Mile High Monday: Takeaways from last week’s OTAs for the Broncos

May 31, 2021, 8:24 AM

Denver Sports Analyst

The Denver Broncos wrapped up their OTAs this week, as they saw both the rookie class and the veterans come together for the first time on the practice field. Up next, mandatory minicamp in June and then a break before the start of training camp at the end of July.

I like the calm before the storm. After mandatory minicamp, we get a tiny break before things start to get crazy around the league.

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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Much Ado About Nothing

It used to be that I would get excited, overly excited, about things that would happen during OTAs and minicamp. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still excited about seeing new players in their uniforms and going through limited football drills. However, we don’t get to see them do much beyond stretching and a few minor drills – not team drills and there certainly is no tackling or hitting in OTAs.

This means we’re not really seeing them play football yet. That will happen in training camp and in the preseason, although that is somewhat limited compared to what it used to be. Because that’s the case in today’s NFL, fans and media need to tone things down when it comes to OTAs news and events.

For example, Broncos quarterback Drew Lock threw an interception to safety Justin Simmons in practice during drills and it led to great debate on the internet. Instead of realizing throwing a pick to arguably the best safety in the game during OTAs is not a big deal, Twitter and the trolls on that app were proclaiming that Lock is a bust and he will not win the starting job.

Give me a break.

Lock has a lot to prove as last year he was regularly one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the game. He’s been working diligently to improve his game but mistakes along the way will happen. I want Lock to make those mistakes – not too many of them – because he needs to keep learning from his mistakes.

If he’s out on the field worried about making a mistake, then he won’t make a play. That’s the way guys like Brady Quinn used to play, and it’s not the way you become great in the NFL. Attack a defense, challenge a defender, learn from your mistakes but maintain your confidence while also minimizing similar mistakes in the future.

The Lock story had me shaking my head, then I saw what was going on in Jacksonville with former Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. Over the course of three days at OTAs, the newly signed tight end did not drop a pass! Again, social media was going overboard talking about Tebow and what he could do with his new team now that he’s back in the league.

BEHOLD: Tim Tebow the TE

(🎥 @APMarkLong)pic.twitter.com/nmWYii9JDz

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) May 28, 2021

No matter if it’s Lock throwing an interception or Tebow not dropping a pass, what happens in these OTAs doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world or the greatest thing ever. We’re all excited about the 2021 season but let’s pump the brakes on “hot takes” from OTAs.

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Who Wants Julio?

It seems like every day I’m writing about Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones – but usually it’s about teams who don’t want him or can’t make room for the veteran superstar. Jones has been a part of several trade offers, including at least one offer of a future first-round pick, sources told Dianna Russini of ESPN.

I believe that Jones is making the phone ring for new Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot, but I don’t need to hear from every beat reporter that their team is NOT interested in Jones. I want to know where he’s going, not that your team doesn’t want him or can’t afford his services.

The Colts, Raiders, Ravens and Chargers seem to have the most interest in Jones. However, the Patriots are always lurking in this type of situation and reports indicate Jones wants to play with Cam Newton. Now, the Titans are emerging as a potential frontrunner for Jones. Teams like the Rams and the Seahawks have also checked in on Jones.

The current thinking in league circles is that the Falcons eventually will trade Julio Jones to the Titans for a second-round pick. https://t.co/6SiXGaTI9p

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 30, 2021

I think we’ll see Jones traded in the near future. In fact, I think it might be in the next two weeks and it should be before we see Aaron Rodgers traded.

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Star Potential

The Broncos have a star on the rise in third-year pro Noah Fant. In two seasons, the former first-round pick has flashed the ability to be a dangerous weapon in the NFL. Now, entering the 2021 season, Fant is looking to take his game to the next level.

Fant is a hard worker, and he understands the part of his game he needs to work on the most. He doesn’t shy away from tough questions and knows that he has to love the grind if he want to become a Pro Bowl-caliber player.

Last week when Fant talked to the media, he highlighted the one key to raising his game.

“Consistency. I think that’s the biggest thing. I saw that last year, also. Consistency is a big word I’ve been focusing on this year. I’m starting to figure things out, starting to be more knowledgeable about the game and starting to get those vet aspects to what I’m doing. Now, it’s just consistency. Consistently being at the top level of play amongst the league. I’m not just competing with myself. I’m competing with every tight end across the league. There’s some good ones, so I have to step up to that level,” Fant said.

Noah Fant was dangerous with the ball in his hands last season pic.twitter.com/Wpd9V8MiiA

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) May 28, 2021

Fant should take that next step this season. No matter who wins the quarterback job, Fant will be a relief-valve target with the ability to attack a defense down field. Fant should become the quarterback’s best friend, and the Broncos would be wise to feature him on offense as he’s the type of player who is tough to match up against.

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Who Was Your Favorite?

Over the years, we’ve seen some great college football players take their game to the NFL. Sometimes, it works out for them, and they become NFL superstars and sometimes they never play up to their potential and fade into obscurity. However, we always have the memories of their days playing college ball.

Recently, I saw talk on Twitter about who was your favorite college football player of the 2000s. It didn’t take me long to think of my answer; LenDale White.

He was a high school star at Chatfield here in Littleton, and White took his game to USC where he became one part of one of the best running back duos we’ve seen in college football history. White provided the power to the Trojans rushing attack while Reggie Bush provided the electricity and big-play ability.

Watching White in college was a ton of fun because of his punishing rushing style. He had a nose for the end zone and could be the hammer when the Trojans needed to win a close game. White and Bush were a big part of the Trojans offense, and they played in what I consider one of the greatest college football games of all time; USC versus Texas in the 2006 Rose Bowl (White had three rushing touchdowns in the 41-38 loss).

White was a second-round pick of the Titans in the 2006 NFL Draft, but he only played in the league for a few years (2010 with the Broncos was his final season). No matter how his pro career turned out, White was a legend on the football field for the Trojans and the first player I thought of when I saw this tweet.