Broncos Training Camp Observations: Don’t mess with Vic

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Take off the pads, break out the scout-team cards and put in the kids. That’s what Tuesday’s practice out at the UCHealth Training Center was all about as the team prepped for their second preseason game on Thursday night in Seattle.

But don’t get it wrong—there was still plenty of juice on the field.

As always, BSN Denver was on hand for Tuesday’s practice. Here’s what went down.

DON’T MESS WITH VIC

Hey Vic, how do you feel about fighting in football practices?

“Obviously, it’s not good. Can’t happen, shouldn’t happen,” Fangio stated bluntly after Emmanuel Sanders, and Courtland Sutton threw haymakers at each other during Monday’s practice.

Apparently, Fangio didn’t make himself clear enough. Less than 24 hours after “The Godfather,” as some of his players have deemed him, made his proclamation on fighting in practice, it happened again.

So Vic took matters into his own hands.

Immediately following a play during a team period, offensive lineman Don Barclay and defensive lineman DeShawn Williams had a few choice words that quickly turned into shoves and punches. The altercation appeared to die down after a second, but once a second wave broke out, Fangio stormed over.

As fearless as The Godfather would be, the 60-year-old stepped right in-between the two 300-pound men. Wisely, the fight stopped instantly.

But that wasn’t a big enough message for Fangio.

With perfect blocking technique, Vic grabbed Williams by the chest plates of the only pads he was wearing and drove him back 10 yards, yelling strong words the entire time and even putting a little mustard on the end with a dismissive shove.

“Must have been a favorable angle or I wouldn’t have done it,” Fangio joked after practice.

The offensive line could learn a thing or two about perfect blocking technique from the head coach as he made Mike Munchak proud.

INSIDE VOID

On Tuesday, neither Todd Davis nor Josey Jewell were running with Vic’s first-team defense. Before free agency, this was a realistic possibility, but for an entirely other reason.

With Davis and Jewell both sidelined to injuries—Todd suffered a calf injury the first day of camp and Josey tweaked his side on Monday—the Broncos were forced to call on their backups.

Well, one backup and one backup’s backup due to Joe Jones’ partially torn tricep that will sideline him for a few weeks.

On Tuesday, the Broncos’ starting insider backers were Keishawn Bierria and Alexander Johnson, making their backups the only two remaining listed inside backers on the team, Joe Dineen and Josh Watson. Hybrid inside-outside linebacker Justin Hollins got in the mix, too.

“They’re getting better, they really are,” Fangio—the man many believe is the greatest linebacker coach of all time—said on Friday, speaking about the reserve inside linebackers.

“Watson’s getting better, A.J.’s getting better, Dineen’s getting better—they’re all getting better. It just goes to show that if you get more reps, you get better. That’s why we practice.”

Watson, an undrafted rookie out of Colorado State, had the play of the day from the group as he made an acrobatic interception as he was fully stretched out in the back of the end zone from the hands of Brett Rypien. The play not only drew a roar from the crowd, but a powerful “Go Rams!” scream from a fan.

Johnson had the other interception on the day as a bobbled pass fell right into his lap.

The five inside backers—including Hollins—that were on the field on Tuesday will be the group Fangio has to work with on Thursday night. Those five have a combined two years of experience and zero starts.

Due to this, Fangio said “it’s possible” the team could use more safeties in the box to help make up for all of the injuries at inside backer. “But even if we do that, it still wouldn’t be exclusive. It would be more passing situation type thing.”

Jewell’s injury was described by Fangio as a “short-term thing,” although he won’t play in Thursday’s game.

A LITTLE, A LITTLE AND A LOT

John Elway will finally get to unveil his shiny expensive offseason acquisitions on Thursday night.

Joe Flacco will make his Broncos debut against the Seahawks, getting his first-ever start in an Orange & Blue uniform, even if it’s just for a preseason game.

Kevin Hogan will come in after Flacco. Both will “play some,” and then they’ll turn the keys to “the future” Drew Lock, who will “get a good bit of the rest” of the game, according to Fangio.

“I think it’ll be a little, a little and a lot,” Fangio said, explaining the amount of reps each quarterback will get respectively.

Tuesday’s practice echoed Thursday’s plan as Lock received a significant amount of the reps, including a large bulk with the second team.

Brett Rypien may or may not play in the game. It’s clear the team is locked in on Drew for the majority of the game in order to continue his development as fast as possible.

“One thing you got to remember about him now, he hardly has ever been under center in his life,” Fangio said, explaining what Lock needs to do to develop. “He’s hardly ever had to call a play in his life—formation, and checks. Once he gets through that, I think the other stuff will come easier and quicker. Okay? He’s learning a new offense. How an offense operates and when he becomes more of a quarterback in those regards and feels comfortable where it becomes second nature, the other stuff will start.”

Well, coach, what can the organization do to make that “other stuff” easier for Drew?

“Reps!” He said as he pounded his fist on the podium with a big smile.

ADDITIONAL TIDBITS

• After an impressive NFL debut, Dre’Mont Jones is quickly rising up the depth chart. On Tuesday, he spent a significant amount of time with the second team during practice.
• DaeSean Hamilton, the usually sure-handed receiver, had two drops on the day, including one that bobbled in the air and straight into Alexander Johnson’s arms for an interception.
• Fangio spoke with Sanders and Sutton regarding their in-practice fight on Monday. Fangio said, “It’s been put to bed. It’s a dead issue.”
• Jeff Heuerman did not practice on Tuesday after receiving treatment for a small shoulder injury on Monday. He may play in Thursday’s game. “I don’t think it’s anything to be concerned about,” Fangio said.
• Jake Butt, Bug Howard, and Aaron Wallace also did not practice due to injury.