The Broncos have enjoyed a nice winning streak. Case Keenum has been playing better, which might show that the problems on offense were not entirely on him.
Case Keenum hasn’t thrown an interception in the past four games.
People would say that it’s Keenum who needed to do better. He was destroying the offense single handedly. And now, now he’s settling in. Throwing the ball away, appropriately. Leading the offense soundly. It was all Case Keenum… this is what some fans say. I say that it wasn’t, and never has been Keenum…. At least not all Keenum.
Yes, he may have needed to settle in and learn his new coaches, teammates and playbook. This is what happens. A new member of a team needs time to adjust, this takes longer than one thinks. But it wasn’t ever JUST Keenum.
Here are the three factors in what has changed, making Case Keenum seem like he’s playing at a different level.
First off, the offensive line has done better.
Despite the plaguing injuries the Broncos have suffered in the front line alone Paradis, Leary and Garcia, this has somehow made our O-line stronger. Oxymoron for sure, but here is where the numbers aren’t an illusion.
This year Keenum has been sacked a total of 28 times. 28 times!! That’s already six more sacks than his last season, All season, with the Vikings. However, these sacks are starting to become less. In the Arizona game Keenum didn’t get sacked even once.
One could say it’s because he’s getting rid of the ball sooner. Could be, but with how good the run game has been since the bye? It’s safe to say the offensive line is finally pulling together. Speaking of offensive line…
Garrett Bolles has performed better.
I have to admit, I haven’t been Garret Bolles number one fan. He’s gotten costly penalties at the most inopportune times this season. And last for that matter. His blocking has been awful. Allowing 3.5 sacks per game, and several grim rush blocks.
Until the Rams game, Phillip Lindsay was only rushing an average of 3.5 yards per carry behind Bolles. On Phillip Lindsay’s first touchdown against the Bengals game, he took it up the center. When you look back in slow motion, you can clearly see that Bolles had a big hand in opening up the hole that Lindsay patiently waited for.
Bolles also was the lead blocker in Phillip Lindsay’s 65 yard run. Having a run game alone takes pressure off the quarterback, he hasn’t had a penalty for two games and hasn’t been pinned for allowing a sack for three games. Insert applause here. I’m impressed with this young man’s improvement.
Coaching has improved dramatically.
Oh the turmoil there is in the Broncos coaching department. VJ on the hot seat. Joe Woods’ defense falling apart, and what’s going on with this offense?! What is going on in Broncos Country? Is it VJ’s fault? Woods?
Typically head coaches don’t call the offensive plays unless your Kyle Shanahan or Sean McVay. So who is really to blame? Well, one thing that’s changed is head coach VJ has stepped in and is ‘more involved’ in play calling on the defense.
Since, the defense has had a total of 16 Turnovers! The Broncos D has only had five turnovers total until the day Coach Joseph got ‘more involved’. That’s it! That improvement in coaching alone will take a struggling team for not to hot. Especially when that team’s offense was still struggling to get on the same page.
Case Keenum and the offense, with these coaching improvements is finally looking like they’re starting to find their groove. The defense is playing better and giving them more scoring opportunities.
Of course we can’t rely on that alone, but it did get us one Superbowl, and I’m hopeful because this offense is starting to look better than the Super Bowl 50 winning offense. Fingers crossed! If the Broncos stay on this path. Coach VJ will be keeping his job, and everyone can finally see what Elway, and myself, sees in Keenum, and why we signed him.