Mile High Monday: Lindsay, Lock and Chubb impress early in camp

Training camp for the Broncos has begun, and I attended practice at UC Health Training Center on Sunday. It’s a tradition I’ve maintained for years and it’s so much fun to see the new version of the Broncos every year. Since 2004, I’ve been a credentialed media member for Broncos training camp and I appreciate every second I get to watch.

I like going to training camp – no, scratch that – I love going to training camp. Even though I won’t be out there every day per limited media availability, I will still be breaking down everything I see and hear. Not only am I writing the reports in person, I’m working the phones to get more insight from others in attendance.

I also like contemplating life and sports when driving around with the top down on my old Jeep TJ! The following is a result of those trips during the week.

Buckle up, let’s take a ride through my thoughts.

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No Pass Left Behind

This entire offseason we’ve heard about Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay working on his hands to improve his receiving ability. In 2019, he had the second-highest drop rate in the league, behind only Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams. In the new Pat Shurmur offense, he will need to be a better receiver to get more playing time. That’s one of the reasons why Lindsay was one of the leaders in the offseason when players were getting together to work out on their own.

He has posted some videos of his work as a receiver this offseason, and it’s something he has carried over to the practice field. Lindsay has been a good receiver during his college career and in his pro career, he’s good if passes are on target. On Sunday, he showed he could be a reliable receiver even if passes were off the mark.

Phillip Lindsay hasn't let a pass hit the ground. Even caught an out of reach pass on a wheel route. Stretched out to get it. Looking good as a receiver. #BroncosCamp @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) August 16, 2020

After I fired off this tweet, Lindsay caught a pass that was incredibly low (almost at the top of the blades of grass) and was able to turn up the field for positive yards. He is going all out to catch every pass thrown his way and it’s fun to watch.

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Groove is in the Feet

Coming out of college in 2019, Drew Lock needed to work on his footwork in order to be a better passer. Lock has a big arm and can make any throw required in the NFL. However, due to that amazing arm strength his footwork has not fully developed.

He can throw off his back foot and fit any pass into any window. Lock needs to do a better job of stepping into his throws when the pocket is clean rather than rely on just arm strength to get a pass to the intended target.

Drew Lock's first step is much improved. Getting back cleanly and quickly. Points toe at his target regularly. Light on his feet when he goes off his first read. Super early but this is the best I've ever seen his feet. #BroncosCamp @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) August 16, 2020

It’s just practice, but the early look we’ve gotten at Lock show significant signs of improvement to his game when it comes to footwork. That should help him become a better passer in 2020.

Lock’s footwork isn’t just about mechanics, it’s about timing within the offense. Having a better grasp on the timing of the Shurmur offense will help Lock perform better. His footwork is tied into route concepts and understanding how far back and how quickly he needs to drop back will help him get into a better rhythm within the system.

He’s got incredible upside as a potential franchise quarterback, but his big arm will only take him so far. Lock needs to be more nuanced as a passer and it looks like he’s getting there based on his footwork.

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Not Even Thinking About It

The Broncos will get one of their best players back on the field this year with the return of pass-rusher Bradley Chubb. He missed 12 games last year due to a knee injury and only had 1.0 sack in 2019 after having 12.0 sacks as a rookie in 2018.

Chubb was out on the practice field on Sunday and he looked good from the jump. Early on during individual drills, I watched Chubb change direction smoothly in coverage and sky to get a pass in the open field. Against pads, Chubb was getting off the line quickly and getting low to get around the edge. In team drills, Chubb continued to impress.

One thing to me was clear; he was not thinking about his knee injury.

I like the way Bradley Chubb looks turning and working in space during warmup coverage drill. Turns smoothly, doesn't seem to be thinking about his knee. Looks natural. #BroncosCamp @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) August 16, 2020

His progress has been amazing, and Chubb had a good day of practice on Sunday. When he didn’t get home (in what would have been a sack), Chubb was able to get his hands up and bat down passes in team drill. All of his play on Sunday was a good sign about the work he’s put in to get to this point this quickly.

Chubb will not be one year removed from the injury until October, so the fact that he’s able to look this good this soon shows the dedication he had behind the scenes. He could be NFL Comeback Player of the Year, and Chubb could be the most disruptive defender on the Broncos defense in 2020.

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Industry Bloodbath

Last week, DC Comics had a ton of layoffs as they look to restructure their business. They cut around 20 percent of their staff with many editors being let go or reassigned.

Once the move was announced, the rumor mill started buzzing about the future of the company that has given us such iconic characters like Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. The owner of DC Comics is now AT&T, which acquired Time Warner in 2018 to form WarnerMedia, and many speculated they wanted out of the comic industry.

The move away from physical comic books to digital product has been thought of as the wave of the future, yet physical comics remain the largest draw for fans. In fact, the latest numbers still show that physical comic books outsell digital copies by approximately a 5-to-1 ratio. DC Comics insists that AT&T still wants comic books (and graphic novels) to be published, but they will be cutting about 25 percent of their montly titles – mostly titles that were breaking even or not making the company a profit.

#DCComics Layoffs BREAKDOWN

– WHY #WarnerBros did it
– WHAT is going to happen to #DC comics, #DCEU movies & tv, and more

And how #Marvel is likely next.

FULL BREAKDOWN – #DCLove tough love:https://t.co/4L9DiU9cdQ

— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) August 11, 2020

It’s a tough year for all of us, and I hate to see good people lose their jobs. COVID-19 has hit a ton of industries, and the pop culture industry – movies, comic books, etc. – is not immune to the effect.

I hope we can get through this pandemic as soon and as safely as possible. I miss going to the movies or hanging out in comic book stores talking shop. What part of every day life do you miss the most while we deal with this pandemic? Hit me up on social media and let me know.

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