Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - Bo Nix and Jaylen Waddle LOOK GOOD in Denver Broncos Preseason Game vs. Packers

Starting point is 00:00:00 It's the preseason, but this might be the last time we see the starters play. So let's do a Locked on Packers, Locked on Broncos, crossover Thursday. Let's get it. You are Locked on NFL crossover, part of the Locked on Podcast Network. Your team every day. Welcome inside another crossover Thursday, a preseason edition of a crossover Thursday. I'm Peter Bikowski from Locked on Packers. My guy, Sarah Bedinger, from Locked on Broncos.

Starting point is 00:00:37 and Sarah, I thought this would just be a fun thing to do because in the preseason, you kind of have to have your too deep out when you're watching a preseason game and like, okay, who's that guy, especially with the other team. Like our listeners, right, they know our teams inside and out. They can give you one to 90, the names, their schools they went to, fun facts about those guys. Like, we go deep on our shows. But like, my audience doesn't know who half the guys on the Denver Broncos are.

Starting point is 00:01:07 and why should they, right? It's, it's, this is, this is what makes preseason fun, though, because there's always stuff that pops. So I thought a lot of the, the things that we talk about in crossovers, they work for these shows, right? So training camp storylines, let's talk about some training camp storylines for the Denver Broncos. What's the, what's the big thing that you and Cody have been following over there in Denver?

Starting point is 00:01:29 Well, lately, it's been the connection between Bo Nix and Jalen Waddle. So obviously, you can get deep from one to 90 on the rock. roster. I'm surprised to hear. I mean, Packers fans don't want to hear about Red Murdoch going to this game. I mean, that's a hell of a name. I got to be honest. That's a hell of a name. Great name. Every time his name comes up, I have to do like the Freight Castle impression because, you know, Red, Matt Murdoch, blah, blah, blah. But yeah, Bo Nixon. He also sounds like a guy that played like World War II NFL. Yes, he does. He does. He had a leather helmet at one point. Exactly right. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, exactly. But yeah, it's been really slow going because Jalen had the

Starting point is 00:02:07 injury early on in training camp that, you know, was labeled as muscle tightness. He was wearing the wrap on his leg. We didn't really get to see him and Bo Nix developing that chemistry early on. But at Wednesday's practice, just an explosion of reports from everybody, including Cody who's out at practice. A 60-yard bomb from Bo Nix to Jalen Wattle over Pat Surtan and coverage. Like feels kind of like, you know, when the, the power rangers, you know, get together and they're morphing into the giant robot animal or whatever. Yeah. That's what it felt like reading all that in real time. It's like, okay, this is like finally happening.

Starting point is 00:02:42 This is finally coming together. So that's kind of been the like headline block A of everything is like Bo Nix, first of all coming back from the ankle, Jalen Waddle being added to this team in the first place. But then getting that chemistry with Bo and a new offensive play caller, it's kind of all encompassing. So it's it's really a lot, I would assume similar in some ways to the Packers of, hey, your superstar player coming back from injury, what's he going to look like? What's his timeline like? Of course, Michael Parsons is a bit different.

Starting point is 00:03:12 But that's where it's really been focused for the Broncos so far. Yeah, and the Packers are going to play their starters more apparently than they did against the Steelers, which was just one series each. So I think the thought is probably two, maybe three series, depending on how it goes. That has a lot of Packer fans nervous there because Denver has been a house of horrors for the Packers. really, like, since they've been alive, there was that famous Aaron Rogers game where he goes and the Broncos just absolutely tear them down

Starting point is 00:03:42 in 2015 on their way to a Super Bowl, right? The Broncos a really good team that year. And then last year, I mean, Christian Watson gets sent to the hospital. Zach Tom lost for the year. Micah Parsons lost for the year. Evan Williams goes down in that game. Xavier McKinney drops an interception, and then the next player, two plays later,

Starting point is 00:03:59 Michael Parsons tears his ACL. It's just like, please everyone, Let's get out of there with bubble wrap around our guys. What is the plan for Denver? Are we going to see best on best here? We are. I mean, this will be Bo Nix's debut. Sean Payton likes playing the starters in the preseason.

