1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: Hello, everyone, Welcome back inside the uc Hell Training Center 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:06,320 Speaker 1: for another episode of Broncos Now. Team reporter and host 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:09,000 Speaker 1: Sydney Jones here and coming up on today's episode, We 4 00:00:09,000 --> 00:00:11,640 Speaker 1: were back inside the locker room today as several players 5 00:00:11,680 --> 00:00:14,680 Speaker 1: reflected on the season and looked ahead to the team's 6 00:00:14,720 --> 00:00:17,360 Speaker 1: head coaching search. Plus Broncos lead writer Eric de Lala 7 00:00:17,520 --> 00:00:26,520 Speaker 1: joins the show. All that more coming up with Sunday's 8 00:00:27,720 --> 00:00:31,560 Speaker 1: win over the Los Angeles Chargers, the Broncos season came 9 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:33,879 Speaker 1: to an end today. The team held their end of 10 00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:36,640 Speaker 1: the season open locker room media availability and we had 11 00:00:36,680 --> 00:00:39,600 Speaker 1: the chance to talk to us several players. Defensive lineman 12 00:00:39,640 --> 00:00:42,640 Speaker 1: Djan Williams reflected on his season and just how much 13 00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:44,720 Speaker 1: the guys in this locker room this season have meant 14 00:00:44,760 --> 00:00:47,519 Speaker 1: to him. It was one of those seasons that you know, 15 00:00:47,800 --> 00:00:50,680 Speaker 1: we had so much hype going into it. Um it 16 00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:53,960 Speaker 1: was either it wasn't playoff of buses, super Bowl, the 17 00:00:54,160 --> 00:00:57,600 Speaker 1: Super Bowl, the bus and we didn't. We didn't meet 18 00:00:57,600 --> 00:01:00,120 Speaker 1: none of those standards. But I could say and this 19 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:03,000 Speaker 1: group of guys and these coaches man each weekend and 20 00:01:03,080 --> 00:01:05,240 Speaker 1: week out, man, we we handled the best way we 21 00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:08,480 Speaker 1: could and obviously the record as a record, but I 22 00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:12,200 Speaker 1: don't think nobody sha handy head on that. Um Me, Man, 23 00:01:12,240 --> 00:01:15,480 Speaker 1: I just did what I had to do. Um. I 24 00:01:15,560 --> 00:01:18,240 Speaker 1: just wanted to help the team for sure when Jerry, 25 00:01:18,280 --> 00:01:20,520 Speaker 1: like I said, when Jerry went down, then DJ went down. 26 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:23,479 Speaker 1: To these last couple of weeks, Um, I just wanted 27 00:01:23,480 --> 00:01:25,880 Speaker 1: to show what I could do. Um. I made a 28 00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:28,600 Speaker 1: statement the camp that my game got better. And I 29 00:01:28,640 --> 00:01:31,000 Speaker 1: think y'all seen that. I think the coach has seen that. 30 00:01:31,319 --> 00:01:34,920 Speaker 1: The film don't lie. But Man, this year, Man's there 31 00:01:34,959 --> 00:01:36,800 Speaker 1: was a lot of ups and downs with Man. You 32 00:01:36,800 --> 00:01:38,760 Speaker 1: know this locker room, Man is probably one of the 33 00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:40,920 Speaker 1: best locker rooms I've been a part of. Man, you know, 34 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:44,479 Speaker 1: I'm gonna miss these guys. Um. You know, every team 35 00:01:44,560 --> 00:01:46,480 Speaker 1: is not the same going in the end of the year, 36 00:01:46,520 --> 00:01:49,600 Speaker 1: but we'll see what happens. And Creator plus wide receiver 37 00:01:49,720 --> 00:01:52,440 Speaker 1: kJ Hamdler and a tackle Garrett Bowles talked about how 38 00:01:52,440 --> 00:01:55,320 Speaker 1: they were able to watch this offense grow and evolved 39 00:01:55,360 --> 00:01:57,440 Speaker 1: the past couple of weeks. The rest start heating up, 40 00:01:57,480 --> 00:01:59,520 Speaker 1: you know, do start heating up. Courting all those guys 41 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:02,480 Speaker 1: you know, um, guys that you know got bumped up 42 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:05,200 Speaker 1: making plays. My boy Mac Marlon Mack over there making plays, 43 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:07,960 Speaker 1: you know, things like that. So you know everybody got 44 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:11,200 Speaker 1: a little a little piece of this team. So, UM, 45 00:02:11,280 --> 00:02:13,880 Speaker 1: I just think you know, coming off season, you know 46 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:16,480 Speaker 1: everybody got come together. You know, maybe receivers go out 47 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:17,919 Speaker 1: to San Diego and work with wrest for a few 48 00:02:17,919 --> 00:02:20,000 