A 7-3 loss to the Chiefs wasn’t the way Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway preferred to enter the playoffs, but the organization’s goal of winning the AFC West was accomplished.
“I am a little disappointed in how we played last week,” Elway said during his weekly live-streamed show ‘Elway Live’ on DenverBroncos.com. “But the first goal we set was to win the AFC West. We did that.”
Now the Broncos are getting ready for postseason play against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in the Wild Card round.
“It’s a great experience for everybody,” Elway said. “It’s nice to be back in (the playoffs) and competing. Everyone’s excited.”
“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity,” he added. “This is what you practice and play for the whole year. The excitement level will be there.”
Elway touched on a variety of topics throughout the show and some highlights are listed below.
On playing the Steelers:
“We’re going against a very good defense and a very good football team that’s very tested and has a veteran team that’s played in a lot of playoff games. It’s exciting and at 7:30 tomorrow morning the players will come in here ready to go.”
On the Denver passing game:
“Obviously we have to do a better job in the passing game. And that’s not just one guy, it’s the whole offense and it’s also the play calling. Everything is involved and we’re going to the best we can to turn it around. Hopefully we can get it turned around quickly this week.”
On how to bounce back:
“You put your nose back to the grindstone and do the best you can. Work together as a team – that’s the biggest thing, all 11 guys going in the same direction, all 11 guys doing their jobs. … We have to get everybody on the same page, and if we can do that we can have success.”
On Chris Kuper’s injury:
“It’s always difficult to lose a guy like Chris Kuper – he’s the leader of that group and has really played well this year. I don’t know that you can really replace him, but Russ Hochstein gets as close as we can because he is a veteran, he’s been a coach within that group. He knows everybody real well and came in and played well last week.”
On the team’s turnaround in Head Coach John Fox’s first season:
“John has done a tremendous job — to be able to put in a new defense like (Defensive Coordinator) Dennis Allen did and to get through a slow start and win the West … The players have played hard week in and week out and down in and down out –- that’s been the most encouraging. It’s a direct credit to John Fox.”
Visit DenverBroncos.com/elwaylive to listen to today’s show or any previous episodes.
Tags: Elway Live
For the ones who think losing Medenhall will be a big loss for the Steelers, from Legwold:
If the Broncos expect to face a “ground and pound” team Sunday when they meet Pittsburgh in a first-round playoff game in Denver, they probably will be surprised by what they actually see from the Steelers.
The Steelers have a history of mixing dominant defense with a run-oriented playbook. They finished No. 1 in the NFL in defense this season, so they have that part covered. But the Steelers won’t be bringing a run-heavy offense to Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The last four seasons, they have thrown the ball more often than they have run it. And they have done that in five of the eight seasons that Ben Roethlisberger has been their starting quarterback.
The Steelers of the Roethlisberger era are more apt to spread out a defense and throw the ball.
Denver’s secondary is banged up. Veteran safety Brian Dawkins missed two of the Broncos’ last three games and didn’t play much in the other because of a neck injury. Also hurting are safety David Bruton (Achilles tendon) and cornerback Chris Harris (neck).
The Broncos occasionally played six defensive backs in their regular-season finale against Kansas City and may have to do that against the Steelers, who have four players (including three wideouts) with 46 or more receptions. Denver doesn’t have one 46-catch player. Two receivers — Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown — had a 1,000-yard season for Pittsburgh.
That’s a lot of pop on the perimeter.
Well, I did say I would post nothing but positive news this morning, but with Legwold that’s about as good as it gets. He will say nothing more than what he analyzes about a contest, and does a darn good job of explaining his reasoning usually with great eye popping stats.
Legwold also talks about the Quinn possibility that Elway mentioned and Jeff even goes as far as saying many of the teammates may be all for it. With Quinn in there, the QQ would take even a larger meaning, haha:
Fox is a veteran coach who has led NFL teams to the Super Bowl and to conference championship games. He understands that playoff games are intense “win or go home” events. That means every player is on a short leash.
Tebow’s margin for error may be a little bigger because of his comeback victories. But if he struggles this weekend against the Steelers in Denver, the score may have to be close for Fox to stick with him.
In the playoffs, Tebow will be seeing more intensity and speed of the game than he has ever seen — and that includes his career at Florida in the Southeastern Conference. It will require some adjustment on his part. He tends to start a game all jacked up, and that’s reflected in his passing. He overthrows the ball, especially early in the game.
