Tag: Lock

Dec 19, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) throws against Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports

Drew Lock in limbo as new GM gets keys to Broncos

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Denver Broncos general manager George Paton takes over personnel decisions from John Elway effective immediately and it’s no grand surprise the quarterback position is the first order of business.

“Quarterback is the most important position in sports,” Paton said Tuesday. “If you don’t have stability at quarterback, you’re going to have a hard time sustaining and winning. Very important. We all want the franchise quarterback. That’s the No. 1 goal.”

Paton said he was attracted to the job because of the “core pieces” in place and mentioned quarterback Drew Lock as one of them.

“I liked Drew coming out of the draft,” Paton said. “He’s talented. He can develop.”

Elway will remain with the organization in a management role but forfeits the day-to-day management of the personnel department to Paton. Paton, introduced Tuesday, was hired away from the Minnesota Vikings where he served as the right-hand man to Rick Spielman.

Paton is not planning to change coaches with Vic Fangio — a former division rival in the NFC North with the Chicago Bears — remaining in place.

“I had to prepare for Vic twice a year … and that was no fun,” Paton said.

With the Vikings, quarterback was a chronic concern, but Minnesota reached the playoffs with six different quarterbacks, Paton recalled. The Broncos are still determining whether Lock is the best fit in Denver.

Minnesota selected quarterback Christian Ponder 12th overall in 2011, the same draft in which the Broncos selected Von Miller No. 2. There have been rumblings that Denver might part with Miller via trade.

“All of those tough decisions start when I can meet with the coaches and the scouting staff,” Paton said. “Until you have your meetings, get your plan for the offseason and develop your needs — that’s when it all starts.”

Paton said all evaluations, and developing players from within, will be part of a meticulous plan. Elway made his position known on Lock, but won’t block Paton from making a change.

“I’m still high on Drew,” Elway said of the team’s 2019 second-round draft pick. “I think he’s got the physical abilities to do it. I think this year was essentially his rookie year. I think he was put behind the 8-ball with everything that went on with COVID, with offseason, especially with a young offense and new offensive coordinator. It was not by any means an ideal situation for Drew.

“Drew is a young guy, obviously,” Elway said. “He showed flashes this year. He made mistakes. I made a million mistakes my first two, three years. … Georgie is going to continue to look to fill that spot if we don’t think that Drew is that guy.”

Lock, 24, is 8-10 as a starter through two seasons, completing 59.1 percent of his passes for 3,953 yards with 23 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Nov 1, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) talks with quarterback Brett Rypien (4) in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos CEO: Team must take stronger virus precautions

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Denver Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis called on players and staff to increase their vigilance amid the COVID-19 surge, days after his team was forced to play without an established quarterback because of the virus.

“As we enter the final month of this unprecedented season, we must do even more with the COVID-19 spike around the league and community,” said Ellis, who himself tested positive for the virus in early November. “I met with [general manager] John Elway and [coach] Vic Fangio virtually on Monday afternoon, and together we outlined what needs to be done to step it up.”

The Broncos lost 31-3 on Sunday to the New Orleans Saints with practice squad wide receiver Kendall Hinton at quarterback. Starter Drew Lock, backup Brett Rypien and practice squad member Blake Bortles were forced to quarantine after they were ruled to have had close contact with quarterback Jeff Driskel, who tested positive for the virus last Thursday, and were unavailable against the Saints.

The quarterbacks reportedly were not wearing masks as required when they were together, and Lock apologized for letting his guard down.

“We share the disappointment of our fans for the challenging and unique situation our team faced at the last minute this weekend,” Ellis said. “While it’s easy to point fingers, all of us must take responsibility and work together to prevent it from happening again.”

Multiple outlets reported that Lock, Rypien and Bortles were negative in the latest round of testing and can return to practice Wednesday.

Earlier, the NFL fined Fangio $100,000 and the Broncos $250,000 for failure to follow mask protocols on the sideline in September.

Despite his disappointment, Ellis said he recognized the challenges all team personnel have endured.

