sign in sign up
<<
Home , Baker Mayfield, Carson Palmer, Case Keenum, Johnny Manziel, Kirk Cousins, Luke Falk

Baker Mayfield wrong for Broncos if ’s thinking is stuck in the past By Mark Kiszla Denver Post Jan. 25, 2018

Unless the Broncos are truly committed to changing the way they think about football, John Elway should stop wasting his time scouting and down in Mobile, Ala., and just go order himself a big bowl of boiled crawfish.

Were those tears of frustration shed by all in vain? Let’s hope not. The Broncos have more than a quarterback problem. They have a stubborn problem. Have the public and painful NFL failures of Lynch, whose proficiency in the spread offense at Memphis made him a first-round pick, finally taught Denver a lesson?

“We have to take what those guys do best and kind of put it in our plan,” said when he arrived at the to coach Mayfield and Allen. “We can’t watch those guys on tape for four or five months and then draft those guys and ask them to do different things. … We have to implement spread concepts for those guys to be successful on our level.”

Well, hallelujah. It’s nice to see the Broncos finally intend to join the rest of the NFL in the 21st century.

Now we will find out if Elway actually gives Joesph the authority to modernize Denver’s offensive philosophy.

If Elway wants to give Mayfield, Allen or a real chance to succeed after investing a first- round draft choice in a quarterback, the Broncos must adapt their system to a rookie signal-caller, rather than repeat what Denver did on its way to a 5-11 record.

Watch tape of Mayfield winning big games for , check out why scouts like the potential they saw in Allen at Wyoming and review Darnold’s jaw-dropping moments with Southern Cal. It’s obvious none of these ballyhooed prospects is from the classic, old school of .

The pro game changed, and maybe Denver was too busy shining its trophy from 50 to adapt. When a team goes from champs to chumps within a span of two years, there’s something more wrong than a simple lack of football talent. In an Instagram world, the Broncos were stubbornly clinging to Myspace.

From the looks of the vapid offensive game plans that resulted in Denver finishing 27th in scoring, Joseph and his 2017 coaching staff didn’t know what RPO meant, much less know how to implement run-pass option principles into their attack.

There’s some truth to the get-off-my-lawn rant that fails to prepare quarterbacks for the pro level. But if the Broncos want to stick to their traditional offensive ways, their choices for a new QB are pretty much limited to spending big bucks on in free agency or hoping of UCLA falls to them at No. 5 in the draft.

“There are a lot more unknowns going into the draft then there is in free agency,” Elway told reporters covering the Senior Bowl. “We look at all the holes that we do have, see what’s available and how everything fits with what we want to do, and the value that’s there.”

If Washington allows Cousins to hit the open market, his experience probably gives the Broncos the best chance to make noise in the playoffs next season. But at a price tag that could reach $30 million annually, how much value is there to be had in Cousins?

When Lynch dabbed away tears after being forced from a loss at Oakland, it didn’t make him any less of a man. But it did reveal how painful it can be to force a round peg into a square hole. An NFL quarterback does win from the pocket. The run-pass option, however, is here to stay, even if Denver moves on from Lynch.

Until the Broncos get unstuck from the past, they are not going back to the Super Bowl.

As Broncos search for a QB, Baker Mayfield, Josh Allen post contrasting performances at Senior Bowl practice By Nicki Jhabvala Denver Post Jan. 25, 2018

The worst pass was thrown before most could see — before the stands filled with NFL scouts, before the lights turned on at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, before the real test began.

It was Day 2 of practice for the North team and before Broncos coach Vance Joseph could take over, the four quarterbacks took the field for warmups. The drill was basic target practice: Baker Mayfield, Josh Allen, and Tanner Lee were tasked with moving over blocks, forward and the backward behind a makeshift line of scrimmage, before tossing the ball to the net.

Mayfield took the first rep, moving back and forth over the blocks at the direction of quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan before nailing his target. Allen was next. Back and forth he moved, before tossing the ball over the top corner of net and into the end zone.

Not even close.

Although the sample size was small and relatively unimportant, it painted the picture of not just the ensuing two hours of practice, but the general assessment of the two headlining quarterbacks ahead of the draft:

Mayfield, while smaller, is consistently accurate and leads his receivers to the ball.

Allen, who can wow with a deep ball in the corner of the end zone, has a tendency to throw a pick or miss a receiver by 7 yards on the next play.

Allen did just that Wednesday, hitting Colorado State receiver for a deep along the right sideline. The pass led Gallup, as a safety trailed, and was undoubtedly one of the most impressive completions of the day.

“That’s a great throw because the safety’s coming,” Joseph said. “He put enough pace on the throw to get it there before the safety could get there. That’s important with those double-move deep balls. He drove the ball in. Great throw and great finish.”

But Allen followed with a string of misses.

During seven-on-seven drills, Mayfield garnered a chorus of “oohs” after going three-of-four in a series and connecting on passes all over the field. As he moved, his throws remained the same — on point. Allen’s rotation was streaky, at best.

The two-hour period flashed the risk and reward of drafting a quarterback, with Allen’s size and potential propelling him to near the top of the charts — if not the top — among quarterbacks. But his completion percentage continues to create pause, and improving accuracy when making the leap from the Mountain West Conference to the NFL is a tall task.

For the Broncos, the week-long assessment is an advantage as they enter another offseason in search of a starting quarterback and help at multiple other positions. The work this week is only a fraction of the evaluation that will be used ahead of the draft, but it’s a significant piece nonetheless.

And although no player has been perfect, the Broncos have said they’re impressed by the quarterback play thus far.

“They look good,” Broncos general manager John Elway said of Allen and Mayfield on Wednesday. “It’s always good coming down here, throwing to people you’re not familiar with and new routes, so I thought the first two days have been really good. Very strong arms. It’s been fun to watch.”

John Elway talks Senior Bowl quarterbacks, Broncos’ roster rebuild By Nicki Jhabvala Denver Post Jan. 25, 2018

While most eyes have been fixated on two quarterbacks auditioning in pads and jerseys at Ladd-Peebles Stadium this week, it’s hard to miss the quartet of legends standing along the sideline.

John Elway, the Broncos Hall of Famer and general manager; , his backup-turned-right-hand man; , the legend and current adviser; and John Lynch, a Broncos Ring of Famer and current GM all stood within arm’s reach of one another to view Day 2 of practice for the Senior Bowl.

Where Baker Mayfield’s feet moved, their eyes shifted. Where Josh Allen’s throws landed, their heads turned.

There was little secrecy in their presence and their focus as they returned to the same spot to watch the same set of players showcase their talents ahead of the draft.

But their assessments, well, they’re keeping those close.

“I think we’re still in the process,” Elway said. “In the end, hopefully by April 25 (the day before the draft begins), we have everything figured and know which direction we’re going to go. But now we’re in the middle of the process. We’re three weeks out from the end of last season, so this is all part of the process about learning as much as we can about everybody. As time goes on, we’ll continue to work on them and study each one of them, and by the time we get to the draft, have them ranked and go from there. But it’s all part of the process.”

The Broncos are early in their postseason evaluation period, and nearly every option is on the table as they search for a quarterback and look to rebuild an offense that has been inconsistent and underwhelming for more than two seasons now. Their roster for 2018 will probably undergo a significant renovation, with new parts arriving via free agency and the draft, perhaps even trades, too. Although Denver’s staff gets a unique and early look at a pair of quarterbacks in Allen and Mayfield, the Broncos’ focus will soon shift to free agency, where they could fill some of their biggest holes.

