CEO Ellis hopes last game’s frustration fuels turnaround

Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said Thursday he hopes the angst produced by last week’s 3416 loss to the New York Jets will produce better results starting Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.

“We’re all rallying around each other,” Ellis said. “There was a lot of frustration that came out last week. Hopefully we can channel that into some positive energy on Sunday.”

Ellis met with reporters in Sheridan, where he was cochair of the fifth annual CEO Build in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity.

Ellis said he was out of town earlier in the week but spoke “a couple of times” with general manager John Elway about the state of the team.

The Broncos started 20 but have lost three consecutive games.

“I’m not concerned about spiraling downhill, I’m looking forward to us bouncing back this week,” Ellis said. “That’s where our focus is. I believe we’ll be ready for the Rams on Sunday. A big challenge for us.

“(There is) a lot of football to be played. Five games in, (we’re) obviously disappointed with the last three weeks because we set high standards for ourselves. Last week (a 3416 loss at the Jets) was very disappointing, but you move forward from it. You have no choice. I think our players, our coaches and all our football staff understand that.”

Players said after the Jets game that this year is beJoe ginning to feel like Ellis last year (eight

game losing streak on the way to a 511 record). Can coach Vance Joseph and his staff lead a turnaround?

“They know the deal,” Ellis said. “They experienced last year and they know what needs to be done to fix it, move forward, try and improve and get better and play some good football for the remaining 11 games. We’re all pulling for him and supporting him and we’ll see where this goes.”

Ellis was one of 40 local CEOs who participated in raising walls, putting up siding and building a porch.

“It’s something we partner with Habitat for Humanity and for me personally, to come out and do something that’s tangible, productive and meaningful for people and to help a family move into a house, it’s a really neat thing,” said Ellis, who cohosted the event with Heather Lafferty, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver.