Lammey: Broncos QB Case Keenum is more than a game manager

The Denver Broncos went out in free agency to solve the team’s issues at the quarterback position, eventually deciding to go “all in” on Case Keenum as soon as free agency began.

Broncos head coach Vance Joseph said he’s excited for Keenum’s big-play ability.

“When you watch Case play quarterback, the first thing you see is big plays. He’s always been that way since college,” Joseph said. “I watched him play in college two years, and, obviously, I was on the staff with him in Houston. He’s going to make big plays for you.”

So why do some Broncos fans think of Keenum as a game manager, safe and overly conservative with the football?

What does the tape and the advanced data show when it comes to the type of quarterback Keenum will be for the Broncos?

Let’s take a look:

Keenum has a gunslinger mentality

Keenum may not have a rocket arm like past gunslinger quarterbacks, but he’s got the mindset of a quarterback who is always on the attack.

In 2017, starting 14 games for the Minnesota Vikings, Keenum threw 22 touchdowns and ranked 15th in the league in passing attempts (53) of 20 yards or more. Add in a couple of more starts, and you can extrapolate that Keenum would’ve been among the top 10 in that category.

“He’s got a gunslinger’s mentality. He is not afraid to push the ball downfield,” Joseph said. “But with that being said, as I watched him this year, he was also different in that he was patient also. When he was a young guy, it was crazy watching him play. But watching him play currently, he’s still aggressive, but he’s also smart with the football.”

Despite pushing the ball downfield, Keenum didn’t make a ton of mistakes as a passer. That may be why some blindly assume he’s a game manager, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

And Joseph said he respects that part of his game.

“He didn’t turn the ball over. That’s the key when you’re playing quarterback and when you’re playing on a good football team like he was,” Joseph said. “They were a top-five defense, they had a running game, and he had targets to throw the football to. His job was to obviously make big plays but to take care of the football. That he did.”

Keenum had 481 passing attempts in 2017 for the Vikings, and only seven of his passes were picked off. He was credited with four dropped interceptions last year.

Advanced metrics and technology

The advanced metrics show Keenum in a different light than some automatically assume from his stature and limited body of work.

Only Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz was blitzed more per dropback (37.1 percent) than Keenum (35.2 percent) in 2017. The league average for blitzes per dropback last year was 27.1 percent.

Keenum stood strong in the pocket while under pressure. His time before pass average of 2.63 seconds was the 8th-slowest in the league. That shows he didn’t just dump off passes at the first hint of danger.

Another advanced piece of data, sacks per dropback, shows Keenum’s mettle while under duress.

In 2017, Keenum was tied for 5th best with a sack-per-dropback rate of 4.2 percent. Compare that to Trevor Siemian at 8.1 percent — while not getting blitzed as much — and you can see why any comparisons of Keenum and Siemian are inaccurate.

Keenum worked on his craft by using virtual reality technology to get more throws in than a normal backup quarterback would.

Joseph said he’s intrigued by virtual reality technology, although it’s new and he lacks a ton of experience using it.

“I haven’t had a lot of experience with that. I’ve seen it. I’m not sure how it helps football players,” Joseph said. “It’s neat when you look into the glasses and you can see the entire field but I’m not sure how that helps.”

The Broncos would be wise to set Keenum up with whatever technology he’d like to continue improving his game in 2018 and beyond.

Broncos can be creative with Keenum

Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave is one of the more creative minds in the league. He’ll have no problem crafting an offense that opponents cannot easily predict.

And Musgrave will also benefit from having a dynamic duo at wide receiver to help out Keenum.

“We have two great outside receivers,” Joseph said. “Whoever plays us is going to respect those guys, with ‘E’ (Emmanuel Sanders) and D.T. (Demaryius Thomas). They’re both Pro Bowl guys. In one-on-ones, they can really hurt you, especially on third downs.”

Joseph, however, admitted the team needs another weapon, specifically a slot receiver to really get the most out of the passing game.

“Someone has to go into the slot and win the one-on-ones so we can get fair coverages on third downs,” Joseph said.

This is not a great wide receiver class, but the 2018 NFL draft does have some playmakers at the slot receiver position in which the Broncos should have interest.

I’d like to see general manager John Elway go after Penn State’s DaSean Hamilton in the third round of the draft or Northern Iowa’s Daurice Fountain in the fifth or sixth round. Either one of those players could create electricity into the Broncos passing game and quickly become a reliable target for Keenum in 2018.

To get the most out of Keenum, the Broncos need to let him play his game. He’ll stand in the pocket and stare down the rush to find the big play downfield.

Keenum uses new technology to help his game, and the results clearly show up in the advanced metrics.

Musgrave should craft an offense that gets the most out of Keenum’s game, and Elway needs to add more weapons on offense in which to attack defenses.

Some Broncos fans may think of Keenum as a game manager, and those that do should be in for a pleasant surprise when Keenum starts the 2018 regular season.

Follow @CecilLammey