The Colorado Springs Gazette final

WHAT I’M THINKING

CHRIS TOMASSON chris.tomasson@gazette.com

• Calling anyone “Joker” these days in Denver will turn some heads. Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, who is starring in the NBA Finals, is nicknamed “Joker.” And Payton, referring to tight end Greg Dulich, made note Thursday of what he calls a player such as him with a “unique skill set.” “The Joker” player for us is … either a running back or a tight end with exceptional ball skills and then you can work matchups,’’ Payton said. While didn’t mention Jokic, he watched him play later that day in Game 1 of the Finals.

• There seems to be little doubt that, barring an unexpected setback, running back Javonte Williams will be ready for the start of the regular season. Williams, recovering from a serious knee injury suffered last October, has been a limited participant in spring drills and there is plenty of optimism surrounding him. So much so that the Broncos in the past week cut running backs Jacques Patrick and Tyriek Mcallister. Patrick, the XFL’S second-leading rusher in 2023, had been brought in just two weeks earlier as insurance for Williams.

• I would imagine the Broncos, who open the regular season Sept. 10 against Las Vegas, are watching with interest how Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo does in his recovery from offseason foot surgery. Garoppolo’s backup is Brian Hoyer, 37, who would not figure to scare anyone on Denver’s defense.

NFL

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2023-06-05T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-06-05T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://daily.gazette.com/article/282295324592815

The Gazette, Colorado Springs