Mile High Monday: The Broncos rookie class shines in preseason debut

The Denver Broncos dominated in their first preseason game. They traveled up to Minnesota to play the Vikings and came away with a 33-6 victory in their preseason opener.

I like when the preseason gets here. That means “real” football is almost around the corner, as teams jockey for position to make a run at the Super Bowl. It’s a yearly tradition I enjoy, and it all starts with the exhibition season in August.

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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Raving Rookies

The Broncos 2021 rookie class is full of players who can one day be stars in the NFL. Perhaps that day would come sooner rather than later. On Saturday against the Vikings, we were able to see these rookies in their pro debut.

Their 2021 first-round pick, Patrick Surtain, looked like a Pro Bowl cornerback. He showed strength as a tackler and seemed to always be around the ball. However, it was his pick-six in the second quarter that got everyone talking. Yes, the quarterbacks the team passed on (Justin Fields, Mac Jones) had good preseason debuts, but Surtain looked like everything he was cracked up to be – the best corner in this class.

Their 2021 second-round pick, Javonte Williams, started the game with a bang. His first two carries went for two first downs. It was good to see Williams be able to use his best skill set – his tackle-breaking ability – on the field with the Broncos for the first time. He’s been standing out in practice, but we could not tell how far his runs could go because there is no live tackling. In the game against the Vikings, we finally saw him burst through tackles on his way to a five-carry, 29-yard day.

Caden Sterns, one of the team’s 2021 fifth-round picks, was perhaps the best rookie on the field against the Vikings. Sterns led the team with six tackles (all solo) and he had one pass defensed on Saturday. He was known as a centerfielder as a collegian at the University of Texas, but against the Vikings he proved that he could roam the field like he did in college but also could play close to the line and help support the run.

Welcome to the NFL, rooks.

📸's of the game » https://t.co/BosFCoKAyR pic.twitter.com/QSLGpr6RrB

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 16, 2021

I can’t wait to see these rookies in the regular season. None of them, including Surtain, may not begin the season as a starter but that could change as the season rolls on.

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All About the Feet

I’ve talked about Drew Lock’s footwork since the 2019 Senior Bowl (at least). I talked to Lock that week about the work he was putting in to improve his footwork, and I feel that conversation has continued for the last few years as well.

Everyone talks about arm strength with quarterbacks, and that’s an overrated conversation. Arm strength is not as important as velocity and how tightly the ball is spun. It may sound odd to some, but arm strength and velocity all begin with the feet. Your base as a passer will help you throw a cleaner pass. If your feet are correct, your passes will be better – simple as that.

In addition to velocity improvement, your timing and pass placement will be improved with better footwork. Lock tends to hold onto the ball too long and try to get a pass in with “all arm” instead of proper footwork and timing. It was good to see against the Vikings, Lock had better footwork which helped him throw on target passes on time with regularity.

It's Drew Lock's footwork on this play for me.

One 💣to Hamler. Two really long drives. He's been superb. https://t.co/aXDUis4hsX

— Matt Boyer (@Boyer_Matt) August 14, 2021

If Lock’s footwork stays true it will help him greatly as a passer. I believe separation was made on Saturday between Lock and Teddy Bridgewater. Broncos head coach Vic Fangio disagrees with that sentiment, but I don’t believe him. Lock did look like the better option as a starter, and I think they should just name him the starter and move on.

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Not Just Practice

The Broncos had a dominant performance against the Vikings – well, most players did. Second-year pro Jerry Jeudy had what I consider somewhat of a disappointing day – even though he averaged 33.0 yards per catch. That stat is misleading because Jeudy only had one catch – that went for 33 yards.

He’s been phenomenal in practice, getting open against any coverage with ankle-breaking moves, but in the game, Jeudy did not get open as cleanly. Practice is one thing, but Jeudy must translate that over to the field during the game for it to really matter. Some of his moves take time to set up, and that worked against him on one throw in the end zone that could not connect because Jeudy was dancing instead of making a cut to get open as quickly and cleanly as possible.

Jeudy was targeted three times and only came away with one catch. Drops were a problem for him last year, and when he was asked to make difficult catches against the Vikings he did not respond. The big play he did have is one where he sat down in an open spot of the zone defense and Lock found him. Jeudy’s route-running is arguably the best in the league – in practice. In order for him to really flourish he must do those practice things in game.

Jerry Jeudy with no regard for the DB’s ankles 🥴🥴

(🎥 @Broncos)
pic.twitter.com/Dx8rMnDXHl

— PFF (@PFF) August 12, 2021

I know Jeudy can be a superstar in this league. I believe that Jeudy could be a breakout performer in 2021 and lead the team in receiving yards – even with a healthy Courtland Sutton. He’s a really good player, but his chemistry with Lock needs work and Jeudy needs to break ankles in the game like he does in practice on a daily basis.

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What If…? Amazing!

The Marvel Cinematic Universe now includes an animated series “What If…?” which premiered on Disney-plus this week. It’s a show that changes one thing from a Marvel movie or story we already know and examines what kind of “butterfly effect” it would have on the MCU.

The first episode played off the events of “Captain America: The First Avenger” but instead of Steve Rogers getting the super serum to make him a superhero, it was Peggy Carter who got the injection and became “Captain Carter” in this alternate reality. I won’t spoil the show for you, but it’s well worth your time if you love the MCU.

The DC Universe, featuring household names like Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, does not do as well at the box office as the MCU. However, DC has always had the best animation department and owned Marvel in that department. In one felled swoop, the MCU with “What If…?” has taken over that mantle from DC. They’ve done it again with another hit property that will get comic book fans and pop culture fans talking.

The moment has arrived 💥

Step into a whole new universe in the first episode of Marvel Studios' #WhatIf, now streaming on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/28ll8REp8P

— What If…? (@whatifofficial) August 11, 2021

Did you watch the first episode of “What If…?” and if so, what did you think? Hit me up on social media and let me know!

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