1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,440 Speaker 1: What's thet Broncos Country. Welcome back inside the UC held 2 00:00:02,480 --> 00:00:05,760 Speaker 1: Training Center for another episode of Broncos Now. Game reporter 3 00:00:05,800 --> 00:00:08,720 Speaker 1: and host Sidney Jones here and coming up. On today's episode, 4 00:00:08,840 --> 00:00:11,280 Speaker 1: we'll hear from Minterram head coach Jerry Rossberg as he 5 00:00:11,320 --> 00:00:14,240 Speaker 1: gives the final injury report ahead of the Broncos Week 6 00:00:14,320 --> 00:00:17,920 Speaker 1: eighteen matchup for c l A Chargers Los Broncos. Lead 7 00:00:17,920 --> 00:00:20,119 Speaker 1: writer Eric de Lalage went a show for a game 8 00:00:20,160 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: preview all then Mark Coming up, the Broncos will return 9 00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:31,440 Speaker 1: to in Power Field at Mile High in just two 10 00:00:31,480 --> 00:00:33,920 Speaker 1: days to take on the Los Angeles Chargers for their 11 00:00:33,960 --> 00:00:36,960 Speaker 1: final game of this season. Take a listen as interim 12 00:00:36,960 --> 00:00:39,840 Speaker 1: head coach Jerry Rossberg gives the final injury report ahead 13 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 1: of Sunday's game. Rossberg ruled out defensive tackle d J. Jones, 14 00:00:43,560 --> 00:00:47,680 Speaker 1: tackle Calvin Anderson, and wide receiver Kendall Hinton, and tighten 15 00:00:47,880 --> 00:00:51,839 Speaker 1: Eric Soubert, quarterback to Mario Mathis, outside linebacker Jonathan Congbo, 16 00:00:52,159 --> 00:00:55,480 Speaker 1: tighten Eric Tomlinson, an offensive lineman Billy Turner are all 17 00:00:55,520 --> 00:00:59,240 Speaker 1: listed as questionable. And as Jerry Rossberg's time as interim 18 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:01,680 Speaker 1: head coach come to an end, you reflected today on 19 00:01:01,720 --> 00:01:03,880 Speaker 1: the past two weeks and what he's learned. At the most, 20 00:01:04,080 --> 00:01:06,080 Speaker 1: I've learned a lot of football. Yeah I have, and 21 00:01:06,160 --> 00:01:08,920 Speaker 1: I when you're away for a little bit, perhaps you're 22 00:01:08,959 --> 00:01:12,280 Speaker 1: not sure how the football culture has changed. So what 23 00:01:12,319 --> 00:01:14,959 Speaker 1: I've learned about football is the basics of football have 24 00:01:15,040 --> 00:01:18,520 Speaker 1: not changed. There's it's still fundamental, so it's still blocking 25 00:01:18,520 --> 00:01:21,479 Speaker 1: and tackling and catching and running, and that that part 26 00:01:21,520 --> 00:01:24,200 Speaker 1: has not changed, although you know the rules have changed 27 00:01:24,240 --> 00:01:26,360 Speaker 1: and so forth. But it's uh, it's still a great, 28 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:28,720 Speaker 1: great game and I love this game. Osberg also went 29 00:01:28,720 --> 00:01:30,360 Speaker 1: on to talk about how much you missed the game 30 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:32,640 Speaker 1: after being away from it the past few years. I 31 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:35,920 Speaker 1: think the thing that I thought I missed and that 32 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:39,319 Speaker 1: has been reconfirmed that I missed was my engagement with 33 00:01:39,319 --> 00:01:42,319 Speaker 1: the players. I love these guys, man, and a lot 34 00:01:42,319 --> 00:01:44,880 Speaker 1: of these guys didn't know me coming in, and someone 35 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:48,240 Speaker 1: embraced me early, some embraced me later on, and some 36 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 1: perhaps haven't embraced me. But I really appreciate these relationships 37 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:54,160 Speaker 1: that I build up over the years. And it's not 38 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:56,280 Speaker 1: just about building a relationship. If