The 2020 NFL Draft was a little different this year to say the least.  Players sat at home on modest couches in comfortable clothing waiting for phone to ring. The Commissioner was booed as usual, but via Zoom versus the crazed fans that generally lament him in person. And the regular draft day commercials that often include beer, wings, and Ford F-150’s were replaced by all that is COVID-19. But it was football. The date was circled on my empty calendar weeks before, my life risked many days prior in order to stock up on alcohol, I sat in my favorite chair, wearing my favorite jersey, waiting... Read More

With apologies to the Johnsonville Cornhole Championships that recently aired on The Ocho, Thursday night marks the return of live, meaningful sporting events.  The NFL Draft will commence as scheduled despite the lack of medical examinations, face-to-face interviews, and private workouts of year’s past.  The Denver Broncos have 10 picks in this year’s draft, including the 15th spot in the first round where many are guessing wide receiver. But unless John Elway gives up some equity and moves up the draft board in order to grab a CeeDee Lamb or Jerry Jeudy, I see an offensive lineman instead,... Read More

While the hungry sports fan has to settle for games of H.O.R.S.E, NBA2K, and replays of March Madness from 1992 as the world quarantines, there has been some optimism recently as many leagues start to brainstorm about returning to their games. The NHL has reported that cities across the country have shown interest in hosting playoff games at neutral-site locations. MLB has reportedly discussed the possibility of the rearrangement of leagues, increased double-headers, and reduction in games.  And the NBA has even toyed with the thought of moving the entire league to the Bahamas until COVID-19... Read More

In a battle against the Cleveland Browns two weeks ago, the Denver Broncos (3-6) won the game but lost ground in the race to secure a top pick in next year’s NFL Draft.  But with a rookie quarterback and facing a difficult remaining schedule, look for Denver to battle it out with the Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, and others at the bottom of the league for the potential top prize. Whether Denver goes winless the rest of the season and manages to secure the top pick or wins a game or two and finishes with a top-ten selection, here is how Denver’s draft will go, no matter where they land. First... Read More

Let’s start with two undeniable facts: the Broncos are in dire need of a quarterback for the future, and I personally have nothing against Drew Lock.  That being said,  John Elway’s selection of the Missouri quarterback in the second round, with the 42nd overall pick, was awful on so many levels.  Or ten levels to be more precise. NOT EVERY DRAFT IS A GREAT ONE FOR QBs – The only two quarterbacks taken in the first round back in 2007 were JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn. EJ Manual was the lone QB selected in 2013, and the headliners of the 2014 draft were Blake Bortles and Johnny Manziel. ... Read More

When the Oakland Raiders decided to take a lower-graded defensive end with the fourth overall pick and the New York Giants surprised everyone by taking quarterback Daniel Jones at number six, John Elway’s draft board couldn’t have looked any better. Sitting at number ten, Elway could have chosen Devin Bush, an inside linebacker from Michigan, selected a top offensive lineman, or had his choice of any quarterback he wanted, but he didn’t.  Instead, Elway wisely traded the pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers, deciding to acquire more picks and more value to fill some glaring needs. The Broncos... Read More

The story became obvious as I sat down to write.  The Colorado Avalanche would eliminate the top-seeded Calgary flames in five games, and my fingers began to type.  Thoughts of Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon, and Philipp Grubauer raced through my head.  Memories past were of Stanley Cups, Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, and Ray Bourque.  I would be sure to throw in Patrick Roy’s legendary playoff quote once said in response to an opponent’s trash talk. “I didn’t hear him because my two Stanley Cup rings were stuffed in my ears.” It was undoubtedly the story, the headline, the news of... Read More

With the NFL Combine in the books, the Denver Broncos and the rest of the league will wait to see what happens in free agency before putting together their draft boards.  It looks as if Joe Flacco will be a Bronco, Case Keenum a Redskin, Nick Foles a Jaguar, and Kyler Murray is rumored to join Kliff Kingsbury as the first pick in Arizona. But I don’t see it that way.  Here’s my mock draft 1.0. Oakland Raiders (via trade with Arizona) – Nick Bosa (Edge/Ohio State). The Cardinals were bluffing about their intention of drafting Kyler Murray after trading up to select quarterback Josh Rosen... Read More

Bronco Nation scratched their collaborative heads last week when it was reported that Denver had acquired quarterback Joe Flacco from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a middle-round draft pick.  The signing of the 34-year-old, former Super Bowl MVP undoubtedly means the end of the Case Keenum experiment, but what does it say about the direction of the franchise? With playoff victories and veteran experience, Flacco looks to bring the leadership and maturity that the Broncos haven’t had since Peyton Manning.  But the reality is Flacco was benched in Baltimore for rookie Lamar Jackson, has... Read More

The quick fix rarely pays off long-term. John Elway and the Denver Broncos learned that the hard way when they overpaid for Case Keenum, reached on drafting Paxton Lynch, and underestimated the development of Trevor Siemian in the search to find the next franchise quarterback. Whether it was strategy, naivety, or just plain fear, failing to select a quarterback such as Josh Allen, Josh Rosen, or Lamar Jackson in last year’s draft has left Denver with a huge void, and a huge opportunity. Mock drafts have the Broncos selecting Missouri’s Drew Lock in the 2019 NFL draft as the next “quick fix”... Read More