Kubiak still confident in Osweiler amidst struggles with first team

Today was the scheduled off day for of number of Broncos veterans as Peyton Manning, DeMarcus Ware, Von Miller and other players sat out of the morning practice.

This meant it was “go time” for younger players on the roster to really get a chance to shine. For the first time in three years, Brock Osweiler got a chance to lead the first team in a training camp practice. It wasn’t pretty. Many balls were either under or over thrown during the 11 on 11 session and the few completions that were made, were more due to his targets making great plays on the ball.

Some growing pains are to be expected, and Brock will have more chances throughout camp to improve. Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak isn’t worried about Osweiler. “I just think we wanted to see him run the team, and he did. At the end of practice he moved the football team. It’s a growing process for him but I think he’s handled it really well. Being a guy that has done that job for a living, when the team gets thrown your way, it’s a lot on your plate, and you have to be able to handle it day in and day out and I think he’s just trying to do that.”

Another player thrust into the spotlight was Broncos first round pick Shane Ray. Kubiak seemed to like what he saw from the former SEC defensive player of the year. “Shane had a good practice. He started slow but he made some plays late in practice. We needed him to show up, today was his day to be a starter. Obviously we have two great ones right there, but he was brought here to be a part of that. I think we took a step in the right direction.”

The veterans are expected to return to practice tomorrow at Dove Valley before a scheduled off day on Wednesday.