Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Grant Smith filling in for Benjamin Albright alongside Nick Ferguson.
Thanks again to the Hall of Famer Steve Atwater for
joining us in the first hour. You missed any of that,
you know where to find it on our podcast on
the free and redesigned iHeartRadio app where you can now
set Koa as a preset just like you do in
your car and as the wet blanket. Albright always likes
(00:21):
to say the archives with the Taking It for Granted
podcast there as well, with an episode with Nick Ferguson.
Nick Gabe Landeskog back tonight first regular season game and
over three years. Of course, we saw him return in
the playoffs last year for the Avs, but the Avs season.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Already kicking off and the captain is back.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Yeah, you know what, it was really interesting to see
him come back last year, and obviously any ABS fan
would tell you that he didn't really look himself, and
that was expected for a guy to have such a
long layoff, especially with.
Speaker 4 (00:55):
A knee injury.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
And it's the same knee injury that Chicago Bulls player
a Lonzo Ball had and it kept him out for
an extended.
Speaker 4 (01:03):
Period of time.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
And you always wonder as an athlete in a situation
like that, will you ever get back on the ice?
Speaker 4 (01:10):
Will you ever be who you were before?
Speaker 3 (01:13):
And I'll say this, I don't know if Atlantiscott willerever
be the player he was before the injury, but I'm
happy to see him, you know, back on the ice.
It's going to be important that he develops that chemistry
that he had before the injury, but more importantly just
kind of monitoring and maintaining himself throughout the season because
(01:35):
the hockey season is a very long and physical season.
So I mean, if you're Jared Bednard, that's something that
you concern yourself with. But you know, hockey is back,
and how exciting is to see these guys back on
the ice.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
I know it feels like the season just wrapped up
yesterday and now they're already.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Back playing again.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
And then the hockey season, man, I mean it's brutal,
like baseball is a long season, but you're not eating
up your body like you are in the NHL.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
And I think you're right.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
I think you got a monitor Gabe minutes on the
ice in this early season and kind of hold him
back against himself because you know, if anyone knows his personality,
he wants to be out there making an impact all
the time. And it's great for the ABS to have
him back, but you got to have him back at
full strength when you need him most in those Stanley cups.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
See see once again, that's hard from a doctor's standpoint
and a team physician.
Speaker 4 (02:30):
I get it, you're just doing your job.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
But to tell and athletes who's used to competing, who's
been out for like since March and twenty twenty two, Oh,
you know what, just take it easy? No, I can't
because you need to go out there and you need
to feel that level of stress on your body. And
you're like, look, man, I've had this hiatus for how long?
Speaker 4 (02:52):
And you want me to take more rest?
Speaker 5 (02:54):
No?
Speaker 3 (02:54):
And then also too, the more rest you take, you
give an opportunity for that next guy right to come
in and try to take your job.
Speaker 5 (03:03):
And if.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
The ABS are going to get back to a point
where we saw the Florida Panthers and the Panthers, you know, man,
that was a hell of a series that they play.
But if the ABS are to get themselves back in
that conversation, they're gonna need every single player.
Speaker 5 (03:23):
Now.
Speaker 4 (03:24):
The biggest issue for me last year. I mean, the
ads had some inconsistency, but it was inconsistency between the
pipes the goalie. You're trying to remedy that situation.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Yeah, I'm feeling pretty confident about the Avs this year though.
I think that last series last year left a bad
taste in their.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Mouth, and I got I was.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Lucky enough to cover a couple of those games down
at Ball Arena in playoff hockey. Man, it's a different
atmosphere and this is just so intense, and I like
their chances to get back to the Stanley Cup Finals.
I know I'm a homer for saying this, but I'm
very confident and them and the Nuggets this year. One
more thing on Gabe Blandiskag. I loved when they started
(04:03):
their preseason a couple of weeks ago. First game, a
couple of minutes in, he dropped the gloves and got
into a fight.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
I'm like, it's so it's just so good to have
the captain back.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
Well, you know what the reason you do that for
As a player, it just shows a level of confidence
that you have and your your recovery from your injury.
But you just want to let your teammates and the
other teams know that, you know what. I might have
been all for a while, you know, but I'm back.
Might have putting my hands on.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
You too, as long as he's not hitting any of
his coaches right.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
Well, listen, hey man, the coach deserved it.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
Mastered with you want too many times. I agree, I'm
actually on your side.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
It was one. It was one. It's like, at what
point do you push back?
Speaker 5 (04:51):
Right?
Speaker 4 (04:51):
Because it is a tough situation.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
If you are an employee and your employer is just
give you the business right, and you and you're trying
to be you know, subordinate, and you're trying to do
the right thing. But it does reach a point where
you're like, hey man, enough is enough. I'm a grown
ass man, so I'm only gonna handle so much. Show
me a little respect.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Yes, If you won't, don't show it to me, I
won't have to take it. So I did. He did well.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
The three zero three other text line common spirit health
text line five six six nine zero agrees with you.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
F n A Nick that's freaking perfect.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Yes, And after that, I mean that didn't really stop
him from messing with me. But he was a little
more strategic than he was, you know, leading up to
that point.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
The message was received.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Slightly slightly, So this was a cat and mouse game
we played for a while. But sometimes you have to
meet force with force to let people know that you
mean business. I mean, it happens in hockey, it happens
in any sport, but sometimes you got to step to
the plate and let people know. If you're going to
(06:04):
mess with the bull, you're getting a horn and everything else.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
Yes, So I love that.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
A couple other news of note around the NFL today,
My Bengals soft who Day because it's been a rough season,
they trade in division for Brown's eighty seven year old
quarterback Joe Flacco. You don't understand that, do you think
of That doesn't make any sense to me.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
Okay, if you're going to do that, and I think
they gave up with a fifth rounder form fifth and
a sixth, so a fifth and sixth.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
And we talked all night last night when we brought
this up about how the Bengals need their draft capital
going forward.
Speaker 5 (06:42):
They do.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
And look, my idea is that if you were going
to do this, you might as well have done it
for a player that would really give you chance. And
I'm thinking, like, you're trading within a division, and how
much of an opportunity is Joe Flacco really going to
give you? I mean, if the Cleveland Browns, who didn't
really play Joe Flacco a lot in the preseason, and
(07:06):
he was already bona fide to be their guy even
though you had Shadora Sanders and Dylan gab were there,
but they eventually traded him, that must tell you, Oh,
should tell you everything.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
That you need to know. And I'm like, well, what was.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
Going through the mind of Paul Brown in the staff
there in Cincinnati, thinking that somehow Joe Flacco, who is
a statue of a quarterback, somehow he's going.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
To come in get the system down. Yeah, he's a veteran.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
And then all of a sudden, Jamar Chase T Higgins
and Mike Oseeki their fantasy numbers are going up. Yeah,
I'm not buying that.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Well, and the whole issue with Jake Browning so far
this year has been those horrible turnovers Joe Flacco and
four games or three and a half games I guess
for the Browns two touchdowns, six interceptions, Like he's.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
With Jake Browning. That's the top of the league with interception.
So what are we doing here?
Speaker 4 (08:02):
What did you what did you get in return? What
did you get? Yeah?
Speaker 1 (08:07):
And behind that offensive line that's all today. I'm like, Okay,
Joe Flacco behind that Bengals offensive line as Elder abuse
it is.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
And if you're going to put any quarterback behind that
offensive line, you want that quarterback to be mobile because
you're going to have to run. So while it looks
as though, oh we got a veteran quarterback, he ran.
He led the Browns to the playoffs last year against
(08:36):
the Texans, he got smashed. But you know what, we're
going to bring him to our team. All offensive line
is not that great. He's not that mobile.
Speaker 4 (08:44):
Yeah, he's gonna change our fortune.
