Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello everybody, and welcome back to some more late night
post Rockies, Broncos Country Tonight Action once again filling in
for Benjamin Albright and Nick Ferguson. It's Zach Seers, thrilled
to be with you all yet again tonight have some
training camp action I want to get to.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
In a little bit.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
We'll also do a bit of a mail bag based
on what I saw out there at training camp. But
first let's talk about the big Broncos and just otherwise
NFL news of the day, keeping it local. To start
us off here, Sean Payton gave us injury updates, Andre
(00:42):
Greenlaw and Kew Robinson who you know Dre Greenlaw a
huge free agency edition of course, and then Kee Robinson
was maybe the most impressive rookie of the early stages
of training camp and OTA's and all that, but it
missed the past couple practices. They came out with a
brace on his right leg. People were understandably concerned because
(01:03):
of the size of the brace. Turns out he is
just dealing with a bone bruise. He should be back
practicing on Monday. One would expect that won't have too
many lingering concerns and he should be good to go
for the season. Drake Greenlaw also had a bit of tightness.
I don't believe Sean Payden specified what that was, but
(01:23):
he will be expected back next week as well, though
he didn't say Monday. We don't know when next week,
but Drake green Law should be back next week sometime.
Bo Nicks through his first two interceptions of training camp.
Of Broncos' training camp today, he had yet to throw
any interceptions and you heard some fans worried about if
(01:46):
he was playing it too safe for anything. Today he
was clearly pushing those windows a little more. A penalty
canceled out the last one, but still nice to see
him pushing those windows a little more, seeing what he
can and can't get away with. Hopefully continues to be aggressive,
but we do see him improve a little and learn
(02:07):
from those other weapons. Blake Watson had another really impressive day.
He's one I'm very excited to see in the preseason
if he can push at Tyler Bidday as well, if
those guys could maybe push for that third running back job.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
I think everyone figures JK. Dobbins R. J.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
Harvey will be the top two guys, but how is
that room going to round out. I think it's wide
open between the other four guys, So excited to see
how that plays out. Certainly, Tellano Whufonga had his first
big highlight of training camp snagging that Boat Knicks interception.
Sean Payton was hyped about it, talked about how it
looked like Telenoah Hufunga teleported eight yards before the interception
(02:44):
right to hear him making an impact. And that's the
presence he brought to the forty nine ers and why
he was a second team All Pro just a few
years ago. He is always around the ball and just
a splash play playmaker, whether it's a huge hit, creating
a fumble, recovering a fumble, finding an interception. That's his
bread and butter. And excited to see that combo with
Brandon Jones this year. Wildly fun safety group. Finally, at
(03:08):
least as far as the Denver Broncos are concerned, they
released Mario Goodrich, veteran defensive back, in favor of veteran
linebacker Garrett Wallow. He will help shore up some of
the depth there for the Broncos with all the injuries
they're experiencing. Now for the big NFL News of the Day.
Cowboys superstar as rusher Micah Parsons has officially requested a trade.
(03:32):
He said in his message that he publicly posted on
social media that he no longer wants to play for
the Dallas Cowboys. Now this is probably just posturing, but
that's some pretty severe language and represents a dramatic escalation
in this war between Jerry Jones and Micah Parsons. Now
(03:58):
let's start with should the Broncos have interest in this
or pursue this.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
One?
Speaker 1 (04:03):
They should, They should absolutely have interest, and you know,
ask around see what the situation is. I don't think
it should be overlooked that Michael Parsons has apparently been
a headache at both Penn State and now with the Cowboys.
Not that that's the reason why you don't do it,
but you know, that is part of the situation here
(04:24):
that has to be taken into account. And he'd also
be wildly expensive. He is more valuable than a good
number of established starting quarterbacks, you know, the only non
quarterbacks more valuable than him in a trade, like maybe Milescarrett,
but with his age probably not, you know, maybe Jamar Chase,
(04:46):
justin Jefferson and you know, that's probably the end of
the list, so he has to go for probably multiple
first round picks, certainly at least one, and some other
meaningful draft capital. Maybe the Broncos could lower the price
by swapping back a Nick Benito or something like that.
But you have to remember it's not just the trade,
(05:07):
but then all the leverage you're giving up with that
trade will force you to give Micah Parsons a deal
that completely resets the market, maybe forty five, maybe fifty
million dollars a year, which is, you know, maybe manageable
with very rich ownership, but would probably be a little
uncomfortable with how much the Broncos already have invested up front.
(05:29):
All that said, though, I have to say it's probably
a moot point because knowing Jerry Jones and how he operates,
he's probably just after the headlines. He likes being the
center of attention and he likes everyone talking about him
and the Cowboys drama. But ultimately he bends over and
pays ceed Lamb. You know, however much Ceedy Lamb wants,
he pays Dak Prescott, however much Dak wants, pays a
(05:53):
steeply declining Zeke Elliott however much he wants. He's a pushover.
He just likes to stay in the headlines and have
this standoff for as long as pot possible. And I
bet this micro Parson situation plays out the exact same way.
One guy from that Texas area who isn't a pushover,
Jade Baron. Ryan Edwards, spoke with him to today. Here
is that incredible interview.
Speaker 4 (06:15):
All right, house, training camp going for you?
Speaker 3 (06:17):
So far, it's going good.
Speaker 4 (06:18):
He's doing good.
Speaker 5 (06:19):
Yeah, sometimes rookies will describe training camp is drinking through
a fire hose.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
How do you how do you feel you're doing out there?
I mean I'm doing good. I mean I live by
some being committed to the process. Where I'm doing that,
I'll be emotionally attached to the results. So I mean
there's days that I'm pissed off, you know, it's just
it's just who I am, in the standard I have
for myself. But I mean this team and the coaches,
they keep they keep pushing me and just keep building me,
make sure my headspace is right, checking on me, checking
(06:44):
how my mom's doing, how my family's doing. So it's
a real tight bond here, real family here, and They'll
check on you anytime, any moment after practice, whether if
I'm looking down on my phone. Maybe they don't know
if I'm looking on my phone, they'll check on me. Hey,
you all right. So it's just a good family oriented
group here, always looking out for each other.
Speaker 5 (07:01):
I love that you, you know, played the star position
there in Texas, And of course the Broncos drafted you
with the expectation that they're going to be moving you
all over the place. Does that almost make it a
little bit more difficult as you're trying to acclimate yourself
to the NFL that you have to learn so many
positions or is the other side true saying I'm learning
so many positions, which helps me know more about the defense.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
So I've been in I put myself in those type
of positions you know in college. Obviously the speed of
it is faster than things like that. They're real big difference. Obviously,
it's just the cause and different schemes. I'm doing the
same putting myself in the same exact positions, but it's
a different cause and different schemes that I have to
interpret and put in my brain and how I understanding
(07:41):
and things like that. So I've been just trying to
master master the defense and learn the defense. First.
Speaker 5 (07:46):
You got a lot of veteran in the secondary, obviously
the defensive player of the Year in passer ten, but
even adding Jodd Barron, having Brendan Jones back there. How's
the communication going with those guys and there is there
any kind of feedback they've given you so far?
Speaker 4 (07:58):
I was good, just to keep going. It's gonna be days,
it's gonna be tough. It's gonna be days. I'd be good,
but just keep stacking. And then I spoke my uncle yesterday.
He told me, it's like it's a process. You're gonna
You're gonna grow. You're grinding blind right now. You may
not see the reward yet, but just just keep going,
Just keep going. You might not see the progress, but
(08:18):
it's coming and it's there. You just can't see it,
but it's there. So uh, the guys on the team,
they just keep building me, just keep pushing me do better.
You know, we're just communicating on the field. I'm learning
how to communicate with different guys on the field, so
it's good for me.
Speaker 5 (08:31):
What would you say as some of the most important
traits of being a good cornerback.
Speaker 4 (08:36):
Uh. I mean, it's a lot being patient, understanding when
to take chances. Maybe if I have help here, if
we're covered to want to play the whole player leverage,
it's always important about leverage understanding if if I have
Mike there his splits and a lot of things like that.
