Posted Wed Oct 31st by Jon Heath
Over the past seven games, the Denver Broncos have fumbled the football 11 times (5th-most in the NFL), losing 10 of those fumbles (2nd-most). Although the offense has been on fire in recent weeks, its Achilles’ heel has been ball security.
From quarterback, to receivers, to running backs, all of Denver’s main skill players have been plagued by the fumble bug this season. Fourth-year receiver Demaryius Thomas and veteran running back Willis McGahee have been the chief offenders, with three lost fumbles apiece.
In Week 6, Thomas vowed to correct his ball security (and boy, was it necessary) and started carrying around a football close to his body. Thomas has lived up to his pledge, at least temporarily, and he’s been fumble-free since Week 5 of the season.
The same cannot be said of McGahee, who has fumbled twice in Denver’s past three games, including a lost fumble during Denver’s 34-14 rout of New Orleans on Sunday. Â Coach John Fox touched on McGahee — and the team’s — fumbling ways during Monday’s press conference.
“We’ll try to do whatever it takes,” said Fox.  “They’ll buy in.  They’re prideful guys, too.  It’s not something they’re doing on purpose either.â€
Realizing that the players are human beings that make mistakes, Fox refrained from criticizing his players but emphasized that ball security will be a hot topic moving forward.
“Anytime you turn a ball over, it concerns us.  We’ve had our share.  Every phase has contributed.  That’s something, ideally, you’d like to never turn it over but the reality is the other team gets paid and practices, too.  We’ll continue to work on those things and emphasize that.â€
McGahee and his teammates will get a chance to redeem themselves this week in Cincinnati when the Broncos take on the Bengals on CBS.  Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. (MT).
Turnovers can cripple even the best of teams.  If the Broncos are going to win the AFC West and make a run deep in the postseason, eliminating frequent fumbles will be key.
Published on 10/31/2012 at Wed Oct 31 13:30.
Tagged: Broncos Blog,Demaryius Thomas,Denver Broncos,John Fox,New Orleans Saints,NFL,Turnovers,Willis McGahee.