Saturday, August 14, 2021 Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer

Poor performance today. That's what happens when you give up an 80-yard pass, a long kickoff return. You had three defensive offsides on third downs, for a , a safety for holding in the end zone, three very poor punts. Just really disappointed with the guys have played today.

Q. What was the thinking, Mike, on sitting so many guys today, 31 or something like that? A:Yeah, I thought we had two good days of work this last week with those guys. So we're going to give these other guys some opportunities to see if they can make the club, some of them proved us right and some of them proved us wrong.

Q. Is that one of your main disappointments, that some of those players today are expected to contribute this year and maybe didn't perform up to your expectations? A: A lot of these guys are backup players and the things they showed today was definitely not good enough. We gave up a fade in the end zone. We're not even close to the guy. The bomb, the two young safeties had a hard time today of knowing who is up and who is back and who is down. The long bomb, they bit on it and (Cameron) Dantzler didn't cover the guy.

Q. Do you feel the guys that played today showed weaknesses that you weren't quite looking for? A: I don't know. Some of those same things kind of happened in practice with a lot of the guys that played. I thought (A.J.) Rose did a nice job running the football today. We planned on getting Kene (Nwangwu) a bunch more reps and he got hurt early in the game. So some of that stuff has been going on. It kind of gets overlooked when you're studying the good players.

Q. How serious was that injury to Kene? A: I don't think it's serious.

Q. Did you just see enough from the penalty, the safety, the hold early on with Dakota Dozier, you wanted to put Wyatt Davis in early? A: We wanted to get him in early because he's a guy we have to take a good look at. All these backup offensive linemen – (Blake) Brandel, so he played a lot today, really all of them.

Q. What are your early impressions of Kellen, how he played? A: He was okay. I didn't like when he tried to shuffle pass the ball to whoever it was on the one third- down play. He used his legs a couple times. He just has to get moving a little bit quicker. Everything is like in slow motion with him, and he's going to have to improve that.

Q. Are there areas of his mechanics specifically that you want to see him improve on more than just tempo? A: No, not really. You know, there's so many guys with different throwing styles and motions. Teddy's is different than a lot of guys. It is what it is. He throws the ball fine. Does he take a little too much time reading, sometimes? Maybe, but a lot of that is processing. There's a lot of things going on, getting in and out of the huddle, the two-minute drill, speeding guys up. So there's a lot of things that need to be, that will happen with experience. And so that's why I left him in the whole game because I can tell he needs playing time.

Q. You said Wednesday he might not play? A: I never said that. I never said that. Somebody said, “Is it possible that he'll play.” And I said, “Yes.” He was always going to play.

Q. How was Jake Browning’s play? A: It wasn't as good as it has been. Started out, they had the ball on the 2-yard line to start out with, so that wasn't real good either. But the interception for the touchdown was thrown behind the guy. I just didn't feel like he was as sharp as he's been the last maybe week.

Q. How key are these games because guys can obviously look good at a practice and be successful there? But then you go to games and it's a different environment. How important are these games just to see what you saw today from a guy like Jake? A: It really is important that -- and the funny thing -- I guess not funny but -- the little kid that caught the long touchdown pass, we practiced against him for two days. You'd think those guys would know his speed and what he's done. They went one-on-one against him. And you would think that Jake would have a pretty good idea on (Pat) Surtain, on how he plays from going against him for a couple of days. So you can't leave the ball hanging back behind the guy. You should understand the coverages that you're going to get because you just saw them for two days. So that part is disappointing.

Q. With the third-down penalties on defense not being young guys, is that a bigger frustration? A: Yeah, it is. Maybe some of the young guys are better than some of those guys, so we'll have to find out.

Q. What's the approach from here to try to make sure this doesn't happen again with these guys? A: I think I'm going to scrimmage with these guys that played today.

Q. Have all the guys scrimmage against each other? A: Yep.

Q. How much do you think starters might play next Saturday against Indianapolis? A: I haven't decided yet.

Q. Was (Britton) Colquitt's day just a bad day or was it cause for concern? A: It's cause for concern.

Q. With Mond was there a concerted effort to limit some of his throws today because of limited time he's had in practice? A: No, I won't get into that.