Starting point is 00:04:15 The Broncos didn't have any joint practices this year. So they're utilizing this as an opportunity. They played about 15 snaps in the preseason opener against Atlanta. And they were out there like the defensive starters were out there into the second quarter, which everyone was kind of surprised by because it took them that long to get to 15 plays. defensively. So they were just off the field so quick. But yeah, that is the plan. So I'd be excited to see best on best for this one because I know that the Packers have Tucker Crafts. Is he going to play in this game? I mean, it. Yeah. Okay. So we'll get to see hopefully Bo Nix, Tucker Kraft,

Starting point is 00:04:50 Jalen Waddle. I mean, all these guys, I don't know if that'll be his debut, but it'll be those guys' debut, Nixon Waddle for sure. So if that's what plays, it will be Tucker Craft's debut. And I think the, I think the plan as of as of this recording, is for him to be out there because I don't think the starters are going to play the third preseason game for Green Bay. So I'd be surprised if they didn't want to get craft at least some preseason work. But we will see. I don't want to speak out of school until we know for sure on that one. Right.

Starting point is 00:05:18 And yeah, you want to obviously, once you get past that one dress rehearsal, you kind of are like, all right, you know, we've seen enough, you know, with any of these big names. And that third week of the preseason is kind of where you're starting to make plans for the regular season. So you want to have those guys getting the chance to compete at the bottom end. But I think this will be honestly, I love the preseason, Peter. I know we haven't done a crossover in the preseason. I love it. I love evaluating one through 90.

Starting point is 00:05:44 I do too. Everybody does in our industry. But man, it's like it's so intense. But this is a game where you're going to get everything. You're going to get the star power at the top. And then you're going to get the fun battles and, you know, roster drama at the bottom. So that's where I'm interested for the Packers, too, because to me, and I was thinking about this as we were getting ready to do this show,

Starting point is 00:06:05 this is a matchup to me of the two best teams in the NFL at developing talent in-house. I think the Packers are taking a big risk with that this year at a number of positions. And the Borcos are kind of as well, but they're a little bit further along in terms of like, hey, these guys have been here for three, four, five years. Packers are breaking in a bunch of new guys. Is there anything that you're like specifically circling in this game in particular going For starters. I mean, that to me is fascinating.

Starting point is 00:06:34 So a couple of different positions where that is the case. Offensive line is the big one, right? So Jordan Morgan is slotted in at that starter at left tackle. Great test for him against his Denver front. That was part of the thing in that game last year, right? Was Zach Tom goes down and that changed everything. Like that Packers offense before Zach Tom goes out and before Christian Watson goes out, they were cooking against maybe the best defense in football.

Starting point is 00:07:00 probably the best defense in the AFC, right, on the road in Denver. And then you lose Zach Tom and all of a sudden they couldn't protect love, had a couple chances in the fourth quarter to leave, lead game tying drives. They just couldn't protect him. It was like backstep and there's someone in his lap already. And so they're trying to break in this new offensive line group with Jordan Morgan. Aaron Banks back in 11 on 11. We'll see if he plays on Friday.

Starting point is 00:07:26 Sean Ryan is the like no doubt center now. that was something that he had sort of been pressed into last year. And then the right guard is the one to watch in this game, for sure. I expect Jacob Monk to start, but I also expect Jagger Burton, the rookie fifth round pick, to see some action at right guard as well. And then we'll see if it's Zach Bacowale, formerly Zach Tom, for your listeners who aren't up to speed on that, Zach Tom honoring his grandparents and lineage by changing his last name,

Starting point is 00:07:54 honoring his heritage. So he's Zach Bacoboile now. we'll see if he plays. If not, it'll be Anthony Belton. And so it'll be a bunch of new guys out there. And that just makes for really interesting matchup because you've got a defensive coach in Denver that likes to be aggressive. We'll see how much in preseason they want to break that out.

Starting point is 00:08:14 I would think if they want to practice some of that stuff, we'd see it in this game, no? Yeah, I think so. I mean, Vance Joseph is just a guy by nature. He is. And he loves that. I think he's working on. showcasing what he can do in all.

