""Tremendous," Bailey said of Knighton's growth as a leader. "I didn't know him before he got here, but just to be able to come in and figure out where he fits in and know his role, but also understand that he's a leader on this team. And we need him to be that."
That's what he tried to be when he talked to his fellow defenders after the 27-20 loss to San Diego on Dec. 12. Knighton and others and been perplexed over the defense's struggles to that point. But that loss was different. The ease with which the Chargers ran to the outside, their success on third downs, all of it left Knighton and others feeling worse than at any point to date this season.
"It was immediate frustration," Knighton said. "After the second Charger game, I pulled the whole defense aside and said, 'Look, we've got to figure it out. It's too late in the season to still be trying to feel our way through things. Relying on the offense, or whatever it is, we have to find something, and we have to do our part.'
"The group responded. Guys had a chance to air their feelings out and say how they felt guys were playing. Nobody took anything personal. It showed against Houston, it showed against Oakland. The feeling I get right now for the defense, is that we're ready to play our best football."
More good fluff inside: http://m.denverbroncos.com/s/30843/2...84133154210778
That's what he tried to be when he talked to his fellow defenders after the 27-20 loss to San Diego on Dec. 12. Knighton and others and been perplexed over the defense's struggles to that point. But that loss was different. The ease with which the Chargers ran to the outside, their success on third downs, all of it left Knighton and others feeling worse than at any point to date this season.
"It was immediate frustration," Knighton said. "After the second Charger game, I pulled the whole defense aside and said, 'Look, we've got to figure it out. It's too late in the season to still be trying to feel our way through things. Relying on the offense, or whatever it is, we have to find something, and we have to do our part.'
"The group responded. Guys had a chance to air their feelings out and say how they felt guys were playing. Nobody took anything personal. It showed against Houston, it showed against Oakland. The feeling I get right now for the defense, is that we're ready to play our best football."
More good fluff inside: http://m.denverbroncos.com/s/30843/2...84133154210778
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