Quincy Morgan has been in this predicament before. He has been at 7-5.
“I’m not worried about it at all,” the Broncos’ reserve receiver and returner said. “I know that the season is not over at 7-5.”
Last season, as the primary returner for the Steelers, Morgan saw his team suffer a three-game losing streak and fall to 7-5. The Steelers, though, finished the regular season with four straight victories to slide into the playoffs. Pittsburgh then won four straight games in the postseason and became Super Bowl champion.
On a current three-game skid, the Broncos are in the same spot the Steelers were. In the locker room after the 23-20 loss to Seattle on Sunday night, several Denver players brought up the Steelers’ situation last season, and they all said the Broncos can duplicate the feat.
Morgan is a living testament in the locker room.
“I’ve already talked to some of the guys about it,” Morgan said. “We know it’s possible. I have a Super Bowl ring. I know it’s possible.”
Morgan said the key for the Steelers when they fell to 7-5 was they looked only at the short term. Morgan credited Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher for making his team think about the rest of the season in one-week intervals. Morgan said Cowher took down the team’s schedule off the meeting room bulletin board and kept just the opponent ahead on the board.
“We relaxed and took it one game at a time,” Morgan said. “No one got uptight. They knew it was still possible … I see the same thing happening here.”
No problem
San Diego defensive lineman Igor Ol- shansky doesn’t expect a war with Denver center Tom Nalen on Sunday when the Broncos visit the Chargers.
In the final moments of San Diego’s 35-27 victory at Denver on Nov. 19, Ol- shansky twice hit Nalen after a play. Ol- shansky was penalized 15 yards and ejected from the game. On the play when Denver spiked the ball, Nalen went low toward Olshansky’s legs, which is a legal play. Denver receiver Rod Smith went out on a route on the play, but Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer opted for the spike. Olshansky, who had questionable hits on Denver players on three plays on the final drive, retaliated on the Nalen play.
On Nov. 21, Nalen was fined $25,000 by the NFL for going at Olshansky’s legs and Olshansky was fined $10,000 for hitting Nalen. Both players are appealing the fines.
Still, Olshansky told The San Diego Union-Tribune this week that the battle is likely over. But he did make some veiled shots at the Broncos, expanding on what he said after the game in Denver.
“I would say no,” Olshansky said when asked by the paper if there would be a lingering issue with Nalen. “But I wouldn’t put it past him. I don’t think so. I’m sure he wants to move on, too. I’m sure (the referees) will be looking for it.
“To me it’s another game. Obviously I’m going to be aware of what kind of players they are. But not cautious. The best way to stay away from trouble is just to go 100 percent.”
Roster update
The Broncos didn’t sign a player to fill their 53-man roster Tuesday in the wake of fullback Cecil Sapp being put on the injured reserve after he broke his leg on a fourth-quarter kick return Sunday night. Fullback is one of the positions the Broncos are studying. They could fill the roster spot this week.
Denver could go into Sunday’s game with just 52 players on the roster and thus would have to inactivate only seven players. The open spot may be key as Denver monitors its injury situation. Linebacker Al Wilson (strained neck) and kicker Jason Elam (hamstring on his plant leg) are expected to be fine, but the extra spot could be used in an emergency situation, perhaps resulting in a promotion of a practice-squad player.
Footnote
The temperatures in San Diego on Sunday are expected to be in the 60s with a chance of rain. Denver has played in San Diego the past two Decembers. It rained during both games.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
“I’m sure he (Broncos center Tom Nalen) wants to move on, too. I’m sure (the referees) will be looking for it. … Obviously I’m going to be aware of what kind of players they are.”
Igor Olshansky
