Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Tonight, I am Phil Malani filling in for Benjamin all Right,
hanging out in studio here with the main man, Nick Ferguson,
on what was a wild day around the NFL. Nick
at the start of the legal tampering period. Really, it's
a start a free agency, right.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
You see what we see when I hear individuals say
legal tampering period. To me, that happened about a week ago. Yes,
a lot of these deals were already made, you know,
during a comeba. So yeah, I just got to wait
till Wednesdays to solidify them. But always an exciting time
(00:37):
because I get a chance to sit on the text
thread with thirty of my former Broncos teammates and we
just see how much money guys are getting paid.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Now that makes you upseter, You're all right, No, it
doesn't make me happy for the guys.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
I'm happy for all of these guys because ideas that
if a team is willing to give it to you,
you're gonna take it, ye, right, So why would I
be upset for a guy making some standard the amount
of money that creates generational wealth.
Speaker 4 (01:06):
I'm all for it.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Yeah, I mean, you're changing not just his life, but
the family's life, you know, And yeah, it's good for
these guys. And you know, the important thing I think
for players to remember is this is your time when
you have leverage, you know, So don't take the hometown discount.
Don't do any of that. This is your time where
the ball is in your court.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Well, Spiel, I have to be totally honest. You know,
there's's thirty two teams. They don't like what you're saying.
They want guys to take the hometown discount. But I'm
like you, being a former player, I know what goes
into this game. I know what you are going to
be asked to do time and time again. So I'm
a huge fan of get your money. Why you can
(01:50):
get it now.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
If you've made your money, then you could say, okay,
I want to be on a winner.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Because I do.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
Think that this is also true, Nick. I think being
a player on a terrible team is night and day
difference than being a player on a good team. Your
life is way better when you're on a good team.
So if you've made your money.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
You see, that sounds true in theory for certain players,
but that's not how it worked out for mals Garrett.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Yes, he it wasn't about the money from Ozs Garrett right, Well.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Well, for him, it was just like, look, man, I
mean I live in Cleveland, I'm playing for Cleveland. We're
not gonna win anything, so I might as well be
well compensated for my losses.
Speaker 4 (02:33):
That's basically what his CODs. I guess he's been compensated
in the Vans.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Well, hey, maybe they'll turn things around. Maybe, you know,
they draft the quarterback there?
Speaker 4 (02:41):
Who knows what I feel? Do you really believe that?
Speaker 2 (02:45):
No? No, no, no, do you really believe that they
they drafted quarterback?
Speaker 4 (02:49):
I mean they picked up Kiddie Picket.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
In the trade right with the Beagles.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Now will that change or potentially change the direction that
Andrew Berry wants to go and pick number two?
Speaker 4 (03:01):
Possibly?
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Now he can start building calls. What do you willing
to give me for that spot?
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
So, Well, it was a big day for the Broncos
of Nick, because you know this, heading into this offseason,
we knew that the center of the field on the
defensive side was going to be a major priority. And
it seems like the Broncos addressed that they bring in
a safety and Toalandoah a Funga this guy is just
(03:31):
plays with his feet on fire.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Nick he you know.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
He's everywhere, He's running around. And then we're just hearing
the news here that Drake Greenlaw is the new Broncos
linebacker here according to all these reports. So look, the
Broncos have brought in some speed and some athleticism on
the defensive side of the ball. But both of those
guys come in with maybe some question marks, with some
(03:55):
injury concerns.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Yeah, I mean, at the stage of your career, it's
hard guys who don't have some form of injury. But
as pertains, these two guys, especially green Law having that
Achilles injury, that's gonna be something for fans to actually watch.
But I know there's some individuals who like it, some
that don't like it.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
I for one, like it. But when I look at
his overall contract.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
The Broncos didn't really overspend for a guy at that position.
And I also expect the Broncos to still go out
and draft a guy who played the middle linebacker position.
Speaker 4 (04:30):
And I mean, you have Ju Sanders, that's gonna push
him a little more. You got a bettering guy.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
But the biggest thing for me, when I look at
the two acquisitions that the Broncos actually made two guys
from the forty nine ers team I'm quite familiar with.
Is something I've always pounded the table for more physicality.
That is what this team need, because if you go
back and you watch that Buffalo Bills game, the Broncos
were manhandled on both sides of the ball. So bringing
(04:56):
into I'll say three guys you resigned DJ Jones.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
So you got better following on all three levels.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
DJ an interior guy, green Law on the second level,
and Hufunger back in the secondary.
Speaker 4 (05:07):
So those three.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Guys I will be watching all season long to see
how that physicality change in mentalities Broncos defense.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
With green Law in particular, the Broncos have been looking
for a long time to find an athletic line interior linebacker.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
I mean it's been a long time that.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
They've had a guy who's just like a physical specimen
back there. And you're right, I think that you got
to watch green Law and see how he comes back
from this thing. You know, because when he is out
there playing, he is that kind of dominant guy who's
always where the ball is. I remember when he went
out in that Super Bowl. You're like, oh my gosh,
(05:46):
this changes everything that the forty nine ers are trying
to do on the defensive side. He's that kind of
a linebacker when he's fully healthy. The Achilles, to me,
is an interesting injury because some of that explosiveness, you
don't know how much of it's going to come back,
so you know, you just got to pay attention to that.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Well, when you look at free agency, there's always a
little give and take, right because at this particular point,
I mean, the linebackers that the Broncos wanted are not
then linebackers that the Broncos actually picked up, because those
guys flew off the board. So you looking for, almost
like the draft, who's the next best guy that fits
(06:24):
the mold to what we're looking to do defensively, and
green Law definitely fits that mold. Now, once again, you
want to make sure that he's healthy. But anyone that's
playing in this game understands, especially if you play a
long period.
Speaker 4 (06:38):
Of time, injuries are part of the game, yep, and
the biggest part.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
And this is where you see that scouting department truly
come in right. When someone goes down, do you have
adequate depth to feel the gas? So that's what the
Broncos are right now. They need to go out with
the rerest of free agency, but more so with the
draft and make sure they add to this defense and
(07:02):
the team overall.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
I think that your whole goal going into free agency
here is to have some flexibility in the draft, you
know what I mean, so that you're not pigeonholed into
one thing saying we've got to get this in the
first round. Otherwise you know we're gonna have this huge hole.
I think the Broncos have addressed that on the defensive
side so far.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Can I put a GM head on for a second, Yeah,
go ahead, all right, So this is what I'm glad
you said what you said, because every team finds himself
in this position, and you got the free agency before
the draft, So teams have to ask themselves what areas
of need are huge concerns for us and which which
point in the schedule are we going to use to
(07:43):
make us better?
Speaker 4 (07:44):
Is it the draft for the free agency?
Speaker 2 (07:45):
So looking at what the Broncos did in free agency
so far, I'm anticipating forecasting.
Speaker 4 (07:51):
Just a little.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Okay, the draft is going to be used to better
the team offensively. That's not to say that they're not
going to get some pieces on defense, but you attack
with veteran leadership, right physicality, you know, with March and
getting free agents. But now once you get to the draft,
is now that that is going to be a huge
part of how do you really help bo Nicks?
