Jaguars vs. Broncos: What they were saying post-game
What were the Jacksonville and Denver players and coaches saying about the Jaguars 26-24 victory on Sunday?
This is the start of a new series at JaguarMaven, where we highlight some of the best quotes from the locker room and press conferences following each Jacksonville Jaguars game. All quotes are per the team unless noted otherwise.
After the Jaguars (2-2) pulled out a comeback 26-24 victory in Mile High Stadium against the Denver Broncos (0-4), what were the Jacksonville and Denver players and coaches saying about Gardner Minshew, Leonard Fournette's dominant performance, and more?
Broncos head coach Vic Fangio
- (On Leonard Fournette) “They were just—I’d just have to see the tape obviously, but they were pushing us around and he’s a big back and he broke tackles and moved the pile and we got whipped.”
- (On Gardner Minshew) "We had a hard time with the quarterback. The whole personality of the game changed when we couldn’t get that quarterback tackled when we had guys around him in the pocket in a couple critical third downs.”
- (On Gardner Minshew again) "I’ve been impressed with him. I was impressed with him watching him all week and we were doing a good job on him early, playing the way we had practiced to play. The coverages we were using we were doing good with, but then when we couldn’t get him down in those critical third down plays it kind of changed the game.”
Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr.
- (On Leonard Fournette) “He had a great day against us. He’s a great running back. We’ve definitely got to stop the run better than that, but he’s a great running back and he showed what he can do breaking those tackles and showing his vision.”
Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe
- (On Leonard Fournette) “He was patient in the backfield. They were tying to run it up inside the tackles, we would jam it up and then he would just bounce outside. That was the problem, it was just cut backs and bounce plays. He wasn’t just busting up the middle. I have to watch the film so I can’t really tell you what’s going on here. I just know that we have to do a better job of tackling because it is embarrassing to have someone run for some 200 yards on you.”
Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone
- (What he told the team at halftime) "I told them I know we can run the football. I want to treat this game like it’s 0-0. Let’s work our way back into it, and we’ve got to convert on third down. If we don’t, we aren’t going to be able to win this game. Then I went over to the defensive side and I told them the things that we need to work on. I gave them two or three things. I told everyone that we’re not going to panic. We’re going to play together. Special teams played well. We are going to work our way back in and find a way to win."
- (On Leonard Fournette and the offensive line) “We blocked them. I don’t want to go against what I was saying that whole time. There was some room there. I will say that he was definitely finishing. Once you get in the line of scrimmage, you’re able to finish. If you get hit behind the line of scrimmage, it’s very difficult to finish. There was a catch in there. There are some things he does that get overlooked."
- (On how Gardner Minshew played) “He’s spinning around. He’s breaking tackles. It’s like when you’re 12 and you’re playing in the street with a bunch of guys. He’s just trying to make a play. Sometimes it works out. Sometimes you sit there and say, ‘Hey, let’s not take these chances. Just go down or run.’ The guy made plays. You guys saw it. I’m poor with adjectives anyway, you guys are much better at describing it so whatever you say, I’m just agreeing with it.”
- (On Gardner Minshew's development) "We’ve all been around long enough to know how hard and how difficult it is to play quarterback in the NFL. It’s hard to find them, it’s hard to develop them. There’s not a guy in this room that would have said after the preseason that this guy is going to go out and play like he has. I think he’s changed the way I look at things in the preseason."
- (On defense allowing a touchdown on Denver's final drive) "Those guys have a lot of pride. They take that field with the lead and just need to stop them. Credit to Denver. We were close to getting to the quarterback and they get the ball over the middle. They made some good plays. Good (protections), good combinations, good schemes."
Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette
- (On how he broke so many tackles) “It’s a mentality. I knew coming in during the week preparing for the Broncos, just making one guy miss or not letting one guy tackle me. That’s my whole mentality coming into this game when I was practicing.”
- (On Gardner Minshew) “His name is Jockstrap King. He’s playing his part and what more can I ask from him? I apologized to him for the last couple of weeks, I was very frustrated and I didn’t congratulate him when I was supposed to and he’s doing a hell of a job.”
- (On what he and the offensive line talked about this week) “The O-Line had a dinner on Thursday, [OL] Brandon [Linder] and everyone else they were like ‘We’re going to get you another TD’ and I believed in them. I think little things like that; bonding outside of football, going to lunches with each other (inaudible).”
- (On Josh Lambo's game winning field goal) “I watched it. [K Josh] Lambo has practiced that and Lambo’s been doing a great job since he got here. You practice how you play, he didn’t miss a kick in practice and he’s doing a great job.”
Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew
- (On the running game) “It's huge. That's what won us the game. [RB] Leonard [Fournette], [RB Ryquell Armstead], the whole offensive line, tight ends, they absolutely dominated and that makes everything so much easier for the offense.”
- (On halftime) “I think we just weren't going to freak out. We were down 11 and we got some points right before half. That was huge. We knew we were going to get the ball back and give it right back again. I think that belief and/or doubt in who we can be is huge.”
- (On the final drive) “It was crazy. We knew we had to make some plays right there. We had the ball, it got tipped up, I got hit, it was crazy. I was on the ground. I didn't see. You kind of listen. If the crowd goes wild, you know it's bad. Nothing was really said, so I knew we were good. Then we get the penalty, then [WR] Dede [Westbrook] runs an awesome route. That was awesome.”
- (On Leonard Fournette's 81-yard run) “It was huge. We were kind of backed up at that point. We got a good run, our line blocked up and he did what he does. Once he gets into secondary one-on-one, he's hard to deal with. That was huge for him. I was really happy for him to really get rolling. He's been getting frustrated, but it was an awesome day for him. I couldn't be more happy for him.”