Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) congratulates running back Carlos Hyde (28) after his touchdown in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
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Trevor Siemian will start the Denver Broncos’ third preseason game as head coach Gary Kubiak prepares to name his first-choice quarterback next week. Torrey Smith, DeAndrew White, Quinton Patton and Bryce Treggs all had their moments in practice, but who will be able to make those splash plays in Saturday’s preseason game?
Sanchez, who started the Broncos’ preseason opener at Chicago on August 11, took over with about 11:15 remaining in the second quarter and quickly got to work, finding Cody Latimer up the middle for a 24-yard strike. “He talked about opportunity”, Kubiak said. It won’t be easy, but the Broncos are still considered to be one of the top contenders in the AFC once again.
“No, we continue with the competition”, he told reporters.
“I think a lot of the guys that have been here in years past have learned a lot from No. 18 on what it takes to be a true professional quarterback”, Green added.
Sanchez, an eight-year veteran, by far has the edge in game experience with 72 career regular-season starts, including two last season when he was a backup with the Eagles. The choice is significant, as preseason week three is typically the “dress rehearsal” for week one of the regular season. “I knew this was going to take some time and I think (it’s) a credit to them in how well they’ve battled and pushed each other”, Kubiak said. Sanchez disappointed in his second preseason game, going 10-17 for 120 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions. The 6-yard loss was the first of three tackles for Ramsey against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Davis lined up at right guard for the first two snaps of team drills against the Broncos, and his self-described “sweet” cameo covered only about eight snaps.
Siemian, who had one kneel down as a seventh-round rookie past year, is 17 of 26 for only 163 yards in two preseason games but he has yet to be sacked and has one turnover – albeit a pick six. Reid stepped in front of wide receiver Demaryius Thomas to pick off Siemian. Siemian is expected to practice Tuesday, though. Siemian should easily get his most playing time of the preseason and will get to game plan for his opponent – something teams rarely do during the first or second preseason game.
Meanwhile, Siemian was sharp, completing 10 of his first 11 passes and finishing 10 of 14 for 75 yards.
Sanchez must now try to protect his No. 2 spot.
Sanchez is due $4.5 million this season and is a free agent in 2017.
The Broncos best option is Sanchez, to be honest, he’s the ONLY option.
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So, it looks like the Broncos’ quarterback battle is between two players that have never thrown an National Football League pass. Siemian has gotten plenty of praise along the way as well, and it wouldn’t be all that shocking if Kubiak went any of the three directions. With Trevor Siemian starting this game, it will be interesting to see how he does with the No. 1 offense. Which quarterback do you think will end up winning the starting job? “The competition may no longer be Siemian vs. Sanchez”, wrote Klis,”but Siemian vs”.