Speaker 1: more times. You know, cut their time out of day. 49 00:02:20,040 --> 00:02:22,880 Speaker 1: Uh they trained and go you know, bond. You know, 50 00:02:22,960 --> 00:02:25,639 Speaker 1: I think I know I am so Um. You know, 51 00:02:25,639 --> 00:02:27,320 Speaker 1: I just gotta put everything into play. I think we 52 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:29,280 Speaker 1: have a lot of great players. Um. You know everyone 53 00:02:29,360 --> 00:02:31,480 Speaker 1: was making plays. Um, you know it just wasn't the 54 00:02:31,480 --> 00:02:33,760 Speaker 1: ball just wasn't a bounce on our right. Um, and 55 00:02:33,840 --> 00:02:36,240 Speaker 1: you all saw I love three dearly. Um. I think 56 00:02:36,280 --> 00:02:39,120 Speaker 1: Russ is a phenomenal quarterback that can can lead us 57 00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:41,160 Speaker 1: to victory. Um, you saw what you can do last night. 58 00:02:41,200 --> 00:02:44,560 Speaker 1: I mean the deep ball is impressive. Um, when you 59 00:02:44,560 --> 00:02:46,440 Speaker 1: can roll out and you know throw a dime down 60 00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:49,000 Speaker 1: the middle. Um, you know what, most quarterbacks probably throw 61 00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:51,919 Speaker 1: that out of bounds. He's he's hitting, He's said in Um, 62 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:54,840 Speaker 1: Jerry Um down the sideline right before halftime, you know, 63 00:02:54,919 --> 00:02:57,440 Speaker 1: to give us a score like that's just who he is. Um. 64 00:02:57,480 --> 00:02:59,200 Speaker 1: You know, when we get the right pieces around him, 65 00:02:59,240 --> 00:03:02,520 Speaker 1: the right offense and get him where he needs to be. UM, 66 00:03:02,520 --> 00:03:04,040 Speaker 1: you know, the sky's a limit for us. You know, 67 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:06,919 Speaker 1: we're all frustrated, UM, and we want to make the playoffs. 68 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:08,320 Speaker 1: We want to be, you know, back to where we 69 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:10,320 Speaker 1: need to be. I know you guys have seen, you know, 70 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:13,320 Speaker 1: the success and this this facility, UM, and you know 71 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:15,560 Speaker 1: we need to bring that success back. The fans deserve that, 72 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:18,280 Speaker 1: the people here in Colorado deserve that, we deserve that, 73 00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:20,800 Speaker 1: the players. I've been here a long time, so UM, 74 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:22,640 Speaker 1: I feel like we have the owners in the right place, 75 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:24,600 Speaker 1: UM to to lead us to where we need to be. 76 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:27,840 Speaker 1: And as the organization looks aheaded to the head coaching search, 77 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:30,720 Speaker 1: Bowls and Handler talk today about the qualities they hope 78 00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:32,880 Speaker 1: to see in the next head coach. And I think 79 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:35,280 Speaker 1: it's always valuable when you have a coach that you know, 80 00:03:35,320 --> 00:03:37,640 Speaker 1: that's been successful as coach, you know, in this league 81 00:03:37,640 --> 00:03:40,080 Speaker 1: a long time. You know, it's hard. It's hard just 82 00:03:40,120 --> 00:03:42,440 Speaker 1: to come in and think you have all the answers. UM. 83 00:03:42,560 --> 00:03:44,280 Speaker 1: You know what I'm saying, You gotta you gotta surround 84 00:03:44,280 --> 00:03:46,560 Speaker 1: yourself with key people. You gotta surround yourself with people 85 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:47,960 Speaker 1: that have been in this league. And I understand this 86 00:03:48,040 --> 00:03:51,200 Speaker 1: league because this league can you know, you know, cheer 87 00:03:51,240 --> 00:03:52,880 Speaker 1: you up and spit you out. That that's just the 88 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:55,120 Speaker 1: reality of the NFL. UM, you got you gotta know 89 00:03:55,160 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 1: who you are. You gotta be consistent, UM. So you know, 90 00:03:57,240 --> 00:03:59,720 Speaker 1: having a consistent coach UM is gonna be you know, 91 00:04:00,200 --> 00:04:02,960 Speaker 1: vital for us. UM. Somebody that's disciplined, somebody that has 92 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:06,240 Speaker 1: accountability and that doesn't break their rules. UM, that's what 93 00:04:06,320 --> 00:04:07,720 Speaker 1: we need. We need a tough we need a tough 94 00:04:07,760 --> 00:04:10,480 Speaker 1: guy um to coming here