Brock Osweiler impresses in Broncos training camp

Sunday fun day for the young guys.

For the second time of training camp, it was veteran rest day, or “Brock Day” at Denver Broncos head quarters in Dove Valley. Peyton Manning and many other important veterans – Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware and Chris Harris were among them – sat on the sidelines while younger players got all the reps.

For Osweiler, the fourth-year backup quarterback of the Broncos, reps have been hard to come by. Now it’s his chance to shine and Osweiler impressed at training camp Sunday morning.

During 11-on-11s, “Oz” led a successful scoring drive in which he showed off multiple skills. First, his timing to tight end James Casey was spot on. On the next play, he fit a pass into a covered Cody Latimer on the sideline, who was hit but managed to hold onto the ball. Then, Osweiler floated a ball to Nathan Palmer on a fade, with perfect touch, for a touchdown.

Osweiler also showed solid recognition while he was rushed to check down on some plays, finding his tight end Dominique Jones inside the numbers on one in particular. No. 17 also hit Demaryius Thomas on a post, fitting the ball into a tight spot, for a touchdown.

Of course, the youthful QB wasn’t perfect: On rollouts, his passes tend to sail the direction he’s running, way over receivers, and he threw the ball into the ground when Latimer was open near the goal line once.

Overall, though, Osweiler practiced quite well on Sunday and continues to show he’s grasping Gary Kubiak‘s offense.

“I though he practiced well,” Kubiak said of Osweiler. “He missed a play at the end of practice he needs to make. But, I think he continues to get more comfortable in his role when he gets the football team. So, I think he’s had a good – what has it been, eight or nine days – and [needs to] just keep going. Needs to play a lot in the preseason.”

This preseason is shaping up to be a make-or-break time for Osweiler, who has to prove he can lead the offense in game time situations.

“Today went well,” Osweiler said after practice. “I think there’s always room for improvement, that’s why you practice. I think, as a whole offensively, we did some really great things. We did some situational things, a ‘red area you-call-it’ period, ended in a touchdown. We did some other things throughout the day. I thought the offensive line played great, receivers made plays and backs did a good job as well.

“As long as we keep building, growing, learning from mistakes and get a little bit better each day, I’ll be happy with things,” he finished.

Notes:

Kubiak also said C.J. Anderson will get a good amount of playing time during preseason as well.

“C.J. needs to play, he’s a young player,” Kubiak explained post practice. “I think that’s the fine line in this business. When you get to preseason you can’t say, ‘We’re going to play our ones 12 plays.’ Our ones, you might be talking about three or four guys on offense right now…C.J. is a guy that needs to play more than Peyton Manning does.”

–Shaquil Barrett made a great play, knocking away a pass from Osweiler to Demaryius Thomas on a slant. Miller from the sideline yelled, “I see ya, Shaq!” and other defensive teammates gave him props as well. Barrett revealed to me post practice he was actually out of position on that play, but still was able to make a play.

-Cody Latimer was the most noteworthy receiver, catching passes in all kinds of routes. The second-year man out of Indiana seems poised to have a breakout season. Read what Latimer had to say after practice here.

-Also, Zac Dysert enjoyed a solid practice. He’s got wheels, and when Kubiak wanted rollouts, Dysert did them with ease. He even just kept one rollout and ran it into the end zone.

-On special teams, Solomon Patton stood out as the team’s top kick returner. He’s got great speed, solid vision when it comes to reading blocks and doesn’t hesitate once he gets the ball. On one return, he got back to the 35 yard line.