January 30, 2024 • 15 mins
On this episode of "Broncos Now," Sydney Jones is joined by Phil Milani to discuss cornerback Pat Surtain II, safety Justin Simmons and returner Marvin Mims Jr.’s trip to Orlando, Florida for this year’s Pro Bowl, what position groups to watch at the Senior Bowl and more. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Stitcher or wherever you find your podcasts. Make sure to leave a rating and review.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
What's a Broncos Country.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
Welcome back to the Broncos Podcast network and YouTube for
the latest episode of Broncos Now. As always from your
host is Sidney Jones. And coming up on today's episode, Pilatine.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
Reporter at Phil Malani joins the show.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
We'll talk about the Pro Bowl as Patzertana, Justin Simmons,
and Marvin Mims Junior head down to or Orlando for
that this week, and look ahead to the Senior Bowl.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
All that more coming up. Joining me here in the.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Broncos Podcast studio for today's episode of Broncos And Now
is a Philatine reporter Film Malani. Phil, thanks for joining
the show today, two weeks in a row on the show.
It was great, very usual. Happy to have you on again.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
How are we doing?
Speaker 4 (00:43):
Yeah, some exciting games last week. Yeah, you know, and
now the Super Bowl matchup is set. I think most
of Broncos Country probably agrees that you don't.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Want to see the Chiefs disappointing win another one.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
But I think this point you're just like, they're really
good and just kind of deal with it.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Well.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
I think a lot of people were thinking maybe this
was an off year for them.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Yeah, exactly, it turns out not so much.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Not so much. Yeah, you always find a way to
pull through in the end.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
Those two together, you're always going to be in it.
So yeah, connections with.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
The forty, I'm excited for them.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
Yeah, we'll have to see how things play out. A
rematch from a couple of years.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
Ago, a couple of years ago. Yeah, for twenty different
teams twenty nineteen.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Yeah I think. Yeah, so yeah, very different teams now.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (01:30):
Yeah, a lot of different excitement to talk about for
two weeks here.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
So yeah, well yeah, we still have two weeks for that.
But there's a lot going on in the football world
this week.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Fell Pro Bowls coming up in Orlando this week, So
Pats are Tan, Justin Simmons, Marvin Mims, they will.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
All be down there in Orlando. Y. Yeah, really exciting.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
There's a skills showdown for them on Thursday and then
the game is on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Yeah. There's all kinds of different things, like moving up
to a program, so.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
It's like community events, yeah, practices and all that.
Speaker 4 (01:59):
Past man competitions and yeah, so those are kinds of
different things.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
Last year past what did he like zip lines exact.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
That was kind of cool.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
Yeah, that was cool my growing up, my favorite was
like the quarterback competition where they have like the targets
on the golf carts and stuff and like, uh, you
know those old school quarterbacks, they would take that thing
pretty seriously.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Yeah, so it was fun to always see that.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
That is fun. They haven't done on a while.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
I know, yeah, they kind of went away from them,
but I think that that's kind of fun too.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
Of course Peyton Manning will be there too.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
Yeah, coaching, I guess, yeah, j I went it last year.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
I think I think so too. Maybe Payton's here then.
Speaker 4 (02:39):
Yes, to bounce back, of course I can't, but yeah, exactly,
Yeah it should be fun.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
But yeah, we get some people going down there too.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
I coverage, Yeah, look out all week.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
Yeah, opportunity where you're always around these guys, like they're
all he's taking things so seriously, you know, like getting
ready for games or you know, the training and they
kind of have like a focused mindset. This week is
a lot more loose when you're around those guys, so
you can do some fun stuff with them, and I think.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
Practices are fun. They're loose, you know.
Speaker 4 (03:16):
Yeah, exactly, So everybody's having a good time, and I
think that you get to see a different side of
those guys during this week at the Pro Bowl.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Yeah, I think so do so.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
Yeah, fans be on the lookout on Denver Broncos dot
com and our social media channels.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
Will be fun stuff coming this week from that.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Also, Phil the Senior Bowl that is this Saturday in Mobile,
East West Shrine Bowl that's his Thursday. So a lot
of stuff kind of going on this week.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
Yeah, And I think a lot of focuses in Mobile
right now during these practices. That's where you know, scouts
really get a good look at these guys. And of
course a lot of players at the Broncos could be
interested in drafting. You know, a couple of quarterbacks down there,
Michael Pennix, Bo Nicks, those are those guys are going
to get a lot of attention, I think. And so
you want to see what kind of weeks they have
(04:01):
during this practice, what kind of you know, how do
they carry themselves, how do they go about practice, How
serious are they? What are they like in these meetings.
