Kansas football quarterback Isaiah Marshall praises Jayhawks' wide receivers in fall camp
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New York Times
a minute ago
- New York Times
Broncos DC Vance Joseph: Unit must phase out ‘awkward' plays to become dominant
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Vance Joseph is not oblivious to the rosy prognostications about the Denver Broncos defense that have been fluttering around this offseason. The team's third-year coordinator is working with arguably the most talented group of personnel he's had in his 10 years calling NFL defenses. The Broncos led the NFL in sacks (63) and expected points added per defensive snap last season, brought back all of its defensive front, added two key veteran pieces in safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw and drafted a chess piece defensive back in first-rounder Jahdae Barron. Many of the players Joseph is working with are entering their third year in the team's current defensive system. Advertisement But on the way to establishing what the Broncos want to be, Joseph is providing consistent reminders of what they can't accept. 'The next step is avoiding the awkward big plays and the awkward series,' Joseph said Tuesday as he and Denver's other coordinators addressed the media for the first time in this training camp. 'If you want to be a top defense in this league, man, it's just consistency. … If you're going to be dominant, it has to be every down, every drive, every quarter.' Joseph has truncated that message to one word at times during camp: 'Finish!' He has bellowed the reminder frequently during plays in team periods, turning himself into a human bullhorn. As good as his defense was last season, it slipped down the stretch. The Broncos gave up 30 or more points in four of their final six games, including a 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the playoffs. The Broncos believe they can compete for a Super Bowl this season. Head coach Sean Payton has said as much to anyone willing to listen. There aren't many realistic pathways to that goal that don't include a dominant defense. 'That's been my focus from the spring to now,' Joseph said. 'Every single day, every play, how we finish, how we hustle, how we communicate and how we engage in every play is important.' Part of reaching that dominant level, Joseph said, is creating stronger depth in training camp. The Broncos' vulnerabilities became easier to exploit as they became nicked up with injuries in the second half of last season at various levels of the defense. That's why the strong training camps so far from second-year players like linebacker Levelle Bailey and cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine are more than fun summer storylines. To withstand the attrition that occurs during the long march toward the playoffs, those are the kinds of players who have to not only fill in but maintain the high bar Joseph's unit has set for itself. Advertisement 'It's a long season and things do happen, so to find depth in training camp, that's part of it,' Joseph said. 'So to watch guys like (Bailey) get better from last year, control the huddle and make plays has been fun to see. And it's not just there — at corner, at safety — it's a deep roster. We're looking to find depth of not just guys who can start for us (at the beginning of the season), but guys who can play four or five games as a starter for us without any drop off.' Here were some more takeaways from Tuesday's sessions with the coordinators: • Tight end Evan Engram tilted his chin toward the sky and shook his head Monday, expressing bewilderment that he had let a pass from Bo Nix slip out of his grasp. The thing about Denver's new target in the passing game, though, is that he always seems to be creating another opportunity. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said the ways Engram will help the Broncos and Nix stress defenses are already evident. 'We had high expectations and he's met or exceeded them,' Lombardi said of Engram, who bounced back from that drop with two big catches over the middle in Monday's practice. 'He can run, he can change direction, willing blocker. He sticks his nose in there. … Complete tight end who's really been showing up in camp.' Making the connection 🏈#BroncosCamp — Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 5, 2025 • Just before Lombardi spoke to the media on Tuesday, he watched as second-year wide receiver Troy Franklin made a diving, 20-yard catch on a throw from Nix during a two-minute drill. The highlight play set Denver up for a would-be game-winning field goal in the situational period. It was the kind of play that Franklin has made look routine in his second training camp, which could not be a larger departure from his first. Advertisement Lombardi sees a player whose confidence — 'He knows what he's doing' — has allowed his speed to flourish. That, in turn, has allowed Denver's coaches to showcase Franklin in different ways. 'As a rookie, you really want to nail down on one position,' Lombardi said. 'Know that he's got that down, we're working him in the slot a little bit and that gives us more flexibility of what we can do with him. He's really been doing a great job with all of that. … As he learned the offense, he's been able to play naturally.' • Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi had quite the statement about the depth materializing on Denver's roster and what that will mean for cutdown day in a few weeks. 'I don't think I've ever been involved in a camp — and this is my 17th year in the league — where there are going to be as many tough decisions as we are going to have,' Rizzi said. 'I welcome it and I love it. I think the emphasis we have put on (special teams), you watch us out here, and we are evaluating everything. The players know that, and competition brings out the best in everybody.' • Rizzi was one of the special teams coaches last season who helped develop and present the league's new dynamic kickoff rule proposal to owners at the league meetings. He was pleased with how the rule change, which included touchbacks being brought to the 30-yard line, played out in 2024 during a trial season. There was a higher return rate overall (though not for the Broncos, specifically), and the league reported a lower injury rate on those plays, particularly with concussions. This offseason, Rizzi was glad to see the league permanently adopt the rule with a tweak that should give his star returner, Marvin Mims, more chances to make explosive plays on special teams. Marvin Mims Jr. with an explosive kick return 📺: #DENvsBUF on ESPN/ABC📱: Stream on #NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) November 14, 2023 'The analytics last year told you it was probably a wash to kick a touchback or put the ball in play,' Rizzi said. 'That's not the case anymore with touchbacks at the 35. I think you're going to see a high, high spike in the return percentage. We're going to have to be really locked down in our coverage. We're not going to be a team that is going to give up the 35, unless it's situationally. I don't think we'll see as many touchbacks when we're on the return side of things, either. It was easy for teams to do that last year. I don't think teams are going to want to give Bo and that offense the ball at the 35-yard line. They are going to take their chances (kicking to Mims and Denver's other returners).' Advertisement The Broncos gave several veterans the day off on Tuesday ahead of Thursday's joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers. Among those who didn't participate: Left guard Ben Powers, running back JK Dobbins and wide receiver Trent Sherfield. Linebackers Alex Singleton and Dre Greenlaw worked out on the side but did not participate in team drills. Rookie outside linebacker Que Robinson returned to portions of practice after missing the previous three sessions with what Payton described as a bone bruise.