Q. On Mond, too, you talked about this about three times with his processing being slow, is that the game being too fast for him right now? Are you seeing things that go beyond that? A: No, I don't think the game is too fast for him. I think it's just him picking up the tempo a little bit as far as understanding. He's kind of a laid-back guy. Doesn't really say a whole bunch. I think he's kind of got to get out of his shell a little bit, too. You have do those things.

Saturday, August 14, 2021 Vikings Jake Browning

Q. Jake what do you take from those moments today? A: You never really know until you watch a film, but obviously the play that stands out is not missing the inside on an out route to the field. And getting a feel for if he's (Pat Surtain II) squatting, we need to move on from that. We'll see the film. But I think even if I threw a perfect ball, I think he still makes the play on it because he was squatting so hard. So being able to read his demeanor and his drop and know that earlier in the game, had the same route. Guy squatted on it. Said no to it there. Ended up scrambling and getting a safety. But just getting a feel for his demeanor and then not just saying, all right, this is the coverage, this is where the ball's supposed to go and just throwing it. You've got to get a feel for the demeanor. But other than that, tried to play on time, tried to put the ball where it's supposed to be. Like I said, you never really know until you watch the film. It's never as good as you thought, never as bad as you thought. So we'll see.

Q. You had been in pretty good position, looked like, to be the backup quarterback. Do you think today was anything of a lost opportunity for you? A: Yeah, I think it was definitely a lost opportunity. I think if you don't put any points on the board, yeah, I mean, it's a missed opportunity for sure. As far as the competition and all that, I think for me it's just day-to-day. I've been doing that for the last two years. Feel like I've gotten a lot better doing that. And we have an off day Sunday and Monday will be ready to roll. And come back with some piss and vinegar. And a little pissed off, missed an opportunity and didn't play as well as I hoped.

Q. Coach Zimmer said you're going to scrimmage against each other this coming week. What do you think you can learn just from the way the team came out today and take that and remedy that in the scrimmage this week? A: I think I could come out with a little more fire. I was trying to get a feel for what it was going to be like. I hadn't played a game in a year and a half or so, so I was trying to get a feel for what the right avenue or approach was as far as demeanor. But as far as scrimmaging, yeah, good, let's go. Let's scrimmage every single day. Let's go live every day. Whatever it is, I would like that to happen. And, for me, I think it's just more opportunities to show that I can play. I still feel like I can play at a high level and be a legit backup this year. And so keep playing well and not let one bad outing and bad throw derail all that. But definitely come back ready to fight. And everybody's going to have some bad throws, some good throws and staying even keeled but when you have bad ones, definitely responding in a way that's going to help your play improve.

Q. How do you think A.J. Rose looked, kind of being a workhorse at running back? A: We had someone, I think, someone was out early and so he ended up having to take a lot of the reps. Like I said, never know until you watch the film, but just as far as carrying that workload, it's admirable. And it was a good opportunity for him to show that he could run the ball pretty well.

Saturday, August 14, 2021 Vikings Quarterback Kellen Mond

First game in U.S. Bank Stadium, first time, definitely a good experience, definitely good to get my feet wet, definitely a lot of things I can clean up. Tomorrow we get an off day, a chance to watch some film and be a big critic of myself and understand what I can do better in every facet of the game and continue to grow.

Q: You had a chance to have two 2-minute drives today. How’d it feel to get used to that tempo and the critical game feel? A: I thought I did a pretty good job in those. I’m still trying to get the whole operation and one, with new receivers, still trying to get those signals down, communicating with the offensive line, so I think as a whole we were able to drive and do some good things but I think my operation being a little bit faster is going to be really key. You know, just have to continue to get better, not just me, but as a whole entire offense, we have to do a better job of communicating and getting up to the line and snapping the ball faster.

Q: You said that maybe there would be a little bit of rust after missing 10 days. How did you feel when you got in there? A: I didn’t feel rusty at all. I hit a couple of throws, and I missed some. I think my pace can be picked up a little bit faster. I had a couple of key runs, but I think the big thing with me, postgame and not seeing the game yet, is my pace, my feet, getting the ball out of my hands quicker, and I think after being able to evaluate after the first game, I will just continue to get better at that.

