“I root for him nonstop”: Broncos’ Phillip Lindsay has fan in Panthers’ Christian McCaffrey By Kyle Fredrickson Denver Post June 28, 2019

The McCaffrey family hosted a kids football camp this week in Denver.

Phillip Lindsay and Christian McCaffrey ascended to pro football stardom from the same Denver-area high school fields. The running backs are now NFL opponents with the Broncos and Panthers — and both remain “Team Colorado.”

McCaffrey and his older brother, Max, a 49ers’ wide receiver, returned home this week to serve as assistant coaches at the youth football camp their father, Broncos legend Ed McCaffrey, started 18 years ago. When conversation with reporters turned to Lindsay, the Valor Christian alum gushed over the pride of Denver South.

“I root for him nonstop,” Christian McCaffrey said of Lindsay. “It’s cool seeing another guy from Colorado make it up the ranks and then continue to have such huge success. I’m definitely happy and I think it’s great for Colorado football as well. The more guys that do what Phil is doing is special for guys. You look at the high school talent now, and even younger than that, it gives the kids a sense of pride and somebody to look up to in that position; that can dream and have aspirations of being where he is. And obviously, Dalton Risner is a (Wiggins) Colorado guy as well, seeing the success that he had and hopefully will continue to have.”

Ed McCaffrey, who helped provide hands-on instruction to more than 400 youth football players over the last four days at Valor Christian, first witnessed Lindsay play football in the seventh grade. He has been a believer ever since.

“People ask me if I was surprised by (Lindsay’s) success and I say: ‘Absolutely not.’ He had the look in his eye and the competitive spirit and the talent in seventh grade,” Ed said. “So it should have not been a surprise to anybody that he went to CU and tore it up there and had huge success with Denver. He’s had it since he was a little kid.”

Lindsay tallied 1,278 combined total yards rushing and receiving with 10 as a Broncos rookie. He has sat out since Week 16 of last season with a fractured wrist but is expected to make a healthy return to training camp starting July 18.

McCaffrey, in his second season with the Panthers last year, finished 133 yards shy of becoming only the third player in NFL history with 1,000 yards receiving and 1,000 yards rushing. Carolina also added former Broncos’ center Matt Paradis via free agency.

“We made a lot of changes in the offseason but I’m loving where our team is at,” McCaffrey said. “We’ve got great energy going into camp here in a few weeks. I’m unbelievably excited. … We felt (Paradis’) presence the day he stepped foot in the locker room. He’s a guy who has been there and had success in the past.” Susie Wargin joins Broncos' radio broadcast team By Alexander Kirk KUSA June 28, 2019

Wargin will join Dave Logan and Rick Lewis on KOA NewsRadio 850 AM & 94.1 FM in 2019.

Former 9NEWS anchor Susie Wargin will join the radio broadcast team this fall, KOA NewsRadio 850 AM & 94.1 FM announced Wednesday.

Wargin will join Dave Logan (play-by-play) and Rick Lewis (color commentary) during KOA NewsRadio’s 50th season serving as the flagship of the Denver Broncos Radio Network.

In addition to her time with 9NEWS, Wargin has worked with KBPI, KOA and on CSU football radio broadcasts. Wargin has covered Super Bowls, the World Series, Stanley Cup playoffs, Frozen Four and NCAA Bowl games, March Madness and Olympics.

In addition to airing on KOA NewsRadio 850 AM & 94.1 FM, this season's Broncos radio broadcasts will be simulcast on KOA NewsRadio’s sister station, 103.5 The Fox, and with more than 70 Broncos Radio Network affiliates throughout the West.

Wargin is currently the midday personality at 103.5 The Fox.

Previous sideline reporters of the radio broadcasts include Tyler Polumbus, Marc Stout, Alan Roach and Andy Lindahl.

Many members of Broncos Country congratulated Wargin on the new position.

Answering biggest AFC West questions: Can the Chargers or Chiefs end long Super Bowl droughts? By Staff ESPN June 28, 2019

It might seem as though summer just got into full swing, but we are a few weeks from the start of NFL training camps and only two and half months from the 2019 season.

NFL Nation is setting up the biggest storylines for each division. Here's what to look for in the AFC West.

AFC West

Will the Denver Broncos' offseason moves be enough to end a three-year slide?

Yes, if their three biggest moves work out the way the Broncos hope. First, Vic Fangio, who waited more than three decades as an NFL assistant coach to get his first head-coaching job, has to be up to the challenge. Fangio's no-nonsense, tell-you-straight style won over players early. It included an old-school team-bonding "Field Day" carnival to end offseason workouts. But now it's about game-day management and handling the day-to-day of the regular season. Second, quarterback Joe Flacco, 34, has to have as much left in the career tank as the Broncos believe he does. The Broncos need the former Super Bowl MVP to push the ball down the field and give the offense some much-needed big-play pop. Third, offensive line coach Mike Munchak, who also interviewed for the job Fangio got, has to settle down a unit that has simply struggled to find any sort of continuity since before Peyton Manning retired. -- Jeff Legwold

Will defensive changes get the Kansas City Chiefs to a Super Bowl 50 years after their last one?

The important thing to remember about the Chiefs' defense in 2019 is they won't have to be perfect or great in order to help Kansas City to a championship. The Chiefs merely need to be better than they were last year. That's not an unreasonable expectation after they hired veteran coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to lead a new defensive coaching staff, switched their base system to a 4-3 and acquired as many as seven new starters, including end Frank Clark and safety Tyrann Mathieu. While the Chiefs won't be dominant defensively, they'll be improved. It's difficult to picture the Chiefs in 2019 losing five games in which they scored 40, 51, 28, 31 and 31 points, as they did last year -- including the AFC Championship Game. That overtime loss to the New England Patriots kept them from returning to the big game for the first time since Super Bowl IV. -- Adam Teicher

Can the Los Angeles Chargers ride Melvin Gordon to a championship?

That's the plan. Even though the Chargers were 4-0 in games Gordon missed last season, the Bolts' offense is more dangerous when the Wisconsin product is the engine driving it. Gordon limped through the playoffs last season because of two balky knees. Chargers coach Anthony Lynn likes to lean on the running game and said he will limit Gordon's touches in the preseason and during the regular season with the hope that Gordon is more fresh at the end of year. Gordon, who averaged a career-high 5.1 yards per carry last season, said he worked this offseason on becoming a faster and more explosive runner. Like Natrone Means during the team's lone Super Bowl run in 1994, the Bolts are banking on Gordon's violent running style leading them back to the title game 25 years later. "I want to be an all-around back," Gordon said. "I say it every year. Even the things I'm good at, I want to be great. Things I'm average at, I want to be great. That's just who I am. I just want to keep working, keep grinding and just be the best running back out there." -- Eric D. Williams

Antonio Brown and Derek Carr have become "besties" this offseason, but how will their relationship endure if the Oakland Raiders get off to a slow start and Brown is not getting as many targets as he would like?

Brown, whose ugly exit from Pittsburgh has been well-documented, has done and said all the right things upon his Oakland arrival, from his legendary work ethic to his preternatural ability to get open and catch the ball. But the Raiders have the toughest schedule in the NFL, exacerbated by a brutal start that sees them play their first two games at home and then not play in Oakland again until Nov. 3. With so many new pieces, especially on defense, a 1-6 start (four of the Raiders' first seven opponents were in the playoffs last season) would not be shocking. And Brown is used to getting the ball, as evidenced by his having averaged more than 11.3 targets per game since 2014. Jordy Nelson, Carr's top target at wideout last season, averaged just under 5.9 targets per game. Brown came to Oakland to win and be productive, not that those two things are mutually exclusive. But if the Raiders are getting clobbered early and Brown is getting the Nelson treatment, the honeymoon will be over in short order. -- Paul Gutierrez

NFC West

Will the Kliff Kingsbury-Kyler Murray experiment work for the Arizona Cardinals?

Will it? We won't know for months. Can it? Absolutely. This is a rare match. Kingsbury -- the Cardinals' first-year coach -- recruited Murray -- the Cardinals' rookie quarterback -- out of high school seven years ago and they were finally paired together in April when the team took Murray with the No. 1 overall pick. Murray has run a version of Kingsbury's Air Raid since the eighth grade. They talk all the time. Each understands what the other is trying to do. Kingsbury knows how to handle young players possibly better than anyone in the NFL, having spent the past six years as the head coach at Texas Tech. Sure, Kingsbury's offense could've worked with someone else running it, but there may not have been a better fit from a personality and history perspective than Murray. -- Josh Weinfuss

Will Todd Gurley's uncertainty and health keep the Los Angeles Rams from another Super Bowl?

With a roster that returns two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald and each skill position starter, including receiver Cooper Kupp, who is coming off a season-ending knee injury, the Rams are in position to appear again in the Super Bowl. However, uncertainty looms over the health of running back Todd Gurley's left knee and whether it will allow him to contribute at the volume with which he has contributed over the past two seasons. The offense, which produced 32.9 points per game last season, also must adapt to two first-time starters on the line in center Brian Allen and left guard Joe Noteboom. The defense received a boost by adding veteran pass-rusher Clay Matthews and safety Eric Weddle, but inexperienced players -- Greg Gaines and Micah Kiser -- will be expected to step up at nose tackle and inside linebacker, respectively, after the departures of Ndamukong Suh and Mark Barron. -- Lindsey Thiry

Can Jimmy Garoppolo bounce back from a torn ACL and emerge as the franchise quarterback the San Francisco 49ers believe he can be?

The 49ers have been unwavering in their belief in Garoppolo since he led them to five straight victories to close the 2017 season. They paid him like a franchise quarterback and went into last season with outsized expectations despite a 6-10 record the year before. The question with Garoppolo isn't talent so much as it is durability. Garoppolo played just two-plus games in 2018 before a knee injury ended his season. This offseason, the Niners put many of their resources into the defense, but did spend two Day 2 picks on receivers and signed running back Tevin Coleman. There's plenty of potential on the roster offensively, but Garoppolo is the man charged with making it all work. It starts with staying healthy. If Garoppolo can play all 16 games in coach Kyle Shanahan's offense, there's reason to believe he can establish himself as the organizational centerpiece the team believes he is. -- Nick Wagoner

Can Russell Wilson top his ultra-efficient 2018 for the Seattle Seahawks?

Last season may have been Wilson's best, considering he set a career high in passes with 35 and tied his career low with seven interceptions. It was undoubtedly his most efficient season, given that Wilson did that on his fewest passing attempts (427) since 2013. But the departure of his longtime No. 1 target, Doug Baldwin, leaves Tyler Lockett and Jaron Brown as his only receivers with more than three seasons of NFL experience. Though the inevitable growing pains that come with young receivers could work to Wilson's detriment, it should help that he enters his second season under coordinator and de facto quarterbacks coach Brian Schottenheimer. No, the Seahawks won't need to rely on Wilson more because they just made him the highest-paid player in NFL history. They're going to be one of the NFL's most run-heavy teams as long as coach Pete Carroll is in charge. But the defense lost firepower for the second consecutive offseason and has a major question mark at pass-rusher. Seattle may need Wilson to have another 2018 stat line if the Seahawks are going to earn their eighth playoff berth in 10 seasons under Carroll. -- Brady Henderson

AFC East

Can the Bills' decision-makers survive missing the playoffs in 2019?

