2024 Denver Broncos Training Camp Day 4 Report

Yesterday, on the second Denver Broncos training camp practice made available to the general public, Bo Nix confirmed to my eyes why he is a perfect fit for Sean Payton's offense. 

Nix's ability to scan and read the field, climb the pocket, go through progressions, and throw with anticipation were on full display at this practice. There is little wonder why Payton and the Broncos' coaching staff were so high on Nix throughout the draft process, and why Nix was ultimately Denver's first round selection this past April. 

It was great to be back on the berm once again. The sun's heat was intense before the practice session started, and through about half of the actual session, before a smidge of cloud cover, and a nice breeze, cooled things down. I was able to meet, and converse, with three fellow Broncos fans, which is always enjoyable to experience. There were four Oregon fans sitting in front of me, who were thoroughly enjoying the competency and brilliance that Nix demonstrated, despite one interception, during much of the practice session. 

Most of my attention at yesterday's practice was honed in on the quarterback position. Zach Wilson had his best day as a Bronco and showed promise to be Denver's QB2 in 2024. Wilson was so much more decisive, in a good way, than has been seen in previous practices with Denver and for much of his previous three NFL seasons. Wilson looked comfortable and composed. Hopefully, his performance was indicative of him turning the proverbial corner in the football rehab he is currently undergoing. 

I came away with these following opinions, which could change based on the rest of training camp and preseason performances: (1) Nix should be the Week 1 starter; (2) Wilson should be the backup; and (3) Jarrett Stidham should be traded/released after the preseason. 

In my humble opinion, Stidham's roster spot should be in jeopardy at this point, particularly at his current salary. To me, Stidham should be the best quarterback in these practices based on this being his sixth NFL season and his second in Sean Payton's offense, while competing against a rookie and Wilson, with one being new to the NFL entirely, and both arriving in Denver via the draft and trade three months ago. Stidham played below replacement level yesterday. Stidham held onto the ball much too long, missed too many open receivers, and was inconsistent in the quick game. If Stidham is not significantly ahead of Wilson by preseason's end, I do not see why the Broncos would keep him on the roster, especially for how much they can save from a salary cap standpoint, with little dead money resulting.

NEW KICKOFF FORMATION WORK

The Broncos spent a significant portion of yesterday's practice working on kickoffs, as the NFL adopted a substantially new rule to address the lowest kickoff return rate in league history that occurred last season. Wil Lutz worked on different ball trajectories. Lutz showcased particularly kicking deftness when he placed the ball at the 10-yard line, with a quirky bounce, that was tricky to field. Those working at returner were the incumbent, Marvin Mims, Jalen Virgil, Tremon Smith, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie, Phillip Dorsett and Michael Bandy. Of the returners, Mims looked best, both from a natural and technical perspective. There is a smoothness to that facet of his game. Virgil and McLaughlin both demonstrated their blazing speed during this portion of practice.

7-ON-7 WORK 

Jarrett Stidham

1. From the shotgun, Stidham ended up taking what would have been in a sack in game conditions. The coverage was very good on this play.

2. From the shotgun, Stidham checked the ball down to Michael Bandy for a minimal gain.

3. From the shotgun, Stidham connected with Courtland Sutton for a touchdown.

4. From the shotgun, and a two-by-two wide receiver look, Stidham's pass to a receiver running a crossing route was broken up by Jonas Griffith.

Bo Nix

1. From the shotgun, Nix connected quickly with McLaughlin on a simple out route, where McLaughlin had plenty of space to do damage in the open field.

2. My view was obscured on this play, but it looked like a decently executed running back slip screen.

3. From the shotgun, Nix connected with Javonte Williams, who lined up in the backfield, on a simple out route.

4. From the shotgun, and 3rd-and-goal situation, Nix made a textbook, anticipatory throw to a spot, where only his intended receiver, Lucas Krull, could catch the ball, which should have been a touchdown at the front corner of the end zone, but Krull didn't turn around in time, and the pass fell incomplete.

Zach Wilson

1. From the shotgun, Wilson placed a perfectly placed pass into the hands of a streaking Troy Franklin for a 40-yard touchdown on a fly route.

2. From the shotgun, Wilson hit Michael Bandy in stride on a crossing route.

3. From the shotgun, Wilson's throw went through the back of the end zone and fell incomplete.

4. From the shotgun, Dorsett caught a very well placed ball at the front corner of a goal line pylon.

11-ON-11 WORK FIRST SERIES

Stidham

1. From under center, the Broncos ran a power play to Javonte Williams with Ben Powers pulling for a five-yard gain.

2. From the shotgun, Stidham tossed a nice ball to Tim Patrick, but under game conditions, the play more than likely would have resulted in a sack.

3. From the shotgun, Jaleel McLaughlin received a carry, and spun for extra yards, but under game conditions, he may have had his clock cleaned by an inside linebacker.

4. From the shotgun, Samaje Perine obtained minimal yardage on a run that he should have bounced outside, where a sizeable hole had emerged.

Nix

1. From the shotgun, Nix faked a handoff, and then attempted a pass to Greg Dulcich, but did not see a slinking Levi Wallace, who intercepted the pass.

