Good morning, Broncos Country!
As Week 1 quickly approaches (hallefreakinluja!), there’s a lot of anticipation for Denver to have a much-improved run game.
But don’t get too excited, too fast. Head coach Sean Payton reminded the media on Monday that Week 1 showcases 32 teams as a “work in progress” — and that includes Denver.
“We talk about it all the time. That accelerated learning after Week 1, 2, 3, and even Week 4,” Payton said. “But we have liked what we’ve seen from the running game and from our
personnel from that perspective. We get a chance to see it first this weekend.”
Although a strong running game is a key help for a young quarterback, Bo Nix’s one year of experience is actually a help to the run game this season as well. His ability to make something happen with his legs when the pocket breaks down keeps the defense honest.
“One of his strengths is the off-schedule throws and then periodically the decision to keep it. We didn’t break the huddle with a quarterback run. So to the latter part of your question, I hope and I think you’re going to have a chance to see a more efficient run game,” Payton added. “When the pocket gets a little dirty, he can move right and left, throw on the run, he can decide to keep it and gain 12 yards. That part of his game we wouldn’t address.”
The head coach added that he doesn’t look at this year for Nix as a year where they “add more to his plate.” Instead it’s about having a much more comfortable QB who can be more patient and more efficient with all the same plays.
“I think it’s a little bit more of what he’s used to and how he operates within it more efficiently, more quickly, more decisively,” Payton said. “I’ve told the coaches, early in the season it has to be a process. It’s not, ‘All right this is where we ended last year. Now we’re on to…’ So I think if I used a good analogy, it would be a certain play a year ago, the same play this year, he’s out of the huddle a little quicker with the call, maybe he understands the nuances of the play, and has seen the cut ups of it all year and is a little bit more comfortable with the same play from a year ago.”
Payton’s patience with his QB and the run game are a good reminder to fans to develop the same. But that doesn’t mean the head coach is going to have patience with a sluggish start. And he believes most of that will be on him and his coaching staff to get it right.
“It’s the schedule. It’s the sense of urgency. Ultimately it’s the preparation,” he said, noting it’s about getting the details right in the game plan and understanding the opponent team. “Everything from hydration to recovery during the week so that they’re at their best peak performance on Sunday, sleep included, all of that. That really isn’t even discussing the football scheme.”
But when it does come to discussing the football scheme, the head coach is looking at an improved Titans squad.
“They’ve made a commitment in the offensive line, signing a couple of big-name free agents, drafted another player. I think on the perimeter with Tyler Lockett there, their skill people receiver-wise has definitely improved,” Payton said, adding that it’s still the O-line that he’s focusing on. “The No. 1 thing that stood out…I’ve worked with [Titans Offensive Line Coach] Bill Callahan before. He is a fantastic line coach, and I’m sure they felt they had to get better in that area and they committed a lot of resources there.”
The Ultimate Fan Guide is back!
I mean, of course, it’s back!! Best series on the site. But this is just a heads up that the sign-up post will be up this morning, so don’t let it go without adding your name to a game week!
