Broncos Mailbag: How can Sean Payton, Denver offense avoid another slow start against New Orleans?
NEW ORLEANS — He let Bo Nix cook.
It can be rationalized as a short week, limited practice reps, or just common sense. But in his domecoming on Thursday night, Sean Payton called a game that fit his fledgling rookie quarterback’s skillset.
Who Dat? Not Drew dat.
In his first time back as a coach in New Orleans since he quit in 2021, Payton crashed Drew Brees’ Hall of Fame luncheon during the day, then spent the evening proving he could win without him.
It was with shock and delight that Broncos Country — many made this their one road trip as they ate and drank on Bourbon Street — watched one of the NFL’s worst offenses operate with urgency and simplicity.
RELATED: Broncos dominate Saints, 33-10, in Sean Payton’s return to New Orleans
This is why Saints fans told me they want Payton back. He is apparently good at his job and Dennis Allen, his replacement, is not (if he finishes the season employed, it will be an upset).
For six weeks, Payton acted like he was coaching the quarterback he wanted (No. 9), not the one he had (No. 10). As a result, the Broncos made every yard look hard during the team’s 3-3 start, especially in the first half where Nix ranked dead last in yards per pass attempt, touchdowns (zero) and quarterback rating.
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Thursday, Payton morphed into Rodney Dangerfield and went “Back to School.” At Oregon. And Auburn. Even after somehow throwing between two open receivers on the same play, costing the Broncos points in a moment that remains hard to unsee, Nix got his groove back. He threw for 164 yards and ran for 75.
He hit slants to Troy Franklin, his college running mate. He connected on quick hitters to Marvin Mims Jr., who was released from witness protection. He lobbed screens to Javonte Williams, and found Lucas Krull down the middle of the field (Denver has a tight end who can catch, who knew?).
Lucas Krull (85) of the Denver Broncos goes airborne after running after the catch as Tyrann Mathieu (32) and Johnathan Abram (24) of the New Orleans Saints team up for a stop during the second quarter at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
And Nix ran like Forrest Gump every chance he got.
This is not the way to develop a rookie quarterback not named Lamar Jackson. The NFL requires succeeding from the pocket. But in a Thursday game where iPads replace work in real pads, Payton leaned on Nix’s athleticism.
He called boots, one-side reads, and, when trouble surfaced, told the kid to use his legs. As Nix raced down the visitor’s sideline for 32 yards in the third quarter, it drove home the point that Payton found clarity in brevity.
Football is not as hard as coaches make it. Sometimes it comes down to a simple question: What do we do well? OK, let’s do that.
Payton made it easy for Nix. Who needs gumbo …read more
Source:: The Denver Post – Sports
