3 defensive backs try to get a corner on 4th roster spot
Lewis-Harris, Doss, Langley each make a strong play early in preseason finale
Chris Lewis-Harris broke on the pass from Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert on the first drive of Thursday night’s preseason finale and knocked the ball away, forcing a punt.
On the Broncos’ next defensive series, Lorenzo Doss matched strides down the right sideline with receiver Aaron Dobson, adjusted on an underthrown ball from Gabbert and knocked the pass away.
Rookie Brendan Langley, not to be outdone, closed fast on a thirddown play later in the series and brought down Chad Williams before he could reach the firstdown marker, ending another scoreless Arizona series.
Three Broncos cornerbacks entered Thursday’s game battling for the fourth spot at the position behind Chris Harris, Aqib Talib and Bradley Roby — and potentially a fifth spot after that. Each made a play within the first four minutes of the game that raised eyebrows and made a case.
Now they wait as the Broncos work to solidify their 53-man roster by Saturday afternoon.
More than two dozen Broncos players, mostly starters and key reserves, participated in a light workout at Sports Authority Field at Mile High three hours before the opening kickoff. That was the extent of their physical exertion for the night. The game was about players further down the roster with something to prove, and the tight competition between the cornerbacks highlighted the last shred of preseason drama.
The Broncos once again displayed depth on defense. The only score for the Cardinals was registered by their defense when linebacker Alex Bazzie sacked Kyle Sloter in the end zone on the Broncos’ first possession.
Denver held the 49ers scoreless in the first half of the second preseason game. And Green Bay’s touchdown in the first half last week came after it had returned a Trevor Siemian interception to the Broncos’ 2-yard line.
It was the Broncos’ secondary that shined brightest Thursday with real jobs on the line, and that went further than undrafted rookie safety Dymonte Thomas’ 58-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter. Langley added two more impressive tackles later in the first half following his early stop, plays that displayed whip-quick closing speed and sound tackling discipline. His big hits ended drives.
Langley is a third-round pick out of Lamar University who also has worked in the return game. His natural talent has intrigued the Broncos’ staff, and his sound playmaking Thursday demonstrated the growth he’s made in reading plays since training camp began in July. Langley has all but solidified his spot on the roster, and he continued Thursday to look like a player who could make a real impact for the Broncos this season.
“It felt great. I guess tomorrow it will be a weight off my shoulders if I get good news (about a roster spot),” Langley said. “To finish the preseason 4-0, I think that’s going to be great for us rolling into the regular season.” Who else will join him? “You see how they played tonight. They played just as well as me, if not better,” Langley said. “It’s real tight.”