Denver Broncos: Teddy Bridgewater and Vic Fangio’s fate is tied together
In a bold decision, head coach Vic Fangio selected journeyman and literal bridge quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater to rest his fate on. This could be a calculated decision for Fangio, as he is an analytical mind, but that has to play itself out.
Fangio does know one thing, in order for him to remain the Denver Broncos head coach, his fortune has to change. Especially in September.
During Fangio’s tenure as the Denver Broncos head coach, he is an abysmal 0-for in September contests. That is absolutely and undoubtedly unacceptable. Heck, if he doesn’t win three games this September, I expect his seat to become warmer than the wrong side of a pillow.
First things first, Fangio has to win at least three games to begin the season. Anything under 3-1 to start just will not pan out well for the former longtime defensive coordinator. To make it very clear, Fangio must bring the fire if he doesn’t want to be under fire.
Which is completely warranted.
He hasn’t had his franchise quarterback, but neither did Vance Joseph. Much like Vance Joseph, I think Vic Fangio struggles with clock management. His belief is that by not using his timeouts on defense, it relies on his offense to get a couple of more shots than he would in retrospect.
I for one, am not on board with this approach. If I am a head coach and I am trying to control the clock, I am certainly trying to retain as many tics as possible until my offense could get the ball back. He is trying a different approach that hasn’t quite been done before and I appreciate the innovation, but I just personally do not think that it is efficient.
I’d much rather have my offense get the ball back with 1:30 left on the clock with zero timeouts left than 19 seconds left on the clock and two timeouts. Your quarterback and offense can control the clock and simply clock it or get out of bounds if planned appropriately.
Spikes of the football are limitless as long as you have the time and can keep the chains moving. So like I said, I understand why he is doing it, I just do not think it is the most efficient way in handling the clock. The last thing you want as an offense is to lose a game, with timeouts left on the clock, but the clock sitting at 0:00.
Fangio also must prove he can win without his franchise quarterback. While that doesn’t seem fair, it was ultimately his decision to give up on the one potential franchise quarterback he could have had. He decided to go with the journeyman, so that is no longer an acceptable excuse in my eyes.
He also must coach this team to a playoff berth, anything less, I do not retain him as the head coach if I’m General Manager, George Paton. Whether the record of the Denver Broncos is 9-8 or 10-7, if he doesn’t push this team to a playoff berth, then I would move on.
Year three in a coach’s tenure is about the end of the road if they do not make the postseason, in fair circumstances. In this circumstance, there is absolutely zero excuse for missing this postseason. He got the quarterback he wanted, he was given more cornerback depth and a deep and talented team.
There are no excuses.
Fangio must win and win in the postseason. Like Bridgewater, a berth isn’t enough, a victory must be attained. That more than likely will have to come through a wild card berth as a Teddy Bridgewater-led offense surely isn’t outgunning Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
There is a possibility that the duo of Vic Fangio and Teddy Bridgewater returns to the Denver Broncos in 2022, but it isn’t an easy path. Success and positive strides from Fangio and Bridgewater must occur.
They have to improve in a drastic manner, and that begins in September. Fangio has to lean more on Bridgewater than Bridgewater has to lean on Fangio. Bridgewater must be precise, he has to be willing to push the ball downfield, and he has to bring this team to the postseason.
It’s a daunting task for both individuals to take such a substantial leap, but they have my support. Regardless of if I think Fangio cut Drew Lock’s move off too quickly or not, I will always root for the success of the Denver Broncos.
Hopefully, you all do too, but it is fair to have your own individual doubts, as I do myself.