HEAD COACH JOHN FOX
On practice
"It was great. We had a great practice. Guys were focused. We had some great meetings this morning, and a good days work out here on the practice field."
On if his coordinators interviewing for other jobs is a distraction
"I think it's great. There are probably not too many assistant coaches in this league that don't either have aspirations to either become coordinators and then coordinators to become head coaches, so I think it's a great experience, a great opportunity. It happens when you have success."
On not making it a distraction
"I don't think it will be a distraction at all. Everybody's focus is on the New England Patriots."
On the New England Patriots
"I don't know about all that, but that's why you play the game. This is an opponent that we've played about a month ago. There is familiarity on both sides. It's kind of like the second game in a division rivalry, so that's kind of what it is. Whoever executes the best is going to win."
On the previous meeting with the Patriots
"We're confident, but not basically because of that game but because of the way our season has gone and where we're at. It's a huge test, no doubt, to go up there against a very experienced team, a team that's been playoff-tested. That's why there are only eight of us left."
On the Patriots having lost at home in the playoffs in years past
"I don't think there are too many of us running around that haven't lost a game yet. My feeling is if you haven't lost, you haven't played, so it should be a great game as all the games this next weekend. Whoever executes the best is going to win."
On QB Tim Tebow
"I've pretty much seen the same guy improving, every day, all season."
On this season
"They all have ups and downs. I would say that there aren't too many undefeated ones that have walked down that journey, so there are always ups and downs. We're still playing, and we have an opportunity."
On New England Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels
"I hope all the coaches - ours and theirs - bring it all to the table. We change players routinely between teams, and for that matter, we change coaches routinely between teams. So I don't think that's anything new and different."
On G Russ Hochstein
"A couple weeks ago against Kansas City when he stepped in when [G] Chris [Kuper] got hurt he played well against Pittsburgh, and as I mentioned to someone earlier, we expect all our starters to play well and all our backups to be ready."
On playing the Patriots a second time
"You do take some of the stuff out of the game. I think both sides will. Both teams have changed some since we played last personnel wise. I'm sure they will do different things just as we will do different things. It's like any other game that way."
On signing WR D'Andre Goodwin
"It gives us more depth at wide receiver. It's late in the season. There is a lot of running around. We did add a practice squad wide receiver as well, so it's just a roster move."
On Tebow's improvements since becoming starter
"He's gotten better, like we've said all along, we believed he would get better. You can believe that about any player on your roster. What happens in this league is if you improve every day, usually you're going to reap the rewards for it. As a football team, we've improved a lot from the first month of our season."
On hype surrounding Tebow
"At this point, I think we're used to it."
RUNNING BACK LANCE BALL
On the first quarter performance last New England game
"We played a physical game. We had a couple of mistakes in there. We turned the ball over a lot. But we just got to keep on firing. The first couple quarters we were going pretty good but then slowed down. So we want to keep it up, keep the game going and keep our performance up."
On seeing New England for the second time in a month
"It's great. We know our opponent. This is a game that we definitely want to play. They came in and beat us pretty well in our house. We go to their house now."
On picking up where they left off offensively from last week
"We're ready to go. We're excited as an offense to get better and perform better."
On New England Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels
"We know who he is. It's good he got another job. We're ready to play him."
On if that gives them an advantage
"We're just worried about ourselves; we're not worried about what he thinks what he's going to say to them. We're just worried about going in there and beating the Patriots."
On how much confidence he takes from the way they ran on New England last game
"We're excited as an offense, as an o-line, as running backs, we're excited to go out there and prove it again, that we can run the ball."
On if they are tougher to game plan for
"I think all season we're pretty tough to game plan on. It's just about us executing. We put it on ourselves this season that we're going to worry about us, the Broncos, and go out there and do our thing."
SAFETY QUINTON CARTER
On the Patriots two tight ends
"We just have to go play. We didn't play as well as we wanted to the first game. We just have to pick it up the second game."
On New England TE Aaron Hernandez's big game last game
"One busted coverage and tackling played a huge part of it. The catch wasn't that many yards, it's the run after. So we have to tackle better."
On if they're emphasizing tackling in practice
"We're emphasizing that. That's something that needs to be played to the fullest. In the game, we have to really concentrate on that. So we're focused on that at practice."
On Tebowmania
"It's nowhere in the locker room. Everybody else outside of here can have fun with that. We're here to work, we're here to win, we don't think about it."
On what changes have to happen to have success
"We have to play smart and can't make mistakes. That's the biggest thing. We can't make mistakes against that team because they capitalize."
On if there were a lot of mistakes -- assignment wise -- the last game vs. New England
"Yeah we did. If you watch film, there were a lot of big catches and guys wide open with nobody defending them."
