Hey guys!

You swore by it all summer, and I finally tried Strawberry Sky. I don’t like kolsches, nor fruit beers that aren’t jaw clenchingly sour. This is absolutely delightful, crisp, and refreshing.

Again, I’m sorry for the rant, and for a question better suited for the offseason:
It does feel like we’re staring at a deep ravine of “suck-itude”, and are nearing or at a point of no return. This is not unlike the Oakland Raiders circa 2004. There are multiple problems in multiple areas on this team, which are slowly being addressing by way of coaching staff. As fans, we’re tired of making excuses for the offense. However, we do need to recognize that we have a subpar offensive line, hense hiring Mike Munchak. That is leading to subpar QB play. Point the blame at our exhausted shopping list of players at the position, if you wish. But I dare you to find a QB that would do well behind suchh a line not named Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, or drew Brees. Throwing Drew Lock back there will not help long term if you want to keep the kid around any longer than 5 years. This leads to questionable play receiving and rushing. They have their moments where they look fantastic, flashes of brilliance. However, it’s uninspiring on the whole. All of this is being run by a guy whom is learning how to call games for the first time in his career. A guy who is working for another guy, a legend, whose learning to call a full game from the field for the first time in his career. The defense seems to be riding on the ego of it’s former self as players adjust to a completely different style. And yet, it’s still a team that, at 2-5, could’ve easily have been 4-3. Which gets me to the obstacle in our deep dark ravine. I love Elway. We always will. I believe his stranglehold as a de facto GM is holding back what this team will be down the road. I’m not calling for his job, but to rather step back and bring in a new GM who will be able to work with all of these new pieces while being able to tell elway to step off when necessary. Ultimately, what sank the Raiders into their decade and a half of decrepitude is a desire to win now, kneejerk to anything that doesn’t work, and not give a chance for anything to develop. What must happen in order to quickly navigate this ravine, and get back to our dominant ways? It’s not an easy answer, but that’s where we are. And if our answer is wrong, we might not be relavent again until 2030

Hey guys,

I just wanted to comment about something I heard on the Pod yesterday about trading Von. I 100% agree that he isn’t playing as the same Von of old. There is no spark, there is no passion & he’s just not winning his matchups, but I don’t think it’s a great idea at all to trade him. With Bradley Chubb tearing his ACL, how do we know he will come back as good as he was. I pray as a Broncos fan that he does come back the same but there’s always that chance that he’s doesn’t, also the dead money the broncos will take on if you trade him will be significant. Also I think he’s worth At least one 1st rounder and a 2nd rounder and I doubt anyone will give that up. Most importantly He is a Bronco legend and face of this franchise, I highly doubt this will sit well with the rest of Broncos Country.

Also I think Emmanuel is going to SF. They have the cap, the picks, they need a WR, they are winning team and they have Elway’s bud John Lynch to trade with

Thanks guys

Hello fellas.. It’s gotten to the point where I can’t even stomach watching an entire game anymore.. It’s no longer something I look forward to. It seems like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. If Drew doesn’t start a few games this season, it’s a waste as it’s been pointed out. Flacco CLEARLY isn’t the guy. Brady has better mobility. On a bright note though, I always look forward to the podcast, and all the of you keep my spirits high! Thanks for being awesome & keep up the great work..

Hey guys, I just wanted to piggy back on Mase’s comment about Flaccos lack of fire. He’s probably not any better, but if we had gotten Fitzmagic this offseason, do you think our record would be different? Just style wise Fitzpatrick has swagger, tries to truck DBs, etc. Seems polar opposite of Flacco and just thought it would be fun to hear your thoughts. Thanks dudes

A few ideas for qb play from here on:
1.) Play Allen (never gonna happen Elway already has to much egg on his face)
2.) Trade Sanders (and Flacco) for the Pats backup, they have to be good 2 of them are starting for division leading teams.
3.) Mr. B
4.) Put Kreiter in at center and put Flacco 20 yards back and maybe he will have 2 seconds to throw, plus then even a screen looks like a deep ball.
5.) And my favorite, wildcat with Jano as QB, run the triple option. If there is a reciever open I think he could hit them, if not roll out if its there he can run, or if not pitch to Phil and then you have your Jano “QB” out blocking. Perfect!

Cheers

The anti-flaxxers crack me up. Joe is but a pawn in John’s demented game of trying to make gold from straw. John is drinking his own damn kool-aid. He’s power-mad, fighting the death throws as the orange sun sets behind his once blue mountains.

