1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:02,480 Speaker 1: What's the Broncos Country? Welcome back inside the uc Hell 2 00:00:02,560 --> 00:00:05,960 Speaker 1: Training Center for another edition of Broncos Now. Team reporter 3 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:08,880 Speaker 1: and host Sidney Jones here and coming up on today's episode, 4 00:00:08,880 --> 00:00:12,640 Speaker 1: we'll hear from quarterback Russell Wilson, head coach Nathaniel Hackett 5 00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:15,360 Speaker 1: in a safety Justin Simmons as they spoke to the 6 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:18,799 Speaker 1: media today. Plus I'll have the Elita's injury report and 7 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:21,360 Speaker 1: film Melannia and joins the show. All that and more 8 00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:29,360 Speaker 1: coming up. The team was back on the field today 9 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:31,479 Speaker 1: for a walk through as they look to turn the 10 00:00:31,520 --> 00:00:34,360 Speaker 1: page to face the New York Jets out in Power 11 00:00:34,360 --> 00:00:37,199 Speaker 1: Field at Mile High on a Sunday. The Jets are 12 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:39,400 Speaker 1: three and o on the road to start the season, 13 00:00:39,440 --> 00:00:43,080 Speaker 1: and head coach Nathaniel Hackett discussed the challenge that presents 14 00:00:43,240 --> 00:00:45,800 Speaker 1: this weekend. I give so much credit to Robert, you know, 15 00:00:45,840 --> 00:00:47,960 Speaker 1: all the stuff that he's battled through those first couple 16 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:49,360 Speaker 1: of years and now you can see them, you know, 17 00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:54,040 Speaker 1: turn around, getting confidence. Uh, young quarterback that's playing good defense, 18 00:00:54,080 --> 00:00:56,920 Speaker 1: that's really sound and really playing well with some young 19 00:00:56,960 --> 00:01:00,639 Speaker 1: players in the back end, really good good linebacker. Course. Um, 20 00:01:00,680 --> 00:01:02,720 Speaker 1: it's just been just kind of studying the course. Everybody's 21 00:01:02,720 --> 00:01:04,760 Speaker 1: staying together and you could see that with them, and 22 00:01:04,800 --> 00:01:06,560 Speaker 1: you could see them traveling on the road and doing 23 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 1: good things, and I mean they're very good football team. 24 00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:12,479 Speaker 1: Russell Wilson updated the media on his hamstring injury today 25 00:01:12,520 --> 00:01:16,360 Speaker 1: and discussed if he expects to play on Sunday. Feeling better, 26 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:18,479 Speaker 1: feeling better every day, Uh, you know, day by day. 27 00:01:18,480 --> 00:01:21,960 Speaker 1: Obviously happy Monday night, but I heal quick. I don't 28 00:01:21,959 --> 00:01:25,640 Speaker 1: know if it's Wolverine blood or what, but getting better, 29 00:01:27,319 --> 00:01:29,360 Speaker 1: I'm hoping. So I'm doing whatever that can to get 30 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:32,080 Speaker 1: ready to roll. So that's always my mentality. Russell went 31 00:01:32,120 --> 00:01:35,240 Speaker 1: on to discuss the offensives performance on Monday night and 32 00:01:35,280 --> 00:01:38,600 Speaker 1: how they'll look to finish these close games. First of all, 33 00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:40,560 Speaker 1: I think, you know, the good thing is um, I 34 00:01:40,600 --> 00:01:43,440 Speaker 1: think the first quarter, really the second quarter, to even 35 00:01:43,640 --> 00:01:46,640 Speaker 1: going down with fifty seconds to go right right down 36 00:01:46,640 --> 00:01:48,120 Speaker 1: the field. I think that's who we are and who 37 00:01:48,120 --> 00:01:51,080 Speaker 1: we can be. UM. I think that we have to 38 00:01:51,080 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 1: stay focused on the on the details, you know, stay 39 00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:56,680 Speaker 1: focused on the doing little things right um and making plays. 