Yes. Coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane earned goodwill from fans in 2017 when they led the franchise to its first playoff appearance since 1999. That kept fans off their backs when the Bills finished 6-10 last season, which was partly the result of trading quarterback and drafting Josh Allen -- and then watching their developing rookie quarterback become injured midseason. Fans understood Beane and McDermott did not see Taylor as the foundation of a long-term contender and are more hopeful Allen can be the franchise quarterback. As long as Allen takes a step forward in 2019, Beane and McDermott can survive into 2020 without making the playoffs. The top decision-makers seem to have sold the fan base on incremental improvements over instant gratification. -- Mike Rodak Can Josh Rosen keep the Dolphins from drafting a QB in the first round in 2020?

Rosen has to win the starting job first, and then we can discuss him being a part of the Dolphins' long- term future. This spring, it has been the Ryan Fitzpatrick show, as the veteran has outplayed Rosen during organized team activities and minicamp. But the competition should heat up in training camp. Rosen has said he's treating this like a one-year tryout to prove to the Dolphins he can be their franchise quarterback. After seven years of Ryan Tannehill, the Dolphins can't afford to settle at quarterback anymore. Rosen can prove himself worthy of further evaluation beyond 2019 if he can show consistent examples of leadership when he gets his chance to start. On a rebuilding team, the eye test -- in practice and games - - will have to be the true barometer for Rosen. If there are doubts about him, the Dolphins have to be prepared to draft a quarterback high in 2020. -- Cameron Wolfe

How will quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots adapt after tight end Rob Gronkowski's retirement?

This question might not have a definitive answer until deep into training camp. The Patriots' offense under coordinator Josh McDaniels and Brady has always shaped itself to the personnel available, so if no more additions are made at tight end, it could lead to a de-emphasis of the position. Four-year veteran Matt LaCosse was running with the first unit in spring practices, but is he a realistic option to maintain a Gronk- type standard? No, but who really is? Veteran Benjamin Watson could be part of the mix, but he will miss the first four games of the season while serving an NFL suspension. "Move" option Stephen Anderson and 2018 seventh-round pick are next on the depth chart. However, there is always the possibility the Patriots swing a trade or an unexpected player comes available on the market. -- Mike Reiss

Can quarterback Sam Darnold show significant improvement in Year 2, following the recent trend of Jared Goff, Mitchell Trubisky and Carson Wentz?

Darnold's situation is similar to those of Goff and Trubisky in that he is going from a defense-minded coach (Todd Bowles) to a coach with an offensive background (Adam Gase). There's nothing better for a young quarterback's development than having a coach who sees the game through the eyes of the quarterback, as Goff and Trubisky showed with Sean McVay and Matt Nagy, respectively. It's unrealistic to expect a Goff-like jump for Darnold because his supporting cast (see: offensive line) isn't as strong as that of the Los Angeles Rams -- or Wentz's Philadelphia Eagles cast, for that matter. But Darnold has enough talent, and enough talented people around him, to replicate what Trubisky did in his second season -- 24 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. Darnold should be able to raise his completion percentage (57.7) by a few points; the additions of RB Le'Veon Bell and WR Jamison Crowder will help in that respect. The key will be to cut down his interceptions (15 in 13 games), and he can do that by not throwing into tight coverage as often as he did last season. -- Rich Cimini

NFC EAST

Can Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz get over the injury bug?

Having suffered season-ending injuries each of the past two years (torn ACL/LCL, stress fracture in back), Wentz spent part of the offseason studying how to take better care of his body. He improved his diet and tweaked his training regimen in hopes it will lead to better health and greater career longevity. The Eagles are banking on Wentz staying upright. They moved on from Nick Foles and handed Wentz a four-year, $128 million contract extension. Only time will tell whether that investment will prove a wise one. What we know for now is Wentz looked like his old self this spring and has full intentions of returning to MVP- caliber form. This Eagles team is stacked from top to bottom. If Wentz can stay on the field, Philadelphia has a legit chance of going the distance. -- Tim McManus

What will coordinator Kellen Moore bring to the Cowboys' offense?

The Cowboys' offense grew stale the past couple of seasons. While they ran the ball effectively and had timely plays under Scott Linehan, Dallas lacked explosive plays. The Cowboys had 39 pass plays of 20 yards or more in 2018. As a first-year coordinator, Moore will have a learning curve. He has one year of coaching experience, serving as the quarterbacks coach last season. He has never called plays but has long been considered a coach-in-waiting dating to his Boise State days, when he became the winningest quarterback in history. The base of the Cowboys' offense remains -- which coach Jason Garrett implemented as coordinator in 2007 -- but Moore is bringing different elements that will marry some of the spread and run-pass options that have come from the college game to the NFL. In the offseason, Moore used more shifts and motions to run the same plays out of different looks, similar to what coach Sean McVay has done with the Los Angeles Rams. Moore's creativity on the fly will be a bonus. Teammates have lauded his ability to see the game clearly in real time, which should allow the Cowboys to adjust better than they have in the past. -- Todd Archer

When will rookie Dwayne Haskins take over as the Redskins' starting quarterback?

