Stop already with the starting QB guesses

Good morning, Broncos Country!

Phase III of Broncos’ offseason workouts begins this week with OTAs, and (engage sarcasm font) fortunately for all of us, Mike Klis has the quarterback scenario all figured out:

A first-round draft pick a year ago, Lynch ended last season a distant second to Trevor Siemian as the Broncos’ starting quarterback. By all accounts, the past five weeks of offseason work has not changed the order.

Because, you know, nothing has changed since the season ended (disengage sarcasm font).

Calling 2016 first-round draft pick Paxton Lynch “a distant second to Trevor Siemian,” Klis maintains Lynch must start competing this week if he has a chance at being the starter - despite the fact that new head coach Vance Joseph said two months ago the “quarterback competition” would be in training camp.

“It won’t be in the spring,” said Joseph. “The spring is going to be a learning tool to learn Mike’s system.’’

So which is it? Competition begins now as Klis thinks, or competition begins in training camp after both have had time to absorb Mike McCoy’s offensive scheme - as the coach says?

First, let’s get past the obvious - of course just about everything moving forward is a competition between these two quarterbacks (probably even the Connect Four games in the locker room).

But in reality, that “competition” is more of a media creation as reporters search for any hint of “the way it’s going” based on coach and player quotes, based on 10 seconds of video at practices, based on the two cents from analysts (which is far more than the opinion is worth) - all more for a headline than any substantial info.

For example, this comment from Joseph a month ago after the early install of the offense:

“They both did a great job of communicating in the huddle. It was really sharp today. They threw the ball well, both guys did....It’s the first day. It’s the first install, but both were very engaged.”

Oooo, “both threw the ball well,” so obviously Siemian has the edge because the deep ball had been his weakness. But wait, “both were very engaged” so probably Lynch has the upper hand because the critique on him was his football IQ.

Ugh.

Here’s my reaction to all of this: STFU (and I mean that in the nicest way possible).

Second, can everyone just freaking stop already with the projections on who the starting quarterback will be? (unless, of course, you’re with me that it could be Kyle “snowball’s chance in hell” Sloter...in which case, prognosticate all you want).

Everyone has a different method. Maybe it’s PFF stats. Maybe it’s personal film review. Maybe it’s as methodical as pin-the-football-on-the-jersey? Whatever it is, it doesn’t matter because believe it or not, NO ONE ACTUALLY KNOWS THE STARTER.

And no one knows because no one is on the field throughout practice AND in the film room AND in the quarterbacks room. No one knows how much of Siemian’s offseason film study has improved his decision-making; no one knows whether Lynch’s offseason workouts improved his footwork.

That’s what training camp is about.

I know it’s a lot to ask of our sports pundits (and even all of us at MHR), but seriously, this is annoying. Reporters are more interested in a headline for their Twitter feed rather than quality insight on the team’s progress with a new coaching staff.

Again, this from Klis:

They say you can’t win an NFL job in May, but you can lose it. If Lynch is to move into legitimate position to overcome the incumbent when the competition begins in earnest in late-July, he probably needs to demonstrate improvement during OTAs.

I realize I’m in a “get off my lawn” mood right now, but this kind of nonsense just kills me. If the above statement is true, then Joseph wouldn’t be genuine about OTAs being the learning phase.

I’m not for drawing out this competition, but I’m tired of having a competition, so I’m all for a legit one that ends in a swift decision at the close of training camp after all the quarterbacks have been given a fair chance to learn, practice first-team reps and even make mistakes.

Because it really doesn’t matter until Sept. 11 who the starting QB is, which is more than three months away.

Now get off my lawn (and I also mean that in the nicest way possible).

Horse Tracks - docllv’s picks of the day

Wiedmer: Butch Hannah has thrown his final NFL flag | Times Free Press
There’s a Peyton Manning story in here that is sooooo Peyton Manning.

Jockstraps and condescension: Sportswriting isn’t exactly a dream job - The Washington Post
For Couch Slouch, a Gregg Popovich news conference brings back unpleasant memories.

Aaron Rodgers' tweet gets students out of final exam - NFL.com
Aaron Rodgers did some high school kids a favor Friday. The Green Bay Packers quarterback sent out a tweet that will allow everyone in the class to bypass their final exam.

With Coors Field as the catalyst, beer and baseball became forever intertwined in downtown Denver
Denver, buoyed by a few entrepreneurial brewers as well as the unbreakable bond between beer and baseball, was on its way to becoming America’s capital of craft brew from the moment Coors Field opened its gates on April 26, 1995.

Horse Tracks

Way too early Broncos win-loss prediction for 2017 NFL season | Broncos Wire
Broncos Wire gives its early insight into the Denver Broncos' 2017 schedule and predicts the team's win-loss record.

Gabe Richesson brings Broncos’ “Aptitude for Destruction” to Denver – The Denver Post This is so cool.

Broncos undrafted rookie spotlight: WR Anthony Nash | Broncos Wire
Broncos Wire continues its look into the Denver Broncos' undrafted rookie free agents, this time profiling former Duke WR Anthony Nash.

Should Denver Broncos DE Derek Wolfe be named Captain?
With the Denver Broncos losing Demarcus Ware to retirement, is it time for Derek Wolfe to become the next defensive captain for the team?

NFL Owners Are Expected to Approve Overtime Change - Bolts From The Blue
Are you ready for more tied games in the National Football League? NFL owners apparently are as they are reportedly expected to approve a proposal that would change overtime from 15 minutes to ...

Denver Broncos On The Brink: Jordan Taylor, Wide Receiver - Denver - Scout
Chad Jensen is spotlighting young Broncos on the brink. But are they players on the brink of stardom or obscurity? Today, we focus on wideout Jordan Taylor.

Colin Kaepernick's jersey will now live at the Smithsonian - SBNation.com
The jersey is expected to be on rotation in an exhibit within 2 years.

So long to Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Jetsiest of all Jets - NFL.com
Before Ryan Fitzpatrick moves onto the Bucs and starts walking away with scenes on 'Hard Knocks', let's have a final reflection on the strange odyssey that was his two-year tenure with the Jets.

Doink Reaction: The Greatest Chiefs GIF Ever Made - Arrowhead Pride
I’m not going to bury the lede here (lead? Leed? I refuse to look it up). After seven (SEVEN) years of contributing to Arrowhead Pride and approximately 2-3 years of being a gif machine on Twitter,...

Start of OTAs means Lynch must start chasing down Siemian for Broncos QB job | 9news.com
Vance Joseph declared the Denver Broncos' quarterback competition wouldn't begin until training camp, but Klis couldn’t leave it at that.