Q: Zimmer also said that you are a quiet guy. He wants you to come out of your shell a little bit more. Is that sort of your personality? A: You know, I don’t necessarily exactly know what he means by that on my personality. I thought I did a good job in the huddle getting certain guys going. There’s really no excuses, even though it’s still my first game. I think just getting the whole operation and there’s still a little bit of thinking with me and after having my first game, just got my feet wet and just got to go play and react and go have fun.

Q: You mentioned picking up the pace. An example of that is at the end of the first half you scrambled and then the next play took a while to get set up. Is that something you need to work on? A: I think I heard a play in the huddle and we ended up changing it. Not sure if that’s what took so long. I know that happened once. But that’s pretty much what I am talking about. The whole two-minute operation, you know, signals, getting the offense in line, the tight end, and even the running backs just in line. I think that is one, on me, but our whole entire offense, and when you are playing a lot of guys who don’t have experience like myself, we all just have to go a better job of understanding that we are in a two-minute situation and getting ourselves lined up quicker.

Q: Is that something to? Getting comfortable and calling timeout in that situation? A: Not necessarily with me, I let Zim (Coach Zimmer) and Klint (Kubiak) handle most of the timeouts on that part. Just being able to operate faster with the signals, with the communication with the offensive line, running backs, and tight ends.

Q: On the throw to Whop Philyor, how did you feel about the timing of that on your end? A: I was actually reading the other side. We had a flat route, a drag route, and a basic, in the back of the end zone. I ended up scrambling out right and we had a whole other concept and Whop did a good job of scrambling after that play and wish we could have come down with it. That would have been good momentum for the offense and it maybe could have got us going even more and put 6 on the board instead of kicking field goals in the red zone.

Q: How tough is it coming in down 26-6? A: I think it’s definitely tough. I think we did a good job throwing the ball a little bit, taking off and running a little bit, and taking what the defense gave us. We had a lot of runs and I thought the backs did a really good job. I think as everyone just becomes a little bit more comfortable in the offense, just understanding the whole operation, whether it’s two minute or just regular offense, I think we will definitely get better.

Q: How much of a whirlwind was it to have your first padded practice against the Broncos on Wednesday and then two practices basically to get ready to play today? A: It’s definitely tough. A couple days ago I was talking about my last padded game or practice was down at the Senior Bowl. So, jumping right into it with pads against the Broncos and coming to play a couple days later, I thought I definitely showed some good things and definitely some things I can improve on. Just pushing the ball down the field, making decisions quicker, operating in the two-minute and in the pocket quicker, and just playing a little bit faster mentally and physically. I thought I did a decent job but there is definitely going to be a lot of growth for me.

Q: What do you make of the job A.J. Rose, Jr. did and what do you kind of know about him being an SEC guy? A: He did a really good job. I know he had a bunch of carries tonight, and you know he was definitely running really hard. A couple of times I wish we could have got in the end zone with him, but we will definitely continue to get better.

Saturday, August 14, 2021 Vikings Linebacker Troy Dye Defensive End D.J. Wonnum

Q: What did you think of the defensive performance today? Obviously, there were some struggles. Wonnum: Yeah, definitely some struggles. You know we came out slow. We have to start faster. You know we went into practice this week knowing we are going to make corrections on those things that we, obviously you know, same thing, execute correctly and can continue to move forward.

Dye: We just got to review the tape and just get back to work. Figure out where we are messing up at. Figure out where everything’s kind of hitting. Figure out wherever our cues are and get our alignments solid and throws to point down pat. But yeah, we just got to get back to the drawing board and then get back to work.

Q: Mike Zimmer talked about how you saw the Broncos in practice throughout week and made some mistakes that you should’ve seen in practice. What was different today than how the practices went down? Dye: I don’t know what exactly from a mental standpoint was different for a lot of guys out there but yeah, we definitely made some mistakes that we shouldn’t have made including myself. We just got to get back to the drawing board and really lock in and hone in on games. It doesn’t matter who was out there playing; we all have to communicate and be on the same page regardless of time of day or game we’re playing. We’re all professional football players, so we need to play when our number is called and I just think collectively, we could do better job. I think moving forward we will. We just need to get back to the drawing board and roll the tape and continue moving forward.