and a cheerleader that can lead, 95 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:12,600 Speaker 1: that can lead this ship to victory. And that's what 96 00:04:12,720 --> 00:04:14,200 Speaker 1: we need. I just want to coach, want to win, 97 00:04:14,480 --> 00:04:16,520 Speaker 1: you know, UM, not saying hack any want the win 98 00:04:16,560 --> 00:04:18,880 Speaker 1: and then like the Hack was a great coach, Appreciate 99 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:21,120 Speaker 1: Hack to the fullest. To be honest, you know, I 100 00:04:21,160 --> 00:04:22,760 Speaker 1: still gotta call him text my know has been a 101 00:04:22,800 --> 00:04:26,479 Speaker 1: tough time for him. UM. But you know, just you know, 102 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:28,599 Speaker 1: coming here to work, you know, a coach that you know, 103 00:04:28,760 --> 00:04:32,760 Speaker 1: not not gonna play around, you know, just you know, 104 00:04:32,839 --> 00:04:34,080 Speaker 1: we just want to We just want to coach to win. 105 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:35,679 Speaker 1: Let's basically we I think we got all the pieces 106 00:04:35,680 --> 00:04:38,160 Speaker 1: to win. I know we do. UM, we gotta put 107 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:41,000 Speaker 1: everything together and just find that connection through the coaching staff, 108 00:04:41,040 --> 00:04:43,760 Speaker 1: through everybody outside of here, from the teammates to the 109 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:47,080 Speaker 1: doctors and physical therapists and things like that. So once 110 00:04:47,080 --> 00:04:48,960 Speaker 1: you put everything together with them far and tight ends 111 00:04:48,960 --> 00:04:52,320 Speaker 1: Greg Dulstache and Albert okuwaban On and center Lloyd christian Berry. 112 00:04:52,640 --> 00:04:55,040 Speaker 1: Just because the type of team the Bronco's next head 113 00:04:55,040 --> 00:04:57,839 Speaker 1: coach will be getting, I think, um, you know, they'll 114 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:00,120 Speaker 1: they'll they'll see right away that these are guys who 115 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:02,200 Speaker 1: played for each other. Um. And that's I think the 116 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:03,880 Speaker 1: biggest thing in this league's you've got guys who love 117 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:05,600 Speaker 1: each other, Guys who you don't want to go out 118 00:05:05,640 --> 00:05:08,040 Speaker 1: there play their hardest because they guy next to them. 119 00:05:08,080 --> 00:05:10,640 Speaker 1: And that's what's gonna, you know, make its successful. I 120 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:12,600 Speaker 1: think the biggest thing is just you know, we got 121 00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:14,640 Speaker 1: a team full of guys who want to win, um, 122 00:05:14,680 --> 00:05:16,279 Speaker 1: you know. And I feel like that's that's been evident 123 00:05:16,320 --> 00:05:19,039 Speaker 1: every Sunday. You know, winner loss. UM. You know, there's 124 00:05:19,080 --> 00:05:20,720 Speaker 1: never you I don't think you can never try to 125 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:22,360 Speaker 1: tape and say there's a lack of effort from either 126 00:05:22,360 --> 00:05:25,080 Speaker 1: side of the ball. Um. So I think that's the 127 00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:27,480 Speaker 1: biggest thing to be optimistic about. Um. You know, I 128 00:05:27,520 --> 00:05:29,520 Speaker 1: feel like when we're get into staff in here, um, 129 00:05:29,839 --> 00:05:32,440 Speaker 1: we just won't once we put the pieces together and 130 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:35,000 Speaker 1: get everything jelling. Um, we we have a lot to 131 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:37,080 Speaker 1: look forward to. I really think we have a great 132 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:40,200 Speaker 1: locks them. We've got great leaders, guys like Russell course, 133 00:05:40,279 --> 00:05:44,120 Speaker 1: Justin Simmons, Um, you know other guys Kareem Jackson, all 134 00:05:44,120 --> 00:05:48,040 Speaker 1: those vets that are really good locking them guys and 135 00:05:48,200 --> 00:05:50,920 Speaker 1: you know Becauld. They really have a good culture. In 136 00:05:50,960 --> 00:05:53,039 Speaker 1: my opinion, we've got to continue to build on that 137 00:05:53,560 --> 00:05:56,560 Speaker 1: and just one whoever they bring in, bring in the 138 00:05:56,640 --> 00:05:59,680 Speaker 1: note man, we we're gonna buy in. We're gonna do 139 00:05:59,720 --> 00:06:02,680 Speaker 1: whatever we can because we know these organizations the standard 140 00:06:02,720 --> 00:06:05,760 Speaker 1: has not been being good you know this the last 141 00:06:05,760 --> 00:06:07,480 Speaker 1: few years. So we know we've got to get back 142 00:06:07,520 --> 