1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:01,040 Speaker 1: What's a Broncos Country. 2 00:00:01,040 --> 00:00:03,440 Speaker 2: Welcome back to the Broncos podcast network and YouTube for 3 00:00:03,520 --> 00:00:06,080 Speaker 2: the latest episode of Broncos Now As Away From Your 4 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:08,639 Speaker 2: host is Sidney Jones, and coming up on today's episode, 5 00:00:08,680 --> 00:00:11,360 Speaker 2: we'll hear from owner and CEO Gregor Penner, head coach 6 00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:14,080 Speaker 2: Sean Payon, and a general manager George Paon as they 7 00:00:14,120 --> 00:00:16,680 Speaker 2: all held their end of the season press conferences, plus 8 00:00:16,800 --> 00:00:19,400 Speaker 2: from Lanni joins his show All that more coming out. 9 00:00:25,239 --> 00:00:27,160 Speaker 2: It was a busy day here at the Denver Broncos 10 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:29,960 Speaker 2: team headquarters as owner and CEO Greg Penner, head coach 11 00:00:30,080 --> 00:00:33,120 Speaker 2: Sean Payon, and a general manager George Payton all address 12 00:00:33,200 --> 00:00:35,600 Speaker 2: the media for their end of the season press conferences. 13 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:38,440 Speaker 2: Owner and CEO Greg Penner opened up his press conference 14 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:40,560 Speaker 2: today giving us evaluation of the season. 15 00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:42,720 Speaker 3: First of all, I thought we took a big step 16 00:00:42,800 --> 00:00:45,880 Speaker 3: forward this year. I was encouraged by what I saw, 17 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:50,760 Speaker 3: proud of the resilience that the players showed, as well 18 00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:54,920 Speaker 3: as the leadership of Sean and George and the whole staff. 19 00:00:56,560 --> 00:00:59,640 Speaker 3: With that said, we understand the championship standard that we 20 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:04,880 Speaker 3: have year and both for the organization and our fans expectations, 21 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:09,360 Speaker 3: this is a proud franchise, and we grade ourselves by 22 00:01:09,920 --> 00:01:11,080 Speaker 3: our winning record. 23 00:01:10,800 --> 00:01:14,080 Speaker 4: And this year we didn't. We didn't meet our expectations. 24 00:01:15,959 --> 00:01:18,360 Speaker 3: You know, I think back to when we were one 25 00:01:18,400 --> 00:01:23,319 Speaker 3: in five. I'm having sleepless nights and thinking, you know, 26 00:01:23,720 --> 00:01:27,240 Speaker 3: is this season of bust? And Sean came into my 27 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:29,959 Speaker 3: office a couple of days after the Kansas City game 28 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:33,399 Speaker 3: and had the Detroit Lions schedule and said, you know what, 29 00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:36,520 Speaker 3: I think we can be this year's Detroit Lions. And 30 00:01:36,560 --> 00:01:37,440 Speaker 3: bounced back from this. 31 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:39,360 Speaker 4: My chuckled a little bit, and. 32 00:01:41,080 --> 00:01:44,679 Speaker 3: The next five games were really thrilling and exciting for 33 00:01:44,800 --> 00:01:47,520 Speaker 3: us as owners, and I'm sure for our fans as well. 34 00:01:49,560 --> 00:01:52,680 Speaker 3: Young players stepped up during that period of time. Our vets, 35 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:56,680 Speaker 3: our defense had a resurgence. Special teams became one of 36 00:01:56,720 --> 00:01:59,640 Speaker 3: the best in the NFL. So then you go to 37 00:01:59,720 --> 00:02:03,600 Speaker 3: Chris this morning, and and you wake up after the 38 00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:05,320 Speaker 3: game the night before, you know, with a pit in 39 00:02:05,360 --> 00:02:08,079 Speaker 3: your stomach, knowing that you let a let a significant 40 00:02:08,080 --> 00:02:12,280 Speaker 3: opportunity slip by. And so I want to make sure 41 00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:17,720 Speaker 3: our fans understand, you know, I get their frustrations. Main 42 00:02:17,760 --> 00:02:21,640 Speaker 3: message for Broncos Country that I would have is we're 43 00:02:22,360 --> 00:02:25,760 Speaker 3: just as impatient as you are to win here, and 44 00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:27,720 Speaker 3: we understand we have a lot of work to do 45 00:02:27,840 --> 00:02:29,600 Speaker 3: this offseason to get better. 46 00:02:29,840 --> 00:02:30,120 Speaker 1: I'd go. 47 00:02:30,160 --> 00:02:32,760 Speaker 2: Sean Payn and a general manager, George Payton, added to that, 48 00:02:32,800 --> 00:02:35,760 Speaker 2: discussing the season from their perspectives. 