Developing quarterbacks isn’t the Broncos problem
Aug 6, 2019, 6:52 AM
This week’s preseason tilt with Seattle is fascinating because it features Paxton Lynch and Drew Lock. The Broncos once-upon-a-time franchise quarterback of the future versus the assumed current QB of the future.
These two men are supposedly Exhibit A and B when it comes to the Broncos ability or inability to develop quarterbacks. I disagree with that. I don’t believe the Broncos problem is developing quarterbacks; it’s identifying them.
Let’s start with Lynch. He made headlines around here with his glowing comments about how family and player friendly the Seahawks organization is. It was a direct shot at the Broncos. I am genuinely shocked at how many fans and media types feel Lynch somehow got a raw deal here.
The Broncos wanted Lynch to succeed. You don’t draft an obvious heir to Peyton Manning (moving up in the process to get him) with the intent to try and sabotage him. This was Lynch’s job if he wanted it. Ah, but there’s the problem. He didn’t want it. He didn’t work hard. He didn’t study. My sources tell me he was the classic “last guy in, first guy out.”
Another source told me one NFL team met with him prior to the draft. They were at a sports bar. The group included all of that team’s bigwigs at the table with Lynch. During the dinner, a TV behind the quarterback was showing his segment on Jon Gruden’s QB show. Lynch proceeded to turn his chair around and sit, transfixed, watching himself on TV, while ignoring everyone else at the table. It was at that precise moment that NFL team deemed him undraftable and took Lynch off their board.
Despite all of that, there might be some NFL franchises willing to overlook that immaturity and roll the dice on his undeniable talent. But, Lynch defenders forget where the Broncos were at that moment. They were just coming off winning the Super Bowl. That was a team that had just reached the pinnacle because of talent, sacrifice, leadership and hard work. Do you honestly believe the veterans on that team would tolerate simply handing the reins of the football team over to a kid who didn’t embody any of the characteristics that team had just displayed in winning it all?
Talk about potentially losing a team before the season even started. Gary Kubiak understood this, which is why he had to go with Trevor Siemian. Siemian may never have been the answer (although he remains the only Broncos QB with a winning record since Manning) but at least he tried to do the right thing.
As for the other argument I hear regarding Lynch that “you gotta build an offense around his talents.” Ah, the last desperate pleas surrounding a guy who just can’t play. I heard that all the time in regards to Tim Tebow. It’s what you toss out when it’s clear a quarterback can’t handle the basics that go with playing the position – making the right reads, understanding defenses, being accurate. After all that fails, supporters are left with “do something different!” Like what?
Why does this all matter? Because it supposedly impacts Drew Lock. The fear is, if the Broncos screwed up Lynch, then they’ll screw up Lock. That’s a crock. If Lock can play, he’ll figure out all the really mean things the Broncos are insisting he learn. You know, like being able to take a snap under center and make a play. Or be able to find an open receiver if the first option he’s boring holes through with his eyes isn’t open.
Oh, those Broncos. So demanding!
The Broncos problem isn’t developing quarterbacks; it is identifying ones that can actually play. If the Broncos did such a poor job developing these QBs, then there should be nothing stopping these talented quarterbacks from excelling somewhere else. Yet, who has?
The list is long, if not distinguished. Roll call please. Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, Brock Osweiler, Kyle Sloter, Chad Kelly and Case Keenum (I’ll go out on a limb here and bet Keenum doesn’t make the Broncos regret moving on from him). These guys can’t play. No amount of coaching ’em up or building systems around them will change that.
If you want to hammer John Elway and his, ahem, brain trust about their failure to identify QB talent, go right ahead, I won’t stop you. But stop kidding yourself into thinking the Broncos have somehow ruined all these sure fire NFL stars. Especially Paxton Lynch.
