Fellas,

I want to chime in on moving on from Elway. First I feel like nothing will happen until either he decides to not renew his contract or the new ownership decides to fire him. Even if that happens what’s to say that the new GM will produce better results. If fans are frustrated now, imagine if 2 years from now the reset button gets hit and the team will be 3-5 years away from being competitive again. I doubt fans will want to wait another 5 years before this team is exciting again. If Elway goes then I imagine so does the coaching staff, Lock, Von, Lindsay, and everybody except McManus. Please tell me I’m wrong about this, but Elway might be the best option we have for a quick turn around.

*This turned into a short novel, if you guys need to skip it for time’s sake I totally understand. Having a spot to vent was cathartic enough*
It’s been a couple weeks since last commenting, I guess I’ve shown up about the same as the Broncos during that time at least.

I’ve been a Broncos fan quite literally from birth, my parents made sure the blue beanie that hugged my head had a Broncos logo proudly displayed on my forehead. My first memories of football were of Plummer running a naked boot to his right in the middle a blizzard, and dropping a dime to Rod Smith over a defending Oakland Raider for a touchdown. Or how puzzlingly electric it felt seeing Jay Cutler take the reigns from Jake, and feeling the promise of the next great Broncos quarterback. The lows of McDaniels’ tenure, the highs of dear old Pat Bowlen introducing John Elway’s return and welcoming Peyton Manning to the Mile High City.

And now we’re here. I honestly never thought I’d feel disinterested in Broncos football, but here I am. Does this make me a bad fan? Did I expect too much from them? Maybe the high from Super Bowl 50 was too great, but the proverbial smashing of heads against steel plated walls for the last 5 years has numbed me to what’s happening. I’m apathetic. I don’t really care anymore. There’s a million other things I’d rather do than to watch the Titanic try and scrape itself off the bottom of the Atlantic, only to open more holes in the hull. It’s painful to see something that is so deeply engrained into my identity be treated as if it were meaningless by the powers that have the ability to make the needed changes. I want to say it’s sickening, but that’s too polite.
I don’t know what the answer is for these Broncos I hold so dearly, but I just want the numbness I have for the team I love to stop.
I appreciate all that you all do to do what you can in making these weeks bearable, at this point you’re the only thing that I dare to place faith in as it pertains to the Denver Broncos, I truly appreciate all that you do for us.

On monday morning, i got up, went to work and didn’t have an easy time listening to the pod. I have yet to involve myself in Broncos country today except for this comment and defending myself with some Ronald Reagan joke against my company’s manager who is a lifelong Raiders fan. I feel optimistic that a week out of the starting role would be good for Lock and be a chance to reset. I just remember a different vibe he gave last season compared to now. Last year he was Buzz Lightyear, just a kid doing his best with what he’s got. This year he’s the Darth Vader Wannabe who’s looked at nationally as a bit of a loser. I believe a start from the reality of situation is justified so I’m team bench Lock, at least for a week. It seems like he lost the need to prove himself to his teammates and he doesn’t talk about that this year as much as last. It’s concerning. Am i making any sense or do you fear i am standing at the precipice of dulled anger?

Broncos Country silently waits for a hero to emerge.
Much love,
Lynx

My boys! With all of this ownership talk, if the team were to be sold is there an odds on favorite buyer? Anyone who you would root for? Anyone you would hate to see become owner? Either way just bring back the old school logo and update the uniform.

This podcast is unhealthy for me, it turns me into a bipolar back-and-forth fan because of all the new takes I get exposed to. Now, I can’t stop thinking about Zach Azzanni as a future OC. I’ve always loved his fire and personality and think he could do really well with a larger role on the team. Really scared about being a first-time play caller though so I would hope that Shurmur and Shula work him in asap.

Hey guys, I saw a very interesting discussion among Broncos fans about whether Lindsay is a top 10 RB in the league or at least a top 10 rusher/runner. I was a little surprised by how multiple fans arguing not just that Lindsay isn’t a top 10 rusher/runner, but that he’s overrated, he’s barely an average RB, he’s a worse RB than Gordon because of the pass catching and receiving ability.