49 00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:37,799 Speaker 5: My appetites, I think where it should be is a 50 00:02:37,800 --> 00:02:44,160 Speaker 5: little bit stronger. And I look, I said this at 51 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:48,000 Speaker 5: the start of the season, and it was really a 52 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:52,000 Speaker 5: discussion kind of off the record, but became I felt 53 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:53,720 Speaker 5: like we had a chance, this team had a chance 54 00:02:53,800 --> 00:02:57,680 Speaker 5: to to get into the postseason. And I feel that 55 00:02:57,800 --> 00:03:00,799 Speaker 5: the same way now. So I'm disappointed because of that, 56 00:03:00,880 --> 00:03:05,360 Speaker 5: and disappointed that I look back on a handful of 57 00:03:05,400 --> 00:03:08,560 Speaker 5: things I could have done differently and better and h 58 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:13,239 Speaker 5: and now, make no mistake about it, we finished where 59 00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:15,960 Speaker 5: our record was, and we could point to a few 60 00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:17,880 Speaker 5: games that would have gotten us to nine or ten, 61 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:19,560 Speaker 5: but we could have pointed to a few games that 62 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:22,720 Speaker 5: got us to six real quickly as well, all right, 63 00:03:23,639 --> 00:03:29,640 Speaker 5: And so that's generally that's generally the case each year. 64 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:39,200 Speaker 5: And so yeah, no, no past failed success, non success, 65 00:03:39,240 --> 00:03:41,520 Speaker 5: it is what it is. You know, it just leaves 66 00:03:43,640 --> 00:03:47,240 Speaker 5: you know a taste in your mouth that. 67 00:03:46,040 --> 00:03:50,800 Speaker 4: That you you look forward to the work. 68 00:03:50,840 --> 00:03:53,920 Speaker 5: And you know, again, the tough thing about it is, 69 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:54,800 Speaker 5: you don't get to a race. 70 00:03:54,840 --> 00:03:59,080 Speaker 4: It next Sunday. You know, here here it is. That's 71 00:03:59,080 --> 00:04:00,960 Speaker 4: the truth. I think we took a step. 72 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:04,080 Speaker 6: I think I'm encouraged with the progress we got off 73 00:04:04,080 --> 00:04:07,320 Speaker 6: to that slow start. I mean the Miami locker room 74 00:04:07,320 --> 00:04:11,320 Speaker 6: and that was a tough one. And and then you 75 00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:13,640 Speaker 6: go to Chicago you're down twenty eight seven three, and oh, 76 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:16,599 Speaker 6: I mean, man, that's tough. And then we have another 77 00:04:16,920 --> 00:04:19,320 Speaker 6: you know, number one and five. And so the thing 78 00:04:19,320 --> 00:04:22,240 Speaker 6: I would say about this team is they stuck together. Uh, 79 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:25,960 Speaker 6: stayed the core. Sean never flinched. You fell in the building, 80 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:26,599 Speaker 6: We're gonna. 81 00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:26,760 Speaker 4: Pull out of it. 82 00:04:26,839 --> 00:04:29,280 Speaker 6: No one, no one had any doubt. And so that's 83 00:04:29,320 --> 00:04:31,680 Speaker 6: a tribute to Sean and the staff and the team. 84 00:04:31,720 --> 00:04:34,039 Speaker 6: And then get to eight and seven, you know, to 85 00:04:34,080 --> 00:04:36,880 Speaker 6: have a chance, to have a chance, and then you know, 86 00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:39,080 Speaker 6: now we just need to finish. So I think there 87 00:04:39,080 --> 00:04:41,400 Speaker 6: are a lot of positives. Eight and nine, you know 88 00:04:41,520 --> 00:04:43,400 Speaker 6: is eight and nine and you know, I think Sean 89 00:04:43,480 --> 00:04:46,560 Speaker 6: said it, but uh, this is a good locker room. 90 00:04:46,880 --> 00:04:51,120 Speaker 6: And the guys love ball, and they fought and again 91 00:04:51,240 --> 00:04:52,159 Speaker 6: no pointing fingers. 92 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:52,719 Speaker 1: Plus. 93 00:04:52,760 --> 00:04:54,920 Speaker 2: Greg Pennter went on to give his evaluation of had 94 00:04:54,920 --> 00:04:57,080 Speaker 2: goat Sean pans first season with the Broncos. 95 00:04:57,480 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 3: I was impressed with how after the one in five start, 96 00:05:00,200 --> 00:05:04,720 Speaker 3: his leadership to bring us back from that adversity and 97 00:05:04,720 --> 00:05:08,880 Speaker 3: getting a position to make a playoff push. Very impressive 98 00:05:09,520 --> 00:05:13,160 Speaker 3: And probably the biggest thing here in terms of how 99 00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:16,680 Speaker 3: I think about the future and this organization moving forward, 100 00:05:16,760 --> 00:05:20,359 Speaker 3: is that he established a culture here. Is establishing a 101 00:05:20,400 --> 00:05:25,479 Speaker 3: culture here based on performance, excellence, hard work, accountability. 102 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:27,760 Speaker 2: Sean was also asked that and explained what do he 103 00:05:27,760 --> 00:05:29,480 Speaker 2: hopes to improve on for next season. 104 00:05:29,800 --> 00:05:34,960 Speaker 5: There's a couple of things. Our tight red zone was awful, 105 00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:38,920 Speaker 5: you know, and so all right, I got to look 106 00:05:38,960 --> 00:05:41,440 Speaker 5: closely at, you know, my sequencing and what I'm doing 107 00:05:41,480 --> 00:05:41,960 Speaker 5: calling it. 108 00:05:42,520 --> 00:05:44,440 Speaker 4: You know, inside what I mean by that is goal 109 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:44,680 Speaker 4: to go. 110 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:48,240 Speaker 5: We finished here that, you know, so our red zone 111 00:05:48,279 --> 00:05:51,920 Speaker 5: numbers are past the twenty, how many touchdowns, percentage, et cetera. 112 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:53,799 Speaker 4: You know, our opportunities. 