Speaker 5 (08:47):
You know what.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
The Bengals, I hate to say this, grant you guys
about three games away from bringing back those brown paper bags.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
I think they ought to already be out.
Speaker 6 (08:56):
Man.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
I know we're only two and three.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Man, another win is going to be tough to come by,
and especially until Joe Burrow comes back. Did you hear
Coach Prime's comments on the flat oh trade? Yeah, let
me get let me play it for the listeners real quick.
Speaker 6 (09:10):
I don't give it Darren about the Browns at all.
Speaker 5 (09:14):
I care about the Colorado Buffaloes. I do love me
some shut doors standing.
Speaker 6 (09:18):
Just don't believe that I care about him and the
rest of that mess.
Speaker 5 (09:22):
I don't.
Speaker 6 (09:23):
Okay, I'm a coach trying to win just like they're
trying to win games.
Speaker 5 (09:27):
But I could care less of who they traded.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
But in my opinion, this is good news for Shador Sanders,
Like he's one play away from finally getting to make
his mark and get his chance to be the starting
quarterback in the NFL.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
And you know what, Ryan Edwards are good friend. Ryan
Edwards and I had a conversation about a week ago
and when coach prime Has asked a question about Shador
and the possibility of joining the Baltimore Ravens and the
Philadelphia Eagles before during the pre draft, it was just like, well, what.
Speaker 4 (09:59):
Shador should gone?
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Those are two great organizations And I'm like Ryan, and
I've been telling a lot of people this.
Speaker 4 (10:05):
You don't you don't understand why go to Philly and
go to Baltimore where you're going to hold the clipboard
and you're hoping and praying that either of those quarterbacks
get injured, and then you have your your your moment
in the sun. And I said, do you remember Tyler Huntley?
Speaker 3 (10:22):
He was there in Baltimore, And you know, Ryan was like, well,
that's a great organization to develop a quarterback.
Speaker 4 (10:27):
Well, how the hell did he develop?
Speaker 5 (10:29):
Not?
Speaker 4 (10:29):
Well exactly, that's the whole point.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
And knowing as though these these are talking, I'm talking about.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
Playing chess, not freaking checkers. Because you go to.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Baltimore, you know, Kenny, what was it to picket? He
was traded yep, right, and then you had Joe Flacco.
Then they was like, oh, we're gonna sit Flacko down.
Now is Dylan Gabriel, Like you said, you were one
step away?
Speaker 4 (10:54):
One step away?
Speaker 3 (10:55):
And then the game that Dylan Gabriel they played against Minnesota,
he Dylan Gabriel did okay.
Speaker 4 (10:59):
I want to take it.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
Yeah, you know, and once again he got queens on
Jenkins to hand a ball toy. That's great for any quarterback.
But now when you really look at it, Shador Sanders
is right where he needs to be, right where he
needs to be, so all those people want and can play,
Oh he made the wrong decision. Well, guess what, he's
one step away from being a start, because right now
(11:21):
the Browns only.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
Had two quarterbacks on the roster.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
And remember the whole idea was that wait till Arch
Many come out. Yeah, I don't know about that. I've
seen a couple of those games.
Speaker 5 (11:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Man, that game against Florida, he did not look like
he was up to snuff.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
I don't know. I don't know about him.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
I mean, he's obviously got to stay another year at Texas,
but I think he's got to be worried about losing
his job there. And you know, of course we're all
rooting for Shador Sanders, all the success to him and
hopefully he gets his shot. One thing we're also rooting
for is coach Prime's health. He addressed that issue today
with the media and Boulder.
Speaker 5 (11:55):
We found what we found, We knew what it was.
Speaker 6 (11:57):
Prayerfully, I'll be right back tomorrow because I don't mispractice.
I don't plan on doing such. People talking about you
need to slow down, you need just you know, if
they can break it. It has nothing to do with me
working in the level that I'm trying to compete at.
Speaker 5 (12:14):
Its hereditary Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
And tough news for Coach Prime, another health issue for him.
We know he beat cancer this offseason and he's had
a couple of toes amputated because of previous blood clots.
On field success hasn't been what he wanted, but he
is definitely building a culture there and Boulder and just
hoping for the best with him with his health.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
Yeah, you know what, you always worry about that, and
sometimes you ask, well.
Speaker 4 (12:41):
What's more important the game of your health?
Speaker 3 (12:44):
And knowing Coach Prime and the competitor.
Speaker 4 (12:48):
That he is, he's gonna say the game, right.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Not the usual answer for most people.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
It's not because once again, think about what we're talking
about and thinking about who we're talking about.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
You're talking about a guy who who.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
Has had to grind for years and his mom worked
multiple jobs, and for him to grow up in that
situation watching his mom work multiple jobs and saying, you
know what, mom, I'm going to be the individual that
gets you out of this hardship. But still seeing as
though she is still that hard work in him, he's
(13:24):
not one to kind of to give up. It's almost like,
you know, it sounds crazy, Grant. When I played the game,
and I played with the Broncos, Obviously I endured a
lot of injuries, nothing to the magnitude of what coach Prime.
Speaker 5 (13:36):
Is dealing with.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
But my whole mindset was, you know what, if they
have to take me out out of his game on
my shield in a way, then that's how I go
out right.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
That was call it foolish, but you know that's kind
of the mindset you got to have playing a game
like you do in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
I mean, it's a physical game.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
You know it's not if, but when you're gonna get injured, yes,
and if you're not ready for that, you're gonna you're
gonna make mistakes on the field.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (14:07):
And what what Prime is showing by it's unfortunate that
he's going through all these health issues, but what it
should show to his players, his coaches, other Cubus fans
or individuals who will not see you bus fans. Life
is gonna throw you a curveball and you got a choice.
Either you gonna adjust your swing or you're gonna go
(14:30):
down swinging right. But he is still fighting and he
wants everyone else around him to fight. And being in
I've spent some time at CEU, he does a great
job of being even might not supposed to have motivated speaker.
I mean what we're seeing right now the world is
his stage and he's trying to inspire people by continuing
(14:53):
to fight. So I hope people look at coach Prime,
whether you a CEU fan or not, and if you're
going through something right now, then your life made you
gotta keep fighting.
Speaker 5 (15:03):
Man.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
I love working with you. You ever thought about being
a motivational speaker?
Speaker 5 (15:07):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (15:10):
Where can we book you for a speech?
Speaker 5 (15:12):
Hey?
Speaker 4 (15:12):
Listen?
Speaker 3 (15:14):
Hit me up at Nick fergus Nick ferg Nick Ferguson
on the score twenty five on ig and aks and yeah, man,
I deliver very passionate speech.
Speaker 4 (15:25):
Get your guys up and running.
Speaker 5 (15:27):
I know you was.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Yes, I love the golf metaphor there.
Speaker 5 (15:30):
That was good.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Yes, that was good. We got brief Masons coming up
in the next segment.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
We've got Broncos legend Jake Plumber coming up in the
eight o'clock hour, and man, we're going to go around
the league and do our Week five NFL recap as well.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
You're listening to Broncos Country tonight.
Speaker 1 (15:47):
I'm Grant Smith filling in for Benjamin Albright. The Wet
Blanket has the Night off. Thanks again to Steve Atwater
for joining us in the last hour, and thanks to
Nick Ferguson for being such a great guy my sidekick. Tonight,
right here on Bronx Country a night on KOA A
fifty am ninety four to one FM, We're going to
head out to the KOA Common Spirit Health hotline and
(16:09):
bring on one of our favorites, Bre Masis. You can
hear on the Let's Talk Broncos pod with our guys
Zach Seegers and in the Belief in the Broncos podcast
multiple podcasts with Bree Masis where she is sometimes accompanied
by a dust bunny.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Bre How are you tonight?
Speaker 7 (16:27):
I unfortunately I posted that on Instagram for you to
retrieve for tonight. But yeah, if you're not sick of
listening to me everywhere else, you get to hear me
right now on with two of my favorites. What a coincidence?
