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Here's an article I came across on USA Today's website that is rather lengthy but a good read. I'll post the text here in parts but HERE is the link if you'd prefer to see it in its original form.
Part I:
Part I:
Mile-high renovations taking place in Denver
DENVER — Broncos Pro Bowl safety John Lynch surveys the post-win, pre-bye week landscape from the sanctuary of his corner locker. Everyone on coach Mike Shanahan's impressive 6-2 reclamation project has something to prove, from Lynch to the quarterback now known as "No-Mistake" Jake Plummer to the so-called "Browncos," the four defensive linemen imported from Cleveland.
The scene is surprisingly subdued, lacking in the usual, chest-thumping bravado considering Denver's 49-21, Oct. 30 throttling of the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles.
There is good reason. Moments earlier, 53 players and 21 coaches had come together in a circle to honor their seriously injured teammate, offensive tackle Dwayne Carswell. They dedicated their biggest win and the rest of their season to the big lineman they call "House." Carswell suffered massive internal injuries when he was involved in a five-car collision on his way to the team's complex three days earlier.
"House on three: One, two, three, House!" the Broncos chanted moments before opening their locker room doors.
These Broncos have a different feel than the one-and-done playoff pretenders they have been since quarterback John Elway called it a Hall of Fame career following the 1998 season and back-to-back Super Bowl victories.
"We started the game as a team, we came together and said, 'Let's win this one for House,' " Lynch says. "When you get the news that your buddy's life is on the line, it wakes everybody up. Fortunately, he's doing real well. You hate for something like that to happen because we were a very tight group before. But Dwayne's accident just brought us even closer.
"I love the way this team is set up."
What began with a gut-wrenching, last-second, 24-23 loss to the Eli Manning-led Giants ended with the Broncos rallying around a fallen teammate. Their thrashing of Philadelphia showed they are a Super Bowl contender — talented, balanced and suffused by a most essential intangible.
"We bought a lot of guys in who want to prove themselves," four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Trevor Pryce says.
Lynch, a catalyst on Tampa Bay's Super Bowl XXXVII-winning defense, was cast aside because of age and injury concerns. The 13-year veteran remains a passionate playmaker and leader.
"We're a better team than we've been in the past," Lynch says. "Sometimes losses like the one to the Giants can be devastating and it's really important that you answer that call.
"We're off to a good start. But the important thing in this league is finishing. The great teams, in particular the Super Bowl-winning team I played on in Tampa, you continue to get better as the season goes.
"It's tough to do in this league. It's hard because guys get hurt and technique goes by the wayside."
Before the Eagles' game, the Broncos struggled to close the door in taut wins against the Patriots and Redskins. And that came back to bite them when they frittered away a 13-point lead in their late collapse against the Giants on Manning's 2-yard touchdown throw to wide receiver Amani Toomer.
Against the Eagles, they started to finish. They closed out a much-needed win after a 28-0 lead melted to 28-21 in the third quarter.
These Broncos are adamant that they aren't the S.O.B.'s — the same old Broncos — who hit a low after fast starts the last two seasons.
"We're more in tune with what's going on now," Pryce says. "We're not going to be satisfied because so many people warn us and talk to us about it, we're not going to be satisfied not finishing the rest of the season."
DENVER — Broncos Pro Bowl safety John Lynch surveys the post-win, pre-bye week landscape from the sanctuary of his corner locker. Everyone on coach Mike Shanahan's impressive 6-2 reclamation project has something to prove, from Lynch to the quarterback now known as "No-Mistake" Jake Plummer to the so-called "Browncos," the four defensive linemen imported from Cleveland.
The scene is surprisingly subdued, lacking in the usual, chest-thumping bravado considering Denver's 49-21, Oct. 30 throttling of the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles.
There is good reason. Moments earlier, 53 players and 21 coaches had come together in a circle to honor their seriously injured teammate, offensive tackle Dwayne Carswell. They dedicated their biggest win and the rest of their season to the big lineman they call "House." Carswell suffered massive internal injuries when he was involved in a five-car collision on his way to the team's complex three days earlier.
"House on three: One, two, three, House!" the Broncos chanted moments before opening their locker room doors.
These Broncos have a different feel than the one-and-done playoff pretenders they have been since quarterback John Elway called it a Hall of Fame career following the 1998 season and back-to-back Super Bowl victories.
"We started the game as a team, we came together and said, 'Let's win this one for House,' " Lynch says. "When you get the news that your buddy's life is on the line, it wakes everybody up. Fortunately, he's doing real well. You hate for something like that to happen because we were a very tight group before. But Dwayne's accident just brought us even closer.
"I love the way this team is set up."
What began with a gut-wrenching, last-second, 24-23 loss to the Eli Manning-led Giants ended with the Broncos rallying around a fallen teammate. Their thrashing of Philadelphia showed they are a Super Bowl contender — talented, balanced and suffused by a most essential intangible.
"We bought a lot of guys in who want to prove themselves," four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Trevor Pryce says.
Lynch, a catalyst on Tampa Bay's Super Bowl XXXVII-winning defense, was cast aside because of age and injury concerns. The 13-year veteran remains a passionate playmaker and leader.
"We're a better team than we've been in the past," Lynch says. "Sometimes losses like the one to the Giants can be devastating and it's really important that you answer that call.
"We're off to a good start. But the important thing in this league is finishing. The great teams, in particular the Super Bowl-winning team I played on in Tampa, you continue to get better as the season goes.
"It's tough to do in this league. It's hard because guys get hurt and technique goes by the wayside."
Before the Eagles' game, the Broncos struggled to close the door in taut wins against the Patriots and Redskins. And that came back to bite them when they frittered away a 13-point lead in their late collapse against the Giants on Manning's 2-yard touchdown throw to wide receiver Amani Toomer.
Against the Eagles, they started to finish. They closed out a much-needed win after a 28-0 lead melted to 28-21 in the third quarter.
These Broncos are adamant that they aren't the S.O.B.'s — the same old Broncos — who hit a low after fast starts the last two seasons.
"We're more in tune with what's going on now," Pryce says. "We're not going to be satisfied because so many people warn us and talk to us about it, we're not going to be satisfied not finishing the rest of the season."
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