Evans: Taking on the frustrating ‘snowflakes’ on Team Paxton

When this whole “The Decision” thing took off at the beginning of training camp I loved the idea of Team Trevor and Team Paxton. The Broncos quarterback competition has been one of the most interesting and polarizing topics I’ve been a part of in my nearly 20 years here at Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan.

But I didn’t realize members of the media would come into this debate with so many agendas, and those agenda-driven media members are clearly on Team Paxton. Listening to them try to build up Lynch, or, more recently, make excuses and allowances for the second-year quarterback, has been disappointing, especially from people from which I would expect more.

I find myself defending Trevor Siemian more than most because I really don’t care where a guy was drafted. I also believe Siemian has more upside than Lynch supporters are willing to give him credit.

I guess I’m also a bit old fashioned that I believe a job should be earned instead of just given. I suppose in this brave new world we live in I need to find a better way to deal with “snowflakes.”

Lynch supporters leave me frustrated in so many ways:

1. Their assertion that because Lynch is a first-round pick he has to play.

Why? To find out what he can do?

This is what practices are for. Lynch either can or he can’t. Russell Wilson didn’t need many NFL reps to show he was worth starting. It’s the same with Dak Prescott. Looks like Deshaun Watson won’t. Heck, it was the same with Tom Brady.

Lynch is a first-round pick. If he’s all he’s cracked up to be then beating out a relatively inexperienced seventh-round pick shouldn’t be so hard. It shouldn’t require a ton of extra reps.

This is year two. Enough with the, “He needs to play in order to get better.” That’s a weak excuse.

2. The theory that “Lynch needs an offense built around his talents” is also a weak excuse.

This is a pathetic cover up for his lack of NFL skills. It’s what people cling to when it becomes clear a guy isn’t ready, or worse, can’t cut it.

A quarterback isn’t taken in the first round with the idea you will have to gimmick up an offense to somehow get him to perform. There are certain skills and certain throws and certain decisions that every elite passer needs to be able to do.

Mobile QBs seem to entice a lot of people with their ability to “make something out of nothing.” But when they struggle with the basics of quarterback play, those same people whine about not having an offense designed for mobility.

Those kinds of quarterbacks don’t last in the NFL. At some point, you have to figure out how to stand in the pocket, make the right reads, and make all of the throws — all the while avoiding contact because a so-called mobile quarterback is no good to anyone when they’re hurt all the time.

If they can’t do that, their potential in the league is limited. And crying about not having that “special” kind of offense is the last line of excuse making for a quarterback who just doesn’t have the goods.

3. And the, “You might as well play Paxton because we’ve already seen what Trevor is, and who wants to go through that again?” excuse?

I’ll make this simple. If Lynch had thrown for 3,400 yards last year with 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions all the while playing through an injured shoulder and behind a terrible offensive line, members of Team Paxton would be giddy with his prospects for the future.

Instead, Siemian does it, and the gripe is that. Apparently, that’s all he has? There’s no chance for him to get better?

That’s dumb.

I am not living in Siemian’s jock. I have said, repeatedly, he was a below average quarterback last year. I’ve also repeatedly said he needs to be much better this year.

But Siemian was better than Lynch last year, and so far he’s been better this season. That’s on Lynch. That’s what Team Paxton needs to suck up and accept.

So, when one of them pouts and says something like, “Well, Siemian made this mistake, and he failed to make that throw,” that person has a point. He’s right.

But Siemian still remains the better quarterback. And Team Paxton needs to stop looking to belittle Siemian, start demanding more of Lynch and stop making so many excuses.

Oh, by the way, I’m still a Lynch believer. Funny how even so-called Team Paxton supporters are turning on him.

There’s talk of “bust” is in the air. Are you kidding me?

Just about every NFL draft “expert” raved about Lynch’s talent on draft night but cautioned he’s was raw and two to three years away. Well, here we are in year two, and folks want to label him a bust.

I would argue he’s exactly where he is supposed to be.

Could somebody tell the Team Paxton snowflakes that? Please?

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