Did Fangio hint at who’s leading the Broncos RT battle?

With the Denver Broncos unveiling their first unofficial depth chart earlier this week came a glimpse into the team’s thinking about the right tackle competition.

Heading into preseason Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings, Denver will start Calvin Anderson … or Bobby Massie.

Not much of an insight.

But on Thursday, head coach Vic Fangio may have hinted not only at which of the two — Anderson or Massie — has the edge in the competition but also who could end up as the team’s backup swing tackle come the regular season.

When asked who’ll be starting Saturday at right tackle, Fangio said, “We’ll decide that tonight.”

“They have been switching and Calvin’s getting work at left (tackle) also, so we’re going to come up with a plan tonight how we’re going to play the guys exactly and go from there,” Fangio said.

It was subtle, but Fangio saying Anderson is also working at left tackle may indicate he’s preparing to be that swing backup. Meanwhile it sounds as if the veteran Massie, who signed with the Broncos in May, is working exclusively at right tackle, meaning it’s probably his job to lose.

Last week, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said the competition at right tackle between Anderson and Massie has been “good,” adding tackle Cam Fleming into the mix as well.

“Those three guys have done a good job, and for the guy that doesn’t start he has to swing, and those guys are doing it,” Shurmur said. “I feel really good about what we have in place to play right tackle, and I’ve been pleased with the effort and the execution and the production of all three of those guys.”

Fangio said at the beginning of camp that they’d like to “solidify” the position as early as possible, but it’s “not quite as critical as the quarterback position as far as naming that guy.”

Obviously, it’s early in camp, and a lot of things can change between now and Week 1 of the regular season. But the tea leaves indicate Massie as the leader in the clubhouse.