40 00:01:56,720 --> 00:01:58,960 Speaker 1: I think that when we get opportunities to to close 41 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:01,040 Speaker 1: out games. I think I was looking at this morning, 42 00:02:01,040 --> 00:02:02,880 Speaker 1: I said, how many games that we've had? You know what, 43 00:02:02,920 --> 00:02:04,600 Speaker 1: what have been the scores of the games? I think 44 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:06,840 Speaker 1: out of five of the five of the six, it's 45 00:02:06,920 --> 00:02:12,480 Speaker 1: been you know, eight total points difference total um and 46 00:02:12,639 --> 00:02:15,399 Speaker 1: uh so to me, I look at that as a 47 00:02:15,080 --> 00:02:18,400 Speaker 1: as a as a positive thing in a sense that, um, 48 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:19,680 Speaker 1: you know, there's a lot more we can do and 49 00:02:19,720 --> 00:02:22,120 Speaker 1: we can break these games away, especially how greater defense 50 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:26,040 Speaker 1: is doing. Um so. UM. I think the momentum, the tempo, 51 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:27,960 Speaker 1: when we can capture it, you know, feed off of 52 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:30,120 Speaker 1: that like we did. I think, you know, we got 53 00:02:30,120 --> 00:02:31,919 Speaker 1: we got a big play with Jerry and the next 54 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:33,560 Speaker 1: you know, don't just gets in the end zone. Those 55 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:35,480 Speaker 1: are the kind of moments we gotta have and finding 56 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 1: more of those, um, I think it's gonna really helps us. 57 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:40,800 Speaker 1: We saw how emotional safety Justin Simmons was after the 58 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:43,600 Speaker 1: loss on Monday night. He spoke on that again today 59 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:47,240 Speaker 1: and discussed how the team is looking to turn the page. Yeah, no, 60 00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:51,000 Speaker 1: it's always emotional. Um. You know, after the game, try 61 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:56,160 Speaker 1: to answer you know, the questions as best as I can, um, 62 00:02:56,200 --> 00:02:58,320 Speaker 1: but you know that you just it's hard to get 63 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:01,160 Speaker 1: up with raw emotion. And to be able to, um, 64 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:03,040 Speaker 1: you know, articulate and know I talked about how big 65 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:04,720 Speaker 1: you know that game was going to be for us, 66 00:03:04,720 --> 00:03:06,720 Speaker 1: and so to get up there after you know, an 67 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:09,880 Speaker 1: overtime loss was was pretty tough. But um, that's the 68 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:12,959 Speaker 1: twenty four hour rule. You know that that's out the window. Um, 69 00:03:13,000 --> 00:03:15,119 Speaker 1: you know, focused on the Jets, um getting a huge 70 00:03:15,160 --> 00:03:18,280 Speaker 1: one at home and uh, this is uh, you know, 71 00:03:18,320 --> 00:03:20,360 Speaker 1: the biggest game of the year first, and Simmons believes 72 00:03:20,360 --> 00:03:23,120 Speaker 1: there's a plenty of season left to turn things around. 73 00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:28,119 Speaker 1: It's recognizing that, um, you know, we are who we are. Um, 74 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:29,920 Speaker 1: you know we're sitting here too and four oh and 75 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:33,920 Speaker 1: two in the West and uh, there's no yeah, you know, 76 00:03:34,000 --> 00:03:36,040 Speaker 1: put that to the side and and you know that 77 00:03:36,200 --> 00:03:39,880 Speaker 1: that's who we are. UM. But it's also recognizing that, um, 78 00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:43,280 Speaker 1: there's still plenty of ball left to change our season around. 79 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 1: And I mean we've seen in years past with different 80 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:47,600 Speaker 1: teams like as soon as you get you know, a 81 00:03:47,600 --> 00:03:49,520 Speaker 1: couple of wins under your belt and you're on that streak, 82 00:03:49,560 --> 00:03:51,720 Speaker 1: you just find a rhythm and hit the ground running. 