Training Camp Observations: Two starters return, facing competition

The Denver Broncos continue getting ready for their second preseason game as they travel to play the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday. It was a bad day for the Broncos on Tuesday, so I thought their practice performance would bounce back on Wednesday.

I was wrong.

Instead of a better day, things were pretty boring at UC Health Training Center. I wonder where the energy went that we saw against the Vikings last Saturday. This team seems tired, and it is showing up on the field.

Here are my five biggest observations from day sixteen of training camp.

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Drew Day, I Guess

Each day, we all grade whether it was a “win” for Teddy Bridgewater or Drew Lock. It was Lock who was the better performer – I guess.

Lock wasn’t great, but he did not throw any interceptions. Bridgewater was not great, but he did throw one interception early in the day. This gives the edge in a bad day to Lock.

Bridgewater was supposed to be the “safe” choice for the Broncos, but so far he’s thrown more interceptions than Lock. It’s close, and I don’t have the exact number but just going through my memory banks it seems like Bridgewater has more.

He was brought here to be the “in case of emergency” quarterback who could potentially start if Lock’s development isn’t where the team needs it to be. In order to be the better quarterback, Bridgewater must take better care of the football.

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Gordon Gets Out There

Broncos starting running back Melvin Gordon has a minor groin injury that has limited him during practice. On Tuesday, Gordon was out there, but he didn’t participate in team drills. Instead, he was on the sidelines getting rest while rookie Javonte Williams got the starter’s reps in practice.

On Wednesday, Gordon was back out there in both individual drills and team drills. He’s looked really good in camp so far, but this groin injury is going to keep him out of action in the preseason.

With Williams looking like a potential star, I think Gordon should do what he can to get back out there as much as possible. Gordon’s on the final year of his deal with the Broncos and looking for another payday (likely with a different team) in 2022.

The Broncos have a talented backfield and Gordon can be the lead back if he can stay healthy. Williams is going to be a star in the league and will take advantage of any opportunity presented to him this year or in the future.

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Did. Not. Get. Pulled

The main story of Tuesday’s practice was Lock apparently getting pulled out of a drill and replaced by Bridgewater. After a half a day of talking about it on sports talk radio, different stories emerged about what the real cause was.

Some team-friendly types reported it was simply Lock not knowing it wasn’t his turn anymore, while other reported about some issues with his great that caused him to exit the drill in what many thought was prematurely.

After practice, Lock commented on the situation (nice question, Darren McKee!). Lock smiled when DMac was asking the question as he knew it was coming.

Lock backed up what some were reporting yesterday – he wasn’t following the script. The ever-elusive script that Pat Shurmur has talked about as a reason why the media watching doesn’t know everything that’s going on in practice. They weren’t practicing incompletions (still can’t believe Shurmur said that), but Lock did lose track of who was supposed to be in and who was supposed to be out.

Believe this explanation if you’d like. Either way, the controversy about getting pulled or not getting pulled is something to remember as the team works to choose their starting quarterback for the 2021 season.

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End Alzheimer’s

On Wednesday, the Broncos asked fans in attendance to wear purple in support of their “Alzheimer’s Awareness Day.” Pat Bowlen suffered from Alzheimer’s and his family has done a great job of supporting the cause ever since Mr. Bowlen was diagnosed.

I’ve MC’d the Alzheimer’s Walk the Broncos do every year, and I fully support them in their efforts to help combat the disease.

My grandma, Mildred Lammey, suffered from Alzheimer’s near the end of her life. She was such a strong woman and an inspiration for me when I was growing up in the country. Grandma was also the biggest Broncos fan I know, often screaming “Go Johnny!” on Sundays. By wearing purple, I’m not only supporting the Broncos in their efforts, but I’m also remembering her.

It was great to see so many fans at UC Health Training Center wearing purple. It was also great to see both Brittany and Anabel Bowlen at the front gates of practice greeting fans as they came into the facility.

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Jewell is Back

On Tuesday, starting inside linebacker Josey Jewell returned to the practice field. He was out there as the starter next to Alexander Johnson in practice on Wednesday.

For two days, Jewell has looked like his old self – both good and bad. Jewell is always around the ball, and he’s smart enough to diagnose plays quickly as the play breaks down in front of him.

However, against the pass Jewell continues to struggle. Jewell allowed a big throw to the tight end, Noah Fant, down the sideline where he was clearly beat and trailing by quite a bit. It’s the kind of play we’ve seen from Jewell ever since he came into the league.

Jewell is a force against the run, and his intelligence keeps him ahead of the play. Against the pass, Jewell struggles because his length and speed aren’t where it needs to be in order to cover the best tight ends in the NFL. We’ll see if Justin Strnad proves to be the better option for the Broncos.

Follow @CecilLammey