Lessons Learned: Broncos' Courtland Sutton Intends to Apply Rookie
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Lessons learned: Broncos’ Courtland Sutton intends to apply rookie year experience to become elite in 2019 By Ryan O’Halloran Denver Post July 22, 2019 An unremarkable Thursday was being followed by an equally non-descript Friday for Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton. Nothing was going wrong. Nothing was being noticed, either. Then Sutton ran down the right sideline against cornerback Chris Harris. Quarterback Joe Flacco lofted a throw of at least 20 yards. Sutton went airborne to snatch the pass with both hands. Falling to the turf, his right foot hit first and he made sure to drag his left foot in bounds. Pass completed. Applause generated. The highlight play is what the Broncos need from Sutton in his second pro season. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 216 pounds, he has the speed, vertical ability and hands to make the difficult catch look easy. But just as important is the game-to-game consistency — precise route-running, adjusting to what the coverage presents and not over-complicating the simple catch. “Obviously, we think a lot of Courtland,” general manager John Elway said. “We think there’s a lot there and he’s only scratched the surface of what we think he can do.” The Broncos’ receiving corps is long on potential and short on production. Emmanuel Sanders has 535 career catches; the other 10 receivers in camp have a combined 96. Sanders’ Achilles injury kept him out of the offseason program and has so far limited him to individual camp drills. Yes, the Broncos figure to prioritize the tight end position more in the passing game, but absolutely, any potential recipe for success in resuscitating the offense includes Sutton. The Broncos’ ideal modus operandi offensively is run to set up the play-action pass. If rookie tight end Noah Fant and Co., can occupy attention in the middle of the field, it will free up Sutton for one-on-one matchups outside. “He’s a big target that’s competitive and wants to be great,” Elway said. “We’re thrilled that he’s on our team and we think he’s just going to continue to get better this year.” Knows what to expect Sutton’s rookie season should qualify as a success. Among first-year receivers, he ranked eighth in catches (42), third in yards (704), sixth in touchdowns (four) and first in catches of at least 20 yards (16). But he is still looking for his first 100-yard and multi- touchdown games. “To be a rookie and try to be a starter in this league, I couldn’t imagine,” Sanders said. “Me and Antonio Brown came in together (with Pittsburgh) and we weren’t even starting as rookies. (For Sutton) to put up those numbers was impressive.” In 2010, Sanders and Brown combined for one start (by Sanders), 44 catches and two touchdowns (both by Sanders). Things worked out for them. Sutton was thrust into a leading role when Demaryius Thomas was traded to Houston at midseason and Sanders was injured a month later. Being the No. 1 receiver for a struggling team? Not ideal. The benefits of being the No. 1 receiver for a struggling team? Priceless. “A year under his belt is going to be huge for him,” Elway said. “He knows what to expect.” In the four games minus Sanders, the Broncos went 0-4 and Sutton caught 14 passes (one touchdown), including only two for 14 yards in the loss at San Francisco that derailed the season. “Just assuming that No. 1 role, you can’t go into a game and have one or two catches — you have to be ‘That Guy,’ every day,” Sutton said. “I accept that role.” Good thing Sutton is fired up about accepting the No. 1 role — he may not have a choice. Projecting Sanders’ role and production at this point is an exercise in guess-work. Ditto for how much of an impact can be made by DaeSean Hamilton, Tim Patrick and rookie Juwann Winfree. In Sutton, the Broncos believe they have a firm idea on what he can be because he showed glimpses last year. According to The Denver Post’s game charting, he was targeted 27 times on passes that traveled at least 16 yards in the air. He had 13 receptions for 366 yards and three touchdowns. Throwing deep to a big body is right in Flacco’s wheelhouse. Another obvious priority is in the red zone. Sutton had only three catches inside the 20-yard line last year, an inexcusable total. The Broncos were 19th in red zone touchdown percentage (56.8). “I’m hoping (offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello) wants to maximize that,” Sutton said. “I think I’m gaining trust