Schlereth: Broncos’ Brock talk may create bulletin board material

There’s been no mincing of words this week in the Denver Broncos locker room when it comes to Brock Osweiler.

The former future franchise quarterback has been on the lips of players, especially on the defensive side, as he returns to Denver for the first time since signing a four-year, $72 million deal with the Houston Texans in the offseason.

“He’s throwing it everywhere, and he’s also forcing a lot of throws, so there’s a lot of opportunities to get picks,” cornerback Chris Harris said Monday.

Linebacker Brandon Marshall told Denver 7 Broncos Insider Troy Renck this Monday:

#Broncos @BMarshh54 said no ill will toward Brock. Happy got paid. “But it’s competition. We want to kill him.” @DenverChannel

— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) October 17, 2016

Denver certainly appears to be using Osweiler, and his departure from a Super Bowl 50-winning team, as motivational fodder.

But Sport Radio 104.3 The Fan’s Mark Schlereth said Wednesday to not let it become a tool for Houston to use also.

“If it’s Brock that motivates you because he left and he went to Houston chasing the bigger dollars, then great. I say its all good. Good for you. Let Brock be your motivation,” the “Schlereth and Evans” co-host said.

“But I guarantee you one thing: Put it out there, create that bulletin board material, and guys are going to come out swinging.”

Schlereth’s co-host Mike Evans said it’s clear the Broncos will try to channel that extra motivation into a big defensive performance Monday night. But for a team that’s talked about having chip on its shoulder and hasn’t really produced consistent results, especially early in games, it’s time to put up.

“At this point, especially early in the game, I’d like to see this team go out and do it instead of talking about it,” Evans said.

Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak on Monday pointed to the team’s slow starts on defense as an area that needs to be cleaned up for Denver to be successful.

“We can’t get off to slow starts and we have been doing that. Defensively I think four out of six games we’ve given up a touchdown on the opening drive,” Kubiak said.

Through six weeks, the Broncos have given up 41 points in first quarters — compared to 13 of its own — and mustered up just 38 minutes, 25 seconds time of possession out of a possible 90 minutes.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @Johnnyhart7.