One of the pieces of evidence for Lindsay being a top 10 runner was that he’s averaging 5 yards per carry on his career on a decent amount of carries (almost 500) which is better than RBs like Zeke, Josh Jacobs, even Saquon. There were arguments focused on whether Lindsay is better than Zeke (who does look worse without a good o-line) and Josh Jacobs.

There was also talk of “yards created over expected” which is a metric that supposedly accounts for how many yards a running back gets beyond what you would expect based on o-line play, stacked boxes, and other stuff. As of like a week ago, Lindsay was the 2nd best RB at this metric behind just Dalvin Cook, Gordon was average, and Zeke and Jacobs were both bottom five.

Anyway, I was surprised to see some fans so down on Lindsay. Top 10 RB as a whole is a stretch, but I wonder if you guys agree with Lindsay being a top 10 runner/rusher and if not, who you guys do put above him?

PS, thanks so much for all you guys do, in these dark times, your dedication keeps a lot of us in good spirits.

Injuries or not this munchak effect on the oline is odd.
Bolles suddenly is a top 3 tackle per off, but risner regreses. A veteran rg who ay his floor has always been a mid tier guard now is a revolving door. A rising star at left guard now just looks bad. Risner has been an equal part into the equation of this lines problems. I dont even really have a question, but just your take on our o lines struggles after the excitement of bringing in Mike.
Tl;dr
Why does our line suck with Mike munchak

Hey gents,

Haven’t commented much at all lately because I was always taught as a child that if you don’t have anything nice to say, better to not say anything, and I don’t have many nice things to say about the Broncos right now. However, I do have some thoughts I’d like to discuss.

1. I still believe Drew Lock CAN be the future, but unfortunately I no longer think he ever will be. I think with a different OC and a different scheme he could become a franchise QB but I don’t see us getting rid of Shurmur soon enough to ever find out if that’s the case.

2. Watching us on special teams makes me want to physically remove my eyeballs.

3. For Mr B

4. This isn’t aimed at you guys hosting, but when we discuss possible trades for veteran QB’s in the offseason, can we please stop mentioning the names ‘Rodgers’ and ‘Ryan’. I PROMISE everyone there is a 0% chance we acquire either of these guys in 2021. Rodgers is playing too well, and Ryan’s financial situation makes it too difficult (and he’s also probably playing too well to be traded).

5. The tailgate is incredible, I implore anyone who hasn’t already done so to check it out. Given how we’ve played recently, it’s the best part of my Sunday. I understand your livers wouldn’t allow you to do it at the bar every single week, but it is fantastic content when you do. So thank you all.

BB out

What’s up guys Happy Wednesday! First I just wanted to say that I appreciate your guys coverage. Having a podcast out everyday with the exception of Saturday is amazing. I work nights in Security, most of my job is patrolling and watching cameras so having a podcast I can listen to every night is awesome and appreciated. Second, there has been a lot of talk about QBs we could bring in if there are still questions about Drew at the end of the season. If Carson Wentz is available would you guys want to take a chance on him?

hey guys!

zac, the other day you mentioned that the packers really liked drew lock and everything i’ve heard backs this up. several packers reporters have mentioned that the packers were going to take drew in the 2nd round, which is why the broncos traded up. i still believe that missing out on drew, and drew’s performance down the stretch in 2019 was a big motivating factor for them trading up for jordan love in the 2020 draft, and both drew and love have a ton of similarities- so they definitely have a type of qb.

speaking of which, brian gutekunst already has a track record of trading for 2nd round qbs with big arms, accuracy concerns and questionable decision making. deshone kizer was objectively worse than drew lock in his time as a starter and they still gave up a decent player (at the time) in damarious randall, in exchange for him.

so if the broncos decide to completely move on from drew (i don’t think they will), i can definitely see the packers being a potential landing spot for drew- even with jordan love on their roster now and the broncos should in theory get decently compensated.

