Broncos notebook: Russell Wilson, others blame Nathaniel Hackett’s dismissal | Sports

[ad_1]

ENGLEWOOD Russell Wilson knows he and his teammates are as much to blame as Nathaniel Hackett.

The Broncos quarterback feels somewhat guilty that Hackett was fired as the Denvers’ head coach on Monday. While Hackett had his issues as a head coach, everyone in the organization shares some blame for what went wrong this season, especially Wilson.

“The reality is, I wish I could have played better for him too,” Wilson said Wednesday. “I would have liked to be able to play at the standard, the level at which I have always played, to know how to play.”

Wilson has fallen short of expectations this year, throwing just 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions. And some wonder if he is the biggest problem as the head coach.

On Wednesday, Wilson acknowledged it, but said he believed he could still turn things around. And the Broncos and the next head coach need that, or another coach could lose his job next year.

“I know I can play exceptionally well. I know what’s in me and what I can do,” Wilson said. “A tough year in many ways, just physically. I’m used to scoring a lot of touchdowns, winning a lot of games, and it hasn’t happened the first time it’s been like this.

“My expectations are higher than everyone else’s. My mission is always the same, to bring the Super Bowl to Denver.”

Gregory apologizes

Broncos rusher Randy Gregory apologized Wednesday for his altercation Sunday when he punched a Rams player after the game. Gregory has been fined $50,000 by the NFL but is not suspended and hopes to play Sunday against the Chiefs. However, Gregory is still battling a knee injury.

“I really regret it,” Gregory said. “I’ve had a lot going on in my journey in this career and definitely not one of my bright spots. It was more back and forth throughout the game, and I just pushed the frustration a little too far. I let my kind emotions drive me and didn’t think about the ramifications of my actions. I have to be better at this.

Game analysis and insights from The Gazette’s sports staff, including columns from Woody Paige and Paul Klee.

Hit! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.

“I’ve spent a lot of my career trying to rebuild my image and confidence within organizations, the league and in the public eye.”

Simmons Wish List

Like most Broncos players on Wednesday, safety Justin Simmons was partly responsible for Hacketts’ firing. Simmons said he wished he could have done more to prevent this from happening. Now, Simmons will soon have his fifth head coach in eight years playing in Denver.

What is he looking for as a new head coach? It’s simple.

I’m not saying this because it’s necessarily lacking, but me personally, I just want to win,” Simmons said. “And it’s not a fluke for any other coach we’ve had. Like I said, I always look in the mirror first. When stuff like that happens, like Coach Hackett, I think about what I could have done better to help keep his job steady.

“Anyway, whoever it is, I just want to win.”

Risner explains the incident

Broncos left guard Dalton Risner also took to the podium Wednesday after practice and apologized for his actions Sunday, after pushing quarterback Brett Rypien during the game. Risner said it was a misunderstanding and his emotions got the better of him.

“I shouldn’t have done that,” Risner said. “There’s a lot of frustration, losing 51-14. We’re both very competitive guys. We want to win. Emotions were running high. I can’t let that frustration get the better of me.

“We both care a lot about winning.”

[ad_2]