The Broncos had just survived a grimy, gritty Sunday in a driving rainstorm to improve to 4-1 for the third consecutive season.
Euphoria?
Not exactly. Instead, of high-fives and a locker-room party, the Broncos dried themselves off and went through a constructive criticizing period. Defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban was one of a few veterans who gave impromptu speeches, reminding his teammates they still have plenty of work to do.
“We can’t get too excited,” said Ekuban, who was joined by veterans Rod Smith and John Lynch in voicing their opinions after the 21-19 victory over Washington. “We’re here for the long haul, and we have to know there are corrections to be made and we still have things to work on. We got the win, but it wasn’t great. We still have to get better, especially with the team coming in.”
The Redskins are out of the way after they failed on a tying two-point conversion with 1:09 left in the game. Now, Denver can concentrate on the defending world champion New England Patriots. Although the Patriots (3-2) have had some problems this year, they are still a measuring stick.
“We have to play great in that game,” Ekuban said. “That’s why we didn’t have time to celebrate.”
The self-cleansing seemed unusual to many in attendance. One would think a team would celebrate a victory, at least for a few minutes.
“It was shocking,” rookie cornerback Domonique Foxworth said. “But it was a great lesson for a young guy. These veterans are so mature, and they are looking at the big picture.”
Defensive line/tackles coach Andre Patterson put it this way: “It wasn’t surprising. These guys’ standards are through the roof.”
Don’t expect the Broncos to be drunk with glee over being in first place in the AFC West. They’ve been there before, and they know baseball season, not football season, ends in October.
The Broncos started 5-1 the past two years and began 4-1 in 2002. They finished a combined 15-16 in those three seasons. The Broncos qualified for the playoffs in 2003 and 2004, but failed to get a home playoff game.
“We’re not going to get caught up in the hype,” said left cornerback Champ Bailey, who is hoping to play against the Patriots after missing the past two games because of a hamstring injury. “We know winning early doesn’t mean anything. We have to keep this up. … No one is getting complacent.
“We know five games doesn’t make a season. That’s why I think you see guys with this type of attitude. We know we all have to get better.”
That was ingrained in the team before Sunday’s game when coach Mike Shanahan showed the Broncos the 2004 standings. Two teams that started 3-1, Detroit and the New York Giants, finished 6-10, and Jacksonville finished 9-7 and out of the playoffs.
So, the Broncos aren’t spending the week thinking they have the season figured out.
“We really haven’t done much yet,” Ekuban said.
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
