IN A RUSH TO SUCCEED
Rookie DeMarcus Walker displays his versatility while other pass-rushers are hurt.
Von Miller insists he has always been a player who will take others aside and offer any pearls of wisdom he has collected during his football career.
“People just see it more now, I guess,” Miller said.
Miller’s help in the development of rookie DeMarcus Walker could be especially important. The second-round pick from Florida State was moved from defensive end to outside linebacker Sunday as the Broncos attempt to bolster a thin group of pass rushers.
Miller has been impressed with Walker’s versatility, which has allowed him to make a quick impression in camp.
“I said, ‘DeMarcus, you can play inside, you can play defensive end and you can move outside and play outside linebacker.’ I’m not sure there’s a player in the National Football League who can do that,” said Miller, who then shifted into Star Wars lingo. “I talk to him about that every single day: ‘If you’re able to really harness the Force, young Padawan, and really take advantage of your opportunities … and be elite at all three positions, I think that’s something to watch out for.’ ”
Stephenson joins battle at left tackle.
The Broncos moved Donald Stephenson from right to left offensive tackle and moved Ty Sambrailo from left to right tackle. Stephenson and rookie Garett Bolles both played with the first team at left tackle. Sambrailo played behind Menelik Watson at right tackle.
“It’s still those three guys battling for the left tackle spot,” Broncos coach Vance Joseph said of Bolles, Sambrailo and Stephenson. “Stephenson has done some good things in training camp. We gave him a chance to go over to the left to jump into that competition to be the left tackle.”
Matt Paradis participated in more team periods as the firstteam center. The Broncos have brought Paradis along slowly in camp as he continues to recover from offseason surgery on both hips. Offensive guard Ron Leary missed his second straight practice with a groin injury. Joseph said Leary should return to practice Thursday.
Weighing in on QB battle.
Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders said the starting quarterback battle between Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch is “even” through six practices.
The way Sanders sees it, separation won’t come until the preseason begins.
“We’re going to see when the lights turn on and when we go to San Francisco (for joint practices beginning Aug. 16) and when we play against other teams,” Sanders said. “What are you going to do in the game? I think that will be the determining factor.”
Footnote.
Running back Bernard Pierce (hamstring) and cornerback Marcus Rios (groin) missed Wednesday’s practice. … Running back Jamaal Charles participated in 11-on-11 team drills for the first time.