Weddings. Funerals. Hall of Fame ceremonies. “All those plans are up in smoke,” Broncos safety Steve Atwater says By Mark Kiszla Denver Post June 26, 2020 We curse COVID-19, and not only because it kills without mercy. This pandemic is also a dirty-rotten scoundrel that mindlessly wrecks wedding plans, heartlessly steals the hugs from a funeral service and wickedly messes with the biggest day in a football player’s life. Broncos safety Steve Atwater waited 21 years after his final NFL tackle to win a ticket for admission to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But due to this blasted coronavirus, almost nothing about life as we knew it is normal now. Fewer than 24 hours after a record-shattering bad day for new COVID-19 cases in the United States, the NFL postponed the Hall of Fame game and enshrinement ceremonies in August for Atwater and fellow inductees from the Class of 2020 until next year. “It’s tough,” Atwater told me Thursday. “We all have these plans for what we want to do mapped out in our head. And now? With the coronavirus, all those plans are up in smoke.” But rather than curse the havoc COVID-19 has wreaked on his Hall of Fame induction party, the player fondly known as the “Smiling Assassin” grins and bears it. Did you expect anything less? “I think the challenge for all of us,” Atwater said, “is adapting and finding a way to be productive and happy during this time.’’ Oh, Atwater has days, like maybe you do, when he’s tempted to jump in the hot tub time machine and fast forward to a better future, when we can toss our masks in the trash, fully re-engage with friends and breathe easy again, without fear of getting sick. “We already knew before the coronavirus that everything in life isn’t going to go the way we want it to,’ Atwater said. “So what are you going to do now, and how are you going to get through it? A lot of it has to do with mindset. We’ve got to find a way to get through this mentally and physically.” Hmm, sounds like the makings of a pretty solid acceptance speech when he finally can travel to Canton, Ohio, in August 2021. Atwater looks forward to celebrating with a happy entourage he hopes will include his octogenarian father, who could not have taken the health risk of attending the ceremony in person if the Hall had pressed on this summer and tried to defy COVID-19 by stubbornly sticking to its originally announced schedule of festivities. The Broncos had also already finalized details of a halftime salute to the biggest honor of Atwater’s career during a home game against Kansas City in October. But those plans will also be pushed back to 2021, because the team wants 75,000 fans to stand and cheer Atwater, rather than have him endure the empty feeling of being feted in a stadium where the crowd size is likely to be severely reduced by health precautions this season.

Even better, Broncomaniacs will have two big reasons to paint Canton orange in 2021, when quarterback Peyton Manning seems a shoo-in to be inducted on the same weekend as Atwater. “Peyton is a definitely a first-ballot superstar, so his party is probably going to be bigger than mine,” said Atwater, chuckling. “But it’s going to be a great celebration for Broncos Country.” This pandemic is a test none of us was fully prepared to take. But we can’t hide under the covers forever, waiting for a vaccine that might or might not work. At age 53, Atwater is old enough to know nobody can afford to give away a year while riding out the COVID-19 storm. So right here and now, he’s trying to fill as many hours as possible by doing something that makes him a better man or gives somebody else a reason to smile. For example: When Atwater returned my call to discuss the challenge of waiting 12 more months to take his rightful place in the Hall of Fame, he was departing a local hospital, where he made a visit to encourage a young patient. “We can all be better and stronger,” Atwater vows, “when this is over.” In sports, as well as life, the game plan for a year that will forever be defined by the virus might not be easy to execute. But the game plan for 2020 is simply stated: Survive. And advance.

