Fangio gives team “field day” as minicamp comes to an end
To the consternation of some Broncos fans and Twitter jockeys, coach Vic Fangio called off the final practice of mandatory minicamp during a 9 a.m. team meeting Thursday, electing for a “field day” of fun-and-games activities.
A reward for what Fangio viewed as solid work during the 10 organized team activity and two minicamp workouts? Yes. He did the same thing two years ago.
Questionable for Fangio to bypass a final day of work for a team that went 5-11 last year and hasn’t declared a Week 1 starting quarterback? If that floats your boat, fine, rip him for it.
The Broncos’ rookies will continue to work with the coaches this month, but the veterans are free until the July 27 reporting date.
The media was permitted to watch five of the 12 practices. What did we learn?
1. Fangio held true to equally dividing the quarterback snaps.
If anybody within the walls of the Broncos’ facility is basing their 2021 hopes on acquiring Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, well, hope isn’t a strategy.
Until further notice — the
Packers caving and making Rodgers available and the Broncos presenting an acceptable offer for him — it will be Drew Lock or Teddy Bridgewater against the New York Giants on Sept. 12.
Around the NFL, the Broncos and New Orleans (Jameis Winston/taysom Hill) are the only two teams with declared quarterback competitions.
Fangio committed to his preota mandate that Lock/bridgewater would split the snaps — they both received 59 plays (7on-7 and 11-on-11) in the two minicamp practices.
Nothing was settled … not even close.
2. The outside linebacker/defensive line depth should be a concern.
The Broncos have three outside linebackers (Von Miller, Bradley Chubb and Malik Reed) and three defensive linemen (Shelby Harris, Mike Purcell and Dre’mont Jones) with good-enough-tocount-on track records.
But after that, questions. At outside linebacker, rookie Jonathon Cooper (heart procedure) only started individual drill work on Wednesday.
“We need to find another two guys that we’re comfortable with, both from a special teams standpoint and from a playing defense standpoint to go in and spell those (top three guys),” Fangio said. “It’s wide open and we’re looking.”
At defensive line, the top backup should be veteran Shamar Stephen, but 2020 third-round pick Mctelvin Agim needs to pick it up so he can beat out veteran Deshawn Williams and/or rookie seventh-round pick Marquiss Spencer.
“Shamar has been a good pickup,” Fangio said. “(Agim) has looked better and hopefully he’ll continue that. Jonathan Harris is back after a year on the shelf. Deshawn is back and we’re looking for the other guys to show us something.”
3. Pat Surtain II may be the Broncos’ best cornerback by
October.
The Broncos were desperate to avoid a repeat of last year when they ran out of cornerbacks, so they signed veterans Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller in March and drafted Surtain ninth overall in April.
Darby and Fuller have the experience, but Surtain has the skills. He moved across the field effortlessly in coverage and appeared to have a good knowledge of where to be.
If Surtain performs well in training camp, Fangio and defensive coordinator Ed Donatell shouldn’t hesitate matching him against Giants receiver Kenny Golladay in the Week 1 lid-lifter.
“(Surtain) came in here with a great foundation,” Donatell said. “He’s a guy that is very calm and respectful of others and he’s just a very hard-working, serious player. He has everything that can point to success and not to mention he’s a heck of an athlete. He’s fitting in great with our guys and he’ll work to get a strong role.”
4. Javonte Williams won’t be handed the starting running back job.
Melvin Gordon skipped all of the OTAS, but there he was getting the first-team reps at running back Tuesday.
Williams, the Broncos’ secondround pick, may end up leading the team in rushes and yards, but it’s not inconceivable to think Gordon gets the first-snap nod against the Giants and Williams is gradually weaned into the top role.
“There’s enough work to be had for everybody if everybody proves they’re worthy,” said Fangio, adding Mike Boone to the mix. “You never have enough backs and I’m confident there will be enough work for all of them.”
5. There isn’t much reason for excitement.
Drafting quarterback Justin Fields with the ninth pick would have given the Broncos muchneeded buzz.
Surtain has the potential to be an All-pro cornerback, but defensive players don’t drastically move the needle.
Unless Rodgers is acquired, this remains a third- or fourth-place team in the AFC West. Yes, the Broncos’ defense may be elite, but they will be neutralized if the offense underperforms and can’t hand them a lead.