Denver had a kicker in attendance for its second week of OTAs in newly signed Elliott Fry.
Coach Sean Payton made it clear that Fry — and everybody else, for that matter — shouldn’t feel overly comfortable.
“We had a kicking battle one year in New Orleans, two guys, and man, (the reporters) all charted it each day during training camp and it was either-or, either-or,” Payton recalled. “This went on and on and it was one of those battles where I don’t know if I was any clearer after four weeks than I was when it began. They both did good things and then had days that maybe weren’t as good.
“The final cut-down takes place to 53 (players) and I get a call from someone I know well with another staff that thinks he’s got a kicker and we bring him in on Monday, work him out and we sign neither of the two in the kicking battle.”
Bottom line: You’re competing for a roster spot with players on your own team and also the other 31 in the league.
“Don’t pay attention to the line in front of you or the room you’re in,” Payton said. “You’re competing with yourself to put your best product on the field because there’s 31 other teams that might be deeper in a position.”
The Broncos have already been active in shuffling their roster. They formally announced the signing of tight end Tommy Hudson on Thursday — they waived running backs Tyreik McAllister and Jacques Patrick to make room for Fry and Hudson — and now have 35 new players on the 90-man roster.
Powers settling in: New Broncos left guard Ben Powers met with reporters for the first time Thursday and said he’s excited in part because he thinks Payton is “a great coach.”
The 6-foot-4, 330-pounder put together a standout 2022 season and earned himself a four-year, $52.5 million deal from the Broncos that came with $28.5 million guaranteed.
Part of the reason he didn’t end up back in Baltimore? “I don’t think they could afford me,” he said flatly.
Payton’s practice a learning experience: Justin Simmons has practiced as a Denver Bronco under five head coaches now, so he’s a pretty good authority on how each differs in style.
What is the hallmark of a Payton-led practice?
“If I had to sum it up in one word, I’d say ‘educational,’” Simmons said. “He’s really good at explaining how he wants things done and why it’s being done. It gives a great purpose to everyone before and after each set period, no matter what it is.”
Simmons has been through several coaches and seen three straight get fired, but he said he’s not going to be slow to buy in to Payton and the new staff.
“I still get excited,” he said. “I still get to play the game at the highest level that I’ve wanted to do since I was little. It sounds like a cliched response, but I try not to take that for granted. That’s kind of my mindset each and every year.”
Attendance: Defensive lineman D.J. Jones and safety Kareem Jackson were both at Thursday’s practice after missing last week’s session open to reporters. Edge Baron Browning was absent a second straight week, while edge Randy Gregory and tight end Chris Manhertz were absent Thursday after participating last week.
OTAs, of course, are voluntary and Payton said last week the team had been in contact with every player who was not present.
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