On the Patriots offense
"They are very explosive so you just have to bring your A game."
On how much more comfortable he is in the defense
"I'm feeling very comfortable right now. I had a few bad games in that little timespan since we've played that. I put all of that behind me. Now is the time to be great."
On QB Tom Brady moving safeties with his eyes
"Yeah he does that a lot. Even on film he does that a lot. His release is so quick. You just have to play. If you see something, go take a risk here and there. Go make a play."
On if reacting to Brady is a feel thing
"Not necessarily. You just have to be disciplined in coverage. Just don't try to make the play, especially if it's in the area of the field that you're not covering. Just be disciplined."
On playing in the dime package
"That's up to the coaches whatever package we use. And we play it. I like it."
GUARD RUSS HOCHSTEIN
On the regular season loss to the Patriots
"First and foremost, we got beat. We have things we need to correct and fix and we're currently working on those and we'll do the best to run the ball efficiently, pass when need be and do what we have to do."
On the Patriots' mentality
"I can't really comment for them. They are who they are. They are a very well-coached, disciplined team and their record speaks for itself."
On the Patriots' businesslike approach
"Absolutely, it's always been that way. I'm sure going forward, it always will be."
On the Patriots change in defensive fronts last time
"The score dictates more than anything for us. We threw the ball late in the game and we'll see going forward. We'll try to be ready for anything. This is the playoffs. It's win or go home and we expect a lot of different fronts and anything they throw at us we have to find an answer for. It is what it is. As an offensive line, you prepare the best you can and you have to be ready for everything. This is the payoffs. Anything goes and like I said, its win or go home."
On why Denver had success running the ball on New England
"I would say everything. This is a team game and you have to do well offensively, defensively and in the special teams. I would say it was a team collaboration on what happened in that game and that's how we'll leave it."
On New England Head Coach Bill Belichick's defenses
"They have a game plan and they'll stick to it. Like every team you try and find answers for everything."
On turnovers vs. New England during regular season game
"You can't dwell on it. Whether you turn the ball over on offense, get a pick on a defense, or the special teams areas, you have to find a way. Like I said earlier, this is the playoffs so expect everything and be ready for as much of it as you can be."
On getting a chance to play
"I'm just trying to do my part, my role. We miss Kupe [G Chris Kuper] terribly. He was a phenomenal leader here and we miss him a lot. We wish (the injury) wouldn't have happened but I just have tried to step in and play the role that I'm supposed to and that's to help out in situations like this. I'm just trying to play the best I can, trying to play mistake-free and help the guys out on both sides of me."
On being in the huddle with QB Tim Tebow and QB Tom Brady
"I won't compare. That's apples and oranges. Two different teams and things like that. They are both good players and good leaders and both will find a way to win no matter what they can do. (Brady) always has charge (of the huddle) and Tim always has charge, never be too high and never be too low and good quarterbacks have that."
On the key to offensive success
"Those are tough questions to answer because you don't know what situation you're in. I'll never predict what we have to do or even try to answer that. It's hard."
On experiencing something like Tebowmania
"I've been very fortunate to be in a few Super Bowl runs and going back to the hype and things that surround that, there are some characteristics that are similar. It is what it is. If you're successful you're still playing and that's really what matters. If our team is successful we'll still be playing."
On the time he spent with the Patriots
"It will always be a great memory for me, no doubt. I was part of some great runs and great memories and I still have a few friends that play there. I have great memories and that will never go away - you can never take that away from me. But we're here now and we're trying to make them here."
On New England Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels
"I'll stay away from that all together because that's out of my hands. That is what it is..like we said earlier."
On QB Tim Tebow
"I just think he's a great leader and a good quarterback who's trying to help our team win, and that's the bottom line.
I'm his teammate so all I care about is how good of football he plays. I'll let you guys worry about the rest."
LINEBACKER VON MILLER
On his thumb
"It's feeling a lot better. It's still in the cast. The cast isn't going anywhere."
On getting to Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger in the fourth quarter
"We had been trying all game and were just able to get there in the fourth quarter. It just happened. If you keep rushing the passer, you take advantage of an opportunity when it presents itself, and that's just what we did. When we got the opportunity, we were just able to get there."
On getting to QB Tom Brady in the backfield
"He stays pretty shallow in the pocket; you've just got to be able to beat your guy quickly. That's my point of view on rushing the passer, anyway, so we've just got to be on our A-game this weekend."