Speaker 4 (16:39):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Did you come up?
Speaker 1 (16:40):
I know you asked your followers to come up with
a name for the dust bunny on your shoulder that
your co host did not tell you about while you
were recording.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
Did you come up with a name?
Speaker 7 (16:50):
No, he didn't tell me, which is unfortunate. But he
did provide a name. We've got Carl. I believe somebody
submitted Spud, which I thought was really then yeah, I
thought it was really cute, and then Roger with a
D so R O d g R, which I thought
was pretty cute as well. So jus Bunny still doesn't
have a name, and honestly, I've lost him, so I
(17:12):
don't know where he is. But I think it was
a giant and I am embarrassed, but I'm gonna lean
into it.
Speaker 3 (17:18):
Oh, I know something that you are not embarrassed about,
and that is your fandom for the Denver Broncos. So
I have to ask you because you and I have
been trading messages on X but we haven't really discussed
your true emotions and your feelings. After the Broncos got
their marquee win against Philadelphia on.
Speaker 7 (17:39):
Sunday, Yeah, I think that everyone is excited right because
Week five is going to go down probably is one
of the defining moments of the Sean Payton and Bo
Nicks era in Denver. I mean, I've got people liking
in it to the best win since Super Bowl Shifty,
and I think the Broncos shopped the football world by
rallying pass their deficit and the Philadelphia Eagles, the reigning champs,
(18:03):
twenty one to seventeen in a game that everyone was
really on the edge of their seats. I tweeted after
the fact that it was needlessly stressful, and I stand
by that description, but I also think it was remarkable
how Denver did it. Bo Nicks orchestrated scoring drives in
the fourth quarter that touchdown to Evan Ingram. You've got
(18:24):
a gutsy two point conversion to steal on the win.
I think at the end of the day, you've got
to label it what it is. It's clutch football under
pressure and beyond the scoreboard, I think the context really
elevates this victory because it's a signature moment for snapping
the Eagles win streak because they had one. I think
it was ten games twelve at home. Winning in Philly
(18:46):
isn't easy, and I think doing it in a dramatic
fashion against a team that's been virtually untouchable and literally
as the record had shown until now, sin's a really
loud message I think about where Denver is headed in general,
because it's been a little bit of a slow start.
I know, we love to say that, but the game
wasn't just a win alone. It's about resiliency or attorney
(19:06):
and I think historically you could point to the Broncos
struggling to close games late, but they reclaimed that identity
and they have that fourth quarter closing mentality, so key
moments coming to a head. I think Sean Payton having
bold coaching calls really goes a long way here because
the aggressive mindset paid off, and I think it's a
signal Denver isn't playing scared anymore. I think they're willing
(19:29):
to make decisive, confident plays to win because at the
end of the day, it's a statement game. Bonix under pressure,
enormous pressure, and this coaching staff and players have bought
into this mindset that Denver can close tough games. That's
now a confident statement here in Broncos Country. So the energy,
the poise, the execution. Broncos fans are happy they got
(19:51):
another win because Week five leads to a fun international
game and we hope we can keep the.
Speaker 1 (19:57):
Ball rollingmaze us our guests on Broncos Country tonight, and
you mentioned the two point conversion play that Sean Payton
called with seven and a half minutes left in the
fourth quarter and they end up making a payoff, taking
the lead against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
I asked Steve Atwater about that.
Speaker 1 (20:13):
You can hear his answer from the first hour on
the free and redesigned iHeartRadio app. But I want to
talk more about bow Knicks, as you mentioned, coming up
big in the clutch and the fourth quarter going nine
to ten with one hundred and twenty seven yards and
a touchdown. Matt Ryan spoke about it after the game
and said, this is a statement moment for bo Nix,
a young quarterback going on the road and went in
(20:34):
a place and felt like Philadelphia. Do you think this
is a big leap forward in his mindset going into
the next game or even into bigger moments hopefully in
his Broncos career.
Speaker 7 (20:47):
Hell, I think you'll have to take it in the chunks.
We talk about a slow start and how that led
to the narrative of whether or not Bonix is in
a sophomore slump and oh shoot, are we rethinking what
season one? But I don't think bone Nicks is a
surprise anymore. Right, He's this standard in Denver and we're
seeing a young quarterback who is in his second season,
(21:10):
and he's able to show this veteran level poise, the
command of the offense and precision and a very I
want to say busy Sean Payton offense. And I think
what's been impressive about Nix is the growth has led
to smart game management from year one to being a
(21:30):
difference maker in year two. And I know there was
a lot of conversation and Tony Romo was very quick
to be very vocal about it, which I thought was weird,
But the decision to throw the ball and the penalties
that came thereafter of intentional grounding, I felt the decision
on Bo's part was really smart. He was intentionally as
(21:51):
he's going to the ground and spinning around trying to
make it to an eligible receiver. And I just think
as he builds consistency and he's able to identify the
blitzes and change his protective protections, his completion percentage is
going to remain one of the best in the AFC.
And I think his decision making is going to continue
to be better and better each week. And I think
as he feels out the protecting the football and all
(22:14):
of the onus that goes into quarterbacking in the NFL,
and Sean Payton is going to continue to lean into
that because he deserves a ton of credit too. I
think they've given Boe the structure and the trust that
he needs in order to grow. And I think it's
just too early right to cement things. I think it's
too early to cement top five quarterback. And I think
(22:35):
it's also too early to cement a sophomore slump, because
what we're seeing is truly impressive. When you talk about
Nick's becoming a leader, he earned the respect last year
and now he's commanding it. And I think being you know,
relatively first in the building and holding teammates accountable, himself accountable,
and then building connection with his receiving corps with court Linsa,
(22:56):
and then knowing that he's got that reliability there, and
then reading trust into Troy Franklin. And that's been really
special to watch, is regaining that chemistry that you would
have seen in the organ days, and then bringing in
and Evan Ingram and utilizing his versatility. I think it's
a huge part of Nick's progression really as he works
to it works against pressure, right, So last season really
(23:18):
great at avoiding facts, this year, it's all about what
did I do well? What can I do better? And
just feeling kind of that swagger of a returning near
in Denver. I think a lot of confidence comes from momentum,
and as he continues to trust himself, Sean Payton continues
to lean into him and what his strengths are. I
think we're really going to see a revelation and at
(23:39):
the end of the day, I think the biggest compliment
you can give Boat Mixed right now is that it's
it's the Broncos being relevant again and being a winning team.
I mean, having Denver second in the inn AFC West
is nothing to shake stick at.
Speaker 3 (23:53):
Well, he's something that is also nothing to shake the
stick at, because.
Speaker 4 (23:58):
I mean the Broncos running game.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
His I guess been like a bear on hibernation for
a while, but now it's come alive and once again.
I don't know what changed the mindset of coach Sean Payton,
but it's something that I've been constantly pounding the table
for and that is pounding the rock. They're doing a
great job right now with JK Doabas. How impressed have
(24:23):
you been with his additions so far this season?
Speaker 7 (24:27):
You know, I believe we were on air together, Nick,
we were contemplating, you know, who could the Broncos ad
in the off season, and you were all over the
option of JK. Dobbins even before a late acquisition there.
And he's quietly become the heartbeat of this offense. I
think it's a testament to being back healthy after injuries
and providing I guess, both an emotional and physical spark.
(24:51):
You can see it in his interactions with all of
Broncos Country. You know the media eclips are special, but
I think there's just something really fun about seeing you know,
your star running back come on to Twitter within I
don't need half an hour within the Eagles win and
just shouting out Broncos Country, like that's that's special. But
it's not just about the type of person he is.
