If cuts or trades Aqib Talib, how will it impact the Broncos locker room? By Mark Kiszla Denver Post Jan. 30, 2018

The Denver Post’s sports columnist Mark Kiszla on Monday answered questions from readers in a live chat. Here are the highlights:

Is this the trade deadline the Nuggets front office backs up annual talk of “being aggressive on the phones” by actually being aggressive and making a meaningful move to help the team not just make the playoffs, but get into a top 6 seed and potentially an actual chance to win a series?

Kiz: Nuggets! We’re starting with a Nuggets question. Coolio. But pick up your game, Broncos Country. Yes, the Nuggets front office always talks about being aggressive in the trade market. It’s a lot harder to close a deal. I think they really wanted Jimmy Butler on the week of the draft. And settled for Paul Millsap in free agency. Nothing against Millsap (who now is hurt), but swing that deal for Butler and this team is top 4 in the Western Conference. Not next year. Right now. The challenge for the Nuggets at this trade deadline: It might well be a good idea for them to get rid of Kenneth Faried, Emmanuel Mudiay and perhaps even Wilson Chandler. But how much are any of those players really worth as trade commodities at this point? I’m afraid not enough to make Denver a real contender to pull off a first- round upset in the playoffs.

I know this is going to draw a lot of ire with Broncos Country, but what is your take on fans using possessive wording when talking about local sports teams?

Kiz: I know fans love their hometown team. Fans sometimes treat the Broncos like members of their own family. Heck, fans sometimes treat the Broncos better than members of their own family. So I get the “we” thing. Just as a get the 50-somethings wearing John Elway jerseys to home games at Mile High. It’s a little silly. But isn’t part of the fun of being a fan actually being silly?

What story lines are you watching for the upcoming Winter Olympics?

Kiz: I am headed to South Korea for the Olympics Games on Sunday. Will be in the air, somewhere over the Pacific Ocean when the Patriots and Eagles kick off. Will miss seeing the game, but love the Olympics. This will be my 11th trip to the Games. The No. 1 storyline for me is Colorado. (Humble thanks, Denver Post.) There are more than 30 athletes from our state repping the USA. What’s even bigger, skiers Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin could account for more than 30 percent of the gold-medal haul the US team makes from these Games.

If we don’t cut Aqib Talib like we cut T.J. Ward do you see Elway trading him for draft picks or a player? What type of caliber player do you think we can get for Talib?

Kiz: Interesting question. Broncos don’t want to cut Aqib Talib any more than the Kansas City Chiefs want to cut Alex Smith. But here’s the rub: Both the Broncos and Chiefs need to clear out salary-cap space. If a knucklehead like me understands the situation, you can bet that NFL general managers know the deal. That knowledge undercuts the value of both Talib and Smith. I’d say the Broncos would do well to get a second-day draft pick in return for Talib, despite the fact he still can play corner at a level. If John Elway can get more than a third-rounder for Talib, my hat’s off to him.

If Elway cuts or trades Talib, how do you think that’ll impact the locker room?

Kiz: The shock was when the Broncos cut TJ Ward. As I said at the time, that was the end of the No-Fly Zone. Folks scoffed. But the locker room knew it was true. And I think it also sent a message to the locker room that Elway and the folks in the front office thought it highly unlikely the Broncos could be a serious playoff contender in 2017. My guess is the shock is over. Teammates love Talib. But they get it’s a business.

Would you make this trade: Aqib Talib to the Chiefs for Alex Smith? Would the Chiefs entertain it?

Kiz: Now there would be a blockbuster trade. And know what? It sounds pretty fair to me, at first blush. Let’s get’r done before the lunch hour is over. Whadya say? Well, here’s what I say: A trade of that magnitude, within the AFC West, is a great fantasy. And I do mean great. But in reality? Can’t see it happening, as much as I wish it might come true.

I think the talk is smoke and mirrors. Baker Mayfield is coming to town.

Kiz: Baker Mayfield creates buzz. Baker Mayfield is the people’s choice. I’m not so certain I think Baker Mayfield is a better quarterback than Sam Darnold of USC. And I’m certain I would not draft Baker Mayfield at No. 5 in the first round.

After the Senior Bowl, will the Broncos pursue Josh Allen over Mayfield?

Kiz: Josh Allen has a whole lotta potential. Josh Allen has got a looong ways to go to be a polished NFL quarterback. At No. 5, the Broncos need a player that can step in and play at or near a Pro Bowl level as a rookie. Nothing against Josh Allen, but he’s not that guy.

Should the Broncos be looking for a reliable running back to take pressure off the QB in the draft or free agency?

Kiz: My idea from the jump has been to get a vet QB in free agency and look at a running back in the first or second round. Saquon Barkley of Penn State might be available at No. 5. Or he could well be off the board. Sony Michel of Georgia could well be available early in the second round. The draft is a fluid thing, as you well know. And the fluid, unpredictable nature of the NFL draft (as well as Mel Kiper’s hair) is why it makes for compelling television.

What do you think of the Nuggets chances tonight against the Boston Celtics?

Kiz: The Nuggets have stumbled in January when their schedule was designed to make hay. This is as crucial as any home game that Denver has played all season. I wonder how many Celtics fans will be in the stands. It’s less than 50-50 the Nuggets win. But not much less than 50-50. Gotta. Have. This. One.

Hi, just curious on your take in keeping Vance Joseph as head coach. I know Broncos management does not want to look like head coach killers. But do you think they did not let him go because they figured they can keep him for one more year (or at least get the ball rolling next year) because they didn’t want to dedicate time to finding another head coach when the roster and a good draft needed their undivided attention right now? That is the only way I can justify the decision to stay put on Joseph… you?

Kiz: I think Joseph did a crummy job as a first-year coach (and I ain’t gonna sugarcoat it). But I found the criticism of Joseph for losing the Senior Bowl to be funny. It’s an exhibition game, for crying out loud. That being said, I do think John Elway gave serious consideration to firing Joseph. And my guess is that Elway brought Joseph back because the Broncos thought it was only fair to give him more than one year. If you want a conspiracy theory? Elway knows the Broncos are unlikely to be a playoff team in 2018. So saddle Joseph with those losses and move on to a new coach for 2019. To be honest, I don’t know if I buy that theory. But I’m willing to consider it.

