Not saying the Broncos need to dramatically change the look of their offense, but would it surprise anyone if they were taking Ozempic in between swigs of Gatorade when training camp opens next week?
Denver finished 26th in total yards, 24th in passing, 27th in fumbles lost and 19th in points per game (21.0). It wasn’t good enough in coach Sean Payton’s first season.
He boasts a resume befitting an offensive genius, but the partnership between Payton and Russell Wilson never clicked. Is Bo Nix the fix?
The reality is the Broncos’ slow climb back to relevance begins up front. The offensive line remains the team’s strength. In order to get better, they need more from their running backs after averaging a pedestrian 106.5 yards in 2023.
It prompts an uncomfortable question: Are Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine competing for one roster spot? I believe so.
It’s hard to believe that Williams’ career in Denver could hinge on a strong camp. But he is entering his fourth season and averaged 3.2 yards per carry over the final 10 games last year. That number won’t work as the starter. It doesn’t seem fair given his discipline and work ethic to overcome a brutal knee injury in 2022. The declining returns can be rationalized as fatigue from rehab, recovery and workload. He looked bigger and stronger this spring, but it must translate to breaking tackles.
Perine is a trusted third-down weapon given his ability to execute assignments in pass protection and catch dump-off passes. Williams can fill this role, but would the Broncos prefer a veteran for Nix?
Rookie Audric Estime is making the team. And if he shows up and shows out, Williams’ footing becomes slippery. The room sets up as Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin and the music humming with one chair remaining for Williams and Perine.
Draft and develop: The Rockies make it easy to criticize them. But they deserve credit for a strong draft. While I would have taken Florida slugger Jac Caglianone third overall, there is an argument that Charlie Condon is a more complete player with less swing-and-miss. Iowa pitcher Brody Brecht reaches triple digits on his fastball, making him the type of arm the organization desperately needs if he can improve his command. Big-time bats Cole Messina (catcher) and Blake Wright (third base) provide high ceilings. And right-hander Lebarron Johnson was worth a flier given his raw stuff. For the Rockies to ever execute a U-turn, their drafts must start producing impact players, not extra outfielders. …
Brow beaten?: Team USA coach Steve Kerr will face a tough choice soon. For the Americans to win the gold medal, does he need to bench Joel Embiid in favor of Anthony Davis? …
Back in action: A reason to be bullish on CU’s offense? Ohio State transfer Dallan Hayden. The Buffs have to run the ball more to keep Shedeur Sanders upright, and Hayden brings bellcow talent. …
Star power outage: In ESPN’s recent poll, Patrick Surtain II ranked as the game’s best cornerback. That’s the good news. The bad? In all other position rankings, the Broncos did not receive even an honorable mention vote outside the top 10 (though Quinn Meinerz was an oversight).
Mail Time
Bud Black has lost his voice in the dugout. The Rockies need change. They need new coaching, better players, new management and ownership.
JC Sr, email
And let’s get rid of Dinger while we are at it. Isn’t Grimace available? How about Barney? Can Dinger at least put on a pair of trousers? JC, your frustration is understandable. The Rockies have been horrible the past two seasons. I do wonder if they lose 100 games again if Black will want to keep managing. Everything needs an audit, a fresh set of eyes in the evaluation process, but that is not how the Rockies operate. Owners don’t fire themselves. And there is no appetite to sell. The only path out is better players. Hopefully, the 2024 draft class will be looked back on in three years as when hope was restored.
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