Expectations for Trevor Siemian

[CEH]

Another INT close to or inside the red zone could be his downfall
He's making some poor decisions so far according to the head coach

 

[cdumler7]

Another INT close to or inside the red zone could be his downfall
He's making some poor decisions so far according to the head coach

I liked your breakdown of the drives earlier this week. I think what I see in Siemian is a guy that does exactly what the coaches tell him to do. While that is fine it doesn't always lead to big plays. Such as that 3rd and 2 and DT being wide open. On that play it was designed to go to the right. Siemian if you watch his eyes is so keyed in on that play going to the right that he misses maybe the easiest throw of the day to a wide open DT. My guess is if he had actually read the defense right he would see that DT was going to have an opening but because the play was designed to go to the right he just couldn't get away from that.

In the Red Zone especially where teams run a lot more zone you can't just always go by how the play is designed. You have to be willing to look at what they are doing and find the holes in the defense. Siemian at the moment just isn't that type of QB. And he isn't the type that is going to try and fit throws into tight windows. We saw with the Sanders play where he had about 2-3 steps on the defensive player heading to the corner of the end zone. All Siemian needs to do on that play is throw it up with some air underneath and give Sanders a chance to actually make the play. Either he catches it or gets a nice pass interference call with the defensive player trying to play catch up and not having a chance to get his eyes around and make a play. I mean that play was set up for huge success and he throws it out of the end zone. That is why right now while I don't mind Siemian being our QB he has so much more growing up to do to be considered a long-term solution at QB and why his game works ok between the 20's but not where it counts most.

 

[iknowftbll]

I think this kind of line would win this game. The interception depends when and where it happens a bit but I think if the Broncos can win or at least be equal in the turnover battle then they stand a very good chance of winning this one.

The "when and where" definitely matters on that INT, as well as the caveat that Siemian's line is augmented by a big day on the ground from the offense.

 

[cdumler7]

The "when and where" definitely matters on that INT, as well as the caveat that Siemian's line is augmented by a big day on the ground from the offense.

I guess I have already counted us having a decent day on the ground and maybe shouldn't. I just think that the Bengals so far on our schedule have been the worst Run Defense we will have faced. So I think Anderson could have a big day but I will say that what the Bengals do is they force you to want to run the football. They run a ton of nickel and 6-man box type set ups. So teams view it as the run game is there and what they are hoping is that they can get that one big stop even out of their passing formations that force you to then play into the heart of their defense. So I could see us picking up some nice yards on the ground but once again struggling to finish drives. I would say we will need to convert on 2 red zone trips in this game in order for us to win.

 

[iknowftbll]

I guess I have already counted us having a decent day on the ground and maybe shouldn't. I just think that the Bengals so far on our schedule have been the worst Run Defense we will have faced. So I think Anderson could have a big day but I will say that what the Bengals do is they force you to want to run the football. They run a ton of nickel and 6-man box type set ups. So teams view it as the run game is there and what they are hoping is that they can get that one big stop even out of their passing formations that force you to then play into the heart of their defense. So I could see us picking up some nice yards on the ground but once again struggling to finish drives. I would say we will need to convert on 2 red zone trips in this game in order for us to win.

We all expected Kubiak to really get after that depleted Colts secondary and he really didn't. What makes this game different is being in a hostile environment against a team whose weakness on defense plays right into the "ball control" strategy. If people are getting impatient waiting for the offense to break out with a 350 passing yard, 4 TD pass performance, it is not happening this week.

On another note, until Siemian gets the RZ figured out, I can't help but feel in situations where the team gets itself in a 1st/10 on, say the 30 yard line to start taking shots down the field. Maybe if Siemian connected on a 30 yard pass for a score that would boost his confidence. And if it sets up a first and goal, let CJ-Jano-Booker punch it in.

 

[cdumler7]

We all expected Kubiak to really get after that depleted Colts secondary and he really didn't. What makes this game different is being in a hostile environment against a team whose weakness on defense plays right into the "ball control" strategy. If people are getting impatient waiting for the offense to break out with a 350 passing yard, 4 TD pass performance, it is not happening this week.

On another note, until Siemian gets the RZ figured out, I can't help but feel in situations where the team gets itself in a 1st/10 on, say the 30 yard line to start taking shots down the field. Maybe if Siemian connected on a 30 yard pass for a score that would boost his confidence. And if it sets up a first and goal, let CJ-Jano-Booker punch it in.

I doubt we have a game all year that we see 350 passing yards a 4 touchdowns. Kubiak's system isn't really set up that way and even if it was we don't really have a QB on the roster built for that type of game right now. It would mean a couple of really long plays connecting for that to happen. And you are right against the Bengals that is not happening. They have a top-5 secondary in the NFL right now in my opinion.