On playing the Patriots again
"It's pretty exciting. After playing them the first time and being able to see the type of football that they play and what type of team they are— they're a great team; it's not like it's going to be easier or anything - we've just got a better understanding of what they're trying to do. I'm sure they'll change the gameplan too, so it's just going to be another great week of preparation, and hopefully we can go in there and play the same type of Broncos football that we've been playing."
On whether it feels like a divisional game
"Not really, but it's another great team. We know what type of capabilities they have and all of the receivers and all the weapons they have, so we'll definitely have to be on our A-game to go in there and play well."
On being versatile
"It's always good to try different areas and see if you can get there from other positions on the field. [Defensive Coordinator] Coach [Dennis Allen], he does a great job of moving me around, and he knows exactly what times to move me around, and I just listen for the play call and just execute."
On regaining confidence against Pittsburgh
"Going into that game, I felt extremely confident. We, as a defense, felt extremely confident going in in what type of defense we could play. We knew if we got a pass rush that it would help our chances of winning the game. That's how we attacked it. We just attacked it every down, and when the opportunity presented itself, we were able to get there." On what type of Head Coach a team will get in Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen "They'll get a great coach. I'm not sure what type of head coach he'll be. I'm sure he'll be a great head coach. He's an [Texas A&M] Aggie, so I'm sure he'll be a great leader in whatever. They'll get a consistent coach that will come in every day and push you and all the players on the team to be great."
On what he has learned this year
"I've learned that you've got to give fanatical effort and have relentless pursuit of the ball. You've got to be consistent and assignment-sound."
On his cast
"I really don't even really think about it as much. It's just there. I've gotten accustom to it. It's not like I don't want to take it off or anything. I do want to get it off, but this is what I have to do to play, and I'm just going out there and playing the game that I love."
On what needs to change on defense to have success against the Patriots
"We've got to be assignment-sound. We can't have as many errors as we did playing the first game. When you're playing a great team, you can't give them anything. The first game, we gave them a lot of stuff, and when you do that with great teams it's going to be tough to win. Going into this game, we want to be assignment-sound. We want to eliminate all the technical errors and make them beat us."
WIDE RECEIVER EDDIE ROYAL
On the Patriots
"They're a smart, disciplined football team. Their entire team is well coached, and they're going to do their assignment the way it's supposed to be done. They have some big guys up front, and with guys that can make plays in the secondary. I think one of their guys has seven interceptions, so he's able to make plays on the ball."
On productivity from the passing game
"I think you want to have a balanced attack. Obviously, we've been able to run the ball well this year. It was a good thing for us and our offense being able to throw the ball last week, so we'll see what the gameplan is this week."
On the offense's confidence
"It's always good to be able to come out and have success. You've just got to keep building on it— we had a good day of practice today- and just keep working to get better."
On the approach to Saturday's game
"We've always been serious. We know how important every game is, especially a playoff game, and we're taking it that way. We're going out there, working hard every day in practice, and we know with how good this team is, how well we've got to play to beat them."
On playing the Patriots on the road
"Whenever you're playing an away game, there are going to be added elements to it. You've got to really focus. The crowd noise is going to be there, but we've played enough away games to be prepared for this, and I think we're ready for it."
On the team's confidence after beating Pittsburgh
"With every win, I think you gain some confidence, but we know that we've got to put in a lot of hard work. It started today, like I said. We had a good day. We've just got to keep building on that."
On QB Tim Tebow
"He's done a good job of stepping up in big time games for us, in clutch situations, and it showed in overtime. He's been the same guy. He's been working hard, and like I said, we've just got to continue to get better at all phases of our game."
On "Tebowmania"
"I don't really pay too much attention to it. He's a good guy, a good football player, and he's a type of guy that deserves that type of attention by the way that he carries himself, the way that he works hard every day out at practice. You really respect a guy like that.
"I don't pay attention to it. It's just a lot of attention surrounding the team. We've got to stay focused on what we have to do and get prepared for our game."
On the craziest thing he's seen with "Tebowmania"
"I don't even know if I can name it. Away games seem like home games. I remember the Miami game. After that one, you had a crowd of people out there chanting his name by the bus, so that was kind of cool. We've always had a good following, but I think with Tim being our quarterback, we've got an extra [following]"
On whether there will be a lot of Tebow fans in New England
"I think there will be a lot of Broncos fans. We've got a lot of fans that are talking about going out there, and we always travel pretty well. Especially for this big of a game, I think they'll be out there supporting us."
On whether he is caught up in "Tebowmania"
"He's my quarterback. I've been supporting him since day one, so you can call it what you want."
On QB Tim Tebow's humility
"It's great, and you respect that from a guy like that, that he can handle it. He's the same guy every day. He's just like any of us in the locker room, and you really appreciate that."