113 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:56,280 Speaker 5: I think we're decent, you know, I think we were 114 00:05:56,320 --> 00:06:00,640 Speaker 5: fifty something that measured ninth or tenth but inside the 115 00:06:00,680 --> 00:06:03,159 Speaker 5: ten first and goal to go that wasn't good enough 116 00:06:04,200 --> 00:06:06,920 Speaker 5: third down. You know, there were a handful of things, 117 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:09,240 Speaker 5: and many of you have asked great questions about, Hey, 118 00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:15,320 Speaker 5: your offense, your offense, and overall, you know, it was 119 00:06:16,640 --> 00:06:20,839 Speaker 5: we collectively, starting with me, it wasn't good enough. We 120 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:26,040 Speaker 5: didn't take advantage of enough field position opportunities and games. 121 00:06:26,640 --> 00:06:28,360 Speaker 4: I want to get my eyes fixed. 122 00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:32,400 Speaker 5: So I call the right play and I don't mess 123 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:34,039 Speaker 5: up and call the wrong play on a play that 124 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:36,680 Speaker 5: happened one time this year that was embarrassing. 125 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:42,920 Speaker 4: But I think the here's the thing. 126 00:06:43,800 --> 00:06:45,920 Speaker 5: I think it's easier when you get older and more 127 00:06:45,960 --> 00:06:47,920 Speaker 5: secure with like who you are and what you do, 128 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:51,800 Speaker 5: and when you're younger, I think oftentimes you can be 129 00:06:51,920 --> 00:06:54,919 Speaker 5: very defensive with certain things. 130 00:06:55,279 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 4: The one thing that I know. 131 00:06:57,839 --> 00:07:03,320 Speaker 5: Is how to win, and like sometimes it may not 132 00:07:03,440 --> 00:07:06,320 Speaker 5: be that you got four hundred and eighty yards, but 133 00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:11,160 Speaker 5: understanding the strength of your team and then and then 134 00:07:11,200 --> 00:07:11,840 Speaker 5: playing to that. 135 00:07:11,920 --> 00:07:13,960 Speaker 4: And I think one of the challenges. 136 00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:16,760 Speaker 5: That I had this year, all of us collectively, is like, man, 137 00:07:17,120 --> 00:07:19,920 Speaker 5: how do we match up on the other side. How's 138 00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:22,160 Speaker 5: this game unfolding? I know some of you had questions 139 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:25,360 Speaker 5: about a couple of timeouts, and but half yard line 140 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:28,240 Speaker 5: end of the first half against Vegas. I'm calling that 141 00:07:28,280 --> 00:07:32,080 Speaker 5: time out again. Ninety nine out of one hundred. Just 142 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:35,480 Speaker 5: look at the statistics or field position balls and the 143 00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:44,800 Speaker 5: same one in New England. Really, but I would say, man, 144 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:48,520 Speaker 5: we have to be great with the details, and obviously, 145 00:07:49,320 --> 00:07:53,960 Speaker 5: you know we weren't good enough with the details if 146 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:57,280 Speaker 5: there were certain mistakes that were repeating themselves. And so 147 00:07:57,320 --> 00:07:59,800 Speaker 5: that starts with our teaching, our coaching. 148 00:08:00,160 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 2: And also detailed where he felt like the team made 149 00:08:02,040 --> 00:08:03,440 Speaker 2: their biggest strides this year. 150 00:08:03,760 --> 00:08:05,560 Speaker 6: Special teams. You know, we we've been in the bottom 151 00:08:05,560 --> 00:08:07,880 Speaker 6: of the league and special teams my first two years here. 152 00:08:08,480 --> 00:08:12,680 Speaker 6: And you know, it depends on what rankings you look at. 153 00:08:12,920 --> 00:08:16,560 Speaker 6: If you look at Westops were first, but we're probably 154 00:08:17,640 --> 00:08:18,680 Speaker 6: we're probably. 155 00:08:18,280 --> 00:08:19,120 Speaker 1: In the top five. 156 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:21,280 Speaker 6: And so I mean that that was a big emphasis 157 00:08:21,640 --> 00:08:24,360 Speaker 6: and really we've been trying to get there. And give 158 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:28,640 Speaker 6: credit to Mike Westop, Ben Cowica and Chris. 159 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:30,000 Speaker 4: Banjo you know for what they did. 160 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:32,480 Speaker 6: You know, we did bring in some players. You know, 161 00:08:32,520 --> 00:08:35,040 Speaker 6: you got Mims, you got Ridley Moss, you got Traymon Smith, 162 00:08:35,080 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 6: but these guys, you know, so really special teams was 163 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:41,600 Speaker 6: a big jump, you know, on defense. You know, like 164 00:08:41,679 --> 00:08:45,280 Speaker 6: Sean I think talked about is uh. I think the 165 00:08:45,360 --> 00:08:48,680 Speaker 6: defense for you formed an identity you know after you know, 166 00:08:48,679 --> 00:08:54,199 Speaker 6: about six seven games, physicality of creating turnovers and uh. 167 00:08:54,240 --> 00:08:56,600 Speaker 6: And so that was huge for our team. And the offense. 168 00:08:56,840 --> 00:08:59,000 Speaker 6: You know, we were running the ball pretty good obviously 169 00:08:59,080 --> 00:09:01,760 Speaker 6: late in the year. We but the offense, the identity 170 00:09:01,800 --> 00:09:03,760 Speaker 6: was physicality, all control. 