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Entering his second season

    • 130 posts
    October 8, 2019 6:33 AM EEST

     Emmanuel Sanders Jersey , Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton is amazed by the team’s new offensive scheme."Good morning, Broncos Country.After an impressive rookie campaign, Denver Broncos second-year receiver Courtland Sutton is aiming to take his game to another level for the 2019 season. There’s no question Sutton has the potential to become a top-tier wide receiver in the National Football League, but it will take more than just his diligence and preparation to ascend to that level. A new quarterback will be leading the offense in 2019 — Joe Flacco. Whether or not he’s the long-term solution for the franchise at the position remains to be seen, but he certainly has the ability to push the ball down the field vertically. That should bode well for Sutton, who has a penchant for eye-popping grabs deep in defensive territory. That in itself should help bolster the team’s offense, considering deep throws were a constant struggle with Case Keenum last season.In addition to a new quarterback the Broncos are sporting a first-year offensive coordinator in Rich Scangarello, who will be bringing the knowledge and schematics of Kyle Shanahan’s offense to the Mile High City. It’s a development that has fans excited about the unit’s potential next season, but players on the roster, in particular Sutton are amazed at what the new scheme has to offer.“It’s amazing. It’s an offense that to the naked eye might seem basic, but to us in it, we understand why we do certain plays. Every play has a reason. Every play has something that goes with it,” stated Sutton. “He has a great offense and a great system that he runs. He’s had success at a lot of places. Being able to be in his offense, I’m really excited because not only our receivers, but our tight ends and our running backs are going to see some success.”In addition to Sutton being excited about the Broncos’ new offense, he is equally elated to be tutored by wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni, who was one of the few position coaches the Broncos retained this past offseason. Sutton knows that in addition to being able to take on the physical rigors of the game, you also have to be mentally prepared for the challenges that await him — something that Azzanni has mentioned routinely.“He’s such a teacher and that’s one thing that I really enjoy. I had a teacher in college as well, [SMU Wide Receivers] Coach Justin Stepp was the same way. I really appreciate that from Coach Azzanni. He doesn’t let us slack off in our technique,” Sutton remarked. “He doesn’t let us slack off in learning the game and growing mentally—not only physically because everyone is physically gifted in the NFL. At some point it becomes mental, and you have to be able to play the game really fast mentally. He is one coach that has been harping on me about the mental side of the game.”If Sutton is excited about the potential of the Broncos’ offense in 2019, all of Broncos Country should be as well. There will undoubtedly be a lot of wrinkles that need to be ironed out throughout the year, but Scangarello’s scheme has the potential to be the wild card facet of the franchise that might help propel them back to the top of the AFC West. We can only hope.As always, thank you for reading and here is today’s offering of Horse Tracks.Horse TracksShelby Harris signs RFA tender; four other Broncos sign ERFA tendersHarris and several of his teammates will officially remain with the team this season.Broncos’ Von Miller bulks up 10 pounds to become “a totally different player” – The Denver PostBroncos linebacker Von Miller added about 10 pounds this offseason DeMarcus Ware Jersey , bulking up to 245, in an effort to help reshape his game under new coach Vic Fangio.Does Denver need to add to the receiving core? | Mile High SportsShould the Broncos consider drafting a receiver at 10 overall? Ronnie Kohrt discusses this topic and more.Broncos' 2019 NFL Draft hat unveiledThe hat's design was inspired by the Denver city and county flag.AAF suspending operations, canceling end of season - NFL.comThe Alliance of American Football will not see the end of its inaugural season as chairman Tom Dundon suspended football operations Tuesday afternoon.Seahawks' Russell Wilson wants new deal by April 15 - NFL.comWhen it comes to securing a record-breaking contract extension, Russell Wilson is hoping a deadline will spur action. The QB has made it clear to the Seahawks that he wants a new deal by April 15.Browns listening to offers for RB Duke Johnson - NFL.comRunning back Duke Johnson's future in Cleveland is up in the air, as NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported the Browns are listening to offers, while NFL Network's Tom Pelissero pointed out a potential trade has been in the works.Oakland Raiders, stick with Derek Carr over drafting a QB - NFL.comAdam Rank senses the Oakland Raiders might be tempted to draft a quarterback -- and he lays out exactly why they should stay the course with Derek Carr instead.Charles Davis 2019 NFL mock draft 2.0: Bengals, Broncos go QB - NFL.comWith a little more than three weeks until the 2019 NFL Draft, Charles Davis unveils his new first-round forecast. There are surprises, including the Bengals hitting reset at quarterback.