A look at the happenings at Broncos training camp on Friday:
Lowlight: Brock Osweiler has had his bright moments in training camp, but he struggled in Friday’s session.
It started with a play-action pass intended for receiver Jordan Taylor that ended up five feet to the side of him in the end zone.
It was followed by a deep pass attempt during another team drill that flew over the head of every receiver in the area.
And it was capped by an interception by Taurean Nixon in team drills.
Broncos coach Gary Kubiak on Monday expressed confidence in his backup quarterback and how he’s progressed in learning the offense and in running the team while on the field. But Osweiler, who is entering the final season on his contract, needs as many quality reps in camp and preseason as he can get to prove his value.
Highlight: With Emmanuel Sanders sitting out practice Friday to nurse a “very minor” hamstring injury, the Broncos’ backup receivers got extra repetitions — and they took advantage. Solomon Patton, a waiver claim from the Buccaneers, starred with two acrobatic catches and repetitions in punt-returning drills.
But Bennie Fowler, a second-year receiver from Michigan State, also had a nice series in 6-on-6 drills with Brock Osweiler and the second offensive unit. After catching a pass to set up a fourth-and-1, Fowler hauled in another from Osweiler in the right corner of the end zone to cap the series.
Jordan Norwood, who also took a number of punt-return reps with Patton, received first-team reps in the slot and fielded multiple catches from Peyton Manning for first downs on 11-on-11 drills.
Position battle: C.J. Anderson continues to hold down the No. 1 spot at running back, but competition behind him is heating up. Kubiak said he’s been impressed by Ronnie Hillman, who took some first-team reps Friday. Montee Ball, perhaps in an effort to show he can be used in multiple spots, ran through special teams drills, as well.
“I’ve had three, I’ve had four,” Kubiak said, when asked how many backs he planned to keep on the roster. “If they’re special teams players and stuff, you can always find room for them.”
Quarterback watch: Kubiak kept his promise. He vowed to install an offense that would work to his players’ strengths, especially those of quarterback Peyton Manning. On Friday, he had his quarterback back in the hurry-up and working the offense in the pistol formation.
“He kind of goes right back to normal when he does that stuff,” Kubiak said. “We’re basically taking our schemes and what we do and putting them in the gun and doing it. We’re taking a look at both ends. We’re going to do it all. We’re going to find out what we do best, and we’re going to have the ability to do it all.”
Camp facts: The Broncos return Saturday for only a morning practice, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The workout is open to the public and free of charge. Gates open at 8:30 a.m., with parking by the fieldhouse and seating on the adjacent grassy berm on a first-come, first-served basis. The stadium bag policy is in effect for all camp sessions.
