Sean Payton Addresses Blame for Broncos' Fumbled Reverse in Jets Loss
The call of Denver Broncos fans for Sean Payton to include wideout Marvin Mims Jr. more in the offensive game plan fell flat in Week 5's loss to the New York Jets, as the rookie received just 20 snaps. Mims garnered just one single, solitary target on the day.
Point to his muffed punt, which led to Jets points, or the botched reverse exchange Mims was involved in as an explanation for his lack of involvement in the game plan, but Payton dismissed the notion on Monday.
“[On] the reverse, I can’t put that on him," Payton said of Mims. "We have to be better with the exchange. It’s back to fielding a punt or fielding a kickoff and getting comfortable in that role. We’re going to continue to grind with him and those decisions as to, ‘Hey, do I fair catch it or do I not?’ But I think he’s too big of a threat for us, and I’m sure it’s something that weighs on him, and yet, I don’t want to take the stinger or aggressiveness away from him.”
If the botched reverse wasn't Mims' fault, then whose was it? The implication is that it was running back Samaje Perine, whose toss-back to Mims was perhaps a little high, but it went right through the rookie's hands.
Payton is walking the razor's edge of wanting to get Mims more touches and protecting the Broncos from unnecessary giveaways. At this stage, Mims seems equally likely to put the ball on the ground or bust off a game-changing play that helps his team.
Payton's remarks on not wanting to take Mims' "stinger" away from him when the reality is that he only saw 32% of Denver's offensive snaps. The rookie's single target was a high-value one, with the Broncos taking Courtland Sutton off the field to run a wide receiver screen inside the Jets' 10-yard line, but he was unable to break through to the end zone on third down.
Beggers can't be choosers. At this stage, the Broncos need all the playmaking impact they can get, and the list of skill players who've proven the 'want-to' and ability to answer that bell is short.
Mims is on that list, as is fellow rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin. Sutton's impact has been of the one-step-forward-two-steps-back variety.
Jerry Jeudy continues to be M.I.A. on gamedays, and with tight end Greg Dulcich still on short-term injured reserve, Adam Trautman has made one play of note in five games — a touchdown reception, incidentally, against the Jets.
Payton lamented his impatience against the Jets, specifically in the second half, as the Broncos produced four consecutive three-and-outs amid the running game being abandoned. McLaughlin showed out in this game, giving the Broncos 68 rushing yards on nine carries (6.8 avg) and three receptions for 21 yards and a touchdown, and yet, he could hardly even be called an afterthought in the second half.
Like Mims, McLaughlin wasn't utilized after halftime. There's a lot out of whack at Broncos HQ, and with the Kansas City Chiefs next up on the docket on a short week, Payton doesn't have much time to figure out how to get things back in balance.
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