ReportWire

Tag: drew sanders

  • Broncos’ Darren Rizzi takes ‘full responsibility’ for special teams errors

    [ad_1]

    After two weeks of special teams errors and repeated frustration from head coach Sean Payton, Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi placed himself squarely under the bus on Thursday.

    “We cannot be the reason that we’re losing field position, and things like that,” Rizzi told reporters Thursday. “But listen, it starts with me. Always starts with me as a coordinator, and trickles down to the players.

    “So, I certainly take full responsibility on getting it cleaned up.”

    The Broncos have endured weeks of inconsistent play under the veteran coordinator, who came to Denver in the offseason from New Orleans as a former colleague of Payton. It all boiled over in the last two games, with a communication error preceding a concussion for All-Pro returner Marvin Mims Jr. and multiple players running out late on special teams units against the Texans last Sunday.

    Rizzi explained that a recent rash of injuries jumbled substitutions against Houston, and he said Denico Autry’s first-quarter field-goal block last Sunday was “frustrating” given a weeklong emphasis on protection. Rizzi, though, gave credit to the play of offensive linemen Calvin Throckmorton, Frank Crum and others on a game-winning field goal from Lutz and expressed confidence in his ability to right the ship.

    “I’ve always prided myself on being an organized, disciplined guy,” Rizzi said. “I think you guys probably know that about me by now. And so, those are things we gotta get cleaned up.

    “And we will. We’ll get that done this week.”

    Broncos release former All-Pro special-teamer: Rizzi’s units will continue to cycle through some change against the Raiders on Thursday night after the Broncos waived safety J.T. Gray with an injury designation. The specialist landed on Monday’s injury report with a hamstring injury after playing 21 special teams snaps in the Broncos’ 18-15 win over Houston.

    The Broncos signed Gray, a second-team All-Pro with the Saints in 2024, off the Ravens’ practice squad in mid-October. Rizzi called him the “best coverage player that I’ve coached,” and Denver could’ve used some juice on its kick units. But Gray was inactive his first two games in Denver, and the Broncos are now cutting ties.

    Mims back at practice: After a laundry list of an injury report on Monday, the Broncos had a cleaner bill of health at practice Tuesday. Mims was back and limited at practice after missing Sunday’s game with a concussion. Cornerback Riley Moss and safety Brandon Jones were also present during stretching and limited, after both landed as would-be DNPs on Monday’s report.

    [ad_2]

    Luca Evans

    Source link

  • Broncos training camp rewind, Day 1: QB Zach Wilson takes turn in rotation and fans join the party for the first time this summer

    Broncos training camp rewind, Day 1: QB Zach Wilson takes turn in rotation and fans join the party for the first time this summer

    [ad_1]

    Attendance

    Did not practice: Physically Unable to Perform list — S Caden Sterns (knee), S Delarrin Turner-Yell (knee) and LB Drew Sanders (Achilles). Non-Football Injury list — RB Blake Watson (muscle strain). Out — OLB Nik Bonitto, OL Nick Gargiulo. Dropped out — S Brandon Jones (hamstring)

    Payton told reporters after practice that Jones “tweaked” his hamstring and was being evaluated. He also expects Bonitto to be back to practice work Saturday.

    QB Race Today

    Zach Wilson did, indeed, get all the No. 1 reps during practice Friday, continuing the rotation that began earlier this week with Jarrett Stidham on Wednesday and Bo Nix on Thursday.

    The Broncos didn’t waste any time, getting a 7-on-7 period and three team periods in during their first full-length camp practice of the summer. Head coach Sean Payton said afterward that the team put a heavy emphasis on third-down situations.

    None of the three quarterbacks turned the ball over in team settings Friday, though Wilson and Nix were each almost picked by corners Riley Moss and Reese Taylor, respectively.

    “There’s things you have to evaluate sometimes,” Payton said. “In other words, the pocket, was it broken down? There’s certain things that can take place that can affect their execution. So when you’re evaluating and breaking down the reps, you have to take all of that into account. I like the way they’re protecting the ball and I think they’re working through their progressions. … They’re getting a lot of looks.”

    Top Play

    On a Friday devoid of big, spectacular plays, beauty was in the eye of the beholder. Maybe you preferred a pretty looking toss play to the left for Jaleel McLaughlin? Or a couple of nice plays on the ball by Moss, the second-year corner? Or the continued, consistent pressure that the defensive line generated? All come with caveats: It’s early and more to the point they’re not wearing pads yet.

    Thumbs Up

    Reynolds’ all-around addition: Wide receiver Josh Reynolds made a couple of plays Friday and is already showing the kind of versatility Denver coveted in free agency. He’s a tall, long receiver, a smooth runner and a willing blocker.

