Franklin: Trading DT the best move for Keenum, the Broncos offense
Nov 26, 2018, 10:00 AM | Updated: 10:49 am
Seeing Demaryius Thomas traded to the Houston Texans was hard for Orlando Franklin, but the 104.3 The Fan host said Monday it has turned out for the best for the Denver Broncos.
Franklin, filling in on “Schlereth and Evans,” said with the departure of Thomas, the Broncos could utilize the tight end position more, something in which quarterback Case Keenum appears to be more comfortable.
“With getting rid of Demaryius Thomas, now you’re able to put two tight ends on the field. That’s what Case Keenum is comfortable going to, his tight ends,” Franklin said.
In the three games Denver’s played since Thomas was traded, Keenum has thrown for an average of 230.7 yards and one touchdown per game to go with no interceptions.
Keenum’s previous eight games, he passed for 33 more yards per game but had 10 picks and 10 interceptions and a quarterback rating of 83, six points lower than the past three games.
“He is just in sync with those people. And when you got rid of Demaryius Thomas, it allowed you now to put those tight ends on the field,” Franklin said.
Statistically, Broncos tight ends have been more productive over the past three games as well, grabbing nearly twice as many receptions on almost two more targets per game.
Perhaps the most telling stats, however, are that Broncos tight ends have on average 78 receiving yards and two total touchdowns in the past three games compared to 35.25 yards on average and just one touchdown in the previous eight games.
“Bill Musgrave, with trading DT away, it now allows you to put more tight ends on the field. That’s what (Keenum’s) more comfortable with,” Franklin said of the Broncos offensive coordinator.
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