So it's a different variable situations that can happen during
the game. So it's all a game plan all game situation.
(08:57):
But I would say most things just being poisoned. And
and then the thing I've been learning, whether if it's
it's a playoff, I don't like. You got to have
short term memory. Always always have it. At this level,
you really do have to have it because the next
player can come at you the next place. So just
always have short term memory. Just keep going. Is Nickel
more difficult or outside? What would you what would you say?
Speaker 5 (09:17):
Is a corner as a dB is more difficult position
to play?
Speaker 4 (09:21):
Honestly, I will say they're even. You know, they both
have they both have their positive they both have their
negatives where or you have to do things and you
have to address certain ways. But they're both they're both
a tough position. You know, dB is one of the
hardest positions on the field, no doubt. You know, obviously
other people if they played other positions, they would always
have no hard positions harder. But I always say dB
(09:43):
is the hardest position to play. So you just have
to understand what type of situation you're in at those
different spots. So I could be in a tough situation
at nickel, it's a certain way I'll play, And I
could be in the same situation at corner and it's
a different way out play. So it just all depends
where you're at.
Speaker 5 (09:56):
How does playing in I mean, obviously playing a tech
that you were playing against some good wide receivers. This
is NFL level wide receivers. And of course next week
you guys got the joint practice and you all a preseason
all that, But how does that compare like covering guys
like Courtland Sutton and Pat Bryan.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
I mean, these are big receivers. What's that like? It's fun.
It's fun that they're gonna get me better, most definitely,
And I'm here. My job is to get them better,
to show them things that they've never seen, and they're
showing me things that I've never seen. I went against
Courtland yesterday, he was kind of showing me something and
then we ran it back and he was showing me
how to do this and do this, just kind of
weighing the options on on what receivers were doing. That's
the veteran receiver. So I'm love, love just taking information
(10:32):
in from him so I could try to put it
in my game and then when maybe if I'm going
against a younger receiver in the game and not as
veteran as him, I'll have that edge because a veteran
receiver taught me things that maybe a young receiver doesn't know.
So it's pretty good, all right.
Speaker 5 (10:44):
Last thing I heard, you did a really good job
with your rookie performance with the Talent Show. What went
into I guess you saying a couple of songs?
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Is that what I said?
Speaker 4 (10:53):
I did rod wave knowing a lot of people know
Rod Wave, A lot of people really don't listen to
Rod Waves, so probably get some some cheers, some booze,
you know, some people vibing with it. And then my
whole plan was to not really get booed, but you know,
kind of get the vibe I did get, not people
really knowing. So then I cut it and then it
kind of played into dreams of nightmare is about Meek Mill. Okay,
(11:16):
you know everybody, everybody knows the classic meet Mil song.
Of course.
Speaker 5 (11:19):
Yeah, bo Nix was sinking your praises, he said, he said,
you brought down the house.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
So hey, that's good. I tried. I try to do
my best. You know, they get booed up there, so
I didn't want to get booed.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
I don't know about you, but I just absolutely love
hearing those stories about rookie hazing from training camp. I
think they are so fun so funny every year. Glad
that Ryan was able to get that out of Jade Baron.
Wish we were able to see the performance of ourselves
something else you love to hear, though, all the great
buzz coming out of camp about Trent Shirfield, who's just
(11:47):
been tearing it up. Ryan also caught up with that
Trent Shurfield two days ago after practice. Here's that interview.
Speaker 5 (11:56):
Now, all right, Trent, how's a train camp going?
Speaker 4 (11:58):
So far? So really good?
Speaker 3 (12:00):
And just trying to just stack the days up.
Speaker 6 (12:02):
Uh just take it in one day at the time
and join Colorado.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
Me and my family, Uh love it here.
Speaker 6 (12:07):
So far spent a couple of years in AZ kind
of similar a little bit so, but yeah, definitely definitely
enjoying training camp and enjoying getting better.
Speaker 5 (12:15):
So what what attracted you to call around a free agency?
Speaker 6 (12:18):
I think, honestly, I think for me, I was looking
for somewhere that I could I think, be very very.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
Well coached in both offense and on special teams.
Speaker 6 (12:29):
And I think that when you look at obviously coach
Sean Payton's resume and then you also look at coach
Rizzy's the resume, you can't really beat it. And uh,
for a player like myself, I tried to pride myself,
uh not only just on offense but also on special teams.
It just seemed like a no brainer, you know for
me because this is coach Rizzy's first year. Uh not
wish Sean Payton, but here whatever, and it just felt
(12:49):
like a no brainer for me. A couple of guys
were leaving, uh that were key special teams players. I
think Traymon Smith, he left, he went somewhere else and
you know had a you know, was able to you know,
a big pay day and with the Houston Texas, so
it was a it was a gap that needed to
be filled in that area. And you know, I also
felt like, obviously to a Sean Payne and his offensive scheme,
I just feel like you fit me.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
And so that's that's what really attracted me.
Speaker 5 (13:12):
Yeah, and you spent a few years to start your
career in Arizona and then you kind of bounced around.
Do you kind of feel like a bit of a
sponge where you sort of just soaked up every opportunity
and that's brought you to this spot here.
Speaker 6 (13:21):
Yeah, for sure, I think that that's a really really
great way to put it.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
I think that I've learned over the course of my career.
Speaker 4 (13:27):
Me.
Speaker 3 (13:27):
I spent three years in Arizona.
Speaker 6 (13:29):
I was able to learn from coach Jerry Sullivan, YEP,
one of the old old time best receivers. Coach is
probably ever to walk this walk this earth, and still
talk to him to this day. Was able to learn
from him, obviously, learned from Larry Fitzgerald, play with Christian Kirk.
Then I leave there, go to San Francisco and then obviously,
you know, learn from Kyle Shanahan what it means to
be a blocking receiver, what it means to you know,
(13:52):
set up the pass with you know, with your with
your blocking, and you got you know, your number one,
number two receivers, you know, blocking their butts off and
go from there.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
And I go to Miami and play a little bit.
Speaker 6 (14:02):
And so it's I've, like you said, I've been able
to kind of soak up a lot of different you know, knowledge,
you know, from coaches, from players.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
I've played with a lot.
Speaker 6 (14:09):
Of great talents, man, I mean Larry Fitzgerald, Stefon Diggs,
Tyreek Hill, jay Len Waddo, Gabe Davis, I mean, just
a boatload of you know, just town of Justin Jefferson,
I mean, like Jordan Naddens and all these guys are
really really good receivers and they're now here to come
and play with Courtland Sudden, Marvel.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Mills, all these guys.
Speaker 6 (14:27):
So we're really really fortunate blessing that regard and being
able to kind of just take different tools from different guys.
Speaker 5 (14:32):
So and learning all of that. What do you feel
like you know that makes an often successful? What makes
a team successful based on all experience?
Speaker 6 (14:41):
Yeah, I think, honestly, I think the continuity of a team,
how close the team is.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
I think that you know your superstars, your superstars that.
Speaker 6 (14:51):
Are on the team, They're not bigger than anybody else.
I think that's the biggest thing.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
Man.
Speaker 3 (14:55):
The teams that really good teams that I've been.
Speaker 6 (14:56):
On, you have those high caliber players, but their demeanor
and their character is just like you know, an undrafted guy, right,
And the team treats everybody the same. And I think
that that's what you have to have, and that's what
we have here. If I'm being, you know, completely honest
with you, we got guys that are just I mean,
super down to earth.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (15:14):
This team is special, man, It's a really really special team.
I've been on a couple of different teams. I'm not
just saying that just cause I'm onna on this team.
We have a obviously we have a really really good
coaching staff, but I think the players, man, we we're
really really close.
Speaker 4 (15:25):
Man.
Speaker 3 (15:26):
So so yeah, very cool.
Speaker 5 (15:27):
Last one I have for you, man, I just want
to ask you about bow Nicks and so your early
impressions of U Bawl and getting on the same page
with him.
Speaker 6 (15:34):
Yeah, Man, I think that playing with bow second year guy,
immediately when I came in, you can already kind of
tell he's light years ahead, light years ahead of his
I guess his second year, right, you you put that second.
