Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Paul Bright.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
Tonight big matchup on Sundays, the Indianapolis Colts traveled to
Denver to take on the Broncos and look, really for
both teams, kind of a must win situation year obviously
for the Colts six and seven, and must win for
them to just maybe potentially get within one game of
Denver and have the potential tiebreaker over them. For this conversation,
we're going to head out to our ka Common Spirit
Health hotline and bring in ESPN's Colts insider Stephen Holder.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
Stephen, how's it going going?
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Well? How about you?
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Fantastic look obviously Sunday's game. You know here in Denver,
we've been all talking about it. This has been kind
of the scene that this is probably the biggest game
for the Broncos in the last five six years, and
there's so much at stake, but also for the Colts,
a big game for them both teams coming off the
bye week. What's the general vibe so far this week
on the Colt side of things, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
Much much the same. It's you know, they've played in
a few big games the last couple of years. They
had basically a play in game in Week eighteen last year,
they had a chance to win and get in three
years ago. They failed in both instances. So this is
a chance maybe to rectify some things that they potentially
at least some things that have gone wrong for them
(01:11):
in big games late in the season. But they're not
ducking the importance of this game. You know, we usually
get the you know, one game at a time, et cetera,
et cetera. They have been surprisingly honest about this and
they know that this.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
Is essentially a playoff game for them.
Speaker 4 (01:29):
They have their remaining games are against the Titans, Giants,
and Jaguars. They'll be favored in all of those, but
even winning all of those, if they went out, if
they lose this one, it puts them in a tough spot.
So they've been honest about that and they know what
the stakes are now.
Speaker 5 (01:46):
When it comes to the Colts running game, it hasn't
really been exactly where I guess anyone expected it to be,
and the Broncos have not run the ball well this game.
What kind of what is the mindset for the team
coming into this week? Know one is so that has
been one of the issues that has troubled them all
year long, being able to hold down to get the
run well.
Speaker 4 (02:06):
I really think they have to get back to that,
and I would say that it's not really been I
think the fault of Joas and Taylor as much as
at least in recent weeks, I think the offensive line
has really had some struggles. They've had multiple personnel losses
between injuries and personal matter with Braden.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
Smith, their right tackle has been a little problematic as well.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
He won't play on Sunday, at least we don't anticipate
that he will, so he's one of their better run blockers.
That's a big loss. You've had Quentin Nelson kind of
hanging in there on the left side, but he's been
in some instances because of injuries, he's been surrounded by
rookies on either side of him. So you have that
all throw out there left guard. But then they've had
(02:53):
a rookie left tackle at times, the rookie center at times.
So it's been a rough go and it has taken
a toll both on the passing game and the running game.
So but I do think there'll be a little bit
better personnel wise than the offensive line this week. They
can get back to running the ball at least a little.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Bit efficiently that that's going to take some pressure off.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
Of Anthony Richardson, who has had to bail them out
and their last two losses on the final drive of
the game.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Well, some of the things we're looking at as well
coming off the Broncos more recent game. We all saw,
the whole world saw Jerry Judy go off, and we've
been monitoring. Obviously Ridley Moss a non participant in practice
for two consecutive days. His status for a Sunday's game
is likely not going to be He's not gonna likely play.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
In that game here.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
So in factor in obviously Michael Pittman junior, you talk
about obviously Alec Pierce right now who's leading the team,
and then Josh Downs, you know, returning this week to practice.
Look at these three wide receivers here for the Colts,
and part of me is thinking, okay, hey, this is
gonna be a challenge here for Denver because of the
fact no Riley Moss. Obviously there's Pats or Tan, but
with Anthony Richmond. The one thing I've seen this Colts team,
(03:56):
and I've been watching him as of late, they love
to take that downfield shot and they certainly can connect
on it. What is Josh Downs being back in the
lineup mean for guys like Pittman and al Pierce, Well, it.
Speaker 4 (04:07):
Does create some opportunities with those downfield shots because you
can't just concentrate on Alec Pierce. Look, he's not going
to catch a lot of balls. Pierce, He's not a
big guy in terms of targets, but he definitely can
take the top off. Now, when Josh Downs is not
out there, you can kind of sort of pay a
(04:28):
little more attention to Pierce and you're kind of more
aware of where he is. But when Downs is out there,
they move him around a lot. He catches balls in
the middle of the field. He can also stretch the
field some. He's in motion a lot, so he gives
you a lot to deal with there, and so it
just complicates the picture for the defense. So he really is,
(04:50):
I think has been their best and most important wide
receiver this year. Michael Pittman is coming off i mean
three thousand yards in the last three seasons, so I
mean he's been a big producer for them, no question,
But he's been dealing with a real recurring back injury
all season and hasn't been himself Josh Downs has been
(05:11):
the guy who has been the chain mover for this
team when they need to when they absolutely have to
have a play, they've been going to Josh Downs. That
being said, Pittman has been getting a little better, maybe
stealing a little bit.
Speaker 3 (05:22):
Better in recent weeks and now has.
Speaker 4 (05:24):
Had to buy so perhaps he is further along physically.
But again, it's not a world beating group of receivers,
but I think it's a group that punches a little
bit above its weight in terms of you know, maybe
not having a big name, but guys who I think
you definitely have to prepare for.
Speaker 5 (05:43):
Well, let's see keep the momentum there as far as
punching and boxing metaphor as a concern, and talk about
Anthony Richardson because you know, with his skills said from
a passing standpoint and just sheer size as a run
of the quarterback, he gives the calls a punch. What
should the Broncos defense be concerned about as though you've
(06:04):
seen Anthony Richardson grow, especially since we saw him when
I say he tapped out of the game against the Texans, how.
Speaker 6 (06:12):
Has he grown and what the Broncos defense need to.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
Worry about well.
Speaker 4 (06:16):
I just think he's been a guy who I think
a little bit of the weight has been lifted off
of him.
Speaker 7 (06:22):
I saw a guy early in the season who, in
my view at least, was pressing too much. You know,
you get these Jett quarterbacks, and Bob Nixon has done
a good job of not doing this, but you get
a lot of these young quarterbacks and there's so much
pressure on them, and sometimes it's too much. And I'm
not saying that's why they benched him, but I do
think it was affecting him. And so when he was
(06:44):
benched and he came back, it almost freed him from
that where he just said, whatever happens happens. And I
do think he's playing more loosely now and he's not
burdened by that, and it's been good for him. He's
played better because of it at least, so leave some
park because of it. So what I see is a
guy who's making better decisions. And the other thing that
(07:06):
the Colts this is a combination of Richardson and coach
Saint Sich and they have really leaned into the quarterback
run game, and they have just kind of leaned into
that and not tried to sort of tiptoe into it
like they were.
Speaker 4 (07:22):
Now, that doesn't mean he's going to run it fifteen times,
but you could see him running eight to ten times.
In terms of designed runs, they most designed runs have
gone up three or four per game since he's come
back on average, So that's I think a sign that
that's a weapon for them. And when they have had
to have first downs, when they'd have to go and
(07:44):
get a first down, third downs or fourth downs, what
have you. In clutch situations, they have very often kept.
Speaker 7 (07:50):
The ball in his hand and.
Speaker 4 (07:51):
Say go get that first down. And he has done
it pretty routinely, So you got to be ready for
that at all times.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Es been Colts insider Steven Holder with us on the
Kawa Commas Spear of Health, holland last one for you here, Steven,
I look at this defense. I'm a defensive guy. Knicks
a defensive guy. I'll look at the Colts defense. I'm
sure there's been some injuries at times, but I look
at the personnel here and I just keep thinking to myself,
it is way too talented with the guys that they
have to be struggling as much as they are.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
What is it a scheme issue. What's going on with
the defense.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
Well, it's a good observation, and I agree. I think
there's sort of two ways to look at this, two
sides of the coin. On the one hand, they are
bottom five in yards allowed. I mean they're letting teams
go up and down the field to the point where
I mean you're just wondering, all right, you know, just
going to be the drive that beats them, you know?