You know, there's a lot going on this week and
it's really, uh, you know, a big week for some
of those guys. We mentioned it last week, you know,
Sidney for some guys who are sort of unknown, but
even guys who are knowing, you know, like bo Nick
(04:23):
so he was a Heisman finalist, but this is a
chance for him to show guys like, hey, I can
do this at the next level. I can prove you know,
you get to prove yourself a little bit. So, uh,
definitely a big week for the Broncos and for those
guys down there.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Yeah, show some of the executives, like in person, what
they can do, because exactly a lot of times stry
to get to these college games throughout the season.
Speaker 4 (04:43):
Yeah, and you know, there's a I think maybe some
people wonder why, like why do scouts go to games?
Speaker 3 (04:49):
Like what are they doing? Like watching on tv?
Speaker 4 (04:52):
You know, But I feel like when you're on the
field with these guys, you get such a different perspective.
You know, you can always look up on a piece
of paper, how tall a guy is, how much do
they weigh, But when you around some of them, you
can feel a different presence. Some of these guys, despite
what their sizes or whatever, they have a different field
to them when they're on the field, And you also
(05:14):
get a chance to see what kind of leader are
these guys? What are they like you know in the huddles,
what are they like during practice? You just get a
better picture of what.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
A guy is and who they are.
Speaker 4 (05:24):
So much of a success I feel like in the
NFL comes down to those kind of different attributes. You know,
everybody's super athletic, everybody's super physical, everybody can lift a
lot of weights. But what are the factors that really
separate you. That's where you're getting a feel of those
things when you're on the field with them in person.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
I think so too. Yeah, Phil, you mentioned quarterbacks.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
Outside of that, what other position groups do you think
should be on the Broncos radar as they're looking at
some of these prospects.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
Definitely like along the defensive line. I think that that's
going to be, you know, a big focus this offseason,
just the with the issues the Broncos had trying to
stop the run last season, I think that that's you know,
that was certainly an issue that popped up several times
throughout the year. I think you could look to add
adds a piece there to maybe an edge rusher, just
(06:14):
something along the defensive front seven. I think that that's
an area that Broncos could go early in the draft
or or address in some form or fashion this offseason.
You know, that's an area where you know, said when
I watched the games this week, you know, like the
conference championship games, I always like, see what these teams
are doing. Then I think about the Broncos and you're like,
oh gosh, these teams have like some pieces at different
(06:38):
spots where maybe the Broncos could look to address. So
edge is a kind of a position where you're really
impacting the game, you know, and making a difference week
in and week out. And I think that that's not
to say anything about you know, the guys that the
Broncos have. I think that some of those younger players
(06:58):
really stepped up, Nick Benito, Jonathan Cooper, you know, the Browning.
These guys really stepped up this year. But if you
have a chance to get a guy who's like a
focus for the opposing offense during the whole week, the
way that Khalil Mack is, Miles Garrett, you think about
the guys that Sean Payton was asked about, Okay, what
(07:19):
are you going to do to deal with Max Crosby?
You know how are you going to deal with Bosa
these kind of guys You're You're like, Okay, maybe this
Broncos defense could just add a player like that who's
going to be a focus for opposing offenses during the week.
You know, they obviously have certain which is a focus
right now, justin Simmons, he's a focus. But somebody up
(07:41):
front that could be a game wrecker. That's something where
I think the Broncos can focus on it. You know,
the Broncos are going to have to find some pieces, said,
not just with their first pick, not just with their
third round pick, but.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
In the fourth round, the fifth round.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
If you could really hit in those areas, Yeah, that's
where some of these teams start to separate themselves, where
they're finding legitimate talent later in the draft, guys that
end up becoming Pro Bowlers, becoming All Pro guys. If
you can find that talent in some of these areas,
that's where you can really separate your team. And that's
what the Senior Bowl is about, is finding guys like that.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Yeah, I feel you're talking about edge rusher's first off.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
You can never have enough of them.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Yeah, And I know George Payton has said that time
and time and again too. But you know Jonathan Cooper
you mentioned, I mean he was the seventh round pick.
