Phillip Lindsay Emerging as a Bonafide Leader in the Broncos Locker Room

Through hard times, high-character individuals tend to find their natural positions as the leaders within a team. During their recent struggles, the Denver Broncos have been searching for a new youthful identity to chart them through the troubled waters.

As quarterback Joe Flacco headed to injured reserve and the untested Brandon Allen was thrust into the line-up, some young blood emerged to help him out on Sunday.

At the forefront of the new wave of locker room forces is Pro Bowl RB Phillip Lindsay, who is now stepping up as a locker room leader and on-field talisman. His straight-talking approach following the Broncos' 24-19 win over the Cleveland Browns showed how focused and mature the second-year player now is when he laid out what it took for his team to finally win a close one.

“We can’t shoot ourselves in the foot," Lindsay said. "I think we have done that a lot.”

Removing the monkey from the Broncos' collective backs cannot be underestimated because at times it appeared they were cursed to continue letting games slip away in 'walk-off losses', to use Vic Fangio's verbiage. To that end, Lindsay became the man trusted with carrying the ball when the time arrived to put the Browns away.

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Offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello opted for aggression and made a bold and inspired play call for a Wildcat formation that saw the young back burst to the edge for a game-sealing 16-yard carry. Lindsay, true to his humble personality, chose to downplay his role or any notion that he was asking for such specific calls to be dialed up in the future with him in mind.

“That’s not my job to ask for any of that," Lindsay said. "I just do what I have to, and do whatever’s told.”

Lindsay's team-first attitude and work ethic position him perfectly for not only an expanding go-to role within the offense, but it also sets him up as a developing force for leadership amongst his own teammates. As the bye week hits, some positive energy can now be spread around, with No. 30 stressing the sheer importance of Sunday’s win vs Cleveland.

“It’s a confidence boost," Lindsay said. "We’ve been in a lot of tough games. The majority of our games have been down to the wire.”

Coinciding with the passing of Halloween, the Broncos must feel that an exorcism of sorts was performed by emerging victorious against the Browns, which could serve to rid them of all the bad energy and vibes.

Optimism and hope can now rest on Lindsay's shoulders. At 5-foot-8, he's increasingly looking like every inch the kind of leader that can help carry the Broncos forward with renewed confidence.

Follow Keith on Twitter @KeithC_NFL and @MileHighHuddle.

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