ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — A day after Cody Latimer caught a deep touchdown pass from the Brock Osweiler, he was given the opportunity to do the same on a ball from Peyton Manning.
And he didn’t disappoint.
Latimer hauled in yet another deep ball and took it over 40 yards into the end zone on Friday, prompting questions to head coach John Fox about Latimer’s speed.
“Not at all,” Fox said when asked if he was surprised by how Latimer’s ability to get up the field. “We know he is big, strong, fast, very tough, and came make plays after the catch.”
That’s pretty high praise for a rookie, who stayed late Friday to work with Manning, along with new Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders.
For Fox, that was a pleasant sign.
“He (Latimer) has got a whole offense to learn, so that is going to be his biggest challenge,” Fox said.
Speaking of learning, class is still in session for second-year defensive tackle Sylvester Williams. But there are signs of progress. One of them came in the form of an athletic move during one of Friday’s team sessions.
The 6-foot-2, 313-pound Williams left the ground, tipped a pass from Manning and came down with the interception.
Unfortunately for Williams, it ended with an ill-fated pitch. He tossed the ball backwards in the direction of the speedier Quinton Carter, who promptly fumbled it.
“I wish he would’ve caught it,” Williams laughed. “It would have been the highlight of the day.
Quick Hits
More physical on Day 2
Perhaps anxious to put the pads on for the first time since February, which is set to take place on Saturday, the action on Friday was a little more physical than it was on Thursday. Along with that physicality came an increase in chirping, which brought a big smile to T.J. Ward’s face. John Boyett, a second-year safety who was cut by the Indianapolis Colts after an arrest last year, was particularly vocal playing with the third team. “That’s exactly what we need!” Ward screamed at from the sideline.
Julius Thomas, big wideout or tight end?
For the second straight day, a question was asked about whether Julius Thomas, who burst onto the scene a year ago, is a tight end or a big wide receiver. The question alludes to ongoing contract negotiations between the Broncos and Thomas, as well as precedent-setting negotiations between the New Orelans Saints and tight end Jimmy Graham, who argued he was basically a wide receiver in an effort to procure a better deal. On Friday, the question was posed to Thomas himself. “When I go home at night, I’m not worried about contracts,” Thomas said. “I’m only worried about becoming the best football player possible. My agent Frank and the guy upstairs will handle the rest.”
Osweiler trying to find rhythm
When you’re a second string quarterback, developing a favorite receiver is tough. Just when you start to gain a rapport with a guy — as Brock Osweiler did with Latimer Thursday — he gets taken from you to start working with the first team. Without Latimer, Osweiler struggled to begin the day, throwing one pass that should have been intercepted by David Bruton and a second that actually was. But as the day wore on, Osweiler seemed to develop a connection with Greg Wilson, a second-year man from Fordham. The two hit on several deep corner routes, including one that went for a touchdown. Those throws were noticed by Fox, who complemented Osweiler on “a couple good stretches and series today.”
Position Battles
Running Backs
With the physicality elevated on Friday, sink or swim time commenced for the running backs battling to replace the hard-nosed Knowshon Moreno, who was dropped this offseason. Though he looked stout at times, Brennan Clay, a rookie from Oklahoma battling for a job, came out a little worse for wear with a thigh bruise. And interestingly enough, the highlight of the day for the running backs was an over-the-shoulder fade catch from Montee Ball, who hauled in the Manning pass despite great coverage from Danny Trevathan.
Linebackers
Though Von Miller didn’t open training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP), he has been pretty substantially limited through the first two days. Fox said Miller has “worked harder than he has ever in his football career” to get back to the field, and getting worked into a preseason game is still a possibility. But while he’s limited, guys like Brandon Marshall will continue to get opportunities, and Marshall utilized his opportunity again Friday, picking off a pass from Manning.
Cornerback
Aqib Talib will be locking down one half of the field for the Broncos this season, but the second spot is very much up for grabs, especially with Chris Harris, who was a starter last season before tearing his ACL, beginning training camp on the PUP. Though Kayvon Webster was a little shaky to start practice Friday, Talib had high praise for the second-year man. “Every day we look at each others’ film, and he just looks comfortable,” Talib said. The same likely can’t be said for rookie Bradley Roby, who was burned by Latimer for a deep touchdown for a second straight day.
Quotable
Julius Thomas
I’ve been trying to push “Goose” (offensive coordinator Adam Gase) to give me a handoff or two. And that push has been failing miserably.”