Friday Headlines: Then and Now – Jacksonville vs. Baltimore Losses

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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Was This the Worst Denver Broncos Playoff Loss Ever?

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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Friday Headlines: Coordinators Coaching Commodities

Assuming we live on another day – and I fully suspect we will – here’s to what I normally do this time each day: Delve into Denver Broncos headlines.

Quick aside: I spent about 45 minutes last night on Wikipedia reading List of dates predicted for apocalyptic events, and guess what?  Not a single prediction has actually come to fruition.  Moving on…

In an unsurprising development, the Broncos’ continued success has shined the spotlight on offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio as possible head coaching candidates in 2013.  McCoy interviewed with the Miami Dolphins last offseason, and was also rumored as a candidate for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders.  As for Jacksonville, Del Rio was head coach there for nine seasons before joining the Broncos.

So it seems the Broncos’ revolving door at DC could extend another year, because, let’s face it, there will be some job openings here in a few weeks time.  And McCoy, who was credited last season for overhauling a playbook midseason to accommodate Tim Tebow, did another drastic makeover in 2012 for Peyton Manning.  There aren’t two more different quarterbacks.  Seriously.

Other Headlines:

  • Associated Press: Health, depth both key to Denver Bronco’s success
  • Bleacher Report: Denver Broncos’ Backfield Trio Will Key Postseason Success
  • CBS Denver: Bad Cleveland Browns Bring Remarkable Rookies To Face Denver Broncos
  • Denver Broncos: Strength Versus Strength
  • Denver Broncos: Broncos Bracing For Weeden
  • Denver Post: Robert Ayers’ progress with Broncos skewed by draft slot, new coaches
  • Denver Post: Peyton Manning knows what this year’s rookie QB class is going through

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Denver Broncos Try To Bounce Back in Week 3 Showdown

Consult most any current power ranking and you’ll likely find the Houston Texans camped out in the top five.  Not bad considering two years ago, the Texans were embarking on yet another season of playing fairly average football that didn’t produce any postseason results.

While Arian Foster, Andre Johnson, and the Wade Phillips-led defense certainly deserve credit and respect, let’s not forget it took a certain quarterback missing a season for the Texans to finally breach the playoff barrier.  The Texans, while enduring injuries to key personnel, only won the AFC South when the Indianapolis Colts disintegrated, the Jacksonville Jaguars named Blaine Gabbert a starter, and the Tennessee Titans just hit it down the middle.

Two games into their 2012 campaign the Houston Texans have looked impressive against the likes of Ryan Tannehill and the Miami Dolphins, and Gabbert’s Jags.  In both games the Texans have won by 20.  This apparently makes you one of the best five teams in football right now.

Barring a blowout by either team, this game likely won’t tell us as much about Denver as it does about Houston.  Here are my thoughts heading in:

If Denver Wins…this Broncos team really has the tools to make some noise in the AFC this year, and the Texans will likely crumble against an elite quarterback come playoff time.

If Houston Wins…the Texans still look like a contender, Denver is still gelling.

In the grand scheme of the season this isn’t a must win for either side.  However, given the Broncos difficult schedule, the easiest path to the playoffs for Denver is winning at home, and winning in the division.  The Texans present an opportunity for a home win.

All that said, here’s the brief what to watch for:

When Houston has the ball:

The Broncos defense will likely hinge upon the play of its front seven.  The Broncos have looked strong against the run in the previous two weeks in shutting down running games usually regarded as solid.  Foster will be the team’s first test against an “elite” back, and Ben Tate won’t give the interior defense much of a break.

The Texans’ zone blocking scheme was forged in Denver, and is still producing results.  Denver’s speed rush on the ends will have to play smart to keep Houston from simply moving the effective Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil to areas where they can’t influence plays.

When Denver has the ball:

A week after one of Peyton Manning’s more disappointing starts, he and the Denver offense get an even higher ranked defense.  It will be interesting to see how much the Texans utilize the nebulous pre-snap box strategy the Atlanta Falcons deployed.  If bunch formations and pre-snap movement on the defense is incorporated, it will be extremely interesting to see how much it will affect Manning and Mike McCoy.  The Broncos offensive coordinator illustrated his adaptability last season and combined with Manning’s knowledge of basically anything that has ever happened in football, Denver’s response to the ultra-disguised defense could be interesting to see.