Speaker 3 (15:47):
Year on him, those growing pains, all that different stuff.
Speaker 4 (15:50):
Man.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
I think that he's way ahead.
Speaker 4 (15:53):
Man.
Speaker 6 (15:53):
I think that he's a phenomenal player. I love playing
with him, being able to kind of work with him
here obviously in the off season as well, to work
with OTA's all that good stuff. And I'm just super
excited to get to work with them, man, and be
able to help out any way I can.
Speaker 1 (16:08):
Great stuff from Ryan in there. Always love to hear
those exclusive interviews. If you've missed any of them, make
sure you check them out over on the KAWA Sports
podcast feed that's up on the iHeartRadio app or on
KOA Colorado dot Com. Time for a break, but coming
up in the next segment, I'll be answering some of
(16:29):
your top questions about Broncos' training camp. That's up next
after this break. Hello, Broncos Country, Welcome back. Yes, yet again,
it's Zach Siegers filling in for Benjamin Albright and Nick
Ferguson after they held down the forward for us on
(16:51):
a terrific night celebrating Kowa's one hundredth anniversary.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
I hope you were.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
Able to stop by and enjoy that with us. But
now I'm back yet again to handle the late night shift.
Yet another day of Broncos training camp today and yet
another day of padded practice. There's one big point I
want to hit on there, and then we'll get into
a bit of a Broncos mail bag. I feel like,
(17:19):
you know, at a point in training camp you've observed
all the new stuff there. You can only make such
strong takeaways from what we're seeing. You know, there's not
real tackling, there's not full contact, and so to freshen
it up so I'm not just beating the same dead horse,
I turned to you guys and asked what you wanted
to hear about, and so operated a little mail bag today.
(17:41):
Checked in on some things today at Broncos' training camp,
and I will give you those answers. But first the
new observation I have for you guys, cause I've seen
some concern.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
About Devon valat online.
Speaker 1 (17:54):
He hasn't been the camp darling he was in past
I guess just last year or you know, he really
emerged as the second best pass catcher in that room,
and he hasn't been super hyped up this training camp.
And I've seen some fans worried as to why has
he declined? You know, now all the buzz is about
Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin and Trent Sherfield and Pat Bryant.
(18:15):
And I really think it's because there's not a whole
lot new there. Not that he's a worst player or
there's anything problematic or he's failing to make plays. It's
just he looks like the same guy he was last year.
Similar to why, you know, outside the contract news, there
hasn't been a lot of Courtland Sudden talk.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
You know, maybe a.
Speaker 1 (18:35):
Little about his matchups with Patrick Sirtan, but that's just
because a couple of the best players on the Denver
Broncos going at it with each other, right, Otherwise you're
not hearing a lot about Courtland Sudden and because there's
not a whole lot new there outside the contract extension
and you know, the daily battles with Sirtan, with file Ay,
there's not a lot new there.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
And I think on one end that's.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Maybe a little disappointing because he had such a strong
rookie year you'd hope he would be able to continue
to build on it.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
On the other I don't think it's too.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
Surprising because this is a player who was a twenty
seven year old rookie at an athleticism based position. You know,
he was going up in college, going up against nineteen
twenty year olds and thriving in those matchups, and he
you know, sometimes those older players can hit the ground
(19:28):
running in the NFL, but when you're at, you know,
a position like quarterback, we so regularly see development in
the later twenties into the thirties of a player's career
that really doesn't happen elsewhere. Maybe a little on the
offensive line, but that's pretty rare outside of quarterback. And
(19:51):
it's why generally speaking, it's better to target younger players
in the draft, not so much because you're worried about
the second contract, but because if you draft it twenty
seven year old rookie a wide receiver, there's not that
much more for them to develop or to grow into,
or by the time they master some of those finer
details of the NFL game, their athletic capabilities might start
(20:13):
to tail off some just because of their natural age
and so far in training camp, Fillay fits the bill
as one of those players that you know is an
older rookie of one of these positions and just isn't
quite taking that next step because it might just not
be there for him. Now, that's fine.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
The Broncos do need to, you.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
Know, maybe find another great weapon next to Sutton, so
you're not leaning so heavily just on Sutton to be
your big play guy. But if Lay just continues to
be what he was last season for the Denver Broncos,
that's fine. He was a plenty effective number two receiver
last year. Ideally you have some other guys, you know,
(20:57):
Evan Ingram, Marvin Mims, you know, maybe Troy Franklin take
on bigger roles and he's able to slot in where
is the number three or number four option in the
passing attack.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
But again, we're not talking.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
About a guy that's falling off a cliff or meaningfully
declined in any real way. It's just Mims is taking
a big leap, Franklin's taking a big leap. Trent Sherfield
and Pat Bryant our new faces that everyone's curious about.
And so those guys are getting more eyeballs right now
than Devon Delay, who you know, it's kind of old
(21:28):
hat there.
Speaker 2 (21:30):
So I just wanted to hit on that.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
I don't think it's concerning, but I do think it's
maybe worth noting that, Hey, this guy isn't the future
number one of the Denver Broncos. Maybe maybe he is
just going to be a role player at a similar level.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
To we saw last season. And that's not bad. That's fine.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
That's a valuable part of an NFL offense. Now to
get into the mailbag, you guys left me some great
questions over on Twitter at zach underscore Sears, So thank
you all very much for that first one here from
Jason Bishop.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
Has there been any wide.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
Receivers two through six that you feel wide receiver or
wide receivers two through six that you feel have separated
themselves from the rest with their play? So that top
six kind of the guys I just rattled off, Sutton, Mims, Valet.
Then you've got Franklin, Brian and Sherfield the ones that
(22:24):
I think have separated themselves. One, Sutton is already kind
of separated himself. He's going to be the number one,
we know that. But to his point, two through six,
who has separated themselves? I think Mimes and I'm cautioned
saying that because he had a really strong camp last
year and it didn't quite translate into the season. Mimes
I think has had a really strong camp so far.
(22:47):
Troy Franklin though, in terms of like separating themselves from
the pack, Troy Franklin's looked outstanding this camp to an extent.
I still struggle to believe. But just he looks like
a difference maker. I mean, he doesn't just like, oh yeah,
maybe he should be starting for the Broncos. He looks like,
whoa did the Broncos really find something in this guy?
And it's training camp. Who knows if he's going to
(23:08):
look like that in the regular season. I want to
keep hammering that point home because I don't want to
overhype anything here. Definitely has a ways to go in
a lot of different facets, but or or at least
prove to prove he's come that way in a lot
of different facets in a real game.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
But the training camp.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
Returns man it is I don't know, like so he's
not Jamar Chase out there, but he looks like he
could be starting.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
And you know, just talking about who could maybe.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
Emerge next to Corland Sutton as a high end weapon
in this Broncos passing attack. Troy Franklin looks like he
could maybe do that, And I'm stunned saying that. I
thought I was going to be talking about him as
a potential camp cut and he's just come so far.
I was talking with Ben this morning on Ross Kaminski,
and you know, he just like he was in the
(23:57):
doghouse all last training camp and really throughout the season,
and he's on the other end of the spectrum now.
He's like the golden child this go around. I think
that reflects a lot of personal maturity and growth, and
then you see the physical maturity and growth as well, and.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
The improvement of.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
Skills and nuances of his game, whether it's the releases
we heard Riley Moss talk about that, or just the hands.
Speaker 2 (24:19):
He's not dropping things.
Speaker 1 (24:20):
You know, if Riley Moss breaks up a target, that's
one thing, But if it hits his gloves, he's catching
the ball this training camp and that's pretty valuable. Or
the Broncos, so he stands out and then probably Surefield.
You know, if I had to say just one, I'd
say Franklin, But then Mims and Sherfield are right behind him.
I think they've also had excellent camps.
Speaker 3 (24:42):
Mims.
