Gardner Minshew is much more than just a mustache

The Broncos are back at home on Sunday to take on the Jaguars in Week 4. They are reeling after an 0-3 start, but could get a “W” this week if they can slow down Jaguars rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew.

We’ve seen “Minshew Mania” take over the NFL scene whenever it comes to the conversation around the Jaguars. Their rookie quarterback has a style all his own – especially when it comes to rocking that ’80s mustache like Tom Selleck.

He’s authentic, a straight-shooter when it comes to answering questions and Minshew has a fearless nature on the football field. Once starter Nick Foles went down with injury in Week 1, we’ve seen Minshew look comfortable taking over. He just led the Jaguars to their first victory of the season last week against the Titans and he’s hoping for two in a row this week as the Jaguars travel to face the Broncos.

Minshew is more than a mustache; he’s a player that brings an element of danger to the field and the Broncos have to be ready for his fearless nature. Let’s take a look at why.

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Game Isn’t Too Big

Minshew has thrown the ball all over the field during his college career. It used to be that quarterbacks coming from an “air raid” offense were looked down upon in NFL circles. That pass-happy system did not translate to success for the quarterbacks once they were in the NFL. Guys like Case Keenum (University of Houston) fell undrafted even though they lit up the stat sheet in college.

That trend has taken a drastic change in the NFL now – and for multiple reasons.

First, quarterbacks aren’t prepared for the NFL like they used to be because college football offenses are so different from what we see in the pros. Second, there’s just not that many elite-level quarterbacks born and there are only so many Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes on the planet. Finally, teams are forced to make it work with what they can and that’s why you see more spread “air raid” concepts in the pros today. These quarterbacks (Mahomes included) made a ton of decisions in college when throwing the ball because those offenses are all about a high volume of passing attempts.

I asked Broncos defensive coordinator Ed Donatell if the system Minshew ran in college has helped his comfort level in the pros.

“I think the one thing that helps them is that they’re seeing the field all the time, every snap and there is a lot of carry over with the volume that you mentioned, sure,” Donatell said.

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Accurate and Patient

One of the first things that stands out about Minshew’s game is his accuracy as a passer. His game is all about hitting his targets on time and in stride so they can maximize the yards after the catch.

Not only is Minshew accurate, mainly because of his propensity to work short to intermediate routes, but his pass placement is outstanding. He is able to place the ball on the numbers for the most part on most every throw. Minshew has an off-target percentage that ranks ninth-best in the league with only 13.6 percent of his passes being too high or too low (the league average is 17.7 percent). He is able to hit receivers in stride because he is patient when getting rid of the ball. Minshew has good timing and will wait for the right spot in the throwing window before he lets the pass go.

Minshew is going to get rid of the ball on average at 2.68 seconds, with the league average being 2.70 seconds after three games. That shows he’s not just getting rid of the ball as soon as he gets the snap. Minshew does a good job of not giving safeties enough time to react to his eyes, but he will not rush a throw unless he has to. The rookie is completely comfortable with the game and the chaos of a defense swarming around him.

“I think (my) confidence comes from the preparation and the belief that you are ready for it. I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of great coaches and mentors around him help get me ready and I trust that preparation,” Minshew said.

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Speed to Burn

The Jaguars don’t have household names at the wide receiver position, but what they do have is speed, speed and more speed. The Broncos need to be prepared for speedy receivers on the outside Dede Westbrook and D.J. Chark. It seems both receivers have taken strides forward in their career this season.

Westbrook, was a fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma in the 2017 NFL Draft and the team seems to want to use him more than ever before this season. He’s coming off a season-high nine targets against the Titans in Week 3 and Westbrook’s speed is good for more than just “go” routes down the sideline. He’s also quick and doesn’t lose much speed when he has to make a break in his route.

Chark, a second-round pick out of LSU in 2018, is their most dangerous weapon at the wide receiver position. He has immediately earned the trust of Minshew as evidenced by his four catches for 146 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs in Week 1. Chark has always has speed, but this season he seems to be more refined as a route runner. He will get open and Minshew has no problem finding him.

Both of these receivers – and their speed – doesn’t seem to concern Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. too much.

“I see fast receivers every week it’s the NFL. It’s nothing that I don’t think I haven’t faced speed-wise,” Harris said.

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Summary

The Broncos cannot think of Minshew as a garden-variety rookie quarterback. He’s made thousands of decisions as a passer and there’s not much thrown at him that Minshew is not prepared for.

He’s a smart and accurate quarterback with weapons on the outside. The Broncos will have to be ready for a team that likes to run the ball and then stretch the field vertically whenever possible. Minshew doesn’t have a strong arm, but he does not hesitate to pull the trigger and that anticipation helps him fit passes in that most quarterbacks without strong arms can’t make.

The rookie quarterback is not impacted by the ‘Minshew Mania’ that has taken over the league and the community.

“It doesn’t really change anything with me. I still show up here at the same time, I leave at the same time. The same thing as always, it doesn’t really affect me. More than anything, it’s just noise,” Minshew said.

Broncos Country needs to show up in force on Sunday and make the rookie feel a different type of noise. The Broncos themselves have to be prepared for a quarterback who doesn’t rattle easy, and they must make him uneasy in order to win in Week 4.

Follow @CecilLammey