Nearly two weeks later, and the comparisons rage on.

I recently tackled the question of “Which playoff loss was worse: Jacksonville or Baltimore?”

Saturday was painful because the Broncos by many accounts did enough to win, but managed to make just enough mistakes to not. Many could say that makes it worse than 1996 when the Denver Broncos were just outplayed. It’s a valid point, but I think we have to remember the broader context of 1996.

The Jacksonville game came at a time where the conversation had begun about how much longer Elway would be around. When Denver earned home field after a stellar 13-3 season a narrative emerged of finally getting that Super Bowl for Elway. The Broncos had not been in such an opportune position for five years, and with the clock ticking on Elway’s career it seemed this could very well be the team’s last best shot.

Yes, the Ravens divisional-round loss hurt, but the Jaguars loss during the 1996 playoffs was worse. Of course, we know what happened the following season for Denver. The Broncos, fueled by the postseason embarrassment of 1996, won the Super Bowl.

And then Denver won the Super Bowl again. The following year. For good measure.

But the questions remains: Can the 2013 Denver Broncos do the same?

The Denver Post’s Mark Kiszla writes:

 While Denver has established the talent base of a legitimate contender, the Broncos must approach next season as if it is their last, best shot to win the NFL title.

The above is perhaps the best one-sentence summary of how the team must approach 2013. It’s a mantra that hopefully players think about daily – from now until February 2014.

The 1997 Denver Broncos laid out a blueprint for the 2013 team, but that path is no guarantee we’ll see a similar result. Bottom line: A lot of things have to go well, be it luck or good fortune, not to mention the league has changed.

Other Headlines:

• Denver Broncos: (VIDEO) Practicing for the Pro Bowl means Peyton Manning gets additional on-field time with Adam Gase and Greg Knapp to get a jump on next season.
• The Denver Post: NFL and college football intersect at Senior Bowl
• The Denver Post: Broncos offense to strive for more power; defense to seek help at MLB
• Mile High Report: 2013 NFL Free Agency: Should the Denver Broncos trade for Revis?
• Predominantly Orange: History Says Broncos’ Fans Have Much To Look Forward To

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Odds are some future Broncos are working at the Senior Bowl this week - The Casino Del Sol All-Star Game is a newly minted affair, and the East-West Shrine Game is a quality event, played for the best of causes. And the NFL Players Association has tried to jump into the college all-star game biz with its invitation-only affair. Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Should Colin Kaepernick have been a Broncos draft pick at QB? - Today’s question about the Broncos comes from Marv Robbins: Q: No one has written about the Broncos trading the No. 36 pick in 2011 to San Francisco, who then selected (quarterback) Colin Kaepernick. He could have been a Bronco, your thoughts?  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Goodell Chats with Season Ticket Holders - Hours the Broncos’ Divisional Round matchup kicked off, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell held a fan forum with Broncos season ticket holders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Broncos President Joe Ellis, who told the crowd he has known Goodell for 22 years, introduced the commissioner and thanked those in attendance for all they do for the franchise. Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

New Denver Broncos QBs coach Greg Knapp to work with Peyton Manning at Pro Bowl - The relationship between Greg Knapp and Peyton Manning will be jumpstarted this week. When Mike McCoy was hired as San Diego’s new head coach, quarterbacks coach Adam Gase was promoted to offensive coordinator. Read more from Examiner >>>>

4 Things the Denver Broncos Need to Improve Upon in 2013 - The 2012 Denver Broncos had their season ended by the eventual AFC championBaltimore Ravens a couple of weeks ago in a heartbreaking double-overtime loss at Mile High. The Broncos entered the game as 10-point favorites and there was little doubt that they would move on to the AFC Championship game. Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Denver Broncos 2013 NFL Draft Wish List - The 2013 NFL Draft will be here in the blink of an eye and the Denver Broncos are scheduled to select 28th overall in round one (if they do not trade out of that spot).  What positions should the Broncos address? Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

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It’s more surgery for Denver Broncos guard Chris Kuper. (courtesy Jeffrey Beall)

Denver Broncos guard Chris Kuper has been on the losing end of luck.

He suffered a gruesome lower left leg injury in the 2011 regular-season finale, requiring surgery and months of rehabilitation. Then Kuper suffered a fractured left forearm in training camp. Then came the sprained ankle – the same ankle that was hurt a season before.

The Denver Post reported Tuesday that Kuper was invited as a replacement player to Sunday’s Pro Bowl, but turned down the offer because he needs another surgery on his lower left fibula.

A plate that was inserted last year to hold together Kuper’s fibula has shattered, resulting in a new break.

X-rays on the ankle earlier this season didn’t show a fracture, until several weeks later when Kuper was experiencing more pain.

