Considering facts, alternative facts about this Broncos team

Good morning, Broncos Country!

John Clayton published yesterday a short one-on-one interview with Vance Joseph for ESPN Radio’s Inside the Huddle, and while Joseph mostly stuck to the same talking points he has issued since his hire - "it’s not a rebuild, it’s a reboot" - there were a few nuggets worth pulling out for the fun of discussion.

But to make it even more fun (because who couldn’t use that on this Friday?) I’m going to pattern it after a story Jeanna Thomas did for SBNation a few weeks back when the Texans traded their $18 million quarterback - "4 lies and 1 truth about Brock Osweiler" (which you should also read because it’s hilarious).

Thomas highlighted the situation, quoted the recent comments and then gave it a rating for its "truth" (or more likely, its "truthiness").

Sounds to me like an excellent new way to consider the latest quotes (*editor’s note: don’t take any of this too seriously).

Takeaway: Roby is a top corner like Talib, Harris

Joseph first noted it’s been a dominating D for two years and that’s not changing anytime soon as the No Fly Zone remained in tact and it still has elite edge rushers Von Miller and Shane Ray ready to unleash.

Joseph highlighted the corner play in particular, followed by the pass rush - which all earn a solid "Truth" rating.

But then Joseph veered off-script a little when he complimented Bradley Roby’s play as elite alongside Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr.

"I’d say we’ve got three starting corners. Talib and Chris are obviously Pro Bowlers, but we’ve got a young corner in Roby who could be a starter on many teams in the NFL," he said, adding that you need three since most teams play three wide receivers. "But we’ve got three guys who can play press man-to-man that gives our rushers time to get home, and those three guys are the reason why we play great defense here."

Talib and CHJ are the real deal, and Roby has flashed potential, but more often than not last season, Roby made some mental blunders and blew his coverage that often cost the Broncos (cough KC cough). He’s going to need to find a consistent groove this year or some standout rookie that Denver takes in a deep corner draft class will be challenging him.

Rating: Alternative Fact

Takeaway: Both Trevor and Paxton ‘are the right person’

Joseph starts his answer commenting about quarterbacks with a little safe name-dropping.

"It’s hard to play quarterback here in Denver – behind John Elway and Peyton Manning," he said. "Obviously whoever’s playing quarterback here, it’s a huge job and responsibility, but I think our two young guys can handle it."

Bonus points for reminding fans to temper their expectations when it comes to the quarterback - having two legends in two different generations is a rare commodity.

But adding that "they’re both the right person and their teammates love playing with those two guys" is a little too contrived to sound believable.

Plus there was this: "Trevor plays the game to win. He’s not going to turn the ball over at a high rate. He’s the type of quarterback you can play and you can win games with and he won’t beat [your offense]. Half of playing the position is decision-making, and Trevor will make the best decision most of the time."

Rating: FAKE NEWS!

Takeaway: The offensive line is better

The best part of Joseph’s comments here are his first four words after asked how he feels about the offensive line now?

"Well, I feel better."

That deserves an LOL rating for sure. And when part of the justification for bringing certain players to the team is "He’s got a huge ceiling. He’s played left and right tackle. He’s got a basketball background, so he’s a big athlete" - then you know it’s code for "He’s a project; we have no idea if this will work."

With a new offensive scheme and a different philosophy, Joseph believes that even with many of the same guys, the Broncos will be a lot better.

"I’m excited about [Ron Leary and Menelik Watson]."

Except the Broncos still don’t have a legitimate left tackle.

Rating: LMAO

Takeaway: This offense will score more points

Under Mike McCoy, the offense is likely to be much less conservative than it was with Gary Kubiak, but that doesn’t mean it will stop running the ball.

"We’re going to open it up a little. We’ve got those two receivers - two Pro Bowlers - outside with Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, but running the football better will allow us to get a fairer box," Joseph said, noting that he wants the offense to give an opposing defense two things to worry about.

"So it starts with blocking and running the football better," the new head coach said but added it will also be a "wide open offense."

"Having those two receivers, that gives you the luxury of having an open offense to make the defense play the entire field. If you get one-on-one with [DT and Sanders], they’re going to win most of the time."

Rating: TRUTH!

Horse Tracks - docllv’s picks of the week

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Ware: "You start thinking about your quality of life. You still have the desire to get out there and play and compete and win championships. But my body was talking to me."

The Effect of the Number of Carries on Injury Risk Among Running Backs | A CU Sports medicine study
This study finds that NFL running backs with a high carry total are NOT placed at greater risk of injury or worsened performance the following season because these players are likely more durable and less injury prone compared with other NFL running backs. However, regardless of carry numbers, RBs in the NFL are at an increased risk of injury.

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Former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback Tim Tebow hit a two-run home run Thursday night in his first at-bat for the minor league Columbia Fireflies. Of course he did.

Horse Tracks

The Broncos’ faith in their two quarterbacks shouldn’t be questioned now. But something else can. – The Denver Post
Despite what Vance Joseph and general manager John Elway said in months past, it wasn’t until Tony Romo was officially taken out of contention Tuesday that the their declarations began to set in as reality.

Ex-Denver teammates Anthony Lynn and Vance Joseph now AFC West rivals
New Chargers coach Anthony Lynn and new Broncos coach Vance Joseph clashed twice last season as coordinators.

Philip Rivers on Chargers adding QB: I'm not going to be here forever
Veteran signal-caller Philip Rivers isn't opposed to the Chargers adding a young quarterback and understands it's part of the business.

Joe Mixon, football and the social contract - Mile High Report fanpost
In trying to imagine the ordeal endured by Mia Molitor, I remembered a moment from my sophomore year in college.

5 reasons why the Broncos should draft Christian McCaffrey | Broncos Wire
Just in case you needed a little more to persuade you of the obvious ;)

Broncos must make decision on Bradley Roby’s 5th-year option by May 3 | Broncos Wire
The Denver Broncos have less than a month to decide if they will exercise cornerback Bradley Roby's fifth-year option for the 2018 season.

TBT: Broncos' best draft classes
Andrew Mason ranks the Broncos' best NFL Draft classes in their history. (Photos by AP)

Broncos Mailbag: Should Denver trade Demaryius Thomas for Joe Thomas? – The Denver Post
Stop it.

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Broncos defensive end Adam Gotsis dropped in for a visit to the Broncos' Boys and Girls Club this week for a quick game of basketball and conversation with the kids.

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Denver reportedly "looms" for McCaffrey.