Well, I’ll start by thanking everybody. Week after week we set a new record. We’ve reached 53 responses, which eclipsed last week’s 48. I read them all, as usual, and I appreciate the support.
I guess a good place to start is probably the Dallas game. It was pretty funny — well, not funny. Funny’s not the word. But after practice on Monday I went down to the Boys and Girls Club just to hang out a little bit, and that’s supposed to be a safe place, but it really is not for me.
All the kids had a lot of jokes and questions like, “So why’d you guys lose?” and questions that I can’t answer. I slipped on one play and a couple of guys asked me, “Why’d you slip?” I really don’t know what to answer to that. There’s really no good answer. It’s a pretty simple, yet complicated question. I slipped because it was slippery.
But it was good to see them, and as far as the game goes, it was really disappointing. We can make a thousand excuses, but you don’t get to this level making excuses and you can’t win as many games and go as far as we want this team to go making excuses.
We had a very challenging traveling schedule with landing in Denver from San Francisco and staying here about 12 hours and then heading out to Dallas, and then two-a-days in a strange place for two more days and then a game, and at the same time dealing with increased temperature and humidity.
It was really tough on a lot of people. We had a bunch of people get sick; I was one of the people who came down with a little cold. But it’s an imperfect world, and your opportunities are never perfect, and that was an opportunity for us to get better and play well against a good team, and despite all the reasons that we have to blame somebody else or blame our circumstances, we recognize that this is an imperfect game much like the world is imperfect and when you get your opportunities, you’ve got to capitalize on them.
It’s preseason, so the game didn’t count, but it definitely matters. That’s a quote from (defensive coordinator/defensive backs) coach Bob Slowik. It’s kind of funny, we make fun of him because he has all these quotes all the time, and the night before the game he gives us a little Powerpoint presentation that he’s dubbed “Beyond X’s and O’s.” It has nothing to do with football, it’s just motivational quotes, things like that, and just different ways to look at games.
We always give him a hard time about it, but we sincerely appreciate it and he keeps them coming, and one of his famous quotes is “Preseason doesn’t count, but it matters.” This game didn’t count, but it mattered to us, and we’re disappointed in some things and encouraged in other things. We’re still improving. That’s two preseason games now for us and we hope to bring it all together in this third one against Cleveland.
Speaking of Coach Slowik, he’s a very good motivator and leader. I think we have a lot of talent in our corps and he does a good job letting us show our talents and putting us in the best situation to make plays.
Like I was saying about the “Beyond X’s and O’s” this week, he gave us one that really hit home for me. It really solidified the belief that Coach Slowik is a great leader and motivator, because I got the feeling that when he was doing his presentation, he was talking directly to me, and talking to the rest of the DB’s a lot of them felt the same way.
He had a quote that he took from William Shakespeare, I believe, that stuck with me, and it was, “Assume not that I am what I was.” To me, the quote means from day to day, you need to continue to prove yourself and continue to work hard, and given that we have a lot of guys on our team and our secondary who have had great seasons, you shouldn’t assume that you are that guy or that player, or that what you’ve done the practice before or the week before or even the play before carries over.
And it goes the other way, too. If you have a bad game or a bad play, assume not that you are that bad player in the future. That really hit home for me, because I honestly don’t think I had that great a week of practice in Dallas and I don’t feel like I personally played that well, and it really hit home that I need to focus really hard on what I need to do. Just get really serious about learning all the ins and outs of my opponents, learning the ins and outs of our defense from every position that I need to learn it from. So that one really stuck with me. Mabye someone will read it and it will hit home for them, too.
It kind of reminded me of when you go to church and you feel like the preacher is talking directly to you, no matter what the sermon is about. Or you go to mosque or Hebrew school or whatever, we don’t want to leave anybody out, whatever religious backgrounds you are.
But you feel like the preacher is talking directly to you, and I was thinking about that a little bit the other day. It’s a fine line to walk if you want to have a message that’s general enough to reach enough people, but specific enough that you feel like they’re talking directly to you. I feel like it’s really difficult for great orators and great leaders and great leaders to be able to do that, and I’d definitely put Coach Slowik in that box. I feel fortunate, the situation that I’m in to have Coach Slowik, a great coach, and Dre’ and Champ and John and Nick and Hamza, just a lot of great people and a lot of talent around here.
I guess that’s enough talking about Coach Slowik. I guess it’s kind of kissing up now. I don’t think it’s going to get me on the field any more, unfortunately. If I thought it would get me on the field a bit more I would talk great about everybody.
