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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Did you watch?

I did, but only a few series; I had other plans. I am glad to have seen Jeff Saturday’s final snap to Peyton Manning.

The NFL Pro Bowl could be on borrowed time. Commissioner Roger Goodell could decide in April to scrap the game altogether. He’s previously expressed his displeasure about how the game is played, or more specifically, the overall lack of effort. Was Sunday’s 62-35 victory by the NFC the final nail in the coffin? We’ll likely find out in a few months.

Pro Bowl Headlines:

Proof I watched the Pro Bowl…or at least had it on my TV long enough to take this photo. (personal photo)

• Denver Broncos: Preview of Fox Wired for Sound
• Denver Broncos: Post Pro Bowl player reaction
• Denver Broncos: 2013 Pro Bowl photos
• Denver Post: Peyton Manning-led AFC no match for NFC in Pro Bowl blowout

Other Headlines:

• Denver Post: Kiszla: It’s time to thank Josh McDaniels for Broncos’ 2010 draft
• Denver Post: John Elway wants youth to be big part of Denver Broncos’ future
• Mile High Report: Denver Broncos 2012 Review: Full Year Rookie Report

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The NFL will announce its end-of-season award winners Super Bowl weekend, but as far as Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is concerned, he’s locked up league MVP.

Peterson told the Denver Post’s Mark Kiszla Saturday:

“I’m going to win it. I will get it.”

It’s a two-man race for NFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and Comeback Player of the Year between Peterson and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. Earlier in January, I made my argument for Manning over Peterson for MVP, fully knowing that seems to be the unpopular opinion.

My point is simple: Manning did more for the Broncos than Peterson did the Vikings. That’s not to take anything away from Peterson’s almost record-breaking season, a season coming off a knee injury. I won’t be upset if Peterson wins; he’s deserving, but then again, so is Manning.

And like Peterson, Manning returned to football from injury, but unlike Peterson, Manning missed the entire season before. Personally, I believe Manning’s injury was more difficult to overcome. Though impressive, Peterson is just one of many players who return to action after a knee injury. That statement isn’t meant to diminish his stellar 2012, because it was a true joy to watch, but neck injuries often have a more dire consequence than knee injuries.

Adrian Peterson is confident in his MVP chances. (courtesy Mike Morbeck)

So, in the battle of Comeback Player of the Year, my vote also goes to Manning.

Don’t hate me, Vikings fans.

When word surfaced earlier this week the New York Jets are considering trading star cornerback Darrelle Revis, the Twitter world buzzed with chatter of which team should make a play for him. Given the poor performance of the Broncos secondary in the team’s divisional-round loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Denver was a natural answer.

I asked Broncos fans on Twitter and Facebook to weigh in on the Revis debate, and the response was evenly mixed. In the end, I really doubt the Broncos will trade for Revis. For one, the Jets, should they pursue a trade, will likely demand a lot in exchange, maybe a top draft pick or two, or a team’s top player. Plus, there’s paying Revis, and he’s not cheap.

I’m of the mindset to let Revis either stay in New York or land elsewhere, preferably outside the AFC West, just to be safe.

Other Headlines:

• Bleacher Report: The 2012 Denver Broncos All-Underrated Team
• Examiner: Peyton Manning roasts fellow NFL all stars at Pro Bowl
• Rant Sports: Denver Broncos: Top Five Areas to be Addressed

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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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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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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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