Speaker 1 (08:15):
Yeah, And I also think that like outside of the
top like one or two rounds, you can't like really
rely on that guy to come in and be a
day one starter, do you know what I mean? So
if you're looking for a starter at a position, you
look free agency and then maybe the first two rounds
or so maybe three rounds, right, Yeah, maybe those guys
will come in and they can at least compete for
(08:36):
a starting spot. But yeah, I mean I think that
this is sort of lining up to be like, hey,
a running back is still a need. They feel like
there's gonna be some guys that they really like at twenty,
and so maybe you go that direction in the first
round because based off all these reports were.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
Hearing, they've not brought in a running back so far.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
See for me, I'm thinking this even before free agency started,
Broncos sitting at twenty, even though most draft analysts would say, well,
the Broncos are not in a good spot because they're
out of the top ten. I say no, because when
we look at the pool of talent, it is really deep, right,
especially when you look at interior pass rushers, you look
(09:16):
at running backs, you look at wide receivers. So the
Broncos in a position where they can actually move back,
stay in the first round and still make this team better.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
But I'm sure before.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
George Peyton Sean Payton got together and pulled the trigger
on Drake Greenlaw, they sat around the table.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
Right, some were not.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Happy about it because they're looking at the injuries, but
I'm sure cooler heads prevailed and it became risk versus reward.
Speaker 4 (09:44):
Right, Yeah, they're risk with.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
Any player, absolutely, But then they were looking at the
reward factor. How could adding Ufunga and Greenlaw affect the
Broncos defense?
Speaker 4 (09:56):
And for me, those were two of the guys.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
I say, if these Zach bond Is off the table,
and we saw Nick Bolton off the table, I said, okay,
well here's where the Broncos is gonna have to go
to that second and third tier guy. But once again,
if you combine Rufongo with green Law, you know a
piece of that aggressiveness from the San Francisco defense. Now
you've definitely upgraded yourself, but more importantly, you helped yourself
(10:20):
against AMC West teams.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Oh yeah, definitely. I mean you have to build your
roster knowing who you're going to be going up against
twice a year. Absolutely, Yeah, you got to think about
that stuff. And the other thing about Hufumda is that
he plays up close to the line of scrimmage a lot,
so he's kind of like he's kind of like that TJ.
Ward kind of linebacker slash safety kind of guy.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
Right he is.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
But here's what he also brings to you is going
back to my days in San Francisco, those guys in
the secondary had a knack for blissing. And you just
can't put anyone down in the box and have them
in the blitz. You gotta know what gap once if
there's a deer block, and what that mean is that
you get both the guard and tackle kind of flaming
down that you know how to trace him.
Speaker 4 (11:03):
Right.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
Well, my B gap was supposed to be there is
not there. Can I run around the tackle and actually
get the quarterback? Wifonging is shown College times with the
forty nine ers. He has that ability, so imagine and
this is me being a safety. So so I'm really
excited about this part. You got Brandon Jones and you
got Wafonga on the field right now. They don't know
who's coming and if your vans Joseph, just like we
(11:26):
watched Vic Fan Jones Super Bowl with Philadelphia.
Speaker 4 (11:29):
There's so many things that you can use.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Both guys can blitz and then it also gives you
PJ Lock a guy waiting in the wings just in
case someone getting nicked up. But PJ can go back
to his role as being a top special team player.
Speaker 1 (11:41):
Yeah, and we talked about the depth and you know,
and there's some indrict concerns here. So like a guy
like PJ Lodge clearly didn't play up to his capability
last year. You know, it's never a good sign when
right when the season ends the coach at the GM
are saying, we got to get us your position. So
that kind of tell you what the Broncos thinking is.
(12:02):
Right when right when the season ends they're like, we're
looking for your spot. They're not good.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
It's not good to be in that position.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
And as a guy that got my starting career because
someone got injured in the safety position, I took over
and I just ran away with it. I thought PJ
Lott was going to do that.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
And when you have.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
A seventeen game sample size and for whatever reason, you
don't step up to that particular level because I mean,
you know what Brandon Jones is. We knew what that
was coming in. But now fair not you're being compared
to other Broncos safeties. And I mean even though most
people were comparing Brandon Jones to a guy like Justin Simmons,
(12:45):
but now PJ was being compared to Justin Simmons.
Speaker 4 (12:48):
Yep, can you mention the other safeties level of production?
And George Payton and Sean Payne felt as though it
was not what they wanted. So they went out and
they got better.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
Yeah, and they had been patient at that spot too,
because they let Simmons go. They thought maybe Cadan Stearns
was gonna come up into that role. Injury problems there
for him. They let PJ have a year with it.
Now they were like, we got to go out and
get a guy, and you know that's what they did.
The reports here three years, forty five million dollars for Hafunga.
So you're talking about a big time, you know safety
(13:20):
here in twenty twenty two four interceptions, nine passes, defended,
two forced fumbles, and was an All Pro. So when
he's healthy, he's he's a top safety in this league.
Speaker 4 (13:33):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
You just look at what the Broncos defense was able
to produce up front, John Van Cooper, but more prola
with Nick Benito. And then you add the fact of
Roley moss is going into his second year as a
full time starter, despite so many people criticizing this young
man for stepping out on the field.
Speaker 4 (13:54):
I could tell all those critics who.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Had negative things to say about Roley Moss, if I
put you in his shoe, you wouldn't have been able
to give ten percent of his production. So now think
about you got you got DJ Jones back right, you
got Cooper, you got Benito, Zach Allen, that's right. You
guys still got young jonah al Is coming into the
second year. You solid on the corners. You saw them
at McMillan at the nickel position. Now you got two
(14:18):
solid safeties and then you bring Greenlaw in there. So
to me from from the basic blueprint, it looks like
that could be a top five defense this season.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Oh, most definitely.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
I mean that defense really performed at a very high
level last year. A lot of guys had career years
last year, Nick, So you're hoping that you can get
close back to that level.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
Of production from some of these guys.
Speaker 1 (14:40):
I think I think asking that like a Nick mendo
and Jonathan Cooper to match last year, that I might
be asking like a little too much, but you never know.
Speaker 4 (14:50):
Let's see, but this is never know.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
Maybe they can even get better than that.
Speaker 4 (14:53):
They can because here's why.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
Because the pieces that the Broncos added and let's just
say all things been relative, everyone is healthy. That means
that the quarterback is going to happen to get the
ball out of his hands because he's gonna hold it.
You got Will following you. You got Brandon Jones. You're
good on the corners and at the nickel position. So
the quarterback is holding one thousand and two one thousand,
where does he want to go with the ball?
Speaker 4 (15:15):
By that time, guess what he sacked on the edge.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
Yeah right.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
So, once again, even though we are talking about the
NFL and everyone in the league always talks about the
quarterback and talk about the offense, right. I told Ryan
there was last year that the key to the Broncos
success was on the defensive side of the ball, so
much so that I called the defense mcgiver because they
(15:40):
always came up with the play when the team needed
the most, almost like the no fly zone but not quite.
Speaker 3 (15:47):
But making these at home no fly zone.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
Yes, at home no fly zone, but making these acquisitions
now has made the Broncos defense in my opinion, much better,
which should bowl well Payton and Bownicks.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
Oh, but I mean it's all they got to play
complimentary football, right, You get the ball back for bow,
you let Bo do his things. So and this is
just the first day, right, Nick, Like there's still some
work to do. There's a report that Ingram spent most
of the day at the Broncos facility, another guy who
has a lot of upside, but an injury concern torn
(16:22):
Labram last year. So you know, the way these things work, Nick,
is that they come into the facility, right, they go
off and get it. Maybe an MRI, right, they're waiting
to get that MRI back. Maybe something looks a little.