So …. How many of these last 7 games can drew afford to miss before it’s not worth taking a risk on him next year because for me he can’t come in have a great 4 game run and he’s the guy next year that’s not going to cut it at all !!!! …… And IDC how good rypien is these next couple of games I don’t want to go into camp.next year a qb competition between him and drew either ! …. Soo was curious how I guys felt cuz this injury thing is another stain on Drew’s Resume ….

My boys,

Had to take a few pods off from posting after that dumpster fire Sunday but glad to be back. I went back and read some articles that were written up after they left Scangs go and it came across that perhaps there was something in the relationship between him and Vic. I know Scangs had issues but he was very much on the right path with this offense. The best defense I saw for letting him go was that he was a good play designer but not a play caller. And yes, there were absolutely times last season where his play calling had me scratching my head, but just like you expect from a rookie player, I thought he was improving in that area. So if he was jelling with Drew and the O, and growing as a play caller, then maybe there was an issue with Vic? Shurmur doesn’t exactly seem to be getting glowing reviews from Fangio either (and rightfully so). Could there be an issue with how Vic manages his staff or am I reading too deep here? I’d like to think any (issues, on and off field) get ironed out soon so the Broncos aren’t looking for a 3rd OC in 3 years which no offense can benefit from. Best case scenario is they bring in a young assistant to help infuse some more innovative play design to this offense, and be a liaison between the young offensive core and the old guard calling the shots. But that seems like a pipe dream. Thanks for helping talking us off the ledge each week, guys. keep up the great work.

Do you think Eric Bieniemy would take a head coaching job with the Broncos with the Chiefs in the division? What do y’all think of Trey Lance? Why do you think the Broncos cannot develop offensive talent? Why do the Broncos have so many injuries? Are there strength and conditioning issues? Has anyone asked Elway if he’ll step down?

My boys!
Coaching matters. I would hate for Drew to have yet another OC but it might be necessary. What is the offenses identity? There is none. It just feels like he’s up in the booth (which I never like from an OC unless it’s a vet QB behind center) spinning the playbook wheel. It doesn’t feel like he’s seeing the mistakes and is trying to correct them? It’s frustrating. I try to remember if I was this frustrated last year with Scangs because I know he was very frustrating. I don’t think Drew is being developed correctly. I’m not saying he’s not at fault but the garbage takes on him from a lot of people are over the top.

Thanks for the great pod. Yall are the best and I’ll leave you with this:
Chris Hudson is the most underrated Safety of all time
King Sooper Donuts/Winchells > any other donuts
Strawberry pop tarts reign supreme.

Guys,

I hate to say this but if by the end of the season we have a pick inside the top ten – that will be the proof to me that Lock isn’t the guy.

If we finish with a top ten pick can’t we use Von as capital to move up?

We CANNOT miss out on another big time Qb class based on hypotheticals and optimistic fever dreams.

-LCB

I want to bring some positivity to the community in these dark times.

I am so happy to hear about the progress being made with vaccines against Corona virus. I miss going to the games. I am a season ticketholder from out of state and travel to Denver for 4 games a year. I strain my marriage to the edge of divorce to go to one game per calendar month.

So I’m going to comment a few very short stories about game trips, hopefully the memories can brighten us up.

First game ever, December 15th, 1996 as a 17 year old. I exited a bus on Colfax and rounded the corner to Federal to see the south end of the stadium come in to view. Seeing Bucky the horse with own eyes for the first time, it was glorious. Raiders 19, Broncos 24. FTR!!!!!

Hey y’all! Can you please elaborate on what you mean when you say that bringing in Eric Beinemy as HC would be “too close to home”? He’d be the perfect fit for this young offensive group imo…what is it that you know that we don’t? Why do you seem to be so reluctant about considering him as an option if/when Vic is let go?