(25:14):
It's not just being a versatile downhill runner, but it's
someone who can also pass, protect and be able to
catch out of the backfield. And I think Dobbins, when
you talk about the player on the field and outside
of vision and the patient's being remarkable. I think the
way that his veteran leadership really leaves this team. And
we've been talking for a long time ad nauseam about
(25:35):
adding a spark to this offense and now we're seeing,
you know, the ability to have yards after contact with
a running back is a difference maker when it comes
to sustaining drives. And I think the Broncos offense at
its best is in addition and because of JK. Dobbins,
because he's able to establish a rhythm, he's a tone setter,
and if he continues to stay healthy, I think it's
(25:57):
a huge season for him. I mean, you've got you
can start a conversation for comeback player of the Year
in general, but I think within himself alone, he's able
to have that opportunity here in Denver, and I think
that's what makes.
Speaker 1 (26:09):
It so special and fluent in Spanish, as we learned
after the Bengals win.
Speaker 7 (26:16):
Amazing.
Speaker 1 (26:17):
Bre masis our guest on Broncos Country, a night you
can hear on the Believe in Broncos podcast and the
Let's Talk Broncos podcast. Brie, are you worried about a
letdown game at all across upon taking on the Jets
this weekend?
Speaker 7 (26:30):
Sure, I think there's absolutely an opportunity for this to
be a trap game, But I think you go into
every game, wondering how that could be. When we're talking
about Denver streaming together a few more wins and they're
knocking on a playoff status in the AFC. I think
this next stretch sort of makes or breaks that ability.
(26:52):
I think the dramaticism of the Eagles win, it puts
them into a very pretty position which is ripe with
the opportunity of having a letdown. And I think even
though the Jets are backed into a corner at the
end of the day, there's some of people who are
going to be upset with me here. The Jets are
going to jet and they're just not in a good
(27:14):
standing right now. They're doing well on defense in some circumstances.
I think that they may be able to try to
limit the run. I think, you know, second half adjustments
are going to be really important there. But at the
end of the day, I think the Broncos are the
better team. Regardless of whether or not we're talking about
you know, international weird neutral site superlative of this game,
(27:40):
it's going to be. I don't think it's going to
be a blowout because I think that's just how the
NFL is going to work. And I don't think this
is the game that the Jets somehow figure it out.
I don't think that the ship has been righted. I
think it continues to kind of spin out of control.
And you can see how the dissension sort of creeps
up when you're talking about players being unhappy with their
(28:01):
roles and they're just maybe not going into a good direction.
But the Broncos have the momentum. The Jets need to
win desperately, and I just don't think this is the
week that's going to do that for them. I think
that the Broncos are going to be able to try
out a couple of things that are just going to
further them in the conversation around the NFL. But against
a team like this, I don't think they have to
(28:23):
be too worried. Unfortunately, I hate to pick on a
team when they're down. I just don't see how the
Jets turn it around this week.
Speaker 3 (28:30):
That's very interesting as you talk about the Jets, because
when I look within the Broncos division, they're right there
in the think of things, And do you think that
this could be the year that the Broncos finally win?
And I'm not trying to jinx them, just trying to
think with some future foresight, do you think that this
is the time that the Broncos now have to seeze
(28:53):
opportunity and take the AFC West.
Speaker 7 (28:57):
Well, I think this is the best opportunity to do.
Speaker 4 (29:00):
So.
Speaker 7 (29:00):
We've been kind of speculating on the Kansas City Chiefs
having you know, a little bit of a fall off,
but now we're seeing the results in real time. So
in week five, when the rest of your opponents lose
their matchups and you win yours, that just starts the
clock on what you could anticipate here. So Jets, Giants, Cowboys, Texans, Raiders,
(29:21):
hopefully I got that in the right war, those are
winnable games. I think Dak Prescott fears me a little
bit there just because there's an explosiveness to that offense.
Not necessarily that they're the better team, but I think
they do have a little bit of a contention there,
even though I think the pass rush for the Broncos
defense is really going to make a push there. But
(29:41):
they're going to generate consistent pressure. They're going to try
to limit big plays. But that's going to be the
story of these next couple of matchups. But if it
holds true, and it goes the way that I think
it will, even you're looking at a seven to three,
eight to two before hitting that mid season gauntlet, and
I think that really puts a lot of pressure on
the rest of the division. As if the Chiefs aren't
(30:03):
already reeling in this like what is going on madness
streak for them, I think that you then can start
to strike while the iron is hot. You've got the
Raiders who were kind of touted as having this resurgence
with a geno Smith. Why can't I think of this
last name the Raiders coach. I don't think Carol. I
(30:23):
was like Campbell, that's not right. So you're seeing the
afpus having to kind of struggle through a lot of
these missteps. And I think as long as the Broncos
continue to maintain clarity on what their identity is and
play a lot of clean football, because at the end
of the day, I think the only resistance there is
sloppy self inflicted mistakes, and I think the Broncos are
(30:44):
kind of stepping away and out of that. So I
don't want to jinx. I'm knocking on wood right now
as I say it, But this is a great opportunity
for the Broncos to rise to the top. So sitting
at three and two, tied with the charters and winning
in that differential makes a ton of different friends. As
the Chiefs are going to start to feel a lot
of pressure, and I don't think we have to worry
much about the one in four raiders. So yeah, Nick,
(31:07):
why don't we start it? I think we should start
shouting it from the rooftops because if we're buying and
we know everyone.
Speaker 2 (31:13):
Else's, let's manifest it right now.
Speaker 1 (31:15):
Bree, we appreciate your time so much as always, and
my name for your dust bunny, bad Bunny. You know,
a little tip of the cap to the Super Bowl
halftime show and it shouldn't have been there, so it
really is a bad dust bunny, Benito.
Speaker 7 (31:30):
I love it with that.
Speaker 1 (31:33):
Bree, thanks so much for the time tonight, enjoy the
game on Sunday.
Speaker 7 (31:37):
Thank you have a great eveningme.
Speaker 1 (31:39):
Pre mastis the best you can find her on the
Believe In Broncos podcast and the Let's Talk Broncos podcast. Nick,
I reference to the Matt Ryan comments about boon Nix,
I want to get your thoughts on it. Here's what
he had to say on the postgame show, kudos to
bon Nicks too.
Speaker 8 (31:54):
Right, there's big wins that you have early in your career,
going on the road, taking down the defending champs, and
you look at it right here, solid day. But the
second half fourteen to eighteen, one sixty three, a touchdown, pass,
no turnovers right there, and I think it is the
big plays down the stretch. You think of some of
those third downs where you find ways to get completions.
(32:15):
That's one of the things that I think you make
a jump as a young player when you go on
the road you beat a really good football team.
Speaker 1 (32:22):
We've got about a minute here before our break. Nick,
do you think this was a big leap forward in
bow Nick's development as the Broncos franchise quarterback.
Speaker 3 (32:31):
I'll say it was a big forward based on the
team that they overcame in the deficit itself, because usually
it doesn't really work out this way. But we always
pick quarterback versus quarterback, Bonnix versus Jillen Hurts.
Speaker 4 (32:47):
That's not how it is.
Speaker 3 (32:49):
It's one team versus the other team, and it's usually
the team that makes the most positive plays usually the
team that actually wins. So yes, you give Bold some
props as well, but you know, I'm a defensive player,
so I'm not going to subscribe totally to just giving
everything to the quarterback, because this is still the ultimate
(33:10):
team game, and if you're going to give the quarterback
all the praise, you have to balance the equation by
giving in to the guys who are down a hall,
and that's the defense as well.
Speaker 1 (33:21):
I'm a guy for defense, keeping the Broncos in every
game so far this year. I'm Grant Smith filling in
for Benjamin Albright on Broncos Country a Night alongside Nick Ferguson.
Got Jake Plummer coming up in the next hour, but
when we come back, we'll go around the league and
recap Week five of the NFL on Broncos Country at
Night on KAA A fifty AM ninety four to one FM.
