Mile High Monday: Running game powers the Broncos to a victory

Dec 19, 2022, 6:29 AM

Denver Sports Analyst

Things were supposed to be much different in 2022. I’m pretty upset when it comes to ranting and raving about the ineffective Broncos’ offense. Instead, I’m already diving into next year’s draft class to get a head start on my work that usually begins in January.

I like thinking about the future of the Broncos. As crazy as it may sound, I believe things can get better for the Broncos in 2023 and beyond. The regular season is a grind, and this year has been worse than ever. The draft season is what I love the most, and a bad Broncos team means I can get to work early on what gets me the most excited and interested about football.

I also like contemplating life and sports when driving around with the top down on my old Jeep TJ! The following is a result of those trips during the week.

Buckle up, let’s take a ride through my thoughts.

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It Just Doesn’t Matter

Win or lose, this game against the Cardinals didn’t really matter. With a loss, it’s just more of the same in a lost season. With a win, it wasn’t going to save Nathaniel Hackett’s job. It just doesn’t matter what the Broncos did in Week 15. I just wanted to get through the game healthy, and the long-term future of the Broncos is much more important than anything that happens against two bad teams late in the season.

The Broncos won, and it feels good. The Broncos won, and it doesn’t matter in the big picture. The Broncos won, and they won’t keep head coach Nathaniel Hackett. I know fans were worried that a win would lead to the team reconsidering the firing of Hackett. That’s a fair notion, but at the end I think things have just gone too far.
Hackett is not a good head coach, and the Broncos are likely to hire someone like Dan Quinn this offseason. They’ll hire Quinn as the head coach, and then hire someone like Brian Schottenheimer to run the offense. Both have experience with QB Russell Wilson, and both are veteran voices that players can listen to. With those moves, I have hope the Broncos can be better in the coming seasons with Wilson as their quarterback.

I know it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, but a win is a win is a win. Feels good. I know, I know…Cardinals suck, but things have been bad for the #Broncos this year. A win feels good. #nuffsaid @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) December 19, 2022

They’re not keeping Hackett – full stop. Yes, they won the game. Yes, the players have not given up on their head coach. However, that doesn’t change what has already been done. The Broncos beat a bad team on Sunday, and I credit the players more than Hackett. He’s gone, it’s just a matter of when not if.

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Century 28

It’s Week 15 in the 2022 NFL season, and the Broncos finally had a running back go over 100-yards rushing in a single game. Latavius Murray has been the starter for weeks, but the Broncos don’t emphasize the ground game. They finally did against the Cardinals, and Murray responded with his 13th 100-yard rushing day of his career.

Murray had to fight hard for the yards on Sunday. He’s a big runner, and he has a tough running style when he builds a head of steam. As I highlighted in my game plan on Friday, the best way to beat the Cardinals on the ground was to soften them up between the tackles. Once you do that, draw plays and toss plays will work as well. Murray did his damage between the tackles, and he was able to rip off a 35-yard run to boost his day.

Not only Murray, but Marlon Mack did a good job running the ball. It was the rushing attack that sealed the deal for the Broncos on Sunday. Murray scored a fourth-quarter touchdown where he would not be denied as he pushed towards the end zone. This has always been here for the Broncos, and finally (too late, but finally) the Broncos’ coaching staff realized they should set things up with their ground game – which goes hand-in-hand with playing strong defense.

That carry puts Latavius Murray over 100 yards on the day. FINALLY the #Broncos have a rusher go over the century mark….about damn time, only took until Week 15. #sheesh @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) December 18, 2022

I have been wanting more of a commitment to the ground game for weeks and weeks. I’ve gotten so tired of saying it, that I’d given up hope the Broncos’ staff would emphasize a running back enough to reach that mark. It’s nice to finally see that come to fruition – even if it was in the last month of the season.

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The Best. Period

The Harlon Hill Trophy was awarded to Colorado School of Mines quarterback John Matocha last week. That is Division II’s version of the Heisman Trophy, meaning Matocha was the MVP of his entire division as he led the Orediggers to the title game on Saturday. Unfortunately, the Orediggers fell to Ferris State 41-14 (who won their second straight title) and now Matocha will enter the next chapter of his life.

Does that future include playing football on Sunday? I think it could be for a couple of reasons. First, Matocha is smart (duh, he’s at Mines) and he understands what defenses are trying to throw at him. Second, Matocha is an athletic quarterback who can evade pressure with his legs (check out his nifty spin move to get away from the pass rush), and he can be a threat as a run if nobody is open. Finally, he’s a hyper competitive player who displays a ton of heart and energy on the field. While Matocha may never develop into a regular starter, I think teams should be interested in him as a tryout player at least.

I like the way Matocha can use multiple arm angles to get rid of the football. He’s got kind of a baseball throwing motion, and that means his arm doesn’t need to be in the natural “over the top” motion that you see from mechanically perfect passers. Instead, he can sidearm passes into tight windows with proper velocity. This also greatly benefits Matocha when he’s throwing on the run. As a senior, Matocha may get an invite to an All-Star game like the Shrine Bowl early next year. I’d love the opportunity to scout him in person.

The best. Period.

John Matocha is the 2022 winner of the Harlon Hill Award!#HelluvaEngineer⚒ pic.twitter.com/unb4P99TKx

— Mines Football (@MinesFootball) December 17, 2022

I’m not sure Matocha gets a chance in the NFL – even as a camp arm – but I think he should. Not many players go from Mines to the NFL, but Matocha is the type of guy you root for and hope he can continue his football career.

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Ready for Ahsoka

Under the guidance of Disney, Star Wars movies have disappointed. However, the Star Wars streaming shows on Disney+ have been mostly outstanding. The best show? It has to be “The Mandolorian” which took fans by storm a few years ago. Season three of that show is going debut in the spring, and rumors are swirling the events involved will tie into the debut of “Star Wars: Ahsoka” which should be released in the summer of 2023.

One of my favorite characters in the Star Wars universe, Ahsoka was the padawan of Anakin Skywalker during the Clone Wars. She walked away from the Jedi Order, and she’s alive during the events of “The Mandalorian” as we saw in season two. Ahsoka will be played by actress Rosario Dawson, and she’s one of the best in her craft.

However, the latest rumors (as Ahsoka has completed filming) is that we will get to see younger versions of Ahsoka as well played by a different actress. That means we’ll get to see Ahsoka interact with Anakin Skywalker in the past and likely Luke Skywalker in the present (the series is set before “The Last Jedi”). There are so many memorable moments Star Wars fans have of Ahsoka from the animated series, and it will be fun to see further investigation of these events in live action. Add in the mystery surrounding Ezra and Grand Admiral Thrawn, and what we could see in the “world between worlds”, and “Star Wars: Ahsoka” could rank right up there with the best that Disney+ has had to offer fans.