171 00:09:04,600 --> 00:09:06,240 Speaker 4: We didn't turn it over much. You know. 172 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:08,840 Speaker 6: Obviously we need to get better in in you know, 173 00:09:09,559 --> 00:09:12,360 Speaker 6: all both those phases. But you know that that's where 174 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:13,959 Speaker 6: the jump was from prior years. 175 00:09:13,800 --> 00:09:16,160 Speaker 2: Plus, said coach Sean Payton was asked about Russell Wilson's 176 00:09:16,160 --> 00:09:17,520 Speaker 2: a future with the organization. 177 00:09:18,040 --> 00:09:20,480 Speaker 5: When when we get back and we begin this process 178 00:09:20,520 --> 00:09:26,000 Speaker 5: of looking at a roster, you know, where we select. 179 00:09:26,040 --> 00:09:30,440 Speaker 5: There's so many things that go into a decision specific 180 00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:34,959 Speaker 5: to the quarterback, which is significant obviously, So it's too 181 00:09:34,960 --> 00:09:38,480 Speaker 5: early at all. I spent half an hour with Russ yesterday, 182 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:43,520 Speaker 5: you know, and I told him, I said, look, you know, 183 00:09:43,559 --> 00:09:44,960 Speaker 5: I don't think it's going to be a long drawn 184 00:09:45,000 --> 00:09:49,400 Speaker 5: out process, but it hasn't been decided relative. 185 00:09:49,040 --> 00:09:51,000 Speaker 4: To what our plans are and uh. 186 00:09:52,559 --> 00:09:56,960 Speaker 5: But as as soon as we know something that that certainly, 187 00:09:57,840 --> 00:09:58,240 Speaker 5: you know, he. 188 00:09:58,200 --> 00:09:59,080 Speaker 4: Would be the first to know. 189 00:09:59,320 --> 00:10:01,319 Speaker 2: Greig Penn adda to that, detailing that it will be 190 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:03,880 Speaker 2: a football decision based on winning games. 191 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:05,679 Speaker 4: I wouldn't. 192 00:10:05,720 --> 00:10:07,880 Speaker 3: I mean, obviously, the financial part of it is a 193 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:12,640 Speaker 3: significant component, as you know, in terms of how this 194 00:10:12,720 --> 00:10:14,679 Speaker 3: works out in the future, but that's not what we'll 195 00:10:14,760 --> 00:10:17,280 Speaker 3: drive the decision. The decision, you know, will be driven 196 00:10:17,320 --> 00:10:19,880 Speaker 3: on what's in the best interest of this football team 197 00:10:19,920 --> 00:10:20,560 Speaker 3: winning games. 198 00:10:20,640 --> 00:10:23,040 Speaker 2: And last, but certainly not least, Greg Penter detailed what 199 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:26,080 Speaker 2: Broncos fans can be optimistic about for the future of 200 00:10:26,120 --> 00:10:26,720 Speaker 2: this team. 201 00:10:26,880 --> 00:10:30,240 Speaker 3: There's a number of reasons to be optimistic. I mean, one, 202 00:10:30,320 --> 00:10:32,800 Speaker 3: we improved our win total. I expect that to go 203 00:10:32,920 --> 00:10:36,880 Speaker 3: up next year. We broke some some key streaks. It 204 00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:38,960 Speaker 3: was great to get the win against the Chiefs. We've 205 00:10:38,960 --> 00:10:41,240 Speaker 3: got some other other humps to get over in the future. 206 00:10:43,520 --> 00:10:48,480 Speaker 3: The we had some young players emerge, significant improvement and 207 00:10:48,559 --> 00:10:52,080 Speaker 3: special teams. The medical side. You know, we haven't talked 208 00:10:52,080 --> 00:10:54,000 Speaker 3: about that much, but we had you know, last year 209 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:56,320 Speaker 3: when we did the end of season, you know, we're 210 00:10:56,360 --> 00:10:58,600 Speaker 3: really clear we've got to improve that for next year. 211 00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:00,800 Speaker 3: We'd been one of the most your teams for the 212 00:11:00,840 --> 00:11:03,760 Speaker 3: last five to six seasons. This year we're in the 213 00:11:03,760 --> 00:11:07,280 Speaker 3: top and a lot of the metrics, so significant improvement there. 214 00:11:08,679 --> 00:11:12,160 Speaker 3: But the biggest thing is is the culture, which sets 215 00:11:12,200 --> 00:11:15,400 Speaker 3: the floor for how we can go from here. And 216 00:11:15,480 --> 00:11:19,400 Speaker 3: on that front again, I'm very encouraged. We know we 217 00:11:19,480 --> 00:11:20,760 Speaker 3: have a lot of work to do to get to 218 00:11:20,760 --> 00:11:23,040 Speaker 3: where we want to be and this offseason is going 219 00:11:23,080 --> 00:11:23,719 Speaker 3: to be a busy one. 220 00:11:24,040 --> 00:11:26,120 Speaker 2: Now joining me here in the Broncos podcast studio to 221 00:11:26,120 --> 00:11:28,720 Speaker 2: take a look at today's news is Pellatine reporter film 222 00:11:28,720 --> 00:11:31,520 Speaker 2: Milani Feil. Thanks for joining me, a lot to get to, 223 00:11:31,679 --> 00:11:33,960 Speaker 2: a lot to talk about today rocast news. 224 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:36,480 Speaker 1: That means that I'm on Broncos. 225 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:38,959 Speaker 2: Now, of course, not our typical Wednesdays anymore, but happy 226 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:39,880 Speaker 2: to have you on regardless. 