{"id":31191,"date":"2022-07-31T13:09:05","date_gmt":"2022-07-31T13:09:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/denver-broncos-training-camp-notebook-day-4-brett-rypien-surging-in-pursuit-of-qb2\/"},"modified":"2022-07-31T13:09:05","modified_gmt":"2022-07-31T13:09:05","slug":"denver-broncos-training-camp-notebook-day-4-brett-rypien-surging-in-pursuit-of-qb2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/denver-broncos-training-camp-notebook-day-4-brett-rypien-surging-in-pursuit-of-qb2\/","title":{"rendered":"Denver Broncos Training Camp Notebook |  Day 4: Brett Rypien Surging in Pursuit of QB2"},"content":{"rendered":"<div><!-- tml-version=\"2\" --><\/p>\n<p class=\"mm-drop-caps--dc1\"><strong>Englewood, Col.  \u2014<\/strong> On Saturday morning, the Denver Broncos welcomed over 5,000 eager fans to UCHealth Training Center for the first padded practice of the &#8216;Broncos Back Together&#8217; event.  The free-ticketed event sold out almost immediately online earlier this month. <\/p>\n<p>For the first time since training camp began, Broncos players were introduced to wearing pads that of light shells underneath their jersey&#8217;s and helmets.  This is the first phase of the annual ramp-up to fully padded practices which will begin next week. <\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-b not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-0\"\/>\n<p>As most people expected, there was an extremely elevated sense of excitement from the crowd that was contagious for Broncos players, coaches, and media members alike.  I spotted GM George Paton early in the morning, taking in the start of warm-up periods.  Even Hall-of-Famer Peyton Manning viewed practice with his son.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-b not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-1\"\/>\n<p>Saturday&#8217;s practice was the most intense day of the week as players were under pressure to work hard and fast, replicating the gameday environment.  Friday may have been a slower installation day, but players made sure to get their work in on Saturday morning as they&#8217;re scheduled to have Sunday off.<\/p>\n<p>Without further ado, let&#8217;s get into the three major storylines to conclude the first week of training camp. <\/p>\n<h2 id=\"ps2-verging-on-elite\">PS2 Verging on Elite <\/h2>\n<p>Rookie defensive backs aren&#8217;t supposed to come into the league and find immediate success in the starting lineup.  But the Broncos&#8217; No.  9 overall draft pick, Patrick Surtain II, flipped that notion on its head last season, playing in all 17 games with 15 starts.  The former Alabama star recorded 58 tackles (45 solo), 14 pass deflections, four interceptions, and returned one pick to the house. <\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-c\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-0\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-0\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-0\"\/>\n<p>As a rookie, Surtain demonstrated an exceptional level of competitiveness combined with dynamic playmaking ability.  After watching Surtain defend receivers like Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick all week, there&#8217;s no question that he&#8217;s already improved his game. <\/p>\n<p>In all four practices, the 22-year-old has contested high-point 50\/50 balls and forced multiple incompletions from Sutton and on Day 4, Patrick.  &#8216;PS2&#8217; is literally improving daily and consistently fights to the end of each play.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-b not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-2\"\/>\n<p>Surtain is always ripping and prying at the ball in search of a turnover or incompletion when going against big-bodied receivers.  His 6-foot-2 height and elite level of athleticism allow him to springboard himself backward into the air, quite literally breathing on the very receiver he&#8217;s covering. <\/p>\n<p>Surtain has also shown an amazing recovery when he&#8217;s rarely beaten on a route and can easily match up with any one of the Broncos&#8217; current receivers.<\/p>\n<p>So, if Denver&#8217;s receiving corps is considered top-notch and the second-year Surtain can disrupt any one of them, is it really a stretch to suggest that he could be the NFL&#8217;s best cornerback in 2022?  Time, and the race to win the AFC West, will tell. <\/p>\n<p><em>What happens next on the Broncos?  Don&#8217;t miss out on any news and analysis! <strong>Please take a second, sign<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>  up for our free newsletter, and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"wilson-s-favorite-target\">Wilson&#8217;s Favorite Target<\/h2>\n<p>All week long, the Broncos&#8217; quarterback Russell Wilson has dispelled the notion that he doesn&#8217;t prefer to utilize tight ends.  The entire tight end room, featuring Eric Saubert, Albert Okwuegbunam, Eric Tomlinson, and Andrew Beck, have been catching a barrage of passes in the red zone and middle of the field. <\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-c\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-1\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-1\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-1\"\/>\n<p>Even the running backs have had to increase their performance and preparation for involvement as pass-catchers in Wilson&#8217;s offense.  But when the chips are down, and the game is on the line, Wilson will likely favor either Sutton or Patrick.  