Wonnum: Yeah, definitely communication. I don’t know, we had a lot of young guys out there playing, especially guys who are playing for the first time. We just got to continue growing and to continue motivating and playing together, continue to remind each other and continue moving forward and getting better from there.

Q: Zimmer mentioned that he wants to take the group that played today and have them scrimmage. What do you guys think about that? Wonnum: Yeah, I mean it’s an opportunity to get better. You know what I’m saying, we came out slow and going into the week, we want to practice this week. It’s an opportunity for guys to step up and get better.

Dye: Yeah, definitely. It’s an opportunity to get better. Whatever coach says, you have to do it. So if he says we’re scrimmaging, we’ll go out there and scrimmage. We got to give it everything we got and get better and continue to improve.

Saturday, August 14, 2021 Vikings Wide Receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette Vikings Running Back A.J. Rose, Jr.

Q: What did you see on the pick-six with [Patrick] Surtain II? Smith-Marsette: He just got a good read on the route. A good jump. He made a great play.

Q: Did you foresee 25 carries? How do you feel you did with your workload out there? Rose, Jr.: Without the injury to Kene [Nwangwu], I didn’t see the 25 carries coming. That was right place, right time. The opportunity presented itself and I had to make the most of it. I believe that I made plays off of every one that was called.

Q: Was this the first time that you could really show that when you get that opportunity, you get into that flow? Rose, Jr.: Yes ma’am. I just felt like [Mike Zimmer] leaving me in there and knowing that he trusted me with these carries. I got to show him that I could execute the offense in the run plays that he called. I feel like I did a good job of that.

Q: You always here with undrafted guys that they have a chip on their shoulder. Do you think you should have been drafted? Rose, Jr.: I just left it in God’s hands. I just needed the opportunity that I had to today to show what I could do and He made that happen for me. I made the most of my opportunity, drafted or undrafted. My play speaks for itself.

Q: Was it tough for the offense to get into a rhythm? Smith-Marsette: There were mistakes and false starts. We just weren’t locked in like we should have been. It was tough to get a rhythm. I feel like [Kellen Mond] went out there and did his job with the plays that were called. We just have to execute better as an offense. That rhythm will come once we get going, it’s hard to stop. It’s hard to stop the lead. So, once we find that rhythm, it’s going to be a good show.

Q: Is there anything that you can put your finger on for why you couldn’t lock in? Smith-Marsette: We were just shooting ourselves in the foot with our offensive mistakes. It was setting us back. We take one step forward and two steps back. We just have to eliminate the mishaps on ourselves and then we can get going.

Q: You had one good kick return. What can you do in these next few games to separate yourself? Smith-Marsette: I just have to keep taking advantage of every opportunity that I get. I slipped on one and didn’t take advantage of the opportunity, but I got another chance and made the best of it. Just being able to take advantage of every opportunity that’s given is the only thing that I can do.

Saturday, August 14, 2021 Broncos Head Coach

Q. How impressed were you with and what did you think of ? A: I thought they both played very well. Kind of validated what I've been saying all camp, that they're even-steven. And I thought Drew played well. But they both were helped by the good play of our overall offense. We ran the ball really well early. That sets up the play-action game. And then we run a good play pass. And KJ (Hamler) got behind the defense. And Drew made a good throw. And Teddy got in there and he moved the team well also. I don't think any separation happened today in this game, if anybody's looking for it.

Q. But even-steven with steps forward? A: Yes, I'm thrilled that both of them played good. I want it to be a hard decision, not an easy one.

Q. Competition moved on to next week? A: Absolutely.

Q. What do you look for in that team? A: Same thing, just good play. There's more to playing quarterback than just when the ball comes out of his hand. A lot of things that go on before the ball comes out of their hand. And that's part of the evaluation, too. And both of them played well today. And I hope they both have great games next week.

Q. What did you think about KJ Hamler? A: Absolutely. He had good practices here against Minnesota. He had good practices prior to that. And there's the result, you know? I showed the entire team a play or two from practice where he ran some great routes that were really hard to cover for anybody. And it's validated here today with the touchdown. He's a fast, quick guy that's hard to cover. And hopefully we can keep him healthy and he can be a big part of our offense.