So like you said, I mean, you're going to find
these guys later in the draft.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
Yeah, And you know, like your third round is like
sort of like that end of that top one hundred picks.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
You're going to.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
Find some guys there, like a Quinn Minors or even
a Justin Simmons who like develop into these you know,
perennial Pro Bowl, All Pro kind of consideration type of players,
you know. But if you can find guys a little
bit later than that that come in and are key contributors,
I think that's how you build depth. That's how you
build your roster where you're not spending a ton of
(09:02):
money on those guys. They're not like some of these
high price free agents that you bring in. Those are
guys that are solid contributors that really make a difference.
And you know that starts at weeks like this where
you're finding guys that.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
You under the eight over gems. You know that that
kind of thing.
Speaker 4 (09:21):
Those are really big deals for teams that win a
lot for sure.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Well, Phil, looking ahead more into the offseason, you mentioned
those high price free agents. You know, they made a
big splash and free agency last year. I know George
Payton kind of said in his end of the season
press conference, won't be splashy this year.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
Yeah, exactly. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:38):
You can't do that every year, I think, is what
you said. And you know, when you have a new
head coach coming in like they did last year, they
obviously identified the offensive line and they were like, okay,
we got to get better along the offensive line. They
picked up two starters in free agency. They picked up
some a JP Ryan, He was a big time contributor,
especially in the passing game, third down blocking. He was
(10:01):
a big contributor to the offense. Jared Stidham they brought
in a free agency ended up starting the last couple
of games. So the guys that they went out and
speck o money on they played significantly for the Broncos
last year. But like George said, you can't do that
every year. And hopefully, I think having Sean in the
building for one year under their belt, now they know
(10:24):
what kind of players Sean Payton is looking for. This
is a Sean Payton type of player. This is the
mold of what they're looking for. That helps your scouts
out where you can just feel it and be like,
this guy has what it takes to be a Bronco.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
You know, this is what the mold is like.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
You know, you talk about that with like the Steelers
that have so much consistency at their head coaching spot,
they can easily identify this is what makes a Steeler.
The longer that Shawn's here, the more he's here. That's
just going to help the scouts out during this process
where they're like, we're looking for hard nosed guys that
are mentally tough, that are just good, solid football players.
(11:03):
Not necessarily the fastest guy, not necessarily the biggest guy.
But this this guy fits the mold of what we're
looking for.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
This guy's a Bronco exactly.
Speaker 4 (11:12):
Those kind of things are going to become clearer and
clearer the longer Champagnes here.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
Yeah. I think so too, just knowing what his culture
is and what he wants.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 4 (11:21):
And you know, Sean has a long track record of
finding guys later in the draft, and that's because he
knows what he's looking for. And uh, I like Julia McLoughlin,
you know what I mean. Obviously he's speedy, and and
you know, brings that physical part of the game, you
know where you can't you can tell that he's a
little bit faster than some of the other guys. But
(11:43):
more than that, he brings the mindset of what I
think that Sean is looking for the guy who's going
to get here early, who's a team first, guy who's
willing to just learn and soak up whatever he can
and then when on game day, just bring it. That's
what a Champagne kind of guy is. And that's what
the Broncos are gonna be looking for. And they got
to find pieces like that. Undrafted guys, drafted guys, you know,
(12:05):
all those kinds of things help when you put them
all together.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
That's what makes a winning football team.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Yeah, you know, Phil, we talked to Juliel I think
it was the last or last week of the season
or two weeks left of the season, and I just
remember him saying, you know how much he's going to miss.
Speaker 3 (12:20):
The team around the guys in football.
Speaker 5 (12:23):
I know that's a big deal because it's a lot
of season. Yeah, and so at the end, so and
part of that process is also saying, hey, this guy
is in a Bronco he's in the locker room right now,
but that's not quite the kind of person we're looking for.