you just do that 39 00:01:56,320 --> 00:01:57,960 Speaker 1: as a coach and you're not doing your job. It's 40 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:00,880 Speaker 1: about trying to help them become better players and better 41 00:02:00,920 --> 00:02:03,880 Speaker 1: men so when they venture out in the world, they're 42 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:08,920 Speaker 1: prepared for that. And I have deep seated relationships in 43 00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:11,440 Speaker 1: my life that they've these players have raised me up 44 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:13,600 Speaker 1: and I'm a better man for it. So that's what 45 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:18,320 Speaker 1: I missed, and I'm pretty confident I made some relationships 46 00:02:18,320 --> 00:02:21,160 Speaker 1: here that will be life lasting. Now joining me here 47 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:25,079 Speaker 1: inside the Broncos podcast studio is Broncos'd writer Eric d. Lala. Eric, 48 00:02:25,320 --> 00:02:28,080 Speaker 1: last game preview of the season, we made it. We 49 00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:30,440 Speaker 1: made it kind of better. Sweet, that's true. Yeah, I 50 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:33,359 Speaker 1: wish I wish we had more games left, said, Yeah, 51 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:35,720 Speaker 1: sad to see it come to an end. Um, it's 52 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:38,440 Speaker 1: sad to see things play out the way they did. Yes, 53 00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:41,959 Speaker 1: me too. Well, looking at this last game, Eric, just really, 54 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:43,919 Speaker 1: what do you hope to see from you know, Russell 55 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:46,799 Speaker 1: Wilson in this offense is just try and finish the 56 00:02:46,840 --> 00:02:49,000 Speaker 1: season strong here, Yeah, I mean, I think it's important. 57 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:51,400 Speaker 1: Even though the game doesn't necessarily matter in terms of 58 00:02:51,400 --> 00:02:54,160 Speaker 1: the standings, and they haven't for a while, I still 59 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:57,200 Speaker 1: think it's important for Russ to continue to play well, 60 00:02:57,240 --> 00:02:59,079 Speaker 1: to show what he did against Kansas City, when he 61 00:02:59,160 --> 00:03:01,840 Speaker 1: rushed for a pair of downs, made some big time throws. 62 00:03:01,880 --> 00:03:05,200 Speaker 1: I mean, the passing yardage totals weren't ridiculous, but there 63 00:03:05,200 --> 00:03:07,520 Speaker 1: were some throws where you're like, wow, that was a 64 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:09,760 Speaker 1: really good play. That's what we expect from Russell Wilson. 65 00:03:10,280 --> 00:03:12,720 Speaker 1: I think if you have another game like that and 66 00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:14,560 Speaker 1: you can go into the off season saying, Okay, we 67 00:03:14,600 --> 00:03:17,000 Speaker 1: scored you know, twenty plus points and four of our 68 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:20,079 Speaker 1: last five games, you know, dating back to that Chiefs game, 69 00:03:20,160 --> 00:03:22,560 Speaker 1: the Cardinals game, even though Brett Rippon didn't play, and 70 00:03:22,639 --> 00:03:25,079 Speaker 1: obviously again against the Chiefs of this week against the Chargers, 71 00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:27,079 Speaker 1: you can say, Okay, we built momentum, were closer to 72 00:03:27,120 --> 00:03:29,840 Speaker 1: where we want to be as an offense. Obviously, I 73 00:03:29,840 --> 00:03:32,600 Speaker 1: would assume there's gonna be a new scheme. Maybe not, 74 00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:36,040 Speaker 1: but I would