Jaylen Brown makes bold claim on Boston Celtics roster: ‘We got enough’
The Celtics have muted expectations for the first time in years as most outsiders don’t have them aiming for another championship. That’s partly due to roster turnover and partly due to Jayson Tatum’s injured Achilles. And through the early portions of preseason, the Celtics are building a new identity with a new team.
But Jaylen Brown doesn’t necessarily view it that way. The Celtics still have talent on their roster starting with Brown, the four-time All-Star. So, after C’s practice Monday, Brown had a bold statement at least when it comes to their roster.
“We just gotta stay the course,” Brown said. “We got enough. We’re looking at other teams — we feel like we’re just as talented or we could beat them. The most important thing is not hanging your head after some mistakes or hanging your head after a loss. We just gotta move forward.”
It remains to be seen how the Celtics mesh together, though the main guys have played well in their preseason games thus far. Part of that is how the C’s haven’t gone up against an opposing team’s main guys. But still, the results have been solid. Brown also pointed out that guys fighting for roster spots often play more-physical defense, which isn’t always the case playing against starters in the preseason.
Regardless, Brown will have a crucial impact on this team. With Tatum sidelined, Brown will be consistently at the top of the opposing scouting report. He’s already accomplished plenty in this league, including being named the 2024 NBA Finals MVP for his work on both ends of the court. He also doesn’t look like he’s slowed down at all by the offseason knee surgery he had months ago at this point.
In many ways, it’s also a new role for Brown with this roster. The Celtics no longer employ longtime veterans who know the cadence of the 82-game season. No, they have hungry, young guys who are looking to prove they’re rotation-caliber NBA players. That’s also where Brown can help be a leader.
“I come to work every day trying to share my experiences, my basketball knowledge,” Brown said. “And also thinking about how I can bring the most out of everybody around me and my teammates. How to make them better as well as trying to perform at my highest level. It’s a balance. I have the tools to do it. I think I’ve been in enough roles throughout my years to have a good feel for everything. I’m embracing it; I’m enjoying it.”
Denver Broncos Defense on Historic Pace After Record Setting Start
The Denver Broncos have been one of the best defenses in the NFL so far this week. What’s even scarier is that the
The Broncos tied a franchise record with nine sacks against the Jets, showcasing their remarkable balance and depth with eight different players contributing to the sack total.
As The Denver Gazette noted, Denver’s defense held the Jets to only 82 total yards and minus-10 passing yards after sacks, which is the fewest in team history and second-fewest by any NFL defense since 1990.
Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto couldn’t help but laugh when he learned the stat:
“I was shocked when they told us after the game,” Bonitto said. “That’s pretty funny.”
Bonitto leads the entire
Cornerback Pat Surtain II, last season’s DPOY, thinks Bonitto could be next in line.
“It was honestly pretty crazy,” Surtain said. “It was like I was sitting back watching, being a fan of it. We’re covering for maybe one or two seconds, I look up, there’s a sack. It’s a pleasure to watch and a pleasure to be part of.”
Historic Numbers Through Week 6
Through six weeks, Denver leads the NFL with 30 total sacks, 10 more than any other team.
They rank second in total defense (254.2 yards per game) and scoring defense (15.8 points per game). Only the
The turnaround has been remarkable.
After giving up 473 yards in a Week 2 loss to Indianapolis, the Broncos’ defense has completely locked in. In their last three wins over the
Nose tackle D.J. Jones said the group has found its rhythm:
“We’ve been in that groove, just a relentless groove. It’s special to be a part of it.”
Denver’s Depth and Dominance
Despite missing key contributors like linebacker Dre Greenlaw (quad injury) and still easing Malcolm Roach back into action after a calf issue, the Broncos have emerged as perhaps the league’s most feared defensive unit.
Roach made his season debut on Sunday in London but only logged 25 of 57 defensive snaps.
Even without Greenlaw and Roach for most of the first six weeks of the season, the
“They’ve been playing their butts off week in and week out,” wide receiver Courtland Sutton said about the defense.
“It’s been special to watch, and I’m just grateful to be on a team with guys playing at that level. They’re out there with the mindset that nobody can stop them. The sky’s the limit for those guys.”
As dominant as Denver’s defense has been, it could get even scarier once the unit is back to full strength.
The Broncos will host the Giants next before a Week 9 clash with Houston, a game that could turn into a battle between two of the NFL’s top defenses.
