Broncos Training Camp Observations: Offense "starting to put it together"

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Godfather has arrived in his lair.

In front of 21,234 fans and rockin’ game jerseys, the Broncos took over Broncos Stadium at Mile High on Saturday afternoon for their ninth training camp practice.

In his classic gray crewneck sweatshirt, Vic Fangio decided to hold one practice in the stadium so that his new staff and players could break in where they’ll play half of their games this year.

BSN Denver was high in the sky with a birds-eye view for the entire practice. Here’s what went down.

PICKING UP WHERE THEY LEFT OFF

The offense was feeling it on Friday.

On Saturday, they stayed steady from their Friday pace, picking up where they left off.

By no means was the offense a mirror of Denver’s 2013 all-time unit, but they were consistent, took what the defense gave them and moved the chains.

“I honestly think over the last three days we’re starting to see some of the progress of some of the hard work we’ve been putting in,” Joe Flacco stated on Saturday. “I really think the last few days we’re starting to put it together. It’s been a struggle at times, but we’re starting to get things to pop and guys be pretty consistent.”

To no surprise, considering how the first week of camp has gone, Flacco consistently found tight ends and running backs in the flat and close to the line of scrimmage, specifically Troy Fumagalli and Royce Freeman.

In fact, Freeman very well may have led the team in receptions, including hauling in a touchdown pass lined up wide during 7-on-7s with Chris Harris Jr. in tight coverage.

It was a rather quiet day for the receivers as drops continued to haunt the group.

The first-team offense was off during 7-on-7s—purely a passing drill—showing the importance of the running game to the offense. Led by Devontae Booker and Freeman, the running game was able to find holes in the middle of the field and also stretched to the sideline effectively on multiple occasions.

Booker flashed with a long potential touchdown run during a move-the-ball period.

Flacco to Sutton on a deep post is clearly emerging as a favorite play for the Broncos’ offense. On Saturday, the 6-foot-6 quarterback once again dropped back off a play-action and launched the ball to the deep-threat. Unlike in Friday’s practice, the two couldn’t connect, but Harris Jr. was called for defensive pass interference.

FLAG FEST

Saturday must have been laundry day for the officials as yellow cloth littered the pristine field.

Ranging from defensive pass interference on Harris Jr. to false start on Noah Fant, it appeared no one was safe from penalties.

The team could barely go a short stretch without shooting themselves in the foot.

“We’ve definitely made some strides. Where we haven’t is in the penalties,” Fangio said unprompted. “We had 12 penalties today. This is half of an NFL officiating crew out here. Eight of them on offense and four of them on defense. Way too many.”

On multiple plays, there were multiple flags. At one point in practice, the number of flags was comical as they appeared to be falling from the stadium sky. On Saturday, flags just seemed like a part of the play.

It was no laughing matter to the head coach.

“This team last year was 31st in the NFL in penalties called. That’s got to stop,” Fangio stated. “We’ve got to improve that. We’ve emphasized it. Obviously, I haven’t done a good enough job of doing that and obviously, they haven’t done a good enough job of listening. That’s got to be a main focus. It has been, it’s got to continue.”

Holdings, false starts, offsides, pass interference. No penalty was off-limits.

LOCK LIGHTS IT UP

After getting a standing ovation from fans when he set foot on the field, Drew Lock rewarded the thousands in attendance by showing off his skillset in 7-on-7.

Looking left, right and in the middle, there was no place on the field Lock wasn’t going to. Standing clean in the pocket, Lock progressed through his reads, always finding a safe option.

After practice, Fangio said the rookie is “doing well.”

“He had some good periods here today,” Fangio said. “I think he did his best work in 7-on-7, which isn’t football. But it’s progress. You need to see that progress in 11-on-11 and then ultimately in games. But, he’s getting better.”

Well, whatever it was, since it wasn’t football, Lock flashed.

Lock threw a dart downtown to Fred Brown in the middle of the field for a gain of 25 yards. Brown was punished by Dymonte Thomas after the catch but held on.

The Broncos’ future starting quarterback also delivered the ball for the catch of the day. Lock tossed the ball 40 yards downfield in double coverage to a sprinting Brown. Fred left his feet, caught flight and the ball mid-dive and came down with it. Great throw, beautiful beautiful catch.

The rook continues to impress.

ADDITIONAL TIDBITS

• Von Miller and Emmanuel Sanders were excused from Saturday’s practice as they were both in Texas attending a mutual friend’s funeral.
• Phillip Lindsay went to a chiropractor and the chiropractor “overdid” it, according to Fangio, limiting him heavily in practice on Saturday.
  • “To hell with chiropractors,” Fangio said. “Let’s just play football.”
• With Miller and Dekoda Watson not practicing, rookie Justin Hollins got significant work as the first team outside linebacker.
• Ja’Wuan James is close to returning, according to Fangio. Elijah Wilkinson filled in for him at right tackle on Saturday.
• Bryce Callahan left after having his left foot stepped on early in practice. Fangio said the tests came back negative. It’s the same foot he broke last year. Isaac Yiadom filled in for him.
• Kevin Hogan was the second quarterback for the majority of practice, a day after Lock received his most second-team reps of camp.
• Shamarko Thomas made plays in both the run and pass game.
• Joe Jones continues to shine in pass coverage, having another pass breakup from a Lock pass.
• Jeff Holland was in the backfield multiple times on Saturday, including what would have been a brutal sack on Hogan.
• Nick Williams was the first punt returner during special teams. Brendan Langley got the next stab at it.
• Denver Mayor Michael Hancock attended practice.
• DaeSean Hamilton, Todd Davis, Jake Butt, Rover Cracraft, Dekoda Watson, Bug Howard and Jake Rodgers also missed practice due to injury.