The Denver Post’s Nick Kosmider on Tuesday answered questions about the in a live Lunch Special chat. Questions touched on topics that included the signing of backup quarterback , the departure of safety , the team’s pass-catching tight ends and much more. Here are the highlights:
How long before you think we’ll see Brock Osweiler in an actual game? And if he gets in there, do you think ever gets his job back?
Nick: If Trevor Siemian stays healthy, this is his team. There is no question about that. He’s earned the job and the respect of every player in the locker room. Osweiler is here to give the Broncos an experienced backup who they could feel comfortable with should Siemian go down. And unless it was a long-term injury that put Siemian down and Osweiler played far above his head as a replacement, I don’t see him taking over the job permanently at any point this season.
What does the Osweiler signing mean for ‘s future long-term? Is this a sign the Broncos are giving up on him?
Nick: This is not a sign the Broncos are giving up on Lynch. It’s merely a sign that his injured right (throwing) shoulder is going to take some time to recover. My hunch is that he won’t be ready to return before Denver’s bye in Week 5, if that soon. Again, Osweiler provides insurance. Say what you want about Osweiler’s status as a starter in Houston last year, the Broncos have four years of evidence showing that Osweiler is a capable backup. That’s exactly what he’s here to be.
Let’s say Lynch returns Week 6. Can’t carry three quarterbacks on the active roster. Do you waive one? If so, would it not be wise to add a QB to the practice squad now so he gets the playbook down?
Nick: There is no rule that says a team can’t carry three quarterbacks. Lynch is starting the season on the active roster, so the Broncos have three there now as it is. said the Broncos would “cross that bridge when we get there” as to whether Osweiler would remain on the roster once Lynch was healthy. That’s because a lot can happen between now and then as it relates to injuries at other positions.
Was letting Kyle Sloter go a huge mistake? I have to say as a fan, I like Siemian over Lynch tremendously but neither make me think: this QB can scare the opposition and put up points with consistency. Why does Elway seem so happy with what they have again here in year two?
Nick: I certainly understand some of the excitement surrounding Sloter. He did everything asked of him when he had the opportunities to play. But the fact of the matter is that he did not look like the same player when he faced the Broncos’ top defense in practice, and that’s what he would see in the regular season. He simply was not ready to play in a regular season game this year. The Broncos did attempt to sign him to their practice squad, but the Vikings offered him significantly more. Good for him for turning his opportunity as an undrafted free agent into a good landing spot in Minnesota.
Is there any situation (not including injury) where Osweiler takes the No. 2 job from Paxton Lynch and maybe the starting job from Trevor Siemian?
Nick: I don’t see that scenario, no. Siemian started 14 of 16 games last season. The only ones he did miss were due to injury. And he played hurt for much of the season. With a year as a starter under his belt, I expect that Siemian will continue to grow, and I don’t see him being pulled off the field for poor performance.
Why doesn’t Elway mentor a Sloter? That kid threw some tight passes “downfield” with authority. More of the same is just that with Siemian.
:Again, the Broncos made a move to put Sloter on their practice squad, where that so-called mentoring could have taken place. The Vikings offered a huge sum for a practice squad player. Smart of Sloter to go that way. But, as I said, those downhill throws you speak of weren’t happening against a top defense. Sloter still has a long way to go. I’m sure he knows that as much as anybody.
Is there any chance that Osweiler sticks and Lynch departs?
Nick: There’s always a chance. Players say all the time that nothing surprises them in the NFL. A Saturday that saw Denver cut T.J. Ward and bring back Osweiler proved that. But I don’t envision a scenario in which that happens. The Broncos simply aren’t ready to give up on Lynch, a guy who they knew may need a few years to develop upon being drafted. Osweiler is here to provide security and keep Broncos coaches from having nightmares about what they’d do if Trevor Siemian got hurt.
Any chance of us keeping Brock and Trevor and assigning Paxton to the practice squad?
Nick: No. To put a player like Lynch on the practice squad, you’d first have to waive him, opening him up to be claimed by other teams. The Broncos wouldn’t take that chance with their first-round pick.
Everybody talks about Sloter. What’s the future look like for Chad Kelly?
Nick: Chad Kelly will begin the season on the non-football injury list as he continues to recover from a wrist injury. I think this will ultimately end up being a redshirt year for Chad Kelly as he gets fully healthy while learning the ropes of being an NFL quarterback. It will dependent upon him to be prepared to battle heading into next season.
Everyone can toe the company line on T.J. Ward, but what impact do you think it’ll have in the locker room, like for real?
