Denver Broncos under the most pressure in Week One
Jonas Griffith’s time to shine is now
Jonas Griffith was injured in the Denver Broncos’ first preseason game, in the first couple of plays. After dislocating his elbow, there was a time frame set from 4-6 weeks for his recovery, it looks like Griffith’s recovery happened as quickly as possible.
With the news of Josey Jewell having issues with his calf, the return of Jonas Griffith becomes even more important. Josey Jewell is trending in the right direction and I do not expect to see him Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks.
Behind Griffith will be Justin Strnad and Alex Singleton, with Baron Browning having the ability to play inside if needed. This is going to be an area Pete Carroll will attack. He loves to run the football as is, when considering the inside linebacker position along with the defensive line carries the most concern, it is definitely something to keep an eye on.
Jonas Griffith has played well when he has been on the field, it is just the fact he has only started in four, playing in 13 games in his career. There is just going to be a need for Jonas Griffith to play well and to be on the field if the Denver Broncos want to be victorious Monday night.
No matter how bad you think a team is, if they can run the football on your defense, it gives them a fair chance and probably even an advantage at beating you. Last year’s matchup against the Cleveland Browns and Case Keenum proved just that.
Griffith will have to be not just A guy against the Seattle Seahawks, but he will need to be THE guy for the Denver Broncos run defense. I do think Griffith is capable and able to take on this challenge, it will just be an incredible environment to be in for the first-time full starter.
Added pressure comes from the fact that many in Broncos Country wanted the Denver Broncos to add some additional help at the position. It was an issue that the national media saw, Broncos Country saw, but George Paton didn’t.
Again like the Randy Gregory singing, the pressure on Jonas Griffith is not necessarily his fault, but it will still be there because, by virtue, he is the guy starting in a spot that a lot of Broncos Country wanted an upgrade in.