Wes Welker: Fox Didn’t Have Broncos Prepared For Crowd Noise At Super Bowl

[scanry]

BOSTON (CBS) — Wes Welker has already seemingly burned a bridge with one NFL head coach, but might he have done the same with his current boss?
MMQB’s Greg Bedard wrote a story the day after the Super Bowl (http://mmqb.si.com/2014/02/03/super-bowl-48-what-went-wrong-for-denver-broncos/)that’s gaining some traction on Tuesday. In particular, Bedard uses a quote from Welker about the Broncos’ flub on the opening play of the Super Bowl, when center Manny Ramirez snapped the ball to nobody. The ball rolled into the end zone, resulting in a safety which gave Seattle a 2-0 lead and turned the ball over.


Welker made no bones about it, saying the Broncos weren’t prepared for the crowd noise.


“That’s the way the start of any Super Bowl is: It’s going to be loud,” Welker, now a veteran of three Super Bowls (all losses), said. “The fans are going to be yelling. They don’t really know why they’re yelling — it’s just the start of the Super Bowl. We didn’t prepare very well for that, and it showed.”

NFL.com added to the story (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000323440/article/broncos-wes-welker-we-didnt-prepare-well-for-noise), noting that Denver head coach John Fox actually turned down the volume of the crowd noise at practice on Wednesday.

“[The Super Bowl is] not an away game. The ones I’ve been to haven’t been too loud,” Fox explained after that practice. “So we just kind of practice with what we think we’re going to get.”


Fox was the Giants’ defensive coordinator for Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa, and he was the Panthers’ head coach in Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston. His teams lost both of those games.


Welker made it clear at the podium after the game that the mistake on the first snap was a big one.


“It’s never the way you want to start a game, that’s for sure,” Welker said. “It’s tough. You’ve gotta bounce back from it. We just never really rebounded.”

Welker turned in another solid Super Bowl performance, catching eight passes from Peyton Manning for 84 yards. Despite his drop that may have cost the Patriots a championship in Super Bowl XLVI, Welker’s fared pretty well in his three Super Bowl appearances, averaging nine receptions and 82 yards per appearance.


Welker didn’t mention Fox specifically by name, but when you add two and two together, there’s only one person responsible for preparing his players for the biggest game of their lives. If Fox does take offense to the comments, he can always make a phone call to Bill Belichick if he wants advice on how to best deal with the receiver.

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/02/04/wes-welker-suggests-john-fox-didnt-have-broncos-prepared-for-crowd-nosie-at-super-bowl/

[spurraider21]

its not the cold that gets to him. on the road (or even a neutral site) the crowd volume doesn't allow him to make his changes at the line before ever play, which is one of his best assets. it limits their ability to run the no huddle. he requires the cooperation of the home crows to be able to do all these things that have made him so great during his career. how many times were you actually able to hear "omaha" over the crowd noise during the superbowl?

[MeloHype]

its not the cold that gets to him. on the road (or even a neutral site) the crowd volume doesn't allow him to make his changes at the line before ever play, which is one of his best assets. it limits their ability to run the no huddle. he requires the cooperation of the home crows to be able to do all these things that have made him so great during his career. how many times were you actually able to hear "omaha" over the crowd noise during the superbowl?

[Blake]

Peyton has been in as many Super Bowls as Welker. That's pretty inexcusable for someone that fancies himself a perfectionist.

[HarlemHeat37]

That's several players that have blamed coaching now, tbh..

One of the worst coaches in NFL history, tbh..the worst part about making it to the SB is that it secures Fox's job for at least a few more years..

[Mal]

By throwing that red flag he should that he had no idea what he was doing.

[AchillesHeel]

That's several players that have blamed coaching now, tbh..

One of the worst coaches in NFL history, tbh..the worst part about making it to the SB is that it secures Fox's job for at least a few more years..

So it's injuries, worst coach of all-time, and the crowd that made Manning pee his pants on the biggest stage? Care to add more excuses?