Go figure, as the dynamic big-bodied receivers have both been with the Broncos since 2018 and are only two years apart in age (Sutton 26, Patrick 28). <\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-b not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-3\"\/>\n<p>Both wideouts also inked a lucrative contract extension at the same time last fall, in addition to being amenable to a team-friendly restructure this spring.  There aren&#8217;t many receivers that play football like Sutton and Patrick. <\/p>\n<section class=\"m-in-content-recommendation m-detail--in-content-recommendation h-isolated-styles mm-component-stack--is-body-item\">\n<p><span>Scroll to Continue<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>Aside from the fact that both wideouts are masters of their route-running craft and pride themselves on preparation and attention to detail, they&#8217;re both humble team players.  There&#8217;s nothing more fun than watching No.  14 and No.  81 pancake defensive backs and spring their teammates for a massive run. <\/p>\n<p>Throughout the four days of camp this week, Jerry Jeudy has turned in a mixed performance with a critical drop and some mental errors, but ultimately, he had his best day on Saturday.  Meanwhile, Sutton and Patrick have both been targeted by Wilson relentlessly on short-to-intermediate, and even deep routes. <\/p>\n<p>Sure, Surtain has spoiled some would-be terrific plays for Wilson and his receivers but the second-year corner has also been humbled on some veteran moves and maneuverability by the quarterback known as &#8216;Mr.  Unlimited.&#8217; <\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-c\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-2\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-2\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-2\"\/>\n<p>Fantasy football owners beware: Wilson has an embarrassment of riches in his pass-catching arsenal. <\/p>\n<h2 id=\"brett-rypien-pushing-for-qb2\">Brett Rypien Pushing for QB2<\/h2>\n<p>The notion that the Broncos&#8217; fourth-year signal-caller is on the roster simply because of his outlook as a future coach might be fading.  Yes, Rypien works like a dog and has an advanced understanding of the Xs and Os, but he&#8217;s taken a significant step as an NFL quarterback based on what I&#8217;ve witnessed on all four days of training camp. <\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-b not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-4\"\/>\n<p>The rip (no pun intended) on Brett has always been related to arm strength for me.  He can process information quickly, understands defensive fronts, and knows how to go through progressions, but sometimes there just needs to be a little more mustard on that spiral to get the ball where it needs to be.  What he&#8217;s lacked in raw arm talent, he&#8217;s made up for with his football intelligence, intuition, and reliability.<\/p>\n<p>On Saturday, it seemed that Rypien has completely revamped his throwing mechanics, generating an impressive amount of zip and force with his tight spirals.  To start practice, he threw multiple completions in a row as he operated various second and third-string offenses. <\/p>\n<p>But it wasn&#8217;t just Rypien&#8217;s underneath throws that showed massive improvement, it was his deep ball.  On one of the last plays of team period, he launched a beautiful deep pass to WR Kaden Davis that had the crowd buzzing. <\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-c\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-3\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-b not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-3\"\/>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-a not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-3\"\/>\n<p>I asked Broncos&#8217; OC Justin Outten about the performances of Rypien and Josh Johnson thus far. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They&#8217;ve been Russ&#8217; shadow,\u201d Outten told me. \u201c[They&#8217;re] asking all the right questions and playing the what-if game.\u201d <\/p>\n<aside class=\"m-in-content-ad-row l-inline mm-in-content-ad-row--in-content not-size-b not-size-c not-size-d\" data-ad-group=\"in_content-5\"\/>\n<p>Rypien clearly borrowed some improved footwork from Wilson.  The former undrafted Boise State star&#8217;s more powerful and tighter throws are a testament to his improved lower body mechanics as he&#8217;s generated significantly more power and accuracy this camp.  There&#8217;s no doubt that Rypien is making a strong case to be the Broncos&#8217; backup QB behind Wilson. <\/p>\n<hr class=\"mm-horizontal-rule mm-horizontal-rule--hr1\"\/>\n<p><em>Follow Luke on Twitter <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/lukepattersonlp\" onclick=\"return phoenixTrackClickEvent(this, event);\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>@LukePattersonLP<\/strong><\/a><\/em><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Follow Mile High Huddle on <strong><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MileHighHuddle\" onclick=\"return phoenixTrackClickEvent(this, event);\" target=\"_blank\">twitter<\/a> <\/strong>and <strong>Facebook<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Subscribe to Mile High Huddle <strong>on YouTube <\/strong>for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>    .