Broncos “make it work” with offseason adjustments

81 Denver Broncos players attended the start of OTAs on Monday which quickly put an end to the “boycott” of voluntary in-person workouts.

So what changed?

In a Zoom press conference on Monday head coach Vic Fangio was asked if the practice structure impacted the attendance from players.

“It could be. I took everything into account when I made the schedule. It had many editions to it,” Fangio said. “I thought we came up with a very good schedule. I think the schedule did help somewhat. We’re not doing any teamwork for the first six OTAs.”

Broncos safety Justin Simmons serves as one of the team’s union representatives and was a big factor behind the decision to not attend offseason workouts, however he and Brandon McManus both showed up at the start of OTAs.

When Simmons was asked if he regrets the stance that the players took he made sure to highlight the real reasons behind the statement.

“No regret. I think the whole point of this was players knowing, for one, that it was their right to exercise voluntary workouts. And they’re just that, Simmons said. “I think there is some value in OTAs. There are different aspects. We’re talking about Phase 1, which is just lifting and working out. Some guys are comfortable doing that on their own. Phase 2 is the same thing with a little bit of individual drills incorporated there.

“At that point, some guys still like doing individual drills with certain guys that they’re comfortable with. Going onto Phase 3, I find a lot of value in Phase 3 because it’s football. We’re out there 11-on-11, 7-on-7 and we’re working through problems and details together. And I’m just speaking from a defensive standpoint, but I feel like there is a lot of value going into Phase 3, which is why I think towards the latter point of OTAs—talking about Phase 3—why a lot of guys were there, showing up and excited to be back.”

Fangio was pleased with the attendance from his players and said moving forward the team will hold the normal schedule they are allowed, but with some adjustments.

“It’s the normal schedule that we’re allowed, but we’ve adjusted it, Fangio said. “We’ve adjusted it as you saw today. It will be an adjusted OTA for you guys that have seen OTAs in the past and the mandatory minicamp. We will hold everything that we’re allowed to hold.”

Many teams have cut back on Phase Three, either reducing workouts and/or eliminating elements like 11-on-11 workouts.

Simmons pointed out in his Zoom press conference that concessions from Fangio regarding the OTA schedule was also part of the process.

“That was part of the process. Honestly, all of us figuring it out. Not even like an NFLPA vs. the coaches thing,” Simmons said. “It was really just, ‘Hey, we’re one team. We realize what our record has been the last couple of years. Guys want to come in and work, but how do we work a little bit smarter with COVID and trying to meet requirements for times with what is CBA approved and things of that nature.’ That was a lot of what the conversation was.

“It was just figuring out how we can make all of this happen, and not even really compromise. I feel like compromise is giving up on both ends. We just wanted to make it work. Just make ends meet here and really figure this out. Ultimately, the goal here is to just win football games when the season starts, and the season starts now in OTAs. That was the most important thing—figuring out the logistics of COVID testing and what happens if you get vaccines and this that and the other. That was pretty much the gist of it.”