Report Siemian is the Starter

[58crash]

Did we sign Marcus Lattimore?


P.S.- I never in a million years thought I'd be saying Trevor Siemian is a starting QB in the NFL, let alone a QB of a team trying to defend a super bowl title.

The Kid reminds of Fran Tarkenton ... I want to see more ...

 

[58crash]

ASK THE LEAGUE: Does Trevor Siemian have the goods to succeed?


When the Denver Broncos announced Trevor Siemian as the starter for the team's third preseason game, Gary Kubiak sent a message to the rest of the league that the second-year pro is in line to be the defending champs' QB1 against the Carolina Panthers when the regular season kicks off in a couple of weeks. Now, that's certainly not the scenario most of us envisioned when the three-headed quarterback competition started in the offseason, but Siemian has outplayed veteran Mark Sanchez and has a better grasp of the team's offense than rookie Paxton Lynch.

UPDATE: Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak announced Monday that Trevor Siemian will be the team's starting quarterback for Week 1.

Given this development for the 250th overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, I thought I'd reach out to a few of my scouting buddies to get their thoughts on Siemian. Here's what I asked them:

What were your thoughts on Trevor Siemian coming out of Northwestern? Where did you project his NFL ceiling to be?

AFC director of player personnel: "I was somewhat of a fan. He didn't have great numbers, but he was accurate, sneaky athletic and showed flashes of a graduate-level understanding of quarterback play (vision, timing, using his eyes to move defenders, etc.). I thought he could develop into a solid backup (initially No. 3) with a little upside."




AFC player personnel executive: "I don't even remember doing him. I know that I went there [Northwestern], but he didn't have any standout qualities. I think Denver is trying to create something. Maybe Kubiak is trying to do the quarterback guru thing."

AFC college scout: "He was super productive in limited action. He had a strong arm and enough size to be a backup. He could come in as a No. 3 and work his way up to being a solid No. 2."

AFC college scouting director: "I didn't even do him coming out ... We didn't have high enough grades on him for me to watch him."

AFC scout: "Sorry, dawg ... I didn't do him. I heard that he is doing well in Denver, but he wasn't on my radar coming out."

MY TAKE

Despite previously praising John Elway and the Broncos in this notebook for their handling of the quarterback situation, I didn't seriously think the team would enter the season with Siemian as the starting quarterback. I assumed Sanchez would win the job as the seasoned veteran with a pair of AFC Championship Game appearances on his résumé, or that the team would hand the gig to the rookie first-rounder if the race was close coming out of the preseason.

That's why I'm shocked to see the former seventh-rounder starting the "dress rehearsal" of the exhibition season. In Week 3 of the preseason, teams play their starters into the second half to establish a rhythm and work the kinks out before the real action begins. With Siemian running with the 1s Saturday night, he's the overwhelming favorite to get the ball on opening night.

Looking at Siemian's play throughout the preseason, I must admit that I've been impressed with his accuracy, ball placement and decisiveness. He gets the ball out of his hands quickly and allows his playmakers to do the work on the perimeter. Against the 49ers, in particular, Siemian didn't hesitate to get the ball to his second or third option in the progression when the coverage took away his primary read. Speaking to a few Broncos players and coaches during the offseason, I frequently heard them rave about Siemian's command of the offense and how quickly he got the ball out. They also cited his competitiveness -- a Broncos team source told me that he treated every opportunity like a big deal and his success leading the 3s as a rookie opened some eyes around the building -- leadership skills and steady improvement as a passer as major factors in his ascension up the depth chart.




When I asked my scouting buddies about Siemian's rapid rise, most were shocked that he's considered a potential QB1 after a mediocre collegiate career. (Siemian didn't even crack the top 10 among Big Ten quarterbacks in passer efficiency as a senior.) Although I had one scout point to the Northwestern's upset win at Notre Dame in November of 2014 as a sign of his potential, the vast majority of scouts saw him as a "height/weight/speed" prospect (OK, not so much on the speed, but HWS is just a general scouting term) with a big arm and limited potential. Siemian carried a "Priority Free Agent" (PFA) grade on most boards, and the Broncos' selection late on Day 3 was in line with that opinion (seventh-round picks are essentially viewed as PFAs on draft boards).

