The Denver Postap Nick Kosmider on Tuesday answered questions from readers about the in a live Lunch Special chat. Questions touched on topics that included the team’s 24-21 win over the Chargers, the play of and the star turn by sideline reporter Sergio Dipp. Here are the highlights:
Will both Allen Barbre and start at guard if Ronald Leary is out Sunday vs. Dallas? Or is likely taking his spot as starter?
Nick: As of now, it appears likely that Connor McGovern would get the start at right. It would certainly be an option to move Garcia or Barbre, whichever didn’t start at left guard, into a starting spot on the right spot. But spoke highly this morning of the work McGovern has done, including his play last night. So I wouldn’t be surprised to see him start if Ron Leary, who suffered a concussion Monday night and is in the league’s concussion protocol, isn’t cleared for Sunday afternoon’s game.
Should we be worried about Menelik Watson? His pass protection was horrible. isn’t the answer there…could Connor McGovern slide out there and play tackle?
Nick: I’d say it’s certainly fair to be concerned after last night’s game, but I also think it’s too early to hit the panic button. There is no doubt Watson has to be better. Against, two elite pass rushers in Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, he looked overmatched at times. But one poor performance shouldn’t have the Broncos scrambling for replacements. Let’s see what kind of adjustments the coaching staff can make with Watson heading into this week.
Are we finally seeing the emergence of ? He looked explosive last night…should he be a starter when returns?
:Vance Joseph just finished his time on the podium here at Dove Valley and he went out of his way to praise Gotsis and his play last night. I spoke with the second-year defensive end at his locker for a few minutes last night and he believes some of the injuries along the D-line the past month have been a blessing in disguise because they have afforded healthy players repeated repetitions. Gotsis has a lot of natural tools. He’s got a long, strong and athletic frame, and once he can put those physical attributes together with an increased comfort in what he’s doing, I think he can take a big jump this season.
I was pretty impressed with the tights ends yesterday. Is this is a sign of things to come this season?
Nick: The Broncos certainly got some welcomed production from the tight end spot Monday night. , and combined for five catches for 98 yards. The Broncos averaged only about 36 yards per game receiving from their TEs last season. What’s more, each of those five catches had big implications. I believe at least four (and maybe all five) went for first downs. The group talked all training camp about being excited for their role in ‘s offense. If Monday night was a sign of things to come for that group, it’s easy to see why.
Where were the Chargers’ tight ends last night? Hunter Henry and were non-factors. We know that the Broncos defense has had trouble covering tight ends. Did focus on stopping them?
Nick: Vance Joseph said the Chargers were reacting to the coverage the Broncos put on the two tight ends and chose to focus more on its outside receivers in the passing game. Whatever the reason, keeping Hunter Henry without a catch and limiting Antonio Gates to two catches for 17 yards goes down as a win for the Broncos’ pass defense, which gave up only 192 passing yards overall.
Is Bennie Fowler for real this year? He looked impressive in the red zone yesterday.
Nick: Fowler and Trevor Siemian have worked tirelessly on their chemistry, dating back to when the two were on the scout team together in 2015, Fowler as an undrafted rookie and Siemian as a seventh-round draft pick. Fowler also has good physical tools as a red-zone threat. He has great athleticism, as he showed with his diving grab in the first quarter, a long body and reliable hands. I think he’ll be a consistent weapon for the Broncos in the red zone, which could be a huge boon if teams aren’t able to double team and .
How does fit into the Broncos’ run game? looks like he’s returned to his old form and looked good despite his fumble.
:Nothing will be handed to Devontae Booker when he returns from his wrist injury. C.J. Anderson is undeniably the Broncos’ top running back right now. And I don’t see him relinquishing that role unless he suffers an injury. Jamaal Charles, as you mentioned, looked good outside of the fumble. And the Broncos are still high on De’Angelo Henderson, despite not using him last night. Booker will have to earn his way back.
What was the vibe in the locker room after the game?