Von Miller snubbed in CBS Sports’ list of NFL’s top 10 edge rushers By Joe Nguyen Denver Post June 26, 2020 CBS Sports unveiled on Thursday its list of the NFL’s top 10 edge rushers and there was one name that was noticeably absent. Broncos linebacker Von Miller came in somewhere between Nos. 11-15 as an honorable mention for the list. Miller, who was a Pro Bowl selection in each of the last six years, finished with eight sacks in 15 games. It was his first non-double-digit total since recording five in nine games after suffering a torn ACL in 2013. “Von Miller isn’t on this list in the top 10. Von Miller is always on this list,” CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson, who wrote the article, said after the list came out. “He just didn’t play well last year, so that’s one name you left off the list because you felt historically why shouldn’t Von Miller be there?” CBS Sports’ NFL analyst Bryant McFadden also chimed in, saying: “To his standard, he had a down year. … But what I like about Von Miller … was the last six games, he provided four sacks for the Denver Broncos. In totality, the entire defense played well toward the back end of 2019. “Leading into 2020, the expectation with the defense being fully healthy, you add (Bradley) Chubb back into the lineup, you add Jurrell Casey, he can easily get back into that 14-sack plateau, something he did in 2018 and years beyond past that.” One name that did make the list was former CSU Rams and Broncos star Shaquil Barrett, who came in at No. 6 for the Buccaneers. “It wasn’t until he landed in Tampa Bay last season that he emerged as one of the best pass rushers in the league. In 16 starts he totaled 19.5 sacks, nine of which game in the first four games,” Wilson writes. CBS Sports has released top 10 lists for quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen, defensive backs and linebackers. No Broncos have made any of the lists.

Broncos mailbag: What are reasonable expectations for Drew Lock in 2020? By Nicki Jhabvala The Athletic June 26, 2020 Answers to some of your latest Broncos questions … Depth is still a concern for this team, especially at linebacker and in the secondary. Do you have any insight on whether they will bring in any vets to compete for roster spots? Any names floating around? Also, haven’t heard much about (De’Vante) Bausby, he looked good last year — is he healthy and expected to be in the mix to start? — John H. John: I don’t anticipate the Broncos making any roster moves until they see what they have on the field. Until players can get in the facility and teams can conduct physicals on free agents — and until the league has a better sense of what this season will look like with COVID-19 protocols — it wouldn’t make sense to sign anyone just yet. You’ve probably noticed that very few draft picks have signed so far. As for Bausby, he is fully healthy and has posted multiple clips on social media of his workouts to prepare for the season. He’s currently in the mix for the third cornerback spot. The Broncos’ hope is that rookie corner Michael Ojemudia will be able to start in Year 1 (a tall task, especially in Vic Fangio’s system) and Bryce Callahan will move into the slot, assuming he’s healthy after a second foot surgery. Bausby is the next in line at corner. So if there are any health concerns on the roster, or if Ojemudia isn’t ready to start, I’d expect Bausby to be next in line at corner. We hear so much talk about Drew Lock taking a step forward but what does that look like? Is that 2019 Ryan Tannehill or Matt Ryan? Also, if he does take that step forward do the Broncos become serious challengers to the Chiefs when you account for a Top 10 defense? — Wesley C. I don’t think either are fair comparables for Lock at this stage in his career. He’s started all of five games and is on his second offensive coordinator. Sure, he could surprise and have a rookie-of-the-year-worthy performance. But right now he’s more potential than proven talent. “A step forward” is a pretty open-ended and subjective measure. For a team that has had three consecutive losing seasons and has averaged only 18.8 points per game in that span, the only valuable measure, in my opinion, is the team’s record and its ability to score. If Lock can guide the Broncos back to the postseason and help them cross the league average of 22.8 points per game, it would be a massive leap forward in my mind. Still, that won’t be enough against the Chiefs. In the 16 games the Chiefs have lost over the last three years, their opponents have averaged more than 30 points per game. Will the combination of additional weapons, (free-agent) acquisitions on the OL, a new offensive coordinator and the second year of Mike Munchak show up as noticeable and improved offensive line play this year? — Stuart F.