Hey, I thought the Notre Dame guard was aa good a lineman as has come through the draft in years. Why don’t the Broncos take him and not worry about the right guard for 10 years?

Kiz: I am a native of South Bend, Indiana. So among my many flaws is fact that I watch a whole lot of Notre Dame football. I’ve seen guard Quenton Nelson play and dominate on the collegiate level. NFL teams don’t like to take offensive guards over offensive tackles. The Broncos might not having decide whether to use Nelson over Ron Leary at left guard. But I think Nelson does have the stuff to be a Pro Bowler two, three or more times in his NFL career. I would advise the Broncos to give a good, long look at Nelson with the No. 5 overall pick. But like I said … I am a man of many flaws.

I don’t know how much Jimmy Butler would have changed the Nuggets, but keeping Millsap healthy would have resulted in at least 5 more wins, borderline home playoff series. Jokic and Plumlee are misfit together.

Kiz: Jimmy Butler would have transformed this Nuggets team. He would have given Denver a true alpha dog … which would have made Jimmy Butler the best friend of Nikola Jokic. I heard a lot of blah, blah, blah about how much Jimmy Butler holds the basketball and that he would not have fit with Jokic. To which I say: Let me pick myself off the floor as soon as I finish rolling around in laughter. Butler is among the 15 best players in the NBA. Nothing against Millsap, but he is not. His injury was bad luck. But we also heard how it was tough to integrate him with Jokic in the offense. Hey, wasn’t that supposed to be why Butler would’ve been a bad fit? Pardon me for a moment. I’m feeling a need to fall down on the floor with laughter again.

Sorry there was no question there. My point is, do you think the Nuggets are more than a barely above .500 novelty, running their offense through a smart center who can’t defend, when they should be looking for a playoff caliber lineup?

Kiz: Nikola Jokic is not much of a defender. Neither was Dirk Nowitzki. Not saying Jokic will ever be Nowitzki. But saying Jokic is the most bona fide piece the Nuggets have had since Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups left town. Jokic is a better player than Paul Millsap. Jokic has his flaws. But he’s far more than a novelty. I’m a fan.

Re: Jokic vs Milsap. Point is not whether Nikola is Better than Paul, it is whether they can put a winning team out there with that foundation. I love to watch Jokic play. Love it! But then I see ASG selections and he is not that close. Is it time to punt and and rebuild? Kiz: My point is this: Jokic is a foundational piece, in my book. Millsap is a complementary piece. Punt Jokic? Kick em if you wanna. I’m not interesting in that foolishness.

What’s your take on the XFL? I’d personally love to see sling it again in professional football.

Kiz: Tim Tebow in the XFL. Would be a great signing. Would draw eyeballs, for sure. And guessing it would get your attention.

Do you think Elway would consider bringing back Shanahan Sr.? Maybe some time away from the game would light a fire in Shanny again? Is that relationship damaged or has it been mended between the two?

Kiz: The relationship between John Elway and Mike Shanahan drifted as far apart as the continents did millions of years ago. A reunion? I guess anything is possible. But I’m thinking it might be more likely that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie get back together before Shanny and No. 7.

I would like to know if you think Elway has forgot where he came from. A quarterback who lost Super Bowls until finally he had an offensive line to protect him, a running game that would open things up, and several receivers as well as an awesome tight end to catch the ball. All of these things have not existed at the same time for a LONG time.

Kiz: I don’t think Elway has forgotten his history. I think the Broncos have been less than stellar in the NFL draft. It bugs you. It bugs me. It bugs Elway. Elway needs to score big in the 2018 NFL draft. Nobody knows that better than Elway.

How’s this for irony–trade Talib to Tampa Bucs and let the no-fly zone prosper there. Crazier things have happened in the past. Gutting the “D” one player at a time makes no sense to me $$ or no $$.

Kiz: Talib is on the back side of his prime. The Broncos have big money invested in with Chris Harris and . There is constant roster churn in the NFL. Nobody churns his roster more than of the Patriots. It’s Talib turn in the churn. We’ll see what happens.

As of now, who is the best college quarterback?

Kiz: Josh Rosen of UCLA is the most polished. Does he have swag or a bad attitude? I have no idea, without talking to the young man. Sam Darnold of USC is way young, but he intrigues me more than Rosen.

Von Miller to star in new Facebook variety show. Alligator wrestling included. By Nicki Jhabvala Denver Post Jan. 30, 2018

Von Miller wasn’t JUST wrestling alligators in Florida last week. His excursion to Gatorland was in the name of art and entertainment.

The Broncos linebacker and newly crowned Pro Bowl defensive MVP will star in a weekly comedy-variety show, “Von Miller’s Studio 58,” that will premiere on Facebook Watch on Wednesday at 6 p.m. MST.

The show is produced by High Noon Entertainment — whose lineup includes HGTV’s “Fixer Upper and TLC’s “Cake Boss” — and is based out of Miller’s “Studio 58” man cave in his Colorado home.

In each of the eight episodes that will stream live on Facebook each week, Miller will be joined by his brother Vins, close friends Tony Jerod-Eddie and Cyrus Gray and teammates as they explore “new experiences” and “riffs with celebrities” and “whatever random thoughts and ideas are running through (Miller’s) mind.”

“Having my own show is a dream come true,” Miller said in a news release. “I look forward to bringing the fans into my home and into my world each week. I know we are going to have some fun.”

Some of those things have already happened on Miller’s social media, where he’s posted snippets of his travels and given a glimpse into the life of a Super Bowl MVP. For more than a year, Miller has had a videographer by his side to document his grueling offseason workouts, his practices with the Broncos, even his recent encounters with farm animals (it’s perhaps fair to assume those will be included in Von Miller’s Studio 58).

Now, Miller’s adventures will become weekly entertainment.

