We considered last week a pivotal game, not a must-win, but pivotal, because it was in the division and it was at home. We thought we were a better team than we put out there record-wise, so just to come out there and execute well against a solid Oakland team was encouraging to everybody.
The best part is it was a total team effort. All three phases played great. To win a championship and to be a championship team that’s what you’ve got to do consistently. Execute well offensively, get three-and-outs defensively and make a play on special teams. We accomplished that against Oakland.
Big game this week. I was just saying, New England is one of the premier teams in this league in modern time. For us to pack it up and go up to Foxborough is going to be a challenge and a test for us. But I think we’re excited. We know that we’ve got to play our best. That’s been our focus this week.
I thought the first time we played them last year, we were winning the game up to the middle of the second quarter, then I think we had three turnovers. We kind of shot ourselves in the foot. We were doing things well, we just can’t have turnovers against a team like this. The second time was just — they had our number. We didn’t play well. I think that still sticks in a lot of guys’ minds, and we know we want to go up there and perform a lot better.
I think our thing is just to make sure we convert on third downs, just put drives together. That keeps our defense off the field. It keeps Brady off the field. It’s all about complementing one another to play our best football.
Now for your questions. Broncosonmine asked what goals I set along the way to reach the NFL. I think starting my freshman year it was just to get better at the skillset as a receiver, then to build off that yearly. Getting faster, getting stronger, running better routes, being more durable. All those things. As you mature, you start to learn and know that that’s what’s going to get you to the league and keep you there. I think those were my goals, just to be a consistent, reliable guy that worked hard.
I saw SWBronco wanted to know exactly what it means when players talk about studying the playbook and what goes into that. For me, studying the playbook is learning every position. Knowing what the protections are, too, because if you know the entire play call within the playbook, you become so much more comfortable. You become a better player for it. For me, I always had a whiteboard, I write down what the call was, make sure I knew what everybody did on the field. That was kind of my style of studying the playbook.
Hope that gave you a little insight. Looking forward to checking back in next week.
Tags: Eric Decker, New England Patriots, Week 5
Congrats on your first TD of the season and on the win against the arch rival. 2nd largest margin of victory in team history!
Tough game this weekend for sure. But I absolutely believe that this team is more than capable of winning the contest.
Sub plots galore. The obvious one being “Manning vs. Brady”… I know it’s more of a media/fan thing, but as a player how are these matchups viewed? Good luck this weekend and as always-
Broncos Country Strong 2012!
Mr. Decker,
I thought you picked up the sole bad call in the game, after a catch was reviewed. While it was clear that the ball did hit the ground it was also clear the the ball didn’t move and you had control, all the way to the ground. That stuff is always a part of the game, but you got robbed!
I was curious about locker room jokes… who got more grief … you for sliding last week or DT for his hand switch fumble. I am excited about the talent you guys have and loved how you stepped it up this week.
Good Luck this week!
My favorite place to see Tom Brady is on his fanny! I hope he spends a lot of time there. I think you can handle the Patriots secondary. Good luck and play safe!
What is your favorite route to run?
I know you are on the offensive side of the ball, but i keep hearing about teams disguising coverages against Peyton Manning. It unfortunately worked a bit in Atlanta until he figured it out.
Why doesn’t the Broncos do that as well? Especially against Tom Brady.
For several years now i feel the weakness is coverages up the middle on 3rd and long plays to TEs. Why has this not be addressed / fixed.
Checking in for the first time this season…
I am very encouraged with the way the season is unfolding. As well all mentioned before the season, the slate of teams on our schedule is brutal and each week is a slugfest. Hard to complain about a loss @ Atlanta and even against a great Texans squad. Here are 4 guys that have really stood out to be so far this season.
LT Ryan Clady- For all that was said about his diminished skills and his inability to recover from his knee injury, he has done an outstanding job. The whole O-line has done a great job in protection considering the quality of defenses we played in the first quarter of the season. Covering Manning’s blind side is probably the most important assignment for any Bronco this year.
DT Keith Vickerson- Put on weight this offseason and has embraced the role of clogging the middle of our run defense. Sure Foster got his yards 2 weeks ago but those were mostly on runs attacking the edge.
S Rahim Moore- Does anyone else notice the wood he has been laying on people this year? He has been huge in crashing on run plays and punishing the RB’s. Moore has been a little shaky on pass coverage (Texans game comes to mind) but he is taking steps to become a complete safety.
S/Special Teams David Bruton- Has shown through the preseason and so far this season that he is an absolute stud on ST’s. With Carter out, he also saw time in passing situations last week. Looking back at the end of last year, Bruton is a weapon on the field. Excellent size and speed. Would love to see him mark Gronk this week and TE’s in the future. Our team is better when he is on the field.