00:06:11,600 Speaker 1: to those those standards. Now, joining me here inside the 143 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:14,839 Speaker 1: Broncos podcast studio is Broncos lead writer Eric D. Lala. Eric, 144 00:06:14,920 --> 00:06:18,159 Speaker 1: thanks for joining me again today on this Monday. Nice 145 00:06:18,200 --> 00:06:20,240 Speaker 1: to see the team finished the season off strong with 146 00:06:20,279 --> 00:06:22,919 Speaker 1: a win last night at home. What do you I 147 00:06:22,920 --> 00:06:25,560 Speaker 1: guess just think last night's win really just meant for 148 00:06:25,600 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 1: this team as they finished the season. There. Yeah, I 149 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:30,920 Speaker 1: think a couple of things. One just nice to get 150 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:33,440 Speaker 1: a win and have that excitement, have that happiness, that 151 00:06:33,520 --> 00:06:36,800 Speaker 1: joy is Jerry Rossberg keeps putting it, you know, to 152 00:06:36,920 --> 00:06:39,640 Speaker 1: not end the season on a sour note. I do 153 00:06:39,680 --> 00:06:42,000 Speaker 1: think that's important, and it helps the vibe of these 154 00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:45,960 Speaker 1: guys as they're packing up their stuff and parting ways 155 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:48,160 Speaker 1: in the facility. And you know, no, no two teams 156 00:06:48,160 --> 00:06:49,720 Speaker 1: are ever alike. So the fact that you get to 157 00:06:50,200 --> 00:06:52,760 Speaker 1: share that memory with those guys, I do think it's important. 158 00:06:52,760 --> 00:06:55,760 Speaker 1: And you heard Jerry Rossberg in the victory speech say 159 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:59,440 Speaker 1: a lot of people they'll never remember this game ever again, 160 00:06:59,560 --> 00:07:02,120 Speaker 1: and us it's a win, it's a chance we had 161 00:07:02,120 --> 00:07:04,520 Speaker 1: to go out here and compete. It's important to us. 162 00:07:04,640 --> 00:07:06,680 Speaker 1: He gave game balls to everybody in the room, so 163 00:07:06,720 --> 00:07:09,360 Speaker 1: that obviously shows the importance of it from that standpoint. 164 00:07:09,760 --> 00:07:13,200 Speaker 1: But then I think, you know, more importantly the fact 165 00:07:13,200 --> 00:07:15,720 Speaker 1: that you beat a playoff bound team and the Chargers 166 00:07:16,080 --> 00:07:18,320 Speaker 1: who SNY. I don't know about you, but I didn't 167 00:07:18,360 --> 00:07:20,960 Speaker 1: think we're gonna see Justin Herbert at all. And he 168 00:07:21,040 --> 00:07:24,400 Speaker 1: ends up playing most of the game into the fourth quarter. 169 00:07:24,640 --> 00:07:26,920 Speaker 1: It's not until the Broncos go up eleven that he's 170 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:29,400 Speaker 1: pulled out of the game, and the Chargers actually cut 171 00:07:29,440 --> 00:07:32,040 Speaker 1: the lead after he left. But I think the fact 172 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:35,320 Speaker 1: that you did that against a playoff bound team, against 173 00:07:35,360 --> 00:07:38,440 Speaker 1: their starters, a team that's playing hard, um, and you 174 00:07:38,600 --> 00:07:43,720 Speaker 1: showed some some glimpses of what you can expect, some 175 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:46,679 Speaker 1: some foundational pieces just in terms of how to play 176 00:07:46,680 --> 00:07:49,480 Speaker 1: football and how to play winning football. We heard Russell 177 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:51,840 Speaker 1: Wilson talking about that, Jerry Rossberg talk about that. I mean, 178 00:07:51,840 --> 00:07:54,800 Speaker 1: I do think that that's important what you've seen over 179 00:07:54,840 --> 00:07:57,040 Speaker 1: the last couple of weeks here in terms of just 180 00:07:57,120 --> 00:08:00,360 Speaker 1: playing fundamentally sound football, seeing Russell will and play a 181 00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:03,320 Speaker 1: little bit better. And when you look at all that, listen, 182 00:08:03,360 --> 00:08:05,440 Speaker 1: these two games, a close loss to the Chiefs and 183 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:07,800 Speaker 1: I win over the Chargers doesn't mean anything in the 184 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 1: standings for next year, but I do think it shows, Hey, 185 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:12,800 Speaker 1: you get a good head coach in place. A lot 186 00:08:12,800 --> 00:08:15,200 Speaker 1: of this stuff can be repeated in in my opinion, 187 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:18,200 Speaker 1: be repeated quickly. And now all of a sudden, you're 188 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:20,440 Speaker 1: not looking at five and twelve, you're looking at a 189 00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:22,960 Speaker 1: team that's right there in the mix. So it's a 190 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:24,720 Speaker 1: lot to take away from just one game. But I 191 00:08:24,720 --> 00:08:28,240 Speaker 1: think the way the Broncos played demonstrates that. And for me, 192 00:08:29,400 --> 00:08:32,040 Speaker 1: I went into it thinking, hey, I'll take the Chargers 193 00:08:32,080 --> 00:08:33,800 Speaker 1: backups just so the Broncos can get a win and 194 00:08:33,840 --> 00:08:36,000 Speaker 1: we can talk about a victory. But the fact that 195 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:39,080 Speaker 1: they did play their starters and the Broncos still one man, 196 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:42,160 Speaker 1: that's great. Yeah. Well, you know, looking specifically at this 197 00:08:42,320 --> 00:08:44,480 Speaker 1: offense here, Eric, what did you just I guess, like 198 00:08:44,559 --> 00:08:46,440 Speaker 1: about what they were able to do for the Chargers 199 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:48,480 Speaker 1: a season high, you know, thirty one points for them, 200 00:08:48,480 --> 00:08:51,160 Speaker 1: What specifically was working so well? Yeah, and a lot 201 00:08:51,200 --> 00:08:53,160 Speaker 1: of yards. It have been several years I think since 202 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:56,200 Speaker 1: the Broncos put up that many yards on offense. A 203 00:08:56,200 --> 00:08:59,239 Speaker 1: few things. One, on that first possession, you saw the Broncos, 204 00:08:59,600 --> 00:09:01,120 Speaker 1: you know, I think it was only their second opening 205 00:09:01,200 --> 00:09:04,120 Speaker 1: drive touchdown of the year. They use different formations, they 206 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:08,280 Speaker 1: use creative motions, um, trying to test the Chargers eyes, 207 00:09:08,320 --> 00:09:11,720 Speaker 1: making sure that they're you know, um sound in their assignments, 208 00:09:11,840 --> 00:09:15,480 Speaker 1: and getting some easy completions. All those things stood out 209 00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:17,360 Speaker 1: to me. And then you took that stuff in a 210 00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:21,000 Speaker 1: solid run game with Latavius Murray, who de Sean Williams said, 211 00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:24,200 Speaker 1: today's aging like fine line um, which I know we 212 00:09:24,200 --> 00:09:28,480 Speaker 1: can both appreciate said. And the fact that you're able 213 00:09:28,520 --> 00:09:31,920 Speaker 1: to to marry that ground game with Russ then throwing 214 00:09:31,960 --> 00:09:35,480 Speaker 1: the ball deep. That's how you play winning football. That's 215 00:09:35,480 --> 00:09:36,760 Speaker 1: how you score a lot of points. And I think 216 00:09:36,800 --> 00:09:39,720 Speaker 1: the fact that it didn't go super great early for 217 00:09:39,720 --> 00:09:42,960 Speaker 1: the Broncos. They had that initial touchdown drive, but then 218 00:09:42,960 --> 00:09:45,800 Speaker 1: they struggled a little bit to find their footing um 219 00:09:45,880 --> 00:09:49,200 Speaker 1: until the final moments of the second quarter. You know, 220 00:09:49,240 --> 00:09:51,360 Speaker 1: the Broncos were kind of stuck at that ten point mark. 221 00:09:51,480 --> 00:09:53,760 Speaker 1: The fact that they were able to show explosiveness and 222 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:57,760 Speaker 1: score that quickly, that's a really good sign um for 223 00:09:57,840 --> 00:10:00,240 Speaker 1: next year. Because it's not like the Broncos squ on 224 00:10:00,280 --> 00:10:02,360 Speaker 1: every drive or had every drive was great and they 225 00:10:02,360 --> 00:10:04,000 Speaker 1: scored thirty one points. There is still a lot of 226 00:10:04,080 --> 00:10:06,839 Speaker 1: room for improvement. They turned the ball over a couple 227 00:10:06,840 --> 00:10:08,480 Speaker 1: of times with a muff pun with a kind of 228 00:10:08,480 --> 00:10:11,040 Speaker 1: a flukey interception. So you take all those things and 229 00:10:11,040 --> 00:10:12,360 Speaker 1: you look up and you say, okay, well we still 230 00:10:12,480 --> 00:10:15,199 Speaker 1: still scored thirty one points against a playoff team. You 231 00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:18,439 Speaker 1: look at Russell Wilson who now has four passing touchdowns 232 00:10:18,440 --> 00:10:22,720 Speaker 1: two rushing touchdowns over the last two weeks. Um, that's 233 00:10:22,880 --> 00:10:26,000 Speaker 1: the Russell Wilson that we all expected. And so you 234 00:10:26,120 --> 00:10:28,080 Speaker 1: keep that going, you're gonna be in a really good 235 00:10:28,080 --> 00:10:30,520 Speaker 1: shape moving forward. Yeah, Russe has definitely looked like the 236 00:10:30,559 --> 00:10:33,800 Speaker 1: old Russell a lot more of the past few weeks. Here, Eric, 237 00:10:33,840 --> 00:10:36,600 Speaker 1: I know Russ talked for a while after the game yesterday. 