Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - Bo Nix DEALS In Denver Broncos Passing Game vs. Arizona Cardinals

Starting point is 00:00:00 Bo Nixon, the Denver Broncos offense cooked in the passing game on what was an important day in joint practices against the Arizona. Cardinals, we'll tell you why today's going to matter more than Saturday's preseason game here on today's episode, Locked on Broncos. You are Locked on Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast, part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day. What's happened at Broncos country? Welcome to another episode, Lockedon Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast. Part of the Lockdown Podcast Network. You know, it's your team every day. Thank you so much to all the everydayers out there in Broncos country.

Starting point is 00:00:38 Thanks for tuning in and making us your first listen. However you choose to do something, if you're not yet never dare, become one. Hit that subscriber to that follow button so you never miss out on all your Broncos news content coverage, analysis, and more. I'm Cody Roark, Broncos reporter for Mile High Sports. We're going to recap the aftermath of the Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, joint training camp practice here from Thursday on a day. This is a Bo Knicks and the Broncos offense have success in the passing game.

Starting point is 00:01:04 But the run game didn't get off to the start that they wanted to against that Cardinals defensive front. We'll go through some of the key standouts on what we saw on Bo Nix's day in today's episode of the show. Plus we'll highlight on some of the Broncos defensive struggles against Trey McBride in Thursday's joint practice. So we'll go through some injury updates on Nick Benito and some others to round it out before Saturday's preseason game. So let's jump into it, Broncos country. Let's get into Bo Nicks and the Broncos offense. The Cardinals joint practice, the way that this was set up. the offense was on one field, the defense was on another,

Starting point is 00:01:37 so it couldn't be on both fields at the same exact time. So my focus, because we've been wanting to see what the offense is going to do if they could bounce back from some of their struggles, my focus was on the offensive field here during this practice, but I got some defensive notes, which we'll share later from some of my other good beat reporters that I happen to be so lucky enough to work with. So going through this, let's go through Bow Nix and the offense. Really, it was his sharpest day of practice here in training camp,

Starting point is 00:02:01 and it was nice to see because it came against a different opponent, a different look. And I really feel that this Arizona Cardinals defense, it's going to be sneaky good this upcoming season. Obviously, Jonathan Gannon, he's going to run that defense there. I think that the guys that they have on that defensive line, they are big up front. They're athletic linebackers at the second level. Their defensive backs have a combination of youth.

Starting point is 00:02:23 But you could tell just athleticism and versatility across the board, it's going to be a sneaky good Cardinals defense. I feel like this upcoming season, a 4-3 look compared to the 4-25 look, the Broncos. was faced last week against the San Francisco 49ers here. But for Bo Nix and the offense, it was a day where the passing game, it really clicked. I mean, Bo was on fire to the point he's chucking passes downfield, left and right, finding guys like Devon, Velae, Cortland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Pat Bryan. He's getting tight ends involved here.

Starting point is 00:02:52 Bo was decisive with the football in this joint practice. He sidestepped pressure from that defensive line from time to time. And there were a couple instances throughout the various team periods throughout the day where I feel like that Cardinals defensive line and that front seven, they got pressure and they got the bow maybe once or twice here. Montez Sweat got after Mike McGlinchy and got Bo on one play in a real game situation if it were to translate that way. But, man, Bo was decisive with the football.

Starting point is 00:03:19 He wasn't holding on to it too long. And he was just knowing where to go. And he was analyzing and attacking this Cardinals defense really on the fly because it's a different look than anything that they've gone up against from the Broncos defense or even from the 49ers defense last week, there were different spots that they wanted to attack. And I thought they did a really good job. And it all started not only with Bow,

Starting point is 00:03:39 but really Cortland Sutton being the accelerator here. And I think he probably hauled in the play of the day. The Broncos were in a kind of a move the ball period. It was in the goal line, both through a beautiful fade ball there to Cortland Sutton from about 15 to 20 yards and touchdown, perfectly placed, both feet in bounds. I mean, this was, you wanted to see great command of the offense here. from Bo and the offense, you saw exactly that in this joint practice. But, you know, for the offense, it wasn't all great outside of the passing game,

