ENGLEWOOD, Colo. --Forty-eight of the 53 players on the Broncos' active roster had at least one game of playoff experience entering this year's postseason.
But only four had been to the Super Bowl -- Peyton Manning, Wes Welker, Jacob Tamme and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
For that reason, Head Coach John Fox asked that group to talk to the team about the experience of playing in the final game of the season.
"He has encouraged guys to ask questions or encouraged guys that have some experience to share any thoughts or tips," said Manning, the only Broncos player to have a Super Bowl victory under his belt. "We have had an opportunity to do that, to share some of those whether it has been coaches or players or (Executive Vice President of Football Operations) John Elway. I think that is a good thing that Coach Fox set that up to help some guys have an idea of kind of what they're getting in to."
Fox is headed to his third Super Bowl -- he went as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers 10 years ago and as the defensive coordinator of the New York Giants after the 2000 season.
Knowing what to expect in the lead-up to such a big game -- and in the contest itself -- led Fox to ask the group to speak to the team.
"Well I think just relating the experiences – it's a unique game, it's a unique stage – just sharing those experiences for the younger players who may or may not have experienced that before," Fox said.
The meeting was universally appreciated in the locker room.
"It means a lot because I've been in the league a long time and I think I've won more games here in two years than I did in my career. And that is saying a lot," said safety Mike Adams, a 10th-year veteran. "So with them giving me knowledge and saying, 'Oh, you've got to expect this. Or watch out for this. Or do that.' I take heed to it. And I listen. And it's all great information that they give you so again, I don't want to be too wide-eyed and out there and lose focus. All that information is pertinent and it helps."
Wide receiver Andre Caldwell said the main advice given was to keep the same routine.
"Don't let the fact that it is the Super Bowl change anything," he said. "Keep doing what you've been doing all year. Prepare like you've been preparing and don't worry about all the other stuff because once the game starts it's still football."
This week, some of the biggest distractions come in the form of ticket requests. They, predictably, flood in from all directions. But linebacker Steven Johnson said Thursday was the last day to deal with those logistics, so they'll be able to put it behind them as preparation for the Seattle Seahawks is officially underway.
With the advice of the Broncos with Super Bowl experience in tow, now the team can focus solely on the task at hand.
"They told us just to enjoy the process and talked about the schedule of the actual game day and just to remember that it is a business trip," team captain David Bruton said. "We go out there to take care of business. Enjoy the moment, enjoy everything about it, but it will be a lot more enjoyable if you come back with a win."