Starting point is 00:08:30 I don't think he wants to leave any doubt, whether it's the preseason, the regular season, the postseason. I think he wants to prove to everyone out there that, hey, he should be a head coach in this league. And so I think he's utilizing the preseason to show, I can do this with, you know, Nick Benito and Jonathan Cooper out there, or I can do this with Johnny Walker, Jr.

Starting point is 00:08:50 And Red Murdoch and Tori and York. Another great name. Oh, my God. Johnny Walker Jr. Jr., hey. So, I mean, those are. the guys that are out there in the end of the game making plays, but they're also being asked to do all the things. Like, Vance is still in the bag of tricks late into games. And so I think it'll be a great test for that Packers O line, whether whoever ends up starting for them. I think even just

Starting point is 00:09:13 as they rotate, you'll get to see Jonah Ellis. You'll get to see Q Robinson testing those guys really well and giving them good looks. That's the thing about the preseason that's like, can you give a good look for everybody else? And I really think, think like that's so critical for both sides of the line of scrimmage in this game because the Broncos are trying to break in who's going to be filling that you know john franklin myers role we saw a lot of ianoma uazerique week one so he's their only starter though on either side of the ball that they're trying to replace which is fascinating that's crazy it is it's like what how do we even get here because we've been operating with the russellson dead cap hit for two

Starting point is 00:09:52 years so it's pretty crazy to think of how like i said i think these are the two best teams teams in the NFL, we've seen it with the Packers. Like how many people clown the Packers for taking the risk on Jordan Love and saying, hey, we're going to move on from Aaron Rogers and we're going to go with Jordan Love, you know, full head of steam into that, you know, uncharted waters there. And that's a lot of positions on that roster. And they're doing it again this year. And they're taking another risk with, I mean, we'll get into off the edge for the Packers

Starting point is 00:10:19 because I want to hear who's replacing Michael Parsons. I want to hear about my Hawkeye Lucas Van Ness. Yeah. And I want to get into some of these battles, man. Like I said, I love. I love the preseason anyway. This is one of those matchups where both teams just are so intriguing to me. I love it.

Starting point is 00:10:34 We'll get into some of these players coming up. We got more on a locked on Packers, locked on Broncos preseason crossover Thursday. Today's episode brought to you by our friends at Fandwell. Baseball fans, if you think you know who's hitting a homer today, Fandle is giving you a free chance to call your shot with daily dingers. It's easy to play. Just make your free pick for who you think will hit a home run in their game. If you're right, you'll receive a profit boost to use on your next bet for a chance

Starting point is 00:11:01 at extra winnings. Best of all, you can make a free pick every day throughout the Major League Baseball season. Daily Dingers is another fun way to stay engaged with every day's games, whether you're following your favorite team or keeping an eye on matchups across the league. Every game has someone capable of going deep. Now you get the chance to make your prediction before first pitch. There are certain players where every at bat feels like something big could happen. That's what makes Daily Dingers so fun. You get to back the players you think are ready to go deep that day. So our, you ready to play your game today. Join all the action at fenduel.com. That's fendool.com

Starting point is 00:11:36 to play daydell.com to play daydick on who's hitting a homer, play ball and swing for the fences on Fandul, an official partner of Major League Baseball. All right, Sarah, locked on Packers, locked on Broncos, crossover Thursday. You mentioned a bunch of stuff. I want to get to all of that. We'll get to all of it, okay? But one position group I also have to mention based on some of these competitions and internal development, which is going to be huge here, is the Packers' cornerback room, which is what makes this game to me, knowing that maybe we're going to see Jalen Waddle and Bo Nix and get some best on best here because the Packers starting cornerback room is up for grabs.

Starting point is 00:12:18 Kishon Nixon has been rotating. He was running with the threes on Wednesday's practice. So that's just like one, the ones too, but also the twos and then a little bit with the threes. Like that's something to keep an eye on here. How late into the game does he play? And then their second round pick, Brandon Cese, your point about developing talent. You got to identify the talent first. So this is not development. This is, this guy is ready to rock right now.