Starting point is 00:04:09 outside of Bo Nick. So for Broncos country, take comfort in knowing that, hey, Bo, he shined, especially with all the different conflicting reports that fans, I think, have been getting. It really is beauty in the eye of the beholder. Some people are saying Bose had a terrible camp. I think Bose had a pretty solid camp. I think the good has outweighed the bad in some of the things that Boe is done here. But I think this practice against the Cardinals today kind of culminated that, hey,

Starting point is 00:04:33 Bo, he's going to be just fine. And Sean Payton knows that. There was some excitement there that Sean had. We got to catch up with him for a 30-minute presser after practice. Usually he doesn't give us that long. And he had a lot to say. We'll get to some of the stuff he said. But let's get into the bad stuff here on the offense.

Starting point is 00:04:48 I felt like for the offensive line today, there were times where pressure definitely got through. And you saw some guys struggle. Now I think of the story that we're going to highlight here, Garrett Bulls exited practice pretty quickly after the whole team period began because he was having some breathing issues. As we all know, Garrett has some asthma. So he went and he sat in an ambulance for about 25, 30 minutes and then walked in with a medic and also a trainer, walked into the building. So that is a great sign.

Starting point is 00:05:13 I know there were a lot of Broncos fans that were concerned about that. But Garrett, he should be good. He should be fine. And, you know, you always got to be safe and careful with things like that and that type of moment and that type of environment. But glad that Garrett is okay. In terms of the offensive line definitely felt like at times the physicality and the size of that Cardinals' defensive line, I felt like it got the best of the offensive line. They did a lot of different stunts that I felt like attacked the leverage of the Broncos O line,

Starting point is 00:05:40 and you're starting to see guys trying to adjust on the fly. I thought Frank Crum did a really good job stepping in for Garrett Bulls. Matt Perr got some reps at left tackle as well. He and Crum alternated a little bit. But Mike McGlinchie had, you know, from our observation, all this in the media, and granted, once again, we're not, we don't know. what his coaching responsibility is, but their Montes sweat beat him on one play for a clear sack on Bo Nix.

Starting point is 00:06:03 And he just seemed to struggle at times with sealing a guy or being able to hold a guy off. You know, he's attacking, he's moving outside. He's doing his kickstep laterally because the defender's trying to rush up field. And then the defender cuts back inside on a run play and makes the tackle, you know, for a loss in the backfield. So like I said, we don't know exactly what the play call was. I don't know what Mike McGlenshy's coaching responsibility was. but the reason I know that Mike was frustrated himself was he was clapping his hands and he was shouting, you know, he was expressing some frustration on his behalf.

Starting point is 00:06:33 And so, I just think you want to continue to see him improve here. I mean, the expectations of this Broncos offensive line are big this upcoming season because certain metrics, they were the number one graded unit behind the scenes by the Broncos, their coaching staff, their front office. They graded the highest out of everything. So what is it that's leading to some of these early on struggles? I think it's just a refinement. It's a technique thing, and it's just stuff you're going to get better at when you get more reps.

Starting point is 00:06:59 And, you know, I think that you saw that adjustment climb. But for the Broncos offense, where they struggled was some of those aspects, breakdowns in that protection there. Bologna was able to make some plays out of it. It really was the run game. It was the run blocking there. Now, granted, in our period, Sean is manufacturing here different looks. He's starting off first and 10. And then the next player will say, hey, we're on a third and five situation.

Starting point is 00:07:20 So he's given that instruction to the Broncos offense and the Cardinals defense so they can adjust accordingly. I mean, you get these manufactured simulated looks based on situational football. I like that aspect, but the Broncos just simply could not run the ball. Jalul McLaughlin, R.J. Harvey, J.K. Dobbins. I mean, I think Jalil had one nice cutback inside. I think J.K. had one as well for about seven or eight yards. And R.J. Harvey had won. But really, that Arizona Cardinals defensive line, they did a good job of stopping the Broncos run game,

Starting point is 00:07:49 which I think we're all looking at as a continuation of last year and saying, wow, like, if you can't run the football this year, it's going to make things more difficult here for Bo Nix and the offense. Certainly that was the case, but luckily on this day, Bo Nix shined. I had a chance to ask Sean after practice about getting the run game, like trying to find that balance and consistency. And Sean actually said that they're further ahead and they're more pleased with the run game, the run blocking than maybe we in the media might be seeing at this point.

