AFC Notes: Broncos, Jets, Titans

Broncos

Broncos executive VP John Elway was asked about the team’s current five-game losing streak and responded by saying that he believes they’ve gotten “a little bit soft.”

“I will tell ya, I think we got a little bit soft,’’ Elway said, via 9News in Denver. “To be dead honest with you, we got a little bit soft. We went 4-0 in the preseason, we started 3-1 we get a bye week and if you exhale in this league? You’re in trouble.

“And you know what, to be dead honest with you, I think we exhaled, and it’s hard to recover from that. It will be a lesson that hopefully we all learned and can prevent it from happening in the future.’’

Elway also offered some support for HC Vance Joseph.

“I’ve gone through losing streaks before and losses and tough seasons, but the way we’ve lost these games has been the most disappointing thing,’’ Elway said. “But I think we have the right type of guys. They’re working hard and the desire is still there. They know the expectations and we’re not out of this thing.’’

Jets

• Rich Cimini writes that the Jets are two players away from having an outstanding defense — a shutdown cornerback and an outside linebacker/edge rusher.
• Two potential free agent cornerbacks that could make sense for the Jets, according to Cimini, are Malcolm Butler and Trumaine Johnson.
• As for the offensive side of the ball, Cimini believes the Jets are in for a “serious makeover” next year, considering that they could use a quarterback, running back, center, a left tackle, a receiver and possibly a tight end if they lose Austin Seferian-Jenkins during free agency.

Titans

• Cameron Wolfe of ESPN writes that his level of concern regarding Titans QB Marcus Mariota, who is coming off of the worst performance of his NFL career, is at a 4 on a scale from 1-10.
• Wolfe mentions that both the Titans’ coaching staff and Mariota are responsible for the quarterback’s stall in development this year and there are things they can do to get him turned around such as running more play-action and no-huddle.
• As for the Titans’ rushing attack, Wolfe says that Tennessee would likely benefit from returning to a tandem backfield between DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry.