07-18-24 Cody Roark with Broncos Country Tonight

Episode Transcript

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It's going to the Kwait commesprel hotlinethough, and bring on our guy,

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Cody Rour Cody, how you doingthis evening? I'm good. We're fascinated
by uh what started off as astory about a bird that caught fire and
burned down eleven hundred acres uh herein Colorado, which has led us down
the rabbit hole to the point wherewe are now uh reading up on Australian
fire hawks, which are birds thatapparently pick up They live around wildfires.
They pick up flaming twigs and theythrow them at things to flush prey out.

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And I am just fascinated by thisgenius bird. Did did a bird
pick up a stick and create afire here? Did you miss something?
Well? No, bird, Iguess it landed on a transformer, which
is not an autobot or Decepticon asI as I so sadly found out.
Uh And it landed on a transformer, and I guess completed the circuit,
caught fire and burned down a housein eleven hundred acres. That's the origin

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story here, That's that's what createdthis villainy. No, you really can't
so, h Cody, we gottrading camp coming up next week, Rookie
is already reporting Blake Watson on theNFI list. Thus far as we as
we get closer and closer to trainingcamp, I know everybody's gonna say the
quarterbacks, But what are we reallymost looking forward to here? Uh?

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You know, I just think seeingall the new skill guys. I mean
obviously, you know me, I'ma little biased. I'm a defensive back
guy, but I also know thatpart of being a defensive back means you
have to cover receivers. So themultitude of guys at dB, the multitude
of guys at wide receiver, Ithink there's gonna be some really fun position
battles there. I think for mespecifically, I feel like Denver's top four

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wide receivers already set, So whoemerges as the fifth? You know,
we just see a little bit morefrom Troyce, Franklin, et cetera.
Yeah, I think that's kind ofyou know what I'm most looking forward to
seeing here this week? All right? So Ben and I were talking before
you jumped on about this this listthat maybe but ESPN talked about it's,
uh, yeah, they got itfor the out of input from the coaches

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and scouts in front office guys.Yeah, and they had patchers ten number
one on last year it was SauceGardner. What does that mean for Pat's
or Tan and just the Broncos overallto know that coming into training camp he
is the top rated corner. Yeah, you know, I think a lot
of NFL executives admire his game,and I think, you know, in

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comparison to Sauce, I mean,what was it one blurb and that thing
said, you know he call holdingon him on every play. I think
there's a lot of validity to thatwhen you watch him. And look,
I'm a corner, I'm a DVguy here, but when I look at
Pat, there's not a lot ofthat in Pat's game. Like Pat to
me is the most technically refined cornerin the game. Sure, people are
gonna say, well, last year, you know, he you know,

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gave up a lot more catches.I think that was a byproduct of the
Broncos playing a lot of off ballcoverage. And look, I know one
thing about Pat, Patt is superexcited about this year. You're gonna see
him move around a lot more.You're gonna see him getting back to playing
press. Manda man coverage in situationsversus just consistently playing off ball. I'm
excited about that. I think you'regonna see the best year from Pat just

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yet. And I think executives theywatched his game, they say, hey,
this guy all around, you know, as the most refined game out
of all the cornerbacks CNFL. Andlook, I would even say that Jalen
Johnson is probably the second best cornerbackin the league. And I would maybe
put Soft in the third or fourtharea if I had to put my own
list together. Still not going todiscalnt Jalen Ramsey, so I would go,

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okay, PS two Jalen Johnson,Ramsey, and then maybe Saws of
four. Yeah, I think weall can agree that patser Tan is at
minimum of top five corner good tobe getting the respect of his peers around
the league and place in the topthat list. But the bigger question for
the Broncos is who's going to bethe starting corner on on the opposite side
of him. We we kind ofwe kind of figured out that we had

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a slot corner last year, youknow, but we we need somebody on
the opposite side from pats er Tanand who's that gonna be. Is Riley
Moss gonna step into that role?You know? Do we give another uh,
you know, do we give anotheropportunity to uh to the kid we
had out there the start of theseason. Do we do we go with
uh the veteran and pick up inlee Vi Wallace. It's uh, there

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are there are options here, butnone of them are screaming, Hey,
this is the guy just yet?Yeah, you know, And I would
even throw Jawon McMillan out there,if you know, if dever comes out
in their base, I think,you know, he may start. If
they're not having a nickel or dime, then I think you can see him
start on the outside. I thinkhe's very capable of that. Obviously he's
established himself in the nickels. Inthat case, I think we're looking at
those three guys tomorrow, Mattis,Riley Moss, and obviously Leevi Wallace.

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Gotta watch a little bit of LeviWallace on there. You know, I
just started, you know, I'vebeen in New York in the past couple
of weeks, but I just startedthe Receiver series on Netflix, and of
course against Devanta Adams and the Raiders, he comes up with an interception you
know in that game that they hadthere, So I I think right now
they have options. And look,even Chris Abrams Drain is a name that
I think is going to be throwninto the next year, a guy who

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could play inside outside. I thinkright now that's a and even ar Green.
I'm gonna throw an auntable mention atar Green. I really liked what
I saw from him and OTAs.I just think you have a lot more
bodies, there are a lot morecomfortability than it just I think last year
the whole planet was going to beRiley Moss versus Demari Massis. Both guys
got hurt in trading camp in thefirst two weeks, so that really kind
of impacted them and led to thembringing in Fabian Moreau and I think Den

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were just a little more deeper now. So I think it's really between those
three guys, and obviously throwing ina wild card here for Jaquan McMillan.
You know, there's been a lotof talk out in San Francisco about Brandon
I Uke and Brandon finally announcing thathe wanted to trade, and I know
Broncos fans, I mean, weall fantasy lovers, but the whole idea
is like, oh wow, itwould be great to add Brandon I Yuke

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to the Broncos Ross. So whatdo you fall on that whole idea and
concept of, you know, Broncosshould look into trading for Brandon I You
yeah, I don't think that theyshould right now. I mean, obviously
it's the popular talking point right now, and you know, I think there's
arguments for it, there's arguments againstit. I think primarily right now,
Denver's in a spot they're comfortable withCourtland. I think he's obviously set to

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report. Tim Patrick's coming off ofan injury, but you know he's looking
in ocag he stays heal. Youget a reliable guy from there, You
bring in a guy and Josh Reynolds, who had a really good offseason pro
for the team, and then nowyou have a more prominent role here for
Marvin Mims. And then outside ofthat, you drafted Troy Franklin, who's
obviously got a lot of chemistry withbo Nicks. Right now, it doesn't
necessarily make sense for the Broncos tomake this move. I think if you're

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to make arguments for it. Okay, well, Cortland's going to get you
know, one year left after thisyear. Tim's on the final year of
his deal with Denver. Marbin isstill a rookie, you know, is
he ready to be a premier numberone guy? And then you know Josh
Renolds you have him obviously on atwo year deal. So the question is
is is your receiver depth overall goodenough beyond twenty twenty four to make a

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move like that. I don't thinkthat Denver's in a position right now where
they want to give up capital,and more likely, I don't think they
want to give up players. Andif you were to trade for au guy,
imagine it was going to be somethingalong the lines of, okay,
you're trading for him, but itmeans that you have to extend him right
away. That's part of the deal. Kind of what we saw the Miami
Dolphins do a Bradley Chubb. Idon't think Dever's going to be doing that.
Talking Cody roar My, I sportsCody Quinn Minords got the big deal,

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four years, eighty million, thirdhighest paid guard in the NFL.
You look at the money allocated theoffensive line for the Denver Broncos between Bowls,
Powers, Miners and McGlinchey. It'smega bucks. Not a lot of
depth at the guard position though,I mean you got guard Julio o'cowvin Throckmorton
backing those two up. A lotof top end contracts on this offensive line?
Is the pressure to produce that muchmore given how much they're pouring into

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this? Uh? You know,I think obviously you're seeing a shift now,
and you know you want to payyour offensive line. I know Garrett's
in the final year of his deal. McGlinchey, you got him on a
five year deal, Powers on afour and now Miners on a four year
extension. Questions at the center position, is it going to be Luke wattin
g Alex Foresight? You know,I don't think there's an added amount of
pressure for the offensive line. Ithink they are. There's a continuity there

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outside of center, right, Ithink that's the big question mark. But
do you have a guy under centerwho can operate the passing game, the
run game operation for you more effectivelythan what Russell Wilson did last year?
The Broncos have belief that they gainthey do have a guy there. I
do think they think that's Nicks.I think they think Stidham can do that
for them. And I think thatmatters too, because now you're going to

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see it where I mean Dever's approachis to be less one dimensional this year
on offense. Last year, alot of teams forced them to throw the
football, so they sold out againstthe run. I think that's going to
change this year, and I thinkthat Denver's got more playmakers offensively. I
think they have quarterback play that willbe significantly better. And I do think
you have some wild cards in therunning back room right now that could obviously
change that a little bit and makethings interesting. So I do think it

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will be better. I don't thinkthere was as much pressure maybe as there
was last year. Well as rushersare. I believe a premium in this
league, and when you show thatyou can get out after the quarterback consistently,
usually a big payday comes for you. Last season, the Broncos were

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not where they needed to be asfar as being able to put a certain
amount of pressure on the quarterback.So I'll ask you, with all the
changes the Broncos and tweet they mayon their defensive line, give me a
guy that you think from an edgerusher standpoint, that is poised for Dare
I say a breakout season, Yeah, well, I think you know,
you look at guys who broke outlast year. I think Jonathan Cooper broke

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out. I think Nick Bonito brokeout. I see Cooper having a good
year, but I see Baron Browningbeing the guy if he stays healthy.
I see him probably having the mostimpact for the Broncos and really having that
year if he can stay healthy whereit's like, all right, you don't
have questions about him. You know, he's one of them. I think
he's probably the most talented pass rusherfrom an overall standpoint on the team.

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I think Nick Benito comes in secondof that. Jonathan Cooper. I mean,
it's really hard to place the numberof these guys. I think their
top four pass rusher is really alreadyset in terms of edge rusher, but
I think Baron Browning is more soin line for a bigger year. I
feel like there's a little bit morepressure on Baron this year because of the
injuries that he's had in the lastcouple of years. You know, Cooper,
you already know, hey, we'vegotten production out of him. But
Nito, You've gotten production out ofhim. If anyone I think is competing

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to have the most pressure on him, it's going to be Barren, and
I think he will respond in abig way. I think he's arguably the
most talented player. Like I said, you know under the Raider on defense,
had a great offseason of corner.Sean Payton fully healthy right now.
To me, I'm gonna go withBrowning in this situation as we look ahead
to a crowded running back room.Blake Watson goes on the NFI, but
it still feels like there's an oddman out between Javonte Williams, Magic p

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Ryan, Alder Guestimey and Julia McLoughlin. Estimate, of course, had had
the injury, but he's supposed tobe good to go. McLoughlin has bulked
up a little and looked looks prettygood. Davonte obviously had the miraculous recovery
from the injury that he did,so Magic p Ryan to me feels like
the odd man out. I understandthat he was Sean Payton's guy out of
this room, but and certainly wasthe third down guy last year. But
there were the fumbles wasn't as productiverunning the football as you as you would

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have liked. And obviously the moneyfactor here. How are we thinking this
running back room shakes out? Yeah, you know, I think there's some
credence to that. You know,I think I'm waiting to hear. Obviously,
I think we'll find out next week. Is the media barbecue what happened
with Blake Watson and and IFI meansjust happened away from the team facility,
not in the structure of practice,even though we know rookies reported this week,

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So very curiousity about that, andobviously hope he's okay. I think
it's gonna be Davonte Jalil and estimateon a roster this season, look,
never may carry an extra guy.I mean, I think a lot depends
on the kickoff rules, kick returnrules, who they envisioned back there.
Don't think you want to put Jaalilback there. I think you could see
a guy like Blake Watson maybe factorinto that, but I think primarily it's

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gonna be receivers who are gonna dothat. So yeah, I think in
terms of Demaje Pier and obviously hewas big for the Broncos as a pass
catcher on third down last year,a good majority of his catches move the
chains, kept drives alive and clutchsituations. Not a big sample size in
terms of running, but you mentionedthe fumbles, you mentioned some of those
moments there. I don't think it'sever got enough out of the investment of

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him really outside of the passing game. Like obviously he contributed big time there,
but he didn't give you much interms of the run game. Wasn't
a prominent feature guy in the rungame for the offense you'd need that.
So I think because of that,and obviously, as you mentioned the finance
to the contract, Dever could savemoney by releasing him, I think that's
going to be the more likely areayou can see Jubonte, Jamil and Adred

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Estimate I think as the three backson the roster this year, let's stick
with the secondary really quickly. Imean, there's been some changes this offseason
and that leadership and it's going tobe really key heading into the season.
So now you have Brandon Jones andPJ Lot I mean, two names that
we haven't really spoke about in thepast couple of years as being the starting

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safeties for the Denver Broncos. NoJustin Simmons. What type of impact,
if at all, will that havewith the secondary of this season? Well,
I think you might see some momentswhere the secondary has you know,
a couple of plays given up,and I think you're going to see people
say, oh, why did theyget rid of Justin Simmons. I mean,
you know, this is a nucleushas taken over. PJ did a
great job stepping in. Think there'sa lot of confidence in him. Brandon

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Jones obviously can play of the building, playing in the box, didn't have
doesn't have much of a history interms of being able to be a consistent
cover guy. I think that it'sjust part of how Brian Flores used him
in Miami. I think last yearwith Vick he saw a little bit more
in terms of how he used him, rolling him down in the box,
being able to, you know,play that robber role. But under Vance
Joseph's scheme, with Jim Leonard's directionas the passing game coordinator, these guys

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are gonna have to play the middleof the field, They're gonna have to
play down in the box, They'regonna have to do a lot of different
things. And i'd also think Kaytun'sturns. You have two guys in that
room right now. Caten's obviously comingoff the Pateeller tendon surgery, and I
think he's expected to ready to gofor the start of training camp, though
I think the team will be smartwith him. Two guys that have benefited
from the leadership of Kareem Jackson andJustin Simmons, and those guys I think

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are more than ready. They're morethan capable to take the mantle. Though.
I think it's gonna, you know, be a little bit of an
adjustment period to start, but I'mnot significantly worried about it. Ty Cody
Roark Wild I Sports really quick,Cody, have you played the new college
football video game? I have?I have. It's been it's been fun.
I mean obviously you know, workingon Team Builder that just dropped tonight,

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so you know, you know,kind of staying big. I tell
you what, though, having ahard time against some of these other teams,
like the FCS teams, like it'sa different animal and angles I think
in terms of like I like toplay a lot as a defensive backs,
so if you take the wrong angle, you're going to get you know,
outran by a receiver on a crossingpattern. I mean that's the hard part.
I did a little bit of theRoad to Glory as a cornerback.

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It's the hardest I think position toplay so far in that mode because just
the cameras, the angles that youhave, it just doesn't benefit the user
experience the way I wanted it to. So I'm enjoying it. I know
you kind of you're the coach.You took up a coaching gig. I
here with Army. Yeah, Iyou know. I'm a triple option guy.
Possession, possession of football. AndNick is like a popleptic that A

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I don't pass the ball and BI will possess I will possess the ball
for eighteen minutes of a twenty minutegame. And uh, you know,
so he's furious about the way thatI play. Uh, I play the
game, man. I mean youplayed at Georgia Tech. You know how
they play too. I mean thatI would have thought he would have been
in for it Georgia Tech LOM Ididn't. I don't. I didn't like
that with Paul Johnson was there,because guess what, when you're running the

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ball like that, it brings downthe value your wide receiver because everyone thinks
like, okay, well they can'trun round. I don't even recruit wide
receivers anymore. I don't need them. That's the problem. Ball to get
the call, That's what they say. Oh, appreciate Cody. We have
to hook up and play a gamehere soon, and I'll I'll just make
Nick's eyes bug out of his headas I I just keep running the ball,
all right, gentlemen, I appreciateyou, guys, thank you so

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sorry, but take care. It'sCody Rourke.