Broncos defense still searching for answers in NFL Draft - As the Broncos continue to grind through the NFL Draft meetings as the selection weekend approaches, they have largely done what work in free agency they’re going to do until they see how their draft class shakes out. Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Players Who Got Away in the Draft - Every team has a list of players they passed on in the draft who went on to be big stars elsewhere, so no one team can moan about players whom they did not choose. After all, we get to our pick, and we choose. We get to select whomever we want, so no beefing about the guys we do not select. However, in the early years of the American Football League, which began with the Denver Broncos as one of the eight charter members in 1960, the AFL competed with the well-established National Football League for players. Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Behind the Scenes of Quarterback Peyton Manning’s New Buick Commercial - Last night during the NCAA Final Four games between Louisville and Wichita State (recap), and Michigan and Syracuse (recap) on CBS, Buick debuted its latest spot featuringDenver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Denver Broncos History: John Elway’s Top 5 Moments - In light of NFL.com’s anointing of John Elway as the best number one over all pick for a quarterback in NFL History, I thought I would review and rank the five greatest moments of his career. There were plenty to choose from too, given he retired with the best win/loss record of all-time and the only quarterback ever to lead his team to five Super Bowl berths. Read more from Mile High Report >>>>

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Rookie quarterback Brock Osweiler played in five games his rookie season, mostly handing the ball off in the game’s waning moments. It wasn’t until the Denver Broncos’ regular-season finale that Osweiler attempted a pass, finishing the season 2-of-4 passing for 12 yards.

But we never expected to see much of Osweiler in 2012, and if we did, that meant Peyton Manning wasn’t playing.

In the team’s end-of-season press conference nearly three weeks ago, executive vice president of football operations John Elway and head coach John Fox each gave Osweiler their endorsement, saying the rookie quarterback has the skills to be Manning’s successor-whenever that happens.

New offensive coordinator Adam Gase, the Broncos’ former quarterbacks coach, agrees, telling DenverBroncos.com:

“He really prepared as though he was going in the next snap and he really went out of his way to make sure that when we talked about things, his release point, the way he dropped, his balance as a passer, his progressions, he really pushed himself to do those things right.”

Osweiler started training camp as the Broncos’ No. 3 quarterback behind Manning and Caleb Hanie, but moved up to backup before the 2012 season. Osweiler dressed for every game, while Hanie was often not active on game day. The Broncos were confident in having only two quarterbacks available.

The Denver Broncos are confident in Brock Osweiler. (personal photo)

Still, we know the Broncos will have probably four quarterbacks at training camp and three on the final roster. That’s just how it’s done.

What does this mean for Hanie and the Broncos? Maybe nothing. Maybe something. I’m not sure if Hanie has a future in the NFL, but that’s merely my opinion. If he’s hoping for more playing time, it won’t happen here. If he’s content being the No. 3 guy, that’s a different story.

Other Headlines:

• Bleacher Report: Denver Broncos: 5 Players That Should Go Before the 2013 Season
• Denver Broncos: Bailey, Miller to Visit Troops in Afghanistan
• Rant Sports: Peyton Manning Should Win NFL MVP

Coming up later today on DHF, I cast my vote – a vote that doesn’t count in any real balloting – for the NFL awards that will be announced this weekend: MVP, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, etc.

I’ll share my picks and see how they stack up against the rest of the Aerys Sports NFL contingent.

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Denver Broncos left tackle Ryan Clady is set to undergo surgery to repair his right shoulder. Clady hurt his shoulder in the team’s regular-season finale, but did play in the Broncos’ divisional-round loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

The Denver Post reports Clady, who was selected to the Pro Bowl and withdrew due to injury, should be okay for the 2013 season, but will likely miss much of the Broncos’ offseason program.

Ryan Clady will undergo surgery on his right shoulder. (courtesy Jeffrey Beall)

Clady is slated to become an unrestricted free agent, though John Elway has said keeping the tackle in Denver is a top offseason priority.