The Redskins have consistently used one word when discussing their first-round draft pick: patience. They liked what they saw this spring in terms of Haskins' talent and intelligence. The phrase "arm talent" has been used quite a bit. But before and after the draft, it was clear the Redskins felt he needed work. Haskins started 14 games at Ohio State, so his learning curve is bigger -- Kyler Murray has similar experience, but his legs add a weapon Haskins lacks. Washington needs Haskins to improve his footwork -- and some of that will come from quickening his reads so he doesn't feel rushed under duress. The underlying issue: coach Jay Gruden's job security. He's entering Year 6 after missing the playoffs three straight seasons. He needs to win, and his desires might clash at times with the organization's, knowing that Haskins' development is key to the franchise's future. But if the Redskins struggle early with Case Keenum or Colt McCoy, then there's no good reason to keep Haskins sitting. -- John Keim

Can the Giants' offense be better without wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.?

New York is going to need an improved offense overall this season to achieve any level of success. The Giants have 61% of their salary cap earmarked for their offense, with only 37% on their defense. That puts the fate of their 2019 season on quarterback Eli Manning & Co. It seems like a ridiculous premise to improve without Beckham, who is one of the most lethal offensive weapons in football. But the Giants improved their offensive line, still have ample targets and are going to lean heavily on running back Saquon Barkley. It's possible they'll produce more with their spread-it-around "village" approach, considering they were a well-below-average unit (27th in points per game through eight games) for a good chunk of last season. -- Jordan Raanan

The Players That Made Me: Peyton Manning reveals some of his favorite players throughout his life By Ben Swanson DenverBroncos.com June 28, 2019

Former Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has spent practically his entire life around the sport that has largely defined who he is.

Since his early years, when he would accompany his father, a 15-year starting NFL quarterback, to practices and games, Manning has embedded himself in the world of football, devoting an immeasurable amount of time toward learning the game and honing his skills once he started playing the game competitively.

Throughout this extraordinary life in football, Manning has gained an appreciation of the game that can be described as nothing short of reverential. With a photographic memory and an endless appetite for the game, Manning has built an encyclopedic football knowledge that spans eras.

With that in mind, we asked him to look back through his life to pick out the NFL players he most admired at different stages of his life to give us a deeper look at who he is and how he views the game he loves. Read on for his answers in his own words.

Elementary School: Archie Manning “Yeah, I was 8 years old when my dad retired, so I remember more going to the locker room after games. I used to go to Saturday practices, kind of like you’re allowed to do, to bring your kids to Saturday practices. I got to meet a lot of the players. I got to go to a Pro Bowl in Hawaii and meet some of the other great players, like Roger Staubach and Walter Payton, at the time. My dad was always including us, including us in his football life — bringing us to practice when he can, going down to the locker room. We used to go down onto the Superdome turf and play 1-on-1 100-yard football while he was doing his interviews and maybe signing autographs for the fans.

“It was a fun way to grow up, meeting a lot of people and having the chance to experience some pretty cool things. So I probably remember more about some of the off-the-field stuff.

“I took a lot of great interest in my dad’s football career. I used to listen to his old college games. Somebody sent us a bunch of his radio tapes of the old college games being called on the radio. I’d sit on my bed and just listen. You couldn’t see it because it was on the radio, but you could kind of visualize the team colors and the weather. So I took great interest in his college career, and I used to love just the ability to watch my dad play.”

High School and college: Dan Marino “After my dad retired, there was a great quarterback class that came into the NFL. But I just took an interest in Dan Marino. I liked the way he kind of was a field general out there, always kind of in control, always kind of taking command. I got to see him play down in New Orleans. I still have a picture. I got to meet him before the game. My dad used to do the radio, so I’d go down on the field with my dad before the game and watch guys warm up and I got to meet Dan when they played the Saints. “I think you always kind of have a current favorite player. And so my dad had just retired and I’m kind of biased toward quarterbacks.

“But then I had the chance to play against Dan on four different occasions. Actually, my very first game in the NFL was against the Dolphins and Dan Marino. And you kind of find yourself, you know, having trouble concentrating on your job. It’s maybe looking at the pictures or talking to your coaches, but I’m looking at one of my heroes out there playing, like, All right, you’ve got to focus on doing your job today, Peyton. The Dolphins beat us that day, but I got a good picture after that game, too — Dan putting his arm around me and telling me, Good luck and hang in there. He’s been a great mentor, as well.”

In the NFL: Eli Manning “I guess I had a few years — it wasn’t an overlap — but Eli came in in 2004, when he got drafted. Of course, watching him play in college, I only got to see Eli play once a year in person. Even in high school, if we had a bye week, I’d go see him play in high school one game in person a year. Same deal — bye week in the NFL, I’d go back to see him play in college.

“Then when we were both playing in the NFL, it was really hard to get to see him play in person. But I enjoyed watching him play on TV. He’s your brother and you pull for him. One of the great traditions when I played in Indianapolis and in Denver was, if you won the game, was to go celebrate at a steakhouse and hopefully watch the Giants play. They were playing the afternoon game or playing in the evening. Obviously in Denver we played more in the afternoon. So, it was fun to be able to pull for your brother and cheer for him.

“There’s lots of guys that I’ve enjoyed watching play. Brett Favre was always fun to watch just compete. Unpredictable and the game was never over. He could make some just incredible throws that you kind of thought, There’s no way he can get that one in there, and he would.

“Shockingly, all those guys are quarterbacks.”