On chemistry with Tebow
"I think it's improving every week. The more time you get to work with your quarterback, the better it is for you, just working on timing- working on a lot of those little things out on the practice field. I think with each week, you get better at it."
On how their chemistry has progressed
"I think it's night and day, just being comfortable with each other, knowing what to expect from one another, not only out on the practice field but in game situations. We've got a good feel for each other right now."
On Tebow's improvement from week to week
"I think he's just more comfortable with what we're doing. He's got a complete grasp of the offense. He's comfortable now, so he can just relax and go play."
On playing cautious because of the Patriots' ability to force turnovers
"I don't think you be cautious. You have to be aggressive with what you're doing, but you have to play smart. Whenever you play New England, you have to play smart because they're a well-coached team, and when you make mistakes they'll capitalize."
On playing mistake-free
"You've got to play mistake-free against this team. They're coached so well that any little thing that you do, they're going to turn it into points, so we've got to play mistake-free football."
On challenging New England
"We've just to play the way we know how to play and take care of the ball and execute our gameplan."
QUARTERBACK TIM TEBOW
On his confidence after a good game last week
"We were able to do some good things and in the passing game had some big plays, and I think we had a lot of confidence going in. We just needed to get a little momentum and get things going. [WR Demaryius Thomas] DT really stepped up, and [TE Daniel] Fells really had a huge game, [WR] Eddie [Royal] had a huge game. A lot of guys really stepped up. Unfortunately [WR Eric Decker] Deck got hurt, but a lot of guys really stepped up. They made me look a lot better than I really am, so it was good."
On a balanced offense
"Anytime you can really have great balance, I definitely think it makes it harder to defend. It keeps defenses off balance and keeps them guessing a little bit. That's definitely our goal."
On the carry-over effect after having a great game
"Every week is a new week. You can't focus on the past whether it was good, whether it was bad. I think each week you learn from it, but each week is a new week. It's a new game, new stadium. We can't be thinking about last week when we're in Foxboro. We have to be focused on the Patriots and what they're doing."
On his life since Sunday
"To be honest, I haven't really done too much. I've either been at my house or been here, and that's pretty much how it's been for me most of the season. But I enjoy both those places."
On Patriots Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels
"He's a very good coach, and I wish him nothing but the best. I'm very thankful for him having the confidence in drafting me, but I'm very excited about the coaches we have here - [Offensive Coordinator] Coach [Mike] McCoy, [Quarterbacks] Coach [Adam] Gase, [Head] Coach [John] Fox - and those coaches have done a great job. I've very thankful for playing for those coaches. I'm looking forward to playing a great team in New England. It will be a very exciting game."
On what he improved on Sunday
"Hopefully I'm improving every week. That's my goal. Every week I think you do some things better, some things maybe not as good, and I think we were able to hit our shots when we took them on Sunday. I felt like I was able to manage the game pretty well for the most part. When it wasn't there, maybe get a few first downs scrambling, but I know there is definitely a lot of room for improvement. We got right back in here and started watching it, and we know we have to get better every week if we want to get another win."
On pulling the trigger
"I feel comfortable with whatever they want me to do. Whatever they ask me to do, I'm going to do it with all my heart and try to do it to the best of my ability."
On playing more aggressively
"Yes. I think I did play pretty aggressive in the game. We were playing a very good team, a very good defense. I think you have to be willing to take some chances to make some big plays against them because they have so many big playmakers, so many good guys that are rushing to get to the quarterback. Our offensive line did a great job, and our receivers stepped up and made huge plays."
On the Patriots defense
"(New England Head Coach Bill Belichick) is a great head coach. They have a great scheme, a lot of great players. They do a lot of different things. I think we have to be prepared. We will have a great game plan, but we have to be prepared for a lot of different looks and also do a great job on the sideline of adjusting to what they're doing and making our corrections on certain things and having great communication on the side line as well. They do a great job. He's confused a lot of great quarterbacks and stopped a lot of good offenses, so we'll have to be prepared for a very good scheme and a very good defense."
On playing against Josh McDaniels
"It will be fun. It will be exciting, not just because of that, but because we're playing the New England Patriots. We get a chance to play Tom Brady and Bill Belichick in Foxboro. It's another round in the playoffs, and that's exciting. Congratulations to him for getting that position, but, honestly, we're not thinking about it. We're focused on playing a very good New England Patriots team. The rest is the rest."
On the last meeting
"You definitely can find some positive things in that. We drove the ball really well for most of the game. We had three turnovers where we dropped the ball on the ground, and we felt like we gave them - I don't know how many points they got off of that - 13, 17 points, whatever they got off it. That gave them the upper hand, but I think if we can limit turnovers, play a very sound game and execute, I think we'll have a chance."
