The two-minute period of the Broncos’ joint practice with the Green Bay Packers featured a flawless effort from the secondary.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love, the highest-paid player in football, was under distress for most of practice on Friday, and Denver’s defensive backfield made his life even worse during the final team session.
Love tried to throw the ball to wide receiver Romeo Doubs near the sideline, but Broncos second-year cornerback Riley Moss jumped in front of the pass attempt and nearly came away with an interception. On the next play, Love overthrew wideout Jayden Reed on a deep ball, and safety P.J. Locke almost made a diving interception. Love had one more shot to get a first down, but All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II had other plans. He finished off a strong day by leaping up and disrupting Love’s pass to Doubs, as Green Bay’s first-team offense trotted to the sideline.
Denver’s secondary, which had a ton of question marks heading into training camp, stole the show against a talented Packers wide receivers group and Love on Friday,playing with physicality and air-tight coverage.
“That’s something that sets you apart,” Moss told The Denver Post. “Deliver a blow, hit them hard and do your part.”
Moss has been in a tight competition for the starting outside cornerback job with Damarri Mathis. On Friday, he strengthened his case to line up on the opposite side of Surtain come Week 1 against Seattle.
During the team period in the red zone, Moss broke up Love’s pass to wideout Dontayvion Wicks.
One of his best plays came earlier in the day. Moss was on the outside and started backpedaling to apply coverage on wide receiver Christian Watson. When Moss noticed Love throwing a screen pass to running back Josh Jacobs, he turned on a different gear and stormed to the line of scrimmage to make the stop.
“I’d say the one thing that (Moss) does exceptionally well is he phases the receivers,” head coach Sean Payton said. “So you don’t see him out of position. He’s longer than you think, so the ball is contested if it’s caught.”
During training camp, Moss said his level of play has been on an “upward climb.” He believes the cornerback competition between him, Mathis and Levi Wallace — who has missed time due to a hamstring injury — has benefited his development. “Iron sharpens iron,” Moss said.
He wasn’t the only defensive back who stood out against Green Bay during the last practice in front of fans. Safety Devon Key delivered a vicious hit on Doubs, causing the ball to pop out. Second-year safety JL Skinner nearly had an interception but couldn’t maintain possession as he fell to the ground. Cornerback Reese Taylor, who has had a strong camp, picked off Packers backup quarterback Sean Clifford as he attempted a deep pass down the middle of the field.
Nickel cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian gave the Packers problems. Love tried to complete a pass near the goal line, but McMillian blanketed the intended target and smacked the ball away. Despite McMillian standing just 5-foot-10, he held up against the 6-foot-4 Watson on a go route and disrupted Love’s deep pass attempt near the sideline.
“You’ve got to fight,” McMillian said. “I’ve been battling that my whole life. They try to box you out, and I try to punch through their arms, be as aggressive as possible, and whatever happens after that happens.”
As for Surtain, he once again showed why opposing quarterbacks avoid throwing in his direction. During the first team period, he didn’t allow Doubs to create any separation before deflecting Love’s pass attempt. Love tested Surtain again, but the former Alabama star broke up a pass to wide receiver Bo Melton.
There was a lot to like from Denver’s secondary on Friday. The group plays with an edge and is willing to get in an opponent’s face to make a stop. Some of the players are unproven, but that could play to their advantage.
Payton said Denver’s team is filled with hungry players. The secondary might be the hungriest of them all.
“I think if we bring a great attitude and energy, we can be really good,” Moss said.
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Originally Published: August 17, 2024 at 5:45 a.m.
