Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Here with Nick Ferguson in studio. Nick, a whole lot
of money was being spread around today, in particular to TJ.
Watt in Pittsburgh agreed to a new three year extension
that Nick will make him the highest paid non quarterback
in NFL history.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
A whole lot of money.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
A whole lot of money, one hundred and twenty three
million dollar extension. But I think the big thing, and
this is what's important nowadays, is one hundred and eight
million fully guaranteed.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
This was crazy is that at one point, Miles Garrett
was the highest paid non quarterback in the league at
forty million. Now TJ one is at forty one. And
then when you look at those guys keep going the
Neil Hunter at one point at thirty five and Max
Crosby at thirty five.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
So that number is going to continue to go up.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
And players now they want to be called in his
really short is really brief, the highest paid player in
the league.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
And at one point PS two was.
Speaker 4 (01:05):
That guy, Yeah saw us, I mean.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Derek Stingley down into Houston.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Yeah, So those numbers change, And this is the crazy
thing about the league and some of those owners, Jerry Jones,
if you listen, if someone knows, pat him on the back,
because let him know that these numbers are not going
to go down, They're going to go up. So I
don't know, while you're waiting to see if something's gonna happen.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
And when you think.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
About the Broncos and Nick Benito, Nick Benito had.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Thirteen and a half sacks last year.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
I mean, Trey Henderson has seventeen and a half and
the Bengals still haven't signed him yet.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
Yeah, so if you are the.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Broncos, you gotta start to really look at Nick Benito's
contract and say, you know what, you want to kind
of get him in the books, more sooner than later,
because Michael Parson still.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Has a sign.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
There's two sides to this coin. Nick.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Here, here's what it is. Nick Meadito had a.
Speaker 4 (02:02):
Career year like suordinary. He was amazing last year. Okay.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
And if you're in Nick Benito's camp, you're heading into
your contract year here, you're thinking, okay, last year was
just to start. I'm gonna take a step this year.
I'm going to keep getting better. And you think that
you belong in the conversation with some of these guys,
and you know how valuable your position is. Okay, if
(02:29):
Nick Boddo becomes one of these premier guys, he's getting
double teamed. That's opening up everything else for this defense.
And you know, George Payton said it when he first
came to Denver. You need pass rushers and you need
the secondary. Well, the Broncos have taken care of the secondary. Okay,
So now you know how valuable you are if you're
Nick Benito. So that's what you're thinking here, Okay. Then
(02:52):
if you're on the Broncos camp, if you're in the
Broncos camp, you're thinking, okay, last year was a breakout year.
Speaker 4 (02:58):
We need to see more, though, can you do it again? Okay?
Speaker 1 (03:02):
And whatever point they decide to make it feel happen
is going to be very interesting because if the Broncos
try to do it now and they give them a
maybe they get a little bit of a discount by
doing it now, but you're still committing a lot of money.
If Nick can't go out there and do it again now,
you're locked up.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Well okay, Phil, The way the way it works is
at some point you're gonna pay.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
You got to pay now or you pay later.
Speaker 4 (03:29):
You got to kill the right guy.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
Because here's the thing, here's the other part of paying
The Broncos gonna opt to not do it at all.
Bito has another stellar year, may not with being the
numbers that he had, and then he opts to go
somewhere else.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
So now you lose out.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
But the team is thinking, this is why we're bringing
in the other edge of rushers just in case we
lose you. That's great in theory, but if you don't
get that same level of production, it's going to be
a problem.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
And oh, by the way, thirteen and a half sacks
last year.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Obviously teams are gonna know who Nick Benito is because
he's progressively gotten better over the years. He has the
second half his first year, eight the year before that,
and then thirteen and a half.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Like I said, this past year.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
So teams are gonna locate fifteen and they're gonna double him,
which means is that though someone else on that defensive line.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
They're gonna eat.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
It could be Jonathan Cooper, hell, it could be Zach Allen,
another guy who is looking to have his deal extended.
So the way I look at it, if you and
Nick Benito, I'm gonna say, man, go out.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
There play with the hair on fire.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
The chances are that you may not get to thirteen
and a half sacks, right, but here's a stat that
they don't really chart and it doesn't end up on
a stat sheet that often.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
Precious, Yeah, precious maybe more important.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
I personally at one point I was like, no, No,
sacks are more important, precious because now on that quarterbacks
has got to get the ball out of his hands.
And if Nick Benito has a year where he has
nine and a half sacks or under the thirteen and
a half, if I'm his agent, I'm gonna pull out
the film and say, well, look what these pressures led to.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
Ooh, ps two.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Got an interception, Robley Mosk got an interception, so they
Barrey got an interception that may not end up in
the category. But here is my guy impacting the game
in a major way.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
And how many times was it last season that it
was a game changing play?
Speaker 4 (05:27):
And who was it? It was big sack you know, fumble.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Give him a cave, yeah.
Speaker 5 (05:34):
I mean he was.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
It was unreal. It was so many times where you're like,
who did that? NICKO? Okay, let me ask you again.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
Let me ask you this because I've had a lot
of conversations with individuals, both Dave and then Ryan about this.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
The Colts game, we saw it.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Do you I know how the league looked at it
and they put it on the stat sheet.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Do you look at it as a fumble or do
you look at it as.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
At looking at his iron t That's what I'm talking about.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
The quarterback was making a pass, yes, and he he
intercepted it.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
He didn't pick it up off the ground.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
Yeah, that's a fumble.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
That's that's technically a fumble.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
So yeah, those are the type of things when you
were in negotiation.
Speaker 4 (06:16):
Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Yea, well that's a bumb like no, no, no, no
no no no. Yeah, that's just.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Say okay, hey before we start talking numbers. Turning on
to TAKEE there's some of my highlights now, yeah, I in.
Speaker 4 (06:31):
T a little bit, yes, a little bit of music boom.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Yes, they did say, well, you know what, look how
Van Joseph is utilizing myself. It's just not I'm just
not a third down pass rusher. He's moving me around.
I'm a lining up and I'm reading coverage. Yep, how's
he Max Roby doing that?
Speaker 4 (06:50):
Yeah? Exactly.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
But but if you're from the Broncos side, you got
to say, Okay, we need to see a little bit more.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
We got to see it again. But it's tricky.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
It's if you wait too long, the Broncos might they
might have to either really pay like a lot of money,
or he's Nick Benito might just say, hey, look, you
guys didn't believe in me. I'm gonna go out and
test the free agency mark. You know, I'm gonna test
the waters here. The Broncos could of course come back
with a franchise tag, but you know, if then you're
sort of creating some friction there.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
So if I'm Nick Benito and they say, once again,
you have less than thirteen and a half, but you
created a lot of pressures that led to a lot
of turnovers fumbles where bo Nicks was the beneficiary. I'm
rolling in the Broncos facility with my windows rolled down,
even with the weather Cole playing Elvis Presley Viva Las Vegas.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Because you gambled and your gambled didn't pay off.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
Yeah, yeah, it's gonna be interesting now, Nick, what is
it like if you're players from that perspective playing on
a contract here like, is that in the back of
your mind always like you're thinking about that, like, hey,
I can't I can't get hurt, I can't do this.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
No, you know that cannot be something in your mind
because if you're thinking in that particular way, you're already
putting barriers on yourself.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
You're already putting limitations on yourself.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
So the idea is that you know that I'm competing
with myself. You put that thirteen and a half sacks
in your locker to know that that's the number you're
trying to get close to or get passed. But then
you look around the league and you say, okay, well,
wance Trey Henderson to sign? What do they pay him?