think that's certainly a high possibility next 75 00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:37,840 Speaker 1: year that there'd be a new scheme. But I think 76 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:40,760 Speaker 1: you would show to whoever the future coaches um that 77 00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:43,520 Speaker 1: Russell Wilson is still a guy you want on your side. 78 00:03:43,800 --> 00:03:45,920 Speaker 1: I think you would show to the other guys in 79 00:03:45,920 --> 00:03:47,800 Speaker 1: the locker room that rust is still capable of leading 80 00:03:47,800 --> 00:03:50,760 Speaker 1: this team. Um, I think Russell himself would probably gain 81 00:03:50,840 --> 00:03:52,520 Speaker 1: some confidence. I'm sure it's been a tough year and 82 00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:54,400 Speaker 1: he talks about hey, I don't waiver, I don't blank 83 00:03:54,440 --> 00:03:57,120 Speaker 1: all those things, but I'm sure you know, he would 84 00:03:57,120 --> 00:03:59,480 Speaker 1: like to go into the offseason on a high note. 85 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:02,160 Speaker 1: And um, I definitely think it's possible. He played well 86 00:04:02,200 --> 00:04:04,560 Speaker 1: against the Chargers early in that game the last time 87 00:04:04,560 --> 00:04:08,400 Speaker 1: the Broncos faced off, Um, and he I think is 88 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:12,360 Speaker 1: is playing better football. Um, you know, we'll have to 89 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:14,800 Speaker 1: see kind of what the Broncos approaches. They played a 90 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:19,000 Speaker 1: pretty conservative game plan, a lot of heavy personnel, uh, 91 00:04:19,320 --> 00:04:22,520 Speaker 1: kind of grinded the clock down. But Jerry Rossberg said 92 00:04:22,520 --> 00:04:24,120 Speaker 1: this week, we need to play outside the box a 93 00:04:24,160 --> 00:04:26,359 Speaker 1: little bit more, take more shots. So maybe there's some 94 00:04:26,360 --> 00:04:29,159 Speaker 1: more explosive plays this week. Um, but cinea. You know, 95 00:04:29,320 --> 00:04:31,480 Speaker 1: I thought last week what I saw from Russell Wilson 96 00:04:31,520 --> 00:04:35,960 Speaker 1: was encouraging. Hopefully that can keep going again here. Yeah, definitely, no, Eric, 97 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:38,080 Speaker 1: if they are able to get the win this weekend, 98 00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:39,919 Speaker 1: what do you really just think it would mean for 99 00:04:39,960 --> 00:04:42,800 Speaker 1: this team to be able to avoid going winless in 100 00:04:42,839 --> 00:04:45,960 Speaker 1: the f c US this season? Because yeah, it's it's 101 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:49,640 Speaker 1: not good. I would say that it in the moment 102 00:04:50,240 --> 00:04:52,320 Speaker 1: one these guys will just be happy to celebrate a win, 103 00:04:52,400 --> 00:04:55,760 Speaker 1: and you know, enter the offseason, you know, like Jerry 104 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:57,360 Speaker 1: Rossberg has talked about, with a smile on their face, 105 00:04:57,440 --> 00:04:59,560 Speaker 1: leaving the locker room for the last time, last time 106 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:02,360 Speaker 1: this group of guys will be together. And I think 107 00:05:02,400 --> 00:05:04,480 Speaker 1: the blunt truth is that it's the last time this 108 00:05:04,600 --> 00:05:07,400 Speaker 1: coaching staff and its entirety the way it looks right now, 109 00:05:07,440 --> 00:05:09,359 Speaker 1: will be together. You know, there's always changes to some 110 00:05:09,520 --> 00:05:13,040 Speaker 1: degree no matter what happens with this head coaching search UM. 111 00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:15,680 Speaker 1: And then I think just from a you know, the 112 00:05:15,720 --> 00:05:18,200 Speaker 1: way