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Scary on there. So you've got to work through that.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
I think I saw a lot of fans on social media. Hey,
what's going on with Ingram? Why is this taking so long?
Let's get it done. Don't let him leave you know
the building. But you got to make sure that you
know what you're getting here, right listen.
Speaker 4 (16:50):
I mean once again, injuries are part of the game.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Some injuries a little tougher than others, but they're Every
athlete that plays his game has battlescars, and I like
those guys who have battle scars and they've show them
that they can push through adversity.
Speaker 5 (17:04):
You know, we call those types of guys dolls. Yeah yeah,
and we need we need to need some dolls. Oh yeah, puppies.
I got the power puppies in Kansas City. We need
them dolls and dim in Colorado.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
According to reports, the bron because bringing in Halfunga and
green Law a big first day of free agency, but
maybe there's more to come here. We're just getting started
on Broncos Country tonight. There's Country tonight. I'm film Moni
fund and for Benjamin alright talking a big day for
(17:36):
the Broncos here, bringing in Halfunga and now green Law
to bolster that defense, and we're chopping it up with
Nick Ferguson, Nick, it seems like overall you're pretty pleased
with all the moves today.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
Yeah, I'm pretty pleased with it because the idea is
that you don't want to look at any of the
team and count the.
Speaker 4 (17:56):
Cash that they're giving out.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
The best thing for you look at your row and say, okay, well,
what are positions of need? How do we supply them
from a free agency standpoint, So the team can therefore
go into the draft and get some younger talent and
then get some younger talent that you could develop instead
of have those guys on Rocky dials. And the fact
that the Broncos last year got their quarterback of Bo
(18:19):
Knicks and he went out and played well.
Speaker 4 (18:21):
It gives the Broncos.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
An opportunity to go out and spend a little cash
and go by the way, come twenty twenty six, Russell
Wilson's salary will be off the books, the Broncos salary
cap will be up, and they'll have more money to
go out and make the team better.
Speaker 4 (18:35):
So I always looked.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
At, you know, last year as a baby step for
this team, and the hopes were for me was that
they win ten or more games, get to the playoffs,
see what that's like, and hopefully the loss to Buffalo
really burned into the minds of these guys and understanding
what is really going to take to take that next step.
Speaker 4 (18:57):
So I'm happy with what the team is doing on
right now, but things, in my opinion, look at me
spending their money.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
Oh, I don't think that the Broncos are done. The Broncos,
could you know, go out there still add some more
pieces to the defense or offense.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
Yeah, so so far they've brought in a Funga, a
big time safety from the forty nine ers. Then they
bring in green Loot, a big time linebacker from the
forty nine ers. Feels like the defense is in a
pretty good spot. They bringing back DJ Jones, got him
a new deal, So I think that you're feeling pretty good,
especially after the first day. Just now with the defensive
(19:35):
side of the ball. Now, tell me what you think
about what's going on with Evan Ingram.
Speaker 2 (19:40):
Well, you know what, I don't know that what they
are discussing and whether they're they're gonna get a deal
before he leaves. But that was one of the guys
that I looked at before free agency and said, well,
looking at the tight end and look at the tight
end positions, the veteran guys that are out there, which
guy did I feel fit with the Broncos wanted to
do moving four opposed to what they did last year.
Speaker 4 (20:02):
Evan Ingram was definitely one of those guys.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
Obviously, you know, he's played in the league a couple
of years, so he's had some injuries. But still at
the same time, it's risks versus reward and you look
at what Evon Ingram would actually bring to the Broncos offense.
I mean, you would have a legitimate guy, legitimate guy
that you can flex out who is a walking first
(20:25):
down you run around flash for numbers at five, dous
I put it in the center of center of your truest. Okay,
now we're on second and five. That's the second and
five that's more manageable than the third and lungs that
we typically used to seeing the Broncos in. A guy
like Evon Ingram would definitely help out the Broncos. But
if the Broncos can't get that deal done, there's still
young guys out there in the draft that you can
(20:46):
bring in that gives you some of that Evon Ingwood
type quality production.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
Yeah, I think that you just want to make sure
that everything's okay with that torn labrum. Because Ingram only
played nine games last year for Jacksonville, but the year
before that he played in seventeen games, one hundred and
fourteen catches, four touchdowns, Pro Bowler, He's made the Pro
Bowl twice, so he could do some things at the
(21:13):
tight end position. You just want to make sure everything's
all okay with that shoulder.
Speaker 4 (21:17):
Well, yeah, you want to definitely check all the boxes.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
But let's just say barring injury, there's no injury issues,
and they can in Evan Ingram's camp and the Broncos
can come to some formal agreement. Once again, he gives
them another weapon to deploy. And when I look at it,
I always look at offense from this way because obviously
(21:40):
Sean Payton and Mike Shanahan two guys that respect highly.
I don't know as much as they do offensively, but
I know a lot defensively. So when I look at
the Broncos from a defensive standpoint, if you were to
add Evan Ingram or a guy with that particular skill set,
it opens so much up for you. Not just in
a pass in game, but in the running game as well,
(22:02):
because he's a guy that you can flex and open up.
And once you open up, now the linebacker's got to declare,
are you a man as owe?
Speaker 4 (22:10):
Someone's got to step out there.
Speaker 2 (22:11):
And when that guy steps out there or to cover
or open or flex tight end, now you got a
favorable box to run the ball, something that the Broncos
didn't really see a light of last year.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
Yeah, is he that joker player that you know everybody's
talking about you?
Speaker 3 (22:25):
I stop, stop.
Speaker 1 (22:27):
I didn't want to have to say that, But is
he that guy though like that they've been looking for?
Speaker 2 (22:32):
Is?
Speaker 3 (22:32):
Or is he just a good pass catching tight end?
Speaker 2 (22:36):
Okay, so let me back up for a second. All right,
I don't want to use the word joker. Okay, let
me let's because all that translates to me. Is you
just looking for impact players A guy? No, you're looking
for guys plural multiple. Yes, you can't have one particular
guy and expect to have success. I'll put it to
you in basketball terms, all right. When I was a
(22:58):
kid growing up, Michael Jordan that do. But he couldn't
get to a championship because he had to knicks, the
pacers and the pistons, and he was scoring all the points,
but they were not winning championships. So when he started
to get Tony Kuko's and all these other guys, then
this robmin the championship started to come. So the more
of the story is, you need more weapons. So when
(23:19):
I hear Coach Payton or anyone else toss out the
joker term, where it translates to my mind, you need
more playmakers.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
Yeah, well, I think what he's talking about is like
a dynamic guy who's create some mismatches out there, who
can do a little bit of everything.
Speaker 4 (23:35):
That's multiple dudes.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
Yeah, well, they got a Marvin Mims who's sort of
in that mold, right.
Speaker 2 (23:39):
Yes, but once again, okay, Marvin Mims was kind of
put or created or the role was created for Marvin Moms.
For me, if I'm looking at Marvin Mams, he does
his best work going vertical. Yes, if he's running horizontal
to the line of scrimmage, he's playing to the defense, right,
So you want that guy going vert speed.
Speaker 4 (23:57):
So imagine callll of a sudden Evan Ingram.
Speaker 2 (24:01):
Or Evan Ingram type, and you got a guy like
Marvin mimvs. Now the defense is going, okay, well, where
are we gonna lean towards our defense? Right?
