Official Denver Broncos Thread

[av7]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

We passed on Ron Brace for Alphonso Smith, this is one thing I'm interested in how it's going to work out.

[Hammerhunker]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

We passed on Ron Brace for Alphonso Smith, this is one thing I'm interested in how it's going to work out.

And giving up what was given up to get Smith. Goes to show you what type of ballplayer Brace is, New England moved up to get him. I agree with you there.

[kehlis]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

And it begins:

Broncos Release Young

The Broncos' crowded backfield has become a bit clearer with the release of third-year tailback Selvin Young.
The Broncos released Young on Thursday.

[av7]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

And it begins:

Broncos Release Young

Dont trip on the way out Selvin

[Hammerhunker]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

Dont trip on the way out Selvin

or pull something!

[av7]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

Knowshon Moreno will be wearing #27

Number 27 is back in circulation in Denver.

The number was put on hiatus as a tribute to slain cornerback Darrent Williams. The popular Williams, who was 24 at the time of his death, was shot and killed in downtown Denver on Jan. 1, 2007, hours after the team's season ended.

After being reserved the past two seasons, the number will be worn by Denver rookie running back Knowshon Moreno. The Broncos picked Moreno, out of Georgia, with the 12th choice in last weekend's draft. He is expected to be the Broncos' starting running back as they become a running offense in the wake of the Jay Cutler trade to Chicago.

Moreno, who wore No. 24 in college (that's worn by All-Pro cornerback Champ Bailey in Denver), asked for the number this week. The Broncos then called Williams' mother, Rosalind Williams, to ask permission to use the number. The Williams family called the Broncos back and gave their blessing for Moreno to wear the number - on one condition.

They to plan ask Moreno to donate a few hours of his time each month to the Darrent Williams Teen Center. It was open in a low-income part of Denver last May to honor the player's memory. He wore the number at the team's minicamp practice Friday.

"We knew that number wasn't going to be on the shelf forever," Asmus said. "We would like Knowshon part of the community center to help with the growth and maturation of these kids."

http://blog.denverbroncos.com/denverbroncos/broncos-rookies-numbers/

List of rookies and their #'s. Interesting, Ayers from Tennessee and he will wear 56.

[Hammerhunker]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

Moreno is a class act and will be a big part of the Denver community. Interesting seeing Ayers wearing 56. Only good things can come out of wearing that number

Funny reading many of the responses after that list. Many people complaining about some of the numbers taken and how it is disrespectful, hell, like was said, there are so many numbers, eventually a team is going to run out of numbers to give out. I see nothing wrong with Moreno wearing #27, but I do with that #30 would get retired, but that's just me.

[kehlis]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

Interesting blog about how Rivers will miss the Cutler Rivalry.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcwest/0-3-2125/Rivers-will-miss-Cutler-rivalry.html

SAN DIEGO -- Philip Rivers admits it.
He's actually going to miss Jay Cutler.
"I am going to miss that rivalry," Rivers said in between the Chargers' minicamp practices. "It was fun. I think it was good for the division. I really enjoyed it."

I am actually going to miss this rivalry as well...

[av7]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_12281980

These are the times that have tried Pat Bowlen's soul. The past 4 1/2 months have been the most tumultuous in the quarter-century reign of the Denver Broncos' owner. He has fired, hired and traded and celebrated his 65th birthday and his 25th anniversary as an owner.

What will May bring for Patrick Dennis Bowlen?

In a wide-ranging exclusive interview, his first since a chaotic series of events began in mid-December, the Broncos' owner and CEO declares:

• Even now, he doesn't understand why former quarterback Jay Cutler wouldn't return his calls and wanted out of Denver.

• The Broncos will "probably not" win the Super Bowl next season.

• He would have preferred that the Broncos had drafted more defensive players last weekend.

• He has not spoken to Mike Shanahan since he fired him.

• He has turned over additional organizational responsibilities to chief operating officer Joe Ellis.

• He has "absolutely" no plans to sell the franchise.

• His new coach, Josh McDaniels, committed "rookie mistakes," but he fully supports him and is growing more assured he will be outstanding in the long term.

• His health "is good," but he has experienced "short-term memory loss" in recent months.

Bowlen is the longest-tenured, and most successful, owner in the history of Denver's major-league sports franchises. His teams have won two Super Bowls and five conference championships. During his ownership, the Broncos have moved into a new stadium, originated the Ring of Fame, donated tens of millions of dollars to charities and the University of Denver, changed the dominant color of the uniforms, extended the home sellout streak to 40 years, built a new headquarters and become one of the winningest teams in the NFL.

But Bowlen's reputation has taken a hit of late because of the Broncos' devastating decline the past three seasons that led to his firing Shanahan and hiring McDaniels, and the circus that became known as McJay Gate involving Cutler.

Nevertheless, Bowlen said: "I'm rejuvenated. I haven't been in this position for quite a while."