Hi, Stuart. That’s the hope. It is worth noting that the offensive line has helped Phillip Lindsay rush for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons, so that’s worth something. The Broncos also improved the left guard spot last year when they drafted Dalton Risner, expect Ja’Wuan James to be healthy after losing almost all of last year to a knee injury, and believe Graham Glasgow will be more reliable than Ron Leary at right guard. The Broncos covet linemen who can play two, if not three, positions on the line and Glasgow is one of them; in his four years in Detroit, he started 18 games at left guard, 26 at center and 14 at right guard I spoke to Munchak recently about the Broncos’ offseason and some of the line’s newest additions, and he praised Glasgow as “a great fit” for them up front. “He’s gotten better every year he’s played in the league,” he said of Glasgow. “Versatility-wise, even though we’re thinking he’s a guard for us, I just think he’s a consistent player. He’s coming into the best of his career. I always thought he’d be a great fit and would bring some leadership, and he’s a guy that’s only going to his fifth year. We’re excited. Just watching his tape a lot and watching his mannerisms and how he handles the meetings, (he’s) a real smart kid. … People are going to love watching him play.” The Broncos have two jobs up for grabs up front, however. Garett Bolles will compete with Elijah Wilkinson for the left tackle job and neither candidate has really instilled optimism that they can reliably man the position. We know Bolles’ issues (20 holding penalties in three years). Wilkinson has been one of Denver’s top reserves on the line and has started at both right guard and right tackle. But he’s yet to start a game on the left side. He also had surgery on his foot in May. When I talked to him last month he was still in a walking boot but said he expected to be ready to go by the start of camp to try to win the job. “You want to see the consistency during practice and what we’re doing, and what’s the best fit,” Munchak said. “When you’re trying to find the best five, a lot of it is how they communicate, how they work together. You’d rather be in the position where I know who the five guys are right now. Unfortunately, not having the spring, it’s just going to speed things up a little bit, but I think we’ll have plenty of time and work time just to see how they fit together.” The other competition will be at center, where the Broncos plan to have rookie Lloyd Cushenberry compete with Patrick Morris and Austin Schlottmann for the starting job. Cushenberry was MVP of LSU’s national championship team in 2019 and impressed during the Broncos’ remote meetings this offseason. “He’s a special type of player. He’s got great size, great length,” Munchak said. “He’s played more center, but he can definitely play guard at 310, 315, and (has) long arms. … The question is how quickly can he come in and be that guy and all that. He’ll have a chance to prove that. When you add a guy of his caliber to your offensive line, you’re excited. He’s a nice piece to the puzzle and he brings versatility, the fact that he can play, probably all three spots inside. He’s more comfortable at center right now so we’ll start him there and let him compete with Austin and Pat.” Munchak did say they hope to make decisions at both spots — left tackle and center — as quickly as they can. Much of that will be determined by how much they’re allowed to do within the league’s COVID-19 protocols, but he stressed the need for Drew Lock to get acclimated with whomever his new center will be this year.

What’s the latest on the ownership issue? Are the Bowlens able to compete with the deep pockets of other NFL owners? Is that why the Broncos’ scouting department is one of the smallest in the league? — Patrick K. Not much has changed with the Broncos’ ownership situation. The team still resides in a family trust overseen by three trustees — team president/CEO Joe Ellis (who is also Controlling Owner Delegee), team counsel Rich Slivka and local attorney Mary Kelly. The trustees are still embroiled in a lawsuit with Pat Bowlen’s oldest daughters from his first marriage, Beth Bowlen Wallace and Amie Klemmer. The trial is set to begin Sept. 1 in Arapahoe County District Court, unless the case is settled beforehand. This lawsuit is really multiple cases wrapped in one with the heart of it focusing on the validity of Pat Bowlen’s trust that he signed in 2009. The sisters contend he lacked capacity because of Alzheimer’s and was unduly influenced into signing the documents. The trustees have contended that Pat was of sound mind when he signed his trust and they’re only following his wishes for the team and his family. Now, the trust grants the trustees the power to sell the team if they believe it’s in the best interest of the Broncos and the trust. Ellis said at the end of last season that if the family can’t agree on Brittany Bowlen, one of Pat’s daughters from his second marriage and the preferred candidate of the trustees, to become controlling owner, then they will have to sell. But the lawsuit would need to be settled first, and what a settlement might look like is anyone’s guess. As of now, neither side appears to be budging. The Bowlens’ wealth isn’t tied to the size of the scouting department. Again, the team is in a family trust and will stay in a family trust, even if one of Pat’s adult children is selected as controlling owner. Decisions about the football staff are made by John Elway, in conjunction with Ellis. I asked Elway about the size of their personnel staff before the 2019 draft and he said this: “I think we get the information that we need, so we don’t necessarily compare ourselves to other teams. We feel like we have great people in the different areas on the pro side as well as the college side as far as our scouts and everyone working together. I think our staff is a good size and I’m happy with the staff that we’ve had.” With the Broncos signing Melvin Gordon, how do you think the Broncos will use (Phillip) Lindsay? Two 1,000-yard seasons to start his career is pretty darn good, and I can’t see him being totally relegated to a backup role. Would love to hear your take on that! — Matthew A. Hi, Matthew. This is one of the biggest question marks with the Broncos’ new offense, and we probably won’t have a clear answer until games begin. Pat Shurmur’s offenses have traditionally relied on one back for the majority of the carries. But Shurmur has never had two Pro Bowl rushers before, and he does have a track record of adapting his system well to his players (see: Minnesota, 2017). Earlier this month, Shurmur said Lindsay and Gordon will have specific roles and there could be times when they’re on the field together. He didn’t offer any other details, but the most important one seems obvious: The Broncos didn’t make Gordon the seventh-highest paid rusher to be a backup. If I’m not mistaken, Von (Miller) is in the last year of his contract. Certainly another 8.5 sack season like last year won’t lead to any extension. What’s your take on Von possibly playing his last year in orange and blue? — David K. Miller is under contract for 2021 as well — it’s the last year on his deal — but it includes a team option and a $22.125 million salary-cap hit. If they exercise the option, it guarantees $7 million of his $17.5 million