In retirement: Von Miller “I still get to see Eli play — much more now. I’ve seen him play, I think, three games a year in person since I’ve been retired. Prior to that, I got to see him play in both Super Bowls, which was very special. But I’ve gotten to see him play more.

“We come to all the Broncos games, so I enjoy some of the guys that I’ve played with, like Von Miller. I still enjoy watching him compete. … Maybe this tells you how special he is that I’m maybe not looking at quarterbacks now; I’m watching outside linebackers and pass rushers. People ask me a lot of times, ‘Who’s the best athlete you’ve ever played with?’ And I say, ‘Von Miller.’ Just some of the things he can do physically is special. So when you come to a Broncos game and they’re on defense, you find yourself kind of locked in, seeing this might be the game-changing sack-fumble play, or interception — some kind of game-changing play he can make. I like the way he handles his business and like the way he competes out there.”

Peyton Manning says a former Broncos teammate is the best athlete he ever played with By Jared Dubin CBS Sports June 28, 2019

Von Miller stands out among all of Manning's former teammates, the future Hall of Famer says.

Future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning is heading into the fourth year of his retirement. During the last three seasons he has been heavily rumored to be taking one of several television jobs announcing games, but none of those deals has come to fruition. Instead, Manning has merely been an observer of games, watching the league as a whole, but especially his brother Eli's games with the Giants, and games of his former teams.

One of those former teams is the Denver Broncos, who have undergone a whole lot of changes since Manning retired following the 2015 season, but still have on their roster one of the best teammates Manning ever had. That player is so good that Manning routinely calls him the best athlete he ever played with.

"We come to all the Broncos games, so I enjoy some of the guys that I've played with, like Von Miller. I still enjoy watching him compete," Manning said during an interview with the Broncos' official website. "Maybe this tells you how special he is that I'm maybe not looking at quarterbacks now; I'm watching outside linebackers and pass rushers.

"People ask me a lot of times, 'Who's the best athlete you've ever played with?' And I say, 'Von Miller.' Just some of the things he can do physically is special. So when you come to a Broncos game and they're on defense, you find yourself kind of locked in, seeing this might be the game-changing sack-fumble play, or interception — some kind of game-changing play he can make. I like the way he handles his business and like the way he competes out there."

At 6-foot-3 and 246 pounds with 33.5-inch arms, Miller is a pretty ridiculous athlete. The website Mockdraftable notes that Miller ranked in the 78th percentile or better in the vertical jump, broad jump, 40-yard dash, 10-yard split, 20-yard shuttle, and three-cone drill at the NFL combine, drawing close comparisons to players like Bruce Irvin, Clay Matthews, and former Broncos teammate DeMarcus Ware. Those incredible traits have helped Miller become one of the best pass-rushers in the league throughout his career, so it's no surprise that Manning took note of them while they were on the same squad.

McCaffreys not surprised by Phillip Lindsay’s success By Darin Gantt Pro Football Talk June 28, 2019

There might have been people who were surprised when Broncos rookie Phillip Lindsay ran for 1,000 yards last year.

None of those people were named McCaffrey.

Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey raved about his Broncos counterpart and fellow Coloradan, while longtime NFL wideout Ed McCaffrey said he anticipated Lindsay making an impact in the league despite going undrafted out of Colorado.

“People ask me if I was surprised by (Lindsay’s) success and I say: ‘Absolutely not.’ He had the look in his eye and the competitive spirit and the talent in seventh grade,” Ed said, via Kyle Fredrickson of the Denver Post. “So it should have not been a surprise to anybody that he went to CU and tore it up there and had huge success with Denver. He’s had it since he was a little kid.”

Lindsay was playing at Denver South High while the McCaffrey kids were at Valor Christian, so keeping up with each other’s exploits was easy, and easy to pull for.

“I root for him nonstop,” Christian McCaffrey said. “It’s cool seeing another guy from Colorado make it up the ranks and then continue to have such huge success. I’m definitely happy and I think it’s great for Colorado football as well. The more guys that do what Phil is doing is special for guys. You look at the high school talent now, and even younger than that, it gives the kids a sense of pride and somebody to look up to in that position; that can dream and have aspirations of being where he is.”

While Lindsay didn’t enjoy being a first-rounder like the younger McCaffrey, he certainly stood out.

He finished last year with 1,278 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns, despite a late-season wrist injury which required surgery. He’s healthy now, and ready for the start of training camp.

Peyton Manning calls Von Miller the best athlete he played with By Mike Florio Pro Football Talk June 28, 2019

Peyton Manning has offered some high praise for his former Broncos teammate Von Miller.

Manning was asked by the Broncos’ website to talk about some of his favorite players, and although he said his little brother is the player he watches the most, it’s Miller who really impresses him.

“I still get to see Eli play — much more now,” Peyton said. “I’ve seen him play, I think, three games a year in person since I’ve been retired. Prior to that, I got to see him play in both Super Bowls, which was very special. But I’ve gotten to see him play more. We come to all the Broncos games, so I enjoy some of the guys that I’ve played with, like Von Miller. I still enjoy watching him compete. . . . Maybe this tells you how special he is that I’m maybe not looking at quarterbacks now; I’m watching outside linebackers and pass rushers. People ask me a lot of times, ‘Who’s the best athlete you’ve ever played with?’ And I say, ‘Von Miller.’ Just some of the things he can do physically is special. So when you come to a Broncos game and they’re on defense, you find yourself kind of locked in, seeing this might be the game-changing sack- fumble play, or interception — some kind of game-changing play he can make. I like the way he handles his business and like the way he competes out there.”

