As the second week of training camp creeps to a close, are we any closer to a quarterback decision in Denver, where Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch are locked in battle for the starting role?
"I think today you actually saw some separation," NFL Network's James Palmer reported Friday. "In my opinion, watching all the seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 drills, Trevor Siemian really had a better day than Paxton Lynch."
A raw performer as a rookie, Lynch gave way on Friday to Siemian, who showed better mastery of the attack after 14 mostly solid starts for the Broncos a year ago.
"You saw after Lynch had a couple of struggling reps, Trevor Siemian comes in, runs the play action, throws a dime into the quarter of the end zone for a touchdown," Palmer said. "The next play, play action, would have been a touchdown, but was] dropped by tight end [Jeff Heuerman in the end zone. Siemian looking just more poised in the spot."
After practice, first-year coach Vance Joseph complimented Siemian for having a "good day" and for consistently "changing plays at the line of scrimmage" to benefit the offense.
It's just one practice, but Saturday will cook up more hard-boiled evidence when the Broncos engage in their intrasquad scrimmage.
Here's what else we learned during Friday's action:
Dolphins chasing Cutler?
Here's where the Ryan Tannehill saga sits as we click publish: The Miami Dolphins have yet to decide the way ahead with their starting quarterback, who left practice Thursday after injuring his left knee -- the same one he tore up a year ago.
Coach Adam Gase said Friday that no decision has been reached on whether Tannehill will go under the knife or simply rest the knee. Both options are being weighed.
"[We're] talking to a lot of people, just making sure we're getting all the right information, and then we'll make a decision after that," Gase said. "Everything is on the table right now. We're going to talk to a lot of people."
One of those people? Jay Cutler. Hours after Gase told reporters Friday that "right now, [backup] Matt [Moore] is our quarterback," NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Cutler, the passer-turned-broadcaster, is already pondering a comeback:
We'll be sure to update this space as the narrative in South Beach evolves.
FOLK-AGUAYO UPDATE
The sexiest position battle in the NFL has taken a decisive turn in Tampa, where second-year kicker Roberto Aguayo has shined in back-to-back sessions in his high-octane tussle with veteran Nick Folk.
"[He was] lights-out," Bucs coach Dirk Koetter said Friday, one day after Aguayo went 7-for-7 during a two-hour practice. "Best day of training camp, best day in a long time. He looked great [on Friday] ... Roberto was money on both ends. I don't think he missed all day. Yeah, he was money."
You want money? Check out this noise:
Odds and Ends
- We have fresh quarterback data from Houston, where wideout DeAndre Hopkins strongly backed veteran Tom Savage: "If anybody should be a judge of quarterbacks, I've played with the most quarterbacks in NFL history throughout my first four years," Hopkins said, per ESPN's Dan Graziano. "So I put the stamp on Savage, and I think that's all that needs to be said about that."
While we're at it:
- Set to be enshrined into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spent part of Friday talking about Ezekiel Elliott. On the subject of potential league-mandated punishment for the star running back, Jones told reporters, per ESPN: "I do not anticipate a suspension."
- Is James Harrison -- one of Tomlin's charges -- destined for Canton? How about Matt Ryan? NFL Network's Gregg Rosenthal offers up his list of players teetering on the Hall of Fame bubble.
- In-house Patriots watchdog Dan Hanzus posted an End Around missive about a blazing display of hubris out of New England, where the world champs have already shipped playoff tickets to season-ticket holders. They aren't the only team to follow such a practice, but Hanzus notes: "The Pats also presuppose that an eighth consecutive first-round bye is a mere formality. The package does not include tickets to a Wild Card-round home affair."
Arrogance? Or a crystal-clear peek into the future from shadowy powerbrokers in the know? I'm beginning to side with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, who claims the possibility of our universe being nothing more than a simulation run by next-level puppeteers "may be very high."
- Speaking of the Patriots: People keep asking Tom Brady about Gisele Bundchen's springtime suggestion that he sustained a concussion last year -- and he keeps not answering those queries, telling scribes Friday: "I don't really think that's anybody's business."
- You don't often hear Colts coach Chuck Pagano gush over a rookie, but he couldn't contain himself in talking about fourth-round running back Marlon Mack, saying of the former USF star: "He jumps off the tape. He's popping out there," per Zak Keefer of The Indianapolis Star. "... He's not afraid to stick his face in there and pick up blitzers. ... And then he's a weapon out of the backfield on third down."
- Anyone else growing tired of the "I'm playing past 40" line from every quarterback worth a damn?
- NFL Media writer/spaceman Conor Orr penned a vibrant recap of the Hall of Fame Game for those who spent the night engaged in other human activities.
Transaction Corner
The banged-up Ravenssigned former Raiders tackle Austin Howard to a three-year, $16 million deal with $5.5 million in guarantees. Scanning their cap situation, it's fair to wonder if the move would preclude Baltimore from pursuing Kaepernick. ... The Jets also picked up free-agent defensive lineman Devon Still, who's toiled in days past for the Texans and Bengals.
Injury Omnibus
Andrew Luck isn't the only Colts starter with a shoulder issue. Pagano announced that wideout Donte Moncrief has been sidelined with an AC joint sprain. ... Giants coach Ben McAdoo revealed that Sterling Shepard's ankle MRI showed nothing serious, with the receiver telling NFL Network's Kimberly Jones: "Oh yeah, I'll be ready for Week 1." ... Broncos safety T.J. Ward suffered a hamstring injury in practice on Friday. ... Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce missed practice with a swollen knee, but coach Andy Reid said: "He'll be fine." ... Bang it here for our full injury roundup.
Friends and lovers: Enjoy the weekend.