And their moves on the open market could determine their plans in the draft, where less is guaranteed.

“There are a lot more unknowns going into the draft than there is in free agency,” Elway said. “So we’ll look at all the holes that we do have and see what’s available, then also how everything fits with what we want to do, the value that’s there — trying to manipulate everything to where we get the best bang for our buck when it comes down to cap dollars as well as the best football team. Even though we know a little more about what we’re doing in the draft because we’re picking higher than we have in the past, that helps a little bit knowing what we might possibly get in the draft.”

But their stop in Alabama has already proved valuable. The Senior Bowl rosters are lopsided in favor of the Broncos, who get to coach Allen, viewed by some as the top pick in the draft; guard , who shifted from the South team to be reunited with former UTEP coach and new Broncos offensive line coach Sean Kugler; outsize Kalen Ballage, a Colorado native and Arizona State standout; speedy receiver Michael Gallup, a Biletnikoff Award finalist out of Colorado State; and Mayfield, whom the Broncos requested to coach.

“He’s a guy that competes, comes out here and throws the ball very well, got a strong arm, he throws with good anticipation. He’s had a good couple of days,” Elway said of Mayfield. He added: “We wanted to get an opportunity to meet him. Obviously, we’ve seen what everyone else has seen and what he can do on the field and the type of player that he is. To be able to have a week to be around him and get to know him a little bit was important to us.”

But if you want answers on which way the Broncos are leaning, keep digging.

Tom McMahon spells on special teams approach; John Elway asked about plans for veteran WRs By Nicki Jhabvala Denver Post Jan. 25, 2018

Tom McMahon, the Broncos’ new special teams coordinator who drew high praise from former Colts kicker Pat McAfee, said he has a broad vision for correcting Denver’s myriad issues in that phase.

“The biggest philosophy I have is half-court offense and full-court defense,” he said Tuesday following the North team’s practice at the Senior Bowl. “Offensively, from a return standpoint, we want to give our offense a half court to work with. We want to give our defense a full court. In essence, what we’re really trying to do is field position. If we get a turnover, for example, we don’t call it a turnover on our special teams. We’ll call it points. Any turnover on special teams, because of the ball being punted 50 yards or kicked 60 yards, when you get a turnover, it’s already in field-goal range. We call it points. All we’re trying to do is half-court offense and full-court defense and control field position.”

The Broncos dealt with a string of problems, including muffed punts, , 12 men on the field penalties and a pair of blocked punts throughout their 5-11 season under first-year special teams coordinator Brock Olivo. The issues peaked in a home game against the Patriots as the Broncos had four special-teams gaffes in a loss.

Olivo was fired at season’s end and McMahon was brought on to right the ship.

“I’ll be upfront with you. I don’t get into the past,” McMahon said. “I’m a big fix guy. I’m not going to be a fault guy. Anything that happens, which you’ll find out with me in the media, 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.”

Receiver moves? As the Broncos retool their offense, they could part with veteran receivers and . Thomas has a $4 million option that will trigger the final two years of his contract. If it’s declined, those two years are voided, the team eats about $3.1 million in “dead” money and Thomas becomes a free agent. Sanders has two years remaining on his contract with base salaries of about $8.2 million and $10.2 million, and there’s a chance the team could test his trade value. When asked about those two specifically Wednesday, general manager John Elway declined to divulge details about the Broncos’ offseason plans, but he also didn’t guarantee a return of either receiver.

“As we get closer and as we get into free agency and get back to the offices and start looking at the availability of what’s out there and kind of ranking the free agents that are available and also looking at ourselves and look at where we are budget-wise and cap-wise — as we gather information once we get back, we’ll start putting a plan together with all those considerations,” Elway said.

Ballage turns heads. Most of the Senior Bowl conversation has revolved around the quarterbacks, but other players have turned heads — especially Kalen Ballage. The Peyton, Colorado, native and Arizona State running back, 6-foot-2, 222 pounds, and has used every bit of his size in the first two days of practice with the North team.

“Boy, he is impressive. He’s big, he’s fluid, he’s catching well,” Broncos coach Vance Joseph said. “He’s got great feet. He’s been impressive.”

Headed to N.Y. Former Broncos receivers coach Tyke Tolbert is headed north. Tolbert was hired as the Giants’ receivers coach, an NFL source confirmed, a month after he was let go from his position with the Broncos. Tolbert has 15 years of NFL coaching experience, including seven as the Broncos’ receivers coach. In his career, Tolbert has coached three different receivers — , Sanders and Thomas — to a combined eight selections.

Former Wyoming star sees similarities in his old quarterback (Josh Allen) and his new one () By Nick Kosmider Denver Post Jan. 25, 2018

The schedule of a coveted NFL quarterback prospect doesn’t allow much time for looking ahead. With daily workouts, media obligations, meetings with teams and other commitments, the deluge of daily tasks can block views of the horizon.

But Josh Allen has managed to circle one months-away item on his crowded calendar.

“He’s going to be in my wedding, so we definitely stay in touch,” said Tanner Gentry, the former Grandview High School and Wyoming standout who just finished his rookie NFL season with the Bears.

Gentry caught 72 passes from Allen in 2016 for an eye-popping 1,326 yards and 14 . The two will connect again when Gentry gets married June 29, but they’ll be in constant communication until then. The former teammates, Gentry said, talk as often as three times per week. Football is a common topic, even if their paths to the NFL are vastly different.

“I don’t think I can offer him a lot of advice,” Gentry, who joined the Bears as an undrafted free agent last summer and was active in four games, said in a telephone interview. “Our processes are going to be completely different. You’re looking at a guy who is going to go in the first round. I don’t know what advice I can give him other than just keep being Josh and just keep working hard.”

Still, Gentry is in a unique position to preview what’s in store for Allen by virtue of his relationship with Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 draft. Gentry built chemistry with Trubisky during rookie minicamp last May, caught a 45-yard touchdown pass from the former North Carolina quarterback in the preseason and watched intently as the rookie got his chance to start midway through the season.

New Bears coach and his new , former Oregon coach Mark Helfrich, have expressed eagerness to put Trubisky’s athleticism to use as they sprinkle more spread concepts into Chicago’s offense. For his part, Gentry, who signed a reserve/future contract with the Bears on Jan. 2, sees clear comparisons between his old quarterback and his new one.

“They are very similar players,” Gentry said. “They can both make plays with their legs as well as their arm. Mitch is an extremely accurate quarterback, and I think you definitely see a lot of similarities as far as what they can do on the field. You can definitely tell they are first-round talent. But I also think it’s just their leadership and the way they are poised in the huddle and take ownership and command of the offense. That’s a lot alike as well.”

Allen will be entering the NFL at a time teams are experiencing an awakening about how to maximize a quarterback’s athletic potential. He rushed for 767 yards in a little more than two full seasons at Wyoming, and he ran a similar offense at Wyoming that Eagles quarterback did at North Dakota. Brent Vigen was the offensive coordinator for both players.

Before he suffered a season-ending knee injury in December, Wentz’s mastery of run-pass option concepts, among other strengths during a breakout second season, had him at the front of the league’s MVP race.

