1 00:00:07,080 --> 00:00:09,960 Speaker 1: Hello everyone, Welcome back inside the U S Health Training 2 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:13,320 Speaker 1: Center for another episode of Broncos Now. I'm your host, 3 00:00:13,440 --> 00:00:15,880 Speaker 1: Sidney Jones, and we are now just one day out 4 00:00:16,040 --> 00:00:19,000 Speaker 1: from the Broncos a final preseason game and in power 5 00:00:19,040 --> 00:00:22,840 Speaker 1: Field at Mile High versus the Minnesota Vikings, which means 6 00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:25,960 Speaker 1: there's just one game left for general manager George Payton 7 00:00:25,960 --> 00:00:29,240 Speaker 1: and company to evaluate this team's roster ahead of the 8 00:00:29,320 --> 00:00:33,400 Speaker 1: final round of cuts next Tuesday. Offensive coordinator just now 9 00:00:33,440 --> 00:00:36,040 Speaker 1: in details what he'll be looking for on Saturday and 10 00:00:36,080 --> 00:00:39,120 Speaker 1: what the key to evaluating some of these younger guys is. 11 00:00:39,360 --> 00:00:41,400 Speaker 1: The number one is just to see how fast they 12 00:00:41,400 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 1: can play. Now with the plan that we've been practicing 13 00:00:43,400 --> 00:00:45,360 Speaker 1: the last couple of days, they got a lot of 14 00:00:45,360 --> 00:00:48,640 Speaker 1: reps under their belt. Just putting those guys in situations 15 00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:51,760 Speaker 1: where they can play fast. Um again, you're gonna face 16 00:00:51,800 --> 00:00:54,240 Speaker 1: a different style of defense each and every week. Um 17 00:00:54,440 --> 00:00:58,200 Speaker 1: So with uh, these guys are just they're hungry and 18 00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:00,720 Speaker 1: the ready rock. This is. The preparation has been awesome. 19 00:01:00,720 --> 00:01:03,800 Speaker 1: They've had extra media time this this week. We repped 20 00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:05,760 Speaker 1: a lot towards the back end of practice as well, 21 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:08,360 Speaker 1: so we're hoping they fly around and Special teams coordinator 22 00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:11,640 Speaker 1: Dwayne Stokes discusses the voice he will have throughout this 23 00:01:11,760 --> 00:01:14,480 Speaker 1: final cutdown process. I don't know how much of a 24 00:01:14,560 --> 00:01:16,760 Speaker 1: voice I have, but I am going to express my opinion. 25 00:01:16,840 --> 00:01:19,679 Speaker 1: You know, obviously, if we want to get to be 26 00:01:19,760 --> 00:01:22,319 Speaker 1: in one of the elite units in the NFL, we 27 00:01:22,360 --> 00:01:24,520 Speaker 1: need to keep quality guys around that can play at 28 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:27,280 Speaker 1: a high level. So I'm gonna tell George my opinion. 29 00:01:27,319 --> 00:01:29,360 Speaker 1: I'm gonna tell Coach Hacking my opin. Hopefully he has 30 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:32,040 Speaker 1: some influence on some of those back end roster guys. 31 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:34,800 Speaker 1: Like I discussed on yesterday's show, Brett Rippon will start 32 00:01:34,840 --> 00:01:37,960 Speaker 1: into this preseason finale for the Broncos, and head coach 33 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:41,319 Speaker 1: Nathaniel Hackett details what he likes about brett skill set. 34 00:01:41,520 --> 00:01:43,039 Speaker 1: Bret's one of those guys that when he has that 35 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:45,640 Speaker 1: perfect footwork, when he has a complete understanding of the 36 00:01:45,640 --> 00:01:48,040 Speaker 1: play and what he's trying to accomplish, he's unbelievably efficient. 37 00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:50,000 Speaker 1: And I think we've seen that this past game, even 38 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:52,280 Speaker 1: the first game vers Dallas. I mean, he did do 39 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:54,880 Speaker 1: a lot of really good things. So um, just the rhythm, 40 00:01:55,240 --> 00:01:57,560 Speaker 1: the understanding of using your feet, your hitch to be 41 00:01:57,600 --> 00:01:59,600 Speaker 1: able to make you more accurate. He's really bought into 42 00:01:59,640 --> 00:02:01,600 Speaker 1: that and you can see that up to this point. 