Broncos' Phillip Lindsay Eager for Training Camp, Won't Pinpoint
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“I’m ready 100 percent”: Broncos’ Phillip Lindsay eager for training camp, won’t pinpoint return date By Kyle Fredrickson Denver Post July 16, 2019 Running back hosted his first youth football camp Monday in Denver Phillip Lindsay’s mindset is locked in for the start of Broncos training camp later this week. “I’m ready 100 percent,” Lindsay said Monday. But the second-year running back also understands he’s not the final decision maker for how much he’ll participate as he recovers from a wrist fracture that required surgery last December. He was a limited participant throughout offseason workouts. Lindsay hosted his first youth football camp Monday — a free event for first-through-eighth graders at the Evie Garrett Dennis Campus in Green Valley Ranch. He told reporters there is no rush to return if it means risking his future health. “It comes down to what they feel is best for me,” Lindsay said. “It’s a long season, so I’d rather be able to go 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 games than go one game. It depends on what coach (Vic) Fangio and all them feel like I should be doing right now.” Lindsay combined for 1,278 yards rushing/receiving last season en route to the first Pro Bowl selection ever for an undrafted offensive rookie. Growth in Year 2 requires adjustment to new offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello’s zone-blocking scheme. Should the medical staff limit Lindsay’s training camp work, will he be ready when Denver opens the season Sept. 9 in Oakland? “I’m going to be ready regardless,” Lindsay said. “That’s just the type of person I am. I’m ready to go out there and compete. I can’t tell y’all how many reps (in training camp). I’m not the coach. But if I get one rep, I’m going to make the best of it.” Lindsay aided in football instruction and sat down for a Q&A session with campers Monday as part of a football journey come full circle. Lindsay grew up in the Denver metro and attended area football camps with the dream to someday reach the NFL. He wants that inspiration to spread through a new generation of players. “I wanted to host a free camp here in my neighborhood because I felt like it’s important to give back to these kids,” Lindsay said. “I was in their shoes. … It’s big for the kids to see that. They get to grind and get coaching.” Broncos Position Preview: Additions give secondary needed versatility By Ryan O’Halloran Denver Post July 16, 2019 Seventh in a series previewing the Broncos. Today: the secondary When the revamping of the Broncos’ secondary started in mid-March with the signing of Kareem Jackson and Bryce Callahan, the rest of the defense took note. “When we signed those guys, I was happy,” outside linebacker Bradley Chubb said. “It’s definitely going to be special. If they can make the quarterback hold it a little bit longer so we can get there, it’s going to be fun.” Not fun was watching the Broncos’ secondary defend the pass last year. They fell from fourth in yards allowed per game (200.6) to 20th (245.6) and allowed 56 completions of at least 20 yards compared to 47 in 2017. Change was needed. First-year coach Vic Fangio brought veteran secondary coach Ed Donatell with him from Chicago and named him defensive coordinator. Jackson and Callahan were later joined by cornerback De’Vante Bausby. And cornerback Chris Harris’ contract dispute was semi-settled (raise this year, free agent next March). Point: Jackson’s starting position (safety or corner) will be a week-to-week deal. Counterpoint: The more safety he plays, the better off the Broncos will be. Jackson played exclusively at safety in base packages during the offseason practices that were open to the media. His instincts and physical play will allow the Broncos to play him in a strong safety-type role and keep Justin Simmons in the deep middle part of the field. Jackson was moved to safety by the Houston Texans last year before injuries forced him back to corner. He tied a career high with 17 pass break-ups. But safety is his best spot. In sub-package situations, expect Jackson to play cornerback with Harris and Callahan. Point: Callahan’s arrival will allow Harris to play outside on third down. Counterpoint: Why mess with success since Harris is regarded as one of the NFL’s best slot cover men? Fangio craves versatility. Last year, Harris had to play the slot because there was nobody else. This year, depending on the