history looks at this team, if you can get 113 00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:20,640 Speaker 1: a win and get to to five and twelve, or 114 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:23,239 Speaker 1: you can avoid being winless in the a f C West, 115 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:25,359 Speaker 1: I think it just when you look back on this 116 00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:27,240 Speaker 1: in a few years, it'll be nice to not to 117 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:30,760 Speaker 1: say this team was historically bad. From the standpoint of 118 00:05:30,920 --> 00:05:33,359 Speaker 1: no a f C West wins or the most losses 119 00:05:33,400 --> 00:05:36,560 Speaker 1: in franchise history. You just don't want to ever be 120 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:40,760 Speaker 1: part of that group that UM reaches those marks. And 121 00:05:40,880 --> 00:05:42,960 Speaker 1: Jerry Rosberg said, listen, I'm I'm not a negative guy. 122 00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:45,000 Speaker 1: I'm not talking to him about, Hey, let's avoid this streak, 123 00:05:45,080 --> 00:05:47,520 Speaker 1: let's avoid this number. It's more about going out and 124 00:05:47,520 --> 00:05:50,400 Speaker 1: getting a win and focusing on the positives. But I 125 00:05:50,680 --> 00:05:52,560 Speaker 1: do think if you're a player, you don't want to 126 00:05:52,560 --> 00:05:54,680 Speaker 1: be a part of that group that ends up kind 127 00:05:54,680 --> 00:05:59,000 Speaker 1: of with that asterisk attached to you. So, um, still 128 00:05:59,040 --> 00:06:00,880 Speaker 1: a lot on the line. It's stake, even if it's 129 00:06:00,920 --> 00:06:03,599 Speaker 1: more kind of in a moment, just being happy ending 130 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:06,039 Speaker 1: the season well and then and later on not being 131 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:09,400 Speaker 1: identified as as one of the least successful teams in 132 00:06:09,560 --> 00:06:12,080 Speaker 1: franchise history for sure. Yeah. And I talked to Courtland 133 00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:13,880 Speaker 1: saw In earlier in the weekend. He said that, I mean, 134 00:06:14,200 --> 00:06:16,320 Speaker 1: none of the players want to be part of the 135 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:18,880 Speaker 1: team that goes to win lest there, So you're certainly 136 00:06:18,920 --> 00:06:20,960 Speaker 1: right about that, Eric, And we heard earlier in the 137 00:06:20,960 --> 00:06:24,080 Speaker 1: show from Jerry Rossberg just says he's reflected on the 138 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:27,120 Speaker 1: past two weeks being here. So, Eric, what have you 139 00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:29,800 Speaker 1: thought just about how he's been able to, you know, 140 00:06:29,839 --> 00:06:32,440 Speaker 1: turn things around in a sense in the final two 141 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:34,920 Speaker 1: weeks of the season. Yeah, well, we'll see what happens 142 00:06:34,920 --> 00:06:37,400 Speaker 1: this weekend. Obviously, UM, I want to see a larger 143 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:41,000 Speaker 1: sample size before kind of declaring that he's done these things. 144 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:44,200 Speaker 1: But I think based on what you saw against the Chiefs, 145 00:06:45,279 --> 00:06:48,120 Speaker 1: more fundamentally sound, fewer mistakes. You don't want to be 146 00:06:48,160 --> 00:06:49,960 Speaker 1: a team that beats yourself. I think in the NFL, 147 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:52,719 Speaker 1: if you can be a team that it doesn't beat yourself, 148 00:06:53,240 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 1: you're gonna win a lot of games because you see 149 00:06:55,279 --> 00:06:57,800 Speaker 1: other teams all the time make