ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — A Lombardi isn’t going to beat around the truth.
The Broncos’ offensive coordinator is Joe Lombardi, grandson of the greatest NFL coach who ever lived, Vince Lombardi. Joe Lombardi was asked about some of the mistakes Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix made in his NFL debut Sunday in Seattle.
Lombardi mentioned Nix missed a big play because he had “wrong footwork.” He also talked about how smart Nix was during the corrective Monday film sessions.
“You could see that there’s going to be growth from when he makes mistakes,’’ Lombardi said. “So I would say that nobody on offense, including the coaches, had a great day on Sunday.”
True that!
The Broncos lost 26-20 to Seattle with defense and special teams accounting for 10 of the visitors’ 20 points. Lombardi was asked about the performance of right guard Quinn Meinerz, who was critical of his own play this week.
“He’s such a mauler, sometimes he can be a little over aggressive and get in front of his skis a little bit,’’ Lombardi said. “He’ll learn from that. He’s a great player obviously, and he had a great camp. So I think for whatever reason — and you have these days sometimes — we just went out collectively and played poorly.”
Truth!
Some of the narrative on Nix through the OTAs and training camp is he doesn’t make the same mistake twice. Except he did throw two interceptions at Seattle.
“It’s not like he’ll never throw another interception again. He will,’’ Lombardi said. “It’s not like he’ll never throw another errant pass again. He will. All right, but he just gets better from all the experience.
“I’m sure he was really jazzed up on Sunday and he’ll probably be a little bit more calm as every game comes along. He’ll just keep getting better and better. And that’s why I was so encouraged on Monday just how quickly he figured out, ‘I need to do this next time.’ You could just see the wheels turning and the learning happening.”
Bolles, Reynolds, Wattenberg return
Three offensive starters who missed practice Wednesday returned on Thursday: Left tackle Garett Bolles (ankle/calf), center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) and receiver Josh Reynolds (sore Achilles). No. 3 receiver Devaughn Vele, however, missed a second consecutive practice with injured ribs. Vele has been rehabbing on a side field during practice.
Bolles missed most of the fourth quarter Sunday after Nix was knocked down into the ankle that was surgically repaired two years ago.
“I feel a lot better today than I did on Sunday,’’ Bolles said “That’s a positive …
“I pride myself on playing every single snap that I can. It was my 100th career start so it sort of sucked that it ended the way it did but I’m grateful it’s nothing too serious and I can get back and get ready to protect Bo and help this team win. …
“I feel good. Today’s Thursday. I’ve got three more days 'til the game so I’ll be ready to roll.”
Working out new kickoff play
The gadget-like kickoff play the NFL is incorporating on a somewhat trial basis this season was thought to help produce dynamic return after dynamic return. But in week 1 there were only three returns of 50 yards plus, which was not uncommon in a typical week employing the more traditional kickoff. All the other returns were 35 yards or less.
Broncos Pro Bowl returner Marvin Mims Jr. had a modest 23.0-yard average on three returns. He watched another five kickoffs sail into the end zone for touchbacks. What is it about the odd formational setup and tag-up rules that so far have not opened up an abundance of long returns?
“I think it’s the timing of it,’’ Mims said. “Right now it’s the timing of the blocks, seeing it all happen in front of you as a returner. And also with the rule, I mean the touchback isn’t (punitive). It’s out to the 30 yard line. It’s not like it’s at the 35 or potentially the 40. So most teams, depending on the returner, they’ll kick it out and it’ll be the same thing as last year.”
Mims also added the new kickoff play "is just weird, It's a weird play."
