Miles
Well-known member
- Mar 18, 2019
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MEDIA PICKS FOR THE BRONCOS' MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
(Individuals polled: Nicki Jhabvala, The Athletic; Lindsay Jones, The Athletic; Ryan Koenigsberg, DNVR; Brandon Krisztal, KOA; Mike Klis, KUSA; Jeff Legwold, ESPN senior writer; Steve Levy, ESPN/KUSA; Dave Logan, KOA News Radio; Ryan O'Halloran, Denver Post; James Palmer, NFL Network; Troy Renck, KMGH; Peter Schrager, NFL Network; Michael Spencer, CBS Denver)
QB Drew Lock: 7 votes
Jhabvala: "He played only five NFL games and practiced all of seven weeks last year, but John Elway saw enough in Lock to want to build around him. With a system geared more toward his strengths, an improved line and an arsenal of offensive weapons, Lock has the support system the previous six starting QBs in Denver never got."
Jones: "Drew Lock is the only option because (unfortunately) only QBs win MVP anymore. (So I guess what I'm saying is I don't think Melvin Gordon will rush for 2K yards)."
Klis: "On good teams, the QB is almost always the MVP. So if the Broncos are going to be good ..."
Koenigsberg: "When you have a good player at the most valuable position in sports, he's usually your MVP, and the Broncos finally have that. If Lock is the offensive MVP, it means things went according to plan in Denver."
Krisztal: "There's a reason in the last 20 years, there's been 16 quarterbacks to win the Most Valuable Player, and that's because, well, they're the most valuable player on just about every team. In fact, most people will tell you that a QB is the most valuable position in all of sports, and everything is lining up for Drew Lock to ascend to that mantle with the Broncos. A player typically makes a big, if not their biggest, jump from Year 1 to Year 2, and if that holds true for Lock, he'll have folks smiling all across every square mile of Broncos Country. With the weapons John Elway has given the young signal caller, and the new offensive coordinator, it won't be out of the realm of possibility that Lock isn't just the MVP of his team, but perhaps in the conversation for the award for the entire NFL. Three years ago, Eagles QB Carson Wentz was on his way to nabbing those honors in his second season; then in 2018, Patrick Mahomes was named MVP in Year 2; and Lamar Jackson last year in his second campaign. So, you may want to get your Drew Lock jersey now, because they'll be the most popular piece of clothing in Denver by the end of the football season."
Logan: "If the Broncos are a playoff caliber team in 2020, they'll need their young QB to be the team leader in this category."
Spencer: "This may seem like the easy answer, but if the Broncos are going to have success this season, it will be because of Lock. The offense seems primed to take a step forward and Lock will be the catalyst for their success. He's won over his teammates with his moxie and drive, and the Broncos' success will be determined by how he plays in his second season."
OLB Von Miller: 5 votes
Legwold: "Know somebody, anybody, on offense will be the most popular choice, but addition of Jurrell Casey and return of Bradley Chubb will have an enormous impact on how many fewer times offenses can gang up on Miller."
Levy: "The leader senses the window beginning to close and he digs down deep for one more great season. Energized by a young, more explosive offense, Miller realizes the pressure is not all on his unit anymore and he's not on the field the majority of the game."
Renck: "For the Broncos to return to the playoffs, their best player must be their best player. He needs an All-Pro season. It's that simple."
James Palmer and Peter Schrager also selected Miller for the award.
WR Courtland Sutton: 1 vote
O'Halloran: "Last year's breakout player (72 catches-1,112 yards-six touchdowns) will become this year's MVP. Another year of going against the top cornerbacks, working with receivers coach Zach Azzanni and catching passes from Drew Lock combined with the arrival of Jerry Jeudy will see Sutton reach 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns."