An early season issue has emerged for the Broncos, regarding calling plays at the right time.
Coach Sean Payton has said it several times since Sunday’s loss to the Commanders. He was asked about this again, during his press conference on Wednesday.
Payton said the process of streamlining the play calls ahead of Sunday’s game at Miami began Tuesday.
“We did it last night when we put the plan together,” Payton said. “So, if it’s a game [is] X Curl, Z Post, Y Shake, you name it [something different] and create code names that help do that. That was last night.”
Quarterback Russell Wilson, who reportedly resisted using a wristband while in Seattle, uses one. But not all games have it. That’s part of the changes Payton has made.
“We always have a pulse,” Payton said. “There are some games that are longer. I said, ‘Russ, let’s run No. 2,’ or, ‘Let’s flip No. 2,’ in left hash or right hash. Looking at last week, there were probably four or five games that would have been easier if it had been wrist banded, but we could have cut down on the verbiage.
Payton said it won’t be a problem until Week 2.
“The preseason was smooth, and then Week 1 was smooth,” he said. “Maybe we had too much in some of these games. Looking back on it, that’s something we can correct on our end and more quickly. There’s that happy balance of taking it fast, but also calling it on the line. I’m sure we were a little heavy at length in some games.”
Many interpreted Payton’s comments to reflect a not-so-subtle dig at Wilson’s ability to hear the play call and communicate it quickly. During Payton’s time with the Saints and Drew Brees, that wasn’t an issue.
Some view the situation as a partial vindication of one-and-done coach Nathaniel Hackett, as communicating plays from the sideline to the quarterback to the rest of the offense has been an issue all season.
Here is the biggest difference. Last year, it remained. This year, Payton is trying to get it done.