Mile High Monday: The Broncos offense finds a recipe for success

The Broncos were able to hang on and win in Week 14 by a score of 32-27 against the Panthers. The wins have been few and far between for the Broncos this season, but with three games left and a 5-8 record, there is still a chance they could finish the season as a .500 team.

I like when the Broncos get back on the winning track. Sports radio is more fun when the Broncos are good, and they haven’t been good in quite some time. They’re building for what I hope is a bright future but right now things are painful covering this team.

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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The Truth About Lock

Broncos Country is split when it comes to Drew Lock. He’ll have a good game like he did on Sunday against the Panthers and part of the fan base will declare how much they support him and believe he can be the quarterback of the future. Lock has had plenty of bad games this year, and that makes another side of the fan base exclaim how much he is not the right quarterback to lead this team into next season and beyond.

That sort of back-and-forth commentary is not a true assessment of where the young man is at in his pro career. I like to see the truth with Lock.

The Panthers have a poor defense, but he did what you’re supposed to do against bad opponents – he beat them handily. Lock’s four touchdown passes were a career high, but what stood out most to me was the way he worked within the system.

Lock and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur have not been a great fit this year. For most of the season, Shurmur has wanted to use three wide receiver sets and send the ball downfield early and often – mostly out of the shotgun. On the season, Lock had been under center only 31 percent of the team – one of the lowest rates in the league. On Sunday, Lock was under center 44 percent of the time and looked good running the offense.

This good game against a bad team doesn’t mean that Lock has cemented himself as the savior of this franchise. He still has a lot to work on as there are only three games left in the season. Lock still needs polish as a passer as his mechanics and pass placement are an issue. His accuracy was better on Sunday, but that was because Shurmur was using short passes – and even screen passes! – to move the chains. Lock did a good job of playing within himself and the structure of this offense.

Oh they will still be there. Lock needs to show progress and today he did. Doesn't mean he's the greatest ever just like previous bad games didn't mean he sucks forever. #Broncos @1043TheFan https://t.co/278mpUeVbN

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) December 13, 2020

Nobody yet knows whether or not Lock can be the quarterback of the future. Most of this season we have seen poor play and little to no progress. On Sunday, perhaps for the first time since last year Lock started making strides in the right direction.

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More to Come

I’ve been waiting for rookie wide receiver K.J. Hamler to have a breakout game in 2020. He’s been banged up earlier this year but over the last few games there have been small signs that a breakout game was coming. Hamler has amazing talent and speed as a wide receiver but he has yet to be properly utilized in the Broncos offense.

On Sunday against the Panthers, it seems like Shurmur finally figured out the way to use Hamler – and it was on more than just jet sweeps where his speed makes him a decoy. He was targeted only three times in Week 14, but Hamler was able to turn those passes into two catches for 86 yards and two touchdowns. His speed gets him open on deep targets down the sideline, and even on his first touchdown he had to slow down a bit to catch the ball as he outran Lock’s pass. However, that’s not the only way to use him.

The offense used more screen passes, quick slants and shorter passes to move the chains and that intent helped open up some deep passes in the middle. We saw Hamler once again almost outrun his quarterback’s arm on a deep post to get in the end zone against the Panthers.

Hamler is more than a gadget player. Yes, his speed should be used on jet sweeps – even if that’s only as a decoy on motion to determine if the defense is in zone or man. Yes, his speed makes him a threat on the outside. However, there are ways to utilize him on passes that go towards the middle of the field. It was nice to see Hamler showcase a couple of different ways he can attack a defense.

Happy to see KJ Hamler featured more in the #Broncos offense. That speed can open things up. Exciting player for the future. @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) December 13, 2020

The Broncos have a nice duo of rookie receivers in Hamler and Jerry Jeudy. As these two receivers grow in their pro careers, it will greatly help whoever the quarterback is for the Broncos. Hamler needs to stay healthy and drop fewer passes, but we saw a small glimpse on Sunday of just how dangerous he can be.

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Gordon Running Strong… For Now

It seems like the Broncos have figured out the best way to use running back Melvin Gordon – finally. Gordon registered 68 rushing yards on 13 attempts in Week 14 against the Panthers and he added three receptions for 23 yards on his three targets. His play helped the Broncos offense in a big way. Not only did he pick up tough yards for the offense, but Gordon’s play helped calm Lock down and stay within the structure of the system.

Gordon rushed for a Broncos career-high 132 yards against the Chiefs in Week 13. It was one of the few bright spots for the Broncos in a game where they had little chance of winning. I wondered if the momentum he built last week would carry over to this game.

He did not rush for more than 100 yards, but Gordon did run strong. With running the ball in what the Broncos offense needs to be, it’s about the intent of running the ball – not necessarily the production garnered from that. Gordon needs to be successful enough running the ball that Shurmur keeps feeding him the rock. With Gordon running strong, Lock was able to set up play-action passing and look good operating as a game manager. None of that happens without Gordon’s production – especially with Phillip Lindsay playing poorly.

Melvin Gordon with another strong game today. His play is key for this offense. Really helps out his young QB. #Broncos @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) December 13, 2020

Gordon is facing a three-game suspension from the league. His original court date from his October DUI charges was supposed to be in November, but it was moved back until Dec. 14. We’ll see on Monday if Gordon goes to court and then it may not be that long before the league decides on the veteran back. Gordon is running hard, but there’s a chance that game against the Panthers may be the last one he plays for the Broncos this season.

***

Huge Nerd News Day

I was in nerd heaven last week when Disney had their investor meeting and revealed a ton of new projects. They unveiled dozens of new projects during the Disney+ investor day on Thursday, and that huge news had nerds like me on cloud nine.

There were plenty of Marvel projects that were announced, and that has to get fans excited as we all wait to see what the Marvel Cinematic Universe looks like after the biggest movie of all time “Avengers: End Game.” One of the biggest projects I’m so excited about is “Moon Knight” – a new show for Disney’s streaming service.

For those who don’t know, Moon Knight is a character like Batman over in the DC Universe. He’s super rich, but mentally unstable as a vigilante who suffers from dissociative identity disorder. If done right, this series could be the next “must-see” superhero show.

Like Marvel, there were also tons of Star Wars projects that are coming to a screen near you soon – whether that’s on TV or in movie theaters. My favorite upcoming Star Wars show that was announced has to be “Ashoka.” We saw the former padawan of Anakin Skywalker a couple of weeks ago in “The Mandalorian.”

Now, actress Rosario Dawson gets her own series to further expand the legend of the star Jedi. I cannot wait to see what they have in store for this character and almost all of the Star Wars projects had me incredibly interested.

Between all the Star Wars and Marvel news, a HUGE day for a nerd like me! Good thing my @keycollectorapp kept me on top of the news! #comicbooks #StarWars #MCU pic.twitter.com/Exz4YrCgYF

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) December 11, 2020

Are you as excited about these movie/TV show announcements as I am? Hit me up on social media and let me know!

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