2. From under center, the Broncos ran a counter play to Badie, who lost his footing. Otherwise, he would have had a substantial gain.

3. From under center, the Broncos angle blocked a run to Williams, who demonstrated patience until a hole on the weakside of the formation emerged, to which he then bolted through.

4. From under center, Denver ran another counter, which went to McLaughlin this time, who got lost amidst the scrum and found his way to a gain of close to ten yards.

Wilson

1. From under center, the Broncos ran a play-action fake of a power play. A defender was bearing down on Wilson, when he spun out to find an outbreaking Krull, who caught the pass and got upfield for a 15-yard gain.

2. From under center,  Audric Estimé, who is ginormous, picked up a couple of yards up the middle through a small hole.

3. From the shotgun, Reese Taylor blew up an outside toss to Badie.

4. From under center, Perine took a handoff up the middle for a minimal gain.

11-ON-11 WORK SECOND SERIES

Stidham

1. The first penalty of the day aborted the play when Powers false started.

2. From under center, Stidham hit Dulcich on a crosser that would have gone for a sizeable gain, under game conditions, when he got upfield.

3. From the shotgun, Stidham connected with Brandon Johnson on a slant that was reminiscent of Sean Payton calling that play in New Orleans to Michael Thomas.

4. From the shotgun, Stidham held onto the ball too long and was "sacked." 

5. From the 10-yard line, and out of the shotgun, Patrick made a nice one-handed snag on a crossing route near the sideline.

Nix

1. From the shotgun, Nix, stayed calm under pressure, perfectly stepped up in the pocket, and found Mims on a crossing route. 

2. From the shotgun, Perine slipped inside for a decent gain on a run call.

3. From the shotgun, Nix expertly connected with David Stills on an out route. The ball was thrown with dead-on anticipation for when Stills turned his head and hands, the ball was in the ideal spot to be caught. This was an NFL level throw that indicates whether a quarterback will find longevity in the league or not.

4. From under center, Nix bested his stellar throw from the previous play to connect with a diving Williams on the sideline of the end zone for a wheel route touchdown.

Wilson

1. From under center, Estime showed pure power in plowing up the middle, which will come in handy in short yardage situations when a first down or touchdown are needed.

2. From the shotgun, Wilson would have more than likely been sacked in a game, but he rolled out to his right on this play and connected with Franklin for the duo's second touchdown of the day.

3. From the shotgun, Wilson connected with Stills on sit down route in the middle of the field.

4. From the shotgun, Wilson got the ball out quick to Johnson for an out route completion.

11-ON-11 RED ZONE WORK

Stidham

1. From the shotgun, Stidham found Lil'Jordan Humphrey on a quick hitter.

2. From the shotgun, Stidham lobbed a jump ball up for Krull in the front corner of the end zone, but the pass was broken up. 

3. From under center, Stidham was "sacked" by Zach Allen.

4. From under center, Stidham connected with Humphrey again on a smoke route.

Nix

1. From a three wide receiver set, and out of the shotgun, Nix showed toughness by staying in the pocket to find Johnson on an out route.

2. From an initial five-wide set, before Estime motioned to the backfield, Nix sailed a pass intended for Humphrey through the back of the end zone.

3. From under center, Nix proficiently play-action faked a run, and then hit Dulcich in the back of the end zone on a crossing route.

4. From under center, the Broncos called play-action once again. This time, Nix faked a handoff to Perine, before Perine ran towards the right sideline and caught a pass in the front corner of the end zone for a touchdown.

Wilson

1. From the shotgun, Wilson threaded the ball between three defenders into the hands of Mims, who held despite the congestion and contact.

2. From the shotgun, Wilson hit Sills on a quick out route.

3. From the shotgun, Wilson held onto the ball too long, but managed to scramble up the middle towards the goal line.

4. From under center, Wilson play faked a run, and then threw a jump ball to Dorsett in the front corner of the end zone, which fell incomplete. 

FINAL NOTES AND THOUGHTS

Part of the lyrics to The Smiths' song, "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want," echo the sentiments that Broncos Country has for Greg Dulcich in wanting to see him have a full, healthy season.

Good times for a change

See, the luck I've had

Can make a good man

Turn bad

So please, please, please

Let me, let me, let me

Let me get what I want

This time

At this practice, it was evident what a weapon Dulcich can be in this offense and the security blanket that he would afford a rookie quarterback in Nix, so please, please, please let him stay healthy. . . . Alex Forsyth was getting work at left guard on Saturday. Luke Wattenberg has been working as the starting center, but the center competition is still open, according to Sean Payton. Payton also said that he is optimistic about Forsyth's development as a guard. . . . Javonte Williams looks trim, like he's trusting his knee again, while showing both patience and decisiveness as a runner. I am really intrigued to see what he will look like in preseason action, which starts two weeks from now. . . . While waiting in line to enter the practice field, I saw Randy Gradishar and his wife walk in. It is disappointing how many do not know who Gradishar is and what an elite football player he was. Next weekend, will truly be special, when his long overdue enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame finally takes place. . . . I'll be back on the berm for another training camp practice on Tuesday, July 30.