“Talking to Carson Wentz, he went through the same type of offensive style that we have, the same terminology and everything,” Allen told reporters at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., this week. “I was able to talk to him last year when I was making my decision and he said the offense that we run translates extremely well to the NFL. It’s different terminology but we run the same formations, the same concepts.”

Gentry knew during his senior season at Wyoming that the quarterback threading touchdown throws his way was destined for NFL success. And as he compares Allen to Trubisky, Gentry is even more confident he’ll have a first-round pick in the receiving line at his wedding.

“When you look at what (Allen) can do and his upside and the physical tools that he has, you can’t get any better than that coming out of college,” Gentry said. “Wherever he ends up, I know he doesn’t care about how high he gets drafted. I just know he wants to be successful and win games. Wherever he goes I’m going to be very happy for him and excited to watch him.”

Allen, Mayfield audition well for Broncos By Mike Klis 9NEWS Jan. 25, 2018

By the time the Broncos are through with their Senior Bowl experience here this week, they’re going to want three, No. 5 draft picks.

One for Josh Allen. One for Baker Mayfield. And one for another player in case they sign free-agent Kirk Cousins which in turn would cancel the thought of drafting Allen, Mayfield or any other quarterback with that No. 5 pick.

So many players looked impressive on the Broncos-coached North squad here Wednesday at Ladd Peeples Stadium, including Allen and Mayfield.

Allen has John Elway’s type of quarterback oozing all through his talented body.

“Well, he’s big, he’s strong, he’s got a strong arm and he can move around,’’ Elway, the Broncos’ general manager, said in an on-field interview with 9NEWS following the North team’s practice.

“Yeah, I like any quarterback who has all that. And plus, he’s been very good here throwing the ball. He’s got all the tools to be a great player.’’

Mayfield looked good, too, if in a different way. Allen fires 25-yard out pattern missiles that cause experienced, NFL coaches, scouts and executives to go, ‘wow.’’ A few yards after the ball leaves his hand, the football appears to elevate.

By the time the Broncos are through with their Senior Bowl experience here this week, they’re going to want three, No. 5 draft picks.

One for Josh Allen. One for Baker Mayfield. And one for another player in case they sign free-agent Kirk Cousins which in turn would cancel the thought of drafting Allen, Mayfield or any other quarterback with that No. 5 pick.

So many players looked impressive on the Broncos-coached North squad here Wednesday at Ladd Peeples Stadium, including Allen and Mayfield.

Allen has John Elway’s type of quarterback oozing all through his talented body.

“Well, he’s big, he’s strong, he’s got a strong arm and he can move around,’’ Elway, the Broncos’ general manager, said in an on-field interview with 9NEWS following the North team’s practice.

“Yeah, I like any quarterback who has all that. And plus, he’s been very good here throwing the ball. He’s got all the tools to be a great player.’’

Mayfield looked good, too, if in a different way. Allen fires 25-yard out pattern missiles that cause experienced, NFL coaches, scouts and executives to go, ‘wow.’’ A few yards after the ball leaves his hand, the football appears to elevate.

Joseph: Senior Bowl helps team in draft evaluation By Mike Klis 9NEWS Jan. 25, 2018

No team sets out to coach in the Senior Bowl.

The first step to getting here is to have a bad season.

The Broncos coaching staff led by Vance Joseph is here this week, coaching one group of college all stars. Denver had a bad season, posting a 5-11 record that included an eight-game losing streak.

Sports people are positive by necessity, though, and Joseph says good can come from bad.

“I coached this game with San Francisco I think two or three years,’’ said Joseph, a former defensive backs coach. “Obviously, it took time to turn that team (around), but when that team turned, we were pretty good (from 2011-13).

“Because you rarely miss when you coach this game. Again, having access to the players at a different level of just football, allows you to pick the right players.

“Jacksonville coached this game I think three years in a row with Gus (Bradley). That team played pretty good on Sunday (while losing to New England in the AFC Championship Game). I think it’s worth it. It’s a clear advantage coaching this game so you can have intimate access to these players.’’

The counter argument would be teams don’t rarely miss because of hands-on access to the players. They rarely miss because they’re picking so darn high in the draft.

The Broncos have the No. 5 pick this year. They can’t miss.

Learning curve

There is coaching a position group. And there is leading every player, coach and personnel assistant within the organization. Joseph is here with five new assistant coaches and a pass-rush coach, or something similar, still to come.

The biggest adjustment Joseph said he must make after his first year as boss?

“As a coach for a long time, pushing players and coaching players, that’s natural for you,’’ Joseph said here Tuesday during a Senior Bowl media session. “That’s what you have done. But coaching the coaches, I’ve got to get better at that. That is one thing I thought I didn’t do a good job of at this past season there. I’ll get better at that.”

Hernandez and Kugler

This is the type of game where a player’s priority is impressing NFL scouts. Will Hernandez wants to win it.

Hernandez is a well-regarded offensive guard coming off an 0-12 season with UTEP.

“It was a horrible season,’’ Hernandez said. “Nobody ever goes into a season planning on not to win one game. It did teach me a lot. I feel now going through that, anything I get hit with, any adversity I get hit with I can handle it so much better than I could have before I went through that.’’

The first five UTEP losses were pinned on Sean Kugler, who is now the Broncos’ interior offensive line coach – and Hernandez’ coach here with the North squad.

“Best way to describe him is he’s firm, but fair,’’ Hernandez said of Kugler. “He likes to have a good time, he likes to joke around, but when it’s time to work and it’s time to know your stuff, you better know it and you better get to it. All the horse playing and messing around stops there.’’

Gallup to opportunity

Colorado State receiver Michael Gallup, who is projected to go in the middle rounds of the upcoming NFL Draft, looked good in his first Senior Bowl practice Tuesday for the North.

“I just want to learn how the NFL does their job,’’ he said. “How they do stuff in film rom, how they do stuff out on the field and then also just have fun. Not many people get to do this so I need to come up here and have some fun.’’

Former Broncos receiver coach Tyke Tolbert hired by Giants By Mike Klis 9NEWS Jan. 25, 2018

Sometimes, a guy must be fired before he finds out how well he does his job.

Such was the case for former ’ receivers coach Tyke Tolbert. Let go by Broncos head coach Vance Joseph following the 2017 season, Tolbert drew interest from multiple teams before deciding to become receivers coach for recently hired ’ head coach , a league source told 9NEWS.

Tolbert, 50, coached Broncos’ receivers starting with John Fox’s first season as head coach in 2011 and lasted through 2017, after which Joseph decided to shake up his staff following a 5-11 season.

With the Broncos, Tolbert developed young receivers Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker and later helped Emmanuel Sanders produce three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

With the Giants, Tolbert inherits one of the league’s best receivers in Odell Beckham Jr., who like Tolbert played college ball at LSU.

McCoy interviewing with Cardinals

Mike McCoy, fired midseason by the Broncos as offensive coordinator, was interviewed for the same role Tuesday night and Wednesday morning by new Arizona head coach Steve Wilks.

McCoy and former Seattle offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell are in the hunt for the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator position.

John Elway offers few roster guarantees, including at By Jeff Legwold ESPN.com Jan. 25, 2018

As Denver Broncos general manager John Elway got a look at some of the 2018 draft’s best prospects, he made it clear just how much change he’s willing to consider as the team tries to dig out from its 5-11 finish.

