I know that this wasn’t Elway’s reasoning, but I’m pretty happy that he left a lot of cap space on the table. Somehow, I don’t think it’s too late to say the season is over. All we can do now develop the rookies and enjoy the little things. I’ll keep bleeding orange and navy, and I can’t wait to be back in stadium next week, but it’s time to think about the future. Nuggets in 7.

Hey fellas,

Just some perspective I can’t help but give here. I am a strength and conditioning coach by trade. I discussed this will several colleagues of mine back in April when Covid was really starting to mess with normalcy.

The year long macro cycle, in terms of strength and conditioning for an athlete, begins with the offseason. This is the de-loading phase where athletes recover from the season and the previous years training. The next stage is joint stabilization and balance work to get the joints and supporting tendons and ligaments used to things like compression and sudden direction changes etc. The next logical step in the progression is muscular strength, which in turn, continues to linearly prepare the joints for sport. From there, position specific, and sport specific work starts. There is also the weight training protocol that is the baseline for maintenance and recovery throughout the season. While teams did what they could given the constraints of this season; we jumped into this way to early and, as you can now see, it’s at the expense of the athletes. I understand the need and want for sport but the athletes in the NFL have been done a disservice by the powers at be. Their health was not considered enough throughout this process.

Mase,
you mentioned months ago that the NFL players association should lobby for lifetime health insurance — after this season, that needs to be the number one priority at the next CBA get together. Yes, they play a physical sport but as someone with a lot of experience in this field I can tell you definitively and without question this was severely mishandled.

-LCB

? what I meant regarding our chances vs TB is that I think we have a real chance to hang in there. We have a defense that has held Henry and Conner very well and I don’t think Fournette will be any different. I think it will come down to an offense that has to rely on the passing game (much like us the last 2 weeks) vs a team that can have success passing and running that will keep the defense in their toes. Not to underplay the fact that the passing game is Tom Brady throwing to an amazing receiving core. Like I said yesterday, I think it will be a high scoring game (both teams 30+) but like you said we’ll have to see J-Driz vs a team that’s prepared for him and the news about Sutton puts a damper on things but I have faith in Jeudy, Hamler, and Fant. JUST KEEP VANNETT THE F OFF THE FIELD. Anyways I would take the over if Denver is 3.5 point dogs this week. Sorry for the long comment, love all yall, stay thicc

*beeeeeeeep*

Well; break out the whiskey and crank up the country.

Here is an interesting thought, as I get finished on my second bottle.

Aside from Von and Sutton – everyone could/should be back by the bye. If you win Jets, Phins, you are 2-5.

If you can get 7-2 on the back end (drop games to Chiefs, Saints), you’re in.

Keep in mind, Drew went 4-1 last year, not out of question to be 7-2.

So – this is where the amount of injuries and the timing is really odd. It’s heavily, heavily concentrated to the difficult part of the schedule. If you’re healthy when you play the “medium difficulty” games (raiders, chargers, falcons, bills, Carolina), that might be just the right timing.

Lunacy? Maybe.

But remember, if you’re subscribing to DNVR Broncos, you’re doing it because you’re a fan. That means you arnt here objectively – you’re here for emotion. Here for the stories. Here to be happy, here to be angry, here to be upset. Everyone has something different in their fandom – but you’re sure as hell not a fan due to rationale objectivity. Sure, most die hard fans love the detail of the game, and want that level of discourse. They want to feel objective, feel clinical, feel “winning is all that matters” – but all that is, is a different channel for your (beautiful) emotional bias. I am not advocating for poor decisions by the organisation, or for a lack of accountability to the fan base. But id encourage people to recognise the imperfection in what happens is what gives the sport, and life generally, shape, texture and value.

So focus on the stories that are being written that you’ll talk about at the DNVR Bar in 20 years.

Remember the timeouts in the Titans game? Sure glad Vic learned from there.

Remember when Drew went down in the Steelers game in 2020, amazing how that shaped the character of the team and the maturity of Drew.

Remember “Oje” came back from early struggles in his rookie year and picked off Tom Brady?

Remember that time when KJ Hamler took that slant against the Jets to the house?

Remember 2020, the year when Broncos stormed home to the final wild card spot, overcoming all adversity?

Every year is about winning, winning it all, winning a super bowl in the NFLs case, it has to be. It’s what gives football (an otherwise arbitrary set of rules revolving around an oval shaped ball) the richness it has. You don’t know what will happen to your team, or any others in any given week. So they should go and play, and play to win (and no; that doesn’t mean you make stupid decisions with injured players), and as fans, we hold on tight to see where it takes us, and see what stories take shape. And maybe when all is said and done, we need to remember that stories can be longer than seasons, and sometimes the super bowl the team was playing for this year, wasn’t in February 2021.

Enjoy the moments that are happening as much as you can, because you’ll never know what they’ll mean in the bigger picture.

Now where is that final bottle of whiskey I hid? It’s only 9:30am here and the bottle-o doesn’t open for another 30 minutes.