The Architect has gone bonkers and continues to attempt to build sun-searching pyramids out of wax.

Our once faithful leader must be deposed. But who will dethrone him? Take to the streets Broncos fans, create a fracas on every corner until the entire rabble of this city stops buying jerseys and tickets and airport trinkets with the 90’s era over-stylized horse head festooned upon them as if they were the Roman eagle.

The life of this team is in your hands, man! This aggression (from our brass) will not stand.

Love
The Count

Hey R, Z and Mase,

Firstly, thanks for your continued fantastic Broncos coverage. It means a lot to us overseas fans who can’t watch all the games because they during business hours!..

The increased heat that Scangs has received this week has taken me back to the thought I first had after Week One this year in that since Peyton retired the Broncos have had four offensive co-ordinators, all of whom have produced an almost identical, predictable, dull, and completely uninspired offense. For the past two preseasons we were told to expect a more creative offense first under Musgrave last year and then again with Scangs this year, but seemingly nothing has changed both years!
The only common factor across all four seasons is Elway – is this a case of John wielding too much influence and not letting the coaches that have brought in do what they have been paid to do?

Secondly, admittedly I am torn when it comes to the ongoing ownership lawsuit. From all reports, Brittany Bowlen seems the best option to assume the ownership mantle in the near future and keeping the current trustees in place looks to be the best way to achieve that. However, I have no doubt whatsoever that the trustees are not acting in the best interest of their beneficiaries. Allowing Elway to have absolute power over the football operations of this organisation and seemingly not be accountable to anyone is a HUGE failure of corporate governance and is the underlying reason why this organisation seemingly has no plan or direction beyond who they are playing next week.
It will be interesting to see how this progresses in the courts…

On a more positive note, developments in my work have meant that I have had to frequently travel to Singapore this year, and the food there is absolutely incredible! There are endless choices of rice and noodle based dishes, as well as dumplings and dim sum. I don’t think I will ever get around to being able to try everything. My favorite dish so far is the chilli mud crab though – it is a massive crab cooked in a thick chilli-tomato paste – amazing!

Hello everyone! Dragged my feet on subscribing, but decided to jump in after you guys exhibited more FIRE following the abysmal loss than the team! So glad Mase joined the pod; he can share his opinions more freely (and who doesn’t love that?).

This is easily the worst Broncos team I have seen in my 20 years, and my dad says the same! As a fan who lives about 90 miles north of Kansas City, this 8-game (soon to be 9) losing streak enrages me! You can imagine the grief I get from my friends. Without Sunday Ticket, I can’t even watch my team except on primetime, when we get shellacked!

Alas, it seems our brass is not in any rush to find someone who can compete with Pattycake Mahomes, and in my opinion, every game without seeing Drew Lock is a game wasted! Throw him in as soon as possible, because he needs experience and will probably have to be behind a crap offensive line anyways.

I wholeheartedly share RK’s sentiment on the lack of fire. It’s the #1 issue with this team. Where I come from, if the quarterback was acting like Flacco, he’d get a very stern talk with the coach, if not benched! However, the young guys have some JUICE, and I can’t wait to see them wreck havoc on the league. If only our front office could be competent enough to help see that through…

So many more things to talk about, but I’ll stop here. I hope I’ll be able to make it out to Denver for a game sometime and tailgate, but I am also a broke college student! Looking forward to a damn good pod.

Hey boys. Luv you 3 and like Mase, I hope you 2 also had a great weekend? CU, try to get to 6 wins. I had a 13 point comment I wrote down butt it went into the round file. I did research to back up this separate point butt I won’t bore you guys with it. The Broncos are only 2 games out of the last AFC wildcard spot ( 6th. ) butt after the Chefs, it’s probably unattainable without Drew? Go Zoomies, nice win in Oahu! 🙂 fyi, the Nuggets will be on Channel 20 until cable/sat. resolved!!! They will also be on ESPN in 2 nights!!!!!

Bolles was literally holding someone after we drafted him. We should have seen this coming.

Bit late but I will give you my two highlights from Thursday nights game

1) Justin Simmonds play is where we expected it to be last year, he is the fire and the life of that defence

2) The bolo tie that Ryan was rocking was straight fire, mad respect my dude.