If there’s one thing the Broncos have yet to unleash, it’s an early flurry.  Manning and the offense have been at their best in the no-huddle, yet Denver has tried to alter its tempo early in the first two games.  Several no-huddle drives by the Broncos offense to begin the game may be an worthwhile change-up, and if trends remain, allow the Denver defense to do what it was really built to do: Play with a lead.

Prediction

Denver 31, Houston 28

The one thing no one will readily say in Dove Valley was that Manning totally cost Denver the game last week (to be fair…he probably would’ve allowed the team to come back and win it too).  At home, with lessons learned, the Texans and all the citizens of Power Rankington are reminded that Houston is a solid team, but still can’t be rolled into the elite.

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Popularity Contest: Denver Broncos Rank No. 10

It reads something like a school yearbook – Most Popular.

The Denver Broncos didn’t win, place, or show, but a top ten finish is commendable.

According to a recent ESPN Sports Poll, the Broncos are the tenth most popular team in the NFL.  Of the 1,500 surveyed, 3.8% consider the Broncos their favorite team.

“America’s Team” – yep, those Dallas Cowboys – are the most popular with 8.8%, followed by the Green Bay Packers (7.2%), New York Giants (7.1%), Pittsburgh Steelers (7.1%), and New England Patriots (6.8%).

The Broncos are the most liked team in the AFC West.  Oakland placed two spots below Denver at No. 12, with Kansas City and San Diego 17th and 20th, respectively.  We certainly know the Broncos have loyal fans – helping sell out every home game for 40+ years – but it will be interesting to see if the arrival of a certain quarterback (and, no, I don’t Caleb Hanie) could propel Denver even higher on the list over the next few seasons.

The least popular team is Jacksonville. 

See the full list here >>>>

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Denver Dailies: Broncos Roundup (Monday Edition)

Kickin’ it: In the playoffs, best bet is Tim Tebow to beat Peyton Manning - Crystal baller.  Many analysts, including the oddsmakers in Las Vegas, have portrayed the Broncos as Super Bowl contenders in 2012, entirely due to the fact the Broncos “upgraded” their quarterback position from Tim Tebow to Peyton Manning. With a dropback passer in 2010, the Broncos finished 4-12. My point is: The Broncos were undoubtedly a 4-12 (or so) team in 2011 without the miracle that was Tebow. Manning is probably the greatest regular-season QB in league history.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Klis: Former Broncos Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall reunited with Chicago Bears - There was a time when the trio of Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall and Jeremy Bates had the NFL in their collective palms.  Three games into the 2008 season, Cutler, the Broncos’ quarterback, and Bates, the team’s offensive pass coordinator, had the Broncos averaging 38.0 points per game. The 2007 New England Patriots, who finished 16-0, set an NFL scoring record that still stands at 36.8 points per game.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell talks safety, balance as litigation mounts  - Listen to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and it doesn’t take long for professional football’s top executive to talk about protecting “the shield” — the league’s red, white and blue logo.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

NFL Free Agency: Who Gave out the Best and Worst Contracts in 2012? - Following an insane free agency scramble, the Denver Broncos handed out the best contract when they signed one of the greatest free agents of all time, Peyton Manning.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

2012 NFL Free Agents: Predictions for Peyton Manning’s First Season with Broncos - Peyton Manning might be on the comeback trail from a very serious injury and an entire year off, but that doesn’t mean the expectations of his first season with theDenver Broncos should be any lower.  Manning is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history and even at 75 percent, he is still better than most play-callers in the league.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Report: Denver Broncos Began Shopping Tim Tebow at NFL Combine –  One of the biggest stories from the 2012 offseason was the Denver Broncos shipping Tim Tebow to the New York Jets after bringing Peyton Manning on board to be the team’s new starting quarterback. While the move came as no surprise after the signing of Manning considering the Broncos gave the future Hall of Fame quarterback a $96 million contract, it does come as a bit of a surprise that John Elway and company attempted to trade Tebow well before Manning even became available.  Read more from Rant Sports >>>>

Jets reportedly want leash on Tim Tebow’s ‘outside endeavors’ - If Tim Tebow’s introductory news conference raised a few eyebrows among his new teammates, imagine if the New York Jets’ backup quarterback had his own weekly radio spot.  That’s something Jets’ brass hopes to curtail, according to the New York Daily News.  The team has decided to limit Tebow’s “outside endeavors,” the newspaper reported, including a regularly scheduled radio appearance similar to starting QB Mark Sanchez’s on “The Michael Kay Show,” which aires in New York.  Read more from Sporting News >>>>