Nick: The Broncos were in good spirits in the locker room. As Vance Joseph said this morning, you don’t apologize for a win in the NFL. Every victory is hard to come by, and winning divisional games is paramount. So they were certainly happy to be 1-0. That being said, you also sensed an awareness that the Broncos have to finish better. They know full well that turning the ball over twice near midfield while trying to protect a fourth-quarter lead is a recipe for disaster. There are plenty of things the Broncos have to clean up as they prepare to host a talented Cowboys team.
What was Shelby Harris’ reaction to blocking the field goal attempt late in the game?
Nick: Shelby is a great guy to talk to because he constantly has a smile on his face. There was a great moment in the locker room when I asked Harris about what it felt like, given some of the ups and downs he’s had in his football life, to make such a huge play. Harris said it wasn’t about him, rather he was just thrilled to have been able to make a play for his team. , listening nearby, came over and told Harris not to be so modest, and Harris just grinned that wide grin. Harris was the star of Denver’s preseason, and he showed last night it was no fluke. Guys were really happy for him because they know how hard he’s worked to get a spot on this team.
Were you surprised by how well Siemian played? Outside of the K.C. and Cincinnati games last season….he looked like a different QB last night. Very encouraging.
Nick: Honestly, I saw the increased confidence in Siemian that has been evident throughout late July, when I joined the beat. It’s his second year as a starter, and he has the look of a quarterback who has put his experiences to work for him. The best thing you could say about Siemian last night is that he simply looked like he was in control. Was he perfect? No. He certainly missed some throws. He was lucky a bad throw on the Broncos’ second drive wasn’t a pick-six. But that he shook off that miscue and led the Broncos on an impressive scoring drive immediately afterward, that speaks to the subtle growth his made in terms of his control over the game.
Did Trevor Siemian finally silence all the critics out there in apountry?
Nick: I think it will take more than one strong performance for Siemian to silence his critics. There are plenty of them out there, and much of that simply comes with the territory of being a starting quarterback for an NFL team. But none of that matters to Siemian. If he can continue to remain in control of situations like he was Monday night, he’ll keep the Broncos in just about every game. And that’s really all you can ask from your starter.
Will the Broncos keep once returns from his injury?
Nick: I think it’s too early to tell right now. Both John Elway and Vance Joseph have said of that very question that it’s a bridge the Broncos will cross when they get there. It could very well depend on injury situations and how the Broncos roster is shaping up at other spots when Lynch is in fact ready to return.
Demaryius Thomas looked good out there yesterday. Is he finally healthy?
Nick: Thomas certainly did look like an all-pro receiver for much of the game. When he made a deep catch from Siemian down the right sideline in the third quarter for 29 yards, we saw both the speed and the reach that allows him to dominate smaller defensive backs at times. The Broncos were deliberate with how they limited Thomas in the preseason. They need him to be healthy all year. He looked to be just that last night.
So, after one game, what did you think of as ‘s replacement. Was there a big drop-off?
Nick: I did not see a drop off. There were some mistakes, as Vance Joseph said the Broncos know they’ll get from a second-year player thrust into a primary role. But Simmons played with confidence, was strong in the box against the run and was mostly solid in coverage.
What, if anything, did you notice differently regarding the defensive strategy/play-calling under Joe Woods?
Nick: The Broncos mixed up their coverages a little bit more last night. They played man and spots and then slid into zones to give some help on Antonio Gates. There was some of that under , but the mixing up of coverages seemed to be a little more prevalent. Overall, though, much of the overall defensive philosophy was similar.
What’s your take on the BIGGEST story of the night… Sergio Dipp’s MNF debut.
:Look, we all make blunders. I’ll be the first one to admit that I’ve made my fair share during the times I’ve been behind a camera. What was most impressive was the way he handled himself afterward on social media. He was a good sport about the whole thing. And he had one part right. Vance Joseph WAS having the time of his life, the coach said this morning. Until the fourth quarter, that is.
Find the full transcript of the chat below:
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