As the Broncos went through two early week practices before breaking for their bye week, the mental wheels were turning but “rebuilding” and “panicking” were two words being avoided.
Coach Mike Shanahan talked of bringing in a couple of players because of injuries, including one suffered by veteran center Tom Nalen. But otherwise, Shanahan was business as usual.
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in this team,” Shanahan said. “But we have to start doing it on the field.”
Going into next Sunday’s game against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers, the question looms: When is the right time to turn the reins over to young players, signaling a rebuilding program?
The Broncos (2-3) could be faced with such a decision, with defensive line draft choices Jarvis Moss, Marcus Thomas and Tim Crowder waiting in the wings and the team recovering from a 41-3 drubbing by the visiting San Diego Chargers. San Diego gained 484 total yards against the Broncos’ defense.
After Tuesday’s practice, assistant head coach/defense Jim Bates said the game was “humbling.”
“When you get beat like that, we’re looking at personnel, everything,” Bates said. “We gave up way too many big plays. I think we’re growing each week, but the open week gives us a chance to clean up some things.
“We have a lot of young players, new players and new coaches. The talent is here, but we have to put our players in the best position to be successful.”
Shanahan insists he is giving his younger players plenty of time on the field.
“Jarvis Moss has been playing a lot and he’ll continue to play well,” Shanahan said. “Tim Crowder has been banged up, but Marcus Thomas has been playing well. … The bottom line is how we come back from the loss.”
Moss, a first-round draft choice out of Florida, has 12 tackles and one sack. Thomas, a fourth-round pick out of Florida, has eight tackles and no sacks.
“I’ve been in on third-down pass rushing situations in just the past two games,” Moss said. “When I’m out there, I’m trying to bring energy. I’m still learning, but I’m ready to get back to the point where I’m respected and people recognize me as a player to look for.”
Moss has learned that NFL players go hard every Sunday and winning and losing really matters.
Veteran defensive lineman Sam Adams says the Broncos should stay the course with the lineup. He said he believes in a good mix of experienced and young players and getting the younger players in the game when you can.
“It’s nowhere near time to panic,” Adams said. “The time to panic is if you’re almost out of the playoffs. Anyone who panics now just hasn’t played this game. There’s a lot of room for improvement, but we’ll do what’s needed to be done.”
