In the aftermath of the Broncos’ 27-14 loss/stink-fest at Baltimore last week, familiar refrains were sung.
Bench left tackle Garett Bolles.
Acquire new Nos. 2-3 cornerbacks.
Wow, the 2017 draft class is no help.
Fire everybody.
Heading into Monday nightap game against Kansas City, a look at said refrains:
1. Bench Bolles.
The rub for coach : Even if he wanted to make depth chart changes in an effort to spark a team that could easily be 0-3, he doesn’t have the available tools.
Bolles is Exhibit A. The Broncos can’t bench him. Moving right tackle Jared Veldheer to left tackle shouldn’t be an option because then they’re weakening two positions.
Bolles played a clean game in the Week 1 win over Seattle, but allowed quarterback to get knocked down three times (two hits and a sack) and had one penalty in the Week 2 win over Oakland.
Things fell apart at Baltimore last Sunday. Bolles had two penalties, allowed one sack and three other pressures. Monday night against Kansas City is huge for him. He can’t let the Baltimore game carry over. He must play with confidence and improved technique.
“Itap encouraging him and (letting him know) that we all believe in him,” Keenum said. “I don’t think there’s anything extra to say because he’s our guy, he’s our teammate, he’s in the huddle and he’s one of the 11. We have all the faith in the world in him.”
2. Get help at cornerback.
Just about every team this side of Jacksonville is looking for cornerback help. Broncos fans have had enough of and have demanded via email that Tramaine Brock be replaced, too.
Teams that have good cornerbacks don’t trade them (unless you’re the Broncos and have ).
The current free agent list is underwhelming. Sean Smith, David Amerson, Marcus Williams and Jeremy Lane. The Broncos dipped into this pool in late August by signing Adam Jones.
The Packers signed veteran Bashaud Breeland during the week when backup Davon House (shoulder) was put on injured reserve.
If the Broncos are to fix their secondary, it has to be via an in-house improvement.
3. Lamenting the 2017 draft class
General manager and his cabinet can’t be blamed for tight end ’s left ACL injury Thursday. A fine draft pick, he was on the way to making an impact this season.
The rest of the class’ failures have limited the coaching staff’s options.
Of the eight-player class, only Bolles and backup quarterback will be active Monday. The Broncos raised their hands and moved on from third-round receiver (cut from practice squad) and saw sixth-round running back De’Angelo Henderson choose the Jets’ practice squad. Third-round cornerback Brendan Langley and fifth-round receiver are on the practice squad.
Second-round defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker has been a healthy scratch in all three games.
Meanwhile, as many as seven 2018 draft picks plus undrafted running back will be active against Kansas City.
4. Everybody needs to go.
Thirteen penalties for 120 yards, including two for unnecessary roughness, one ejection (Lindsay), an offside flag that allowed Baltimore to convert a third down … ugly.
Shoddy clock management at the end of the first half that gifted Baltimore three points… ugly.
A huge seven days is coming up for Joseph, who needs to hit the right notes behind the scenes and then lead two clean games. Beat Kansas City and the and the noise will temporarily soften. Split the games and the Broncos at least have a pulse. Lose both? Uh-oh.
