Several Broncos players were so intent on getting away from football during their rare, in-season, three-day weekend, they didn’t know they officially were eliminated from the playoffs until they showed up for practice Monday.
“I knew San Diego had won, but I didn’t know we were done until I heard it on the radio on the drive over here this morning,” safety John Lynch said. “I’m the eternal optimist. I thought we might still have a mathematical chance. Even after I heard it, when I got here I had to ask somebody, ‘Is that right, we’re eliminated?’ ”
Wins by San Diego and Cleveland on Sunday doomed the Broncos (6-8) into waiting till next year.
“We can’t worry about next year for right now,” wide receiver Brandon Marshall said. “But we blew it for this year.”
The Broncos play Monday night at San Diego in what hardly is a divisional showdown. The Chargers (9-5) have clinched their second consecutive AFC West title.
“The players are sad, and I’m sure the organization is sad,” cornerback Dré Bly said. “But we can’t sit here and pout. We’ve got these last two games, and we’ve got to move on. Some guys, probably the whole team, is fighting for a spot next year. I’m going to do everything I can do to make sure I’m here next year. Because when you play bad and things go different, the boss man gets upset. And that’s when they make changes. That’s what they did in Detroit.”
Free-agent update. Broncos who will become unrestricted free agents in two weeks: Stephen Alexander, Ebenezer Ekuban, Nick Ferguson, Jason Elam, Nate Jackson, Cecil Sapp and Todd Sauerbrun. From this group, the Broncos’ top priorities figure to be Elam, their 15-year kicker, and Sapp, their starting fullback. “I’m not thinking a second about that,” Sapp said. “I’m thinking about finishing 8-8, hopefully.”
When pressed, Sapp said he hopes to re-sign with Denver.
Still kicking. Providing he doesn’t pop a hammy between now and Monday, Elam will play in his 235th game against the Chargers, passing Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway for the most games played in Broncos history. Elam still is going strong — he has made his past 12 field-goal attempts and hasn’t missed from 40 yards since 2005.
Mike Klis