Kuper, who only started six games this season for the Broncos, played in the team’s divisional-round loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Teammate and left guard Zane Beadles is going to the Pro Bowl in place of Kuper after Logan Mankins of the New England Patriots withdrew due to injury.

Other Headlines:

• Bleacher Report: Questions the Denver Broncos Must Answer in the Offseason
• Denver Broncos: Broncos TV Counts Down Manning’s Top TD Passes
• Predominantly Orange: Tackles A Big Deal On Denver Broncos’ Offensive Line
• Rant Sports: Denver Broncos’ Fans: It’s Time to Calm Down

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On Monday we learned that Zane Beadles and Demaryius Thomas were named as replacements to the 2013 Pro Bowl AFC roster.  They join Champ Bailey, Elvis Dumervil, Von Miller, and Peyton Manning in Hawaii for Sunday’s game. (Ryan Clady was also named, but pulled out due to injury.)

But that’s not all. Denver coaches will lead the AFC, and there’s a Broncos cheerleader representative, who has to learn some 20 routines before the game. Seriously, though, it’s entirely possible she’ll be working harder than many of the players.  Props, Tara.

Other Headlines:

• Associated Press: Todd Helton helping Peyton Manning cope with Broncos’ loss in playoffs
• The Denver Post: Did NFL officials make the grade in Broncos-Ravens game?
• The Denver Post: Aurora home of Derrick Martin, New England Patriots player, robbed while he was on the field
• Rant Sports: Denver Broncos Offseason Analysis: Defensive Line

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It’s Pro Bowl week! Yay?

Two more Denver Broncos got the call and are Hawaii-bound.

Zane Beadles replaces New England’s Logan Mankins on the AFC Pro Bowl roster. Denver Broncos teammate Demaryius Thomas is also going to Hawaii. (courtesy Jeffrey Beall)

Guard Zane Beadles and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has been added to the AFC’s Pro Bowl roster. They are replacing a pair of New England Patriots – Logan Mankins and Wes Welker – who each withdrew because of injuries.

This will be the first Pro Bowl for both players.

The additions now make it seven Broncos to earn 2013 Pro Bowl honors. Beadles and Thomas join cornerback Champ Bailey, defensive end Elvis Dumervil, linebacker Von Miller, and quarterback Peyton Manning in Hawaii. Tackle Ryan Clady was also named to the roster, but withdrew last week.

Adding even more familiarity, the Broncos coaching staff will be coaching the AFC.

The Pro Bowl is Sunday in Honolulu, and will air at 5 p.m. MST on NBC.

See the updated AFC and NFC Pro Bowl rosters >>>>

Whether you watch the Pro Bowl or not (as of late, I’ll fallen under the category of the latter), being named to the roster is still an honor, so congratulations are in order. I might simply watch this year to see how or if players respond to commissioner Roger Goodell’s criticism that game’s product is substandard.

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Still a little bitter?

Yep, same here.

Sports Authority Field was quiet Sunday, as were the nearby parking lots. No tailgating. No rowdy fans. No United In Orange fever.

The first week of the Denver Broncos offseason is officially behind us.

Paige: Take a knee? It’s still the wrong decision by Broncos (The Denver Post)

There should be a sign at the football stadium: “No Game Today.”

Because the Broncos went down not trying.

While the Ravens and the Patriots meet in New England, the Broncos sit, not play, at home Sunday.

Their guitar gently weeps.

Forever linked in infamy in Broncos lore will be the phrases “Half-A-Loaf” and “Take-A-Knee.” Continue reading >>>>

Broncos’ Rahim Moore has good company among Colorado sports “goats” (The Denver Post)

There is fame and there is fortune. And then there is failure. Epic public failure.

Broncos safety Rahim Moore discovered that in the blink of an eye. When he failed to knock down Joe Flacco’s game-tying, 70-yard bomb to Jacoby Jones in last Saturday’s AFC playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Moore became part of Colorado sports infamy, his name forever linked to one of the lowest moments in Broncos history.  Continue reading >>>>

 Other Headlines:

• The Denver Post - Mike McCoy, back in Denver, talks about leaving Broncos for Chargers
• Rant Sports - Denver Broncos QB Coach Adam Gase “Perfect” Choice For Offensive Coordinator
• Predominantly Orange - John Elway Has Midas Touch On Denver Broncos
• Mile High Report - 2013 NFL Draft: Defensive Tackle Production Ratio

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It was reported late last night the Denver Broncos would name their new offensive coordinator before the weekend.

And by Thursday morning, it was a done deal.

