Denver Broncos: Will 2018 Case Keenum be similar to 2013 Nick Foles?
Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum is having a great training camp. Will his performance translate to the field and remind people of 2013 Nick Foles?
The Minnesota Vikings had a great season under quarterback Case Keenum in 2017. When the Denver Broncos signed him to a two-year, $36 million deal this past offseason, they knew that he was the immediate starter at the position.
All of the questions of a quarterback controversy went out the window.
Keenum has had a tremendous training camp thus far.
He went five practices without throwing an interception. He was finally picked off by safety Will Parks on Friday, but the streak of no interceptions in five practices is phenomenal. It reminded me of a great season by the Super Bowl LII MVP, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles.
In 2013, Eagles quarterback Nick Foles had a tremendous 13-game season. He completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,891 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just two interceptions.
I believe that Keenum can surpass those numbers if he stays healthy for the three extra games Foles did not see action in.
Yeah, I know what you’re thinking: Foles had a great season while Keenum has just done well during practice. Well, performances in practice often translate onto the field.
I strongly believe that this will be the case for Keenum.
The Broncos added some firepower on offense during the 2018 NFL draft, selecting wide receivers Courtland Sutton—who is expected to make an instant impact—and DaeSean Hamilton, as well as running back Royce Freeman. They also have starters Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders returning to the mix.
Thomas had nearly 1,000 yards in 2017 while catching passes from three different quarterbacks. What can he do with the ball while having consistency at the quarterback position? That’s a major bonus to any receiver, or any offense, in the National Football League.
For the most part, it seems as if the pass catchers are on the same page as Keenum, making everybody’s job that much easier.
In 2017 Keenum completed 67.6 percent of his passes for 3,547 yards, 22 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. His leading receiver was Adam Thielen, who caught 91 passes for 1,276 yards and four touchdowns. Receiver Stefon Diggs and tight end Kyle Rudolph both caught eight of Keenum’s 22 touchdowns that season.
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No disrespect to the Vikings, but I think the Broncos’ pass catchers will perform better than Minnesota did in 2017 with Keenum.
In 2013, Nick Foles had receivers DeSean Jackson, Riley Cooper, and Jason Avant. They also had tight ends Brent Celek and Zach Ertz. While their tight end group was stronger and more proven, I believe Denver’s current wide receiver group will perform better than Philadelphia’s did that year.
Denver has a fantastic group of wide receivers this year. Thomas and Sanders have proven themselves to the entire league. They are the leaders of the positional group.
Sutton has been amazing during his first training camp in the league. There have been many instances where he “climbs the ladder” and snags a pass in mid-air. I have had to double check a couple times to see if I’m reading old news.
I was not. He has been doing it on a consistent basis.
Keenum has been in the league for a while now. He has bounced around from team to team. This could be an even more magical year for him than last year’s playoff push with Minnesota.
The Broncos have an extremely strong wide receiver group, even stronger than the Vikings did in 2017. I could easily see Keenum having a career year with the Broncos in 2018. He could bump his completion percentage up a few notches, maybe around 71 percent.
He may even have a career year and throw for over 4,000 yards.
Next. Broncos training camp standouts so far. dark
Heck, based on what he has been able to do in practice with his new team, he may even throw the same number of interceptions as Foles did in 2013. There is no doubt in my mind that he, along with his offensive teammates and solid defense, could have a spectacular 2018 season and make a strong playoff push in January.