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Tag: Samaje Perine

  • Broncos’ Audric Estime on running backs after preseason win over Colts: “We have a bunch of guys who can do it all”

    Broncos’ Audric Estime on running backs after preseason win over Colts: “We have a bunch of guys who can do it all”

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    INDIANAPOLIS — One of the Broncos’ most heated position battles of training camp was on display at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.

    The quarterback competition may garner the biggest headlines, but the running backs have locked into a fierce struggle for playing time — and that came through loud and clear in the Broncos’ 34-30 victory over the Colts in their preseason opener.

    Second-year running back Jaleel McLaughlin’s investment in a JUGS machine proved beneficial when he caught a 22-yard pass from rookie quarterback Bo Nix on a wheel route. Five plays later, rookie running back Audric Estime showcased his power when he steamrolled into the end zone for a touchdown to give Denver a 20-10 advantage in the third quarter.

    In head coach Sean Payton’s offense, the run game is essential. He is high on having a backfield filled with versatile players. On Sunday, nearly each running back impacted the game in a multitude of ways, as Denver outrushed Indianapolis, 131-64.

    “They all had a spark,” Payton said.

    However, their performance emphasized the tough decision looming over the organization of how many running backs it keeps on the initial 53-man roster and who.

    Javonte Williams started the game, rushing for 15 yards on four carries in the opening quarter. Then the young guys went to work. McLaughlin had 56 total yards (30 rushing and 26 receiving) on nine touches. He averaged 4.3 yards on seven carries.

    Estime had 10 carries for 31 yards while undrafted rookie Blake Watson was active down the stretch. In the fourth quarter, Watson showed why Denver signed him when he caught a short pass from Wilson before bursting down the sideline for a 33-yard gain. Watson finished with 10 touches for 59 yards, including 26 on the ground, and a touchdown.

    Tyler Badie had his moment in the spotlight when he ran 11 yards for a touchdown to extend Denver’s lead to 27-17 with 2:18 to go in the third. Denver’s offense finished with three rushing touchdowns.

    “We have a bunch of guys who can do it all,” Estime said. “We have smaller guys (and) bigger backs but no matter who you are, you gotta be able to (play) all three downs. I feel like it’s a great group of guys.”

    While Denver’s backfield had its moments, veteran Samaje Perine offered a lowlight. In the first quarter, Perine couldn’t control a short pass from quarterback Jarrett Stidham. The ball juggled out of his hands and was picked off by Colts cornerback Kenny Moore. The failed reception was his only target, and he didn’t have a single rushing attempt the rest of the game.

    As a whole, Payton wasn’t pleased with Denver’s ball security from the running backs, as they had two turnovers. In the third, Estime fumbled at the Broncos’ 47-yard line before cornerback Micah Abraham recovered the ball and scored to cut the deficit to 20-17 with 6:58 remaining. Later in the fourth, Watson fumbled a handoff from quarterback Zach Wilson that was recovered by the offense.

    “Those are the things that you gotta make sure you clean up (and) those guys will learn from that,” Payton said.

    During training camp, Williams, Estime and McLaughlin have stood out at running back. If Sunday was a reflection of what’s to come, that trio could be taking snaps this fall.

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    Ryan McFadden

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  • Youth, competition create excitement within Broncos offense: “We have a team full of hungry dogs”

    Youth, competition create excitement within Broncos offense: “We have a team full of hungry dogs”

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    As Sean Payton embarks on his second season as the Broncos head coach, he has felt rejuvenated.

    Denver’s offense has been sprinkled with youth, sparking position battles — and not just at quarterback — as players are try to make their mark on a team that’s in the midst of a rebuild.

    “I think it’s that challenge of working with a young team,” Payton said. “I think that’s the one thing I notice at least watching. I feel the competition.”

    Courtland Sutton didn’t show up to the Broncos’ facility until mandatory minicamp, but for the two days the veteran wide receiver was on the practice field, he felt the same energy.

    He said the offense is filled with hungry players who are determined to go on the field each week to prove themselves, which is one reason there’s excitement among the players and coaches about training camp.

    Indeed, the battle between rookie Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson for the starting quarterback job will be the highlight of the summer. But the competition at center, wide receiver and running back could be just as heated. The current state of the organization has created opportunity for first- and second-year players to step into meaningful roles this fall.

    “You have a lot of guys that are still on their rookie deal, just got drafted or (undrafted) free agents,” Sutton said. “(We have) a team full of hungry dogs.”