mistakes that end up 150 00:06:57,880 --> 00:07:00,000 Speaker 1: hurting them, and so if you can avoid those yourselves, 151 00:07:00,200 --> 00:07:02,400 Speaker 1: you're gonna be in good shape. I think this is 152 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:05,040 Speaker 1: a team that still played hard. I think they are, 153 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:08,640 Speaker 1: you know, they're fighting um and hard to tell said 154 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 1: you know, they fought all seasons. So is that just 155 00:07:10,520 --> 00:07:12,200 Speaker 1: who these guys are in the locker room. I think 156 00:07:12,200 --> 00:07:14,600 Speaker 1: that that's probably the case. But when you mix that 157 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:18,160 Speaker 1: with the fundamentals, the discipline, the accountability that Jerry Rossberg 158 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:19,880 Speaker 1: has brought in the last couple of weeks, I think 159 00:07:19,880 --> 00:07:22,280 Speaker 1: that's a really good combination. And that's what you know, 160 00:07:22,320 --> 00:07:23,920 Speaker 1: We've talked about this a lot. That's what I'd like 161 00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:26,000 Speaker 1: to see from the next head coach is somebody that's 162 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:28,840 Speaker 1: not exactly like Jerry Rossberg, but someone who has similar 163 00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:32,560 Speaker 1: traits in terms of bringing accountability and discipline and being 164 00:07:32,600 --> 00:07:36,240 Speaker 1: that CEO type leader, um, somebody that guys look up 165 00:07:36,280 --> 00:07:38,960 Speaker 1: to they don't want to disappoint. So I think the 166 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:41,280 Speaker 1: fact that he's been able to bring that, combined with 167 00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:44,080 Speaker 1: the passion and the way the guys play hard. Anyway, 168 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 1: it resulted in a good performance against the Chiefs and 169 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:50,080 Speaker 1: hopefully the same thing happens this weekend against l A. Yeah, 170 00:07:50,120 --> 00:07:51,640 Speaker 1: you mentioned some of the traits you'd like to see 171 00:07:51,640 --> 00:07:54,040 Speaker 1: in the next head coach, Eric. You know, we heard 172 00:07:54,080 --> 00:07:56,360 Speaker 1: Russell talk about it this week, and of course owner 173 00:07:56,360 --> 00:07:58,600 Speaker 1: and CEO Greg Pennery he mentioned it in there his 174 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:01,240 Speaker 1: press conference. You know, a few weeks to go for you, 175 00:08:02,240 --> 00:08:06,320 Speaker 1: what's like, I guess the main focus when you know, 176 00:08:06,960 --> 00:08:09,600 Speaker 1: going through these interviews and picking ad coach that you think, 177 00:08:10,200 --> 00:08:12,640 Speaker 1: you know, this team should hone in on. Yeah, I mean, 178 00:08:12,800 --> 00:08:15,480 Speaker 1: I know they're gonna interview. What we've heard is there 179 00:08:15,520 --> 00:08:18,080 Speaker 1: gonna interview some guys who are potential first time candidates, 180 00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:19,480 Speaker 1: and I don't want to rule any of those guys 181 00:08:19,520 --> 00:08:21,640 Speaker 1: out because you could get blown away. And you know, 182 00:08:21,640 --> 00:08:23,760 Speaker 1: like Damiko Ryan's for example, he's one of those guys 183 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:26,320 Speaker 1: that gets brought up, brought up as ay, a really 184 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:28,880 Speaker 1: good future head coach in this league. We've heard the 185 00:08:28,880 --> 00:08:31,440 Speaker 1: Broncs want to interview a Gero ever o He's got 186 00:08:31,440 --> 00:08:33,760 Speaker 1: those traits as well. But I do think when I 187 00:08:33,800 --> 00:08:36,319 Speaker 1: look at it, just somebody that has been through this before. 