Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
And welcome our next guest.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
He's koa's very own Zach Sears, and you can catch
him here right here on this program you're listening to
right now and throughout the day on KOA, also on
Let's Talk Broncos where he co host alongside myself and
Joey Richards, and find other of his work on Let's
Talk broncos dot com.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
Zach, I want to.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Start off by saying you had some very interesting comments
yesterday that I happened to listen back to. I don't
think I've ever been mentioned in the same sentence as
Ellen DeGeneres before.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
We're going to have words later.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
You know I respect that take, but it also doesn't
disprove what I said at all. It again, only bolsters
my claim, and you know I'll stand by it as
long as I can. You know, make sure I'm out
of the office on the days you're in the office.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
You can't hide forever. Zach.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Your article for iHeart is up now ranking the Denver
Broncos' biggest needs on the defense. You highlighted the got
to have, the needs, the wants. I feel like I'm
ordering from Coldstone rattling those off. But let's cut to
the chase here, all right, I want you to tell me,
point point blank the Denver Bronco's first pick, whether it's
twentieth or otherwise, are they going offense or defense?
Speaker 3 (01:10):
You know, I think if I had to bet money,
I say offense the defense. The potential for defense is
absolutely there. There's some great safeties in this class. It's
not often you see safety is worthy of a top
twenty pick. I think there's a couple in this draft
as Malachi Starts and Nick aman Rory. I hope I'm
not ptering that a mont Ory who just blew up
(01:30):
the combine just been one of the most freakish performances
we've ever seen at any position ever in combine history.
We're running a four to three at two and twenty pounds.
He's an appealing option, I think. But outside of that,
I guess there's some defensive line options that should be
on the board to at twenty. But the draft should
(01:53):
pan out where you're looking at Colston Lovelin, Tyler Warren
or Aston Gent There. There's even been some trending down
with teamac Nyllan, which if the Broncos do move on
from Courtland Sutton, which I know Benjamin Alright has been
pumping for a while here. If they do move on
(02:13):
from him, they might want another ex receiver, they might
want to invest in that position. Further, he'd be a
great choice too. So I just think that lines up
more likely than not that they take offense in the
first round. But it's probably a sixty forty seventy thirty slip.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
I think you know, Zach, yeah, I mean listening to you,
and these needs are the Broncos need to make this
upcoming season to make them more competitive. I agree from
a position of standpoint, but it's one position group in
particular that I guess I don't agree with you on,
(02:47):
but I want you to kind of break it down
and explain it, and that's the inside linebacker position. I
know you don't feel too strongly about Alex Singleton, but
I want to give you an opportunity to explain to
the listening audience and breathe about why is it that
you feel the way that you feel?
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Absolutely well, Alex Singleton, I don't think it is ever
going to be that coverage linebacker, right. I think the
vision with peering him with Cody Barton, this more fluid,
more mobile linebacker was he kind of have Alex Singleton
as the hammer and Cody Barton as the coverage guy.
Kind of those contrasting body types are complementary body types there.
(03:29):
I think Alex Dingleton hasn't really lived up to his
end of the equation frankly these past couple of seasons.
His first year in Denver he absolutely did. He was amazing.
I think these last two he's returned closer to the
forum he was with or at when he was with
the Eagles, which you know resulted in him signing a
(03:49):
one year, one million dollar contract with the Broncos when
he first landed here. You know, I know he wraps
up a lot of tackles, and that's absolutely a nice thing.
I don't think he's super reliable tackler, though, and that's
reflected in him being near the bottom of the league
in terms of mistackle rate each of these past two seasons.
Now he still has a high quantity number of tackles
(04:11):
in spite of that, but I think that's because his
ability is getting around to the ball. Again, rate wise,
he's missing that opportunity more often than almost any other
starting linebacker in the league. But he's getting around the
ball that absolutely still impacts the play. I just if
you're not a coverage guy, and then I can't rely
on you to make the tackles in the run game.
(04:31):
And you're one of the highest paid linebackers in the league,
and you're coming off in ACL on the wrong side
of thirty, as you guys have been giving me a
hard time for saying. And there's so little guaranteed money
left in that deal that I can cut you in
three five million dollars left to address other positions of need.
And it's such a strong free agent linebacker class. I
(04:52):
just think there's too many things that line up against
Alex Singleton here and frankly the rest of the linebacker group.
I Alex Singleton and Barton are both supposed to be
more of those coverage linebackers. And down the stretch, you know,
quarterbacks targeting those linebackers had the same passerating as Joe
Burrow did on the season. Quarterbacks targeting literally anyone else
(05:16):
on the defense, including headge rushers when they drop back
into coverage, looked like Gardner Minshew. So the coverage element,
the defending the run element, I just think it needs
an overhaul top to bottom and none of them are
really under contract for next eason except for Singleton, who
has an injury question mark.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Talking to Zach sears Kwa and let's talk Broncos, I
think you're missing a part where the combination of the
bash Bros, there was a Singleton and Josie Jewel, Right,
that leaves then you have to have a question mark
in the linebacker room already. And now you're talking about
Barton and Stronaut, right, so the Broncos don't turn over
their entire inside linebacker room. Who are they keeping and
(05:52):
specifically between Barton instrumt.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Man, it's so tough. I would love to bring back Barton.
I thought it was good this year. I frankly, I'd
love to bring back both Barton Instronaut. I think what
we saw with Sternod this season was a bit of
the peer principle. It closed so poorly that it left
kind of a bad stiff frontos Country's mouth. And you know,
those were the stats that just highlighted overall in this season,
(06:16):
he did a good job. I think, you know, he's
a backup special teams player that was asked to start,
you know, thirteen and seventeen games this season. I guess
fourteen of eighteen if you include the playoffs, and he
held up for ten of them. So that's that's good
reserve play, that's good backup play. I don't think someone
else in the league is going to be paying him
starter money. It's more actually my mind, not my answer.
(06:39):
I think that's probably the better bang for your buck.
I think he's a great reserve linebacker. He's a helpful
for use on special teams, and he just proved he
can hold up if needed if an injury happens for
a long time. So I respect that a lot wouldn't
mind bringing Barton back at all either.
Speaker 4 (06:57):
Know you know what, this year makes it really difficult
because you're looking at guys who are departing or expiring
deals from other teams as you look to get better yourself.
Speaker 5 (07:09):
But you're also trying to look a little ahead with
a lot of these.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
Draft prospects because you really don't.
Speaker 5 (07:15):
Know what these guys can do.
Speaker 4 (07:16):
We've seen them on the collegiate level, and walking into
the pros, I can tell you sometimes it is a
shot to the system to know that this has grown
man football that you're aspiring to play. But with that
being said, as we continue this conversation about Broncos needs
this offseason, we saw Riley Moss finally step into his
own in his first year as a full starter, and
(07:39):
reading your article, you think the Broncos should go in
the direction of this draft, maybe even free agency, and
bring in some competition.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
Tell me why, now, I don't think you need to compete. Honestly,
I'm with you. I think Riley Moss proved more than enough.
I think the fan base is a little too well
on him because again the season closed poorly, but he
was coming up a very serious injury. Right with that
mcl agget for the terrorist spring right now, I believe
a spring, but still a serious injury, especially when we're
(08:09):
talking about a cornerback or any player in the secondary,
any of the any player where you know your lower
body mobility is going to be so critical to how
you play. And you know, in Dan Stosi's defense, you're
out there on an island, it's it's vital, and then
you're going up against fricking T Higgins. You know, like
that's that's that's tough. So I don't think people are
(08:31):
too low on Riley Moss. Now that said, we saw
Jerry Judy when Riley Moss was out of the lineup,
go for Jerry three hundred yards on this defense, a
second highest yardage total of the season. You know, it
looked like a peak Chamar Chase game, and I don't
think you shouldn't be making Jerry Jewey look like that.