Starting point is 00:12:42 And so we could see C-Saysay against Jalen Waddle. We could see, you know, those kinds of matchups. Benjamin St. Juist is a player that Broncos fans are going to be familiar with from his days with the Chargers last year. He was one of their best players on defense last year in a surprise role. And then Carrington Valentine is a holdover. So they've got four guys that we're probably all going to see time and all they're going to want to get. looks with the first team defense. It might be hockey lines at corner for this team. Yeah. And the good thing is, too, about this matchup is Jared Stidham at quarterback and the Broncos depth at receiver is going to give those guys like we talked about before. They're going to get good looks because Stidham runs the

Starting point is 00:13:22 offense really well. He attacks downfield. He's not just kind of, you know, dinking and dunking and matriculating down the field or anything. Like he will test them on the outside and to every level. He just played a championship game. He did. And if it didn't snow, the one time it snowed, in Denver all year. I mean, it's crazy stuff, man. Who knows what could have happened. I was saying all offseason, dude, I thought that that team should have been in the Super Bowl

Starting point is 00:13:44 and that they legitimately, I thought they could have won it. I really did. Yeah. That's not going to make your fans feel any better, but like I think that's true. At least we have the what if, you know, we don't have to get beat 43 to 8 in the Super Bowl by the Hawks to find out what would have happened.

Starting point is 00:13:59 But yes, I think to your point about those corners, Denver's receivers are insane right now. like Pat Bryant has been the player of training camp. Troy Franklin has had a quietly good camp and has kind of slowly been working his way back up. He obviously had a good game. One of his better games last year against Green Bay. And then Cortland Sutton against Atlanta was in regular season form, three catches, 60 yards, attacking every level of the field. Back shoulder throws on second down.

Starting point is 00:14:26 And then we'll see he's he's good. And what we'll get to see in this game that we haven't seen really at all unless you've been out watching training camp is what the Broncos offense looks like with Waddle and Sutton on the field at the same time, because Cody and I have been talking, we think that Cortland can still be even better at the age of 30, which is also wild to even think or say, but he's 30. He can still be better than we've seen because of Waddle and the attention that he will draw. So I think whether it's that first unit, we'll see guys rotating in for the Broncos as well. But man, those corners for the Packers will get an opportunity, no matter if it's Bo Nix, no matter if it's Jared Stidham,

Starting point is 00:15:07 they will get tested either way. And I think that's going to make for a really interesting, I guess, entire game against these two teams. Yeah, I think this is, this is one of the reasons why I wanted to do this, is I think this is going to be really fun at like every, every little micro position that we can think of. Because you mentioned those pass rushers, Micah Parsons, obviously not going to play.

Starting point is 00:15:27 Lucas Van Ness, he played three snaps against the Steelers. They held those Steelers to negative two yards. Lucas Vennesse had a sack and like that was it. Okay, nice job, guys. Okay, the bar is different against a Denver offensive line that is arguably the best in the NFL. Now you're bringing in Baron Sorrell, who's been, you said Pat Bryan,

Starting point is 00:15:48 Brian has been one of the stars of training camp for the Broncos. Baron Sorrell, second year player out of Texas. He has been one of these standout players for the Packers. He looks like he is ready to take a jump this season. And he has been Micah Parsons' shadow this offseason. Micah has been taking him everywhere, putting him through all. He's saying, like, look, this is what I would do. And Baron Sorrell has done it at every step.

Starting point is 00:16:10 And Michael is telling everyone that will listen, watch out for this guy this year. Well, the Packers are going to need him for the first month and a half of the season. So now here's a great test with these guys. But it's not just those two, Breton Cox, someone who is, you know, like probably deep on rosters that the average fan is not paying close attention to for other teams. he's a sneaky good player, rotational pass rusher for them. Colin Oliver is a player that I think the fans like more than the team does,

Starting point is 00:16:39 but is an interesting player as well. So they've got a bunch of guys. Plus Chris McClellan, the rookie nose tackle, like again, against a higher level of offensive line play. What are you going to see? We'll see if Javon Hargrave plays in this game. But still, they've got Warren Brinson is a young player that they really like who's having a good camp.

