Broncos Focusing Camp 2021 Supporters Quick Guide: What to enjoy, players along with a lot of at risk as well as top role fights

Interesting post by Ryan O’Halloran, Kyle Newman from The Denver Post talking about some important news items this week. Ryan O’Halloran, Kyle Newman recently posted this and I thought it was well worth publishing on this website.

The Broncos are welcoming back fans to training camp this summer after last year’s practices were closed due to the coronavirus.

Beginning Wednesday, the Broncos have scheduled 13 open workouts at the team’s facility (13655 E. Broncos Parkway in Englewood).

Each practice will run from 9:15 a.m. to noon Wednesday-Saturday and Aug. 2-4, 6-7 and 16-19. The Broncos will also have two open practices at Minnesota (Aug. 11-12). Saturday’s practice (July 31) is by invite-only.

The league’s collective bargaining agreement requires a five-day “acclimation period,” upon reporting to camp Tuesday. Players can wear helmets/jerseys for Days 2-3 and helmets/shells for Days 4-5. The first practice the Broncos are allowed to work in full pads is Aug. 2.

Fan information

Broncos DB Preview: Team starts over at cornerback with three additions, including rookie Pat Surtain II Broncos WR Preview: Courtland Sutton returns from ACL injury to lead young group of receivers Greg Knapp, former Broncos quarterbacks coach, in critical condition after “horrific” bike accident Broncos OL Preview: Lloyd Cushenberry, Quinn Meinerz ready to battle for starting center spot Broncos Mailbag: Drew Lock or Teddy Bridgewater — who wins more games this year?

Admission: There is no admission for the open-to-fans practices at the Broncos’ facility. Gates open each day at 8:30 a.m. Fans are required to fill out a “Fan Health Promise,” (can be accessed through the “Broncos365” app) after which they will receive an SMS message that will grant fans entry. Lawn chairs and umbrellas are prohibited.

Parking: The parking lot adjacent to Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse open at 7:30 a.m. Parking is free. There will also be a designated lot for fans with physical disabilities on a first-come, first-serve basis.

General seating: Fans can watch practice on the hill next to the fieldhouse (west side of practice fields).

Food and beverages. Food trucks will be stationed on the west side of the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse. Purchased items are not allowed inside the practice field gates, but small individual quantity food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed.

Autographs: The NFL’s COVID-19 protocols for training camp will not allow for any autographs.

What to watch

Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostDenver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock warms up for the team practice during the Denver Broncos 2020 Training Camp at UCHealth Training Center in Englewood on Tuesday. Aug. 25, 2020.

Dividing quarterback snaps: Coach Vic Fangio said the goal is to split the snaps 50-50 between Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock. Unclear is if one quarterback will get all of the first-team snaps during a given practice and the other quarterback gets those reps the next day.

Pass-rush/protection: Once the pads go on, this is always an entertaining period of practice as linebackers/defensive linemen face the offensive linemen, usually with Von Miller providing a running commentary.

Receivers vs. cornerbacks: Camp is the first chance for press coverage, which means contact at the line of scrimmage and an increased level of intensity. It’s interesting to watch the route-running of the receivers and the footwork of the defensive backs.

Red zone: Particularly when it’s 11-on-11, this period brings out the intensity … and talking. The offense wants to score. The defense wants to stop them. Period.

Players with most at stake

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostDenver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) catches a ball during training camp at UCHealth Training Center on Aug. 11, 2019 in Englewood.

Broncos preview

QuarterbacksRunning backsWide receiversTight ends (7/23)Offensive linemenDefensive linemenLinebackersDefensive backs

1. WR Courtland Sutton. Coming off an ACL injury that limited him to 20 snaps last year, Sutton is out to re-establish himself as the elite pass-catcher who racked up 1,112 receiving yards and a Pro Bowl nod in 2019. Sutton will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

2. QB Drew Lock. It’s now or never for Lock, who is experiencing just how narrow the window of opportunity for a Broncos quarterback really is. After tying for the league lead with 15 interceptions last year, Lock has to dazzle in camp to beat out Teddy Bridgewater for the starting job.

3. ILBs Josey Jewell/Alexander Johnson. Both players will be unrestricted free agents at the end of this season and there is young talent knocking on the door behind them (Justin Strnad, Baron Browning) who could make either guy expendable.

4. OLB Von Miller. The Broncos picked up Miller’s $7 million option this offseason, leaving his team-high $22.125 million salary cap hit on the books. But the 32-year-old has plenty to prove if he truly wants to retire as a Bronco after he missed all of 2020 with an ankle injury.

Position battles

AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDrew Lock (3) of the Denver Broncos sits on the grass during practice at UCHealth Training Center on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020.

1. Starting quarterback (duh). During mini-camp, Drew Lock clearly had the stronger arm, but Teddy Bridgewater was making better reads. Both will get plenty of reps as the team’s most critical position is once again up in the air.

2. Starting running back. Melvin Gordon rushed for 986 yards last year, and he’s certainly capable of topping that, but not if rookie Javonte Williams beats him out for the starting job. There’s a reason the Broncos traded up for Williams in the second round.

3. Final safety spot. With Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson locked in as the starters, and a pair of rookies all but guaranteed to make the team (Caden Sterns and Jamar Johnson), the fifth safety spot comes down between P.J. Locke and Trey Marshall. Special teams ability will likely be the main deciding point.

4. No. 4 outside linebacker. Malik Reed has proven his worth over the past couple seasons and is certain to be the third outside linebacker behind Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. That leaves second-year pro Derrek Tuszka and rookie Jonathon Cooper to battle for the fourth spot.

Training camp schedule

All times 9:15 a.m.-noon and subject to change

Wednesday, July 28Thursday, July 29Friday, July 30Saturday, July 31Monday, Aug. 2Tuesday, Aug. 3Wednesday, Aug. 4Friday, Aug. 6Saturday, Aug. 7Monday, Aug. 16Tuesday, Aug. 17Wednesday, Aug. 18Thursday, Aug. 19