Evans: Pump the brakes as the pendulum swings on Siemian

Here are my hot mid-week Denver Broncos (and Trevor Siemian) opinions as they prepare for their dreaded trap game in Buffalo:

1. My oh my, how things have changed regarding Siemian.

We’ve gone from “The book is already written on this guy,” “He’s too fragile,” “He’s a career journeyman,” and “Why would you sign up for more mediocrity?” to people debating “Should Denver give him to a new two-year contract or five?” or “Can you get him for $11 million a year, or do you go up to $15 million?”

Incredible.

My morning partner, Mark Schlereth, has already decreed he’s seen enough to say Siemian will be the Broncos quarterback for the next 10 to 12 years.

Wow.

2. This puts me in a difficult position.

As someone who was clearly on Team Trevor, extolling his virtues and making the case why he deserved to start and why there was room for growth in his game, I should be loving this. Right?

But, here’s my conflict: I don’t buy into hype.

For me, hype has to be earned. I’m slower — although, I’d prefer to think of it as more realistic and pragmatic — to come around than most. It’s mainly because most times the hype is not met.

So that puts me in the uncomfortable position of trying to pump the brakes on “Trevor-mania” as the pendulum swings wildly the other way.

3. I need to see more from Siemian; a lot more.

• I need to see him sustain this kind of play.
• I need to see him do it on the road.
• I need to see him win in Kansas City and Oakland.
• I need to see him beat Tom Brady.
• I need to see him lead the Broncos to a playoff spot.

If he can do all of that, then I’m on board the “Trevor Train.” Until then, let’s slow it down.

Breathe …

4. C.J. Anderson looks hungry.

He’s running with purpose. He’s breaking tackles. He racking up plenty of YAC, or yards after contact, (Just a quick aside, I love that football term. YAC.).

He looks like a man on a mission. Can it continue?

I have got to wonder if the Broncos have their doubts. They planted the possibility of Devontae Booker assuming a big role when he comes back during a pregame conversation with Fox’s Joe Buck that aired Sunday.

Clearly, that was done to get the word out to keep Anderson motivated.

It’s a shame if that’s what it takes, and Anderson can’t stay motivated on his own.

5. More Jamaal Charles, please.

6. I honestly don’t know what to make of Denver’s offensive line.

On one hand, they’ve made some egregious mistakes (Mr. Watson, I presume?).

Yet, for all of that and the shifting at left guard and, now, left tackle (Shout out to Garett Bolles; heal quickly young man), the offense is producing.

7. With the benefit of hindsight (although I did pick the Broncos to win) …

… How foolish was it for anyone to doubt this defense when faced with the challenge of Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, and the mighty Cowboys?

They live for this.

Now the Cowboys can join the ranks of Tom Brady’s New England Patriots, Aaron Rodger’s Green Bay Packers, Cam Newton’s Carolina Panthers, and many more who ran into this Broncos buzz saw and wondered, “Wha … what happened?”

Never bet against these guys when they have something to prove.

8. I’m as excited about the Broncos start as anyone, but …

… Let’s slow down and admit all the Broncos have done is what they had to do.

All summer long we looked at their schedule and said they had to get off to a fast start. They had to go 2-0, 3-1 into the bye, and 4-1 after it.

So far so good.

I’ll admit the way they’ve won is unexpected, with the offense averaging 30 points per game. But, they’ve got a long way to go with a difficult schedule on the horizon.

However, all of that is for another day. Right now they’re playing really well, and it’s something to be enjoyed.

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