227 00:11:39,960 --> 00:11:41,199 Speaker 1: Thank you very much well. 228 00:11:41,240 --> 00:11:44,000 Speaker 2: Phil. To me, it felt like the biggest takeaway from 229 00:11:44,080 --> 00:11:46,920 Speaker 2: today's press conferences was just the fact that everyone was 230 00:11:46,960 --> 00:11:50,080 Speaker 2: on the same page Sean, George, Greg just about kind 231 00:11:50,080 --> 00:11:52,520 Speaker 2: of what the season looked like in the foundation that 232 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:54,760 Speaker 2: was really built the season. Obviously a lot to work 233 00:11:54,800 --> 00:11:57,520 Speaker 2: on and a lot to move forward from, but you know, 234 00:11:57,600 --> 00:11:59,920 Speaker 2: everyone still was on the same page about the fi 235 00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:02,600 Speaker 2: that foundation is that things are still moving forward here 236 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:03,160 Speaker 2: for this team. 237 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:05,040 Speaker 1: That's how I would sort of sum things up. 238 00:12:05,080 --> 00:12:07,319 Speaker 7: I would say that they were happy with the progress 239 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:13,000 Speaker 7: that they made this season. There's definite improvement shown by 240 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:16,640 Speaker 7: this Broncos team, but they were not They would not 241 00:12:16,720 --> 00:12:19,760 Speaker 7: label it like a successful season because they fell short 242 00:12:19,760 --> 00:12:23,560 Speaker 7: of their goal, you know. And I think that Bronco's 243 00:12:23,640 --> 00:12:26,080 Speaker 7: owner and CEO Greg Penner summed it up well when 244 00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:28,839 Speaker 7: he sort of had a message to fans and said, look, 245 00:12:29,679 --> 00:12:32,480 Speaker 7: I'm as impatient as you are. I want to see 246 00:12:32,920 --> 00:12:36,400 Speaker 7: winning football here. And I think that that's important to 247 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:40,160 Speaker 7: have that where the expectations are really high. You're happy 248 00:12:40,200 --> 00:12:42,360 Speaker 7: with the progress that's made, but you still know that 249 00:12:42,400 --> 00:12:44,559 Speaker 7: there's a lot of work that needs to be done. 250 00:12:44,760 --> 00:12:46,840 Speaker 1: And Champagne had maybe. 251 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:48,800 Speaker 7: The line of the of the whole day where he 252 00:12:48,840 --> 00:12:50,920 Speaker 7: said something like he was like foundation, he was like, 253 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:56,520 Speaker 7: we've just barely been like there's heavy construction. That's yes, exactly. 254 00:12:56,640 --> 00:12:58,720 Speaker 2: I think he was referring to the offense in that. 255 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:02,920 Speaker 7: Situation exactly, not the whole team, but definitely, I think 256 00:13:02,960 --> 00:13:05,960 Speaker 7: that you have to acknowledge that they did a lot 257 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:08,080 Speaker 7: of good things this year. They won the five games 258 00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:10,400 Speaker 7: in a row, won eight games for the first time 259 00:13:10,440 --> 00:13:14,200 Speaker 7: since twenty sixteen, beat the Chiefs, which is a big deal, 260 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:18,080 Speaker 7: won a road primetime game. Like there are definitely moments 261 00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:22,600 Speaker 7: to be pleased with, but overall, the Broncos fell short 262 00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:23,120 Speaker 7: of their goal. 263 00:13:23,320 --> 00:13:25,160 Speaker 2: Absolutely, Phil, Yeah, I kind of just told you my 264 00:13:25,280 --> 00:13:27,120 Speaker 2: main takeaway. So what do you think yours was from 265 00:13:27,160 --> 00:13:27,439 Speaker 2: the day? 266 00:13:27,679 --> 00:13:29,679 Speaker 7: Well, I think that all eyes are sort of on 267 00:13:29,720 --> 00:13:32,360 Speaker 7: that quarterback position SID and that's going to be sort 268 00:13:32,360 --> 00:13:34,920 Speaker 7: of the main talk this whole offseason. I think is 269 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:37,880 Speaker 7: just one of the Broncos going to do there. Sean 270 00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:41,199 Speaker 7: Payton said that he had a half an hour conversation 271 00:13:41,280 --> 00:13:44,560 Speaker 7: with Russell Wilson on Monday. He said that no decisions 272 00:13:44,600 --> 00:13:47,160 Speaker 7: have been made there and really with the entire team, 273 00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:49,320 Speaker 7: like this coaching staff, they're going to take a little 274 00:13:49,320 --> 00:13:51,160 Speaker 7: bit of a break here and then return back to 275 00:13:51,200 --> 00:13:54,000 Speaker 7: do their evaluations for every player on this team, and 276 00:13:54,040 --> 00:13:56,720 Speaker 7: that includes Russell Wilson. But he said that we're not 277 00:13:56,760 --> 00:13:58,880 Speaker 7: going to make this a long drawn out process with 278 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:01,640 Speaker 7: Russell Wilson. We're going to make a decision here. He's 279 00:14:01,679 --> 00:14:03,640 Speaker 7: going to be the first one to know, which I 280 00:14:03,640 --> 00:14:08,040 Speaker 7: think is fair, and then that whatever decision they make there, 281 00:14:08,400 --> 00:14:11,160 Speaker 7: that's going to sort of determine the rest of how 282 00:14:11,200 --> 00:14:15,200 Speaker 7: the off season is going to go, you know. And 283 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:17,600 Speaker 7: you know, we heard from Jared Stinham on Monday and 284 00:14:17,640 --> 00:14:19,640 Speaker 7: he was like, look, I want to be a starter 285 00:14:19,720 --> 00:14:22,480 Speaker 7: in this league and I'm hopeful and we'll see what happens. 