Broncos QB Competition Seemingly Just Won't End

By Mark Haas

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4)- It's the quarterback competition that just won't end.

"I think we are doing it for you guys to keep it fun. What else would you write about?" Mark Sanchez joked to the media after practice today. "You guys will probably get bored without it, so you are welcome."

Sanchez was in a better mood on Wednesday than he was after Saturday's pre-season game, where his two fumbles seemingly gave the edge back to Trevor Siemian.

"I squandered the opportunity for that game, not the whole thing," Sanchez said about his post-game comments. "It wasn't like 'Okay, that's it' and throw in the towel. I think a lot of people interpreted it that way, but that's never been my attitude. I don't quit and I'll take this thing down to the wire if that's what it takes."

With the regular season just over two weeks away, this is now "down to the wire," but despite Trevor Siemian being named the starter for the all-important 3rd pre-season game, the 2nd year player isn't letting on if he thinks it's his job to win or lose.

"I'm not reading too much into it, to be honest with you," Siemian said. "I think it's a great opportunity for us to take another step as a team."

A team that is still looking for a quarterback who can avoid making costly mistakes.

"I don't think as a quarterback you can be trigger-shy," Siemian said about protecting the football but also staying aggressive. "I think you get in trouble that way."

"Go play ball, go have fun and cut it loose," Sanchez said about his approach. "All of those cliches that you hear from quarterbacks, 'cut it loose, grip it and rip it,' anyone you want, go ahead and pick.

And to use another cliche: Don't count out the rookie.

Gary Kubiak still hasn't said who will be the 2nd string QB this week, leaving open the possibility Paxton Lynch may be close to jumping ahead of Sanchez.

"I'm just taking it day by day. I'm getting better however I can," Lynch said. "If that's getting scout team rows or taking reps with the ones or twos, I'm going to do it. I'm just worried about what I have to do to make the guys around me and the team better."

And while it feels like Saturday will be a final exam of sorts, as for making his final choice, Kubiak said his evaluation is based on the last six months, not just one day or own game.

Notes:

-Trevor Siemian participated in about 80% of practice today, after missing Tuesday with a sore shoulder he hurt trying to make a tackle after his interception. As for what the coaches told Siemian about trying to make a tackle in the pre-season: "If you're going to do it, make the tackle."

-Derek Wolfe missed practice for a second straight day because of a family issue. Gary Kubiak said Wolfe is fine, and could be back tomorrow or it could be a couple of days.

-Aqib Talib was back at practice after missing yesterday (sick); Kubiak said he would be on a play count for his first game action on Saturday.

-Kubiak announced back-up center James Ferentz had his knee scoped and will miss a couple weeks, but said they are planning on Ferentz being part of this roster so that's why they did it now.

Mark Haas is a sports anchor/reporter for CBS4. Read his bio or follow him on Twitter @markhaastv or on Facebook.