[spurraider21]

Peyton Manning is the coach of the offense, don't feed me that John Fox bullshit :lol


on a side note...
Why am I not surprised that HH37 used the expression "One of the ______________ in NFL history"

[Clipper Nation]

That's several players that have blamed coaching now, tbh..

One of the worst coaches in NFL history, tbh..the worst part about making it to the SB is that it secures Fox's job for at least a few more years..
Fox sucks, but the majority of the blame goes to your choke artist QB, tbh....

[HarlemHeat37]

I don't know why posters here keep talking to me like I'm a Manning supporter:lol..I don't give a fuck about Manning's legacy or whatever..

I've been posting here way before Manning joined the Broncos, and I've been shitting on Fox since the Broncos hired him..

Manning choking is getting all the headlines, and rightfully so, but Fox is a terrible coach, and only casual fans would think otherwise..several players have already commented that the Broncos were out-schemed..

[spurraider21]

Thats fine and dandy, but Fox is all but irrelevant when it comes to the offense. his shittiness doesn't have anything to due with their offensive struggles, which is what highlighted the game

[HarlemHeat37]

Broncos would have lost the game regardless, that's on Manning choking and too many injuries, but there's no way they should have been blown out and embarrassed by a Seahawks team that isn't anything special, tbh, that's on the coaching staff..

The ST unit was terrible, the team was completely unprepared for Harvin, they couldn't hold contain against a mediocre QB, and they were undisciplined, which has been a recurring trend for the Broncos..not to mention Fox wasting a timeout on one of the worst challenges I've ever seen:lol..

[spurraider21]

when your offense that your team has been over reliant on all season only scores 8 garbage time points, and Fox doesn't run the offense, I find it hard to really point the finger at him

[HarlemHeat37]

When you can't stop a mediocre offense in the SB(which is what Seattle was for the past 6 weeks or so), the coach deserves a lot of blame, along with Manning's choking ass..

[spurraider21]

^don't tell DD that. he'll tell you their offense was irrelevant in the proceedings this past Sunday

[tlongII]

Fox turning the speakers down during practice is beyond stupid. Everyone knew there would be a lot more Seahawks fans than Broncos fans at the game. Seahawks fans are LOUD! You HAVE to be prepared for that.

[spurraider21]

no, its just the seattle home sound crew pumping in artificial sound... wait

[Pelicans78]

Broncos would have lost the game regardless, that's on Manning choking and too many injuries, but there's no way they should have been blown out and embarrassed by a Seahawks team that isn't anything special, tbh, that's on the coaching staff..

The ST unit was terrible, the team was completely unprepared for Harvin, they couldn't hold contain against a mediocre QB, and they were undisciplined, which has been a recurring trend for the Broncos..not to mention Fox wasting a timeout on one of the worst challenges I've ever seen:lol..

I agree with that. Seattle wasn't a world beater and no excuse for such a blowout on a neutral field.

[Bill_Brasky]

Maybe its the fact that Manning is such a control freak that prevented them from hiring a really good coach.

[Pelicans78]

^don't tell DD that. he'll tell you their offense was irrelevant in the proceedings this past Sunday

It pretty much was in the first half. They could have put the game away early if not settling for FGs when given short fields. They finally scored a TD after a gift pass interference field on another short field. By the time it was 29-0, the offense really accounted just for those 7 points. The FGs were pretty much already a given without much work from the offense.

[Spur-Addict]

I find it interesting that nobody is talking about how Welker is throwing his coach under the bus.

[Pelicans78]

Maybe its the fact that Manning is such a control freak that prevented them from hiring a really good coach.

There's a lot of truth in that. He's a huge ego maniac and wants to basically run the team with his finesse pass-happy approach that infects the whole team in practices and games. That's why his Colts teams and current Broncos team always appeared soft. Too busy placating to that ego maniac.