286 00:14:22,520 --> 00:14:26,240 Speaker 7: So the Broncos have some decisions to make, and you know, 287 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:28,720 Speaker 7: I think that that's going to sort of determine where 288 00:14:28,760 --> 00:14:31,280 Speaker 7: the rest of this thing goes. But I think that 289 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:33,720 Speaker 7: that it sort of starts at the quarterbacks position for 290 00:14:33,760 --> 00:14:36,720 Speaker 7: the Broncos right now. But they certainly need a lot 291 00:14:36,760 --> 00:14:38,960 Speaker 7: of things to get better. I mean, Sean Payne was 292 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:41,800 Speaker 7: asked directly how he would evaluate his first season here, 293 00:14:42,080 --> 00:14:45,960 Speaker 7: and he said, look, my as a head coach, my 294 00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:49,480 Speaker 7: grading is determined on team's success. And so he said 295 00:14:49,480 --> 00:14:51,600 Speaker 7: he was eight and nine, so that sort of tells 296 00:14:51,600 --> 00:14:53,840 Speaker 7: you how he feels. And he said that he keeps 297 00:14:53,880 --> 00:14:56,480 Speaker 7: a notebook where he writes down things that he wants 298 00:14:56,520 --> 00:14:58,920 Speaker 7: to improve on and get better on moving forward, so 299 00:14:59,320 --> 00:15:02,080 Speaker 7: he knows that he could be better. And I think 300 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:07,000 Speaker 7: that overall this roster, I think George Payton talked about 301 00:15:07,200 --> 00:15:09,760 Speaker 7: needing to build depth, and he was encouraged by this 302 00:15:09,840 --> 00:15:13,440 Speaker 7: year's rookie class. Mentioned how Marvin Mims was a pro 303 00:15:13,480 --> 00:15:16,400 Speaker 7: bowler as a returner, thought he could grow into a 304 00:15:16,400 --> 00:15:19,360 Speaker 7: bigger role in the offense of side. And then he 305 00:15:19,680 --> 00:15:22,680 Speaker 7: mentioned like Rynie Moss, Drew Sanders, some guys that fit 306 00:15:22,760 --> 00:15:26,000 Speaker 7: into that, Jakwon McMillan, mold where as a rookie you 307 00:15:26,040 --> 00:15:28,760 Speaker 7: don't play that much, but then your next year you 308 00:15:28,800 --> 00:15:30,720 Speaker 7: can really take off. So he thought maybe there was 309 00:15:30,760 --> 00:15:34,400 Speaker 7: some candidates for that. And then overall just building this roster. 310 00:15:34,800 --> 00:15:37,440 Speaker 7: You know, they'll continue to do that as they head 311 00:15:37,440 --> 00:15:38,360 Speaker 7: into the offseason here. 312 00:15:38,440 --> 00:15:40,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, and the drafts only you know, a few months away. 313 00:15:40,520 --> 00:15:43,000 Speaker 2: This is the first time since twenty one that the 314 00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:45,160 Speaker 2: team has a first round pick, so that's going to 315 00:15:45,200 --> 00:15:46,440 Speaker 2: be key as well too, Phil. 316 00:15:46,360 --> 00:15:47,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, exactly. 317 00:15:47,400 --> 00:15:50,120 Speaker 7: And he talked about the depth, you know, he said 318 00:15:50,200 --> 00:15:53,800 Speaker 7: that good teams built that through the draft, and so 319 00:15:54,480 --> 00:15:57,160 Speaker 7: he mentioned that just because of where the financial picture 320 00:15:57,200 --> 00:15:59,520 Speaker 7: is right now for this Brocas team, probably not going 321 00:15:59,560 --> 00:16:02,640 Speaker 7: to be big ves and free agencies, so the fact 322 00:16:02,640 --> 00:16:04,840 Speaker 7: that they have the twelfth overall pick, they're going to 323 00:16:04,880 --> 00:16:07,120 Speaker 7: have to hit on that pick whatever direction they end 324 00:16:07,200 --> 00:16:09,640 Speaker 7: up going and then throughout the course of the entire draft, 325 00:16:09,760 --> 00:16:12,720 Speaker 7: just building that. Then you know, this is the second 326 00:16:12,760 --> 00:16:15,520 Speaker 7: off season now is Sean Payton, and so you're going 327 00:16:15,560 --> 00:16:18,560 Speaker 7: to see them continue to mold this team into what 328 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:21,880 Speaker 7: Sean Payton likes, you know, And that's why consistency is 329 00:16:21,880 --> 00:16:24,520 Speaker 7: so important that that hit coaching spot is because year 330 00:16:24,560 --> 00:16:27,880 Speaker 7: after year you're continuing to build in the direction of 331 00:16:27,960 --> 00:16:31,280 Speaker 7: how the coach wants to play. So this is gonna 332 00:16:31,280 --> 00:16:34,320 Speaker 7: be a big off season. Of course, a decision with 333 00:16:34,360 --> 00:16:38,480 Speaker 7: Pat Sartan, you know, George Peyton said, spoke so highly 334 00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:40,480 Speaker 7: of him and said that, you know, they're going to 335 00:16:40,560 --> 00:16:42,640 Speaker 7: have to get to work here on what they do 336 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:46,400 Speaker 7: with him moving forward. So he's eligible for an extension here. 337 00:16:46,520 --> 00:16:48,880 Speaker 7: So this is gonna be a big off season for 338 00:16:48,920 --> 00:16:49,760 Speaker 7: this Broncos team. 339 00:16:50,080 --> 00:16:52,000 Speaker 2: Well, and you know George Payton, he did say that 340 00:16:52,040 --> 00:16:54,120 Speaker 2: they feel like they're already a step ahead having all 341 00:16:54,160 --> 00:16:56,520 Speaker 2: of last off season with head coach Don Payton here. 342 00:16:56,920 --> 00:16:59,520 Speaker 2: You know, both Sean and George talked about that relationship 343 00:16:59,560 --> 00:17:01,280 Speaker 2: and what they've over the past year. I know Greg 344 00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:03,400 Speaker 2: even talked about it too and spoke very highly of 345 00:17:03,680 --> 00:17:05,560 Speaker 2: you know, the relationship that they've built together. 