And the facts you're one injury away from that happening
(08:55):
at any point in time, I think is a big
red flag for a team that isn't hoping to just
to make the playoffs next year, but hopefully win a
game or two in the playoffs. I think you need
when you're starting to get to that point of contention.
I think it's about building in contingency plans so when
something goes wrong, because in NFL season, things are going
(09:16):
to go wrong, there's going to be entries along the way.
You know, twenty fifteen Broncos had brought Oz while they're
waiting in the wings, thankfully to dealing with his plan
for Shades problem. I think it's all about those contingency
plans right now, I'm not sure if they have one
at that cornerback spot behind Moss. I like what we
saw from Abrams drain, but I also need to see
(09:38):
more before. I bank on it as my one and
only backup plan. So I just think adding a little
more depth there, even if it's depths behind Jaquon McMillan,
just upping the amount of contingency plans in that room
where it's such a premium position.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
You're talking in the secondary with cornerbacks, but what about
the safety position. Are there any immediately acquired individuals that
systematically improve the Broncos secondary on the first day.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
Man, that's a great question. Javon Holland being out there,
I think he would be reunite him with Brandon Jones.
Those guys have a great chemistry, great communication together in
the secondary. Nick of course knows how important that is,
so I think that's doing. He's also just a remarkable talent,
so I think that's appealing there. I also think this
(10:27):
draft again has some really appealing options too. Kip coming
out of how his name escapes me right now, Malachi
starts and him on Wory again, absolutely worth that top
twenty pick. I think Imon Worriy is like pre injury
Derwin James, reminiscent of that, just like that big physical
get him around the ball and just ridiculous athlete his
(10:49):
Combine numbers using relative athletics. For he's the most athletic
safety tested at the Combine since nineteen eighty seven. Most
if you put him at the cornerback position and compare
him to all the cornerbacks, and he'd be the most
athletic cornerback in you know, at the combine in nineteen
eighty seven. If you put him a wide receiver with
all these measurables he just put out there today, he'd
be the second most athletic receiver in the history of
(11:11):
the combline, second to only Megatron. So he's an absolute freak.
I think the instincts are there too, even if he's
not a guy you want in deep coverage frequently, which
might make him a clunky fit with Brandon Jones. But
there's some really intriguing safeties out there I think where again,
even in this draft, where the Broncos could turn that
(11:33):
room over pretty quick or even just add some depths
to it.
Speaker 4 (11:36):
Well, if you plan in the NFL you're looking to
go deep into the playoffs, one thing that you there's
two things that you have to be able to do. One,
be able to protect your quarterback message to the offensive
line and the other thing is you have to be
able to get after in a relentless way other quarterbacks,
especially looking at the FCU West that the Broncos happened.
Speaker 5 (11:56):
To be in one area.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
I think the Broncos could constantly choose to upgrade, and.
Speaker 5 (12:02):
That's edge rusher. You can never have too many edge rushers.
Speaker 4 (12:06):
You've got Jonathan Cooper, Nick Benito, extraordinary players when they
own right, and Nick Benito took a step forward. Are
you on the same page as I am in thinking that,
whether it's free agency or the draft, that the Broncos
still need to bring in more talent, not necessarily the
whole concept of upgrading, but just bring in more competition
to make sure that no one becomes complacent.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
I absolutely agree. I think the complacency point is a
great one, especially with Nick Benito entering a contract year,
you know, out a little heat under him. Also, Nick Benito,
as great as this season was, it is a single
year and he's entering a contract year. Heaven forbid, but
he could regress next year and then maybe the contract
(12:49):
situation gets very complicated with extending him. It'd be a
lot less complicated if you had a great edge rusher
that you added in the twenty twenty five off season
waiting in the wing again, that contingency plan waiting for you.
So I frully agree. I think there's also the element
of and we saw it in that playoff game where
the Buffalo Bills really just rolled over the Broncos, just
(13:12):
really out physical that defensive front. For as good as
it is, I think they need some more muscles, some
more weight up front. And that really rings true in
the edgroom where you've got a specific a way with
Nick Benito and Jonah Ellis, these lighter, more flexible body
types that you know, entering the draft were viewed as
kind of these designated pass rushers guys you really as
(13:34):
draft profects. Benito's toadlogs passes, and I think Ellis really
impressed this here well, based on their body type and
part you don't want them on those early downs. You
want them on late downs, pinning their ears back and
just going after the passer. Jonathan Cooper and now Dendre
Tillman are kind of the bigger bodies in the room.
And Dondre Tillman, for as exciting as he was, I
(13:54):
do think you want to flesh out that the early
down edge rotation a little bit more. So I fully
agree adding a name to that room, like maybe you
could get Chase Young on the chief would be appealing.
Those run first edge rushers typically are cheaper, so I
think that shouldn't be overly difficult to add, and you,
(14:16):
I think can skin the cat multiple ways there. But
they also have a decent need on the defensive line.
With DJ Jones potentially leaving, I think they could also
just stand to upgrade the depth in that room in general,
and by doing so, if you're able to beef up
that defensive interior defensive line rotation a little more. Zach
(14:37):
Allen has long had edge and interior defensive line versatility.
We saw him line up at edge some this season.
If you feel better about that interior rotation without Zach Allen,
not that he would change his position, but hey, you
know on passing downs or even you know, second down,
we're kicking him inside, but on those first downs and
we want a little more size on the field, little
(15:00):
more muscle. Jack Allen slides into that role opposite Jonathan Cooper,
and you're also going to get more out of the
needle that way, because he's going to be fresher for
those obvious passing situations.
Speaker 1 (15:09):
Sah, thanks for joining us this evening.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
I hope you have a wonderful rest of your night,
enjoy your weekend, and I know where you live. Zach
Segers koa producer and writer an all round great guy.
You can follow him Zach underscores Seegers over on x
and ketch you all of his Broncos news and podcasts
at Let's Stop Broncos dot com.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
We'll see you.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
Thank you for having me and thank you for proving
me right. Brie, have a very night.
Speaker 4 (15:34):
Nick.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
I'll have you react to whether or not you agree
with Zach's wants, needs and must haves.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Here in a second.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
But I just want to make sure everyone's checking out
that article on koa Colorado dot com. Decide for yourself
the biggest needs for the Broncos. You can text us
your answers five six six nine zero. We'll chat more
about the Broncos off season participants opting out of the
combine activities and that's all here next on Broncos Country
Night KA eight fifty AM ninety four one.
Speaker 6 (15:59):
F them this game, we had chances to be in
this game, and the game got away from us a
little bit in that fourth quarter, and we all understand
that we're going into Detroit tomorrow night a team that's
playing better than anybody right now, and they're sitting there
waiting for us. So we have to find a way
once again, like we've done all year long, on the
second night of a back to back, to dig deep
(16:22):
to find a way and try to get a road
win against the hell of a team in the Pistons.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
They bounce back, and I'm no longer in panic mode,
thank you, Grant, one thirty four to one nineteen. I
think they did exactly what we hope they do. They
came back and they got it done. What do you
mean we will Okay, what I mean we.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
Thought, collected royal.
Speaker 5 (16:42):
We had to talk you down from the legs. The majority, Yeah,
the majority of three. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
No, there, I'm going to go find somebody in the
lobby right now, get on my side.
Speaker 5 (16:52):
Good luck finding someone out there.
Speaker 4 (16:55):
So anyway, Grant and I we're not on panic alert
as though re was. So the Nuggets did, in fact
bounce back. And here's one of those things because we
were talking about MPJ and how poorly he shot in
that game against Milwaukee, in thirty five minutes, he was
like five of twenty two. His plus minings was just
(17:17):
kind of like in the cellar. But the ninety bounce
back he was ten or fifteen and he was a
plus thirty.
Speaker 5 (17:24):
Five and twenty eight points. How about that?
Speaker 1 (17:27):
How about that?
Speaker 5 (17:28):
How about that?