    “He’s flexible, he’s smart,” Payton said. “(Passing game coordinator) Johnny Morton worked with him in Detroit so we had a little bit more knowledge of the player. He loves playing. … He’s been a good addition.”

    Welcome, Bo: Not surprisingly, the rookie quarterback got a big cheer from the crowd on hand Friday. With fans in attendance for the first time since Nix was selected No. 12 overall in April’s draft, it’s no surprise he got a warm welcome considering it’s the highest Denver’s drafted a quarterback since Jay Cutler went No. 11 in 2006.

    Thumbs Down

    Safety net?: The Broncos’ depth at safety is already a question mark with Sterns on PUP. If Jones ends up missing substantial time with the hamstring issue, Payton and company will have to take a realistic look at whether they’ve got enough depth on the roster.

    Dink and dunk: The NFL’s not much of a home-run league these days. Not only that, but Payton talked about the situation-heavy work Friday, the still-early installation schedule and more that is all reality this time of year. Still, the Broncos’ trio of quarterbacks at some point is going to have to show the ability to attack down the field with the ball. That hasn’t shown up much yet this offseason.

    Odds and Ends

    • The evaluation changes dramatically for everyone when pads come on, but some positions more than others. One of the most interesting players to watch: Rookie RB Audric Estime. He’s a load and has looked good so far this week.

    • Early means early — and it’s early — but so far the center battle has not seen as much rotation as the quarterbacks. Luke Wattenberg so far has seen most of the top-group work. We’ll see as time goes along if he’s truly leading or if Alex Forsyth or Sam Mustipher makes a move.

    [ad_2]

    Parker Gabriel

    Source link

  • Broncos like young core of cornerbacks, edge rushers, but there’s still room to add at both positions

    Broncos like young core of cornerbacks, edge rushers, but there’s still room to add at both positions

    [ad_1]

    After Broncos general manager George Paton fielded nearly a dozen questions about the quarterback position during the team’s pre-draft news conference Thursday afternoon, he was asked about other areas of need.

    Throughout the draft process, many experts have had Denver drafting an edge rusher or cornerback with the 12th pick. And though Paton is confident in the depth at both positions, he didn’t shy away from the possibility of adding to either spot.

    “You are always looking at those types of positions,” Paton said. “If someone falls in your lap, you’re going to take them.”

    It’s hard to find quality edge rushers and cornerbacks, Paton reasoned. Players like Von Miller don’t walk through the doors every day. But at the same time, the talent the Broncos have at both position groups is young with room to grow.

    Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, who is entering his third season in the league, had eight sacks in 2023 after recording 1.5 as a rookie. Jonathon Cooper had a team-best 8.5 sacks, while Denver should benefit from having Baron Browning at full strength entering the new year.

    At cornerback, Patrick Surtain II, 24, has established himself as one of the best in the league. Meanwhile, Ja’Quan McMillian played at a high level in the nickel spot during his sophomore campaign.

    But questions remain. How will Drew Sanders fare if Denver switches him from inside linebacker to the edge? Can Damarri Mathis bounce back after getting benched in the middle of last season? Will Riley Moss be able to live up to the team’s expectations after playing three snaps at outside cornerback as a rookie?

    In a division where the Broncos have to face two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert twice a year, they might not be able to afford to take that gamble, especially since they have the potential to draft a premier player at either position in the first round.

    “Whether it’s quarterback, edge or cornerback, you know what they are. They are a premium,” Paton said.

    When veteran Fabian Moreau took over as Denver’s starting cornerback, he held his own. But there were moments where he lacked the speed to keep up with certain wide receivers. Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell — who could be available at No. 12 — does, and he can make plays on the ball. He completed the 40-yard at the scouting combine in 4.33 seconds while recording 18 pass breakups in his final season with the Rockets.

    Denver used its last first-round pick to draft Surtain in 2021, and it traded up to take Moss in the third round of last year’s draft. But the possibility of having two lockdown cornerbacks could be intriguing for a defense that finished 22nd in passing yards allowed (233.6 per game) last fall.

    When it comes to edge rushers, NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said in a conference call on Thursday that he thinks Alabama’s Dallas Turner, Florida State’s Jared Verse and UCLA’s Laiatu Latu are the top three players. Depending on how the top of the draft shakes up, either one could fall into Denver’s lap.

    Even though Bonitto and Cooper improved, the Broncos were 29th in pressure percentage (18.2%), 20th in sack percentage (6.8%) and tied for 21st in team sack totals (42), according to Pro Football Reference.

    [ad_2]

    Ryan McFadden

    Source link