83 00:03:51,800 --> 00:03:54,440 Speaker 1: And so UM, for me, I believe in that with 84 00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:58,400 Speaker 1: the guys that we have offense, defense, special teams. Coaches. UM, 85 00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:00,720 Speaker 1: we have everything we need in this building, and we 86 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:03,080 Speaker 1: just gotta believe in each other. Um, block out the 87 00:04:03,120 --> 00:04:05,240 Speaker 1: noise and just focus on the task at hand. And 88 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:07,560 Speaker 1: that's the Jets on Sunday. And as we wrap up 89 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:09,560 Speaker 1: the top news of the day, let's take a look 90 00:04:09,600 --> 00:04:13,200 Speaker 1: at the injury report. This injury report is an estimation 91 00:04:13,240 --> 00:04:15,840 Speaker 1: as the team had just a walk through today. Coach 92 00:04:15,880 --> 00:04:19,679 Speaker 1: i Can announced that inside linebacker Josie jewel Garden, center 93 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:23,360 Speaker 1: Quinn Miners, cornerback East Sing Bassie, and defensive linement d J. 94 00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:27,400 Speaker 1: Jones would have not participated today. Cornerback to Marie Mathis, 95 00:04:27,440 --> 00:04:32,799 Speaker 1: safety Caden Sterns, quarterback Russell Wilson, cornerback Kawan Williams, wide 96 00:04:32,800 --> 00:04:36,400 Speaker 1: receiver Tyree Cleveland, an offensive lineman Billy Turner would have 97 00:04:36,480 --> 00:04:38,640 Speaker 1: been limited. Co chack It also gave an up day 98 00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:41,000 Speaker 1: on Russell's hamstring injury and said Russ is going to 99 00:04:41,040 --> 00:04:45,080 Speaker 1: do everything he can to play on Sunday. Now, let's 100 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:47,760 Speaker 1: have a little bit deeper into today's news. So joining 101 00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:50,239 Speaker 1: me here inside the Broncos podcast studio is a fellow 102 00:04:50,240 --> 00:04:53,400 Speaker 1: team reporter Phil Melanie. Phil, how you doing today, said 103 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:55,880 Speaker 1: I'm doing great, Thanks for having me here. I did 104 00:04:55,960 --> 00:04:59,400 Speaker 1: not mean to wear a green shirt. I know Jets week, 105 00:04:59,480 --> 00:05:02,760 Speaker 1: I should wear my orange shirts or the dry cleaner. 106 00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:05,360 Speaker 1: That's okay, we forgive you. Al Phill. We heard from 107 00:05:05,400 --> 00:05:07,200 Speaker 1: us all a little bit earlier on in the show. 108 00:05:07,320 --> 00:05:09,880 Speaker 1: He updated us on his hamstring injury. Said he's getting 109 00:05:09,920 --> 00:05:12,039 Speaker 1: better every single day. And you know, I was expecting 110 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:14,279 Speaker 1: to play on Sunday, hoping he will play on Sunday. 111 00:05:14,520 --> 00:05:16,640 Speaker 1: Are you concerned it all? You worried this week about that? 112 00:05:16,839 --> 00:05:21,640 Speaker 1: Not really, I mean he's always gonna push to play. Uh. 113 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:24,560 Speaker 1: He was asked, Hey, how honest are you with the trainers, 114 00:05:24,560 --> 00:05:27,120 Speaker 1: Like will you tell him that it doesn't feel right? 115 00:05:27,160 --> 00:05:29,039 Speaker 1: And he said, yeah, of course, I'm always honest. But 116 00:05:29,640 --> 00:05:31,880 Speaker 1: it kind of was a little tongue in cheek, I thought. 117 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:36,039 Speaker 1: But uh, we did not see Russ out there because 118 00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:40,039 Speaker 1: the media was kicked out of practice before he came 119 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:43,039 Speaker 1: onto the field. Because we saw the Broncos Twitter account 120 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:45,320 Speaker 1: put out a picture of us, it looked like he 121 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:48,440 Speaker 1: was out there practicing or I guess le Broncos did 122 00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:51,760 Speaker 1: a walk through on Wednesday, so not really practice, but 123 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:53,880 Speaker 1: he was out there with the team. So that's a 124 00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:55,800 Speaker 1: good sign. I would have figured that he would have 125 00:05:55,800 --> 