Would just like to give a quick shout out the the DNVR community on the kind words for my fiancé’s broncos cake she made 🙂 cheers guys

Picturing Flacco as a dog that can no longer hop on the bed is so sad. I about fell out of my chair laughing?.

PB&J dunked in milk? Potato chips in a PB&J sandwich? 30 straight days of nothing but PB&J? I couldn’t do any of it. But since you guys are so hard core, why not ’tis the season by dipping that potatoe chip PB&J sandwich in some Cognac or Whiskey Egg Nog!

Watch someone will do it and swear it’s the bomb lol..

1) Agree with you Mase- the Patriots aren’t rivals of the Broncos any more. In fact, Kansas City and NE is a bigger rivalry, and my hatred for KC means that I will root for NE in every single one of those matchups.

2) Agree with Zac (I think?) that Scangarello doesn’t seem like Vic’s guy. Seems obvious that Elway regretted missing on Shanahan and wanted to recreate that offense.

Do y’all think that- like VJ did in 2018- Vic will be able to get his guys in on the coaching staff next year? I think McMahon is definitely gone. One of Vic’s childhood friends, Joe Marciano, is an experienced NFL ST co-ordinator, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him come in. I’m all for continuity with the offense and Scangarello deserves the rest of the season/some games with Lock to showcase a lil something, but I’m expecting Vic to go with a veteran OC next year.

3) Mr B

4) I was thinking about what would happen if the Broncos had an all-out Dolphins-esque firesale. Tell me if y’all would entertain these hypothetical and unrealistic trades for our lifeboat players?

a) Detroit call and tell you they’ll trade you Matt Stafford but they want Drew Lock- guy they really liked in the draft- and a 2020 2nd rounder.

b) Dallas call and say they want Justin Simmons, and they’ll give you Awuzie and a 4th

c) Baltmore calls and say they want Von Miller, and they’ll give you old man Hayden Hurst and a second rounder

d) Philly calls and say they want Courtland Sutton and they’ll give you JJ-Arcega Whiteside and a second rounder

e) Buffalo calls and say they want Phillip Lindsay and they’ll give you Devin Singletary and a 3rd rounder.

f) Minnesota calls and say they want Risner, and they’ll give you Mackenzie Alexander and a 3rd.

Aloha RK, Zac and Mase!

I’ll get right into my comment quickly so I have time to share an important cause with you and the community. First, I welcome the news that management is listening to offers for Emmanuel. To not parlay him into draft capital for the team’s future will be a missed opportunity. Thanks for being our voice of reason in these trying times!

Now onto the cause I wanted to share.

Veterans Day is coming soon and my dad and thousands of other veterans of his era are facing an important issue in Washington DC. There are two bills in Congress that could correct a grave oversight pertaining to servicemen and women who served on US Air Force Bases in Thailand during the Vietnam War. Many of these vets were exposed to toxic herbicides (aka Agent Orange) while living and working on on base. These defoliants were used to clear away the brush around the US Air Force bases in the region and in some cases within the bases itself. For years since the war these vets have been denied health care or even acknowledgment that their condition is a result of their service.

Long story short, at this moment there is an active Twitter lobby campaign urging members of Congress to support bills HR2201 and S1381 to correct the current laws so that “presumption of exposure” to toxic herbicides (aka Agent Orange) applies to ALL vets who sacrificed and served on the US Air Force Bases in Thailand.

So if you have a moment it would be greatly appreciated if you could help Re-Tweet, Like, Follow etc my recent Tweets to Congress about supporting these bills.

My Twitter handle is @MarkS808 and you can look for my recent post to Congress with a photo of my dad in uniform carrying me as a toddler. There is a hashtag #OperationOrangeEnvelope on that tweet as part of the campaign.

On behalf of my father, my family and all the Thailand based US veterans still suffering and battling, thank you very much for listening and any help to support the social media lobby campaign to all the US Representatives and Senators.

Sorry for the long post everyone and thanks again!

Mahalo,
Mark in Hawaii
@MarkS808

Hey guys,

When Drew Lock was placed on IR, I left a comment that I think he will never play a game as a Bronco. I also had a sinking feeling this season would end up this way. However I think Elway has become like a sickly dictator like the Mad-King in Game of Thrones. He can no longer see reason. How likely do you think it is Lock never plays for the Broncos? Before you say that’s crazy look at all of Elway’s moves since Super Bowl 50. It’s a path of self implosion and self destruction masked as “win now”.

