**‘I’m still a home-run hitter.’ Broncos’ RB Devontae Booker confident in explosion** (Kyle Frederickson, Denver Post)
"We've really been pleased with Devontae. He's practicing hard, he's letting it loose and he's always been a smooth operator. He's just so smooth and can glide. He makes things look easy."

**Vance Joseph looking for ‘positive football plays’ Friday** (Ryan O'Halloran, Denver Post)
"We're not going to count snaps, we're going to count progress," Joseph said._

**Broncos coach Vance Joseph talking a better game, but has he learned how to win games?** (Mark Kiszla, Denver Post)
Joseph appears to be a changed man from the rookie coach we saw a year ago at training camp. He's more vocal, more demanding, with more urgency in his every step.

**Taking a closer look at the state of the Broncos, position by position** (Tyler Polumbus, The Athletic)
Although a few players may work their way on or off the roster in the next week or so, the reality is that about 50 of the 53 available roster spots are just about etched in stone (rosters have to be finalized by Sept. 1). There are probably five to six players in contention for the remaining three spots.

**Broncos defense looks to find identity in starters’ final dress rehearsal** (Troy Renck, KMGH)
The Broncos defense insisted their preseason opener provided a false cameo as the Vikings gashed them for 135 first quarter yards. Against the Bears, the Broncos stood firm, pitching a shutout in the first 15 minutes. And yet, no starting pass rusher owns a sack. Bradley Chubb netted a safety, but Denver has yet to corral the quarterback with its fearsome foursome of outside linebackers.

**NFL won’t make changes to helmet hit rule or permit use of instant replay** (Lorenzo Reyes, USA Today)
After holding a conference call Wednesday to discuss the revised use of the helmet rule, the NFL's competition committee said there "will be no changes."