Baldy on EXPECTATIONS for Bo Nix, Week 1 Broncos vs Chiefs & More

Andrew Mason (0:00)

We are going out on the Xfinity Mobile calling line to our guy, Brian Baldinger. Baldy, what is going on?

Brian Baldinger (0:08)

Hey, you know, I'm just here in the film room, just watching what we all watched in Melbourne, Australia, and getting ready for the weekend. You know, I got the Eagles and Commanders on Sunday afternoon, so, you know, a lot of division games week one. Last night, division game, you know, Monday night division game, Sunday night division game, some big games early in the season within the division.

Zac Stevens (0:29)

Man, I absolutely love it. I can't wait for Monday night. I'm so happy to be talking to you again, Baldy. And I got to start here. I got to start with an offensive line question for the offensive line mastermind. Josh Simmons likely not going to play for the Chiefs. Baldy, to me, this is like the biggest thing in this game because now they might be starting a rookie, undrafted free agent against the best pass rush in the NFL. To me, I just can't get over this, like how the Chiefs are going to be able to survive and win this game without Josh Simmons.

Can you tell me how they're able to do it or do you kind of see it a similar way as I do?

Brian Baldinger (1:14)

Well, I mean, look, Khalil Benson is his name. He's a free agent from Indiana.

Honestly, he was in contention to win the right tackle job from Jaylen Moore. Like that was a real competition. And then Trey Smith got hurt and they threw Khalil Benson in at right guard. And now Josh Simmons is out. So now they're moving him over there. So they obviously like him and they've coached him up pretty good. I saw him out at St. Joseph, Missouri this summer and he looks the part. Now, he doesn't have anybody that he's going against that has to take off like Nick Bonito. Like that's a different animal. Like that might be the best take off of any past rusher in this business right now. And so we got to see. It's one thing you're in practice, you're going against R. Mason-Thomason's young players and George Karloftis. It's another thing, game day, if you're getting beat off the snap and that's your quarterback coming off of a major knee reconstruction that you're trying to protect. Those things get inside a young player's head. Like that could be a downward spiral.

But I feel like Andy Reid's not putting him out there without the ability to help protect him, to let him know that he doesn't have to do this by himself. There'll be chip blocks, formations. There'll be a lot of things to try to help him, just like they did last night in controlling Miles Garrett. So I feel like Andy Reid understands that what this test is all about, still that is a matchup that favors the Broncos in a big way.

Ryan Koenigsberg (2:38)

Do you think there's an advantage for Vance Joseph knowing that they're going to be helping on that side? Like knowing that they're going to be sending extra players that direction?

Brian Baldinger (2:47)

Yeah, I mean, look, Andy Reid, since he came to this business in Philly in 1999, he always believed Bill Walsh, West Coast philosophy, get five guys out. That's one way to protect. All right, make him cover five with either six or seven or go cover zero and cover them with just five guys. But that's one way, but it does limit what he can do. And if it's Noah Gray staying in to chip, he's not going to get out in his route with any kind of depth before he's finished chipping and helping the tackle out.

So I think Vance understands he's going to see formations. He's anticipating, let me say, formations and motions and movement to help the rookie out. And believe me, Jaylen Moore on the other side isn't a lockdown right tackle either.

So he has had his difficulties. He's mostly been a left tackle. He's having to play right tackle right now. And so I would say the edges are a little bit suspect in favoring Vance Joseph and his defense.

Andrew Mason (3:49)

Love it, Baldy. Today is our last show before the Broncos start their season. So at the end of today's show, we will be giving our final record predictions for the Denver Broncos. So while we have you here, we might as well get yours. What do you think?

Brian Baldinger (4:03)

Well, I mean, I, you know, look, I can give all the projections you want. And I've, I've had the Broncos in the Superbowl that that's been my pick all off season. Now obviously things can, you know, you, you see Sam Darnold go down in the fifth play of the game. Like that can derail you right away from all these selections. But I just thought, like I'm excited about watching this team. It's a veteran team.