43 00:02:01,680 --> 00:02:04,800 Speaker 1: We heard yesterday from a defensive coordinator, Igero Overro and 44 00:02:04,880 --> 00:02:09,000 Speaker 1: his disappointment with the defense's performance Verse Buffalo. He shares 45 00:02:09,040 --> 00:02:11,560 Speaker 1: what his message to the defense will be this week 46 00:02:11,639 --> 00:02:13,440 Speaker 1: and what he hopes to see from them. There's a 47 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:17,880 Speaker 1: lot of things. It's more physicality, it's more urgency, more competitiveness, 48 00:02:18,280 --> 00:02:20,040 Speaker 1: better coaching, it's all of it. We all got to 49 00:02:20,080 --> 00:02:22,720 Speaker 1: be better. Now. Joining me here in the studio is 50 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 1: Bronco's lead writer Erica Lala. Eric, appreciate you joining me 51 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:29,480 Speaker 1: on the show as always, absolutely, Yes. Well, it is 52 00:02:29,600 --> 00:02:34,080 Speaker 1: the Broncos final preseason game tomorrow. Finally preseason is coming 53 00:02:34,080 --> 00:02:36,400 Speaker 1: to an end. Eric, what do you think about this 54 00:02:36,440 --> 00:02:38,280 Speaker 1: team's effort just over the past couple of weeks, in 55 00:02:38,280 --> 00:02:41,119 Speaker 1: their progress throughout the preseason. Yeah, I mean you've seen 56 00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:43,760 Speaker 1: a ton of progress from this team. Obviously, it's a 57 00:02:43,800 --> 00:02:46,800 Speaker 1: new offense, it's a new defense in some ways, and 58 00:02:46,840 --> 00:02:49,400 Speaker 1: that the terminology is different. This team has had a 59 00:02:49,440 --> 00:02:51,720 Speaker 1: lot to accomplish, and you know, adding Russell Wilson is 60 00:02:51,760 --> 00:02:54,600 Speaker 1: obviously a huge move, something that makes this team a 61 00:02:54,680 --> 00:02:56,399 Speaker 1: lot better, but there was still a lot of work 62 00:02:56,400 --> 00:02:57,760 Speaker 1: to be done. And I think the Broncos over the 63 00:02:57,880 --> 00:03:00,720 Speaker 1: last few weeks, both in training camp, in the off 64 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:05,000 Speaker 1: season program, workouts at Russell Wilson's house in Seattle, excuse me, 65 00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:09,160 Speaker 1: in San Diego. Uh, you know, preseason games against the Cowboys, 66 00:03:09,240 --> 00:03:11,640 Speaker 1: against the Bills, and now this week against the Vikings. 67 00:03:11,639 --> 00:03:13,640 Speaker 1: We've seen them take strides. We've seen them put in 68 00:03:13,639 --> 00:03:16,320 Speaker 1: the work. It's been a non traditional training camp in 69 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:18,600 Speaker 1: terms of the way that Nathaniel Hackett has structured it 70 00:03:18,639 --> 00:03:21,359 Speaker 1: with some off days. But uh, I think they've done 71 00:03:21,440 --> 00:03:23,520 Speaker 1: enough and obviously the work's not done yet, but they're 72 00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:25,440 Speaker 1: in a good spot as we get closer to the 73 00:03:25,480 --> 00:03:28,000 Speaker 1: regular season. I know there's a lot of things to 74 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:31,400 Speaker 1: watch for tomorrow, but what specifically will you be watching for? 75 00:03:31,560 --> 00:03:34,560 Speaker 1: Who specifically will you be watching? Yeah, I think there's 76 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:37,200 Speaker 1: obviously a few guys that still have a chance to 77 00:03:37,240 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 1: make this roster. You think about, uh, the quarterback position, 78 00:03:40,440 --> 00:03:43,520 Speaker 1: for one, Brett Rippon's gonna get that opportunity to make 79 00:03:43,560 --> 00:03:46,280 Speaker 1: his first start of the preseason. Josh Johnson still pushing 80 00:03:46,320 --> 00:03:48,800 Speaker 1: for that role as well, So that's a critical battle 81 00:03:48,800 --> 00:03:51,280 Speaker 1: to watch. But then I think you look at outside linebacker, 82 00:03:51,320 --> 00:03:54,280 Speaker 1: you look at defensive line, you look at cornerback, all 83 00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:57,080 Speaker 1: of those spots on this defense, you're not just competing 84 00:03:57,120 --> 00:03:59,080 Speaker 1: for a spot against the guys on the roster right now, 85 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:01,400 Speaker 1: but also all these players are going to get waive 86 00:04:01,440 --> 00:04:04,600 Speaker 1: they're released here in the coming days. The Pro Personnel 87 00:04:04,640 --> 00:04:06,280 Speaker 1: department is going to be looking at every single one 88 00:04:06,320 --> 00:04:08,520 Speaker 1: of those players. So if you're a guy who's on 89 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:10,840 Speaker 1: you know you're battling to make this roster, you're on 90 00:04:10,880 --> 00:04:12,960 Speaker 1: the bubble, You've got to make a case not just 91 00:04:13,040 --> 00:04:15,720 Speaker 1: against the guys you're fighting on this roster, but everywhere 92 00:04:15,720 --> 00:04:17,599 Speaker 1: else across the league to make sure that George Payton 93 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:20,760 Speaker 1: doesn't bring in somebody else. Uh. And so defensively, that's 94 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:22,680 Speaker 1: what I'm looking for. And then you know at the 95 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:25,159 Speaker 1: wide receiver position, which one of those guys is going 96 00:04:25,200 --> 00:04:28,080 Speaker 1: to solidify himself. There might only be one or two 97 00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:31,400 Speaker 1: spots up for grabs behind Montreal Washington. Who's going to 98 00:04:31,440 --> 00:04:34,839 Speaker 1: take that spot? Eric, you mentioned Brett Rippon and Josh Johnson. 