238 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:39,560 Speaker 1: What kind of did you just gather about maybe his 239 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:42,640 Speaker 1: focus and determination, you know, heading into the off season 240 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:45,000 Speaker 1: and where this team can go. Yeah, I mean he 241 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:47,360 Speaker 1: he has no question that he can get back to 242 00:10:47,400 --> 00:10:50,079 Speaker 1: that level of play. Um, that this team can get 243 00:10:50,120 --> 00:10:51,720 Speaker 1: back to where they want to go. I think it'd 244 00:10:51,720 --> 00:10:53,640 Speaker 1: be easy after this year, and maybe even most people 245 00:10:53,679 --> 00:10:56,440 Speaker 1: would would just lower expectations and say, okay, well, when 246 00:10:56,440 --> 00:10:59,160 Speaker 1: you trained for Russell Wilson, the expectation was to compete 247 00:10:59,160 --> 00:11:01,840 Speaker 1: for world championships. You won five games this year. Maybe 248 00:11:01,920 --> 00:11:04,080 Speaker 1: let's just say, okay, well, now the goal is to 249 00:11:04,080 --> 00:11:05,960 Speaker 1: to get to the playoffs or having a winning record. 250 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:09,120 Speaker 1: Russell Wilson's goals have not changed. He still wants to 251 00:11:09,120 --> 00:11:12,640 Speaker 1: win a championship, win multiple championships, still has that belief 252 00:11:12,640 --> 00:11:15,040 Speaker 1: in himself. Obviously, when you play like you did the 253 00:11:15,080 --> 00:11:17,040 Speaker 1: last two weeks, it's easier to have that. And you've 254 00:11:17,080 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 1: seen I think kind of signs that Russ can still 255 00:11:20,400 --> 00:11:23,720 Speaker 1: play that way. But um, you can tell it's been 256 00:11:23,720 --> 00:11:26,240 Speaker 1: frustrating for him. He even kind of joked he was 257 00:11:26,320 --> 00:11:28,480 Speaker 1: like a reporter said, I kind of watch you and 258 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:31,320 Speaker 1: I wonder what happened and rust that I've kind of 259 00:11:31,360 --> 00:11:34,160 Speaker 1: felt the same way at times, um, And so I 260 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:36,960 Speaker 1: know that it's frustrated him. But he's determined to get 261 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:38,640 Speaker 1: this right. Said he was gonna be up at five 262 00:11:38,679 --> 00:11:43,360 Speaker 1: thirty today, UM to to get started for next season. 263 00:11:43,360 --> 00:11:46,280 Speaker 1: So we know the type of dedication. And listen, these 264 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:49,040 Speaker 1: guys are. They're convinced that Russ can do that. We 265 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:51,880 Speaker 1: heard Garrett Bowls today talk about that. Ortland Sutton said 266 00:11:51,920 --> 00:11:54,080 Speaker 1: after the game he expects Russ to play at a 267 00:11:54,080 --> 00:11:57,480 Speaker 1: Pro Bowl, all pro type level, and that obviously would 268 00:11:57,520 --> 00:11:59,480 Speaker 1: be a huge jump, but it's it's not out of 269 00:11:59,480 --> 00:12:02,320 Speaker 1: the romopot stability. If Us plays the way he did 270 00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:04,840 Speaker 1: the last two weeks, you're looking at thirty four touchdown 271 00:12:04,920 --> 00:12:10,000 Speaker 1: passes and about fifteen interceptions another you know, fifteen rushing touchdowns. 272 00:12:10,440 --> 00:12:13,240 Speaker 1: That's a lot to maintain for the whole season. But 273 00:12:13,600 --> 00:12:15,679 Speaker 1: it shows you, hey, if you play at that level 274 00:12:15,720 --> 00:12:17,760 Speaker 1: and you expand it out, this is now the type 275 00:12:17,760 --> 00:12:20,040 Speaker 1: of quarterback we're talking about. This is a guy who 276 00:12:20,200 --> 00:12:24,480 Speaker 1: you're not winning with, you're winning because of and uh, 277 00:12:24,520 --> 00:12:26,480 Speaker 1: that's a big that's a big difference, and I think 278 00:12:26,480 --> 00:12:29,640 Speaker 1: the Broncos they're capable of doing that with us. Definitely. 