QB Situation

[Mingo]

Now that the draft is over we have a much better understanding of the Broncos mid-range plans at QB. Keenum is clearly the starter on his 2 year deal. The team has 2 years remaining on Lynch’s contract, with a 5th year option. He will be a salvage project given where the team selected him. Lastly Chad Kelly will get a chance to compete for the #2 spot. Even though he’ll get a good look for the backup job I don’t see him ever getting a legit shot as the starter unless he plays himself into the #2 role and an injury promotes him.

With Keenum my biggest concern is his 2017 was a flash in the pan. I’ve read quite a bit to mitigate that concern but I will likely have my doubts on some level all summer until the season starts. With that said the bar is not high at all. The 2017 Broncos May have set new lows for QB performance. It would help if the line can improve, but he didn’t have a great line in MN last year either. The lack of draft capital going toward the line tells me they feel they have the pieces in place on the line. And I think we’re going to see a very run oriented offense. If that’s the case I think Keenum will thrive. I’d love to see something similar to the 2005 offense this year. Pair that up with this defense and it could be a very good year.

I think we have the QB to do it. Not eye popping great, but efficient.

I think the intangible plays large with Keenum. He is an emotional leader - a solid and even inspirational locker room guy - and his play on the field shows he is willing to do anything to advance the team.

 

[iknowftbll]

Keenum rated top pickup of the off season:

Kirk Cousins, Saquon Barkley among 10 best new additions

 

[cdumler7]

Keenum rated top pickup of the off season:

Kirk Cousins, Saquon Barkley among 10 best new additions

Seems like a lot of past NFL people really really like Keenum. Rich Gannon was talking about him recently and was a huge fan of the pick up. For the price (19th highest paid QB in the NFL) I think he will definitely play above that level.

 

[cdumler7]

Also love that the Broncos actually got some good weapons to surround him with. That WR battle for #3 should be a fun one this year and hopefully TE wise with Fumagali and Butt one of them can produce something for the Broncos.

 

[iknowftbll]

Also love that the Broncos actually got some good weapons to surround him with. That WR battle for #3 should be a fun one this year and hopefully TE wise with Fumagali and Butt one of them can produce something for the Broncos.

As much as I liked Anderson I also think we got better at that position group too. Freeman is a similar style runner but a little more explosive. He reportedly has better vision too. It may take a few weeks to get him up to NFL speed but Booker can shoulder the load early. I think he will pair nicely with Booker and the depth past those two looks promising.

 

[Myles]

As a Colts fan, I am really hoping we sign Anderson.

 

[iknowftbll]

As a Colts fan, I am really hoping we sign Anderson.

Indy would be a good fit for him. Luck would love him. He’s really brainy and that was a big reason he clicked with Manning. If the Colts sign him you are going to love having him as a part of your team.

 

[Draft Crazy]

They always said CJ Anderson would ask "why", in a good way and not a diva way too. "Why do I do things this way"He wanted to disect every play to have a better understanding of what the results should be.

 

[iknowftbll]

I’m just going to go ahead and go on a limb here and suggest Chad Kelly beats out Lynch for the #2 QB spot. I just haven’t seen or heard anything from anyone to suggest Lynch has the drive to succeed.

I’ve seen some suggest Kelly could even supplant Keenum as the starter. I doubt that happens, barring injury.

Now here’s a bold prediction: there will be an injury to a QB somewhere in 2018, rendering a team desperate for a QB. Lynch will be dealt for a 3rd or 4th round pick, depending on how desperate said team is.

 

[Draft Crazy]

There is no way we get a 3rd or 4th round pick for Lynch he has failed over and over.

 

[Mingo]

I do think Kelly may win the backup job, but if he does - Lynch won't be worth much on the open market.

I do like the idea of hanging on to Lynch this year - it may come together for him in his 3rd go around. The NFL used to be a league where it would take a few years for a QB to be ready - now it is sink or swim (instead of development). It obviously didn't come together for Keenum until is 30th birthday.

I think we are going to see more Case Keenum types - reclamation projects -taking starter jobs - than we have in the recent past - because that is where the value proposition resides in the current NFL.

 

[Draft Crazy]

We almost have to keep Lynch with his rookie contract as a backup. I mean, we don't have to but we might as well. Doesn't really make a lot of sense to cut him at this stage. Now if he has a TERRIBLE camp then yeah maybe bite the bullet.

 

[iknowftbll]

There is no way we get a 3rd or 4th round pick for Lynch he has failed over and over.

Never underestimate what a desperate team is willing to do for a QB. With that said, if Lynch failed to secure the #2 gig Kelly would likely be the guy teams inquired about.

 

[CEH]

We almost have to keep Lynch with his rookie contract as a backup. I mean, we don't have to but we might as well. Doesn't really make a lot of sense to cut him at this stage. Now if he has a TERRIBLE camp then yeah maybe bite the bullet.