Considering how rare it is to see a late-round quarterback in the starting lineup on opening day -- every projected Week 1 starter was drafted in the first four rounds except Tom Brady (sixth-rounder), Ryan Fitzpatrick (seventh-rounder), Tyrod Taylor (sixth-rounder), Tony Romo (undrafted) and Case Keenum (undrafted) -- the Broncos are attempting to buck the odds by giving Siemian the ball. Sure, Denver simply needs a game manager to support a team fueled by its defense and running game, but Siemian must show the skeptics that he won't wilt under the bright lights while leading the reigning champs. It's one thing to sit comfortably in the shadows as the QB2 or QB3, but it's obviously a completely different deal to be the guy.

the nationally televised NFL Kickoff Game? Saturday night's contest against the Rams could shed some light on the answer.

 

[Broncos6482]

Brock torn it up dropping dimes all night long.

Kind of like he did the first half in Pittsburgh?

 

[Draft Crazy]

Lynch is gonna play all 4 quarters of our last PS game.

I'd say Sanchez is gone for sure.

 

[58crash]

Good work for him

 

[cdumler7]

Few things that I really do love about Siemian

1) He has leaned on past QB's for support. From what I have read he actually leaned on Peyton a lot more than Brock did during his time here in Denver. Throw in he has called guys like Jake Plummer for advice in the situation that he is in. Heck met with him after practice today to talk football and life with him.

2) He does take this job very seriously. Hasn't even called his parents to tell them that he has the starting gig as he has lived at the Broncos facility watching film.

3) He does have the locker room. This is a very underrated quality. The players love him on the team and some of the players off the record have spoken about how even before he was named the starter that he deserved this job.

 

[Draft Crazy]

I can tell you that as hard as I was on Siemian as a prospect his Northwestern teammates also loved him.

 

[Mingo]

What a great story if he turns out to be Tom Brady all over again!

Bronco football history is rich with player stories like his - and watching a guy overcome the odds and become elite - is very satisfying as a fan.

 

[cdumler7]

I thought this was a great article just to kind of double down on him really having the locker room and the players around him really defending the fact that he is the starter. While the rest of the world might be shocked he is the starter it seems the team is not surprised at all.

Emmanuel Sanders explains what teammates love so much about Trevor Siemian

 

[randymon]

I thought this was a great article just to kind of double down on him really having the locker room and the players around him really defending the fact that he is the starter. While the rest of the world might be shocked he is the starter it seems the team is not surprised at all.

Emmanuel Sanders explains what teammates love so much about Trevor Siemian

Those are a few of the things Mingo and I said about him when we watched him in last yrs preseason and why we thought he had a good shot to win job......see if my memory serves me right.." He seemed very poised and calm when he was in there", " Even with pressure in his face, he looked poised "." Attributes you like to see in a young qb ", etc,etc. Of course we got...... " he was going vs the 3-5 guys ", " Look at his Northwestern career " . " He was a 7 th rounder for Pete's sake ". We sure caught a lot of flack from many who are now praising these same qualities that went in one ear and out the other back then. Of course, the verdict is still out on Trevor for sure but the fact that the " Trevor Simian " train has picked up a lot of previously negative passengers, is alive and well now.

 

[cdumler7]

Those are a few of the things Mingo and I said about him when we watched him in last yrs preseason and why we thought he had a good shot to win job......see if my memory serves me right.." He seemed very poised and calm when he was in there", " Even with pressure in his face, he looked poised "." Attributes you like to see in a young qb ", etc,etc. Of course we got...... " he was going vs the 3-5 guys ", " Look at his Northwestern career " . " He was a 7 th rounder for Pete's sake ". We sure caught a lot of flack from many who are now praising these same qualities that went in one ear and out the other back then. Of course, the verdict is still out on Trevor for sure but the fact that the " Trevor Simian " train has picked up a lot of previously negative passengers, is alive and well now.

