Talk in the Broncos locker room on Monday was centered on the team’s 33-19 loss to the Chiefs. Head Coach Mike Shanahan reiterated that no matter how talented a football team is, if it doesn’t execute the game plan and mistakes pile up it is going to be hard to come away victorious in the National Football league.
“I just want to work on the things we did poorly,” Shanahan said. “We talked about red zone being 1-for-4 and turnovers being 4-to-1. We talked about missed tackles and gap responsibilities and we still have to improve on our third downs. All the things we did poorly in the game, you try and work on and eliminate those mistakes.”
The discussion among many of the Broncos during the team’s first three wins was the chemistry and the cohesiveness of the players in the Denver locker room. Marquand Manuel said that same camaraderie is still being felt in the locker room after the team’s first loss of 2008, and it is that team character that will help to define this team for the remainder of the season.
“I think just looking at the guys and understanding that guys care about each other here — you go in a hostile environment and do the things we did, you’re going to get your butt whooped,” Manuel said. “We knew coming into the game how hard it was going to be, now we have to understand that we have 12 more weeks to play.”
The Broncos can take a lot of different things away from Sunday’s loss, but Tony Scheffler said the team is focusing on taking away the positives.
“You can look at it a lot of different ways,” Scheffler said. “We are young. We still have a lot of talent on this team, and we’re still trying to iron things out a little bit. I don’t think we’re as perfect as a lot of people thought we were. At the same time, I still think we’re pretty darn good. We’ve got to bounce back, and we’ll see how much character guys have got this week.”
The Broncos may have shown a lack of execution, losing the turnover battle and not being able to convert touchdowns in the redzone, but one thing they didn’t lose was their determination. Despite the team’s miscues they still were in the game late and Eddie Royal said that says a lot about this team’s drive.
“It’s the same team, same effort,” Royal said. “If you look at the film, we had great effort. Some of the execution was off, a little bit of the technique, but that’s nothing we can’t fix. We know what we’ve got in this locker room, and that’s all that matters. The only thing that really matters is each other. We’ve got a lot of faith in each other”
The Broncos will take this week just as the team had the previous three and focus on improving.
“We don’t care if it’s a win or a loss,” Shanahan said “You just have to go over the mistakes and try to get better every day. We are going to do that all year round. Are we ready to hang it up for the season and quit because we are 3-1? No, we will keep on working. The first quarter (of the season) is over with and now we get a chance to start the second quarter with Tampa Bay in our backyard.”
-Jake Grilley, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Eddie Royal, Jake Grilley, Kansas City Chiefs, Marquand Manuel, Tony Scheffler
I think we needed the loss, we played it off and kept saying we weren’t looking over KC, but we obviously did. Sometimes to realize what you did wrong, you need a slap in the face by a midget. KC grabbed a step stool and said SLAP!
Defense will improve, I haven’t seen Niko play either other then on Kick offs and only one impressive there is Champ. But then again you don’t see Niko or anyone getting the blockers out of position for Champ, could be argued? I hope Slowik fixed it Miramontes! I think blitzing will atleast help some if not fix it. We don’t have the personel for 3-4, I know that, but I think a big part why we look terrible in it is we play a zone behind it and not man. We’re a man D team, put them back in man and the coverage holds longer. I’m not saying I agree with the 3-4 at all! But I completely disagree with ALL THE ZONE COVERAGE MORE! Not blitzing second, and then the 3-4. I think if we played man, with 1-2 lb’s blitzing the 3-4 would atleast look like a college 3-4, not my nephews pee-wee team.
Do you guys remember why they brought Slowik on board to be the D-Cordinator?? Its because he runs a simplified Defense. If guys are out of position its for 1 of 2 reasons: 1) the middle linebacker is putting people in the wrong posistion or 2) the middle linebacker is making the wrong checks. There are people out of position on almost every play. This is a simplified system and if Webster can’t figure it out, get him out of there.
Special Teams will stop letting up the big returns with time, hopefully sooner than later. There are a lot of young players out there and they tend to find themselves out of position, trying to make a play instead of doing their assignments. The coaching staff will eventually make them realize that they need to do their assignments in order for the scheme to work. Niko had a big game against NO with 3 speacial teams tackles and Larson played well against KC. I wouldn’t be too worried about the Special Teams.
