Ten observations about the Broncos entering the start of training camp:
1. A key statistic for coach Vic Fangio: The Broncos are 0-7 in September the past two seasons. They started 0-4 in 2019 (three one-possession losses and blown home leads against Chicago and Jacksonville) and 0-3 last year (two one-possession losses). Before the calendar flipped to October, they were chasing the season. The last time the franchise was over .500 was Week 3 of 2018 (2-1).
2. The schedule sets up perfectly for a good start … if the Broncos are any good. The Giants’ offense was worse last year than the Broncos’ offense and the status of running back Saquon Barkley (ACL) is in doubt. Jacksonville and the New York Jets will have new head coaches (Urban Meyer/Robert Saleh), offensive play-callers (Darrell Bevell/Mike LaFleur) and quarterbacks (Trevor Lawrence/Zach Wilson). Will Vic approach camp any differently?
3. When I asked Fangio last month, all he would offer is the staff has “discussed” how to construct the camp schedule to get to the starting gate in better form. “We have to play a little bit better and finish the games,” he said. “It’s definitely an emphasis with the team (and) with the staff. But as it relates to training camp and how we set it up, there won’t be major tweaks that way.”
4. The preseason has been shortened to three games. Two years ago, Fangio played his core players in Games 2-3 of a five-game slough-of-an-August. It didn’t feel like they had a chance to be sharp enough. Complicating things next month will be Quarterback Competition 2021 (QC2021) and getting skill players enough work with Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater. If I was Vic, I would name my quarterback on Aug. 23 (two days after the Seattle game), giving the winner three weeks of practice (and a cameo in the final tune-up game) before the Giants game.
5. What is the state of Lock’s footwork? He said he was a “right foot forward” quarterback at Missouri and “left foot forward” quarterback with the Broncos in 2019-20, signaling the foot that is a step ahead in the shotgun. Lock is now using a “more squared stance … (quarterbacks) Coach (Mike) Shula tried to get me to change (to) that earlier. Just as far as being comfortable and getting the plays out last year, I kept that left foot forward. He said, ‘When you start practicing this offseason, let’s switch it up to a little more squared stance (and) get the feet firing a little quicker.’ Ever since I started throwing this offseason, I tried to keep a little more squared with a little right foot in front.”
6. A player to watch during the open practices is inside linebacker Justin Strnad, whom Broncos fans have never seen in-person after he missed all of 2020 (wrist surgery). Last August, Fangio and defensive coordinator Ed Donatell were grooming Strnad to play a sub-package role because of his coverage ability. “He’s really like a rookie on the field, but he’s doing well,” Fangio said. “He’s definitely a very conscientious player. He wants to carve out a role for himself with the defense.”
7. Strnad’s big chance will begin when the pads go on. “Really, the offseason is just to train (inside linebackers) how to operate quickly,” Donatell said. “But then the real test comes (wearing pads) and especially for a young player, you have to put him in a real game. He’s prepared to be tested in July (and) August.”
8. Will we see receiver KJ Hamler at the start of camp? Hamstring issues derailed his initial camp and he was held out of the offseason program this spring/summer. The Broncos are right to be enamored with Hamler’s speed and the way he can be used all over the formation to stress a defense. But you can’t make an impact by working out on a side field.
9. At the time cornerback Bryce Callahan injured his foot last year he was arguably the Broncos’ most consistent defender. He should be “Bubble Wrap Guy” during camp. He has experience in Fangio’s defense and how it works. He knows how to cover slot receivers. And he will benefit by getting minimal work not only to make sure he’s available for Week 1, but also Week 13.
10. And it wouldn’t be a lap around the Broncos without an ownership update. The next trial date is Sept. 22 in Denver. The estate of former owner Edgar Kaiser contends they have right-of-first-refusal on any sale of the 60.8% of the team Kaiser sold to Pat Bowlen in 1984. The Patrick D. Bowlen Trustees likely believe the right-of-first-refusal option disappeared when Kaiser died in 2012. Even if the Kaiser camp wins and have 14 days to match any offer, do they really have $2.1 billion in between the couch cushions (60% of an estimated $3.5 billion sale price)? Doubtful.
