It has been a difficult season to watch the Denver Broncos in 2018 and unfortunately there appeared to be no sense of kicking and screaming.
This may not sit well, but on the surface the Denver Broncos do not seem to have the same championship grit anymore. When John Elway coined the term “kicking and screaming” a few years back, it was evident in every game and moment. In very few games this season, there were moments of “kicking and screaming.” Now, it is the direct opposite taking place.
The beginning of the season saw comeback victories over the Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders. Right now the Broncos win over Seattle is impressive to say the least. It is why the competitive spirit is not lost. There are still players performing at a high level.
Unfortunately suffering multiple injuries can suck the life out of a team’s confidence. In 2018 alone the Broncos have lost Jake Butt, Matt Paradis, Ronald Leary, Max Garcia, Jeff Heuerman, Chris Harris Jr., Emmanuel Sanders, Phillip Lindsay and a trade of Demaryius Thomas to Houston. It can be an uphill battle when it is this steep testing a team’s depth.
Unfortunately, it can show in games. Maybe it is fatigue settling in after a grueling season unlike any other. It is difficult to comprehend what has transpired in the 2018 season. However, it is unfortunate when it seems a lack of kicking and screaming is at the forefront.
It can be easily fixed because there’s players still with that grit. Sanders, Harris and Lindsay all exemplify the attitude Elway wants with the franchise plus many others.
The low lights of the season came in disappointing fashion losing to teams the Broncos should have beaten. New York Jets was the start, but losing to the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders where it appeared like a defibrillator was needed is a major concern. Unfortunately it loomed large on the personality of their head coach.
The Denver Broncos cut ties with Vance Joseph early last week and are in search for their next head coach. Joseph was a calm and poised individual on the sidelines. However, that can only go so far.
Maybe it was his preference, but coaches should find time to be quiet in a storm or start one for their team. There needs to be attitude reflecting on the football field. It seemed too often the play of the players took to the personality of the head coach. Again, not a bad thing, but when there is no emotion the possibility for a fight will not be there.
As the head coaching search rolls on, the Broncos and Elway must find the veteran coach to bring back the soul of a championship team again. This championship attitude comes from the kicking and screaming mantra presented by Elway many years back.
It is great going back in time, but they are staying current in these NFL times, where the game is evolving so much. Elway, Joe Ellis and the rest of the brass must find ways to bring a mix of a tough veteran coach with a bright young offensive mind.
The Broncos do need to go back to the kicking and screaming. If they get knocked down, come back up ten times harder.