Evans: T-Money (Trevor Siemian) proves his worth
Sep 26, 2016, 4:12 PM
There it was, right in the Denver Broncos’ postgame notes: “… to become the first player in NFL history with 300 passing yards, four passing touchdowns and zero interceptions in his first career road start.”
That was the performance put forth by Trevor Siemian in Cincinnati. It went a long way toward answering some of the questions raised about Siemian and whether he’s the right choice for the Broncos as they try and repeat as Super Bowl champs.
For me, it wasn’t about having the physical tools to play in the NFL. He clearly has the arm. He throws a really catchable ball. He’s got decent mobility.
Siemian is like most quarterbacks coming into the NFL. They have the skills.
What separates the great from the good to the never-will are intangibles and being able to master certain moments.
Siemian had an early career defining moment in this Bengals game. Cincy had just kicked a field goal to take a 17-16 lead early in the fourth quarter. The Jungle was rocking. The Bengals had the momentum and were ready to bury the young Broncos’ QB.
All T-Sim did was orchestrate a 13-play, 82-yard, 8 minute, 4 second drive that saw Siemian go 7-for-7 for 75 yards with a touchdown pass to John Phillips.
That showed me a lot. Then, after a quick three-and-out by the Broncos’ defense, Siemian went for the kill, hooking up with Demaryius Thomas on a 55-yard touchdown pass to salt this one away.
I like this kid. I like his demeanor. I like his poise. I know he’s made some mistakes early, but he looks like one of those QBs who may make mistakes. But he’ll learn from them quickly.
I like how he didn’t get drawn into any of the Thomas/Sanders, “throw me the damn ball” nonsense last week. Instead he jumped on the opportunity to throw the ball downfield, as dictated by a Bengals defense that was daring him to beat them.
It shows Gary Kubiak he can trust Siemian to do more. Thank goodness for a perfect confluence of events that included the Bengals “we dare you” gameplan, DT/Sanders complaining for the ball and the Broncos red zone woes. Coach Koobs had no choice but to loosen the chokehold he had placed on the Broncos offense with his vanilla/conservative approach.
This should quiet the Siemian critics/Paxton Lynch supporters. Lynch wasn’t/isn’t ready. For all of the hubbub surrounding the Carson Wentzs, Dak Prescotts and Jimmy Garoppolos of the world, it’s one thing to go 2-0, 3-0 in September. It’s quite another to do it in December and January.
By that point of the season, we’ll once again see why the top QBs get paid $20 million.
The Broncos don’t have that type of QB, but they have an all-world defense. And Siemian is clearly looking like he’s better equipped to lead this team than Lynch.
And if this continues, the whole Lynch is the future and T-Sim is just keeping the seat warm conversation will get very interesting.
