Broncos Camp | Day 9: Three Players Who Popped
Day 9 of Denver Broncos training camp is in the books. The Broncos ramped up practice on Friday with a two-minute drill.
For most of camp, the Broncos defense has been having its way with the offense, but the offense is starting to show signs of life. So it should come as no surprise that two of the three players who popped today are on the defense.
Let's break down the three players who grabbed my attention on Friday.
Christopher Allen | OLB
Allen has had a very quiet training camp so far, but he really ramped it up on Day 9. His pass-rushing potential really showed up.
On two separate occasions, Allen got into the backfield on passing plays during the 11-on-11 drill, which likely would have resulted in a sack in a real game situation. He also showed good technique in other drills, and the hope is he can build on this momentum.
However, Allen did bite on play-action, allowing the quarterback to roll out and complete a pass, accentuating that he still has work to do.
Greg Dulcich | TE
Many were expecting Dulcich to have a significant break-out season this year, but he's had an underwhelming training camp thus far — until today. He was running clean routes and catching the ball well, leading to multiple receptions in the 11-on-11 drills.
Dulcich did make a mistake by being penalized for a false start in the two-minute drill late in practice. But what he put on the field on Friday overshadowed that mistake. Hopefully, this momentum will carry forward and get him out of the slump he’s been in so far.
Jonathan Harris | DL
The Broncos have given Harris every chance to ascend into a starting role for the last two seasons, but either injuries or lack of development have hindered his progress. However, if this year’s camp is any indication, he’s finally poised to make that leap.
Harris has been solid in practice this week, and stout against the run, often running with the first team the last four days, and on Friday, he really stood out.
In Friday's practice, he batted a Russel Wilson pass during the two-minute drill that fell into Randy Gregory’s arms, which would have resulted in a pick-six in a game. With Mike Purcell being on the PUP list, and Eyioma Uwazurike being indefinitely suspended, Harris has a leg up on the starting role.
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