clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Can we cut Rich Scangarello some slack for crying out loud?

Thoughts on the Denver Broncos fanbase hating on the young offensive coordinator and other NFL news.

BRONCOS VS CHARGERS

One of the most disturbing trends I’m hearing from our fanbase is resentment at Rich Scangarello’s offense.

Honestly, Broncos Country?

We started the season with the 2nd coming of Peyton Manning in Joe Flacco only to find out that he’s kind of a dud (which had you listened to my take on Joe Flacco dating back at least a decade I could have told you).

Hang on that thought for a moment. All offseason, training camp, and in every preseason game the only thing we heard from Dove Valley was that Joe Flacco was everything you want in a NFL quarterback and a bag of chips. So that means all of the offensive design, all of the practice, all of the repetitions, and all of the work the Broncos did was geared toward the limited ability of Joe Flacco who is about as mobile as Peyton Manning circa 2015.

Then you switch to backup Brandon Allen who is just that: a backup. And now we’re on to our third QB of the year in Drew Lock.

Let’s then turn our attention to our receiving weapons (since I think we can all see that the talent at RB is definitely adequate). We have a super star in Courtland Sutton who is now getting double teamed every play because he’s the only stud we have catching passes. Where’s the 2nd WR? Emmanuel Sanders left. There’s been no guy stepping up and making a real dent there. Where’s the stud TE? I know Noah Fant has been showing promise, but he’s not at the level yet to be a consistent game changer for the offense.

Now add to your thinking that our offensive line is no where near being a top 10 NFL offensive line. I’ve said a few times that I feel like we’re 3 starters away from a legitimate line. And this isn’t just to make the passing game work. Our run game can be blocked better too. All of this goes into making the offense hum and until you have your trench manned with some big nasties ready to eat Tom Brady’s children for breakfast or a top tier NFL QB who can make up for a lack of said big nasties, your offense isn’t going to be kicking on all cylinders.

Let me just say the actual play design we’ve seen from Scangarello this year is light years ahead of anything we’ve seen from the Broncos offense since around 2013. I do think it is fair to say he needs to figure out how to be more aggressive in the 2nd half, but until the offense gets some more of the pieces it needs, it is a really hard thing to say, “Hey, let’s go pass the ball on this team when they know the only real target we have is Sutton.”

Broncos News

As Kareem Jackson prepares for return to Houston, his knowledge and play could be difference for Broncos

Broncos claim OL Patrick Morris off waivers, place Derek Wolfe on injured reserve
Morris is a first-year offensive lineman who previously played for the Steelers.

Drewcember? Lock needs to develop, earn title of Broncos' QB of future - Denver Broncos Blog- ESPN
The hard work is just beginning for the Broncos' quarterback of the future in a town that regularly chews up those with that designation.

Other NFL News

Carolina Panthers fire head coach Ron Rivera - NFL.com
The Ron Rivera era with the Panthers has come to an end. Carolina announced Tuesday that Rivera has been fired with four games left in the 2019 season.

Jerry Jones: Jason Garrett will coach in NFL next year - NFL.com
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones believes Jason Garrett is qualified to lead a team. But will it be the team he's currently leading?

Offensive player rankings, Week 14: Four offenses I don't trust - NFL.com
With so much on the line in the final month of the regular season, David Carr lists four offenses he doesn't trust down the stretch. Plus, updated offensive player rankings.

NFL playoff picture breakdown entering Week 14 - NFL Videos
After 13 weeks of play, this is what the playoff picture would look like if it started today.

Week 13 DVOA Ratings | Football Outsiders
Baltimore finally ascends to the No. 1 spot in DVOA, with New England dropping to No. 2 overall and No. 3 in weighted DVOA. Plus, a closer look at why DVOA says Dallas and Philadelphia are better than their win-loss records, and announcing the Football Outsiders November stars for Madden Ultimate Team.

Seahawks vs Vikings: Seattle defeats Minnesota, moves atop NFC West - Sports Illustrated
Russell Wilson threw for 240 yards, two touchdowns and an interception as Seattle topped Minnesota to capture its fifth consecutive victory.

Seahawks HC Pete Carroll Preserves Status as NFL’s Secondary Godfather
The “Legion of Boom” may be long gone, but Carroll’s young secondary is writing its own story behind the rise of two talented cornerbacks.

Duck Hodges will continue as Steelers QB, Mike Tomlin says
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he likes what he has seen of Duck Hodges and will stick with the undrafted rookie at quarterback.