Cody Latimer
Dec 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) reacts towards wide receiver Cody Latimer (14) after dropped a pass as wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) listens in the first quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Speaking of the second year pro…
Latimer has been highly spoken of throughout the organization from the front office to his teammates.
Fellow wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders raved about Latimer, saying, “I think he’s going to have a big year and I’m happy he’s on my team and in our receiver group.”
Peyton Manning added, “He knows that he’s got a chance to play a big role on this team and I’m excited for him.”
And if that wasn’t enough, head honcho John Elway chimed in:
Elway says the #Broncos have “high expectations” for Cody Latimer. Says he had a great rookie year essentially learning.
— Predominantly Orange (@PredomOrange) February 19, 2015
DT coming back means a couple things for Latimer.
First, this will limit the odds of him having a breakout year. That’s not saying it definitely won’t happen. Anything can happen if you prove to have the talent, which I believe Latimer will eventually show.
But the Broncos’ offense is a bit of an enigma right now. The players are mostly the same, save for the nightmarish offensive line. Latimer will be competing for targets from DT and Sanders for at least the next two years (when Sanders’s contract expires). The Broncos look to have a workhorse running back in C.J. Anderson. And, with Gary Kubiak being hired as head coach, the offensive philosophy will inevitably change, even if Manning still mans the quarterback spot – there will be some sort of compromise.
Latimer may end up being at best the fourth option on offense throughout the season. While I do think we’ll see some 100-yard games from him, don’t expect a huge numbers year from him. And that’s okay. The Broncos M.O. isn’t getting all of their players to produce like Pro Bowlers; it’s to win the Super Bowl.
Second, there wouldn’t be as much pressure on him to become a megastar had Thomas left. DT leaving could have set off a domino effect of moves changing the landscape of the offense, and perhaps the organization. Instead of this being an experienced, congruent unit, it has more of an uncertain look.
Latimer would head a group in his third year with a player under center who has yet to be determined. It’s not certain that the quarterback of the future is on this team.