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Broncos QB report card: A steady, sack-free first showing for Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson

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Broncos QB report card: A steady, sack-free first showing for Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson


INDIANAPOLIS — Sean Payton hates sacks.

He doesn’t just dislike them. The Broncos head coach cannot stand them.

Not only that, but he puts most of the blame for sacks on the quarterback rather than the offensive line.

It’s a major reason he grew frustrated with Russell Wilson a year ago — Wilson was sacked 45 times in 15 starts — and it’s one of the trends he’s liked in his quarterback group so far this summer.

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The first preseason game Sunday at Indianapolis showed more of the same for Jarrett Stidham, Bo Nix and Zach Wilson. They combined to drop back 41 times against the Colts on Sunday afternoon and didn’t take a sack.

“It’s all about knowing where your outlets are, knowing when you’re hot, having a good feel for the pocket and it’s just being on time,” Nix said after Denver’s 34-30 win. “Being in rhythm, if your No. 1 or No. 2 isn’t there, get to No. 3 in a quick manner. I always say I feel like I can take a three(-step) drop, hitch and throw and get the ball out without them physically being able to get to me. It’s all about a quarterback’s timing and offensive line did a great job today keeping us up.”

The group finished 29-of-41 passing for 279 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Here’s a closer look at each’s outing, in order of appearance.

Jarrett Stidham

Possessions/snaps:  2/11

Stat line: 3-of-7 passing, 37 yards, interception

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Drive results: Punt, interception

Highlight: Stidham hears “checkdown” taunts from defensive players in practice when he drops the ball off to backs and tight ends, but he played aggressive Sunday. The sixth-year QB hit Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick back-to-back for 27 total yards on his first two throws.

Lowlight: The interception, but it wasn’t Stidham’s fault. Samaje Perine had the ball hit him in the chest, pop up and then in an attempt to corral it, he batted it right to Colts safety Kenny Moore II.

Analysis: Stidham looked good but had four offensive penalties from veterans around him on his two drives and then got unlucky on the interception. He got a fraction of the snaps the other two got on this day. Sean Payton said afterward that will balance some next weekend against Green Bay. A question in the interim: Do Stidham and Bo Nix split reps with the No. 1s in the joint practice against the Packers? Or is it Nix the whole way from here out?

Bo Nix

Possessions/snaps: 5/36

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Stat line: 15-of-21 passing, 125 yards, TD, three carries for 17 yards

Drive results: Field goal, touchdown, fumble, field goal, touchdown

Highlight: It looked like Nix’s opportunity to run the two-minute drill was wasted when Lucas Krull fumbled on the first play of a drive, but Denver got the ball right back after a Keidron Smith interception. Then Nix went to work, completing 4 of 6 passes for 41 yards plus a 29-yard defensive pass interference on a pass up the left side for rookie Devaughn Vele. The two-minute operation drew praise from head coach Sean Payton and veteran receiver Courtland Sutton.

Lowlight: The fumbled snap with Luke Wattenberg gets a red flag here for two reasons: One, Nix has had issues a handful of times through the first couple weeks of practice. Two, he hardly played from under center the past two years at Oregon. Payton expressed a willingness to tailor the offense to whoever gets the starting job — perhaps more shotgun and pistol are in the cards if Nix starts Week 1 — but you’ve got to be able to play from under center without worry about ball security.

Analysis: Nix continued on the path he’s been traveling through training camp. Some mistakes here and there. Ball placement that doesn’t completely abandon him but occasionally wavers just enough to make a difference. Overall, though, there’s no reason to be unimpressed with how Nix played. He was in rhythm, threw the ball down the field and showed the ability to play from the pocket or outside. A long way to go and a lot to learn, but arrow up.

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Zach Wilson

Possessions/snaps:  5/32

Stat line: 10-of-13 passing, 117 yards, three carries for minus-1 yard

Drive results: Fumble, touchdown, punt, touchdown, end of game

Highlight: The best part of the outing for Wilson was just his ability to play efficiently and confidently. On a putaway drive late in the game, he found rookie running back Blake Watson up the right sideline for 33 yards.

Lowlight: It was a steady outing for Wilson, whose day got off to an unfortunate start when Audric Estime fumbled and the Colts returned it for a touchdown. No major issues, though. The biggest question, really, is if Wilson will get a real chance against non-fringe roster guys against Green Bay or Arizona.

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Analysis:  Wilson played against reserves, obviously, but if he continues to stack good days and play aggressive while limiting mistakes the rest of the preseason, the roster picture gets interesting in a hurry. The 2021 No. 2 overall pick clearly has talent and seems to be benefiting from the structure and stability in Denver’s offensive and quarterback meeting rooms. It’s too early to say he’s a transformed player, but the early returns on this project warrant further investment.

Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.