[Pelicans78]

I find it interesting that nobody is talking about how Welker is throwing his coach under the bus.

He's an overrated POS scumbag who fancies himself too much despite being a one trick poney.

[spurraider21]

It pretty much was in the first half. They could have put the game away early if not settling for FGs when given short fields. They finally scored a TD after a gift pass interference field on another short field. By the time it was 29-0, the offense really accounted just for those 7 points. The FGs were pretty much already a given without much work from the offense.
they started from their own 36 and their own 28 on the early field goal drives. i don't know if those really count as "short fields" which to me is when you are at or near midfield. the first TD drive was a short field, having started on the Denver 37. i don't know if you can call that PI a "gift" though, it was a pretty blatant foul

http://gifsection.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Tony-Carter-pass-interference-on-Golden-Tate.gif

[DeadlyDynasty]

It pretty much was in the first half. They could have put the game away early if not settling for FGs when given short fields. They finally scored a TD after a gift pass interference field on another short field. By the time it was 29-0, the offense really accounted just for those 7 points. The FGs were pretty much already a given without much work from the offense.
http://img.pandawhale.com/post-23470-Jeremiah-Johnson-HD-gif-Imgur-2LEp.gif

[JoeTait75]

I find it interesting that nobody is talking about how Welker is throwing his coach under the bus.

Yeah, he's a sneaky little shit, isn't he?

[Spur-Addict]

Yeah, he's a sneaky little shit, isn't he?

IMO, yes. It's easier to get away with these controversial statements when people (mainly Manning apologists) are looking for reasons to defend, and explain what happened to fit their narrative. If this was week 5, coming off a loss, I wonder if it would be perceived any differently.

[Clipper Nation]

Thats fine and dandy, but Fox is all but irrelevant when it comes to the offense.

Also, Coach Fivehead is the real offensive coordinator, according to the media whenever his teams are winning :lol

I wonder when one of his slurpers is actually going to blame Adam Gase :lol

[Clipper Nation]

There's a lot of truth in that. He's a huge ego maniac and wants to basically run the team with his finesse pass-happy approach that infects the whole team in practices and games. That's why his Colts teams and current Broncos team always appeared soft. Too busy placating to that ego maniac.

Truth bombs.... Fivehead is one of the most selfish divas in the league, but because he's a prominent quarterback instead of an RB, CB, or WR (the stereotypical "selfish diva" positions), the media doesn't discuss this :lol

[The Gemini Method]

I find it interesting that nobody is talking about how Welker is throwing his coach under the bus.

While trying to discredit how good Seattle was this year. Salty fucks. :cry Though Addict! Rang Rang Rang!

[Spur-Addict]

While trying to discredit how good Seattle was this year. Salty fucks. :cry Though Addict! Rang Rang Rang!

All the shit talking throughout the year, and now they have to walk around with the tail between. :cry But, but, it's his fault :cry

[Blake]

I find it interesting that nobody is talking about how Welker is throwing his coach under the bus.

They alluded to it in the OP article

[spurraider21]

Truth bombs.... Fivehead is one of the most selfish divas in the league, but because he's a prominent quarterback instead of an RB, CB, or WR (the stereotypical "selfish diva" positions), the media doesn't discuss this :lol
:cry "i'm not slurping, i'm just blaming everything except him"

[resistanze]

lol Welker
lol 0-3 in SBs
lol choked
lol short
lol somersault
lol 'but coach i tried to jump!'

[Blake]

lol Welker
lol short


lol slow
lol white
lol undrafted
lol oversized helmet

[Thebesteva]

That's several players that have blamed coaching now, tbh..

One of the worst coaches in NFL history, tbh..the worst part about making it to the SB is that it secures Fox's job for at least a few more years..

Can you explain to me what all the hoopla is about John Fox? I mean he's 100000x better than McDaniels was or even that stubborn mule Shanahan in the last few years of his career.