Other Headlines:

• Denver Broncos: 2012 Season Review: First Quarter
• The Denver Post: Brian Xanders, ex-Denver Broncos GM, hired by Detroit Lions
• The Denver Post: Broncos offense under John Fox seldom features fullbacks
• Examiner: Rumor: Denver Broncos John Elway interested in trading for Darrelle Revis
• Mile High Report: 2013 Denver Broncos offseason: Champ Bailey

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The executive who lured Peyton Manning to Denver?

Or the executive who helped Indianapolis move on from Manning?

The honor of Sporting News’ Executive of the Year was really a two-man race between Denver Broncos executive vice president of football operations John Elway and Indianapolis Colts General Manager Ryan Grigson.

And it’s Grigson who takes home the honor, edging Elway by a 9-to-8 vote.

As I wrote earlier this month, my vote was for Elway—by a smidge. Turns out, I was right about the close vote…just not as correct with my winner, though I had a hunch all along Grigson would win. (Just as I think Adrian Peterson will win MVP, despite my case for Peyton Manning.)

Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider finished third with three votes. Washington Redskins general manager Bruce Allen and Houston Texans general manager/executive vice president Rick Smith each received two votes.

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Mark Kiszla: NFL willing to open the book on the read option – Has the game of football passed by Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning? As a traditional pocket passer in a league where the read-option offense is all the rage, is Manning the last of the dinosaurs? Read more from The Denver Post >>>>

Is it time to sack the Pro Bowl? No, just move it – Is the Pro Bowl worth saving? The NFL’s all-star game lacks three things that make Americans shamelessly addicted to football: big hits, ruthless competition and violence. While talking about the serious issue of concussions, Minnesota defensive end Jared Allen told me, “Nobody wants to watch a game of two-hand touch.” Read more from The Denver Post >>>>

Broncos’ John Elway riffs on guns, politics and the Super Bowl with Piers Morgan - Fake girlfriends, guns, President Barack Obama, the Super Bowl and Dove +Men. Broncos vice president for football operations John Elway talked about all of them with CNN’s Piers Morgan in an interview that aired Thursday. Morgan called Elway “a true legend” in introducing him. Read more from The Denver Post >>>>

John Elway talks Denver Broncos – Watch video from CBSSports.com>>>>

The Denver Broncos Should Stay Away from Darrelle Revis - Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis should not be wearing the orange and blue of the Denver Broncos next season. On Wednesday, rumors spread that New York Jets owner Woody Johnson was open to trading their star cornerback due to his contract situation. Revis will be a free agent at the end of next season and the Jets have been unable to get him signed to a new contract on several occasions the past two seasons. Read more from Yahoo! Sports >>>

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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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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

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.

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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Spoiler Alert: If you were expecting, anticipating, or hoping for an admission of game mismanagement, then stop reading. You’ll be sorely disappointed.

Not even 48 hours after one of the most discouraging playoff outcomes in Denver Broncos history, head coach John Fox and vice president John Elway addressed the media in the team’s end-of-season press conference.

The theme: No regrets – at least pertaining to how Fox managed the waning moments of regulation. Fox didn’t hesitate in saying he’d make the same decision all over again:

“It didn’t seem to be the right time to go for the jugular. I’d do that again 10 times out of 10 if faced with that situation.”

The “jugular” would have been Denver’s attempt to score in the last seconds of regulation. With 31 seconds and two timeouts remaining, Fox elected to have quarterback Peyton Manning take a knee and force overtime.

Denver, the AFC’s No. 1 seed, would end up losing to the Baltimore Ravens 38-35 in double overtime. The Ravens now travel to New England to play the Patriots for the right to represent the conference in next month’s Super Bowl.

Both Elway and Fox said the team was “in shock” after Baltimore’s game-tying 70-yard touchdown with under a minute remaining in the 4th quarter. Elway told reporters it was best for the team to “regroup” and head into overtime, adding:

“Mentally, it was a good move.”