Speaker 1 (24:42):
I just love seeing him being used in a more
variety of ways, in a more developed way, I guess
you could say, a more advanced way. It's not just
the designer. Oh man, we love Mims with the ball
in his hands, but he can't really do the receiver
stuff to get the ball there. We do to design
a play where we're getting the ball in his hands
(25:02):
in an easy, manufactured way. He's not having to lean
on those manufactured touches so heavily in this camp. That
gives me a lot of hope and optimism for what
he could do this year. And Trent Shurfield primode litl
Jordan Humphrey. You need a dirty work guy. I think
eventually they want Pat Bryant to be that, and I
(25:25):
think he will be that eventually, But so much of
that role in Sean Payne's offense. What Lil Jordan Humphrey
was last year, what Trent Schurfield figures to be this
year is like doing your job all Bill belichickism of
like doing your job, knowing your role, being in the
right place at the right time, and then executing those
dirty work responsibilities at a high level. It's the unsexy
(25:48):
part of the offense, but it's it's a necessary cog
and Shurfield I think will thrive in it. He's been
a very impressive receiver all training camp, and we already
know he is an elite special teams player, a very
good blocker for the receiver position, and so I think
(26:09):
he's probably outperformed, you know, like our March expectations, about
as much as everyone anyone in that room. Another good
question from you guys here from Andrew at base Ball
Expert instead of L's.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
It's two eyes.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
What changes or improvements have you seen to bo Nix's
game this camp. I hit on this a few days ago.
To me, it just looks so much more controlled and
well thought out. I guess again, I think just his
rookie year, it was a lot of living by the
seat of his pants or whatever. The expression is just
(26:48):
kind of winging it to an extent, and that's almost
like that's maybe not quite right, because it's not like
he wasn't studying or preparing or anything.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
But Sean pays off.
Speaker 1 (27:00):
This is pretty complex, and being an NFL quarterback is
very complex and very difficult, and I think we see
a lot of rookies struggle with that role, and you know,
it's like trying to become a doctor or whatever.
Speaker 2 (27:13):
You know, it takes a few years.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
It's not just even if you are working incredibly hard,
it takes a while to get that final degree. And
I think even still bo Nix hasn't quote unquote mastered
the offense. I think it'll probably be, you know, not
until year four that we could confidently say he's mastered
all the ins and outs, and even then there's probably
still going to be room for growth and development. But
Mahomes has been with Andy Reid his entire career is
(27:37):
an incredibly mentally sharp quarterback. He's still unlocking new levels
of that offense. And that's just to say, you know,
Nicks has not mastered this offense yet, but he clearly
has a much better grip on it than he had
even you know, at the tail end of last year.
As vance Joseph is throwing these different pressure packages or
different coverages at him, you can see him know the
(28:00):
answers to the test ahead of time and make some
more pre stab snap diagnoses than he was able to
make before. I think when he has been pressured, he's
done a better job of keeping his eyes up and
just kind of stepping up in the pocket and finding
that receiver. That's still a work in progress for him.
I think he can drop his eyes too much and
(28:22):
start looking for, you know, the escape lane, whether it's
to scramble or to just get out of the pocket
and then look downfield. I think that sometimes can can
get him in more trouble than he gets him out of.
But you're still seeing growth in that facet of his game.
The no interceptions thing. I know some people are worried
about that. I just that really hasn't stood out to me.
(28:43):
I wouldn't say he's being overly safe with the ball.
You know, maybe a hair but I just I'm not
too worried about it. Our r from tw at t
at up four h six R RJ. Harvey's quads bigger
than your waist. They're not that big, you know. I
thought to just write this question off immediately. Good's closer
(29:03):
than I would like it to be.
Speaker 4 (29:04):
Though.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
I'll say that R. J. Harvey is a freak show.
Speaker 1 (29:08):
I mean, I don't think you'll be able to appreciate
it from like a broadcast angle. I guess I'll have
some feel with like slow mo stuff, but man, it
is ridiculous. Like the photos even I was seeing before
I got there didn't do it justice. But when he's
running like his whole leg is popping, he looks more
like Secretariat running out there than he does you know,
(29:32):
most running backs I've seen, it is pretty remarkable. Hopefully
that translates to the game atmosphere. What's my biggest concern
heading into joint practices in the first preseason game next week?
You know, I think I have to say linebacker. I'm
just wondering who's going to emerge there. I think Lavelle
Bailey's looked very good in training camp, but what if
(29:55):
he's having to start games for you and justin star
not is the guy to him instead of like a
Dre Greenlawer, Alex Singleton or someone who can really booy him.
What does that look like? That's probably the biggest area
of concern for me. I think the other one.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
And a concern might even be.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
Strong, But I just want to see what this offensive
line looks like against someone that isn't the Broncos pass rush,
because the Broncos pass rush has dominated them all camp long,
and that's kind of typical the offensive lines can't really
block during this stage in training camp, and you you know,
(30:33):
defensive lines typically win, So I'm not worried about it,
but it is I want the confirmation that they can
hold up. And that also, I'll say, applies to the receivers.
Speaker 3 (30:46):
You know that.
Speaker 1 (30:48):
They haven't been able to separate through much of training camp.
Now Broncos might have the best secondary in the league.
So is that concerning.
Speaker 2 (30:57):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (30:58):
You know, if if the Broncos can't separate against you know,
the Cardinals or the forty nine ers or whoever in
the preseason, then.
Speaker 2 (31:05):
Maybe it's a little more troubling.
Speaker 1 (31:07):
So those things that I don't think I'm concerned about
them yet because I think they can be pretty easily
explained away in training camp.
Speaker 2 (31:17):
But they are things.
Speaker 1 (31:18):
They're boxes I haven't checked off yet and I would
like to check them off early in the preseason.
Speaker 2 (31:24):
Last one here and this will.
Speaker 1 (31:25):
Be a little bit of a two on one Bronco
at Bronco fan fan asked how has Baron looked? Has
he improved since the start of camp? And at Jonathan
Luthy asked, now have or how have all the rookies
acclimated and who has been the best of the bunch.
I think Q rot and now we haven't seen him
he's been injured recently. I think you have to say
(31:47):
qu Robinson's been the best of the bunch. He's just
torn it up, you know. I think Crosshaws looked really
good too. It's a punter, so that's less exciting, but
he looks like a very strong special team straps picked
that you just lock down that punter position for the
foreseeable future in Denver.
Speaker 2 (32:05):
Baron though, is right there.
Speaker 1 (32:08):
I mean i'd probably put him ahead of Crosshaf, maybe
right behind Q. And then to the other part of
the question, like has he improved since the start of camp? Absolutely,
I think he continues to wow you more and more.
I keep coming back to what he's doing against the
run or as a blitzer, and that's not what you
know he was drafted in the top twenty to do. Necessarily,
(32:29):
it's obviously more of the coverage stuff, but man, he
is so physical against the run. He's a presence you
have to respect. He's a smart rusher too, like he
knows how to find the little crease in the line
or you know, cut back inside the running back that's
kicking out to try and block him and kind of
(32:50):
hit him with a crossover and get to the quarterback
that way. I think that's been exciting to see. And
also just the.
Speaker 2 (32:58):
Mental ability he reads things.
Speaker 1 (33:00):
He plays very fast out there, reads things out very quick,
always around the ball because of those instincts and because
of that high football IQ, you know, and I think
just to his physicality. You're seeing them match offensive looks
that should demand larger bodies out there. Trying to talk
(33:23):
about talk around this the best I can. That should
demand larger bodies out there, and you're seeing, you know,
instead of Baron coming off the field for a larger body,
they're just asking Baron to fulfill that responsibility that maybe
you'd ask a linebacker or a safety or whatever to
do and keep kind of a lighter personnel out there
on defense despite the offense going heavier and Baron feels
(33:47):
the responsibility. There was a play today where he's lined
up almost like a linebacker, you know, responsible for the
running back or whatever, and looked great. I just can't
wait to see how vance Joseph deploys him this offseason
because it should be incredibly exciting. Talked about Trent Sherfield.
