Why Broncos Country should pick Drew Lock up
After Drew Lock threw an awful interception, much of Broncos Country has turned their back on him. However, he is still a member of the Denver Broncos.
Beneath the surface of the Denver Broncos dominating 28-13 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers lies one egregious error from backup quarterback, Drew Lock.
After Teddy Bridgewater left the game in the second quarter, the Denver Broncos had to turn to their backup quarterback, Drew Lock. In limited snaps, Lock fumbled (recovered by Tim Patrick) and threw a horrific interception.
Some say Kendall Hinton could have helped Lock out more by flattening out his route or making a better effort, but I personally am not here for the excuses. That throw, in that situation, was exactly why Drew Lock isn’t trusted with the football in his hands.
Now, I was one of many in Lock’s camp hoping that he would grow into the Denver Broncos’ franchise quarterback. However, it looks like he has actually regressed. In his couple of moments this year, he has thrown half of the interceptions Teddy Bridgewater has the entire season.
Drew Lock is pressing, playing the type of game that got him pressed down the depth chart.
Drew Lock is also a human being and will make mistakes, he just has made too many. As famous Hip-Hip artist J Cole said, “Fool me one time, shame on you, fool me two times, can’t put the blame on you.”
However, this is not the first time a Denver Broncos quarterback has made a really poor decision this season. Everyone remembers Teddy Bridgewater’s best dodgeball impression when closing in on Philadelphia Eagles‘ cornerback Darius Slay. Bridgewater decided to dodge, dip, duck, dodge again, doing everything but diving.
This isn’t an article making excuses for Lock, nor is it one clamoring for him to be QB1, but it is simply for Broncos Country to understand that mistakes happen. At least in Lock’s case, even if it was him trying to make a play, it was something he really shouldn’t have been forcing at that time.
If Lock simply throws the ball away, this conversation isn’t being had. His performance outside of this play was just meh, nothing really monumental on either side of the spectrum.
In Vic Fangio’s presser today, he did say Drew Lock was still the backup quarterback. Drew Lock is still a Denver Bronco. He has caught heat, scrutiny, and fairly warranted criticism for his mistake Sunday, but this is the time we accept it, and move on.
Broncos Country does not have to forget it, however. I’ve yet to forget Bridgewater’s business decision, but I have moved on and just hoped for better from him. Drew Lock should get the same benefit of the doubt in this situation.
Not because he is the future, or because I think he will be, but because there is a good chance Lock may need to be called upon again this season. Lock plays with an immense amount of emotion, if it is directed in the right way, it could be uplifting to his play instead of detrimental.
If Lock is pressed into action again due to a Bridgewater injury, we need the best Drew Lock out there for the sake of the team. I’m not saying you have to do this, or do that, I am just encouraging everyone to try to pick Lock up at this point.
Not as the starting quarterback, but as a member of the Denver Broncos and someone who may have to play important snaps heading down this important stretch of football. This team is actually in a good spot to make the playoffs still, even win the division.
Everyone needs to be playing their best football right now. It would be great to embrace each individual on this team, in their respective roles. Embrace Drew Lock as the backup, root for him to do well if he has to spell Bridgewater again.
Root for Teddy Bridgewater to continue to play clean football, give effort, and stay healthy. At the end of the day, I think we can all agree that this is Teddy’s team, but Lock may have to give Teddy a break at some point. When that time comes, Drew Lock could use the boost of confidence knowing that Broncos Country still has his back.
Just so I make this perfectly clear, this isn’t a “Start Drew Lock” movement, but a “support whoever is taking the current snap for the Denver Broncos” movement. This team has a legit chance at making some noise right now, Broncos Country should get behind whoever is it, whenever it is.