Joseph needs to be tough in camp
Denver Post writers examine the issues the team faces as players report
The Broncos’ veterans are scheduled to report to training camp Friday at their Dove Valley headquarters.
Heading into the first practice Friday, it’s time for the first Denver Post Broncos Writers Roundtable. The panelists are columnist Mark Kiszla and beat reporters Ryan O’Halloran and Kyle Fredrickson.
1. What is coach Vance Joseph’s biggest challenge during training camp?
Kyle Fredrickson: Narrowing down the running back room to fit the 53-man roster might be the toughest call. A mix of mostly unproven returners (De’Angelo Henderson and Devontae Booker), 2018 draft picks (Royce Freeman and David Williams) and hometown rookie Phillip Lindsay makes for a crowded group. One breakout performance in training camp would make Joseph’s job organizing the depth chart much easier.
Mark Kiszla: Joseph received a vote of confidence from John Elway, who brought him back for a second season despite a 5-11 record. But throughout Broncos Country, the crisis of confidence regarding Joseph has not abated. Is he really the guy to get this thing turned around? The addition of veteran quarterback Case Keenum will make Joseph look smarter on game day. But at every turn in camp, Joseph must convince the fan base he can look presidential — or at least more like Gary Kubiak than Josh McDaniels.
Ryan O’Halloran: Vance’s challenge is making sure he selects the 53-man roster best equipped to beat Seattle in Week 1. Period. To get his team ready, Vance must be the Bad Cop during camp. Start a drill over if he doesn’t like it. Have the starting defense and offense go against each other to ignite competition. Send a message to a player or the
entire team through the media if he doesn’t like the progress. The fans need to know that Vance means business and is ready to lead.
2. Which two returning players have the most to prove in camp or their roster status is in jeopardy?
Kyle: Two clear choices are at wide receiver in Jordan Taylor and Isaiah McKenzie. Taylor will likely be the only Broncos player to begin training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list after hip surgery. McKenzie is still working his way out of the doghouse after a disastrous 2017 season. The addition of Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton in the draft puts every Broncos receiver on notice, but especially Taylor and McKenzie.
Kiz: Can we have a brief chat about tight end Jeff Heuerman? In 26 games as a pro, has Heuerman shown enough that he’s a keeper? I’m not so certain. And I know Andy Janovich is solid on special teams. But, c’mon now. Either offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave makes a genuine commitment to using the fullback, or let’s update the Denver playbook to the 21st century.
Ryan: Let’s go outside the box a bit. What if Royce Freeman and De’Angelo Henderson have great training camps and Devon- tae Booker falls down the depth chart? Would Booker be in danger of getting cut? The second player is Menelik Watson, who didn’t work out at right tackle last year and has been moved to right guard. If he doesn’t beat out Connor McGovern for the starting spot, he may not be on the roster for long, regardless of his contract being largely guaranteed this year.
3. During virtually every training camp, a player or two comes from off the radar to make the team. What about this year?
Kyle: If we’re considering the entire NFL’s radar as opposed to local expectations, then Phillip Lindsay is the clear choice. Not one team took a chance on drafting Lindsay, CU’s career leader in all-purpose yardage (5,760), but he figures to make the Broncos’ roster if he showcases versatility on special teams and in the backfield. It would be a dream come true for the Denver native.
Kiz: I’ve been banging the drum on Lindsay for so long the neighbors have grown weary from all the racket. Here’s guessing midround pick Josey Jewell, the linebacker from Iowa, will earn some love early in camp. Will it be just a summer crush or blossom into something to write home about?
Ryan: Sticking with Kiz’s music theme, I’ve been sounding the trumpets for undrafted outside linebacker Jeff Holland. He had 10 sacks at Auburn last year. Yes, he was a one-time starter who had to wait his turn, but production is production and his kind of edge pass-rushing skills should translate. Plus, I would keep him because Shane Ray and Shaquil Barrett are free agents after the year.
4. Projected left guard Ron Leary had knee surgery recently and right tackle Jared Veldheer (foot) also missed the entire offseason program. What does the Broncos’ Week 1 offensive line look like?
Kyle: Left tackle Garett Bolles, left guard Max Garcia, center Matt Paradis, right guard Menelik Watson and right tackle Jared Veldheer. I estimate the Broncos will be cautious with Leary’s recovery from surgery and believe Watson has the ability to transition from tackle to guard to fill in on the right side.
Kiz: In Week 1, I’m afraid the Broncos’ O-line could look more like the mess it was in 2017 than anybody at Dove Valley headquarters would care to admit. While talking about the big uglies ain’t sexy, this is the most important football story in camp. If Leary isn’t ready to go in Week 1, here’s my in-depth analysis: Ouch. It’s gonna hurt. Hurt Keenum. Hurt Joseph. Hurt the won-loss record.
Ryan: Anybody got a number for Gary Zimmerman? Or maybe Tyler Polumbus can go from sideline reporter to starter. I’ve covered teams before who open camp with their line unsettled — and it never gets settled. And I’ve covered teams who start with a mess and figure it out. The Broncos will be somewhere in between. The projection is Bolles, Leary, Paradis, McGovern and Veldheer.
5. Camp is the time for optimism. Why should the Broncos feel confident they can go from 5-11 to the playoffs?
Kyle: The No. 1 reason for hope should be Keenum’s composure. When the Broncos hit early speed bumps (and they will), the presence of a veteran quarterback will prove invaluable to keep the ship steady. Should Keenum retain the poise he played with during Minnesota’s run to the NFC title game last season, then Denver should be in good hands moving forward.
Kiz: The best dream to dream? Elway scored big in the draft this time, and Bradley Chubb can become a three-down force by midseason, Sutton proves to be so productive it turns out Emmanuel Sanders is the answer as the No. 3 passing target and my man Lindsay develops into the dangerous kick-returner McKenzie never was as a rookie. Will it all happen? No. I’d settle for one out of three.
Ryan: This Broncos’ passing game could be dynamic and carry the offense while the running back rotation gets figured out in September. Sutton should be productive right away. The same for tight end Jake Butt. Couple a big-play pass game with a bigtime pass rush and that will be the Broncos’ ticket to the top of a mediocre AFC West.