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Published on 08/20/2009 at Thu Aug 20 17:03.
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Josh McDaniels Quotes – Final Day of Camp Edition

Posted Thu Aug 20th by

Josh McDaniels

That’s a wrap, folks – the Denver Broncos 2009 training camp has come to an end. The team held its final camp practice Thursday, which Head Coach Josh McDaniels said puts them firmly in “regular season mode.” After practice, McDaniels discussed the statuses (statii?) of Matt Prater, Brian Dawkins and Brandon Marshall, among other things. Full quotes after the jump!

HEAD COACH JOSH McDANIELS

On what changes now that training camp is completed

“They don’t have to sleep in the hotel. That is what they are happiest about. This is about the time of the year that you break, anyway, right before the second preseason game or shortly thereafter. I commend them on the way that they approached training camp and worked. They deserved to call it an end yesterday. We still came out here and had a normal day today. Our weekend trip is going to be just like it would be for games. We will start next week into our regular season game mode. I think that is the important thing, now, to start getting them to understand what is going to happen on a Wednesday, a Thursday (or) a Friday during the course of the season. That is why we chose to break camp now.”

On evaluating training camp

“You are always looking for ways to improve, but I think our team knows how we want to play and works very hard at the things we want them to work at every day. They were very physical. We had four practices where we weren’t in pads out of 26 or 25, whatever the number was. (They) never complained, understood how hard we want to work and the way we want to play, and I think that is what we really wanted to get out of it. There are a lot of things, obviously, that we could fix or improve from the first preseason game, but they have got the hang of it.”

On if the Broncos have accomplished what he expected

“We haven’t accomplished anything. We have worked hard to try to get better. That is the schedule we are on. If we ever feel like that schedule stops, we are going to be in trouble. We have to try to get better every day. We have got a younger football team. We have got a newer group of people that are together. Hopefully, our expectations are that we can continue to improve the entire year. I don’t think we are going to see our peak for awhile here. Every day is a day we have a chance to get better, and that is what we are approaching it as.”

On K Matt Prater’s status

“He is fine. He will be alright. It wasn’t anything big with Prater. He will be on the trip (to Seattle).”

On S Brian Dawkins’ and WR Brandon Marshall’s status

“We haven’t sat down—we are going to sit down here in a little bit and talk about how long we are going to play whom and how that is all going to factor out. Certainly, everybody out here on the practice field is just trying to get ready to go and play in the game. We are looking forward to that, too.”

On RB Peyton Hillis’ style of play

“He is the kind of guy that plays the way—he is kind of an older-school type of guy in terms of being hardnosed. Everything he does is that way, you are right. Physical fits him. Tough fits him. (He) plays smart. He plays a lot of different positions on our team. He has got very versatile skills. Those are the things we look for in all our players, and Peyton seems to be one of the few that it all comes naturally to him. That is just the way he is. He is a great guy to have on your team, a great teammate. We are fortunate to have him on our team.”

On QB Kyle Orton’s performance this week after a tough game

“He made a lot of—he didn’t have a tough game. He made a couple bad decisions. He got better every day, had a heck of a practice yesterday and continues to get better every day. That is the way Kyle is, and (QB) Chris (Simms) has done the same thing. Neither one of them is where I want them to be, ultimately. That is a process that doesn’t happen in two weeks. It is going to happen over time. They are no different than any other player on our team. They have got to get better just like (the other players) do.”

On playing quarterback for his father

“It is tough. He sets the bar higher than maybe some other coaches would for you. Those expectations are probably the way it should be for somebody who knows you like the back of your hand. It was a great experience to play for my father. I know some people look at that and frown upon it, but it was something I learned a lot about and learned a lot from it. I cherish it. It has made me a lot better person and a lot better player when I was younger, having to deal with that every day at the dinner table.”

  • BroncoLemont

    I like what McDaniels says about Peyton Hillis. I love Hillis’ style. I heard rumors earlier this offseason that he was on the trading block since McDaniels does not run a lot of sets involving the fullback. I surely hope he is not on the trading block, and hopefully he won’t be traded anytime soon. Not to re-hash the Cutler story, but it’s hard to know what is going in McDaniels’ head in light of what happened with Cutler. McDaniels says one thing to the media, and then he ends up getting traded.

    Your thoughts??

  • bw53

    Jamie Dukes did a live chat on NFL.com. Here’s the pertinent question and answer…

    Jay, Denver 04:52 PM ET
    Can Denver go 0-16 this year? Really the only team I can see them beating is K.C.

    Jamie Dukes, NFL Network
    There’s no way the Broncos go 0-16

    Wow, way to show the love, Jamie! What a BOMBSHELL! Damn I hate that lard-ass!