Speaker 4 (24:10):
And then if they go, well, you know what, we'll
go two high safeties.
Speaker 2 (24:12):
We'll run two high safeties. Guess what, We're gonna run
the bottom with you now. So now you have to
create advantages offensively in your scheme by the players you
have on your team.
Speaker 4 (24:22):
So the whole.
Speaker 2 (24:23):
Idea of the Broncos need one versatile guy. No, uh uh,
you can stop that one versatile guy. The idea is
to have multiple guys with versatility.
Speaker 4 (24:33):
That's what you want.
Speaker 3 (24:34):
But don't you want one guy though, who keeps.
Speaker 1 (24:37):
Like the defensive coordinator for the other team up at
night like you need to have.
Speaker 3 (24:41):
You need to have a Michael Jordan on your team?
Speaker 1 (24:43):
Right?
Speaker 4 (24:44):
If you do? Got that guy? Who is that guy
that's number ten?
Speaker 3 (24:47):
Oh bo is the guy who's keeping people up? Yes, okay,
but you need to give him some weapons that keep it.
Let's keep you guys up.
Speaker 4 (24:54):
It's like I'm gonna.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
Use all kinds of different sports references here, Nicole and
yolkies ball distributions. How many people can we get involved
at one particular time that.
Speaker 4 (25:04):
Makes it hard to shut down your office.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
If you got one guy who is the versatile guy
that you're so dependent on, that's gonna be a problem.
Speaker 4 (25:12):
Think about Marvin Mahams in the Buffalo Bills game. Remember
all those behind the lines sweeps to whatever Buffalo was
all on it.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
So they took the explosiveness from that one dynamic player away,
and then after that office.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
Did Yeah you have to Yeah, you have to have
multiple guys in case they take one thing away.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
You got some other options there.
Speaker 1 (25:33):
But it helps when you have like Kelsey, a grunk
of somebody who is like just you know, prominent.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
Well, well, Kelsey can't run that fast, so I don't
understand why people couldn't stop him. Grunt was just a
big shot guy playing the tight end position.
Speaker 4 (25:49):
Let's just let's let's keep things all.
Speaker 3 (25:52):
Rough and just minimize the two best side ends of
all time.
Speaker 2 (25:55):
Well, because when you look at it, there's a way
to stop east one of them, like Grunt could not
be wrong if Tom Brady had pressed in his face.
Speaker 1 (26:03):
Right, yeah, you can't get him. See some miracles happen there, right.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
But I've also seen U no flys own shut Brady
and Gron down.
Speaker 4 (26:13):
I've seen that too.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
For three and a half quarters they did.
Speaker 4 (26:16):
I don't care quarters they did it.
Speaker 1 (26:21):
Those last couple of drives there, Nick, I was real
nervous about Gronk, but there were you guys on Key
was on him, Chris was on him, and it was
still somehow he was doing okay.
Speaker 4 (26:30):
But once again you have Versta tune.
Speaker 1 (26:33):
Okay, all right, Well we're getting heated up here. It's
time to take a quick break country tonight. I'm film
Alani filling in for Benjamin alright, talking about a busy day,
the first day of free agency.
Speaker 3 (26:49):
Around the NFL, and I'm here with Nick Ferguson.
Speaker 1 (26:53):
Nick, we were just talking about the amount of weapons
that the Broncos might look to add this offseason. Here
for bow Knicks, where where do you think this Broncos
team is right now? Like they address two big needs
on the defensive side.
Speaker 3 (27:09):
Do you think that? Like to me, I go back
and forth on this.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
Are they in the position where with bow Knicks they're like, look,
we got to strike while he saw on his rookie deal.
So whatever it takes to line up all the pieces
to get something done here in the next year or
two or are they like, Okay, look, we got to
build from the from the draft. You know, we we've
made a lot of trades in the past that we've
(27:33):
been depleted, you know, in our draft picks. Now is
a chance for us to build this roster the right way,
draft and develop, and then eventually we'll get back to
where we need to be.
Speaker 2 (27:45):
Both of those things are in place because when you
look at the fact that you know, both going into
his second year in this offense, and he should be
much better because he understands the temperament of Sean Payton
and vice versa. But then now he understands what it
means to be an NFL quarterback. He got a chance
to make it to the playoffs in his first year,
(28:06):
something very few Rooky quarterbacks get get an opportunity to do.
And he got a chance to play in the game
against the MVP and Josh Allen.
Speaker 4 (28:15):
And Buffalo on the roll.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
So he got a chance to see a guy who
was criticized in exercise when he came out of Wyoming
actually take his team to the playoffs and actually in
the season with the MVP trophy. So Bow has seen
a lot and the Broncos are saying okay, well we
can take that momentum and move it forward. We have
Bow on a rookie contract. We can go ahead and
(28:38):
bring in some veteran guys. The Broncos thinking they can
take some risks now because even though I won't say
that they're in a win nown type of moment, they
look at it and say, okay, well, we got to
the playoffs on the road against Buffalo and we were
not even where we needed to be. So now you
can go out there and take more risks with a
green law, with a rufunga right, and you can bring
(29:00):
back DJ and say, okay, well maybe we can get
adding these guys. We can get back to the playoffs,
because right now the bar is the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (29:10):
That's the bar, and now you have to elevate a
little more than that. But also they look and say.
Speaker 2 (29:14):
Well, with them being able to do what they are
doing now and what they did last year on defense
and in free agency today you look at the draft
and said, well, now we can go out and get
maybe a safety replacement, a linebacker replacement, a d line replacement.
That's the joy of the NFL schedule being what it is.
This is why free agency starts before the draft.
Speaker 3 (29:38):
You could address your needs.
Speaker 1 (29:40):
That way, you go into the draft thinking, Okay, we're
going to take the best player available when we're up
to pick. So I think that the Broncos have done
a nice job. I mean, if you look at the
free agency, the free agent classes that they've brought in
since Sean Payton has been here his first year, they
addressed the offensive line, they bring it, Ben Powers, Mike mcglinchy,
(30:01):
they get Jared Stidham as the backup quarterback, and then
today they made it official that they've extended Jared Stidham,
so he's going to be the Broncos backup quarterback. And
Zach Wilson getting a shot there in Miami, which I
think is good for Zach.
Speaker 3 (30:17):
That might be a good that's a good spot for him,
I think.
Speaker 1 (30:19):
And then they brought in Zach Allen that first year.
So those are four like really legitimate guys that they
brought in in his first free agent class. And then
last year they brought in some nice pieces. Brandon Jones,
we've talked about him, Malcolm Roach, Cody Barton, Cody Barton
on his way out, but he was really a bright spot.
(30:40):
I thought last year for the Broncos at the linebacker spot.
So I think the Broncos have been calculated and smart
in what they've done with free agency.
Speaker 2 (30:50):
Well, they've been really smart with what they've done in
free agency, and that goes back to understanding what side
your bread is voted on, and that's the defensive side,
so they attack there first. But I think something that
we need to get into this that often, as I've
really talked about, is the draft itself. So George Bain
(31:11):
has done a great job since he's been here, drafting
guys who actually produced in their first year.
Speaker 4 (31:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
Yeah, guys who've come in right away and contributed. So
we'll talk plenty more about what the Broncos have done
in free agency. After a quick break here, Parker Gabriel
will join us, the Broncos beat reporter from the Denver Post.