Have a wonderful Tuesday

Joe needs to go! To me it looks like age has caught up with him, but unlike Peyton who still had the mental fortitude to play but his body was failing him. With Flacco the game seems to be happening too fast for him to process. I understand and am not hating on Flacco but he needs to retire.

The more my football knowledge broadens the more disappointed in Elway I become.

I was naive but we all should’ve seen the writing in the wall

1: attempt to force Peyton Manning under center…why?
2: draft Paxton for an under center offense…why?
3: Mr. B
4: the overall reaction nature since SB50. Big contracts for CJ,BMarsh simply because there wasn’t another plan in place
5:Flacco is garbage.
6:mcchensey nailed the bolles take
7: Noah fant is now Noah Cant until he proves other wise.
8: play to players strengths anyone who’s played madden knows a screen here an there would help with pass rush and might give Noah can’t some YAC and confidence.
9: Flacco this whole season (Flacco is now a verb interchangeable for fornication)

Hey gang!
A couple of questions popped into my head after yesterday’s pod.
1) With so many players looking forward to playing the chiefs, where was the disconnect? Where was the bulletin board material of losing 7 straight games to them? I can’t even begin to understand how they got so hyped but didn’t show up for game day.
2) Does Joe Flacco know that Audible isn’t just an audiobook subscription? Maybe he uses that most since he can’t READ the defense. Or maybe I just don’t notice when he audibles in the game. Is the skill to audible, like Peyton Freaking Manning, a generational type of skill? Or should every veteran QB know how to do it?
Lastly, the ebb and flow of calling for Elway’s job cracks me up. It should be a drinking game at this point. We win and he’s a genius at recent drafts and getting undrafted talent. We lose and he sucks at drafting and building a team. S.S.D.D.
Anyway, thanks for all the work you guys put in to keep us Bronco crazies sane and stable (there’s a pun for you RK).

Can you guys explain why we restructured Flaccos contract now? To me it makes no sense and now we have to carry cap room over to next year. I wonder if Elway did this so we have to keep Flacco next year I think it’s getting to the point where Elway needs to go and Manning needs to come in!!!

From here on out… I’m rooting for the Chargers! If we end last in the division, we ensure that Miami, Cincinnati and (probably) Tennessee will be on the schedule next year. Those are winnable games for the team to start bouncing back next season. Plus, those matchups could very well feature Lock vs Tua and Lock vs Burrow!

Lets play a game:
Odds are Flacco is sat for Lock week 11
odds are Flacco finishes out his contract with the Broncos
Odds are Elway finishes his contract
Odds are we consider a QB first round
Odds are Von is traded
Odds are a coach is fired before end of season

Some thoughts/questions I have moving forward – Let me know what you guys think.

1. Sign Justin Simmons to an extension NOW. He is a Fangio fit. What are we waiting for isn’t the ability to extend our own guys the only reason we restructured Flacco deal?
2. Holding #72 cannot see the field again if the coaches are to maintain any credibility and keep the respect of the team.
3. Mr. B
4. If Drew Lock isn’t one of the two players chosen to bring back from IR should Elway be fired? To me that would show blatant incompetence.
5. Fant looks like he might need to hit up Von’s Vision for some specs. This pick does not look good. Hopefully Lock saves Elway on this pick by balling out.
6. Do you think a 2nd and a 3rd would be enough to get Trent Williams away from Washington? We cannot go into the offseason forced to find a starting LT. Look how that turned out last time. I trade almost anything but our first for him at this point. Not worrying about LT changes EVERYTHING!
7. Do you think San Francisco would trade Nick Mullens and a 4th or 5th for Emmanuel Sanders? They carry 3 qb’s and still have CJ Beathard. Lock of course gets his shot this year but let’s keep stock piling young QB’s until we are sure we have the guy. Mullens showed enough success last year as a rookie with Scangarello to be intriguing.

Hey guys,

Wanted to ask about your thoughts on trading Von. When people bring up this question, my first instinct has been to say “absolutely not.” Despite a rocky start to the season, he’s still one of the most elite pass rushers in the game, and I’ve often argued that having such a commodity is an essential ingredient to building out a stout defense.

That said, the more I’ve thought about this, the more open I’ve become to the possibility that trading him away could be a reasonable move *if* the Broncos got a significant haul in return. And I think an important question when considering such a move is this: are the Broncos just a few key pieces away from being a playoff contender again (i.e. could one more strong offseason put us in position to contend by next year?), or do we think the team needs 2–3 more years of growth before we get there?