00:06:00,240 Speaker 1: been a not practice if if it was bad. So um, 126 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:01,880 Speaker 1: he said that. I think he joked he said, I 127 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:06,120 Speaker 1: have like wolverine blood. Yea, he'll fast. So yeah, I 128 00:06:06,160 --> 00:06:08,880 Speaker 1: mean that's good and uh, hopefully he's able to play 129 00:06:08,920 --> 00:06:11,320 Speaker 1: because I think that when Russ is out there, that 130 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:14,560 Speaker 1: gives Lebronco is the best chance to win. Well. Some 131 00:06:14,600 --> 00:06:17,520 Speaker 1: of the big news today, Phil we heard from coach Hackett. 132 00:06:17,520 --> 00:06:19,719 Speaker 1: He told the media that he did have that conversation 133 00:06:19,760 --> 00:06:21,440 Speaker 1: with Melvin Gordon today. I said he was going to 134 00:06:21,560 --> 00:06:25,240 Speaker 1: keep that private but said that Melvin will start on 135 00:06:25,279 --> 00:06:28,039 Speaker 1: Sunday verse sug Jets. Kind of what are your takeaways 136 00:06:28,080 --> 00:06:32,080 Speaker 1: from that whole situation. That's a difficult situation to being uh, 137 00:06:32,120 --> 00:06:35,200 Speaker 1: I think uh. Of course, the Monday night football cameras 138 00:06:35,240 --> 00:06:38,800 Speaker 1: kept going to Russ on the to Melvin on the sideline, uh, 139 00:06:38,839 --> 00:06:42,000 Speaker 1: and he looked discouraged, which because he's a competitor. You know, 140 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:45,400 Speaker 1: he wants to be out there playing, helping this team, 141 00:06:45,560 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 1: especially against the Chargers that's his former team. He wants 142 00:06:48,880 --> 00:06:51,919 Speaker 1: to be out there, and uh, it was clear that 143 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:54,680 Speaker 1: Nathaniel Hackett did not want to say why he wasn't 144 00:06:55,240 --> 00:06:58,279 Speaker 1: because on Monday or on Tuesday, he was asked, hey, 145 00:06:58,279 --> 00:07:00,200 Speaker 1: how come Melvin wasn't out there, and he just we 146 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:02,760 Speaker 1: didn't have them any snaps. But the snaps that the 147 00:07:02,839 --> 00:07:06,240 Speaker 1: Broncos did have, Latavius Murray was out there and Mike 148 00:07:06,279 --> 00:07:10,520 Speaker 1: Boone was out there, not Melvin Gordon. So clearly something 149 00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:13,760 Speaker 1: happened that they don't want to really let people know about. 150 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:17,160 Speaker 1: But it seems like they had a conversation, they worked 151 00:07:17,160 --> 00:07:20,720 Speaker 1: things out, and then Melvin is gonna be starting. Which 152 00:07:21,120 --> 00:07:22,840 Speaker 1: is a tough position to be in as a coach 153 00:07:22,880 --> 00:07:25,840 Speaker 1: because I do think that on one hand, Melvin Gordon 154 00:07:25,920 --> 00:07:28,320 Speaker 1: is a really talented running back. Yes, he's had some 155 00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:32,360 Speaker 1: fumble issues, He's had a lot of fumble issues, but uh, 156 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:36,000 Speaker 1: you know, if he can get that short up, he's 157 00:07:36,040 --> 00:07:39,200 Speaker 1: a good running back. I mean, he's he's talented. But 158 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:41,360 Speaker 1: on the other hand, if you're the head coach, you 159 00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:45,520 Speaker 1: don't want a player who's just like frustrated, uh, and 160 00:07:45,520 --> 00:07:47,280 Speaker 1: and then all of a sudden you're like, Okay, I'll 161 00:07:47,280 --> 00:07:49,520 Speaker 1: make him happy, I'll let him start. You know, it's 162 00:07:49,520 --> 00:07:53,080 Speaker 1: almost like rewarding that behavior, you know, like as a parent, 163 00:07:53,520 --> 00:07:55,000 Speaker 1: you don't want to do that, you know. So it's 164 00:07:55,040 --> 00:07:58,320 Speaker 1: similar situation, you know. So that's a tough spot to 165 00:07:58,360 --> 00:08:00,280 Speaker 1: be for a head coach to be in. But I 166 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:03,000 Speaker 1: do think that Melvin Gorna is good, you know. I 167 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:06,920 Speaker 1: think Lettavius Murray played pretty well. Um he's a big 168 00:08:06,960 --> 00:08:09,400 