And yeah maybe that is the way to get Siemian on track with getting some touchdowns. I was really shocked last week how little we did attack their secondary. First half it seemed like that was the game plan but seemed like once we got the lead in the 2nd half the coaches just completely shut it down and our offense just never got into a rhythm. Now given we only had 3 drives I think in the 2nd half so not much time to really get things going but just seemed like they didn't trust Siemian to not throw a game changing interception. On the road if we are to win this game they are going to have to take some chances though. Going to be interesting to see how the Bengals decide to play us. The first 2 games they played a lot more 6-man boxes and dared teams to beat them on the ground. Do they add those guys back into the box for this one knowing our weakness is our QB position and dare Siemian to beat them?

I will also say that the Bengals while they have great coverage guys also play a system that is much easier for a young QB to read. WE do the same thing since we play a ton of man coverage but that does make it just a bit easier for him to see the one-on-one battles and maybe he decides this is the week to let Sanders and DT back up their words that they want the football. Still not happy they talked the way they did. They would never have said those things on the record if Manning was QB even if they were struggling like last year. Put our young QB in a very bad position to have to answer for his WR's complaining about not getting the ball enough.

 

[iknowftbll]

I noticed on Thursday how the announcers were vociferous in their worship at the Hallowed Church of Belichick. To a great extent, deservedly so. A 27-0 win is impressive in the NFL no matter the opponent, as you just don't see shutouts happen all that often. But I'm telling you, for a team whose accomplishments are only equal to the Broncos in the past 5 seasons, and who has been beat by the Broncos in dominating fashion in 2 AFCCGs in that span, I feel the cock-slobbery toward the Pats is as over the top as it's ever been.

Bringing this back toward the Broncos, despite the defense picking up where they left off (and they only left off with a Super Bowl win but who's watching?) and the offense not being the dumpster fire it was projected to be, the Broncos have been left for dead. In a panel of 20 experts, 2 picked the Broncos to win the AFC West, with a couple others picking them to reach the playoffs as a wild card. So a 3-0 start with the others 1-2 would be delightful.

Now don't get me wrong. I am not one of these fans who gets bent out of shape about media disrespect. I actually thrive on it now and it makes it more fun when the Broncos succeed against everyone's expectations.

 

[cdumler7]

I noticed on Thursday how the announcers were vociferous in their worship at the Hallowed Church of Belichick. To a great extent, deservedly so. A 27-0 win is impressive in the NFL no matter the opponent, as you just don't see shutouts happen all that often. But I'm telling you, for a team whose accomplishments are only equal to the Broncos in the past 5 seasons, and who has been beat by the Broncos in dominating fashion in 2 AFCCGs in that span, I feel the cock-slobbery toward the Pats is as over the top as it's ever been.

Bringing this back toward the Broncos, despite the defense picking up where they left off (and they only left off with a Super Bowl win but who's watching?) and the offense not being the dumpster fire it was projected to be, the Broncos have been left for dead. In a panel of 20 experts, 2 picked the Broncos to win the AFC West, with a couple others picking them to reach the playoffs as a wild card. So a 3-0 start with the others 1-2 would be delightful.

Now don't get me wrong. I am not one of these fans who gets bent out of shape about media disrespect. I actually thrive on it now and it makes it more fun when the Broncos succeed against everyone's expectations.

OH I agree I just love when they pick against the Broncos. And I especially love when they give their reasons for it because many times it just shows they have not actually been watching the team. Now I understand it is impossible to keep up on all 32 teams which is why trying to make those type of predictions just is no easy task. Too much changes from year to year on every team in the league but then again for them to act like experts when they have not watched enough on every team to be making predictions just seems to be setting them up to fail. But hey I would love to get paid to put predictions out there that I know half of them will be wrong and I will get ripped apart by people across the country for it. I actually just applied to do some sports writing on the side this week. Had a group put out that they were looking for writers and I told my wife and she said "at least I can feel a bit better about your obsession with football if you are getting paid to watch it."

And the Pats I just expect that to happen every year. Big tv market with 2 of the biggest figures in the NFL in BB and Brady.

Honestly I was just more shocked over the love fest for the Raiders. I've always been a more let's wait and see them actually learn how to win than expecting a bottom feeding team to all of a sudden become a Super Bowl caliber team. WE have seen way too many times in the NFL that even the most talented teams do not equal success. Talent is only part of the equation and just knowing Del Rio I just don't trust him to get the most out of his players.

On a Raiders note for this week Del Rio has now taken playcalling away from Ken Norton Jr. He will be calling the defensive side of the ball. They are also now bringing in 2 rookies to start today in Karl Joseph and Cory James a linebacker. Not a good sign when guys are already getting benched and one of your coaches has been in a way demoted.

 

[iknowftbll]

CD, if you pick up that writing gig let me know where to find your work and I'll be a frequent reader. I considered writing for Fansided but they weren't looking for Broncos writers at the time I was interested in doing it. More recently my boss, deducing from some of the official correspondence I've produced in my current job and combined with my love of sports and generally functional sports knowledge, commented that he's surprised I don't have a sports blog of my own. At this point in life it's just too much work. If I could do it as a full time job and pay all the bills with it, you bet I'd do it! I make picks every week on another forum and at the end of the season I'm as good as any of the experts on the major sports outlets in terms of wins and losses. And I tend to be pretty close year to year on my expectations for the Broncos. Even my wife, after the Super Bowl, commented that the game unfolded exactly how I predicted it would and if anything I sold the Broncos short with a prediction of a 24-20 win!