with him and Joe and showing them that I can make plays so when we get to the games, they feel comfortable calling those plays.” Second-year jump Sutton should also be encouraged by the recent first-to-second year improvements by second-round receivers. Looking at the numbers of nine previous second-round receivers. In Year 2, they increased their production by 28.1 catches, 316.5 yards and 2.4 touchdowns Sutton should look toward three receivers: Allen Robinson (increases of 32 catches, 852 yards, 12 touchdowns), Alshon Jeffrey (increases of 64 catches, 1,054 yards, four touchdowns) and JuJu Smith- Schuster (52 more catches). Scangarello and receivers coach Zach Azzanni provided Sutton with another example: Atlanta’s Julio Jones, who went from 54 to 79 catches, 959 to 1,198 yards and eight to 10 touchdowns in 2012. “Coach Rich and Coach Azzanni are great coaches to have in your corner — they push me to make sure I maximize every rep,” Sutton said after practice Friday. “They showed me Julio running the same routes in this same exact offense. I’m excited to work every day to get to that point. You just don’t wake up and it happens. You have to stack up the days and be productive.” So what happens between Years 1 and 2 for receivers? What type of figurative light bulb goes on? “At his position, he’s seeing coverages and coverage techniques that he had never been exposed to,” coach Vic Fangio said. “The unknown of that, hopefully, has gone away. There’s still some there — he’s not a seasoned vet yet, but he should be better and he’s worked very hard in the offseason knowing what he’s up against.” Sutton will have to be ready to face Kyle Fuller/Prince Amukamara in Week 2 (Chicago), Jaire Alexander/Kevin King in Week 3 (at Green Bay) and Jalen Ramsey/A.J. Bouye in Week 4 (Jacksonville). Thus the emphasis of piling up positive practices against the Broncos’ top cornerbacks of Harris and Bryce Callahan. Enter the season with momentum, and production could follow. There is no question Sutton has the right want-to level to be No. 1. “The transition period takes a little bit of time, especially coming from a spread system at SMU,” Scangarello said “You combine a good football IQ, good work ethic and a guy with some talent — the sky’s the limit.” Broncos training camp rewind, Day 4: Early-practice penalties irk coach Vic Fangio By Ryan O’Halloran Denver Post July 22, 2019 Player Attendance Did not practice: LB Todd Davis (calf, third consecutive missed practice), WR River Cracraft (oblique, second consecutive), TE Jake Butt (day off, first missed practice) and LB Justin Hollins (hamstring, first missed practice). WR Emmanuel Sanders (Achilles) continues to be limited. Coach Vic Fangio, on Butt: “We thought he could use a day off. Normal work-back-into-play (plan) from the (knee) operation.” Fangio, on Hollins: “He tweaked his hamstring a little bit (Saturday). We knew he was going to be out (Sunday). He possibly could practice (Monday) but not sure.” Fangio, on Fumagalli: “He did a little bit early. He’s going to be a day-to-day guy.” Top play During 7-on-7 work, QB Drew Lock’s throw over the middle was deflected in the air and toward S Dymonte Thomas, who battled the ball in the air and then made the interception. Thumbs-up QB Kevin Hogan. He probably had his best day of camp, showing decent poise in the pocket and completing several passes over the middle of the field. OLB Von Miller vs. RT Ja’Wuan James. During one-on-one pass rush/protection, Miller won the first matchup, but Jones won the second meeting when he didn’t bite on Miller’s spin move. WR Trinity Benson. He caught three passes during 11-on-11 work, taking advantage of moving up the depth chart because of injuries and departures at his position. Thumbs-down RB Devontae Jackson. The undrafted rookie from Georgia Southern had at least one dropped punt, which is not the way to get into the early-game rotation during the preseason. Presnap penalties. “Both sides had them early, and that’s something we must eliminate. There’s no two ways about it,” Fangio said. Odds and ends *The announced attendance was 3,691. *The Broncos ran 81 snaps of 11-on-11. *Quarterback playing time (11-on-11): Joe Flacco 38 snaps, Kevin Hogan 19, Drew Lock 18 and Brett Rypien six. *The inside linebacker rotation alongside Josey Jewell continues. Keishawn Bierria was first up with the No. 1 unit Sunday. *Flacco was 7-on-7 passing during his first 11-on-11 period, completing passes to six different players. *The only dropped pass during 11-on-11 was by rookie WR Kelvin McKnight.