Speaker 1: guy who can get you know, some tough yards. So 169 00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:12,000 Speaker 1: I understood why le Broncos went in that direction. But 170 00:08:12,320 --> 00:08:15,120 Speaker 1: I also do think Mels a good running bag. So 171 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:18,480 Speaker 1: someone asked Melvin in the locker room today, you know, 172 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:20,880 Speaker 1: if he feels more confident going into this week and 173 00:08:21,040 --> 00:08:23,360 Speaker 1: into this game knowing that he is going to be 174 00:08:23,400 --> 00:08:24,960 Speaker 1: the starter, that coach I can announce him as a 175 00:08:24,960 --> 00:08:28,120 Speaker 1: starter in Melvin joked, well, I was the starter last week, 176 00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:31,680 Speaker 1: so I mean that's a good point, yeah, exactly. I 177 00:08:31,720 --> 00:08:33,719 Speaker 1: also heard mel in the locker room was saying, like, 178 00:08:34,040 --> 00:08:35,840 Speaker 1: I hate that I'm in the media for the wrong 179 00:08:35,880 --> 00:08:39,040 Speaker 1: reasons right now, you know, and I think that you've 180 00:08:39,679 --> 00:08:42,160 Speaker 1: at least I personally, I'm like, I feel for the 181 00:08:42,200 --> 00:08:45,560 Speaker 1: guy just because he seems to have been in the 182 00:08:45,600 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 1: media ever since he's been here in Denver for the 183 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:52,400 Speaker 1: wrong reasons, and so, uh man, it just feels like 184 00:08:52,400 --> 00:08:54,320 Speaker 1: if he could get it together a little bit, that 185 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:57,600 Speaker 1: he is really talented. I mean he's a first round 186 00:08:57,679 --> 00:09:01,720 Speaker 1: draft pick. I mean he and be really really good. 187 00:09:01,920 --> 00:09:04,520 Speaker 1: So like, you just hope that they're able to figure 188 00:09:04,559 --> 00:09:06,760 Speaker 1: this thing out with him, because I do think for 189 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:10,760 Speaker 1: this Broncos offense, for it to be as effective as 190 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:13,640 Speaker 1: it wants to be, it needs the ground game to 191 00:09:13,640 --> 00:09:16,600 Speaker 1: get going. We haven't seen that at all this year. 192 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:20,440 Speaker 1: It's been just such a struggle. And for them to 193 00:09:20,559 --> 00:09:23,920 Speaker 1: really get going the way they want to, they have 194 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:26,360 Speaker 1: to be able to run the football. Well, felt looking 195 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:29,000 Speaker 1: at another guy on this offense. We saw Greg Dulcitch 196 00:09:29,160 --> 00:09:32,839 Speaker 1: finally on Monday night, you know, recorded as first touchdown, 197 00:09:33,000 --> 00:09:37,000 Speaker 1: first career game, an exciting, exciting night for him. Just overall, 198 00:09:37,040 --> 00:09:38,880 Speaker 1: what do you think about his performance and what he 199 00:09:38,920 --> 00:09:41,240 Speaker 1: adds to this offense? But not only was it his 200 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:45,240 Speaker 1: first game ever, but he's playing back home that a 201 00:09:45,240 --> 00:09:47,720 Speaker 1: lot of his family was there. Yeah, I mean, how 202 00:09:47,760 --> 00:09:51,400 Speaker 1: awesome is that? He clearly gives the Broncos something they've 203 00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:54,199 Speaker 1: been missing, you know, at at that tight end position. 204 00:09:54,320 --> 00:09:56,520 Speaker 1: He seems to be what we thought he was going 205 00:09:56,559 --> 00:09:59,959 Speaker 1: to be. A fast, explosive kind of guy who gave 206 00:10:00,480 --> 00:10:04,000 Speaker 1: Russell Wilson another weapon out there and the touchdown it 207 00:10:04,080 --> 00:10:06,280 Speaker 1: was a broken play, like he was just wide open, 208 00:10:06,360 --> 00:10:09,320 Speaker 1: but you could just tell he's got some bursts there. 