August 9th 2024.
As the Denver Broncos prepare for their first preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts, head coach Sean Payton has a different focus than most coaches. Instead of tracking the number of quarters played, he will be keeping an eye on the number of plays each player gets on the field. Payton has divided the players into three phases for Sunday's game, but he didn't want to go into too much detail, joking that it would take all night.
One thing Payton did mention is that quarterback Jarrett Stidham will be starting in the first phase and will likely play for 15 to 20 snaps. Depending on how the game goes, the defense may be ahead of the offense in phases. Payton also expects at least three wide receivers to play in the first phase. He explained that the defense could be in Phase 2 while the offense is still in Phase 1 due to the "pitch count" of plays.
The special teams will be monitored differently, with a kickoff unit for the first and second halves. Payton also mentioned that there may be situations where a player is no longer playing on offense or defense but is still involved in special teams. With so many moving parts, Payton is treating this preseason game like it's Week 4 of the regular season.
While the primary goal of the preseason is to formulate the 53-man roster, Payton also wants his players to have a winning mindset in everything they do. He emphasized this by saying that he has "Win" underlined twice with an exclamation point in his notes. It's clear that he wants his team to start the season strong and carry that mentality throughout.
One player who won't be getting much playing time in the preseason is defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike. After being reinstated from a year-plus suspension for violating the NFL's gambling policy, Payton believes it's too early for him to play. Uwazurike will travel with the team and work out before the game, but the team will evaluate his snaps next week against the Green Bay Packers. Payton wants to be cautious with his return, not wanting to risk any potential injuries.
Despite the focus on the preseason, Payton is already looking ahead to the regular season and the ultimate goal of winning games. He knows that every game counts, even in the preseason, and wants his team to have that same mindset. For more Broncos news and analysis, be sure to sign up for the Broncos Insider.
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