After Broncos rookie Bo Nix finished his audition to be the team’s starting quarterback, boos fell like rain in his new home stadium. Welcome to Denver, Bo. The peeps love you here in Broncos Country.
At least for now. And for one very compelling reason. You’re not Russell Wilson.
With 6 minutes, 19 seconds, remaining in the second quarter, after Nix had looked nifty against Green Bay subs in a Sunday night dress rehearsal, the home crowd felt the urge to boo a quarterback for old time’s sake. Oh, the ire wasn’t directed at Nix. He is the state’s new favorite son.
There's a refreshing naivete in his eyes. The rook's eyes burn bright enough with potential to return a little glow to a franchise that's been lost in the darkness for eight long years. Nix got his work done early, with a Grade A effort, albeit against less than top-tier NFL talent.
But even after retiring to the Denver sideline, Nix seemed reluctant to take his helmet off and replace it with a ballcap, like the new QB on the block hoped some way, some how, coach Sean Payton might put him back in the game. "We're all just kids at heart, having fun, playing football," he said. Nix left no doubt he will be under center when Denver opens the regular season next month, after completing eight of nine passes and leading two methodical scoring drives to get the Broncos rolling to a 27-2 preseason victory over bored-and-cranky Packers who looked as if they couldn’t wait to get out of Denver, baby.
But my favorit.