Training camp is right around the corner, and the Denver Broncos are a bit of a conundrum. With the addition of Joe Flacco at quarterback, a mostly new coaching staff, and several new players on both sides of the ball, expectations in Broncos Country are... I’m not sure.
On the MHR Radio Podcast (ApplePodcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher), I made a totally illogical, evidence-less rant about my fear as a fan. Ian and I discussed some of the possibilities, but mostly it appears to just be my paranoia as a fan running wild during the offseason.
Let’s start by remembering that no meaningful football has been played. Players have participated in the most basic of basic practices. Essentially, they have had meet-and-greets, talked about the new schemes, studied the playbook, and lifted weights. In the NFL news cycle, there always has to be something to discuss, so predictions are made, teams are ranked, and players are evaluated. In the end, it likely amounts to counting blades of grass. It’s something to do, but accomplishes nothing.
Ideally, we would be able to make predictions, and talk about how great our beloved Broncos will be in 2019. Remember predicting Super Bowl wins with the confidence of a team that had Peyton Manning as its play caller? Those were the days. Now, predictions come with less excitement, more reality, and fewer trophies (19-0 and a Super Bowl win, with a nod to Mr. B.).
After an illogical rant from @AdamMalnati16 , we go over the #Broncos training camp battles to keep an eye on. On the @MileHighReport Radio Podcast, we also talk about the rookies we're most excited to see over the course of camp. @ApplePodcasts: https://t.co/TUQJ6EGsAv
— Ian St. Clair (@IanStClair) July 10, 2019
But there is a thought that has been kicking around in my head that I can’t shake. Is it possible for the Broncos to be better in 2019 than they were in 2018, but come out behind? This idea may seem strange, but think about it. Could the Broncos improve on 2018, but hurt their chances of getting back to being the perennial AFC West champions?
Here’s the scenario that keeps kicking around in my head. From 6-10 to a Wild Card berth, but then resting in mediocrity for several years. Is it possible? With parity, and the lack of a true franchise QB, of course it is.
Mostly, Ian just reminded me that I was crazy, but there was one thing that he conceded. If Garett Bolles get a little better, maybe Denver buys in, and the Broncos waste a big contract on a player that could revert back to the holding machine he has been in his career to this point.
Maybe Drew Lock isn’t the answer, and Flacco is just good enough to cause the Broncos to miss out on drafting their future franchise QB. Now there are several years of playing in the middle, never really contending for a Super Bowl.
What this all really means is that football can’t get here soon enough.