He needs to get settled as quickly as possible Sunday because Pittsburgh’s defense will be putting pressure on him from the start.
If the score gets out of hand, Fox will have a tough decision to make. Will he stay with Tebow or give Quinn an opportunity? Quinn, like Tebow a former first-round draft pick, has handled the last two seasons with the utmost professionalism and worked hard to improve. A lot of teammates may think Quinn deserves an opportunity to play if the Broncos continue to struggle in the passing game.
Bay…is there score prediction this week?
I don’t see any bennefit in benching Tebow but if its looking absolutely brutal in the first half and I mean BRUTAL. Then Quinn who has never gotten a shot in Denver should go in and finish up and maybe audition. This team isn’t about Tebow, its about whats best for the entire organization and if they believe benching Tebow is best at halftime, while many will be outraged, they are entitled to make that decision. But i doubt it. The kid helped bring this team this far. And has a knack to play better in the 2nd half than in the first half. Besides, to bench Tebow and play Quinn would require 2 game plans. I think we should totally do something radical like Brady Quinn in the first half adn Tebow as the closer in he 2nd half. No one has ever done that purposefully. No one game plans like that because they believe a Qb should play the whole game and usually helps them get hot and u cannot bench a guy at the half if he is hot. bet u it will catch people off guard tho. lol
TRB
as long as we’re in………….the contest moves on.
Time for me to leapfrog over bay! hehehe I’m in your rearview mirror!
About the planned McCoy interview by the Jags as soon as our season ends, Legowld is basically saying what I think might of gotten me in troubles here yesterday with some of the fan base, only difference Jeff is smooth and is saying it between the lines, to where I’m not and laid it out point blank. There is a meaning to all Jags interest and it could very well be Tebow because McCoy hasn’t exactly set the world on fire offensively this season, LOL:
Broncos coach John Fox has called McCoy a key component in restructuring the Denver offense for Tim Tebow , who won seven of his first eight starts after the Broncos opened 1-4. They won the AFC West title with an 8-8 record.
3rdG, yes.
TRB
except in the NE and BUF game, he started on fire and then drizzled…….like a reverse of fortunes. Unfortunately in the KC game, he couldn’t get ANYTHING going really…….even when the D kept it extremely close the entire game.
really makes you scratch your head and wonder what’s up with TT.
killerkod, you got no shot, I’m putting the boosters on for this one, LOL.
Roster moves.
The Broncos worked out and signed former Colorado linebacker Brian Iwuh on Tuesday. Iwuh has been a reliable special-teams player in the NFL, having appeared in 85 games.
To make room for Iwuh, the Broncos released safety Kyle McCarthy. The Broncos made those moves because fullback Spencer Larsen , a special-teams regular, isn’t expected to play Sunday vs. Pittsburgh because of a sprained knee.
Iwuh played four years with Jacksonville and played in 11 games this season with the Chicago Bears .
I’m putting sugar in your gas tank bay! hahaha
any word on Dawk and if he’ll be able to go?
No Quinn PLEASE!!!
And here is the feel good moment I was waiting for to make this morning news edition as optimistic as possible for this playoff game, courtesy of Woody:
John Elway has been there before — and is there again.
The Duke of Denver’s advice to young Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow for his first NFL playoff game Sunday: “Pull the trigger.”
A year ago tonight, Elway, always a gunslinger, officially became the Broncos’ executive vice president of football operations. Twenty-eight seasons ago, in his second season with the Broncos, Elway started his first NFL playoff game against, as irony would have it, the Steelers.
Elway knows exactly what Tebow feels like.
With Tebow at quarterback, the Broncos won seven of eight. However, they’ve dropped the last three. Tebow seems to have lost his confidence and has been tentative, or fearful, throwing the football, I suggested to Elway.
“That’s human nature, especially when you’re young, to become more cautious,” Elway said. “He had a tough week before (the Chiefs game) against Buffalo. The key thing for (Tebow) is to go out, put everything behind him, go through his progressions and pull the trigger.
“When you get into these playoff situations, he’s a good enough athlete, you know what, to pull the trigger. He’s obviously upset with last week. He’s already got an edge to him, so he’s ready to go. I like seeing the edge. Oh, yeah. I actually love it. I have full confidence he’ll bounce back and have a good week.”