Von Miller again leads all defenders on NFLPA’s top 50 list in sales By Nicki Jhabvala Denver Post Jan. 30, 2018

Broncos linebacker Von Miller ranked No. 13 overall and again led all defenders on the NFL Players Association’s list of player merchandise sales. The top 50 list is based on total sales of officially licensed NFL player-identified merchandise from March 1 to Nov. 30, 2017.

Cowboys quarterback claimed the top spot, only a year after making his debut on the list at No. 8. His teammate and running back Ezekiel Elliott was No. 2, followed by Patriots quarterback , Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz and Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Miller is the only Broncos player on the list and one of only eight defenders.

John Lynch: A Peyton-like run among Bronco defenders By Mike Klis 9NEWS Jan. 30, 2018

Editor's Note: For the fifth consecutive year, former Broncos' safety John Lynch is on the modern-era finalist ballot for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A committee will consider the 15 modern-era finalists on Saturday in Minneapolis with the goal of electing five into the Hall of Fame.

To mark Lynch's candidacy, 9NEWS is running an excerpt of the book, "The 50 Greatest Players in History," written by our Broncos' Insider Mike Klis. Lynch came in as the 46th best Bronco:

No. 46: John Lynch, safety, 2004-07

In some ways, John Lynch was to the Denver Broncos’ defense what was to their offense.

In some ways? Make that in many ways.

Like Manning, Lynch was a perennial Pro Bowler who played more than a decade with the team that drafted him -- Manning with the Colts for 13 seasons; Lynch with the for 11.

“May be the third best safety to ever play the game behind Jack Tatum and Ronnie Lott, in my opinion,’’ said Hall of Fame defensive tackle , who was Lynch’s teammate in Tampa.

“There was no play he couldn’t make and no play where he wouldn’t stick his nose in.’’

Like Manning, Lynch was let go by his original team essentially because of fears caused by a serious neck injury that required surgery.

Like Manning, Lynch chose the Broncos for the second chapter in his career. Like Manning, Lynch proved his original team wrong by having a highly successful four-year run with the Broncos.

In fact, in one way, Lynch did a little better than Manning. Manning went to three Pro Bowls in his four years with the Broncos. Lynch went four for four.

“John Lynch was fearsome,’’ said , the former star cornerback whose 10 years in Denver included Lynch’s term from 2004-07 in the Broncos’ secondary. “You come across that middle, he would lay you out back in the day when you were allowed to. That’s scary in itself.

“Then he was a leader. He prepared well. Being in the meeting rooms with him and how much he loved the games. How do I put this? John Lynch off the field, nice, good guy, family man. On the field? A nightmare. Totally different person. The only guy I saw who came close to being that way was Brian Dawkins. Because of the way they were on and off the field.’’

Lynch was officially inducted into the Broncos’ Ring of Fame on Oct. 24, 2016 in a ceremony at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, where he joined kicker Jason Elam and pass-rushing outside linebacker Simon Fletcher in the class of 2016.

After 11 seasons and five Pro Bowl appearances with the Bucs, Lynch signed with the Broncos as a free agent in 2004.

The rules were different then as hard-hitting safeties like Lynch could blast away at receivers who dared – at least once, but never twice – to run routes across the middle.

Actually, Lynch was fined a robust $75,000 for his famous hit on Indianapolis Colts tight end Clark, who was left concussed but without a catch on a pass thrown by Manning’s backup quarterback Jim Sorgi in the 2004 regular-season finale.

The hit on Clark may have been the one Bronco fans most remember about Lynch but it wasn’t the most significant. Go back and YouTube his blast of Kansas City receiver Dante Hall late in the first half of the 2004 season opener, Lynch’s first game with the Broncos.

“I thought that was important for me for a couple of reasons,’’ Lynch said. “No. 1 after that hit, people forget I came off neck surgery that offseason. You can have a doctor tell you you’re going to be all right. You can have trainers say you’re going to be all right. Until you actually do it you don’t know you’re going to be all right. For me that was the moment where I said, ‘You’re fine. You’re as good as I’ve ever been.’

“And No. 2 that kind of set the tone for what I wanted to bring to the Broncos. Physical play and to let people know that if you were going to beat the Broncos you were going to have to earn it. I think that play kind of symbolized … And when I came off the field, Mike said right then, ‘That’s why we brought you here.’’’

It was the next year that head coach Mike Shanahan, Lynch and the Broncos enjoyed one of their finest seasons. Not a Super Bowl appearance, but the closest thing to it.

For the first time in seven years – the first time in the post-John Elway-era -- the Broncos won their AFC West Division with a 13-3 record. Lynch posted career-bests with four sacks and four forced , plus had two and one more pick against New England’s Tom Brady in that memorable second-round playoff game the Broncos won 27-13.

That set the stage for hosting the AFC Championship Game against Pittsburgh at then-Invesco Field at Mile High. For whatever reason, the Broncos came out flat that game and lost. The Steelers went on to win Super Bowl XL.

Asked to name his most vivid memory of his time with the Broncos, Lynch didn’t hesitate.

“I would think first and foremost the night we hosted New England and beat them in the Division (playoff) game,’’ he said. “I had a pick at the end of the game to kind of finish it. But that game was why I went to Denver. I remember how raucous the old Mile High Stadium would get. To be honest – and it happens with all the new stadiums -- it was kind of a letdown when I got there because it wasn’t like the old one where the stadium shook. “And that night we kind of recreated it. We gave Brady his first loss. He had never lost in the playoffs. I thought we were winning the Super Bowl, too, once we won that game that night. The environment. I’ll never forget Champ’s play in that game. One of the greatest plays I’ve ever seen.’’

Bailey had a pick in the end zone and 100-yard return that was essentially a 14-point swing play that was the difference in the Broncos’ 14-point victory.

The Broncos got off to a fast start in 2006, too, going 7-2 and then leading 24-7 in the second half against San Diego in game 10, before the season unraveled.

Lynch played hurt in his final season of 2007 but still made his ninth Pro Bowl. Only Ken Houston made more Pro Bowls among safeties with 10.

