Elway interested in building on 1st win

Broncos general manager John Elway remains optimistic about his team turning its fortunes around and is not about to start trading veterans who can aid in that process.

“We’re trying to win football games, so no one from our side is on the trading block,” Elway said Friday night at an event honoring cornerback Champ Bailey, late owner Pat Bowlen and several members of the Broncos’ Top 100 team.

If Elway wanted to wave the white flag on 2019, outside linebacker Von Miller and the expiring contracts of receiver Emmanuel Sanders and cornerback Chris Harris would have trade value.

But despite the record, Elway said: “I’m still excited about (the team). I still think we have a chance to do some good things. We have to take them one at a time. We dug ourselves a little bit of a hole early but we’ve played good football, we just (weren’t) able to win some of them. It was nice to get one last week (over the Chargers).”

Elway said the key to stacking wins is reacting better to in-game adversity.

“The hardest thing about losing is you get into a situation where something bad happens in a game and you say, ‘Here we go again,’” he said. “That’s a very tough thing to break. That’s what we have to get out of. It’s hurt us a couple of times. We got one last week so we have to continue to stay positive with it and battle our way through it.”

Elway hit on several topics during his first media availability since Labor Day weekend:

*In January, Elway zigged when most of the NFL zagged by hiring veteran defensive coach Vic Fangio to replace Vance Joseph. Elway has been pleased with how Fangio has navigated the disappointing first month of the season

Elway: “I think he’s done great. Obviously, it’s been tough, but it’s been tough on everybody. But I think he’s been a pillar and done a nice job and stayed the course and kept working hard at it.”

*Elway wanted a veteran quarterback so he acquired Joe Flacco. He also wanted to have an offense that was equal parts more innovative and able to run the football, so he and Fangio hired Rich Scangarello from Kyle Shanahan’s staff in San Francisco. The Broncos are tied for 27th in scoring (18 points per game).

Elway: “I think (Flacco) continues to get better and better. New offensive coordinator, new offensive staff and Rich has grown as a coordinator and (Flacco and Scangarello) are growing together and getting more comfortable. That’s why offensively we’ll continue to get better. We obviously have to get more consistent on the offensive side, but there are a lot of good signs there.”

*The Broncos’ pass rush in general and Miller in particular are off to a slow start. All five of the Broncos’ sacks (including two by Miller) came in the Week 4 loss to Jacksonville. Even more pressure is on Miller following Bradley Chubb’s torn ACL.

Elway: “It’s frustrating for Von — he gets a lot of attention (from opponents). He’ll keep working at it, stay after it and he’s the same player he’s always been. He’s made some big plays for us and he’ll continue to get comfortable (with the defense). You lose a guy like Chubb on the other side, it’s not going to help Von.”

*Cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) has not played this year, which initially forced the Broncos to move safety Kareem Jackson to the nickel spot and to currently rely on Issac Yiadom, Davonte Harris and newcomer Coty Sensabaugh to fill Callahan’s spot. Callahan had a non-surgical procedure two weeks ago and has yet to practice.

Elway: “It’s been frustrating for everybody, including (Callahan). It’s just one of those things. We’ll just see how the last (treatment) goes and see if he can get back this year. We’re hopeful, but we really don’t know.”

*On Monday, quarterback Drew Lock (thumb), tight end Jake Butt (knee) and running back Theo Riddick (shoulder) are eligible to begin practicing, starting a three-week clock until they are reinstated to the roster (each team is allowed two) or kept on injured reserve. Receiver Tim Patrick (hand) is eligible to practice a week later.

Elway: “We’ll see (on Lock). We’re going to play that by ear. We have not made any decisions on what we’re going to do with those two slots yet.”