Don’t apologize for feeling good about the Broncos preseason win
Aug 17, 2021, 6:03 AM
The Broncos blowout win in Minnesota was sorely needed to lift the morale of Broncos Country. Over my 20-plus years of covering and talking about this team, I’ve never felt so little buzz and electricity surrounding an upcoming season.
I get it. Five straight years of bad football. No real defined quarterback or new direction at quarterback. It has taken its toll.
Fans needed the Broncos to go out and play good football. Who cares if it came against a bunch of second and third stringers? I know darn well if the Broncos had stunk up the joint, the vultures would already be circling. So feel free to enjoy an impressive display of football.
A few other observations…
• Drew Lock did all he could. I said last week this was it. This would be his one start to show what he could do. If he was terrible, it would probably be the death knell for his starting bid. But if this was a test, he aced it.
Again, I’ll throw in the obligatory qualifier that it came against second stringers. However, there was a lot to like. The bomb to K.J. Hamler was a throw any competent QB could make. Very rarely will you see a wide receiver that open. To me, the plays that mattered most were the ones he looked to his first read, then to his second to make the completion. Or, looking left, then middle, then scrambling for a six yard gain.
Those kind of plays represent improvement from the Lock of last year who would lock on his first target, struggled to read defenses, and scrambled at the first sign of trouble – whether it was real or not. Even the in-game interview he did with the TV crew revealed a more mature, subdued Lock. I thought it was a good day for Lock doing all he could with what he was facing.
• Of course, leave it to Vic Fangio to play Captain Buzzkill. Despite lighting it up for most of the first half, going 5-7 for 150 yards and two TDs, apparently Teddy Bridgewater coming in for one drive and leading the Broncos to a field goal was enough to dazzle Coach Vic. When asked specifically about Lock, Fangio said, “He played well. And so did Teddy!”
Geez Vic, we know how much this 50/50 flip a coin competition means to you, but can you just come out and say something along the lines of “Drew did very well, He’s worked exceptionally hard this offseason and it’s good to see him rewarded. We’re excited to see more of Teddy in the second half.” Now, would that be so hard?
• The reading between the lines part of me thinks that was a tip off from Vic. Talking up Teddy when the moment was Drew’s tells me even if Drew keeps this battle close, or maybe even has a teeny edge, Vic will still go with Bridgewater as his starter because Vic’s job is on the line and he needs to get off to a fast start. Coaches like Vic, if they’re going down, they want to go down with a veteran like Teddy than a wild card like Drew.
• Jerry Jeudy is supposed to be a master route runner. The fourth-down play by the goal line was not a great route (according to the ex-QB in the booth, Brian Griese) and not a standout display of toughness to create separation (according to the former NFL wide receiver and tight end, Nate Jackson).
• I think I’m gonna like Javonte Williams. Dude runs hard!
• Don’t be so quick to dismiss Royce Freeman. With Mike Boone out for 4-6 weeks, Freeman gets another life. He was a beast of a running back in college.
• I like the depth the Broncos are building along the offensive line. Netane Muti is going to have Dalton Risner and Graham Glasgow looking over their shoulders.
• Another way to look at the Broncos blowout win in a positive light? Yeah, it was a battle of second and third stringers and the Broncos’ second and third stringers kicked butt. All these depth issues we’ve been harping on the last few years? Maybe the roster is being built up? If that’s the case, look for much improved special teams play.
• Love watching unheralded guys flash. Guys like Trinity Benson, Justin Strnad and Caden Sterns.
• Hopefully, Pat Shurmur saw the benefits of a good running game. Then again, it’s easy to stay with the run when your backs are ripping off six to eight yards a carry. Guess the real test will come when the yards aren’t coming so easy. Will he still stick with it?
We’re on to Seattle.
