Jonas Griffith and Cody Barton have been competing against each other on the field at Broncos Park and at the team hotel. Now, the competition moves to Indianapolis.
The battle at quarterback between Jarrett Stidham and rookie Bo Nix will headline the Broncos’ preseason opener Sunday against the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. But there are several other starting jobs also up for grabs.
The Broncos unofficial depth chart lists the word “or” between first-team players at three positions. That includes Griffith and Barton battling to start at inside linebacker to replace the departed Josey Jewell.
“Whenever you get to come out and compete, it brings out the best in you and brings out the best in others,’’ said Barton, who signed as a free agent in March.
Barton did get the best of Griffith recently at the card table. Barton was teamed with safety Devon Key against Griffith and defensive end Matt Henningsen.
“We were playing some Euchre and spades, and we were competitive, and they won three and we won one game,’’ said Griffith, who missed all of last season due to a torn ACL. “I was ticked off and (Barton) was talking smack to me."
Elsewhere on defense, young players DeMarri Mathis and Riley Moss are listed as co-starters at right cornerback although Broncos coach Sean Payton said veteran Levi Wallace is also in the mix. Wallace won’t play Sunday due to a hamstring injury.
On special teams, there is an “or” on the first team at punter between incumbent Riley Dixon and Trenton Gill. The loser will be cut by Aug. 27, when the initial 53-man roster must be set.
“There are three preseason games, and for a number of players it’s awfully important,’’ Payton said. “I think when you put it in a game setting versus a different opponent, I think that weighs heavily.”
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The most crowded competition is at cornerback as Denver looks to replace Fabian Moreau, who wasn’t re-signed as a free agent and is now with Minnesota. With Wallace out, young players will get more of a look against the Colts.
“It’s not good for those guys obviously and not good for us overall, but it’s good for our young guys to get reps,’’ said defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, also referring to safety Brandon Jones having a hamstring injury that will keep him out of Sunday’s game.
Wallace has missed the past week of practice and Jones the last two weeks. Jones and P.J. Locke are secure as the starting safeties, but Jones’ absence has resulted in there being more time for young players Key and JL Skinner to get reps in the battle to be the third safety.
At punter, the competition is tight. If it remains close, that could benefit Gill since he is on the books for a nonguaranteed base salary of $985,000 and Dixon for a nonguaranteed salary of $1.735 million. Denver would save $750,000 if Dixon is let go.
“I think both punters have done an outstanding job,’’ said Broncos special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica. “I’m really excited about that spot. I’ve been doing this awhile and I would share with you that those two punters are hitting the ball as well or better than any two punters that I’ve seen. … Both of those guys will have an opportunity on Sunday to show what I’ve seen during the camp.”
There is no listing of “or” on the depth chart for any position on offense, but the quarterback battle would be in that category had Payton not decided to list all rookies at the back. Payton announced Friday that Stidham will start against the Colts and Nix will get the nod in next Sunday’s second preseason game against Green Bay at Empower Field at Mile High.
Payton has said perhaps there should have been an “or” at center, where Luke Wattenberg is listed with the first team. While Wattenberg looks to have a solid grip on being the starter, Payton has insisted Alex Forsyth is still in the race.
There is a battle at swing tackle to determine who would be the first player off the bench in the event left tackle Garett Bolles or right tackle Mike McGlinchey miss time. Quinn Bailey was a candidate for the spot until his season ended due to a fractured ankle suffered early in training camp. That leaves Matt Peart and Alex Palczewski as the top candidates.
“Every game is an opportunity to show what you have and show your skill set and show what you can do, and it’s something you should never take for granted,’’ Peart said of the preseason getting underway. “You just go out there and play to the fullest extent of your abilities. That’s all.”
As for the battle at inside linebacker, Griffith is confident heading into the game at Indianapolis, just up the road from where he played at Indiana State in Terre Haute.
“Just look out for (No.) 50 because it’s going to be a great year and I’m excited to contribute to the team in any way possible,’’ he said.