But now I’ll talk about meeting up with D-Will’s family. We were able to meet up with Rosalind, Darrent’s mom, and several members of his family. It was a very tough situation. I think it was good for everybody including his family, and I think it was tough for everybody, including us. I think she’s one of the strongest women I’ve ever met. The things that she shared with us were amazing, and most of those things were pretty private so I won’t share them over the blog, but it was just great to see her. It was nice to be able to give her a hug and to hear her voice and talk about how she’s dealing with it, talk about how proud of us that she is, and we just echoed the same sentiments back to her, about how proud we are of her and her family and how well they’re doing.
I actually got to meet Trese Kenard, D-Will’s aunt, and she’s a high school teacher in the Dallas area, and just talking to her about it affects her and how it helped her refocus on her job and the many ways that she’s trying to help young guys who remind her of her nephew. Talking to her was really a blessing and I was able to exchange numbers with her as well as D-Will’s mom and I hope to be able to keep in touch with them and do whatever I can to help them. She’s an English teacher, and she talked about using my book in some of her classes, so whatever I can do to help, I look forward to it. She said she’s a faithful reader of the blog also, so she read all of your comments, too. Just like me.
All in all that experience was good to get her to come out to practice, and on game day, D-Will’s son was on the sideline and we all got to talk to him and hang out with him a little bit, which is another tough experience. But we all made it through and it was good to be with them.
But I’ve got something funny about how we all make fun of each other and nobody’s off limits. Big Sam Adams was watching the rerun of our game and he gave me a hard time about one of my College in Colorado commercials, one of the PSA’s that come on. He had a field day making fun of me. And Hamza, in my opinion, is one of the funniest guys on the team, he jumped on and helped Sam out. But of course I defended myself. I don’t know if I can share any of my jokes over the blog because I don’t want to tick Sam off or upset Sam. He’s a little too big to be joking with. But I definitely told him if he was jealous about my commercial that he could talk to Rod (Smith) and get in those Blackjack Pizza commercials.
In response to tjames238′s question, which was why would we trade Gerard Warren because of all the talent that he has, and he was wondering if it was because of our scheme or because of the talent that we have on defense. I would say that’s a question for Coach Shanahan, the big decision maker.
My opinion on the whole issue is that he’s a great player and I think a lot of the new things we were doing on defense didn’t fit the style of play that Gerard was best for. We definitely changed a lot defensively and a lot of our personnel has changed this year because of what Coach Bates likes to have on his defense. Gerard is a talented guy and I’m sure we’re not looking forward to facing him even though he’s in Oakland now. We have a lot of respect for his talent and I hope that he makes a better fit somewhere else.
I guess that’s kind of P.C., but I really don’t know enough details to give you any more specific answers, but Gerard’s a great person and he was a fun personality to have on the team. He had a lot of friends on this team and in Denver in general, so we wish him luck out in Oakland.
The blog has become kind of popular, because as everybody understands, the Internet has become global, and some of my friends outside the team back east and all over the country have checked out the blog and are kind of making fun of me because I need some sort of sign-off. So if anybody has a good sign-off, something that’s not corny, because my friends who have called me about it give me all these corny ways to sign-off. So I guess it’s a mission for the blog nation to come up with some sort of cool sign-off for me.
Well, I guess I’m off to a meeting now, and I’ll leave you with that. Thanks a lot.
Tags: Bob Slowik, Boys and Girls Club, Champ Bailey, College in Colorado, Dallas Cowboys, Darrent Williams, Dre Bly, Gerard Warren, Hamza Abdullah, Jim Bates, John Lynch, Mike Shanahan, Nick Ferguson, Preseason, Rod Smith, Sam Adams, Shakespeare
Hey Foxy,
Great blog man way to keep us up to date on how D-Will’s family is doing. I think it is great that most of you all have been such a rock for his mother and eachother.
Now lets take it to the house for D-Will
I have a saying I like to use on some of my blogs that I think would fit for you especially sense you are a DB.
“Success is not owned it is rented, and rent is due everyday”
Good luck this weekend get pix six for us !!!
Hey dom i dont know if you have ever heard of the song “fox on the run” by sweet but that could be a decent sign off and keep up the good work on the blog fans really appreciate it
I could definately tell that Shanahan thought the game mattered. Keeping the starters out for so long was obvious of that. Its too bad so many guys got injured. I like the approach that the Broncos take towards preseason. Its nice to see such burning competitiveness.
Do you guys get on Champ for his Denver Rescue Mission/Vitamin Water commercials?
Howdy Foxy…enjoying your blog as always.