Elway has already vowed this offseason to do what’s necessary to improve the Broncos’ fortunes. He was asked on Wednesday -- after the North team’s practice at the Senior Bowl -- specifically about the futures of wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.

While he didn’t say the Broncos were formally prepared to consider life after their two starting receivers, it was noticeable Elway didn’t offer a firm "yes" on whether the two veterans will return.

“I think as we get closer and as we get into free agency once we get back to the office, start looking at availability and what’s out there, rank the free agents that are available,’’ Elway said. “Then we will also look at ourselves, look where we are and look where we are budget-wise and cap-wise. As we gather information once we get back, we’ll start putting the plan together with all of those considerations going into the decision.’’

With plenty of roster work to do and far more of their salary cap dollars expected to be used at quarterback than in the past two seasons, the Broncos will have to evaluate several veteran players under contract for 2018 and beyond. Running back C.J. Anderson has talked about his uncertain future as has .

Thomas is the longest-tenured Broncos player, having been a first-round draft pick in 2010. The Broncos have to decide whether they will pay Thomas a $4 million option bonus. If they don’t before the start of the new league year, it would void the last two years of his contract, and make him a free agent.

Thomas’ 83 catches and 949 yards this past season were his lowest totals since 2011. For his part Sanders struggled for much of the season with an ankle injury he suffered in Week 6 and ultimately missed four games. He did not score a touchdown after Week 2.

Sanders has a clause in his deal where $6.9 million of his base salary for ’18 is guaranteed if he’s on the roster in mid March. The two players are scheduled to count about $23 million against the team’s salary cap in 2018. If they were released it would leave a combined $12.4 million in “dead’’ money charges against the cap -- money charged for players no longer on the roster.

Earlier this month Thomas said he expected “a lot of change’’ on the roster and that he wasn’t prepared to say his spot was guaranteed offering “I take it year by year.’’

Elway said Wednesday he’s looking to be as efficient as possible with the team’s spending, even as the team considers whether to pursue a potential starting quarterback in free agency. “There are a lot more unknowns going into the draft than there is in free agency,’’ Elway said. “We’ll look at all of the holes that we do have, see what’s available and also how everything fits with what we want to do and the value that’s there. Trying to manipulate everything to where we get the best bang for our buck when it comes down to cap dollars as well as the best football team. We know a little bit more about what we’re doing in the draft because we’re picking higher than we have in the past. That helps a little bit knowing exactly what we might possibly get in the draft.”

NBA outlines plan for nationwide sports betting By Brian Windhorst ESPN.com Jan. 25, 2018

In what could end up being a seminal moment for sports gambling in America, the NBA on Wednesday formally requested a set of laws that could be the basis for professional sports leagues pushing for national legalized wagering on games.

Dan Spillane, an attorney for the NBA, testified in front of a New York State Senate committee and for the first time made it clear what the league's price would be to become a partner in legalizing the multibillion-dollar industry.

The NBA wants 1 percent of every bet made on its games in addition to other regulations, a request that could create massive revenue for the NBA and other sports leagues in the future.

Spillane also said the NBA wants more widespread access to gambling for its fans, pushing for bets to be made legal on smartphones and kiosks and not just inside casinos and racetracks. That would increase the amount of wagering and, in turn, create more revenue for the league under its desired plan.

"We have studied these issues at length," Spillane said in his statement to lawmakers. "Our conclusion is that the time has come for a different approach that gives sports fans a safe and legal way to wager on sporting events while protecting the integrity of the underlying competitions."

The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a New Jersey-based case that could clear the way for individual states to legalize sports betting at casinos and racetracks. Oral arguments took place last month, and a decision is expected in the spring. As that process plays out, a number of states are putting legislation in place to act if the Supreme Court's ruling overturns the federal ban on widespread sports betting outside Nevada.

In 2016, Nevada had $4.5 billion in sports wagers. When the numbers come in for 2017, they could be over $5 billion for the first time. Though much of that betting is on sports like horse racing and boxing, it is not hard to see how a 1 percent cut of all bets would be highly lucrative for sports leagues in states like New York -- and could increase exponentially if betting is legalized across the country.

The NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL and NCAA have spent millions in legal fees fighting that case and others over the past decade to prevent expanded sports gambling. But with the NBA as the tip of the spear, the leagues could be preparing to flip their positions and begin to fight instead what could be a costly lobbying effort to get gambling laws they want.

"States like New York and others have reacted by moving forward to discuss and advance new laws that could immediately thereafter permit legal sports betting," Spillane said. "We cannot sit on the sidelines while this activity is occurring."

The NBA had indicated that it wants to eventually lobby Congress to get a national bill passed, regardless of how the Supreme Court rules. The requests Spillane made Wednesday appear to be the basis of how that lobbying effort may go.

The American Gaming Association issued a statement Wednesday that while it was pleased the NBA supported "vigorously regulated sports wagering," it also said that the role of government "most certainly does not include transferring money from bettors to multi-billion dollar sports leagues."

This led to the NBA releasing its own statement.

"Sports leagues provide the foundation for sports betting while bearing the risks it imposes, even when regulated," league spokesman Michael Bass said. "If sports betting is legalized federally or state by state, we will need to invest more in compliance and enforcement, and believe it is reasonable for operators to pay each league 1% of the total amount bet on its games to help compensate for the risk and expense created and the commercial value our product provides them. This is a similar approach to legally- regulated sports betting in other international jurisdictions."

No one knows how much is wagered illegally on sports each year, with estimates reaching into the hundreds of billions.

Pro leagues in Australia and France receive a small percentage of bets made on their sports. The NBA has studied Australia's laws closely in forming a position on the matter.

To this point, the NFL has publicly remained mostly on the sidelines in gambling matters. Last week, ESPN reported the NBA and MLB consulted with lawmakers to insert a 1 percent "integrity fee" into a sports gambling bill introduced in that state.

These integrity fees could be used to pay for other regulations. The NBA wants real-time monitoring on wagering to detect any unusual activity or insider trading. The leagues already do this and have for years.

Spillane wants to limit action on certain types of bets that could be more easily manipulated. He used the example of prop bets Wednesday, such as placing a wager on who may draw the game's first foul.

The league also wants to protect consumers, including age restrictions and a "rigorous licensing program" for operators.

NFL, NFLPA determine Panthers followed concussion protocol By Steve Reed Jan. 25, 2018

The Panthers will not be punished for their handling of 's injury during a playoff loss to the Saints on Jan. 7.

The NFL and the Players Association announced Wednesday that Carolina's medical staff correctly followed concussion protocol guidelines. The league released a statement Wednesday saying it reviewed game footage and medical reports, as well as statements and interviews with Newton and coach , before making its determination that "there was no protocol violation."

After walking off the field with a second-half eye injury, Newton stumbled to the ground near the sideline when asked by trainers to take a knee.

The league said they believe that stumble was caused by a previous knee injury.

The NFL said the league's 2015 MVP had an MRI on Jan. 8 that "confirmed and cartilage damage and very extensive swelling in the knee."

Panthers interim general manager Marty Hurney told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Newton will not need surgery on the knee.

Newton sat out one play, but returned on the next offensive series and finished the game.

Hurney said on Jan. 8 that Newton intentionally took a knee because he was told to by the team's training staff so Carolina could get an official timeout, thus allowing backup quarterback Derek Anderson a little more time to warm up on the sideline.

