KISZLA VS. JHABVALA: Has Trevor Siemian or C.J. Anderson been the sweeter surprise for Broncos?
Kiszla vs. Jhabvala Columnist Mark Kiszla debates NFL reporter Nicki Jhabvala
Kiz: Did the Broncos roll back the clock to 2013? They’re putting up Star Wars numbers on offense. The team’s 66 points through two games is No. 2 in the league. Yes, it’s early. Too early to declare a trend. But remember, this number, my friend: 375. If the Broncos score 375 this season, they will make the playoffs. And they’re on pace for … OK, let’s not get carried away. But who deserves more props for the early offensive explosion: Trevor Siemian or C.J. Anderson?
Jhabvala: I’m focusing on one word — surprise — with my answer here: Anderson. Siemian has been given the short shrift for more than two years now because he’s a seventh-round pick out of Northwestern who doesn’t fit most people’s narrative. He’s not the first-rounder or the big name pegged to succeed Peyton Manning. Right? Last season he impressed, but he wasn’t given due credit for his game because of the offense’s inconsistency. He had little protection up front and little support in the run game. And he played hurt much of the season after spraining his nonthrowing shoulder in Week 4. And yet, he still had three 300-yard games, totaled 3,401 passing yards and had a 1.8 touchdown-to-interception ratio that ranked higher than Eli Manning (1.6), higher than Philip Rivers (1.6) and higher than Cam Newton (1.4). Siemian has always been able to play. He’s improved, no doubt, and finally getting due attention. But the bigger surprise is Anderson.
Kiz: Anderson always plays with passion. But he’s running as if his job depends on it. This is the best group of running backs on the Denver roster since Anderson joined the Broncos. Either he’s effective, or Anderson will have carries taken away by Jamaal Charles or Devontae Booker, who’s expected to return from injury soon. At 199 yards, Anderson is No. 2 in the league in rushing. But his 4.4 yards per carry is even impressive, because that kind of production can make Denver an effective run-first team.
Jhabvala: Anderson said he learned a lot about himself after a meniscus injury cut short his 2016 season. He said he doesn’t take the game for granted anymore. After his lengthy recovery, he turned to cycling to help him arrive at training camp slim and in great shape — he has said the best shape of his life. The work has, so far, paid off. The key for him — as it as has always been — is sustaining it for 17 weeks. The Broncos are exceptionally deep at running back this year, and though Anderson signed a four-year, $18 million contract in 2016, he has no dead money after this season, which means if the Broncos want to move on, they can without any cost.
Kiz: Thought it during training camp, and believe it even more now that I’ve seen the Denver offensive line at work during the regular season. The five guys up front are road graders, capable of moving some heavy tonnage in the ground game. But pass blocking? I’m not so sure that’s their favorite thing. For as good as Siemian has been, he’s getting sacked at too high a rate. And that’s why Anderson deserves more props for the 2-0 start. It’s the rushing attack that makes this offense go and keeps Siemian healthy.
Jhabvala: Last year, former coach Gary Kubiak admitted Siemian needed to do a better job of protecting himself in the pocket, something that comes with more game experience. Vance Joseph echoed the same thing when he took over. And Siemian himself has said he set out to improve in certain areas over the summer. While the run game has been significantly better, thanks in large part to the arrival of right guard Ron Leary, problems remain on the edges of the line.