Speaker 2 (17:29):
I mean, it makes me sound silly for coming in
here with the mood that I had earlier, but you
can't blame me. I'm anxious all the time about all
of the things. That's just what I'm going to do.
So if the Nuggets didn't pull this off, I would
have been right back in square one worrying about how
are they going to overcome this?
Speaker 1 (17:45):
But Nick, we.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
Talked a little bit about it is the Pistons game, really?
Speaker 1 (17:49):
That get back right game? Was it competitive enough for you?
Speaker 3 (17:53):
Well?
Speaker 5 (17:53):
Yeah, it was competitive enough.
Speaker 4 (17:54):
But here's what I think about when I think about
the Nuggets, especially when they lose games, and especially especially
knowing that it's kind of attributed to defensive effort late
in games, especially in the fourth quarter that usually they
get to chewing out from Michael Malone, that next game
is so much better, and with this being an East
(18:14):
Coast trip, on I guess second back to back of
their season. They came out and they played well as
a team. Now once again they get arrests. They had
to play Boston on Sunday in a hostile environment. Let's
just see how they bounce back from that. But I
was happy about it. And once again, this is why
I wasn't panicking because this allows a lot of guys
to get a lot of experience. The last night against
(18:37):
the Bucks, even though Westbrook didn't light up the stat
chart as far as points, he was effective getting other
people involved, mainly Nikola Jokic. But Christian Brown had an
amazing night. And that's what the Nuggets are going to need.
They go, they're gonna need to playoffs, Jamal Murray, but
they're still gonna need their coording cast to kind of
help out.
Speaker 7 (18:57):
Yeah, and we saw playoff mall tonight. He had thirty
one points on ten of twenty two, shooting five of
nine from three. By the way, did you see Christian
Brown's dunk last night over Brook Lopez?
Speaker 5 (19:06):
Yes, was a posterization.
Speaker 7 (19:08):
Also, Nikola Joki cheho hum another triple double twenty three points,
seventeen rebounds, fifteen assists, only shot the ball twelve times
from the field, eleven of twelve from the free throw line.
This is the recipe for the Nuggets for success.
Speaker 5 (19:22):
Well you know, okay, Well here's something really quickly did.
Speaker 4 (19:25):
I love the fact that Nikola Joki is grabbing down
rebounds and all of his rebounds were defensive rebounds, So
that's telling me that he's able to pull the ball
down defensively and get them out, you know, all in
transition to get the offense moving in a different directions.
That's where offense turns into I mean, it's give me
a defense turns into instant offense.
Speaker 5 (19:46):
But the one thing that.
Speaker 4 (19:47):
I would like to see change, and I know this
is kind of a one game sample size, but all
the individuals getting ball because if Nikola Joki is working
that hard on the defensive hands to grab those rebounds,
I mean, I don't want him once again, it's the
narrative to be too exhausted on the offense.
Speaker 2 (20:02):
E vent Okay, I mean that's fair, and I'm looking
at this though. There were still nineteen turnovers, but I'm
glad they stepped up the defense like you asked.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
Them to do.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
Tig forty defensive rebounds to the twenty eight for the Piston.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
So things are looking up. I know they weren't looking down.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
But guys, I'm going to tell you I'm gonna overreact
to every loss in every win because.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
That's just who I am.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
You know, who I think also kind of tends to
overreact a little bit. Zach Seekers obviously joined us in
the last time to chat the biggest needs.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
There for the Denver Broncos defense.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
Nick, I don't know if you noticed or not, he
kind of changed his tune there at the end with
the Barton Stronaut conversation. He went astronaut over Barton and
then talked about the switchability there, the versatility with special
teams on the defense where he's shocked by his answer,
and do you think the Broncos retain both?
Speaker 4 (20:48):
It would be great if they were able to do that.
But you know, money comes into play. How they see
this team, but also what they see at the combine
as far as some of the young prospects, that's going
to determine a lot. But seeing Shanard, who cut his
teeth in this league, playing special teams, having him on
as a backup, that would definitely work out because when
(21:10):
you come into this league, teams have someone to formulate
the idea and opinion that they have of you. It
is on you to kind of change that narrative. And
with Alex Singleton being out and you think about Shernard
playing next to Cody Barton getting more extended playing time
than he's received in his entire career, it definitely had
(21:30):
an impact on him seeing him in his defense. In
the second year, things could be a lot better. But
they're going to try to improve. Definitely try to improve
this team. But I understand why Zach did that. And
sometimes you don't want to become to flip floppy, but
I understand them. With more information that you have, you
are allowed to change your opinion.
Speaker 5 (21:51):
So we'll see what the Broncos will be able to do.
Speaker 4 (21:53):
Now. One area that I know that Zack has not
changed his opinion, and it's on Alex Singleton, and I
don't know why he's so down on Singleton is personal.
Speaker 5 (22:03):
At this you took their words right.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
I don't know if they cut them off in traffic
as they were leaving training camp, I'm not sure.
Speaker 4 (22:11):
I'm not sure at all, because when you think about
Alex Singleton in his six years in the league. I mean,
with exception of last season and maybe his twenty nineteen season,
he's been dominating as far as tackles an our concern.
And when you have a lot of tackles playing on
the second level, there is going to be the propasity
that you're gonna miss some because.
Speaker 1 (22:33):
Right you the tackling position, it's a numbers game.
Speaker 5 (22:35):
Yes, it's a number game.
Speaker 7 (22:36):
To that point, his last two healthy years with the
Broncos twenty twenty two, one hundred and sixty three tackles
and then he upset in twenty twenty three one hundred
and seventy seven tackles.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
I think you need to put some more seasoning behind that.
One hundred and sixty three is like not something to
scoff at.
Speaker 5 (22:53):
No, that's at enormous number in the NFL. But here's
also as you get those numbers, this is what you
hit on.
Speaker 4 (23:00):
Okay, So one hundred and sixty three tackles in twenty
twenty two, one hundred of those were solo tackles and
twenty twenty three one hundred and seventy seven total tackles.
One hundred and six of those were solo tackles. And
we could say well, you played the linebacker position, you
shouldn't make those tackles. But once again, not everyone that's
(23:21):
in a position to make a tackle always make a
secure tackle. And you can look at any player Alex
Singleton included around the league and you can say, well,
here are some games where he's played out of his mind.
Here's a couple of games, a couple of bad angles,
bad position, and they could have been better. But to me,
I'm just kind of in this type of situation, I
(23:41):
want to look at the player's overall body of work, right.
Speaker 5 (23:45):
And let's be totally honest. The Broncos go right to.
Speaker 4 (23:49):
That game they play in a twenty twenty two against
the Miami Dolphins.
Speaker 5 (23:53):
Wasn't that great. The run defense wasn't.
Speaker 4 (23:56):
That solid, So you kind of get exposed and it
go those two fold.
Speaker 5 (24:00):
For me, Bree, And you let me know when you
think about it.
Speaker 4 (24:03):
At a second level defender position, you have to be great.
You have to be a side line a side line guy.
You have to be able to drop in coverage, especially
with a lot a lot of these athletic tight ends.
But some games you're going to be great. Some games
are not going to be great. But it's about how
do you bounce back? And for me, Alex Singleton always
(24:25):
appeared to be one of those guys who was able
to bounce back.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
Or the twofold approach also where how much of his
play is actually leading to the inevitability of a tackle, right, Like,
maybe he's not solely responsible for that. Solo tackles obviously
being important there, but the other layer would be the
veteran prowess that Alex Singleton brings to the field in
the Broncos roster, especially along a quote unquote struggling inside
(24:49):
linebacker room. The turnover there I think would be detrimental
to any sort of prospect in developing that you would
be doing at the position, specifically if you are rafting
a replacement or a depth piece there instead of Corey
and the marketing free agency, which I think the Broncos
could do both easily. And Nick, you mentioned the limitation
(25:13):
of cap and salary availability, but the Walton Penner group
I think can kind of fudge.