Grant Smith filling in for Benjamin Albright alongside Nick Ferguson.
Thanks again to the Hall of Famer Steve Atwater for
joining us in the first hour. You missed any of that,
you know where to find it on our podcast on
the free and redesigned iHeartRadio app where you can now
set Koa as a preset just like you do in
your car and as the wet blanket. Albright always likes
(00:21):
to say the archives with the Taking It for Granted
podcast there as well, with an episode with Nick Ferguson.
Nick Gabe Landeskog back tonight first regular season game and
over three years. Of course, we saw him return in
the playoffs last year for the Avs, but the Avs season.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Already kicking off and the captain is back.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Yeah, you know what, it was really interesting to see
him come back last year, and obviously any ABS fan
would tell you that he didn't really look himself, and
that was expected for a guy to have such a
long layoff, especially with.
Speaker 4 (00:55):
A knee injury.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
And it's the same knee injury that Chicago Bulls player
a Lonzo Ball had and it kept him out for
an extended.
Speaker 4 (01:03):
Period of time.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
And you always wonder as an athlete in a situation
like that, will you ever get back on the ice?
Speaker 4 (01:10):
Will you ever be who you were before?
Speaker 3 (01:13):
And I'll say this, I don't know if Atlantiscott willerever
be the player he was before the injury, but I'm
happy to see him, you know, back on the ice.
It's going to be important that he develops that chemistry
that he had before the injury, but more importantly just
kind of monitoring and maintaining himself throughout the season because
(01:35):
the hockey season is a very long and physical season.
So I mean, if you're Jared Bednard, that's something that
you concern yourself with. But you know, hockey is back,
and how exciting is to see these guys back on
the ice.
Speaker 1 (01:49):
I know it feels like the season just wrapped up
yesterday and now they're already.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Back playing again.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
And then the hockey season, man, I mean it's brutal,
like baseball is a long season, but you're not eating
up your body like you are in the NHL.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
And I think you're right.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
I think you got a monitor Gabe minutes on the
ice in this early season and kind of hold him
back against himself because you know, if anyone knows his personality,
he wants to be out there making an impact all
the time. And it's great for the ABS to have
him back, but you got to have him back at
full strength when you need him most in those Stanley cups.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
See see once again, that's hard from a doctor's standpoint
and a team physician.
Speaker 4 (02:30):
I get it, you're just doing your job.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
But to tell and athletes who's used to competing, who's
been out for like since March and twenty twenty two, Oh,
you know what, just take it easy? No, I can't
because you need to go out there and you need
to feel that level of stress on your body. And
you're like, look, man, I've had this hiatus for how long?
Speaker 4 (02:52):
And you want me to take more rest?
Speaker 5 (02:54):
No?
Speaker 3 (02:54):
And then also too, the more rest you take, you
give an opportunity for that next guy right to come
in and try to take your job.
Speaker 5 (03:03):
And if.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
The ABS are going to get back to a point
where we saw the Florida Panthers and the Panthers, you know, man,
that was a hell of a series that they play.
But if the ABS are to get themselves back in
that conversation, they're gonna need every single player.
Speaker 5 (03:23):
Now.
Speaker 4 (03:24):
The biggest issue for me last year. I mean, the
ads had some inconsistency, but it was inconsistency between the
pipes the goalie. You're trying to remedy that situation.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Yeah, I'm feeling pretty confident about the Avs this year though.
I think that last series last year left a bad
taste in their.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Mouth, and I got I was.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
Lucky enough to cover a couple of those games down
at Ball Arena in playoff hockey. Man, it's a different
atmosphere and this is just so intense, and I like
their chances to get back to the Stanley Cup Finals.
I know I'm a homer for saying this, but I'm
very confident and them and the Nuggets this year. One
more thing on Gabe Blandiskag. I loved when they started
(04:03):
their preseason a couple of weeks ago. First game, a
couple of minutes in, he dropped the gloves and got
into a fight.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
I'm like, it's so it's just so good to have
the captain back.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
Well, you know what the reason you do that for
As a player, it just shows a level of confidence
that you have and your your recovery from your injury.
But you just want to let your teammates and the
other teams know that, you know what. I might have
been all for a while, you know, but I'm back.
Might have putting my hands on.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
You too, as long as he's not hitting any of
his coaches right.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
Well, listen, hey man, the coach deserved it.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
Mastered with you want too many times. I agree, I'm
actually on your side.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
It was one. It was one. It's like, at what
point do you push back?
Speaker 5 (04:51):
Right?
Speaker 4 (04:51):
Because it is a tough situation.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
If you are an employee and your employer is just
give you the business right, and you and you're trying
to be you know, subordinate, and you're trying to do
the right thing. But it does reach a point where
you're like, hey man, enough is enough. I'm a grown
ass man, so I'm only gonna handle so much. Show
me a little respect.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Yes, If you won't, don't show it to me, I
won't have to take it. So I did. He did well.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
The three zero three other text line common spirit health
text line five six six nine zero agrees with you.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
F n A Nick that's freaking perfect.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Yes, And after that, I mean that didn't really stop
him from messing with me. But he was a little
more strategic than he was, you know, leading up to
that point.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
The message was received.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
Slightly slightly, So this was a cat and mouse game
we played for a while. But sometimes you have to
meet force with force to let people know that you
mean business. I mean, it happens in hockey, it happens
in any sport, but sometimes you got to step to
the plate and let people know. If you're going to
(06:04):
mess with the bull, you're getting a horn and everything else.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
Yes, So I love that.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
A couple other news of note around the NFL today,
My Bengals soft who Day because it's been a rough season,
they trade in division for Brown's eighty seven year old
quarterback Joe Flacco. You don't understand that, do you think
of That doesn't make any sense to me.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
Okay, if you're going to do that, and I think
they gave up with a fifth rounder form fifth and
a sixth, so a fifth and sixth.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
And we talked all night last night when we brought
this up about how the Bengals need their draft capital
going forward.
Speaker 5 (06:42):
They do.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
And look, my idea is that if you were going
to do this, you might as well have done it
for a player that would really give you chance. And
I'm thinking, like, you're trading within a division, and how
much of an opportunity is Joe Flacco really going to
give you? I mean, if the Cleveland Browns, who didn't
really play Joe Flacco a lot in the preseason, and
(07:06):
he was already bona fide to be their guy even
though you had Shadora Sanders and Dylan gab were there,
but they eventually traded him, that must tell you, Oh,
should tell you everything.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
That you need to know. And I'm like, well, what was.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
Going through the mind of Paul Brown in the staff
there in Cincinnati, thinking that somehow Joe Flacco, who is
a statue of a quarterback, somehow he's going.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
To come in get the system down. Yeah, he's a veteran.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
And then all of a sudden, Jamar Chase T Higgins
and Mike Oseeki their fantasy numbers are going up. Yeah,
I'm not buying that.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
Well, and the whole issue with Jake Browning so far
this year has been those horrible turnovers Joe Flacco and
four games or three and a half games I guess
for the Browns two touchdowns, six interceptions, Like he's.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
With Jake Browning. That's the top of the league with interception.
So what are we doing here?
Speaker 4 (08:02):
What did you what did you get in return? What
did you get? Yeah?
Speaker 1 (08:07):
And behind that offensive line that's all today. I'm like, Okay,
Joe Flacco behind that Bengals offensive line as Elder abuse
it is.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
And if you're going to put any quarterback behind that
offensive line, you want that quarterback to be mobile because
you're going to have to run. So while it looks
as though, oh we got a veteran quarterback, he ran.
He led the Browns to the playoffs last year against
(08:36):
the Texans, he got smashed. But you know what, we're
going to bring him to our team. All offensive line
is not that great. He's not that mobile.
Speaker 4 (08:44):
Yeah, he's gonna change our fortune.
