Joseph top Keenum: Take some chances
Case Keenum’s frequent reliance on check-downs and outlet passes cost the Denver Broncos in last week’s loss at San Francisco. With three games remaining and the team’s playoff hopes hanging by a thread, Broncos head coach Vance Joseph let it be known that he wants his quarterback to be more aggressive when it comes to taking shots downfield, starting with Saturday night’s game against Cleveland. Though Joseph prefaced his critique by saying Keenum has been playing his best football over the past month, he didn’t sugarcoat his belief that the quarterback played it overly safe in the 20-14 loss to the 49ers.
“He was a little cautious with the ball,” Joseph said. “The bottom line: we’ve got three weeks to play, he’s got to make more plays and sometimes taking some chances allows you to make more plays. There are going to be turnovers so he can’t worry about that. You can’t play this game perfect, but I want Case to be more aggressive, especially down the seams of those cover-3 defenses. That’s where the soft spots are. He’s got to be aggressive down the seams and not worry about making mistakes.”
Keenum completed 24 of 48 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown but most of it came in the second half. The Broncos’ offense went nowhere in the first half, trailing the 49ers 20-0. That deficit proved too much to overcome for a Broncos’ team that also has been depleted by injuries, especially among the receiver corps and offensive line.
Joseph, though, insisted the downfield plays were there to be made and should be again against the Browns if they load up their defensive front to contain the Broncos’ running attack, as the 49ers did.
For his part, Keenum is well aware that it is crunch time for the Broncos.
“We’re at that point in the season where we’ve got to make plays and we’ve got to score points,” Keenum said. “I think that’s our best defense, us going out there and scoring points; it’s when those guys are on the sideline. I’ve said that before and I can’t get caught back there with the ball in my hands. I’ve got to give guys chances down the field. It looks different on different plays, but in general, that’s a good mindset to have. I think being smart with the ball, continuing to be smart with the ball, but giving guys chances when we feel like it’s a good matchup or advantageous time to take a shot or take a chance down the field.”
SERIES HISTORY: 26th regular-season meeting. Broncos lead series, 20-5. The Broncos have dominated their series with the Browns, winning the last 11 meetings. Denver’s last loss to the Browns came 28 years ago at the old Cleveland Stadium, a 30-29 setback on Oct. 8, 1990.
