The question is a fascinating one.
No, not the one most Denver Broncos fans have asked at least once this week: Will Drew Lock and the Broncos finally end this five-year losing streak to the Kansas City Chiefs?
The question referenced is: Does Denver have the horses on defense to slow the Chiefs offense?
On Friday’s Broncos Country Tonight, Ryan Edwards and Benjamin Allbright asked that to former Broncos cornerback Ray Crockett. They also discussed how Denver should attack Patrick Mahomes. As Ryan said, it’s the perfect time to have the former Broncos cornerback on the show.
“I mean, first of all, I thought you were going to say it was perfect timing because I have never allowed a 100-yard receiver by the Chiefs,” Crockett said. “But since you didn’t want to say that, that’s cool. To be honest, you have to mix it up with these guys. Patrick Mahomes, I’ve been seeing this dude since he was a kid in Texas and at Texas Tech. I know all about him. I know his former coach in Queensberry. So he’s told me a lot about the guy and what he likes to do. And with me having a little inside scoop on him as a player, you’ve got to mix it up on him.
“He doesn’t like looks. If you go out and say, ‘I’m going to be one-dimensional,’ you’re going to get 100 points put on you by Patrick Mahomes. So with that in mind, you have to pull cards. It’s almost like playing spades. You lead with the spade and comeback with a club, heart or diamonds. You have to mix it up. If you stay with your one hand, he’s going to kill you. But I would definitely put some pressure on him. You have to let him feel it. You have to let him know. And if you’re going to do that, you have to come up (with) inside pressure. If you come outside, he can escape right to left, but if you come inside, and leave your rushers outside to contain him. He’s a sneaky athlete. With that being said, even if you blitz him, make sure he doesn’t get the big one.”
It’s fascinating to hear Crockett say the Broncos have to bring interior pressure on Mahomes and have the edge guys keep containment. Adam Malnati and I talked about that on the MHR Radio Podcast this week.
What will help the defense is the return of A.J. Bouye.
That will also help Michael Ojemudia, who has played incredibly well for Denver in his rookie season.
Speaking of that, here’s what Crockett said about the young Broncos cornerback:
“Yeah, I love that guy. I see a lot of myself in him, to be honest. When I came into the league as a fourth-rounder, teams would say something similar to that (he’s not a shutdown corner) because they didn’t know if I was a shutdown guy or not. I didn’t have to do that Baylor. Teams just didn’t throw my way. So I see a lot of myself in him. He’s developing. The more you get confidence, that’s how you become a shutdown guy.”
Bonus listen
Our Adam Malnati joined the guys to discuss Denver’s secondary and the the Broncos’ game plan against Kansas City.