The Broncos have promoted quarterbacks coach Adam Gase to offensive coordinator. Gase has been with the Broncos since 2009 and replaces Mike McCoy, who was hired Tuesday as the new head coach of the San Diego Chargers.

Read Adam Gase’s bio >>>>

Gase is an internal hire, so he’s already familiar with players, coaches, and management. Only 34, Gase has been in the NFL since 2005, though this will be his first time as offensive coordinator.

Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt was rumored as a strong candidate to replace McCoy.

Gase’s promotion is the second Broncos coaching move made this week. Denver named Cory Undlin as its new secondary coach Tuesday after announcing Ron Milus’ contract would not be renewed. Undlin served as Broncos defensive quality control coach in 2012.

Learn more about Cory Undlin >>>>

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In a letter to fans, Denver Broncos owner and CEO Pat Bowlen called Saturday’s divisional round loss “a gut-wrenching disappointment.”

The email was sent to ticket holders Tuesday. Here’s an excerpt:

Pat Bowlen writes Saturday’s loss was disappointing, but looks forward to next season (Courtesy Jeffrey Beall)

I feel terrible for our players, coaches and staff who put forth maximum effort throughout the year. They accomplished many great things while falling short of our ultimate goal.

But most importantly, my heart aches for you.

The energy and enthusiasm you provided us this past year were infectious and carried us to great accomplishments. Your passionate backing allowed us to ascend as the season progressed. To have it end so suddenly is certainly most painful for you.

Bowlen goes on to thanks fans for their “unwavering” support of the Broncos, and looks forward to next season:

That is why I’ll soon stop reflecting and start working on one thing for 2013—bringing another Super Bowl victory back to Denver. As we move forward, I am extremely optimistic with the future of our team.

Read the full letter here >>>>

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An unscientific consultation of the Twitterverse reveals some debate of where the Broncos 38-35 double overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens ranks in the annals of embarrassing franchise moments. It’s really a two-horse race: Saturday’s game vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1996 season.

These losses compare mainly due to what Denver wasted by losing its first game of the playoffs: home field advantage. It’s the concept of “what could have been” that makes these particularly bitter defeats. So which was worse? It’s certainly a matter of opinion, but I’ll stick with 1996 as the worst Denver Broncos postseason loss in franchise history.

Saturday was painful because the Broncos by many accounts did enough to win, but managed to make just enough mistakes to not. Many could say that makes it worse than 1996 when the Denver Broncos were just outplayed. It’s a valid point, but I think we have to remember the broader context of 1996.

The Jacksonville game came at a time where the conversation had begun about how much longer Elway would be around. When Denver earned home field after a stellar 13-3 season a narrative emerged of finally getting that Super Bowl for Elway. The Broncos had not been in such an opportune position for five years, and with the clock ticking on Elway’s career it seemed this could very well be the team’s last best shot.

As much as Broncos fans may be wary of a championship drought that will threaten to enter its 15th year in 2014, the 1996 season was a chance to end a slump that had been around since the Broncos became a team…a 36-year drought at the time.

Combining the urgency of getting Elway back to the Super Bowl, this time with a running game, and finally getting the franchise’s first championship made 1996 a crushing defeat. It was made even worse by the fact that a team that did not exist two seasons prior was the one to eliminate Denver. The Jaguars were a good team, but the idea they were the ones to get within a game of the Super Bowl so desperately coveted by the long-suffering Broncos was crushing.

On Saturday the Denver Broncos lost to a good team in a game the Broncos should have won, but found a way to lose. What makes this loss less hurtful is perhaps that 1996 happened. The following season we saw a Broncos team with added mental toughness march to a Super Bowl victory, and essentially dominate the league the following season.

Regardless of the bad loss, this Broncos group can honestly view itself as a contender, and just like in 1996, this loss may serve as the catalyst to get the Broncos into the mindset needed to compete as one when it matters. That stunning defeat at the hands of Jacksonville provides enough perspective to take the edge off Saturday’s implosion.

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Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy is set to be former Denver Broncos offensive coordinator.

As first reported by CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, the San Diego Chargers plan to finalize a deal today making McCoy their next coach. ESPN’s Adam Schefter says McCoy has already informed the Broncos of his decision.

As for possible replacements for McCoy, La Canfora says one candidate is Ken Whisenhunt. The former Arizona Cardinals head coach interviewed with the Philadelphia Eagles Monday regarding their head coaching vacancy. The Eagles fired Andy Reid at the conclusion of the season. He was later named Kansas City’s head coach.

The Chiefs will soon be Denver’s lone AFC West foe without a former Broncos assistant as head coach. Ex-Denver defensive coordinator Dennis Allen just completed his first season as Oakland Raiders head coach.

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