Q. The starters didn't play. And maybe why you didn't play them? A: 's involved in a fight for the right tackle spot, him and Calvin (Anderson) and Cam Fleming. So we want them to play. We wanted (Graham) Glasgow in there to get some work next to (Lloyd) Cush again. Cush is playing just because he's still a young guy.

Q. Why did you rest defensive starters, a lot of them? A: I thought we had two good days of practice. We had 100 reps one day and close to 100 the other day. Just thought it was the right thing to do. Plus, I think, with only three games, the game you're losing is the fourth, which is the game where a lot of young guys get to play. So that's the game you're really losing. And we kind of gave them a lot of snaps today, the young guys.

Q. You talked about how poised Patrick Surtain has been. Was today's performance maybe more than you expected out of him in his first NFL game? A: No, he played well, obviously. I expect a lot out of him. We only played him at corner today. We didn't play him inside at all. I wanted him to just play one position today, get back to that. And they didn't play their starting quarterback. That was one big advantage for us. We played our two starting . They didn't. But still you've got to go out there make the plays, and he did it.

Q. What about starters not in there for them? A: I mean, it's part of the equation. But still you've got to operate. And I thought we operated efficiently, both of those guys.

Q. What about ? He came in? A: Was anxious to see him because you can look at running backs all you want in practice and they can do good and get better. But ultimately the number one job of a running back is to be able to make people miss or break tackles. And he was able to do that. And you could only find that in a game. So I was really anxious to see him, and obviously he didn't disappoint.

Q. Was one of those healthy guys you kept out? A: He hurt his groin just a little bit the other day. I don't think it's anything serious.

Q. Any updates on the guys who got dinged up today, Tre Martin and P.J.? A: Tre sprained his ankle. And P.J. is fine. He just got the wind knocked out of him.

Q. LeVante Bellamy? A: Bellamy, ankle also.

Q. What did you get out of this week? A: I thought it was a great week. We got good practice against a good team. You can't put a price on that. We had good team atmosphere and camaraderie in the hotel for four nights. Can't put a price on that. I think it was a great week, no negatives.

Q. What did you see from Trinity Benson? A: Obviously he played well. Got a couple of good balls. I'll have to look at the tape in its totality. But, yes, he's doing good.

Q. is a guy I keep asking about. Played a lot today for you. How do you think he handled the start today? A: I thought he played well. Looked to me like he was active and in control of himself out there. I thought he took a little bit of a hair of a step back this week a little bit. I talked to him before the game about that, and he got back to what we had been seeing up to that point. And hopefully that will be a good lesson for him.

Q. Does that give you momentum moving forward? A: I think so. Anytime you play good, even though it's preseason, it's a better feeling than losing, you know? In the overall scope of things, I still think Minnesota is going to be a good team. They didn't have a good day today. They didn't play their best players. Offense and the core of their team. But I still think you gain something from playing good and winning, especially a team where we've been.

Saturday, August 14, 2021 Broncos Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater

It was great getting back out there today playing football. Great week of work here in Minnesota. We're thankful that they extended their facilities to us, great hospitality here. It was a great week of work. It was good being out there competing against those guys all week. Coming here to the game today and getting the reaction out of the crowd today, that was pretty cool. And just seeing fans in the stands at a football game again. That was exciting to see. The guys on the sideline felt that energy today. Had a lot of Broncos fans here today. It was great to get things going in the right way, right direction. Talking about having a young football team and a team that is thirsty for success. And what better way than to start the preseason off with a win, get that winning feeling around here, especially for a young culture.

Q. What did you like most about what you and your offense did on your two drives? A: You watch different guys go out there compete at a high level making plays, you sit back and you realize, man, the work we put in back in the spring, past couple of weeks meant something. A lot of times when you get to that point and you think, oh, man, we're just running plays, running plays, to go out there, see them have success, sometimes going against our defense it could be like, man, this play, oh, man, have little doubts about certain things. But to go out there and execute at a high level today with all three units, it's good to see.

Q. Do you feel you and Drew Lock both played well? A: Yeah, it's definitely great that we're making this team a better football team. In our room we're trying to do the best we can, and just take this team to another level. Whether it's Drew (Lock) out there and I'm supporting him or if I'm out there and he's supporting me. The team is behind both of us. Even when Ryp () was out there he's out there letting it rip. And we're all behind each other. That's the thing I like about this team. No one really cares about who is back there. We just want to win football games.