Hey we are all wrong every once in a while. Some more than others. I have no problem admitting I might have been wrong on Trevor. Still need to see it in an actual game though before I would get too crazy tooting your own horn here Randymon. Throw in you look at comments today from Kubiak and they are not a huge ringing endorsement towards Trevor such as his comments on getting Lynch ready as quickly as possible to start.

I honestly do hope that Siemian is great though. That is a huge advantage for the Broncos not only this season but also then in trades maybe next year where he can net us maybe an extra 1st or 2nd round depending on his season. Or maybe they keep him and just have the QB position cheap for the next few years but with 2 quality players. Just have to wait and see how this all plays out. I am happy for the kid though of getting this opportunity and taking advantage of it so far. Great story and hopefully has a great ending as well.

 

[randymon]

Hey we are all wrong every once in a while. Some more than others. I have no problem admitting I might have been wrong on Trevor. Still need to see it in an actual game though before I would get too crazy tooting your own horn here Randymon. Throw in you look at comments today from Kubiak and they are not a huge ringing endorsement towards Trevor such as his comments on getting Lynch ready as quickly as possible to start.

I honestly do hope that Siemian is great though. That is a huge advantage for the Broncos not only this season but also then in trades maybe next year where he can net us maybe an extra 1st or 2nd round depending on his season. Or maybe they keep him and just have the QB position cheap for the next few years but with 2 quality players. Just have to wait and see how this all plays out. I am happy for the kid though of getting this opportunity and taking advantage of it so far. Great story and hopefully has a great ending as well.

Sometimes you have to toot the horn when your comments are received with such absurdity and steadfast ridiculousness to suggest such a scenario. I've certainly been guilty myself . But I have a reputation to uphold on here...mad,deranged, short fuse and obvious anger issues and by God I'm not going to let you guys down !

 

[cdumler7]

Sometimes you have to toot the horn when your comments are received with such absurdity and steadfast ridiculousness to suggest such a scenario. I've certainly been guilty myself . But I have a reputation to uphold on here...mad,deranged, short fuse and obvious anger issues and by God I'm not going to let you guys down !

Haha well toot away I guess. At this point though I'm going to wait and see how he looks in the regular season. Unfortunately this could be he won the job not because he earned it but because Sanchez is well Sanchez and the rookie just isn't ready. Not sure that is him just far surpassing the others just that our QB position could struggle until Lynch is ready. I'm hoping that it is he went out and won the job and really did well. I like the kid and think he has a good chance to succeed or at least look competent which is all we need right now from the position.

 

[randymon]

Haha well toot away I guess. At this point though I'm going to wait and see how he looks in the regular season. Unfortunately this could be he won the job not because he earned it but because Sanchez is well Sanchez and the rookie just isn't ready. Not sure that is him just far surpassing the others just that our QB position could struggle until Lynch is ready. I'm hoping that it is he went out and won the job and really did well. I like the kid and think he has a good chance to succeed or at least look competent which is all we need right now from the position.

Agree on Trevor. This train could move nice and smoothly all season with some nice surprises along the way, or derail right from the start and be a potential disaster as well. Like you had said while back though, this season is shaping out to be one of most intriguing seasons to date with all the unknowns and possible....magic ????

 

[iknowftbll]

I was all for the best option getting the start and figured all summer Sanchez would emerge as that option. Looks like he failed to take control of the opportunity in front of him. That opens up a few things that are worth being excited about from Siemian and the Broncos.

