Denver Broncos: Key training camp battle updates
Denver Broncos Quarterback Competiton:
In the best interest of the Denver Broncos, this competition will eventually decide itself. Until then, it is important to not jump to conclusions, but it is also to take things at face value. As far as the quarterback battle goes, it seems Lock has the lead as of right now.
Depending on who you ask, the scorecard may look different. According to the trusty Benjamin Allbright with KOA Radio & Broncos Country Tonight, it was graded as the following:
Day 1: Drew Lock
Day 2: Teddy Bridgewater
Day 3: Drew Lock
Day 4: Drew Lock
Again, some may view it differently. In the lens of others, like Andrew Mason, it may seem like it is more of:
Day 1: Push
Day 2: Teddy Bridgewater
Day 3: Drew Lock
Day 4: Drew Lock
Regardless, this is a positive start for Drew Lock. Four days passed through and Drew Lock had yet to throw a single interception (he threw his first pick on day five). That is wildly important. For the immediate season, whoever provides the team with the best chance at winning is the best-case scenario.
For the Denver Broncos’ future, Drew Lock becoming the team’s franchise quarterback is the ideal scenario. When digging into the quarterback battle, one thing that is vital for this team’s success is the Red Zone work. Coming into camp, Teddy Bridgewater was sub-par in this department. That hasn’t changed much.
During red-zone work on day 4 of camp, it was noted that Bridgewater threw three passes out of bounds, all back to back. This is what is expected from Bridgewater. Coming into this season, that has been the knock-on Bridgewater; he’s an ultra passive quarterback. On the other hand, Drew Lock has been doing quite the opposite.
Day two of training camp, in a day that Bridgewater seemingly “won”, Lock still had some impressive work in the red zone. Struggling early on, according to Andrew Mason, Lock rebounded with 3 touchdowns late in the red zone period. Again, Bridgewater clearly had a better day two. Lock still managed to bring something that Bridgewater doesn’t, in spite of having a bad day, Lock still had the ability to make throws in tights areas.
An interesting quote from Head Coach Vic Fangio, “Checkdowns are good, but you need more than check-downs.” Bridgewater has continued to be what he has been. On a particular fourth and long on day two of camp, Bridgewater has one of his two incompletions come in the form of a drop by running back Royce Freeman.
While Freeman dropped it, Bridgewater is throwing a behind the line of scrimmage pass of 4th and long in training camp. Maybe this is what Coach Fangio is alluding to. Yes, taking care of the football is important, but at times, if you want the biscuit, you’re going to have to risk it. It wasn’t until day four of camp that Bridgewater or Lock threw their first interceptions, Bridgewater happened to throw all three of them.
Drew Lock has been efficient, throwing zero interceptions through four days of training camp. That is the part of the game that Drew Lock needs to marry with his talent, efficiency. It seems he has been working diligently in doing so. Drew Lock is leading the way after four days of camp, but he hasn’t won the job. It’s ridiculous to frame it that way just four days into camp, but if Lock stays on this path, he has a very good chance at doing so.