The reason this matters is because Von is 30 years old and arguably in the prime years of his career right now (which is sadly feels like we’re squandering). Obviously, a 32- or 33-year-old Von is likely still going to be among the top edge rushers in the league, but I think the team would be doing itself a disservice by not at least seeing what they could get in a trade for him *now*, while he’s still in peak physical shape—especially if it could help expedite the rebui–er, sorry, retooling? Reworking? Plus, we know we have a stud in Chubb, and drafting pass-rushers (or finding undrafted gems) has been one of Elway’s strong suits throughout his tenure as GM.

Maybe the losing season is causing me to become delirious, but seems to me that very few (if any) players should ever be 100% off the table, especially if a team willing to pay the right prices comes calling.

Mike Klis tweeted a Fangio quote regarding the how frustrated Broncos fans are. He said, “…It’s a loyal fan base, and one that I’ve grown quickly to appreciate…”
Is this a legitimate sentiment Vic holds, or is he just trying to appease the fans?
I feel the only thing us frustrated fans have done is upset Phil/others and give them even less to be inspired about this season.

Bonjour messieurs,

Just want to say, I’m very impressed with all of you for picking up on the correct pronunciation of my French surname. I was worried when I registered that it would be butchered with your silly american accents and mistaken for perhaps a combination of the words blue and orange.

On a side note, I think I remember something about a count down clock to Lock’s first game day appearance, having been mentioned. I love the idea and I think it would pair nicely with a Truman Show type live video feed of Lock. I’m pretty sure, watching Drew brush his teeth while he pretends to be an astronaut in his mirror would be more entertaining than watching Joe throw a football.

As always, thanks for the great work and good laughs. Love you guys and the podcast!

Au revoir,
Me. Blorange

Hey guys,

Did you hear Greg Rosenthal calling Flacco “melatonin” yeap the sleep inducing hormone.
I didnt knew weather to laugh or cry, but found that nickname very accurate “Sleepy melatonin Flacco”
I still remember RK´s initial reaction when they got Flacco, very accurate as well

P.S. Anyone else thinks that Count Flaccula´s writing is similar in style as Callinfor Mullin?
Much love

Hi guys
Like my fellow UK fans, another very late night and another day off work for little reward. The offensive ineptitude of this team is embarrassing to watch. The defence hasn’t been nearly the elite unit we expected it to be either. I dont blame them though, 4 years of knowing the offence cant score any points will suck the life out of guys like Von and Harris pretty quickly. Question time…Do we make any positive moves before the deadline to stem the flow of misery or do we just sell, sell, sell?
Is anyone safe from a fire sale, if that’s the route we go down?
Are there any positives going into Indy on Sunday. Do you guys think we throw in rookies like Winfree to see what they can do?
Apologies for the epic comment, it’s been a while.
Much love to you guys from sunny Scotland for being the only shining light in a dark Broncos cloud.

I know Getting anything for him is good, but this deal seems crappy considering what the Pats gave for Sanu. A third with the Niners Record May as well be a 4th.

Should I go listen to

A)Losing my religion? (R.E.M)
B)Where is my mind ? (Pixies)
C) or just my own sobs echoing in the dark corridors of my castle, the Broncos Banners all but obscured by cobwebs and the pure agony of three losing seasons and a festering case of team mismanagement ?

I just can’t decide

Love
The Count

I haven’t heard this take anywhere else and maybe my tin foil hat is on too tight, but hear me out. Behind the scenes Flacco threatened to hold out unless they gave him some guarantees. They didn’t do anything with the extra money so what motivation did they have to tie themselves to him for the next 3 years? I think he did the same thing CHJ did but in a classier, behind-the-scenes sort of way.
P.S. SHOW SOME FORKING EMOTION JOE!

Sorry if already been asked/answered, but who get Sanders reps? Are we gonna see some Juwan Winfree? Downtown Fred Brown?

Hey fellas, just saw the Sanders trade and gotta say that it felt right for him to move on. I’m glad he is getting a shot with a contender. I think we got a pretty fair trade for him with the 3rd and 4th round picks. Seems like we are already stock piling with picks (7 in the first 4 rounds) what do you guys think would be better to do with those picks? Use them as they are? Or use them to trade up to secure higher picks? Thanks for all you guys do! Go Broncos and go DNVR!