99 00:04:35,600 --> 00:04:38,000 Speaker 1: Where do you think those two guys stand? As you know, 100 00:04:38,080 --> 00:04:40,040 Speaker 1: this will be the final battle to try and get 101 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 1: that spot behind Russell Wilson. Yeah, it's hard to say 102 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:45,280 Speaker 1: exactly what the coaches are thinking, but what I think 103 00:04:45,480 --> 00:04:47,680 Speaker 1: is that Brett Ribbon is going to have to have 104 00:04:47,880 --> 00:04:50,200 Speaker 1: a really great game. And that's nothing against Brett, but 105 00:04:50,279 --> 00:04:52,760 Speaker 1: I think that these guys have been pretty even throughout 106 00:04:52,800 --> 00:04:55,960 Speaker 1: training camp. And because of Josh Johnson's experience, you know, 107 00:04:56,040 --> 00:04:58,800 Speaker 1: he's been with fourteen fifteen different teams, he's been, He's 108 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:01,400 Speaker 1: been in this league for a long time. Because of 109 00:05:01,400 --> 00:05:04,200 Speaker 1: that experience, I think a tie might go to him, 110 00:05:04,240 --> 00:05:07,120 Speaker 1: just because Brett doesn't have as much starting experience, just 111 00:05:07,200 --> 00:05:11,200 Speaker 1: one game against the Jets back in four career regular 112 00:05:11,240 --> 00:05:13,280 Speaker 1: season games. So he's gonna have to go out, I think, 113 00:05:13,279 --> 00:05:15,719 Speaker 1: and really wow in this opportunity. And that's not to 114 00:05:15,720 --> 00:05:17,880 Speaker 1: say you can't do it, because I really do think 115 00:05:17,920 --> 00:05:20,560 Speaker 1: he has the talent. He took a step from Dallas 116 00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:23,200 Speaker 1: to Buffalo in terms of his performance, but I think 117 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:26,600 Speaker 1: he's gonna have to do something special during this job. Well, Eric, 118 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:28,680 Speaker 1: you know, you always hope to see a win, but 119 00:05:28,800 --> 00:05:31,719 Speaker 1: it is the preseason, so it really doesn't matter too much. 120 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:35,760 Speaker 1: So overall, what do you think a successful final preseason 121 00:05:35,800 --> 00:05:37,680 Speaker 1: game would really look like for this team. Yeah, I 122 00:05:37,680 --> 00:05:39,760 Speaker 1: think you just want to see some pride from these guys. 123 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:41,440 Speaker 1: And that's not to question their effort, because I think 124 00:05:41,480 --> 00:05:44,640 Speaker 1: everyone was working really hard in that game against Buffalo. 125 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:47,840 Speaker 1: I think it was just a a perfect storm of 126 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:49,919 Speaker 1: the two is going against Buffalo's once and then the 127 00:05:49,920 --> 00:05:52,599 Speaker 1: threes going against the twos, and maybe some guys thinking 128 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:54,520 Speaker 1: a little bit too much out there. But I do 129 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:56,640 Speaker 1: think you want to see these guys take pride in 130 00:05:56,680 --> 00:06:00,400 Speaker 1: what they're doing, show that effort, show that physicality, be 131 00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:02,719 Speaker 1: better at tackling, because a lot of the guys that 132 00:06:02,720 --> 00:06:04,960 Speaker 1: are gonna play are not gonna be starters. You know, 133 00:06:04,960 --> 00:06:07,359 Speaker 1: there's gonna be very few guys out there, um that 134 00:06:07,400 --> 00:06:09,880 Speaker 1: are going to be kind of major contributors, at least 135 00:06:09,920 --> 00:06:11,880 Speaker 1: right off the bat. But I do think there's gonna 136 00:06:11,880 --> 00:06:13,560 Speaker 1: be guys that are going to have to step in 137 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:15,400 Speaker 1: at some point. You think back to last year's game 138 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:18,320 