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Things aren’t all sunshine and lollipops at George Paton presser

Mar 5, 2021, 6:44 AM

To hear Denver Broncos general manager George Paton tell it, the team is full of great players who they want on the roster forever and ever. Paton and head coach Vic Fangio held a press conference on Thursday, and there were plenty of questions, but not the answers we were searching for.

Paton learned from one of the best in Vikings GM Rick Spielman. After the press conference, I had Vikings reporters reach out to me and say that Spielman taught Paton how to get through media interactions without revealing too much.

During the media session, Paton was asked if there are any parts of the job he’s been surprised by since taking over the Broncos.

“I haven’t been surprised. The biggest difference between my last role and this role is just all the things outside of football that you have to deal with. Meeting with all the different departments and all the different meetings outside of football that you have to be included in and sit in. That is the biggest difference. I don’t think I’ve been surprised because I was fortunate to be involved with Rick Spielman and the Vikings. They allowed me to do a lot of different things,” Paton said.

While he didn’t reveal as much as he could have – and that’s not a bad thing – if you investigate what he said and how he said it things can be revealed.

Let’s cut through all the sunshine and lollipops to determine what Paton really had to say about this team.

***

Miller Time

Paton was asked a couple of times about pass-rusher Von Miller. The team needs to decide on the future of Miller, and there are factors on and off the field that will determine whether he returns for another season.

“We want to bring Von back and we’re still working through that. I don’t want to get into everything, but we want to bring him back. Obviously, the legal process and what he’s going through, it’s a serious situation. I don’t know all of the details, but we respect what’s going on. We do want Von back.” Paton said.

Translation: It sounds like Paton wants to publicly support Miller returning at this time. The legal issues will have to be resolved, but with the start of the new league year on March 17 they are running out of time. On the first day of the new league year, Miller has a $7 million team option that will kick in. They can’t really work out an extension with Miller if he ends up getting charged. That means they may have to let Miller go – something Broncos fans may not be ready for.

***

Strengthening Your Core

Justin Simmons played on the franchise tag last year, and the team must see if they can work out a long-term deal with the Pro Bowl safety. He’s done everything you want a player to do as a pro and is a leader in the locker room in addition to being a great ambassador for the team in the community. Paton has a few options when it comes to Simmons.

“Justin is one of our core guys. Our goal since I got here is to sign him to a long-term deal. We have had discussions with his agent. I don’t know if we’ll get a deal done or not, but that’s our goal. He’s the type of guy we want to extend,” Paton said.

Translation: All signs indicate that another tag is likely for Simmons. I do not believe it will be tough for the team to find the right price for Simmons, but they seem hesitant to hammer something out. Another tag won’t make Simmons happy, but it will give the team until mid-July to get a long-term contract done. So long as the Broncos do that, Simmons will eventually be happy.

***

#PayPhil

The Broncos can put a first-, second- or original-round tender on restricted free agent running back Phillip Lindsay this offseason. Lindsay was undrafted out of the University of Colorado a few years ago and began his pro career with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Last year, Lindsay was banged up with multiple injuries that he tried to play through. He worked in tandem with Melvin Gordon, but he didn’t come close to the production he’d had previously.

“We’re still working through Phillip. Phillip is a good player and very passionate. He had some injuries last year and he brings energy and juice. He’s a restricted free agent and we do plan on tendering him. I’m not sure at what level, but we want Phillip here,” Paton said.

Translation: There is a good chance the team places an original-round tender on Lindsay, and that means he could be playing elsewhere in 2021. Since he’s undrafted, an original-round tender means that other teams can make an offer to Lindsay and if he’s signed away the Broncos will not get any compensation for losing him. From the people I talk to around the league, Lindsay could have a healthier market than some think. If Paton really wants to keep Lindsay around, then a second-round tender would be the plan.

***

Quarterback at No. 9

Most mock drafts have the Broncos selecting a defensive player with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. There needs are on the defensive side of the ball, and in the secondary is where I would put their pick if I were to do a mock draft today (I only do one right before the draft). However, there are now some mocks cropping up with the Broncos taking a quarterback in the first round – even if they have to move up to get one.

“We’re open to any position with that first pick. We’re going to take the best player that can help this football team. Quarterback, safety, it doesn’t matter what player and what position. If it’s the best player on the board, we’re going to take him,” Paton said.

Translation: If the team doesn’t get Deshaun Watson and if they love a quarterback in the draft then that’s a possibility. The love part is the key. The team should not just select a quarterback because they need an upgrade. If they fall in love with a quarterback and find “their guy,” then by all means they should do what they can to get him on the roster. Paton revealed that quarterback is an option – much to the chagrin of fans who want to stick with Drew Lock.

***

Drew Lock’s Trek…and Track

I’m surprised Paton was not first asked about quarterback Drew Lock. It took a few questions, but eventually he was asked about the much-maligned, third-year quarterback. In fact, he was asked about Lock a couple of times in the presser and said that Lock has “all the tools” you look for in a quarterback. In other news; water is wet. As I pointed out on Twitter, Lock has always had those tools. It’s past time for Lock to live up to his potential – and those tools.

“I did a deep drive on Drew. Like I said in my (introductory) press conference, (he’s) very talented. He was inconsistent at times and has a lot to work on, but I’ve spoken with Drew. I see him every day. He’s here early and he’s working. He really wants to be great. We’re always going to try and bring in competition to every position, the quarterback as well. I like the trek that Drew is on,” Paton said.

Translation: This one is easy – the team is looking for an upgrade. Their actions, going after Matthew Stafford, saying they’ll be aggressive when asked about Deshaun Watson (even though Paton did not directly address the superstar quarterback), show what their intentions are. This was a public statement in support of Lock, but by no means is this a ringing endorsement or lock him into the starting spot in Week 1. Lock is doing all the right things this offseason, and as Paton noted he has a lot to work on. He’ll have a chance to compete for the job if he’s not traded away – or if the team doesn’t outright replace him as the starter.

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Things aren’t all sunshine and lollipops at George Paton presser