As time goes on, that the entire locker room will
(12:46):
become what Champagne is looking for. And that just sort
of helps your whole team out just where you're like,
I got everybody on the same page, everybody's got the
same mindset, everybody's what we're looking for. That's that's how
you win football games in the NFL.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
That's true.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Yep, it's a big deal.
Speaker 2 (13:04):
Lots to look forward to this offseason. Lots going on
this week, Pro Bowl, Senior Bowl, and then Super Bowl. Yeah,
things are a.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
Lot going on.
Speaker 4 (13:11):
And you know, the last thing I'll say is, just
watching those games last weekend, you saw some critical mistakes
from some of those guys. And you always hear Champagne
preaching about details, even in the highest level in the
in the you know, the most stressful times, those details
they pop up, and if you're just not sharp about
everything like that, it can it can cost you a
(13:32):
chance to go to the Super Bowl. Said, and so
you know, just having you know that mindset where you're
just like, hey, we can't afford to you know, skip
over some.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Of these minor little details matter.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
You know that it could really come back and hurt you.
So you know, it felt like some of those things
popped up in both games last Sunday, and so you know,
it's more than just a saying when Sean's like, hey,
you know when you see Sean out there, it's a Friday,
people are looking to get out, but he's extending those practices,
going over some of these all things. That kind of
(14:04):
culture and that kind of mindset is what built champions,
you know, so.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
He knows he's been Yeah, exactly the highest level of games.
Speaker 4 (14:11):
Yeah, exactly. So I think that, you know, as time
goes on and more off seasons go by, you're just
going to see this Broncos team transformed. And a big
part of that happened last year. Just a shift in mindset,
a shifting attitude, and I think that you're that's going
to continue with the type of players that they get
a free agency, the type of players that they identify
(14:33):
at the senior ball, at this trying game. You know, uh,
these types of things you're going to start to find out, Okay,
this is what a Sean Payton type of player is.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
I agree, I'm excited for it. Yeah, yeah, thanks for
joining the show today.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
Always fun.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
Thanks. That's going to do it for today's episode of
Broncos Now Broncos Country.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
Thanks so much for tuning in.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
Let me to write back here on the Broncos Podcast
network and YouTube next week for another episode
What's a Broncos Country.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
Welcome back to the Broncos Podcast network and YouTube for
the latest episode of Broncos Now. As always from your
host is Sidney Jones. And coming up on today's episode, Pilatine.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
Reporter at Phil Malani joins the show.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
We'll talk about the Pro Bowl as Patzertana, Justin Simmons,
and Marvin Mims Junior head down to or Orlando for
that this week, and look ahead to the Senior Bowl.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
All that more coming up. Joining me here in the.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Broncos Podcast studio for today's episode of Broncos And Now
is a Philatine reporter Film Malani. Phil, thanks for joining
the show today, two weeks in a row on the show.
It was great, very usual. Happy to have you on again.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
How are we doing?
Speaker 4 (00:43):
Yeah, some exciting games last week. Yeah, you know, and
now the Super Bowl matchup is set. I think most
of Broncos Country probably agrees that you don't.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Want to see the Chiefs disappointing win another one.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
But I think this point you're just like, they're really
good and just kind of deal with it.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Well.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
I think a lot of people were thinking maybe this
was an off year for them.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Yeah, exactly, it turns out not so much.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Not so much. Yeah, you always find a way to
pull through in the end.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
Those two together, you're always going to be in it.
So yeah, connections with.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
The forty, I'm excited for them.
Speaker 4 (01:20):
Yeah, we'll have to see how things play out. A
rematch from a couple of years.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
Ago, a couple of years ago. Yeah, for twenty different
teams twenty nineteen.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Yeah I think. Yeah, so yeah, very different teams now.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (01:30):
Yeah, a lot of different excitement to talk about for
two weeks here.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
So yeah, well yeah, we still have two weeks for that.
But there's a lot going on in the football world
this week.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
Fell Pro Bowls coming up in Orlando this week, So
Pats are Tan, Justin Simmons, Marvin Mims, they will.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
All be down there in Orlando. Y. Yeah, really exciting.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
There's a skills showdown for them on Thursday and then
the game is on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Yeah. There's all kinds of different things, like moving up
to a program, so.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
It's like community events, yeah, practices and all that.