Anderson came in for one third-down play and threw an incompletion.

"He took a hit," Hurney said of Newton. "But when he walked off and he told the trainers he got poked in the eye, then they did take him into the tent and checked him for a concussion, which he did not have. And it was really getting poked in the eye."

Up for debate in the investigation was whether Newton should have been taken to the locker room for evaluations.

The league and the players union changed its concussion protocol in December after Texans quarterback Tom Savage returned to the field after having a concussion that left the quarterback's hands shaking following a hit.

The changes to the protocol include the requirement of a locker room concussion evaluation for all players "demonstrating gross or sustained vertical instability (e.g., stumbling or falling to the ground when trying to stand.)"

Newton did not visit the locker room.

Newton said after the team's loss to the Saints that "it wasn't my head. It was my eye. My helmet had come down low enough over my eyelid and it got pressed by the player's stomach."

"Our review of all of the facts do not support a claim of inappropriate medical care," the NFL Players Association said in a statement. "Mr. Newton was immediately evaluated for a concussion and cleared by the team physician and unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant."

The were fined $100,000 in Week 10 after the league and union determined they failed to apply the concussion protocol properly after quarterback took a blow to the head against the .

John Elway impressed with Baker Mayfield, knows tough decisions loom at receiver By Troy Renck KMGH Jan. 25, 2018

At one point during Wednesday's Senior Bowl practice, Broncos general manager John Elway stood alongside Dan Marino and Gary Kubiak, eyeing the quarterbacks.

If only he could find somebody like them. The Broncos need a permanent solution at the position after consecutive playoff-free seasons defined by an underwhelming offense with no identity.

Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield and Wyoming's Josh Allen remain the star attractions. Elway has seen plenty of Allen -- he plays nearby in Laramie -- and traveled to his bowl game. This week offered the first look at Mayfield on the field and behind the scenes as the Broncos weigh their options. Denver, after all, requested Mayfield on their North Team roster.

"He’s a guy that competes. He comes out here and throws the ball very well. He’s got a strong arm. He throws with good anticipation. He’s had a good couple of days," Elway said after practice at Ladd- Peebles Stadium. "We wanted to have an opportunity to get to meet him. Obviously we’ve seen what everyone else has, the type of player that he is. To be able to be around him and get to know him a little bit was important."

Mayfield remains the most accurate quarterback, and shows good feet. Wednesday, Allen made a throw to Colorado State receiver Michael Gallup -- a 35-yard dime on a touchdown down the right sideline -- that drew gasps. He also struggled with accuracy on crossing routes.

It's January, but if push came to shove, who does Elway prefer? Baker or Josh? The 6-foot kid with an edge and personality for days? Or the prototype in the 6-foot-4 Allen with a cannon?

“I think we’re still in the process. At the end, hopefully by April 25, we have everything figured out and know which direction we’re going to go. But now we’re in the middle of the process. We’re three weeks out from the end of last season. This is all part of the process of trying to learn as much as we can about everybody. As time goes on, we’ll continue to work on them and study each one of them. By the time we get to the draft, we’ll have them ranked and go from there."

The reality exists that the Broncos will simply file away this information, storing it on an unused zip drive. Why? Find a quarterback in free agency -- Elway did not mention names, but the list includes Kirk Cousins, , , , etc. -- and it could directly impact who the Broncos take with the fifth pick overall.

“That’s the first step. There is no question. I think seeing where all of that falls -- first thing's first," Elway said. "Even though we go to the combine, once we get back to the office after the Super Bowl is over, we’ll dig into the free agency side of it. That will be the focus until we get to the Combine.”

Regardless, the Broncos need a productive draft to help execute a rebound from their last-place finish in the AFC West. Having Broncos boss Vance Joseph and his retooled staff guide the North team should only help.

"To be able to get into meeting rooms with them, to 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. It’s definitely a plus to be around them for a week," Elway said. "It’s been good to get to know (the new coaches) a little bit and see them on the field and see how they coach. I’m excited about the new coaches that we have. The energy that they brought, it’s a good upgrade to the staff. I’m excited about what I’ve seen and I’m sure Vance is too.”

The Broncos face difficult decisions. To pay Cousins, the salary cap will need to be massaged. I asked Elway specifically if the team might have to move on from either Demaryius Thomas or Emmanuel Sanders. He did not rule it out.

"I think as we get closer and as we get into free agency once we get back to the office, start looking at availability and what’s out there, [we] rank the free agents that are available," Elway said. "Then we will also look at ourselves, look where we are and look where we are budget-wise and cap-wise. As we gather information once we get back, we’ll start putting the plan together with all of those considerations going into the decision.”

Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen looks to impress Broncos coaches By Troy Renck KMGH Jan. 25, 2018

Josh Allen was not being arrogant or smug, simply honest.

I asked him Tuesday at the Reese's Senior Bowl how far he can hurl a football.

"In practice I have thrown it 82 yards," Allen said with a smile. "In a game, probably the farthest I have thrown it is 65 yards."

Allen, a Wyoming quarterback increasingly labeled as this year's Carson Wentz, owns elite arm strength. He is Uncle Rico in "Napoleon Dymamite." Just point to the mountain to toss it over. As Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt told me after Tuesday's practice, "You can hear the ball whistle."

Framing this with a Colorado perspective, Allen is Ubaldo Jimenez of 2007. His passes come equipped with fire emojis. However to become a top-five pick or even first overall, he needs nuance like the 2010 Ubaldo Jimenez. Can Allen take speed off and demonstrate touch?

"That is my priority out here. To show accuracy," said Allen, whose 2017 season completion percentage of 56.3 has become more well known at Ladd-Peebles Stadium than his No. 17.

Allen checked all the boxes Tuesday morning. He measured 6-4, 7/8, weighed 237 pounds and welcomed the idea of turning around the , working with and the Giants and "impressing the Broncos coaches."

Then came the practice. And back came the concerns.

He struggled with his command. He fired multiple passes over receivers' heads. And he nearly broke fingers with the heat on some short strikes. In fairness, he was not helped by clumsy pass catchers, who lacked familiarity with him and appeared to be pressing to impress assembled scouts.

"It was OK. I had a few easy misses," Allen told reporters. "You knew it was going to be ugly the first day, learning the timing of new receivers. (Tuesday) will be better.”

And it was early in Wednesday's practice. Allen looked more comfortable on his first few short tosses. He connected with Colorado State's Michael Gallup, who has shown better-than-expected speed, on a 35-yard laser down the right end zone for a touchdown that drew gasps.

If Broncos general manager John Elway fails to land Kirk Cousins, the Hope Diamond of the free agent class, he could turn his sights toward Allen or Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield. Allen fits the quarterback mold of Elway the player. He morphs into MacGyver when plays become a disaster. And he make throws no one else can.

Mayfield is more accurate, and that showed Tuesday, but offers a different skillset. He goes 6-foot, 216 pounds. In a run-pass-option influenced scheme -- think -- he could transition smoothly to the NFL. He has limited experience taking snaps under center.

Allen ran a pro style attack for the Cowboys. He finished his degree in order to participate in the Senior Bowl. He is a football gym rat, anxious to play professionally. I talked exclusively with Allen to get a better read on a polarizing prospect who has as much to gain as anyone this week.