Tonight, I am Phil Malani filling in for Benjamin all Right,
hanging out in studio here with the main man, Nick Ferguson,
on what was a wild day around the NFL. Nick
at the start of the legal tampering period. Really, it's
a start a free agency, right.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
You see what we see when I hear individuals say
legal tampering period. To me, that happened about a week ago. Yes,
a lot of these deals were already made, you know,
during a comeba. So yeah, I just got to wait
till Wednesdays to solidify them. But always an exciting time
(00:37):
because I get a chance to sit on the text
thread with thirty of my former Broncos teammates and we
just see how much money guys are getting paid.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Now that makes you upseter, You're all right, No, it
doesn't make me happy for the guys.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
I'm happy for all of these guys because ideas that
if a team is willing to give it to you,
you're gonna take it, ye, right, So why would I
be upset for a guy making some standard the amount
of money that creates generational wealth.
Speaker 4 (01:06):
I'm all for it.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Yeah, I mean, you're changing not just his life, but
the family's life, you know, And yeah, it's good for
these guys. And you know, the important thing I think
for players to remember is this is your time when
you have leverage, you know, So don't take the hometown discount.
Don't do any of that. This is your time where
the ball is in your court.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Well, Spiel, I have to be totally honest. You know,
there's's thirty two teams. They don't like what you're saying.
They want guys to take the hometown discount. But I'm
like you, being a former player, I know what goes
into this game. I know what you are going to
be asked to do time and time again. So I'm
a huge fan of get your money. Why you can
(01:50):
get it now.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
If you've made your money, then you could say, okay,
I want to be on a winner.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Because I do.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
Think that this is also true, Nick. I think being
a player on a terrible team is night and day
difference than being a player on a good team. Your
life is way better when you're on a good team.
So if you've made your money.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
You see, that sounds true in theory for certain players,
but that's not how it worked out for mals Garrett.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Yes, he it wasn't about the money from Ozs Garrett right, Well.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Well, for him, it was just like, look, man, I
mean I live in Cleveland, I'm playing for Cleveland. We're
not gonna win anything, so I might as well be
well compensated for my losses.
Speaker 4 (02:33):
That's basically what his CODs. I guess he's been compensated
in the Vans.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Well, hey, maybe they'll turn things around. Maybe, you know,
they draft the quarterback there?
Speaker 4 (02:41):
Who knows what I feel? Do you really believe that?
Speaker 2 (02:45):
No? No, no, no, do you really believe that they
they drafted quarterback?
Speaker 4 (02:49):
I mean they picked up Kiddie Picket.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
In the trade right with the Beagles.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Now will that change or potentially change the direction that
Andrew Berry wants to go and pick number two?
Speaker 4 (03:01):
Possibly?
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Now he can start building calls. What do you willing
to give me for that spot?
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
So, Well, it was a big day for the Broncos
of Nick, because you know this, heading into this offseason,
we knew that the center of the field on the
defensive side was going to be a major priority. And
it seems like the Broncos addressed that they bring in
a safety and Toalandoah a Funga this guy is just
(03:31):
plays with his feet on fire.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Nick he you know.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
He's everywhere, He's running around. And then we're just hearing
the news here that Drake Greenlaw is the new Broncos
linebacker here according to all these reports. So look, the
Broncos have brought in some speed and some athleticism on
the defensive side of the ball. But both of those
guys come in with maybe some question marks, with some
(03:55):
injury concerns.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Yeah, I mean, at the stage of your career, it's
hard guys who don't have some form of injury. But
as pertains, these two guys, especially green Law having that
Achilles injury, that's gonna be something for fans to actually watch.
But I know there's some individuals who like it, some
that don't like it.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
I for one, like it. But when I look at
his overall contract.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
The Broncos didn't really overspend for a guy at that position.
And I also expect the Broncos to still go out
and draft a guy who played the middle linebacker position.
Speaker 4 (04:30):
And I mean, you have Ju Sanders, that's gonna push
him a little more. You got a bettering guy.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
But the biggest thing for me, when I look at
the two acquisitions that the Broncos actually made two guys
from the forty nine ers team I'm quite familiar with.
Is something I've always pounded the table for more physicality.
That is what this team need, because if you go
back and you watch that Buffalo Bills game, the Broncos
were manhandled on both sides of the ball. So bringing
(04:56):
into I'll say three guys you resigned DJ Jones.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
So you got better following on all three levels.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
DJ an interior guy, green Law on the second level,
and Hufunger back in the secondary.
Speaker 4 (05:07):
So those three.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Guys I will be watching all season long to see
how that physicality change in mentalities Broncos defense.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
With green Law in particular, the Broncos have been looking
for a long time to find an athletic line interior linebacker.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
I mean it's been a long time that.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
They've had a guy who's just like a physical specimen
back there. And you're right, I think that you got
to watch green Law and see how he comes back
from this thing. You know, because when he is out
there playing, he is that kind of dominant guy who's
always where the ball is. I remember when he went
out in that Super Bowl. You're like, oh my gosh,
(05:46):
this changes everything that the forty nine ers are trying
to do on the defensive side. He's that kind of
a linebacker when he's fully healthy. The Achilles, to me,
is an interesting injury because some of that explosiveness, you
don't know how much of it's going to come back,
so you know, you just got to pay attention to that.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Well, when you look at free agency, there's always a
little give and take, right because at this particular point,
I mean, the linebackers that the Broncos wanted are not
then linebackers that the Broncos actually picked up, because those
guys flew off the board. So you looking for, almost
like the draft, who's the next best guy that fits
(06:24):
the mold to what we're looking to do defensively, and
green Law definitely fits that mold. Now, once again, you
want to make sure that he's healthy. But anyone that's
playing in this game understands, especially if you play a
long period.
Speaker 4 (06:38):
Of time, injuries are part of the game, yep, and
the biggest part.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
And this is where you see that scouting department truly
come in right. When someone goes down, do you have
adequate depth to feel the gas? So that's what the
Broncos are right now. They need to go out with
the rerest of free agency, but more so with the
draft and make sure they add to this defense and
(07:02):
the team overall.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
I think that your whole goal going into free agency
here is to have some flexibility in the draft, you
know what I mean, so that you're not pigeonholed into
one thing saying we've got to get this in the
first round. Otherwise you know we're gonna have this huge hole.
I think the Broncos have addressed that on the defensive
side so far.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Can I put a GM head on for a second, Yeah,
go ahead, all right, So this is what I'm glad
you said what you said, because every team finds himself
in this position, and you got the free agency before
the draft, So teams have to ask themselves what areas
of need are huge concerns for us and which which
point in the schedule are we going to use to
(07:43):
make us better?
Speaker 4 (07:44):
Is it the draft for the free agency?
Speaker 2 (07:45):
So looking at what the Broncos did in free agency
so far, I'm anticipating forecasting.
Speaker 4 (07:51):
Just a little.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Okay, the draft is going to be used to better
the team offensively. That's not to say that they're not
going to get some pieces on defense, but you attack
with veteran leadership, right physicality, you know, with March and
getting free agents. But now once you get to the draft,
is now that that is going to be a huge
part of how do you really help bo Nicks?