What did Dallas eventually play Michael Parson?
Speaker 6 (08:35):
Right?
Speaker 3 (08:35):
Because those are the guys who are going to help
increase your dollar value.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Like when you look at TJ.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
Watt and deal he signed, you look at and say, okay,
well that should help Nick Benito.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
It should.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
But here's the Broncos comeback, Like you said, you haven't
played at a consistent level for years, like a TJ.
Speaker 4 (08:54):
Watt, Yeah, you're not TJ Wat yet and.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
Yeah, and if they say that to him, no, I'm not.
I'm Nick freaking Benito. Yeah, and watch me come show you. Mm,
that's exactly that's.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
What you do.
Speaker 3 (09:06):
And once again you come in blasting that Viva Las Vegas.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
Yes, yeah, because they could work both ways, right, Like
you could be so motivated by that that you go
out there and you just kill it, you know, like
Vaughn during the Super Bowl year. This was a contract
year for him and he just went crazy out there.
So it can be that motivating factor or it could
be something that's just in the back of your mind
the whole season.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Right.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
But once again, everyone's going to be looking at the
number of sacks Nick Benito has this year in comparison
to last year, and I'm like, the likelihood of that
happening is slim to nun But you have to factor
in the other ways that he's impacting the game. And
when you and you are in negotiations, they're not going
to talk about that. They're going to just say, well,
(09:50):
you got thirteen a year, thirteen and a half the
year before, now you only got eight and a half,
so your production.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
Went down, went down.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
I was like, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, My
production didn't go down. They start doubling me more.
Speaker 4 (10:01):
Yeah, exactly right.
Speaker 3 (10:02):
They put the guard to tackle the tight end and
the running back. So someone else got my sex.
Speaker 4 (10:08):
Yeah, someone else.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
So what do you think you think Nick is going
to go out there and just crush it this year? Like,
what what do you see from him? Because he does
look like a player on the rise.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
The reason I believe that because his confidence level has
increased from what it was in his first two seasons. Well,
he came out of ou For me, he was just
a third down guy who all I do is get
up field. He wasn't a complete player where you figured
as though he's playing both the run.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
And the past and he's grown.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
And I attributed that to his position coach, but more
importantly attribute that to the defensive coordinator Van Shoseph because
totally now they're asking you to do things that they
know me don't ask guys at your position, and you're
now excelling at that. So it shows as though you
have crazy development. You're very athletic, and you can play
(10:59):
in three four four three whatever, but you have the
ability to impact the game in a multitude of ways.
And when you're talking about dollars making sense, it made sense,
what are you paying me for you you're paying me
to impact games exactly, And think about Patrick Mahomes. Look,
(11:21):
if the Broncos say they the measure mistake is still
Kansas City.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
Yep.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
He goes out there, he balls out against Kansas City,
he makes big plays and for the first time in years,
the Broncos bea Kansas City twice in a single season,
and you still didn't give me the deal and that
impact the game.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Guess what?
Speaker 4 (11:43):
Yeah, going up and Nick.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
It feels like sometimes with a player, if you find
that right coach, that could be all the difference in
the world, right, Like just a guy who knows how
to use you, knows how to mentor you lead, you
get your mind right, that could be the whole difference
in you making it in this league or not.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
I'm gonna put it.
Speaker 3 (12:07):
Into words that I know you understand. Hopefully young seekers
is listening, and I know a lot of our listeners
who are driving around and listening in different places here
in the United States, they understand this. Basically, what you're
talking about is similar to marrying the right person. So
you marry the right woman, she's going to push you
to be a better man than you ever thought you
(12:28):
could be, and hence that phrase out kicking your coverage.
And you know, my former coach has asking me all
the time or they tell me that I'll kick my coverage,
like I'm gonna deny it and say no, I did not. Yes,
that's the idea, you OutKick your coverage. So having a
coach that believes in you and knows if I put
(12:48):
you in a situation where I'm saying, Phil, I need
you to win this one on one on third down,
you do that, Yeah, and that builds confidence in the
scheme the other players around you. Interesting, you added green Law,
you added Hufunga, you got your day Baron Riley Moss
is going to be better. So now the Broncos are
going to play a mixture of match coverage where they're
(13:09):
gonna play a lot of man that's a lot of
opportunities for.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
You get home. So there's a possibility.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
Look, I'm rooting for Nick to have about fifteen and
a half.
Speaker 4 (13:19):
Yeah, I'm rooting for that.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
I mean that would be not only good for Nick
Benito in his contract, but good for the Broncos.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
It's gonna be good for every guy everybody.
Speaker 4 (13:28):
Yeah, exactly, Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 1 (13:30):
They've built this defense to count on him to be
able to get home.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
Well they only they also build this defense to help
bowl You can think about it. This offseason was about
the defensive side of the ball. You increase your strength
right while he's trying to help your quarterback. This is
why I call the defense mcgiver because mcgiver always.
Speaker 4 (13:53):
Comes through, always comes through the day.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Dam mcgivery comes through. So Broncos, cause you got to
get used to me saying that.
Speaker 3 (14:01):
I know Ryan Evers doesn't like it, but hey, he
gets sticking in his pipe and smoke it. But at
the same time, that defense is mcguyver and that's what
they're looking for or going to have to lean on
to help the Broncos get to where they need to
get to.
Speaker 1 (14:14):
It was like that Raiders game last year. You know,
it was going the wrong way the time around the
bombs going down. All of a sudden, boom ps two. Hey,
don't worry about it, I'd say the wife.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
He picked the right one. Next thing you know, it
was a pig six and.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
It changed the game.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
The whole thing was fine, exactly, don't worry about it.
I got it.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
There you go.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
Always the mullet always there when.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
You need it.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
I like that.
Speaker 4 (14:40):
I like it. I like it.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
Okay, well, we're going to talk more about this Broncos
team because suddenly there's some expectations around this team as
camp is coming up next week. We'll talk about what
it's like playing with expectations as Patrick Keotti joins us
next hour out here with Nick Ferguson. And now we
(15:03):
have Patrick Keotti from Believing Broncos joining the program.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
Patrick, how are you doing tonight?
Speaker 2 (15:09):
Phil?
Speaker 4 (15:10):
I'm doing fantastic.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
You know.
