If you’re think that naming Siemian the starting quarterback of an elite team such as the Broncos is the same as putting a Lawn Boy motor in a new Porsche Carrera, you’re not alone.
Advertisement
If he feels the same way, coach Gary Kubiak isn’t saying just yet.
In only his second start as a pro, Siemian helped the Broncos to a 17-9 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in their third preseason game, one that is annually the most significant but one that, this year, is more so. “Ultimately, that’s up to Kubes”.
“I’m impressed”, Kubiak said.
“I think he’s very calm”. I’ll do that. Does that mean I’m going to do that [Sunday] or Monday? I think what I see is a guy getting better.
Rookie Paxton Lynch was also more impressive than his stats – 6 of 13 for 57 yards – leading a scoring drive that ended with Ronnie Hillman’s 7-yard TD run. Lynch, the 2016 first-round pick out of Memphis, played the second half as Siemian’s backup, while Sanchez, the once-fancied fifth overall pick of the 2009 draft, did not see any action.
As a seventh-round pick in the 2015 draft, Siemian hardly played behind Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler as the Denver Broncos went all the way to Super Bowl 50, eventually winning the big game over the Carolina Panthers.
Give the Broncos credit for this: They aren’t afraid to make the risky decision when it comes to the quarterback position. “He’s played a lot of football”, Kubiak said. “We have three days and then we play in Arizona”.
Sanchez left the stadium without comment.
The Rams’ points came on three field goals by Greg Zuerlein.
As such, the Rams have been sticking with QB Case Keenum as the starter. Zeurlein’s second field goal was set up in part by an unnecessary roughness penalty on cornerback Aqib Talib, who leveled Keenum on a late hit out of bounds.
Goff was just 4 of 12 for 45 yards and took a sack.
Broncos: G Connor McGovern went in at center midway through the fourth quarter.
Siemian had time for one more drive as the seconds ticked away in the first half, and tossed a 43-yard spiral that was caught by Thomas with one hand as he sprinted down the right sideline. If the Broncos cut Sanchez, they can get back $3.5 million of Sanchez’s $4.5 million salary.
Now, he is a rookie and the Rams know he needs time to learn.
Advertisement
The defending Super Bowl champion Broncos apparently aren’t in that much trouble, as it seems Sanchez is on his way out the door. Latimer suffered a knee injury while blocking on a punt return in the third quarter.