Speaker 1 (25:20):
That around a little bit.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
But there's a lot of positions of need in which
we find ourselves kind of trying to hope that you
can make that work right or the interior defensive line
there with DJ Jones, the inside linebackers with Alex Singleton,
how do they retain a Zach Allen on.
Speaker 1 (25:33):
Top of all of that.
Speaker 2 (25:34):
So there's a lot of positions of need here. Maybe
linebacker isn't at the top of the tier. Did you
agree was Zach Seger's assessment of where he tiered that
need and where do you tier the need of retaining
Singleton specifically?
Speaker 4 (25:46):
Well, I think the linebacker position is probably a tier
three type of position because right now you're looking at
tight end and running back, right, those are the two
tier one, Tier two, And I guess, after you know,
we let me back in for a second, I got
a little hit of myself. So tier one is running
back or tight in tier one, Tier two. Now Tier
(26:09):
three for me is the safety position, right. And the
reason I say that because you've seen Cody and you've
seen Justine Sernard all season long, and you go back
to that game against the New Orleans Saints, where you
know Cody Barden was like everywhere. He was like the man,
forcing disruptive plays, getting interceptions, dropping an interception, but he
(26:33):
was around the ball, So there is some playmaking ability
there in those two players and the fact that they
played together.
Speaker 5 (26:40):
It reminds me of the first year that I.
Speaker 4 (26:43):
Played with John Lynch right after Kenoy Kennedy that went
to Detroit, that we had to learn and get a
feel for one another. But once we got a feel
for one another after a couple of games, it was on.
It's the right hand over the left hand is thinking.
And while Alan Singleton comes back from his injury, it's
safe to say that you can bring back both of
(27:04):
these guys because you're always better in your second year
in the defense than you were in your first year.
And then you still can add guys in free agency
and young guys because you need someone to be able
to lead.
Speaker 5 (27:18):
And with me saying that, that.
Speaker 4 (27:19):
Does not dismiss Alex Singleton, right because just because he
got injured, that doesn't necessarily mean that he can't play
the game of football.
Speaker 5 (27:28):
And we have to give him an opportunity to.
Speaker 4 (27:29):
Get back on the field to see, well, what does
his rehab really done for him as he comes back
ten percent and we know no player.
Speaker 5 (27:38):
Comes back one hundred ten percent, but can he be.
Speaker 4 (27:42):
E eighty five percent of what he was the previous year?
And the idea of putting Drew Sanders in that position.
For me, I'm excited to see what the young man
does in that situation and how he grows.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
Yeah, and it's been a while, so we hear that.
You know, there was the idea of the movement for
Drew Sanders from outside inside and how that was going
to work out, and obviously hasn't worked out.
Speaker 1 (28:03):
I think how the Broncos.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
Anticipated it too, But that's the lesson of how the
season works itself out in the NFL and injuries happen, etc.
But I'm also excited to see how he comes along
and kind of raises up that room, both in the
variability and specialized. Specialized the ability to play on the
special team and be able to be versatile in their
(28:25):
position groups. And I think that you see that in
a Drew Sanders and you got to see that this
season as he played a role there.
Speaker 1 (28:30):
So it'll be interesting to see.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
I agreed mostly with the Tears system, but I love
how you express the symbiotic relationship between safeties and linebackers, Nick,
because I could almost see the lines just coming off,
you know, from the line description to the linebacker to
the safety and how important and maybe the lack of
safety played too that we saw there towards the back
half of the season of how the Broncos have to
(28:52):
bolster both of those positions in order to raise up
all of their defense. Right because you rely so heavily
on whoever you front line is that as it starts
to feed into the back, that can kind of show
your weakest link. So it's all very interesting. You've got
my brain ticket along here as we've talked about all
of that, but that's what we do here. I wanted
to point out one more time, head on over to
(29:12):
KWA Colorado iar dot com to read all about Zack
Seeger's great articles, all of them covering the Broncos, And yeah,
we're chatting here about the Broncos knees in the off season,
the Nuggets feeding the Pistons, nick anything else from there.
Zach's the stat man, but I was interested and I
(29:33):
wanted to ask him, So I'll ask you instead, what's
the probability on DJ Jones staying in Denver?
Speaker 1 (29:40):
Are you feeling confident or not so much?
Speaker 5 (29:43):
You know what, I can't really say because.
Speaker 4 (29:46):
Once again it all goes back to the combine this
weekend and seeing young guys do certain things, especially from
a speed standpoint. The first thing you think about, it's
a business of foo, how can we make our team
better and do it and a situation that doesn't restrict
(30:06):
us financially, because, as you mentioned, the Broncos have other
areas of need and you can decide whether you want
to address them in twenty twenty five or twenty twenty
six when you have more money. Because Russell Wilson's contract
is now off the books. So is there a possibility
DJ Jones could come back. Yes, but I don't think
it's gonna happen early in the process. They're gonna look
(30:29):
through free agency first, and then they're gonna say, okay, well,
is there another guy back in give us the production
we have from DJ and then some but costs us less.
If we can do that, the Broncos will do that,
and then they'll probably get through OTAs or maybe the
mini camps after the draft and see if things are
not messing the way they want them to, and then say, well,
(30:52):
you know what, if no one has picked up DJ
and he hasn't signed with anyone, then you kick the
tires on it. So for me, I think that is
the best possible way to look at the situation.
Speaker 1 (31:02):
I think it is.
Speaker 2 (31:04):
I loved what zax input was and I do agree
with mostly with this tear system there. But Zach he
makes me feel things, and I think you can interpret
that as you hear us on the.
Speaker 1 (31:11):
Rage anger anger is one of those things normally rage. Yeah, Nick,
we talked about it a little bit.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
During the break, not specifically to Zack Seegers, but maybe,
but controlled rage came up in the conversation.
Speaker 1 (31:25):
Nick, I want you to talk a little bit about that.
Speaker 2 (31:26):
I thought it was so interesting, the idea of controlling rage.
I mean, I've heard play violent, I know, play violent,
but controlling your rage.
Speaker 5 (31:34):
You know what it's like playing a violin, right.
Speaker 4 (31:39):
It takes a certain level of expertise right in a
certain skill set, and you have to look at it
from being very calm but producing great music while you're
doing it. The same thing is the way I look
at control rage. Right. It is the first word in
that whole phrase is control. Yes, you see that that
(32:03):
that that musical taste. It sounds aggressive, but it's so
soothing to the ears. That's exactly what control rage is.
Being able to pinpoint the person that you're seeking out
to destroy. From a tackling standpoint, you move people out
of the way. You say I want that guy, and
you get that guy to business. That's control.
Speaker 5 (32:25):
When you are.
Speaker 4 (32:26):
Out of control, you're so emotional, sometimes you may turn
over tables, yeah, which I've been there before, right, But
but when you when you have control rage, you know
how to wield it. You know how to let it
out and unleasha, and you know how to pull it in.
I've said, I told Ryan there was this one time
(32:47):
I came in the studio and I had on all red.
I said, we all have a little of the incredible
Hulk in us.
Speaker 5 (32:54):
But the control part is being able like like Banner
was able to do, Oh the Hulk. Yes, you have
to be able to contain it.
Speaker 4 (33:02):
If what was his famous words, you wouldn't like me
when I'm angry.
Speaker 5 (33:06):
And that's a person speaking from a love of control.
Speaker 2 (33:10):
Absolutely, And I'm glad that you don't flip over tables anymore.
I don't think I've ever done that. But Nick, you're
absolutely right. When emotions go high, decision making goes down.
I love how that plays into the idea that the
hard knocks is headed to North Carolina and a very
odd twist in the NFL world is as it turns.
We'll talk about that act next and what sparked that
move right here on Broncos Country Night KA eight fifty
(33:31):
AM ninety four one FM.
And welcome our next guest.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
He's koa's very own Zach Sears, and you can catch
him here right here on this program you're listening to
right now and throughout the day on KOA, also on
Let's Talk Broncos where he co host alongside myself and
Joey Richards, and find other of his work on Let's
Talk broncos dot com.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
Zach, I want to.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Start off by saying you had some very interesting comments
yesterday that I happened to listen back to. I don't
think I've ever been mentioned in the same sentence as
Ellen DeGeneres before.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
We're going to have words later.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
You know I respect that take, but it also doesn't
disprove what I said at all. It again, only bolsters
my claim, and you know I'll stand by it as
long as I can. You know, make sure I'm out
of the office on the days you're in the office.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
You can't hide forever. Zach.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Your article for iHeart is up now ranking the Denver
Broncos' biggest needs on the defense. You highlighted the got
to have, the needs, the wants. I feel like I'm
ordering from Coldstone rattling those off. But let's cut to
the chase here, all right, I want you to tell me,
point point blank the Denver Bronco's first pick, whether it's
twentieth or otherwise, are they going offense or defense?
Speaker 3 (01:10):
You know, I think if I had to bet money,
I say offense the defense. The potential for defense is
absolutely there. There's some great safeties in this class. It's
not often you see safety is worthy of a top
twenty pick. I think there's a couple in this draft
as Malachi Starts and Nick aman Rory. I hope I'm
not ptering that a mont Ory who just blew up
(01:30):
the combine just been one of the most freakish performances
we've ever seen at any position ever in combine history.
We're running a four to three at two and twenty pounds.
He's an appealing option, I think. But outside of that,
I guess there's some defensive line options that should be
on the board to at twenty. But the draft should
(01:53):
pan out where you're looking at Colston Lovelin, Tyler Warren
or Aston Gent There. There's even been some trending down
with teamac Nyllan, which if the Broncos do move on
from Courtland Sutton, which I know Benjamin Alright has been
pumping for a while here. If they do move on
(02:13):
from him, they might want another ex receiver, they might
want to invest in that position. Further, he'd be a
great choice too. So I just think that lines up
more likely than not that they take offense in the
first round. But it's probably a sixty forty seventy thirty slip.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
I think you know, Zach, yeah, I mean listening to you,
and these needs are the Broncos need to make this
upcoming season to make them more competitive. I agree from
a position of standpoint, but it's one position group in
particular that I guess I don't agree with you on,
(02:47):
but I want you to kind of break it down
and explain it, and that's the inside linebacker position. I
know you don't feel too strongly about Alex Singleton, but
I want to give you an opportunity to explain to
the listening audience and breathe about why is it that
you feel the way that you feel?
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Absolutely well, Alex Singleton, I don't think it is ever
going to be that coverage linebacker, right. I think the
vision with peering him with Cody Barton, this more fluid,
more mobile linebacker was he kind of have Alex Singleton
as the hammer and Cody Barton as the coverage guy.
Kind of those contrasting body types are complementary body types there.
(03:29):
I think Alex Dingleton hasn't really lived up to his
end of the equation frankly these past couple of seasons.
His first year in Denver he absolutely did. He was amazing.
I think these last two he's returned closer to the
forum he was with or at when he was with
the Eagles, which you know resulted in him signing a
(03:49):
one year, one million dollar contract with the Broncos when
he first landed here. You know, I know he wraps
up a lot of tackles, and that's absolutely a nice thing.
I don't think he's super reliable tackler, though, and that's
reflected in him being near the bottom of the league
in terms of mistackle rate each of these past two seasons.
Now he still has a high quantity number of tackles
(04:11):
in spite of that, but I think that's because his
ability is getting around to the ball. Again, rate wise,
he's missing that opportunity more often than almost any other
starting linebacker in the league. But he's getting around the
ball that absolutely still impacts the play. I just if
you're not a coverage guy, and then I can't rely
on you to make the tackles in the run game.
(04:31):
And you're one of the highest paid linebackers in the league,
and you're coming off in ACL on the wrong side
of thirty, as you guys have been giving me a
hard time for saying. And there's so little guaranteed money
left in that deal that I can cut you in
three five million dollars left to address other positions of need.
And it's such a strong free agent linebacker class. I
(04:52):
just think there's too many things that line up against
Alex Singleton here and frankly the rest of the linebacker group.
I Alex Singleton and Barton are both supposed to be
more of those coverage linebackers. And down the stretch, you know,
quarterbacks targeting those linebackers had the same passerating as Joe
Burrow did on the season. Quarterbacks targeting literally anyone else
(05:16):
on the defense, including headge rushers when they drop back
into coverage, looked like Gardner Minshew. So the coverage element,
the defending the run element, I just think it needs
an overhaul top to bottom and none of them are
really under contract for next eason except for Singleton, who
has an injury question mark.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Talking to Zach sears Kwa and let's talk Broncos, I
think you're missing a part where the combination of the
bash Bros, there was a Singleton and Josie Jewel, Right,
that leaves then you have to have a question mark
in the linebacker room already. And now you're talking about
Barton and Stronaut, right, so the Broncos don't turn over
their entire inside linebacker room. Who are they keeping and
(05:52):
specifically between Barton instrumt.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Man, it's so tough. I would love to bring back Barton.
I thought it was good this year. I frankly, I'd
love to bring back both Barton Instronaut. I think what
we saw with Sternod this season was a bit of
the peer principle. It closed so poorly that it left
kind of a bad stiff frontos Country's mouth. And you know,
those were the stats that just highlighted overall in this season,
(06:16):
he did a good job. I think, you know, he's
a backup special teams player that was asked to start,
you know, thirteen and seventeen games this season. I guess
fourteen of eighteen if you include the playoffs, and he
held up for ten of them. So that's that's good
reserve play, that's good backup play. I don't think someone
else in the league is going to be paying him
starter money. It's more actually my mind, not my answer.
(06:39):
I think that's probably the better bang for your buck.
I think he's a great reserve linebacker. He's a helpful
for use on special teams, and he just proved he
can hold up if needed if an injury happens for
a long time. So I respect that a lot wouldn't
mind bringing Barton back at all either.
Speaker 4 (06:57):
Know you know what, this year makes it really difficult
because you're looking at guys who are departing or expiring
deals from other teams as you look to get better yourself.
Speaker 5 (07:09):
But you're also trying to look a little ahead with
a lot of these.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
Draft prospects because you really don't.
Speaker 5 (07:15):
Know what these guys can do.
Speaker 4 (07:16):
We've seen them on the collegiate level, and walking into
the pros, I can tell you sometimes it is a
shot to the system to know that this has grown
man football that you're aspiring to play. But with that
being said, as we continue this conversation about Broncos needs
this offseason, we saw Riley Moss finally step into his
own in his first year as a full starter, and
(07:39):
reading your article, you think the Broncos should go in
the direction of this draft, maybe even free agency, and
bring in some competition.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
Tell me why, now, I don't think you need to compete. Honestly,
I'm with you. I think Riley Moss proved more than enough.
I think the fan base is a little too well
on him because again the season closed poorly, but he
was coming up a very serious injury. Right with that
mcl agget for the terrorist spring right now, I believe
a spring, but still a serious injury, especially when we're
(08:09):
talking about a cornerback or any player in the secondary,
any of the any player where you know your lower
body mobility is going to be so critical to how
you play. And you know, in Dan Stosi's defense, you're
out there on an island, it's it's vital, and then
you're going up against fricking T Higgins. You know, like
that's that's that's tough. So I don't think people are
(08:31):
too low on Riley Moss. Now that said, we saw
Jerry Judy when Riley Moss was out of the lineup,
go for Jerry three hundred yards on this defense, a
second highest yardage total of the season. You know, it
looked like a peak Chamar Chase game, and I don't
think you shouldn't be making Jerry Jewey look like that.