Speaker 4 (01:59):
Past man competitions and yeah, so those are kinds of
different things.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
Last year past what did he like zip lines exact.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
That was kind of cool.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
Yeah, that was cool my growing up, my favorite was
like the quarterback competition where they have like the targets
on the golf carts and stuff and like, uh, you
know those old school quarterbacks, they would take that thing
pretty seriously.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
Yeah, so it was fun to always see that.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
That is fun. They haven't done on a while.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
I know, yeah, they kind of went away from them,
but I think that that's kind of fun too.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
Of course Peyton Manning will be there too.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
Yeah, coaching, I guess, yeah, j I went it last year.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
I think I think so too. Maybe Payton's here then.
Speaker 4 (02:39):
Yes, to bounce back, of course I can't, but yeah, exactly,
Yeah it should be fun.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
But yeah, we get some people going down there too.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
I coverage, Yeah, look out all week.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
Yeah, opportunity where you're always around these guys, like they're
all he's taking things so seriously, you know, like getting
ready for games or you know, the training and they
kind of have like a focused mindset. This week is
a lot more loose when you're around those guys, so
you can do some fun stuff with them, and I think.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
Practices are fun. They're loose, you know.
Speaker 4 (03:16):
Yeah, exactly, So everybody's having a good time, and I
think that you get to see a different side of
those guys during this week at the Pro Bowl.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Yeah, I think so do so.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
Yeah, fans be on the lookout on Denver Broncos dot
com and our social media channels.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
Will be fun stuff coming this week from that.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Also, Phil the Senior Bowl that is this Saturday in Mobile,
East West Shrine Bowl that's his Thursday. So a lot
of stuff kind of going on this week.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
Yeah, And I think a lot of focuses in Mobile
right now during these practices. That's where you know, scouts
really get a good look at these guys. And of
course a lot of players at the Broncos could be
interested in drafting. You know, a couple of quarterbacks down there,
Michael Pennix, Bo Nicks, those are those guys are going
to get a lot of attention, I think. And so
you want to see what kind of weeks they have
(04:01):
during this practice, what kind of you know, how do
they carry themselves, how do they go about practice, How
serious are they? What are they like in these meetings.
You know, there's a lot going on this week and
it's really, uh, you know, a big week for some
of those guys. We mentioned it last week, you know,
Sidney for some guys who are sort of unknown, but
even guys who are knowing, you know, like bo Nick
(04:23):
so he was a Heisman finalist, but this is a
chance for him to show guys like, hey, I can
do this at the next level. I can prove you know,
you get to prove yourself a little bit. So, uh,
definitely a big week for the Broncos and for those
guys down there.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Yeah, show some of the executives, like in person, what
they can do, because exactly a lot of times stry
to get to these college games throughout the season.
Speaker 4 (04:43):
Yeah, and you know, there's a I think maybe some
people wonder why, like why do scouts go to games?
Speaker 3 (04:49):
Like what are they doing? Like watching on tv?
Speaker 4 (04:52):
You know, But I feel like when you're on the
field with these guys, you get such a different perspective.
You know, you can always look up on a piece
of paper, how tall a guy is, how much do
they weigh, But when you around some of them, you
can feel a different presence. Some of these guys, despite
what their sizes or whatever, they have a different field
to them when they're on the field, And you also
(05:14):
get a chance to see what kind of leader are
these guys? What are they like you know in the huddles,
what are they like during practice? You just get a
better picture of what.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
A guy is and who they are.
Speaker 4 (05:24):
So much of a success I feel like in the
NFL comes down to those kind of different attributes. You know,
everybody's super athletic, everybody's super physical, everybody can lift a
lot of weights. But what are the factors that really
separate you. That's where you're getting a feel of those
things when you're on the field with them in person.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
I think so too. Yeah, Phil, you mentioned quarterbacks.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
Outside of that, what other position groups do you think
should be on the Broncos radar as they're looking at
some of these prospects.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
Definitely like along the defensive line. I think that that's
going to be, you know, a big focus this offseason,
just the with the issues the Broncos had trying to
stop the run last season, I think that that's you know,
that was certainly an issue that popped up several times
throughout the year. I think you could look to add
adds a piece there to maybe an edge rusher, just
(06:14):
something along the defensive front seven. I think that that's
an area that Broncos could go early in the draft
or or address in some form or fashion this offseason.