Speaker 1: in Cleveland, when the inside lineback and corps got really thin, 139 00:06:18,360 --> 00:06:20,400 Speaker 1: and all of a sudden, you had guys that were 140 00:06:20,440 --> 00:06:22,599 Speaker 1: reserve players at the beginning of the season needing to 141 00:06:22,760 --> 00:06:26,359 Speaker 1: play meaningful minutes. This is the chance for some of 142 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 1: those guys to prove that they're up for that task. 143 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:31,200 Speaker 1: So that's kind of from a general big picture of 144 00:06:31,279 --> 00:06:34,080 Speaker 1: thirty foot view. But then kJ Hamler, I just think 145 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:37,000 Speaker 1: it's been so long since we've seen him. If he's 146 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:38,599 Speaker 1: able to go out there and get a couple of catches, 147 00:06:38,680 --> 00:06:41,599 Speaker 1: score a touchdown, um, you know, just show that he's 148 00:06:41,640 --> 00:06:44,160 Speaker 1: the kJ Hamler of old, still has that speed. That 149 00:06:44,200 --> 00:06:46,200 Speaker 1: would be really encouraging, not just for him, but for 150 00:06:46,240 --> 00:06:49,279 Speaker 1: the potential of this Broncos offense. Will definitely be fine 151 00:06:49,320 --> 00:06:51,520 Speaker 1: at seeing kJ Hamler back out there. Hopefully it will 152 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:53,800 Speaker 1: be a fun day overall and the Broncos get a 153 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:56,640 Speaker 1: win in their final preseason game. Eric, appreciate your time. 154 00:06:56,760 --> 00:06:59,520 Speaker 1: You got it. We also heard from quarterback Brett Rippon 155 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:02,279 Speaker 1: earlier in the week about his start this Saturday and 156 00:07:02,320 --> 00:07:05,560 Speaker 1: what he hopes to accomplish. I mean, it's very exciting. Um, 157 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:07,279 Speaker 1: you know, any time you get an opportunity to start 158 00:07:07,279 --> 00:07:09,120 Speaker 1: in this league, I don't care if it's a third 159 00:07:09,120 --> 00:07:11,679 Speaker 1: preseason game in the Super Bowl, you know what, you're excited. 160 00:07:11,720 --> 00:07:14,800 Speaker 1: So um, you know, it's been a been a hell 161 00:07:14,840 --> 00:07:16,640 Speaker 1: of a camp. I've been a lot of ups and downs, 162 00:07:16,680 --> 00:07:19,840 Speaker 1: but you know, I'm excited for this opportunity, and uh, 163 00:07:19,880 --> 00:07:21,560 Speaker 1: you know, these guys are doing a great job out here, 164 00:07:21,560 --> 00:07:24,400 Speaker 1: so I'm excited to place with some of these older 165 00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:26,320 Speaker 1: guys too. I think I just want to get better, honestly, 166 00:07:26,360 --> 00:07:28,080 Speaker 1: Like that's the only thing I'm thinking of, is you know, 167 00:07:28,080 --> 00:07:30,360 Speaker 1: how can I somehow get better this week? And uh, 168 00:07:30,440 --> 00:07:31,960 Speaker 1: you know, go out there and play like it's my 169 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:33,920 Speaker 1: last game ever. And really that's the mentality I think 170 00:07:33,920 --> 00:07:35,880 Speaker 1: you take into every single day, you know. I think 171 00:07:35,880 --> 00:07:37,720 Speaker 1: if there's one thing I've learned about the NFL, you know, 172 00:07:37,720 --> 00:07:40,200 Speaker 1: you can't take any different granted out here. And um, 173 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:41,960 Speaker 1: you know, I'm working my butt off every single day 174 00:07:42,000 --> 00:07:43,560 Speaker 1: to try to be the best player I can possibly be, 175 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:45,080 Speaker 1: so when I go out on Saturday, it's gonna be 176 00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:46,920 Speaker 1: the same thing. Well that's all the time we have 177 00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:49,960 Speaker 1: for today's episode Broncos Country. Thanks so much for joining 178 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:52,560 Speaker 1: me here inside the uc Hell Training Center for another 179 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:56,240 Speaker 1: edition of Broncos Now Don't Forget. Kickoff is at seven 180 00:07:56,240 --> 00:07:59,280 Speaker 1: pm Mountain time tomorrow. I hope to see you all 181 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:02,080 Speaker 1: at in Power Field at Mile Hi tomorrow for the game, 182 00:08:02,120 --> 00:08:04,240 Speaker 1: but if not, I will see you right back here 183 00:08:04,320 --> 00:08:07,280 Speaker 1: on the Broncos Podcast Network in YouTube on a Monday 184 00:08:07,400 --> 00:08:11,960 Speaker 1: for another episode m