Speaker 6 (15:11):
It's a it's a beautiful summer day here in Portland, Oregon,
and Damian Lillard is back as a Portland Trailblazer. Literally,
life could not be any better at this moment.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
All is right in the world. When days it's always
Dame time and PDX, Yeah, it has.
Speaker 6 (15:28):
To it has to be Dame time. It's it's such
a surreal feeling, you know, just being able to uh
uh see the greatest Portland trail Blazer back in the city.
Speaker 5 (15:40):
Just after a short couple of years away.
Speaker 4 (15:42):
It's it's great now talking Broncos.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
We got training camp coming up next week, and uh,
you know, people are excited to see what this team
is made of, and you know, there's a little bit
of expectations around this Broncos team heading into camp. What
do you most what's like the biggest question that you
want to see get answered here as a season starts
to get underway. Yeah, Phil, that's a that's a great
(16:09):
question because you know, with all the hype and everything
surrounding this team, you know, the energy could not be
any higher realistically, but there's still, like for me, there's
still a few questions like how many wide receivers are
we actually going to keep on this roster with all
of the talented guys that are in that room and
(16:31):
some of the younger guys that they've brought in that
that's a big thing that I'm looking for, you know,
especially when we're talking about the.
Speaker 6 (16:38):
Development of bo Nicks. I still have some questions regarding
the secondary you know, as far as like health and
injury concerns go, like are we are we going to
be deep enough to handle you know, an injury to
Brandon Jones or Hufunga or is p is p J
walking to come back at one hundred percent? You know,
(17:02):
and then how is the how are the linebackers going
to look like that's that's kind of one of the
big bigger positions where you know, I've got a little
bit of concern especially with Drake Greenlaw with the injury
scare this off season already and Alex Singleton coming back
off the injury. I'm like, well, what's going to happen
if one of those guys can't go? Like? Are we
(17:24):
going to be in good hands with Justin Strenad and
Andrew Sanders? Is that going to be Are we going
to be good there? So I think those are my
biggest questions and concerns going into camp, but the energy
is still high. I'm really excited to see what this
team can do, and I think we've got a good
chance to build something special through training camp.
Speaker 3 (17:45):
Before you joined us, Phil and I were talking about
the hote J Watt deal and how that kind of
translates to or could translate to Nick Benito deal. So
I'll ask you, when you look at Nick Benito and
that thirteen to have of SEC totally had last year,
what's your believability that with these defensive editions that they
(18:07):
have on vance Joseph led defense, that he can get
to that number or even close to that number again.
Speaker 6 (18:15):
Man, that's tough because like his his season last year
was just like it kind of fit right, Like he grew,
he grew each season that he's been in the league,
but then like last year was just such a jump.
So now you have to look at it like, well,
is he actually going to you know, can he do
(18:37):
this again? But I think the believability that he could
get close to that number and or exceed it, I
would I would roll with pretty high. I think this
guy has a good work epic. I think that he's
a really talented player. Still needs to grow as a
you know, as a true edge defender, but like he
(18:59):
he grew last season tremendously just as a as a
defensive player. His instincts, he showcased them night after night.
You know, I really just want to see him kind
of clean up and refine some things, especially in run defense.
And we saw in the Buffalo game he kind of
got overpowered a few times and in the run game,
(19:21):
that's that's where we definitely needed somebody to step up
in that area. But I think that there's still a
possibility that he could benefit from all of these monsters
on the defensive side. And you know, if he if
he keeps following that trajection that he's had from his
rookie season and just kind of each year taking something
(19:41):
and getting better at it, I think that there's the
there's a good possibility that he could maybe hit fifteen.
I would say, like highest end, highest end, let's say
eighteen sacks. Lowest end. I think he's twelve would be crazy.
I mean, look at like the numbers that Zach Allen
(20:02):
put up last year were insane, but like this team
has a chance to, like since they're returning so many,
so many key players, that that's only going to lead
to more continuity. You know, he's gonna face some pretty
good teams this year, but he's also he's also has
the opportunity to kind of like make his statement as like,
(20:24):
I am one of the premier pass rushers in this league.
I can be the sack leader. So bring on your
best and at the end of the year back up
that brink struck.
Speaker 4 (20:37):
Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
It does seem like on paper, this Broncos defense has
the makings to be the best defense in the NFL.
But I want to ask you about the other side
of the ball here, bad the Broncos have made some
moves here this offseason to help Bo Nicks out.
Speaker 4 (20:54):
You know, R. J.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
Harvey signing today, JK. Dobbins, they bring in the running
back room, They go out and get Evan Ingram, they
draft pat Ryant.
Speaker 4 (21:04):
This is all sort.
Speaker 1 (21:05):
Of leading up to saying, Okay, Bo, we did what
we could for you this offseason. Now you go do
go go lead this group. What do you want to
see from bow especially early in camp that'll let you know, Okay,
he's taken a step this offseason.
Speaker 3 (21:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (21:23):
I think the thing that I want to see most
from Bo is just his ability to coach up the
other players, especially when it comes to a couple of
rookies who are going to be in key positions and
an incoming free agent who is going to be, you know,
(21:45):
kind of his security blanket through through this season. I
really just want to see how well he has grasped
Sean Payton's platebook over the last you know, two years. Really,
I really just want to see how he operates in
and out of the huddle. Is he running the offense smoothly?
(22:05):
Can they start expanding on the things that they were
working on last season.
Speaker 5 (22:10):
I think that I put out.
Speaker 6 (22:12):
A tweet last week and people got all open arms
because I said he does have the tools and trades
to be the best quarterback in the AFC West. And
that's no slight to you know, the guy in Kansas City.
Speaker 5 (22:23):
But I think with.
Speaker 6 (22:26):
His talents physically, he's going to be great. But it's
between the ears that I'm really most excited to see.
I want to see his command. I want to see
how well he is performing in two minute trials.
Speaker 5 (22:40):
I mean, we saw it last year.
Speaker 6 (22:41):
He was great in late game situations and in two
minut drill situations before the half. I just want to
see him expand on that. Start coaching up these younger guys,
get them in the spots that you need them to
be during training camp so that when we go into
the season, we know the guys who were here last year,
they're going to understand it's more so about these younger
(23:02):
guys and the new guys. We got to get them
up to speed, get them in the right spots because
we're out here to win. And that's kind of what
I've seen from Bonet, at least from like you know,
the OTAs where he's coaching people up on routes like
that's what you want to see from your quarterback. So
that's kind of what I'm looking forward to and seeing
(23:22):
him grow as a leader and as a true quarterback.
Speaker 2 (23:26):
Well, let's talk about growth right there.
Speaker 3 (23:29):
And the elder statesmen in the room is definitely Caughtland Sutton.
And when we're talking earlier about how all the individuals
view calling Sutton outside of this market, and I reference
a Pro Football Focus ranking and he had this breakdown
as far as tiers and the final tier was Calond Sutton.
Speaker 2 (23:50):
That was tiers six. And I don't think that Calton.