*beep* me

Gentlemen, its been a long time since I sent a comment. Maybe one of the worst 24 hours in Denver sports history. The Lock injury was most concerning to me, because I just don’t know if we have seen enough from him. I doubt this team picks in the top 3 this year, but who knows. I just have a hard time looking at Trevor Lawrence and Josh Fields and not taking one of those guys. As for Mr. Chubb, I know RK is sold he gets a 5th year, I am not. He had a great rookie year, but the last two years he is on about a 4 sack a season pace. Even if he gets a 5th year, now ay he gets an extension at this point. I am just going to be realistic for the rest of the year, and realize we are not a contender, so what the record is shouldn’t matter.

I need everyone to try and Breath!! I know Y’all it’s difficult to watch the injuries pile up on our Broncos but this season is far from over! I see a team that is learning and growing through difficult times together! I got one am proud of this team and think big things are coming! Lock isn’t out for the year! Jeff doesn’t need to win the games he just doesn’t need to be the reason we lose! Let’s be honest we all know what happens when Tom Brady comes to Denver it’s the only Place he statistically struggles and it’s the only place he has a losing record! What about Cam Who also struggles Statistically against the Broncos! Based on What I have seen so Far we can beat the Dolphins and the Jets So if Brady or Cam struggles like they have in the past we could Win 3 of the next 4 with the Hopes Lock comes back against KC. Wait now that I say it out loud!!!! Pray for the Broncos Y’all! Is there any available Free Agents you believe could help this Team and think is worth signing?

Can someone ask Pat Shurmur if he watched how Darren Waller was used? The dude is lined up as a genuine receiver 80% of the time and looks great. But he doesn’t look as gifted as Fant.

Has anyone else noticed that Fant just looks angry and determined every time the ball goes his way this year? Last year he seemed timid, not now.

#allaboardthearc
#noahwayhecanbestopped
#fant-astic

Aight boys,
I’ve been doing some research and it seems to me that a few days after the intro was switched the team went to well *beep*. So I purpose we switch it for the remainder of the week and see what it does to our luck. Just playing with y’all.
Unless…..?
DLB

Is Munchak signing off on Wilkinson?

What Gives ?

Love
The Count

Hello Zac, Mase, RK

I have come to comment some negativity so hopefully your podcast today had some more uplifting messages. I apologize in advance.

I just wanted to say how concerned I am that the Broncos have the wrong coach in Denver right now. I love Fangio, he is unquestionably a defensive mastermind and has been a longtime great coach in this league. With that being said, as a head coach, I just havent seen a killer instinct and I havent seen a guy who can coach this team to a win in the final minutes. I have seen countless last minute games decided due to poor coaching on Denvers part and rarely have seen it the other way.

Whenever we have the ball on the final drive or need a stop on defense we just cant do it at all and this can be applied many times last year and already in both our losing games this year. Save the injuries and all the excuses, but I feel the Broncos with a better coach could be 2-0 right now because at the end of the day with all the injuries they had a great chance to win both games in the final 2 minutes.

I dont want this season to be a pass for Fangio. I understand the injuries but he needs to leave his mark on the team this season. We need to see more sacks, more turnovers, and a couple games where he coaches us to a win. I dont see this team winning a SB in the next decade with an average coach, he needs to prove he is a special coach that can lead this team. Otherwise I feel like we are wasting time.

Maybe an overreaction to a depressing 2020 start but I just feel like Fangio has been less than advertised thus far.

Sorry for my negative comment. Much love!

This JV Broncos team has 4-5 wins in them. Jets, Dolphins, Panthers, maybe the Chargers at home.

The draft pick is definitely going to be high, so why not embrace the suck? #tankfortrevor

One of Shula or Shurmur and one of Donatell or Fangio need to go to the box for better perspective. Completely unrelated, but I will never understand why we didn’t hire Kyle in ‘17. Considering how dedicated Elway is to using a West Coast 90s scheme, I can’t believe he didn’t go with the freaking disciple of the guy who got Elway so into the West Coast offense. I agree with RK and I don’t believe Fangio is the guy who will bring us to the Promise Land, and I wonder what we would look like if we had hired Munchak as HC. Who’s the OC? I assume Fangio would not have left Chicago so who’s our DC? Maybe Donatell leaves for the chance to get out from under Vic’s shadow.

Did Nick Wright know something? His record prediction may be a lot closer than we thought now. Lol.

I just heard that Fangio is starting Wilkinson again! I really want to have continuity, but, Vic seems slow to adapt. What are you thoughts? Also, I am with you. Sit everyone until the bye. Then, work on progression.

hey guys;

i saw a stat on nextgenstats and hamler is leading all receivers in terms of cushion allowed. kinda crazy that a rookie receiver was given that level of respect by the steelers defense but shows how much of a threat he can be.

also i’m sure news about the broncos visiting with bortles will be widespread by the time y’all read this but i’m all for it. if they’re gonna struggle this season might as well make it entertaining!