Ray McNulty: Jaguars didn’t really want Tebow - My theory as to the real reason Tim Tebow, given a choice by the Denver Broncos, decided he’d rather play in New York than in front of his hometown fans in Jacksonville?  He didn’t have a choice.  The Jaguars didn’t really want him.  They’ll never say so publicly. They can’t. They can’t risk further alienating an already-apathetic fan base that would’ve been energized by the rousing return of a home-grown football folk hero.  Read more from TC Palm >>>> 

Fantasy Football Preview: Is Knowshon Moreno Peyton’s New Weapon? -
Let me say this, it feels good to take a little break from draft analysis.  That being said, I have the distinct privilege to provide you guys with insight on Fantasy Football throughout the upcoming season.  Some of you enjoy Fantasy Football on different levels and for those who enjoy the dynasty format your league is likely starting to pick up.  Read more from  NFL Mocks >>>>

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Denver Dailies: Broncos Roundup (Tuesday Edition)

Peyton Manning works out with Broncos teammates at Valor Christian - Less than a week into his tenure as Broncos’ quarterback, Peyton Manning is already getting to work.  Manning and a trio of Broncos teammates took to the field at Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch Monday morning for an informal throwing session.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Dusty Saunders: KUSA-9 won’t pass up shot to show Manning - It didn’t take long for new Denver quarterback Peyton Manning to remind television viewers that KUSA-9 is “the Broncos station.”  Manning was seen in a taped, low-key promotional spot at 6:57 p.m Saturday.  It might not have been the first time the Manning promo was aired. And it certainly won’t be the last.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Tim Tebow arrives in New York spotlight, looks back at Broncos, Manning – Tim Tebow wore a green tie Monday morning as he stood at an interview podium in his first public appearance as a New York Jet.  His trade away from the Broncos is now nearly five days old, but seeing him there, in front of about 200 members of the New York media, wearing green, made it real.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

2012 NFL Draft Preview: Wide Receivers - In the weeks leading up to the 2012 NFL Draft, DenverBroncos.com is taking a look at the draft prospects position-by-position.  We will devote a week to each group, looking back at some of the Broncos’ previous picks at the position and showcasing some of the top prospects through top stories, blogs and Broncos TV videos.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Can Denver’s defense take next step? - Barring a setback from the neck injury that cost him the entire 2011 season, Peyton Manning has the Denver Broncos’ offense covered. That side of the ball will be fine and will be in playoff form.  But what about the defense?   That side of the ball will be a key to Denver’s season. If the 2012 Denver defense can make the strides it did in 2011, the Broncos have a chance to be a serious contender.  Read more from ESPN >>>>

Jaguars owner: Tebow didn’t want to play for Jacksonville - When it became apparent Tim Tebow’s days with the Denver Broncos were numbered, the Jaguars immediately popped up as a logical team to take him on. Tebow is from Jacksonville, and its NFL team has not only struggled to win in recent years but filling EverBank Stadium has also become a challenging task.  Read more from USA Today >>>>

Are the Manning-Led Denver Broncos the AFC Favorites in 2012? - It’s late March during the never-ending NFL calendar year, and most of the big free-agent signings have been completed.  Peyton Manning has signed with the Broncos; Brandon Lloyd has reunited with Josh McDaniels for a third tour with his favorite coach in New England; Mario Williams left Houston for Buffalo, and Tim Tebow was traded to the Jets.  From now until late April, all you’ll really hear about is the NFL Draft. So although NFL rosters aren’t even close to taking full shape, it is safe to say that most of the major pieces that will make an impact in the 2012 season have already been established.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

 Peyton Manning Does Not Make the Denver Broncos Super Bowl Contenders - Contrary to popular belief, replacing Tim Tebow with Peyton Manning will not give John Elway another Super Bowl ring.  In fact, the Denver Broncos will not even challenge for the Super Bowl next year.   The day after Peyton Manning signed with Denver, the Broncos Super Bowl odds improved from 50-1 to 10-1.  I wonder if the odds-makers would reconsider after reading this.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Broncos interested in Steelers’ Dennis Dixon - The Denver Broncos are interested inPittsburgh Steelers‘ quarterback Dennis Dixon, per ESPN‘s Bill Williamson.  The Broncos are visiting with Pittsburgh reserve quarterback Dennis Dixon. His visit started before Denver signed QB Caleb Hanie. Hanie has the inside track to back up Peyton Manning in Denver, but the Broncos are still interested in signing Dixon to compete with Hanie during training camp. If Dixon is signed, Denver may still draft a quarterback to develop.  Read more from Bronco Talk >>>>

