Are The Denver Storm Clouds Lifting In London?
By George Somerville
With the Broncos arriving early in London ahead of their International series clash with Jacksonville, George had the unique opportunity of spending three days at practice with the team from the AFC West.
A 2-5 record going into the International Series contest ahead of the bye week is not where the Denver Broncos, it’s fanbase or new ownership expected or wanted to be.
Indeed with a stellar defense and the much heralded addition of superstar quarterback Russell Wilson, this was a team heading for Super Bowl LVII in Arizona. But this is not the case.
The team is under enormous pressure and first year head coach Nathaniel Hackett is a man who, if rumours are correct, is unlikely to survive another defeat.
But yet the Broncos – certainly those on the playing staff I spoke to – are not showing this pressure outwardly. Not the head coach and certainly not quarterback, Russell Wilson.
As the week went on and with more practices under their belt, the team seemed relaxed and confident. No-one speaking with the media shirked the position the team finds itself in, far from it. But it did seem like the bonding of the team was going well. Being away from Denver for a prolonged period seemed to be working.
I asked Nathaniel Hackett if this had been a deliberate plan to spend longer in the Capital than most other NFL teams,
“we had actually talked about this before the season even started – we wanted to have this opportunity at the kind of half way point, we knew we wanted to get together have some team bonding opportunities. It just ended up we really needed it”.
A New Head Coach Under Pressure
However, despite the pressure which undoubtedly sits on the Bronco’s shoulders, the leaders in the team were making the right noises in terms of turning this ship around,
“I have been trying to remain focused on our team and not worrying about the outside noise”
Said quarterback, Russell Wilson on Wednesday.
“we can control the outside noise by the way we play – that’s for everybody, starting with me – it’s for everybody. Storms don’t always last and this one isn’t going to last”
This was the only time during the week that Wilson spoke directly to the media and seemed in buoyant mood.
“It starts with one day at a time and you can’t build everything in one day but we’ve got to make it happen today, one moment at a time. I think the biggest thing is us staying focused together – we love each other man. As hard as this has been, its been an amazing ride so far just because of the relationships”.
As we know Russell Wilson has a special relationship with the UK having been married over here, and the Broncos QB seemed genuinely happy to be back.
“it will be cool to play football back in London again. The last time I got to play here was special – the environment is amazing”
Russell Wilson's Fitness
The fitness of Russell Wilson who had missed last week’s game due to a hamstring injury, was first and foremost on everyone’s minds. First up to answer that question was Denver’s QB1 himself. Asked he could play now (Wednesday) without any limitations, Wilson was positive in his response,
“yeah, I feel great, I’m ready to go”
said Wilson confidently.
“I was ready roll (last week), I’ve played with a lot throughout my career”
The funny thing was just as Russell Wilson was making these comments a huge gust of wind blew the media background towards him only to be caught by members of the media including yours truly. The irony of declaring himself fit and then being flattened by a media screen was not lost on Wilson who laughed it off.
While reps have been split between all three quarterbacks, head coach Hackett confirmed that barring any last minute setbacks Wilson would start Sunday.
Hackett went on to talk about how Russell Wilson had been pushing to play ahead of when the coaching staff thought he was ready,
“Russell’s always thinking he can go”
said Hackett on Friday,
“that’s what you love about the guy, he’s going to want to be out there, he’s a true competitor. For us we wanted to make sure that we gave him time to get his mind right, his body right”
Was there a consideration with the bye week coming up to rest him this week to give him a 100% chance of recovery?
” Yes and no”
said Hackett.
“when you talk to Russ and mention that, it’s not a great discussion”
was Hackett’s response with a smile.
The Trade Deadline Looms
But despite this message of confidence emanating from the Broncos locker room, the rumours about the dismantling of the team by the front office just won’t go away.
With the trade deadline looming and the Broncos heading towards a bye week after the London experience, rumours of some sensational trades persist.
If these rumours are to be believed then Bradley Chubb, Dalton Risner, Jerry Jeudy and/ or KJ Hamler are the subject of incoming enquires from NFL teams, especially the Packers who are in desperate need of a wide receiver.
Trading away this quartet – however unlikely – would be akin to selling the family silver, although the moving on of Chubb for value as he enters the final year of his rookie contract might actually be a clever move given the development of Nik Bonitto and Baron Browning as well as the acquisition of Randy Gregory in free agency.
Regardless, the thought that the Broncos are entertaining these approaches suggests a rebuild is coming.
The Broncos leadership, including Russell Wilson and Justin Simmons, were keen to show support of their colleagues experiencing the rumour mill.
“for us Chubb’s been an outstanding player. I honestly don’t pay attention to that type of stuff. In my opinion he’s having his best year with us. I would love for him to continue to be my teammate”.
said safety Justin Simmons about the Chubb trade rumours – a point that Wilson also made,
“I told them the greater you are the more someone wants you. The reality is that Chubb is having his best season – he has been amazing for us. Obviously he’s a captain, a leader a player I love to play with. But I hope he is with us a long time, he’s special”.
said Russell Wilson before continuing about Jerry Jeudy,
“The same thing with Jerry; he’s getting better and better every day, the bond we have is special… I mentioned to him one on one, that don’t take offence to it – people are always going to look for you if you’re a talented player. That’s the game. I’ve experienced that personally”.
These questions over personnel or trades aren’t going to go away unless the team starts winning. So this game in London against the Jags is a must win. A fact not lost on the coaching staff or players,
“I’ve said it a few times…..this is the biggest game by far, a chance for us to get a win heading into the bye and hopefully get some guys back….and give ourselves a fighting chance to get into the play offs”
said Justin Simmons,
“but all that starts with this game on Sunday finding a way to win – we have got to walk out of that stadium at Wembley on Sunday with a win”.
