Denver Broncos: Vic Fangio talks up WR/PR River Cracraft
The Denver Broncos have a lot of competition for spots on the bottom of their roster. Vic Fangio’s comments bode well for River Cracraft.
As the Denver Broncos attempt to fill out their roster and get the best 53 guys possible, one spot very much up for grabs is the punt return position.
With just one of the Broncos’ five preseason games remaining, it’s perfect timing for a compliment from the head coach.
Vic Fangio is an honest fellow, sometimes brutally so. When he is asked about players, he doesn’t really hold back any sort of opinion, whether good or bad. That’s why it was interesting to see him make such positive comments about River Cracraft, a guy competing for the sixth receiver spot but more importantly, the punt return position.
If he wants to make the team, he’s going to have to do both well.
"“Since he’s come back from his injury, I think he’s been getting better and better. He could be our punt returner. He fulfills a good role as a backup wideout in that he can play all the positions both mentally and physically, so he has given himself some versatility and some value.”Vic Fangio (via Broncos PR)"
Cracraft suffered an injury early on in training camp that seemed to really derail his chances of making the team, but his relationship with wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni and the fact that he was on the roster last year bode well for him.
Able to play in the slot, Cracraft is a guy the Broncos have been developing for a couple of years now and if he makes the roster, he’s going to need to show something more than just the ability to catch punts.
His first NFL catch at the end of last season was a whopper, a great play fighting for the ball at the catch point deep downfield.
His punt return abilities, at this point, seem to extend no further than simply catching the ball back there. As Fangio has pointed out, that is job number one of a punt returner. Job number two is to put the team in a better position than when you caught the ball.
The Broncos averaged a league-low 4.4 yards per punt return last season, and no one has put together any sort of impressive resumé in preseason play up to this point.
That includes Cracraft, but he will get another chance against the Arizona Cardinals.
Next. Who can win a roster spot vs. Cardinals?. dark
Hopefully Cracraft backs up Fangio’s comments with a strong performance. His roster spot may depend on it.