AFC Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Raiders

Broncos

Broncos RB Melvin Gordon said he is excited to play against his former team in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers. 

“It’s going to be cool to go up against some of the guys that I built a great relationship with over the years, but it’s not different than any other team. We’re going to prepare the exact same way,” said Gordon, via Jeff Miller. 

• According to KUSA’s Mike Klis, Broncos RB Phillip Lindsay was back at practice in full gear. Lindsay was a limited participant as he works his way out of the concussion protocol. 

Chargers

Chargers QB Justin Herbert called TE Donald Parham a “rare breed” at the position and believes he has a lot of potential going forward. 

“He’s a rare breed,” Herbert said, via Gilbert Manzano of the OC Register. “Being able to move as well as he does at that height is pretty incredible. Any time we get him out there he poses a threat and we kinda saw that in fall camp. We marched him out there and he made some big plays. So we kinda knew going in that we’re gonna have a special guy here.”

Parham views himself as an “all-around tight end” and feels he has progressed as a blocker. 

“(The Chargers) instilled the importance of (blocking) in terms of my career and making sure I’m taking strides forward to become a better blocker,” Parham said. “Get my name out there as an all-around tight end. This program has definitely helped me out.”

Parham said he wants to be the “next big thing” at tight end. 

“I was making a pretty good amount of plays and doing well, so I just kind of made it a thing in my head that I wanna become that next big thing,” Parham said. “I’m definitely eager to step in that role.”

Raiders

Raiders QB Derek Carr said deep passes are “becoming who we are” as an offensive identity.  

“Yeah, it’s something that when we get all our guys rolling and healthy, that’s a part of what Coach wants to do,” Carr said, via Vic Tafur of The Athletic. “There’s a rhythm to it, too. The play calling, the game planning, you know who you have every week, and you start, ‘Oh, that looks good. Now we can do this. Or now we can do that off of this.’ All that kind of stuff. Now it’s just becoming who we are.”

Raiders HC Jon Gruden also praised Carr for improving his mobility in the pocket, footwork, and ability to extend plays. 

“Yeah, he’s clearly improved his footwork,” Gruden said. “I think, each of the last couple of years. I think the supporting cast has also improved. His accuracy on the field has been impressive. His mobility in the pocket has been good. He’s been really accurate. I see improvement in a lot of areas. “And he has extended some plays. Big first down the other day, scrambled for a touchdown pass against Buffalo. Some memorable plays with his feet this year and we’re excited about that.”

Carr said he has acclimated to Gruden’s offense and it shows in his completions outside of the pocket and gaining first downs on the run.  

“We’ve talked about that since coach Gruden got here,” Carr said. “I think finally now you’re seeing a lot of completions outside the pocket on scramble drills, me running for first downs and things like that, multiple first downs in games. That’s stuff that we have stressed, it’s becoming second nature for me.”