Scangarello Keen to Turn the Page on Flacco & Close Ranks Around Brandon Allen: 'We're Excited'

Rich Scangarello has already closed ranks around his new starting quarterback in the wake of Joe Flacco's season-ending injury.

With the recent news that Joe Flacco’s season is officially over, the Denver Broncos must now focus firmly on what’s to come. That future, for this week, comes in the shape of completely untested quarterback Brandon Allen, who now takes over behind center.

Something of a calm optimism has drifted over a section of Broncos Country in recent days, as hope gets pinned on a youth movement and the first sighting of Drew Lock, once John Elway and company get their strategy for him finalized.

Last week’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts drops the Broncos' record to 2-6 and the pendulum could have swung towards internal crisis. Instead, most understand the rest of the season would probably be best utilized as a trial for 2020.

One man who continues to be in the eye of the storm however, is offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello and he was on the front foot in his attempts to defend his static offense this week, especially as it related to the Broncos' offensive game-plan vs. the Colts. 

“As far as aggression and all that and what was said. You’d have to ask – that’s not for us to comment.” Scangaello explained, “I thought we were aggressive in the game, took some shots and it just didn’t go our way.”

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While a large contingent of Broncos Country would take issue with Scangarello’s opinion, the controversy surrounding Flacco’s comments have largely been snuffed out by his forced removal from the starting spot. Instead, the emphasis has rapidly shifted to collectively helping out the new starting QB this Sunday, as Scangarello made clear.

"I think it’s just a matter of us playing together, doing our best to protect [Allen], allow him to be at his best, comfortable and getting him in a groove,” Scangarello said

No doubt, Flacco must be thinking talk is cheap as he festers on the treatment table and he would be keen to point out that none of these Scangarello assurances were delivered for him during his eight starts.

For all the new chapter talk and refocused energy, it can just as easily be left shattered when Myles Garrett confronts the paper-thin Broncos' offensive tackles. While Allen will finally plug some QB mobility into the mix, his play-caller is clearly well aware of the limitations he has when it comes to pass protection and the importance of designing a game-plan to get his new QB’s wheels moving.

“That’s one thing about Brandon," Scangarello said. "He does have a good feel in the pocket and he can go off schedule, so we’re excited about that element of this game”

This could be viewed as a subtle shot back at the injured Flacco but is possibly also aimed at providing an injection of confidence into the new man tapped to run the offense. With most eyes looking ahead to the unveiling of Elway's protégé, Drew Lock, in the coming weeks, at least Allen gets the immediate chance to cut it loose at Mile High vs. the Cleveland Browns. 

One to tell the grandkids about in the future, right?

Follow Keith on Twitter @KeithC_NFL and @MileHighHuddle.