Big Al: Broncos offense to improve with Keenum as sole guy under center

Sep 7, 2018, 5:10 PM

Quarterback Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos runs a huddle in the first quarter during an NFL preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 11, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

The Denver Broncos offense seems poised for improvement from 2017 to 2018 if for nothing else than that quarterback Case Keenum has been the man under center all offseason.

“The Drive” co-host Alfred “Big Al” Williams said on Friday that last season the Broncos offensive issues stemmed at least in part from the precarious nature of the quarterback role.

“We didn’t know who our starter was until Week 3 of the preseason, which means they were splitting snaps,” Williams said. “Splitting snaps. First team snaps for Paxton Lynch. First team snaps for Trevor Siemian.

“This year, we don’t have those issues anymore.”

Instead, Williams said, Keenum has “repped out with the first team a lot more going into the start of the season.”

“It’s always nicer to know who your quarterback is going to be and to have him in place so that he can get the first-team reps.,” Williams said. “Case Keenum took all the first-team reps this year, which means a lot. It means that the continuity with the first-team offense is there and has been there all year, and it’s not going any place.”

Williams’ comments echo those of some of Keenum’s closest teammates this week as the Broncos head into its regular season opener with the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at home.

“It’s the best thing,” said Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. “You’ve got one quarterback you can go with. Antonio Brown has been with Ben Roethlisberger for forever. That’s why they’re so good.”

Similar to Thomas, left tackle Garett Bolles said it’s important for “one guy” to be at quarterback to “know that he’s your guy so you know where he sets up and how he controls the offense and things he does like that at the quarterback position.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.