Or are they going to find a way to get
(08:42):
a stop? Finally it gets sucked every single Sunday. But
on the other hand, I believe there are seventeenth in
points allowed. It doesn't make any sense, but part of
it is they get some turnovers and they find ways
to make big plays at critical moments. Now, that's a
really hard way to live and oftentimes you can't survive it,
(09:06):
and that's been their problem at times. But I agree
with you they have underachieved. I feel like on defense
they will point to them getting critical stops when they
need them. But I think when you give up as
many yards as the Colts do, there are going to
be instances where you don't get those stops and you're
going to give up critical scores and that's been a
(09:27):
little bit of an issue for them this year. So
I agree with you totally in terms of your characterization
of the defense.
Speaker 6 (09:33):
All right, Steven, I'm gonna put you on the spot
just a little.
Speaker 5 (09:36):
The Colts win the game on the road here in
denbro on Sunday if they do what.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
Well.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
I think, if they prevent a big play on offense
number one, and I think if Anthony Richardson can avoid
the turnovers. Those are the two things I think they
got to do when they've lost. Those are the areas
that I think have undermined them the most. So we'll
say if they can pull that off, those are the
two for me, the two hallmarks of a winning effort
(10:03):
for the Colts.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Broncos Colts this weekend, big game for both sides. Steven,
thank you so much for your time here today, And
obviously if you're a Broncos fan tuning in, you want
to check out Steven and follow along to see what's
the latest on on injuries, Josh Down's making progress in
practice as well.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
Big matchup, Stephen, Thank you once again right here. You
got it all right, Nick. I mean, look, this is
a big game, and I like the fact you also.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
Brought up the fact about Anthony and Richardson too, because
this is something I've been talking about all week long
as well, since being benched and since having that, like
that moment.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
Of Okay, I shouldn't have done what I did. The
culturalized really quickly. Ah, Joe Flacker was just not it.
We gotta stick with our young guy here.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
Do you feel like based on watching him play in
the last handful of games.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Since that's happened, I've just noticed a little bit more
spark about him.
Speaker 2 (10:47):
But in particular if it's second and two, if it's
third and one, he's the.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
Guy I'm keen for.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Look, you have to account for Jonathan Taylor, but I'm thinking, wow,
quarterback power here, That's the one thing I'm keeping my
eye on because that is what they ran the last
couple of weeksespecially against the Jets defense.
Speaker 5 (11:03):
Yeah, I mean, obviously you think about that because of
Anthony Richardson's ability as a runner, and he's a guy
that weighs about two hundred and forty four pounds, so
he's not.
Speaker 6 (11:12):
An easy man to bring down.
Speaker 5 (11:14):
But we think about Tennessees, So what happens in this
game is about who can break their Tennessees because like
you're saying, and just like Stema said, you know, on
those third down plays when they need to have a play, Now,
they're gonna go to Anthony Richardson to pull that off.
Speaker 6 (11:29):
But you got to be really careful about that. And
this is the game that you started to break.
Speaker 5 (11:32):
Tennessee's if you're Shane Sykein, because you put that on tape.
Speaker 6 (11:36):
Visually, you see a more I guess.
Speaker 5 (11:41):
Dedicated should I say Anthony Richardson based on what we've seen,
but he knows that he ruled his opportunity, but luckily
the team is coming.
Speaker 6 (11:49):
Back to him, giving him a second opportunity.
Speaker 5 (11:51):
And once again, this is one of those times where
you're seeing they run an RPO. You think he's gonna
run the ball, he steps back, DB's linebackers fall asleep.
Speaker 6 (11:59):
Now there's a shop.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (12:01):
So this is where the Broncos are gonna have to
be great once again with their eyes but more importantly
open field tackling, right because once again, I mean, I'm
not saying Athony Richardson is Cam Newton, but Dan Well,
he's the sillize that Cam Newton almost, So you have
to make sure that you don't end up on this hotlight.
Speaker 6 (12:21):
That's the one thing I would worry about.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
Yeah, and look, I was talking to Broncos players in
the locker room yesterday and really the focus was because
he's a big buddy, like he's mobile, but he's not
like Lamar Jackson mobile, right, but he's heavy mobile like
he is, he's gonna fall forward, right, So what do
you what do you have to do?
Speaker 1 (12:36):
What's your coaching point?
Speaker 3 (12:37):
Right?
Speaker 2 (12:37):
It's first guy, make contact, drive your feet.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
Everybody's got a rally in tackle with you two here.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
And I think that's one thing when I've watched the
Broncos this year, They've done a really good job of
their pursuit. They've done a really good job of rallying.
I know that's gonna be an emphetis, but you know
what I think we will see this week. We might
see a lot of counter from the Colts. That might
be something to keep an eye on.
Speaker 6 (12:58):
Well, when you when you.
Speaker 5 (12:59):
See a lot of you take advantage of the aggressitives
of the defense. And knowing that the Broncos have done
a great job from a pressure rate sam point with
Zach Allen being able to penetrate that's where you take
advantage of. You let those guys get up feel and
you run outside. You put those corners someone of them
on the island, and you force them to be tacklers
and not just oh I made.
Speaker 6 (13:21):
The tackle on this one down. Coach.
Speaker 5 (13:22):
No, no, no, We're gonna see if you're gonna be
a consistent tackle because now you got Anthony Richson and
you got Taylor running the ball as well. So can
each single guy understand their run fits first and foremost
be in your lane. And if you are an interior lineman,
can you hit shed get that guy off of you,
and then run and chase and make it play.
Speaker 6 (13:43):
Those are things that are going to be important for
this Broncos defense.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
Well, and look Denver's defense to the last couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (13:48):
They're seeing more max protection, they're seeing extra chip help.
I mean, for example, Cleveland did a really good job,
but they would come out in a two back set here,
Alan Shakam, you know they have they'd have a David
Njoku in and they'd have Jerome Ford or Nick Chubb
and then they would motion those guys to empty on
the edge. And so what they're doing is they're chipping,
Nick Benito, Jonathan Cooper, and then sometimes they're putting the
(14:10):
tailback and the running back to the same side, so
you're getting a tight end ship, you're getting the tailbackship,
and then you're working the one on one there with
the offensive tackle. All of that to negate the outside
pass rush, and I think that's where we saw Cleveland
kind of take advantag a little bit. They maximize their
chip opportunities. But then when we're asked to cover for
a certain amount of time, you got to be in
good position. And certainly Denver had a couple of miscommunications
(14:33):
on the back end. Sometimes they weren't in necessary in
the right spot. Technique wise, there's a lot we're gonna
break down. I even want to ask you something we're
gonna talk about here as well later on about who
should start a corner this week if Riley Moss does
not play. But we're gonna talk see you Travis Hunter,
Shooter Sanders, and obviously them in their bowl game against
BYU that is coming up here on Broncos Country tonight.
(14:59):
Snick I got a bull game against BYU. Obviously we'll
dive deep into thoughts there as well. But we're gonna
head out to our koa common Spirit of health hotline
right now.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
And bring on David Plotty.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
He's the sid historian Ameritis and former CU Social Athletic director.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
David. How's going.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
Long words in that long title?
Speaker 1 (15:21):
H Hey, that means something? How are you tonight?
Speaker 3 (15:25):
That's bad? Just watching the King Awards too, and he
Travis Hunter is cleaning up.
Speaker 6 (15:30):
Well, you know what, let's pick it out right there, Dave. Well,
we think about you, know you as being a historian.
Let's take it back into see you Buff's history a little.
Speaker 5 (15:39):
And the last time CEU Buff actually won the Heisman,
it was several years ago, and it was Rashaan Saloon
And I.
Speaker 3 (15:47):
Know that thirty years ago, two days ago.
Speaker 5 (15:51):
Absolutely, I mean, for you just kind of take the
listeners back just a little. What did it mean for
see you at that time for Rashaan Salaam to take
home the most coveted award in college football?
Speaker 3 (16:06):
Well, you know, he's the only player to win it
and call i'd see you, the only player to win
it in the state and the only player to win
it in the Mountain time zone. So we're kind of
like that flyover time zone. But at the time. You know,
ra Shawn really didn't want to win it. He wanted
to win, and he didn't want to win. And you know,
all the interviews he did leading up to it, he
didn't want to talk about himself. I said, talk about
your teammates, and Rashawn signed when he could talk about
(16:29):
his offensive line or Cordell Stewart or Michael Westbrook and
the dither guys on offense. So to him, it wasn't
as big a deal as it was really to the
school and really to the region obviously, for the school
to finally win a Heisman Trophy. You know, Byron White
had finished second way back in the second year that
he awore back in nineteen thirty seven, and made a
few other guys crop up and finish in the top
(16:49):
ten between the regional year and thirty six when it
started and until where Shawn won it. But he finally
have a player break through and win it. And you know,
we were a little nervous that we weren't. We were confident,
but we weren't when when they invited six players back
to New York and they didn't usually invite that many,
where we were like, uh, oh, howl is the vote
going to be and on Friday, once Johnny Carter and
(17:12):
Penn State won the Maxwell Award, We're like, uh, oh,
what I was just going to shake down is he
is he gonna carry? Is there Shan's going to get
enough votes from the northeast sector, which we thought would
go to the one of the two Penn State players.
Is is it going to happen for us or not?
And then as it turned out, Rashaun one going away.
Speaker 2 (17:30):
One thing to you know, obviously looking at you know,
mentioned awards there too. We just saw that Travis Hunter,
he was named the AP National Player of the Year.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
He's also you just took on the Chuck Bednrick Award.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
Your thoughts on just how transcending he has been from
just coming up from where he has been to now
obviously elevating to see you bus now he's obviously going
to be next in line for a potential Heisman bid.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
Here your thoughts on what you've seen from him as
a player.
Speaker 3 (17:56):
Well, well, you know, he might win that Bolitnikoff Award
yet that is just being tonight, so he might get
a trifect to hear going today, you know the generational Yeah,
you know, Nick knows that before nineteen sixty five, it
was the bulatoon era, but guys had to play both ways.
And I think the only players really that can match
(18:17):
up to what he's done in our history maybe be
Iron White way back in nineteen thirty seven. But you know,
when the platoon era, and Nick knows this, when the
platoon shifted, you know, they came off and didn't play
the number of same number of snaps. The next platoons
would go in and play offense and defense. So the
number of snaps that Travis has been playing is just
off the charts, and not only just my snap's played.
(18:39):
What he's been able to do, you know, on offense
it's almost like he's I liked it, And some of
his offensive catches it's almost like he's a member of
circusy solet with some of the acrobatic stuff he's been
able to pull off. So, you know, going into the NFL,
I'm not sure. I doubt he's going to play the
same number of snaps professionally, but he's going to the
action on both times of the ball, the sides of
(19:00):
the ball. And if a pro team doesn't take advantage
of this talent and the skill to do that they're crazy.
Speaker 5 (19:06):
Well are were talking to Dave Plotty, historian sid emeritus
and former Associated lat Athletic Director at CEU.
Speaker 6 (19:15):
Now we know that the program had went through kind.
Speaker 5 (19:18):
Of a little of a lull where they were not
in the mainstream media. No one was really talking about
see you Now because Prime comes in his first year,
they jump out the gate, they do well college game
days here, I mean, everything is going well for them,
but then they fall off the map.
Speaker 6 (19:35):
This year they are bowl eligible.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
They're going to a bowl for the first time in
some years. What does that mean for the program, But
more importantly, what does that mean for SeeU tradition and
everyone on a national stage being able to see this
great program again.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
Oh, we were in the bowl cycle for a very
very long time, almost playing at a bowl game annually
from nineteen eighty eight through two thousand and five minus
I think just two different years in there. So we
were at perennial Bowl team and then since two thousand
and seven our last appearance in the Independence Bowl. We
were in the sixteen Alima Bowl and then again in
the twenty Alimable. And think San Antonio is in love
(20:15):
with the bus because we're going back again this year.
So to get back in the Bull cycle, you know
what that means. You get those extra practices in December
and it just kind of spills over to the next
season that you get those young guys with those extra
practices that have our city guys to get to go
out or the upper classmi to go out with a
bowl and get all the gifts in the rings and assists,
the tradition that you want to get a football on them.
And hopefully now we can do that again with what
(20:37):
Deon's been able to accomplish in Boulder. Because there's nothing
like watching Bowl week and you not being involved in it.
You know, it's like, where's our team? Where are the Buffs?
We want to see the Buffs play during whole week
and with you know, eighty two teams going to the
postseason and when you're left out of that, you know,
there's an emptiness inside of you. And now that hopefully
we're back, going to be back in that cycle again.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
And obviously you know with a Heisman war coming up here,
there's a lot of debate right now. Like I look
on social media, it's the most widely debated about topic
right now. Between Travis Hunter, and obviously the Boise States
of Ashton Genty. What, in your opinion make the case
here for Travis Hunter because I understand like the running
back position, the amount of volume, the amount of touches
that he had, and obviously the production they had at
(21:18):
Bois State was fantastic. But we see a lot of
people minimizing the impact that Travis Hunter had on CU,
not only on offense but also on defense. He's the
type of player for that you could if you took
him away from CU, they would definitely fill it and
maybe to the extent that would be the same for
Boise State, but I feel like the impact would be
bigger for Hunter.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
What is your case if you had to make it.
Speaker 3 (21:41):
Well, you know, I've studied the Heisman for years now,
ever since coming back to when I brought Darien Hagen
there in nineteen eighty eight, and we knew Hagen was
going to win it because back then, sophomore is weren't
going to win eventually down the road, sophomore than even
when Menzel won as a freshman, that kind of changed
a little. Eric Meeney, who was a solid candidate in
nineteen ninety and finished third, you know, it really became
(22:01):
award for the best player and one of the best teams.
So I always felt that we needed to get to
nine wins.
Speaker 8 (22:08):
That's and like Jaden Daniels won it last year in
LSU and they were a nine win team. You know,
the difference to eight and nine wins and some voter's
eyes as big because now execute Travis Hunters definitely contributed
to a lot of those wins. You know, I don't
know how many we would have won without him. I'm
sure it's not it wasn't going to be nine. Not
to downplay what the other players.
Speaker 3 (22:27):
Would do, but let's be serious here. I mean, Travis
hunter has made the difference in probably three, four, maybe
five wins for us. So once you get that into
your resume, then you can look at the other stuff
he's done. You know, Rashwan one of the big steps
when Rashaan won that we were pushing at the time,
and you got to remember back then it was just
phone calls and mail. There's no email, there's no Internet.
(22:48):
You had to get your word out by in person
interviews and a lot of works on the phone. Rashwan
at one point at seventy five percent of his yards
against Frank teams, which flew away the other candidate. Now
fast forward to Travis with what he's done on offense
and defense. You know, it's incredible. Like I said, it's
circus piece away with some of his acrobatic catches. But
(23:09):
you know, when you were looking at when we needed
something done on offense, it was shut order to Travis.
You know, when the big play needed on defense, it
was Travis making an interception or a pass broken up,
or you know the big force fumble that preserved the
win against Taylor. So you know, when you put that
onto his resume and we got the nine wins, I
think that makes a case for him over the other candidates.
Speaker 5 (23:32):
When you look at this whole Heisman whole race, it
seems as though it is predominantly about the quarterback position.
Obviously there with the field being what it is now,
you got two guys in Genty and Travis not quarterbacks.
But there's another quarterback that I think that one can.
Speaker 6 (23:49):
Make an argument for. Should should Sanders?
Speaker 5 (23:52):
Do you think that the committee missed out on not
inviting Shador to be their front incident? Even if he
doesn't it, so, did they miss out by not inviting him?
Speaker 6 (24:02):
Based on the season that he had.
Speaker 3 (24:05):
Well, they usually invite by where the votes were come
into the previous Monday when they do the invocation, so
he probably wasn't running in the top four. And you
know their voters, they didn't want to vote for two
players in the same team. It's very rare when you
can do that, when two players make it into the
top five finishing in the in the final balloting. But
(24:26):
what they missed out on was the camaraderie that Shore
and Travis have together. And you know, you got that
storyline that ESPN could have used that night. So I
would bet you know, maybe and when the rest of
the votes came in, maybe Shoudor sneaks into the top four,
but I'd be surprised if he's at least not fifth
in the final balloting. But yeah, they probably missed an
opportunity for having some fun with at least of the
(24:49):
interviews with Chris Faller m seeing it. You know, Chris
Haller's above. He worked for me as a student way
back in the eighties and he's done every ESPN heys
and show. When they over Annuncy and Iisman Trophy, which
the first year of ESPN did that was ninety four
with Rashaun, so that was also special to Chris. You know,
could have another special moment to have Chris interviewing during
(25:11):
the hour show on Saturday.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
Now we'll see if Travis Hunter could take home some
more awards tonight, and obviously everyone is going to be
rooting for him to take home the Heisman here in
the state of Colorado. Again, a lot of Broncos players
also advocating for it too as well with their shirts.
David Platty, we appreciate you so much for joining us
here tonight on Broncos Country Tonight.
Speaker 3 (25:28):
Oh, Glad and Nick will see you Sunday at the
big Indianapolis game.
Speaker 1 (25:32):
So then it'll be a big one there.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
Obviously, thanks to David there for jumping on and talking
with us. Niko, I wanted to talk to you here
about this Bowl game that's coming up right. The Alimal
Bull interesting enough that when they were going through and
they were going through the selection process, I think the
easy thing on paper everyone was talking about it should
be Cu versus Miami. It should be Shadur Sanders versus
(25:54):
cam Word. Now I don't know if cam Ward's gonna play,
and the in terms of where they're at. But we
know that, Shad, we know that all of the Buffs
they're gonna be playing Travis Hunter's gonna be playing in
this game.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
How do you feel about that? But also how do you.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
Also feel how to matchup against someone in your own
conference in a bowl game?
Speaker 1 (26:11):
I don't know if I rock with it.
Speaker 5 (26:12):
Well, first of all, I didn't like the whole idea
of the see Buffs playing someone in their own conference.
I thought the idea of the bowl game was for
us to see how other teams play teams outside of
their conference, because we always get into that debate which
conference is better than the other, And this would be
(26:33):
a great way to cap off the collegiate season.
Speaker 6 (26:35):
But you know, we're not gonna get that. We're not
gonna get that.
Speaker 5 (26:38):
We're gonna get a game that I think most of
us were hoping for doing the regular season to see
who actually went to the Big Twelve championship. But now
you're giving us that same thing in Alamo Ball. Look,
I love watching bowl football. I'm gonna watch anyway, but
I think I'm gonna watch with a certain attitude because
(26:59):
this was something that I wanted to see, you know,
in the Big twelve title game, not in a BOWLD matchup.
I wanted to see Kim Ward against Shador because you
got to go back to the very beginning of the
season with those who were working out I believe in Florida,
and there was a.
Speaker 6 (27:14):
Lot of chirp and battle.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
Remember that who's who and who's what.
Speaker 6 (27:17):
I wanted to see that.
Speaker 5 (27:19):
As a football fan, I want to see those guys
go head to ahead before they get to the NFL,
to really mark their territory and plant their flag and say, well,
who is the number one candidate going into twenty twenty
five draft.
Speaker 2 (27:32):
Well, once again we're expecting committees to get things right.
It typically never goes now unfortunately, Well, obviously we'll see
obviously for Travis Hunter set.
Speaker 1 (27:41):
Up to you know, be you know, to win the
Heisman Award.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
I wanted to ask you this because it's been a
topic of discussion. We had a chance to have pass
her ten this that says that his belief is that
Travis is unique enough he could play corner end receiver
at the NFL level.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
Where do you see him or are you not going put.
Speaker 2 (28:00):
That because I know a lot of people are kind
of putting that limitation like, well, he can only play
one or the other. I think he can play both.
But where do you see him primarily playing. I think
he will play both of he and Philip. But where
you see him playing the most?
Speaker 6 (28:11):
I think it might be wide receiver.
Speaker 5 (28:14):
You know, I know that sounds ridiculous to some people,
but I mean he does a great job on both
sides of the ball. But I think his ability to
attack the ball in the air track it well, going
up and contorting his body like a circus lay actor
and being able to haul and catch it. Because there
were several times this season that Shadors was throwing up
(28:37):
it was a chicken wing in the prayer. Then all
of a sudden, twelve came down with it and everyone's
looking at each other like, how did he do that
to me? How do you put that type of skill
on the bench and say, well, you can only do
one thing? And I get it, some coaches are social superstitious. Well,
he can't get hurt doing this. He can get hurt. Hell,
you can get you a slip and fall on the
(28:58):
bar so up in the bathroom, right, But if you
have a guy who is whatever, I tripped off my dog, right,
one of those things that fell down the stairs, those
type of things that can happen. But the idea is
putting the best players on the field. And if Travis
gives you that opportunity on both sides.
Speaker 6 (29:16):
Of the ball, then you allow him to do it.
Speaker 5 (29:17):
Now, I'll say this, now use kind of a basketball term.
Speaker 6 (29:22):
You do have him on low management.
Speaker 5 (29:24):
If we're gonna use him at wide receiver, we're gonna
use him in serving situations defensively, and we may bring
a man on a on a nickel package on the
sub package, and we either may put him at the
nickel position or we put him outside. But just sitting him,
I mean on the bench. That's like having a Ferrari
and you just go in every day, you wax it
(29:46):
and you look at it.
Speaker 6 (29:47):
You never drive it.
Speaker 1 (29:48):
I want to drive it. I want to scratch on it.
Speaker 5 (29:50):
No, man, it's not Ferris. You want to you want
to drive that thing. So that's how I feel about
Travis in that situation.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
Yeah, I feel like if he plays defensively, I I
feel like it'll be harder to be like, all right,
there's a tendency. But I do feel like if he's
primarily playing defense and you bring him in on offense.
I feel like as a coordinator, I'm thinking, okay, well,
now he's coming on offense. Now we can start to
build tendencies as to why they're doing it, what they're
doing when he comes in.
Speaker 1 (30:15):
So much of this also, I think is.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
A big part of where does he end up? Right,
I think he's going to be a top five pick.
Now you look at some of the teams that are
needs a quarterback. You look at the Raiders, they need
a quarterback very much. Cam wardersher Doer could be ending
up in Vegas. What about the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
Do you feel like that might be a fit for
him for Travis Yeah.
Speaker 5 (30:38):
I mean if it makes the name with Travis etn
you got Ingram at the tight end position, I mean it,
Kristen Kurt.
Speaker 6 (30:47):
It does open up the offense for Trevor Loan.
Speaker 1 (30:50):
They're gonna probably have a new head coach.
Speaker 5 (30:52):
Okay, once again, just like it takes a coach like
Prime to say, look, you can play both sides of
the ball, because some coaches that don't want you to
do that, they want you to play just one position.
It all depends on who that head coach is and
that head coach's decision to saying Okay, well, yes, we're
going to allow you to do that. We're Lennikov Award
(31:13):
winner Travis Hunter.
Speaker 1 (31:15):
Ah congrit. He's cleaned the house right there.
Speaker 6 (31:19):
That says it.
Speaker 2 (31:19):
It tells you what people think you, right. I like
the way he also carries himself off the field too.
This is a guy who he doesn't talk really all
like when.
Speaker 1 (31:27):
He's on the field.
Speaker 2 (31:28):
He's got that competitive fire, but he doesn't he doesn't talk.
He doesn't talk reckless, he doesn't do the social media
stuff before.
Speaker 1 (31:35):
And I'm a big fan of Travis Hunter.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
I think he makes see you exponentially better and he's
a big part of elevating that program.
Speaker 1 (31:42):
And it's gonna be very interesting to see what he
does here at the NFL level.
Speaker 2 (31:44):
One thing we're going to continue to talk about here
on Broncos Country and I will recap some of the
best first half moments of Denver season. We're also going
to debate who should start a cornerback opposite of pats
er Ten if Riley Moss is not able to go.
It's all signs of pointing that looks like the case.
We'll get to that and much more here on Broncos
Country Night on KOA
Paul Bright.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
Tonight big matchup on Sundays, the Indianapolis Colts traveled to
Denver to take on the Broncos and look, really for
both teams, kind of a must win situation year obviously
for the Colts six and seven, and must win for
them to just maybe potentially get within one game of
Denver and have the potential tiebreaker over them. For this conversation,
we're going to head out to our ka Common Spirit
Health hotline and bring in ESPN's Colts insider Stephen Holder.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
Stephen, how's it going going?
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Well? How about you?
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Fantastic look obviously Sunday's game. You know here in Denver,
we've been all talking about it. This has been kind
of the scene that this is probably the biggest game
for the Broncos in the last five six years, and
there's so much at stake, but also for the Colts,
a big game for them both teams coming off the
bye week. What's the general vibe so far this week
on the Colt side of things, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
Much much the same. It's you know, they've played in
a few big games the last couple of years. They
had basically a play in game in Week eighteen last year,
they had a chance to win and get in three
years ago. They failed in both instances. So this is
a chance maybe to rectify some things that they potentially
at least some things that have gone wrong for them
(01:11):
in big games late in the season. But they're not
ducking the importance of this game. You know, we usually
get the you know, one game at a time, et cetera,
et cetera. They have been surprisingly honest about this and
they know that this.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
Is essentially a playoff game for them.
Speaker 4 (01:29):
They have their remaining games are against the Titans, Giants,
and Jaguars. They'll be favored in all of those, but
even winning all of those, if they went out, if
they lose this one, it puts them in a tough spot.
So they've been honest about that and they know what
the stakes are now.
Speaker 5 (01:46):
When it comes to the Colts running game, it hasn't
really been exactly where I guess anyone expected it to be,
and the Broncos have not run the ball well this game.
What kind of what is the mindset for the team
coming into this week? Know one is so that has
been one of the issues that has troubled them all
year long, being able to hold down to get the
run well.
Speaker 4 (02:06):
I really think they have to get back to that,
and I would say that it's not really been I
think the fault of Joas and Taylor as much as
at least in recent weeks, I think the offensive line
has really had some struggles. They've had multiple personnel losses
between injuries and personal matter with Braden.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
Smith, their right tackle has been a little problematic as well.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
He won't play on Sunday, at least we don't anticipate
that he will, so he's one of their better run blockers.
That's a big loss. You've had Quentin Nelson kind of
hanging in there on the left side, but he's been
in some instances because of injuries, he's been surrounded by
rookies on either side of him. So you have that
all throw out there left guard. But then they've had
(02:53):
a rookie left tackle at times, the rookie center at times.
So it's been a rough go and it has taken
a toll both on the passing game and the running game.
So but I do think there'll be a little bit
better personnel wise than the offensive line this week. They
can get back to running the ball at least a little.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Bit efficiently that that's going to take some pressure off.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
Of Anthony Richardson, who has had to bail them out
and their last two losses on the final drive of
the game.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Well, some of the things we're looking at as well
coming off the Broncos more recent game. We all saw,
the whole world saw Jerry Judy go off, and we've
been monitoring. Obviously Ridley Moss a non participant in practice
for two consecutive days. His status for a Sunday's game
is likely not going to be He's not gonna likely play.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
In that game here.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
So in factor in obviously Michael Pittman junior, you talk
about obviously Alec Pierce right now who's leading the team,
and then Josh Downs, you know, returning this week to practice.
Look at these three wide receivers here for the Colts,
and part of me is thinking, okay, hey, this is
gonna be a challenge here for Denver because of the
fact no Riley Moss. Obviously there's Pats or Tan, but
with Anthony Richmond. The one thing I've seen this Colts team,
(03:56):
and I've been watching him as of late, they love
to take that downfield shot and they certainly can connect
on it. What is Josh Downs being back in the
lineup mean for guys like Pittman and al Pierce, Well, it.
Speaker 4 (04:07):
Does create some opportunities with those downfield shots because you
can't just concentrate on Alec Pierce. Look, he's not going
to catch a lot of balls. Pierce, He's not a
big guy in terms of targets, but he definitely can
take the top off. Now, when Josh Downs is not
out there, you can kind of sort of pay a
(04:28):
little more attention to Pierce and you're kind of more
aware of where he is. But when Downs is out there,
they move him around a lot. He catches balls in
the middle of the field. He can also stretch the
field some. He's in motion a lot, so he gives
you a lot to deal with there, and so it
just complicates the picture for the defense. So he really is,
(04:50):
I think has been their best and most important wide
receiver this year. Michael Pittman is coming off i mean
three thousand yards in the last three seasons, so I
mean he's been a big producer for them, no question,
But he's been dealing with a real recurring back injury
all season and hasn't been himself Josh Downs has been
(05:11):
the guy who has been the chain mover for this
team when they need to when they absolutely have to
have a play, they've been going to Josh Downs. That
being said, Pittman has been getting a little better, maybe
stealing a little bit.
Speaker 3 (05:22):
Better in recent weeks and now has.
Speaker 4 (05:24):
Had to buy so perhaps he is further along physically.
But again, it's not a world beating group of receivers,
but I think it's a group that punches a little
bit above its weight in terms of you know, maybe
not having a big name, but guys who I think
you definitely have to prepare for.
Speaker 5 (05:43):
Well, let's see keep the momentum there as far as
punching and boxing metaphor as a concern, and talk about
Anthony Richardson because you know, with his skills said from
a passing standpoint and just sheer size as a run
of the quarterback, he gives the calls a punch. What
should the Broncos defense be concerned about as though you've
(06:04):
seen Anthony Richardson grow, especially since we saw him when
I say he tapped out of the game against the Texans, how.
Speaker 6 (06:12):
Has he grown and what the Broncos defense need to.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
Worry about well.
Speaker 4 (06:16):
I just think he's been a guy who I think
a little bit of the weight has been lifted off
of him.
Speaker 7 (06:22):
I saw a guy early in the season who, in
my view at least, was pressing too much. You know,
you get these Jett quarterbacks, and Bob Nixon has done
a good job of not doing this, but you get
a lot of these young quarterbacks and there's so much
pressure on them, and sometimes it's too much. And I'm
not saying that's why they benched him, but I do
think it was affecting him. And so when he was
(06:44):
benched and he came back, it almost freed him from
that where he just said, whatever happens happens. And I
do think he's playing more loosely now and he's not
burdened by that, and it's been good for him. He's
played better because of it at least, so leave some
park because of it. So what I see is a
guy who's making better decisions. And the other thing that
(07:06):
the Colts this is a combination of Richardson and coach
Saint Sich and they have really leaned into the quarterback
run game, and they have just kind of leaned into
that and not tried to sort of tiptoe into it
like they were.
Speaker 4 (07:22):
Now, that doesn't mean he's going to run it fifteen times,
but you could see him running eight to ten times.
In terms of designed runs, they most designed runs have
gone up three or four per game since he's come
back on average, So that's I think a sign that
that's a weapon for them. And when they have had
to have first downs, when they'd have to go and
(07:44):
get a first down, third downs or fourth downs, what
have you. In clutch situations, they have very often kept.
Speaker 7 (07:50):
The ball in his hand and.
Speaker 4 (07:51):
Say go get that first down. And he has done
it pretty routinely, So you got to be ready for
that at all times.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Es been Colts insider Steven Holder with us on the
Kawa Commas Spear of Health, holland last one for you here, Steven,
I look at this defense. I'm a defensive guy. Knicks
a defensive guy. I'll look at the Colts defense. I'm
sure there's been some injuries at times, but I look
at the personnel here and I just keep thinking to myself,
it is way too talented with the guys that they
have to be struggling as much as they are.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
What is it a scheme issue. What's going on with
the defense.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
Well, it's a good observation, and I agree. I think
there's sort of two ways to look at this, two
sides of the coin. On the one hand, they are
bottom five in yards allowed. I mean they're letting teams
go up and down the field to the point where
I mean you're just wondering, all right, you know, just
going to be the drive that beats them, you know?
Or are they going to find a way to get
(08:42):
a stop? Finally it gets sucked every single Sunday. But
on the other hand, I believe there are seventeenth in
points allowed. It doesn't make any sense, but part of
it is they get some turnovers and they find ways
to make big plays at critical moments. Now, that's a
really hard way to live and oftentimes you can't survive it,
(09:06):
and that's been their problem at times. But I agree
with you they have underachieved. I feel like on defense
they will point to them getting critical stops when they
need them. But I think when you give up as
many yards as the Colts do, there are going to
be instances where you don't get those stops and you're
going to give up critical scores and that's been a
(09:27):
little bit of an issue for them this year. So
I agree with you totally in terms of your characterization
of the defense.
Speaker 6 (09:33):
All right, Steven, I'm gonna put you on the spot
just a little.
Speaker 5 (09:36):
The Colts win the game on the road here in
denbro on Sunday if they do what.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
Well.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
I think, if they prevent a big play on offense
number one, and I think if Anthony Richardson can avoid
the turnovers. Those are the two things I think they
got to do when they've lost. Those are the areas
that I think have undermined them the most. So we'll
say if they can pull that off, those are the
two for me, the two hallmarks of a winning effort
(10:03):
for the Colts.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Broncos Colts this weekend, big game for both sides. Steven,
thank you so much for your time here today, And
obviously if you're a Broncos fan tuning in, you want
to check out Steven and follow along to see what's
the latest on on injuries, Josh Down's making progress in
practice as well.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
Big matchup, Stephen, Thank you once again right here. You
got it all right, Nick. I mean, look, this is
a big game, and I like the fact you also.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
Brought up the fact about Anthony and Richardson too, because
this is something I've been talking about all week long
as well, since being benched and since having that, like
that moment.
Speaker 1 (10:33):
Of Okay, I shouldn't have done what I did. The
culturalized really quickly. Ah, Joe Flacker was just not it.
We gotta stick with our young guy here.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
Do you feel like based on watching him play in
the last handful of games.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Since that's happened, I've just noticed a little bit more
spark about him.
Speaker 2 (10:47):
But in particular if it's second and two, if it's
third and one, he's the.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
Guy I'm keen for.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Look, you have to account for Jonathan Taylor, but I'm thinking, wow,
quarterback power here, That's the one thing I'm keeping my
eye on because that is what they ran the last
couple of weeksespecially against the Jets defense.
Speaker 5 (11:03):
Yeah, I mean, obviously you think about that because of
Anthony Richardson's ability as a runner, and he's a guy
that weighs about two hundred and forty four pounds, so
he's not.
Speaker 6 (11:12):
An easy man to bring down.
Speaker 5 (11:14):
But we think about Tennessees, So what happens in this
game is about who can break their Tennessees because like
you're saying, and just like Stema said, you know, on
those third down plays when they need to have a play, Now,
they're gonna go to Anthony Richardson to pull that off.
Speaker 6 (11:29):
But you got to be really careful about that. And
this is the game that you started to break.
Speaker 5 (11:32):
Tennessee's if you're Shane Sykein, because you put that on tape.
Speaker 6 (11:36):
Visually, you see a more I guess.
Speaker 5 (11:41):
Dedicated should I say Anthony Richardson based on what we've seen,
but he knows that he ruled his opportunity, but luckily
the team is coming.
Speaker 6 (11:49):
Back to him, giving him a second opportunity.
Speaker 5 (11:51):
And once again, this is one of those times where
you're seeing they run an RPO. You think he's gonna
run the ball, he steps back, DB's linebackers fall asleep.
Speaker 6 (11:59):
Now there's a shop.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (12:01):
So this is where the Broncos are gonna have to
be great once again with their eyes but more importantly
open field tackling, right because once again, I mean, I'm
not saying Athony Richardson is Cam Newton, but Dan Well,
he's the sillize that Cam Newton almost, So you have
to make sure that you don't end up on this hotlight.
Speaker 6 (12:21):
That's the one thing I would worry about.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
Yeah, and look, I was talking to Broncos players in
the locker room yesterday and really the focus was because
he's a big buddy, like he's mobile, but he's not
like Lamar Jackson mobile, right, but he's heavy mobile like
he is, he's gonna fall forward, right, So what do
you what do you have to do?
Speaker 1 (12:36):
What's your coaching point?
Speaker 3 (12:37):
Right?
Speaker 2 (12:37):
It's first guy, make contact, drive your feet.
Speaker 1 (12:41):
Everybody's got a rally in tackle with you two here.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
And I think that's one thing when I've watched the
Broncos this year, They've done a really good job of
their pursuit. They've done a really good job of rallying.
I know that's gonna be an emphetis, but you know
what I think we will see this week. We might
see a lot of counter from the Colts. That might
be something to keep an eye on.
Speaker 6 (12:58):
Well, when you when you.
Speaker 5 (12:59):
See a lot of you take advantage of the aggressitives
of the defense. And knowing that the Broncos have done
a great job from a pressure rate sam point with
Zach Allen being able to penetrate that's where you take
advantage of. You let those guys get up feel and
you run outside. You put those corners someone of them
on the island, and you force them to be tacklers
and not just oh I made.
Speaker 6 (13:21):
The tackle on this one down. Coach.
Speaker 5 (13:22):
No, no, no, We're gonna see if you're gonna be
a consistent tackle because now you got Anthony Richson and
you got Taylor running the ball as well. So can
each single guy understand their run fits first and foremost
be in your lane. And if you are an interior lineman,
can you hit shed get that guy off of you,
and then run and chase and make it play.
Speaker 6 (13:43):
Those are things that are going to be important for
this Broncos defense.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
Well, and look Denver's defense to the last couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (13:48):
They're seeing more max protection, they're seeing extra chip help.
I mean, for example, Cleveland did a really good job,
but they would come out in a two back set here,
Alan Shakam, you know they have they'd have a David
Njoku in and they'd have Jerome Ford or Nick Chubb
and then they would motion those guys to empty on
the edge. And so what they're doing is they're chipping,
Nick Benito, Jonathan Cooper, and then sometimes they're putting the
(14:10):
tailback and the running back to the same side, so
you're getting a tight end ship, you're getting the tailbackship,
and then you're working the one on one there with
the offensive tackle. All of that to negate the outside
pass rush, and I think that's where we saw Cleveland
kind of take advantag a little bit. They maximize their
chip opportunities. But then when we're asked to cover for
a certain amount of time, you got to be in
good position. And certainly Denver had a couple of miscommunications
(14:33):
on the back end. Sometimes they weren't in necessary in
the right spot. Technique wise, there's a lot we're gonna
break down. I even want to ask you something we're
gonna talk about here as well later on about who
should start a corner this week if Riley Moss does
not play. But we're gonna talk see you Travis Hunter,
Shooter Sanders, and obviously them in their bowl game against
BYU that is coming up here on Broncos Country tonight.
(14:59):
Snick I got a bull game against BYU. Obviously we'll
dive deep into thoughts there as well. But we're gonna
head out to our koa common Spirit of health hotline
right now.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
And bring on David Plotty.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
He's the sid historian Ameritis and former CU Social Athletic director.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
David. How's going.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
Long words in that long title?
Speaker 1 (15:21):
H Hey, that means something? How are you tonight?
Speaker 3 (15:25):
That's bad? Just watching the King Awards too, and he
Travis Hunter is cleaning up.
Speaker 6 (15:30):
Well, you know what, let's pick it out right there, Dave. Well,
we think about you, know you as being a historian.
Let's take it back into see you Buff's history a little.
Speaker 5 (15:39):
And the last time CEU Buff actually won the Heisman,
it was several years ago, and it was Rashaan Saloon
And I.
Speaker 3 (15:47):
Know that thirty years ago, two days ago.
Speaker 5 (15:51):
Absolutely, I mean, for you just kind of take the
listeners back just a little. What did it mean for
see you at that time for Rashaan Salaam to take
home the most coveted award in college football?