Consider the possibility that Simian gives us 3300-3600 passing yards, 20 or so TDs, and keeps the picks down. Let's say he does his part en route to an 11-5 finish for the team. That would mean the Broncos are under no pressure at all in 2017 to go with Lynch: they'll have a viable option returning. Sanchez wouldn't have been back either way, but if Siemian has a good 2016 he'll go into 2017 as the starter and the team can avoid a QB change three consecutive years. I think that's huge for this offense. The adjustment to Kubiak's system hasn't been pretty so far, and it may not be all that picturesque this year either (that's how good we have it: ugliest offense since the Tebow year and the team still won the SB!). If the team can avoid turnover at the QB position they can focus on getting the O-line talent where it needs to be.

I won't consider the season a total disappointment if the Broncos don't repeat. I obviously hope they do, but realistically that's extremely hard. A lot of fans of defending champs think their team is the exception. I don't necessarily think that of the Broncos. I think this is a team that will likely contend for the division title and win at least one playoff game. Anything past that is gravy to me. If we get good QB play out of Siemian, we'll have had a good 2016 AND be set up for success in the future.

 

[nflbronco]

I was all for the best option getting the start and figured all summer Sanchez would emerge as that option. Looks like he failed to take control of the opportunity in front of him. That opens up a few things that are worth being excited about from Siemian and the Broncos.

Consider the possibility that Simian gives us 3300-3600 passing yards, 20 or so TDs, and keeps the picks down. Let's say he does his part en route to an 11-5 finish for the team. That would mean the Broncos are under no pressure at all in 2017 to go with Lynch: they'll have a viable option returning. Sanchez wouldn't have been back either way, but if Siemian has a good 2016 he'll go into 2017 as the starter and the team can avoid a QB change three consecutive years. I think that's huge for this offense. The adjustment to Kubiak's system hasn't been pretty so far, and it may not be all that picturesque this year either (that's how good we have it: ugliest offense since the Tebow year and the team still won the SB!). If the team can avoid turnover at the QB position they can focus on getting the O-line talent where it needs to be.

I won't consider the season a total disappointment if the Broncos don't repeat. I obviously hope they do, but realistically that's extremely hard. A lot of fans of defending champs think their team is the exception. I don't necessarily think that of the Broncos. I think this is a team that will likely contend for the division title and win at least one playoff game. Anything past that is gravy to me. If we get good QB play out of Siemian, we'll have had a good 2016 AND be set up for success in the future.

I agree


2016 is about getting young QB's exp. If we don't win SB we don't win SB. If our record is bad avg or not quite as good as 2015 we are still in great shape as far as needs going forward.

 

[iknowftbll]

I agree


2016 is about getting young QB's exp. If we don't win SB we don't win SB. If our record is bad avg or not quite as good as 2015 we are still in great shape as far as needs going forward.

I really believe the team is still a playoff team. I don't think they'll be "bad" in the sense that I consider "bad" to be 8-8 or worse. I predicted this team would be 12-4 again, but that was with the assumption Sanchez would respond to the coaching here in Denver. Seems I was wrong, but I still view this as an 11 or 12 win team. If they go 9-7 but still reach the playoffs and win a game I'd consider it a good season in the end.

 

[WalkerBoh]

I'm still waiting to see what he does when Vanilla defenses turn into Rocky Road and every other flavor imaginable. Panthers game should be a great indicator of what we really have in Siemian.

 

[Malibu]

Sometimes you have to toot the horn when your comments are received with such absurdity and steadfast ridiculousness to suggest such a scenario. I've certainly been guilty myself . But I have a reputation to uphold on here...mad,deranged, short fuse and obvious anger issues and by God I'm not going to let you guys down !

Nothing wrong with tooting your own horn. Montee Ball won't pan out and the Broncos will win a Super Bowl once J.D.R. is gone. Oh wait I said that. Toot away. Peace.

 

[Draft Crazy]

Yeah as much as we all hope Siemian is a STUD I think some are tooting their horns a little too early on him. He hasn't proven anything yet... He hasn't even looked that great in PS just yet. I hope like hell just like any Bronco he turns out great, and I want people to be able to toot their horn on the guy, but way too early.