346 00:17:05,680 --> 00:17:09,000 Speaker 7: Yeah, I mean, those three really working together determine the 347 00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:13,400 Speaker 7: direction how this franchise goes. You know, Champagnes set over 348 00:17:13,480 --> 00:17:15,600 Speaker 7: and over how important it is to have the support 349 00:17:15,640 --> 00:17:19,399 Speaker 7: there from ownership, and you know, I think that Greg 350 00:17:19,840 --> 00:17:21,879 Speaker 7: Pennar did a really great job today just sort of 351 00:17:21,880 --> 00:17:25,080 Speaker 7: instilling that the most important thing to ownership is winning 352 00:17:25,080 --> 00:17:27,720 Speaker 7: football games, you know, and he talked about like waking 353 00:17:27,800 --> 00:17:29,760 Speaker 7: up on Christmas morning and having that pit in your 354 00:17:29,800 --> 00:17:33,720 Speaker 7: stomach after the loss of the Patriots. So you know, 355 00:17:34,840 --> 00:17:38,400 Speaker 7: this group wants to win. They're dedicated to winning. They've 356 00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:42,200 Speaker 7: got a passion and a fiery competitive spirit to get 357 00:17:42,240 --> 00:17:44,920 Speaker 7: back on the winning side of things. And I think 358 00:17:44,960 --> 00:17:47,840 Speaker 7: that you've got to be encouraged and know that there's 359 00:17:47,880 --> 00:17:52,679 Speaker 7: some really respected pieces of the puzzle here within the 360 00:17:52,720 --> 00:17:55,440 Speaker 7: building here, and so they're going to continue to work 361 00:17:55,480 --> 00:18:00,480 Speaker 7: and evaluate things and move forward here and hopefully winning 362 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:01,120 Speaker 7: football team. 363 00:18:01,200 --> 00:18:01,400 Speaker 1: Yeah. 364 00:18:01,400 --> 00:18:04,240 Speaker 2: Absolutely. It was interesting to hear Greg and his opening 365 00:18:04,280 --> 00:18:06,640 Speaker 2: statement fell talk about how you know, after that one 366 00:18:06,680 --> 00:18:08,920 Speaker 2: in five story, he talked about how he was having 367 00:18:08,960 --> 00:18:11,520 Speaker 2: sleepless nights and you know, head coach on Pan he 368 00:18:11,720 --> 00:18:14,800 Speaker 2: went into his office and was basically like, look, I'm 369 00:18:14,800 --> 00:18:17,080 Speaker 2: going to give you the Lions schedule and record from 370 00:18:17,160 --> 00:18:19,040 Speaker 2: last year. This is what we can do. This is 371 00:18:19,040 --> 00:18:21,800 Speaker 2: how we can turn this season around. And they did 372 00:18:21,840 --> 00:18:22,359 Speaker 2: exactly that. 373 00:18:22,600 --> 00:18:25,240 Speaker 7: Yeah, I've sometimes like seeing helps you believe that it's 374 00:18:25,280 --> 00:18:28,520 Speaker 7: possible to do that, and the Lions certainly were an 375 00:18:28,520 --> 00:18:32,920 Speaker 7: example for this team. And you know, the Lions obviously 376 00:18:32,960 --> 00:18:34,760 Speaker 7: made a huge jump from. 377 00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:35,960 Speaker 1: Last year to this year. 378 00:18:36,160 --> 00:18:38,359 Speaker 7: You know where they ended up winning their division, and 379 00:18:38,400 --> 00:18:41,119 Speaker 7: I think that that's where the Broncos that could be 380 00:18:41,160 --> 00:18:43,960 Speaker 7: like their next goal here is not just making the playoffs, Well, 381 00:18:44,040 --> 00:18:46,000 Speaker 7: let's contend for the division. You know, that would be 382 00:18:46,000 --> 00:18:49,040 Speaker 7: a huge step for this team. And continuing to use 383 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:51,879 Speaker 7: the Lions as sort of that example of how you 384 00:18:51,920 --> 00:18:54,800 Speaker 7: can turn things around. And that's been a big part 385 00:18:54,840 --> 00:18:57,080 Speaker 7: of what this last season was about, too, is just 386 00:18:57,119 --> 00:19:01,200 Speaker 7: sort of flipping the page and instilling that culture and 387 00:19:01,240 --> 00:19:05,040 Speaker 7: that winning mindset. And I think that they've done that 388 00:19:05,119 --> 00:19:08,000 Speaker 7: this year, but it just then't result in the playoffs, 389 00:19:08,080 --> 00:19:10,880 Speaker 7: which this year that was a goal for this team. 390 00:19:11,320 --> 00:19:14,520 Speaker 2: I think. Lastly, Phil, the biggest takeaway, one of the 391 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:16,640 Speaker 2: biggest takeaways I think that we haven't talked about yet, 392 00:19:16,720 --> 00:19:20,320 Speaker 2: is just the optimism for this fan base. I know, Greg, 393 00:19:20,359 --> 00:19:22,040 Speaker 2: he talked a lot about what there is to look 394 00:19:22,080 --> 00:19:24,240 Speaker 2: forward to and what they're building off of here so 395 00:19:24,320 --> 00:19:26,479 Speaker 2: that Broncos Country can be excited about it too. 396 00:19:26,680 --> 00:19:29,359 Speaker 7: Yeah, and I think there's reason to be optimistic about 397 00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:31,440 Speaker 7: this team, like sort of the reasons we mentioned there, 398 00:19:31,600 --> 00:19:34,159 Speaker 7: just that there's people who are dedicated to winning in 399 00:19:34,200 --> 00:19:37,360 Speaker 7: this building, and there's people who have you know, with Champagne, 400 00:19:37,359 --> 00:19:39,159 Speaker 7: and he won a Super Bowl before, he knows what 401 00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:41,640 Speaker 7: it looks like. He knows what it takes to get there. 