Denver Broncos: OTAs Observations, Notes and Quotes from Week 2
The Denver Broncos continued their OTAs at team headquarters on Tuesday. With one week of work done at Dove Valley, the team took some time off during the Memorial Day weekend. Now, they’re back in action with the task of building a defense of their Super Bowl 50 championship.
First and foremost, the Broncos need to find a new starting quarterback. The reps have all been split evenly between Mark Sanchez, Trevor Siemian and rookie first-round pick Paxton Lynch.
Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak likes the group of quarterbacks he has to work with.
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“I’m very comfortable with our three guys right now," Kubiak said. "I love the competition that’s going on. I think every day has been a little bit different.
"One of them has had a good day—I think it’s bounced around a little bit. Time is going to tell. They’re all very capable of helping this football team win. That’s why they’re here."
Here are some day-one observations, interesting notes and revealing quotes from the start of the second week of camp.
QB Rotation
Kubiak made it clear that he wants to get all the quarterbacks involved as practice goes along. Sanchez, Siemian and Lynch are all taking turns with the first-, second- and third-team offenses.
Kubiak explained the quarterback split after practice: “We’re going right down the middle. What we’re trying to do is make sure that they all get their opportunities to work with the first groups. We’re all working together. I think we’ll continue that way throughout the OTAs.”
Lynch is learning a lot, and he’s not bothered by the rotation at quarterback.
“At the end of the day, you’re going to be throwing to a bunch of different guys," Lynch said. "You’re not going to be throwing to one group of receivers the whole time. The fact that you can get in there with all of those guys and kind of get a feel with all those guys, I think it’s good.”
Sanchez is the seasoned veteran, and he’s energized by the competition at the position. He’s also staying positive with what he can do even though the pecking order at quarterback is not set.
“It’s fun," Sanchez said. "It’s got to be fun or you shouldn’t be out here. When you go from team to team, the most important thing you can do is control what you can, not worry about anybody else, put the ball where it’s supposed to be, make the right decision with the football and move on.”
Siemian has been pegged a sleeper at the position. According to Kubiak, Siemian is ahead of the other two from the mental side of things. He worked in the offense last year, and that has an advantage for Siemian in this quarterback battle.
“I think it’s a little unique definitely compared to last year with those two guys," Siemian said. "I’m a year in, but there still is a lot to learn. I think I’m trying to do a good job of remembering that and just getting better every day.”
A front-runner should emerge as we get through training camp. At this time, there is no player who has clearly cemented himself as the top passer for the Broncos. This will continue to be one of the most intriguing competitions—not only in Denver, but in the entire league.
More Kapri Bibbs, Plus Devontae Booker
We can’t report on the way reps are split in practice, but Broncos fans need to know that we are seeing a lot of running back Kapri Bibbs. After two years of seasoning on the practice squad, the former Colorado State star looks different—better—in 2016. Bibbs appears to have a larger upper body, and he looks quicker and faster than ever before.
Another week of practice has started, and we continue to see Bibbs on the field quite often. Kubiak believes in the young back.
“We’ve got some good, young players on this team that are getting it and have a chance to become some great players," Kubiak said. "Kapri has a lot of good guys in front of him.”
The veteran coach expounded: “One of the things I preach to all of the young players is, ‘Don’t look at the line, don’t pay attention to where you’re lining up. Just prove you can play every day.’ I think he’s taking that mentality, and he’s having a good offseason.”
In the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft, the Broncos added a talented running back in Devontae Booker. The Utah back is a patient and powerful runner who fell in the draft due to a meniscus injury that required two surgeries to repair. The rookie declared he was about 90 percent healthy a few weeks ago, and now he's out on the field participating in seven-on-seven drills.
We are seeing a lot of Bibbs this offseason. C.J. Anderson is the clear-cut starter, but a depth chart order has yet to be established behind him. Booker is going to be in the mix, but Bibbs is impressing with his opportunity. He may be in line to make the 53-man roster this year.
Heuerman Hurt (Again)
The tight end position is an important piece of the Broncos offense, and second-year pro Jeff Heuerman has an opportunity to be the lead player at the position. He missed all of his rookie season due to a knee injury he suffered in rookie minicamp last year. On Tuesday, Heuerman was missing from practice again.
Kubiak explained why Heuerman was not on the field.
“He’s got his hamstring sore," Kubiak said. "He had a really good first two days, and his hamstring got sore on us, so [we are] being [preventative]. He did some individual [drills] and did some other stuff. We’re holding him out of team right now.”
One undrafted free agent with a good chance of making the final roster is Iowa’s Henry Krieger-Coble. With both Heuerman and Virgil Green (finger) limited or out, the undrafted rookie is having a chance to showcase his talent.
The Broncos head coach has taken notice.
“He knows what he’s doing," Kubiak said. "He’s an undersized guy, but he knows what he’s doing. I think you’re seeing him stepping out and doing some good things.”
Coming out of Ohio State, Heuerman was known as a player who had nagging injuries hamper him—mainly foot problems. He’s already missed one full season—his only full season—as a pro, and now Heuerman is banged up again. The book on this prospect hasn’t changed, and it’s up to him to stay healthy and play up to his potential.
If Heuerman or Green can’t take control of the position, then perhaps we could eventually see a player like Krieger-Coble emerge. If that’s not the case, then Owen Daniels is always available.
Darius Kilgo Making Plays
The Broncos have a ton of talent on the defensive side of the ball, but there is a defensive tackle in particular who stood out in practice on Tuesday. The Broncos have proved they can find talent from anywhere in the draft, and they may have drafted another solid player in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL draft.
Second-year pro Darius Kilgo is a mountain of a man with a bit of playing experience from last season. In 2015, Kilgo played only 108 snaps and finished his rookie season with six tackles and one pass breakup.
He was back to batting down passes in practice on Tuesday, and Kilgo was even able to get his hands on a Siemian pass. Veteran Phil Taylor batted Siemian’s pass up in the air, and it was Kilgo who was able to pull the ball from the heavens.
After practice, Kubiak praised the big defensive tackle.
“He’s doing really well," Kubiak said. "He made a couple of plays today. He knocked a couple of balls down. I think Darius is going to be a really good player.”
Kilgo was inactive for the team’s postseason run last year, but he could do enough in practice this year to work his way into the rotation up front. The Broncos did not pick up the fifth-year option for 2013 first-round pick Sylvester Williams, and he’s entering the final year of his rookie contract. With uncertainty at the position starting in 2017, Kilgo may continue to work his way up the depth chart.
All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos' media department unless otherwise noted.
Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions.
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