Through the wild emotions of the first two games, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen sees a team that is playing well in a time of transition, and that excites him.
“The bottom line is we’re winning,” Bowlen said Tuesday. “We’re winning, but we’re still learning. What I take away from that is that we’re going to keep getting better as the season goes on.”
The Broncos opened the season Sept. 9 at Buffalo with a 15-14 win on a 42-yard field goal by Jason Elam as time expired. Sunday, the Broncos rebounded from a 14-point Oakland comeback and a near game-winning Sebastian Janikowski field goal in overtime to beat the Raiders 23-20 on another Elam field goal.
The Broncos has several new defensive coaches, including boss Jim Bates, and a new special-teams coach, Scott O’Brien, in addition to several new starters on both sides of the ball.
“We’re trying to get everyone settled, and we’re doing it with wins,” Bowlen said. “That’s important, and hopefully it will continue.”
Thomas bounces back
When rookie Marcus Thomas took to the field in offseason camps, he knew not many people were impressed with him. Thomas wasn’t impressed with himself, either.
“I was terrible,” he now says. “I was flopping and falling over all the field. I really was wondering what was going on. I was worried if I lost it.”
Thomas didn’t suddenly lose his athletic ability. He was in the process of shaking the rust off. He was kicked off the eventual BCS champion Florida team during the season for violating team rules. Thomas, considered a top-15 pick before the season, slipped to the fourth round, where the Broncos made a trade to acquire him.
Thomas has bounced back from his poor NFL start to become a vital part of the Broncos’ defensive line rotation. He had his first NFL interception against the Raiders on Sunday, and he is a candidate for the rookie-of-the week honors.
“I started feeling better in training camp,” Thomas said. “Now, I feel very comfortable, and I feel like I belong.”
The Broncos have no timetable on the return of left guard Ben Hamilton, who has been out since early in training camp with a concussion. He was rechecked this week after seeing a specialist in Pittsburgh in late August. Chris Myers has taken his spot in the starting lineup.
Footnotes
Elam will have his first novel released in January. Elam co-wrote “Monday Night Jihad” with writing partner Steve Yohn, a local pastor. The book combines pro football and espionage. The Broncos worked out defensive backs Tanard Davis, Anthony Madison, Demario Minter, Christian Morton and Marquice Cole.
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