209 00:10:09,880 --> 00:10:12,120 Speaker 1: And uh, even after he caught the ball, he just 210 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:15,040 Speaker 1: like went right into the end zone. So I feel 211 00:10:15,720 --> 00:10:18,719 Speaker 1: happy for him because I think as a rookie, it's 212 00:10:18,720 --> 00:10:21,080 Speaker 1: got to really suck to be injured and not be 213 00:10:21,160 --> 00:10:24,480 Speaker 1: there with your team. You feel like, hey, I'm a 214 00:10:24,480 --> 00:10:26,400 Speaker 1: I'm a rookie, I'm supposed to be learning, I'm supposed 215 00:10:26,400 --> 00:10:28,360 Speaker 1: to be grinding out there. I'm supposed to be doing 216 00:10:28,360 --> 00:10:30,880 Speaker 1: all these things as a rookie. And he just wasn't 217 00:10:30,920 --> 00:10:33,320 Speaker 1: able to do that. So uh, it looked like he 218 00:10:33,440 --> 00:10:35,800 Speaker 1: stayed in his playbook. It looked like he was doing 219 00:10:35,840 --> 00:10:37,920 Speaker 1: his homework. It looked like he was just able to 220 00:10:37,920 --> 00:10:41,240 Speaker 1: step in and take over that role. And of course 221 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:43,120 Speaker 1: he still needs to work on his blocking. That's not 222 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:46,120 Speaker 1: where you know, if he wants to be that type 223 00:10:46,120 --> 00:10:48,480 Speaker 1: of a tight end who can do both, he's got 224 00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:50,600 Speaker 1: to work on that area. But in terms of pass 225 00:10:50,600 --> 00:10:54,240 Speaker 1: catching and being that explosive guy, he is that. So 226 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:57,280 Speaker 1: that that's exciting and plus everybody talks about his hair, 227 00:10:57,320 --> 00:11:01,560 Speaker 1: but it's pretty awesomest there. And he's a nice guy. 228 00:11:01,679 --> 00:11:04,599 Speaker 1: I mean walking around the facility. You see in the cafeteria, 229 00:11:04,640 --> 00:11:07,600 Speaker 1: he always says, hey, what's going on. I like guys 230 00:11:07,640 --> 00:11:09,520 Speaker 1: like that who feel who are a little more personable, 231 00:11:09,559 --> 00:11:13,520 Speaker 1: and I feel happy for him. So exciting, exciting night 232 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:16,400 Speaker 1: for him, well felt. We heard from Justin Simmons earlier 233 00:11:16,400 --> 00:11:18,760 Speaker 1: in the show as well. He talked on press today. 234 00:11:19,040 --> 00:11:21,200 Speaker 1: You know, we know Justin Simmons very well. You know, 235 00:11:21,240 --> 00:11:24,560 Speaker 1: he's always so optimistic. But we saw how emotional he 236 00:11:24,760 --> 00:11:26,600 Speaker 1: was falling in the game on Monday night, and he 237 00:11:26,640 --> 00:11:29,400 Speaker 1: talked a little bit about that today but said there's 238 00:11:29,400 --> 00:11:32,320 Speaker 1: still so much season left that he's still really confident 239 00:11:32,400 --> 00:11:35,320 Speaker 1: that this team can turn it around. I said, it's 240 00:11:35,400 --> 00:11:38,079 Speaker 1: like tough because last week he said this is a 241 00:11:38,160 --> 00:11:41,400 Speaker 1: must win game and then they lost the must win games. 242 00:11:41,440 --> 00:11:44,000 Speaker 1: So what is that when in his mind that was 243 00:11:44,120 --> 00:11:46,720 Speaker 1: must win and they lost. So I think you understand 244 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:49,760 Speaker 1: why he was frustrated. Of course, he said it's a 245 00:11:49,800 --> 00:11:52,680 Speaker 1: must win game to get the team you know, locked 246 00:11:52,679 --> 00:11:56,400 Speaker 1: in and focused and stuff like that. But yeah, I 247 00:11:56,440 --> 00:12:01,240 Speaker 1: think that for guys like Justin Simmons, Courtland's Sun players 248 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:03,440 Speaker 1: who have been here for like four or five, six, 249 00:12:03,480 --> 00:12:07,920 Speaker 1: seven years like that, I think that you felt like, Okay, 250 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:10,520 Speaker 1: this year, things are gonna be different. You know, like 251 00:12:10,600 --> 00:12:15,200 Speaker 1: they've experienced so much losing and tough seasons and that 252 00:12:15,280 --> 00:12:18,360 Speaker 1: kind of thing where it's it becomes tough to like 253 00:12:18,440 --> 00:12:20,760 Speaker 1: give it your all and you're putting your body on 254 00:12:20,800 --> 00:12:23,600 Speaker 1: the line. You're working out every day in the off season, 255 00:12:23,679 --> 00:12:25,880 Speaker 1: the training camp all. I mean, of course they get 256 00:12:25,880 --> 00:12:28,160 Speaker 1: paid to do this and it's their job, but just 257 00:12:28,200 --> 00:12:31,960 Speaker 1: from an emotional standpoint, they put their heart and soul 258 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:34,520 Speaker 1: into this, and then when you just lose the games, 259 00:12:34,600 --> 00:12:37,559 Speaker 1: it can just wear on you. I mean, they're human beings. 