402 00:19:41,960 --> 00:19:44,359 Speaker 7: And you know, he's going to continue to build this 403 00:19:44,480 --> 00:19:47,159 Speaker 7: team in the direction that he thinks is best in 404 00:19:47,280 --> 00:19:50,479 Speaker 7: terms of trying to win football games. And you know, 405 00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:52,600 Speaker 7: I do think that the sense in the locker room 406 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:54,439 Speaker 7: a little bit on Monday was sort of like, we 407 00:19:54,480 --> 00:19:56,400 Speaker 7: don't know what kind of decisions are going to be made. 408 00:19:56,720 --> 00:19:58,680 Speaker 7: We know that there's going to be some tough changes, 409 00:19:58,760 --> 00:20:01,439 Speaker 7: and you know, the Broncos continue, They're going to continue 410 00:20:01,480 --> 00:20:04,600 Speaker 7: to move in this direction. And we saw that result 411 00:20:04,600 --> 00:20:07,000 Speaker 7: in a five game winning streak this year when this 412 00:20:07,040 --> 00:20:10,440 Speaker 7: team everybody was buying in, playing with that passion, believing 413 00:20:10,480 --> 00:20:13,320 Speaker 7: in each other, having that confidence and that sort of 414 00:20:13,320 --> 00:20:16,960 Speaker 7: fizzled down the stretch of the season there. But I 415 00:20:16,960 --> 00:20:18,679 Speaker 7: think Zach Allen put it in a nice ways that 416 00:20:18,720 --> 00:20:21,440 Speaker 7: when it was there, this Broncos team was e leade. 417 00:20:21,480 --> 00:20:23,520 Speaker 7: They beat teams that are in the playoffs. You know, 418 00:20:23,760 --> 00:20:25,560 Speaker 7: they beat the Chiefs, they beat the Bills, they beat 419 00:20:25,560 --> 00:20:28,520 Speaker 7: the Browns. You know, they had some big wins. Now 420 00:20:28,560 --> 00:20:31,520 Speaker 7: it's just in terms of trying to do that consistently, 421 00:20:31,920 --> 00:20:34,119 Speaker 7: making sure that you're playing with that same type of 422 00:20:34,240 --> 00:20:38,560 Speaker 7: energy and attitude and mindset confidence playing with that every 423 00:20:38,600 --> 00:20:41,040 Speaker 7: single week. And you know what that would do, in 424 00:20:41,080 --> 00:20:43,960 Speaker 7: my mind, said was it was translating some of these 425 00:20:43,960 --> 00:20:46,960 Speaker 7: games that you think the Broncos should win, that'll translate 426 00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:49,840 Speaker 7: those into actual wins. And I kind of liked what 427 00:20:49,960 --> 00:20:53,119 Speaker 7: Champagne said where he said, look, it's easy to go 428 00:20:53,240 --> 00:20:56,720 Speaker 7: back and look and say, hey, we should have beat Washington, 429 00:20:56,800 --> 00:20:58,800 Speaker 7: or should have beat the Jets, or should have beat 430 00:20:58,840 --> 00:21:00,760 Speaker 7: the Patriots, and then all of a sudd and you're 431 00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:03,600 Speaker 7: talking about ten win season. He said, don't forget though, 432 00:21:03,720 --> 00:21:05,720 Speaker 7: that it could have easily been the other way around, 433 00:21:05,760 --> 00:21:08,000 Speaker 7: where you know, maybe you don't beat the Bills, maybe 434 00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:10,119 Speaker 7: you don't beat the Chiefs. Now you're talking about a 435 00:21:10,160 --> 00:21:13,440 Speaker 7: six win season, so he said that those things tend 436 00:21:13,440 --> 00:21:17,680 Speaker 7: to even out over the course of a season. But overall, 437 00:21:17,760 --> 00:21:21,760 Speaker 7: the three today, Greg Penner, George Payton, and Sean Payne, 438 00:21:21,840 --> 00:21:25,240 Speaker 7: they were very honest about sort of where they didn't 439 00:21:25,240 --> 00:21:28,560 Speaker 7: sugar coat anything. You know, they acknowledged, Look, there's things 440 00:21:28,600 --> 00:21:30,120 Speaker 7: to be happy about, but there's a lot of work 441 00:21:30,119 --> 00:21:33,040 Speaker 7: to be done. And I think that that's some things 442 00:21:33,080 --> 00:21:33,720 Speaker 7: up pretty well. 443 00:21:33,920 --> 00:21:34,560 Speaker 2: I think so too. 444 00:21:34,640 --> 00:21:36,480 Speaker 1: Yep. I love to look forward to this offseason. 445 00:21:36,560 --> 00:21:39,080 Speaker 2: Is going to be an busy offseason, like you said, Phil. 446 00:21:38,960 --> 00:21:42,480 Speaker 1: But yeah, a first round pick, you gotta be that's 447 00:21:42,520 --> 00:21:42,920 Speaker 1: been a while. 448 00:21:43,160 --> 00:21:45,240 Speaker 7: Whatever direction they end up going in, you know that 449 00:21:45,760 --> 00:21:49,320 Speaker 7: at twelve you're going to get somebody who can be 450 00:21:49,400 --> 00:21:51,240 Speaker 7: like a pat certain and you know who's going to 451 00:21:51,280 --> 00:21:53,919 Speaker 7: come in right away and be a playmaker. And so 452 00:21:55,080 --> 00:21:56,800 Speaker 7: that's the kind of talent you're talking about them going 453 00:21:56,880 --> 00:21:58,760 Speaker 7: to be able to bring in and then sort of 454 00:21:58,800 --> 00:22:02,080 Speaker 7: revamp this raw and continue to build in the direction 455 00:22:02,160 --> 00:22:03,360 Speaker 7: that Champayton sees fit. 456 00:22:03,440 --> 00:22:05,920 Speaker 1: And that's a reason for optimism. Absolutely. 457 00:22:05,960 --> 00:22:07,960 Speaker 2: I agree. Well, feel appreciate you joining the show today. 458 00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:09,480 Speaker 1: Thank you very much, said appreciate it. 459 00:22:10,080 --> 00:22:12,199 Speaker 2: Let's going to do it for today's episode of Broncos Now. 460 00:22:12,240 --> 00:22:14,679 Speaker 2: Broncos Country, thanks so much for tuning in. Now that 461 00:22:14,720 --> 00:22:17,280 Speaker 2: it's the off season, new episodes of Broncos Now will 462 00:22:17,320 --> 00:22:19,359 Speaker 2: be coming out once a week, so make sure to 463 00:22:19,400 --> 00:22:21,480 Speaker 2: meet me right back here on the Broncos Podcast network 464 00:22:21,520 --> 00:22:23,560 Speaker 2: and YouTube and next week for a new episode. 465 00:22:23,640 --> 00:22:24,480 Speaker 7: I will see you all then