‘He did a good job’

Since the momentous NFL decision to handle mask-wearing indiscretions of Drew Lock, Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles in a punitive manner, the Denver Broncos have attempted to put the embarrassing episode behind them.

Lock released a statement on Sunday as the Broncos prepared to face the New Orleans Saints with no available quarterback and has since addressed the issue from the virtual podium after being approved to return to the building after testing negative for COVID-19. Lock took ownership of the misstep, which was incredibly big for the Broncos as a team thanks to the overzealous management of the NFL, and vowed to be better.

Even Lock’s mother was part of the discussion, publicly lambasting the NFL for its “shameful” response in which her son and the Broncos were used in the hand as a tool to scare the other 31 teams directly on COVID-19 protocols . Coach Vic Fangio, immediately following Sunday’s 31-3 loss to the Saints, made it clear his “disappointment” to Lock and his fellow QBs and has since condemned the flag trio.

We even heard from Team President and CEO Joe Ellis on the subject that was loath to “point fingers” and especially congratulated the players and coaches of the Broncos for accepting the challenge of week 12 and doing their best in an impossible situation. But what about general manager John Elway?

For the first time since the proverbial excrement hit the ventilator, Elway addressed the problem and Lock’s overall handling of the consequences.

“I think he did a good job in the way he answered all of the questions,” Elway told Phil Milani of the team site. “And obviously there’s probably no one more disappointed than him and all the quarterbacks. They realize the situation they haven’t dealt with. [it] That’s right, and it cost them not only but our football team as well, so I think that’s punishment enough for these guys. They realize it and hopefully we can put that behind us and play better this week.

What happens next for the Broncos? Don’t miss any news and analysis! Take a second and Sign up for our free newsletter and get the latest Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!

The 2020 season has produced more questions about Lock than answers and after last week’s firestorm, many media and fans are now doubting the second-year QB’s means to address the hopeful. team to become the future guy of the franchise. Elway, however, has stood firmly behind Lock throughout this roller coaster season and said last week (just before the masked incident) that he was “excited” by the quarterback.

“Obviously when you go through it as a young quarterback you’re going to see a lot of different things, a lot of different appearances,” Elway said. “Defensive coordinators know when they’ve got a young quarterback and try to confuse them. So I think he’s done a hell of a job going through that. Every shot he takes this year he’s going to keep going. improve. to help it in the future.

With five games to go, the pressure is mounting on Lock to produce better results. One of the collateral tragedies of the Week 12 drama was that he had built real momentum by toppling the scorching Miami Dolphins the previous game, easily producing his most consistent performance of the season.

In the face of this adversity, it won’t be easy for Lock to regain that momentum, especially facing his foe at Arrowhead Stadium. Starting this week against the Kansas City Chiefs, Elway wants to see Lock – and the team – play more consistently and produce a full 60-minute game.

“I think we all hope we can keep trying to play better than us,” Elway said this week. “I think the key is to play a little more consistent … To be able to try and put four quarters together this week would be great.”

It won’t be easy. But Lock’s time taking one step forward and two back, while enjoying doubt, may be over. The NFL, after all, is a production-based business and at some point a young quarterback – if he is to stay – must produce the required results.

Consistency is the name of the game for the Broncos, at least according to Elway’s estimates, as the front office assesses what it has in the 2021 horizon – both at the staff and coaching level. A shocking victory over the Chiefs, and breaking their Division foe’s 10-game winning streak against them, would have miraculous effects on the Broncos’ confidence as a team.

Lock was drafted to compete and beat the Chiefs. He didn’t even sniff either of the expectations. But if he could pull off the unlikely, after a week like the one he had last, I can only imagine the bullet in the arm he would get as a QB to punctuate this season with a positive statement. and inspiring. to the front office, the media and the fan base.

“I think at any time you can come in and compete and if you come out of there with a win against a team like that, all that would do would be build our confidence and be a good win for our youngster. team, ”Elway said of the Chiefs. .

Do not hold your breath. But then again, it’s the NFL. Stranger things have happened.

Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen and @MileHighHuddle.