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August 22, 2016 at 10:53 am #51375
znModeratorDenver Broncos’ QB competition still a wide-open mess
Frank Schwab
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/denver-broncos-qb-competition-still-a-wide-open-mess-053624280.html
DENVER — In less than three weeks, the Denver Broncos will open the 2016 regular season here.
They’ll celebrate Super Bowl 50 and then have a rematch against the NFC champion Carolina Panthers. And, less than three weeks before the NFL world tunes in, they presumably don’t know who will start at quarterback that night.
Or, they secretly know who will start and can’t have much confidence in their choice. There’s no good answer to Denver’s dilemma. Coach Gary Kubiak expressed that he wanted to make the decision before next week’s third preseason game. After none of the three quarterbacks separated themselves on Saturday against the San Francisco 49ers, it seems hard to believe he would make the choice in the next week.
This isn’t ideal for a defending Super Bowl champion.
“Ah, well, we made too many mistakes obviously,” Kubiak said, when asked if the quarterbacks showed him enough to decide who would start.
On an evening in which any of the Broncos quarterbacks could have made a huge impression and perhaps won a starting job, none of them looked great. Trevor Siemian started well, then threw a terrible pick-six that will have to linger in the minds of the Broncos coaches as they approach their final decision. Mark Sanchez rode the roller coaster, making some nice throws with a few scary ones mixed in, and he also lost two fumbles. First-round pick Paxton Lynch brought some excitement in the second half, but he’s far from a finished product.
After the game, Sanchez sounded like a defeated man. He fumbled twice, and the first one was tough. Near the end of the first half, on San Francisco’s 13-yard line, he tried to do too much, was hit and coughed up the ball.
“I just squandered a great opportunity to separate myself, and I put the team in a bad situation,” said Sanchez, who completed 10 of 17 passes for 120 yards. “No excuse for that. Poor, poor quarterbacking play.
“I know I can play this game and I know I’m better than I showed tonight, on two plays. Two really bad plays that took away from a great performance and potentially winning the job.”
Sanchez played well at times, but the two mistakes stuck with him. That’s the story of his career though.
Lynch missed some throws, but he made some too. He completed 15 of 26 passes for 113 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. At least the physical ability is there with Lynch. Starting him and living through the inconsistency might be the Broncos’ best answer, though it’s not a good answer.
Kubiak made it clear though that while the preseason results have been good for Lynch, there’s a lot more that goes into the job.
“I think I’ve continued to tell you guys he’s a little behind the others from a knowledge standpoint, as far as running the group,” Kubiak said. “Obviously he’s coming fast, he needs to keep coming, we need to keep bringing him along.”
Last year the Broncos were 31st in the NFL in passer rating and despite having an all-time great defense, they were the only playoff team with a negative turnover margin. The common refrain all offseason with the quarterback drama was something along these lines: “The Broncos won a Super Bowl last season, and the quarterback play can’t get any worse.” So why does it seem so much worse?
If Kubiak decided a little earlier on Saturday than he had seen enough from Siemian and told him to call it a night, there would probably be no more Broncos quarterback controversy.
Siemian was 10-of-11 for 75 yards after one quarter. There were no risky throws, nothing that would remind anyone of John Elway’s prime, but Siemian ran the offense well enough. If you give a quarterback a start in the second preseason game and he plays as well as Siemian did in the first quarter, there’s no reason to turn back, is there?
August 22, 2016 at 1:10 pm #51382
nittany ramModeratorI’m interested in seeing how the Rams offense fares against that Denver defense in Mile High.
August 23, 2016 at 8:17 pm #51492
InvaderRamModeratorI’m interested in seeing how the Rams offense fares against that Denver defense in Mile High.
yes. and i’d rather they just sit keenum at the start and have goff play with the ones. see how far he’s come along. but that’s just me.
August 24, 2016 at 3:51 pm #51539znModeratorBroncos name Trevor Siemian starting QB vs. Rams
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000688997/article/trevor-siemian-to-start-broncos-vs-rams
While the Denver Broncos’ quarterback competition isn’t technically over, a major advantage was lent to Trevor Siemian.
Coach Gary Kubiak announced Monday that Siemian will start the team’s third preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams in Denver. Siemian completed 10 of 14 passes for 75 yards and a pick six last week against the San Francisco 49ers. It was his first start of the preseason.
Kubiak added Siemian has a sore shoulder but likely will return to practice Tuesday.
While Mark Sanchez might be able to recover at some point during the season, Kubiak’s announcement puts more faith in the second-year quarterback out of Northwestern. The seventh-round pick already had a year in Kubiak’s system and was pegged as a surprise candidate all along to upend the more experienced Sanchez and first-round pick, Paxton Lynch.