Starting point is 00:16:58 there's going to be a lot to look for. What do you expect? Are we going to get the full complement of offensive linemen in Denver? What's the deal there? I think the only question mark is at the center position. Luke Wattenberg and Alex Forsyth have both kind of been dealing with injuries throughout the course of camp. And I'm not sure if Wattenberg is going to play.

Starting point is 00:17:17 You know, Sean Payton keeps things pretty coy during training camp when he doesn't have to give any sort of timeline on injury reports and things like that. So not sure if we'll see him. But the other guys all played a decent amount. out in that first week of the preseason. So Bulls, powers, minors, McGlinchy, you'll see all those guys out there. And then the Broncos have depth that they really believe in. Palchowski at the right tackle position.

Starting point is 00:17:39 He might flex to guard. We'll see Cage Casey, the rookie fourth round pick. So there's a lot of other guys that they believe in. But that is a fascinating storyline, too, because it's not just temporarily replacing Micah Parsons for the Packers. I mean, I know Rishon Gary is probably a contested topic and subject as a player, you kind of wore out his welcome there over time and things, but you're still replacing a guy who played a lot of snaps for you,

Starting point is 00:18:04 played a lot of football for that team, as well as is an Enigvare now with the New York Jets. So there's a lot of players on that defensive front. I know for the Broncos, they really liked McClellan coming out of Missouri as well. Like they took Tyler-owned-Yadam. I thought that that pick slot could have been McClellan where they got One-Yedum. So they liked him a lot. I think they talked to him two or three times before the draft.

Starting point is 00:18:28 And they love those Mizzou products. So I'd be fascinated by those guys stepping up and replacing because to me, like, it all comes back to, these are two teams with title contention hopes. Yeah. So you want those guys to be able to step up and log a lot of snaps for you and play at that type of level. That's why I ask about Van Ness because I know it's been another maybe sore sensitive subject with him.

Starting point is 00:18:51 I mean, as a first rounder in 2023, I know the whole talk was like, well, he wasn't a starter for Phil Parker at Iowa. and so like, what's he going to be at the NFL level? And I mean, to me, and I'm a biased Hawkeyes guy. For those watching on YouTube, you could see the Moss jersey behind me. He was teammates with Lucas Van Ness at Iowa. I just, I'm still holding out hope there. And I'm fascinated by his development and progression because it means so much more,

Starting point is 00:19:16 especially early in the year for that, for that Packers team. And you know who's still holding out hope to the Green Bay Packers? They still think very highly of Lucas Van Ness. And he was he was on his way to having the best season of his career last year. and then gets hurt, you know, kind of perfectly for his career, unfortunately, sacking Joe Flacko. It's just like he has been snake bitten by injuries. And I've made the comparison before to former Packers first round pick Nick Perry,

Starting point is 00:19:43 who, you know, like very similar, like absolutely past the body test, the walk off the bus test. Like you will not find a guy in the NFL. It looks more like an NFL football player than Lucas Van Ness coming off the bus. but he just has not been able to stay healthy. When Nick Perry was healthy, the one season, he had a healthy season. He had 10 and a half sacks. He was a really good player.

Starting point is 00:20:05 But he just couldn't put it together because he wasn't healthy. He wasn't a good player. He just wasn't healthy. And so the hope is you get a healthy 17 games from Van Ness. And that just fundamentally changes what you are on defense because he is a very talented football player. He's once again having a very good camp. And so I think they are still optimistic that they're going to get a good version of Lucas Van Nass.

Starting point is 00:20:30 And then you put Michael Parsons out there. You mentioned Rishan Gary's sore subject. But like Rishan Gary, he had like six sacks in four weeks last year to start the season. He just like walked into free sacks because Michael Parsons was out there. So he can be productive if he's on the field when Mike is out there. The question is can he anchor a pass rush? And so that's what makes this week so interesting is you have those guys. One more thing I want to talk about before we get to a break.

