The memory is still fresh in our minds. A player lays motionless on the field as fans watch in disbelief. A sight so horrific that many cannot bear to watch, and yet, cannot look away. A stadium of enthusiastic fans, painted faces, and cheering voices – suddenly turned silent. No, I am not talking about Damar Hamlin. He’s doing great! I am talking about Georgia’s 65-7 drubbing over TCU in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday night. Actually, it wasn’t just one player laying motionless on the field, it was an entire TCU secondary that seemed motionless. The defensive... Read More

The lights flickered off the Christmas tree like stars in the dark sky. The table was set with fancy holiday dishes, festive wine glasses, and charcuterie filled with various gourmet cheeses and prosciutto. Filled stockings hung off the fireplace, expensive bourbon poured into those with eggnog, while the scent of Grandma’s sugar cookies filled the air. It was the perfect Christmas. The matching family pajamas may have been a little over-the-top, as was the hula-hooping Santa Claus that rotated around on the mantle. But nothing was going to embarrass me on this day. Nothing was going to spoil... Read More

Historically speaking, Jack Faulkner’s 1963 Denver Broncos are considered the worst squad in franchise history as the team finished the season with a disastrous record of 2-11-1. But that was a little before our time. Recent memories may have you thinking about Vance Joseph’s 2017 Broncos (5-11) that relied on the laughable trio of Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiller, and Paxton Lynch to steer their sinking ship. Or Vic Fangio’s 2020 Broncos (5-11) and the failed Drew Lock experiment. But I always refer back to the Josh McDaniels team of 2010 as Denver’s blueprint of football futility. In... Read More

The Peloton bike was rolled into the front room of the house three months after promised. It was the early stages of the pandemic, the gyms were closed, and the room had been converted into a home gym with a weight bench, exercise ball, and a view of the cul-de-sac. The bike cost around $2500 as I recall, unclear if that price included the four sets of shoes, Peloton logoed water bottles, hand weights, or yoga mat. The monthly subscription was another $40 per month for virtual classes, instructors, and guidance. Our family used it religiously for three months – until we didn’t. The Peloton... Read More

Besides the sugar-buzz from devouring fun-sized Snicker bars all weekend, the best part was watching famous athletes walking arena halls in their Halloween best. The Celtics’ Grant Williams went full Gotham in a Batman costume. Atlanta’s Trae Young dressed as the Black Panther. The Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic was appropriately made up as The Joker. And most everyone else in the sports world showed up as some type of character from Stranger Things. I didn’t happen to catch what quarterback Russell Wilson dressed up as pre-game, but I had a few guesses. • Russell could have dressed up as... Read More

Let me get this straight. Denver brings in Nathaniel Hackett, Aaron Rodgers’ offensive guru to run the team. Trades for quarterback Russell Wilson, a Super Bowl winning first ballot Hall-of-Famer, and signs him to a $245 million dollar contract. Starts the season against a laughable schedule that includes the Seahawks, Texans, and winless Raiders. And the Broncos are 2-4 averaging a league worst 15.1 points per game? • It’s bad enough that the Broncos are the laughingstock of the league right now, but is it necessary to keep putting them on the big stage for all to see? The loss to the... Read More

It is hard to describe my excitement of the current sports calendar. It is as if the Sport Gods opened up the heavens and simply let it rain. The NFL kickoff could have satisfied my fix as entertainment filled my Sundays, Mondays, and even Thursdays. But add to that the college football season and I really start to get aroused. Using the term aroused intertwined with sports seems a little creepy, but it is not sexual. It’s not like I’m Ime Udoka of the Boston Celtics or anything. And after months of meaningless baseball, the MLB is finally getting good. Teams fighting for playoff spots,... Read More

As Serena Williams took to the court for what was presumed to be the final match of her career, the audience roared – but the music stayed silent. Unlike baseball in which songs by AC/DC, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, or The Notorious B.I.G. could blast through speakers to elevate crowds – Tennis is simply too regal, too proper, and light clapping will suffice. But what if there was a walk-out song? Can you imagine the response if Serena Williams paid homage to her upbringing and took the court to the sounds of Tupac Shakur’s “California Love”? In the city, the city of Compton – we... Read More

Maybe the trick to enjoying the NFL draft is not to participate in it. In 2021 the Denver Broncos passed on linebacker Micah Parsons. The 2020 draft gave us Jerry Jeudy instead of Justin Jefferson. Noah Fant was hardly the steal of 2019, Josh Allen was available in 2018, Garett Bolles has been holding since 2017, and the 2016 NFL Draft…..that was Paxton Lynch. The Denver Broncos ended up trading a boat load of picks for quarterback Russell Wilson, finally joining the festivities with the 64th pick, and last one of round two. But let’s be honest. By the 64th pick, the Broncos could have... Read More

The Denver Broncos may not be picking anyone in the 2022 NFL Draft until number 64 of the second round, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be exciting. The event takes place in Las Vegas – the perfect setting for future dreams and crushing disappointment. I’m expecting food-stained jerseys, alcohol induced jeers, and beer flying everywhere. And that’s just my living room. A prediction of the first dozen picks of the 2022 NFL Draft – just like it will look like in Vegas. (Minus the lap dance, glitter, and regret.) 1) Jacksonville Jaguars – Aiden Hutchinson / Edge / Michigan – With... Read More