Q. When you have a young team like this, you just touched upon it, it's only an exhibition, how important is it for a young team to taste that, especially early? A: It's very important. Like you said, even though it's just an exhibition game, winning is contagious, and that feeling that comes with winning. No matter what it is, we can compete at shooting a basketball, we can compete throwing a piece of paper in a trash can. If I beat you, I'm going to walk away with this feeling of satisfaction. So it's good that the young guys get to feel that. To have so many guys step up make plays, Javonte, Trinity, those guys, PS II, man, he don't play no games, but -- no, it's just great bringing that winning feeling around here, like you said, it's an exhibition game but it still matters.

Q. How different was it for you going in the second quarter as compared to next week when you start? A: For me it was just one of those deals where it's just like just stay ready. I've been in a position where I was backing up Drew Brees. And you never know. I learned a valuable lesson when I was backing up Drew Brees, man. We played the Rams, I went into that game when he got injured, I wasn’t prepared. So it was like, man, whatever I've got to do, if I'm not starting at the start of the game, just make sure you stay locked in mentally and physically. You want to stay loose on the sidelines.

Q. How valuable were those plays, in particular in the red zone? A: The red zone reps, they were cool. It was very beneficial for us. We work red zone a lot around here. I love it. And today, to be able to get some reps down there today, I tried to score a touchdown today. I pulled out one of my moves, I think I used that move on Von (Miller) back in 2015, it didn't work back then. It worked today. Just getting those reps today, it was very beneficial for this team. This offense would get to see different guys make plays, offensive linemen blocking, different run schemes, just playing fast.

Q. How does a game that’s out of hand affect how you approach your job and the quarterback competition? A: I said this days ago, couple weeks ago, when I'm out there I'm not even thinking about competition, how can I maximize this one play? How can I maximize this one rep? There's ten other guys out on the field competing to earn a spot on this team. If I'm out there thinking about me at this moment, I'm hurting this team, the other ten guys out there with me. In that moment it's hey, man, just keep being yourself. It's a situation where it’s third-and-16, okay, we throw the ball eight yards and we still take a field goal. We throw it at four yards and still take a field goal. In that moment it's just staying within the system, staying true to my game and end up with a field goal.

Q. Inaudible question regarding Trinity Benson: A: TB (Trinity Benson), I told him, for one, he's got to change his name from TB because every time someone calls his name I look up. But we're going to try to endorse TB squared, something like that. But TB, he's a guy been working extremely hard since I've gotten here. In the little time I've gotten to know them, he loves ball. He loves just competing. We were talking on the sideline, we both came off the field, and talked about some messages that our moms gave us when we were younger, how it's coming to life, to fruition right now. He's a guy working extremely hard. We're happy to see that he's having the success he's having. And bunch of other guys that I can name. But TB, he's the guy, he's been showing some flashes and excited he's on our team.

Q. When you take off and run, when the touchdown got called back, what do you think that does to a defense? Feels like it opens things up in coverage because they're counting for you being able to take off. A: Yeah, I think it goes hand in hand. I think sometimes you change their rush patterns -- still play the same coverage on the back end, do different things up front to try to contain the quarterback. But it does bring a threat to defense, especially down there when you're trying to prevent a touchdown through the air and you play great coverage and quarterbacks scramble. That's another weapon that's in my bag. I'm happy that I was able to show that I could still move around a little bit. I joke with the guys all the time now how a lot of our moves don't work anymore. But it was just good being out there running around and seeing the guys flying around and having fun.

Saturday August 14, 2021 Quarterback Drew Lock

Q: Can you walk us through the eight-yard touchdown? A: It was a good feeling. It was nice to be back out on the field where points count, it’s not quick whistles being blown. You get to run around, you get to have a little competitive juices flying. We were looking for quarters on the play and we got it. It was an awesome look, I told KJ (Hamler) in the huddle just do what you do best and run really fast and I’ll put it out there for you to go get it and it played out just like we thought it would.

