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Knighton's 'guarantee'
It all started when Pot Roast talked to the Denver Post's Mark Kiszla, "guaranteeing" a Super Bowl win.
"It doesn't matter what happens. At the end of the year, we're hoisting that trophy," Knighton said Sunday, after Denver beat San Diego 22-10 to clinch the AFC West title.
"I don't care if New England doesn't lose again. I don't care where we have to play. I don't care who our opponent is. We're not going to be satisfied until we hoist that trophy. So if we've got to go to New England (in the playoffs) and win somewhere we're not used to winning, we're going to make it happen." ...
"Write that," said Knighton, stamping his prediction with all the weight of his 330-pound frame. "And put a big period after that one."
Is it OK to add an explanation point?
"Exclamation point!" Knighton insisted.
One could argue that a guarantee requires the famous phrase, "I guarantee it." But when Kiszla and the Denver Post headliners interpreted Knighton's comments as a famous kiss-of-death Super Bowl guarantee, well...
The Internet gave its hot takes
Knighton guarantees Broncos will beat Patriots | Comcast SportsNet - CSNNE.com
The Patriots have always relished the chance to turn an opponent’s words against him. Knighton, a 28-year-old Connecticut native, is probably familiar with that strategy. But he’s plunged mouth-first into deep water anyway.
Tom Brady on Terrance Knighton: "well done is better than well said" | ProFootballTalk
‘Well, Pot Roast is a big man and I would never say anything that would get him mad at me, but I’ll just say there’s a lot of football left to be played. My Dad always told me ‘well done is better than well said,'" Brady said. "In the meantime, we have a lot of football left to play, starting this weekend, Sunday at the Jets. Nothing is really clinched at this point; there’s still two very important regular season games remaining on our schedule and that’s what my focus is on."
Terrance Knighton Stupid To Guarantee Denver Broncos Super Bowl Victory | RantSports
Assuring a Super Bowl victory is never the right move to make, especially when you aren’t the best team in the NFL, let alone in your own conference. All Knighton is doing is creating bulletin-board material for every team they play in the playoffs who will take it personally that the Broncos think they can just waltz their way to a Super Bowl win.
Knighton guarantees Super Bowl victory for Denver - Kissing Suzy Kolber
All across the Denver area Broncos fans collectively shudder and scream "THANKS FOR JINXING US, ASSHOLE"... In 2012 the Broncos could blame Rahim Moore for their inability to make it to the end. Last year many blamed the defense and their coaches' inability to adjust for the Seahawks game. This year they can blame Pot Roast for jinxing them.
Knighton responds
I didn't guarantee a super bowl win. I just said I don't give a f**k who we play. We as a team have one goal. Being super bowl champs.
— Terrance Knighton (@MrKnighton2u) December 15, 2014
Terrance Knighton on guarantees and the Super Bowl - Denver Broncos Blog - ESPN
Monday, in the Broncos locker room, Knighton, one of the Broncos' two defensive captains along with DeMarcus Ware, did not step back from his words, but he added that he would expect any player on a playoff-bound team to believe the team would win the Super Bowl.
"Some people will call it a guarantee, some people will call it whatever they want, you know, anything less than a Super Bowl victory is a disappointing season," Knighton said. "I stand by what I said. I don’t care who we have to play, where we have to play, we won’t be satisfied until we’re hoisting that trophy. If New England wins out and we win out and we end up meeting them, we’ll have to go there and beat them. It’s that simple."
What's your take on Knighton's comments? Do you like the gusto, or hate the bulletin board material?
Horse Tracks
Broncos coach John Fox discusses loss of Danny Trevathan, Peyton Manning's improving health - The Denver Post
"Peyton is good today. He feels much better," Fox said.
Even in Run-First Offense, Demaryius Thomas Shining for Broncos | Bleacher Report
This isn’t the same Denver Broncos offense that put up Star Wars numbers in 2013. Over the last four games, the Broncos have transformed into a run-heavy team featuring starting running back C.J. Anderson. No team in the NFL has run the ball more than the Denver Broncos during this time. The Broncos are running on 54 percent of their offensive plays over the last month.
New-Look Broncos Offense: Super Bowl Caliber? - Denver - Scout
Since the Broncos lost to the St. Louis Rams in week 11, their offense has averaged 210 yards passing and 164 yards rushing per game. Manning’s passing attempts have significantly lowered, with an average of 27 per game, with the Broncos averaging 37 rushes per game. Denver has out scored their opponents on average by 8 points per game, through the four-game winning streak.
Broncos Defense Has Quietly Impressed - Predominantly Orange
While the offense has not had to rely on Peyton Manning in order to win games, the defense has done its part to shut down the opposing offense. This unit will be key on their quest to the ultimate prize. As long as they can keep the pressure on, they will have no problem. With players like Chris Harris, (who will be sticking with the Broncos for a while) Aqib Talib, Rahim Moore among the members of this improved defense the Broncos could win a few games on the defensive side of the ball.
Elway: Retaining Harris 'the start' of trying to keep as many key players as possible
The Broncos have plenty of expiring contracts and only so much room, but getting Chris Harris Jr. signed to a 5-year deal was a good start to keeping the core together.
Next Day Notebook: 'Fans travel well,' Denver D dominates
An impressive turnout from Denver's faithful and a comprehensive defensive performance, keyed by Malik Jackson, highlight this week's day-after review.