Nick: It would be disingenuous to say Ward’s departure wasn’t felt. You don’t go through all the Broncos did during Ward’s three seasons without building deep, lasting bonds with the teammates with whom you share those experiences. So there was certainly some hurt there. But the bottom line, as I thought summed up authentically yesterday, is that these guys are professionals. They know what they players like and have done to put themselves into position to impact this team. And so I don’t get the sense that the Broncos are going to allow Ward’s departure to fray the locker room.
Why do you think there was no trade interest for T.J. Ward? His age? His history of injury? Or is the feeling around the NFL that Ward’s talent, especially his cover ability, has declined?
Nick: I think teams are hesitant to give up much for a player when the indications are that the player will be released. The thought for a team interested in a player like Ward is that they could negotiate a contract with him after he’s been cut without having to trade anyone, and that’s what the Buccaneers did.
Is safety Justin Simmons better than Ward right now?
Nick: I can’t say that with any certainty. Ward is a three-time Pro Bowler coming off one of his best seasons. Simmons is entering his second season. We do know that , and the rest of the coaching staff has been enamored with the growth Simmons has made, particularly as it relates to playing up in the box, since the spring. They believe he is ready to step into a bigger role.
Is the offensive line ready? I’m still worried that changes don’t mean upgrade.
Nick: We really won’t know for sure until Monday night. The way I look at it is that some of these new members of the offensive line — left tackle Garett Bolles, the right guard Leary, right tackle Menelik Watson — beat out players who started or received heavy playing time on the offensive line last season. I just think there is better overall talent with this group, and members of the Broncos defense seem to be authentic when they talk about how different that group was to face in training camp. But, as we know, the games will be the greatest barometer.
Which tight end do you think will lead the Broncos in catches this season when it’s all said and done?
Nick: That’s a good question. The tight ends have been kind of quiet in the preseason. That being said, I was intrigued by the connections between Siemian and in the preseason game against the Packers. Those two seem to be in sync, and Green has raved about the opportunities he’s been afforded in ‘s offense. I’ll go with the elder statesman in the group in Green, but there is certainly opportunity for another player — perhaps — if he can seize it.
Do you think the Broncos will pick up another tight end as we haven’t seen any big performances at this spot this year? How about a player like ? He had a great season in 2015, and is still a free agent.
:I don’t see the Broncos making a move for a free-agent tight end. They are still hopeful Jeff Heuerman, another year removed from the knee injury that wiped out his rookie season, can make a big jump this year. Plus, the Broncos could see rookie TE Jake Butt on the field at some point later this season. They have enough with the three they have now to move into this season. Plus, Barnidge is 31 and guys are still free agents when a season nears are so for a reason.
What can we expect from Jordan “Sunshine” Taylor this year?
Nick: We’ve seen big training camps and preseasons from before. This difference this year, I think, is that Taylor has been more consistent. He ran a couple bad routes in the preseason opener in Chicago, and since then he appears to have really put extra time in to get on a good page with Trevor Siemian. Those two have show strong chemistry the past couple of weeks. I think that will pay dividends and he will be a big target for No. 13.
Who do you think Vance Joseph will name as team captains?
Nick: I’m really not sure. Joseph said he’ll make that announcement tomorrow and it will be a team vote. I’d be surprised if Trevor Siemian and weren’t captains, but we’ll certainly get that information out as soon as we have it.
What’s your W-L prediction for the 2017 Broncos?
Nick: I have predicted the Broncos to go 10-6 this season. The evidence I’ve seen points to an improved run defense. Provided he stays healthy, Domata Peko is going to make a real difference at nose tackle in Denver’s 3-4 defense, and guys like newcomers Zach Kerr and Shelby Harris make for a deep defensive line. Plus, the offensive line has been reconfigured again, and I think Ron Leary at right guard is going to be an unsung player on this offense as it improves in the run game. Those improvements should make for a one-win jump over 2016, which I think will be enough to get the Broncos into the playoffs as a wild card.
Can we still win the AFC West?
Nick: I have the Raiders picked to win the AFC West. But is there a chance the Broncos can claim the division after their streak of four straight West crowns was snapped last season? Yes, there’s a chance. It would mean the run game would have to be improved to a large degree, the new defensive line can hold up far better against the run, Trevor Siemian takes a big leap and Mike McCoy can get everybody flowing at a higher level, similar to when he guided a prolific offense here in 2012. I think the Broncos tough schedule makes an AFC West title a tough ask, but it’s not out of the question, in my mind.
It’s great to see you on the Broncos beat, what’s the biggest difference for you covering the NFL compared to the NBA?
Nick: It’s a different game, but the job is still fun because you get to know athletes, share their stories and help readers get their questions answers. I’m enjoying the beat quite a bit.
Find the full chat transcript below:
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