Evans: Observations as the Broncos, NFL gets back to work
Apr 12, 2017, 6:45 AM | Updated: Apr 13, 2017, 2:21 am
Here are some Denver Broncos observations as the NFL goes back to work (thus cutting down the possibilities of players’ arrests):
• I know it’s not a huge deal, but it was comforting to hear Broncos head coach Vance Joseph speak on the first day of the offseason conditioning program. His first few press conferences didn’t wow me.
I know how you come across to the media isn’t as important as how it comes across to the players, but, still, it was good to hear him sound like a coach.
He sounded relaxed, in control, and like a man who is up to the challenge of being a first-time head coach.
Since communication with players is supposed to be his calling card more so than Xs and Os, it was necessary to sound the part.
• I don’t buy the 50-50, clean slate, open competition quarterback battle that Joseph laid out.
No matter who you are, especially a first-time head coach, you are going to form a first impression. And with Trevor Siemian being the starting quarterback last year, along with him spending invaluable time around the coaching staff while rehabbing his shoulder, my guess is Joseph has already been impressed with how ready TS comes across.
Face it, Siemian is a coach’s star pupil. Paxton Lynch? He’s the guy who comes rolling in right after the bell and sits in the back row.
It’s tough not to already have a leader in mind if you’re Joseph.
• I’ll buy Joseph’s claim of the Broncos needing more “juice” for this offense. (Is that this year’s motto, like “kicking and screaming?”). But, I’m not convinced it has to be a running back or wide receiver like he talked about. In fact, in the lead up to the draft where no one really tells the truth and their comments are meant to
But, I’m not convinced it has to be a running back or wide receiver like he talked about. In fact, in the lead-up to the draft, where no one really tells the truth and comments are meant to misdirect, I wonder if tight end may be Denver’s “juice” target.
Perhaps Miami’s David Njoku?
The Broncos offense has been non-existent in the middle of the field. That is the place where athletic, pass-catching tight ends rule.
In a league where defenses haven’t yet figured out how to contain these athletic freaks, it’s a gaping hole in the Denver offense, one in which they don’t have someone to play that part.
Njoku could be the guy.
• Ah, but what about the massive hole at left tackle? It seems too easy, doesn’t it, to just project the Broncos taking a tackle at No. 20?
I read with interest when ESPN’s Mel Kiper and Todd McShay each had Denver selecting a tackle in the first round. Ryan Ramczyk for Kiper and Garett Bolles for McShay.
That’s too obvious, right? It’s a glaring need, and everyone knows it. So pick the tackle. Ah, but I don’t see John Elway being conventional. I think it would drive him crazy to do what everyone expects him to do. I see him taking an offensive guy at 20, then going tackle in the second or third round. Then again, have you looked at #7’s second and third round picks? Rahim Moore, Cody Latimer, Adam Gotsis anyone? (just to name a few of Elway’s draft busts).
So, pick the tackle.
Ah, but I don’t see general manager John Elway being conventional. I think it would drive him crazy to do what everyone expects him to do. I see him taking an offensive guy at 20, then going tackle in the second or third round. Then again, have you looked at #7’s second and third round picks? Rahim Moore, Cody Latimer, Adam Gotsis anyone? (just to name a few of Elway’s draft busts).
I see him taking an offensive guy at 20, then going tackle in the second or third round. Then again, have you looked at No. 7’s second and third round picks? Rahim Moore, Cody Latimer, Adam Gotsis anyone? (just to name a few of Elway’s draft busts).
Then again, have you looked at No. 7’s second and third round picks? Rahim Moore, Cody Latimer, and Adam Gotsis anyone? (Just to name a few of Elway’s draft busts.)