Or use a bullet and put him out of his misery like old Yeller

 

[iknowftbll]

Or use a bullet and put him out of his misery like old Yeller

Oh goodness. Old Yeller. Not a dry eye in the house after that one.

 

[cdumler7]

I do think Kelly may win the backup job, but if he does - Lynch won't be worth much on the open market.

I do like the idea of hanging on to Lynch this year - it may come together for him in his 3rd go around. The NFL used to be a league where it would take a few years for a QB to be ready - now it is sink or swim (instead of development). It obviously didn't come together for Keenum until is 30th birthday.

I think we are going to see more Case Keenum types - reclamation projects -taking starter jobs - than we have in the recent past - because that is where the value proposition resides in the current NFL.

I think part of it for Keenum was because he was never viewed as that prototypical QB he never was quite given the time or opportunity to show what he could do other than early on in his career with Kubiak. He wasn't ready back then and didn't have a great team around him. I look at his time with the Rams where he was playing decent but the plan was always to move on from him so they didn't hesitate to give the rookie his shot. Heck now even with the Vikings where he had the one year, goes out and plays like a top-10 QB and then gets moved out of town for a much more expensive QB with similar stats this past year. I'm just wanting to see what Keenum can do when he is actually day 1 the starter for the team and given the opportunity to learn the entire system and have a staff that believes in him. I'm not expecting MVP or anything like that but I wouldn't be shocked if he repeats his stats from last year with the Broncos and if that is the case then this team might be better than most are giving them credit for right now.

 

[fightinredantz]

There are offensive weapons in Denver so he should have an opportunity to be successful. The biggest two questions are:
1. Will the Oline play well enough for the passing game to be effective.
2. Will Case play consistent.

Both kind of go hand in hand.

 

[cdumler7]

There are offensive weapons in Denver so he should have an opportunity to be successful. The biggest two questions are:
1. Will the Oline play well enough for the passing game to be effective.
2. Will Case play consistent.

Both kind of go hand in hand.

I would say this is the most weapon wise the Broncos have had since 2014. That year off and on depending on injuries they had Anderson running the ball, Sanders, DT, Welker as WR options, JT and Tamme as TE's working the middle of the field.

I think athletically speaking the group they have now has more athleticism but the experience of that 2014 group plus a still almost in his prime Peyton Manning made them a much more dangerous offense.

Still I would say this offense has a chance to make a little noise and surprise people a bit. They have a few guys that can actually make guys miss and turn nothing into something. Plus taking some pressure off DT and Sanders should help them have opportunities as well.

 

[fightinredantz]

I would say this is the most weapon wise the Broncos have had since 2014. That year off and on depending on injuries they had Anderson running the ball, Sanders, DT, Welker as WR options, JT and Tamme as TE's working the middle of the field.

I think athletically speaking the group they have now has more athleticism but the experience of that 2014 group plus a still almost in his prime Peyton Manning made them a much more dangerous offense.

Still I would say this offense has a chance to make a little noise and surprise people a bit. They have a few guys that can actually make guys miss and turn nothing into something. Plus taking some pressure off DT and Sanders should help them have opportunities as well.

I also think that it might take a few games before the offense starts to click. Luckily the first 5 games are good match ups. If we can survive the first 5 I think this team will have a chance to win the AFC West, and potentially get a bye in the playoffs.

Last year I kept thinking that the Broncos had every opportunity to win most of the games but had very little confidence that they actually realize their potential. At this point in the year my optimism is high.

Here is to the optimism staying high all year.

 

[GNG]

Now that the draft is over we have a much better understanding of the Broncos mid-range plans at QB. Keenum is clearly the starter on his 2 year deal. The team has 2 years remaining on Lynch’s contract, with a 5th year option. He will be a salvage project given where the team selected him. Lastly Chad Kelly will get a chance to compete for the #2 spot. Even though he’ll get a good look for the backup job I don’t see him ever getting a legit shot as the starter unless he plays himself into the #2 role and an injury promotes him.

With Keenum my biggest concern is his 2017 was a flash in the pan. I’ve read quite a bit to mitigate that concern but I will likely have my doubts on some level all summer until the season starts. With that said the bar is not high at all. The 2017 Broncos May have set new lows for QB performance. It would help if the line can improve, but he didn’t have a great line in MN last year either. The lack of draft capital going toward the line tells me they feel they have the pieces in place on the line. And I think we’re going to see a very run oriented offense. If that’s the case I think Keenum will thrive. I’d love to see something similar to the 2005 offense this year. Pair that up with this defense and it could be a very good year.

I think we have the QB to do it. Not eye popping great, but efficient.

It was a mistake for Denver to pass on one of the top QB's available in the draft.