Speaker 3 (23:53):
Sutton is a Tier six type of wide receiver. But
I'm interested in seeing what you think as far as
how Courtland is viewed in European as far as other
wide receivers around the league. But more importantly, what is
it that the Broncos offense needs to do to help
put Courtland in that top tier conversation?
Speaker 6 (24:14):
Well, I think when I when I look at Courtland
Sudden and just his whole body of work, right, he
has been like when when he was young.
Speaker 5 (24:24):
And there were all these questions.
Speaker 6 (24:26):
About, you know, how well he would fit into the NFL,
Like big body kind of guy, like typical protypical X receiver,
you know, like he had so much potential and then
we all know the story.
Speaker 4 (24:37):
The injuries happened.
Speaker 6 (24:38):
And there were still all these wow catches, like his
work with Russell Wilson, his work with Bow Knicks. Uh.
You know, last season, I think that he showed that
he can be a reliable guy, uh, you know when
when the offense is flowing through him. And the thing
that I love about Sean Payton's offense is that he
(25:00):
he wants to get that X receiver involved. We saw
it in New Orleans with the Fiant God. But I
think that, you know, with he and Bow's relationship, I
think it only can make him a better receiver. He
wasn't perfect by any means last year, still ended up
being a top fifteen guy as far as yardage goes,
(25:20):
with less receptions than a lot of those top guys.
But I think like how he's viewed, like I would say, yes,
he is underrated from the national aspect.
Speaker 5 (25:32):
He has been a reliable.
Speaker 6 (25:34):
Wide receiver for whatever quarterback has been under center. You know,
no football player can be perfect.
Speaker 5 (25:42):
But man, when I look at Courtland Sudden, I.
Speaker 6 (25:44):
See like I love the exposition. I think that that's
one of the most important players and pieces of this scheme.
He just has to continue to get better, even as
he's pushing the quote unquote Hill. I'm sorry Nick's.
Speaker 4 (26:00):
Pushing that quote unquote.
Speaker 5 (26:01):
Hill as a football player.
Speaker 6 (26:04):
But he still has to improve on those little things.
We can't have ten plus drops in a season again,
especially when he's getting one hundred and forty plus targets.
Speaker 5 (26:13):
We need to have at least one hundred.
Speaker 6 (26:14):
Receptions, right, So we need to be able to continue
to get better and show these people, like there's no
doubt in my mind that Courtland Sutton takes that underdog
mentality each and every week. But he's just such a
good dude, such a good teammate. He's really fun to watch,
you know. And from the other question that you ask,
(26:35):
like how can they get him more involved, I think
just like moving him around, maybe, like putting him in
different spots. And you picked Pat Bryant, who could maybe
be the future.
Speaker 5 (26:48):
X for the Broncos, but like this gives you an.
Speaker 6 (26:51):
Opportunity to kind of move court around, put him in
different matchup situations where it could be advantageous for you.
And we all know how Sean Payton loves to play
the matchup game. I think that this would be an opportunity.
Speaker 4 (27:04):
Maybe put Court in the.
Speaker 6 (27:05):
Slot a little bit more this season, Uh, get him,
get him matched up with a smaller DV or a
linebacker who can't keep up with him. I think we've
got to find some of those situations. Get the ball
in his hand, you know, and look for him at
the sticks man because he's going to make those plays
for sure.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
We're chatting with Patrick Coyote, host of Belief in the Broncos. So, Patrick,
you said that Bo's got a chance here to be,
you know, up there with Justin Herbert, Patrick Mahomes, and
this Broncos team is coming in with some expectations. You know,
how do you think this team will handle expectations, because
(27:44):
it feels like last year maybe they snuck up on
some people. Certainly, Bo, I think at the beginning of
the year snuck up on some of these defenses. And
for the first time in a long time, it really
feels like the Broncos are expected to at least make
the playoffs this year, maybe push for the division, do
more take a step from last year. How do you
(28:06):
think that will change the dynamic and the mentality of this.
Speaker 5 (28:10):
Team, well, I think it was.
Speaker 6 (28:13):
It was great watching this team last year kind of grow,
you know, just just from that like outside perspective, like
you kind of tell during training camp that it was
a different vibe, and you know, I heard it from
James Palmer.
Speaker 4 (28:28):
Like he said this kind.
Speaker 5 (28:28):
Of this this training camp kind.
Speaker 6 (28:30):
Of felt like a Sean Payton and New Orleans kind
of vibe. And so what that tells me about how
they performed last season and some of those games later
in the year where you're shooting out with uh, with
the likes of l A, You're shooting out with the
likes of Cincinnati, you know, you're having to you're really
(28:51):
having to circle every single game down the stretch. I
think a lot of the guys that are on this
team right now, you know, they got that taste of
like what a what a successful season looks like, and
some of those guys have not had that in their
entire careers here in Denver, and that's something that is
so important, and I think a lot of fans like
(29:13):
don't see that aspect, Like once they get a taste
of the playoffs, it's like blood in the water and
they're the Sharks Man like they they're hunting.
Speaker 4 (29:21):
For it now.
Speaker 6 (29:22):
It's coming, and so I think with the schedule and
the way that it's set up for them this year,
they're going to have some tough games against some really
tough opponents, but they do have that opportunity to win
early on in the season. They've got a couple of
games early on in the season that might be a
little tough, but they've got a chance to start strong,
(29:43):
continue strong through that little rough spot when they go
to London, and then like finish off with some really
competitive football games. I think that I think that the
expectations are there now. It's like like Sean Payton said,
we got to get to that one game. It's that
one big game that we got to get to and
he'll let us know when we're there. And I think
(30:05):
a lot of those guys this season they're going to
be looking for that one big game. It's definitely going
to be a driving force for them.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
Yeah, starting Week three with the Chargers and then the
Bengals and then the Eagles, the defending Short Bowl champs,
right there, we'll know a lot more about this team
after that stretch. Patrick, Thank you so much for spending
some time with us here on Bronx's Country tonight, and
good luck to your blazers this year with Dame as
he comes back from injury and gets back into the.
Speaker 4 (30:34):
Flow of things, excited to see what he can do.
Speaker 5 (30:38):
Yeah, thank you so much, Phil, Nick, it's.
Speaker 4 (30:40):
So great to talk to you guys.
Speaker 6 (30:42):
Yeah, we're going to be waiting at least one year
for dam but you know, we've got we've got young
Hanson here now, and I think the future is really
bright here in the Row City, all right, and.
Speaker 1 (30:52):
Of course Chauncey Billups still running things there, so that's
our guy.
Speaker 4 (30:56):
All right, Patrick, I have a good night. I appreciate you.
Thank you so much, guys.
Speaker 1 (31:00):
That's Patrick Coote from Believe in the Broncos. We're going
to take a quick break here on Broncos Country tonight
and when we come back, we'll break down what he
said about expectations for the Broncos heading into this season.