188 00:08:36,679 --> 00:08:38,360 Speaker 1: You know, the Broncos have had three first time head 189 00:08:38,360 --> 00:08:40,640 Speaker 1: coaches in a row. To have somebody that that knows 190 00:08:40,679 --> 00:08:42,360 Speaker 1: what it's like to be the head coach and knows 191 00:08:42,400 --> 00:08:44,760 Speaker 1: how to set the travel routine and knows how to 192 00:08:44,960 --> 00:08:47,559 Speaker 1: set up the preseason and training camp, and knows how 193 00:08:47,559 --> 00:08:49,679 Speaker 1: to if you win a game, how do you go 194 00:08:49,720 --> 00:08:51,440 Speaker 1: win a second game? Or you have won four in 195 00:08:51,440 --> 00:08:52,640 Speaker 1: a row, how do you make it so you don't 196 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:54,520 Speaker 1: fall into a trap when you play a team with 197 00:08:54,559 --> 00:08:56,520 Speaker 1: a losing record, Or on the flip side, if you've 198 00:08:56,520 --> 00:08:58,199 Speaker 1: lost a couple of games in a row, how do 199 00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:00,000 Speaker 1: you make it so that your season doesn't fall by 200 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:03,040 Speaker 1: the wayside um. I think all those things are important, 201 00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:05,800 Speaker 1: and I think ultimately what helps you get there is 202 00:09:05,800 --> 00:09:08,520 Speaker 1: one experience, But also, like I mentioned said, somebody that 203 00:09:08,880 --> 00:09:11,600 Speaker 1: has that kind of like aura around them where you 204 00:09:11,640 --> 00:09:13,880 Speaker 1: don't want to let them down. You don't want to 205 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:16,080 Speaker 1: you know, it doesn't mean they've got to be a 206 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:18,800 Speaker 1: jerk or screaming all the time. I don't. I think, 207 00:09:19,040 --> 00:09:21,000 Speaker 1: you know, there are plenty of guys that are. You know, 208 00:09:21,040 --> 00:09:23,320 Speaker 1: people described Mike Shanahan when he was here as a 209 00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:25,800 Speaker 1: player's coach. We've heard Steve that what our talk at 210 00:09:25,880 --> 00:09:28,840 Speaker 1: length about how much he loves Mike Shanahan, but also 211 00:09:28,960 --> 00:09:31,199 Speaker 1: Mike Shanahan. You wouldn't want to let Mike Shanahan down. 212 00:09:31,200 --> 00:09:33,319 Speaker 1: You don't want to disappoint him. It was it's almost 213 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:36,280 Speaker 1: kind of this, that's what accountability is. When you know 214 00:09:36,320 --> 00:09:38,199 Speaker 1: how much everyone is putting into it, you don't want 215 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:40,679 Speaker 1: to be the person to let that slip. That standard 216 00:09:40,720 --> 00:09:42,720 Speaker 1: starts with the head coach. And so I think if 217 00:09:42,720 --> 00:09:45,360 Speaker 1: the Broncos could obviously easier said than donet find somebody 218 00:09:45,400 --> 00:09:48,079 Speaker 1: like Mike Shannahon who's should be in the Hall of Fame. 219 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:51,480 Speaker 1: But I do think that type of leader, somebody that 220 00:09:51,640 --> 00:09:54,120 Speaker 1: sets a standard that everybody wants to live up to, 221 00:09:54,200 --> 00:09:56,040 Speaker 1: not that you have to live up to, you want, 222 00:09:56,200 --> 00:09:57,760 Speaker 1: you want to do it, and you do everything you 223 00:09:57,800 --> 00:10:00,560 Speaker 1: possibly can to get there. I think that would put 224 00:10:00,559 --> 00:10:02,880 Speaker 1: the Broncos in a really good position next season. Definitely 225 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:07,280 Speaker 1: the last one here for you just kind of overarching Eric, 226 00:10:07,320 --> 00:10:09,920 Speaker 