 

[cdumler7]

CD, if you pick up that writing gig let me know where to find your work and I'll be a frequent reader. I considered writing for Fansided but they weren't looking for Broncos writers at the time I was interested in doing it. More recently my boss, deducing from some of the official correspondence I've produced in my current job and combined with my love of sports and generally functional sports knowledge, commented that he's surprised I don't have a sports blog of my own. At this point in life it's just too much work. If I could do it as a full time job and pay all the bills with it, you bet I'd do it! I make picks every week on another forum and at the end of the season I'm as good as any of the experts on the major sports outlets in terms of wins and losses. And I tend to be pretty close year to year on my expectations for the Broncos. Even my wife, after the Super Bowl, commented that the game unfolded exactly how I predicted it would and if anything I sold the Broncos short with a prediction of a 24-20 win!

Haha oh I would read every article you wrote if you ever got into it @iknowftbll. Always love reading what you have to write. Nothing has happened other than some talking back and forth but I'll definitely let you know if/when it happens. Fingers are crossed. I probably shouldn't be taking on one more thing as I definitely have plenty on my plate but like I said probably helps my wife feel much better about me sitting around watching football on a regular basis. Might be coming to the board for some ideas on great topics to write about. Probably no place I trust more for football information than this group of people.

 

[CEH]

I'd say 65-70% of all plays are off schedule
I see Siemian as Kyle Orton/Kubiak and Lynch as Plummer/elway
Paxton just has the ability to make something happen
Trevor is in a odd situation.
Right now Kuibiak can throw the whole playbook at TS and hope he can execute whereas Lynch you can't do that yet.
Somehow we need to get our top 10 Wrs into the game

 

[cdumler7]

I'd say 65-70% of all plays are off schedule
I see Siemian as Kyle Orton/Kubiak and Lynch as Plummer/elway
Paxton just has the ability to make something happen
Trevor is in a odd situation.
Right now Kuibiak can throw the whole playbook at TS and hope he can execute whereas Lynch you can't do that yet.
Somehow we need to get our top 10 Wrs into the game

Good way to look at it. And I do wonder if Kubiak will fight a little more to keep Siemian in even if a couple of games go bad just because he can see himself in Siemian and knowing that he wasn't really given much of a chance to make a career in the NFL. I know Elway with his comments can't wait for Lynch to be out on the field.

And honestly while I am ok with Siemian starting for a bit longer allowing Lynch to develop a bit more and just feel more comfortable in this offense I cannot wait for Lynch to become our starter. Partly because what he can do when the play does not go to plan. His athleticism in the red zone in my opinion increases our chances of scoring a touchdown by about double. Yes he will make some mistakes but he also has a big play ability that Siemian just doesn't right now. Lynch while limited playbook wise is just not limited on where he can put the football during the game. That is where Lynch and Siemian are opposite. Siemian is not limited in knowing the playbook and knowing how to run this offense but he is limited in where he can throw it. That doesn't mean before people get after me that he can't make all the throws in the NFL. He has plenty of arm to do it. He just can't do it at a consistent enough basis for teams to respect it. His low trajectory on throws closes some of those windows we need him to be able to throw to such as corner of the end zone in the red zone over a defender.

 

[WalkerBoh]

My expectations aren't very high at this point. I suspect we are seeing Siemian's ceiling, and that he's the Orton 2.0 that's simply keeping the spot warm for Lynch.

 

[Southieinnc]

We know little about Lynch - other than he is not ready.
Siemian Has done a great job with an offense that is not as good as Denver fans believe.
He'll continue to play and you'll see what he's got. Damn, he's a rookie, guys!
Lynch could be a total bust!

 

[WalkerBoh]

Well, I certainly didn't see that coming. Glad to see I was wrong this week. He's starting to play a lot better than Osweiler. That's for certain. Best favor Houston could have done for the Broncos.

 

[Mingo]

Siemian improves again - hits the deep pass. Fine performance - still a lot to learn.

 

[Dr Cyanide 28]

So Trevor wasn't perfect but come on. We can win with this level of play.

 

[Dr Cyanide 28]

Also having DT and Sanders making plays down the field helps but Siemian put the ball in places those guys could make plays

 

[randymon]

As of right now......Trevor leads all Qbs in fantasy points. Good job buddy vs a good D in hostile territory and your first and only road trip thus far. Speaks volumes to me anyway. Sure you'll still get some negativity from some here.

 

[Malibu]

As of right now......Trevor leads all Qbs in fantasy points. Good job buddy vs a good D in hostile territory and your first and only road trip thus far. Speaks volumes to me anyway. Sure you'll still get some negativity from some here.

Agreed but I'd care less about fantasy points. I see the 300 yards and 4 TD's and no picks and that's enough for me to say so far so good. Plus add 3-0 and he is just getting better by game. Good to see the Broncos open it up on offense with some deep passes. On to the Bucs. Go Broncos!!!