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And Then There’s Tim Tebow

I know, I know…the very mention of his name in the title of this post has likely caused you to switch on your filter: Is she a blind Tebow follower, or a trivial Tebow hater?  Neither really.  Here’s what I’ll say about Tim Tebow, and if you read any more into these words than exactly what they say, you’re reading too much: I like Tim Tebow because he’s a good person, and one heck of an entertaining football player.

For those in my group, those who neither love nor hate Tebow, that enjoyed the massive bump in intrigue he brought to a so-what Broncos team, and who are interested to see if he can truly make a career out of it as an NFL quarterback, the Manning Move is a little bittersweet.  Logically, that sentiment makes no sense.  Peyton Manning is one of the top five quarterbacks of all time.  Tebow may not crack the top 50.

However, Tebow brought back an excitement about the Broncos that had been missing for a long time.  The ratio of hype to hard numbers rivaled the housing bubble of 2007.  It was nice though to see Denver, a team the league and nation couldn’t care less about, become not only relevant, but a sensation.  Did we all really need to spend last fall hearing the entirety of sports media find new ways to call Aaron Rodgers really good, or Rex Ryan really controversial, or the hapless Cowboys/Eagles really lost?  Tebow, for better or worse, made Denver matter again.  I like when people talk about this team.

From the 15 minutes of fame perspective, not much will change when it comes to Denver and the national spotlight.  Expect games in primetime, and expect Broncos games to lead ESPN highlights for at least the first six weeks of the season.  It is Peyton Manning after all.

So now what becomes of Tebow’s Carnival of Revivalist Miracles and Insanity?  A few possible outcomes:

Jacksonville, Miami, New England, Denver, or somewhere else? Tim Tebow's 2012 future is undecided. (personal photo)

1) Tebow is traded to Jacksonville.  It makes sense really.  The man will fill seats in Florida with more ease than Jimmy Buffett.  Denver could likely pull off a straight up trade for Blaine Gabbert, maybe even snag a late round draft pick.

2) Tebow is traded to Miami.  You saw the Dolphins crowd during Tebow’s 2011 debut as a starter/Gator Glory day.  Lebron obviously loves the guy (which has both nothing and everything to do with the Dolphins).  And I’ll say this…if you’re a GM would you rather take on Tebow, a guy who is 8-6 as a regular season starter and 1-1 in the playoffs with an average team, or Matt Flynn who is 1-0 in a garbage game with one of the better offenses in modern football?

3) Tebow is traded to the Patriots.  ESPN’s John Clayton tossed this one out there, as Josh McDaniels has now returned to the hive.  For it to make sense the Broncos would likely want Ryan Mallet in exchange.

4) Tebow stays.  It defies conventional logic as Tebow and Manning are represented by the same agency, Tebow’s trade value will only dissipate as he holds a clipboard, and assuming Manning has three years left in that neck Denver would have to re-sign Tebow before Peyton’s stay was finished.  On the flip side, what better way to develop as a pro quarterback than daily competitions against one of the best to ever play.  Plus, couldn’t Denver, NFL films, and CBS just put together a reality TV show on the Broncos?  How would that not win any time slot and turn into a windfall of cash for all involved?  It would be like ‘My Two Dads’ except not weird, and instead of dads it would be the two most talked about quarterbacks of the past 5 years.

In all likelihood, Tebowmania is as good as finished in Denver.  Like most gambles, only time will tell on whether the Broncos were savvy or foolish to forsake Tebow for a legend on his way out.  As someone who has enjoyed the energy and gravity Tebow brought to an otherwise obsolete organization, I have a slight tinge of buyer’s remorse.  Don’t get me wrong…it’s PEYTON MANNING…you get excited about that.  However,  perhaps Manning collects another Lombardi trophy or two for Denver’s war chest, but perhaps he doesn’t.  Perhaps six years from now Tebow is celebrating his second Super Bowl victory, or perhaps he’s out of football but celebrating the opening of yet another facility which helps a lot of children and their families.

I suppose either way Tebow wins in the end.  Whether or not the Broncos do as well is what we’ll all just have to find out.

