Is there a lead pony in this stable of Broncos?
By Adam Uribes
· Opinion
·
· 2 min read
"For as many toys as Sean Payton has to play with, the offense looks the most efficient is when they’re able to run the ball effectively"
You can call it multi-faceted. Maybe even label it communal. (Fake News) But the Denver Broncos are sharing the load when it comes to catching the ball. TWELVE players so far have caught a pass just two games into this season. As far as parity goes, the Broncos are doing just fine.
What is the bigger concern is the lack of any one player stepping up. Who should that player be? Great question, it sure hasn’t been Cortland Sutton this year. Yes, that TD grab in the opener was nice, the game versus Indy looked a whole lot like the New Orleans win last year, where Sutton put up a stat line of zero catches for 0 yards. It was a bit of a surprise when Marvin Mims was elevated to a starter opposite Sutton, and outside his own scoring grab last week, he was a non-factor. Denver got a draft pick in the Devaughn Vele deal. A big-bodied, reliable target sounds good right about now. Speaking of reliable targets, someone needs to check on Evan Engram, as the free-agent signee is set to sit this week’s game with an unforeseen back issue.
For as many toys as Sean Payton has to play with, the offense looks the most efficient when they’re able to run the ball effectively. Denver pulled away from Tennessee late by running the ball. If not for a silly taunting call, the run game was on its way to grinding out the win by running the ball last Sunday. No one is using the “regressed” label, but there is a distinct possibility that TOO much is being thrown at the young QB. How do you help Nix and the passing game move through the air? By putting in the work on the ground.
The focal point of this offense, and its identity going forward, is to. Pound. The. Rock. The team has two physical, downhill runners who wear down defenses later in games. Deploy them! There is no style point in winning, who cares if its with 3 yards and a cloud of dust? Names like Bolles, Meinerz, and McGlinchey are known for being road-graders; put them to work. This gives you a consistent offense attack and serves as an off-ramp for some of the spotty production issues Nix and the receivers have had so far.
Looking good on paper doesn’t always translate to the field, but that is what is happening right now in Denver. A simple answer may be a return to an offense that had leather helmets, but it's also worked so far this season when the team has needed a score. For as flashy as the Broncos were built, a return to toting the rock may be the answer to this week's game versus the Chargers and the rest of the season.
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