And the facts you're one injury away from that happening
(08:55):
at any point in time, I think is a big
red flag for a team that isn't hoping to just
to make the playoffs next year, but hopefully win a
game or two in the playoffs. I think you need
when you're starting to get to that point of contention.
I think it's about building in contingency plans so when
something goes wrong, because in NFL season, things are going
(09:16):
to go wrong, there's going to be entries along the way.
You know, twenty fifteen Broncos had brought Oz while they're
waiting in the wings, thankfully to dealing with his plan
for Shades problem. I think it's all about those contingency
plans right now, I'm not sure if they have one
at that cornerback spot behind Moss. I like what we
saw from Abrams drain, but I also need to see
(09:38):
more before. I bank on it as my one and
only backup plan. So I just think adding a little
more depth there, even if it's depths behind Jaquon McMillan,
just upping the amount of contingency plans in that room
where it's such a premium position.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
You're talking in the secondary with cornerbacks, but what about
the safety position. Are there any immediately acquired individuals that
systematically improve the Broncos secondary on the first day.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
Man, that's a great question. Javon Holland being out there,
I think he would be reunite him with Brandon Jones.
Those guys have a great chemistry, great communication together in
the secondary. Nick of course knows how important that is,
so I think that's doing. He's also just a remarkable talent,
so I think that's appealing there. I also think this
(10:27):
draft again has some really appealing options too. Kip coming
out of how his name escapes me right now, Malachi
starts and him on Wory again, absolutely worth that top
twenty pick. I think Imon Worriy is like pre injury
Derwin James, reminiscent of that, just like that big physical
get him around the ball and just ridiculous athlete his
(10:49):
Combine numbers using relative athletics. For he's the most athletic
safety tested at the Combine since nineteen eighty seven. Most
if you put him at the cornerback position and compare
him to all the cornerbacks, and he'd be the most
athletic cornerback in you know, at the combine in nineteen
eighty seven. If you put him a wide receiver with
all these measurables he just put out there today, he'd
be the second most athletic receiver in the history of
(11:11):
the combline, second to only Megatron. So he's an absolute freak.
I think the instincts are there too, even if he's
not a guy you want in deep coverage frequently, which
might make him a clunky fit with Brandon Jones. But
there's some really intriguing safeties out there I think where again,
even in this draft, where the Broncos could turn that
(11:33):
room over pretty quick or even just add some depths
to it.
Speaker 4 (11:36):
Well, if you plan in the NFL you're looking to
go deep into the playoffs, one thing that you there's
two things that you have to be able to do. One,
be able to protect your quarterback message to the offensive
line and the other thing is you have to be
able to get after in a relentless way other quarterbacks,
especially looking at the FCU West that the Broncos happened.
Speaker 5 (11:56):
To be in one area.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
I think the Broncos could constantly choose to upgrade, and.
Speaker 5 (12:02):
That's edge rusher. You can never have too many edge rushers.
Speaker 4 (12:06):
You've got Jonathan Cooper, Nick Benito, extraordinary players when they
own right, and Nick Benito took a step forward. Are
you on the same page as I am in thinking that,
whether it's free agency or the draft, that the Broncos
still need to bring in more talent, not necessarily the
whole concept of upgrading, but just bring in more competition
to make sure that no one becomes complacent.
Speaker 3 (12:28):
I absolutely agree. I think the complacency point is a
great one, especially with Nick Benito entering a contract year,
you know, out a little heat under him. Also, Nick Benito,
as great as this season was, it is a single
year and he's entering a contract year. Heaven forbid, but
he could regress next year and then maybe the contract
(12:49):
situation gets very complicated with extending him. It'd be a
lot less complicated if you had a great edge rusher
that you added in the twenty twenty five off season
waiting in the wing again, that contingency plan waiting for you.
So I frully agree. I think there's also the element
of and we saw it in that playoff game where
the Buffalo Bills really just rolled over the Broncos, just
(13:12):
really out physical that defensive front. For as good as
it is, I think they need some more muscles, some
more weight up front. And that really rings true in
the edgroom where you've got a specific a way with
Nick Benito and Jonah Ellis, these lighter, more flexible body
types that you know, entering the draft were viewed as
kind of these designated pass rushers guys you really as
(13:34):
draft profects. Benito's toadlogs passes, and I think Ellis really
impressed this here well, based on their body type and
part you don't want them on those early downs. You
want them on late downs, pinning their ears back and
just going after the passer. Jonathan Cooper and now Dendre
Tillman are kind of the bigger bodies in the room.
And Dondre Tillman, for as exciting as he was, I
(13:54):
do think you want to flesh out that the early
down edge rotation a little bit more. So I fully
agree adding a name to that room, like maybe you
could get Chase Young on the chief would be appealing.
Those run first edge rushers typically are cheaper, so I
think that shouldn't be overly difficult to add, and you,
(14:16):
I think can skin the cat multiple ways there. But
they also have a decent need on the defensive line.
With DJ Jones potentially leaving, I think they could also
just stand to upgrade the depth in that room in general,
and by doing so, if you're able to beef up
that defensive interior defensive line rotation a little more. Zach
(14:37):
Allen has long had edge and interior defensive line versatility.
We saw him line up at edge some this season.
If you feel better about that interior rotation without Zach Allen,
not that he would change his position, but hey, you
know on passing downs or even you know, second down,
we're kicking him inside, but on those first downs and
we want a little more size on the field, little
(15:00):
more muscle. Jack Allen slides into that role opposite Jonathan Cooper,
and you're also going to get more out of the
needle that way, because he's going to be fresher for
those obvious passing situations.
Speaker 1 (15:09):
Sah, thanks for joining us this evening.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
I hope you have a wonderful rest of your night,
enjoy your weekend, and I know where you live. Zach
Segers koa producer and writer an all round great guy.
You can follow him Zach underscores Seegers over on x
and ketch you all of his Broncos news and podcasts
at Let's Stop Broncos dot com.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
We'll see you.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
Thank you for having me and thank you for proving
me right. Brie, have a very night.
Speaker 4 (15:34):
Nick.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
I'll have you react to whether or not you agree
with Zach's wants, needs and must haves.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Here in a second.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
But I just want to make sure everyone's checking out
that article on koa Colorado dot com. Decide for yourself
the biggest needs for the Broncos. You can text us
your answers five six six nine zero. We'll chat more
about the Broncos off season participants opting out of the
combine activities and that's all here next on Broncos Country
Night KA eight fifty AM ninety four one.
Speaker 6 (15:59):
F them this game, we had chances to be in
this game, and the game got away from us a
little bit in that fourth quarter, and we all understand
that we're going into Detroit tomorrow night a team that's
playing better than anybody right now, and they're sitting there
waiting for us. So we have to find a way
once again, like we've done all year long, on the
second night of a back to back, to dig deep
(16:22):
to find a way and try to get a road
win against the hell of a team in the Pistons.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
They bounce back, and I'm no longer in panic mode,
thank you, Grant, one thirty four to one nineteen. I
think they did exactly what we hope they do. They
came back and they got it done. What do you
mean we will Okay, what I mean we.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
Thought, collected royal.
Speaker 5 (16:42):
We had to talk you down from the legs. The majority, Yeah,
the majority of three. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
No, there, I'm going to go find somebody in the
lobby right now, get on my side.
Speaker 5 (16:52):
Good luck finding someone out there.
Speaker 4 (16:55):
So anyway, Grant and I we're not on panic alert
as though re was. So the Nuggets did, in fact
bounce back. And here's one of those things because we
were talking about MPJ and how poorly he shot in
that game against Milwaukee, in thirty five minutes, he was
like five of twenty two. His plus minings was just
(17:17):
kind of like in the cellar. But the ninety bounce
back he was ten or fifteen and he was a
plus thirty.
Speaker 5 (17:24):
Five and twenty eight points. How about that?
Speaker 1 (17:27):
How about that?
Speaker 5 (17:28):
How about that?
