Mile High Monday: Friction with Fangio, Patrick’s return and Lock on track

The Broncos suffered a heartbreaking loss on Sunday to the Vikings. After having a 20-point lead at halftime and then holding Minnesota to only seven points through three quarters, Denver fell by a score of 27-23.

I like the way the Broncos looked in the first half of football. This team played their best first half of the season against the Vikings, then they played their worst fourth quarter in a season where they’ve lost four games after having a lead in the final quarter.

I also like contemplating life and sports when driving around with the top down on my old Jeep TJ – even if it’s a little cold! The following is a result of those trips during the week.

Buckle up, let’s take a ride through my thoughts.

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Get Off My Lawn!

On Sunday night, I did something on Twitter that I rarely do. I got ticked off about the Jason LaCanfora report from Sunday morning and had to tweet my thoughts.

LaCanfora had a report on CBS Sports Sunday morning that was about growing strife in Denver between head coach Vic Fangio and his players and staff. I’m sorry (not sorry), but that’s not the case.

In a series of tweets, I highlighted what is really going on – as much as I can – behind the scenes with this team. LaCanfora simply took some small things we have all heard around the team and then tossed some gasoline on the fire to create the perception of a much larger story.

Football is an emotional and a high-pressure game, so there are times things get heated between players and coaches – and even coaches and coaches. We can’t take those incidents and then project disaster behind the scenes – or at least we shouldn’t.

Thanks. I'm just pissed off. The 'totally false' side who is rarely at the facility and the 'told ya so' crowd who takes little things and tries to blow them up. Both ignorant takes IMHO. The truth is somewhere in between, we need more nuance and less kissing up or click bait https://t.co/FBEb6Twppf

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) November 18, 2019

There’s also something else we shouldn’t do. I saw on Twitter some “reporters” breaking their arms patting themselves on the back while tweeting that this report from LaCanfora was 100 percent false. That’s an incredibly ignorant take from “reporters” who get a temporary badge during training camp and come into town for a day or two during the summer. These type of “reporters” are not plugged in and have little if any sources around the building – it’s just people trying to suck up to the team.

The truth is not in LaCanfora’s report – and it’s not in these virtue-signaling “reporters” who are trying to look good on social media with the fan base. The truth is somewhere in between, and I broke that down in a series of tweets Sunday night because I was sick of both ignorant takes.

Fans are smarter than that. We need more nuance in our thinking, but we also need more insight and honesty in our reporting. I tried to set the record straight.

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We’re Back!

It was great to see wide receiver Tim Patrick back on the football field this Sunday. He had been out of action since injuring his hand in Week 1. Patrick had been on Injured Reserve for most of this year, but the Broncos decided to make him one of their “designated to return” players and he played a good game against the Vikings.

The refs missed a facemask penalty that would’ve been a touchdown for Patrick, but overall his game was flawless. Patrick finished the game against the Vikings with four catches for 77 yards. This was a great number for a No. 2 receiver and Patrick’s presence game Allen another big-bodied target to go after. It even gave Courtland Sutton a target to go after when the Broncos ran a trick play that saw Sutton throw the ball to his fellow wide receiver.

Casual. 😅

WR Courtland Sutton connects with Tim Patrick on this 38-yard dime 🎯

(via @Broncos) pic.twitter.com/QKQj2Sc2aW

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 17, 2019

Patrick’s 77 yards in one game almost matches the total from DaeSean Hamilton in the entire 2019 season. This team needed to find a second target in the passing game, especially since trading away Emmanuel Sanders. Hamilton failed in his opportunity to fill that spot and only has 11 catches for 106 yards in 2019. It’s clear that he’s not going to be the player the Broncos wanted him to be – at least not this year. Patrick needs to stay healthy, because having him on the field can help this passing game look better going forward over the last six games of the season.

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Lock and Roll

There is a silver lining to the loss against the Vikings – it means we might see rookie quarterback Drew Lock sooner than some originally thought. A win by the Broncos on Sunday would have kept them in the playoff hunt in the AFC. As improbable as that seems based on the way the season started for the Broncos, it’s the truth.

Losing to the Vikings was painful, especially the way it happened, but it’s a good thing if you’re one of those fans doing a dance of joy thinking about Lock starting for the Broncos this year.

Drew Lock is expected to practice this week.

Me: pic.twitter.com/iRPVZtcwLO

— Cameron Parker (@CameronParkerPO) November 11, 2019

Lock was back at practice last week and he certainly flashed his potential to be a franchise quarterback. The rookie wants to be the starter and is chomping at the bit for his opportunity. He’s also been patient and towing the company line about following whatever plan they have for him. That plan was likely accelerated, whether they like it or not, because of the loss on Sunday.

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Best Friends Bound by Ford

I was able to go see the new movie “Ford v Ferrari” twice over the weekend. You don’t have to be a “car guy” in order to enjoy this film. This is a great movie where Christian Bale and Matt Damon do a great job in their roles and make you really care about the characters.

It’s not really a racing movie, even though it’s about Ford’s victory over Ferrari in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race from back in the mid-1960s. This movie is more about creative people versus corporations.

The title could have been “Shelby v Ford v Ferrari” and it would have been more appropriate. Damon played car legend Carroll Shelby and this movie highlighted the frustration he had to go through building this race car while also battling two huge corporations – and his good friend Ken Miles (played by Bale).

Great time watching #FORDvFERRARI this weekend with my best friend Big E — go see this movie! pic.twitter.com/yJxUzr117S

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) November 18, 2019

I was able to see this movie with my lifelong best friend Eric Hoffman. We grew up together in Grover, Colo., and “Big E” still has his ‘66 Mustang that he drove in high school. I’m a proud Shelby owner, and we are both huge Ford fans. Go see this movie. It’s a great story and a fun time that you and your friends (and family) can enjoy.

Follow @CecilLammey