Not afraid of risks

Bowlen is a high-risk/high-reward guy who acknowledges he was influenced by his father, who earned his fortune as an oil wildcatter. After getting a law degree and becoming an attorney, Bowlen joined his father's business, then extended his holdings into real estate and, at age 40, professional football.

"People will say I was lucky. I think I've always taken calculated risks," Bowlen said. "In this business, you have to take risks on players and coaches. There's been a lot of that going on lately, but I feel good about the risks I've taken."

Bowlen's presence has never been more pronounced than it was during the Cutler saga. Bowlen eventually ordered that Cutler be traded after the quarterback spurned his request to talk about differences he had with McDaniels, who had discussions with other teams about possibly trading Cutler.

"Honestly, I still don't know what happened with Jay. I don't want to throw him under the bus, but I made two phone calls (and there is proof, Broncos executives claim) and left voice mails with my cell number and asked him to call me, and he didn't," Bowlen said. "I don't do e-mails. If Jay had called and said he thought the coach was (not a nice person) and he wanted out of here, I would have said, 'Let's work this out.' But I heard nothing directly from him.

"Pick up the phone! That's where we got off the rails. We had no other choice but to trade him. If (the trade talk) was the reason Jay left, he should have left."

Bowlen is pleased with the quarterback, Kyle Orton, and the draft picks the Broncos got in return from Chicago, but when told many were puzzled why McDaniels didn't choose more defensive players in the recent draft, Bowlen replied:

"Me, too."

But, he backed the draft plan of his coach and general manager Brian Xanders. "I hired them to do their jobs," he said. "I believe in them. It's not my role to evaluate players and make those draft decisions. I'm not qualified to do it."

Practically every season, Bowlen proclaims that the Broncos will win the Super Bowl. That's part optimism, part foolishness, part humor and, at times, strong conviction. But he's not doing so this year.

"Win the Super Bowl? Probably not. But if we lose our first two games — and that's a possibility — I'm not going to panic. I'm in this to win Super Bowls, and we're going to get back (there). I'm more patient than I used to be, but I'm going to give Josh an opportunity to succeed."

Continuing with strong effort

Bowlen hasn't shied away from spending millions on signing bonuses in recent years, and many of those players were busts. But he said he'll continue to make every effort to put the best team possible on the field.

"We've wanted to be right 100 percent of the time," he said. "Maybe we've been right 50 percent. We've made mistakes. But I've always been willing to spend what it takes to try to get players to help this team get to the Super Bowl and not fall to the bottom of the food chain.

"I'm not in this for money. I make enough to keep my family very comfortable."

There have been hints Bowlen has fallen into serious debt in the aftermath of wasting money on free agents who didn't pan out, combined with the severe economic downturn, his investment in the stadium, and the $21 million still due Shanahan, as well as guarantees to fired assistant coaches. He is not among the richest NFL owners, and a majority of his income is football-based. The Broncos also laid off several employees last year. But he said the franchise is in stable financial shape.

"If I wanted to make a fortune, I'd sell the team," he said. "But I'm doing exactly what I want to be doing, and we're fine financially." (Fortune magazine valued the Broncos at $1 billion last year.)

Bowlen and his wife, Annabel, have five children, but the Broncos' owner said none has expressed "aspirations about running a football team."

Bowlen said that while he is involved in every facet of the organization, Ellis, his confidant, has been given more power in the restructuring since Shanahan was fired. "Joe is handling all the things I'm not particularly interested in, making more major decisions," he said.

Ellis, who was director of marketing when Bowlen bought the majority ownership of the Broncos in 1984, has served in several executive capacities. He was named COO last year. Ellis, several sources say, was instrumental in getting Bowlen to agree to fire Shanahan, hire McDaniels (Ellis alone met with the new coach for a second interview) and trade Cutler.

As for his health, Bowlen said he is not slowing down or slacking off. "My health is excellent, for a guy my age, although I'm not going to do any more triathlons."

The owner paused and said: "I have short-term memory loss. I know that some of the memories of the Super Bowl championships are fading."

Asked if he was concerned about the memory loss worsening, Bowlen said:

"Not really. It comes with age."

Bowlen is seeking new memories. "I love what I'm doing. I'm enjoying this offseason more than I have in a long time."

[kehlis]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

Why??

Broncos Sign Another Runningback

[Scott]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

Denver loves running backs like the Lions love Wideouts.

[Hammerhunker]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

Why??

Broncos Sign Another Runningback

The only thing I could think of is competition. I hate to wish my life away, but I can't wait until camp and season time to actually see McDs master plan.

[av7]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

The only thing I could think of is competition. I hate to wish my life away, but I can't wait until camp and season time to actually see McDs master plan.

Be nice if he got some competition for nose tackle and defensive end instead of tinkering with the offense all the time.

[Salhus]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

The only thing I could think of is competition. I hate to wish my life away, but I can't wait until camp and season time to actually see McDs master plan.

Master plan? God, I hope so

[MaddenMan]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

I hope the new coach knows what he is doing and will prove us all wrong.