sanders continues moving the one he’s been dealing with for months.

NFL plans increased enforcement of rule against lowering the helmet By Michael David Smith Pro Football Talk July 25, 2019

Last year, when the NFL adopted a new rule against lowering the helmet to initiate contact, it was advertised as a major change to the way football is played. But it turned out not to be a major change because the officials didn’t call it very often.

This year, that may change.

Rich McKay, the head of the NFL competition committee, says that the league viewed the first season of the new rule as an opportunity to educate both players and officials, but after a full year, players are expected to know the rule and will be penalized if they don’t abide by it.

“I think during [the 2018 season] there’s no question that you saw many more fines and warning letters than you did flags,” McKay told Dom Cosentino of Deadspin.com. “I think this year you’ll see enforcement increase because I think the officials are more comfortable now [with] what they’re looking for. I think that they’ve been in a position where, at the end of the play, they didn’t necessarily look at that portion of the play—they were looking for the football, they were looking for other things. It’s interesting when you talk to them how they feel more confident now that they understand what they need to look for. By the same token, I think the message to our players has likewise had a year to get through.”

The question, however, is whether the league will follow through. If a rash of penalty flags in the preseason leads to a rash of complaints that the officials are being too strict in their enforcement, it won’t be surprising if once again this rule change turns out not to be the major change that it appears.