The term March Madness was practically an understatement for this year’s NCAA Championships. Gonzaga couldn’t make it past the Sweet Sixteen, North Carolina had an epic battle against Duke, and Saint Peter’s knocked off Kentucky, Murray State, and Purdue. The NFL gave us its own version of March Madness with Tyreek Hill joining the Dolphins, Davante Adams going to Vegas, and Russell Wilson heading to the Broncos. Baseball joined in on the March Madness by ending its lockout, implementing the DH in the National League, and starting a Free Agent frenzy. The hope was that March Madness would... Read More

For a moment it was as if COVID-19 had come and gone.  Thousands of college students filled band-filled stadiums, beer flowed during massive-sized tailgate parties, and Sundays returned to crowded gatherings in musty man caves. True, some venues required masks and others proof of vaccination, but spectators were adapting and sports were officially back.  If sports now meant sitting inches from strangers rather than six-feet or pulling my mask down to drink a beer, I was fine with that. Then Aaron Rodgers brought it all back. Green Bay’s star quarterback stirred up plenty of controversy last... Read More

The darkness that is Halloween conjures up many frightful images.  The silence of an empty graveyard, the shadows of creatures that roam, and the fear of things that go bump in the night. The world of sports can be just as scary. Try watching the Colorado Buffaloes compete against Oregon, or the Denver Nuggets without Nikola Jokic.  In Denver, we hide under the blanket when the Broncos are on, and stars like Von Miller and Nolan Arenado can vanish without a trace. A look at the past week in sports – the tricks, and all the treats. Apparently, the only thing scarier than John Gruden’s resemblance... Read More

A new season of football generally begins with nacho dip on my jersey, endless hours of television, and of course, September Bronco bashing. Afterall, the Denver Broncos haven’t had a winning season since 2016, haven’t had a decent quarterback since Peyton Manning, and Vic Fangio is 0-7 in September games since joining the organization two years ago. Well, make that 1-7. Prepared for the worst, the Broncos looked to have provided plenty of bash-worthy material.  Gambling Vic Fangio and his Fourth Down decision-making.  The naming of Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback, who was so lightly sought... Read More

Quarterback controversies are almost synonymous with Bronco football.  There was Brock Osweiler and Peyton Manning back in 2015, Trevor Siemian battling Paxton Lynch the following year, and now Pay-Per-View brings us the epic battle of Drew Lock versus Teddy Bridgewater. Well, maybe that’s not Pay-Per-View worthy, but still a battle. Drew Lock seemed to be the latest heir-apparent when the John Elway selection won four-out-of-five games during his rookie campaign.  But last season Lock regressed by throwing a league-high 15 interceptions while winning only four of his thirteen starts. Teddy... Read More

After a year of isolation, I slowly entered the health club with a gym bag around my shoulder and a mask upon my face.  Regardless of the Peloton bike, exercise ball, and weight bench gathering dust in my living room, I was fully vaccinated, and it was time to get out. It felt like a Saturday, but in the aftermath of quarantine naming days, months, or even years remained a challenge.  The gym was quiet as I reintroduced myself to the various machines, worked out for about an hour, then headed to the jacuzzi to ease a few aches. The confusion began once exiting the locker room as a high school... Read More

Considering that the Colorado Avalanche start their run at Lord Stanley’s Cup this week as the top overall seed, while the Denver Nuggets begin their march to the NBA Finals just days later, it seems ridiculous to talk about the Denver Broncos when the NFL season does not kickoff until September. It would be one thing if Denver had managed to trade for Aaron Rodgers, but even as Bronco Nation continues to dream, common knowledge has Green Bay holding off on any trade talk until after the First of June with the intent of maneuvering Rodgers’ $31 million dead cap money into something more manageable. But... Read More

The art of the NFL draft is subjective at best.  War rooms filled with billionaires, general managers, and coaches all searching for ways to improve the franchise.  Draft boards in dry erase markers list best players available, positions of need, and potential new faces of a franchise. For GM’s and head coaches on the hot seat, it is a final chance to save their jobs by selecting a savior quarterback, a much-needed tackle, or a tight end weapon with 4.3 speed. For Denver’s new general manager, George Paton, it is an opportunity to succeed where John Elway has failed for the last four seasons. ... Read More

The NFL Draft is just days away and for Bronco Nation the team’s first selection will write the script.  With the ninth overall pick many experts envision a scenario in which Denver moves up a few spots to grab their franchise quarterback.  Others have the Broncos staying where they are and either hoping a quarterback falls in their lap, or a linebacker is available to fill out their defense.  There is even the possibility that Denver has no choice but to go offensive tackle. A look at Denver’s draft order, their potential options, and the best way to fill the roster. ROUND ONE (#9) Justin... Read More

The NFL Draft is less than two weeks away and Denver has the ninth overall pick.  The off-season has been filled with the re-signing of big-name players and shoring up weaknesses with free agent acquisitions.  The Broncos could use their pick on a top linebacker, a shutdown cornerback, or depth at the offensive lineman position. And there is always that question at quarterback. A look at the 2021 NFL Draft, the predictions, and who Denver eventually decides on.   Jacksonville Jaguars – The first pick of the 2021 NFL Draft is a no-brainer. Gardner Minshew is a nice backup in the NFL, but... Read More