On the offense without WR Eric Decker
"Eric is a great player. He's been huge for us all year, but we have a lot of guys that really stepped up in the game and a lot of guys that played well today in practice. I'm proud of them and [WR] Matt Willis, [WR] Eddie Royal, DT [WR Demaryius Thomas] and those guys will step up. They'll do their job. I'm really proud of them."
On the attention surrounding him
"I'm not sure. I haven't really paid attention to too much outside this building or games. I just pretty much try to be focused. That's pretty much it."
On where this season's story is
"I guess the next chapter. None of us exactly know, but it's a fun journey. It's exciting every week trying to learn and get better, and not just looking forward to the destination but enjoying the journey and have fun every day. That's what I'm trying to do and really just live out my dream as well as get better and try to get better at the game that I'm playing."
On proving critics wrong
"It was a big win for us. It was very exciting because we were able to beat a very good Pittsburgh Steelers team, at home, in front of our fans. That memory will definitely be very special to me and to many of my teammates and coaches. That definitely means a lot. It's one game. It's a playoff game, so it's big. But I'm not going to look too much into it. It's just one game. We have another big one this week."
On the Patriots defensive scheme
"They do a lot of different things. You have to be prepared for that, and they do them well. They're very smart, instinctive players that are coached up very well. I think, for us, it's just executing, holding onto the ball, not turning it over and being sound in what we do and finding a way to get some big plays. If we do that, hopefully we can control the ball and keep it out of Brady's hands."
On if being the underdog is motivating
"I don't know if we'll look into that, but maybe for some people it is (motivation). Just playing the Patriots is enough motivation for us and going to Foxboro and playing Tom Brady, playing Bill Belichick. That's enough motivation. Let alone, it's a huge playoff game, so all those things added up, I'm sure there will be a lot of motivation. The one thing that I'll be most proud of is our team will definitely go out there and play hard, play with a lot of passion, and emotion, and enthusiasm, which is all you can ask for."
On the title of the season if it were a book
"I'm not sure. I guess you have to wait and see what happens."
On long pass play calls against Pittsburgh
"I'm not sure. It was maybe a few of each. A few of them early were maybe scramble drills, but a few of them later were really great calls by Coach McCoy where he either had a double move or had something going on where the play-action fake and we were able to get behind them. Some great calls by Coach McCoy."
On being an effective deep passer
"Hopefully my first look is where my QB Coach tells me to look or else I'll get in trouble, so I try to look where he's coaching me. I just try to do what I'm coached to do, and if a play breaks down, keep my eyes downfield as I'm scrambling. I try to look to make a big play, and those are even things we try to work on in practice in between drills. We will work on different things like that, so it's definitely trying to keep my eyes downfield and try to make a big play."
On his dream
"No. It's definitely not Super Bowl or Bust. That's what I'm talking about enjoying the journey. You have to just have fun every day. That was a lot of fun on Sunday, but you have to enjoy the blessing that we have and not just look forward to the destination. I'm having fun every day, and whatever happens, I'll definitely count this season as a blessing and I'm thankful for the opportunity."
On what needs to happen to have success Saturday
"Scoring in the red zone is big. When we have a good drive going, we need to score seven. One time, last time we played them, we weren't able to do that, and if we could have put that one in, I think we would have gone up maybe 21-7 or something in that game. Two touchdowns is a lot more than just 10. I think that will be big and converting on third down will be big as well."
LINEBACKER WESLEY WOODYARD
On playing the Patriots for the second time in a month
"We know some of the things they are going to do. We know it's the playoffs, I'm sure they are going to come up with a different game plan. But the biggest thing is we can't continue to kill ourselves when we play them."
On the team's attitude
"We're just trying to maintain our same composure. Last week, we were excited about making the playoffs and we just have to take it one week at a time. The thing is, we love to play the game of football. We got another week in front of us."
On New England Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels
"It has nothing to do with us playing the game. Best of luck to Josh McDaniels. We're coming out there to play a football game."
On the last game against New England
"Our offense doesn't do anything to our defense. We have to go out there and cause turnovers. We had a chance to get some turnovers and we just have to continue to play sound football."
On the difference between Patriots QB Tom Brady and Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger
"Brady, he's a really smart quarterback and the thing he does is check audibles at the line. You can't be prepared for it, you just have to do your best to make sure you are down the field and make sure you're in the right places and doing your job."
On covering the Patriots tight ends
"We just have to do our job. That's the biggest thing this week. We have to continue to do our job, make plays and within our ability and within the scheme of the defense."