Associated Press
a minute ago
- Associated Press
NFL bans smelling salts, saying product can mask concussion symptoms
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The NFL is banning the use of 'smelling salts' during games, saying the products aren't proven to be safe and also could mask signs of a concussion. The league sent a memo to teams on Tuesday explaining the decision to ban smelling salts and any other ammonia inhalant during pregame activities, games and halftime on the sideline or locker rooms. 'In 2024, the FDA issued a warning to companies that produce commercially available ammonia inhalants (AIs), as well as to consumers about the purchase and use of AIs, regarding the lack of evidence supporting the safety or efficacy of AIs marketed for improving mental alertness or boosting energy,' according to the memo obtained by The Associated Press. 'The FDA noted potential negative effects from AI use. AIs also have the potential to mask certain neurologic signs and symptoms, including some potential signs of concussion. As a result, the NFL Head, Neck, and Spine Committee recommended prohibiting the use of AIs for any purpose during play in the NFL.' San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle first disclosed the ban during an interview with NFL Network on Tuesday, adding that he hoped the league would relent and 'figure out a middle ground.' That won't happen, according to the memo, which explicitly prohibits any club personnel from providing or supplying products such as ammonia capsules, inhalers, ammonia in a cup, and any form of 'smelling salts.' Smelling salts and other similar products have been a staple on NFL sidelines for years with many players believing they can provide a sudden jolt of energy or alertness. ___ AP NFL:
Fox News
a minute ago
- Fox News
Shedeur Sanders expected to start Browns' first preseason game vs Panthers: report
Shedeur Sanders may be fourth string on the unofficial Browns depth chart right now, but he's getting the nod to start their first preseason game on Friday night. With Kenny Pickett and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel both dealing with hamstring injuries, reported on Tuesday that Sanders is expected to be the first quarterback under center against the Carolina Panthers on the road. Sanders said on Monday that he didn't want to see his father, Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, at practice yet due to not taking any first-team reps. But his father has something to watch right away when the Browns kick off on Friday night. "I don't want him to see me get a couple reps, and he's cheering like a good dad," Sanders said on Monday to reporters, the first time he spoke since his father revealed battling bladder cancer this offseason. "Like, nah, you can't be proud of me right now. I've got to get to where I'm going, and I know it's a lot I've got to do to get there. Sanders added that it's "a gift and a curse" having an NFL legend father, because while it would be nice to have that support in person, he knows how it would be for those on the outside. "We know how everybody would take it, as taking away from the team, with my own dad showing up. It's a gift and a curse at the same time," Sanders said. Sanders, though, will get the first chance to show what he can do on the NFL stage with the Browns' offense. The fifth-round pick also gets the start due to head coach Kevin Stefanski not wanting 40-year-old Joe Flacco, the team's presumptive starter, to risk injury in Week 1 of preseason. The Browns also signed quarterback Tyler Huntley due to the Pickett and Gabriel injuries, though he's likely to come off the bench when Sanders' time on the field is over. The report added that Sanders has only seen reps against the first-team Browns defense, a formidable group, a total of four snaps, which came last week. But Sanders may have some chemistry issues with starting players like Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tilliman, Diontae Johnson and David Njoku considering the lack of reps. Sanders' accuracy, though, has been a talking point at Browns camp, and it's been in a good way. It was one of his biggest strengths while playing under his father at Colorado, and he's been showcasing that in Berea, Ohio thus far. Sanders knows the football world will be watching closely on Friday night just as they were during the 2025 NFL Draft, as he tumbled down the draft board to day three, where the Browns finally took him with the 144th overall pick. Gabriel was taken in the third round. Lastly, Sanders was held out of Saturday's training camp practice due to arm soreness, but he was participating fully on Monday. So, he is expected to be at full strength, and this will be his first opportunity to show the Browns and the rest of the NFL what he can do at this level.