    Denver’s wide receivers room is filled with young players who have the potential to make an impact. After the Broncos traded wideout Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns in March, Marvin Mims Jr. has a chance to be a second option in the passing game. Denver also has rookies Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele, both of whom could command significant playing time, depending on how they perform during training camp and preseason games.

    At running back, the one-two punch of Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine might not be guaranteed. The Broncos drafted former Notre Dame standout Audric Estime — who has been sidelined due to a knee procedure — and is viewed by Payton as a first- and second-down running back. Meanwhile, Jaleel McLaughlin and undrafted rookie Blake Watson have spent the offseason program displaying the receiving traits that Payton desires from running backs.

    With Greg Dulcich continuing to work his way back from injury, there’s an opportunity for tight end Lucas Krull to show the coaching staff that he can potentially be the pass-catching threat that the Broncos desperately need at the position.

    “It felt different this year in a good way,” Payton said of the competition level within the team.

    While there might be an emphasis on the Broncos developing their young talent, Sutton said the mid-career veterans have something to prove as well. Wide receiver Tim Patrick, who restructured the final year of his contract, is hoping to show that he can still be a reliable asset in Denver’s wide receivers room despite having back-to-back season-ending injuries — and despite the team drafting Vele, who has similar traits.

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    Ryan McFadden

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  • Analysis: How ’bout them Cowboys! Dallas is most impressive

    Analysis: How ’bout them Cowboys! Dallas is most impressive

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    Dak Prescott was nearly perfect in directing a balanced, dynamic offense. Micah Parsons again wreaked havoc in leading a dominant defense.

    Behind Prescott and Parsons, Dallas dismantled Minnesota and put the rest of the NFL on notice with a convincing 40-3 victory on the road Sunday against a team that had won seven straight games.

    How ’bout them Cowboys! No team owns a more impressive win this season.

    “This is exactly what I expected,” Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse said. “We knew we were going to come in here and knock them down. We showed them who the tougher team is, and it is us. That is the type of that we can play week in and week out if we continue to stay together and do our job.”

    The Cowboys (7-3) are unlikely to win the NFC East. They trail the Philadelphia Eagles (9-1) by two games and already lost to them. But they proved why they’ll be a dangerous team that nobody will want to face in January following the biggest road win in team history.

    “This team has got the work ethic. It’s got the attitude. They’ve got a hard mindset, which you have to have,” coach Mike McCarthy said.

    The Cowboys have averaged 28.8 points per game in Prescott’s five starts. Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott, who scored two touchdowns apiece against the Vikings (8-2), provide a strong 1-2 running attack. They may end up adding Odell Beckham Jr. to join CeeDee Lamb, giving Prescott another weapon.

    “Right now the challenge is handling success,” Prescott said. “Having a game like this in the NFL is tough to do. To be able to do that, we’ve got to put this behind us and know that we’ve got to go out there — we’re as good as our last game. We’ve got to turn the page and go put another one together on Thursday.”

    The Cowboys host the Giants (7-3) on Thanksgiving in a fight for second place in the division.

    For now, the Buffalo Bills are the best second-place team in the NFL. They rebounded nicely from a mistake-filled, overtime loss at home to the Vikings with a 31-23 victory over Cleveland.

    Despite a chaotic week that saw them forced to play a “home” game in Detroit because a storm dumped several feet of snow in western New York, the Bills (7-3) got back on track against the Browns.

    Josh Allen didn’t turn the ball over after a rough three-week stretch and the offense scored on all five possessions in the second half.

    “We still don’t feel like we played very well, but it goes to show you we played smart and put up 31 points and didn’t play to our standard,” Allen said.

    The Bills may eventually surpass Miami (7-3) in the AFC East — the Dolphins won the first matchup and the teams meet in Buffalo on Dec. 18. Like Dallas, the Bills also play Thursday, when they face the Lions (4-6).

    The Cincinnati Bengals are another second-place team finding its groove. The reigning AFC champions beat Pittsburgh 37-30 for their fourth win in five games. Even without Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals (6-4) are rolling on offense. Joe Burrow led the way with four TD passes and running back Samaje Perine set a franchise record with three TD catches.

    The Bengals are one game behind the Baltimore Ravens (7-3) in the AFC North. The Ravens won in Cincinnati in October and the division could be on the line when the teams meet in Baltimore in Week 18.

    “I think we’re playing as good as anybody,” Burrow said. “We’re hitting our stride offensively. Still left some points out there. There’s always room to improve, obviously.”

    In a season filled with close games and comeback wins, the last team standing may be one that doesn’t finish the regular season in first place.

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    Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter at https://twitter.com/robmaaddi

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP—NFL

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