Denver Broncos Notes and Quotes from Offseason Workouts
The Denver Broncos are currently working out together at their team headquarters, Dove Valley. The bad taste from the way the Super Bowl played out is still felt within the franchise. This team is focused on winning a championship more than ever, and they have made several big free-agent moves to improve their squad.
Twice a week during the workouts, certain players are made available to the Denver media. Players like Peyton Manning, DeMarcus Ware, Montee Ball, T.J. Ward and others have all thoroughly answered questions during these workouts.
Here are a few important quotes from each of the players who have talked to the media ahead of this new league season.
Peyton Manning
The new team identity has been on the minds of many in Broncos Country. After such a successful regular season, it was difficult to see the way things fell apart against the Seahawks. Manning let us know his thoughts on what this teamโs identity should be in 2014.
โI donโt know if it has to be the same or different. I want it to be an identity that helps us win football games. I think itโs hard to say what it is going to be at this point. Our full roster has certainly not been decided. The draft isโwhen is the draft now? Itโs like in September now (laughing), they moved it back. We still probably need to see who we are based on who the personnel is, I think you form the identity from that.
โI think it is OTAs, itโs definitely training camp, and obviously itโd be nice to have it somewhere around the beginning of the season, but even before, I think you can develop it throughout the course of the seasonโwhat really works for you. Now weโre analyzing plays that worked last year, what plays didnโt work and how that can affect our offense this season.โ
In 2013, Manning set new single-season records for most touchdowns (55) and most passing yards (5,477). So how can the team improve on what they did last year? What does Manning do for an encore?
โLike I said, it is still a new season. There are a lot of players that are no longer here anymore. And so, the draft choices that weโre going to haveโit is up to you to be a productive quarterback for these new players.
"Last year doesnโt mean anything to the players that werenโt here. It is doing a lot of the same things, as far as a preparation standpointโkeeping yourself physically in shape so you can be a good player for [WR Emmanuel] Sanders, our new receiver, draft choices we make.
โSo, I think you find a way to find something that you werenโt as successful at last year, youโre studying these cutups, and I can be a little better there at the same time continuing to be good at the things that were productive for you last season.โ
One of the biggest changes to the offense will be utilizing free-agent acquisition Emmanuel Sanders. His speed has certainly grabbed Manningโs attention.
โHe is explosive. You canโt hold the ball very long when he is running a route, I learned that. He is excited about being here. Obviously, it is fun to play with guys who are excited about being here with the Denver Broncos.
"In the studies that I kind of did on him, I saw that he led their team in tackles on kickoff team one year. That tells you the guy likes football. That is more than just being a receiver; that is being a football player.
"I know heโs eager to learn. I know he was excited to get started today, where he is allowed to meet with the coaches and learn the offense. I look forward to playing with a guy like that. I think heโll be a really nice addition to our football team.โ
DeMarcus Ware
Arguably the biggest splash in free agency made by the Broncos was the acquisition of future Hall of Fame defensive end DeMarcus Ware. He comes to Denver after a disappointing 2013 season that saw him slowed down by an elbow injury. Ware only had six sacks last season, but he should be able to get at least double-digit sacks in his first season for the Broncos.
Ware immediately answered a question about his health: โIโm good, actually. I rehab every day. Iโm not 100 percentโI would say about 94 percent (laughing)โbut Iโm ready to play and get after it this season.โ
He will be asked to be a primary pass-rusher for the Broncos' opposite outside linebacker, Von Miller. That is an exciting proposition for the veteran.
โIโm excited about it. Playing defensive end, you always get a lot of the grunt work, especially when it comes to pass rush and getting double-teamed. But if he comes back where he needs to be, you canโt double-team both of us, especially with the big guys in the middle. Those guys are going to be holding it down, getting the pressure in the middle of the pocket.
โWeโre just really ready to play. Iโm looking forward to just playing with all the guys and just keep it rolling.โ
In addition to being a teammate, Ware can also be a mentor to Miller. He knows and understands what that role includes.
โActually, we were watching a little bit of tape this morning, some pass-rush stuff, me and him. Some of the moves that he was doing on tape were some of the moves that I have been doing. I was critiquing him, he was critiquing me and itโs just a good thing to know that there are guys out there that look up to you. Now I have an opportunity to shed some advice onto him.