Why is the third preseason game crucial? Typically teams use the third game as their most realistic dress rehearsal during the four-game warmup series. Siemian should easily get his most playing time of the preseason and will get to game plan for his opponent — something teams rarely do during the first or second preseason game. The planning can have a massive impact on a quarterback’s performance and negate some of the assignment errors that often populate the preseason.
The ball seemed to be in Sanchez’s court after Siemian ended his playing time against the 49ers with a pick-six. Sanchez, however, lost two fumbles before the half and couldn’t find a rhythm to start the third quarter. Once the Broncos did not secure a deal with Colin Kaepernick this offseason — or venture too deeply into the waters for Sam Bradford — Sanchez was widely believed to be the starter by default.
A sound performance by Siemian could close the book on that question for now.
In other Broncos news…
» As we wrote Sunday, DeMarcus Ware (back) is set to hit the practice field. The team officially removed him from the non-football injury list Monday and he will be on the practice field Tuesday.
» Cornerback Aqib Talib will play in the team’s third preseason game. This should mark the cornerback’s long return from an offseason gunshot wound to his leg. Talib returned to practice two weeks ago.
August 24, 2016 at 4:51 pm #51548
wvParticipantI want two things:
No blow-out,
and
No Injuries.Is that too much to ask?
w
vAugust 24, 2016 at 6:28 pm #51562
AgamemnonParticipantI will take a bit more risk of injury to make sure the team is ready for the first game. Other than that, I want what I have always wanted this year. Players who catch the ball and a quality backup Center.
I am not satisfied with Rhaney and Kush. I want to see more WRs catching more passes.
AgamemnonAugust 26, 2016 at 6:02 am #51622znModeratorKubiak: Experience has ‘zero’ impact on QB battle
Broncos coach Gary Kubiak hasn’t decided who will be the team’s starting quarterback for the regular-season opener Sept. 8 against the Carolina Panthers, nor has he decided what the depth chart at quarterback will look like overall, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reports.
But Trevor Siemian, who will start Saturday’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams, would seem to have the inside track to start the opener. And now rookie Paxton Lynch just might be battling to jump Mark Sanchez on the depth chart as well.
With roster cuts looming, Kubiak was asked after Thursday’s practice what impact it would have on the team’s decision-making to have two quarterbacks who have not started an NFL regular-season game.
“Zero,” Kubiak said quickly. “I’m looking at what’s taken place the last six months: how they’ve handled themselves, how they’ve handled the team and how they respond to things. That’s what I’m looking at.”
As of Thursday afternoon, Kubiak said he had not decided who would follow Siemian into the game against the Rams. Siemian did not throw in Tuesday’s practice because of a sore right shoulder, but he threw Wednesday and was a full participant Thursday.
“I know who’s going first,” Kubiak said about the quarterback rotation. “No, I haven’t made a decision [about the No. 2].”
Siemian is expected to play at least until halftime, and some of the Broncos starters will play into the third quarter. Asked whether he wanted the second quarterback into the game to play alongside some of the starters in the Broncos’ offense, Kubiak said:
“Yeah, my biggest thing is, I’m going to take a look at how long I’m going to play the starters, and then it has to do with what I’m going to do with the other guys,” Kubiak said. “We’ll see. I’m conscious of Trevor for the last two days. Is he ready to play? Is he full load and go? It sure looks that way to me.”
August 27, 2016 at 6:11 am #51673znModeratorOpponent Breakdown: Preseason at Denver
Myles Simmons
The Broncos finished the 2015 season the way every would have liked to — holding the Lombardi Trophy with confetti falling as Super Bowl Champions.
But the defending champs have experienced some turnover on their roster, particularly at the quarterback position, as last year’s starters Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler retired and signed with the Texans, respectively. However the QB competition shakes out, Denver will likely remain a contender because of its top-tier defense.
AT A GLANCE
Executive VP of Football Operations/General Manager — and Hall of Fame quarterback — John Elway hired former Texans head coach Gary Kubiak to take over as head coach in order to push the team from contender to champion and the gamble clearly paid dividends in Year 1. Despite shaky quarterback play from both Manning and at times Osweiler, the Broncos compiled a 12-4 record and ran the table in the postseason to win the Super Bowl in Kubiak’s first year at the helm.
Despite coming into the Super Bowl as underdogs to the Panthers, the Broncos’ defense got sacks and forced turnovers en route to a 24-10 victory. Denver’s No. 1 unit allowed led the league by allowing only 283.1 yards per game and was No. 4 in points allowed at 18.4.