Starting point is 00:08:15 Here's the thing. All right. You ready? You haven't seen it yet because in every drill, there's an early whistle. we stay up on the backs. You know, you saw a little last week, right, when it's tackle, you'll see more. I would say we're much further along just in the looks. So it's hard to appreciate when you're working a thud-up, touch-up tempo.

Starting point is 00:08:48 What's really hard is being the coach of the drill saying second in seven or second-and-fee, you know, it's hard to, you know, to kind of spot the ball when it's not tackle. But I think you'll see it. We've seen it. So, I mean, look, Sean and these guys, they run. We have practice that we get to see as the media, but then they have walkthroughs and other practices that they do later on in the day that aren't open to the media or to the general public.

Starting point is 00:09:15 So there are some things. And I also know we've received tons of questions about Evan Ingram and how come we haven't seen much of him? I think that Sean, my hunch is that I feel like the Broncos, are intentionally not showing what they plan to do here with Evan Ingram, which I love that. I mean, have that joker in your deck, so to speak there. It's you want to be able to have the advantage in that and you want to maybe surprise some people. But we have to see this offensive line improve in the run blocking game. And we have to see the backs be able to see the hole and hit it.

Starting point is 00:09:43 But we're not going to see that here on Saturday, essentially with Bo Nix, J.K. Dobbins or RJ Harvey. You know, Harvey could get some carries, but Sean Payton told us after practice that the plan is that the Bronf, and Cardinals are not going to play a lot of their first team, their core guys offensively, defensively in this game, this preseason game exclusively because of the work that these guys put in in joint training camp practices. Now, for that note, too, because I know a lot of Broncos fans are going to wonder, well, is this the last we've seen of Bo Nix and the starters here in the preseason?

Starting point is 00:10:13 Sean did say that he's actually going to play the starters, probably eight to ten snaps in the preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints versus those guys playing this week. So next week's going to be a fully padded week. It's Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, full pads, travel on Friday, play on Saturday of next week against New Orleans. And that's where they are at here. But Broncos, country, let's know your thoughts here on the reports coming out of practice today. Like I said, it's only able to watch the offensive side of the ball.

Starting point is 00:10:39 Bow Nix, a really, really sharp day for him. How do you feel about that? Make sure you let us know here on today's bonus episode. Lockdown Broncos. We're not done yet. We're going to go through some of the reports coming out. Some of the conversations I had following practice after the Broncos defense gave up some big plays in some soft spot. Watson's own coverage and in man, is that a concern here to come in the regular season?

Starting point is 00:10:58 I'll share my thoughts on that and more here on today's episode, Lockdown Broncos. This episode is presented by Yahoo! Fantasy, and it's the best time of the year, folks, because NFL kickoff, it's almost here. And that means that fantasy football season is back in full swing. And this year, Yahoo Fantasy, they are turning things up with a fantasy football experience like never before. So this year, join Sarah Benderger myself over here, Locked on Broncos. We are playing on Yahoo!

