Broncos Journal: Two-minute drill, red zone will be emphasized during mandatory minicamp

Before the Avalanche open the Stanley Cup Finals, the Broncos will close their two-month offseason program with a mandatory mini-camp Monday through Wednesday.

The guidelines for this week: The on-field time is a maximum of 3 1/2 hours per day, but a practice can’t exceed 2 1/2 hours and the daily time at the facility can’t exceed 10 hours per day. The practices are non-padded, but do include 11-on-11 work.

Coach Nathaniel Hackett’s goal for the minicamp is focusing on game situations.

“We’ll try to get all the situations done in that time, from two-minute to red zone to third down,” he said. “Right now, all of our installations are in so the whole offense, the whole defense and all of the special teams are in.

“All of these practices going on are about reviewing, understanding and detailing things.”

Because players have been given the entire playbook, Hackett said a purpose of minicamp will allow the Broncos to “truly dissect each play and what we’re trying to accomplish.”

Wilson ranks seventh. NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms always does a thorough job in his annual quarterback rankings and he put the Broncos’ Russell Wilson seventh last week, ahead of Tom Brady, Dak Prescott and Lamar Jackson (Nos. 8-10) and Derek Carr (No. 11).

Simms’ analysis of Wilson: “Still one of the best big-play quarterbacks in the NFL. He still has playmaking ability to scramble. Every team thinks they can win when they have Russell Wilson at quarterback. But he can be too conservative. I think Nathaniel Hackett will find more ways to get him easy completions over the middle of the field. (Last year, Wilson) lost control of the football more than he had in years past. He’s still awesome, but he looks for the one-on-one play and avoids the schematical play a little too much.”

Old friends Teddy Bridgewater (Miami) and Drew Lock (Seattle) ranked Nos. 38 and 40, respectively, out of 40 ranked quarterbacks.

Simms will reveal Nos. 1-4 this week.

Surtain’s progress. Second-year cornerback Pat Surtain II said he has intercepted two passes during OTAs. He has earned praise from anybody who has asked about him.

“I embrace (that) a lot,” he said. “Hearing it from guys who have done it before me — that’s very exciting to hear that. That also gives me a bit of confidence knowing that they’re trusting me and looking at me in that way. Always a great feeling.”

D.J. Jones a spectator. During the three OTAs open to the media, new defensive lineman D.J. Jones didn’t participate. But his new teammates know what to expect when the regular season begins Sept. 12 at Seattle.

“He’s an explosive player,” nose tackle Mike Purcell said. “I’ve had the benefit of watching him since he’s come into the league and watching him grow and he’s become one of those fierce run defenders.”

Center or guard? Graham Glasgow (broken leg last November) saw his first 11-on-11 work last Monday. Is he going to compete at center or guard?

“It depends on the day,” he said. “At this point in time, I’m just getting back into football and I think that it’s good to get some work at some other positions and kind of figure it out from there.”

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