With the trade deadline two days away after being extended due to the storms on the east coast, Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway described the mindset of his department.
Elway said that it’s “typical action out there,” but added that if an opportunity is presented for Denver to better itself before the deadline, he and his staff won’t shy away.
“There’s not a whole lot even though the deadline has been pushed back,” he said on Tuesday’s weekly Elway Access podcast. “There are always names that surface. We always look at every situation separately and try to figure out if any of those situations can help us as a football team. We’ll continue to monitor that the next couple days and see if anything happens on Thursday.”
Other topics of discussion during the 30-minute show, hosted by Broncos TV’s Chris Hall, included Elway’s thoughts on the Week 8 win against the Saints, the loss of linebacker Joe Mays and the challenge of the Broncos’ upcoming road tilt with the Cincinnati Bengals
Elway called the 34-14 victory at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Sunday night the “most complete game of the year,” and doled out flattery to each unit as well as several individual performances.
But he was most impressed with the defense’s outing.
“If you look at what the Saints have done earlier this year coming in offensively, they had been playing well,” he said. “We thought it was going to be a track meet and we’d really have to keep up with them. The compliment goes to (Defensive Coordinator) Jack Del Rio, his staff and the defensive players. They really answered the bell. Even before that last drive, (the Saints had) between 160-170 yards. It was really impressive what the defense did.”
Elway and Hall also discussed the Broncos’ most recent roster move, placing linebacker Joe Mays on the Injured Reserve list and calling up safety Duke Ihenacho to the active roster in his place.
The move means that Mays, a fifth-year linebacker and one of the team’s leaders, is out for the year.
“To sit out for the year, it’s always tough to take, personally,” Elway said. “We feel for Joe. We have to step in there. (Linebacker) Steven Johnson has been on the 53(-man roster), kind of the third-team Mike (middle linebacker), and now with Joe going down he’ll have to step in there and back up at the Mike position and be ready to fill those slots.”
The defense will try to take the loss in stride while continuing the progress it has made in 2012. Elway credits the improved play to a better understanding of a new defensive scheme.
“When you start reacting to certain things because they’ve been in the system long enough, rather than thinking about it, they play much better and faster,” he said. “That’s what you’re seeing the defense do. They’re getting much more comfortable with the defense, what the responsibilities are and playing great team defense.”
With consistency a focus, the team can put together a three-game winning streak by replicating the last six quarters of play, dating back to the second half against San Diego.
That won’t be an easy task, however, as the Broncos travel to Cincinnati in Week 9. Coming off of three straight losses followed by a bye week, the Bengals aren’t an opponent that can be taken lightly.
“They’ve lost three in a row, so they know they need to get things turned around,” Elway said. “They’re coming off a bye so they’re going to be well-rested, so we know we’ll have our hands full. It’ll be a test for us to go on the road, more difficult than it is to win in the friendly confines of Sports Authority Field (at Mile High). Hopefully we can start stringing some consistent games together and get some wins on the road.”
Tags: Elway Access, Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway
With losing Mays and the trade deadline getting moved back, this seems like the perfect time to go after a James Lauranitus.
*** Official blog score prediction ****
Broncos 28
Cincy 13
BT contest, not Gray contest.
I love my Broncos. Seriously, they are good stuff. Can’t wait til Sunday. Now I need ideas on what to do with myself in the afternoon on Sunday. Too bad James Bond doesn’t come out this weekend…
Is it Sunday yet! LOL
LESSGO BRONCOS GET IT DONE..LOSING MAYS SUCKS BUT LIKE COACH FOX SAYS NEXT MAN UP
Prediction:
Broncos 31
Bengals 20
now would be a good time to trade for picks… I trust in our Conditioning Staff.. right Bay??
*** Official Bronco Blog Prediction ***
Broncos 34
Bengals 14
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who got hit by this horrific storm. No words to describe it really.
Joe, you will be missed. Obviously. Speedy recovery brother.
(There goes my BBBP that he leads team with tackles)
Prayers to all those affected on the East coast
I would LOVE to have Jame Lauranitis on our Defense.
Broncos 28
Bengals 20
BRONCOS 31
bungles 17
Broncos 34
Bengals 7
I think this one will be closer to becoming a shoot-out than the Saints game. It is also the Broncos best chance to lose for a while.
Broncos 28
Bengals 27
I always like playing the BeenGals Bungles. So easy to make fun….and still the worst uniforms in the NFL. I do like red-headed Andy Dalton though…and A.J. Green is fun to watch.
Bend…but don’t break!!!
HAVING JAMES LAURINAITIS WOULD MAKE THE D MORE BEAST..BUT I DOUBT THE RAMS WOULD TRADE HIM
*official score prediction*
Broncos 31-Bengals 20
I think since the rest of the season is going to turn out to be against mostly bottom feeders….
The Broncos are likely to be “one and done” in the playoffs.
DB I disagree… I think if we lose to anybody it will be Carolina or Baltimore.
DB, what a GREAT attitude you have. Wow. Nice. Already one and done and it’s not even November. Full of optimism you are!
Hi ya Cat!!! Thought that might bring you out of the wood work!!! LOL
I am an infernal optimist! I control it by focusing on worst case situations…..true story!
I don’t focus n worst case or I couldn’t make it through the day (; Glad to oblige!! haha!!! Got to go to bed… Halloween tomorrow!
I tried to put a little bit of Yoda in my last comment there… I cannot wait for a new Star Wars movie!! LOL
If you look at good teams vrs. bad teams…you are right. But when you look at the match-ups???? I’d throw Green at Bailey all day long and attempt to wear Bailey down. Doing so could cause an explosive Bengal close to the game. (My own assessment)
I could easily see Dalton fall apart or have a career day. Hoping for the former!
Bengals have no real run threat – Dalton is going to have to try to carry his team against us. He’s destined to be a great QB (I think) I think the Bengals are dangerous.
I think we match up really nice against the Ravens. I’d be surprised if we lost that one.
Th Bengals always play us hard DB… Always. Remember last year? Why do we play them almost ever year? I don’t get that. Either way, we win IMO, but I could see Dalton having a great game.
*every
*** Official Bronco Blog Prediction ***
Broncos 38
Bengals 10
I would really love to see the Defense keep stepping up. Just play smart and keep everything in front like the saints game. I loved the defensive and offensive play calling all of last game. We seemed to mix it up and never stopped. Holding the saints to just one 3rd down conversion??? that’s either crazy talk, or an impressive broncos D. I cant remember the last game we played that well on D for the whole game. Nice job guys. Keep up the great work!!!! Broncos 31- Bengals 17. Lets lay the hammer down and show the league we can dominate on both sides of the ball the rest of the season!!!!!!!!!
Broncos34 Bengals 20 Really want to see Ronnie Hillman catch fire (as he has started to ) so I don;t feel bad we didn’t pick up Doug Martin. What would be perfect would be for him to have a good block in pass protection. How about that Trindon Holliday? He has got some shake and bake on punt returns(here’s hoping no more of that bad beginning from last week). Such a good game,OK Broncos: repeat! Go Broncos!!