1. Grading 2013
Jeff Legwold over at ESPN put out his 2013 Report Card for the Denver Broncos offense last season. As a Broncomaniac homer, I felt he was particularly harsh on his grading system, but maybe he is still feeling the sting of that Super Bowl blowout.
Who gets an A?
Peyton Manning, Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, Knowshon Moreno and Louis Vasquez.
Who gets a B?
Eric Decker, Wes Welker, Jacob Tamme, Montee Ball, Zane Beadles, Chris Clark and Manny Ramirez.
I guess I can agree with most of that, except for Beadles. I felt he was a major weak link in protection and if it wasn't for Manning's quick release he would have graded out even worse than he did through ProFootballFocus.
2. National respect for Broncos organization
I felt a bit of pride when I read that Forbes Magazine felt that the Denver Broncos were one of five teams in the National Football League that have a culture that can accept a gay football player in their locker rooms.
Even if you hold an unfavorable opinion of the gay lifestyle, it should still make you feel good that the Broncos are so highly regarded for their professionalism and class. Just another reason for us to know that we lucked out in picking the Denver Broncos as our favorite team.
Oh and does anyone know what to make of this tweet? It confused me. Does it mean that if I claim to be gay I could get a raise at work? I do need a raise...
Congratulations to Michael Sam for capitalizing on the most perfect marketing campaign ever seen before an NFL Draft. Gay = support = $$$$
— Brandon Spano (@BrandonSpano) February 11, 2014
3. Back on the Clock
Some of you were not impressed with my quarterback selection on Day 2 on yesterdays mock draft simulation, so I decided to focus more on getting value at positions of great need this time around. Then something strange happened, Johnny Manziel fell to my first round pick and I went all Josh McDaniels.
Then when Tre Mason fell to me in the second round, it was like I was in full Jimmy Johnson mode in 1990. I just couldn't help myself. I really do feel like I just drafted a dynasty here, okay? Deal with it.
4. August, where for art thou?
RT @JonHeathNFL: August is so far away. pic.twitter.com/GIFMJ4aCPi
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) February 10, 2014
5. Overrating Mike Shanahan
So this guy posted a video over in the FanPosts that I thought looked pretty cool, but it turned out to be something I vehemently disagreed with.
First he removed John Elway as the reason the Denver Broncos won Super Bowls in 1997 and 1998, which I could actually agree with. Why? Because Terrell Davis was the catalyst to those Super Bowl championships, not John Elway and certainly not Mike Shanahan.
He then went on to argue that it wasn't Terrell Davis either because of all of these other 1000 yard running backs Mike Shanahan's system produced. Yeah, none of those guys produced like Terrell Davis produced. None of those other guys ran roughshod over the entire NFL and through seven 100 yard performances in a row in the playoffs.
Mike Shanahan was the perfect coach for that football team, but he would spend the next decade withering away into obscurity. What has Shanahan done since? Got fired after a failed tenure in Washington,
I do like Mike Shanahan the coach. I just don't worship at his alter. Ever.
6. Horse Tracks
- Some believe that Michael Sam will be forced to protect his own NFL teammates as they target him with homosexual jokes. Sure, if he gets drafted by Miami.
- DenverBroncos.com reviews the first quarter of the 2013 season, which I must say was enjoy able. Remember when we all thought we were seeing an unstoppable force?
- I look forward to the regular season rematch with the Seattle Seahawks, given how arrogant they are. The louder they are, the faster they fall ... or something like that.
- SB Nation's newest video segment called "Future Consideration" is a pretty good watch if you are into the NFL Draft at all.
- Although the clamor to get an Anquan Bolden isn't very appealing to me, there is one San Francisco 49ers player I wouldn't mind seeing don the orange and blue and that's Donte Whitner. Instant starter right there.