Pro Bowl Playmaker Sends Clear Message After Clash With Broncos HC Sean Payton

The Denver Broncos have plenty to celebrate entering Week 6 with a tilt against the New York Jets in London up next. Most of all, the Broncos can celebrate the fact that they overcame adversity, including friction between one star player and head coach Sean Payton.

Payton has never been known as a “players’ coach” in the traditional sense, but he has generally been well-regarded by those who play for him.

That makes the friction that Payton had with tight end Evan Engram even more notable.

Evan Engram Was At Odds With Sean Payton

Engram signed a two-year, $23 million contract with the Broncos in free agency this past offseason, and he and Payton both expressed confidence in how the two-time Pro Bowler and former No. 23 overall pick of the 2017 draft would be used.

However, Engram entered Week 5 with eight receptions for 62 yards on 13 targets.

Engram logged four catches for 33 yards and 1 touchdown during the Broncos’ Week 5 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

“I appreciate hard coaching, I don’t like it any other way,” Engram told reporters on October 5. “I like to be coached hard, and Sean definitely lets you know whenever he’s upset, or lets you know it even when he’s excited and happy, too. So, it was just good to just start getting involved. And just help offense.”

“I got pissed at him, and he was pissed at me. Then nothing. I just got after him a little just because I knew that he hadn’t gotten the touches,” Payton told reporters after the Broncos’ victory on October 5.

“Then it was like, ‘All right, let’s find these throws real quick.’ And he responded, and it was kind of a good thing. But we got to – listen, he’s a great weapon. He made some big plays. Obviously, the touchdown, he’s not the primary. Guy’s in the quarterback’s face. He made some big plays for us.”

Engram’s injury history proved telling, with a back injury costing him one game this season.

Still, his usage was disappointing before that, and even a calf injury that hindered him before he injured his back.

Sean Payton Delivered Reality Check About Evan Engram

Payton’s offseason rhetoric gave way to reality during the week leading up to the Eagles game, with the veteran head coach pointing out that Engram’s usage was not at the top of their list of concerns relative to the outcome of games. He has been through similar situations before.

Before it was Jimmy Graham or even Michael Thomas with the New Orleans Saints.

Now, it is Engram, but Payton noted that Broncos WR1 Courtland Sutton could also face similar stretches. Payton also previously praised what Engram brings to the Broncos’ offense when he is on the field.

“I think a lot of it is the script. And, no, there’s times where, yeah, you definitely look to involve them. But we don’t come off a game like last week and then look at who got touches. We’re not playing the fantasy game. We’re trying to win,” Payton said during his media availability on October 2.

“It’s not intentional. These guys are going to cloud [cover] Courtland. They’re going to put their best corner on them at times. And so, some of that is how that game unfolds.”

Evan Engram Preached Patience

Engram preached patience, telling reporters in September that it is “a day-by-day thing, honestly. And just the work being put in each and every day, really learning the offense, learning the specifics, getting on the same page with Bo [Nix], learning the details from Sean. It definitely takes some patience. It definitely takes time to build something great.

“But we have such a great team, a bunch of great minds here. And working really hard, and just looking forward to coming in and leaving a mark as much as I can.”

Notably, Engram logged five fewer snaps in Week 5 than he did in Week 4, when he played a season-high 35 reps against the Cincinnati Bengals. Perhaps Engram’s interaction with Payton can spark an even greater offensive run for the tight end.

The Jets are Engram’s next chance at his true breakout game with the Broncos.

Jared Goff Reveals What Running Back Pass Play Was Called

Jared Goff discusses David Montgomery throwing a touchdown pass.

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) makes a pass against Cincinnati Bengals during the first half / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In this story:

The Detroit Lions installed the play involving running back David Montgomery tossing the football during the week of preparation for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Appearing on 97.1 The Ticket Tuesday morning, quarterback Jared Goff revealed what the play was called and when it was installed in the game plan.

Montgomery's play was called "Purple Rumble."

The veteran signal-caller said there was no special meaning behind the call and believed it was the idea of head coach Dan Campbell.

"No, it's just the way that play, there's nothing special. Those are actually just words that we use that just combine to make that play happen," said Goff. "But yeah, no, nothing special there. It's something that was the brainchild of Dan (Campbell), I believe early in the week, and it came to life."

Goff admitted, when asked if the team will install unique or trick plays during game week and then run it on Sunday, "Yeah. Every week."

Studs and Duds: Lions RB David Montgomery Shines

The weekend was special for Detroit's talented running back, as he was able to play in front of friends and family. His sister was involved in a serious automobile accident 18 months ago that left her paralyzed from the neck down.

To see her and other supporters was very meaningful to the veteran running back.

Montgomery shared, via the team's social media channel, "It was super, super meaningful. You know, my sister hadn't seen me play in person since her accident. To be able to kinda get her here. I really appreciate the Cincinnati Bengals helping making sure that she got on the field. I think that was special. And I appreciate them for that. You know, it was a very special moment for me."

Montgomery was a former high school quarterback, so to be able to toss a pass in his hometown also provided added meaning.

“Super, super meaningful," said Montgomery. "To be able to come back home where it all started for me, being able to kind of show my arm where it all started for me, I think it was a special moment.”

Detroit's fifth-year head coach praised Montgomery in his postgame address to the media, including using a rare expletive expressed in public.

“He lays it on the line on Sundays. He lays it on the line at practice," said Campbell. “David is that guy. Heartbeat guy. He’ll do whatever it takes. He’ll stick his face up there in protection; he’ll run the dirty runs. He will run down field to make a block for a teammate in the pass game. “He’s all fu****g team. Excuse my language.”

Continue reading