Denver Broncos Training Camp: Day One Observations
By Steven Kriz
I save the best for last. Of course all of you are itching to know who had the edge in the infamous Team Trevor vs. Team Paxton quarterback battle. On day one, both QB’s did some nice things, and both had some poor plays, but there was a clear cut winner on this day. Put one up on the chalkboard for Paxton Lynch as this was his day, and it wasn’t particularly close.
The day began with the quarterbacks throwing to receivers with no defenders. Siemian certainly had the edge in this drill. While Paxton made some nice throws, he also airmailed a few easy passes which goes back to having poor footwork, something we saw during his two starts in 2016. I expected Siemian to look better on day one, and he did—until the defense came in.
As soon as the Broncos went to team periods, Paxton’s nerves appeared to settle, and he took over. Siemian began his team period with the first team and missed his first two passes—both dump-offs to C.J. Anderson. One missed high, and one missed low—a troubling sign for a quarterback who’s bread and butter is short throws. Later in the morning, Siemian missed a few other easy throws of the short variety, and didn’t really try and go long.
The only pass Siemian attempted that traveled more than 15-yards downfield was a timing route to the right corner of the end zone to Cody Latimer. Siemian threw the ball on-time, however threw the ball ten yards over the head of Latimer, who has juked the defender out of his jock and was wide open for an easy touchdown. For the rest of the day, Siemian was solid on short outs and quick-hitters underneath. While these passes are all well and good, there has to be at least an attempt to push the ball down the field. But this is who Trevor Siemian is—a quarterback that is content with throwing quick passes, and rarely challenging a defense down the field.
Paxton Lynch certainly wasn’t perfect but did a far better job of pushing the ball down the field. Although they did primarily red zone work, Lynch still had the opportunity to air out a few, and wasn’t shy about taking the shots when they presented themselves. He also consistently threw the ball into the end zone during goal line work, something Siemian didn’t do nearly as often as he settled numerous times for throws short of the end zone. The work he has put in this offseason showed as Lynch completed plenty of passes that went for touchdowns, including two in succession during a 7 on 7 period.
One of the biggest takeaways with Lynch was the flare he was playing with. Every time he threw a touchdown, he was running down the field to congratulate his receiver. After a brilliant double move wheel-route by C.J. Anderson, Lynch dropped a perfectly thrown ball into Anderson’s lap for a touchdown from about 10-yards out, prompting Lynch to run down the field and greet Anderson with a leaping shoulder-bump. The fire and passion Lynch played with today signaled a breath of fresh air for an offense that has been so anemic for the past two seasons.
It is only one day, but in my opinion, Paxton Lynch clearly outplayed Trevor Siemian today. For Trevor Siemian, that is not a good sign. Even when things don’t happen on time for Lynch, there is still a play to be made. He did a good job of sidestepping rushes and keeping his eyes down field before scrambling. But he wasn’t about to force the issue and get picked. He tucked the ball a good amount on plays that all would have gone for gains between 5-15 yards.
Given the first round pick invested, this was always going to be a situation where if it is close, the job will be going to Lynch. If Siemian has any chance to start, he has to clearly outplay Paxton, and not the other way around. Again, it’s only one day, but this one is on the board for Team Paxton.
Next: Broncos Sign Stevan Ridley
A Couple More Noteworthy Items:
- During one team period, Jeff Heuerman was getting reps with the first team. Everyone talks about the quarterback battle, but another battle to watch will be who is the first team tight end. Heuerman has been a bit of a forgotten man, as he has spent the better part of his two seasons in the league injured or on the sidelines. It’ll be interesting to watch.
- Kyle Sloter threw the first interception of camp, but overall quarterbacked the third team very nicely. He made a few very nice touchdown throws, including a deep pass on a pump and go route that ended with a perfect throw in the end zone.
- Former Patriots running back Stevan Ridley worked out for the Broncos this morning in wake of the Devontae Booker injury. According to Mike Klis of 9News, Ridley has agreed to terms with the team.