Houston was inducted into the Pro Bowl Football Hall of Fame 30 years ago.

Lynch has been close to following him through Canton’s doors the past four years when he was a top 15 modern-era finalist. Lynch got inside the top 10 in the Hall voting the past two years so there is hope he will be among the five modern-era players elected in 2018 on the eve of Super Bowl 52 in Minneapolis.

Safeties have struggled to measure up to the standards applied by the Hall of Fame voting committee. A pure safety (with no conversion from cornerback) hasn’t been elected from the modern-era ballot since Paul Krause in 1998.

But first, Lynch was inducted into the Broncos’ Ring of Fame and then the Tampa Bay Bucs’ Ring of Honor. Some may view Lynch more as a Buc than a Bronco but he has always considered himself part of both families.

“When he came here he had the ability to be one of the guys,’’ said former Bronco quarterback Jake Plummer. “Be a superstar but also be one of the guys. Not just the guys that matter but everyone on our team how much he cared about us. He was another teammate that cared. A hard hitter. Golly, a guy who just laid the wood. Not fast. Didn’t have a crazy skill set. But just a student of the game.

“Guys like him made it tough in practice. They knew our stuff in and out and then to get stuff over on them in practice you had to be right on. The ball had to be accurate, on time, no delineation on that. He made me a better player.’’

By the way, when Manning is eligible for the Broncos' Ring of Fame in 2021? He should become the second, four-year Bronco in the new millennium to get elected.

John Lynch stats with Broncos

Years .… Games … Sacks … Int … FF … Tck

4 …………..… 60 …..… 7.0 ...… 3 ..… 9 … 304

Reality show chronicling Von Miller's 'slightly fantastical' life to debut on Facebook By Staff 9NEWS Jan. 30, 2018

Von Miller is getting ready to debut a reality show on Facebook.

Von Miller's Studio 58, as it's named, is described as "an all-access, slightly fantastical, comedic trip through the life of an NFL superstar."

Episodes, which debut this Wednesday, are based in Miller's "man cave" (aka basement) and will feature the linebacker's brother and a celebrity guest.

The 53-second teaser uploaded to the the show's Facebook page shows Miller and friends in a variety of situations, including up close and personal with the backside of an elephant.

Sunday, Miller was named the Pro Bowl's defensive MVP after he sealed the win for the AFC.

Baker Mayfield shines, but Broncos saw good work beyond QBs at Senior Bowl By Jeff Legwold ESPN.com Jan. 30, 2018

The Denver Broncos' decision-makers may not have sifted through all their notes from the Senior Bowl yet, but it’s a good bet some of the players they worked with will feature prominently in the team's 2018 draft class.

"It helps, there is no question," Broncos president of football operations/general manager John Elway said of the Broncos' hands-on work with North team prospects. "To be able to get into meeting rooms with them, get to know them as people, have the coaches be around them and see how they are in the meeting rooms -- they learn a little bit about them as well as their football knowledge. It’s important."

Senior Bowl officials say 85 players from the 2017 Senior Bowl were selected in the 2017 draft. And in 11 of the past 12 drafts, at least 82 players from the game have been selected in each of those drafts.

Senior Bowl participants are especially prevalent on the second day of the draft, since so many underclassmen are selected in the opening round and are not eligible to play in the Senior Bowl unless they have earned their degrees. In last year’s draft, 26 players selected in the third round had been at the Senior Bowl. In the second through fourth rounds, 53 of the 113 players selected had been at the Senior Bowl.

"Once we get back, we'll go through the week and talk about everybody," Elway said. "Each position coach will go through their position and talk about each guy and what they liked and didn't like. That is why having the personal touch ... is a good advantage for us."

Certainly some of the North team's -- Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield, Wyoming’s Josh Allen and Washington State’s Luke Falk -- will dominate the conversation given the team’s need at the position. Mayfield, the Heisman Trophy winner with 48 games played for the Sooners, had the best week of any of the eight quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl.

Many personnel evaluators said Mayfield was the most comfortable running the offense, and he also showed the most consistency with the biggest variety of throws. Allen, however, did his best work of the week in Saturday’s game with two .

Beyond the quarterbacks, some of the North’s other players will get plenty of discussion by the Broncos.

Start with Miami receiver Braxton Berrios, undersized at 5-foot-9 and 177 pounds, who showed explosiveness, quality hands and consistent route-running -- all despite a rib injury. There were quality moments from the receivers group overall, but Berrios’ performance was easily the best.

Michigan’s Mason Cole did top-tier work, and he could be one of the first two centers selected in April. Cole made 51 consecutive starts for the Wolverines and started at both center and left tackle at Michigan. While center is likely Cole’s natural position, Broncos coach Vance Joseph said he believes Cole could play tackle, guard or center.

Texas-El Paso guard William Hernandez, who played for newly hired Broncos offensive line coach Sean Kugler at the school, proved to be a powerful presence, but the Broncos will have to decide if he can move well enough to fit in their offense. Hernandez got everybody’s attention with some edgy play and his work in one-on-ones.

Army tackle Brett Toth will likely not be available to play immediately because of service commitments. But after watching Toth -- who majored in nuclear engineering -- work for a week in Alabama, he’ll be worth the wait. He has been coached well with clean footwork and plays with patience and toughness.

NC State defensive tackle Justin Jones showed the quickness/power combination the Broncos are hunting for. He rushed with quickness, and while he didn’t always free himself from double-teams, he consistently made things happen against single blockers.

Fort Hays State defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd was injured in Wednesday’s practice (hand fracture) and did not finish out the week, but he’s another player who demanded attention. A player with his size, quickness and footwork will only improve under an NFL strength program.

Florida cornerback Duke Dawson missed practice early in the week with strep throat, but he may have been the only defensive back who consistently ran with Berrios in drills. Dawson showed competitiveness in one-on-ones and played well in both man-to-man situations and off coverage.

"We’re going to have 100-plus [video] clips on the guys after three days of work," Joseph said. "The practices are way more important to us [than the game] because you’re actually asking them to do what you’re teaching them to do. That’s the evaluation. Can they take information, process it and do what he’s asked to do inside the scheme?"

