A lack of music at Broncos training camp practices allowed fans and reporters to listen in on a reoccurring bet between Denver defensive backs. The stakes are simple. Drop or miss an interception and get ready to hear about it from teammates.
“Thatap one-grand!”
“Five-hundred bucks!”
“You better pay up!”
The cash-for-drops penalty is no joke, either. Safety Justin Simmons said the secondary collects when ordering team meals during the week or on road trips. When searching for repeat offenders for such missed opportunities, veteran cornerback doesn’t pull punches. He said last week that second-year cornerback Isaac Yiadom “is doing a great job.” But…
“We just have to work on (Yiadom’s) hands,” Harris said. “We have to make sure he catches everything and we’re good to go.”
Yiadom, standing in front of his locker stall Monday night after the Broncos’ third preseason game, acknowledged the critique: “Yeah,” he said, “I saw that.” And, it likely made Yiadom’s performance against the 49ers even more rewarding after a first-quarter play.
Outside linebacker weaved inside of left tackle Joe Staley on third down and Chubb launched into the torso of 49ers quarterback as he released the football. It fluttered directly to Yiadom, who was covering wide receiver .
“I went to go attack the ball,” Yiadom said, “and brought it down strong.”
A positive sign for Yiadom’s bank account as well as the Broncos’ defensive back depth in 2019.
Harris and Bryce Callahan are Denver’s expected starting cornerbacks in the regular-season opener at Oakland. But Callahan has yet to appear in a preseason game due to a lingering foot injury, thus providing increased opportunities for Yiadom and cornerback De’Vante Bausby to prove their worth as reliable third options in coach ’s scheme.
“Anytime a guy in front of you is not able to go and you are,” Bausby said, “you’ve got to take advantage of it.”
Added Yiadom: “It gives me an opportunity to make more plays.”
Yiadom, a 2018 third-round pick who was slowed by a shoulder injury last year, has played 79 preseason defensive snaps. Bausby, who played for Fangio in Chicago (2016), has accounted for 78 defensive snaps.
“They’ve done well and they’ve both improved tremendously,” Fangio said. “I had (Bausby) a few years ago and he’s much better than he was then. I think (Yiadom) has done a good job coming back from his injury and improving every day. I’ve been pleased with those guys’ progress.”
Yiadom’s lengthy frame (6-1, 190), cover skills and athleticism are what opened his NFL opportunity in Denver. Rounding out his game with sure hands requires daily post-practice time with the juggs machine to increase strength and repeatedly watch the football all the way into his grasp. The extra work appeared to pay off on Monday night.
“I am proud of (Yiadom),” Simmons said. “I know we’ve been giving him a lot of grief about his missed opportunities in practice. I told him, ‘I don’t care how many times you drop it in practice. You catch it in the game.’ I’m excited for him. He’s been working really hard.”
Yiadom will likely be featured heavily in the Broncos’ fourth preseason game at the Rams Saturday night with another opportunity to maintain his place on the depth chart. Each potential interception is like a bag of cash.
“If you drop picks,” Yiadom said, “you’re going to owe a lot of money to the d-back room.”