I get he's too conservative and can be a poor play caller at times but his good outweigh his bad imo.

[monosylab1k]

Also, Coach Fivehead is the real offensive coordinator, according to the media whenever his teams are winning :lol

I wonder when one of his slurpers is actually going to blame Adam Gase :lol

when Peyton wins: he orchestrates everything!
when Peyton loses: the coaches suck!

[HarlemHeat37]

Can you explain to me what all the hoopla is about John Fox? I mean he's 100000x better than McDaniels was or even that stubborn mule Shanahan in the last few years of his career.

I get he's too conservative and can be a poor play caller at times but his good outweigh his bad imo.

He doesn't have any good:lol..

McDaniels was obviously a stubborn control freak that failed miserably, but at least he had a system he attempted to install and a style of play he wanted to instill..

Shanahan was a great offensive coach that just didn't understand how to choose defensive coordinators and personnel, but at least he brought an innovative offense..

Fox literally brings nothing to the table..he's conservative, he doesn't understand how to challenge plays, he's extremely vanilla and old-school, his defensive style is antiquated, etc..he doesn't bring anything as a coach, you could literally replace him with Avante..

In today's NFL, you need aggressive coaches, or at least coaches that are innovative/willing to change, tbh..Jeff Fisher is the same, which is why the Rams will never win and their current "future" hype is wasted ATM, tbh..

[Thebesteva]

He doesn't have any good:lol..

McDaniels was obviously a stubborn control freak that failed miserably, but at least he had a system he attempted to install and a style of play he wanted to instill..

Shanahan was a great offensive coach that just didn't understand how to choose defensive coordinators and personnel, but at least he brought an innovative offense..

Fox literally brings nothing to the table..he's conservative, he doesn't understand how to challenge plays, he's extremely vanilla and old-school, his defensive style is antiquated, etc..he doesn't bring anything as a coach, you could literally replace him with Avante..

In today's NFL, you need aggressive coaches, or at least coaches that are innovative/willing to change, tbh..Jeff Fisher is the same, which is why the Rams will never win and their current "future" hype is wasted ATM, tbh..

http://www.kirkwilcox.com/images/billcowher3.jpgWhat's he up to....tbh?

[dg7md]

I can't really say with any certainly what the real reason behind that beatdown was, because it's really staggering to imagine that the fluent and smooth Broncos offense was completely obliterated. I can't place all the blame Peyton, I can't place all of the blame on the coaches, I can't think it was just one of those factors — it was basically everything. They were just shattered and the Seahawks smelled the blood in the water. That opening play safety was really the crux of the initial problems with their offensive coordination, and it didn't get much better from there.

I do think though that coaching has the most to do with the systematic breakdown of the best offense in the league, they had no contingency plan. It didn't seem like, to me, they expected to run into the freight train that is the Seahawks defense. It looked to me like the Broncos did nothing to prepare for the game they were going to have. Did Peyton choke? Yeah, kind of. Peyton's decision-making was poor to say the least, but a lot of the blame on that front has to go down to their initial gameplan, which seemed utterly destroyed after they took the field.

Case in point here, I don't think the Broncos were ready at all, and they got completely dissected by the better team on the day they were hyped up the most. Broncos sure didn't "beat themselves" or any of that hyperbole, I truly think that the Broncos just weren't prepared for anything that game, which tells me that nobody knew what was coming and just how frantic it would be for them. It's certainly strange, because they were a great team all season until this point and it was apparent how good Seattle was all season long. How did they not expect what they ran into? It certainly seemed like it, with just how overrun they got.

It's not like the Broncos were outmatched either, they have a lot of talented players on that team. If they played their best, I think they could have beaten the Seahawks, but were absolutely off-kilter all game long. To blame crowd noise, like Welker says, for an explanation for the breakdown is foolish to say the least. ADAPT. They needed backup plans and they needed to know how to adapt with the worst situations, they didn't and they lost. Big time.