Q: How similar was that to the play on Thursday that you had with KJ, you just barely overthrew him? A: It was actually two different plays believe it or not. We were kind of looking for the same defense on both of those plays, and we were kind of attacking the same area, but they were actually two separate ones.

Q: Were you happier with the way that you played or more relieved? A: I would say happier, absolutely happier. It feels good to be able to put some points up on the board when you’re in there; be able to come in the locker room, high five it up, celebrate a little, especially after the way everybody played. I thought it was an awesome showing from everybody and it was just really fun to be a part of. It was fun to keep track of score and say you won something.

Q: We have seen you have a lot of success in play action, do you feel more comfortable with that play action? A: I’d say I’m pretty comfortable with everything we have going on. I think because of the way our offensive line and our running backs establish the run early in these games and even last year in a little bit of these games when we were really pounding the rock, it just opens that whole passing scheme up for us all the play-action shots, so hats off to the O-line and running backs for letting that happen for us.

Q: When you hit across the midline shot, kind of take us through that and what you saw. A: Yeah, I know it was third and medium almost third and short, close to being third and short. I got to my third read, which is him, and they covered the beginning of the play really well and that concept that we run, sometimes that middle guy gets lost and sure enough Jerry’s slippery enough to get in there and not be seen and he was standing there right for me and that’s the typical YAC (yards after catch) is the quarterbacks best friend because he sure got us a couple more yards after catch after that play.

Q: You intend no punts while you’re in the game. Can that give you guys momentum moving forward, what is your mindset now going to Seattle after the performance you put out today? A: I mean, yeah, if you’re not punting the ball you’re obviously doing something right so that obviously gives not just Teddy Bridgewater and I confidence, but I think the whole offense and that’s really I think our goal as quarterbacks is get the guys around just feeling confident and great. I think we did a good job of being able to have some guys walk out with their chest pulled back and feeling good going into this next game or practice whatever it may be, that was the really fun part about playing quarterback today is you got to see a lot of guys smile and have fun and feeling good about playing ball again.

Q: How important was it for you to be able to come out turnover free, you kind of talked about that how that was kind of the number one emphasis to be able to do that while still making big plays? A: Yeah, that’ll be important to me every time I step out onto the field. But, it was especially important today. It was good to be able to get off onto a good start, feeling good. Like I said, not only myself, all the guys in the locker room, too. Just extra emphasis on taking care of the ball. I thought we all did that pretty well today.

Q: Does your heart jump a little bit when Javonte flips over his head on the second play of the game and then secondly how was his performance? A: Yeah, a little bit. It was a little nerve racking but he’s a tough kid. I said it on the sideline, he’s probably one of the youngest, calmest guys I’ve ever been around. I say young being a rookie but he’s just extremely calm. I haven’t seen him quote unquote rattled or the moments too big. I know we just played in our first preseason game, it’s not the regular season whatever it may be but being next to him back there it honestly gives me a little more calmness just being able to be relaxed because he know his job, he knows what he needs to do and when he gets the ball in his hands he runs pretty hard.

Q: If you know if you’re still kind of auditioning if you will can you walk away from this feeling you did everything you possibly could to make it your game? A: Not everything, I incompleted two balls but that’ll always go back, watch those because you’re not always going to be perfect. Perfect games still out there. Coach Shula talks about quarterback test is a perfect test still out there and there’s a perfect game still out there. We want to try and be perfect and learn from it when we’re not.

Q: Is it easier to play well when you have a few rhythm plays in a row early? A: A rhythm, yeah. A rhythm is huge in a quarterback position. I think that’s been one of the biggest tests for me as far as practice goes it’s just one series here one series there maybe one 10-minute break coming back on. That’s going to stimulate a real game for us sometimes. I looked at it like that at practices picture around a game they just want a long drive let’s go out there and be good but it really is nice to be able to go into a game know you’re getting the first snap here is what we are kind of thinking for plays wise and let’s go out there and roll with it which it does make it a little more comfortable for you.

Q: Getting out there today did you feel like you just kind of picked up right where you left off last year? A: That was the main goal. Coach Shula and Coach Shurmur this offseason were like hey we don’t want to start over here in OTA’s and going into training camp. Felt like you started playing better as the year went on better and better each game, and let’s pick up where you left off when you come in and from a mental standpoint and a physical standpoint I feel like I’m a little past where I left off and that feels really good to be able to say that right here today.

