1. Trevor Siemian has been the best quarterback on the field over the last few practices for the Broncos. The games are where decisions are really made, but Kubiak has definitely taken notice.
“I’m excited watching him become a player. He’s very confident. He knows exactly what we’re doing,” Kubiak said. “He’s really a first-year player in a lot of ways. You see him getting better. He had a really good practice today. Trevor’s just a confident kid. He carries himself confident, pretty quiet. The more he continues to play, the better he’s going to be.”
Kubiak said Siemian has a quiet personality, but in the huddle he has his way of getting guys going. Siemian has taken more chances down the field lately, showing off his arm strength and improved accuracy.
2. The biggest scare of practice was when center Matt Paradis went down for about 30 seconds after a collision with a defender. Ultimately, he was able to walk off the field under his own power and return to the game the next series.
After practice, Kubiak revealed Paradis just got the wind knocked out of him. Paradis may be the most indispensable player on the Broncos’ offensive line. He’s the only player that played every snap last season. James Ferentz is Paradis’ backup.
3. Donald Stephenson missed practice with a left calf strain. Kubiak expects him back soon, but in the meantime Michael Schofield kicked out to take his spot at right tackle.
It’s clear Schofield will be the Broncos’ swiss army knife this season with his versatility to play both guard and tackle. Players and coaches have given positive reviews on the former third-round pick’s improvement in training camp.
4. Garrett Graham made a great one-handed grab of a Paxton Lynch pass that drew some “oohs” from the crowd. Graham and Virgil Green have been the top two performers from the tight end spot so far in training camp.
5. Brandon Marshall ran step for step with Demaryius Thomas on a crossing pattern and knocked the pass away. There’s not too many better coverage linebackers in the NFL than Marshall.
6. Darrion Weems took first-team snaps at guard for the third consecutive day with Ty Sambrailo out with an injury. Weems wasn’t on the radar much during organized team activities, but now appears to have a real shot to make the team.
7. Defensive end Jared Crick has made batting down passes at the line his personal mission. He destroyed a play when he smothered Siemian’s pass at the line.
Crick may not start, but should receive significant playing time. It appears he has learned a few things from his former Texans teammate J.J. Watt.
8. Receiver update: Bennie Fowler still is catching everything that comes his way. Cody Latimer is having a really good camp too.
Bralon Addison had his best receiving day of camp with several difficult grabs over the middle of the field. Kalif Raymond muffed a kickoff return, but also caught a touchdown.
9. Kapri Bibbs juked Shane Ray out of his shoes behind the line of scrimmage and then proceeded to burst toward the end zone. You’d be hard-pressed to find a Broncos offensive player having a better camp than Bibbs and Fowler.
10. Cornerback Taurean Nixon had one of his better practices. He made two good pass breakups down the sideline. He adds to the depth of the cornerback group and could push for one of the final spots.
Sunday’s camp facts: No practice.