Hey DNVR Broncos gang, how’s it going? Me, I’m ready to bend, but not break. You know why? There’s still a way to make the playoffs, and because 2020 is so weird, no on can tell me it can’t happen. My crazy scenario is: Broncos limp into a 2-5 record the bye week after getting thrashed by the Chiefs (insert single tear face emoji here) but will review some extra film, have some real sit downs with the offense, and when they return from the bye week, and will finish the back 9 with an 8-1 record. That 1 is also dropped to the Chiefs. How about it? And how soon is too soon to see Albert Ochocinco? Thank you guys, again, for all your hard work, and a little extra spotlight on Mase for flying to & from Pittsburgh for the game. Cheers gang, go DNVR, and go Broncos?

I see a lot of parallels between this Broncos team and the 2018 49ers. The previous year, Jimmy G came in and led the team to five wins to give the team hope and momentum heading into the 2018 season. Jimmy G was hurt early in the 2018 campaign, and as a result, the 49ers were able to add a top 5 talent in Nick Bosa. Obviously, the 2019 49ers would go on to play in the super bowl. I see no reason why we cannot accomplish something similar. This Broncos team wasn’t winning the super bowl this year anyway. With cap flexibility and the potential of a top 5 pick, this team could certainly be a contender next year. Additionally, the injury to Sutton could lead to a similar contract situation as Chris Harris a few years ago. If he went on to another pro bowl season, we would be looking at giving him a massive extension.

Hey guys ! Thnx so much for your input yesterday I apologize to Broncoscountry cooler heads have prevailed and emotions have tempered that’s how life is you have to move on and control the things you can control ….. So with that said if you could draw up a successful game plan with the talent we have remaining on offense what would it be what would you like to see us do that could lead to success offensivley and scoring points …… And also do you think Tyrie Clevland deserves more snaps then Daeshean Hamilton ? I’m just super curious to see what we have in tyrie Clevland with his hands speed and big body

I see a lot of tank comments on here and twitter and I have some thoughts. I believe that nothing good comes from tanking other than the draft pick you acquire. Sure, we could turn that top draft pick into a few more through trades, if we think Lock is the answer, but the culture you create by handcuffing your talent can be irreversible. Look at the NBA. The Sixers tanked for years to get two MVP type players but they have difficulty getting out of the losing culture they created. In the NFL, the Jets have high draft pick after high draft pick but players like Jamal Adams say get me the hell out of here because of the losing culture. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Odell Beckham, the list goes on and on for players who don’t want to be in a losing culture. We have to think with a team this young what tanking would do to the mindset of players like Jerry Jeudy, Noah Fant, Drew Lock if we embrace the full on tank. I would rather put my best team out there every week, improve the talent we have and if we lose because we aren’t as talented due to lack of depth then so be it, but don’t embrace the world of suck.

Hey gents,

Just wanted to express my disappointment in the fact that Blake Bortles signed an entire 7 minutes ago and there hasn’t yet been an emergency pod! Looks like you all forgot your Strava today.

BB out

Ok, i have held my tongue for 2 days after the game and listening to the pod, first off Blake bortles is not the damn answer. Denver’s moves lately have been questionable at best! They look slow out there, if quarterback is the end all be all, then why did the chiefs looks so good with A backup last year! They looked more exciting then we have of lately. So the argument goes to the head coach right or play callers? I’m not saying fire Vic or anyone else because that sure as hell ain’t the answer, but even before injuries we didn’t look fast paced like I’d hope we would. We look bland and boring and every time we have the ball im just hoping for a first down. Every time defense is on the field it’s stagnant there’s no fire when they play. I don’t want to be negative but BLEEP ME! Blake BLEEPING BORTLES is not the BLEEPING answer. also BLEEP THE RAIDERS. I hope they lose every game

I’m a bit late on this one but thank you for the clarification last week when I was upset about that play where Jewell was blocked into grabbing the helmet. I only saw the play twice so I didn’t get a good enough look to notice that, my bad! Thats why Im glad yall are here to clarify some things for people like me who don’t have as much time to analyze this stuff.

And damn, this season is weird so far, isn’t it? I’m gonna try and keep up as painful as it may be. Not sure we can Bortle our way out of this one. ?

Much love,
Colin

PS: Funny, Cool, and Hip with RK’s face on a TShirt would be dope. ?

A few from me today

1. Agree with your take on Vic on this pod. We are getting a watered down version of his defense because he is now juggling head coaching duties and also because he isn’t in the booth. He needs to be in the booth on game days and focus on the defense. Let him be the head coach during the week for preparations and game planning.

2. Usually backup QBs get figured out Really quick but I think there is a chance that Driskell gets better. He had no practice time during the week so there were no plays for him in the game plan to use. Have to think on the 3rd and 2 or 4th and 2 that one of them would be a zone read if he had the practice time. That play needs practice because of the mesh point timing so you can’t run it without practice. Hopefully we turn Driskell loose with his legs now to go along with pounding the rock with Gordon.

3. Mr. B

4. I understand your take on resetting the season and planning for next year, but we just can’t have that mindset. This team has to keep building on the momentum from end of last year no matter who is in the lineup. The culture was starting to change and we have to keep that rolling. The guys are playing hard and we are competitive. If we can string some W’s together with A lot of depth guys then that continues the build.