<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Englewood, Col. \u2014 On Saturday morning, the Denver Broncos welcomed over 5,000 eager fans to UCHealth Training Center for the first padded practice of the &#8216;Broncos Back Together&#8217; event. The free-ticketed event sold out almost immediately online earlier this month. For the first time since training camp began, Broncos players were introduced to wearing pads &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/denver-broncos-training-camp-notebook-day-4-brett-rypien-surging-in-pursuit-of-qb2\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Denver Broncos Training Camp Notebook |  Day 4: Brett Rypien Surging in Pursuit of QB2<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[6],"tags":[46],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":31982,"url":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/denver-broncos-camp-5-risers-5-fallers-from-week-1\/","url_meta":{"origin":31191,"position":0},"title":"Denver Broncos Camp: 5 Risers, 5 Fallers from Week 1","date":"August 1, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"The Denver Broncos are back, baby. UCHealth Training Center has been abuzz with football activity as the Broncos kicked off training camp last Wednesday. This year's squad looks vastly different than its counterpart of the past few seasons. The energetic lift that those pivotal newcomers have given the Broncos has\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"Denver Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien (4) following training camp at the UCHealth Training Center.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.si.com\/.image\/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700\/MTkxMjcxMDYwMjE2MjI3NDI2\/usatsi_18753235_168388302_lowres.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":38046,"url":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/tempers-flare-as-broncos-training-camp-finishes-off-week-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":31191,"position":1},"title":"Tempers flare as Broncos training camp finishes off week 2","date":"August 7, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Agim, Braden were briefly booted from practice following their skirmish. Old friend Brandon Marshall (the receiver) returned to Broncos headquarters. ENGLEWOOD, Col. \u2014 Fight! Fight! The Broncos had their first tussle of training camp Saturday as defensive lineman McTelvin Agim started throwing punches horse guard Ben Braden. Because of all\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":35046,"url":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/2022-denver-broncos-training-camp-day-7-news-and-notes\/","url_meta":{"origin":31191,"position":2},"title":"2022 Denver Broncos Training Camp: Day 7 news and notes","date":"August 4, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"The Broncos hit the one-week mark in Training Camp and things are starting to come together. Today's practice was an easy, half-speed\/walkthrough practice before tomorrow's second padded practice of camp. Today we have how the Broncos went about replacing Tim Patrick's role in this offense, Muti splitting reps with Risner,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":37020,"url":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/2022-broncos-training-camp-day-9-news-and-notes\/","url_meta":{"origin":31191,"position":3},"title":"2022 Broncos Training Camp: Day 9 news and notes","date":"August 6, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Day 8 of Broncos camp is in the books and today (Day 9) was an uneventful practice. It was another walk-through paced practice where they worked on installing the offense\/defense before tomorrow's up-tempo padded practice. Today we have exciting news about EDGE Baron Browning impressing in camp, thoughts on tomorrow's\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":33549,"url":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/sources-denver-broncos-wr-tim-patrick-suffers-torn-acl-in-right-knee-out-for-season\/","url_meta":{"origin":31191,"position":4},"title":"Sources &#8212; Denver Broncos WR Tim Patrick suffers torn ACL in right knee, out for season","date":"August 2, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"ENGLEWOOD, Col. -- Denver wide receiver Tim Broncos a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee during practice on Tuesday, sources told ESPN.Patrick caught a pass in a team drills in front of cornerback Essang Bassey, and as Patrick turned to run upfield, his leg buckled and he grabbed his\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":35091,"url":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/denver-broncos-signed-running-back-max-borghi\/","url_meta":{"origin":31191,"position":5},"title":"Denver Broncos signed running back Max Borghi","date":"August 4, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"According to 9NEWS Denver's Mike Klis, the Denver Broncos signed running back Max Borghi to a contract. He will replace running back Damarea Crocket's roster spot after he said a torn ACL during yesterday's practice. Broncos have signed local legend RB Max Borghi per source. From Pomona HS. Borghi had\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.si.com\/.image\/t_share\/MTkxMjcxMDYwMjE2MjI3NDI2\/usatsi_18753235_168388302_lowres.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31191"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31191"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31191\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31191"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31191"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31191"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}