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Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers Are Lessons In Hubris

By Erik Lambert

Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) throws a pass under pressure from Denver Broncos linebacker Shaquil Barrett (48) in the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 21-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) throws a pass under pressure from Denver Broncos linebacker Shaquil Barrett (48) in the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 21-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) reacts after a fumble recovery during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) reacts after a fumble recovery during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

The Josh Norman decision

Carolina had the sixth-ranked defense in the league last season. They were a fast, disciplined unit with Pro Bowl talent at every level. That was expected to continue this year, even with All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman only coming back on the franchise tag. However, ongoing talks were going nowhere. Norman had a certain price range he wanted and the Panthers front office weren’t willing to bring their offer up any higher.

So instead of just letting the season play out and revisiting talks later, GM Dave Gettelman made the stunning decision to release Norman from his contract. The 29-year old signed on in Washington. His absence was noticeable right away. Carolina went from having the 11th ranked pass defense in the NFL to dead last. Gettelman insisted the team wasn’t built around needing good cornerbacks to succeed. Turns out he couldn’t have been more wrong.

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Any QB Will Do

Fresh off their championship run, the Broncos were feeling plenty good about their chances in 2016. They’d just won the title basically with half a team according to most. A dominant defense carrying an average offense led by an old, broken down Peyton Manning at quarterback. As it turns out Manning may not have been so toothless as some like to make out. Upon his exit from under center, the Broncos offense went from 16th in the league to 27th.

That knowledge, experience and leadership were taken for granted. Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch provided none of those things and it showed at the worst possible times all year long. It further enforces the fact that they likely should’ve been more aggressive in their pursuit of a veteran quarterback via trade such as Colin Kaepernick and Sam Bradford or free agents like Brian Hoyer and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Their belief in Siemian was admirable, but ill-timed.

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