Starting point is 00:20:54 you mentioned some of the internal development. Christian Watson certainly going to be one of those guys. I want to make it clear. They're probably pretty unlikely Tucker Craft plays in this game. He has said they're going to be very cautious. He probably is not going to play in the preseason. So I just want to level set that. I was like I was being coy about it, but like he's probably not going to play.

Starting point is 00:21:15 But Christian Watson played last week. Matthew Golden played last week. Jaden Reed plays last week. And that was like with their first team offense, that was basically it. Like those guys were the guys. They streamlined everything. Well, Christian Watson, as I mentioned, went to the hospital last time they played in Denver. Matthew Golden made some nice plays against Denver.

Starting point is 00:21:31 Jaden Reed was working back healthy in that game against Denver last year. This is best against best, again, against a very good secondary. And with this streamlined pass catching group, like, let's see what it looks like. Let's see what this group. Let's really test them and see what this looks like. That to me is another one of these really fascinating matchups here. Yeah, that Denver secondary is just absolutely loaded. I mean, we saw Pat Sertan briefly against Atlanta, but the real storylines of this offseason in the secondary.

Starting point is 00:22:03 I bet the Packers test him early. I bet they test him early. And you might as well. It doesn't matter. Who cares? There's no consequence right now, right? But yeah, I mean, Pat is what he's always been. And he's just a stud.

Starting point is 00:22:15 Everybody knows. But Riley Moss has been the guy that I think maybe the winner of training camp for the Denver. Oh, wow. So far. He's been that guy that has taken, like, such a huge leap. And of course, you know, the timing is perfect because he's entering a contract year. So Riley wants that bag. And Jaquan Macmillan as well in the slot, he's very proven in what he can do.

Starting point is 00:22:36 Jadae Barron, the first round pick from last year's draft, had a huge game against Atlanta. Had a pick six, right? Like almost 100 yard pick six. Yeah, it was, it was off a deflection. So to be fair, but at the same time, I mean, right place, right time. And I think he hit 21. 1.15 on the in-game GPS or it would have been like the fourth- He was moving.

Starting point is 00:22:56 He was moving. So it's just good for him to get his confidence up. I've almost had another pick, just kind of overraned it a little bit on a second play in that game, had a really nice tackle on Kyle Pitts in the open field to stop the Falcons get a three and out. So Barron, all these guys, Riley Moss, Chris Abrams drain even. I had an interception to end practice on Wednesday for the Broncos. So one through five, maybe even further their cornerbacks.

Starting point is 00:23:22 they've got the they've got corners so whereas the packers like you said kind of trying to figure out who's going to be their corners the broncos are kind of like shoot we have like this overabundance right now that like jade is like playing a dime role and he's he could probably start for a lot of teams he could start for this green by packers team i'll tell you that right now if you want to trade him uh we'd be open to it all right let's let's go further down the depth chart here sarah and this was one of those ones that i was really excited to get to let's give some names to our fans of each other's shows, right? That maybe they're not thinking about that they should keep an eye on that that could be fun in this one. We'll do that next. What's going on everybody? My name is Ross Jackson,

Starting point is 00:24:04 host of the Lockdown on at Saints podcast. And today's Lockdown episode is brought to you by our friends at Basque and Lather. I've been using Basque and Lather's all natural, 100% organic hair care products for my beard for a couple of years now. And it's been a lifesaver because I used to have some bad beard care habits. I'm talking over-the-counter shampoo and the beard type stuff that created this brittle, scratchy and uncomfortable beard that I just had to wear around all the time. But now the game done change. Thanks to Basque and Lather, I got their beard care starter kit, which gave me shampoo, conditioner, oil balm, and their hair growth stimulator formula as well.

Starting point is 00:24:38 And now my beard is full. It's soft but strong. And the confidence is on 10. And it's all thanks to Basque and Lather. Explore viral bestsellers and products of healthier hair of all types from Bask and Lather. go to baskin lather code.com and use the promo code locked on for 20% off. That's 20% off at baskinlather co.com code locked on. I need to get some of that shampoo for my beard.