Greekbronco9 I can tell you played football before just by the way u explain things. I used to play MLB back in the day for a division 1 college. You are right, I went to two games this year and all i see is Nate running all over the field out of position. Then you wonder why these teams are getting big plays.
I recorded the game on TIVO and checked it out after my anger had subsided and figured out we have 2 major issues on defense. 1. Marcus Thomas gets beaten like a rented mule on every play. He’s always getting over powered and just doesn’t have the weight to play nose tackle. I thought we brought in Robertson to play nose? 2. Webster needs to get yanked, end of discussion. You can see he’s out of position, he doesn’t fill his holes and he doesn’t flow to the ball like he should. Sorry Nate, but I’d like to see how this D plays with Niko in the middle. No, he’s not the fastest LB in the NFL, but he has size and he can fill a hole.
Just because you’ve played college ball at a high level does not mean you what you’re talking about……..I’ve been watching football for over 30 years and can tell you that the Lb’s are not the problem. GB9 what r u talking about??? Nate Webster is doing his job and making plays. DJ is a stud….. if you put that Niko character in the game we’ll be even worse! I saw him play at Purdue and was not overly impressed….. People on this blog get over it Nate is a better player……. The “U” for life
Yeah there U, you don’t have blinders on or anything huh? Sorry, but you need to “get over it” and your scary attraction to LB’s from Miami. No one ever said D.J. (best player on D this year) is a problem. Nate, however, isn’t filling holes and isn’t running down hill to the ball carrier. He gets washed out and doesn’t have the power to get through blocks. Benching Nate may not be the ultimate answer, but it’s a question that needs to be addressed.
U lb you don’t have a clue
ORANGE CRUSH??? Seriously we should all try to catch on Orange Mush, so that the Defense can wake up and start playing ball with attitude, insulting their pride week in and week out will wake them up let’s start a new fad and start calling them the Orange Mush.
Hey Snake where did you go to school i want to look up your numbers…. I do have a clue and all you talk about is Nate…. Look at special teams ace Niko… great pick lol…. he had a chance and looked horrible remember……
I like miami and we’re known for linebackers and not penn state….. Hrdnokd do you know anything about the broncos or you jumped on the band wagon after the super bowl wins. I’ve lived thru Bobby Humphrey and Sammy Winder and Lyle Alzado… U for life
Ulb You sound like ur a geek that never played a sport. Do u know anything about defense.
I watch football every week and see Nate fill holes and plug gaps.. i never played any sports but i’ve studied alot so i think i can understand Defense… I answered your question can you answer mine…
WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL?????
You probably don’t even like the bronocs. Go back to your old team and I demand you leave this blog until you answer my question
Just what i thought ur a geek that watches football and think u know it all. I am lower myself to even talk to u about the game u never played. So this is it.
I maybe a geek but I like the Broncos and you don’t……
Please provide me the school that paid for your education and let you use sentences like the last one.”I am lower myself to even talk to u about the game u never played” I believe it goes… I’m not going to lower myself to your level and proceed with this back and forth about who knows football more.
What School and i’ll leave you alone….. Otherwise you need to just shut up and watch Nate on the field and be happy for him. “U” for Life
U Lb’s: What are you Webster’s brother?? As much as you say you have studied the game you have a lot more studying to do. Webster is out of posistion on almost every play and Im not the only one saying this. You need to pay more attention, maybe even watch some film because your obviously way behind. If you put Nate Webster on such a high pedestal where is a player of Ray Lewis’ status in your eyes?? Now that guy is a linebacker (from the “U”) that plugs holes every week and deserves to be priased as you praise Mr. Webster.
Now to address your “football knowledge” in the college department. Not sure what Purdue games you were watching but I just looked up a couple things on Niko. He led the team in tackles as a junior and senior, was Second Team All-Big Ten his junior year (first year starting all games) and First Team All-Big Ten his senior year, he also received the Walter Camp Award and was on the Butkus Award list. Im sure you know with all your “football knowledge” that this award goes to the nations top college linebacker. He must have done something right.
Webster is not getting the job done and isn’t the answer for the future, everyone knows that. They payed this kid Niko some decent money so they should let him go out there and earn it. If he doesn’t perform, big deal, address it the draft, if he does….one less position we’ll need to address next year. Either way something needs to be done to get some stability out there.