He admitted seeing Elway pacing the sidelines at his bowl game left him a little starstruck. It drove home the reality of reaching the NFL, something he dreamed about as a boy growing up a 49ers fan in California while sleeping with a football every night.

"It was exciting. As a quarterback and a football player, you try not to get distracted by anything. But I kind of looked over there," Allen said. "Seeing him, one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, it's not hard to get excited about the possibilities."

The Broncos have long been following Allen's growth. The idea of playing for Denver remains intriguing.

"Getting a chance to work with their coaches here, it's a super awesome experience. They are really good," Allen said. "Laramie is about two hours away from Denver. I definitely like the weather up there. Hopefully the coaches come away pretty impressed."

Baker Mayfield: If John Elway asks you to be on his team, 'you don't say no' By Aric DiLalla DenverBroncos.com Jan. 25, 2018

For a moment, Baker Mayfield pulled off his crimson Oklahoma helmet, and the swarm of media at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Tuesday lunged forward toward the -winning quarterback.

But then Mayfield donned the helmet again — his eyes disappearing behind a red, reflective visor — and joined UCLA center Scott Quessenberry for some extra snaps under center.

The media didn’t disperse, though. Instead, the dozens of reporters and cameras formed a circle just big enough for Mayfield to take his drop.

As they will be all week at the Senior Bowl and in the months leading up to the draft, all eyes were on Mayfield.

The media members weren’t the only ones watching. After the Broncos requested to work with Mayfield, both Head Coach Vance Joseph and President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway watched the young quarterback closely.

When Mayfield finished with his extra snaps and addressed the media, he made it clear he didn’t take that sort of request lightly.

“It’s an honor,” Mayfield said. “If John Elway asks you to be on [his] team, you don’t say no.”

The Broncos won’t finalize any decisions about the quarterback position this week, but they can begin to gain some clarity. In no small part, that will come from working with Mayfield for this week’s practices.

“To see what I’m all about and see how I react to certain things,” said Mayfield when asked why he thought the Broncos requested to work with him. “Maybe see if I can handle the pressure, stuff like that.”

Whether Mayfield will play in Saturday’s game remains to be seen. Asked Tuesday whether reports of him taking limited to no reps in Saturday’s contest are accurate, Mayfield responded, “We’ll see.”

Regardless of how many reps he takes Saturday, though, he has plenty to prove during the three days of practice.

“Everybody wants to portray the bad-boy, the stuff,” Mayfield said. “But no, I love the game of football. There’s no doubt about that. [I’m] an emotional player. I’ll do anything that it takes to win. I love being around my teammates, and I love leading and having responsibility.”

On the field, he said he’ll look to improve under center — extra snaps with Quessenberry were just a starting point — and to show the “mental knowledge that you can’t test until you’re out there with the system.”

He’ll also aim to show his height isn’t an issue. Joseph didn’t seem worried about that aspect of Mayfield’s game when asked during Tuesday’s media session.

“You watch [Saints QB] play,” Joseph said. “He’s figured it out. He’s a very successful quarterback. Guys figure it out. Players play. Good players figure it out. I wouldn’t be concerned about that.”

Mayfield’s height — officially 6-feet, 3/8 inches — may not end up mattering. This week at the Senior Bowl, he’ll have a chance to stand a lot taller.

And as he attempts to do so, there will be plenty of people watching.

Predicting where 10 QBs who could hit the market this offseason will be in 2018 By Jason La Canfora CBSSports.com Jan. 25, 2018

In less than a month, the NFL universe will assemble in , where the groundwork for a wild and likely unprecedented flurry of quarterback activity will take shape. Also in less than a month, the window will open for teams to begin applying the franchise and transition tags.

The Super Bowl has yet to be played, but the madness of the offseason is already looming, and the chatter among general managers, coaches and agents about which QB will end up where is already robust. Teams are trying to get plans in the works, determining which options are likely to come into focus, figuring out contingencies. Ultimately, many of the top potential targets will stay where they are - - the laws of supply and demand at this most needy of positions almost dictates as much -- but it's also fairly uncanny to consider all of the 2018 possibilities.

Of the 12 quarterbacks who reached the postseason, one future Hall of Fame quarterback is primed to hit the market (Drew Brees), while the quarterback he lost to in the postseason (Case Keenum) is also a potential unrestricted free agent; two AFC playoff quarterbacks are widely considered to be available via trade ( and Tyrod Taylor) while another () is wondering if he'll keep his job and/or face stiffer competition next season. And that's just among the playoff participants. Will Eli Manning definitely be back with the Giants? There's still the matter of Kirk Cousins vs. the Skins, Round 3, to sort through. Oh, and in a few weeks we'll get clarity on whether AJ McCarron is deemed a restricted or unrestricted free agent. A recent first-round pick like Paxton Lynch has his future hanging in the balance pending what other moves the Broncos make. Another recent first-rounder, , faces some uncertainty in Miami as he comes back from another devastating injury. Yet another recent first-rounder (Teddy Bridgewater) hits the market having not really played in two seasons. No one was better than Jimmy Garoppolo once the 49ers finally played him -- and now surely they'll have to pay the impending free agent.

I don't know about you, but I can't recall an offseason filled with anything close to this much quarterback intrigue. Not even close. And that's not even taking into account all of the hand wringing that comes along with the inevitable selection of likely five passers in the first round of the draft this April. Ice up, son. It's going to get crazy out there. Which is why the preparation is already under way within front offices to determine a plan of attack. The options are myriad and the stakes could not be higher, with teams with legit Super Bowl aspirations like the Saints and Vikings grieving their playoff exits while also having to plot what they'll do next season at the all-important position.

I have some early hunches as to how this might all play out. Certainly, things will crystalize at the combine -- the seeds of multiple trades will be sown and the decisions on franchise tags will be formalized -- and we'll all have a more firm sense of what's about to go down as the conversations between teams and agents escalate. Here's how I could see it all going down:

Drew Brees NO • QB • 9 Prediction: Three-year deal with Saints

Brees is the best free agent-to-be out there, regardless of position, by a long shot. A number of teams that believe they are an upgrade at QB away from a Lombardi would have to explore his market. But he is also nearing 40, and the Saints are one of those teams on the cusp of glory. It's just too good of a fit, especially with New Orleans not sitting on a Pat Mahomes-type in its quarterback bullpen. It won't be cheap, and it never is with a QB of this caliber, but there is a strong sense among other GMs in the QB market that Brees is going nowhere. I'm thinking a three-year deal worth a little more than $75 million, with the first two years guaranteed at the time of signing.

Kirk Cousins WAS • QB • 8 Prediction: Transition tag with Redskins

This saga is already ridiculous and the Skins have allowed it to fester in a way most organizations could never fathom. They're right back in the same spot for three straight years with a top-10 quarterback (top seven or eight, I would surmise). So at this point you have to try to think how Dan Snyder and Bruce Allen would approach this backward quandary, and not just let logic and reason be your guide. After giving Cousins $44 million for two years, and fostering a hostile climate with their fanbase in the process, they can't just let Cousins just walk now. Cousins won't entertain any offers until the tag window closes, and this owner will be destroyed in Washington if he doesn't at least retain Cousins' services then.

