The optimism for the Broncos comes with limitations.
ESPN projected statistics for a certain rookie quarterback, and let’s just say if they are accurate, Bo Nix could become Boo Nix.
After crunching the data for fantasy league purposes, ESPN settled on the following underwhelming numbers for the former Oregon star: 3,155 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and 190 rushing yards on 44 carries with two scores.
These folks don’t come by these numbers with darts. But I believe they are wrong. If ESPN’s stats are to be trusted, Russell Wilson (15 passing TDs, nine interceptions; 269 yards rushing and two TDs) will have a better season than Nix.
Don’t see it.
First, are we sure Wilson will still be the starter when the Steelers face the Broncos in Week 2? Second, everything I witnessed in the preseason and practice suggests coach Sean Payton will not let Nix reach 13 interceptions. It is set up for him to make one-side reads with bootlegs that create room to run. While the yardage makes sense, Nix should be closer to 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The former is an ambitious number given that Wilson is the only Broncos quarterback to eclipse 20 since Peyton Manning retired.
It is the beauty of forecasts. They create debates, arguments and disagreements. Nix at 13 picks? That sounds like a knee-jerk rookie prediction that does not account for his fit in Payton’s system.
Local 9 needs change: We all knew the Rockies would be awful, avoiding 100 losses their only realistic goal. They are on pace to drop 102. And this week showed why changes are necessary in the front office because of the embarrassing pitching. According to OPTA stats, the Marlins are the second team to trail by four-plus runs in the ninth inning and win twice vs. the same team in the same season. The awful Marlins did it to the Rockies. You can’t continue to be loyal to people in positions of authority with this type of incompetence. …
Consolation in Texas: The college football season hits full throttle on Saturday. My goals for Colorado State? Enter the fourth quarter within two scores of Texas, take the $1.8 million paycheck for the appearance, and exit healthy.
Upset alert? CU has opened as a 7-point underdog at Nebraska next Saturday. Lincoln is a difficult place to win, especially now that Scott Frost is no longer coaching. But we’ve been hearing about how Nebraska is back for a decade, and the Cornhuskers have stunk. The Buffs can change the narrative that they are just a newer version of last year’s team with an upset. …
Judge vs. Ohtani: Which feat is more impressive: Aaron Judge hitting 63 home runs this season or Shohei Ohtani posting 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases? Judge is a joy to watch, like Godzilla swinging his tail and demolishing dreams. Still, I’d take Ohtani. We have never seen a 50-50 season. Yes, it is easier to steal bases with the limitations on pickoff throws. That doesn’t diminish what Ohtani has done at his size — listed at 6-foot-4, 210, but probably closer to 6-5, 225. Ohtani reminds me of a faster Larry Walker. His stolen bases will drop next year when he returns to pitching so let’s savor this magical season.
Mail Time
Tim Patrick looked great in preseason but was cut. Frank Crum looked horrible in preseason but made the team. Is preseason performance overrated?
Jeff Bear, email
It is a fair question after watching Patrick regain his groove with a touchdown against the Packers. The problem? He doesn’t play special teams, giving rookie Devaughn Vele the nod. As for Crum, he has real issues in pass protection. But there are so few tackles with potential that the Broncos believe he would have been claimed on waivers if cut. So, he stays as a developmental project and Patrick heads to the Lions practice squad with a more narrowly defined role.