You know, that's an area where you know, said when
I watched the games this week, you know, like the
conference championship games, I always like, see what these teams
are doing. Then I think about the Broncos and you're like,
oh gosh, these teams have like some pieces at different
(06:38):
spots where maybe the Broncos could look to address. So
edge is a kind of a position where you're really
impacting the game, you know, and making a difference week
in and week out. And I think that that's not
to say anything about you know, the guys that the
Broncos have. I think that some of those younger players
(06:58):
really stepped up, Nick Benito, Jonathan Cooper, you know, the Browning.
These guys really stepped up this year. But if you
have a chance to get a guy who's like a
focus for the opposing offense during the whole week, the
way that Khalil Mack is, Miles Garrett, you think about
the guys that Sean Payton was asked about, Okay, what
(07:19):
are you going to do to deal with Max Crosby?
You know how are you going to deal with Bosa
these kind of guys You're You're like, Okay, maybe this
Broncos defense could just add a player like that who's
going to be a focus for opposing offenses during the week.
You know, they obviously have certain which is a focus
right now, justin Simmons, he's a focus. But somebody up
(07:41):
front that could be a game wrecker. That's something where
I think the Broncos can focus on it. You know,
the Broncos are going to have to find some pieces, said,
not just with their first pick, not just with their
third round pick, but.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
In the fourth round, the fifth round.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
If you could really hit in those areas, Yeah, that's
where some of these teams start to separate themselves, where
they're finding legitimate talent later in the draft, guys that
end up becoming Pro Bowlers, becoming All Pro guys. If
you can find that talent in some of these areas,
that's where you can really separate your team. And that's
what the Senior Bowl is about, is finding guys like that.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Yeah, I feel you're talking about edge rusher's first off.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
You can never have enough of them.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Yeah, And I know George Payton has said that time
and time and again too. But you know Jonathan Cooper
you mentioned, I mean he was the seventh round pick.
So like you said, I mean, you're going to find
these guys later in the draft.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
Yeah, And you know, like your third round is like
sort of like that end of that top one hundred picks.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
You're going to.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
Find some guys there, like a Quinn Minors or even
a Justin Simmons who like develop into these you know,
perennial Pro Bowl, All Pro kind of consideration type of players,
you know. But if you can find guys a little
bit later than that that come in and are key contributors,
I think that's how you build depth. That's how you
build your roster where you're not spending a ton of
(09:02):
money on those guys. They're not like some of these
high price free agents that you bring in. Those are
guys that are solid contributors that really make a difference.
And you know that starts at weeks like this where
you're finding guys that.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
You under the eight over gems. You know that that
kind of thing.
Speaker 4 (09:21):
Those are really big deals for teams that win a
lot for sure.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Well, Phil, looking ahead more into the offseason, you mentioned
those high price free agents. You know, they made a
big splash and free agency last year. I know George
Payton kind of said in his end of the season
press conference, won't be splashy this year.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
Yeah, exactly. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:38):
You can't do that every year, I think, is what
you said. And you know, when you have a new
head coach coming in like they did last year, they
obviously identified the offensive line and they were like, okay,
we got to get better along the offensive line. They
picked up two starters in free agency. They picked up
some a JP Ryan, He was a big time contributor,
especially in the passing game, third down blocking. He was
(10:01):
a big contributor to the offense. Jared Stidham they brought
in a free agency ended up starting the last couple
of games. So the guys that they went out and
speck o money on they played significantly for the Broncos
last year. But like George said, you can't do that
every year. And hopefully, I think having Sean in the
building for one year under their belt, now they know
(10:24):
what kind of players Sean Payton is looking for. This
is a Sean Payton type of player. This is the
mold of what they're looking for. That helps your scouts
out where you can just feel it and be like,
this guy has what it takes to be a Bronco.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
You know, this is what the mold is like.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
You know, you talk about that with like the Steelers
that have so much consistency at their head coaching spot,
they can easily identify this is what makes a Steeler.
The longer that Shawn's here, the more he's here. That's
just going to help the scouts out during this process
where they're like, we're looking for hard nosed guys that
are mentally tough, that are just good, solid football players.