Starting point is 00:25:08 This is giving me ideas here. Every time I see that, I'm like, yeah, man. I got to do that. I was excited to give you some names. I'm excited to hear some names that you have here. I'm talking about down the roster guys, guys that, you know, we're going to be looking at third and fourth quarter and you and me are going to be

Starting point is 00:25:28 you know prepping for our podcast checking our watches going okay when is it time for us to hit the button to get going on the post game stuff and all that good stuff but give me a couple names for the Broncos that Packer fans can keep an eye on you say hey like when this guy gets

Starting point is 00:25:45 in the game just like keep an eye on this guy I'll start with some rather low hanging fruit maybe even somebody that Packers fans have heard of Jonah Coleman the Broncos rookie rookie running back fourth-round pick. He's, uh, he's good. I mean, Sean Payton pulled him from the game after just four carries and the whole offensive staff. It looked really good in those four carries from what I saw. Really good, really good. Exactly what you want to see. I wouldn't be surprised if he plays a little

Starting point is 00:26:11 bit more in this game, but Davis Webb told the media, uh, earlier this week, he said, they got on the offensive headset after his 13-yard run against the Falcons and said, Hey, we're good. We don't need to see anymore. Get him out of there. So, Joe, Coleman is one guy. I would say deeper down the roster, there's a guy named Cam Ross, a wide receiver, undrafted free agent, kind of just a little bit of everything.

Starting point is 00:26:36 He got more involvement in the first preseason game than I think anyone was expecting. He returned the opening kickoff with Marvin Mims, kind of still dealing with an injury, which is fascinating because the Broncos don't have depth in the return game at all. So for him to be first up was notable. Put return, got a jet sweep for 28 yards.

Starting point is 00:26:54 He had targets in the best. passing game and he's been getting some targets from Bo Nix at practice this week. And then I'll throw in one guy that I think is somebody that, you know, my personal favorite, Joseph Manjack, okay, there's a wide receiver, undrafted player out of TCU, started off his college career at USC. He doesn't wear gloves. He doesn't wear wristbands. I'm surprised he's not out there in a leather helmet.

Starting point is 00:27:18 This guy is like a throwback of throwbacks and he catches freaking everything, man. And so Joseph Manjok, not only winning the all. I'm sorry, his last name is Man Jock. Man Jack. Yeah, man Jack. Almost even better, honestly. I know. Yeah, it's either way.

Starting point is 00:27:33 I mean, yeah, he's on the first team all rookie name. You got to get that guy lineup of this. He's got to get a lineup of beard products. He's just perfect for us. Yeah, every man Jack. I think that's even a thing. So he's got to get a deal with him. You got to get a deal.

Starting point is 00:27:48 Okay. So let me give you a couple for Green Bay. And let me start with one that's not a deep cut, but is a rookie and someone that I think I'm, I'm interested to see at altitude, what this looks like. The Packers kicker, Trace Mack. He hit two last week at Accresher Stadium, which even in August, not the easiest place to kick. Swirling winds because of the rivers, because of the, you know, just the way that that stadium is. He hit a pair of 58-yarders in that game.

Starting point is 00:28:17 He has got a monster leg. but he's got a little bit of that what I would call Mason Crosby disease what I think was also the case with Brandon McManus at times in Denver when he was sort of in his prime is yeah he could hit from 58 but the ones from 42 were the ones you go please make this please make this please make this

Starting point is 00:28:37 and so that's a guy that every one of these is going to be a little bit of adventure as the Packers sort through this he's a rookie he had an up and down spring he had an up and down start to training camp And then he goes out there and boots multiple near 60 yard field goals on the road with a backup long snapper. And you're just sort of like, okay, this is cool. I like this.

Starting point is 00:29:00 A couple more. By the way, the Packers drafted Trace Mack and like almost literally the next day cut Brandon McManus. So for Broncos fans to understand, they were just like, get this guy out of here, please. After he cost the Packers seven points in a playoff game, they lost by four. J. Michael Sturtevin is a receiver from Florida who is big. He's athletic. The Packers, like, I think it was one of those things where they thought, well, it's a preseason game. We don't know how many opportunities he's actually going to get just because of the way preseason games work.