The transition tag saves them potentially $6 million and, with these sides nowhere close on Cousins' fair market value, it allows another team to set that market for them. Sure, if the Skins can't match an offer sheet they get no compensation (as opposed to a likely third-round comp pick in 2019 should they merely let him hit the market), but that's almost beside the point now. If someone else structures a deal in the way Washington deems too rich, then the team can leave the situation on its terms. And maybe a trade comes from a tag. As for the interested teams, the Browns' previous front office would have been at the head of the list, but I don't see that now with John Dorsey at the helm (more on him next). The Broncos and Cardinals might make sense too, but the team I believe will make the most concerted effort to land Cousins is the Jets. They have the want and the ability and more cap space than you would ever need, and they won too many games to have a top QB fall to them in the draft.

Alex Smith KC • QB • 11 Prediction: Trade to Browns

Dorsey traded for Smith from San Francisco not that long ago, he knows how Andy Reid thinks and works after spending years by his side and he knows K.C. has a stud in Mahomes ready to go. Would he trade two second-round picks for an older Smith now? Seems too steep to me. But he needs a bridge quarterback to hold them over while the QB he drafts first overall develops, and Smith is the perfect man for the job on both counts. The Browns always have a bevy of picks at their disposal and they could improve significantly with adequate quarterbacking. Other teams will be interested, but trading him within the division to the Broncos doesn't seem like a Reid move to me and the Bills want a younger guy to groom as a franchise quarterback.

Case Keenum MIN • QB • 7 Prediction: Transition tag with Vikings (with Teddy Bridgewater back, too)

The season ended with a thud, with Keenum undone amid crumbling pass protection. But with only a practice-squad QB on the roster for 2018 and with a Super Bowl-ish roster and expectations high, the Vikings can't afford to hit March without Keenum's rights secured. Given how late he blossomed, I'm going with the transition tag here, which allows someone else to do a contract for them if the market forms. And it saves a few million bucks off the franchise tag. Maybe they just franchise him. But the way he clicked with all of their skill players was no fluke and when just made $19 million in the first year of his free-agent deal with the Bears only to lose his job in October, nabbing Keenum for $21 million for one year doesn't seem crazy to me. The Broncos would be the team I would expect to most heavily pursue Keenum if he is allowed to hit the market, but I suspect they end up going in a different direction.

Tyrod Taylor BUF • QB • 5 Prediction: Trade to Broncos

Perhaps the Bills are just forced to cut Taylor before his $6 million roster bonus is due in March. But he has done enough, I believe, to merit a pick in return on a contract that is very team friendly. John Elway's right-hand man, Gary Kubiak, knows Taylor well from his time with him in and he fits the model of offense they would like to run there. He could hold things down while Lynch tries to finally get over the hurdles that have stalled his progress. Elway could still draft another quarterback, as well. But with the defense they still have there, landing a functional veteran QB who protects the football above all else seems like a good fit. And it won't cost much in terms of salary or trade compensation.

Eli Manning NYG • QB • 10 Prediction: Starter with Giants

After messing up the entire situation with benching Manning and ending his starts streak, I can't fathom ownership would send mixed messages to him again. And the message they sent in the final weeks of the season and now that Pat Shurmur has been made coach is that they are plenty comfortable with him as their guy in 2018, while they prepare to draft a quarterback of the future. And I anticipate they do exactly that. If they wanted to move him, the trade return would be limited, and the team that would have been the most logical fit, Jacksonville, doesn't seem quite as needy after a deep playoff run.

Blake Bortles JAC • QB • 5 Prediction: Back with Jaguars on his fifth-year option

This owner wants the selection of Bortles to prove sage. He wants this to work and it has to some degree, given the playoff wins this season. Bortles still has limitations but given how this team is constructed, his cutting down on the turnovers late in the season was imperative. They don't want to discard Bortles, and having him at $19 million precludes doing anything else too sexy at the position. I do expect them to have a more formidable backup in place, however (Josh McCown would make a lot of sense to me; the Jets will have interest in keeping him unless they land Cousins from what I gather). Perhaps there is a team-friendly, pay-as-you-go extension possible (in the vein of 's deal), but doing anything with substantial future guaranteed money could get tricky ... and come back to bite them.

Ryan Tannehill MIA • QB • 17 Prediction: Back with Dolphins

Coach Adam Gase loves this kid and believes he can be highly productive in his system, if he could just keep him healthy and on the field. He won't discard now, but he also can't go with the veteran as his Plan B again. They have to find a younger alternative who could be groomed, and I wonder if McCarron makes some sense as an insurance policy should he be deemed an unrestricted free agent when his arbitration case is ruled on next month.

Sam Bradford MIN • QB • 8 Prediction: Signs with Cardinals

If things play out anything close to how I've projected, a team or two will be left without one of the top free agents. Waiting out the Brees and Cousins stuff will pay dividends for Bradford. Yes, the injuries are a constant and will likely result in a deal with guaranteed money only in 2018 and significant incentives for games played and production. The Cardinals aren't going to have a top-three QB fall to them in the draft and they are nowhere at that position right now, having stuck with too long and failed to draft his replacement. Bradford could be a great contingency for them and someone who could help rookie head coach Steve Wilks navigate through a season or two (again, should he avoid injury). Buffalo seems more inclined to go with a young guy, while Bradford's health history could scare off some other teams.

Jimmy Garoppolo SF • QB • 10 Prediction: Franchised by 49ers (then signed long term)

The kid was nothing short of transformational when he took over in Kyle Shanahan's offense and there is plenty more where that came from. They should've tried to sign him long term immediately after the trade -- he was open to talking -- but they passed and now you are looking at the franchise tag. No ifs, ands or buts about it. Everyone in the league knows it. And then by July 15 -- the deadline to extend a franchise player -- once the dust settles on most if not all of the impending QB deals (and perhaps an extension for as well), Garoppolo will have a deal that I expect to average north of $25 million a year.

Best moments in Denver Broncos history By Frank Schwab Yahoo.com Jan. 25, 2018

What are the best moments for each NFL franchise? provides our opinion, which you are free to disagree with (and we’re sure you will).

5. Broncos land John Elway It was hard to leave the surprise 1977 AFC championship team or going over 2,000 yards off the list, but the Broncos’ story revolves around John Elway. And thanks to some persistence by the team with the Baltimore Colts – and more specifically, Broncos owner Edgar Kaiser dealing with Colts owner Robert Irsay – the Broncos landed Elway in a post-draft trade that would change the franchise forever. Elway, picked No. 1 overall by the Colts in the ‘83 draft, didn’t want to play for Baltimore, so Denver sent them guard , quarterback and a 1984 first-round pick for Elway, the uber- prospect from Stanford. Denver will never make a better trade.

4. John Elway goes out a winner Much like Peyton Manning in , Elway finished a legendary career with a Super Bowl win. A dominant Super Bowl XXXIII performance by the Broncos ended with Elway getting Super Bowl MVP. He retired a few months later. You couldn’t write a better script.

3. takes over The worst of Peyton Manning’s four Broncos teams was the last one, in 2015. That’s the team that won a Super Bowl. Von Miller had perhaps the best day a defensive player has ever had in a Super Bowl to lead the way. The trailed by just six points with a little more than four minutes left when Miller stripped Cam Newton on a sack and Denver recovered. The Broncos scored the game- clinching touchdown after Miller’s big play and Super Bowl 50 was theirs.