Hey U Lb’s,
Let’s be candid with each other, it isn’t about what the hell I did in the past or about what you may think you know. Let the play speak for itself on the field. The #’s never lie. In the end I will guarantee you that there is a change at the middle linebacker position for apparent reasons: Lack of knowledge and cababilty to get players in their right positions(hence DJ having the microphone in his helmet), gets moved around tooooo much by bigger players. Come on “U” Nate was on the bench last year. Along time ago a man once told me ” make decisions with your brain not your heart ”
Look at the big picture the “mike” needs to run the team.
In closing, have you been to a Denver’s game live this year yet? If you do go watch the game and then get back to me what you really believe. None of this “U” crap. Let’s talk reality. I’ll buy you a beer at the game and then you can finally meet me in person!
U guys need to stop, seriously all u act like u know it all, this is no debate, this is a blog, opinions are welcomed, no need to be calling out people like that, this is a blog on what we think the Broncos should do, there is no right or wrong answer, its ur opinion, Why dont u all just be the bigger man and drop it or maybe act like one, no need for this inmature behavior, Let the professionals like Shanahan and Slowik fix this, ur opinion is welcomed but lets face it none of u including me cant do their job so thats that!!!!
Also in my opinion I can see how Webster is part to blame but not all of it, our defense has suffered because there not 2 much pressure on the QB, We do good enough on the run but we throwned off balance by the pass, I would love to see Niko Play, hes big and looks like he could be a beast, and I think Webster is more of an outside guy, but its not all Websters fault at the same time. Add that we’ve played good offenses in the Chargers and Saints, I not 2 upset over the Chiefs, I had a feeling it wasnt going to be easy, They always play us tuff at Arrowhead stadium no matter if they are better or worse than us at that time.
You’re right miramonte…….. but I have to answer a couple of questions and i’ll leave it be.
f
First Greek: I’m not related to Nate but maybe i should be asking you isn’t niko greek? uhhh……. Also I like to think i know a little about college football too. Like i was at the cap one bowl and seem to remember Purdue looked very shotty on “d” and i watched them play i believe a less talented bowling green… so i know aliitle about college football… who cares about awards.. its about results… As I remember wasn’t it an open competiton???????????? Nate won ..and look up nate’s college stats also and see he was a BUTKUS FINALIST…… NOT JUST ON THE LIST.. Do you know football?? So until Nate loses his job you should remain quiet u fake bronco fan…. You like Niko because he’s Greek or related to him…. You probably like Fred Smerlas too..oopps u don’t know who he is do u…. look into your heritage and never disrepect people who know football… don’t bother me anymore until he play’s and remember we’re 3-1 and lead in the division…… U for life
Next Snake: Let me be candid with you i asked u not to speak anymore until you told me where you played and i’m starting to believe u didn’t play… Are you a fan or not stop hating on players that play…
also it would be informative to make sure who recieves the signals throughout the league and makes the calls… Did u know that takeo spikes makes the calls in san fran not patrick willis..ummm takeo just got there and patrick has been in the system for 2 years.. so who calls the d means nothing to me please humor me some more though.. You must be young and just started watching football
I’ve been a bronco season ticket holder for 23 years and have seen them up close and personal… I’m from so. fla so naturally i route for my teams no matter what… i never change. how many games have you gone to…
This was easy fellas and to everyone else I’m sorry for bashing fake bronco fans.. U for life
U you are showing your ignorance all over this board. Since WHEN does playing well in COLLEGE EVER relate to playing well in the NFL? How many Heisman winners have BUSTED in the NFL? A hell of a lot more than have succeeded. I could give two craps about what NATE DID at criminal university, I think every Bronco fan could care less BUT YOU. Been around this team since I could SAY football, let alone watch it and one thing I’ve learned is that idiots with college attractions always make bad reads on players. NATE GETS WASHED OUT!
Nate Lover: I tried to talk to you in a civil manner but now I understand your IGNORANCE from your last post.Sharing and communicating with you is not possible. ” You can’t rationalize with ignorance” I don’t hate any players…just have opinions on ones. I Guess you also went to the “U” with Nate because where I come from you “root” for your favorite teams not “route ” as you say. Keep routing for Nate! It won’t be long….
