Fangio offers no gripes about postponement
After the NFL’s decision to postpone the Broncos- Patriots game from Sunday to Monday was met with criticism by Broncos linemen Shelby Harris and Calvin Anderson, coach Vic Fangio said, “it’s on us to be able to adjust, adapt, improvise and be ready to play the game on Monday night.”
“From the start of this season, all the way back to when training camp started, we all knew the NFL would not go clean with no positive tests for the entire season,” Fangio said Friday. “We knew there would be some positive tests, and those positive tests would cause some inconveniences, and change of schedules, and adjustments. It just so happens now that we’re part of the adjustments because New England’s our opponent this week and they’ve had some positive tests.”
The Patriots had three players test positive for coronavirus dating back to before last week’s game against the Chiefs, which was also pushed from Sunday to Monday. Quarterback Cam Newton missed that game due to a positive test, and earlier this week, All- Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore tested positive as well.
Those positives caused the NFL to move the originally scheduled kickoff — 2: 25 p. m. MT Sunday — to an early Monday night game, with a 3: 05 p. m. MT kickoff. Fangio said the Broncos will adjust their weekly plan going into their
Week 6 home game against Miami on Oct. 18, with players having Tuesday off and Wednesday’s schedule changed.
“We’ll adjust to the Miami game week just like we always would when we come off a Monday night game,” Fangio said.
Quarterback situations. Fangio, reiterating what safety Justin Simmons said on Thursday, noted the Broncos have “been under that assumption the whole time” that Newton will be cleared to play against Denver.
The Patriots quarterback, who was reportedly asymptomatic earlier this week, must test negative for COVID- 19 twice before he is cleared, and those two tests must come at least 24 hours apart.
Meanwhile, Fangio declined to name Denver’s starter at the position Monday. Drew Lock practiced Wednesday and Thursday for the first time since injuring his right shoulder in the first quarter of Week 2’ s game in Pittsburgh, and Fangio indicated Lock will start if the Broncos deem him healthy enough to be active.
If Lock can’t go, Brett Rypien will get his second NFL start after leading the Broncos to a win over the Jets last week, despite three interceptions.
“We’ll see how ( Lock) is doing ( Saturday),” Fangio said. “It’s still open and up in the air as to who will play on Monday night.”
Takeaway difficulties.
Entering Week 5, the Broncos rank tied for 29th in the NFL with just two takeaways — a Simmons interception and a Kareem Jackson fumble recovery, both of which came in the Week 2 loss in Pittsburgh.
That’s in stark contrast to the effectiveness of New England’s defense, which is tied for second in the NFL with eight takeaways. Fangio said his defense has “got to keep pounding away at it and find a way to get them, even though they haven’t been coming our way.”
“We’ve got to make a conscious effort to get more. Our pass rush has to be good enough to disrupt the passing game to cause some interceptions, and we have to have coverage that’s tight enough to get interceptions. We’ve got to be searching for the ball when it’s an opponent’s hand.”
Injury updates. Running back LeVante Bellamy ( knee) was injured in practice Thursday and “probably” won’t play Monday, Fangio said, while inside linebacker and top special teamer Joe Jones ( knee) should be “fine.”
The game’s postponement, and an extra 24 hours to rest, won’t change the status of linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu ( quad), tight end Noah Fant ( ankle) and wideout KJ Hamler ( hamstring), as none of those three are expected to play. Nose tackle Mike Purcell ( knee) hasn’t practiced at all this week and appears doubtful for Monday.