Here with Nick Ferguson in studio. Nick, a whole lot
of money was being spread around today, in particular to TJ.
Watt in Pittsburgh agreed to a new three year extension
that Nick will make him the highest paid non quarterback
in NFL history.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
A whole lot of money.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
A whole lot of money, one hundred and twenty three
million dollar extension. But I think the big thing, and
this is what's important nowadays, is one hundred and eight
million fully guaranteed.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
This was crazy is that at one point, Miles Garrett
was the highest paid non quarterback in the league at
forty million. Now TJ one is at forty one. And
then when you look at those guys keep going the
Neil Hunter at one point at thirty five and Max
Crosby at thirty five.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
So that number is going to continue to go up.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
And players now they want to be called in his
really short is really brief, the highest paid player in
the league.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
And at one point PS two was.
Speaker 4 (01:05):
That guy, Yeah saw us, I mean.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Derek Stingley down into Houston.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Yeah, So those numbers change, And this is the crazy
thing about the league and some of those owners, Jerry Jones,
if you listen, if someone knows, pat him on the back,
because let him know that these numbers are not going
to go down, They're going to go up. So I
don't know, while you're waiting to see if something's gonna happen.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
And when you think.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
About the Broncos and Nick Benito, Nick Benito had.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Thirteen and a half sacks last year.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
I mean, Trey Henderson has seventeen and a half and
the Bengals still haven't signed him yet.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
Yeah, so if you are the.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Broncos, you gotta start to really look at Nick Benito's
contract and say, you know what, you want to kind
of get him in the books, more sooner than later,
because Michael Parson still.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Has a sign.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
There's two sides to this coin. Nick.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
Here, here's what it is. Nick Meadito had a.
Speaker 4 (02:02):
Career year like suordinary. He was amazing last year. Okay.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
And if you're in Nick Benito's camp, you're heading into
your contract year here, you're thinking, okay, last year was
just to start. I'm gonna take a step this year.
I'm going to keep getting better. And you think that
you belong in the conversation with some of these guys,
and you know how valuable your position is. Okay, if
(02:29):
Nick Boddo becomes one of these premier guys, he's getting
double teamed. That's opening up everything else for this defense.
And you know, George Payton said it when he first
came to Denver. You need pass rushers and you need
the secondary. Well, the Broncos have taken care of the secondary. Okay,
So now you know how valuable you are if you're
Nick Benito. So that's what you're thinking here, Okay. Then
(02:52):
if you're on the Broncos camp, if you're in the
Broncos camp, you're thinking, okay, last year was a breakout year.
Speaker 4 (02:58):
We need to see more, though, can you do it again? Okay?
Speaker 1 (03:02):
And whatever point they decide to make it feel happen
is going to be very interesting because if the Broncos
try to do it now and they give them a
maybe they get a little bit of a discount by
doing it now, but you're still committing a lot of money.
If Nick can't go out there and do it again now,
you're locked up.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Well okay, Phil, The way the way it works is
at some point you're gonna pay.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
You got to pay now or you pay later.
Speaker 4 (03:29):
You got to kill the right guy.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
Because here's the thing, here's the other part of paying
The Broncos gonna opt to not do it at all.
Bito has another stellar year, may not with being the
numbers that he had, and then he opts to go
somewhere else.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
So now you lose out.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
But the team is thinking, this is why we're bringing
in the other edge of rushers just in case we
lose you. That's great in theory, but if you don't
get that same level of production, it's going to be
a problem.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
And oh, by the way, thirteen and a half sacks
last year.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Obviously teams are gonna know who Nick Benito is because
he's progressively gotten better over the years. He has the
second half his first year, eight the year before that,
and then thirteen and a half.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Like I said, this past year.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
So teams are gonna locate fifteen and they're gonna double him,
which means is that though someone else on that defensive line.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
They're gonna eat.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
It could be Jonathan Cooper, hell, it could be Zach Allen,
another guy who is looking to have his deal extended.
So the way I look at it, if you and
Nick Benito, I'm gonna say, man, go out.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
There play with the hair on fire.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
The chances are that you may not get to thirteen
and a half sacks, right, but here's a stat that
they don't really chart and it doesn't end up on
a stat sheet that often.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
Precious, Yeah, precious maybe more important.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
I personally at one point I was like, no, No,
sacks are more important, precious because now on that quarterbacks
has got to get the ball out of his hands.
And if Nick Benito has a year where he has
nine and a half sacks or under the thirteen and
a half, if I'm his agent, I'm gonna pull out
the film and say, well, look what these pressures led to.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
Ooh, ps two.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
Got an interception, Robley Mosk got an interception, so they
Barrey got an interception that may not end up in
the category. But here is my guy impacting the game
in a major way.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
And how many times was it last season that it
was a game changing play?
Speaker 4 (05:27):
And who was it? It was big sack you know, fumble.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
Give him a cave, yeah.
Speaker 5 (05:34):
I mean he was.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
It was unreal. It was so many times where you're like,
who did that? NICKO? Okay, let me ask you again.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
Let me ask you this because I've had a lot
of conversations with individuals, both Dave and then Ryan about this.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
The Colts game, we saw it.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Do you I know how the league looked at it
and they put it on the stat sheet.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Do you look at it as a fumble or do
you look at it as.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
At looking at his iron t That's what I'm talking about.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
The quarterback was making a pass, yes, and he he
intercepted it.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
He didn't pick it up off the ground.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
Yeah, that's a fumble.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
That's that's technically a fumble.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
So yeah, those are the type of things when you
were in negotiation.
Speaker 4 (06:16):
Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Yea, well that's a bumb like no, no, no, no
no no no. Yeah, that's just.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Say okay, hey before we start talking numbers. Turning on
to TAKEE there's some of my highlights now, yeah, I in.
Speaker 4 (06:31):
T a little bit, yes, a little bit of music boom.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Yes, they did say, well, you know what, look how
Van Joseph is utilizing myself. It's just not I'm just
not a third down pass rusher. He's moving me around.
I'm a lining up and I'm reading coverage. Yep, how's
he Max Roby doing that?
Speaker 4 (06:50):
Yeah? Exactly.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
But but if you're from the Broncos side, you got
to say, Okay, we need to see a little bit more.
Speaker 4 (06:56):
We got to see it again. But it's tricky.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
It's if you wait too long, the Broncos might they
might have to either really pay like a lot of money,
or he's Nick Benito might just say, hey, look, you
guys didn't believe in me. I'm gonna go out and
test the free agency mark. You know, I'm gonna test
the waters here. The Broncos could of course come back
with a franchise tag, but you know, if then you're
sort of creating some friction there.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
So if I'm Nick Benito and they say, once again,
you have less than thirteen and a half, but you
created a lot of pressures that led to a lot
of turnovers fumbles where bo Nicks was the beneficiary. I'm
rolling in the Broncos facility with my windows rolled down,
even with the weather Cole playing Elvis Presley Viva Las Vegas.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Because you gambled and your gambled didn't pay off.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
Yeah, yeah, it's gonna be interesting now, Nick, what is
it like if you're players from that perspective playing on
a contract here like, is that in the back of
your mind always like you're thinking about that, like, hey,
I can't I can't get hurt, I can't do this.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
No, you know that cannot be something in your mind
because if you're thinking in that particular way, you're already
putting barriers on yourself.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
You're already putting limitations on yourself.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
So the idea is that you know that I'm competing
with myself. You put that thirteen and a half sacks
in your locker to know that that's the number you're
trying to get close to or get passed. But then
you look around the league and you say, okay, well,
wance Trey Henderson to sign? What do they pay him?