โHe is a great player, and I look forward to playing with him this season.โ
Ryan Clady
The Broncos made several splashes in free agency this offseason. The return of Ryan Clady will have a free-agency feel because he missed most of the 2013 season after suffering a Lisfranc injury in the Week 2 game against the New York Giants. Clady will once again provide quality protection to Manningโs blind side.
His recovery from this foot injury was a big topic of conversation.
โIโm not quite sure on the percentage, but Iโm getting there. Iโve just been working and trying to get my foot right and ease back into things.โ
While Clady was out, Chris Clark stepped into his starting job. Clady was impressed with the job Clark did last season.
โHe did well. We had been working the last three years or four years since heโs been here. Weโve both been improving. Heโs definitely improved as a player since he got here.โ
Clady is coming back at left tackle, but the player next to him will be different. Zane Beadles moved on to the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency, and now the Broncos have to find a new left guard. Clady feels the team is going to be more than okay at the position.
โI think weโll recover from that [losing Beadles] and with [T] Orlando [Franklin] moving to guard or whoever else moves in there, we should still be able to have a great offensive line, no doubt.โ
Danny Trevathan
One of the most exciting Broncos defenders to watch is weak-side linebacker Danny Trevathan. He can fly to the football as a run defender, and his speed really shows up in coverage. Trevathan can make game-changing interceptions by baiting opposing quarterbacks into bad throws. We saw him break out in 2013, and Trevathan feels he will break out even more in 2014.
โMy job last year was just to make plays. To be a leader, you have to set an example. You have to make your name known. I donโt think I wanted to come here and be a leader, I had to earn that.
โLast year was a breaking-out season for me, and this year is going to be another breakout season for me. Itโs my job to help lead as much as I can. Just bring my characteristics to this team, my attitude to this team as much as I can.โ
Some questioned the Broncos' toughness on defense after the Seahawks dismantled them in the Super Bowl. Trevathan has no such questions.
โI donโt think we need to be tougher. We added some guys that can help us. The tough aspect of the gameโdefense is a tough job to play, and youโve got to be tough-minded to play out there. A lot of guys say we want tough, we need it, all this and that, but as a linebacker, you feed off of that. Youโre supposed to be tough.
โWe added some guys that played tough with the team that they were with. Itโs definitely going to help us be a tougher and physical team, and itโs really going to help us in 2014.โ
Some may have shied away from watching the Super Bowl again. Trevathan has taken the opposite approach in an effort to help him improve in 2014.
โOh yeah. I recorded that game and I watched it a lot. But itโs not what I could do then, itโs what I can do now. In the offseason, thatโs all I thought aboutโget back there. The odds are against us, and I like the odds against us. Theyโve been against me my whole life.
โFor us to get there, itโs going to take some hard work. But weโre definitely willing to put that forward.โ
Malik Jackson
One of the most intriguing players to keep an eye on is third-year defensive end Malik Jackson. He came into the league somewhat raw, but heโs learned better technique during his time in Denver. Jackson could be on the verge of a breakout year in 2014.
He likes the progress heโs made as a pass-rusher during his pro career. โI think itโs going [well]. We had [DE] Elvis Dumervil my first year, [DE] Shaun Phillips last year and now we have a great in [DeMarcus] Ware. So Iโm pretty blessed to have these Pro Bowl guys in here who can actually teach me and I can just sit back and watch.
โSo far, so good. I just canโt wait until we get on this field and I can kind of go through it full-speed and do it.โ
The Super Bowl loss is being used as motivation by the Broncos in the weight room. Jackson told us how.
โWe use it every day. These workouts, we come in and we say, โWe lost by 35.โ So thatโs our motivation. Whenever someone gets tired, you just say โ35,โ and they just start picking it up again. We know we have to come back strong this year.
โWe had a disappointing loss. But thatโs last season. Weโre ready to move on.โ
T.J. Ward
The first move the Broncos made in free agency was to add strong safety T.J. โBossโ Ward. His attitude and aggression will be welcome additions to the Broncos' secondary. Ward is a big hitter who can intimidate opponents early and often.