279 00:12:29,920 --> 00:12:32,360 Speaker 1: Well looking ahead, Eric, you know, this team as a 280 00:12:32,360 --> 00:12:35,240 Speaker 1: lot of players who are about to become unrestricted free agents, 281 00:12:35,520 --> 00:12:39,120 Speaker 1: Freemont Jones, Sean Williams, Dalton Reisner, just to name of you, 282 00:12:39,120 --> 00:12:42,080 Speaker 1: they're Latavius Murray. I guess, just over the next couple 283 00:12:42,080 --> 00:12:45,040 Speaker 1: of months here, what can we expect from that? Yeah, 284 00:12:45,080 --> 00:12:47,120 Speaker 1: I mean, obviously the Broncos have a little bit of 285 00:12:47,120 --> 00:12:50,400 Speaker 1: time here to talk to their own guys. Um, you 286 00:12:50,480 --> 00:12:52,840 Speaker 1: kind of see at this point if deals haven't gotten done, 287 00:12:52,840 --> 00:12:55,640 Speaker 1: that things are a little bit quiet until we get 288 00:12:55,679 --> 00:12:58,520 Speaker 1: to free agency. It's possible that in the day's leading 289 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:01,719 Speaker 1: up you see a deal. Um, I personally wouldn't think 290 00:13:01,720 --> 00:13:03,640 Speaker 1: anything would happen until you have a new head coach 291 00:13:03,640 --> 00:13:06,600 Speaker 1: in place. With that transition, you know, you're bringing in 292 00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:13,280 Speaker 1: a new scheme, probably especially offensively, maybe defensively as well. Um, 293 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:14,880 Speaker 1: with those things, you want your coach I think to 294 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:16,559 Speaker 1: be able to help you in the evaluation of those 295 00:13:16,559 --> 00:13:18,400 Speaker 1: players who do we want on this team, who do 296 00:13:18,440 --> 00:13:21,439 Speaker 1: we want to bring in? Obviously there's you know, Latavious 297 00:13:21,520 --> 00:13:23,760 Speaker 1: Murray is an example of a guy that lots of 298 00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:26,040 Speaker 1: people in the locker room want to see back. Sean 299 00:13:26,080 --> 00:13:28,400 Speaker 1: Williams wants to be back, but you just kind of 300 00:13:28,440 --> 00:13:32,679 Speaker 1: have to see what happens here and sometimes, uh, you know, 301 00:13:33,080 --> 00:13:35,520 Speaker 1: not everybody can be back. And that's the tough part 302 00:13:35,520 --> 00:13:37,680 Speaker 1: of this business. I mentioned that's the last time that 303 00:13:37,760 --> 00:13:42,280 Speaker 1: this team will ever be together in this current iteration. Um, 304 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:44,160 Speaker 1: but that's I mean, it's part of what makes this 305 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:46,600 Speaker 1: game fun. What makes it possible for you to complete 306 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:48,880 Speaker 1: these year to year turnarounds, is that the Broncos they're 307 00:13:48,880 --> 00:13:50,720 Speaker 1: gonna be able to go get some pieces in free 308 00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:52,240 Speaker 1: agency if they want, They're gonna be able to add 309 00:13:52,240 --> 00:13:54,360 Speaker 1: some guys in the draft. They're gonna be able to 310 00:13:54,400 --> 00:13:56,680 Speaker 1: bring back some of these guys if they want. And um, 311 00:13:56,840 --> 00:14:00,000 Speaker 1: of course, the franchise tag is always an option. Uh, 312 00:14:00,040 --> 00:14:03,000 Speaker 1: you know, not for everybody obviously, but maybe Draymond Jones 313 00:14:03,320 --> 00:14:05,720 Speaker 1: would be a possibility there. You kind of hear about 314 00:14:05,720 --> 00:14:07,840 Speaker 1: that in February, so maybe a little bit sooner in 315 00:14:07,920 --> 00:14:12,680 Speaker 1: terms of the decision there, but um, yeah, it'll be 316 00:14:12,720 --> 00:14:15,240 Speaker 1: interesting to see this. As we talked about the coach 317 00:14:15,240 --> 00:14:18,000 Speaker 1: and obviously that's the main focus right now, but building 318 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:20,440 Speaker 1: this roster there there are holes that need to be filled, 319 00:14:20,480 --> 00:14:22,760 Speaker 1: there are pieces that need to be put in place. 320 00:14:22,800 --> 00:14:25,840 Speaker 1: So something to watch carefully. Well, Eric Glass one here 321 00:14:25,840 --> 00:14:28,760 Speaker 1: for you know, as ownership really dives into this head 322 00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:30,600 Speaker 1: coaching search. Now, what are some of the names that 323 00:14:30,600 --> 00:14:32,320 Speaker 1: you've seen reported and what do you like about some 324 00:14:32,360 --> 00:14:34,560 Speaker 1: of those candidates. Yeah, well, I mean there's been a 325 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:37,760 Speaker 1: lot of certainly today some names have started to pop up. 326 00:14:37,800 --> 00:14:40,800 Speaker 1: We saw Jim Harbaugh, Sean Payton reported over the weekend. 327 00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:45,400 Speaker 1: Um Russell Wilson spoke really glowingly about Sean Payton. Um, 328 00:14:45,440 --> 00:14:47,640 Speaker 1: he's I think played for him at the Pro Bowl before. 329 00:14:47,680 --> 00:14:51,240 Speaker 1: Obviously knows Drew Brees really well. Um Jim Harbaugh popped 330 00:14:51,280 --> 00:14:53,200 Speaker 1: up and Russell talked about how much respect he has 331 00:14:53,400 --> 00:14:55,160 Speaker 1: for him and what you know, he doesn't know him 332 00:14:55,200 --> 00:14:58,080 Speaker 1: as well, but knows the coach he is, obviously from 333 00:14:58,080 --> 00:15:01,080 Speaker 1: competing against him when he was in San Francisco and 334 00:15:01,160 --> 00:15:04,120 Speaker 1: Russell in Seattle. UM rust brought up Dan Quinn. That's 335 00:15:04,120 --> 00:15:07,520 Speaker 1: another name that we've seen. The broncos of reportedly requested interview. 