German_Force » Vance Joseph hopes the fumble by Isaiah

McKenzie doesn’t set him back and that “he just keeps pushing forward” It was bound to happen. Isaiah McKenzie fumbled the ball late in the fourth quarter of last night’s week two preseason matchup against the Bears. The fumble was recovered by the Bears and ended any potential comeback by the Broncos. It wasn’t a punt Authentic Jeff Heuerman Jersey , but McKenzie did once again fumble the ball. He hauled in a screen pass from quarterback Paxton Lynch and while trying to make something out of nothing, had the ball “peanut punched” by a Bears defender. It was some tough luck and something that unfortunately happens, but it happened, and it happened to McKenzie who is trying to shake the ball security woes that plagued him his rookie year. Head Coach Vance Joseph was asked about this after the game and he said he hopes this doesn’t set McKenzie back. McKenzie has been having a strong camp once again by all accounts and just looked like a different player than the one who had his confidence broke last season. If you remember, McKenzie ended up in the doghouse after multiple fumbles and was inactive for a handful of games late in the year. He also had a skirmish with cornerback Chris Harris Jr. during practice which led to the then-rookie to be seen crying at his locker with then running back C.J. Anderson consoling him. It was a rough go for a rookie who had a promising start to the season but the fumbles shook his confidence and it all spiraled out of control from there. This is what Joseph was hoping wouldn’t happen again after his first fumble. It was going to happen at some point. He wasn’t going to go fumble free throughout the rest of his career so he needs to keep pushing as Joseph said after the game. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY SportsFumbles have always been a part of McKenzie’s game. He had a total of 8 through two seasons at Georgia and that trend continued his rookie year in the NFL. Hopefully, he can buck that trend moving forward. I think McKenzie has done enough to win a roster spot. He has been solid Training Camp/Preseason as a returner and the ball hasn’t hit the ground there. One unfortunate play doesn’t change that, but how McKenzie deals with this will make or break him going forward.Hopefully, the Broncos electric returner does indeed keep pushing and moves forward and serves as a weapon for them in the return game in 2018.Tim Patrick focused on special teams play in hopes of making final 53-man roster The Denver Broncos have quite the set of wide receivers heading into the 2018 regular season. With Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Courtland Sutton, and DaeSean Hamilton all but secure as the top four at the position, there is a ton of competition for the final one or two spots.One player who has come out of nowhere to make a name for himself in this group has been Tim Patrick. His name was mentioned over and over again during training camp as a guy making plays and now he is doing it during actual preseason games.Patrick prides himself in coming down with those jump ball throws.“That I know I’m going to get it (laughter),” Patrick said of jump balls. “I’m 6’5. Throw it up there, I know I’m going to get it—definitely with shorter defensive backs. It’s funny because the play I made at practice and the play I made in the game were literally the same exact play against the same exact guys. I kind of felt bad for that guy Youth Darian Stewart Jersey , but hey, I’ve got a family to feed too (laughter).”Chad Kelly knew this when they saw Patrick one-on-one outside. He threw the ball up where only Patrick could really have a shot at coming down with it and come down with it he did for a huge third down conversion. Big plays or not, Patrick knows his chances of making the final 53-man roster comes down to his special teams play. That’s where his focus is in terms of getting better and becoming the kind of player the coaches can rely on in special teams duty.“It’s the number one priority,” Patrick said of his special teams play. “With the top four guys, everybody knows who those guys are. Being the fifth of sixth receiver, you have to play special teams. And if you’re not good on special teams, there’s no reason to bring you back on the team. Being the fifth or sixth receiver, you might get four or five reps at receiver in a game, but you’re going to play every single special teams. Going into the game, special teams is definitely my first priority.”Patrick should have an inside track of making the final 53-man roster for the Broncos based purely on his threat as a fifth wide receiver, but his attention to detail on special teams might be what seals the deal as the Broncos coaching staff tries to assemble the best team possible next week. As a fan, I’m rooting for him.