Heโs the new guy, but Ward can sense the urgency this team is preparing with. โRight now, it is still a hunger. You can tell it was a bad taste in the teamโs mouth from last year. Everybody is looking to improve and get better. The goal is to win that Super Bowl, so weโre working really hard right now.โ
Starting opposite Ward at free safety will be Rahim Moore. Ward likes what heโs seen from Moore as a pro. โRahim, he is a young, smart, talented player. He works hard. He is very hungry. He got hurt last year, and you can tell he is trying to bounce back from that and have a great season this year.โ
Ward gave us insight into how much he feels confidence plays in the production and success of safeties in the NFL.
โI think you have confidence at whatever position you play. Whatever you do, you want to be successful, and you have to have confidence. This is definitely a confident defense, and you can tell it is very talented. But, talent doesnโt get youโyou need the hard work, the dedication, and we have that here.โ
The Broncos added Ward to give them more toughness in the secondary, but they also want him to help create more turnovers. Ward shared some ideas on how to do that.
โI think youโve got to work at turnovers. Sometimes turnovers just happen, but in practice [you work on] stripping the ball, tackling, getting pressure to the quarterback, making errant throws, things like that.
โBut I think getting in that habit of just working the ball in practice, and interceptionsโlike I said, theyโre going to come with pressure on the quarterback and good coverage, but the other types of turnovers, fumbles and things like that, youโve got to work at during practice.โ
Montee Ball
The Broncos should use Montee Ball as their lead back in 2014. He looked larger than he did last year, and when I asked him if heโd gained weight in anticipation of a larger role his answer was succinct.
โYeah, of course. Iโm really taking it to heart, taking a lot of pride in working with our strength coaches, who are doing fantastic and really focusing on what you need to get better atโand my flexibility, which will help me with my speed and will keep me a lot healthier throughout the season.โ
Ball is focused on winning the starting job, as there will be a competition for that spot. โI take a lot of pride in that. Just like any other running back, I donโt want them to bring another running back in because I want it to be my job. That is how Iโm approaching itโin the most humble way possible, for sure.
โLike I said, I understand that theyโre not going to hand it to me, but Iโm going to work really, really hard.โ
In addition to improved pass-protection, Ball knows he must also take care of the rock. Any fumbling problems could slow down his development as a pro.
โPlayers are just smarter, faster and bigger. Every tackle they focus on either putting their helmet on the ball or at least getting an arm on the ball. That is the biggest difference from collegeโspeed and just the velocityโhow fast theyโre coming in on the hits.โ
Julius Thomas
After a two-year setback due to an ankle injury (and surgery), Julius Thomas was finally able to show what kind of a playmaker he could be for the Broncos in 2013. He instantly cemented himself as one of the best tight ends in the game today, and Thomas wants to continue his strong play in 2014.
โThere are a lot of things I can actually do better. A lot of people talked about the run game, but the passing game, the run game, protectionsโthere is a lot of room for growth. So that really gets me excited about this next season.โ
Young tight ends entering the league are now being compared to Thomas. When asked what he thought of guys like Eric Ebron (North Carolina) being compared to him, Thomas had this to say:ย โItโs gratifying just to know that youโre somebody that people see as somebody that is a leader at their position. And then having young guys doing what they can to have the kind of season you hadโit gives you that extra motivation that you want to come out and you want to continue that.
โYou donโt want it to be something that just happened that one year. You want it to be something that youโre known as time and time again, like the great guys that have played the position.โ
Thomas (like Manning) showed excitement when talking about new Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. The new wrinkles the offense could have in 2014 may make them even more dangerous.
โOne thing that I took from being with him at Duke is just how explosive he is. Heโs a guy that when he touches it, he can make a big play out of something small. We have a lot of weapons, and to have another weapon like that, I think weโll have that same mindset going forward into this season that weโre going to be a tough offensive unit to deal with.โ
With Sanders and Wes Welker both capable of playing in the slot, Thomas may see wide-open spaces in the middle of the field. He likes that idea.
โWe can do a lot of creative stuff. I have no idea what our coaching staff has up their sleeve and is planning, but I know itโll be exciting. Weโre all about creating mismatches and trying to find the guy on each play with the best opportunity.โ
All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via email from the Denver Broncos.
Cecil Lammey can be followed on Twitter @CecilLammey.ย
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