Joe Flacco’s comfort as a starter in the NFL is exactly what the Broncos need.

MHR Radio PodcastDenver Broncos Training CampDenver Broncos PodcastsJoe Flacco exudes confidence as the Broncos starterNew Dalton Risner Jersey ,45commentsJoe Flacco’s comfort as a starter in the NFL is exactly what the Broncos need.MDTShare this storyShare this on FacebookShare this on TwitterShareAll sharing optionsShareAll sharing options for:Joe Flacco exudes confidence as the Broncos starterTwitterFacebookRedditPocketFlipboardEmailThe start of Denver Broncos training camp has fans excited for a new season. The 2018 season was a debacle. Changes were needed in Broncos Country, and John Elway spent the offseason making some big ones. Along with a new coaching staff, Joe Flacco’s presence at quarterback has been an interesting change.As Ian St. Clair and I discussed on the MHR Radio Podcast (ApplePodcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher), there is a different feel to the start of camp, and Flacco is a big part of that. When Case Keenum came to Denver every day was about him proving he belonged. Flacco doesn’t feel that pressure.As Ian and I discussed the difference, something stood out to me. It was something I hear Ryan Edwards talk about on Andrew Mason’s podcast, Broncos Audio Zone. Flacco isn’t concerned about wowing the crowd. He seems to have a routine that he follows. He is working on specific skills, and focusing on what he needs to focus on to get better.That all stems from comfort. Comfort in a role that he has possessed his entire career. Flacco is clearly the Broncos starter. The way he carries himself, the way he practices, the way he interacts with the media, all seem to exude a confidence that comes from having been, “the guy,” his whole career.This isn’t about whether or not Joe Cool is still a capable starter in the NFL. The judgement isn’t that he will be an “elite” QB in 2019. However, the comfort he has in being the No. 1 guy is refreshing. Do fans want to see “wow” plays from Flacco? Absolutely! Big plays to his receivers like Courtland Sutton, or tight end Noah Fant will make every fan happy. But watching him operate is not about doing more than he has to. He doesn’t need to do that. He wants to prove to his teammates, coaches and the organization that he is guy and his approach/demeanor are a testament to that. Flacco needs to be the leader on offense. In the first week of camp, he has been. It may not be flashy, and it may not be over the top, but it seems to be exactly what the Broncos need right now.MHR Radio is now on ApplePodcasts, Google Play, iHeartRadio, Spotify Tramaine Brock Jersey , Stitcher,TuneIn and anywhere else you get your podcasts. Please subscribe to the one that fits your fancy, and also rate and review what you hear. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Case Keenum has a simple answer for why none of his passes were picked off in November after throwing interceptions in each of his first eight games as the Denver Broncos‘ new quarterback.“I’m throwing it to our guys, not throwing it to the other team,” Keenum said. “Who knew?”It’s actually more than just Keenum taking care of the football.“I just think he’s getting comfortable with the system,” receiver Emmanuel Sanders said.Denver’s makeshift offensive line, with two tackles playing guard and a guard at center, deserves some credit. So does offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave, who’s navigated through a turnstile at tight end, the loss of leader Demaryius Thomas and youthful mistakes at receiver to refine his play calls for Keenum.Left tackle Garett Bolles has started to settle into his job as Keenum’s blindside protector and rookie running back Phillip Lindsay’s remarkable season has helped highlight the play-action passes that Keenum favors.Keenum took a lot longer to adjust to his new role, new team and new offense than the Broncos (5-6) hoped.He threw three interceptions in his Denver debut and then strung together seven more games with an interception, an alarming string given that he had just seven interceptions in leading the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC championship game last year after Sam Bradford got hurt.Keenum said he’s “just being smarter with the ball. It’s something I do. That’s why early on in the season I was frustrated. It’s tough. That’s something I pride myself on as a quarterback, giving our team a chance to win and not being the reason that we aren’t winning. Turnovers in this league is probably the biggest stat that really matters.”The Broncos, who visit the Bengals (5-6) next, allowed a whopping 1,006 yards the last two weeks but they ended six-game winning streaks by the Chargers and Steelers because they collected seven takeaways and had zero turnovers.While Von Miller and Chris Harris Jr. and Shelby Harris were getting all the accolades for their interceptions, Keenum was quietly taking care of the football.Ball security, Keenum said, is “something I think about every day. Every decision I make, I know the ball is the most important thing on the field. I’ve got it in my hands every play, so I know every decision I make is that important.“That’s why I grind, that’s why I work, and we’ve gotten better across the board — offensive line Jeff Heuerman Jersey , running backs and receivers,” Keenum said. “We’re all on the same page, getting better, working each week and communicating. We feel better with the offense and it’s just a lot of different things, a lot of factors.”Keenum said the learning curve at quarterback in the NFL is infinite.“Do I feel a lot better than I did at training camp? Heck, yeah,” Keenum said. “I think we’re light years ahead of where we were then. But at the same time, I still feel like we have a long way to go.”And Keenum has an ever-changing supporting cast, too:ROOKIE RECEIVERSThe trade of Thomas to Houston may have opened more opportunities for the Broncos’ young pass catchers but it also robbed rookie receivers Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton of their best on-field tutor.Since Thomas’ departure, Sutton has started three games and caught seven passes for 149 yards and no touchdowns. But some of his grabs came in clutch moments.“I think he’s doing great,” Keenum said. “He’s continuing to work, continuing to grind and continuing to not be a rookie. I see him as a vet that I can count on to play and make big plays when I need him to.”Sutton hasn’t caught more than three passes in a game, however, and his last touchdown came Oct. 28.Hamilton was inactive against Houston in Thomas’ hasty homecoming game, then caught one pass for 4 yards against the Chargers and one pass for 13 yards against Pittsburgh. He has yet to score a touchdown.TIGHT END TURNSTILETargeting tight ends has long been a big part of Keenum’s repertoire. But Jeff Heuerman broke three ribs and bruised a lung last week and joined Jake Butt (knee) and Troy Fumagalli (sports hernia) on IR.That leaves Denver with three unproven tight ends:—Matt LaCosse, a fourth-year pro who scored his first NFL touchdown last week.—Brian Parker, a third-year pro who has one career catch in 17 games with the Chiefs, Jets and Broncos.—Temarrick Hemingway, a third-year pro who had no receptions in eight games in 2016 with the Rams, where Keenum was his teammate.“I’m the product of a next-man-up mentality,” Keenum said. “That’s when I got my opportunity, was an injury. One person’s unfortunate incident and having a guy go down might be the start of somebody’s great career.”