Speaker 2 (17:29):
I mean, it makes me sound silly for coming in
here with the mood that I had earlier, but you
can't blame me. I'm anxious all the time about all
of the things. That's just what I'm going to do.
So if the Nuggets didn't pull this off, I would
have been right back in square one worrying about how
are they going to overcome this?
Speaker 1 (17:45):
But Nick, we.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
Talked a little bit about it is the Pistons game, really?
Speaker 1 (17:49):
That get back right game? Was it competitive enough for you?
Speaker 3 (17:53):
Well?
Speaker 5 (17:53):
Yeah, it was competitive enough.
Speaker 4 (17:54):
But here's what I think about when I think about
the Nuggets, especially when they lose games, and especially especially
knowing that it's kind of attributed to defensive effort late
in games, especially in the fourth quarter that usually they
get to chewing out from Michael Malone, that next game
is so much better, and with this being an East
(18:14):
Coast trip, on I guess second back to back of
their season. They came out and they played well as
a team. Now once again they get arrests. They had
to play Boston on Sunday in a hostile environment. Let's
just see how they bounce back from that. But I
was happy about it. And once again, this is why
I wasn't panicking because this allows a lot of guys
to get a lot of experience. The last night against
(18:37):
the Bucks, even though Westbrook didn't light up the stat
chart as far as points, he was effective getting other
people involved, mainly Nikola Jokic. But Christian Brown had an
amazing night. And that's what the Nuggets are going to need.
They go, they're gonna need to playoffs, Jamal Murray, but
they're still gonna need their coording cast to kind of
help out.
Speaker 7 (18:57):
Yeah, and we saw playoff mall tonight. He had thirty
one points on ten of twenty two, shooting five of
nine from three. By the way, did you see Christian
Brown's dunk last night over Brook Lopez?
Speaker 5 (19:06):
Yes, was a posterization.
Speaker 7 (19:08):
Also, Nikola Joki cheho hum another triple double twenty three points,
seventeen rebounds, fifteen assists, only shot the ball twelve times
from the field, eleven of twelve from the free throw line.
This is the recipe for the Nuggets for success.
Speaker 5 (19:22):
Well you know, okay, Well here's something really quickly did.
Speaker 4 (19:25):
I love the fact that Nikola Joki is grabbing down
rebounds and all of his rebounds were defensive rebounds, So
that's telling me that he's able to pull the ball
down defensively and get them out, you know, all in
transition to get the offense moving in a different directions.
That's where offense turns into I mean, it's give me
a defense turns into instant offense.
Speaker 5 (19:46):
But the one thing that.
Speaker 4 (19:47):
I would like to see change, and I know this
is kind of a one game sample size, but all
the individuals getting ball because if Nikola Joki is working
that hard on the defensive hands to grab those rebounds,
I mean, I don't want him once again, it's the
narrative to be too exhausted on the offense.
Speaker 2 (20:02):
E vent Okay, I mean that's fair, and I'm looking
at this though. There were still nineteen turnovers, but I'm
glad they stepped up the defense like you asked.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
Them to do.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
Tig forty defensive rebounds to the twenty eight for the Piston.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
So things are looking up. I know they weren't looking down.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
But guys, I'm going to tell you I'm gonna overreact
to every loss in every win because.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
That's just who I am.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
You know, who I think also kind of tends to
overreact a little bit. Zach Seekers obviously joined us in
the last time to chat the biggest needs.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
There for the Denver Broncos defense.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
Nick, I don't know if you noticed or not, he
kind of changed his tune there at the end with
the Barton Stronaut conversation. He went astronaut over Barton and
then talked about the switchability there, the versatility with special
teams on the defense where he's shocked by his answer,
and do you think the Broncos retain both?
Speaker 4 (20:48):
It would be great if they were able to do that.
But you know, money comes into play. How they see
this team, but also what they see at the combine
as far as some of the young prospects, that's going
to determine a lot. But seeing Shanard, who cut his
teeth in this league, playing special teams, having him on
as a backup, that would definitely work out because when
(21:10):
you come into this league, teams have someone to formulate
the idea and opinion that they have of you. It
is on you to kind of change that narrative. And
with Alex Singleton being out and you think about Shernard
playing next to Cody Barton getting more extended playing time
than he's received in his entire career, it definitely had
(21:30):
an impact on him seeing him in his defense. In
the second year, things could be a lot better. But
they're going to try to improve. Definitely try to improve
this team. But I understand why Zach did that. And
sometimes you don't want to become to flip floppy, but
I understand them. With more information that you have, you
are allowed to change your opinion.
Speaker 5 (21:51):
So we'll see what the Broncos will be able to do.
Speaker 4 (21:53):
Now. One area that I know that Zack has not
changed his opinion, and it's on Alex Singleton, and I
don't know why he's so down on Singleton is personal.
Speaker 5 (22:03):
At this you took their words right.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
I don't know if they cut them off in traffic
as they were leaving training camp, I'm not sure.
Speaker 4 (22:11):
I'm not sure at all, because when you think about
Alex Singleton in his six years in the league. I mean,
with exception of last season and maybe his twenty nineteen season,
he's been dominating as far as tackles an our concern.
And when you have a lot of tackles playing on
the second level, there is going to be the propasity
that you're gonna miss some because.
Speaker 1 (22:33):
Right you the tackling position, it's a numbers game.
Speaker 5 (22:35):
Yes, it's a number game.
Speaker 7 (22:36):
To that point, his last two healthy years with the
Broncos twenty twenty two, one hundred and sixty three tackles
and then he upset in twenty twenty three one hundred
and seventy seven tackles.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
I think you need to put some more seasoning behind that.
One hundred and sixty three is like not something to
scoff at.
Speaker 5 (22:53):
No, that's at enormous number in the NFL. But here's
also as you get those numbers, this is what you
hit on.
Speaker 4 (23:00):
Okay, So one hundred and sixty three tackles in twenty
twenty two, one hundred of those were solo tackles and
twenty twenty three one hundred and seventy seven total tackles.
One hundred and six of those were solo tackles. And
we could say well, you played the linebacker position, you
shouldn't make those tackles. But once again, not everyone that's
(23:21):
in a position to make a tackle always make a
secure tackle. And you can look at any player Alex
Singleton included around the league and you can say, well,
here are some games where he's played out of his mind.
Here's a couple of games, a couple of bad angles,
bad position, and they could have been better. But to me,
I'm just kind of in this type of situation, I
(23:41):
want to look at the player's overall body of work, right.
Speaker 5 (23:45):
And let's be totally honest. The Broncos go right to.
Speaker 4 (23:49):
That game they play in a twenty twenty two against
the Miami Dolphins.
Speaker 5 (23:53):
Wasn't that great. The run defense wasn't.
Speaker 4 (23:56):
That solid, So you kind of get exposed and it
go those two fold.
Speaker 5 (24:00):
For me, Bree, And you let me know when you
think about it.
Speaker 4 (24:03):
At a second level defender position, you have to be great.
You have to be a side line a side line guy.
You have to be able to drop in coverage, especially
with a lot a lot of these athletic tight ends.
But some games you're going to be great. Some games
are not going to be great. But it's about how
do you bounce back? And for me, Alex Singleton always
(24:25):
appeared to be one of those guys who was able
to bounce back.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
Or the twofold approach also where how much of his
play is actually leading to the inevitability of a tackle, right, Like,
maybe he's not solely responsible for that. Solo tackles obviously
being important there, but the other layer would be the
veteran prowess that Alex Singleton brings to the field in
the Broncos roster, especially along a quote unquote struggling inside
(24:49):
linebacker room. The turnover there I think would be detrimental
to any sort of prospect in developing that you would
be doing at the position, specifically if you are rafting
a replacement or a depth piece there instead of Corey
and the marketing free agency, which I think the Broncos
could do both easily. And Nick, you mentioned the limitation
(25:13):
of cap and salary availability, but the Walton Penner group
I think can kind of fudge.
