2021 Broncos' Season, Quarterback

 


The NFL Draft is over, so it's time to re-visit the Broncos' position groups and see where the team is heading into the season. Today I'm continuing with the Quarterbacks.

This has been the hot topic this week, and will continue to be throughout the off-season and likely the rest of the 2021 season. As OTAs heat up, we're finally seeing the competition between Drew Lock, the third-year quarterback for the Broncos, and Teddy Bridgewater, the veteran who was added as competition.

And that's without considering the possibility that the Broncos could end up with reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers. If that happens, he'll be the starter. But, personally, I think it's a long shot due to the potential cost and the fact the Packers likely won't part with him. So, let's look at the quarterbacks we know we'll have.

Bridgewater is the veteran. He was once a First Round pick by the Minnesota Vikings, where he played for his first four seasons. He was once, for the Vikings, what Lock is for the Broncos, the potential franchise hope. But Bridgewater was more successful as a starter, going 6-6 in 12 starts as a rookie and 11-5 in his second season, leading the Vikings to the playoffs. During training camp in the run up to his third season, Bridgewater suffered a catastrophic injury. He missed all of the 2016 season and made just a brief appearance in 2017.

After that, Bridgewater took a backup job with the New Orleans Saints. In 2019, he had a stint starting as Drew Brees was injured, going 5-0. That earned him a big contract with the Carolina Panthers prior to the 2020 season. He started 15 games for Carolina last season, his first season as a starter since 2015. He went 4-11, throwing for 3,733 yards, 15 TDs and 11 INTs. Carolina moved on and Bridgewater came to Denver for a chance to compete.

Here, he faces Lock. The former Second Round pick started only a few games as a rookie, going 4-1 in that stint. That created excitement for 2020 as he became the full time starter. But he got off to a slow start, including an injury, followed up by an uneven season. He went 4-9 in 13 starts, throwing for 2,933 yards, 16 TDs and 15 INTS. It was his uneven play and turnovers, accompanied by the team's lack of success that cast doubt on Lock's future. 

Personally, I'm not ready to give up on Lock yet. He is 8-10 in 18 starts, but he's shown flashes. He needs better decision making in 2020. I think he can win the competition coming out of training camp, and he needs to show better. This team improved its offensive line and added strong offensive weapons. The defense is primed and this is the year. The Broncos have a playoff caliber roster, and whoever plays quarterback needs to justify that. If it's Lock, he has to be strong, or else he'll be replaced.

Bridgewater is a fine veteran and a solid backup, but I don't see him as a great answer. If the Broncos miss the playoffs again in 2021, I believe there will be a new coaching staff and a new direction at quarterback in 2022.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Burial a courtroom drama with heart

Image
Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) is a brash trial lawyer who is good at rallying a jury to his cause. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) is a quiet grandfather who is trying to ensure the business his family built remains viable after he’s gone. These two don’t appear to have much in common on the surface. But when they’re brought together by young lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) brings them together, a connection is formed over their shared background of working hard to become self-made men. And it turned out that Willie was just who Jerry needed in his corner to win the fight of his life. The new Prime Video film The Burial, which opened in theaters October 6 and started streaming October 13, captures that trial against the Loewen Group that changed the course of their lives. The film is based on the true story and covers the trial, but more importantly captures the relationship between the men. The film plays out like a traditional courtroom drama. Foxx is solid as Willie Gary, while Ju
Read more

Broncos Draft Targets

Image
  The NFL Draft is just a few days away. On April 25, the Denver Broncos will head into the draft in the midst of something of a rebuild. In the draft, the Broncos have the No. 12 pick in Round 1, then have a Third Round Pick, Fourth Round Pick, three Fifth Round Picks, a Sixth Round Pick, and a Seventh Round Pick. So, what might they be targeting? Let's dive in and look at possible positions. Quarterback : The team clearly needs a long-term quarterback. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are there but the team could certainly use someone else. Could they move up for Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy? Yes, they could. Will the take Bo Nix at 12? It's possible. Or will the Broncos wait until next off-season to make a move? Anything is in play for the Broncos in 2024, but quarterback is surely a need. Tight End: The team brought back Adam Trautman and still has Greg Dulcich, but it's still a need. Dulcich hasn't been able to get on the field and Trautman hasn't been great. Co
Read more

Favorite Westerns, No. 43

Image
  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Rooster Cogburn : [ watching Mattie ford the river hanging on the back of her horse] By God. She reminds me of me. True Grit (1969) Starring : John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper Director : Henry Hathaway About: This is the third straight week with a film from Wayne. As you might guess, we're not done. As I've mentioned, he sets a standard for the genre. Here, we seen him bring to life an iconic character. This one is based on a novel, and it has endured. He's great as Rooster Cogburn, so good that he got a sequel in the same character. But this is a later film in his career. This is a different, more grizzled Wayne. He's still quite good and this is a film that really has stood the test of time. It's not the only ve
Read more