Broncos special-teams' woes also indication of roster weaknesses By Jeff Legwold ESPN.com Jan. 30, 2018

In many ways, the Denver Broncos' failed 2017 season was a failure of fundamentals.

And nowhere was that more evident than on special teams in what was an end-to-end struggle that ultimately cost Brock Olivo his job after just one season with the team. Tom McMahon has now been tasked to clean up the mess as the Broncos’ new special-teams coordinator.

"I’ll be upfront with you," McMahon said last week at the Senior Bowl. "I don’t get into the past. I’m a big fix guy. I’m not going to be a fault guy. Anything that happens ... anything that goes down there that goes bad on special teams, it’s on me. I’m going to fix it though, I guarantee that. I’m a fix guy."

Still, McMahon has quite the to-do list. Especially given that many in the league consider special-teams performance a combination of coaching and overall roster strength as many of the players on those units are backups or role players.

And as the Broncos grind through their preparations for both free agency and the draft in the weeks to come, they’ll have to decide how much McMahon can fix and how much will entail a better collection of players.

Consider just some of the major bobbles:

-- Brandon McManus missed a career-most eight field-goal attempts this season, including two that were blocked.

-- Riley Dixon had two punts blocked, both on similar punt-block schemes, including when the Patriots blocked the first Denver punt of the game in a New England win.

-- Isaiah McKenzie was benched twice as the team’s punt returner as he muffed six punts, losing two. And one of the muffs he recovered he had inexplicably circled back into the Broncos’ end zone during the return and was tackled for a safety.

-- The Broncos had three special-teams penalties in a loss to Buffalo.

-- They surrendered both a punt return and a kickoff return for a during the season.

-- The Broncos ran a player on to the field late on a fake punt attempt in Buffalo; alerted by the late addition to the Broncos' formation, the Bills then easily stopped the play.

-- They had a delay-of-game penalty just before attempting an onside kick in Miami.

-- They had two games this season when they had two special-teams penalties on the same play.

"I’ve got a job to do," McMahon said. "I’m going to get those guys (right). If there is 12 on the field, that’s on me. We’re going to fix that and it’s going to be right going forward."

Talk of Fame Network’s Rick Gosselin has ranked the NFL's special-teams’ units for the last 39 years. The rankings include a long list of categories and the Broncos came in at No. 31 this season, ahead of only the New York Giants.

The two Super Bowl teams -- New England and Philadelphia -- were No. 3 and No. 13, respectively, in those rankings. And in the Broncos’ loss to the Patriots in November alone, the differences between the two teams simply on special teams were stark as the Broncos surrendered a 103-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, had a punt blocked and fumbled away the Patriots’ first punt of the game.

It all shows the depth of the roster issues for the Broncos that go well beyond the ever-present decision at quarterback. President of football operations/general manager John Elway has already vowed to re- tool the roster anywhere that’s needed and has pointed at special teams in recent weeks.

Coach Vance Joseph hired Olivo after Olivo had worked with Kansas City Chiefs special-teams coordinator Dave Toub. Toub is generally regarded as one of the league’s best. But while Olivo consistently exhibited accountability -- both he and Joseph routinely said the things that caused mistakes had been covered in the team’s practices -- that work often did not show in games.

"We didn’t play like we could," said Broncos wide receiver , a special-teams regular. "... Those plays can turn games fast, either way."

"That’s an area we need to be better," Joseph said. "... That’s part of winning football, playing winning football, and to do that we have to clean those things up."

What happens if the Broncos don't get any of the quarterbacks they want? By Woody Paige KMGH Jan. 30, 2018

What if the Broncos can’t get any of the quarterbacks they want? What then?

Despite what John Elway and Vance Joseph declare about upgrading the quarterback position, it’s conceivable, I daresay, that they could strike out on the seven, eight or even nine they will be considering.

Don’t go anywhere yet, Trevor and Brock. Hope you’re working out hard and daily, Paxton and Chad.

Can we all agree that the quarterbacks the Broncos seem most interested in, and intrigued by, are, not in any specific order, Kirk Cousins and Alex Smith, both under contract to others teams; Case Keenum and Sam Bradford, unrestricted free agents for the moment; and potential first-round draft choices Josh Rosen, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield.

Let’s assume that, based on Elway’s comments last week at the Senior Bowl, the Broncos prefer a veteran NFL-ready QB who could help lift the team back into the playoffs in 2018.

Here are the issues with the top four:

Kirk Cousins -- Washington could franchise Cousins for a third-straight season and play him and pay him $34 million, or they could apply a transitional tag for $28 million, which would allow the franchise to match any other offers. They also could do either, then trade him to, say, Buffalo for the Bills’ 21st and 22nd picks in the first round of the draft.

Or Washington could just let Cousins go, and the Broncos would be in play for his services. However, Cousins never has indicated he would want to come to Denver. In fact, he has only said of anybody else that wouldn’t be opposed to playing for the Broncos.

And Cousins could hold a grudge against the Broncos because they invited him to Dove Valley in 2012, but didn’t draft him when they had they chance. And he might not be pleased that they declined to hire one of Cousins’ two favorite coaches – Kyle Shanahan. The other was his father Mike. They drafted him and coached him in Washington.

Cousins might not be excited to leave a 7-9 team for the 5-11 Broncos. He probably would have been more excited if he took over the Broncos after the retirement of Peyton Manning. (Cousins was a big Manning fan, and still wears Manning’s duplicate facemask.)

Alex Smith – Anybody who thinks the Chiefs are willing to trade Smith to the Broncos is living in a weird universe. Sure, Andy Reid once sent Eagles’ quarterback Donovan McNabb to Washington, but McNabb proved he was finished in D.C. Smith arguably had his best statistical year for Kansas City, and the Chiefs won’t release him. They would rather trade him, to say Buffalo, for a second-round pick. The Broncos wouldn’t give up a second, anyway.