Even though Orton didn’t completely shred our secondary I though he did an very good job against us. So that has me a little concerned going up against Big Ben, which in my opinion is a far better QB then Orton. Ben has been known to hold onto the football too long also taking a sack instead of throwing the ball away. Hopefully our secondary can play well enough to help out our pass rush. I think getting the ball out quickly of Ben’s hand will be the key for the Steelers’ passing attack.
I honestly think that if McCoy takes the Jags HC job then that really hurts Tebow’s chances of becoming the starting QB next season. Unless he all of a sudden learns how to play well from the pocket.
Blah … all negativity … and thats fine because going into this game we are the udnerdog so I can understand the negativity, but I am yet to hear from the DP (via bay post) about the fact that they avg like 14 points, offense is almost as bad as ours, have lost to teams with top rushing offenses and etc.
I just hope the kuper loss doesn’t truly hurt us. I hope its not as obvious. Hopefully Ryan Harris can do what we hope.
As far as players possibly wanting Quinn … i highly doubt that. While they may or may not agree that the switch to Tebow was the reason for the streak … they cannot deny that this guy they call TT took over a sunk team and led his team (with alot of help) to the playoffs. Just yesterday Tsuggs was dissing Tebow and Doom was quick to tweet saying in Tebows Defense and how they are behind him. They have been this whole time and barring the worst first half in the history of the NFL or an injury I believe Tebow plays in full. TRB
And is for the ones who may still doubt who really is in charge at Dove Valley, and the exact reason I say it will be impossible to ever bring a top tier GM to Denver under the current set up:
Elway says, “I’m not sure who gets more heat — me or the governor. I’m happier with where I am than being the governor.
“It wasn’t necessarily the power … but having the final decisions over football operations.”
There you go, exactly what a GM would like to have.
This might sound crazy, but what about an opposite wildcat, with Quinn coming in for a few plays.. I bet the whole Steelers D would be expecting pass, and McGahee could rip off a nice one!! LOL
I just think that we need to come out with a few plays that no one has seem before, and even push the envelope a little.. Running the same plays over and over won’t cut it against the Steelers D..
Keep them guessing!!!
Yay some positivity.
Thats what ive been sayign too and im glad elway told him. Someone needed to tell him … pull the trigger. Do you athlete thing … we will figure out your QB thing later but do what it takes and don’t hesitate. A split second of hesitation is the difference between an open and closed window in the NFL … recievers don’t stay open long enough for you to worry about “what if i throw an interception”. Gotta leave everything on the field. God forbid but cant lose and then start thinking to your self “shoulda done this or that” … this isn’t the regular season anymore … you lose and there is no next week … every game is now or never.
TRB
OT,
I was just sayiing yesterday i believe that the coachign staff has been saving up a new set of 6 plays to recycle for the playoffs. They didn’t wanna reveal it too soon so they suffered a bunch of losses doing the same thign over and over lol. McCoy might actually be a crafty one … probably learned that from McD. Deception. lol.
TRB
Does Elway have any regrets about his first season as VP?
Any regrets?
“You’d like to do things perfectly. I’ve made missteps, but there are few things I would change. I’m not sure I would be where I am now if I hadn’t made those mistakes.”
Once the season ends “we will dig in and evaluate the whole team. Eight and eight is a good start, but we’ve got to make more strides in the second year and find more players to fill those holes.”
Elway said the season “had been the most unusual in the NFL in a long, long time, and then there was everything (the Broncos) went through — the lockout, the 1-4 start, the twists and turns, the change in quarterbacks and our great run. And it’s not over.”
He did make quite a few mistakes and I just love the fact that he is fessing up to it, starting with the whole QQ handling.
TRB, it’s not all negative at all, I thought it was very well balanced today and should make eveybody feel good about Sunday. Legowld is just telling who cares to listen what we are up against, absolutely zero wrong with that, anybody most of what he says is just drunk on kool aid.
That didn’t come out right, anybody who disagrees with most of what he said is just drunk on kool aid, is what I meant.
The only way we win is to turn Tebow loose,I know he may get intercepted,but another game like last week,and we’ll get blowed right off the field before halftime,if they’re going with Tebow,give him the opportunity to show what he’s got,if we lose,at least we know we tried our best,and left nothing on the field.
My biggest fear is Wallace and Brown matching up against our Secondary!
8-8 is a great start to turning this team around…4 more wins than last year,and winning the division,and in the playoffs for the 1st time since ’05.