‘Rolls Royce’ Freeman should have the No. 1 RB spot locked in Orange & Blue 760’s Monday morning broadcast of First & 10 @ 10 was a hodgepodge of game review, breaking news and roster analysis - and it was chock full of informative tidbits.Among the most interesting conversations in my opinion was their evaluation of the Denver running backs - a position of relative weakness the past few seasons but one with a lot potential this year from several young backs.Ryan Edwards gave his two game balls to running backs - Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay - and he went on record for a second time to say that Freeman should have the No. 1 spot locked up.“The way he runs, he’s getting better at pass pro, he’s got back-to-back games with scoring touchdowns, great vision, one cutback,” Edwards said. “As far as I’m concerned, that’s all we needed to see.”Edwards wasn’t willing to say Freeman was the bell cow and Devontae Booker would be the third-down guy, but he definitely believes when the season is over, Freeman will have more touches on the ball than Booker.But Vance Joseph on Monday still wasn’t willing to give that No. 1 spot to the rookie running back who has flashed in both preseason games.“All four or five of the guys played well again. Right now, it’s an open competition still,” Joseph said Monday. “That being said, ‘Book’ and Royce have been our leads guys going in to the game, and ‘2’ has been our change-up guy. He’s a package guy, along with De’Angelo. And David had a nice run in the fourth quarter that would’ve probably sealed the game.”But with De’angelo Henderson Dre’Mont Jones Jersey 2019 , Phillip Lindsay and David Williams challenging those two, the position battle for the third spot - and possibly for making the fourth roster spot versus the practice squad - are still up for grabs and should make for an interesting preseason finale in two weeks.“Phillip Lindsay is no question a sharpie on the roster now,” Edwards said, noting the former CU Buffalo and UDFA earned his second game ball on the night. “He had a tackle on special teams, he’s second up in punt returns, he’s the starting kick returner. Phillip Lindsay has earned a roster spot, and all he can do now in Billy Musgrave’s offense is show versatility. He can run between tackles, catch in space - and he had a really, really good tackle on special teams as a gunner. C’mon man. Phillip Lindsay has lots to be excited about.”Steve Atwater couldn’t agree more.“He’s exciting, he’s fast, he’s explosive, he gets the crowd into it, he’s a hometown guy,” Atwater said. “Plus he works hard, so what’s not to like? I love his attitude, love his pass-catching ability. He’s going to be a weapon for us this year.”Edwards expects Lindsay to be the No. 3 running back, pushing either Henderson or Williams to the practice squad and keeping the other as the fourth running back on the 53. “We’ll get a lot of running in the preseason finale,” Andrew Mason said. “It could be the winner of that competition is on the 53 other guy is on the practice squad.”Bonus: David Bruton on ComiCon, books and the terrible new helmet ruleFormer Broncos’ safety and team captain the year of the Super Bowl run, David Bruton Jr., stopped by to talk with Edwards, Atwater and Mason - and they talked about everything from ComiCon to the helmet rule.As you might have guessed, Bruton is a big fan of the first one and not-so-much on the second.Edwards brought up the Broncos’ inability to tackle tight ends but the conversation quickly turned to the new helmet rules and how it’s making tackling impossible for the defense.“With the tackling rules, I have no idea. Not a clue Cheap Dre’Mont Jones Jersey ,” Bruton said on how a safety can tackle a tight end in this new penalty-happy climate. “How are you suppose to tackle? It’s an offensive-minded league in how they structure these different rules. It puts the defensive player at a disadvantage. Puts the team on defense at a disadvantage. How are you supposed to tackle?”Unfortunately, Atwater added, there is no alternative offered by the NFL, so guys will keep tackling the way they’ve been taught with the head up, leading with the shoulder and just hope they don’t get fined.“The offense is lowering their heads and dropping their shoulders, but we’ll be the ones to get penalized because we’re the ones meeting them face to face,” Bruton Jr. said, adding that he doesn’t think the new rule can possibly last too long in the league.Helmet rules aside, Bruton is “always excited” to watch the young Broncos’ secondary this season.“They are [a little banged up], but injuries are part of the game,” he said, pointing out that during the Super Bowl year, the Broncos had a lot of banged up players in the No Fly Zone, which just gave other guys a chance to shine. “Injuries happen and guys are able to step up, so we’ll see how big that depth is in the secondary for sure.”But Bruton’s other must-see player is Freeman, a guy the retired safety is happy he doesn’t have to tackle anymore.“I’m excited about Royce, excited to see what he’s going to do,” Bruton said. “He’s just a big bowling ball.”And how does a player tackle a bowling ball?“I’d probably just put my head down and shoot my shot,” Bruton said, acknowledging that he’d “probably just go ahead and catch a fine too.”Bruton retired from the NFL in the 2017 offseason after one year with theRedskins. He wasplaced on season-ending IR for a concussion he suffered fromBruton moved on by going back to school to earn his graduate degree in physical therapy. He’s currently finishing up some pre-req science courses at CU Denver and ready to start PT school after this semester.But in the meantime, he’s recruiting his classmates to help him continue his foundation work through Bruton’s Books of supplying reading materials to kids in disadvantaged schools. In addition to raising money to supply books to elementary schools, Bruton’s Books is also partnering with Power Lunch, a program to provide one-on-one tutoring during lunch twice a week to kids who need extra instruction.