QB Keenum responds to criticism by saying, “I’ve got to play better”
Befitting somebody who knows the spotlight is always on the position he plays, Broncos quarterback Case Keenum reacted succinctly Tuesday to coach Vance Joseph’s request for him to play more aggressively.
“I’ve got to play better,” Keenum said. “I’ve got to get my guys chances down the field. That’s it.”
Joseph’s criticism of Keenum on Monday came out of nowhere considering the Broncos had won their previous three games before Sunday’s eyesore of a loss at San Francisco. On Sunday, only six of Keenum’s 42 pass attempts traveled at least 16 yards in the air, which was not to Joseph’s sat-
isfaction. The coach wants Keenum to challenge the defense more.
One thought is maybe Joseph believes poking Keenum in the media will light a figurative fire for the season’s final three games, starting Saturday night against Cleveland.
“We’re at the point of the season where we have to make plays (and) we have to score points,” Keenum said. “I have to get guys chances down the field. Continue to be smart with the football, but give guys chances when we feel it’s a good matchup and an advantageous time to take a shot.”
After practice Tuesday, Joseph didn’t add much to his Monday comments.
Asked what parts of the field and what situations of the game he wants Keenum to be in attack mode, Joseph said: “It’s overall play. We’ve got three weeks to play. We have to all play that way, not just Case. Defensively (also). We have to coach that way. We are playing to win, not to keep it close (and) not to lose. That’s the message to the entire team.”
But does Joseph have a point that Keenum hasn’t been aggressive enough throwing the ball downfield?
A deep dive into the numbers didn’t so much confirm Joseph’s view as reveal how Keenum stacks up with the league’s elite quarterbacks, per Stats, Inc. Attempts that traveled at least 21 yards in the air: Keenum is tied for ninth with 45, well behind Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes (70) and Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers (62). Keenum is 16-of-45 for 602 yards on those attempts. Mahomes and Rodgers have 981 and 937 yards, respectively, on those throws. Completions of at least 20 yards: Keenum’s 45 such plays are tied for ninth-most, well behind Mahomes (66) and the Los Angeles Rams’ Jared Goff (60). Touchdown passes of at
least 20 yards: Keenum’s seven are tied for 13th. The top three are Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger (13), Mahomes and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Philip Rivers (12 apiece).
One metric that stood out is Keenum’s out-of-the-gate play.
Among the 19 quarterbacks with at least 80 first-quarter pass attempts, Keenum’s 80.4 rating is last.
Losing receiver Emmanuel Sanders last week to a torn Achilles tendon will certainly impact the Broncos’ vertical strategy. Sanders’ total of 12 catches of at least 20 yards is tied for 20th in the league. That puts the onus on the remaining players, all young.
“It’s our job as receivers, tight end, running backs — all of us — to get open for Case,” tight end Matt LaCosse said. “It’s not all on Case.”
Joseph did not provide specific examples of missed opportunities by Keenum on Sunday. But a couple emerged after watching the All-22 tape.
On third-and-2 in Sunday’s first quarter, Courtland Sutton was wide open on a post route 11 yards downfield, but Keenum shuffled left and threw incomplete to Tim Patrick (4-yard attempt).
On first-and-10 in the second quarter, DaeSean Hamilton got open on an in-breaking route 17 yards downfield, but Keenum, instead of trying to loft a pass over the linebacker, threw incomplete to running back Phillip Lindsay.
On another first-and-10 in the second quarter, Hamilton (from the left slot) was open on a post route 10 yards downfield, but Keenum threw a 4yard pass to Sutton.
The common theme: Keenum threw outside the numbers instead of challenging the middle of the field.
Keenum knows it’s not all on him, but it does start with him.