Some talked a little bit about Jade Baron, maybe some
(34:08):
Evan Ingram talk. We'll get into all of those players
in the next segment thanks to some exclusive interviews from
our very own Ryan Edwards. You're listening to Broncos Country
tonight on KOA
Hello everybody, and welcome back to some more late night
post Rockies, Broncos Country Tonight Action once again filling in
for Benjamin Albright and Nick Ferguson. It's Zach Seers, thrilled
to be with you all yet again tonight have some
training camp action I want to get to.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
In a little bit.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
We'll also do a bit of a mail bag based
on what I saw out there at training camp. But
first let's talk about the big Broncos and just otherwise
NFL news of the day, keeping it local. To start
us off here, Sean Payton gave us injury updates, Andre
(00:42):
Greenlaw and Kew Robinson who you know Dre Greenlaw a
huge free agency edition of course, and then Kee Robinson
was maybe the most impressive rookie of the early stages
of training camp and OTA's and all that, but it
missed the past couple practices. They came out with a
brace on his right leg. People were understandably concerned because
(01:03):
of the size of the brace. Turns out he is
just dealing with a bone bruise. He should be back
practicing on Monday. One would expect that won't have too
many lingering concerns and he should be good to go
for the season. Drake Greenlaw also had a bit of tightness.
I don't believe Sean Payden specified what that was, but
(01:23):
he will be expected back next week as well, though
he didn't say Monday. We don't know when next week,
but Drake green Law should be back next week sometime.
Bo Nicks through his first two interceptions of training camp.
Of Broncos' training camp today, he had yet to throw
any interceptions and you heard some fans worried about if
(01:46):
he was playing it too safe for anything. Today he
was clearly pushing those windows a little more. A penalty
canceled out the last one, but still nice to see
him pushing those windows a little more, seeing what he
can and can't get away with. Hopefully continues to be aggressive,
but we do see him improve a little and learn
(02:07):
from those other weapons. Blake Watson had another really impressive day.
He's one I'm very excited to see in the preseason
if he can push at Tyler Bidday as well, if
those guys could maybe push for that third running back job.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
I think everyone figures JK. Dobbins R. J.
Speaker 1 (02:22):
Harvey will be the top two guys, but how is
that room going to round out. I think it's wide
open between the other four guys, So excited to see
how that plays out. Certainly, Tellano Whufonga had his first
big highlight of training camp snagging that Boat Knicks interception.
Sean Payton was hyped about it, talked about how it
looked like Telenoah Hufunga teleported eight yards before the interception
(02:44):
right to hear him making an impact. And that's the
presence he brought to the forty nine ers and why
he was a second team All Pro just a few
years ago. He is always around the ball and just
a splash play playmaker, whether it's a huge hit, creating
a fumble, recovering a fumble, finding an interception. That's his
bread and butter. And excited to see that combo with
Brandon Jones this year. Wildly fun safety group. Finally, at
(03:08):
least as far as the Denver Broncos are concerned, they
released Mario Goodrich, veteran defensive back, in favor of veteran
linebacker Garrett Wallow. He will help shore up some of
the depth there for the Broncos with all the injuries
they're experiencing. Now for the big NFL News of the Day.
Cowboys superstar as rusher Micah Parsons has officially requested a trade.
(03:32):
He said in his message that he publicly posted on
social media that he no longer wants to play for
the Dallas Cowboys. Now this is probably just posturing, but
that's some pretty severe language and represents a dramatic escalation
in this war between Jerry Jones and Micah Parsons. Now
(03:58):
let's start with should the Broncos have interest in this
or pursue this.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
One?
Speaker 1 (04:03):
They should, They should absolutely have interest, and you know,
ask around see what the situation is. I don't think
it should be overlooked that Michael Parsons has apparently been
a headache at both Penn State and now with the Cowboys.
Not that that's the reason why you don't do it,
but you know, that is part of the situation here
(04:24):
that has to be taken into account. And he'd also
be wildly expensive. He is more valuable than a good
number of established starting quarterbacks, you know, the only non
quarterbacks more valuable than him in a trade, like maybe Milescarrett,
but with his age probably not, you know, maybe Jamar Chase,
(04:46):
justin Jefferson and you know, that's probably the end of
the list, so he has to go for probably multiple
first round picks, certainly at least one, and some other
meaningful draft capital. Maybe the Broncos could lower the price
by swapping back a Nick Benito or something like that.
But you have to remember it's not just the trade,
(05:07):
but then all the leverage you're giving up with that
trade will force you to give Micah Parsons a deal
that completely resets the market, maybe forty five, maybe fifty
million dollars a year, which is, you know, maybe manageable
with very rich ownership, but would probably be a little
uncomfortable with how much the Broncos already have invested up front.
(05:29):
All that said, though, I have to say it's probably
a moot point because knowing Jerry Jones and how he operates,
he's probably just after the headlines. He likes being the
center of attention and he likes everyone talking about him
and the Cowboys drama. But ultimately he bends over and
pays ceed Lamb. You know, however much Ceedy Lamb wants,
he pays Dak Prescott, however much Dak wants, pays a
(05:53):
steeply declining Zeke Elliott however much he wants. He's a pushover.
He just likes to stay in the headlines and have
this standoff for as long as pot possible. And I
bet this micro Parson situation plays out the exact same way.
One guy from that Texas area who isn't a pushover,
Jade Baron. Ryan Edwards, spoke with him to today. Here
is that incredible interview.
Speaker 4 (06:15):
All right, house, training camp going for you?
Speaker 3 (06:17):
So far, it's going good.
Speaker 4 (06:18):
He's doing good.
Speaker 5 (06:19):
Yeah, sometimes rookies will describe training camp is drinking through
a fire hose.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
How do you how do you feel you're doing out there?
I mean I'm doing good. I mean I live by
some being committed to the process. Where I'm doing that,
I'll be emotionally attached to the results. So I mean
there's days that I'm pissed off, you know, it's just
it's just who I am, in the standard I have
for myself. But I mean this team and the coaches,
they keep they keep pushing me and just keep building me,
make sure my headspace is right, checking on me, checking
(06:44):
how my mom's doing, how my family's doing. So it's
a real tight bond here, real family here, and They'll
check on you anytime, any moment after practice, whether if
I'm looking down on my phone. Maybe they don't know
if I'm looking on my phone, they'll check on me. Hey,
you all right. So it's just a good family oriented
group here, always looking out for each other.
Speaker 5 (07:01):
I love that you, you know, played the star position
there in Texas, And of course the Broncos drafted you
with the expectation that they're going to be moving you
all over the place. Does that almost make it a
little bit more difficult as you're trying to acclimate yourself
to the NFL that you have to learn so many
positions or is the other side true saying I'm learning
so many positions, which helps me know more about the defense.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
So I've been in I put myself in those type
of positions you know in college. Obviously the speed of
it is faster than things like that. They're real big difference. Obviously,
it's just the cause and different schemes. I'm doing the
same putting myself in the same exact positions, but it's
a different cause and different schemes that I have to
interpret and put in my brain and how I understanding
(07:41):
and things like that. So I've been just trying to
master master the defense and learn the defense. First.
Speaker 5 (07:46):
You got a lot of veteran in the secondary, obviously
the defensive player of the Year in passer ten, but
even adding Jodd Barron, having Brendan Jones back there. How's
the communication going with those guys and there is there
any kind of feedback they've given you so far?
Speaker 4 (07:58):
I was good, just to keep going. It's gonna be days,
it's gonna be tough. It's gonna be days. I'd be good,
but just keep stacking. And then I spoke my uncle yesterday.
He told me, it's like it's a process. You're gonna
You're gonna grow. You're grinding blind right now. You may
not see the reward yet, but just just keep going,
Just keep going. You might not see the progress, but
(08:18):
it's coming and it's there. You just can't see it,
but it's there. So uh, the guys on the team,
they just keep building me, just keep pushing me do better.
You know, we're just communicating on the field. I'm learning
how to communicate with different guys on the field, so
it's good for me.
Speaker 5 (08:31):
What would you say as some of the most important
traits of being a good cornerback.
Speaker 4 (08:36):
Uh. I mean, it's a lot being patient, understanding when
to take chances. Maybe if I have help here, if
we're covered to want to play the whole player leverage,
it's always important about leverage understanding if if I have
Mike there his splits and a lot of things like that.