Sign Off’s….hmmmm
“Never give up, never surrender.” (From Galaxy Quest!! he he he)
Hi there Fox
I’m a first time commenter but a long time reader, I love your blog! How do you ffel about your role in the Denver secondary? You could be the Nickel back all season, but you could end up starting at about any secondary spot by year’s end. You seem like you may be that utility guy in Denver’s secondary this year. What about long term, possibly moving to safety? With Sam Brandon now gone, and a guy like John Lynch with only a few years left in the tank, a move to safety seems possible for you. I think you definately have the talent to be a starter in Denver, or anywhere for that matter. Keep up the good work and keep up the terrific blogging!
hey Dom,
first time reading your blog, love it! I am a diehard fan, my dog is named after the mascot (won’t tell you what my other dog is named, but my fiance is anti broncos…) hope to make it to a game, have yet to be able to do that!
Anyways, Very nice that you guys got to spend time with some of Darrent’s family. That is such a tragic story, loved watching him out on the field! I was just curious why not much is said about Damien Nash?
For a sign-off, how about “Putting the D in Defense” maybe a little cheesy, but I like it
Keep on keepin on,
Stacia in SD
Hello to you!
I’ve never written on one of these posts. I’ve lived in Colorado all my life, and was pre-destined to be a Bronco Fan. Mainly because I would have been thrown out of the house if I wasn’t one. I think this quote fits you well. Your actions on and off the field show what type of person you are. Definately nice to have such class on my team.
Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.– Plato
Fox,
Great blog as always.
Don’t worry about the Dallas game. It had to be emotionally draining on the whole team with the Williams family and practicing all week in someone elses backyard. I am glad to hear you were able to spend a little time with the Williams family. Good stuff.
Saturday you will be home against Cleveland. Here kitty, kitty! Smack down! “Hello Brady Quinn, my name is Dominque Foxworth and I will be your tour guide today as you are chasing me down the field, with the ball you just threw!”
So a sign off…what about putting a different quote as the sign off. The quote can be inspiring, insightful, motovating, or what ever you feel for that specific week. You can put….Until the next time, I leave you with this, (different quote)
One of my favorites:
“What we do for ourselves dies with us, what we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.” -Albert Pine
Hej Fox,
man i love reading your blogs…they are great and the best. Man i would have made fun of Sam just cuz i would be thinking that i’m a little faster than him cuz i’m a CB and he’s a DT..so i was thinking you get him with a joke and then RUN!!!!!!! hahahahaha j/k around man. I don’t think that i would be able to hadle being around the family of D-Will i wouldn’t be able to hold in my tears or anything like that. It sucks that we traded Gerard Warren he was really good…but sometimes things like that happen and it might be for the better and it seems like it is for the better for now at least right? so you know how you use quotes when you are playing and all…i’ve been using a quote to…someone ones told me “That talent will never beat hard work” i don’t know who the quote is by..but when ever i’m doing something like a sport most of the time i use that quote..cuz it’s true….but yea i think it’s really cool that you read all the comments that everyone writes too you…even thou they are a lot of them..it’s cool that you read them all…oh yea too D-Will’s mom and aunt and all of us Family i wish the best for all of you and i miss D-Will a lot..i didn’t know him and i never met him but he seems like a lovable person and a great personallity. I really wish i could have met him….well i’m going to miss him a lot..it’s going to be a whole different season without him :’( well once again i wish the best for the whole family from the heart……well sorry that this comment is soo long Fox..i bet you are tired of reading this soo i’m going to end it….oh yea the ending for your blogs…here’s some idea’s
1. Holy moley, you rock my blog
2. That’s the blog, and I am outta here
3. That’s my blog and I’m sticking to it
4. See ya and thanks for reading my blog
The Biggest Broncos Fan
—>Volim Elmu
Hey Dom,
I know you get a lot of people telling you how great this blog is, but I don’t think it can be stated enough, it’s amazing! To have a professional athlete of your skill show his other side which is so intelligent and insightful is a great comfort, especially as it is for my favorite team! I just moved here (Denver) from Iowa to go to law school, but my family have been the biggest Broncos fans in Iowa, anyways I took my bro to the last day of training camp and he was able to be around you while you signed some things at the beginning real quick and just from that like 10 seconds seeing you and meeting you, you’re now his favorite player! So just a quick FYI a 16 year old kid in Iowa is cheering as hard as he can for you!
Thanks again for all you do,
Andrew
Dom,
Just wondering if you have any aspirations of getting some time on offense occasionally. With your hands, I would like to see you on the field as much as possible, even occasionally as a receiver.