Speaker 1 (08:15):
Yeah, And I also think that like outside of the
top like one or two rounds, you can't like really
rely on that guy to come in and be a
day one starter, do you know what I mean? So
if you're looking for a starter at a position, you
look free agency and then maybe the first two rounds
or so maybe three rounds, right, Yeah, maybe those guys
will come in and they can at least compete for
(08:36):
a starting spot. But yeah, I mean I think that
this is sort of lining up to be like, hey,
a running back is still a need. They feel like
there's gonna be some guys that they really like at twenty,
and so maybe you go that direction in the first
round because based off all these reports were.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
Hearing, they've not brought in a running back so far.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
See for me, I'm thinking this even before free agency started,
Broncos sitting at twenty, even though most draft analysts would say, well,
the Broncos are not in a good spot because they're
out of the top ten. I say no, because when
we look at the pool of talent, it is really deep, right,
especially when you look at interior pass rushers, you look
(09:16):
at running backs, you look at wide receivers. So the
Broncos in a position where they can actually move back,
stay in the first round and still make this team better.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
But I'm sure before.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
George Peyton Sean Payton got together and pulled the trigger
on Drake Greenlaw, they sat around the table.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
Right, some were not.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Happy about it because they're looking at the injuries, but
I'm sure cooler heads prevailed and it became risk versus reward.
Speaker 4 (09:44):
Right, Yeah, they're risk with.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
Any player, absolutely, But then they were looking at the
reward factor. How could adding Ufunga and Greenlaw affect the
Broncos defense?
Speaker 4 (09:56):
And for me, those were two of the guys.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
I say, if these Zach bond Is off the table,
and we saw Nick Bolton off the table, I said, okay,
well here's where the Broncos is gonna have to go
to that second and third tier guy. But once again,
if you combine Rufongo with green Law, you know a
piece of that aggressiveness from the San Francisco defense. Now
you've definitely upgraded yourself, but more importantly, you helped yourself
(10:20):
against AMC West teams.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Oh yeah, definitely. I mean you have to build your
roster knowing who you're going to be going up against
twice a year. Absolutely, Yeah, you got to think about
that stuff. And the other thing about Hufumda is that
he plays up close to the line of scrimmage a lot,
so he's kind of like he's kind of like that TJ.
Ward kind of linebacker slash safety kind of guy.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
Right he is.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
But here's what he also brings to you is going
back to my days in San Francisco, those guys in
the secondary had a knack for blissing. And you just
can't put anyone down in the box and have them
in the blitz. You gotta know what gap once if
there's a deer block, and what that mean is that
you get both the guard and tackle kind of flaming
down that you know how to trace him.
Speaker 4 (11:03):
Right.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
Well, my B gap was supposed to be there is
not there. Can I run around the tackle and actually
get the quarterback? Wifonging is shown College times with the
forty nine ers. He has that ability, so imagine and
this is me being a safety. So so I'm really
excited about this part. You got Brandon Jones and you
got Wafonga on the field right now. They don't know
who's coming and if your vans Joseph, just like we
(11:26):
watched Vic Fan Jones Super Bowl with Philadelphia.
Speaker 4 (11:29):
There's so many things that you can use.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Both guys can blitz and then it also gives you
PJ Lock a guy waiting in the wings just in
case someone getting nicked up. But PJ can go back
to his role as being a top special team player.
Speaker 1 (11:41):
Yeah, and we talked about the depth and you know,
and there's some indrict concerns here. So like a guy
like PJ Lodge clearly didn't play up to his capability
last year. You know, it's never a good sign when
right when the season ends the coach at the GM
are saying, we got to get us your position. So
that kind of tell you what the Broncos thinking is.
(12:02):
Right when right when the season ends they're like, we're
looking for your spot. They're not good.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
It's not good to be in that position.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
And as a guy that got my starting career because
someone got injured in the safety position, I took over
and I just ran away with it. I thought PJ
Lott was going to do that.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
And when you have.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
A seventeen game sample size and for whatever reason, you
don't step up to that particular level because I mean,
you know what Brandon Jones is. We knew what that
was coming in. But now fair not you're being compared
to other Broncos safeties. And I mean even though most
people were comparing Brandon Jones to a guy like Justin Simmons,
(12:45):
but now PJ was being compared to Justin Simmons.
Speaker 4 (12:48):
Yep, can you mention the other safeties level of production?
And George Payton and Sean Payne felt as though it
was not what they wanted. So they went out and
they got better.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
Yeah, and they had been patient at that spot too,
because they let Simmons go. They thought maybe Cadan Stearns
was gonna come up into that role. Injury problems there
for him. They let PJ have a year with it.
Now they were like, we got to go out and
get a guy, and you know that's what they did.
The reports here three years, forty five million dollars for Hafunga.
So you're talking about a big time, you know safety
(13:20):
here in twenty twenty two four interceptions, nine passes, defended,
two forced fumbles, and was an All Pro. So when
he's healthy, he's he's a top safety in this league.
Speaker 4 (13:33):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
You just look at what the Broncos defense was able
to produce up front, John Van Cooper, but more prola
with Nick Benito. And then you add the fact of
Roley moss is going into his second year as a
full time starter, despite so many people criticizing this young
man for stepping out on the field.
Speaker 4 (13:54):
I could tell all those critics who.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Had negative things to say about Roley Moss, if I
put you in his shoe, you wouldn't have been able
to give ten percent of his production. So now think
about you got you got DJ Jones back right, you
got Cooper, you got Benito, Zach Allen, that's right. You
guys still got young jonah al Is coming into the
second year. You solid on the corners. You saw them
at McMillan at the nickel position. Now you got two
(14:18):
solid safeties and then you bring Greenlaw in there. So
to me from from the basic blueprint, it looks like
that could be a top five defense this season.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Oh, most definitely.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
I mean that defense really performed at a very high
level last year. A lot of guys had career years
last year, Nick, So you're hoping that you can get
close back to that level.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
Of production from some of these guys.
Speaker 1 (14:40):
I think I think asking that like a Nick mendo
and Jonathan Cooper to match last year, that I might
be asking like a little too much, but you never know.
Speaker 4 (14:50):
Let's see, but this is never know.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
Maybe they can even get better than that.
Speaker 4 (14:53):
They can because here's why.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
Because the pieces that the Broncos added and let's just
say all things been relative, everyone is healthy. That means
that the quarterback is going to happen to get the
ball out of his hands because he's gonna hold it.
You got Will following you. You got Brandon Jones. You're
good on the corners and at the nickel position. So
the quarterback is holding one thousand and two one thousand,
where does he want to go with the ball?
Speaker 4 (15:15):
By that time, guess what he sacked on the edge.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
Yeah right.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
So, once again, even though we are talking about the
NFL and everyone in the league always talks about the
quarterback and talk about the offense, right. I told Ryan
there was last year that the key to the Broncos
success was on the defensive side of the ball, so
much so that I called the defense mcgiver because they
(15:40):
always came up with the play when the team needed
the most, almost like the no fly zone but not quite.
Speaker 3 (15:47):
But making these at home no fly zone.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
Yes, at home no fly zone, but making these acquisitions
now has made the Broncos defense in my opinion, much better,
which should bowl well Payton and Bownicks.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
Oh, but I mean it's all they got to play
complimentary football, right, You get the ball back for bow,
you let Bo do his things. So and this is
just the first day, right, Nick, Like there's still some
work to do. There's a report that Ingram spent most
of the day at the Broncos facility, another guy who
has a lot of upside, but an injury concern torn
(16:22):
Labram last year. So you know, the way these things work, Nick,
is that they come into the facility, right, they go
off and get it. Maybe an MRI, right, they're waiting
to get that MRI back. Maybe something looks a little.