So it's a different variable situations that can happen during
the game. So it's all a game plan all game situation.
(08:57):
But I would say most things just being poisoned. And
and then the thing I've been learning, whether if it's
it's a playoff, I don't like. You got to have
short term memory. Always always have it. At this level,
you really do have to have it because the next
player can come at you the next place. So just
always have short term memory. Just keep going. Is Nickel
more difficult or outside? What would you what would you say?
Speaker 5 (09:17):
Is a corner as a dB is more difficult position
to play?
Speaker 4 (09:21):
Honestly, I will say they're even. You know, they both
have they both have their positive they both have their
negatives where or you have to do things and you
have to address certain ways. But they're both they're both
a tough position. You know, dB is one of the
hardest positions on the field, no doubt. You know, obviously
other people if they played other positions, they would always
have no hard positions harder. But I always say dB
(09:43):
is the hardest position to play. So you just have
to understand what type of situation you're in at those
different spots. So I could be in a tough situation
at nickel, it's a certain way I'll play, And I
could be in the same situation at corner and it's
a different way out play. So it just all depends
where you're at.
Speaker 5 (09:56):
How does playing in I mean, obviously playing a tech
that you were playing against some good wide receivers. This
is NFL level wide receivers. And of course next week
you guys got the joint practice and you all a preseason
all that, But how does that compare like covering guys
like Courtland Sutton and Pat Bryan.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
I mean, these are big receivers. What's that like? It's fun.
It's fun that they're gonna get me better, most definitely,
And I'm here. My job is to get them better,
to show them things that they've never seen, and they're
showing me things that I've never seen. I went against
Courtland yesterday, he was kind of showing me something and
then we ran it back and he was showing me
how to do this and do this, just kind of
weighing the options on on what receivers were doing. That's
the veteran receiver. So I'm love, love just taking information
(10:32):
in from him so I could try to put it
in my game and then when maybe if I'm going
against a younger receiver in the game and not as
veteran as him, I'll have that edge because a veteran
receiver taught me things that maybe a young receiver doesn't know.
So it's pretty good, all right.
Speaker 5 (10:44):
Last thing I heard, you did a really good job
with your rookie performance with the Talent Show. What went
into I guess you saying a couple of songs?
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Is that what I said?
Speaker 4 (10:53):
I did rod wave knowing a lot of people know
Rod Wave, A lot of people really don't listen to
Rod Waves, so probably get some some cheers, some booze,
you know, some people vibing with it. And then my
whole plan was to not really get booed, but you know,
kind of get the vibe I did get, not people
really knowing. So then I cut it and then it
kind of played into dreams of nightmare is about Meek Mill. Okay,
(11:16):
you know everybody, everybody knows the classic meet Mil song.
Of course.
Speaker 5 (11:19):
Yeah, bo Nix was sinking your praises, he said, he said,
you brought down the house.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
So hey, that's good. I tried. I try to do
my best. You know, they get booed up there, so
I didn't want to get booed.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
I don't know about you, but I just absolutely love
hearing those stories about rookie hazing from training camp. I
think they are so fun so funny every year. Glad
that Ryan was able to get that out of Jade Baron.
Wish we were able to see the performance of ourselves
something else you love to hear, though, all the great
buzz coming out of camp about Trent Shirfield, who's just
(11:47):
been tearing it up. Ryan also caught up with that
Trent Shurfield two days ago after practice. Here's that interview.
Speaker 5 (11:56):
Now, all right, Trent, how's a train camp going?
Speaker 4 (11:58):
So far? So really good?
Speaker 3 (12:00):
And just trying to just stack the days up.
Speaker 6 (12:02):
Uh just take it in one day at the time
and join Colorado.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
Me and my family, Uh love it here.
Speaker 6 (12:07):
So far spent a couple of years in AZ kind
of similar a little bit so, but yeah, definitely definitely
enjoying training camp and enjoying getting better.
Speaker 5 (12:15):
So what what attracted you to call around a free agency?
Speaker 6 (12:18):
I think, honestly, I think for me, I was looking
for somewhere that I could I think, be very very.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
Well coached in both offense and on special teams.
Speaker 6 (12:29):
And I think that when you look at obviously coach
Sean Payton's resume and then you also look at coach
Rizzy's the resume, you can't really beat it. And uh,
for a player like myself, I tried to pride myself,
uh not only just on offense but also on special teams.
It just seemed like a no brainer, you know for
me because this is coach Rizzy's first year. Uh not
wish Sean Payton, but here whatever, and it just felt
(12:49):
like a no brainer for me. A couple of guys
were leaving, uh that were key special teams players. I
think Traymon Smith, he left, he went somewhere else and
you know had a you know, was able to you know,
a big pay day and with the Houston Texas, so
it was a it was a gap that needed to
be filled in that area. And you know, I also
felt like, obviously to a Sean Payne and his offensive scheme,
I just feel like you fit me.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
And so that's that's what really attracted me.
Speaker 5 (13:12):
Yeah, and you spent a few years to start your
career in Arizona and then you kind of bounced around.
Do you kind of feel like a bit of a
sponge where you sort of just soaked up every opportunity
and that's brought you to this spot here.
Speaker 6 (13:21):
Yeah, for sure, I think that that's a really really
great way to put it.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
I think that I've learned over the course of my career.
Speaker 4 (13:27):
Me.
Speaker 3 (13:27):
I spent three years in Arizona.
Speaker 6 (13:29):
I was able to learn from coach Jerry Sullivan, YEP,
one of the old old time best receivers. Coach is
probably ever to walk this walk this earth, and still
talk to him to this day. Was able to learn
from him, obviously, learned from Larry Fitzgerald, play with Christian Kirk.
Then I leave there, go to San Francisco and then obviously,
you know, learn from Kyle Shanahan what it means to
be a blocking receiver, what it means to you know,
(13:52):
set up the pass with you know, with your with
your blocking, and you got you know, your number one,
number two receivers, you know, blocking their butts off and
go from there.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
And I go to Miami and play a little bit.
Speaker 6 (14:02):
And so it's I've, like you said, I've been able
to kind of soak up a lot of different you know, knowledge,
you know, from coaches, from players.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
I've played with a lot.
Speaker 6 (14:09):
Of great talents, man, I mean Larry Fitzgerald, Stefon Diggs,
Tyreek Hill, jay Len Waddo, Gabe Davis, I mean, just
a boatload of you know, just town of Justin Jefferson,
I mean, like Jordan Naddens and all these guys are
really really good receivers and they're now here to come
and play with Courtland Sudden, Marvel.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Mills, all these guys.
Speaker 6 (14:27):
So we're really really fortunate blessing that regard and being
able to kind of just take different tools from different guys.
Speaker 5 (14:32):
So and learning all of that. What do you feel
like you know that makes an often successful? What makes
a team successful based on all experience?
Speaker 6 (14:41):
Yeah, I think, honestly, I think the continuity of a team,
how close the team is.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
I think that you know your superstars, your superstars that.
Speaker 6 (14:51):
Are on the team, They're not bigger than anybody else.
I think that's the biggest thing.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
Man.
Speaker 3 (14:55):
The teams that really good teams that I've been.
Speaker 6 (14:56):
On, you have those high caliber players, but their demeanor
and their character is just like you know, an undrafted guy, right,
And the team treats everybody the same. And I think
that that's what you have to have, and that's what
we have here. If I'm being, you know, completely honest
with you, we got guys that are just I mean,
super down to earth.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (15:14):
This team is special, man, It's a really really special team.
I've been on a couple of different teams. I'm not
just saying that just cause I'm onna on this team.
We have a obviously we have a really really good
coaching staff, but I think the players, man, we we're
really really close.
Speaker 4 (15:25):
Man.
Speaker 3 (15:26):
So so yeah, very cool.
Speaker 5 (15:27):
Last one I have for you, man, I just want
to ask you about bow Nicks and so your early
impressions of U Bawl and getting on the same page
with him.
Speaker 6 (15:34):
Yeah, Man, I think that playing with bow second year guy,
immediately when I came in, you can already kind of
tell he's light years ahead, light years ahead of his
I guess his second year, right, you you put that second.