  • roshon2411

    Broncolemont,

    It wouldn’t surprise me if they get rid of Hillis. I don’t think he fits McDaniels system. I don’t think they’ll get rid of him now, but maybe after the season, he could defnitely be trade bait. From what i’ve seen of Hillis last season and the first preseason game, he shouldn’t definitely be running with the 1’s. I don’t get to see what happens in practice but I can’t imagine him letting up. I sure hope they don’t but I can see McDaniels sending him of for a 2nd/3rd rd pick, using him to move up in the draft, or a decent D-lineman.

  • jvill

    Hillis is everything McDaniels wants in a football player. While no player is untouchable, I highly doubt Peyton is going anywhere.

  • anthony33

    roshon

    What in the world makes you think McD wants to trade him? He’s done nothing but praise the guy.

  • blackhillsbronx

    Roshon, do you even watch football? Seriously. What a pathetic comment. Go hop on the Bear’s bandwagon.
    GO BRONCOS.

  • BroncoLemont

    For those (including myself) who might think trading Hillis would crazy- Here is the article. Most of you remember that he at one time was on the trading block.

    http://www.denverpost.com/sportsheadlines/ci_11974189?source=rss

  • blackhillsbronx

    Oh, that’s right. The DP reported it, so it obviously was true….yawn….And yes, I remember the article.

  • Joe H.

    Blackhillsbronx you took the words right out of my mouth. What a dumb thing to say, if you have been paying any attention at all this preseason, McDaniels has done nothing but praise Hillis. Some people really need to think before they post. If that’s even possible!!!

  • broncoNM

    BL- That link is back in March and it does not even single out Hillis… He is just mentioned and Coach McD has now had time to evaluate Hillis and what he brings to the table… Anthony33 is right McD has done nothing but praised hillis and has mentioned numerous ways to get him the ball… Im sure Hillis is safe and i actually think he has the best shot to start in Wk 1 given his performance in the 1st preseason game. Hillis is versatile, tough, and smart… He is exactly what McD wants. IMO

  • http://www.search-this.com mark

    John Elway was heard uttering under his breath – I feel a great disturbance in the Force, as if 76,000 voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.

  • http://broncotalk.net (dee)

    Random Comment: Why not replace the pictures on the site of Shanny and Cutler , with Mcd/ Orton ? Ayers/Knowshon?

    Lets move forward, especially Cutler I mean really he doesnt mean alot of Bronco Football when you compare him to Shanny’s Superbowls.

    Why not have a pic of Shanny/Mcd … celebrating past championships and the “potential” of future success?

    Cutler pictures need to go , I seriously doubt he’s got Bronco Gear hanging around his house.

  • kerry

    Roshon:

    good call. i could see McDaniels dealing Hillis if the situation called for it. i personally think Hillis should be starting ahead of all other RB’s including Moreno. but McDaniels doesnt believe in talent so i wouldnt be surprised if Hillis was on janitor duty by week 3. of course now everybody is bitching at you for even mentioning the words “Hillis” and “Trade” in the same sentence, but thats coming from the same people that said Torain was the next Terrell Davis.

  • http://broncotalk.net (dee)

    Hillis isnt going anywhere.

    Kerry –

    At the end of the season you’ll be saying how you were right about Knowshon being a steal at the #12 pick aswell.

  • http://broncotalk.net (dee)

    From a Bill Williamson article on Espn.com
    http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcwest/0-3-2681/McDaniels-looks-to-continue-winning-ways.html

    “Not much is expected from McDaniels’ team. There’s the quarterback issue, of course, and Denver’s defense has yet to prove it can improve on last season’s sorry effort. Plus, the Broncos have a very difficult schedule.

    But McDaniels is unfazed.

    “This team can win,” he said. “I expect it to win. That’s the only thing I expect.”

    —————————————-

    McDaniels is Smart, Self-Confident, Arrogant, and Unfazed by any of the extra garbage thats gone on with the Broncos this year. But most importantly hes a WINNER … I look forward to this season and the BRONCOS becoming WINNERS with McD.

    —————————————————

    Other highlights from the article:

    – “It’s all very simple what my motive is: winning,” said McDaniels, who parlayed wild success as New England’s offensive coordinator into the top spot in Denver. “That is the only reason I’m here. I’m not interested in talking about anything else but. Every minute of this job is done with winning in mind. That’s all I talk to the team about. Winning is always the message. That’s the only message.”

    – “I’ve never been on a loser — never,” McDaniels said. “I’ve never even been .500. Ever. I’m thinking all the way back to youth basketball. Never. I don’t know what losing is like and I don’t want to know what it is like. That’s what I’m trying to teach here.”

    – “I like what is going on,” cornerback Champ Bailey said. “It’s different, but coach McDaniels knows what he wants. I can really tell all the guy is interested in is winning. That’s good. Because that’s all I care about too.”