Speaker 3 (16:06):
Well, you know, he's the only player to win it
and call i'd see you, the only player to win
it in the state and the only player to win
it in the Mountain time zone. So we're kind of
like that flyover time zone. But at the time. You know,
ra Shawn really didn't want to win it. He wanted
to win, and he didn't want to win. And you know,
all the interviews he did leading up to it, he
didn't want to talk about himself. I said, talk about
your teammates, and Rashawn signed when he could talk about
(16:29):
his offensive line or Cordell Stewart or Michael Westbrook and
the dither guys on offense. So to him, it wasn't
as big a deal as it was really to the
school and really to the region obviously, for the school
to finally win a Heisman Trophy. You know, Byron White
had finished second way back in the second year that
he awore back in nineteen thirty seven, and made a
few other guys crop up and finish in the top
(16:49):
ten between the regional year and thirty six when it
started and until where Shawn won it. But he finally
have a player break through and win it. And you know,
we were a little nervous that we weren't. We were confident,
but we weren't when when they invited six players back
to New York and they didn't usually invite that many,
where we were like, uh, oh, howl is the vote
going to be and on Friday, once Johnny Carter and
(17:12):
Penn State won the Maxwell Award, We're like, uh, oh,
what I was just going to shake down is he
is he gonna carry? Is there Shan's going to get
enough votes from the northeast sector, which we thought would
go to the one of the two Penn State players.
Is is it going to happen for us or not?
And then as it turned out, Rashaun one going away.
Speaker 2 (17:30):
One thing to you know, obviously looking at you know,
mentioned awards there too. We just saw that Travis Hunter,
he was named the AP National Player of the Year.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
He's also you just took on the Chuck Bednrick Award.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
Your thoughts on just how transcending he has been from
just coming up from where he has been to now
obviously elevating to see you bus now he's obviously going
to be next in line for a potential Heisman bid.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
Here your thoughts on what you've seen from him as
a player.
Speaker 3 (17:56):
Well, well, you know, he might win that Bolitnikoff Award
yet that is just being tonight, so he might get
a trifect to hear going today, you know the generational Yeah,
you know, Nick knows that before nineteen sixty five, it
was the bulatoon era, but guys had to play both ways.
And I think the only players really that can match
(18:17):
up to what he's done in our history maybe be
Iron White way back in nineteen thirty seven. But you know,
when the platoon era, and Nick knows this, when the
platoon shifted, you know, they came off and didn't play
the number of same number of snaps. The next platoons
would go in and play offense and defense. So the
number of snaps that Travis has been playing is just
off the charts, and not only just my snap's played.
(18:39):
What he's been able to do, you know, on offense
it's almost like he's I liked it, And some of
his offensive catches it's almost like he's a member of
circusy solet with some of the acrobatic stuff he's been
able to pull off. So, you know, going into the NFL,
I'm not sure. I doubt he's going to play the
same number of snaps professionally, but he's going to the
action on both times of the ball, the sides of
(19:00):
the ball. And if a pro team doesn't take advantage
of this talent and the skill to do that they're crazy.
Speaker 5 (19:06):
Well are were talking to Dave Plotty, historian sid emeritus
and former Associated lat Athletic Director at CEU.
Speaker 6 (19:15):
Now we know that the program had went through kind.
Speaker 5 (19:18):
Of a little of a lull where they were not
in the mainstream media. No one was really talking about
see you Now because Prime comes in his first year,
they jump out the gate, they do well college game
days here, I mean, everything is going well for them,
but then they fall off the map.
Speaker 6 (19:35):
This year they are bowl eligible.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
They're going to a bowl for the first time in
some years. What does that mean for the program, But
more importantly, what does that mean for SeeU tradition and
everyone on a national stage being able to see this
great program again.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
Oh, we were in the bowl cycle for a very
very long time, almost playing at a bowl game annually
from nineteen eighty eight through two thousand and five minus
I think just two different years in there. So we
were at perennial Bowl team and then since two thousand
and seven our last appearance in the Independence Bowl. We
were in the sixteen Alima Bowl and then again in
the twenty Alimable. And think San Antonio is in love
(20:15):
with the bus because we're going back again this year.
So to get back in the Bull cycle, you know
what that means. You get those extra practices in December
and it just kind of spills over to the next
season that you get those young guys with those extra
practices that have our city guys to get to go
out or the upper classmi to go out with a
bowl and get all the gifts in the rings and assists,
the tradition that you want to get a football on them.
And hopefully now we can do that again with what
(20:37):
Deon's been able to accomplish in Boulder. Because there's nothing
like watching Bowl week and you not being involved in it.
You know, it's like, where's our team? Where are the Buffs?
We want to see the Buffs play during whole week
and with you know, eighty two teams going to the
postseason and when you're left out of that, you know,
there's an emptiness inside of you. And now that hopefully
we're back, going to be back in that cycle again.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
And obviously you know with a Heisman war coming up here,
there's a lot of debate right now. Like I look
on social media, it's the most widely debated about topic
right now. Between Travis Hunter, and obviously the Boise States
of Ashton Genty. What, in your opinion make the case
here for Travis Hunter because I understand like the running
back position, the amount of volume, the amount of touches
that he had, and obviously the production they had at
(21:18):
Bois State was fantastic. But we see a lot of
people minimizing the impact that Travis Hunter had on CU,
not only on offense but also on defense. He's the
type of player for that you could if you took
him away from CU, they would definitely fill it and
maybe to the extent that would be the same for
Boise State, but I feel like the impact would be
bigger for Hunter.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
What is your case if you had to make it.
Speaker 3 (21:41):
Well, you know, I've studied the Heisman for years now,
ever since coming back to when I brought Darien Hagen
there in nineteen eighty eight, and we knew Hagen was
going to win it because back then, sophomore is weren't
going to win eventually down the road, sophomore than even
when Menzel won as a freshman, that kind of changed
a little. Eric Meeney, who was a solid candidate in
nineteen ninety and finished third, you know, it really became
(22:01):
award for the best player and one of the best teams.
So I always felt that we needed to get to
nine wins.
Speaker 8 (22:08):
That's and like Jaden Daniels won it last year in
LSU and they were a nine win team. You know,
the difference to eight and nine wins and some voter's
eyes as big because now execute Travis Hunters definitely contributed
to a lot of those wins. You know, I don't
know how many we would have won without him. I'm
sure it's not it wasn't going to be nine. Not
to downplay what the other players.
Speaker 3 (22:27):
Would do, but let's be serious here. I mean, Travis
hunter has made the difference in probably three, four, maybe
five wins for us. So once you get that into
your resume, then you can look at the other stuff
he's done. You know, Rashwan one of the big steps
when Rashaan won that we were pushing at the time,
and you got to remember back then it was just
phone calls and mail. There's no email, there's no Internet.
(22:48):
You had to get your word out by in person
interviews and a lot of works on the phone. Rashwan
at one point at seventy five percent of his yards
against Frank teams, which flew away the other candidate. Now
fast forward to Travis with what he's done on offense
and defense. You know, it's incredible. Like I said, it's
circus piece away with some of his acrobatic catches. But
(23:09):
you know, when you were looking at when we needed
something done on offense, it was shut order to Travis.
You know, when the big play needed on defense, it
was Travis making an interception or a pass broken up,
or you know the big force fumble that preserved the
win against Taylor. So you know, when you put that
onto his resume and we got the nine wins, I
think that makes a case for him over the other candidates.
Speaker 5 (23:32):
When you look at this whole Heisman whole race, it
seems as though it is predominantly about the quarterback position.
Obviously there with the field being what it is now,
you got two guys in Genty and Travis not quarterbacks.
But there's another quarterback that I think that one can.
Speaker 6 (23:49):
Make an argument for. Should should Sanders?
Speaker 5 (23:52):
Do you think that the committee missed out on not
inviting Shador to be their front incident? Even if he
doesn't it, so, did they miss out by not inviting him?
Speaker 6 (24:02):
Based on the season that he had.