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Broncos 50-1 Favorites to Win Super Bowl XLVII

See you in New Orleans?

MGM Grand Las Vegas is already out with the early odds to win Super Bowl XLVII and the Denver Broncos are in a logjam at 50-1 with Buffalo, Carolina, Kansas City, Miami, Seattle, and St. Louis.

'Cause the giant lion at MGM Grand Las Vegas said so! (personal photo)

Fellow AFC Rival San Diego comes in at 12-1 with Oakland – now with ex-Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen as head coach – is 60-1.

Inexplicably, the New England Patriots are favorites at 5-1.  I really don’t understand the generous odds, but I say this right around this time each and every year.  (In fact, here’s my post from Feb. 8, 2011 on Super Bowl XLVI odds.)

Green Bay (11-2), Pittsburgh (6-1), Philadelphia (6-1 – see below), and the Giants (8-1) round out the top five.

Some other odds anomalies:

The Indianapolis Colts – the 2-14 in 2011 Indianapolis Colts – are 25-1 favorites to win Super Bowl XLVII.  Huh?  Is this under the assumption Peyton Manning is QB in 2012?  What about Andrew Luck?  Are the odds the same?  Talk about generous odds…

And staying with generous odds…the Philadelphia Eagles are 6-1 favorites, better than the 8-1 Super Bowl champion New York Giants.  When it comes to Philadelphia, color me unimpressed.  They have yet to make a believer out of me.

The Jacksonville Jaguars (150-0) are the biggest long shots to win it all in New Orleans.

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Denver Dailies: Broncos Roundup (Thursday Edition)

Tim Tebow can’t avoid being hit a lot unless Denver Broncos change the way they use him - Today’s question about the Broncos comes from Ben.  Q: Why do you keep saying Tim Tebow takes too many hits as a runner when his biggest hits came in the pocket?  Read more from The Denver Post >>>>

Tim Tebow has big fan in ESPN’s Sean Salisbury - Finally, I found him. A person qualified to critique NFL quarterback play who thinks Tim Tebow has what it takes to become a bona fide NFL quarterback.  Read more from The Denver Post >>>>

2011 Season Review: Second Quarter - After starting the season 1-3, the Broncos were sitting in last place in the AFC West, but had reason to be optimistic. Of their three losses, two were by a combined six points and the other one came at the hands of the defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers, who hadn’t lost since Week 15 of the previous season.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Mohamed Looks For More - When the lockout was lifted and linebacker Mike Mohamed arrived at the Broncos facility, things moved incredibly fast.  “Everything was just 1000 miles an hour,” he said, recalling his first days in professional football.  The pace has finally slowed now.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Broncos Will Face 19 Unrestricted Free Agents - Entering the 2012 off-season, the Denver Broncos will have a lot of decisions to make.  Among those decisions will be which unrestricted free agents (UFA’s) to re-sign with new contracts.  An UFA is a player whose currently contract has expired, freeing up said player to sign with any team he chooses to.  The Broncos have nineteen UFA’s on their roster, and free agency signings begin on March 13th (less than six weeks from today).  Read more from Bronco Talk >>>>

2012 NFL Combine: Why the Denver Broncos Will Target These 10 Players - The Denver Broncos were one of the most exciting stories in the NFL this season.  After starting the season just 1-4, they won seven of their final eleven games, including six wins in a row.  The NFL playoffs this season were a mirror image of the regular season for the Broncos.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Terry Mosher | Super Bowl captain Boddie proudest of degree - Hard to believe, but it’s been 24 years since Tony Boddie was one of five Denver Broncos captains for Super Bowl XXII in San Diego.  He sustained a back injury and retired from the NFL a year later, and about five years after abandoning college to join the fledgling United States Football League.  Read more from Kitsap Sun >>>>

New Jags owner: I would have drafted Tebow - Over the last two years, many Jacksonville Jaguars fans have wondered what life would be like if their team had drafted Tim Tebow.  Now they know they’re not alone.  In a recent interview with Jacksonville radio station WOKV, new Jaguars owner Shahid Khan said he sometimes wonders the same thing.   Read more from Fox Sports Florida >>>>

McDaniels is Pats’ invisible man - Josh McDaniels spent the last year trying to reinvent himself.  After making few friends as the Denver Broncos’ head coach, McDaniels showed himself to be congenial and accommodating as the St. Louis Rams’ offensive coordinator, even as the team struggled to a 2-14 record.  Read more from ESPN >>>>

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