Woody Paige: Still way too early for Payton to pick a passer

By Woody Paige July 27, 2024 | updated 1 year ago

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QB3: The Competition will be mentioned only in passing.

None of the three – Jarrett Stidham, Zach Wilson and Bo Nix – are running. For instance, Stidham, in three of the four seasons he has played, ran 18 times for 13 yards. Neither Wilson nor Nix ever will be compared to Elway, who finished his 16-year career with 3,407 rushing yards – and “The Helicopter’’ – on one ACL. They’re not, dare I say, Tim Tebow, who had 887 yards running in two seasons, but he couldn’t pass. Russell Wilson muddled around for 618 yards the past two seasons, but once totaled 849 for the Seahawks.

I didn’t witness any quarterback run Saturday from a seat on a water cart in the shade (before being asked to move). I did watch Bo pass for three touchdowns as a sun-and-stunned-burned crowd of about 23,000 (as the Rockies would fib) cheered their choice.

These guys, as it states 453 times in The Bible, came to pass — like Olympics parade analyst Peyton Manning, who ended up with minus-55 yards rushing in four seasons with the Broncos. They aren’t “Born To Run’’ like Bruce Springsteen.

I asked Bo, the 12th overall draft pick, the innocuous question of: “You’ve been a starter since your freshman season at Auburn. Will it be acceptable if you’re not the starter this season?” He replied: “I don’t know I have a choice on that one. If I want to stick around I better accept it. But I don’t want to become complacent.’’ Nix said he trusts the coaches to play him “when I’m ready.’’

My first question at Broncos camp was 50 years ago (1974) in Pomona, Calif., where the team trained under coach John Ralston. I asked No. 1 draft pick (14th overall) Randy Gradishar how much he wanted to start at middle linebacker as a rookie: “I don’t have control.”

Gradishar didn’t start for the Broncos until late in the season for three games. He will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next Saturday. Could Bo be?

Randy was back at camp Saturday as an observer and honoree 50 years after. He and I are still standing. Our daughters were born during camp July 28, 1977. At Rose Hospital Gradishar named his daughter Paige. I did not name my daughter Gradishar.

Other than quarterbacks the most media maggot jabbering in the first week was about Sean Payton being “gruff’’ and “growly’’ at the barbecue lunch. What? Brisket too fatty, radio talk show buffoons who were called out by the coach? They obviously were sucking their thumbs when Dan Reeves and Mike Shanahan were coaches.

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Again on Saturday Payton was direct and responsive. After three days he’s not revealing who will be the starting quarterback and has no exact timeline. I like this new version of the coach over the one who was yelling at his quarterback on the sideline. Some silly people prefer a SpongeSean SquareShorts coach such as “Nathaniel Couldn’t Hack It.”

Let’s get this straight:

The Broncos have the worst Super Bowl odds in the NFL and the history of the franchise.

Ranked 32nd (last), the Broncos are 30,000 to 1 according to DraftKings and Fox Sports and 50,000 to 1 by a lesserlite. They have a .03 chance of winning the championship. The Broncos are lacking or uncertain at quarterback, tight end, wide receiver, inside and outside linebacker, cornerback across from Patrick Surtain II and at safety.

The over-under on the Broncos is 5.5 (overtime tie?), and they are predicted by rational reporters to be last in the AFC. They confront nine potential playoff teams in 11 games. They may win one on the road in New Orleans because of Payton’s triumphant return.

So, Payton is supposed to be cotton candy cordial in his sessions with headless horse feathers?

Asked Saturday for the 45th time about the quarterback situation, the coach replied in a normal tone, “Nothing to report right now. Those guys are working hard, and they’re competing. I’m not going to give updates, daily updates or weekly updates. There will be a time when you’ll see the rotation begin to change in a certain way. At some point, it’ll clear itself up.’’

In passing, Payton is kinder and gentler, and Bo knows throws.

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Woody Paige: Still way too early for Payton to pick a passer

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