Starting point is 00:29:32 Let's let's let him return kicks. This guy's like 6.3, 2.10. He's not a kick returner. But they thought, like, let's just see what it looks like. Let's just see what he's got. He's someone who has been very exciting in camp. He makes a play every day, it seems, for them. So definitely someone to keep an eye on there.

Starting point is 00:29:50 And then the running back, backup running back for the Packers, Marshall and Lloyd, they are ramping him up. We'll see how much he actually plays. He got a couple series last week. They want to get him more work this year, but he's like kind of on the Joel and B track right now because he's missed essentially the first two years of his career thanks to recurring soft tissue injuries.

Starting point is 00:30:12 He's seen multiple specialists. but he's played like you and I combined have played almost as many snaps in the NFL as Marshall and Lloyd and that's not even a joke I wish it were it's just been a bummer he's really talented and he is someone who is explosive

Starting point is 00:30:27 and just looks the part now he's got some feel stuff to work through he's got some vision things I think he's adjusting to life in the NFL because he just doesn't have that many reps doing it but you see the burst and the explosiveness and he's a killer in the passing game he tore his hamstring last year on a wheel route where he just like he made a play i'm not sure

Starting point is 00:30:49 many packers running backs in like 25 years could have made and so you see the explosive machine you're just like yeah that's cool and the packers are really excited about using him but they're also very cautious like we don't want to overtax this guy we need him for the regular season but let's see what we got here definitely one of those to watch here yeah i'm glad you brought him up because i was going to ask like what's his progress been like i know that there was the situation that came up earlier this offseason with Josh Jacobs. I'm sure you've talked about plenty. So I don't have any updates on that.

Starting point is 00:31:20 He did return to practice this week. But I wouldn't expect to see him in this game. I wouldn't expect to see him in the preseason at all. Sure. And that makes sense. I mean, yeah. So that ramps up also, though, the sort of expectations for the season, right? So I think that's exciting for, I mean, for him to go up against a Denver defense like this

Starting point is 00:31:40 and to be able to get at least a few reps. I think that'll give him a, like we've been talking about, the kind of the theme of this crossover show is like, get a good look. And that's what I think you can really take away from the preseason in general. Cody and I always joke, like if a player plays well in the preseason, it's like, well, it was just the preseason, you know? And then if somebody plays poorly, it's like, what, they can't even play good in the pre, they can't even play good again.

Starting point is 00:32:01 It's kind of a no win situation, isn't it? It's a no win situation. But you have to look at every individual rep in preseason, just like you would in a practice and say, hey, like this is translatable. directly to what we could see in the regular season. He might not be going up against Pat Sartan, but if a receiver wins a rep and he goes up and moses somebody at the catch point, that's not a trait or something that doesn't translate, right?

Starting point is 00:32:25 So those are the things that you look for in a talent-on-talent sort of game like this, where it feels like you can push each other through four quarters of a game. I think that's part of the reason why these two teams have come together for joint practices in the past, in the recent history even, is because they believe in that sort of aspect of bottom of the roster from, you know, guys, you know, 70 through 90 all the way up to the top, we can push each other. We saw that in a regular season game. They played one of the better games of the season last year. And so, I mean, this is this is going to be good.

Starting point is 00:32:57 This is going to be good stuff, good evaluation, good individual player stuff as well as good team unit stuff. I'm really looking forward to this. So I'm glad about as much as you can ask for, I think, Sarah, in a preseason game for these two teams. So it's going to be great. I know you are going to have Broncos fans handled. I am going to have Packers fans handled a ton more content coming for you guys this week. So make sure you are following everything that's going on. And hey, Packers fans, if you want to check out what's going on with the Lockdown Broncos, folks,

Starting point is 00:33:24 it's the same thing, free and available everywhere you get podcasts. So subscribe, do all that good stuff. Follow us on the social medias. And always stay locked on Packers and locked on Broncos.

Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - Bo Nix and Jaylen Waddle LOOK GOOD in Denver Broncos Preseason Game vs. Packers

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.