ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The first hint of what Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix would face throughout the team periods of the joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals came as he fired passes at the south end of the east field during a seven-on-seven period early in Thursday’s work.
Roughly 40 yards away from where Nix found Lucas Krull and Pat Bryant, the Broncos’ offensive line found themselves pressed in one-on-one drills against Arizona’s Calais Campbell, Darius Robinson and ex-Broncos edge rusher Baron Browning, among others.
It was a sign of what was to come.
“We played a great defense today,” tight end Evan Engram said.
Indeed, for much of the day, Nix would find himself under pressure from the Cardinals’ front seven. But while the Big Red generated pressure throughout the team periods, they failed to finish. And that was a testament to Nix and his ability to find the open receiver throughout the practice.
The answer to the question “Who’s the WR1?” on Thursday was simple: Whoever was open.
Thus, Nix spread the wealth. He involved Bryant early during the seven-on-seven period, but as the practice moved into the team periods, turned to Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin.
Sutton snared a touchdown pass in the red-zone period on a fade route, beating Will Johnson. Sutton and Franklin provided most of the thrust for the No. 1 offense in the “move-the-ball” period at the end of practice as the offense drove 62 yards deep into Arizona territory, with Michael Bandy grabbing the final pass from Nix that moved the Broncos into goal-to-go and into position for a game-tying field goal in the scenario laid out by that drill.
Nix was settled in the pocket and effective and accurate beyond structure when forced outside of it. It was the type of work that offered a glimpse of where he could go — and underscored Payton’s proclamations that Nix could develop into a top-five quarterback.
BUT ON THE DEFENSIVE SIDE …
“I asked our defensive coaches, they felt we got up to a slow start over there on that field,” Payton said. “They had some explosives and guys running open. So we have to get that cleaned up.”
Much of the damage was done by Cardinals tight end Trey McBride. At one point, the Colorado State product — who signed a massive contract extension in the offseason — caught three passes in short success downfield, working past three different defenders each time.
“Look, that’s a ‘joker,’ Payton said. “… When you get one, they’re hard to find. They’re valuable.”
Marvin Harrison Jr. also had multiple receptions at the expense of Denver’s defense. But it also must be noted that defensive coordinator Vance Joseph planned to use the day to test concepts.
“I’m doing some things in practice that I won’t do in games that I’m testing for the season,” Joseph said Wednesday.
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PLAY OF THE DAY
Rookie wide receiver Jerjuan Newton seems to have a knack for making catches down the right sideline in double coverage. He did so earlier in camp and pulled one off again for a 30-yard gain during a team period.
ATTENDANCE REPORT
Nik Bonitto was sidelined for a third-consecutive day due to a foot issue … Dre Greenlaw saw individual work once again, but did not take part in the team period … Tight end Nate Adkins and cornerback Reese Taylor did not practice; Adkins is not expected back until some point in the regular season due to a sprained ankle, joining linebacker Drew Sanders as players whose absence will extend into September or beyond … Cornerback Damarri Mathis practiced after leaving halfway during Wednesday’s session … Left tackle Garett Bolles left due to an asthma problem. Matt Peart took his spot … Michael Burton is dealing with a hamstring problem.
BRONCOS CAMP NOTES
The Broncos won both “move-the-ball” periods at the end of practice. The scenario involved a 24-21 deficit for the offense, 1:10 on the clock, possession at the offense’s 30-yard line and no timeouts remaining. The aforementioned connections to Franklin and Sutton got Nix and the offense moving.
On the defensive field, the Broncos allowed Arizona to advance to midfield before putting the clamps on the Cardinals and forcing a Kyler Murray incompletion on fourth-and-7, as he threw out of bounds to no one in particular to end the practice. A false-start infraction against the Gridbirds knocked them back from fourth-and-2 before the fourth-down failure.
Running back Jaleel McLaughlin flashed with a solid blitz pickup and a lengthy gain on a swing pass from Jarrett Stidham during a late-practice team period, one play after catching a pass from Stidham across the middle.
Stidham threw an interception during the red-zone period, the only pick thrown by a Broncos quarterback in the session. Ja’Quan McMillian logged an interception on the defensive field.
WHAT’S NEXT
Preseason game No. 2, this one against the Cardinals. Most Broncos starters are expected to sit for the game, as Payton announced after practice. Kickoff at Empower Field at Mile High is set for 7:30 p.m. MDT.
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