Speaker 5 (08:47):
You know what.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
The Bengals, I hate to say this, grant you guys
about three games away from bringing back those brown paper bags.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
I think they ought to already be out.
Speaker 6 (08:56):
Man.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
I know we're only two and three.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Man, another win is going to be tough to come by,
and especially until Joe Burrow comes back. Did you hear
Coach Prime's comments on the flat oh trade? Yeah, let
me get let me play it for the listeners real quick.
Speaker 6 (09:10):
I don't give it Darren about the Browns at all.
Speaker 5 (09:14):
I care about the Colorado Buffaloes. I do love me
some shut doors standing.
Speaker 6 (09:18):
Just don't believe that I care about him and the
rest of that mess.
Speaker 5 (09:22):
I don't.
Speaker 6 (09:23):
Okay, I'm a coach trying to win just like they're
trying to win games.
Speaker 5 (09:27):
But I could care less of who they traded.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
But in my opinion, this is good news for Shador Sanders,
Like he's one play away from finally getting to make
his mark and get his chance to be the starting
quarterback in the NFL.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
And you know what, Ryan Edwards are good friend. Ryan
Edwards and I had a conversation about a week ago
and when coach prime Has asked a question about Shador
and the possibility of joining the Baltimore Ravens and the
Philadelphia Eagles before during the pre draft, it was just like, well, what.
Speaker 4 (09:59):
Shador should gone?
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Those are two great organizations And I'm like Ryan, and
I've been telling a lot of people this.
Speaker 4 (10:05):
You don't you don't understand why go to Philly and
go to Baltimore where you're going to hold the clipboard
and you're hoping and praying that either of those quarterbacks
get injured, and then you have your your your moment
in the sun. And I said, do you remember Tyler Huntley?
Speaker 3 (10:22):
He was there in Baltimore, And you know, Ryan was like, well,
that's a great organization to develop a quarterback.
Speaker 4 (10:27):
Well, how the hell did he develop?
Speaker 5 (10:29):
Not?
Speaker 4 (10:29):
Well exactly, that's the whole point.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
And knowing as though these these are talking, I'm talking about.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
Playing chess, not freaking checkers. Because you go to.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Baltimore, you know, Kenny, what was it to picket? He
was traded yep, right, and then you had Joe Flacco.
Then they was like, oh, we're gonna sit Flacko down.
Now is Dylan Gabriel, Like you said, you were one
step away?
Speaker 4 (10:54):
One step away?
Speaker 3 (10:55):
And then the game that Dylan Gabriel they played against Minnesota,
he Dylan Gabriel did okay.
Speaker 4 (10:59):
I want to take it.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
Yeah, you know, and once again he got queens on
Jenkins to hand a ball toy. That's great for any quarterback.
But now when you really look at it, Shador Sanders
is right where he needs to be, right where he
needs to be, so all those people want and can play,
Oh he made the wrong decision. Well, guess what, he's
one step away from being a start, because right now
(11:21):
the Browns only.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
Had two quarterbacks on the roster.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
And remember the whole idea was that wait till Arch
Many come out. Yeah, I don't know about that. I've
seen a couple of those games.
Speaker 5 (11:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Man, that game against Florida, he did not look like
he was up to snuff.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
I don't know. I don't know about him.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
I mean, he's obviously got to stay another year at Texas,
but I think he's got to be worried about losing
his job there. And you know, of course we're all
rooting for Shador Sanders, all the success to him and
hopefully he gets his shot. One thing we're also rooting
for is coach Prime's health. He addressed that issue today
with the media and Boulder.
Speaker 5 (11:55):
We found what we found, We knew what it was.
Speaker 6 (11:57):
Prayerfully, I'll be right back tomorrow because I don't mispractice.
I don't plan on doing such. People talking about you
need to slow down, you need just you know, if
they can break it. It has nothing to do with me
working in the level that I'm trying to compete at.
Speaker 5 (12:14):
Its hereditary Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
And tough news for Coach Prime, another health issue for him.
We know he beat cancer this offseason and he's had
a couple of toes amputated because of previous blood clots.
On field success hasn't been what he wanted, but he
is definitely building a culture there and Boulder and just
hoping for the best with him with his health.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
Yeah, you know what, you always worry about that, and
sometimes you ask, well.
Speaker 4 (12:41):
What's more important the game of your health?
Speaker 3 (12:44):
And knowing Coach Prime and the competitor.
Speaker 4 (12:48):
That he is, he's gonna say the game, right.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Not the usual answer for most people.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
It's not because once again, think about what we're talking
about and thinking about who we're talking about.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
You're talking about a guy who who.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
Has had to grind for years and his mom worked
multiple jobs, and for him to grow up in that
situation watching his mom work multiple jobs and saying, you
know what, mom, I'm going to be the individual that
gets you out of this hardship. But still seeing as
though she is still that hard work in him, he's
(13:24):
not one to kind of to give up. It's almost like,
you know, it sounds crazy, Grant. When I played the game,
and I played with the Broncos, Obviously I endured a
lot of injuries, nothing to the magnitude of what coach Prime.
Speaker 5 (13:36):
Is dealing with.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
But my whole mindset was, you know what, if they
have to take me out out of his game on
my shield in a way, then that's how I go
out right.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
That was call it foolish, but you know that's kind
of the mindset you got to have playing a game
like you do in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
I mean, it's a physical game.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
You know it's not if, but when you're gonna get injured, yes,
and if you're not ready for that, you're gonna you're
gonna make mistakes on the field.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (14:07):
And what what Prime is showing by it's unfortunate that
he's going through all these health issues, but what it
should show to his players, his coaches, other Cubus fans
or individuals who will not see you bus fans. Life
is gonna throw you a curveball and you got a choice.
Either you gonna adjust your swing or you're gonna go
(14:30):
down swinging right. But he is still fighting and he
wants everyone else around him to fight. And being in
I've spent some time at CEU, he does a great
job of being even might not supposed to have motivated speaker.
I mean what we're seeing right now the world is
his stage and he's trying to inspire people by continuing
(14:53):
to fight. So I hope people look at coach Prime,
whether you a CEU fan or not, and if you're
going through something right now, then your life made you
gotta keep fighting.
Speaker 5 (15:03):
Man.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
I love working with you. You ever thought about being
a motivational speaker?
Speaker 5 (15:07):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (15:10):
Where can we book you for a speech?
Speaker 5 (15:12):
Hey?
Speaker 4 (15:12):
Listen?
Speaker 3 (15:14):
Hit me up at Nick fergus Nick ferg Nick Ferguson
on the score twenty five on ig and aks and yeah, man,
I deliver very passionate speech.
Speaker 4 (15:25):
Get your guys up and running.
Speaker 5 (15:27):
I know you was.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Yes, I love the golf metaphor there.
Speaker 5 (15:30):
That was good.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Yes, that was good. We got brief Masons coming up
in the next segment.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
We've got Broncos legend Jake Plumber coming up in the
eight o'clock hour, and man, we're going to go around
the league and do our Week five NFL recap as well.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
You're listening to Broncos Country tonight.
Speaker 1 (15:47):
I'm Grant Smith filling in for Benjamin Albright. The Wet
Blanket has the Night off. Thanks again to Steve Atwater
for joining us in the last hour, and thanks to
Nick Ferguson for being such a great guy my sidekick. Tonight,
right here on Bronx Country a night on KOA A
fifty am ninety four to one FM, We're going to
head out to the KOA Common Spirit Health hotline and
(16:09):
bring on one of our favorites, Bre Masis. You can
hear on the Let's Talk Broncos pod with our guys
Zach Seegers and in the Belief in the Broncos podcast
multiple podcasts with Bree Masis where she is sometimes accompanied
by a dust bunny.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Bre How are you tonight?
Speaker 7 (16:27):
I unfortunately I posted that on Instagram for you to
retrieve for tonight. But yeah, if you're not sick of
listening to me everywhere else, you get to hear me
right now on with two of my favorites. What a coincidence?