“I’m proud of the hard work and dedication of our staff to create a safe environment for everyone, led by our medical, facilities and compliance efforts.” Ellis said. “It’s especially important to recognize the discipline and sacrifices of the players – and their families – this year.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 15, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) throws the ball under pressure from Las Vegas Raiders strong safety Johnathan Abram (24) in the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Broncos 37-12. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Broncos QB Lock has bruised ribs but no fractures

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock has bruised ribs but no fractures were found, according to reports Tuesday.

ESPN and NFL Network reported that Lock has significant muscle strains as well as the bruising.

It is unclear if Lock will recover in time for Sunday’s game between the Broncos (3-6) and Miami Dolphins (6-3).

Lock was injured in last Sunday’s 37-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. He threw four interceptions and took a fierce beating during the contest and X-rays were taken of his ribs.

If Lock can’t play versus Miami, Brett Rypien is the likely starter, though Jeff Driskel also is a possibility.

Broncos coach Vic Fangio said Monday that if Lock misses too much practice time, he may go another direction per the starter.

“That will definitely enter into the equation,” Fangio said. “We definitely want Drew to have a good week of preparation so he’s ready to play the game. So that could enter into the equation as we go through the week.”

Lock has passed for 1,497 yards and seven touchdowns but has also thrown 10 interceptions. He missed two starts earlier this season due to a shoulder injury. Driskel and Rypien each started one game during that span.

Also, Denver waived cornerback Davontae Harris. He had 39 tackles in 23 games (seven starts) over the past two seasons for the Broncos. He also played three games for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018.

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) looks to pass in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos QB Lock looks set to return vs. Patriots

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock appears ready to return from a shoulder injury and start Sunday’s road game against the New England Patriots.

The Broncos listed Lock as questionable on their Friday injury report and coach Vic Fangio said the second-year pro “is trending the right way.”

However, Fangio stopped short of pronouncing Lock as the starter, saying the club would wait to make sure he has no shoulder soreness on Saturday before taking that step.

Lock injured his throwing shoulder in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He missed the past two games for the Broncos (1-3).

Running back Melvin Gordon also is listed as questionable after missing Friday’s practice with an illness. Gordon was arrested on a DUI charge on Tuesday and missed Wednesday’s workout before returning to practice on Thursday.

It hasn’t yet been decided whether Gordon will travel with the team on Saturday.

“He’s come down with an illness today that was totally unrelated to COVID and totally unrelated to his situation on Tuesday night,” Fangio said. “The doctors are in complete control … they’ve diagnosed it. It’s nothing too serious. Until we get the report on that where he’s at tomorrow in regards to that, that will have a major impact on our decision.”

Gordon leads the Broncos in carries (65), yards rushing (281) and rushing touchdowns (three).

If Gordon doesn’t travel, Fangio said Jeremy Cox will be promoted from the practice squad to give Denver a third running back behind Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman.

Denver also listed tight end Noah Fant (ankle) and nose tackle Mike Purcell (knee) as questionable. The Broncos ruled out receiver KJ Hamler (hamstring) and outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu (quadriceps).

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) looks to pass in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos QB Lock moving closer to return

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock was a full practice participant on Wednesday as he closes in on a return from an injury to his passing shoulder.

Lock suffered his injury in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers when he landed hard on his right shoulder.

Denver coach Vic Fangio hasn’t named a starter for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots. Fangio said either Lock or Brett Rypien will start, while allowing it will depend on how well Lock progresses during the week.

Lock is pointing toward being the starter against the Patriots.

“It feels good to be doing what I love and doing what I feel like I was put down here to do,” Lock said after Wednesday’s practice. “… Great to be back with the guys, calling plays in the huddle … gets pretty lonely back there with the headset.”

Lock passed for 216 yards and one touchdown in a season-opening loss to the Tennessee Titans. But he was hurt early in the game against the Steelers and has missed the past two games.

Rypien made his first career start in Week 4 and passed for 242 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-28 win over the New York Jets. But he also displayed his inexperience by throwing three interceptions and making a couple other questionable throws.

The Broncos will return to Lock when they think he is healthy and Lock said the shoulder is definitely ready for contact.

“I am ready for the first hit, just to get it out of there, let it happen, let everyone hold their breath for a couple seconds and when I get up everything is just fine,” Lock said. “… I’m excited to get back out there.”

–Field Level Media