SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- At last, Lynch brought clarity to the Broncos' quarterback competition. Too bad it was John.
"I think highly of both of those guys," said John Lynch, a Broncos Ring of Famer and general manager of the San Francisco 49ers. "Paxton has those wow throws. Trevor is extremely consistent."
Consider this the Cliffs Notes version of Vance Joseph's decision. Siemian has won more days in training camp with good decisions. He is steady. Predictable. Coaches value those qualities. Fans? Not so much when the outcome is a check down. Lynch, standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 244 pounds, makes breathtaking plays followed by cringe-worthy mistakes reflective of his inexperience.
Can Lynch give the Broncos enough to hold onto this week to keep the competition open and consider him for the job? It seems unlikely he can win it. But if the Broncos did not believe he had a chance, then why start him this week? Lynch refuses to let the walls close in on him. In fact, he looked as relaxed Wednesday as he has in several days.
"I don't look at it as if it's the last chance or make-or-break right now," said Lynch, the winner on my grading of Wednesday's practice. "I know the coaches are just expecting the quarterbacks to go out there and move the ball and score points. That's really what I am focused on -- getting better, making progression and (having) them see the progression in me."
Courtesy of my friend Ryan Koenigsberg at BSN sports, Wednesday's unofficial statistics for the quarterbacks: Lynch 13-for-25, two TDs, no interceptions, and Siemian 17-for-23, one TD, one INT. Breaking it down further, Lynch went 9-for-15 in 11-on-11 drills, while Siemian finished 9-for-14.
"Until I watch the tape and watch it with great detail, I couldn’t tell you (if there was separation in derby). It was a lot of throwing and catching," Joseph said. "That was fun to see from both guys; all three guys matter of fact.”
Lynch admitted he leans on his older brother -- his role model -- and his parents. They have helped calm the choppy waters created by a high-profile position battle.
"Whenever I need something I talk to him about it. I keep them close," Lynch said. "So whenever I go through something that seems bigger than it is, I talk to them and they kind of bring me down and remind me of why I am doing what I am doing."
Sanders, Latimer hurting
Receiver Emmanuel Sanders started practice, but failed to finish. He hurt his shoulder in a drill, and as a precaution, was held out the final hour or so. Sanders stayed with this teammates, but took off his shoulder pads and helmet. Coach Vance Joseph said they will be "smart" with the injury.
Cody Latimer watched in shorts, sitting out with a sore patellar tendon in his knee. He told Denver7, it has been bothering him for a year or so, and it acted up. He remains hopeful he can play this this week, but there are no guarantees.
O-Line dance
Playing the best five offensive linemen leaves the Broncos with options. Joseph admitted it was possible former Missouri star Connor McGovern, who was inactive for 16 games last season, could start at right guard with veteran Ron Leary shifting back to the left side. McGovern has impressed coaches with his versatility and physical style. As it stands, Allen Barbre is pushing to unseat Max Garcia for the left guard position. That, too, is an alternative. Barbre at left guard and Leary staying put.
Footnotes
Jamaal Charles received plenty of reps Wednesday as he attempts to spray WD-40 on his knees. Charles will not play this week, but is set to go against the Packers. For Charles to make the team and guarantee his base salary and roster bonus, he needs to show he's healthy and can be productive. Why? Stevan Ridley is pushing to secure a spot. Wearing silver gloves, Ridley was impossible to miss with multiple strong runs. He can also play special teams. ... Von Miller provided a funny moment when asked about why he doesn't complain to refs. "My mom, always tells me I should. I and I tell here I can't." Miller said grousing to the refs makes more sense in basketball and soccer where dialogue happens on every play. "I just need to go out there and be great and control what I can control." .... San Francisco defensive back Adrian Colbert delivered a vicious high hit on Broncos tight end Steven Scheu in 7-on-7 drills. Scheu reacted with venom. He was furious. Broncos teammate Austin Traylor ran over and shoved Colbert. It was a dirty hit at worse and unnecessary at best. It was straight out of the D.J. Swearinger playbook when the Texans staged practices with the Broncos four years ago. That led to Peyton Manning being fined for taunting in the game later that week after Swearinger allowed a touchdown.
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Want Broncos news? Denver7 Broncos insider Troy E. Renck is your source. He talks to the players, covers the games and reports scoops on Denver7 and the Denver7 app. He is a CU grad who has covered pro sports in Colorado since 1996, including 14 years at The Denver Post. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and TheDenverChannel.com’s Broncos page. Troy welcomes most of your emails at Troy.Renck@kmgh.com.
