Broncos HC Joseph ‘impressed’ as Charles makes case for roster spot
Aug 27, 2017, 1:04 AM
Ahead of Saturday’s preseason home opener, Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph said Jamaal Charles would play “a lot” and the dress rehearsal would be his “shot” to show he could be the All-Pro running back of old.
And indications point to Charles impressing enough to make the final 53-man roster come next week.
After the game, head coach Vance Joseph said he was “pleased” with Charles’ output against the Green Bay Packers, calling the performance “impressive.”
“I mean he hadn’t played football in almost a year and a half,” Joseph said. “To take the contact to find open space the way he did, caught the ball well and his protections were good … I was impressed with Jamaal, and I was hoping he looked like that tonight.”
On the evening, Charles rushed for 27 yards on four carries (6.8 yards per attempt) and caught two passes for 15 yards.
Quarterback Trevor Siemian said after the game that it’s exciting to watch Charles in practice, but to see him in a game is a “whole different animal.”
“Watching him play really well in live ball is really cool for all of us to see,” Siemian said. “We were all just like everybody else. We wanted to see him go, so that was fun.”
Joseph said Charles brings a “speed element” to the Broncos backfield, one that’s been missing for a long time, and he compliments the wealth of running backs on the squad.
“I mean he’s a guy that can make a big play at any moment. That’s a nice player to have on your offense, along with C.J. (Anderson), (Devontae Booker) ‘Book,’ and all of those guys,” Joseph said.
“It’s going to be a four- to five-man backfield that’s going to be special, in my opinion.”
After the game, Charles heaped praise on Anderson, the team’s first-string back, saying he’s a smart, physical runner.
“It’s going to be a nice a duo and to have two Pro Bowlers in the backfield together,” Charles said. “There are people doubting me and him and not giving us respect, but we just want to fly underneath the radar and be quiet about it.”
On whether he made the case to make that scenario come true, Charles said:
“If they want me here, then I’ll be here. At the end of the day, I feel like everything is meant to be. I feel like if it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen and if it’s not, it’s not.”
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