260 00:12:38,360 --> 00:12:40,360 Speaker 1: And so the notion was like, okay, they just need 261 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:42,800 Speaker 1: a quarterback. Once they get that quarterback, this team is 262 00:12:42,800 --> 00:12:46,040 Speaker 1: gonna be really good. Lebroncos trade for Russell Wilson and 263 00:12:46,080 --> 00:12:49,840 Speaker 1: it hasn't been like anybody thought it was gonna be. 264 00:12:50,240 --> 00:12:52,600 Speaker 1: I'm sure that you know. Obviously a fans are have 265 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:55,120 Speaker 1: been discouraged, but inside the locker room they must be 266 00:12:55,280 --> 00:12:57,760 Speaker 1: the same way, you know, where they felt like, Okay, 267 00:12:57,800 --> 00:13:01,320 Speaker 1: things are gonna be different. And so when they've struggled 268 00:13:01,320 --> 00:13:04,679 Speaker 1: the way they have, it's got to be frustrating and 269 00:13:04,760 --> 00:13:07,480 Speaker 1: just like uh uh, kind of like you let the 270 00:13:07,520 --> 00:13:10,200 Speaker 1: hair out of the balloon a little bit. So I 271 00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:12,959 Speaker 1: agree though, that they still have a lot of season 272 00:13:13,040 --> 00:13:15,720 Speaker 1: left to play. If they can somehow get to the 273 00:13:15,760 --> 00:13:19,240 Speaker 1: bye week four and four and all of a sudden, 274 00:13:19,240 --> 00:13:21,800 Speaker 1: maybe you do a reset. The schedule of course gets 275 00:13:21,840 --> 00:13:24,640 Speaker 1: a lot harder, but maybe they could get on a roll. 276 00:13:24,840 --> 00:13:27,880 Speaker 1: I mean, it's a weird feeling because with Russ you 277 00:13:27,920 --> 00:13:32,120 Speaker 1: feel like, okay, maybe if it just clicks, they can 278 00:13:32,200 --> 00:13:34,680 Speaker 1: take off, and the defense has been playing so well, 279 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:37,800 Speaker 1: so you feel like that, but then what you're seeing 280 00:13:37,840 --> 00:13:41,480 Speaker 1: week after week after week, it's not that. So like 281 00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:44,280 Speaker 1: you're just in a tough spot where you just gotta 282 00:13:44,360 --> 00:13:47,560 Speaker 1: keep going. You gotta keep attacking it. You hear Russell 283 00:13:47,559 --> 00:13:51,440 Speaker 1: Wilson say, like he's still so confident that's the only 284 00:13:51,480 --> 00:13:53,679 Speaker 1: way you can do it because there is a lot 285 00:13:53,679 --> 00:13:56,120 Speaker 1: of season left and so they're gonna have to go 286 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:58,120 Speaker 1: out there and put their best foot forward every single 287 00:13:58,160 --> 00:14:00,920 Speaker 1: week and who knows what will happen, And it's gonna 288 00:14:00,920 --> 00:14:03,360 Speaker 1: be another tough matchup this weekend as well, you know, 289 00:14:03,400 --> 00:14:05,079 Speaker 1: the just for three and oh, on the road to 290 00:14:05,080 --> 00:14:06,960 Speaker 1: start the season. They've been looking really good the past 291 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:10,520 Speaker 1: couple of weeks. What are your hopes for Sunday? I should? 292 00:14:10,520 --> 00:14:13,960 Speaker 1: I think that on for the Broncos offense, they've got 293 00:14:13,960 --> 00:14:16,880 Speaker 1: to protect whoever is in at quarterback, infit's Russell Wilson, 294 00:14:17,640 --> 00:14:21,400 Speaker 1: even that much more so because this Jets defensive line, 295 00:14:21,600 --> 00:14:25,760 Speaker 1: Quentin Williams uh the leader there. I mean, they're gonna 296 00:14:25,760 --> 00:14:28,040 Speaker 1: get after the quarterback. They're gonna make it really difficult 297 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:31,080 Speaker 1: to run the ball. Uh. You saw how much trouble 298 00:14:31,120 --> 00:14:36,200 Speaker 1: they gave Aaron Rodgers last week in Green Bay. Like Uh, 299 00:14:36,240 --> 00:14:38,080 Speaker 1: I just think that they're going to have to find 300 00:14:38,080 --> 00:14:41,000 Speaker 1: a way to get either the ball out of Russ's 301 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:44,920 Speaker 1: hand faster, like get a running game going, or I 302 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:46,760 Speaker 1: don't know how healthy if Russ is gonna be able 303 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:49,400 