ENGLEWOOD – Jeff Heuerman is back with the Broncos on a new contract and a fresh start.
Why hang on to an old unfortunate circumstance?
A third-round draft pick out of Ohio State in 2015, Heuerman was running down field to cover a kickoff during the second day of the Broncos’ rookie minicamp when he his knee gave out. Torn ACL. Season over before it had a chance to start.
That same year, pass rusher Dante Fowler, the No. 3 overall draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, tore his ACL on the first day of rookie minicamp.
Since then, the Broncos have not held full-speed practices during their rookie minicamps. Head coach Gary Kubiak backed off his rookies to a three-day session of orientation, meetings and walkthroughs in 2016 and Vance Joseph continued the lack-of-practice camp the previous two years.
New head coach Vic Fangio, though, has brought the practice back to the Broncos’ rookie minicamp this weekend and he had a logical explanation for it.
“If we didn’t do any of that these three days, then they’re going to be thrown in with the veterans on Monday," Fangio said, referring the Broncos OTA (organized team activities) practice sessions that begin next week. “And that’s not fair to them nor fair to the veterans to have people out there practicing that don’t know how to practice without pads on in an NFL OTA.
“I think any time you can have practice and take advantage of that, and do a better job of preparing your players and teaching them, you should take advantage of it."
The rookies were all for it, especially the 20 tryout players. Without practice, the Broncos might have only brought in four or five for a tryout – with little chance of proving their skills.
The rookies who will stick around for OTAs were also glad for the tune-up.
“It’s better than just going into a Monday practice with vets not knowing individual drills and not knowing how practice is run," said rookie left guard Dalton Risner. “So this weekend is great to just get a feel for things. Obviously, we were just on the field in helmets but to get a feel for individual drills and how team (period) is run, the tempo of practice, what kind of shape we need to be in, the expectations of coaches -- it’s really good. I’m glad I got the opportunity to do this before Monday.”
Versatile Dalton
After starting 37 consecutive games over his last three seasons at right tackle for Kansas State, and after starting 13 games at center as a freshman, Risner played left guard during his first professional practice Friday.
“We played him at guard today, but eventually he’s going to learn tackle, too," Fangio said. “We’ll take a look at him at center at some point in between now and the end of training camp.
“You only dress seven offensive linemen in a game, and somebody has to be able to know how to play more than one position or two positions. You’ve got to have some utility guys, and if he’s capable of doing that for us, then we’ll take advantage of it."
Fangio has Game 7 confidence in Nuggets
The Broncos’ head coach is a fan of baseball and basketball. He’s already attended multiple Denver Nuggets home games and he believe the home team will take Game 7 against Portland on Sunday at the Pepsi Center.
“I was there for Game 7 against the Spurs, so they might want to make sure I’m in the building," Fangio said with a smile and a hint. “They’ll do fine. I think they’ll win. Congratulations for their good season, and the Avalanche’s. I think they’ll win, seriously. They’re a better team. I love (Nikola) Jokić and (Jamal) Murray, and the coach (Michael Malone) is doing a great job. I think they’ll win.”