Case Keenum – He’s become the flavor du jour after his accomplishments with the Vikings. The positive for the Broncos signing him as an unrestricted free agent is , who signed Keenum when he was an undrafted free agent – and started him in 10 games over two seasons before Houston dumped both, and he ended up with the Rams.

However, the Vikings could franchise Keenum, or, it’s suspected, he could rejoin Minnesota offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, who is now the Giants’ coach. Or maybe, say, Buffalo, which made the playoffs this season, outbids the Broncos.

Sam Bradford – He is a free agent with terrible knees. Drafted No. 1 overall in 2010, Bradford hasn’t played a full season since 2012. He suffered a bad knee injury in the second game this season. His agent, Tom Condon, try to engineer a trade to the Broncos when Bradford was with the Eagles, but the Broncos balked over his salary in 2016. Are they willing to take a chance now? I don’t see it.

Now, about the youngsters? Here’s the potential dilemma for the Broncos if they were overwhelmed with and by Mayfield or Allen in the Senior Bowl, or they are higher on Darnold or Rosen.

Cleveland drafts No. 1 and grabs one of the four. The Giants draft second, and they want a quarterback, too, to take over probably in 2019 for Eli Manning.

That leaves two.

The Colts have stated publicly they are willing to trade the No. 3 overall selection. So, what, if the Bills, say, offer their two No. 1 picks later in the first round to move up and take the third quarterback?

Then, there’s again with the choice they obtained from the Texans. The Jets, the Dolphins or the Cardinals, in desperate need, could jump above the Broncos into that spot and take Quarterback Four.

What then for the Broncos? Lamar Jackson, Mason Rudolph, Josh McCown or a trade with, say, Buffalo for ?

Aqib Talib faces uncertain future because of multiple factors By Troy Renck KMGH Jan. 30, 2018

The question posed Sunday night on Xfinity Sports Xtra by anchor Lionel Bienvenu was simple: Has Aqib Talib played his last game as a Denver Bronco?

The answer is complicated. Let's examine.

According to multiple sources, the Broncos continue to consider all options for Talib, including a trade. Age and depth at his position leave Talib a potential luxury.

I wrote last month I would keep Talib, while recognizing a deal was possible. He has made four Pro Bowls in four seasons in Denver and continues to perform at a high level while many defensive backs masquerade as shutdown corners.

And yet, Talib turns 32 in February in a league where the best teams are less sentimental than a photo radar ticket. He also appeared frustrated at times last season as the Broncos sank to numbing depths.

Given Talib's salary over the next two years -- $11 million in 2018 with $1 million in dead cap money, $8 million in 2019 with no dead cap money, per Spotrac -- he's underpaid, thus has trade value even if some teams will see if the Broncos blink and release him.

Talib's salary is reasonable, but a challenging figure when calculating the cost of Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Roby.

The easiest explanation for trading Talib -- the 49ers and Rams represent potential fits -- remains Roby. He has delivered four strong seasons, earning a knack for delivering big plays in big games. He is 25 with 14 starts on his resume. If the Broncos believe he is ready -- and that is definitely the vibe I get, especially in light of his performance at Miami -- then it makes sense to move on from Talib. That's not a financial decision, but merely the way it works in professional sports with younger, promising players.

The other issue is more layered. I can present an argument for keeping Talib. But it's less solid if the team is committed to rebuilding and reshaping the team, if not the defense.

Talib is an ideal presence in a winning environment, respected by teammates for having their backs, in particular, during on-field skirmishes. However, Talib's inclusion on a retooled team makes less sense to me. He could be the missing piece for a championship contender, or at least a team which views itself that way (Hello, . I could see Talib having interest in them either through trade or as a free agent).

Again, these decisions become uncomfortable and difficult. Even with two on-field suspensions for a game apiece and an off-field incident that caused him to miss the White House visit, Talib has delivered for the Broncos. They don't reach and win a Super Bowl without his talent, energy and edge. However, that was two seasons ago. The Broncos are 7-15 since. They need to allocate resources differently, while clearing paths for younger players. They will chase quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency, and must find a way to caffeinate one of the league's worst offenses.

I would prefer Talib finish his career as a Bronco and someday enter the team's Ring of Fame. I am also not naive. This is not 2015. And when looking at looming decisions, a fresh start for both parties is increasingly becoming a viable option.

Roger Goodell wants clarity on NFL's controversial catch rule By Heather Tucker USA Today Jan. 30, 2018

Players and fans aren't the only ones unhappy with the implementation of the NFL's catch rule.

NFL Commissioner is pushing for clarity on the rule, telling The Herd with Colin Cowherd on Monday "fans want catches."

The catch rule has come under intense scrutiny in recent years despite tweaks over time. The latest outcry came at the end of this season's -Pittsburgh Steelers game on Dec. 17. Steelers tight end Jesse James appeared to have caught a go-ahead touchdown in the seconds of the fourth quarter, but on review it was ruled he did not maintain control of the football while hitting the ground at the goal line.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin later said the catch rule "needs to be revisited."

Goodell told Cowherd he convened a meeting with five Hall of Fame receivers and a handful of coaches to talk about the rule earlier this month.

"You want there to be clarity from an officiating standpoint and a coaching and player standpoint," Goodell said. "... I think here you might have clarity in a large element of it, but what happens is that it's not the rule that people really want."

While Goodell would not reveal exactly how the rule might be changed, he did say the competition committee would keep in mind that "fans want catches." The group will convene a couple of times during the next two months, and a possible change could be presented to owners as early as March.

"I hope we'll be able to address this in a way that will bring more clarity and frankly more excitement to this," Goodell said.

Super Bowl ads aim for the heart - and sometimes lower By Mae Anderson Associated Press Jan. 30, 2018

After a year of political and cultural upheaval, Super Bowl advertisers appear to be pulling back from themes of unity in favor of in-game stunts and ads that aim for the heart — and in some cases even lower.

The stakes are high since a 30-second spot costs more than $5 million for airtime alone. The goal is to capture the attention of the more than 110 million viewers expected to tune in to the big game on Feb. 4 — ideally by striking an emotional chord with the game audience that will rub off on brands. Next best: Simply drawing attention, even if an ad offends some people. Worst of all? Being forgotten immediately.

