ENGLEWOOD — Kevin Hogan has appeared in eight regular-season games through his first two NFL seasons and his team lost them all.
Don’t blame Hogan. His team was the Cleveland Browns who went a combined 1-31 the previous two years.
To the Broncos, they consider this negative experience to be a positive. To wit: Hogan got knocked around, as all Browns quarterbacks did, and yet not only survived to play for a third season, he played well during the recent preseason for Washington.
In one of those preseason games, Hogan threw two, fourth quarter touchdown passes against the Broncos.
Hogan is a Bronco now after the team claimed him on waivers Sunday.
“I’m just really happy to be here,’’ Hogan said after his first Broncos practice Monday. “I had a great first day today. I got to meet everyone -- the players and the coaches. I have a great room in the QB room and a great locker room here, so I’m just excited. I kind of got my feet under me at practice and walked through tempo stuff.”
Hogan begins as the team’s No. 3 quarterback behind Case Keenum and Chad Kelly. When he learns the playbook and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave’s system, Hogan is expected to push the zero-experienced Kelly for the Broncos’ No. 2 QB position.
“I like what they do,’’ Hogan said. “Just watching Case and Chad in the locker room today, it’s a really cool system. I can’t wait to go out there, try it and learn the basics, first, so that I can go out there and execute.”
Captain Case, Captain Todd
Broncos’ players voted on team captains Monday. The offensive captains were Keenum and center Matt Paradis, the defensive will be led by inside linebacker Todd Davis and outside linebacker Von Miller and the special teams’ captains were kicker Brandon McManus and Andy Janovich.
Miller and McManus are repeat captains. Keenum got the most votes. Davis got the loudest ovation from his teammates when his captaincy was announced.
Considering the Denver D also includes the likes of Chris Harris Jr., Derek Wolfe, Domata Peko Sr. and Brandon Marshall, Davis’ award is impressive.
“For me, it’s a huge honor for this great group of guys to see me as somebody that’s a leader and somebody that they’ll follow into battle,’’ Davis said. “That’s huge for me. Now I just have to step up, continue to be that guy that works hard every single day—day-in and day-out—and do my best for all of my guys in the locker room.”
Carlos reprieve
Not many third-round draft picks have had a slower start to an NFL career than Broncos receiver Carlos Henderson. But he knows it could be worse. He could be former Broncos receiver Carlos Henderson.
“Whatever the team wants me to do, I’m just ready to help the team,’’ Henderson said in the Broncos’ locker room Monday. “I’m ready to give it all for the team. I’m lucky to be here, glad to be here. Appreciate them for welcoming me back.’’
Henderson had a shaky rookie offseason in 2017 to the point when he struggled in the preseason opener at Chicago, the team was quick to place him on season-ending injured reserve with a thumb injury that did require surgery.
Soon after the season, he was arrested in Louisiana on a marijuana possession charge – which led to the league suspending him for one game.
For a while, it seemed doubtful Henderson would never serve his penalty. Bothered by a hamstring during the offseason, Henderson did not report to Broncos’ training camp on July 24. He stayed away four weeks before informing general manager John Elway he was ready to play football again.
“It was some personal stuff I was dealing with,’’ Henderson said. “There was just some stuff, but I got it together and everything’s good now.’’
Henderson stayed away from the team until Sunday when Elway and head coach Vance Joseph showed some compassion for the 23-year-old by bringing him back on to the practice squad.
It’s the bottom, but it’s inside the building. He marked the occasion by wearing his Sunday’s best suit to the locker room.
However, he was immediately put on the practice squad/suspended list where for one week he can attend meetings and workout in the weight room but can’t practice. A great place to start, in other words.
“I want to see Carlos grow up,’’ Joseph said. “I want to see Carlos do NFL things—have great meetings, have great practices, have great days in the weight room. Just do those things first for us.
“Obviously, the football player Carlos, he’s talented, so that part I don’t worry about. I want him to grow up and become a pro.”
Bronco Bits
Now former Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch cleared waivers Monday, which was expected because a claim would have meant his new team picking up his $1.311 million fully-guaranteed salary this year and $600,000 guaranteed of a $1.74 million salary next year.
Now, Lynch is a free agent which means a team can sign him for a $630,000 salary with the Broncos picking up the rest. Lynch has visits scheduled with five teams, beginning with Buffalo on Tuesday. …
Broncos’ No. 3 cornerback Tramaine Brock was excused from practice Monday to attend to a family matter. He will be back for the next practice Wednesday.