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Scary on there. So you've got to work through that.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
I think I saw a lot of fans on social media. Hey,
what's going on with Ingram? Why is this taking so long?
Let's get it done. Don't let him leave you know
the building. But you got to make sure that you
know what you're getting here, right listen.
Speaker 4 (16:50):
I mean once again, injuries are part of the game.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Some injuries a little tougher than others, but they're Every
athlete that plays his game has battlescars, and I like
those guys who have battle scars and they've show them
that they can push through adversity.
Speaker 5 (17:04):
You know, we call those types of guys dolls. Yeah yeah,
and we need we need to need some dolls. Oh yeah, puppies.
I got the power puppies in Kansas City. We need
them dolls and dim in Colorado.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
According to reports, the bron because bringing in Halfunga and
green Law a big first day of free agency, but
maybe there's more to come here. We're just getting started
on Broncos Country tonight. There's Country tonight. I'm film Moni
fund and for Benjamin alright talking a big day for
(17:36):
the Broncos here, bringing in Halfunga and now green Law
to bolster that defense, and we're chopping it up with
Nick Ferguson, Nick, it seems like overall you're pretty pleased
with all the moves today.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
Yeah, I'm pretty pleased with it because the idea is
that you don't want to look at any of the
team and count the.
Speaker 4 (17:56):
Cash that they're giving out.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
The best thing for you look at your row and say, okay, well,
what are positions of need? How do we supply them
from a free agency standpoint, So the team can therefore
go into the draft and get some younger talent and
then get some younger talent that you could develop instead
of have those guys on Rocky dials. And the fact
that the Broncos last year got their quarterback of Bo
(18:19):
Knicks and he went out and played well.
Speaker 4 (18:21):
It gives the Broncos.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
An opportunity to go out and spend a little cash
and go by the way, come twenty twenty six, Russell
Wilson's salary will be off the books, the Broncos salary
cap will be up, and they'll have more money to
go out and make the team better.
Speaker 4 (18:35):
So I always looked.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
At, you know, last year as a baby step for
this team, and the hopes were for me was that
they win ten or more games, get to the playoffs,
see what that's like, and hopefully the loss to Buffalo
really burned into the minds of these guys and understanding
what is really going to take to take that next step.
Speaker 4 (18:57):
So I'm happy with what the team is doing on
right now, but things, in my opinion, look at me
spending their money.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
Oh, I don't think that the Broncos are done. The Broncos,
could you know, go out there still add some more
pieces to the defense or offense.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
Yeah, so so far they've brought in a Funga, a
big time safety from the forty nine ers. Then they
bring in green Loot, a big time linebacker from the
forty nine ers. Feels like the defense is in a
pretty good spot. They bringing back DJ Jones, got him
a new deal, So I think that you're feeling pretty good,
especially after the first day. Just now with the defensive
(19:35):
side of the ball. Now, tell me what you think
about what's going on with Evan Ingram.
Speaker 2 (19:40):
Well, you know what, I don't know that what they
are discussing and whether they're they're gonna get a deal
before he leaves. But that was one of the guys
that I looked at before free agency and said, well,
looking at the tight end and look at the tight
end positions, the veteran guys that are out there, which
guy did I feel fit with the Broncos wanted to
do moving four opposed to what they did last year.
Speaker 4 (20:02):
Evan Ingram was definitely one of those guys.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
Obviously, you know, he's played in the league a couple
of years, so he's had some injuries. But still at
the same time, it's risks versus reward and you look
at what Evon Ingram would actually bring to the Broncos offense.
I mean, you would have a legitimate guy, legitimate guy
that you can flex out who is a walking first
(20:25):
down you run around flash for numbers at five, dous
I put it in the center of center of your truest. Okay,
now we're on second and five. That's the second and
five that's more manageable than the third and lungs that
we typically used to seeing the Broncos in. A guy
like Evon Ingram would definitely help out the Broncos. But
if the Broncos can't get that deal done, there's still
young guys out there in the draft that you can
(20:46):
bring in that gives you some of that Evon Ingwood
type quality production.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
Yeah, I think that you just want to make sure
that everything's okay with that torn labrum. Because Ingram only
played nine games last year for Jacksonville, but the year
before that he played in seventeen games, one hundred and
fourteen catches, four touchdowns, Pro Bowler, He's made the Pro
Bowl twice, so he could do some things at the
(21:13):
tight end position. You just want to make sure everything's
all okay with that shoulder.
Speaker 4 (21:17):
Well, yeah, you want to definitely check all the boxes.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
But let's just say barring injury, there's no injury issues,
and they can in Evan Ingram's camp and the Broncos
can come to some formal agreement. Once again, he gives
them another weapon to deploy. And when I look at it,
I always look at offense from this way because obviously
(21:40):
Sean Payton and Mike Shanahan two guys that respect highly.
I don't know as much as they do offensively, but
I know a lot defensively. So when I look at
the Broncos from a defensive standpoint, if you were to
add Evan Ingram or a guy with that particular skill set,
it opens so much up for you. Not just in
a pass in game, but in the running game as well,
(22:02):
because he's a guy that you can flex and open up.
And once you open up, now the linebacker's got to declare,
are you a man as owe?
Speaker 4 (22:10):
Someone's got to step out there.
Speaker 2 (22:11):
And when that guy steps out there or to cover
or open or flex tight end, now you got a
favorable box to run the ball, something that the Broncos
didn't really see a light of last year.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
Yeah, is he that joker player that you know everybody's
talking about you?
Speaker 3 (22:25):
I stop, stop.
Speaker 1 (22:27):
I didn't want to have to say that, But is
he that guy though like that they've been looking for?
Speaker 2 (22:32):
Is?
Speaker 3 (22:32):
Or is he just a good pass catching tight end?
Speaker 2 (22:36):
Okay, so let me back up for a second. All right,
I don't want to use the word joker. Okay, let
me let's because all that translates to me. Is you
just looking for impact players A guy? No, you're looking
for guys plural multiple. Yes, you can't have one particular
guy and expect to have success. I'll put it to
you in basketball terms, all right. When I was a
(22:58):
kid growing up, Michael Jordan that do. But he couldn't
get to a championship because he had to knicks, the
pacers and the pistons, and he was scoring all the points,
but they were not winning championships. So when he started
to get Tony Kuko's and all these other guys, then
this robmin the championship started to come. So the more
of the story is, you need more weapons. So when
(23:19):
I hear Coach Payton or anyone else toss out the
joker term, where it translates to my mind, you need
more playmakers.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
Yeah, well, I think what he's talking about is like
a dynamic guy who's create some mismatches out there, who
can do a little bit of everything.
Speaker 4 (23:35):
That's multiple dudes.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
Yeah, well, they got a Marvin Mims who's sort of
in that mold, right.
Speaker 2 (23:39):
Yes, but once again, okay, Marvin Mims was kind of
put or created or the role was created for Marvin Moms.
For me, if I'm looking at Marvin Mams, he does
his best work going vertical. Yes, if he's running horizontal
to the line of scrimmage, he's playing to the defense, right,
So you want that guy going vert speed.
Speaker 4 (23:57):
So imagine callll of a sudden Evan Ingram.
Speaker 2 (24:01):
Or Evan Ingram type, and you got a guy like
Marvin mimvs. Now the defense is going, okay, well, where
are we gonna lean towards our defense? Right?