1: when you look back at the season, what do you 227 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:12,560 Speaker 1: think has kind of just been the most challenging part 228 00:10:12,600 --> 00:10:15,040 Speaker 1: for this team. M Yeah, that's a good question. So 229 00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:17,520 Speaker 1: I'm sure as the Broncos moved forward, they'll do a 230 00:10:17,559 --> 00:10:20,160 Speaker 1: deep dive. You know here coaches do that at the 231 00:10:20,240 --> 00:10:22,280 Speaker 1: end of the year. UM. I would imagine it'll be 232 00:10:22,360 --> 00:10:25,240 Speaker 1: more George Peyton, Greg Penner as they try to figure 233 00:10:25,240 --> 00:10:28,080 Speaker 1: out what went wrong this season. I'd I'd see a 234 00:10:28,120 --> 00:10:30,439 Speaker 1: few things. Well, the injuries obviously, and you don't want 235 00:10:30,440 --> 00:10:32,960 Speaker 1: to make that excuse, but the Broncos were among the 236 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:35,600 Speaker 1: most injured teams in the league. Um, have a ton 237 00:10:35,679 --> 00:10:37,760 Speaker 1: of star guys on I R and so you can't 238 00:10:37,840 --> 00:10:41,120 Speaker 1: leave that off. You need more out of your quarterback. 239 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:43,079 Speaker 1: You know. Russ would be the first to say, hey, 240 00:10:43,080 --> 00:10:45,040 Speaker 1: I've got to play to my standard. UM. I don't 241 00:10:45,040 --> 00:10:48,000 Speaker 1: think he reached that consistently this year. There were certainly 242 00:10:48,040 --> 00:10:50,760 Speaker 1: some games where he played well. UM, and I think flashes, 243 00:10:50,800 --> 00:10:53,040 Speaker 1: like we've talked about all year, that that show he 244 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:55,040 Speaker 1: can still be that guy, but we didn't see it 245 00:10:55,120 --> 00:10:57,920 Speaker 1: consistently enough. And then third said, I just think that 246 00:10:57,960 --> 00:11:00,880 Speaker 1: they're the way the season started. It you have that 247 00:11:00,920 --> 00:11:03,560 Speaker 1: tough loss to Seattle, you have really a tough win 248 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:06,680 Speaker 1: over Houston, and then you respond to a loss in 249 00:11:06,760 --> 00:11:10,360 Speaker 1: Las Vegas with that, to me, the worst loss of 250 00:11:10,360 --> 00:11:13,840 Speaker 1: the year, which was against the Colts. You know, to me, 251 00:11:14,120 --> 00:11:16,600 Speaker 1: things just got to that point and then they started 252 00:11:16,640 --> 00:11:18,760 Speaker 1: to snowball a little bit. And I think, if you 253 00:11:18,840 --> 00:11:21,040 Speaker 1: had and this is a big thing for next year too, 254 00:11:21,040 --> 00:11:23,120 Speaker 1: if you have someone that has a head coach, can 255 00:11:23,280 --> 00:11:25,920 Speaker 1: can stop you from getting to that point where a 256 00:11:25,960 --> 00:11:27,880 Speaker 1: loss to the Raiders becomes a loss to the Colts, 257 00:11:27,960 --> 00:11:29,400 Speaker 1: or a loss of the Colts becomes a loss of 258 00:11:29,400 --> 00:11:31,800 Speaker 1: the Chargers, and you can just settle things down a 259 00:11:31,840 --> 00:11:33,880 Speaker 1: little bit, I think, and then you get to the 260 00:11:33,880 --> 00:11:36,680 Speaker 1: buy at a four and four, five and three, you 261 00:11:36,679 --> 00:11:38,200 Speaker 1: get to a point where you're still in it, like 262 00:11:38,240 --> 00:11:40,600 Speaker 1: a lot of teams. Then I think maybe the rest 263 00:11:40,600 --> 00:11:42,480 Speaker 1: of the way, some of these other games, whether it's 264 00:11:42,679 --> 00:11:44,800 Speaker 1: at home to the Raiders or on the road against 265 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:47,720 Speaker 1: the Titans, or on the road against a backup quarterback 266 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:50,520 Speaker 1: in Baltimore, maybe some of those games you start to 267 00:11:50,520 --> 00:11:53,959 Speaker 1: believe you've found a winning recipe and you're able to 268 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:56,160 Speaker 1: continue that and maybe you're looking up right now when 269 00:11:56,160 --> 00:11:58,760 Speaker 1: you're maybe you're eight and eight and it's still not perfect, 270 00:11:58,800 --> 00:12:01,040 Speaker 1: but you've got a chance, depending what happens this weekend, 271 00:12:01,360 --> 00:12:04,719 Speaker 1: to make the playoffs. And so obviously there's things to 272 00:12:04,800 --> 00:12:07,040 Speaker 1: correct with this roster. You gotta get guys healthy, you 273 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:08,920 Speaker 1: gotta find the right head coach you need better at 274 00:12:08,920 --> 00:12:10,760 Speaker 1: a Russell Wilson. But I do think that when I 275 00:12:10,800 --> 00:12:14,000 Speaker 1: look at this year, just the right head coach I 276 00:12:14,040 --> 00:12:17,360 Speaker 1: think can make a difference of on a four or 277 00:12:17,360 --> 00:12:19,640 Speaker 1: five wins where you can be in position next year 278 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:23,720 Speaker 1: to be in the playoff hunt. And um, the last 279 00:12:23,720 --> 00:12:25,400 Speaker 1: thing I would say there said is I think guys 280 00:12:25,440 --> 00:12:29,319 Speaker 1: came into this year saying, hey, super Bowl or bust, 281 00:12:29,360 --> 00:12:31,439 Speaker 1: and we're we're going to be good because Russ is here, 282 00:12:31,640 --> 00:12:33,640 Speaker 1: We're gonna be good. And I think maybe some guys 283 00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:36,240 Speaker 1: figured out, hey, you can have a great quarterback, you 284 00:12:36,320 --> 00:12:38,800 Speaker 1: still gotta you still gotta put in the work, you 285 00:12:38,880 --> 00:12:42,439 Speaker 1: still gotta perform at a high level. And so I 286 00:12:42,480 --> 00:12:44,319 Speaker 1: would expect going into next year and we'll have to 287 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:46,760 Speaker 1: see how guys handle it, but I would think they're 288 00:12:47,040 --> 00:12:49,680 Speaker 1: some of that talk about championships and super Bowls would 289 00:12:49,679 --> 00:12:51,640 Speaker 1: be tempered a little bit and be more about, Hey, 290 00:12:52,160 --> 00:12:54,160 Speaker 1: let's get better today. Let's do the work to put 291 00:12:54,160 --> 00:12:56,440 Speaker 1: ourselves in position to win. And I think if the 292 00:12:56,440 --> 00:12:59,439 Speaker 1: Bronchos do that, they'll be okay. We'll still hope, a 293 00:12:59,480 --> 00:13:02,040 Speaker 1: lot of hope to look forward to in the off season. 294 00:13:02,120 --> 00:13:04,760 Speaker 1: So Eric, appreciate you coming on. Appreciate you coming on 295 00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:08,360 Speaker 1: every I guess week, twice a week. I was trying 296 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:09,760 Speaker 1: to think how many times I had you on everyone 297 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:12,080 Speaker 1: I've been a regular. I think you have for sure. Well, 298 00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:16,640 Speaker 1: thanks for you know, a good season. Appreciate your insight always. Yeah, 299 00:13:16,720 --> 00:13:19,160 Speaker 1: we'll try to be better next year. Well that'll do 300 00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:22,080 Speaker 1: it for today's episode of Broncos Now Broncos Country. Thanks 301 00:13:22,080 --> 00:13:24,319 Speaker 1: so much for tuning in. Don't forget kickoff on it 302 00:13:24,440 --> 00:13:27,320 Speaker 1: Sunday is at two amountain time. I hope to see 303 00:13:27,320 --> 00:13:29,880 Speaker 1: you all out of power Field at Mile High this weekend, 304 00:13:29,920 --> 00:13:31,760 Speaker 1: but if not, I will see you right back here 305 00:13:31,960 --> 00:13:35,240 Speaker 1: on the Broncos Podcast network and YouTube for another episode 306 00:13:35,400 --> 00:13:36,520 Speaker 1: following Sunday's game.