What did Dallas eventually play Michael Parson?
Speaker 6 (08:35):
Right?
Speaker 3 (08:35):
Because those are the guys who are going to help
increase your dollar value.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Like when you look at TJ.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
Watt and deal he signed, you look at and say, okay,
well that should help Nick Benito.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
It should.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
But here's the Broncos comeback, Like you said, you haven't
played at a consistent level for years, like a TJ.
Speaker 4 (08:54):
Watt, Yeah, you're not TJ Wat yet and.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
Yeah, and if they say that to him, no, I'm not.
I'm Nick freaking Benito. Yeah, and watch me come show you. Mm,
that's exactly that's.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
What you do.
Speaker 3 (09:06):
And once again you come in blasting that Viva Las Vegas.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
Yes, yeah, because they could work both ways, right, Like
you could be so motivated by that that you go
out there and you just kill it, you know, like
Vaughn during the Super Bowl year. This was a contract
year for him and he just went crazy out there.
So it can be that motivating factor or it could
be something that's just in the back of your mind
the whole season.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Right.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
But once again, everyone's going to be looking at the
number of sacks Nick Benito has this year in comparison
to last year, and I'm like, the likelihood of that
happening is slim to nun But you have to factor
in the other ways that he's impacting the game. And
when you and you are in negotiations, they're not going
to talk about that. They're going to just say, well,
(09:50):
you got thirteen a year, thirteen and a half the
year before, now you only got eight and a half,
so your production.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
Went down, went down.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
I was like, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, My
production didn't go down. They start doubling me more.
Speaker 4 (10:01):
Yeah, exactly right.
Speaker 3 (10:02):
They put the guard to tackle the tight end and
the running back. So someone else got my sex.
Speaker 4 (10:08):
Yeah, someone else.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
So what do you think you think Nick is going
to go out there and just crush it this year? Like,
what what do you see from him? Because he does
look like a player on the rise.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
The reason I believe that because his confidence level has
increased from what it was in his first two seasons. Well,
he came out of ou For me, he was just
a third down guy who all I do is get
up field. He wasn't a complete player where you figured
as though he's playing both the run.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
And the past and he's grown.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
And I attributed that to his position coach, but more
importantly attribute that to the defensive coordinator Van Shoseph because
totally now they're asking you to do things that they
know me don't ask guys at your position, and you're
now excelling at that. So it shows as though you
have crazy development. You're very athletic, and you can play
(10:59):
in three four four three whatever, but you have the
ability to impact the game in a multitude of ways.
And when you're talking about dollars making sense, it made sense,
what are you paying me for you you're paying me
to impact games exactly, And think about Patrick Mahomes. Look,
(11:21):
if the Broncos say they the measure mistake is still
Kansas City.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
Yep.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
He goes out there, he balls out against Kansas City,
he makes big plays and for the first time in years,
the Broncos bea Kansas City twice in a single season,
and you still didn't give me the deal and that
impact the game.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Guess what?
Speaker 4 (11:43):
Yeah, going up and Nick.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
It feels like sometimes with a player, if you find
that right coach, that could be all the difference in
the world, right, Like just a guy who knows how
to use you, knows how to mentor you lead, you
get your mind right, that could be the whole difference
in you making it in this league or not.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
I'm gonna put it.
Speaker 3 (12:07):
Into words that I know you understand. Hopefully young seekers
is listening, and I know a lot of our listeners
who are driving around and listening in different places here
in the United States, they understand this. Basically, what you're
talking about is similar to marrying the right person. So
you marry the right woman, she's going to push you
to be a better man than you ever thought you
(12:28):
could be, and hence that phrase out kicking your coverage.
And you know, my former coach has asking me all
the time or they tell me that I'll kick my coverage,
like I'm gonna deny it and say no, I did not. Yes,
that's the idea, you OutKick your coverage. So having a
coach that believes in you and knows if I put
(12:48):
you in a situation where I'm saying, Phil, I need
you to win this one on one on third down,
you do that, Yeah, and that builds confidence in the
scheme the other players around you. Interesting, you added green Law,
you added Hufunga, you got your day Baron Riley Moss
is going to be better. So now the Broncos are
going to play a mixture of match coverage where they're
(13:09):
gonna play a lot of man that's a lot of
opportunities for.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
You get home. So there's a possibility.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
Look, I'm rooting for Nick to have about fifteen and
a half.
Speaker 4 (13:19):
Yeah, I'm rooting for that.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
I mean that would be not only good for Nick
Benito in his contract, but good for the Broncos.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
It's gonna be good for every guy everybody.
Speaker 4 (13:28):
Yeah, exactly, Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 1 (13:30):
They've built this defense to count on him to be
able to get home.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
Well they only they also build this defense to help
bowl You can think about it. This offseason was about
the defensive side of the ball. You increase your strength
right while he's trying to help your quarterback. This is
why I call the defense mcgiver because mcgiver always.
Speaker 4 (13:53):
Comes through, always comes through the day.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Dam mcgivery comes through. So Broncos, cause you got to
get used to me saying that.
Speaker 3 (14:01):
I know Ryan Evers doesn't like it, but hey, he
gets sticking in his pipe and smoke it. But at
the same time, that defense is mcguyver and that's what
they're looking for or going to have to lean on
to help the Broncos get to where they need to
get to.
Speaker 1 (14:14):
It was like that Raiders game last year. You know,
it was going the wrong way the time around the
bombs going down. All of a sudden, boom ps two. Hey,
don't worry about it, I'd say the wife.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
He picked the right one. Next thing you know, it
was a pig six and.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
It changed the game.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
The whole thing was fine, exactly, don't worry about it.
I got it.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
There you go.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
Always the mullet always there when.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
You need it.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
I like that.
Speaker 4 (14:40):
I like it. I like it.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
Okay, well, we're going to talk more about this Broncos
team because suddenly there's some expectations around this team as
camp is coming up next week. We'll talk about what
it's like playing with expectations as Patrick Keotti joins us
next hour out here with Nick Ferguson. And now we
(15:03):
have Patrick Keotti from Believing Broncos joining the program.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
Patrick, how are you doing tonight?
Speaker 2 (15:09):
Phil?
Speaker 4 (15:10):
I'm doing fantastic.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
You know.
