Mile High Monday: Jerry Jeudy has a day he’d like to soon forget

The Broncos could not finish in the game against the Chargers on Sunday. Denver fell by a score of 19-16 and now have 10 losses on the 2020 season. They won’t be able to match last year’s 7-9 record even if they win next week against the Raiders.

So, where are we with this team? Are they on the right track? Do they have the right people in the coaching staff to turn things around – finally? All of these answers will have to come in the future.

I like when the Broncos play winning football. I want this team to be building for something that resembles what they used to be not that long ago.

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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Mama Said

The old saying goes, “Mama said there would be days like this,” and that perfectly sums up the day for rookie first-round pick wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. Against the Chargers, Jeudy had somewhere between four to six drops and looked off. These are not mechanical problems with the way that Jeudy catches, but this is a concentration problem that plagued the Broncos rookie receiver on Sunday.

The Broncos selected Jeudy in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the idea that he could develop into a star player. Jeudy was a standout player at the University of Alabama and was not known for drops in his college career. Thought to be the best receiver in the best receiver class in NFL history, Jeudy has not played up to his potential – not even close.

Jeudy has had some drops in his rookie season. There was a misconception about the number of his drops, but when looking at drop percentage before this game it shows that Jeudy’s drops weren’t that big of a problem.

entering this game, #Broncos Jerry Jeudy was mid-80s in drop rate (same as Davante Adams)…after today, expect that number to go up. Just a horrible way to respond after complaining on social networking about his lack of involvement. @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) December 28, 2020

***

Unsung Hero

I don’t spend much time talking or writing about special teams. So, when it stands out like it did on Sunday, then it’s time to bring it up.

Specifically, I want to call to attention the play of return man Diontae Spencer. The Broncos offense seemed to get a spark from Spencer’s return ability. He didn’t break a long one for a touchdown, but his 22.2 yard per kick return and 15.3 yard per put return helped the team get off to a good start.

Not only did Spencer help tremendously on special teams, but he also was able to get on the field for the offense. When K.J. Hamler was knocked out of the game due to injury, Spencer got more snaps as a wide receiver. He was targeted twice and came down with one catch for 10 yards. Spencer also got a carry on a jet sweep which went for nine yards.

He’s a playmaker who helped his team as much as he could. Spencer doesn’t get much of a spotlight unless he gets a return for a touchdown. However, those who watch the film know how much of a positive impact he made on his team in Week 16.

win or lose, we have to give it up to Diontae Spencer. #Broncos have had better starts to most of their drives thanks to Spencer. That helps Drew Lock and the offense move the ball to tie up the game. @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) December 27, 2020

***

Off on the Wrong Foot

Once again, the Broncos got things started off on the wrong foot. Starting quarterback Drew Lock ended the first drive with another interception. It was a forced pass that Lock tried to sidearm into wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton. Needless to say, Lock wanted that one back – but that’s been a common story with the young quarterback this year.

Lock now has more interceptions (15) than he does touchdown passes (14) in 2020. He also has the disturbing trend of having a turnover in 11 straight games, the longest such streak in the NFL.

He’s too careless with the football. Lock apologists will continue to highlight some of his good throws, which he does have at least a few on a weekly basis, but they will often ignore the obvious bad plays and turnovers from Lock. He’s not as bad as some in Broncos Country think, but Lock is also not as good as these Lock apologists want to believe he is.

Lock has talent and skill as an NFL passer. He does have upside as a developmental starter, but he’s running out of time to prove himself and these interceptions are not doing him any favors.

As my dude @NickFerguson_25 says 'tips and overthrows, gotta get those!' #Broncos QB Drew Lock was engineering a nice opening drive. I wish he would have just ran the ball there instead of trying to sidearm a ball into DaeSean Hamilton. @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) December 27, 2020

***

No Spin Doctors Allowed

The Broncos love to control the message – every team does. There is no locker room access this year, so there are fewer leaks than normal because reporters aren’t inside the building to dig and learn some inside information. Sure, guys still talk or text but getting anything of note in those exchanges is rare this season.

One reporter who stands at the top of the pack is Denver 7’s Troy Renck. During Zoom press conferences, Renck will ask the toughest questions. The Denver media is generally a bunch of puppy dogs (myself included), but guys like Renck don’t pull any punches or play the “access game” that others do.

The rules for that game are simple: Say nice things about the team and get access to players or coaches – favors from the team. Every team in the NFL plays the “access game” and this year they get to control the message from the media in ways they have not before.

Things are bad with the Broncos – really bad, yet we don’t hear much about dissension in the ranks. That’s because the “spin doctors,” aka the team-friendly media, don’t want to dig for that information.

We also don’t hear much about what the Broncos should do going forward. On Sunday, Adam Schefter confirmed with sources (likely John Elway) that Vic Fangio would be retained as the head coach of the Broncos in 2021.

That was not news for anybody, as Fangio has acted like he was “safe” for next year almost all season long. PR guys, the likely source for earlier reports about Fangio being safe, have already made the message clear; Fangio is getting another chance.

It’s refreshing when reporters like Renck highlight the truth about this team and push for getting the most precise insight we can out of this NFL team.

As always, Troy cuts to the heart of it. No spin, no excuses, just get better…and here are a few ways to do that. #Broncos https://t.co/M5hUm3BbXN

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) December 27, 2020

Do you like that Fangio is getting another year as the head coach? Hit me up on social media and let me know!

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