salary for ’21. If they decline the option, they’d save $18 million in cap space next year. Keep in mind Miller will be 32 next year. So, yes, this could be his last season with the Broncos. Or the Broncos could decline the option and sign him to a new deal. Or they could try to move him before the trade deadline if they find a pass-rusher-needy team willing to take on his cap hit and give up assets for him. His future and the team’s decision figures to be heavily dependent on how he performs this season. If the Broncos believe he still has plenty left in tank, they may try to keep him. They don’t have a clear successor for him like they did with DeMarcus Ware after they drafted Shane Ray (it didn’t work out as they hoped, but that was their initial plan). Malik Reed, an undrafted linebacker out of Nevada, is coming into his second and most important season. A significant leap from him could instill confidence in the Broncos that he’s ready to be a starter and also factor into Miller’s future with the team. What is the latest on Justin Simmons’ franchise tag and contract negotiations? Previously Elway, et al, seem to settle matters right at the July 15 deadline. Will it be the same this time? — Daniel O. It’s been fairly quiet between the Broncos and Simmons’ camp, but we’ve seen this before. The team has franchise-tagged four players over the years and has signed all four to long-term deals before the deadline. Three of them went down to the wire: Ryan Clady in 2013, Demaryius Thomas in 2015 and Miller in 2016. Simmons has the same agent as Thomas (Todd France), so I’m expecting this to come down to the final hour again. It seems like the consensus is to move on from Todd Davis when his contract is up (even coming off a record year). Does Josey Jewell have any shot at that second inside linebacker spot? Justin Hollins also had hype for being able to play inside as well when he was drafted. Do you see either of these two players as contenders to start, or will the Broncos look to the draft for ILB help? — Christopher S. Wow, you’re not even giving Justin Strnad a chance here. The Broncos drafted him in the fifth round out of Wake Forest and though he figures to play more on special teams than on defense, he has the speed and instincts to cover (he played safety in high school), and is an aggressive tackler. Jewell was a tackling machine at Iowa, but he struggles in coverage and the Broncos, like pretty much every team in the league, are looking for that do-it-all linebacker — the guy who can stop the run and chase down receivers and tight ends. Strnad has a good a shot as any to be the team’s future inside next to Alexander Johnson. Hollins does, too. The question is how the Broncos plan to use him. In his rookie season he worked with Brandon Staley (now the Rams’ defensive coordinator) to train at both inside and outside linebacker. If the keeps the same role, he’s obviously in the mix. But there’s always the possibility they ask him to focus on just one spot. It has been tough watching my beloved Broncos the past few years. Given that I do not understand their strategy in regards to backup QB. If Lock were to get hurt, wouldn’t it be better for the young offensive players development to have a veteran come in, not someone who has so few starts under their belt? I just don’t get it. — Don H.