2. The Drive It might seem weird on the surface that a 98-yard drive in an AFC championship game – before the Broncos lost in the Super Bowl – would be ahead of two Super Bowl wins. But, aside from the helicopter run, nothing secured John Elway’s legend more than “The Drive” – and no player is more synonymous with a franchise than Elway is with the Broncos. Backed up at their 2-yard line, Elway led a fourth- quarter drive to tie the Browns in the AFC title game at the end of the 1986 season. Denver then won in overtime for the Broncos’ second Super Bowl berth.

1. The Helicopter Run You could make a top-five list from just Super Bowl XXXII moments. Actually, it could probably be a top- 25 list from that game. That upset win over the will be impossible for Denver to ever top. But the most indelible moment from that game, however, is John Elway’s “helicopter run.” On third-and-6 at Green Bay’s 12-yard line in the third quarter, Elway had to improvise. He took off, dove for the first down, was hit on the side and spun around. And when he landed, he had the first down. If you bring up the Broncos’ first Super Bowl win to a Denver fan, this will be the play they mention first.

Worst moments in Denver Broncos history By Frank Schwab Yahoo.com Jan. 25, 2018

5. Josh McDaniels trades Jay Cutler In retrospect, trading Cutler wasn’t all that bad. Cutler never made a Pro Bowl with the . Denver ended up with Peyton Manning a few years later. But if there’s one move that summed up the crazy, weird and ill-conceived Josh McDaniels era, alienating Cutler and having to trade him was it. First, McDaniels unsuccessfully tried to trade for (seriously) to replace Cutler, who was coming off a Pro Bowl. Then a meeting with Cutler went sideways and Cutler demanded a trade. McDaniels’ time as Broncos coach was a debacle – it even included a “Spygate II” scandal in which Denver was caught filming a San Francisco 49ers practice in London – and he was fired after just 28 games. If you want to see a Broncos fan go on a long and angry rant, ask what they think of McDaniels.

4. 55-10 Everyone knew the San Francisco 49ers were going to destroy the Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV. Still, a 55-10 loss in a game that was 27-3 at halftime was no fun. After this loss, John Elway’s third in a Super Bowl, it seemed like Elway might never get over the stigma of not being able to win a title.

3. ’s bomb upsets Denver at home The best of Peyton Manning’s four Broncos teams was arguably his first, in 2012. That team didn’t make it out of the divisional round. Denver looked like it was on its way to an AFC championship game, but then quarterback Joe Flacco hit Jacoby Jones for an amazing 70-yard score with 31 seconds left to tie the game. The Broncos lost in double overtime, the Ravens went on to win a Super Bowl and safety Rahim Moore will forever be remembered in Denver for letting Jones behind him.

2. Upset by Jacksonville You have some scars when you’ve lost five Super Bowls, as Denver has. But a divisional-round loss to the (an expansion team in just their second season) at the end of the 1996 season was the biggest gut punch. Denver was a fantastic team, going 13-3 and earning home field advantage throughout the playoffs, but had a bad day against the Jaguars and . Hardcore Broncos fans still remember Michael Dean Perry being slow to get off the field on a Jaguars’ fourth- quarter punt, which resulted in a 12-men-on-the-field penalty and gave Jacksonville a crucial gift first down. It turned out OK, as Denver used that loss as motivation and won the next two Super Bowls, but the pain of that Jaguars loss will never completely dissipate.

1. Darrent Williams shot after a New Year’s Eve party It’s hard to describe how hard the news of Williams’ death hit Denver. Williams was a popular cornerback and a rising star on the Broncos, known for his big plays and infectious friendly personality. He had just finished his second NFL season hours before attending a New Year’s Eve party. After an argument at the party – by all accounts, Williams was trying to be a peacekeeper – shots were fired into a limo Williams was riding in. He was hit by a bullet. Williams died instantly, at age 24. Willie Clark was found guilty of Williams’ murder in 2010. The Darrent Williams Memorial Teen Center at a Boys and Girls Club in suburban Denver is a lasting tribute to Williams, as is the Darrent Williams Good Guy Award given annually to a deserving Broncos player by the media.

Elway, Broncos work through “process” of evaluating Baker Mayfield, Josh Allen By Mike Florio Pro Football Talk Jan. 25, 2018

The Broncos need a franchise quarterback. They know it, everyone knows it.

And their primary options include: (1) hoping that Paxton Lynch can become a franchise quarterback; (2) signing or trading for a veteran; and (3) drafting a rookie.

With the offseason unfolding rapidly, the Broncos are getting a close look at two of the quarterbacks in the draft pool, Baker Mayfield (pictured) and Josh Allen, thanks to the fact that the Broncos’ coaches are handling one of the two teams in the game, and that Mayfield and Allen are assigned to the team Denver’s coaches are coaching.

“They look good,” Broncos G.M. John Elway told reporters regarding the two quarterbacks. “It’s always hard coming down and throwing to people you are not familiar with and new routes. I thought the first two days have been really good. Very strong arms, so it’s been fun to watch.”

The Broncos specifically asked for Mayfield to be assigned to their team.

“We wanted to have an opportunity to get to meet him,” Elway said. “Obviously we’ve seen what everyone else has seen, what he can do on the field and the type of player that he is. To be able to be around him and get to know him a little bit was important.”

Coach Vance Joseph was asked to give his assessment of the two quarterbacks after two days of practice.

“Josh Allen has a wonderful throwing arm,” Joseph told reporters. “He made some big-time throws today. He’s in command of the huddle. That was good to see. Mayfield also made some big-time throws. All four quarterbacks have played well and have made some nice throws.”

Joseph has no issue with the way Mayfield carries himself.

“Obviously his confidence and his swagger could spell some certain things with him, but I like that,” Joseph said. “I want a guy with confidence. I want a guy with swagger because it’s a hard league. Guys can get broke by this league. I want a guy with great swagger and great confidence in his own abilities.”

So how do Mayfield and Allen compare?

“I think we’re still in the process,” Elway said. “At the end, hopefully by April 25th, we have everything figured out and know which direction we’re going to go. But now we’re in the middle of the process. We’re three weeks out from the end of last season. This is all part of the process of trying to learn as much we can about everybody. As time goes on, we’ll continue to work on them and study each one of them. By the time we get to the draft, we’ll have them ranked and go from there. It’s all part of the process.”

Of course, by the time April 25 rolls around, the assessment of the quarterbacks may not matter, because the Broncos may have already filled the void with a veteran player. For now, the best move is to keep the options as wide open as possible.

As NFL tries to keep gambling at arm’s length, NBA seeks a cut of the action By Michael David Smith Pro Football Talk Jan. 25, 2018

The NFL’s official stance on gambling is that it should remain illegal outside Nevada and that it shouldn’t be associated with professional sports. The NBA has a very different approach.

Today NBA attorney Dan Spillane testified before the New York State Senate that sports gambling should be legalized in the state, and that the NBA should get 1 percent of every bet made on its games.

So not only does the NBA want gambling legalized, the NBA actually wants to be a business partner with the sports books, taking in some of the money that is bet on . If that were to happen the NBA wouldn’t just tolerate gambling, it would actively encourage gambling as a source of revenue.

And if that were to happen, it’s hard to believe the NFL wouldn’t want a cut as well. The NFL has already decided to move the Raiders to after saying for years that the league wouldn’t want to do business in Nevada, so the league’s stance toward gambling may be starting to soften. If the NBA is able to convince state officials to give sports leagues a part of the gambling action, you can bet the NFL will give up on its opposition to gambling.