opponent, Fangio could deploy Harris, Jackson or Callahan to cover inside. The plus for Harris is he could be assigned to shadow the opponent’s No. 1 receiver regardless of where he lines up, which means more targets and more takeaway opportunities. Callahan is the key to that possible formula. In four years with Chicago, he never played a full season (45 of a possible 64 games). But out of the slot, he knows how to track receivers and can also be a blitzer (two sacks last year). Point: Bausby is the favorite for the top reserve cornerback spot. Counterpoint: Even though he has experience in Fangio’s scheme, he’ll need to do well in camp. Bausby, who played in the AAF this winter, was poked by Fangio during the offseason program for his inconsistency. Bausby played four games for Fangio’s Bears in 2016 (12 tackles) and six games for Philadelphia last year. The lack of experience means he needs to stay available and productive during camp. Plan A for the Broncos should be for Bausby to fill a reserve role behind Harris/Callahan in the base defense and Harris/Callahan/Jackson in sub personnel. Point: The competition for the back-up safety spots is Will Parks and then everybody else. Counterpoint: Special teams play could be a deciding factor. Simmons, Jackson and Parks as the top three safeties is a safe bet. But after that there is uncertainty. The roster math could play a role. If Fangio is committed to nickel (three cornerbacks/two safeties) as his primary sub package, it may mean he keeps more linebackers than safeties. Su’a Cravens, Trey Marshall, Dymonte Thomas, Shamarko Thomas, and Jamal Carter are the candidates. Carter would have made the team last year if not for a preseason hamstring injury. Both Dymonte and Shamarko Thomas have special teams ability. Marshall could slide through waivers and be on the practice squad. Wednesday: Special teams Denver Broncos ratings in Madden NFL 20 By Joe Nguyen Denver Post July 16, 2019 Electronic Arts unveiled its complete launch ratings on Monday for the upcoming Madden NFL 20. Here’s a look at how the Broncos stack up. The stars Linebacker Von Miller dropped down from his game-high 99 overall rating last year to 97, but remains the top Broncos player in the game. He’s followed by cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (90) and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (88). Cornerback Kareem Jackson and running back Phillip Lindsay each have an 86 overall rating. Position battles Wide receiver: Sanders is far and away the No. 1 receiver. Second-year wideouts Courtland Sutton (76) and DaeSean Hamilton (73) come in next, followed by Andre Holmes (72), who was released by the team in January. Tight end: Jake Butt leads Denver’s tight end corps with an overall rating of 75, followed by Jeff Heuerman and first-round draft pick Noah Fant, who come in at 74. Troy Fumagalli is next at 70. Broncos overall ratings in Madden NFL 20 Von Miller LOLB 97 Chris Harris Jr. CB 90 Emmanuel Sanders WR 88 Kareem Jackson CB 86 Phillip Lindsay HB 86 Bryce Callahan CB 81 Bradley Chubb ROLB 80 Ron Leary LG 80 Justin Simmons FS 80 Derek Wolfe LE 80 Ja’Wuan James RT 78 Garett Bolles LT 77 Todd Davis MLB 76 Brandon McManus K 76 Courtland Sutton WR 76 Jake Butt TE 75 Royce Freeman HB 75 Will Parks SS 75 Noah Fant TE 74 Joe Flacco QB 74 Adam Gotsis RE 74 Shelby Harris DT 74 Jeff Heuerman TE 74 DaeSean Hamilton WR 73 Devontae Booker HB 72 Andre Holmes WR 72 Andy Janovich FB 72 Josey Jewell MLB 71 Connor McGovern RG 71 Su’a Cravens SS 70 Troy Fumagalli TE 70 Dalton Risner C 69 Dekoda Watson ROLB 69 Zach Kerr LE 68 Shamarko Thomas SS 68 DeMarcus Walker RE 68 Isaac Yiadom CB 68 Dre’Mont Jones RE 67 Drew Lock QB 67 Tim Patrick WR 67 River Cracraft WR 66 Justin Hollins LOLB 66 Elijah Wilkinson RG 66 Aaron Wallace ROLB 65 Juwann Winfree WR 65 Brendan Langley WR 64 Dymonte Thomas FS 64 Colby Wadman P 64 Deshawn Williams DT 64 Aaron Burbridge WR 63 Bug Howard WR 63 Khalfani Muhammad HB 63 A.J. Johnson MLB 62 Joseph Jones MLB 62 Trey Marshall SS 62 Jamal Carter FS 61 Jeff Holland LOLB 61 De’Vante Bausby CB 60 Alijah Holder CB 59 Keishawn Bierria MLB 58 Horace Richardson CB 58 Austin Schlottmann LG 57 Linden Stephens CB 57 Don Barclay LG 56 Brett Rypien QB 56 Jake Brendel C 55 Kevin Hogan QB 55 Chaz Green RT 54 Sam Jones C 54 Jake Rodgers RT 53 Nico Falah C 49 Casey Kreiter TE 40 Phillip Lindsay ready for camp providing bosses clear him By Mike Klis KUSA July 16, 2019 Broncos' star running back spent offseason recovering from wrist surgery.