Gary Kubiak promised us an open quarterback competition; however, even he may not have counted on this competition being so competitive so early. Make no mistake about it, Mark Sanchez is in the lead. He’s the veteran, the player that most of the players expected to go out and lead this team this season. The reality of the situation though is that the Broncos are only five days into this training camp thing, and Sanchez is already hanging on by a thread.
Today the Broncos are enjoying their first day off since camp began, and when things resume Wednesday don’t expect there to be a whole lot of change at the beginning of practice. The Broncos always come out and begin practice with the different offenses going through a walk through. Sanchez will line up with the ones, Siemian will line up with the twos, and Lynch will be with the threes just like they have been. When the team portion of practice comes along, expect Sanchez to get the first reps with the ones, as has been the custom, and Siemian to step in and take some reps with the ones as well as he has been. But don’t be surprised if Wednesday, they let the rookie, Paxton Freaking Lynch, PFL, The Future, step up and get his shot to play with the big boys.
Thus far, Lynch has exclusively taken reps with the threes, and a few reps sprinkled in with the twos. In fact, most days, Lynch has been on a separate field with the threes going against the number three defense. The reason; Reps reps reps. The Broncos didn’t use a first round draft pick on this ultra-talented
quarterback to have him sit on the bench and learn–they want this young thoroughbred out there galloping as quickly as possible . Now, Lynch still may end up beginning the season as the number two, or three quarterback, but the Broncos want him being brought up to speed as quickly as humanly possible.
The first few days of camp, Lynch’s head was spinning so fast you may have thought it was going to spin right off. The speed, the intensity of camp is far more than that of the OTA’s and he looked just like a lot of rookie quarterbacks look on their first day–overwhelmed. Now, five days in, things are really starting to slow down for the kid. Coach Kubiak has spend a lot of time watching, evaluating, and doing 1 on 1 coaching with Paxton. Mark Sanchez was brought in to compete this season, Paxton Lynch was drafted to lead this team for years to come. Make no mistake about it, when he’s ready, he will play, and coach Kubiak has certainly liked what he’s seen the past few days;
"“I think the competition is excellent. I think one of the things for sure, is number 12 [QB Paxton Lynch] is really stepping up. He’s making some progress. I think they are all doing a good job. I would say the young kid has just gotten better each and every day.”"
PFL is coming hard for that starting job. He can do things with his rifle of an arm, and also with his outstanding mobility that Sanchez nor Siemian simply cannot do. The talent is 100% undeniable when you watch him throw. Lynch’s accuracy and work from the pocket has really been on display since about midway through practice on Saturday, where he took a very rough series, and then turned it around through the rest of practice.
Watch highlights from Monday’s practice.
From all regards Sanchez has been fine in practice thus far, but has still made some timely mistakes–the same type of mistakes that have haunted him throughout his entire career. Yesterday was not Sanchez’s finest day as he threw multiple interceptions. Our own Cameron Parker was all over it;
Eesh. Hold by Chris Harris or not on Sanders or not, not a good throw that was picked by Harris. Sanchez on the throw.
— 𝘾𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙧 (@CameronParkerPO) August 1, 2016
Then there was the red zone drill, where Sanchez led the number one offense vs the number two defense, and it didn’t end well, and Kubiak said as much.
"“I look at today, I thought offensively we were practicing really good. Then we hit these lull periods. Our quarterback put the ball on the ground. [QB] Mark [Sanchez] threw a pick in the redzone; we can’t do that."
Sanchez needs to take notice and protect the football if he wants to hold on to this job. Turnovers are the one thing that can doom this team. While there is no doubt that PFL, if given the opportunity to start will have his bumps and bruises along the way. But if Sanchez is going to turn the ball over as well, those
mistakes may as well be made with the man you picked to be the future of your franchise, that can also provide plays with his huge arm and legs that Sanchez cannot.
When practice resumes Wednesday, Sanchez will be the starter. But for how long can he continue to hold off the kid who is beginning to hit his stride, and giving Broncos fans a glimpse into what they have to look forward to for years to come. September 8th is coming quick, and so is PFL–Paxton Freaking Lynch.
More from Predominantly Orange
- Broncos chances of landing Sean Payton dwindling, but not gone
- Denver Broncos dream coaching staff for DeMeco Ryans
- Denver Broncos: “Sleeper” David Shaw checks every box
- The Broncos’ coaching search likely has not gone to plan
- Special Chiefs Suck Offer: Bet $5, Win $150 if Joe Burrow Passes for ONE YARD vs KC