Remember when the Broncos traded for Joe Flacco, thinking his experience, especially his playoff experience, was necessary for such a young offense? Remember when they signed Case Keenum to a $20 million contract, thinking his “maturity” and leadership at the position would help the offense? Better yet: Remember when they traded for Mark Sanchez, thinking they needed his experience with such a young quarterbacks room and then the seventh-round pick from Northwestern won the starting job — twice? All of those quarterbacks were brought in to start or compete for the starting job, but my point is that experience isn’t everything. Jeff Driskel isn’t exactly a marquee signing, but he was acquired primarily to help Lock, and he knows that. Cam Newton is available, but it doesn’t look like he’s willing to be any team’s No. 2 QB. And in looking at the list of other quarterbacks still available, who exactly is a better candidate? The other thing to keep in mind is the Broncos acquired a lot of players after camp last season, when rosters were pared. They could do the same this year if they don’t like what they’ve seen in Driskel. With him still living in Colorado and still keen to be involved with the Broncos as seen by him addressing the rookies on their online meeting, might Peyton Manning be interested in an official role with the Broncos? PFM mentoring Lock would have huge potential. Wishful thinking? — Roger B. Hi, Roger. I never got the sense Manning was interested in any sort of coaching role. An executive or ownership role, however, is intriguing. Elway has two years left on his contract, and the Broncos’ ownership situation bears watching. The NFL doesn’t allow corporations or investment groups to be controlling owners. Only individuals, and if it’s not passed down within a family, the individual must own at least 30 percent for voting control. So if the Broncos are valued at $3 billion and the league’s debt limit stays at $350 million (the limit was recently raised but it’s believed that increase applies only to operating debt, not acquisition debt), a prospective new owner might need to front more than $600 million. I don’t think Manning has that kind of money. Manning could be a minority, owner, however. And he already has become a mentor of sorts to Lock. He talked to Lock regularly last season and throughout this offseason. I’m curious about which players you’d expect to break out under the development of this regime and why. — Denver N. If Bradley Chubb returns with the same power and quickness he had before his knee injury, he could have a big year in Fangio’s defense — especially with Jurrell Casey up front. On offense, if Shurmur’s system really does try to take more shots downfield, tight end Noah Fant could be an invaluable weapon. Fant had a slow start to his rookie season as he adjusted to the speed of the pro game and the lengthy list of responsibilities for his position in Rich Scangarello’s offense. But in his last eight games, he had four catches of 30 yards or more, and averaged 11.9 yards after the catch. His 40 total catches and 562 receiving yards were most by a rookie tight end in team history.

Should he pick up where he left off — and should Shurmur take advantage of his size and speed, we could see more games like the 115-yard showing Fant had against Cleveland last year. How short is Garett Bolles’ leash and do you think the Broncos will sign Demaryius Thomas to have a veteran presence at wideout? Thanks. — Joe D. Hi, Joe. Bolles’ window for error is already smaller. They’re making him compete with Wilkinson to retain his starting job. If Bolles wins the job, his ability to keep it will be dependent on a few things. Among them: eliminating some of those holding penalties, keeping Lock upright and the team’s depth on the line. If injuries pile up like they did last year on the OL, the Broncos won’t have many reliable options to replace Bolles if he struggles. But if they decide to sign a veteran like Jason Peters or Kelvin Beachum in camp, Bolles could instantly become a backup. And I don’t see why the Broncos would sign Thomas at this point. His comments about wanting to return to Denver were made before the draft. The Broncos’ receivers room is now stacked. Does Diontae Spencer’s role as the primary PR/KR pretty much guarantee him a spot on the 53-man roster or does he need to show more as a WR? — Jeff S. I would never guarantee anything in the NFL. But barring a disastrous camp or injury, Spencer is most likely on the initial active roster. In his first year with the Broncos he proved to be their most consistent returner since Trindon Holliday, averaging 29.1 yards on 15 kickoff returns and totaling 208 yards on 26 punt returns. Second-round rookie receiver K.J. Hamler was a returner in college, but I would be surprised if the Broncos use him much, if at all, as a returner. He could be too valuable on offense. Where will the Broncos stand on salary cap after paying all the rookies their slotted deals, and Justin Simmons his new deal? — Ron S. Only the top 51 contracts count against a team’s cap in the offseason, and currently, the Broncos’ top 51 contracts leave them with about $28 million in wiggle room. Their rookie pool is estimated by Overthecap.com to be worth close to $10 million, but those 10 signings will replace 10 veterans on the roster, so the effective cap space needed to sign the drafted rookie class is only around $4 million. That leaves the Broncos with roughly $24 million. If Simmons plays on the franchise tag, the team will be hit with an $11.441 million cap charge for 2020. If they can agree on a long-term deal before the July 15 deadline, the Broncos can manipulate the cap to lower his charge for 2020. How do the players feel about COVID-19? Are they largely wary? Do they feel immortal? How about the coaches? — Dileep R. Hi, Dileep. Only a handful (Von Miller, Brandon McManus, Kareem Jackson and A.J. Bouye among them) have spoken publicly on the matter and all have essentially said they’re eager to get back on the field but only when health experts and local officials deem it safe to do so within the NFL’s protocols. (An NFL source confirmed that NFL owners are scheduled to have a video conference Thursday to discuss preparations for the season, among other things, so there could be more clarity on the projected start of training camp and what camp might actually look like this year.)

