DENVER — Think of all the head coaches in Broncos’ history who couldn’t do much with their collection of talent. Or lack therof.
Frank Filchock was the team’s first head coach in 1960-61, when by season’s end, injury attrition left the Broncos with barely enough players to practice and went 7-20-1. Mac Speedie was a Hall of Fame receiver for Otto Graham’s Browns in the late-1940s but he was a 6-19-1 Broncos coach in the mid-60s. Lou “Half a Loaf” Saban, Josh McDaniels, Nathaniel Hackett.
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Unsuccessful as those Broncos’ head coaches were, none of them ever started a season 0-4 in Denver’s mile high altitude.
There’s no way Sean Payton is going to have his name attached to such dubious history, right? There’s a chance. Payton’s Broncos have lost their first three home games at Empower Field at Mile High this season – falling by one point to Las Vegas, two points to Washington and what would have been three points to the New York Jets had a final-second fumble by quarterback Russell Wilson not been returned for a touchdown.
And so there is pressure for Payton and the 2023 Broncos to beat the Green Bay Packers on Sunday to avoid becoming the first in the franchise’s 64-season history to start 0-4 at home.
“I just told (the players after Friday’s practice) I am tired of sitting at the podium and talking to you guys about not playing well at home,’’ Payton said. “Yeah, it’s time. We have a good home field. We have a great tradition at home, crowd noise, and all those things that can help us. We need to take advantage of it.’’
Payton – who had great success over 15 seasons as head coach for the New Orleans before immediately finding it difficult to win in his first year with the Broncos – then wondered if referee Alex Kemp’s crew could help the home-town Broncos. To wit: The Broncos’ offense can hear their quarterback’s snap count while the Packers will have to deal with crowd noise as Jordan Love relays signals.
“This crew that’s officiating this weekend—of 17, they are second in fouls called at the line of scrimmage,’’ Payton said. “I could go on and on. We have to be smart at the line of scrimmage and take advantage of the noise.”
Kareem heavily fined
After going two games in a row without absorbing a fine, Kareem Jackson was targeted again by the league office as he was docked a whopping $43,709 for what was deemed unnecessary roughness in the Broncos’ 19-8 loss last Thursday at Kansas City.
This was a repeat-offender-sized fine. Based on the schedule of NFL fines, it was Jackson's second offense for impermissible use of the helmet or launching. Jackson was not penalized by the officials for the unnecessary roughness infraction against the Chiefs but he apparently could not escape the eye in the sky. He was spotted knocking the helmet loose from Chiefs’ running back Isiah Pacheco with 4:03 left in the fourth quarter.
Jackson was also fined each of the first three games -- $14,819 for his unnecessary roughness blow to the head of Raiders’ receiver Jakobi Meyers in week 1, $19,669 for his unnecessary roughness hit to the head of Washington tight end Logan Thomas in week 2, and $11,473 for another unnecessary roughness infraction (going low to take out a blocker on a 40-yard run by DeVon Achane in the third quarter).
Counting his latest infraction against the Chiefs, Jackson has now accumulated $89,670 in fines.
Jackson had appeal hearings with the league office on each of his first three fines and had the fine amount was reduced in each case, according to a source. He plans on appealing this latest fine as well.
Dulcich to IR, Browning to 53, Humphrey elevated
The Broncos made a series of expected moves Saturday.
Tight end Greg Dulcich was transferred back to injured reserve because of his troublesome hamstring injury. Expected to be a top receiving weapon this season, Dulcich will miss at least the next four games. He has already had one, four-game IR stint from the hamstring he strained in the season opener against the Raiders.
Outside linebacker Baron Browning was activated from the physically unable to perform list to the 53-man roster. Browning underwent knee surgery in May to repair a torn meniscus and will be making his season debut Sunday against the Packers.
The Broncos also signed receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey to their practice squad and then elevated him to their game-day roster. It’s third time this season Humphrey has been elevated from the practice squad. From now on, he must be on the 53-man roster in order to play.
Life of Bandy
For the fourth time in 51 days, receiver Michael Bandy was released Saturday from the Broncos' practice squad. He's also signed with the Broncos' practice squad four times since Aug. 30.
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