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Denver, CO

Denver Post writer blasts CU for Prime hire with ‘lifetime of skeletons’ in closet

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Denver Post writer blasts CU for Prime hire with ‘lifetime of skeletons’ in closet


Deion Sanders has recently found himself embroiled in a public feud with the Denver media. The tension escalated on Friday when Sanders refused to answer questions from CBS Denver. The reason? CBS Sports had an unfavorable piece about Sanders.

This ranking clearly struck a nerve with him, leading to his pointed refusal to engage with the network.

The conflict didn’t stop there. Sanders also had a terse exchange with Sean Keeler. During the press conference, Coach Prime confronted the Denver Post columnist, questioning why he continued to cover the team if he harbored negative feelings.

“You don’t like us, man,” Sanders remarked. He went on to ask why Keeler would even bother engaging with someone he supposedly disliked. The frustration in Sanders’ voice was noticeable, as he seemed genuinely perplexed by Keeler’s persistence.

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Keeler responded with a blistering article shortly after, taking aim at Sanders’ behavior and his tenure as the Buffaloes’ head coach. Keeler’s piece criticized Sanders for his perceived arrogance and condescension during the press conference, calling it a “3-9 news conference” for a “4-8 coach.”

Jason Whitlock uses three F-words to describe Coach Prime after unleashing on media

Keeler further lambasted Rick George and the University of Colorado for what he described as a desperate hiring decision, implying that the school had overlooked potential red flags in their eagerness to bring Sanders on board.

“(Sanders) can’t hide the fact that CU, which hired him with the sheer and utter desperation of a lonely nerd on prom night, conducted a lousy vetting process, hoping that a lifetime celebrity wouldn’t come with a lifetime of skeletons in his closet, too,” Keeler wrote.

Keeler’s critique didn’t end there. He suggested that Sanders’ celebrity status and the associated “Prime Circus” might be too much for the Buffaloes to handle.

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“Half the Power 5 schools and most of the NFL wouldn’t put up with The Prime Circus,” Keeler added. “The cameras. The contracts. The rules. The Buffs? They had no choice. Deion is the king of CU, El Caudillo del BoCo, the Emperor of Engineering Drive. Are you with me or against me?

Only once the train leaves the station, it doesn’t come with brakes. You ride that puppy out, full-speed. Until things go off the rails.”

As Colorado prepares to open the 2024 football season against North Dakota State, the spotlight will undoubtedly remain on Sanders, both on and off the field.



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Denver, CO

Denver area events for Aug. 11

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Denver area events for Aug. 11


If you have an event taking place in the Denver area, email information to carlotta.olson@gazette.com at least two weeks in advance. All events are listed in the calendar on space availability.

Sunday

Orchard Farmers Market — 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Orchard Town Center, 14535 Delaware St., Westminster; orchardfarmersmarket.com.

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Sunday Funday Series — Watch polo from the sidelines with cocktail bar, food trucks, mingle with players and ponies and more, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Denver Polo Club, Sedalia, $35 and up. Tickets: denverpoloclub.com.

Back to School Bee Bash — Kids’ games and crafts, Beatrice the bee mascot, live music and more, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Denver Premium Outlets, 13801 Grant St., Thornton; tinyurl.com/bvemcrdv.

Stanley Summer Music Series — Noon-2 p.m., West Patio, Stanley Marketplace, 2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora; stanleymarketplace.com/stanley-events.

Urban Market — Noon-6 p.m., Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St., Denver; unionstationindenver.com.

Miguel Espinoza Fusion with Michele Castro — 5 p.m., Levitt Pavilion, 1380 W. Florida Ave., Denver, free GA — open lawn, $35 VIP. Tickets: levittdenver.org.

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Sammy Hagar — With Loverboy, 7 p.m., Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison, go online for prices. Tickets: axs.com.

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Nitty Gritty Dirt Band — 7 p.m., Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place, Denver, $49 and up. Tickets: ticketmaster.com.

Lord Buffalo — With DBUK, 7:30 p.m., Skylark Lounge, 140 S. Broadway, Denver, $18.08. Tickets: skylarklounge.com.

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The Greeting Committee — With Toledo, 8 p.m., Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, $23.50. Tickets: axs.com.

D’Aydrian Harding: The Stay Sober Summer Tour — 8 p.m., Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave., 935 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, $39.50. Tickets: axs.com.

The Bouncing Souls — 8 p.m., Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway, Englewood, $37.50 and up. Tickets: axs.com.

Monday-Jan. 5

”Shadow and Light: Patrick Marold” — Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver, go online for prices; botanicgardens.org.

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CARLOTTA OLSON, The Denver Gazette



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Renck: Bo Nix has experience. Sean Payton is offensive genius. Quarterback’s preseason debut should show why he belongs in starting lineup

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Renck: Bo Nix has experience. Sean Payton is offensive genius. Quarterback’s preseason debut should show why he belongs in starting lineup


Summer vacation is almost over, sunsets and barbecues replaced by August angst. Does Disneyland offer a FastPass for NFL quarterbacks?

Now that the Broncos are auditioning their 14th starter since Peyton Manning retired, I feel compelled to write a self-help column for coach Sean Payton. The aim is to be insightful, thoughtful and analytical in explaining the development of a rookie into an impact player.

The working headline: Please Bo Nix Don’t Stink.

Contrary to those who think Denver is a playoff contender, the underlying theme of Broncos training camp is that it would be a splendid idea to make this gamble work. Payton staked his reputation on the selection of Nix.

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Beginning Sunday in Indianapolis, we will begin to see why. It might be one throw on the run or a scramble for a first down, but the preseason opener for Nix must deliver morsels of success.

It is not about the final statistics, since my guess based on watching nearly two weeks of practices is that they will be pedestrian. It is about progress.

That’s all we want to see. Remember, Broncos Country has traveled down this road over the past eight years — and each time it ended like the final scene in “Thelma and Louise.” Once upon a time, Mark Sanchez hinted that he might be the guy vs. the Bears in the 2016 preseason opener, but his performance was stained by an interception. Coach Gary Kubiak made the connection long before most of us, his praise sandwiched with caution. “He just had the one mistake with the football that we are continuing to try and correct and he knows that.” Soon after, Sanchez started throwing picks to Lorenzo Doss in practice like he was feeding him out of a Pez dispenser. Trevor Siemian won the job.

Of course, there are lessons to be learned from Siemian and this competition. Siemian was not Nix. He was a seventh-round pick. His story required no embellishment. He was set to work in real estate after an underwhelming career at Northwestern. But Kubiak saw something in him. And five months later he was the starter for the defending Super Bowl champions.

Siemian’s path to the job remains instructive as it relates to Nix. Bo knows we don’t expect him to be perfect. The NFL is a difficult transition because it is an entirely different game. The hash marks are more than twice as wide in college (40 feet to 18 feet, six inches). As such, college football allows receivers to line up on the opposite sideline from the spot of the ball, creating enough space for NASA to navigate as quarterbacks find wide-open receivers.

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Space in college is a completion. Space in the NFL is a trap.

Undoubtedly, Payton will set up Nix to gain confidence when he enters the game late in the first quarter or the early second. Expect some inside run plays followed by a swing pass to a running back, then maybe a quick one-read slant. Payton understands the value of getting a quarterback into rhythm. This can be accomplished even when the plays don’t always counter the defense in the preseason.

But much of what needs to be obvious with Nix won’t show up in the final box score. Part of the reason I, along with many others, are pushing for him to start is because of his FBS-record 61 games of college experience. He lived a layered life as Auburn’s savior to benched star to reclaimed glory at Oregon. He has dealt with unique adversity for a first-round quarterback.

And this shapes what I want to see Sunday. A player who seems unaffected by the expectations. Someone who seems unflappable as he runs a smooth operation. Nix has been described as a bit robotic, and this can be a compliment when it comes to calling plays in the huddle — this was an issue not just for Paxton Lynch, but Russell Wilson. Knowing the plays and what he is saying should allow him to walk to the line of scrimmage with a clear head, freeing him to begin his education on reading defenses.

The Colts do not figure to employ exotic blitz packages, but there will be new looks for Nix after going against his own defense for months. This is a huge part of his learning curve: The ability to know what he sees and audible into the right plays, including those on the ground.

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There will be mistakes. But will Nix be oblivious, and respond with confidence? We have seen shades of this. After he threw his first training camp interception to Levi Wallace, he answered with three red zone touchdown passes.

That showed the type of mental resolve necessary. Listen, we all know when it doesn’t seem right, like when Lynch, the Broncos’ last first-round quarterback, looked like a fish on a bicycle under center and struggled with the concept of down-and-distance. But in fairness to Lynch, no effort was made to fit the offense around him. It was the other way around, and he did not have the skill set to adapt.

With Payton and Nix, there is 100 percent motivation to make this work. And the sooner, the better. Payton has already narrowed the quarterback derby to Jarrett Stidham, Sunday’s starter, and Nix, who will start next Sunday at home against the Packers. Zach Wilson, a fun flier, became an insurance policy as soon as Denver was able to land Nix in the draft.

The next two weeks are going to be exciting and challenging. The Broncos, rallying around the young-and-hungry motto, must not only get through them but exit with a quarterback.

Stidham is the default. If Nix looks overwhelmed, if his wires cross, then Payton can start the veteran on Sept. 8.

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But, honestly, that would be a marriage of buzz to kill. The pieces are in place. Payton has the resume of an offensive genius. Nix has uncommon experience.

Sunday, the journey begins. It is time to see positive steps toward the rookie’s eventual place in the starting lineup.

Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.



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