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Starting point is 00:13:16 How concerning is this development as we get to week two of the NFL preseason? we'll continue on here. I want to say real quick, Broncos country, thank you so much for rocking with us every single day here on locked on Broncos. You should make us your first listen. If you want to know what's going on with your team to the point, straight info from what we see at practice, this is the place to be. And you get it delivered directly, have us with a cup of coffee. Take us on go with you wherever you're at. We appreciate you so much Broncos country as always. The Broncos defense, once again, like I said, we're able, you're only able to be on one field. I can't split my body and a half and send it to the other field. So I rely to a lot. lot on my good friends that I get to share, you know, the opportunity to cover the Broncos with on the beaten Parker Gabriel and Henry Chism of DNVR. Obviously, you know, keeping us up to date on some of the defensive stuff there that they saw. And, you know, there were some ups and downs here from this Broncos defense and some good looks. And, you know, I think against a different offensive look and different skill set, Marvin Harrison Jr. certainly is bigger than he was last year. We talk about a guy who put on some muscle to talk to someone from the Cardinals beat. You put on at least 10 pounds

Starting point is 00:14:19 this offseason, which is crazy. He looks like an entirely different player. But they had a really good combination of wide receivers. Greg Dorch making some plays, Zay Jones, Marvin Harrison, Jr. And of course, the story of the day was Trey McBride, former Colorado State Ram. He had a big day against the Broncos defense against the first team defense from time to time, but also against some of the other guys. There was one play where he was wide open where he was signaling for a touchdown before the Carla Murray even threw him the football. And from what someone told me that the secondary was a little bit different. You had Delirian, Turner, Yale and some other guys in there at safety and in the secondary. So, I mean, I'm trusting the word of those guys. But certainly, I think

Starting point is 00:14:56 Broncos country here's Trey McBride making this play, making that play, making all the plays here for the Cardinals. And I think it just brings up this concern that, okay, hey, why can't the Broncos stop tight ends? Without being able to see the practice film, certainly you want to be able to go through and make these adjustments. That's what the coaching staff is obviously going to do. I'm not worried Yeah, I mean, we haven't really seen this trend happen in week one of the preseason against the 49ers. Will we see it here in this game when these two teams face off on Saturday? And will we see this in week one of the NFL regular season when Cam Ward and the Tennessee Titans come to town? Because certainly, you know, for a young quarterback, you want to have a security blanket at a tight end position.

Starting point is 00:15:35 We're excited to see what a tight end could do for Bow Nix. But this is something I think is a communication thing that the Broncos defense has to fix. And, you know, the defensive line, some pressure getting there, guys getting a few sacks on. Murray, which is something you want to see. And then in the final move, the ball period here, Jade, Baron blitzing from the nickel position, did a really good job of jumping up, knocking a pass down and batting it down there, preventing a big play from happening. So, you know, some good, some bad here.

Starting point is 00:16:01 But overall, I think the vibe from practice and what Sean told us afterwards is that he and Gannon talked afterwards and they felt like they had gotten a lot of great work together and that Sean talked to the defensive staff. They told them some of the things that happened there. He said, we're going to go back and we need to see what happens so we can correct it. I think so much of it could be communication stuff there on the back end or in the intermediate levels of the field. But once again, with how they use Trey McBride, he's a large volume, a large target type of pass catching tight end option. And so if you're having him come wide open against the other scheme that you have, like that's problematic because Denver is going to face some really talented tight ends this upcoming season.

Starting point is 00:16:37 You can't let that become a consistent problem here going forward. So that's your Broncos report here of the day on today's bonus episode. Locked on Broncos. Let's go through some injury news and notes here. So we talked about Garrett Bulls, a little bit of a scare that he had, obviously in this practice. We talked about yesterday's practice where Damari Mathis left and did not return. He was back at practice today and competed fully in this joint training camp practice. But one of the Broncos' new signings after Matt Henningson went on injured reserve, Gregory Jr. suffered an injury, walked off the field with a trainer. And I think that's a hamstring-related injury. So the new guy dealing with a hammy injury

Starting point is 00:17:12 right there, Reese Taylor out for yet another. practice with a hamstring injury. And then Michael Burton pulled up with a hamstring injury as well. So Denver and their office went into this joint practice really after that first team series without a fullback. So maybe that did change some of the things that they were trying to do because I think they went a little bit more heavy, tight insets after that because guess what? Nate Adkins just had a little surgery.

Starting point is 00:17:35 He's not going to be ready until sometime in the regular season at the early portion of it. That's something that Sean Peyton told us. He said the Adkins had a tight rope surgery. So it's something that's not going to hold him out for an extensive period of time, but he is going to miss time going into the regular season. And I know that they really like what he brings to the table. So we'll wait to see what goes on here with Michael Burton, who's obviously a veteran.