    ————————————————————-

    Sounds like the players have bought in, yet many fans have not.

  • roshon2411

    jvill, anthony33, blackhillsbronx,

    Look I didn’t say he would, and didn’t say he should trade Hillis. If you would read my comment i state it wouldn’t surprise me. Now I did mean to say “should be running with the 1’s”, not “shouldn’t” but again if you read the whole comment you would have known what i meant. McDaniels system doesn’t use the two back set that often and the fullback is used hardly at all. Look at Heath Evans numbers from last year. 11 att 23 yards and 0 tds, 3 rec 59, yards. Not only do they not give the full back the ball but he isn’t listed as a starter b/c McDaniels doesn’t run 2 back formations. That’s why he didn’t have a fullback listed, when he released the first depth chart. He was third on the depth chart at RB. Hillis is good and can play, but he isn’t a starting RB in the NFL. I personally think he should be starting over Buckhalter and Jordan for the way his performed(Also Simms should be #1 over Orton. Don’t give me crap about it was against the #2’s b/c so was Hillis’ performance.) But once Knowshon is healthy, Hillis won’t see the field that often. Again it wouldn’t surprise me to see a team ,who could use a FB/RB on their team, trade for Hillis. Or even McDaniels putting Hillis on the trade block to get a person better suited for his system.

    blackhillsbronx,

    Yes I do watch football, and Hillis is as tough as they come, and I hope he’s a bronco 4 life but if your going to call my statement pathetic than at least have a rebuttal. Hillis is Shanny’s guy not McDaniels. He can praise Hillis work ethic all he wants but he’s not running with the 1’s, and once Knowshon comes back Hillis will be forth on the depth chart. Besides wasn’t it McDaniels who said that every player on the team could be traded and he could be traded at any time? The only thing that’s pathetic is Kerry understood what I was getting at, but for some reason it went over your head.

  • blackhillsbronx

    Roshon: Sorry if my comments came off harsh. You make some good points; however, after the heaping of praise that Hillis has received from McD (and it’s not just praising his work ethic, but his SKILLS), I would be very surprised to see Denver move him any time soon. Hillis is just too versatile for McD to not work into his system and I would be shocked if he doesn’t get a fair number of touches every game.

    Also, why is it just taken as fact that McD will run a carbon copy of NE’s system? The guy is obviously smart enough to tweak his system for the talent available and you know full well he has some tricks up his sleeves that never saw the light of day under BB.

  • blackhillsbronx

    I agree he might tweak his system to fit personal. I think he’s doing it now to incorporate Sheff. We all know Sheff was on the market too, but there wasn’t the offer they were looking for. I agree Hillis might get a fair number of touches, probably by default(injuries), but come next year, if McDaniels could move up in the draft to get his QB, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Hillis involved. Again, this is just speculation on my part. Broncolemont asked for thoughts on the possiblity. Do I think it will happen this year? Nope, the RB’s we have now can’t seem to stay healthy but anyone of the players that played under Shanny seemed to be a ? to stay. Exp. Mike Leach. Great Long snapper but wasn’t McDaniels guy. Of the 80 players on the roster now, I think only 37 were on the team last year. I bet that changes more next year. The only players(Holdovers) I think that are untouchable and haven’t heard any trade rumors are: Ryan Clady, and Eddie Royal. I think Daniel Graham(Former NE player), Kenny Peterson(Went to same HS as McD), and Wiegmann(Just signed new contract) are safe for a couple years. But even DWill and Champ have to possiblity to be moved for the right price.

  • roshon2411

    blackhillsbronx,

    sorry put your name instead of my name, i really need to proofread what I type.

  • blackhillsbronx

    No worries. I agree with most of your points and you saved me the hassle of having to write it myself!

    I think we can all agree that Hillis is a stud and it would be a damn shame to see him go. There’s just something about that guy that screams DENVER BRONCOS football.

  • Broncolemont

    Well said, roshon2411. I completely agree with what was said about Hillis. Hopefully with his versatility, McDaniels finds a spot for him for long-term.

  • broncoNM

    Even if Knowshon is as advertised and gets the start McD will still want hillis… McD likes multiple packages with different looks/weapons. McD used 3 or 4 RB’s last year (sam morris, maroney, faulk, BJG, L Jordan) I doubt he uses that many here but the depth chart doesnt matter that much at this point… Hillis is an upgraded version of kevin faulk… Hillis can catch, run, block, run through tackles, etc… I fully expect Hillis to see a lot of action the entire season.

  • rcsodak

    wow…only 1 comment from kerry. The recession MUST be coming to an end. :rollseyes:
    I can’t wait to see McD prove his mettle as a HC. I’m keeping copies of the biased and totally non-fact based rants that are typed, concerning him.