Josh McCown and the Browns host Peyton Manning and the Broncos on Sunday. (Getty Images; AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)
The Broncos (5-0) head to Cleveland this weekend to take on the Browns (2-3) in their final game before a bye week. As the Week 6 matchup nears, Cleveland coach Mike Pettine, his coordinators and several players opened about Peyton Manning, the Broncos’ defense and more to local and Denver media:
MIKE PETTINE, HEAD COACH
On how much stock he puts into comments that Manning’s physical game may be dwindling while the mental thrives:
“We’re not putting a lot of stock into it. I know what’s being put out there and you can pull clips to try to support that, but it’s Peyton Manning we’re talking about. As I said yesterday it’s like having the coordinators playing on the field against you. He has the ability to if he recognizes something get out of a bad play, maximize their chances for success. He’s got play-makers that can do damage after they catch the ball. We’re not putting much stock into the ‘he’s dropped off.'”
On if the Broncos defense is the best they have faces so far:
“Yeah that’s a fair statement. The statistics back it up, I think they’re No. 1 overall. They’ve played at a high level. I talked about it yesterday just, fundamentally sound. They do some good things scheme-wise. They don’t do a ton but they don’t have to. They’re so good at what they do but they do all — I always talk about the little things and this is a team you really get deep into the film, they do a lot of little things well.”
On what it is going to take to play well against the Broncos defense:
“Laser focus to start with. We have to understand what we are up against. We talk about every play mattering. We can’t relax for a second. You do that against this team and you are looking at second-and-18. It starts with that. It starts with understanding our plan inside and out. Also, know that if we execute it doesn’t matter who we are playing against. When our guys do their job they know that we can have a positive play. We are very respectful of who they are and what they have done so far, but we are not intimidated by it.”
On what makes Von Miller tough to pass protect against:
“The explosiveness. He has a great get-off. His reaction time to the ball being snapped. If a tackle is slow out of his stance — that is one of the reasons we are glad we have them at home. If you play them there you are in trouble when the tackle and him are getting off at the same time on a silent count. It is a touch easier at home when you know the snap count and he doesn’t. It starts with that. He is very good with his hands. He has a great sense for how tackles are setting him. If he gets under set then he can dip and bend the edge better than most I have ever seen. Then if he gets over set, whether he spins inside or rips across and comes underneath. He just has a great feel for when to turn the corner and when to come underneath. They do a good job schematically that they protect him either way. Any great pass rusher you want to give them a two-way go and they do that for him, and he is exceptional.”
JOSH MCCOWN, QB
On Denver’s defense:
“We are going to be here a while. They are really good. It starts with their front. Their pass rushers, those guys are really good players. I know there is a little question mark with DeMarcus Ware’s health, but that guy is playing at a high level and has been doing it for a long time. Von Miller is an exceptional, exceptional player. All across the board, that is the thing with them. Sometimes, from week to week you look at a group on the field that you feel you can attack, whether it is the front, the linebackers the secondary. You don’t have that. You go to the next group and, golly, they are good, too. You move to the next group. I think what makes them unique is that they are good outside, too. Typically, you have great pass rushers and they make up for lack of stability outside or whatever. These guys are good outside, and they are good with pass rush. We will have our hands full. We understand that. We are putting together a good game plan, but it will take a good week’s worth to be prepared for these guys.”
On Manning’s career:
“He is pretty good. It has gone pretty well for him. That would be my first observation. The preparation, you see it on the field by how he handles things at the line of scrimmage, just how fast the ball gets out of his hands, where he is going with the ball. I feel like when you watch him, you don’t have to know a lot about football to know that he is prepared. I think that is the highest compliment I can pay him. He is always on top of it. He always understands what everybody is doing, and I think it is what has given him an edge and what allows him to play for as long as he is at a high level because even if your skills change a little bit, you can still play at a high level because he is so high-functioning intellectually. I have a ton of respect for him.”
