ENGLEWOOD — It doesn’t take a football expert to figure out how the Broncos should attack the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
In the Ravens’ previous loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, it was 21-0 A.J. Green 2 minutes into the second quarter. That’s right, the first three touchdowns of the game were scored by the Bengals’ star receiver.
All the Broncos have to do is come up with their own A.J. Green.
Ordinarily, that top Broncos receiver is Demaryius Thomas. But he’s had so many drops – four through two games this season -- that if he muffs even one pass Sunday, the Broncos should go to Courtland Sutton.
Emmanuel Sanders? He is the Broncos’ No. 1 receiver now, but it’s the rookie Sutton who has the A.J. Green-like ability to catch those 50-50 high lob passes.
This might be the game when this terrific rookie crop leads the Broncos.
“Same guys that were making plays in OTAs are making plays now,’’ said Von Miller, the Broncos’ star pass rusher with 4.0 sacks through two games. “Courtland Sutton, he really set it off in OTAs and he’s setting it off now.’’
The Broncos’ first choice Sunday will be to get Demaryius Thomas going. By the way, he stayed after practice both Wednesday and Thursday to work extra with Sutton.
A Wink and a shake
Don “Wink” Martindale was the Broncos’ defensive coordinator during the miserable final season of Josh McDaniels in 2010. Martindale was the Baltimore Ravens’ linebackers coach from 2012 until he was promoted this year to defensive coordinator.
Anything special about calling the defensive signals against the Broncos on Sunday?
“No, because I go back to this game always has been, and always will be, about the players,’’ Martindale told Baltimore reporters Thursday. “Denver is a blip on the radar screen. I think there’s one guy left (Demaryius Thomas) that was on that roster when I was there. I’ll be glad to say hello to him. He’s a good guy. But, it’s really, it’s a blip on the radar screen. It really is.”
Bronco Bits
Right tackle Jared Veldheer observed practice while wearing a helmet Thursday, a sign he is clearing the concussion protocol and may play Sunday. …
Broncos coach Vance Joseph said he hopes Adam Jones will return to practice from his quad strain Friday and play Sunday. Inside linebacker Brandon Marshall, who has been held out the past two practices with knee soreness, may also practice Friday. …
Ravens star linebacker C.J. Mosley returned to practice Thursday on a limited basis. “We’re expecting to see him on Sunday,’’ said Broncos’ offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave. …
The Ravens are 9 for 9 scoring touchdowns in the red zone through two games. That’s unreal. “That’s amazing,’’ Joseph said. “They’re running the football, they’re passing the football, so it’s going to be a challenge, but we’re looking forward to the challenge.
