New Number Six the Broncos Big Fix?
Mister not so irrelevant Chad Kelly recently mentioned in an interview on 104.3 The Fan, that he is planning to wear number six for the Denver Broncos. Like most jersey numbers from a team with a history dating back to 1960, the history is a bit of a mixed bag. As many kickers as quarterbacks have donned the number, but with competition like Bubby Brister, Jay Cutler and even worn by Brock Osweiler during his rookie season, Chad Kelly could be the best six Denver has ever had.
Of course we're getting ahead of ourselves, the jersey number selection isn't official yet for the newest batch of draft picks, and we aren't even sure if the brash rookie out of Ole Miss will make the final roster. But I'm thinking he will.
First off, how much fun would it be to spend an afternoon with John Elway's contact list?
In the old days we needed a rolodex or phone books, or little tiny hand scrawled notebooks with phone numbers and now smart phones can stack up a lifetime of direct dial digits. All Denver's Executive Vice President of Football Operations had to do was point and click or maybe it was easier with a voice command, "Call Jim Kelly."
And boom, a fellow NFL Hall-of-Fame quarterback, who was drafted in the same mystical quarterback class of 1983 is on the horn.
Then the all time greats get to talk, catch up a little, like maybe -- "Hey bud, how's the health? And oh by the way, is that nephew of yours any good at playing quarterback?"
Apparently Elway liked what he heard.
Denver utilized the final pick of the 2017 NFL Draft on a capable college quarterback, who some folks had listed much higher on their draft boards prior to injuries and off the field scuffles. These scuffles weren't exactly irrelevant either, as there were enough issues to consider that the NFL did not invite Kelly to the pre-draft NFL combine. The fiery football player was kicked off the Clemson team, ended a high school football with a brawl and mixed it up with some police officers in 2014.
The high school football game brawl could have happened to any big brother who sees his younger brother hurt with a cheap hit. It doesn't excuse the behavior, but I do understand standing up for family. Lots of people make all kinds of mistakes when they're young. The key is the response to adversity. What is it that people do next -- how do they handle their very last chance to show they are a better person?
Broncos Country is about to find out. Once the knee and wrist/thumb injuries heal up for the rookie quarterback, fans could witness the strong arm and quick decisions displayed against quality SEC foes. Some in the local media thought maybe Broncos head coach Vance Joseph was overselling the late selection, but he really could be in the future starting mix for Denver. Joseph had a point. Other than Kelly, has any other quarterback recorded two wins over Alabama during this ongoing Nick Saban dynasty era? The Broncos could have a three-way signal caller controversy on their hands before the end of the 2017 campaign. Trevor Siemian or Paxton Lynch still have a bunch to prove themselves as of yet, the door could very well be open sooner rather than later.
I've seen the highlight videos, and the ESPN 'sports science' on his accuracy and the talent to play at the highest level is clearly there.
Kelly has some solid contacts in his phone as well, including the Manning family. After all, Archie and Eli share the same roots at Ole Miss. But even the Manning family can't keep a player out of trouble. Kelly's mistakes nearly cost him an NFL opportunity, but the 'who you know in this world' card got played one more time.
Kelly's golden arm got one foot in the door of football heaven. If he can be a decent human off the field, and yet keep the scrappy "fear no one" attitude for the Raiders, and there could be some Mile High magic on the way.
Of course we're getting ahead of ourselves, the jersey number selection isn't official yet for the newest batch of draft picks, and we aren't even sure if the brash rookie out of Ole Miss will make the final roster. But I'm thinking he will.
First off, how much fun would it be to spend an afternoon with John Elway's contact list?
In the old days we needed a rolodex or phone books, or little tiny hand scrawled notebooks with phone numbers and now smart phones can stack up a lifetime of direct dial digits. All Denver's Executive Vice President of Football Operations had to do was point and click or maybe it was easier with a voice command, "Call Jim Kelly."
And boom, a fellow NFL Hall-of-Fame quarterback, who was drafted in the same mystical quarterback class of 1983 is on the horn.
Then the all time greats get to talk, catch up a little, like maybe -- "Hey bud, how's the health? And oh by the way, is that nephew of yours any good at playing quarterback?"
Apparently Elway liked what he heard.
Denver utilized the final pick of the 2017 NFL Draft on a capable college quarterback, who some folks had listed much higher on their draft boards prior to injuries and off the field scuffles. These scuffles weren't exactly irrelevant either, as there were enough issues to consider that the NFL did not invite Kelly to the pre-draft NFL combine. The fiery football player was kicked off the Clemson team, ended a high school football with a brawl and mixed it up with some police officers in 2014.
The high school football game brawl could have happened to any big brother who sees his younger brother hurt with a cheap hit. It doesn't excuse the behavior, but I do understand standing up for family. Lots of people make all kinds of mistakes when they're young. The key is the response to adversity. What is it that people do next -- how do they handle their very last chance to show they are a better person?
Broncos Country is about to find out. Once the knee and wrist/thumb injuries heal up for the rookie quarterback, fans could witness the strong arm and quick decisions displayed against quality SEC foes. Some in the local media thought maybe Broncos head coach Vance Joseph was overselling the late selection, but he really could be in the future starting mix for Denver. Joseph had a point. Other than Kelly, has any other quarterback recorded two wins over Alabama during this ongoing Nick Saban dynasty era? The Broncos could have a three-way signal caller controversy on their hands before the end of the 2017 campaign. Trevor Siemian or Paxton Lynch still have a bunch to prove themselves as of yet, the door could very well be open sooner rather than later.
I've seen the highlight videos, and the ESPN 'sports science' on his accuracy and the talent to play at the highest level is clearly there.
Kelly has some solid contacts in his phone as well, including the Manning family. After all, Archie and Eli share the same roots at Ole Miss. But even the Manning family can't keep a player out of trouble. Kelly's mistakes nearly cost him an NFL opportunity, but the 'who you know in this world' card got played one more time.
Kelly's golden arm got one foot in the door of football heaven. If he can be a decent human off the field, and yet keep the scrappy "fear no one" attitude for the Raiders, and there could be some Mile High magic on the way.
For as lackluster as the #20 selection in the 1st round was for me, the last selection of Mr. Irrelevant at #253 put the sparkle back into my 2017 draft doldrums, after realizing there was no way Mr. McCafferey was going to find his way to the Orange and Blue. I heard the guys on 104.3 the Fan calling him K-Gun, and Machine Gun Kelly today, maybe a bit unclassy considering his night club encounter in Buffalo, but hey, I am generally excited about a Rookie QB for the first time in a while (wasn't a Lynch fan, and thought they should have drafted Prescott). But alas, some glitter from the past, albeit a loose relationship to a HOF QB uncle named Jim Kelly. And if I remember right, the Elder Kelly wasn't a Patron Saint either at the U.
ReplyDeleteFun statistics when you look at K-Gun's history and wins over power house SEC teams like Alabama, Auburn, LSU ... and then realize he did go 10-1 that year and was Sugar Bowl MVP and his only loss came from *gasp* Paxton Lynch led Memphis!
I am generally extremely excited about our prospects this year, especially knowing we now have Jamaal Charles on the roster! Gonna be a fun one I am thinking!