Speaker 4 (24:10):
And then if they go, well, you know what, we'll
go two high safeties.
Speaker 2 (24:12):
We'll run two high safeties. Guess what, We're gonna run
the bottom with you now. So now you have to
create advantages offensively in your scheme by the players you
have on your team.
Speaker 4 (24:22):
So the whole.
Speaker 2 (24:23):
Idea of the Broncos need one versatile guy. No, uh uh,
you can stop that one versatile guy. The idea is
to have multiple guys with versatility.
Speaker 4 (24:33):
That's what you want.
Speaker 3 (24:34):
But don't you want one guy though, who keeps.
Speaker 1 (24:37):
Like the defensive coordinator for the other team up at
night like you need to have.
Speaker 3 (24:41):
You need to have a Michael Jordan on your team?
Speaker 1 (24:43):
Right?
Speaker 4 (24:44):
If you do? Got that guy? Who is that guy
that's number ten?
Speaker 3 (24:47):
Oh bo is the guy who's keeping people up? Yes, okay,
but you need to give him some weapons that keep it.
Let's keep you guys up.
Speaker 4 (24:54):
It's like I'm gonna.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
Use all kinds of different sports references here, Nicole and
yolkies ball distributions. How many people can we get involved
at one particular time that.
Speaker 4 (25:04):
Makes it hard to shut down your office.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
If you got one guy who is the versatile guy
that you're so dependent on, that's gonna be a problem.
Speaker 4 (25:12):
Think about Marvin Mahams in the Buffalo Bills game. Remember
all those behind the lines sweeps to whatever Buffalo was
all on it.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
So they took the explosiveness from that one dynamic player away,
and then after that office.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
Did Yeah you have to Yeah, you have to have
multiple guys in case they take one thing away.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
You got some other options there.
Speaker 1 (25:33):
But it helps when you have like Kelsey, a grunk
of somebody who is like just you know, prominent.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
Well, well, Kelsey can't run that fast, so I don't
understand why people couldn't stop him. Grunt was just a
big shot guy playing the tight end position.
Speaker 4 (25:49):
Let's just let's let's keep things all.
Speaker 3 (25:52):
Rough and just minimize the two best side ends of
all time.
Speaker 2 (25:55):
Well, because when you look at it, there's a way
to stop east one of them, like Grunt could not
be wrong if Tom Brady had pressed in his face.
Speaker 1 (26:03):
Right, yeah, you can't get him. See some miracles happen there, right.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
But I've also seen U no flys own shut Brady
and Gron down.
Speaker 4 (26:13):
I've seen that too.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
For three and a half quarters they did.
Speaker 4 (26:16):
I don't care quarters they did it.
Speaker 1 (26:21):
Those last couple of drives there, Nick, I was real
nervous about Gronk, but there were you guys on Key
was on him, Chris was on him, and it was
still somehow he was doing okay.
Speaker 4 (26:30):
But once again you have Versta tune.
Speaker 1 (26:33):
Okay, all right, Well we're getting heated up here. It's
time to take a quick break country tonight. I'm film
Alani filling in for Benjamin alright, talking about a busy day,
the first day of free agency.
Speaker 3 (26:49):
Around the NFL, and I'm here with Nick Ferguson.
Speaker 1 (26:53):
Nick, we were just talking about the amount of weapons
that the Broncos might look to add this offseason. Here
for bow Knicks, where where do you think this Broncos
team is right now? Like they address two big needs
on the defensive side.
Speaker 3 (27:09):
Do you think that? Like to me, I go back
and forth on this.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
Are they in the position where with bow Knicks they're like, look,
we got to strike while he saw on his rookie deal.
So whatever it takes to line up all the pieces
to get something done here in the next year or
two or are they like, Okay, look, we got to
build from the from the draft. You know, we we've
made a lot of trades in the past that we've
(27:33):
been depleted, you know, in our draft picks. Now is
a chance for us to build this roster the right way,
draft and develop, and then eventually we'll get back to
where we need to be.
Speaker 2 (27:45):
Both of those things are in place because when you
look at the fact that you know, both going into
his second year in this offense, and he should be
much better because he understands the temperament of Sean Payton
and vice versa. But then now he understands what it
means to be an NFL quarterback. He got a chance
to make it to the playoffs in his first year,
(28:06):
something very few Rooky quarterbacks get get an opportunity to do.
And he got a chance to play in the game
against the MVP and Josh Allen.
Speaker 4 (28:15):
And Buffalo on the roll.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
So he got a chance to see a guy who
was criticized in exercise when he came out of Wyoming
actually take his team to the playoffs and actually in
the season with the MVP trophy. So Bow has seen
a lot and the Broncos are saying okay, well we
can take that momentum and move it forward. We have
Bow on a rookie contract. We can go ahead and
(28:38):
bring in some veteran guys. The Broncos thinking they can
take some risks now because even though I won't say
that they're in a win nown type of moment, they
look at it and say, okay, well, we got to
the playoffs on the road against Buffalo and we were
not even where we needed to be. So now you
can go out there and take more risks with a
green law, with a rufunga right, and you can bring
(29:00):
back DJ and say, okay, well maybe we can get
adding these guys. We can get back to the playoffs,
because right now the bar is the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (29:10):
That's the bar, and now you have to elevate a
little more than that. But also they look and say.
Speaker 2 (29:14):
Well, with them being able to do what they are
doing now and what they did last year on defense
and in free agency today you look at the draft
and said, well, now we can go out and get
maybe a safety replacement, a linebacker replacement, a d line replacement.
That's the joy of the NFL schedule being what it is.
This is why free agency starts before the draft.
Speaker 3 (29:38):
You could address your needs.
Speaker 1 (29:40):
That way, you go into the draft thinking, Okay, we're
going to take the best player available when we're up
to pick. So I think that the Broncos have done
a nice job. I mean, if you look at the
free agency, the free agent classes that they've brought in
since Sean Payton has been here his first year, they
addressed the offensive line, they bring it, Ben Powers, Mike mcglinchy,
(30:01):
they get Jared Stidham as the backup quarterback, and then
today they made it official that they've extended Jared Stidham,
so he's going to be the Broncos backup quarterback. And
Zach Wilson getting a shot there in Miami, which I
think is good for Zach.
Speaker 3 (30:17):
That might be a good that's a good spot for him,
I think.
Speaker 1 (30:19):
And then they brought in Zach Allen that first year.
So those are four like really legitimate guys that they
brought in in his first free agent class. And then
last year they brought in some nice pieces. Brandon Jones,
we've talked about him, Malcolm Roach, Cody Barton, Cody Barton
on his way out, but he was really a bright spot.
(30:40):
I thought last year for the Broncos at the linebacker spot.
So I think the Broncos have been calculated and smart
in what they've done with free agency.
Speaker 2 (30:50):
Well, they've been really smart with what they've done in
free agency, and that goes back to understanding what side
your bread is voted on, and that's the defensive side,
so they attack there first. But I think something that
we need to get into this that often, as I've
really talked about, is the draft itself. So George Bain
(31:11):
has done a great job since he's been here, drafting
guys who actually produced in their first year.
Speaker 4 (31:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
Yeah, guys who've come in right away and contributed. So
we'll talk plenty more about what the Broncos have done
in free agency. After a quick break here, Parker Gabriel
will join us, the Broncos beat reporter from the Denver Post.
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