Just wanted to drop you a line and say hi and that I think the world of you and the Broncos. Keep up the good work. God Bless
Ok, I almost forgot to mention a good sign off. I agree with “All Ready” but I also think you should use “Good bye and good night Bronco nation” Eh, its just a thought. Good luck in sat’s game against the Browns. I will be there to watch the dawgs get trampled…yeah I know its only preseason, but it is still the Cleaveland Browns. Can’t ever lose to them.
Hey foxy,
Just to echo anton’s sentiments, your blog is truly international, as im typing this from across the pond in ‘sunny’ Manchester, England! My question is how much do you get to play against Jay Cutler in practice? Do you see what we all hope he will turn out to be?
As for sign off suggestions, i only have a couple. “See you later innovator” is a quote from my favourite band The Arctic Monkeys, or maybe “Thats the way the cookie crumbles” from one of my fav films, Bruce Almighty
Gl with the Browns game, till the next blog, peace out !
what’s up? well anyway so uhm yeah, I just have to say that the whole “Preaseason Doesn’t Count, But It Matters” thing is so true. It doesn’t count because it’s not a measure of your record, but it definitely matters because it allows you to size up not only the other teams talent and skills, but also your own teams talent and skills.
You know, like you said, you guys are disappointed with some things, yet encouraged with some things, that just shows you what you guys need work on and what you guys are happy with (which you still need to improve on) you know what i mean?
I think Slowik’s Shakespeareian quote was just amazing and your analytical breakdown of it was great too. The way I see it is that we’re all constantly changing and people need to realize that and not take for granted the fact that something may have happened and i might be a completely different person from the last time you’ve seen me. Life changes in just an instant. So true, so true.
That’s awesome that you got to see D-Will’s family man. I’m sure it was very tough for a lot of you, but it may have also been healing for a lot of the players. Not sure how others deal with stuff like that, but I know if it was me, I would have felt a lot better knowing that they’re all doing well. although it’s a tough situation, it would just sit well with me.
Well now that i’ve written you a novel…take care. Good luck with the Browns this week. You all keep your heads up and work through the tough times! Take care!!
~seph~
Dom,
It’s nice to hear D-will’s family is coping well, I’m sure they were ecstatic to see you guys. But I just wanted to say what a valient effort you guys gave against the browns. What do you think of Selvin Young’s performance on saturday?
And here’s a sign-off, I don’t know if you’ll like it but I think its cool:
Until tomorrow, today
-Colin
Hey Fox,
thanks for the shoutout the other week. Its really nice to see that blogs get read. This will prob. be the last blog i send till dec. when i get to see you and SD live. I will be going TDY next week and will be watching the game from the sandbox. Thank you for all you do I will be rooting for you guys. Hopefully the game vs SD clinches the division for us. Until then keep up the great work. And as for your signoff how about you use one of those quotes, or any quote that kind of symbolizes your mood or attittude about that week.
Ex. hen I get the ball, for some reason I see holes. I’m not really sure how.Ex.Mike Bass: Football Inspirational Quote
#1 fan in japan
keep up the great work.
Keep it real Broncos fans. For Fox sake.
Honestly, we’ve made alot of transitions this year. New people in new positions. A Qb in basically his first year. New RB. Got rid of Al…so the LBer core is all changed up. Darrent’s gone. John Lynch is getting old. There’s so many things to point out. New DLman. Its practically a BRAND NEW team. Preseason does matter…but it doesnt count. Sometimes u got to rev* the engine to make the th@ng work. (travis henry hurt)…Plagued with injuries this year like never before.
I love you guys..often Denver Broncos is the reason i go to church…I jus want you guys to stay healthy. N trust me Foxworth….your a sly cat yourself…Broncos RULE..Once more thing. Courtney B. is my cousin. And he did make a difference. Once again `injuries~ I want you to check out my autograph balls by u guys…wheres ur name?
myspace.com/stud1o1
I like this…
“Change is inevitable; growth is optional.”
Wow.
~ChocolateQT
Dom,
I don’t normally watch preseason games but I did get a chance to catch you making some nice plays against Cleveland. I have a feeling you guys will get it right for the real games.
So good luck in the real season and I’ll be rooting for you.
As for me I did succesfully complete the Boulder 1/2 Ironman triathlon and thanks for the good wishes.
For a sign off..some else mentioned “Never give up, never surrender.” how about trying: “No Retreat, No Surrender” (Bruce Springsteen) or…
“Strength and Honor”(General maximus, Gladiator)
hey- hes right i doesnt count but it matters. Im glad were improving and hopefully by the regular season well be ready to roll and win us a championship. GOOD LUCK!!!!
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