Broncos’ WR Sanders healthy, makes a case for Keenum at QB
There were times last fall when Emmanuel Sanders questioned whether or not it was all really worth it.
The Broncos’ wide receiver struggled through a season when the Broncos won only five times. He played with a nagging ankle injury and three different starting quarterbacks. Following three consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 yards receiving, Sanders had only 555 yards receiving, his worst total in a Broncos’ uniform.
“There were some games where I was like, ‘What am I doing with myself? Do I even like football anymore?’” Sanders told reporters Wednesday.
However, when Sanders arrived back at Dove Valley recently for the start of the Broncos’ offseason program, he discovered a welcome sight. Hanging on clothes racks inside the glass doors of the team store were rows and rows of orange No. 4 jerseys with KEENUM printed on the back.
Following two seasons of uncertainty at quarterback following the retirement of Peyton Manning, there is no debate who will be starting under center for the Broncos in Week 1.
“Case is our guy,” Sanders said, referring to free-agent signing Case Keenum.
How about that injured ankle? “I was out there today, I felt great,” Sanders said. “I was run-
ning around, caught a slant and was able to take it like 60 yards. Just happy to be back running full speed and being myself.”
The second phase of the Broncos’ offseason program began this week as players practiced with coaches watching onfield drills for the first time since last fall. The introduction process for Keenum, the former Vikings quarterback signed in March, is just now taking place. Early returns on his first impression, per Sanders, have been overwhelmingly positive.
“He’s one of those guys that when he steps into the huddle, he’s that leader,” Sanders said. “You don’t have to secondguess what his thought process is. His thought process is, we’re going to complete this ball and keep this ball moving. I’m liking what I’m seeing so far.”
The Broncos inability to establish a consistent passing game last season with Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch or Brock Osweiler was well documented. Sanders eclipsed 100 yards receiving only once, that coming in a 4116 throttling by New England when Osweiler was the quarterback.
“You can sit back and say, ‘We’re all professional football players and we’ve got to deal with that situation,’” Sanders said. “But at the same time, obviously, we can’t gain the same chemistry. You don’t have the same mindset. … You’re not maximizing the oppor tunity.”
Minnesota certainly got the most out of Keenum a year ago. He averaged 10.9 yards per completion with 22 touchdowns. Plenty of those targets went to Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs — whose speed and quickness mirrors much of what has made Sanders so dynamic.
Developing the KeenumSanders connection has just begun.
“A majority of the passes, 95 or 98 percent, have been there,” Sanders said. “He’s confident in himself.”
With a quality starting quarterback, and his own health improved, Sanders is confident the Broncos can return to the playoffs in 2018.
“We’re working our butts off,” Sanders said. “My mentality is that I want to be the most conditioned team in the NFL next year, … then in the fourth quarter, it’s going to pay off to be able to take advantage of this altitude.”