Mile High Monday: The Broncos show some fight in loss to the Chiefs

It’s a new year, and it looked like a new you… err, new Denver Broncos on the field during their New Year’s Day matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17. Broncos interim head coach Jerry Rosburg had his team playing good football, and they almost pulled off the upset of the losing by a score of 27-24.

I like when the Broncos show some heart. They’ve had talent to put up better numbers and more wins this year, but they were not getting proper coaching under Nathaniel Hackett. The heart those players showed against the Chiefs just further proves my point that coaching was the Broncos’ biggest problem.

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.

***

More Vintage Russ Please

I don’t believe Broncos QB Russell Wilson is washed up. I’m not letting Wilson off without criticism for this season, but there are many misconceptions about the Broncos quarterback. I think he can still play good football and be a good starter in this league. However, in order to do that, I think Wilson needs to play like he used to.

I know he wants to play another decade – but that’s not going to happen. I know he may want to be more of a pocket passer – but that’s not his game. The best part of Wilson’s game is his ability to keep plays alive with his feet while keeping his eyes downfield. Against the Chiefs, we saw that “Vintage Russ” game with two rushing touchdowns.

Wilson wants to be a passer first; and that’s why I won’t call him a rushing quarterback. He can rush, and he can still be effective rushing the ball. However, Wilson can be a special passer on the run. That’s a rare attribute that not every quarterback has. The Broncos need to let Wilson have the freedom to rush the ball, and that needs to be an emphasis for the offense in the coming season.

THIS. 100 percent this.

Russell Wilson can be better. Again, he's not been good this year but I don't think he's washed. There is talent here, and we're seeing with better coaching what they can do. https://t.co/KuMT3gPX0U<;/a>

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) January 1, 2023

There are a lot of changes coming this offseason. When a new head coach is hired, I’m sure he will fit in with Wilson. It’s more than just Wilson, but a head coach to guide the quarterback and understand that ‘Vintage Russ’ is what this team needs will be best for the future.

***

Buy In, Sell Out

These last two games don’t mean much, but there are things you can look for in these last days of the 2022 season. You can look for “buy in” from players. It’s usually younger players that go all out over these final games in a lost season. However, against the Chiefs I saw a lot of players buying in and selling out (as Rosburg said in his postgame press conference).

Courtland Sutton is one of the first players I want to highlight here. He’s got a toughness and a fight about his game that others can feed off of that energy. Sutton finished the game with four catches for 44 yards, but there was more there if only the officials had not gotten in the way (more on that in a bit). He is a player that has battled through injuries this season, but Sutton has not stopped fighting – and that was apparent against the Chiefs on Sunday.

Kareem Jackson is another veteran player who had a ton of fight on the field. He’s the next great one in a long line of hard-hitting Broncos’ safeties. Jackson may not be with the team in 2023, and he might decide it’s time to retire. The future may be unknown for him, but all I know is that the team is going to miss him. Jackson has a ton of energy, and he’s one of the most intimidating players on the Broncos’ roster. A seasoned veteran like Jackson could easily check out of a lost season. Instead, he’s showing the young players how to buy in and sell out.

love the fight inside Courtland Sutton, want to see more of him as this game goes on. #Broncos @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) January 1, 2023

Who wants to fight? Sutton and Jackson are just two of the examples I’ve written about here, but there are many others. I liked seeing the Broncos fight, even if the effort did not result in a win. At this point in the season, it’s about the Broncos putting good film out there for the next coaching staff – or another coaching staff in the league. I thought the Broncos showed plenty of fight for themselves, their teammates, and Rosburg on Sunday.

***

Bad Calls Rob Momentum

I’m never going to blame the results of a game on officials. I’ve often said that good teams overcome bad refs. That didn’t happen on Sunday. The Broncos were beaten by the Chiefs – full stop. However, the refs helped the Chiefs on a few key plays that helped put them over the top in a close contest.

Sutton made a big catch on one of the few deep shots taken by the Broncos on Sunday. Instead of the big play – perfectly timed by the way (credit to play caller Justin Outten) – the officials threw a flag and called Sutton for offensive pass interference. Sutton has a big body, and he can outmuscle smaller defenders for the ball in ways that are standard for receivers of his size. That’s what happened, and that’s all that happened – normal hand fighting by both the offensive player and the defensive player. The play was huge, and it could have been a big momentum swing for the Broncos. Instead, it was a momentum-robbing call made by officials who missed several calls in Week 17.

On the Broncos’ final drive, Wilson was body slammed while attempting a throw on fourth down. Wilson’s body was thrusted to the ground in a way that looked like a wrestling move instead of a football move. Tom Brady could not get roughed up that way. Patrick Mahomes could not get roughed up that way. The league needs to make sure that Wilson – who some (not me) call a rushing quarterback – needs to get that same treatment. The league has gone out of their way to protect quarterbacks, but the rules need to be the same for every player at that position.

So, I guess you can just body slam Russell Wilson?

All about player safety, amirite NFL? #Broncos @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) January 1, 2023

The NFL needs full-time refs. This season, more than any other season I’ve watched, has featured the worst officiating I can remember. More people are wondering if the league is rigged or if there are officials ‘on the take’ especially with the way the NFL has warmed up to the gambling of Las Vegas. Full-time officials would show the public that they care about the best product they can create – and that their game is not being dictated by officials with money on the line.

***

Happy Boo Year

This year is going to be a big one for me professionally. Starting this month, I’m officially launching my independent comic book company; Smokin Gun Comics. I’ve had a dream of being a comic book creator since I was a little boy. In fact, I wanted to be a comic book artist like Todd McFarlane or Rob Liefeld when I grew up. Instead of following my dream, I didn’t think I could do it – and did not – in my younger days.

As I’ve gotten older, I have learned that whether you say “I can” or “I can’t” you are correct. I’ve now gotten the opportunity and resources to start my dream business. My best friend, Eric Hoffman, and I have a whole universe of superheroes that will debut soon in Smokin Gun Comics. However, to launch the company I’m going to first crowdfund my story “Fake Boos.”

It all started with Mark Schlereth. Just like my radio career started because of Stink, my backside was kicked in gear when I pitched Stink “Fake Boos” as a project for Hollywood (think Netflix, etc). He told me, “Get me the comic, and I’ll get it to Dwayne (Johnson).” Since those words, I have found great artists to work with to launch my dream. Instead of sitting on one idea, I have seven more Intellectual Properties that I’m making into comic books. I will crowdfund these projects as seed money for the company, while also pitching these IPs to Hollywood and the comic book community.

I have no idea what the future holds for my company. I only know that creating stories, watching them come to life in the pages of comic books, and having the opportunity to turn them into TV shows or movies is a great motivator. I already have a dream job covering the NFL, so why not get another dream job of creating comics? I wish I could have told my younger self to keep going – but I know my older self will not give up on my dream like I did years ago.

Big things poppin. #happyBOOyear

Coming to Kickstarter this month. The first of 8 IPs I'm launching in 2023. Super exciting times! #comicbooks #comicbookartist #indiecomics pic.twitter.com/50nJyzMDVZ

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) January 1, 2023

What are some of the dreams you want to chase? Hit me up on social networking and let me know!

***

Follow @CecilLammey