Speaker 3 (24:05):
Well, they usually invite by where the votes were come
into the previous Monday when they do the invocation, so
he probably wasn't running in the top four. And you
know their voters, they didn't want to vote for two
players in the same team. It's very rare when you
can do that, when two players make it into the
top five finishing in the in the final balloting. But
(24:26):
what they missed out on was the camaraderie that Shore
and Travis have together. And you know, you got that
storyline that ESPN could have used that night. So I
would bet you know, maybe and when the rest of
the votes came in, maybe Shoudor sneaks into the top four,
but I'd be surprised if he's at least not fifth
in the final balloting. But yeah, they probably missed an
opportunity for having some fun with at least of the
(24:49):
interviews with Chris Faller m seeing it. You know, Chris
Haller's above. He worked for me as a student way
back in the eighties and he's done every ESPN heys
and show. When they over Annuncy and Iisman Trophy, which
the first year of ESPN did that was ninety four
with Rashaun, so that was also special to Chris. You know,
could have another special moment to have Chris interviewing during
(25:11):
the hour show on Saturday.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
Now we'll see if Travis Hunter could take home some
more awards tonight, and obviously everyone is going to be
rooting for him to take home the Heisman here in
the state of Colorado. Again, a lot of Broncos players
also advocating for it too as well with their shirts.
David Platty, we appreciate you so much for joining us
here tonight on Broncos Country Tonight.
Speaker 3 (25:28):
Oh, Glad and Nick will see you Sunday at the
big Indianapolis game.
Speaker 1 (25:32):
So then it'll be a big one there.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
Obviously, thanks to David there for jumping on and talking
with us. Niko, I wanted to talk to you here
about this Bowl game that's coming up right. The Alimal
Bull interesting enough that when they were going through and
they were going through the selection process, I think the
easy thing on paper everyone was talking about it should
be Cu versus Miami. It should be Shadur Sanders versus
(25:54):
cam Word. Now I don't know if cam Ward's gonna play,
and the in terms of where they're at. But we
know that, Shad, we know that all of the Buffs
they're gonna be playing Travis Hunter's gonna be playing in
this game.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
How do you feel about that? But also how do you.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
Also feel how to matchup against someone in your own
conference in a bowl game?
Speaker 1 (26:11):
I don't know if I rock with it.
Speaker 5 (26:12):
Well, first of all, I didn't like the whole idea
of the see Buffs playing someone in their own conference.
I thought the idea of the bowl game was for
us to see how other teams play teams outside of
their conference, because we always get into that debate which
conference is better than the other, And this would be
(26:33):
a great way to cap off the collegiate season.
Speaker 6 (26:35):
But you know, we're not gonna get that. We're not
gonna get that.
Speaker 5 (26:38):
We're gonna get a game that I think most of
us were hoping for doing the regular season to see
who actually went to the Big Twelve championship. But now
you're giving us that same thing in Alamo Ball. Look,
I love watching bowl football. I'm gonna watch anyway, but
I think I'm gonna watch with a certain attitude because
(26:59):
this was something that I wanted to see, you know,
in the Big twelve title game, not in a BOWLD matchup.
I wanted to see Kim Ward against Shador because you
got to go back to the very beginning of the
season with those who were working out I believe in Florida,
and there was a.
Speaker 6 (27:14):
Lot of chirp and battle.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
Remember that who's who and who's what.
Speaker 6 (27:17):
I wanted to see that.
Speaker 5 (27:19):
As a football fan, I want to see those guys
go head to ahead before they get to the NFL,
to really mark their territory and plant their flag and say, well,
who is the number one candidate going into twenty twenty
five draft.
Speaker 2 (27:32):
Well, once again we're expecting committees to get things right.
It typically never goes now unfortunately, Well, obviously we'll see
obviously for Travis Hunter set.
Speaker 1 (27:41):
Up to you know, be you know, to win the
Heisman Award.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
I wanted to ask you this because it's been a
topic of discussion. We had a chance to have pass
her ten this that says that his belief is that
Travis is unique enough he could play corner end receiver
at the NFL level.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
Where do you see him or are you not going put.
Speaker 2 (28:00):
That because I know a lot of people are kind
of putting that limitation like, well, he can only play
one or the other. I think he can play both.
But where do you see him primarily playing. I think
he will play both of he and Philip. But where
you see him playing the most?
Speaker 6 (28:11):
I think it might be wide receiver.
Speaker 5 (28:14):
You know, I know that sounds ridiculous to some people,
but I mean he does a great job on both
sides of the ball. But I think his ability to
attack the ball in the air track it well, going
up and contorting his body like a circus lay actor
and being able to haul and catch it. Because there
were several times this season that Shadors was throwing up
(28:37):
it was a chicken wing in the prayer. Then all
of a sudden, twelve came down with it and everyone's
looking at each other like, how did he do that
to me? How do you put that type of skill
on the bench and say, well, you can only do
one thing? And I get it, some coaches are social superstitious. Well,
he can't get hurt doing this. He can get hurt. Hell,
you can get you a slip and fall on the
(28:58):
bar so up in the bathroom, right, But if you
have a guy who is whatever, I tripped off my dog, right,
one of those things that fell down the stairs, those
type of things that can happen. But the idea is
putting the best players on the field. And if Travis
gives you that opportunity on both sides.
Speaker 6 (29:16):
Of the ball, then you allow him to do it.
Speaker 5 (29:17):
Now, I'll say this, now use kind of a basketball term.
Speaker 6 (29:22):
You do have him on low management.
Speaker 5 (29:24):
If we're gonna use him at wide receiver, we're gonna
use him in serving situations defensively, and we may bring
a man on a on a nickel package on the
sub package, and we either may put him at the
nickel position or we put him outside. But just sitting him,
I mean on the bench. That's like having a Ferrari
and you just go in every day, you wax it
(29:46):
and you look at it.
Speaker 6 (29:47):
You never drive it.
Speaker 1 (29:48):
I want to drive it. I want to scratch on it.
Speaker 5 (29:50):
No, man, it's not Ferris. You want to you want
to drive that thing. So that's how I feel about
Travis in that situation.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
Yeah, I feel like if he plays defensively, I I
feel like it'll be harder to be like, all right,
there's a tendency. But I do feel like if he's
primarily playing defense and you bring him in on offense.
I feel like as a coordinator, I'm thinking, okay, well,
now he's coming on offense. Now we can start to
build tendencies as to why they're doing it, what they're
doing when he comes in.
Speaker 1 (30:15):
So much of this also, I think is.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
A big part of where does he end up? Right,
I think he's going to be a top five pick.
Now you look at some of the teams that are
needs a quarterback. You look at the Raiders, they need
a quarterback very much. Cam wardersher Doer could be ending
up in Vegas. What about the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
Do you feel like that might be a fit for
him for Travis Yeah.
Speaker 5 (30:38):
I mean if it makes the name with Travis etn
you got Ingram at the tight end position, I mean it,
Kristen Kurt.
Speaker 6 (30:47):
It does open up the offense for Trevor Loan.
Speaker 1 (30:50):
They're gonna probably have a new head coach.
Speaker 5 (30:52):
Okay, once again, just like it takes a coach like
Prime to say, look, you can play both sides of
the ball, because some coaches that don't want you to
do that, they want you to play just one position.
It all depends on who that head coach is and
that head coach's decision to saying Okay, well, yes, we're
going to allow you to do that. We're Lennikov Award
(31:13):
winner Travis Hunter.
Speaker 1 (31:15):
Ah congrit. He's cleaned the house right there.
Speaker 6 (31:19):
That says it.
Speaker 2 (31:19):
It tells you what people think you, right. I like
the way he also carries himself off the field too.
This is a guy who he doesn't talk really all
like when.
Speaker 1 (31:27):
He's on the field.
Speaker 2 (31:28):
He's got that competitive fire, but he doesn't he doesn't talk.
He doesn't talk reckless, he doesn't do the social media
stuff before.
Speaker 1 (31:35):
And I'm a big fan of Travis Hunter.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
I think he makes see you exponentially better and he's
a big part of elevating that program.
Speaker 1 (31:42):
And it's gonna be very interesting to see what he
does here at the NFL level.
Speaker 2 (31:44):
One thing we're going to continue to talk about here
on Broncos Country and I will recap some of the
best first half moments of Denver season. We're also going
to debate who should start a cornerback opposite of pats
er Ten if Riley Moss is not able to go.
It's all signs of pointing that looks like the case.
We'll get to that and much more here on Broncos
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