Broncos’ Mini Camp Observations: Unexpected stars steal the show

Editor’s note: Welcome into one of many, many BSN Denver observation pieces to come this offseason. A fan favorite in the past, these stories will be posted anytime we get a view of the Broncos on the field between now and the end of training camp. Who is standing out, who is lagging behind and who is looking like the favorite in each of the position battles? Those questions and many more will be answered right here.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Short and sweet.

That was the name of the game for the Denver Broncos’ final practice of the 2018 offseason.

After two long mini-camp practices, in which head coach Vance Joseph challenged his players, Thursday’s practice was like the last day of school, in the words of Von Miller.

Joseph’s message to the team before they scattered all over the world during their six-week summer break was “Very simple.”

“Don’t lose what we gained, be smart off the field and come back focused,” Joseph told the media, moments after addressing the team for the final time.

But while Thursday had a different feel to it, there was still important football played on the field, from Case Keenum and Von on down the board.

Here’s what BSN Denver witnessed on Thursday and who will be entering training camp on a positive note.

BLOWING LINEMAN AWAY

Less than 24 hours after defensive coordinator Joe Woods said pass rusher Jeff Holland was “blowing people away,” the undrafted rookie blew the offensive line away.

“He had a big day at the end of last week in OTAs, but right now he’s leading the charge,” Woods continued in his praise.

On Thursday, No. 46 threw Chad Kelly for a loop on two-consecutive plays. After Holland blew by the left tackle on the first play, Kelly was forced to quickly throw a dump-off pass in the flat.

On the second play, Holland got there even quicker, likely resulting in a sack in a game, but since quarterbacks are untouchable during practice, Kelly instead took off for an uncharacteristic scramble.

With Shane Ray out until the regular season, Holland has a major opportunity in his lap. So far, he’s taking full advantage of it.

TIM’S TURN

After years of slim pickings at the third receiver spot, the Broncos appear to have struck gold this offseason. Throughout the entire offseason, Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton, two rookies, have stolen the show out at the UCHealth Training Center.

But in their shadows, second-year receiver Tim Patrick has been doing everything right. Thursday was no different, either.

On the day, the 6-foot-4, 212-pound receiver hauled in two big catches in the middle of the field, with the most impressive part being that the passes came from the starting quarterback.

Patrick’s second catch, which went for roughly 20 yards, was Keenum’s longest throw on the day.

While the receiver position could very well be the most difficult position on the team to make the roster, Patrick has an incredible catch radius as well as an impressive offseason on his side.

FINAL INJURY UPDATE

It’s now official, five Broncos did not practice during the entire offseason program: Ron Leary (knee soreness), Jordan Taylor (hips), Jared Veldheer (foot), Troy Fumagalli (sports hernia) and Clinton McDonald (shoulder).

After practice, Joseph reaffirmed that both Veldheer and Leary “will be ready for training camp.” The only player that may not be ready to go for the start of camp, at least as of now, is Taylor.

For a second-straight day, receivers Kenny Bell and Carlos Henderson did not practice. Ray was not at practice as he is set to undergo surgery on his wrist in Houston.

Demaryius Thomas was back at practice after not practicing on Wednesday due to a “tweaked” foot. He did not participate in the team portion of practice, however.

Tramaine Brock did not practice on Thursday. There was no update given on his status after practice, but he was observing practice and did not have any noticeable limitations on the sideline.

OTHER TIDBITS

• Marquette King only booted a few punts on Thursday, but the few he did hit went very far and very high. After practice, Joseph called King “a weapon.”
  • “When you want to play great defense, having a great punter is always critical,” Joseph stated. “His better years are ahead of him.”
• On the day, Paxton Lynch was the only quarterback — among Keenum and Kelly — to not throw an interception. During the team period, though, Lynch did take off running two of his three dropbacks.
  • Keenum was picked off during 7-on-7 as his bullet to Emmanuel Sanders went right through the receivers hands, popped into the air and landed in Su’a Cravens’ lap.
  • Kelly was intercepted twice. The first was courtesy of Marcus Rios in the middle of the field and the second was Jordan Moore, also in the middle of the field. Both were about 20 yards downfield.
• For a short practice, the tight ends were very involved in the passing game. Jake Butt, Austin Traylor, Matt LaCosse and Brian Parker all were on the receiving end of passes on Thursday, with Parker and Butt both going for 30-yard gains.

PLAY OF THE DAY

As Royce Freeman streaked down the left sideline wide open, he didn’t look like the team’s biggest running back. At 6-feet and 238-pounds, the rookie running back ran a wheel route out of the backfield to the surprise of the entire defense.

Forty yards later, Freeman caught a perfectly placed ball from Kelly in stride and took it the final 30 or so yards to the house.

MOMENT OF THE DAY

No. 58 was unrecognizable for the entirety of the team’s final practice of the offseason. Read that number again, No. 58 — Von Miller, aka Denver’s most notable player.

The reason? He was wearing a wig with dreadlocks down to his shoulders.

“I lost a bet,” he said, not specifying what the bet was. “Some of the best pass rushers in the league have dreads — Melvin Ingram, Jadeveon Clowney — so maybe that’ll rub off on me today.”

Asked if he could play an entire game with the dreads, Miller quickly responded, “No I could not. I’m ready to take it off. I’m ready to take it off. I’ve got about four more hours.”