Speaker 4 (16:39):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Did you come up?
Speaker 1 (16:40):
I know you asked your followers to come up with
a name for the dust bunny on your shoulder that
your co host did not tell you about while you
were recording.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
Did you come up with a name?
Speaker 7 (16:50):
No, he didn't tell me, which is unfortunate. But he
did provide a name. We've got Carl. I believe somebody
submitted Spud, which I thought was really then yeah, I
thought it was really cute, and then Roger with a
D so R O d g R, which I thought
was pretty cute as well. So jus Bunny still doesn't
have a name, and honestly, I've lost him, so I
(17:12):
don't know where he is. But I think it was
a giant and I am embarrassed, but I'm gonna lean
into it.
Speaker 3 (17:18):
Oh, I know something that you are not embarrassed about,
and that is your fandom for the Denver Broncos. So
I have to ask you because you and I have
been trading messages on X but we haven't really discussed
your true emotions and your feelings. After the Broncos got
their marquee win against Philadelphia on.
Speaker 7 (17:39):
Sunday, Yeah, I think that everyone is excited right because
Week five is going to go down probably is one
of the defining moments of the Sean Payton and Bo
Nicks era in Denver. I mean, I've got people liking
in it to the best win since Super Bowl Shifty,
and I think the Broncos shopped the football world by
rallying pass their deficit and the Philadelphia Eagles, the reigning champs,
(18:03):
twenty one to seventeen in a game that everyone was
really on the edge of their seats. I tweeted after
the fact that it was needlessly stressful, and I stand
by that description, but I also think it was remarkable
how Denver did it. Bo Nicks orchestrated scoring drives in
the fourth quarter that touchdown to Evan Ingram. You've got
(18:24):
a gutsy two point conversion to steal on the win.
I think at the end of the day, you've got
to label it what it is. It's clutch football under
pressure and beyond the scoreboard, I think the context really
elevates this victory because it's a signature moment for snapping
the Eagles win streak because they had one. I think
it was ten games twelve at home. Winning in Philly
(18:46):
isn't easy, and I think doing it in a dramatic
fashion against a team that's been virtually untouchable and literally
as the record had shown until now, sin's a really
loud message I think about where Denver is headed in general,
because it's been a little bit of a slow start.
I know, we love to say that, but the game
wasn't just a win alone. It's about resiliency or attorney
(19:06):
and I think historically you could point to the Broncos
struggling to close games late, but they reclaimed that identity
and they have that fourth quarter closing mentality, so key
moments coming to a head. I think Sean Payton having
bold coaching calls really goes a long way here because
the aggressive mindset paid off, and I think it's a
signal Denver isn't playing scared anymore. I think they're willing
(19:29):
to make decisive, confident plays to win because at the
end of the day, it's a statement game. Bonix under pressure,
enormous pressure, and this coaching staff and players have bought
into this mindset that Denver can close tough games. That's
now a confident statement here in Broncos Country. So the energy,
the poise, the execution. Broncos fans are happy they got
(19:51):
another win because Week five leads to a fun international
game and we hope we can keep the.
Speaker 1 (19:57):
Ball rollingmaze us our guests on Broncos Country tonight, and
you mentioned the two point conversion play that Sean Payton
called with seven and a half minutes left in the
fourth quarter and they end up making a payoff, taking
the lead against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
I asked Steve Atwater about that.
Speaker 1 (20:13):
You can hear his answer from the first hour on
the free and redesigned iHeartRadio app. But I want to
talk more about bow Knicks, as you mentioned, coming up
big in the clutch and the fourth quarter going nine
to ten with one hundred and twenty seven yards and
a touchdown. Matt Ryan spoke about it after the game
and said, this is a statement moment for bo Nix,
a young quarterback going on the road and went in
(20:34):
a place and felt like Philadelphia. Do you think this
is a big leap forward in his mindset going into
the next game or even into bigger moments hopefully in
his Broncos career.
Speaker 7 (20:47):
Hell, I think you'll have to take it in the chunks.
We talk about a slow start and how that led
to the narrative of whether or not Bonix is in
a sophomore slump and oh shoot, are we rethinking what
season one? But I don't think bone Nicks is a
surprise anymore. Right, He's this standard in Denver and we're
seeing a young quarterback who is in his second season,
(21:10):
and he's able to show this veteran level poise, the
command of the offense and precision and a very I
want to say busy Sean Payton offense. And I think
what's been impressive about Nix is the growth has led
to smart game management from year one to being a
(21:30):
difference maker in year two. And I know there was
a lot of conversation and Tony Romo was very quick
to be very vocal about it, which I thought was weird,
But the decision to throw the ball and the penalties
that came thereafter of intentional grounding, I felt the decision
on Bo's part was really smart. He was intentionally as
(21:51):
he's going to the ground and spinning around trying to
make it to an eligible receiver. And I just think
as he builds consistency and he's able to identify the
blitzes and change his protective protections, his completion percentage is
going to remain one of the best in the AFC.
And I think his decision making is going to continue
to be better and better each week. And I think
as he feels out the protecting the football and all
(22:14):
of the onus that goes into quarterbacking in the NFL,
and Sean Payton is going to continue to lean into
that because he deserves a ton of credit too. I
think they've given Boe the structure and the trust that
he needs in order to grow. And I think it's
just too early right to cement things. I think it's
too early to cement top five quarterback. And I think
(22:35):
it's also too early to cement a sophomore slump, because
what we're seeing is truly impressive. When you talk about
Nick's becoming a leader, he earned the respect last year
and now he's commanding it. And I think being you know,
relatively first in the building and holding teammates accountable, himself accountable,
and then building connection with his receiving corps with court Linsa,
(22:56):
and then knowing that he's got that reliability there, and
then reading trust into Troy Franklin. And that's been really
special to watch, is regaining that chemistry that you would
have seen in the organ days, and then bringing in
and Evan Ingram and utilizing his versatility. I think it's
a huge part of Nick's progression really as he works
to it works against pressure, right, So last season really
(23:18):
great at avoiding facts, this year, it's all about what
did I do well? What can I do better? And
just feeling kind of that swagger of a returning near
in Denver. I think a lot of confidence comes from momentum,
and as he continues to trust himself, Sean Payton continues
to lean into him and what his strengths are. I
think we're really going to see a revelation and at
(23:39):
the end of the day, I think the biggest compliment
you can give Boat Mixed right now is that it's
it's the Broncos being relevant again and being a winning team.
I mean, having Denver second in the inn AFC West
is nothing to shake stick at.
Speaker 3 (23:53):
Well, he's something that is also nothing to shake the
stick at, because.
Speaker 4 (23:58):
I mean the Broncos running game.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
His I guess been like a bear on hibernation for
a while, but now it's come alive and once again.
I don't know what changed the mindset of coach Sean Payton,
but it's something that I've been constantly pounding the table
for and that is pounding the rock. They're doing a
great job right now with JK Doabas. How impressed have
(24:23):
you been with his additions so far this season?
Speaker 7 (24:27):
You know, I believe we were on air together, Nick,
we were contemplating, you know, who could the Broncos ad
in the off season, and you were all over the
option of JK. Dobbins even before a late acquisition there.
And he's quietly become the heartbeat of this offense. I
think it's a testament to being back healthy after injuries
and providing I guess, both an emotional and physical spark.
(24:51):
You can see it in his interactions with all of
Broncos Country. You know the media eclips are special, but
I think there's just something really fun about seeing you know,
your star running back come on to Twitter within I
don't need half an hour within the Eagles win and
just shouting out Broncos Country, like that's that's special. But
it's not just about the type of person he is.