"More people will see me in this than they have in the last three movies I've made," actor and comedian Bill Hader ("Trainwreck") muses in a teaser for Pringles' first Super Bowl spot.

MEASURING THE MOOD

Each year, Super Bowl ads offer a snapshot of the national psyche. Last year, just after President Donald Trump took office, ads offered themes of inclusion. Airbnb showed faces of different ethnicities with the copy "We all belong," and Coke re-ran an ad featuring "America the Beautiful" sung in different languages.

This year, following a year of heated debate over immigration, NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem and the #MeToo movement highlighting sexual misconduct, many Super Bowl advertisers are playing it safer by showcasing famous faces, focusing on inoffensive causes and trying to stand out with silly humor and stunts. Of course, a few are going straight for whatever will grab attention.

GOING LOW

Most people remember the 2004 Super Bowl for the infamous "wardrobe malfunction" when Justin Timberlake ripped off part of Janet Jackson's shirt during the halftime performance. But it also featured an unusually large number of tasteless ads, including crotch and fart jokes by Sierra Mist, Budweiser and Bud Light and the now-famous Cialis ad that warned about erections lasting longer than four hours.

Advertisers largely dialed it back afterward, excepting a 2009 Doritos ad that included a snowglobe-in- the-crotch joke. But this year, Justin Timberlake returns to the Super Bowl ... and so does sock-it-to-the- lower-body humor.

Groupon's ad, for instance, stars Tiffany Haddish asking people to support local businesses — then cuts to a wealthy man who plots to crush small businesses, only to double over after players nail him with a kicked football.

Groupon insists the man isn't hit in the groin, although the ad video is ambiguous. "The crotch hit is the lowest thing in the book," Advertising Age columnist Barbara Lippert said in a phone interview. "I was hoping it was retired forever."

The Groupon ad is also notable for its distinctly anti-1 percenter tone. "We think the vast majority of consumers will appreciate the over-the-top comeuppance our 'villain' receives," said Jon Wild, Groupon's head of marketing for North America.

An ad for Febreze air freshener goes all in for toilet humor. It presents a pseudo-documentary about a boy whose "bleep doesn't stink," alluding to a profane phrase that commonly refers to people who are full of ... themselves.

THE RICH AND FAMOUS

It wouldn't be a Super Bowl without celebrities chugging sugary drinks and hawking junk food. Cindy Crawford will reprise an iconic 1992 Super Bowl spot for Pepsi. The beverage maker will also feature Peter Dinklage and Morgan Freeman in linked ads for new versions of Doritos and Mountain Dew.

In a Pringles ad , Bill Hader has a snack on set and introduces a made-up practice dubbed "flavor stacking," in which the actor stacks together different Pringles varieties. M&Ms has released a teaser showing Danny DeVito dressed as an M&M being dunked in chocolate.

For a non-snacking celebrity appearance, Squarespace hired a bearded Keanu Reeves and sat him by a campfire to tout its web hosting services.

AIMING FOR THE HEART

Other advertisers are aiming straight for warm and fuzzy, figuring it's best to bet on "things that are universally liked," said Kelly O'Keefe, managing director of Virginia Commonwealth University's Brandcenter. NBC created five cinematic 60-second ads showcasing Olympic athletes to drum up excitement for the Winter Olympics, which start airing starting four days after the Super Bowl. The ads showcase Americans athletes such as skier Lindsey Vonn and figure skater Nathan Chen.

An Anheuser-Busch ad shows a Budweiser brewery producing cans of water instead of beer, highlighting the brewer's donation of drinking water to places in need. Its Stella Artois brand also teamed with Matt Damon to sell a limited edition beer glass, with proceeds also targeted at providing access to water.

Lexus is promoting its new LS 500 luxury sedan, which it is aiming at a 45-to-55-year-old demographic, with an action spot starring the Black Panther, a Marvel superhero.

STUNT MARKETING

Recent Super Bowl ad stunts have yielded mixed results. Snickers isn't returning to the game this year after a live spot last year fell flat. But marketers aren't giving up.

Tide, which last year did a fake-out ad with Terry Bradshaw that appeared to be commentary during the game, will be back with Bradshaw this year.

Man of the Year finalist Ben Watson has a message for divided America: Listen, learn By Jason La Canfora CBSSports.com Jan. 30, 2018

What may be the most quintessential moment of the 2017 NFL season happened far away from any stadium. It occurred, in fact, in complete obscurity, a private moment shared between one of the league's more celebrated activists and a Ravens fan reacting to the ongoing player movement of taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem.

Benjamin Watson, being honored by the NFL in Minneapolis this week as one of three finalists for the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year award, had just returned with the from a starcrossed trip to London in Week 3. The Jaguars had destroyed the Ravens, 44-7, before an international audience, and back home in Baltimore some fans reacted with scorn after a host of Ravens kneeled at Wembley Stadium before the game during "The Star Spangled Banner" in the aftermath of president Donald Trump attacking protesting players in public remarks.

"Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, 'Get that son of a bitch off the field right now," Trump said. "Out. He's fired. He's fired."

Tensions were at their highest in a season that will long be remembered for the president and vice president politicizing player protests, and for Colin Kaepernick failing to secure a single workout -- let alone a contract offer. Ravens officials, in the face of diminished attendance during their playoff chase, would later point to that scene in London as one of the reasons so many ticket holders opted to stay away.

Shortly after flying back across the Atlantic, Watson was leaving the team's facility when he saw a man planting flags outside the headquarters. Watson, who has been honored for his outreach work both around the United States and abroad, felt compelled to pull his car over and stop.

"I got out of the car, and I don't know what he was thinking at that point, but I got out of my car and asked him what he was doing," Watson told me during a wide-ranging chat on The B-More Opinionated Podcast. "And he said he was planting these flags here because this organization and these people needed to respect America, and he kind of just told me how he felt.