Speaker 3 (15:47):
Year on him, those growing pains, all that different stuff.
Speaker 4 (15:50):
Man.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
I think that he's way ahead.
Speaker 4 (15:53):
Man.
Speaker 6 (15:53):
I think that he's a phenomenal player. I love playing
with him, being able to kind of work with him
here obviously in the off season as well, to work
with OTA's all that good stuff. And I'm just super
excited to get to work with them, man, and be
able to help out any way I can.
Speaker 1 (16:08):
Great stuff from Ryan in there. Always love to hear
those exclusive interviews. If you've missed any of them, make
sure you check them out over on the KAWA Sports
podcast feed that's up on the iHeartRadio app or on
KOA Colorado dot Com. Time for a break, but coming
up in the next segment, I'll be answering some of
(16:29):
your top questions about Broncos' training camp. That's up next
after this break. Hello, Broncos Country, Welcome back. Yes, yet again,
it's Zach Siegers filling in for Benjamin Albright and Nick
Ferguson after they held down the forward for us on
(16:51):
a terrific night celebrating Kowa's one hundredth anniversary.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
I hope you were.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
Able to stop by and enjoy that with us. But
now I'm back yet again to handle the late night shift.
Yet another day of Broncos training camp today and yet
another day of padded practice. There's one big point I
want to hit on there, and then we'll get into
a bit of a Broncos mail bag. I feel like,
(17:19):
you know, at a point in training camp you've observed
all the new stuff there. You can only make such
strong takeaways from what we're seeing. You know, there's not
real tackling, there's not full contact, and so to freshen
it up so I'm not just beating the same dead horse,
I turned to you guys and asked what you wanted
to hear about, and so operated a little mail bag today.
(17:41):
Checked in on some things today at Broncos' training camp,
and I will give you those answers. But first the
new observation I have for you guys, cause I've seen
some concern.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
About Devon valat online.
Speaker 1 (17:54):
He hasn't been the camp darling he was in past
I guess just last year or you know, he really
emerged as the second best pass catcher in that room,
and he hasn't been super hyped up this training camp.
And I've seen some fans worried as to why has
he declined? You know, now all the buzz is about
Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin and Trent Sherfield and Pat Bryant.
(18:15):
And I really think it's because there's not a whole
lot new there. Not that he's a worst player or
there's anything problematic or he's failing to make plays. It's
just he looks like the same guy he was last year.
Similar to why, you know, outside the contract news, there
hasn't been a lot of Courtland Sudden talk.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
You know, maybe a.
Speaker 1 (18:35):
Little about his matchups with Patrick Sirtan, but that's just
because a couple of the best players on the Denver
Broncos going at it with each other, right, Otherwise you're
not hearing a lot about Courtland Sudden and because there's
not a whole lot new there outside the contract extension
and you know, the daily battles with Sirtan, with file Ay,
there's not a lot new there.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
And I think on one end that's.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Maybe a little disappointing because he had such a strong
rookie year you'd hope he would be able to continue
to build on it.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
On the other I don't think it's too.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
Surprising because this is a player who was a twenty
seven year old rookie at an athleticism based position. You know,
he was going up in college, going up against nineteen
twenty year olds and thriving in those matchups, and he
you know, sometimes those older players can hit the ground
(19:28):
running in the NFL, but when you're at, you know,
a position like quarterback, we so regularly see development in
the later twenties into the thirties of a player's career
that really doesn't happen elsewhere. Maybe a little on the
offensive line, but that's pretty rare outside of quarterback. And
(19:51):
it's why generally speaking, it's better to target younger players
in the draft, not so much because you're worried about
the second contract, but because if you draft it twenty
seven year old rookie a wide receiver, there's not that
much more for them to develop or to grow into,
or by the time they master some of those finer
details of the NFL game, their athletic capabilities might start
(20:13):
to tail off some just because of their natural age
and so far in training camp, Fillay fits the bill
as one of those players that you know is an
older rookie of one of these positions and just isn't
quite taking that next step because it might just not
be there for him. Now, that's fine.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
The Broncos do need to, you.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
Know, maybe find another great weapon next to Sutton, so
you're not leaning so heavily just on Sutton to be
your big play guy. But if Lay just continues to
be what he was last season for the Denver Broncos,
that's fine. He was a plenty effective number two receiver
last year. Ideally you have some other guys, you know,
(20:57):
Evan Ingram, Marvin Mims, you know, maybe Troy Franklin take
on bigger roles and he's able to slot in where
is the number three or number four option in the
passing attack.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
But again, we're not talking.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
About a guy that's falling off a cliff or meaningfully
declined in any real way. It's just Mims is taking
a big leap, Franklin's taking a big leap. Trent Sherfield
and Pat Bryant our new faces that everyone's curious about.
And so those guys are getting more eyeballs right now
than Devon Delay, who you know, it's kind of old
(21:28):
hat there.
Speaker 2 (21:30):
So I just wanted to hit on that.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
I don't think it's concerning, but I do think it's
maybe worth noting that, Hey, this guy isn't the future
number one of the Denver Broncos. Maybe maybe he is
just going to be a role player at a similar level.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
To we saw last season. And that's not bad. That's fine.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
That's a valuable part of an NFL offense. Now to
get into the mailbag, you guys left me some great
questions over on Twitter at zach underscore Sears, So thank
you all very much for that first one here from
Jason Bishop.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
Has there been any wide.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
Receivers two through six that you feel wide receiver or
wide receivers two through six that you feel have separated
themselves from the rest with their play? So that top
six kind of the guys I just rattled off, Sutton, Mims, Valet.
Then you've got Franklin, Brian and Sherfield the ones that
(22:24):
I think have separated themselves. One, Sutton is already kind
of separated himself. He's going to be the number one,
we know that. But to his point, two through six,
who has separated themselves? I think Mimes and I'm cautioned
saying that because he had a really strong camp last
year and it didn't quite translate into the season. Mimes
I think has had a really strong camp so far.
(22:47):
Troy Franklin though, in terms of like separating themselves from
the pack, Troy Franklin's looked outstanding this camp to an extent.
I still struggle to believe. But just he looks like
a difference maker. I mean, he doesn't just like, oh yeah,
maybe he should be starting for the Broncos. He looks like,
whoa did the Broncos really find something in this guy?
And it's training camp. Who knows if he's going to
(23:08):
look like that in the regular season. I want to
keep hammering that point home because I don't want to
overhype anything here. Definitely has a ways to go in
a lot of different facets, but or or at least
prove to prove he's come that way in a lot
of different facets in a real game.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
But the training camp.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
Returns man it is I don't know, like so he's
not Jamar Chase out there, but he looks like he
could be starting.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
And you know, just talking about who could maybe.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
Emerge next to Corland Sutton as a high end weapon
in this Broncos passing attack. Troy Franklin looks like he
could maybe do that, And I'm stunned saying that. I
thought I was going to be talking about him as
a potential camp cut and he's just come so far.
I was talking with Ben this morning on Ross Kaminski,
and you know, he just like he was in the
(23:57):
doghouse all last training camp and really throughout the season,
and he's on the other end of the spectrum now.
He's like the golden child this go around. I think
that reflects a lot of personal maturity and growth, and
then you see the physical maturity and growth as well, and.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
The improvement of.
Speaker 1 (24:13):
Skills and nuances of his game, whether it's the releases
we heard Riley Moss talk about that, or just the hands.
Speaker 2 (24:19):
He's not dropping things.
Speaker 1 (24:20):
You know, if Riley Moss breaks up a target, that's
one thing, But if it hits his gloves, he's catching
the ball this training camp and that's pretty valuable. Or
the Broncos, so he stands out and then probably Surefield.
You know, if I had to say just one, I'd
say Franklin, But then Mims and Sherfield are right behind him.
I think they've also had excellent camps.
Speaker 3 (24:42):
Mims.