Clearly, there have been some changes to both the offense and defense with the defending Super Bowl squad. Defensive end Malik Jackson signed with the Jaguars. Offensive lineman Evan Mathis signed with the Cardinals. Linebacker Danny Trevathan signed with the Bears. And Osweiler famously went to Houston. But the club matched Miami’s offer sheet to re-sign running back C.J. Anderson and signed vaunted pass rusher Von Miller to a six-year deal in July after placing the exclusive-rights franchise tag on him.
Still, the quarterback situation provides the most intrigue heading into this year. Denver drafted Trevor Siemian in the seventh round of the 2015 draft, and he spent his rookie season mostly confined to the sideline. Veteran Mark Sanchez is now on his third team, having arrived via a March trade with Philadelphia. And the Broncos traded up for first-round pick Paxton Lynch, who has flashed in his preseason action, but may need significant time in order to become ready to start.
WHO MAY NOT PLAY?
Tight end Jeff Heuerman, who entered training camp as the starting tight end, has been dealing with a hamstring injury and appears unlikely to be ready for Saturday.
Defensive lineman Derek Wolfe has ben away from the team dealing with a family issue, and with the missed practice, may not play.
Outside linebacker Demarcus Ware is fresh off the NFI list this week, and as such is fairly unlikely to play. After back surgery, his goal has been to be ready for the regular-season opener.
WHO ARE PLAYERS TO WATCH?
The obvious answer here is the three quarterbacks: Siemian, Sanchez, and Lynch. Each has had his moments, but Siemian appears to have the inside track to becoming the Broncos’ starter for Week 1.
Siemian will start Saturday’s contest against the Rams. Kubiak declined to say who would come in second at quarterback, but at this point, it seems that both Sanchez and Lynch could be the backup to start the season.
Sanchez has played well in spurts, but he’s also fell victim to the turnovers that have plagued him throughout his career. Last week for instance, the USC product was in the midst of a good-looking two-minute drive, when he fumbled in the red zone. The 49ers recovered but turned it over themselves before Sanchez fumbled again. Those are the kinds of plays that could keep him out of the QB-1 role.
Lynch, on the other hand, just doesn’t seem to have the requisite experience needed to start from Day 1. That said, he has shown an ability to launch the ball all over the field with his arm strength. Plus, he’s displayed a proclivity for escaping a collapsing pocket and pick up yards with his legs.
August 27, 2016 at 6:12 am #51674znModeratorWhat to watch for in Rams-Denver Broncos exhibition game Saturday
Gary Klein
http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-watch-20160826-snap-story.html
QUARTERBACK ROTATION: Starter Case Keenum will get a more extended opportunity in this third exhibition game, which is traditionally the last one starters play in to avoid the possibility of injury in the preseason finale and allow the backups to vie for roster spots. Keenum has completed 10 of 12 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown in the preseason. He has not had a pass intercepted, nor has he been sacked. Coach Jeff Fisher said Keenum would play three or four series and then give way to Jared Goff. The No. 1 pick in the NFL draft must overcome the mistakes that plagued him in his first series against the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs. Both ended in turnovers. Goff has said that he got into a rhythm against the Chiefs after his first two series and aims to continue that against the reigning Super Bowl champions. After passing for three touchdowns against the Cowboys, Sean Mannion did not get to play against the Chiefs. He is expected to play against Denver.
OFFENSE: Most starters will probably play through the first half against the Broncos — but running back Todd Gurley is the exception. Gurley played one series and scored a touchdown against the Chiefs. If he plays against Denver, it won’t be for long. This is a big game for receivers fighting for roster spots. Twice this week, Fisher called out veteran Brian Quick about the need to eliminate drops. Rookie tight end Tyler Higbee should return after sitting out against the Chiefs. The first-team offensive line has done a good job despite the absence of right tackle Rob Havenstein, who is working his way back from injury. This exhibition will provide a clearer picture of the offensive line rotation.
DEFENSE: Defensive end Robert Quinn, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, is scheduled to play for the first time since undergoing back surgery. Cornerback E.J. Gaines, who sat out all off last season because of a foot injury, returned and played is a reserve role against the Chiefs. He will probably start against the Broncos as the Rams move to solidify the secondary. Middle linebacker Alec Ogletree was frustrated last week because the Rams gave up a touchdown drive for the second exhibition in a row. Teammates say he is in command, but the defense needs to respond early.
ODDS AND ENDS: Rookies and undrafted free agents can possibly ward off being cut — the roster must be trimmed from 90 to 75 by Tuesday afternoon — with an impressive special teams performance …. The Broncos traded for former USC quarterback Mark Sanchez after Peyton Manning retired, but Trevor Siemian will start and first-round pick Paxton Lynch also will play.
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