Manning played four years with Miller and watched him a lot from the sideline, and now he’s heading into his fourth year of retirement, still enjoying watching Miller.

Examining the cases of Broncos' 10 most deserving HoF candidates By Bob Morris 24/7 Sports June 28, 2019

Last week, I laid out 15 questions for people to consider when evaluating a player's worthiness for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

There are not only multiple players who previously played for the Denver Broncos who have Hall of Fame cases, but current Broncos who are building cases, too.

To give everyone a rough idea about how to use the questions I posed to evaluate a player's case, I'm going to look at some retired players who spent all or parts of their careers with the Broncos and bring up questions that help illustrate their cases and how likely they are to get in.

I won't look at any player who is already in the Hall, nor will I look at players who are first-ballot locks (in other words, I won't be discussing Peyton Manning). I won't look at active players in this installment, though that could come down the road.

Keep in mind that there is more to discuss than the questions I will mention, but it will give you an idea about where to best focus your arguments.

STEVE ATWATER

Let's start with the former Bronco who, among Broncos currently eligible and not going before the senior's committee, has the best case to be placed in the Hall.

The reason why Steve Atwater has been overlooked is too many voters have fixated on another safety who has been a finalist multiple times (who I will get to later).

But if Broncos fans want to get Atwater in, they should focus a lot on the following points:

Was he the best player on his team? Was he the best player on his team's offense or his team's defense? In this case, there's no question that Atwater was the best player on the Broncos defense throughout the 1990s.

Is he the best player at his position in the history of football who is not in the Hall of Fame? Many voters have seriously underrated Atwater, who was the best safety in NFL history most years he's been eligible. The only other players who could have been argued as comparable or better are Ed Reed, Brian Dawkins and Kenny Easley, the last of those players being the among safeties (dominant career cut short by injuries).

Is there any evidence to suggest that his presence on his teams made the players around him better or elevated their play? Go back and look at the secondary at the time Atwater played. The rest of the defensive backs were good at best, but none were game changers. Atwater's presence made them better. What impact did the player have on the history of the game? Did he change the game in any way? Atwater certainly showed what a hard-hitting safety's presence could do in the running game, as Christian Okoye can relate. Atwater arguably showed the value of a safety who could play off-ball linebacker.

There are other questions that work in Atwater's favor, but many voters don't understand the safety position well enough to evaluate it. However, things could change for Atwater this year, because he's gaining support and this year's ballot isn't a strong overall group.

Keep your fingers crossed.

RANDY GRADISHAR

When most Broncos fans look at the Orange Crush from the 1970s to early 1980s, Randy Gradishar comes to mind.

Gradishar's eligibility mostly came during the years in which voters tended to drift toward Super Bowl dynasties, of which Gradishar wasn't a part. That's why it's better to look at questions I brought up to push Gradishar's case before the seniors committee.

Was he the best player on his team? Was he the best player on his team's offense or his team's defense? You can point to multiple years in which he was the best player on the Broncos roster, and thus, the best player on the defense.

Is there any evidence to suggest the player was significantly better or worse than is suggested by statistics? Gradishar hit the scene before sacks became an official NFL statistic. He was also playing at a time in which people didn't think about quarterback pressures or what a linebacker could do in coverage. But Gradishar was good at both.

If this player were the best player on his team, how likely would his team win a conference championship? How likely would his team win a divisional title? The Broncos won an AFC title and a couple of divisional titles when Gradishar was on the roster. He definitely had an impact on the team getting to the playoffs for multiple seasons.

While voters did overlook Gradishar when he was on the main ballot, some may have been looking at a teammate of his and asking questions. Let's consider that player's case.

LOUIS WRIGHT

I understand why Broncos fans would want Gradishar in the Hall, but let's not forget there's another member of the Orange Crush who has a case -- and, perhaps, a better case.

Wright hit the scene when few people talked about shutdown cornerbacks. But it's worth asking if Wright would be known as such if he had been playing in more recent years. Consider these questions.

Is there any evidence to suggest that his presence on his teams made the players around him better or elevated their play? Teammate Steve Foley finished with more interceptions in his career than Wright did. But how many of those opportunities came about because quarterbacks were hesitant to throw the ball in Wright's direction? It's a question well worth asking. Is there any evidence to suggest the player was significantly better or worse than is suggested by statistics? While Wright had just 26 interceptions in his 11 years in the NFL, that doesn't mean he wasn't good. Once again, opposing quarterbacks likely didn't want to test him, meaning fewer chances for picks. Also, passes defensed weren't kept during Wright's years in the NFL.

Was he a good enough player that he could continue to regularly play after passing his prime? People sometimes forget how long he was with the franchise -- he entered the league in 1975 and didn't retire until after the 1986 season. Yet he played at a high level most years and seldom missed a start in his final years in the NFL.

Wright certainly got overlooked by voters when he was on the main ballot. But I'd say, when Broncos fans pushed for Gradishar, they overlooked Wright, too.

KARL MECKLENBURG

Let's be honest — many Hall of Fame voters simply didn't know what to do with Karl Mecklenburg. They tended to view him as a jack of all trades, but a master of none.

That portrayal isn't quite accurate. I view Mecklenburg as a versatile player who could take on a variety of roles and handle them well. Questions that work in his favor.

Was he the best player on his team? Was he the best player on his team's offense or his team's defense? For the majority of his time with the Broncos, I would say he was the best player on the defense. There are years in which his career overlaps that of Steve Atwater, though, meaning he wasn't the best player in the majority of his years. But from 1984 to 1988 — and perhaps 1989, when Atwater was a rookie — the case is there.