"And I told him that I was a player, and that I was in London, and I told him that many of the guys in that locker room are some of the most patriotic people that I know, and the reason they did what they did wasn't an attack on America or on veterans or anything like that, it was just their way of expressing themselves. And although we left the conversation really not agreeing on the method, there was an understanding there, and there was a respect there. And that guy can go and tell his kids, 'Hey, I met a football player, and although I thought they were all this way, he was really this way.'

"And I think that one of the most important things we can learn from this whole time we've had over the last two years is how to engage with each other, and to understand where we're coming from."

Watson has taken a cerebral and holistic approach to his community work and outreach, whether it be writing an essay in the aftermath of the Freddie Gray uprising in Baltimore or writing a book about the police-shooting events that led to similar events in Ferguson, Missouri. He is generally moved and enthused to help others, and is a Walter Payton finalist for the second time in three years. He's looking forward to this week in the Super Bowl city, engaged in community work there and getting to spend time with the other finalists -- Greg Olsen and J.J. Watt -- as well as Payton's family.

Watson's "One More Foundation" has become entrenched in Baltimore in just two years with the Ravens (including a 2016 season he spent rehabbing from a torn Achilles). In the past year, the tight end's travels to the Dominican Republic led to him partnering with an anti-slavery organization there, and he met with Syrian refugees in Lebanon, where he aimed to better understand the Middle East refugee crisis.

After 14 years in the NFL -- entering the league originally as a first-round pick of the Patriots in 2004 -- Watson has continued to gain a greater appreciation for the world beyond football, and he's very much a man of this time. Never before have the worlds of politics and activism intertwined so deeply in this game, as the movement for social justice led to player/owner meetings and a $90 million leaguewide initiative "Let's Listen Together," which launched late in the season.

"This season was unique in that the issues of race of justice of patriotism, all of those things kind of got boiled up into a pot, and it really got hot, so to speak," Watson said. "There were times when there was a lot of hate going back and forth, and lot of things I've seen and read from people who don't know us personally, things that were said. But it also created a great opportunity, because conflict is going to happen in our lifetime, but really it's how we approach it and how we move on from it, and what we do in the midst of it that defines us.

"And when you look at the last two or three years and look at some players taking a knee during the national anthem and take a look at the reaction of some fans -- not all fans -- and take a look at the reactions of some veterans -- but not all veterans -- and look at police-citizen relations, I think we're at a point where we have a great opportunity to really bridge the gap through listening and learning from one another and being able to empathize with one another."

Watson is a father to five and comes from a large family himself. Speaking out for what he believes in and thinking beyond himself are virtues that were instilled in him at an early age. He believes it's important to impart that to his children as well. Service for others is at the heart of that.

"My parents had a huge role in that," Watson said. "I'm the oldest of six, and my father is a pastor in South Carolina and my mother stayed home with us most of our childhood. And we always addressed certain issues of the day and we always tried to do it from a place of understanding and of love, while also not compromising on truth. And that's one thing I learned from them was speaking the truth, but saying it with love, and that's one thing I've really kept with me. Especially in the times we're in, in a time of so many viewpoints on different issues, it's okay to disagree, but it's important how we disagree; we shouldn't ever be at a place where we are condemning one another or calling each other names and disrespecting each other's humanity simply because we differ on a political point."

The nexus of football and community service this week comes at a time of deep reflection for Watson, who at age 37 knows he has much to offer the world beyond the gridiron. He made a remarkable return from the Achilles tear to become one of the Ravens' most valuable and reliable pass catchers inn 2017. He led the team with 61 receptions, was second in receiving yards and tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns, hitting the market as a free agent market off a bounceback year.

The Ravens have virtually no proven pass catchers under contract for 2018, and Watson remains in tremendous shape. It's hardly out of the question an opportunity might arise to continue contributing on the field, and it's possible as well that Watson – who could have an impactful second career as a writer, speaker, politician, lobbyist; whatever he set his mind to – may have already played his final game.

He seems at peace with the situation, regardless of the final outcome, and if this is the end than there is no better way to spend it than doing what he loves so much: reaching out to others via the avenues football has provided, trying to be a good role model for others, and sending time with some of the league's other most notable men for others this week.

Broncos may release, not trade, Aqib Talib By Michael David Smith Pro Football Talk Jan. 30, 2018

The Broncos are looking to trade cornerback Aqib Talib, but that may not find any trading partners.

The problem for the Broncos is that Talib is due to make an $11 million base salary in 2018, and he turns 32 next month. Teams just don’t want to make that kind of investment in a player that age, especially a player who has the history of off-field incidents and suspensions that Talib has.

Jeff Legwold of ESPN said that he asked sources with three teams if they were interested in trading for Talib, and all three said they are not, and that they expect the Broncos to cut Talib when they can’t find any team willing to trade for him.

If Talib is on the Broncos, he’ll cost $12 million against their salary cap in 2018. He has the team’s third- biggest cap hit, behind Von Miller and .

Roger Goodell: Catch rules not what “people really want” By Josh Alper Pro Football Talk Jan. 30, 2018

During a recent appearance on PFT Live, NFL Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay said that aspects of the league’s rules governing what constitutes a catch will be discussed by the group again this offseason and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell offered some thoughts on the topic Monday.

Goodell was a guest on Colin Cowherd’s FOX Sports Radio show and was asked if he’s somewhat concerned that fans watching games are confused about whether they see a catch or not.

“I’m not just somewhat concerned, I am concerned,” Goodell said. “We just had five Hall of Fame receivers and several coaches come in just two weeks ago to focus on the catch/no-catch rule. You want there to be clarity from an officiating standpoint and a coaching and player standpoint. . . . I think here you might have clarity in a large element of it, but what happens is that it’s not the rule that people really want.”

Goodell said one of those Hall of Fame receivers once said to him that “fans want catches” while Goodell said he is looking for “more clarity and frankly more excitement” rather than lengthy reviews breaking down each play to see if it passes muster. Goodell said that he sees particular confusion when it comes to players going to the ground, so that may be where the league looks to tweak a rule that has long been problematic.