If I were a Bronco fan I would definitely want the front office to look at the coaching staff, starting with John Fox, because while he did lead his team to a Super Bowl, he got dismantled in a way that I don't think I've ever seen in a championship game before. Total lack of control, that entire game. What a mess.

[crc21209]

:lol Welker just dropping truth bombs against that garbage coach Fox.

[HI-FI]

I can't really say with any certainly what the real reason behind that beatdown was, because it's really staggering to imagine that the fluent and smooth Broncos offense was completely obliterated. I can't place all the blame Peyton, I can't place all of the blame on the coaches, I can't think it was just one of those factors — it was basically everything. They were just shattered and the Seahawks smelled the blood in the water. That opening play safety was really the crux of the initial problems with their offensive coordination, and it didn't get much better from there.

I do think though that coaching has the most to do with the systematic breakdown of the best offense in the league, they had no contingency plan. It didn't seem like, to me, they expected to run into the freight train that is the Seahawks defense. It looked to me like the Broncos did nothing to prepare for the game they were going to have. Did Peyton choke? Yeah, kind of. Peyton's decision-making was poor to say the least, but a lot of the blame on that front has to go down to their initial gameplan, which seemed utterly destroyed after they took the field.

Case in point here, I don't think the Broncos were ready at all, and they got completely dissected by the better team on the day they were hyped up the most. Broncos sure didn't "beat themselves" or any of that hyperbole, I truly think that the Broncos just weren't prepared for anything that game, which tells me that nobody knew what was coming and just how frantic it would be for them. It's certainly strange, because they were a great team all season until this point and it was apparent how good Seattle was all season long. How did they not expect what they ran into? It certainly seemed like it, with just how overrun they got.

It's not like the Broncos were outmatched either, they have a lot of talented players on that team. If they played their best, I think they could have beaten the Seahawks, but were absolutely off-kilter all game long. To blame crowd noise, like Welker says, for an explanation for the breakdown is foolish to say the least. ADAPT. They needed backup plans and they needed to know how to adapt with the worst situations, they didn't and they lost. Big time.

If I were a Bronco fan I would definitely want the front office to look at the coaching staff, starting with John Fox, because while he did lead his team to a Super Bowl, he got dismantled in a way that I don't think I've ever seen in a championship game before. Total lack of control, that entire game. What a mess.
good post game breakdown. From Fox to Manning on down, the whole team was shitty tbh. Just an epic beatdown that I haven't seen in a long time. It was like a varsity/jv game or 80s NFC vs AFC bitch slapping.

That Broncos D was no. 22 for the season, and while they had lots of injuries, they still got the least amount of pressure on Wilson than anyone. Not to mention, they were the first defense to not get a turnover in 3 playoff games. I realize Lynch was the focal point, but like I said before the game, you can't let Wilson get going. It seems Seattle made every 3rd down conversion.

Manning got pressured easily, so he started pressing and going for dink and dunks, which was what Seattle wanted. Even when the receivers caught the slants and could pick up the first, they would hesitate because there would be 3 DBs ready for them.

Ironically, I read a Belichick interview before the game and was saying how the Broncos offense is somewhat of a front running team, and it seemed prophetic because they didn't seem to have a plan B. Manning deserves his share of the blame as leader of that offense, but everyone looked shellshocked out there.

That initial safety has to be one of the worst opening plays ever. It basically gave Seattle the kickoff two halves in a row.

Even Seahawks fans won the battle by outnumbering Bronco fans 3 to 1.

Just an amazing beatdown. Maybe the Seahawks were simply juiced out of their minds before the game, because they were playing with speed and power that scared the shit out of Denver.

[spurraider21]

so did the neutral stadium have fake noise to make seahawks fans sound louder too?

[Blake]

:lol Welker just dropping truth bombs against that garbage coach Fox.

That's not all he dropped lollololoooooooooooooool

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/935806/welker.gif

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[Budkin]

Poor Wes Welker.