Case Keenum is going the extra mile with rookie receivers
Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum is going the extra mile with his rookie receivers, and that will hopefully pay dividends in the regular season…
The Denver Broncos took advantage of the ‘voluntary’ nature of OTAs by getting some first-team reps for rookie wide receivers Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton.
With Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders not practicing, Sutton and Hamilton received the lion’s share of reps specifically working with starting quarterback Case Keenum.
The experience was valuable for all involved, but especially so for the young receivers who are going to get a lot of snaps in the Broncos’ offense this season.
Both Sutton and Hamilton talked about Keenum putting in the extra work between reps to make sure they are building chemistry, and to make sure everyone is on the same page.
"“It helps us see what he’s seeing when we go out there and we’re really running routes for him, practicing with him and building that chemistry. Case has done a great job, especially today… It was great taking first-team reps and being out there with him, understanding what he likes, understanding where he expects us to be and really just the anticipation of where he’s going to place the ball.”DaeSean Hamilton (quotes via Broncos PR)"
Fellow rookie receiver Courtland Sutton echoed the sentiments of his new teammate…
"“He knows his stuff and he knows exactly what he’s looking for when it comes to the routes. He comes to us all the time and is like, ‘Hey, on that one, I think it’s best that you do this, do that, and I think the ball will be in a better spot for you to get open.’ To have a quarterback like that who really knows what he’s talking about and who’s experienced things that I obviously haven’t experienced because I’m a rookie… He’s seen things that I haven’t seen, so anytime he’s talking to me I get to absorb all of that information. I really enjoy that and I’m really grateful that he’s coming over there and making sure we’re optimizing our reps.”Courtland Sutton"
Although having these two receivers and everyone else at the position get extra reps is exciting, it does raise questions about why Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders both missed practice on the same day.
They aren’t ‘required’ to be at practice this week. The OTAs are voluntary, after all. But why would they both not be there?
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The guys on Orange & Blue 760 raised a very interesting point about the absence of Thomas and Sanders happening when the team is obviously getting acclimated to a new quarterback.
It was just one practice and those guys could be back on Tuesday for all we know, but it was an interesting point to raise and something that’s worth monitoring going forward.
If every rep matters for these rookies, then the same is true for the team’s top offense even at this point in the year. It’s nothing to be overly concerned about as Thomas and Sanders have been around for the vast majority of the offseason activities but it is interesting that both were gone on the same day for personal reasons.
Despite the veterans’ curious absence, this is a positive development for the rookie receivers who got the chance to work very closely with Keenum and it says a lot about Keenum’s leadership and command of this offense that he was approaching the rookies between reps, giving instruction.
That’s the type of leadership we’d all come to expect from Peyton Manning when he was in Denver, and hopefully, the Broncos’ offense can return to the top half of the league with Keenum running the show.