Some movement is leaking out even as the Packers and Broncos try to maintain joint practices without fights

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur wanted a fight without a fight common practice as the Packers and Denver Broncos warmed up on Friday.

He and Broncos coach Sean Payton agreed not to do 1-on-1 drills pitting receivers and cornerbacks or linebackers against running backs, and that even passing drills during 7-on- 7 would be truncated and tamed.

“We just want good, competitive practice and we want to keep it safe,” LaFleur said. “We want to eliminate all fighting if possible.”

He knew it was a big question.

“It’s football. There will be competitiveness, there will be chippiness,” LaFleur said. “But can you keep your cool? I think that’s part of the beauty of the game. When you’re in a real-life game situation, it gets messy, it gets nasty, guys start talking (trash). But can you keep your cool?”

Not later than 30 minutes later, LaFleur went berserk, running onto the field and yelling at Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto after quarterback Jordan Lovewho signed a four-year, $220 million extension last month, was tackled to the ground and threw an interception.

Pleading his innocence, Bonitto looked back at LaFleur and the sidelines of the Packers’ screams and shrugs, shrugging.

Love said afterward that one of his own umpires actually bumped into him just as he was about to release the ball.

“Zach Tom just got pushed and hit me on the shoulder,” Love said. “So I don’t think it was anything with the D-line or anything like that. I think I just fire my friend.”

He certainly encouraged his coaches and teammates.

“A lot of guys didn’t see it and didn’t know what happened,” Love said. “We try to stay away from the quarterback, so he might have thought the D-lineman hit me on the arm, which I don’t think happened. I got hit when I threw, but I think it was from Zach Tom. I got hit by my own guy.”

There were also some shaky moments during special teams practices, but nothing like 2008, when Denver linebacker Ryan Clady and Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware, known as two of the nicest guys to ever play in NFL, they fought with fists. Or 2014, when Broncos right tackle Chris Clark got so fed up with Texans star JJ Watt pushing him that he knocked Watt’s helmet off with a late hit, prompting the memorable line: “Don’t get angry when you are beaten!”

The Broncos and Packers face off in Denver on Sunday in what will be rookie QB Bo Nix’s first preseason start. He led the Broncos in scoring on four of five drives at Indianapolis last week when Jarrett Stidham started.

LaFleur will handle most of the starts this weekend, so Friday was seen as a better barometer for Nix, the former Oregon QB and 12th overall pick in the NFL draft. Nix had a mixed day, interspersing spectacular throws with plenty of sure passes, many of which didn’t even make it past the sticks.

Love also had a good day and appreciated facing Broncos star cornerback Patrick Surtain II.

“He’s the heart and soul of that defense, he’s a lockdown corner back there,” Love said.

NOTE: Payton said rookie WR DeVaughn Sails (foot) that he kept out of practice for the second day in a row, he was fine and he might even play on Sunday. Asked for details on Vele’s injury, Payton said, “Nothing specific.”

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