Observations, notes and quotes from day one of Broncos minicamp

The Broncos are beyond the voluntary part of their offseason. On Tuesday, mandatory minicamp kicked off at UC Health Training Center.

Even though the practice schedule seemed the same, things had a different feel at Broncos headquarters. Maybe it’s because the work was mandatory or maybe it’s because this is the last chance we’ll get to see the Broncos in action before they take a break. After three days of mandatory minicamp, the Broncos will scatter until mid-July when training camp begins.

Broncos head coach Vic Fangio doesn’t think there’s much difference between OTAs and minicamp.

“We follow the same practice plan, but just added a few minutes to every period because we can stay out here longer,” Fangio said.

Here are my notes, quotes and observations from the first day of mandatory minicamp.

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Flacco’s Favorite

I’m watching closely to see if I can determine who quarterback Joe Flacco is favoring when dropping back to pass. This veteran has a history of making his tight end a primary weapon in the offense, and I wanted to see if one of those players (or a player at another position) became his favorite target. After three weeks of OTAs and one day of mandatory minicamp, I think I have the answer.

Flacco’s favorite target is the open guy.

For a month, I’ve seen Flacco do nothing but spread the ball around to various receivers at various positions. Sure, some plays seem to be designed for wide receiver Courtland Sutton and he’s probably caught more passes from Flacco than anyone, but the veteran quarterback is not forcing the ball.

He loves throwing it to any tight end lined up with the first team. Flacco is comfortable throwing to the middle of the field, something you couldn’t say about Case Keenum or Trevor Siemian.

Flacco has no trouble airing passes out deep, really stretching a defense the way the previous two quarterbacks for this team merely could not do. On those deep targets, receivers are getting used to turning on the speed and the idea that Flacco can out-throw how fast they can run.

Defenses will have a hard time locking onto something to take away from Flacco. From what I’ve seen, he just makes the right read – quickly – and shows no favoritism as a passer.

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Too Much Pepper

Broncos second-round pick Drew Lock could be the team’s quarterback of the future. He certainly has the tools to be a quality starter in the league, but it’s his arm strength that seems to get the most attention – and for good reason.

Lock has a cannon for a right arm and can fire passes deep with the flick of his wrist. What he doesn’t have now is the ability to consistently throw with touch.

I saw a short pass on day one of minicamp from Lock that was dropped by fellow rookie Juwaan Winfree. I don’t blame Winfree for letting the pass go through his hands; it was coming in too hot for such a short distance.

In order for Lock to play up to his potential, he needs to learn that he doesn’t have to try and throw every pass through a brick wall. I know the rookie has a strong work ethic and believe that he will work hard to hone his game.

Coach Fangio gave some insight into Lock’s progress after practice on Tuesday.

“I think Drew is slowly getting better; he’s got a major undertaking here of No. 1 learning a new offense, No. 2 playing under center more and just getting the speed of the NFL game. Come training camp once we get the pads on, it’ll amp up even more. I think he’s slowly making strides. And I don’t mean slowly as a negative; I think he’s getting a little bit better every day,” Fangio said.

Lock has improved his footwork over the last month, but he’s still got work to do.

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No Brace for Lindsay

I’ve watched Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay for three weeks at OTAs get in very little work during practice. He’s out there with the team stretching, usually going through the ropes with the other running backs, but them promptly going to the sideline to watch the rest of practice.

On Tuesday, Lindsay did the same thing he has all offseason with one difference – he wasn’t wearing a brace on his surgically repaired wrist.

Phillip Lindsay working through the ropes. Hes done this at OTAs but has yet to catch passes or take handoffs coming back from that wrist. #Broncos @1043TheFan we will see if he can do more this week. pic.twitter.com/7w95vJwHEg

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) June 4, 2019

He’s still not participating when the team goes into individual or team drills, but this has to be considered progress for Lindsay. We’ll see if he can at least be a limited participant for the Broncos when training camp opens up in mid-July.

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Deep Impact

A perceived weakness for the Broncos before the start of OTAs now seems like a strength. I have been constantly amazed at the depth of the Broncos tight end position. Yes, the guys at the top of the depth chart – veteran Jeff Heuerman, second-year pro Troy Fumagalli and 2019 first-round pick Noah Fant – have all been making plays for the Broncos offense. However, there are two players at the end of the depth chart that continue to stand out.

Bug Howard has a huge frame and does a good job of plucking the ball out of the air. Undrafted out of North Carolina in 2017, Howard initially latched on in the NFL with the Colts. He bounced around the league a bit after that and eventually signed with the Atlanta Legends of the now-defunct Alliance of American Football. He was a tryout player with the Broncos during their rookie minicamp and did enough to get signed by the team. Those positive impressions have continued through OTAs and mandatory minicamp for the young tight end.

Austin Fort is a player that has been under the radar for a long time but he is really making the most of his opportunity. Undrafted this year out of the University of Wyoming, Fort earned a shot to get the Broncos attention at their local pro day earlier this year. A high school quarterback from Gillette, Wyoming, Fort played two seasons as a quarterback before switching positions. The position switch paid off, and he shows good hands, concentration and knows where he needs to be on a consistent basis.

There’s not enough room for all these tight ends on the roster, but that’s a good problem for the Broncos to have.

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Denver’s Fab Five

It was good to see the Broncos starting offensive line – in its entirety – on the field Tuesday. This is only the second time I have seen all five starters line up together when going through team drills in practice so far this offseason.

Garett Bolles lined up at left tackle, as he has for all of the offseason workouts. Dalton Risner, a 2019 second-round pick, lined up in his normal spot of left guard. which he has for every practice. Connor McGovern was working at center, just like he has for all the workouts.

It was the right side of the offensive line that has been a concern in terms of attendance and availability. On Tuesday, the right side was fixed with the players we should start for the Broncos in Week 1.

Ron Leary, coming back from the Achilles’ injury that cut his 2018 season short, was lined up at right guard. I think his best position is left guard, but the team has Risner for that and Leary has plenty of experience at the position as he played right guard for the Broncos in 2017. He had missed one week of OTAs with some soreness, but now has been out there for two weeks in a row – clearly ahead of schedule in his recovery.

Ja’Wuan James missed last week’s OTAs due to a hip injury he suffered while working out. Last week, Eli Wilkinson was working at right tackle in his place. On Tuesday, James was back in the starting lineup. He not only participated during individual drills but James was also out there as a full participant in team drills.

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Congrats Todd!

As I was taking attendance at practice on Tuesday, one key starter was missing from the practice field – inside linebacker Todd Davis. It came out during practice that he had a personal matter to attend to, but nobody knew at the time what it was.

Coach Fangio assured us after practice that Davis was absent for a great reason.

“Todd’s wife went into labor; it’s a happy thing,” Fangio said.

Congratulations to Davis, one of the hardest working players I’ve ever met in the NFL. He’s busted his back side to work his way up the roster and now is a key piece for what should be a tremendous Broncos defense in 2019.

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