A quick aside here, but “in shock” or not, we are talking about professional athletes; however, Elway and Fox know these players. I don’t, but I’m dissatisfied with their explanation. I’m not sure if I’ll ever fully accept it.

Fox also added Saturday’s regulation-ending situation in Denver was not like Sunday’s final moments in Atlanta. The Falcons, down by one with 31 seconds remaining and two timeouts, engineered a game-winning field goal drive in their divisional round game against the Seattle Seahawks.

The press conference’s other theme was looking ahead to next season. Elway and Fox are each optimistic the team will grow from this loss. Players will have extra motivation and return hungrier next season.

Another quick aside here, but Fox talked about the team “learning” from this loss. Yet he says he’d make the same game-ending decision all over again? What did he learn?

In case you missed it, view the full press conference – Part I and Part II.

Other nuggets:

• There are no plans right now to move cornerback Champ Bailey to safety.
• The Broncos plan on picking up Peyton Manning’s contact when the league year ends in February.
• Elway and Fox are pleased with Brock Osweiler’s development, and see him as the Broncos quarterback of the future.

Mike McCoy meets with San Diego Chargers

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports officials with the Chargers arrived in Denver earlier to pick up Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and take him to San Deigo for an interview.

San Diego fired head coach Norv Turner Dec. 31 and are still looking for his replacement. New general manager Tom Telesco is leading the search. San Diego has also interviewed former Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt and Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden.

McCoy earlier interviewed with the Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, and Philadelphia Eagles. FOX’s Jay Glazer reports the Cardinals want a second interview with McCoy Tuesday.

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From a purely business perspective, John Elway has to be banging his head against a wall. Elway’s name has been tossed around as a potential Executive of the Year in the NFL, mostly because of his blockbuster signing of Peyton Manning to a five-year $96 million contract last March.

There’s another notable contract engineered by Elway though. Matt Prater was handed roughly $13 million (four-year deal) for his kicking services. Combine the two and the Broncos invested approximately $110 million in a quarterback to get the Broncos into scoring position, and a kicker to theoretically make the clutch play with a game on the line.

So… how does John Fox justify ignoring these investments with 31 seconds in regulation and two timeouts?

It’s a situation we saw the Atlanta Falcons in on Sunday. Albeit the Falcons were trailing by a point and had no choice but to attempt a drive for a field goal. Nevertheless, they did it and still had seconds to spare.

John Fox’s conservative ways got the best of him Saturday…and now the Denver Broncos will be watching the playoffs from home. (personal photo)

The Broncos were on their own 20, and would need about 40-45 yards to put Prater in position for what would be a miracle kick. Denver’s task would likely have been steeper than Atlanta’s as they would be trying to accomplish it in frigid weather and not a cozy dome.

Still, and this is easy math, you miss 100% of the field goals you don’t try to set up.

That’s exactly what Fox did by ordering Manning to take a knee and force overtime instead of trying to eke out a win in regulation.

So the first question is how does Fox explain himself to Elway? How do you justify not playing to win in the most important game of the year? Manning may have thrown an interception? There could have been a fumble? Three incomplete passes may have given the Ravens one more opportunity with a punt return, or even perhaps one hail mary heave?

The next question is how shrewd of a businessman is Elway? How does he address the fact that he spent more than $100 million on players tapped to be clutch, only to watch his coach not utilize their abilities when clutch was needed? To what extent does Elway perceive Fox’s late game tactics for what they undeniably were…a textbook case of mismanagement?

Fox will keep his job. The reality is he hasn’t done enough to lose it, and there aren’t an abundance of proven names on the market that would be an obvious upgrade. This isn’t to say Fox should be immune to a slap on the wrist, and ultimatum from management. He was given the players to win, yet still insisted on playing not to lose.

Pat Bowlen likes to win. Elway likes to win. If Fox doesn’t spend the offseason reevaluating his competitive philosophy, the clock could be ticking on his tenure in Denver.

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