Speaker 6 (15:11):
It's a it's a beautiful summer day here in Portland, Oregon,
and Damian Lillard is back as a Portland Trailblazer. Literally,
life could not be any better at this moment.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
All is right in the world. When days it's always
Dame time and PDX, Yeah, it has.
Speaker 6 (15:28):
To it has to be Dame time. It's it's such
a surreal feeling, you know, just being able to uh
uh see the greatest Portland trail Blazer back in the city.
Speaker 5 (15:40):
Just after a short couple of years away.
Speaker 4 (15:42):
It's it's great now talking Broncos.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
We got training camp coming up next week, and uh,
you know, people are excited to see what this team
is made of, and you know, there's a little bit
of expectations around this Broncos team heading into camp. What
do you most what's like the biggest question that you
want to see get answered here as a season starts
to get underway. Yeah, Phil, that's a that's a great
(16:09):
question because you know, with all the hype and everything
surrounding this team, you know, the energy could not be
any higher realistically, but there's still, like for me, there's
still a few questions like how many wide receivers are
we actually going to keep on this roster with all
of the talented guys that are in that room and
(16:31):
some of the younger guys that they've brought in that
that's a big thing that I'm looking for, you know,
especially when we're talking about the.
Speaker 6 (16:38):
Development of bo Nicks. I still have some questions regarding
the secondary you know, as far as like health and
injury concerns go, like are we are we going to
be deep enough to handle you know, an injury to
Brandon Jones or Hufunga or is p is p J
walking to come back at one hundred percent? You know,
(17:02):
and then how is the how are the linebackers going
to look like that's that's kind of one of the
big bigger positions where you know, I've got a little
bit of concern especially with Drake Greenlaw with the injury
scare this off season already and Alex Singleton coming back
off the injury. I'm like, well, what's going to happen
if one of those guys can't go? Like? Are we
(17:24):
going to be in good hands with Justin Strenad and
Andrew Sanders? Is that going to be Are we going
to be good there? So I think those are my
biggest questions and concerns going into camp, but the energy
is still high. I'm really excited to see what this
team can do, and I think we've got a good
chance to build something special through training camp.
Speaker 3 (17:45):
Before you joined us, Phil and I were talking about
the hote J Watt deal and how that kind of
translates to or could translate to Nick Benito deal. So
I'll ask you, when you look at Nick Benito and
that thirteen to have of SEC totally had last year,
what's your believability that with these defensive editions that they
(18:07):
have on vance Joseph led defense, that he can get
to that number or even close to that number again.
Speaker 6 (18:15):
Man, that's tough because like his his season last year
was just like it kind of fit right, Like he grew,
he grew each season that he's been in the league,
but then like last year was just such a jump.
So now you have to look at it like, well,
is he actually going to you know, can he do
(18:37):
this again? But I think the believability that he could
get close to that number and or exceed it, I
would I would roll with pretty high. I think this
guy has a good work epic. I think that he's
a really talented player. Still needs to grow as a
you know, as a true edge defender, but like he
(18:59):
he grew last season tremendously just as a as a
defensive player. His instincts, he showcased them night after night.
You know, I really just want to see him kind
of clean up and refine some things, especially in run defense.
And we saw in the Buffalo game he kind of
got overpowered a few times and in the run game,
(19:21):
that's that's where we definitely needed somebody to step up
in that area. But I think that there's still a
possibility that he could benefit from all of these monsters
on the defensive side. And you know, if he if
he keeps following that trajection that he's had from his
rookie season and just kind of each year taking something
(19:41):
and getting better at it, I think that there's the
there's a good possibility that he could maybe hit fifteen.
I would say, like highest end, highest end, let's say
eighteen sacks. Lowest end. I think he's twelve would be crazy.
I mean, look at like the numbers that Zach Allen
(20:02):
put up last year were insane, but like this team
has a chance to, like since they're returning so many,
so many key players, that that's only going to lead
to more continuity. You know, he's gonna face some pretty
good teams this year, but he's also he's also has
the opportunity to kind of like make his statement as like,
(20:24):
I am one of the premier pass rushers in this league.
I can be the sack leader. So bring on your
best and at the end of the year back up
that brink struck.
Speaker 4 (20:37):
Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
It does seem like on paper, this Broncos defense has
the makings to be the best defense in the NFL.
But I want to ask you about the other side
of the ball here, bad the Broncos have made some
moves here this offseason to help Bo Nicks out.
Speaker 4 (20:54):
You know, R. J.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
Harvey signing today, JK. Dobbins, they bring in the running
back room, They go out and get Evan Ingram, they
draft pat Ryant.
Speaker 4 (21:04):
This is all sort.
Speaker 1 (21:05):
Of leading up to saying, Okay, Bo, we did what
we could for you this offseason. Now you go do
go go lead this group. What do you want to
see from bow especially early in camp that'll let you know, Okay,
he's taken a step this offseason.
Speaker 3 (21:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (21:23):
I think the thing that I want to see most
from Bo is just his ability to coach up the
other players, especially when it comes to a couple of
rookies who are going to be in key positions and
an incoming free agent who is going to be, you know,
(21:45):
kind of his security blanket through through this season. I
really just want to see how well he has grasped
Sean Payton's platebook over the last you know, two years. Really,
I really just want to see how he operates in
and out of the huddle. Is he running the offense smoothly?
(22:05):
Can they start expanding on the things that they were
working on last season.
Speaker 5 (22:10):
I think that I put out.
Speaker 6 (22:12):
A tweet last week and people got all open arms
because I said he does have the tools and trades
to be the best quarterback in the AFC West. And
that's no slight to you know, the guy in Kansas City.
Speaker 5 (22:23):
But I think with.
Speaker 6 (22:26):
His talents physically, he's going to be great. But it's
between the ears that I'm really most excited to see.
I want to see his command. I want to see
how well he is performing in two minute trials.
Speaker 5 (22:40):
I mean, we saw it last year.
Speaker 6 (22:41):
He was great in late game situations and in two
minut drill situations before the half. I just want to
see him expand on that. Start coaching up these younger guys,
get them in the spots that you need them to
be during training camp so that when we go into
the season, we know the guys who were here last year,
they're going to understand it's more so about these younger
(23:02):
guys and the new guys. We got to get them
up to speed, get them in the right spots because
we're out here to win. And that's kind of what
I've seen from Bonet, at least from like you know,
the OTAs where he's coaching people up on routes like
that's what you want to see from your quarterback. So
that's kind of what I'm looking forward to and seeing
(23:22):
him grow as a leader and as a true quarterback.
Speaker 2 (23:26):
Well, let's talk about growth right there.
Speaker 3 (23:29):
And the elder statesmen in the room is definitely Caughtland Sutton.
And when we're talking earlier about how all the individuals
view calling Sutton outside of this market, and I reference
a Pro Football Focus ranking and he had this breakdown
as far as tiers and the final tier was Calond Sutton.