(11:03):
Not necessarily the fastest guy, not necessarily the biggest guy.
But this this guy fits the mold of what we're
looking for.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
This guy's a Bronco exactly.
Speaker 4 (11:12):
Those kind of things are going to become clearer and
clearer the longer Champagnes here.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
Yeah. I think so too, just knowing what his culture
is and what he wants.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 4 (11:21):
And you know, Sean has a long track record of
finding guys later in the draft, and that's because he
knows what he's looking for. And uh, I like Julia McLoughlin,
you know what I mean. Obviously he's speedy, and and
you know, brings that physical part of the game, you
know where you can't you can tell that he's a
little bit faster than some of the other guys. But
(11:43):
more than that, he brings the mindset of what I
think that Sean is looking for the guy who's going
to get here early, who's a team first, guy who's
willing to just learn and soak up whatever he can
and then when on game day, just bring it. That's
what a Champagne kind of guy is. And that's what
the Broncos are gonna be looking for. And they got
to find pieces like that. Undrafted guys, drafted guys, you know,
(12:05):
all those kinds of things help when you put them
all together.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
That's what makes a winning football team.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Yeah, you know, Phil, we talked to Juliel I think
it was the last or last week of the season
or two weeks left of the season, and I just
remember him saying, you know how much he's going to miss.
Speaker 3 (12:20):
The team around the guys in football.
Speaker 5 (12:23):
I know that's a big deal because it's a lot
of season. Yeah, and so at the end, so and
part of that process is also saying, hey, this guy
is in a Bronco he's in the locker room right now,
but that's not quite the kind of person we're looking for.
As time goes on, that the entire locker room will
(12:46):
become what Champagne is looking for. And that just sort
of helps your whole team out just where you're like,
I got everybody on the same page, everybody's got the
same mindset, everybody's what we're looking for. That's that's how
you win football games in the NFL.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
That's true.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Yep, it's a big deal.
Speaker 2 (13:04):
Lots to look forward to this offseason. Lots going on
this week, Pro Bowl, Senior Bowl, and then Super Bowl. Yeah,
things are a.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
Lot going on.
Speaker 4 (13:11):
And you know, the last thing I'll say is, just
watching those games last weekend, you saw some critical mistakes
from some of those guys. And you always hear Champagne
preaching about details, even in the highest level in the
in the you know, the most stressful times, those details
they pop up, and if you're just not sharp about
everything like that, it can it can cost you a
(13:32):
chance to go to the Super Bowl. Said, and so
you know, just having you know that mindset where you're
just like, hey, we can't afford to you know, skip
over some.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Of these minor little details matter.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
You know that it could really come back and hurt you.
So you know, it felt like some of those things
popped up in both games last Sunday, and so you know,
it's more than just a saying when Sean's like, hey,
you know when you see Sean out there, it's a Friday,
people are looking to get out, but he's extending those practices,
going over some of these all things. That kind of
(14:04):
culture and that kind of mindset is what built champions,
you know, so.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
He knows he's been Yeah, exactly the highest level of games.
Speaker 4 (14:11):
Yeah, exactly. So I think that, you know, as time
goes on and more off seasons go by, you're just
going to see this Broncos team transformed. And a big
part of that happened last year. Just a shift in mindset,
a shifting attitude, and I think that you're that's going
to continue with the type of players that they get
a free agency, the type of players that they identify
(14:33):
at the senior ball, at this trying game. You know, uh,
these types of things you're going to start to find out, Okay,
this is what a Sean Payton type of player is.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
I agree, I'm excited for it. Yeah, yeah, thanks for
joining the show today.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
Always fun.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
Thanks. That's going to do it for today's episode of
Broncos Now Broncos Country.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
Thanks so much for tuning in.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
Let me to write back here on the Broncos Podcast
network and YouTube next week for another episode
Popular Podcasts
Fudd Around And Find Out
UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd brings her championship swag to iHeart Women’s Sports with Fudd Around and Find Out, a weekly podcast that takes fans along for the ride as Azzi spends her final year of college trying to reclaim the National Championship and prepare to be a first round WNBA draft pick. Ever wonder what it’s like to be a world-class athlete in the public spotlight while still managing schoolwork, friendships and family time? It’s time to Fudd Around and Find Out!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.