Both Miller and Jackson have contracted the virus this offseason. Luckily, Miller was cleared after a two-week self-isolation period and Jackson, who is a week into his self-isolation, told The Athletic last week when he tested positive that he was experiencing only mild symptoms. It is worth noting that while some players have expressed trepidation about returning to the field too soon because of the COVID-19 risk, many of those same players have continued to work out in groups away from the facility — even after the NFL Players’ Association advised them to end those private workouts. Do they think they’re immortal? I wouldn’t go that far. They know their job is dependent on their training and being ready for whenever camp begins.

Steve Atwater's Hall of Fame enshrinement put on pause By Troy Renck KMGH June 26, 2020 Football heaven can wait. Steve Atwater, one of the hardest-hitting players to ever wear an NFL uniform, will not enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 8. The Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony and accompanying game between the Cowboys and Steelers have been postponed, the Hall announced Thursday morning. Atwater told Denver7 he was not disappointed by the decision. The exact opposite as a matter of fact. "I am actually kind of relieved just because it would have been stressful for so many people and members of my family to go without a vaccine for COVID-19," Atwater told Denver7. "I know my dad probably wouldn't have gone. And a lot of the older Hall of Famers -- and I am in that group now -- might not have been able to make it. We are going to have party. We are just putting it off for a year." This represents the NFL's first schedule change due to the coronarvirus pandemic. The 2020 Hall of Fame class, of which Atwater is a member, will be enshrined in the summer of 2021. For Atwater, that means he would join Peyton Manning, a lock for induction, in Canton. The Hall of Fame is expected to hold separate ceremonies for the classes next summer, with the 2020 class enshrined on Aug. 7 followed by the 2021 class on Aug. 8. For Atwater, it has been a long, patient road to immortality. After several years on the ballot, the eight-time Pro Bowler was elected on Feb. 1. Atwater never became bitter, though he would have preferred to be honored while his mother was still alive. He is recognized as all-time great after writing a diary of havoc and changing how the safety position is viewed. Built like a linebacker with a cornerback's speed, Atwater was first-team All-Pro twice and helped the Broncos win back-to-back Super Bowls as a member of the NFL's 1990s All-Decade team. He also serves as an analyst on Denver7's "Broncos Minute" during the season.