Snake for life
Your right hrdkokd, but i’ve been quiet all this time and realize that snake only comments on the D and Nate’s performance. It does not matter who’s in the game as long as we rally behind the team… And I just talk about miami players as a joke hence the name… i never went to miami…. Snake do you root for the team or just like to talk about backup players… Do you know anything the history of this great organization… Guys always remember “U” can’t spell scum without UM….. lol U for Life
Snake thanks for helping me with my gramatical errors… Did you remember what school u went too since you know Mlb so much….still waiting… Did you even write that last post or someone wrote it for you.. enough is enough and I will not let you buy me a beer… Where’s greek9
Like I said earlier, issue #1 is Thomas getting (to quote Emmit Smith) “blowed out” each and every play. Then Nate overpursues and gets washed off the screen. Those 2 positions have GOT to change. I don’t know if Thomas is worth starting at this point.
snake if u answer were you went to college i’ll sit and have a drink w/ u…
fake fan……….. where’s greek??? still looking up stats….
We’ll win this weekend because of the D guarantee!!!!
U Lb’s: You got anything better to do than to wait on me??
One: Not sure what capitol one bowl game you went to but Purdue played Georgia not Bowling Green, and Purdue’s shotty offense lead by the turnover machine himself, Kyle Orton, lost the game for them, get your facts right.
Two: I never questioned Nate’s college career you questioned Niko’s. So I decided to point out the obvious to someone who has “studied” the game as much as you have.
Three: Maybe you should stop questioning other peoples fan hood and start questioning your own?? Everyone agrees on this blog that Nate is always out of position. You continue to argue that he is a stud, but you have no evidence. You need to put your loyalty to the “U” aside and agree with whats best for the BRONCOS.
Four: Just cuz im greek doesn’t mean im related to Niko. I just want what everone else wants, the defense to actually stop someone.
PS: I hope your guarantee comes thru
Greek I put snake to bed and now i’m putting you to sleep… Is this Niko???
Are sure you’re not related?? I am fully aware of who and when purdue played Bowling green and when they played georgia reread my reply… Is this Niko?? Are you related?? All you talk about is Niko should play and he was paid this amount of money get over it….Honestly did Niko look good in the preseason?? Nope…. Is this Niko? Are you related?? Did you look up and see who Fred Smerlas is?? Don’t reply until you do…. And please provide insight and support for the Broncos and not just about Niko… It feels like a Hurricane is coming….Is this Niko?? Are you related?? Fake fan please leave… Go Broncos… If you don’t talk about Niko i’ll let you in the eye of the storm… Is this Niko?? Are you related??
Oh god this is never gonna end!!!! Im gonna I dont agree on Marcus Thomas, I like that guy, I could say Nate is all over the field but hes not playing bad guys, its the scheme, Maybe what I think we need is a vocal leader on our defense, Champ is a corner is 2 far to be heard, DJ is kinda quiet, So what we really need is a Vocal Leader, whether its Niko or someone else, but someone needs to step up and be a leader, thats what I think we’re missing, just to add to this feud, U guys really must care a lot of what a random guy has to say on a blog, this is actually amusing lol!!!
mira your right marcus thomas looks or has looked like the best d lineman this year and dumervil has been injured so they need to lay off him hes our best d lineman 9 games out of 10 we need to sign a new d coordinator let champ get his picks hes losing groung in the interception collumn. bones is a clown im a fan i dont like reading the bs that these losers right on here, learn some football bones you fat sob
nates better then niko shut up let the coach decide the starter
I didn’t know snakes hibernate…. go to sleep….
I’ve come to the realization that Snake never played a down of football in college and probably didn’t play in high school (maybe J.V.)hahaha….. Did you even graduate high school…. This is a fake fan…
Greek, I beleive that you have a lot of knowledge about Niko and nothing else… I’ve came to the conclusion that greekbronco9 is Niko…. Well Niko if you would pay more attention to the game and less on this post you might be playing or making special teams tackles… So Niko leave this post for the fans who care about the broncos and keep backing up Nate….
U FOR LIFE
Guarantee win and the “d” plays good…
That defense looked really good led by Nate….. What did you think Snake and Greek?? Did you fake fans even watch the game??? Where are you guys this great morning still SLEEPING..hahaha go broncos “U FOR LIFE”
hey………