Speaker 1: to move out of the pocket at all. Uh, They're 304 00:14:49,400 --> 00:14:52,200 Speaker 1: gonna have to figure out ways to protect the quarterback 305 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:56,080 Speaker 1: because that was a problem against the Chargers four sacks, 306 00:14:56,360 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 1: that was a problem against the Colts four sacks. I mean, 307 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:03,040 Speaker 1: Russ can't be getting sacked four times a game, So 308 00:15:03,120 --> 00:15:06,680 Speaker 1: they're gonna have to figure out a way to protect him. 309 00:15:06,680 --> 00:15:09,760 Speaker 1: And I think that is the first thing when you 310 00:15:09,800 --> 00:15:12,200 Speaker 1: face his Jets team. The second thing that you can't 311 00:15:12,240 --> 00:15:15,520 Speaker 1: turn the ball over. I mean Sauce Gardner Hackett was 312 00:15:15,520 --> 00:15:17,840 Speaker 1: asked about him today and just said, gosh, for a 313 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:20,720 Speaker 1: rookie has been playing really well. You saw him put 314 00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:23,760 Speaker 1: that cheese head on out there in Green Bay got 315 00:15:23,840 --> 00:15:25,960 Speaker 1: knocked off. I mean, that's a kind of a guy 316 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:29,560 Speaker 1: who plays with a lot of confidence. So I do 317 00:15:29,640 --> 00:15:31,160 Speaker 1: think that they need to find a way to get 318 00:15:31,200 --> 00:15:34,720 Speaker 1: Corland Sunnon involved, you know, get two catches last week. 319 00:15:35,240 --> 00:15:36,880 Speaker 1: I thought there was gonna be times where you're like, 320 00:15:37,120 --> 00:15:39,440 Speaker 1: just throw it up to him and see if he 321 00:15:39,440 --> 00:15:41,320 Speaker 1: can come down with it, maybe make a big play 322 00:15:41,400 --> 00:15:44,640 Speaker 1: or something. So if he's going up against Sauce, that's 323 00:15:44,680 --> 00:15:47,840 Speaker 1: gonna be a matchup I think to watch um. Or 324 00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:50,200 Speaker 1: if it's Judy against Sauce. I mean, they gotta get 325 00:15:50,240 --> 00:15:53,200 Speaker 1: the ball out their playmakers. Uh So they're gonna have 326 00:15:53,240 --> 00:15:55,800 Speaker 1: to figure that out. And then on defense, I think 327 00:15:55,800 --> 00:15:57,920 Speaker 1: you get after Zach Wilson a little bit. You know, 328 00:15:58,760 --> 00:16:01,760 Speaker 1: he let Baron Browning low what Bradley chub do what 329 00:16:01,800 --> 00:16:04,600 Speaker 1: they do. Let those guys in the interior do what 330 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:07,280 Speaker 1: they do. Maybe you can make him make a mistake. 331 00:16:07,360 --> 00:16:09,480 Speaker 1: Maybe you get him a little bit rattled, get him 332 00:16:09,520 --> 00:16:12,120 Speaker 1: off his game a little bit, and then I think 333 00:16:12,160 --> 00:16:14,800 Speaker 1: that they could have some success there. I mean, they 334 00:16:14,840 --> 00:16:17,360 Speaker 1: scored twenty seven points against the Hackers, but one of 335 00:16:17,360 --> 00:16:19,760 Speaker 1: those was a block field goal. One of those was 336 00:16:20,120 --> 00:16:23,160 Speaker 1: a field goal really late in the game after a 337 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:26,120 Speaker 1: fourth down stop. So it's not like their offense is 338 00:16:26,160 --> 00:16:29,440 Speaker 1: just killing it. So I expect the low scoring game 339 00:16:29,520 --> 00:16:32,200 Speaker 1: and if the Broncos are able to somehow get a 340 00:16:32,200 --> 00:16:34,920 Speaker 1: few big plays, maybe that's a difference. Hopefully the team 341 00:16:34,920 --> 00:16:37,680 Speaker 1: will turn things around this weekend. Phil, appreciate your time 342 00:16:37,720 --> 00:16:40,280 Speaker 1: and your insight today. Thanks said and again, I can't 343 00:16:40,320 --> 00:16:44,960 Speaker 1: believe I wore a green shirt. I'm embarrassing. Well, thank you, 344 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:48,160 Speaker 1: you got it. Well that'll do it for today's episode 345 00:16:48,200 --> 00:16:50,560 Speaker 1: of Broncos Now Broncos Country. Thanks so much for tuning 346 00:16:50,600 --> 00:16:53,240 Speaker 1: in to day and every day. Hope you meet me 347 00:16:53,320 --> 00:16:56,040 Speaker 1: right back here on the Broncos Podcast Network in YouTube 348 00:16:56,200 --> 00:16:59,120 Speaker 1: for another episode tomorrow. I'll see you all then.