Was he a good enough player that he could continue to regularly play after passing his prime? Mecklenburg played for 12 seasons and still played at a high level up until his final season in 1994. In 1992 and 1993, he had two of his better years as a pro, and he was 32 and 33 then — ages at which inside linebackers tend to decline.

Is there any evidence to suggest that his presence on his teams made the players around him better or elevated their play? That Mecklenburg could play multiple positions allowed him to make his teammates better, because it forced opposing offenses to find ways to counter him. That, in turn, paved the way for teammates to make plays.

Mecklenburg wasn't a shoo-in on the main ballot, but the case was always there. It may take some time, though, for the seniors committee to get around to considering him.

JOHN LYNCH

Here's the player that's caused Hall of Fame voters to look past Steve Atwater. Too many voters have been fixated on the Tampa Bay defense that dominated the league in 2002, leading to a Super Bowl title.

Let's go over a couple of questions pertaining to Lynch to get better perspective here.

Was he the best player on his team? Was he the best player on his team's offense or his team's defense? Lynch had already been in the NFL for nine seasons when the Bucs' dominant 2002 defense emerged. However, even in the years prior, it's hard to argue that he was the best player on the Bucs' defense. Warren Sapp, who first hit the NFL when Lynch became a regular starter, was really that guy.

Was he a good enough player that he could continue to regularly play after passing his prime? To be fair, Lynch does have a few things working in his favor. When he joined the Broncos, he was starting to pass his prime, but he had several good seasons. However, he arguably was getting into the Pro Bowl in his final two seasons based on his name alone. Still, there's something to be said for a safety who started 60 games in four seasons after he turned 33 years old.

Did he uphold standards of character and sportsmanship? There's no question that Lynch was a team leader and that leadership rubbed off on other players. That seems to be a trait voters focus on when they look at Lynch's candidacy.

With that said, Atwater possesses that trait, too — and more traits than Lynch, if we put things into perspective.

That doesn't mean Lynch shouldn't go into the Hall. But he received more attention from voters than he should have been getting when Atwater was on the ballot.

ROD SMITH

I've gone back and forth over Rod Smith's case through the years. There are questions I pose that work in his favor and questions that don't. Let's look at a few that work in his favor.

Is there any evidence to suggest the player was significantly better or worse than is suggested by statistics? Smith isn't that high in terms of career receptions or touchdowns when compared to other wide receivers. But how much of that comes from opposing teams focusing on him above other receivers? Keep in mind he wasn't always paired with Ed McCaffrey throughout his career.

Is there any evidence to suggest that his presence on his teams made the players around him better or elevated their play? McCaffrey was good, while Ashley Lelie was merely so-so. Yet Lelie looked the part of a quality receiver once in a while. How much of that has to do with Smith lining up opposite him?

Was he a good enough player that he could continue to regularly play after passing his prime? Smith had a down year in 2003 when he was 33 years old, but bounced back in the next two seasons with quality play, showing he had plenty left in the tank.

Smith's case is tricky to evaluate in some aspects. More importantly, he's caught in a logjam of wide receivers who have Hall of Fame cases -- and that was before Hall of Fame voters finally put Randy Moss and Terrell Owens into the Hall.

Smith does have a case, but it's going to be an uphill climb to get him in.

TOM NALEN

Hall of Fame voters often have difficulty evaluating offensive linemen and Tom Nalen is no exception. While voters are fixated on Pro Bowl and postseason awards — and Nalen has his fair share — there are better ways to evaluate his career and give a better argument for getting him into the Hall.

Is there any evidence to suggest that his presence on his teams made the players around him better or elevated their play? After most of the players of that vaunted offensive line from the Broncos' first two Super Bowls moved on, Nalen remained the mainstay. He kept the Broncos' offensive line among the better units when the Broncos went through multiple players who are considered average at best.

Was he a good enough player that he could continue to regularly play after passing his prime? Nalen played in just seven games in 2002, but came back at 32 years old the following season and started all 16 regular-season games that season, then did it again the next three. A lineman who keeps starting and playing well until he's 35 years old fits the bill as somebody regularly playing past his prime.

Is he the best player at his position in the history of football who is not in the Hall of Fame? This one is tougher to argue. Kevin Mawae is currently eligible and has a strong case, especially because he played for 16 seasons and was regularly starting when he was 37 years old. Nalen could be closely compared to Kent Hull, who was an important part of the Bills offensive line and played until he was 35. He's also similar to Olin Kreutz, though Kreutz has more years of eligibility ahead of him. All these players would be ranked ahead of Ray Donaldson.

For Nalen, the path to getting into the Hall of Fame is blocked by Mawae, but he also has to deal with voters not understanding how to evaluate offensive linemen. Broncos fans will need to hope Mawae gets in soon, then start digging deeper into Nalen's career to improve his chances of getting into the Hall.

DEMARCUS WARE

Though DeMarcus Ware played the majority of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, his importance to the Broncos in their Super Bowl 50 win plays a role in his case, too.

Let's go over some questions that boost Ware's case.

Was he the best player on his team? Was he the best player on his team's offense or his team's defense? Of course, this applies more to his tenure with the Cowboys. Ware was dominant for most of his seasons with that team and, while he had some good teammates, nobody dominated the way he did.