Speaker 1 (25:20):
That around a little bit.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
But there's a lot of positions of need in which
we find ourselves kind of trying to hope that you
can make that work right or the interior defensive line
there with DJ Jones, the inside linebackers with Alex Singleton,
how do they retain a Zach Allen on.
Speaker 1 (25:33):
Top of all of that.
Speaker 2 (25:34):
So there's a lot of positions of need here. Maybe
linebacker isn't at the top of the tier. Did you
agree was Zach Seger's assessment of where he tiered that
need and where do you tier the need of retaining
Singleton specifically?
Speaker 4 (25:46):
Well, I think the linebacker position is probably a tier
three type of position because right now you're looking at
tight end and running back, right, those are the two
tier one, Tier two, And I guess, after you know,
we let me back in for a second, I got
a little hit of myself. So tier one is running
back or tight in tier one, Tier two. Now Tier
(26:09):
three for me is the safety position, right. And the
reason I say that because you've seen Cody and you've
seen Justine Sernard all season long, and you go back
to that game against the New Orleans Saints, where you
know Cody Barden was like everywhere. He was like the man,
forcing disruptive plays, getting interceptions, dropping an interception, but he
(26:33):
was around the ball, So there is some playmaking ability
there in those two players and the fact that they
played together.
Speaker 5 (26:40):
It reminds me of the first year that I.
Speaker 4 (26:43):
Played with John Lynch right after Kenoy Kennedy that went
to Detroit, that we had to learn and get a
feel for one another. But once we got a feel
for one another after a couple of games, it was on.
It's the right hand over the left hand is thinking.
And while Alan Singleton comes back from his injury, it's
safe to say that you can bring back both of
(27:04):
these guys because you're always better in your second year
in the defense than you were in your first year.
And then you still can add guys in free agency
and young guys because you need someone to be able
to lead.
Speaker 5 (27:18):
And with me saying that, that.
Speaker 4 (27:19):
Does not dismiss Alex Singleton, right because just because he
got injured, that doesn't necessarily mean that he can't play
the game of football.
Speaker 5 (27:28):
And we have to give him an opportunity to.
Speaker 4 (27:29):
Get back on the field to see, well, what does
his rehab really done for him as he comes back
ten percent and we know no player.
Speaker 5 (27:38):
Comes back one hundred ten percent, but can he be.
Speaker 4 (27:42):
E eighty five percent of what he was the previous year?
And the idea of putting Drew Sanders in that position.
For me, I'm excited to see what the young man
does in that situation and how he grows.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
Yeah, and it's been a while, so we hear that.
You know, there was the idea of the movement for
Drew Sanders from outside inside and how that was going
to work out, and obviously hasn't worked out.
Speaker 1 (28:03):
I think how the Broncos.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
Anticipated it too, But that's the lesson of how the
season works itself out in the NFL and injuries happen, etc.
But I'm also excited to see how he comes along
and kind of raises up that room, both in the
variability and specialized. Specialized the ability to play on the
special team and be able to be versatile in their
(28:25):
position groups. And I think that you see that in
a Drew Sanders and you got to see that this
season as he played a role there.
Speaker 1 (28:30):
So it'll be interesting to see.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
I agreed mostly with the Tears system, but I love
how you express the symbiotic relationship between safeties and linebackers, Nick,
because I could almost see the lines just coming off,
you know, from the line description to the linebacker to
the safety and how important and maybe the lack of
safety played too that we saw there towards the back
half of the season of how the Broncos have to
(28:52):
bolster both of those positions in order to raise up
all of their defense. Right because you rely so heavily
on whoever you front line is that as it starts
to feed into the back, that can kind of show
your weakest link. So it's all very interesting. You've got
my brain ticket along here as we've talked about all
of that, but that's what we do here. I wanted
to point out one more time, head on over to
(29:12):
KWA Colorado iar dot com to read all about Zack
Seeger's great articles, all of them covering the Broncos, And yeah,
we're chatting here about the Broncos knees in the off season,
the Nuggets feeding the Pistons, nick anything else from there.
Zach's the stat man, but I was interested and I
(29:33):
wanted to ask him, So I'll ask you instead, what's
the probability on DJ Jones staying in Denver?
Speaker 1 (29:40):
Are you feeling confident or not so much?
Speaker 5 (29:43):
You know what, I can't really say because.
Speaker 4 (29:46):
Once again it all goes back to the combine this
weekend and seeing young guys do certain things, especially from
a speed standpoint. The first thing you think about, it's
a business of foo, how can we make our team
better and do it and a situation that doesn't restrict
(30:06):
us financially, because, as you mentioned, the Broncos have other
areas of need and you can decide whether you want
to address them in twenty twenty five or twenty twenty
six when you have more money. Because Russell Wilson's contract
is now off the books. So is there a possibility
DJ Jones could come back. Yes, but I don't think
it's gonna happen early in the process. They're gonna look
(30:29):
through free agency first, and then they're gonna say, okay, well,
is there another guy back in give us the production
we have from DJ and then some but costs us less.
If we can do that, the Broncos will do that,
and then they'll probably get through OTAs or maybe the
mini camps after the draft and see if things are
not messing the way they want them to, and then say, well,
(30:52):
you know what, if no one has picked up DJ
and he hasn't signed with anyone, then you kick the
tires on it. So for me, I think that is
the best possible way to look at the situation.
Speaker 1 (31:02):
I think it is.
Speaker 2 (31:04):
I loved what zax input was and I do agree
with mostly with this tear system there. But Zach he
makes me feel things, and I think you can interpret
that as you hear us on the.
Speaker 1 (31:11):
Rage anger anger is one of those things normally rage. Yeah, Nick,
we talked about it a little bit.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
During the break, not specifically to Zack Seegers, but maybe,
but controlled rage came up in the conversation.
Speaker 1 (31:25):
Nick, I want you to talk a little bit about that.
Speaker 2 (31:26):
I thought it was so interesting, the idea of controlling rage.
I mean, I've heard play violent, I know, play violent,
but controlling your rage.
Speaker 5 (31:34):
You know what it's like playing a violin, right.
Speaker 4 (31:39):
It takes a certain level of expertise right in a
certain skill set, and you have to look at it
from being very calm but producing great music while you're
doing it. The same thing is the way I look
at control rage. Right. It is the first word in
that whole phrase is control. Yes, you see that that
(32:03):
that that musical taste. It sounds aggressive, but it's so
soothing to the ears. That's exactly what control rage is.
Being able to pinpoint the person that you're seeking out
to destroy. From a tackling standpoint, you move people out
of the way. You say I want that guy, and
you get that guy to business. That's control.
Speaker 5 (32:25):
When you are.
Speaker 4 (32:26):
Out of control, you're so emotional, sometimes you may turn
over tables, yeah, which I've been there before, right, But
but when you when you have control rage, you know
how to wield it. You know how to let it
out and unleasha, and you know how to pull it in.
I've said, I told Ryan there was this one time
(32:47):
I came in the studio and I had on all red.
I said, we all have a little of the incredible
Hulk in us.
Speaker 5 (32:54):
But the control part is being able like like Banner
was able to do, Oh the Hulk. Yes, you have
to be able to contain it.
Speaker 4 (33:02):
If what was his famous words, you wouldn't like me
when I'm angry.
Speaker 5 (33:06):
And that's a person speaking from a love of control.
Speaker 2 (33:10):
Absolutely, And I'm glad that you don't flip over tables anymore.
I don't think I've ever done that. But Nick, you're
absolutely right. When emotions go high, decision making goes down.
I love how that plays into the idea that the
hard knocks is headed to North Carolina and a very
odd twist in the NFL world is as it turns.
We'll talk about that act next and what sparked that
move right here on Broncos Country Night KA eight fifty
(33:31):
AM ninety four one FM.
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