The best way to see Tom Brady is on his back as so eloquently illustrated in the video below…..LOL
http://youtu.be/yr447PP-qT8
Only big negative as I’ve seen mentioned,
Jim Leonhard has got to go as our punt returner. The man spends more time running east to west than north to south.
Deck! I don’t know if you got a chance to check out the song I wrote for The Neck but you are one of the main players in the tune…. check it out… I posted it on my comment above. ^^^^^^^^^
I need you to sign my Decker jersey! Hopefully I can make it to the Carolina or Baltimore game when you guys come to the east coast!
Deck! You should download a copy and slip the CD into Peytons car cd player for fun!!!!
Great game on Sunday! I always watch the game at my favorite local place & I’m the only Denver fan there (I’m in Columbus). Thank God the bartender loves me & puts the Denver game on the big screen.
There was a Cowboys fan sitting beside me who had you on his fantasy team and we had a blast high-fiving and getting excited when you made that touchdown! Our excitement was infectious and by the end of the game, the entire bar was answering the cheer “LET’S GO BRONCOS! CLAP…CLAP…CLAP CLAP CLAP”. Thanks again for a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Ohio.
I agree with Atwater4HOF on punt returns, any talk about you returning punts on a regular basis?
Eric, you are a favorite in our house! But my daughter was sooo disappointed she didn’t get her Decker jersey autographed at Sports Authority the other night. She waited in line for 2 hours and was told by staff you would stay a little longer so they stayed in line only to be cut off about 10 people short-aggghhhhh!!!
Deck-
I don’t think there are a pair of WR’s that run block better than you and DT. One of those things that doesn’t show up in a box score but it makes a huge difference. I love the unselfishness of our WR unit
Deck-
Who in your opinion is the funniest guy on the offensive side of the ball? Who has the best style?
Keep it rolling Deck, I love the salt n pepper handshake after dmt paved your way to the endzone with that huge block! That game was so much fun to watch, torch these pats brother if arizona can beat the pats at home the Broncos can!
LETS GO!!
Do you and any of the other recievers ever have friendly wagers on outperforming each other in games? And does rookie hazing continue for the whole season? Or mainly just in training camp? Thanks hope you guys smash the pats!!!
@alton23
You are correct in that this has been a concerning area in Denver for multiple years. In short, the problem is the lack of a quality coverage middle linbacker. Joe Mays is a good guy and I like a guy of his character on this team but as good as he is in as a downhill run stuffer, he is not starter quality. Mays has next-to-zero coverage skills. In an almost obvious passing situation such as 3rd and long, the Broncos continue to get gashed by crossing routes and TEs.
My guess is Brooking will start this game at MLB. He did well as a field general against Oakland and Denver was able to hold Oakland to 1 in 12 3rd down conversions.
When a quality coverage MLB shows up in FA, expect Denver to pounce hard this offseason.
We don’t want to see Decker returning, yeah he is a stud at it but it’s too risky for an injury. Guys will be looking to take him out.
The big threat this weekend will be Gronk. We still get killed by TE’s over the middle, especially on 3rd downs. You can almost bet that on a third and long it will be to a TE or RB on a rout across the middle.
Keep up the great work Decker, you make me proud to see that 87 making big plays and catches out there again!!
Prediction…
BRONCOS 30
Beli-Cheats 27
Eric Decker, can this be your “OFFICIAL DANCE CELEBRATION” after your two touchdown performance on Sunday.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0&sns=em
I am hearing that Hernandez may still be out and that Gronk has missed practice or is limited. Denver is back to a healthy roster.
No sliding…
Bomber, whatever that was… It was out of control.
Mr. Decker,
Great TD catch-and-run against our rival Raiders! You and DT are the next big duo! I have some questions for you, when did you and DT first meet? How did you react when both of you were drafted on the same team? By the way, DT had a great block on that scoring play. Thank you! I can’t wait to watch you dominate the Patriots on Sunday!
http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/_/page/bruschibreakdown-1004/new-england-patriots-match-wits-peyton-manning
Well we made it up to 30 mins. of football. This next game will be a good time to play 60 mins. of football. The coach made a bad call to go for a first down instead of trying for a fieldgoal. Prader has made fieldgoals from that distance many of times. So please give us 60 mins. of football the rest of the season just like the second half of sundays game against the raiders. Patriots are alot better than the raiders. Play hard Broncos & you will come home with a win.
To the Deck and the DMC!!! Keep it up!!
FTR
THANKS FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTION DECKER..GO GET EM BRONCOS..
#LIUAKI
Yes it was good to see. This next game I can’t waite to see.
Eric Decker, where did you go?!? I miss your entries. My birthday is Octpber 15th and I would love for you guys to beat the chargers for my day!! Or hell get one touchdown for your nor cal Vallejo fan!!! Also wanted to share my best friend got me a proline jersey with your name on it, they know me well!!! Can’t wait for the game Monday on my bday!!! Good luck to you all!!! <3