Saturday, August 14, 2021 Broncos Running Back Javonte Williams

Q: How much did you benefit from playing in a game where they have to tackle you? How much did that help and how did it feel? A: It definitely got me back into football mode. Going through the offseason and training camp we didn’t really have pads on. So just getting the pads back on and getting tackled again it just made it feel like football.

Q: How much did those first couple plays sort of build your momentum? A: I definitely had butterflies because it was my first game. Just the first couple plays got my confidence back up and made it feel like football again.

Q: What did you think of that second play and flipping through the air like that? A: When the safety came down I didn’t know if the safety was going for my legs or try to tackle me up high. I kind of just got stuck in the middle.

Q: Drew (Lock) was saying you were so calm that it helped him calm down. What are you doing that makes him think you're so calm in that moment in your first ever NFL game? A: I don't really know. I guess the preparation you see me going through like watching film and going through my assignments in practice.

Q: We saw you shake off a couple arm tackles early on? A: Definitely I like breaking tackles. That is something coach (Vic) Fangio had told me before the game that they were going to keep a tab on how many tackles I broke. So that was definitely something I was trying to do during the game.

Q: How many broken tackles did you have? A: I didn't ask him yet.

Q: Did you have that welcome to the NFL moment out on the field? A: Definitely, honestly when I was just walking in the stadium and seeing how big it was. It was something I have always seen on Madden but, when I actually got inside I was like, “dang” it’s crazy.

Q: What do you think of Pat’s (Patrick Surtain II) big day? A: Just seeing people work in practice and having it pay off in the game. That motivates me also. Just knowing how hard he’s worked to get to this point. It’s just like a blessing.

Saturday, August 14, 2021 Broncos Wide Receiver KJ Hamler

Q: What happened on the long TD? A: Basically, he was just saying if the safety drops, I’m throwing it. I’m like”alright,” so I already had my mind made up. I read the coverage, read the safety and the corners and stuff and it was just like we planned and I just ran by him, that’s really all.

Q: On what Coach Fangio expects of him. A: Yeah, I think I’ve been doing that from the start of camp. Built a routine and I’ve been up on my hydration, eating different, staying on my fluids and stuff like that so just like I said like last time I’m just becoming more of a pro and just learning how to be a pro basically so I’m in year two so it’s a time for me to elevate.

Q: Vic said he showed some of your plays to the team today, can you take us through his notes on that? A: He was just giving me a little bit of credit, just good plays and stuff like that, so he’s never done that before, so it was pretty cool but just got to do it in a game, take it from practice to the game is always the main goal.

Q: How much of a step forward collectively did this offense take today? A: I think we did good, having Drew and then Teddy, all those guys coming in and just working with them working around them, adjusting to each of them, it’s great. Both of those guys, having both of those guys on the offense is a big help because you get two different perspectives because you have the younger gun slinger and then you get the vet. It’s more so, you get the best of both worlds so picking their brain is just awesome.

Q: On hydration… A: Yeah, just looking back on my first season and adjusting to Colorado the different elevation and stuff like that, I was playing last year like a 171 pounds. I haven’t played at that since my sophomore year of college so now I’m like 181, consistently and just eating the right things staying on my hydration and then just glad I don’t have any problems right now just staying on my routine, just being a pro that’s all.

Q: You only got there with Drew today, how would you evaluate his performance? A: For the small amount of plays he was out there I think he was good. I still think we still got a lot of things to improve on, we have to go back watch the film. After we watch the film, evaluate ourselves, it’s onto next week.

Q: On the QBs A: No not at all, just like I said just picking those guys brains, I know Teddy [Bridgewater] likes routes a certain way and Drew [Locke] is just gonna throw, so it’s a difference. I talked to Teddy after each catch or if I miss the catch or you know what I’m saying, stuff like that and just pick their brains, how would you like it. Do I need to be fast or do I need to slow it down a little bit? Things of that nature. Just being a sponge and just absorbing all the knowledge that they giving you.

Q: Does speed kill? A: Yes, I’ve been saying that since I was little, yep.