Denver Broncos: Cody Latimer Explodes On The NFL Scene

In the Denver Broncos’ 34-0 preseason routing of the San Francisco 49ers, Cody Latimer exploded onto the NFL scene. In a big way. Following a quiet outing vs the Seahawks the previous week, the rookie 2nd round pick out of Indiana made his presence known yesterday. I’ll even go so far as to say that he officially put the NFL on notice.

One minute into the 2nd quarter and playing with the Broncos first team, Latimer laid a violent, but technically sound block on new ‘Niners saftey, Antoine Bethea. The play was a run off of right tackle by C.J. Anderson for a 1-yard gain.

As Bethea sprinted towards the point of attack from his position at safety, Latimer, who was lined up on the right outside (the direction of the play), ran forward to engage him in a block. Unfortunately for Bethea, I don’t think he saw Latimer, even though it looked like he was within Bethea’s line of sight.

And so Latimer laid into Bethea, will full force, knocking him unconscious where he stood. It was an obvious concussion. And although such injuries are nothing to celebrate, or laugh about, it was an impressive, totally legal and technically sound play by Latimer. We wish Bethea, a 2-time Pro Bowler with the Indianapolis Colts, a speedy recovery.

Latimer’s second big play came in the 3rd quarter with the 2nd team. Following an interception by Tony Carter, the 2nd team offense, led by Brock Osweiler, had a short field. On 1st-and-10, from the San Francisco 33, Osweiler, seeing Latimer in a one-on-one matchup, launched a deep pass down the right sideline.