Was he a good enough player that he could continue to regularly play after passing his prime? Here's where the Broncos come in. Ware signed a three-year deal with the team and showed he could still play at a high level. He was crucial to the Broncos' success in his first season with the team (2014) and, despite missing time with injuries, made enough of an impact on that dominant defense in 2015.

Did he uphold standards of character and sportsmanship? Ware was an unquestioned locker room leader both in his time with the Cowboys and the Broncos. When it comes to the Broncos, he played a big role in getting Von Miller to embrace a leadership role himself. Ware knew how to motivate players and get them focused.

It remains to be seen if Ware will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. A lot of that depends on who is on the ballot when he becomes eligible. But don't kid yourself — Ware put together a Hall of Fame career and deserves his spot. WES WELKER

Though Wes Welker isn't eligible for the Hall of Fame yet, his name will be added to the wide receiver logjam once he hits the ballot.

How does he measure up, though? Let's consider some questions.

Did he have an impact on a number of playoff runs, not just Super Bowls, but conference championships and division titles? Welker certainly played important roles on multiple New England Patriots teams that won AFC titles and AFC East titles — and he did the same for his first season with the Broncos when they won the AFC title in 2014. How much of an impact, though, is the question. When it comes to the Patriots, he's overshadowed by either Randy Moss or Rob Gronkowski.

Is there any evidence to suggest the player was significantly better or worse than is suggested by statistics? Welker could be argued as serving a great importance than putting up big numbers. His value is usually measured in how effective he was at getting catches to move the chains. That's where his case may best be argued.

Was he a good enough player that he could continue to regularly play after passing his prime? If you think he was past his prime when he joined the Broncos in 2013, you might be able to make the argument. However, he missed multiple games because of concussions and other injuries, so he didn't contribute as much as he might have otherwise.

Welker is like Rod Smith, only with a greater uphill climb. Though more people may have looked Welker's way when Art Monk's candidacy got pushed, Welker differs in that he played alongside receivers or tight ends with greater talent. He also didn't contribute that much after passing his prime.

Some might try to argue for him because of his prominence with the Patriots, but I suspect the wide receiver logjam will keep him from gaining momentum.

MIKE SHANAHAN

We come to the coach who guided the team to multiple AFC West titles and the Broncos' first two Super Bowl victories.

Mike Shanahan does have a few things that work in his favor, though there are a few things that may hold him back. But let's consider some questions.

Is he the best coach in the history of football who is not in the Hall of Fame? That depends on what you're looking at. If you fixate on victories and Super Bowl wins, Shanahan is in the conversation. But while he ranks 15th overall in victories, he's still behind Dan Reeves (believe it or not), Jeff Fisher and Marty Schottenheimer. In terms of playoff wins, he has eight, which puts him not just behind Dan Reeves, but George Seifert, of all people. (He's also behind Jimmy Johnson, who has nine and can't get into the Hall.)

What impact did the coach have on the history of the game? Did he change the game in any way? You might have a case here. Shanahan is associated with the zone-blocking scheme that Alex Gibbs implemented, then Shanahan stuck with after Gibbs finished his coaching career. Some might argue that Shanahan was ahead of his time when it came to the explosion of the passing game, though it's worth asking how much of that came because Terrell Davis hit the scene and forced defense to account for him.

If he coached a team, how likely would his team win a conference championship? How likely would his team win a divisional title? Shanahan guided the Broncos to multiple to two conference championships and multiple division titles. But he couldn't get the Broncos over the hump in his final three seasons. He did get Washington one division title, but had two losing seasons before that and things fell apart in his fourth season.

Shanahan suffers from another problem that most coaches have: He's battling players to get into the Hall. It might help Shanahan if coaches were placed with the contributors instead (a move I favor).

Even so, Shanahan would likely be waiting a while. Don Coryell, for example, had an impact on the NFL and can't get into the Hall. Same with Jimmy Johnson, despite multiple Super Bowls and a draft chart some people still like to use. Marty Schottenheimer is seventh all-time in victories but everyone holds his playoff record against him.

And when Shanahan has fewer career victories than Dan Reeves, Chuck Knox, Jeff Fisher and Tom Coughlin, and is slightly ahead of Mike Holmgren — all coaches who few would argue should be in the Hall — it's not going to be easy to get Shanahan.

If you want to argue his case, you'll have to argue less about victories and more about his influence. Otherwise, you might not make progress.

Who is the most underrated player on the Broncos' roster? By Travis Wakeman Broncos Wire June 28, 2019

The Denver Broncos have several players that are recognized as some of the best in the league, such as Von Miller and Chris Harris. But which player helps make the Broncos better when he is on the field and doesn’t necessarily get that kind of credit from the media?

The answer is Derek Wolfe.

It’s crazy to think that many Broncos fans will actually classify Wolfe as overrated (a quick check on Twitter will confirm that), but when he is healthy, he is a solid piece of the team’s defense.

The former second-round pick will be entering his seventh year with the team and though he’s failed to receive much attention from around the league, he just comes to work every week and does what is asked of him.

Wolfe has 26 sacks in his career to go along with two fumble recoveries and an interception, but it’s often the things he does that don’t show up in the box score that make the most impact. Things like batting balls down at the line of scrimmage and playing great run defense make him one of the team’s best all- around defenders.

In addition to that, he’s a great teammate, always standing up for his teammates and taking accountability when the team has its failures.

Wolfe is a gritty player with a solid work ethic. He’s best described as a “lunchpail” guy who does all the dirty work. Frequently, in any line of work, those are the employees that don’t get the credit they deserve.

Wolfe is that guy and it’s time for the rest of the league and the national media to take notice.