Starting point is 00:17:56 I wouldn't expect him to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Cardinals here, 7.30 p.m. Mountain time kickoff. But something worth monitoring here as time goes on. But probably the story from the injury side of things here is Nick Bonito, apparently having a little bit of a deposit, like a bone spurt. on the top of his foot that actually got a small minor surgical procedure. It removed it.

Starting point is 00:18:18 He's got about three stitches in his foot. And Sean Payton said it's one of those things where it's like a three to five day turnaround. So for him, he weighing the pros and cons. Nick wanted to come out and practice this week. But he said, you know what? Why do that when this is something that instead of dealing with this every Monday after you play a game, why not just get it out? You're going to miss five days here of training camp and this preseason game.

Starting point is 00:18:41 but you're going to be back on the field next week and you're going to get a few reps against the New Orleans Saints according to what Peyton told us after practice. I think Broncos country would take that latter option and that's certainly what Benito took himself, getting the procedure done small, minimally invasive at that point there. And now he's got that bone spurt out and he'll be back on the field next week and we'll see.

Starting point is 00:19:02 I mean, Sean said that the plan is to go full pads all week and he said, I don't want to hear any whining from people about it. And then we're going to go play a game on Saturday because roster cuts are looming in about 11 to 12 days. So overall, Thursday's joint practice here with the Cardinals, I feel like it was a massive success here for this team. And unfortunately, we're not going to see the starters play in this game, which is a little bit of a downside because I know Broncos fans who are coming to the game,

Starting point is 00:19:25 they wanted to be able to see Bonnix in the offense get some run and get some opportunities to maybe refresh themselves after what we saw in that first preseason game against San Francisco. You can have to wait until next week to do that when a team is on the road at New Orleans here. but one thing I will say is that this was probably the more impressive confidence building day for Bo Necks. We're going to reiterate that here once again. I think a lot of people see like the ups and downs on social media and you latch on to something either too positive or too negative, whereas Boe's done some really good things in practice. He's had some down moments. He's had some things where you're

Starting point is 00:20:01 wondering, you know, why did he make that decision? But I'll tell you this. And I will stay firm. I will knock on wood. There is nothing about Bo's off season or his training camp that has me in any way, shape, or form the slightest bit concerned. I am really not. And I'm not going to lie to you, Brockus country. I'm out there at practice every day. I like to think I know what I'm looking at. And surely, I don't get everything right. But I would say that the overreaction about Bo and his struggles, I feel like it's being over amplified in a negative sense. Boe's doing just fine. John's not worried about it. We'll see, like there's some areas he's obviously got to clean up. And if those issues persist a little bit into the regular season, then we can have a conversation.

Starting point is 00:20:37 But Bo's done a lot of great things. And I felt like today he came out and he kind of had a little chip on his shoulder. And he was slinging that thing all across the entire field making plays to everybody. That's the stuff that we want to see tuning out the noise going out there and making plays. That's exactly what Bo did. But Broncos country, we appreciate you so much for tuning in to this bonus episode here today on Lockdown Broncos. Your boy, Sir Bedinger, myself, we're going to be back tomorrow as we go through our game preview, our players to watch on offense, defense, and our keys to victory, what we want to see from

Starting point is 00:21:07 this Broncos team. Even though the starters aren't playing, there's a lot that we can evaluate here about the depth that Sean Payton says, we know we have some tough decisions coming up. We feel like the roster were way ahead of where we were. Last year, the depth is in a great spot. Great problem to have, but it's also one that the Broncos have to two weeks to really kind of figure out here, two games to evaluate so many different position battles ongoing. We'll share our thoughts on all that and more on tomorrow's game preview.

Starting point is 00:21:32 here on lockdown Broncos, Broncos country. We'll see you then.

Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - Bo Nix DEALS In Denver Broncos Passing Game vs. Arizona Cardinals

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