TRB – hope so bro! I’ve been telling myself this, as it helps me sleep at night..
If that’s the case, I will the first one on here giving Mike McCoy a Mile High Salute!!!
Things we need on offense to win:
1) Creativity with play calling
2) Ball control
3) Player execution
Let’s get it done boys!!!
Now if you want the clear picture (optimist/negative), here it is:
Contest entries so far:
10 have us win
10 have the Steelers win
I’d say it’s a perfectly balanced bunch of bloggers.
prob more balanced than our O will be! haha
About Dawk for those who keep asking:
Fox said the first news he’ll give about it is later today.
I guess a lot of us have been venting the past couple of days,but we all want the same thing……..to beat the Steelers!!!
I’ve had a couple days to calm down,the only thing I’m worried about right now is a win on Sunday,I don’t care if it is ugly,I’ll take it!!!
That brings back what Urlacher said after we beat them:
There are no ugly wins, just ugly losses.
Plus he said they got beat by a RB playing QB,LOL.
Anything is possible in football..right..that’s why we play the games! I would definitely love a win, but if we do suffer a loss I just hope we put up a good effort and make a good showing and not get completely destroyed.
lol the funny thing about that 10 wins to 10 losses is that most of those wins are from guys like me who never predict us to lose and swear we can win any game and will. LOL
I’m not going to apologize about anything I said yesterday, I thought the whole bunch of it was well thought out and justified even if it rubbed a couple people the wrong way, the truth is ofetn the hardest pill to swallow, but now the team is coming back to practice after a couple days off and the time to vent has gone and needs to be replaced by the time to rally the troops, we are all in this together.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!
brian,I heard that bro……let’s just hope were competetive!
The worse case scenerio is that we get blowed out,but we still get playoff experience no matter what,and to a young team,that means a lot!
TRB, that’s the whole balance of the blog that makes it so attractive to me. If everyone thought like me I would fall asleep at the computer.
I won’t apologize for anything I said either,but like you say,it’s time for us to rally behind our team together like we always do.
I’m guessing nantz and simms will be calling the game for CBS?
And if everybody thought like you I would jump off a cliff, LOL, jk.
You know it’s Playoff week and your team is not Solid when the Media truly brings up playing a Back-up that has 0 snaps on the year and speculates he could be a better option than the guy that took your team from 1-4 to 8-8…
I was reading about Pitts RB, Redman, the one that is replacing Mendenhall… He is a real BRUISER… 6’3 230… (Tebow Size) and runs downhill… He averaged about 6 yards per carry last week against Cleveland in the reserve role, and had his first two fumbles of the season…
We have chances to make plays… and we have to make them… like Denard Robinson did against Va Tech’s D last night…
WE CAN WIN THIS GAME…
VON TEBOW FOOTBALL!!! I do BELIEVE!!!
FTS!
Anybody watching the Orange Bowl tonight?
Clemson vs W.Virginia
BTW……VT got robbed on the TD they got taken away last night,imo.
Damn I guess I posted that at the wrong time,LMAO!
Hey Turtle what up bro?
Hola BFE!!!
How’s your day? I’m just in from feeding cows… and now going out to help my Dad build on his house…
I can’t wait till Sunday!!!
B-R-O-N-C-O-S BRONCOS BRONCOS BRONCOS!!!!
This is amazing:
TiqIQ, which tracks aggregate sports tickets, says the secondary market (read: resale; read: scalpers) for the Broncos-Steelers playoff game Sunday at Sports Authority Field at Mile Show shows prices have dropped 67% since last week.
The average ticket price on Dec. 28, four days before the regular-season final against the Chiefs: $409.69.
Average ticket price today for the playoff game against the Steelers: $272.54.
Tebowmania took a serious hit!!!
Should of been Mile High, even the DP can’t spell, haha.
I just hope people don’t sell their tickets to Steeler fans,we need homefield advantage more now than we ever have!!!
Maybe they’re lowing the ticket prices for all the Tebowmaniacs that don’t have any money because they spent too much buying up Tebow jerseys. Haha
Is Harris ready to play?
Even tho Hochstein will probably start at G.
I think I laid it on pretty thick the other day as well… My Bronco fandom has never, and will never waiver, but it does feel good to vent from time to time tho.. Lol. But baylin is right that it’s good to have a good balance of opinions, b/c at the end of the day, we all just want our Broncos to succeed!!!