Speaker 1 (24:42):
I just love seeing him being used in a more
variety of ways, in a more developed way, I guess
you could say, a more advanced way. It's not just
the designer. Oh man, we love Mims with the ball
in his hands, but he can't really do the receiver
stuff to get the ball there. We do to design
a play where we're getting the ball in his hands
(25:02):
in an easy, manufactured way. He's not having to lean
on those manufactured touches so heavily in this camp. That
gives me a lot of hope and optimism for what
he could do this year. And Trent Shurfield primode litl
Jordan Humphrey. You need a dirty work guy. I think
eventually they want Pat Bryant to be that, and I
(25:25):
think he will be that eventually, But so much of
that role in Sean Payne's offense. What Lil Jordan Humphrey
was last year, what Trent Schurfield figures to be this
year is like doing your job all Bill belichickism of
like doing your job, knowing your role, being in the
right place at the right time, and then executing those
dirty work responsibilities at a high level. It's the unsexy
(25:48):
part of the offense, but it's it's a necessary cog
and Shurfield I think will thrive in it. He's been
a very impressive receiver all training camp, and we already
know he is an elite special teams player, a very
good blocker for the receiver position, and so I think
(26:09):
he's probably outperformed, you know, like our March expectations, about
as much as everyone anyone in that room. Another good
question from you guys here from Andrew at base Ball
Expert instead of L's.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
It's two eyes.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
What changes or improvements have you seen to bo Nix's
game this camp. I hit on this a few days ago.
To me, it just looks so much more controlled and
well thought out. I guess again, I think just his
rookie year, it was a lot of living by the
seat of his pants or whatever. The expression is just
(26:48):
kind of winging it to an extent, and that's almost
like that's maybe not quite right, because it's not like
he wasn't studying or preparing or anything.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
But Sean pays off.
Speaker 1 (27:00):
This is pretty complex, and being an NFL quarterback is
very complex and very difficult, and I think we see
a lot of rookies struggle with that role, and you know,
it's like trying to become a doctor or whatever.
Speaker 2 (27:13):
You know, it takes a few years.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
It's not just even if you are working incredibly hard,
it takes a while to get that final degree. And
I think even still bo Nix hasn't quote unquote mastered
the offense. I think it'll probably be, you know, not
until year four that we could confidently say he's mastered
all the ins and outs, and even then there's probably
still going to be room for growth and development. But
Mahomes has been with Andy Reid his entire career is
(27:37):
an incredibly mentally sharp quarterback. He's still unlocking new levels
of that offense. And that's just to say, you know,
Nicks has not mastered this offense yet, but he clearly
has a much better grip on it than he had
even you know, at the tail end of last year.
As vance Joseph is throwing these different pressure packages or
different coverages at him, you can see him know the
(28:00):
answers to the test ahead of time and make some
more pre stab snap diagnoses than he was able to
make before. I think when he has been pressured, he's
done a better job of keeping his eyes up and
just kind of stepping up in the pocket and finding
that receiver. That's still a work in progress for him.
I think he can drop his eyes too much and
(28:22):
start looking for, you know, the escape lane, whether it's
to scramble or to just get out of the pocket
and then look downfield. I think that sometimes can can
get him in more trouble than he gets him out of.
But you're still seeing growth in that facet of his game.
The no interceptions thing. I know some people are worried
about that. I just that really hasn't stood out to me.
(28:43):
I wouldn't say he's being overly safe with the ball.
You know, maybe a hair but I just I'm not
too worried about it. Our r from tw at t
at up four h six R RJ. Harvey's quads bigger
than your waist. They're not that big, you know. I
thought to just write this question off immediately. Good's closer
(29:03):
than I would like it to be.
Speaker 4 (29:04):
Though.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
I'll say that R. J. Harvey is a freak show.
Speaker 1 (29:08):
I mean, I don't think you'll be able to appreciate
it from like a broadcast angle. I guess I'll have
some feel with like slow mo stuff, but man, it
is ridiculous. Like the photos even I was seeing before
I got there didn't do it justice. But when he's
running like his whole leg is popping, he looks more
like Secretariat running out there than he does you know,
(29:32):
most running backs I've seen, it is pretty remarkable. Hopefully
that translates to the game atmosphere. What's my biggest concern
heading into joint practices in the first preseason game next week?
You know, I think I have to say linebacker. I'm
just wondering who's going to emerge there. I think Lavelle
Bailey's looked very good in training camp, but what if
(29:55):
he's having to start games for you and justin star
not is the guy to him instead of like a
Dre Greenlawer, Alex Singleton or someone who can really booy him.
What does that look like? That's probably the biggest area
of concern for me. I think the other one.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
And a concern might even be.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
Strong, But I just want to see what this offensive
line looks like against someone that isn't the Broncos pass rush,
because the Broncos pass rush has dominated them all camp long,
and that's kind of typical the offensive lines can't really
block during this stage in training camp, and you you know,
(30:33):
defensive lines typically win, So I'm not worried about it,
but it is I want the confirmation that they can
hold up. And that also, I'll say, applies to the receivers.
Speaker 3 (30:46):
You know that.
Speaker 1 (30:48):
They haven't been able to separate through much of training camp.
Now Broncos might have the best secondary in the league.
So is that concerning.
Speaker 2 (30:57):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (30:58):
You know, if if the Broncos can't separate against you know,
the Cardinals or the forty nine ers or whoever in
the preseason, then.
Speaker 2 (31:05):
Maybe it's a little more troubling.
Speaker 1 (31:07):
So those things that I don't think I'm concerned about
them yet because I think they can be pretty easily
explained away in training camp.
Speaker 2 (31:17):
But they are things.
Speaker 1 (31:18):
They're boxes I haven't checked off yet and I would
like to check them off early in the preseason.
Speaker 2 (31:24):
Last one here and this will.
Speaker 1 (31:25):
Be a little bit of a two on one Bronco
at Bronco fan fan asked how has Baron looked? Has
he improved since the start of camp? And at Jonathan
Luthy asked, now have or how have all the rookies
acclimated and who has been the best of the bunch.
I think Q rot and now we haven't seen him
he's been injured recently. I think you have to say
(31:47):
qu Robinson's been the best of the bunch. He's just
torn it up, you know. I think Crosshaws looked really
good too. It's a punter, so that's less exciting, but
he looks like a very strong special team straps picked
that you just lock down that punter position for the
foreseeable future in Denver.
Speaker 2 (32:05):
Baron though, is right there.
Speaker 1 (32:08):
I mean i'd probably put him ahead of Crosshaf, maybe
right behind Q. And then to the other part of
the question, like has he improved since the start of camp? Absolutely,
I think he continues to wow you more and more.
I keep coming back to what he's doing against the
run or as a blitzer, and that's not what you
know he was drafted in the top twenty to do. Necessarily,
(32:29):
it's obviously more of the coverage stuff, but man, he
is so physical against the run. He's a presence you
have to respect. He's a smart rusher too, like he
knows how to find the little crease in the line
or you know, cut back inside the running back that's
kicking out to try and block him and kind of
(32:50):
hit him with a crossover and get to the quarterback
that way. I think that's been exciting to see. And
also just the.
Speaker 2 (32:58):
Mental ability he reads things.
Speaker 1 (33:00):
He plays very fast out there, reads things out very quick,
always around the ball because of those instincts and because
of that high football IQ, you know, and I think
just to his physicality. You're seeing them match offensive looks
that should demand larger bodies out there. Trying to talk
(33:23):
about talk around this the best I can. That should
demand larger bodies out there, and you're seeing, you know,
instead of Baron coming off the field for a larger body,
they're just asking Baron to fulfill that responsibility that maybe
you'd ask a linebacker or a safety or whatever to
do and keep kind of a lighter personnel out there
on defense despite the offense going heavier and Baron feels
(33:47):
the responsibility. There was a play today where he's lined
up almost like a linebacker, you know, responsible for the
running back or whatever, and looked great. I just can't
wait to see how vance Joseph deploys him this offseason
because it should be incredibly exciting. Talked about Trent Sherfield.
Some talked a little bit about Jade Baron, maybe some
(34:08):
Evan Ingram talk. We'll get into all of those players
in the next segment thanks to some exclusive interviews from
our very own Ryan Edwards. You're listening to Broncos Country
tonight on KOA
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