(25:14):
It's not just being a versatile downhill runner, but it's
someone who can also pass, protect and be able to
catch out of the backfield. And I think Dobbins, when
you talk about the player on the field and outside
of vision and the patient's being remarkable. I think the
way that his veteran leadership really leaves this team. And
we've been talking for a long time ad nauseam about
(25:35):
adding a spark to this offense and now we're seeing,
you know, the ability to have yards after contact with
a running back is a difference maker when it comes
to sustaining drives. And I think the Broncos offense at
its best is in addition and because of JK. Dobbins,
because he's able to establish a rhythm, he's a tone setter,
and if he continues to stay healthy, I think it's
(25:57):
a huge season for him. I mean, you've got you
can start a conversation for comeback player of the Year
in general, but I think within himself alone, he's able
to have that opportunity here in Denver, and I think
that's what makes.
Speaker 1 (26:09):
It so special and fluent in Spanish, as we learned
after the Bengals win.
Speaker 7 (26:16):
Amazing.
Speaker 1 (26:17):
Bre masis our guest on Broncos Country, a night you
can hear on the Believe in Broncos podcast and the
Let's Talk Broncos podcast. Brie, are you worried about a
letdown game at all across upon taking on the Jets
this weekend?
Speaker 7 (26:30):
Sure, I think there's absolutely an opportunity for this to
be a trap game, But I think you go into
every game, wondering how that could be. When we're talking
about Denver streaming together a few more wins and they're
knocking on a playoff status in the AFC. I think
this next stretch sort of makes or breaks that ability.
(26:52):
I think the dramaticism of the Eagles win, it puts
them into a very pretty position which is ripe with
the opportunity of having a letdown. And I think even
though the Jets are backed into a corner at the
end of the day, there's some of people who are
going to be upset with me here. The Jets are
going to jet and they're just not in a good
(27:14):
standing right now. They're doing well on defense in some circumstances.
I think that they may be able to try to
limit the run. I think, you know, second half adjustments
are going to be really important there. But at the
end of the day, I think the Broncos are the
better team. Regardless of whether or not we're talking about
you know, international weird neutral site superlative of this game,
(27:40):
it's going to be. I don't think it's going to
be a blowout because I think that's just how the
NFL is going to work. And I don't think this
is the game that the Jets somehow figure it out.
I don't think that the ship has been righted. I
think it continues to kind of spin out of control.
And you can see how the dissension sort of creeps
up when you're talking about players being unhappy with their
(28:01):
roles and they're just maybe not going into a good direction.
But the Broncos have the momentum. The Jets need to
win desperately, and I just don't think this is the
week that's going to do that for them. I think
that the Broncos are going to be able to try
out a couple of things that are just going to
further them in the conversation around the NFL. But against
a team like this, I don't think they have to
(28:23):
be too worried. Unfortunately, I hate to pick on a
team when they're down. I just don't see how the
Jets turn it around this week.
Speaker 3 (28:30):
That's very interesting as you talk about the Jets, because
when I look within the Broncos division, they're right there
in the think of things, And do you think that
this could be the year that the Broncos finally win?
And I'm not trying to jinx them, just trying to
think with some future foresight, do you think that this
is the time that the Broncos now have to seeze
(28:53):
opportunity and take the AFC West.
Speaker 7 (28:57):
Well, I think this is the best opportunity to do.
Speaker 4 (29:00):
So.
Speaker 7 (29:00):
We've been kind of speculating on the Kansas City Chiefs
having you know, a little bit of a fall off,
but now we're seeing the results in real time. So
in week five, when the rest of your opponents lose
their matchups and you win yours, that just starts the
clock on what you could anticipate here. So Jets, Giants, Cowboys, Texans, Raiders,
(29:21):
hopefully I got that in the right war, those are
winnable games. I think Dak Prescott fears me a little
bit there just because there's an explosiveness to that offense.
Not necessarily that they're the better team, but I think
they do have a little bit of a contention there,
even though I think the pass rush for the Broncos
defense is really going to make a push there. But
(29:41):
they're going to generate consistent pressure. They're going to try
to limit big plays. But that's going to be the
story of these next couple of matchups. But if it
holds true, and it goes the way that I think
it will, even you're looking at a seven to three,
eight to two before hitting that mid season gauntlet, and
I think that really puts a lot of pressure on
the rest of the division. As if the Chiefs aren't
(30:03):
already reeling in this like what is going on madness
streak for them, I think that you then can start
to strike while the iron is hot. You've got the
Raiders who were kind of touted as having this resurgence
with a geno Smith. Why can't I think of this
last name the Raiders coach. I don't think Carol. I
(30:23):
was like Campbell, that's not right. So you're seeing the
afpus having to kind of struggle through a lot of
these missteps. And I think as long as the Broncos
continue to maintain clarity on what their identity is and
play a lot of clean football, because at the end
of the day, I think the only resistance there is
sloppy self inflicted mistakes, and I think the Broncos are
(30:44):
kind of stepping away and out of that. So I
don't want to jinx. I'm knocking on wood right now
as I say it, But this is a great opportunity
for the Broncos to rise to the top. So sitting
at three and two, tied with the charters and winning
in that differential makes a ton of different friends. As
the Chiefs are going to start to feel a lot
of pressure, and I don't think we have to worry
much about the one in four raiders. So yeah, Nick,
(31:07):
why don't we start it? I think we should start
shouting it from the rooftops because if we're buying and
we know everyone.
Speaker 2 (31:13):
Else's, let's manifest it right now.
Speaker 1 (31:15):
Bree, we appreciate your time so much as always, and
my name for your dust bunny, bad Bunny. You know,
a little tip of the cap to the Super Bowl
halftime show and it shouldn't have been there, so it
really is a bad dust bunny, Benito.
Speaker 7 (31:30):
I love it with that.
Speaker 1 (31:33):
Bree, thanks so much for the time tonight, enjoy the
game on Sunday.
Speaker 7 (31:37):
Thank you have a great eveningme.
Speaker 1 (31:39):
Pre mastis the best you can find her on the
Believe In Broncos podcast and the Let's Talk Broncos podcast. Nick,
I reference to the Matt Ryan comments about boon Nix,
I want to get your thoughts on it. Here's what
he had to say on the postgame show, kudos to
bon Nicks too.
Speaker 8 (31:54):
Right, there's big wins that you have early in your career,
going on the road, taking down the defending champs, and
you look at it right here, solid day. But the
second half fourteen to eighteen, one sixty three, a touchdown, pass,
no turnovers right there, and I think it is the
big plays down the stretch. You think of some of
those third downs where you find ways to get completions.
(32:15):
That's one of the things that I think you make
a jump as a young player when you go on
the road you beat a really good football team.
Speaker 1 (32:22):
We've got about a minute here before our break. Nick,
do you think this was a big leap forward in
bow Nick's development as the Broncos franchise quarterback.
Speaker 3 (32:31):
I'll say it was a big forward based on the
team that they overcame in the deficit itself, because usually
it doesn't really work out this way. But we always
pick quarterback versus quarterback, Bonnix versus Jillen Hurts.
Speaker 4 (32:47):
That's not how it is.
Speaker 3 (32:49):
It's one team versus the other team, and it's usually
the team that makes the most positive plays usually the
team that actually wins. So yes, you give Bold some
props as well, but you know, I'm a defensive player,
so I'm not going to subscribe totally to just giving
everything to the quarterback, because this is still the ultimate
(33:10):
team game, and if you're going to give the quarterback
all the praise, you have to balance the equation by
giving in to the guys who are down a hall,
and that's the defense as well.
Speaker 1 (33:21):
I'm a guy for defense, keeping the Broncos in every
game so far this year. I'm Grant Smith filling in
for Benjamin Albright on Broncos Country a Night alongside Nick Ferguson.
Got Jake Plummer coming up in the next hour, but
when we come back, we'll go around the league and
recap Week five of the NFL on Broncos Country at
Night on KAA A fifty AM ninety four to one FM.
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