336 00:15:07,560 --> 00:15:10,760 Speaker 1: He was a finalist here last year. UM defensive minded 337 00:15:10,920 --> 00:15:14,600 Speaker 1: head coach took the Falcons to a Super Bowl. We've 338 00:15:14,640 --> 00:15:18,760 Speaker 1: seen some other names, Rahee Morris, Damiko Ryan's, UM So 339 00:15:18,960 --> 00:15:21,600 Speaker 1: a lot of good choices, I would say, obviously looking 340 00:15:21,640 --> 00:15:24,000 Speaker 1: at those guys, with the exception of Damiko Ryan's, the 341 00:15:24,080 --> 00:15:27,360 Speaker 1: common thread is experience and the fact that they've done 342 00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:30,960 Speaker 1: this before. And we'll see which way Greg Penner and 343 00:15:31,040 --> 00:15:33,320 Speaker 1: the search committee decides to go. I think you do 344 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:36,960 Speaker 1: need to keep an open mind, but to me, experience 345 00:15:37,440 --> 00:15:39,960 Speaker 1: it seems really valuable UM and I think Garrett Bowls 346 00:15:39,960 --> 00:15:41,840 Speaker 1: I asked him that today, you know what what could 347 00:15:41,880 --> 00:15:44,720 Speaker 1: that mean? After three first time head coaches in a row. 348 00:15:45,320 --> 00:15:48,880 Speaker 1: He basically said, listen, you don't have to just set 349 00:15:48,920 --> 00:15:52,440 Speaker 1: everything up. You have an understanding of what needs to 350 00:15:52,440 --> 00:15:54,440 Speaker 1: be in place, how to do certain things. You can 351 00:15:54,440 --> 00:15:59,160 Speaker 1: set that standard. You know that it works. UM. And additionally, 352 00:15:59,280 --> 00:16:01,320 Speaker 1: I just think you can hit the ground running. And 353 00:16:01,640 --> 00:16:03,480 Speaker 1: I look back at early this season to some of 354 00:16:03,480 --> 00:16:06,840 Speaker 1: these losses, and I think a more experienced head coach, 355 00:16:06,880 --> 00:16:09,920 Speaker 1: whether it's how to balance preseason playing time, or how 356 00:16:09,960 --> 00:16:12,080 Speaker 1: to get a team ready for a road game, or 357 00:16:12,280 --> 00:16:14,640 Speaker 1: you know, calling plays on the road, those sorts of 358 00:16:14,680 --> 00:16:17,200 Speaker 1: things that are you know, maybe a first time head 359 00:16:17,200 --> 00:16:19,680 Speaker 1: coach is figuring that out. An experience coach is going 360 00:16:19,720 --> 00:16:21,040 Speaker 1: to know how to do that stuff. And if you 361 00:16:21,080 --> 00:16:24,200 Speaker 1: get wins against Seattle, if you get wins against Indie 362 00:16:24,240 --> 00:16:27,600 Speaker 1: at home, all of a sudden, the season looks really different. 363 00:16:27,600 --> 00:16:29,440 Speaker 1: And maybe you get on a run and you go 364 00:16:29,480 --> 00:16:31,960 Speaker 1: to a Carolina or a Baltimore and instead of losing 365 00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:33,720 Speaker 1: those games, you find a way to win. And so 366 00:16:34,080 --> 00:16:36,160 Speaker 1: that's when I think an experienced head coach with brain 367 00:16:36,200 --> 00:16:38,720 Speaker 1: will have to see how it plays out. But certainly, 368 00:16:38,760 --> 00:16:40,320 Speaker 1: based on what we've seen the reports of who the 369 00:16:40,320 --> 00:16:44,320 Speaker 1: Broncos are interviewing, it does seem like their searches maybe 370 00:16:44,880 --> 00:16:47,640 Speaker 1: focused in that direction of more people of who have 371 00:16:47,720 --> 00:16:50,640 Speaker 1: done this before. They've found a way, you know, they 372 00:16:51,360 --> 00:16:54,880 Speaker 1: they're trying to to eliminate maybe some of the growing 373 00:16:54,920 --> 00:16:57,560 Speaker 1: pains that Nathaniel Hackett had, and you're able to do 374 00:16:57,600 --> 00:16:59,880 Speaker 1: that by going with someone who's who's held this role before, 375 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:02,120 Speaker 1: for sure. Yeah, a lot of good candidates to be 376 00:17:02,160 --> 00:17:04,320 Speaker 1: on the lookout for. We'll see what happens the next 377 00:17:04,359 --> 00:17:06,560 Speaker 1: couple of weeks here, but Eric, appreciate your time and 378 00:17:07,440 --> 00:17:10,199 Speaker 1: your insight this whole season. Yeah, of course. Well then 379 00:17:10,200 --> 00:17:13,040 Speaker 1: I'll do it for today's episode of Broncos Now. Broncos Country, 380 00:17:13,080 --> 00:17:15,119 Speaker 1: thanks so much for tuning in every day a Monday 381 00:17:15,119 --> 00:17:18,760 Speaker 1: through Friday throughout this season. Starting today, episodes will be 382 00:17:18,800 --> 00:17:20,879 Speaker 1: on a weekly basis, so make sure to meet me 383 00:17:21,000 --> 00:17:23,680 Speaker 1: right back here on the Broncos Podcast network and YouTube 384 00:17:23,920 --> 00:17:26,280 Speaker 1: next week for another episode of Broncos Now.