Speaker 2 (23:50):
That was tiers six. And I don't think that Calton.
Speaker 3 (23:53):
Sutton is a Tier six type of wide receiver. But
I'm interested in seeing what you think as far as
how Courtland is viewed in European as far as other
wide receivers around the league. But more importantly, what is
it that the Broncos offense needs to do to help
put Courtland in that top tier conversation?
Speaker 6 (24:14):
Well, I think when I when I look at Courtland
Sudden and just his whole body of work, right, he
has been like when when he was young.
Speaker 5 (24:24):
And there were all these questions.
Speaker 6 (24:26):
About, you know, how well he would fit into the NFL,
Like big body kind of guy, like typical protypical X receiver,
you know, like he had so much potential and then
we all know the story.
Speaker 4 (24:37):
The injuries happened.
Speaker 6 (24:38):
And there were still all these wow catches, like his
work with Russell Wilson, his work with Bow Knicks. Uh.
You know, last season, I think that he showed that
he can be a reliable guy, uh, you know when
when the offense is flowing through him. And the thing
that I love about Sean Payton's offense is that he
(25:00):
he wants to get that X receiver involved. We saw
it in New Orleans with the Fiant God. But I
think that, you know, with he and Bow's relationship, I
think it only can make him a better receiver. He
wasn't perfect by any means last year, still ended up
being a top fifteen guy as far as yardage goes,
(25:20):
with less receptions than a lot of those top guys.
But I think like how he's viewed, like I would say, yes,
he is underrated from the national aspect.
Speaker 5 (25:32):
He has been a reliable.
Speaker 6 (25:34):
Wide receiver for whatever quarterback has been under center. You know,
no football player can be perfect.
Speaker 5 (25:42):
But man, when I look at Courtland Sudden, I.
Speaker 6 (25:44):
See like I love the exposition. I think that that's
one of the most important players and pieces of this scheme.
He just has to continue to get better, even as
he's pushing the quote unquote Hill. I'm sorry Nick's.
Speaker 4 (26:00):
Pushing that quote unquote.
Speaker 5 (26:01):
Hill as a football player.
Speaker 6 (26:04):
But he still has to improve on those little things.
We can't have ten plus drops in a season again,
especially when he's getting one hundred and forty plus targets.
Speaker 5 (26:13):
We need to have at least one hundred.
Speaker 6 (26:14):
Receptions, right, So we need to be able to continue
to get better and show these people, like there's no
doubt in my mind that Courtland Sutton takes that underdog
mentality each and every week. But he's just such a
good dude, such a good teammate. He's really fun to watch,
you know. And from the other question that you ask,
(26:35):
like how can they get him more involved, I think
just like moving him around, maybe, like putting him in
different spots. And you picked Pat Bryant, who could maybe
be the future.
Speaker 5 (26:48):
X for the Broncos, but like this gives you an.
Speaker 6 (26:51):
Opportunity to kind of move court around, put him in
different matchup situations where it could be advantageous for you.
And we all know how Sean Payton loves to play
the matchup game. I think that this would be an opportunity.
Speaker 4 (27:04):
Maybe put Court in the.
Speaker 6 (27:05):
Slot a little bit more this season, Uh, get him,
get him matched up with a smaller DV or a
linebacker who can't keep up with him. I think we've
got to find some of those situations. Get the ball
in his hand, you know, and look for him at
the sticks man because he's going to make those plays
for sure.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
We're chatting with Patrick Coyote, host of Belief in the Broncos. So, Patrick,
you said that Bo's got a chance here to be,
you know, up there with Justin Herbert, Patrick Mahomes, and
this Broncos team is coming in with some expectations. You know,
how do you think this team will handle expectations, because
(27:44):
it feels like last year maybe they snuck up on
some people. Certainly, Bo, I think at the beginning of
the year snuck up on some of these defenses. And
for the first time in a long time, it really
feels like the Broncos are expected to at least make
the playoffs this year, maybe push for the division, do
more take a step from last year. How do you
(28:06):
think that will change the dynamic and the mentality of this.
Speaker 5 (28:10):
Team, well, I think it was.
Speaker 6 (28:13):
It was great watching this team last year kind of grow,
you know, just just from that like outside perspective, like
you kind of tell during training camp that it was
a different vibe, and you know, I heard it from
James Palmer.
Speaker 4 (28:28):
Like he said this kind.
Speaker 5 (28:28):
Of this this training camp kind.
Speaker 6 (28:30):
Of felt like a Sean Payton and New Orleans kind
of vibe. And so what that tells me about how
they performed last season and some of those games later
in the year where you're shooting out with uh, with
the likes of l A, You're shooting out with the
likes of Cincinnati, you know, you're having to you're really
(28:51):
having to circle every single game down the stretch. I
think a lot of the guys that are on this
team right now, you know, they got that taste of
like what a what a successful season looks like, and
some of those guys have not had that in their
entire careers here in Denver, and that's something that is
so important, and I think a lot of fans like
(29:13):
don't see that aspect, Like once they get a taste
of the playoffs, it's like blood in the water and
they're the Sharks Man like they they're hunting.
Speaker 4 (29:21):
For it now.
Speaker 6 (29:22):
It's coming, and so I think with the schedule and
the way that it's set up for them this year,
they're going to have some tough games against some really
tough opponents, but they do have that opportunity to win
early on in the season. They've got a couple of
games early on in the season that might be a
little tough, but they've got a chance to start strong,
(29:43):
continue strong through that little rough spot when they go
to London, and then like finish off with some really
competitive football games. I think that I think that the
expectations are there now. It's like like Sean Payton said,
we got to get to that one game. It's that
one big game that we got to get to and
he'll let us know when we're there. And I think
(30:05):
a lot of those guys this season they're going to
be looking for that one big game. It's definitely going
to be a driving force for them.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
Yeah, starting Week three with the Chargers and then the
Bengals and then the Eagles, the defending Short Bowl champs,
right there, we'll know a lot more about this team
after that stretch. Patrick, Thank you so much for spending
some time with us here on Bronx's Country tonight, and
good luck to your blazers this year with Dame as
he comes back from injury and gets back into the.
Speaker 4 (30:34):
Flow of things, excited to see what he can do.
Speaker 5 (30:38):
Yeah, thank you so much, Phil, Nick, it's.
Speaker 4 (30:40):
So great to talk to you guys.
Speaker 6 (30:42):
Yeah, we're going to be waiting at least one year
for dam but you know, we've got we've got young
Hanson here now, and I think the future is really
bright here in the Row City, all right, and.
Speaker 1 (30:52):
Of course Chauncey Billups still running things there, so that's
our guy.
Speaker 4 (30:56):
All right, Patrick, I have a good night. I appreciate you.
Thank you so much, guys.
Speaker 1 (31:00):
That's Patrick Coote from Believe in the Broncos. We're going
to take a quick break here on Broncos Country tonight
and when we come back, we'll break down what he
said about expectations for the Broncos heading into this season.
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