On how well he knows Manning:
“Just over the years — I guess it might have been 20 years ago — he and his dad came and spoke at an athletic forum when I was at SMU and that was my first time meeting him, and, obviously, was very impressed with him and his dad. Just have always had a ton of respect for his game. Then, I’ve talked to him as we’ve played each other over the years, shared experiences with obviously him having a brother in the NFL and me having a brother in the NFL, not a shared bank account, obviously. You just appreciate that part.”
NATE ORCHARD, LB
On facing Manning:
“It is Peyton Manning. He is the best quarterback in the league. I am excited. Getting the chills to be able to go up against him and the Broncos this week. Von Miller, one of the great pass rushers.”
On if he watches film of Miller:
“Definitely, definitely. In high school and even today, I idolize him. I watch his games and take bits and pieces of it.”
On if he will ease up on Manning because he is older if he has an opportunity to sack the QB:
“Oh no. That will be my first career sack so I have to collapse the pocket and get to him.”
PAUL KRUGER, LB
On if Manning can beat a team with his mind:
“There is validity to that, not wholly. You still have to be able to make the plays that he needs to make. He still has the arm strength from what I can see on tape. He looks good, poppy and strong.”
On if it is more meaningful to sack a quarterback of Manning’s stature:
“People are so familiar with the guy and guys like him and Tom Brady, some of these famous quarterbacks — any time you are able to take them down it is a big feeling. At the same time, getting to him and disrupting him is no different than any other team.”
DANNY SHELTON, DL
On having the opportunity to play Manning in his first year in the league:
“Honestly, it is probably one of the games I have been looking forward to. I have always been a fan of Peyton Manning. Listening to these guys in the locker room talk about him. Des Bryant he got a sack against him before. I was jealous. It is pretty cool because the guy has been in the league for 18 years and he is still playing at a high level. I am just excited to be out there competing against him.”
JIM O’NEIL, DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
On Manning being ranked as the 30th QB in the league:
“To me, right now, he’s undefeated. Their team is undefeated. On the tape, he still looks like to me he’s playing at a high level. I think that as the year has gone on, he’s getting more comfortable in the new offensive system. Each game, you can tell that. If the numbers are low, the wins are high so they’re doing something right.”
JOHN DEFILIPPO, OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
On how to slow down Denver’s pass rush:
“Good question. We are going to try to get the ball out of our hand. We are going to change up some protections and keep them off-balance as much as we can, but it is definitely a pass rush we are going to respect, but at the same time we are not going to shy away from.”
On if Denver’s defense is the best defense that have seen all season:
“Absolutely.”
On what makes the Denver defense so strong:
“The hardest thing that any defense, whether it be the Denver Broncos or whoever, is when you can get home rushing four people. When you can get home rushing four people and you drop seven into coverage it can make for a long day if you are not protecting up front. That is the first thing we are going to have to concentrate on is blocking their front four and then we will worry about the peripheral after that. We are going to concentrate on blocking those front four guys. The other thing is the physicality plays with at every position. Those corners want to get their hands on you. Their safeties want to grab you and get you at the line of scrimmage. I see this team running to the football more than any team we have played so far this year. The overall speed of the defense is something that stands out to me on tape. Like last week, I said it against the Ravens, I really like our plan this week, but it is going to be a challenge like it is every week in this league.”
On his thoughts on Broncos QB Peyton Manning and his legacy:
“Well, I can tell you this. When I was in college there was no bigger Peyton Manning fan than me. I always used to joke with (Oakland Raiders DB) Charles Woodson that I am still mad at him for stealing the Heisman from (Manning). Peyton Manning, what else can you say? What a career he has had and having. The guy is a total pro and does everything right. I got to know Eli (Manning), his brother, when I was at the Giants and I have been around Peyton a few times. The guy is just a football player. Loves football. You can’t say enough great things about Peyton Manning.”