NFL cancels Hall of Fame game, delays inductions until 2021 By Barry Wilner Associated Press June 26, 2020 The NFL on Thursday canceled the Hall of Fame game that traditionally opens the preseason and is delaying the 2020 induction ceremonies for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Aug. 6 exhibition game in Canton, Ohio, between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers is the first on-field event the league has canceled during the pandemic. It will be played on Aug. 5, 2021, with the same teams. Enshrinements for 20 men scheduled for this year now will occur on Aug. 7, 2021, with the 2021 inductees going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame the next day. “This is the right decision for several reasons, first and foremost the health and welfare of our Gold Jackets, incoming centennial class of 2020 members, hall personnel and event volunteers,” said David Baker, the hall’s CEO. “We also must consider the most appropriate way to fulfill the first tenet of our mission: To honor the heroes of the game. This decision meets that duty.” NFL owners are conducting a virtual meeting Thursday in which the preseason schedule will be discussed. It’s possible the league will reduce the number of exhibition games to two per team from the usual four. Dallas and Pittsburgh would have played five, including the game in Canton. The NFL was able to conduct free agency, the draft and several owners meetings remotely, and it recently began reopening team facilities that were shut in late March, albeit on a limited basis. Only players who are rehabilitating injuries are allowed in team complexes. Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, NFL Films co-founder Steve Sabol, former New York Giants executive George Young, former coaches Jimmy Johnson and Bill Cowher, and former players Troy Polamalu, Steve Hutchinson, Edgerrin James, Isaac Bruce and Steve Atwater were to be inducted into the hall this August. “The delay is obviously disappointing but completely understandable,” Tagliabue told The Associated Press. “It’s always a great weekend especially for football fans and family, coaches, colleagues who’ve been critical in our successes. But a big part of the weekend is meeting, greeting, photos and signing autographs for the thousands of fans. Not something that I’d want to do in the coronavirus environment.” The hall’s centennial celebration in September would have included the inductions of 10 men selected by a special panel in January. That class includes Harold Carmichael, Jim Covert, Bobby Dillon, Cliff Harris, Winston Hill, Alex Karras, Donnie Shell, Duke Slater, Mac Speedie and Ed Sprinkle. Hutchinson said he was especially sympathetic to the older inductees about the delay.

“They’re the ones who statistically, really, are at risk for being around crowds and all that stuff. So it makes sense,” Hutchinson said. “The other thing, too, is it’s a whole another year, and some of these guys are at the age where they’re old anyway, and families and spouses and siblings and that, they’re all older. A lot of these centennial guys have waited such a long time, and you just hope they’re able to stand up there on that stage next August to do it status quo, right?” Atwater, who was elected in his 16th year of eligibility, said he doesn’t mind waiting another year for his induction because delaying the festivities “is the smart thing to do.” Atwater said he never was one to lament his long wait for football immortality and sees no reason to rue this latest delay. “I’m in. I don’t have to go through the anxiety ever again of waiting and wondering whether this is the year they let me into the Hall of Fame,” Atwater said. “No, I’m good. This is easy.” The Hall of Fame, which opened in 1963, has never had two enshrinements in one weekend. It has had cancellations of the game, including in 2011 because of the league’s lockout of the players, and in 2016, when the field at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium was declared unplayable because of poor conditions.

NFL training camps still on original schedule for late July By Barry Wilner Associated Press June 26, 2020 The NFL still plans to hold training camps on time beginning in late July, though contingency plans are in place. Hours after the league canceled the Hall of Fame game that kicks off the preseason, the 32 team owners on Thursday were updated on a variety of issues, many dealing with working through the coronavirus pandemic. Most notably, according to NFL general counsel Jeff Pash, the owners were told about plans to fully reopen team facilities for training camp next month. “The clubs have been advised that training camps are expected to open on the normal schedule,” Pash said. “The dates set forth in the collective bargaining agreement, for most clubs that would be July 28. Obviously they can bring in rookies and certain other players before that. “The preseason number of games, we’re in active discussions with the players association on those issues, and will continue at that and expect to have some resolution relatively soon and will advise the clubs at that time.” Earlier Thursday, the league and the Pro Football Hall of Fame canceled the opening preseason game between Dallas and Pittsburgh set for Aug. 6. The hall’s induction ceremonies set for Aug. 8, and for mid-September for a special centennial class, have been moved to August 2021, when the Cowboys and Steelers will play in the game. Team facilities were closed in late March due to the pandemic and have been reopened to limited personnel. No players other than those rehabilitating injuries are allowed at those facilities. Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer, stressed that what the general public should be doing during the pandemic is exactly what the league and its players should be doing. “We remain in very active discussion with the players association on the protocols dealing with testing and screening and treatment, response and travel,” Sills said. “And so we updated the ownership about where we stand with those issues and our approach to that. “We certainly emphasized through that that testing alone is not going to be sufficient to keep everyone healthy. It’s still vitally important that everyone respect physical distancing, the use of masks when possible and overall good health habits of reporting symptoms and limiting contact with individuals that may be sick not only at the team facility, but away from the team facility.” In response to Tom Brady and other NFL players holding private workouts even after Thom Mayer, the union’s medical officer, advised against it, Sills said: “This is, again, a place where the NFLPA and the NFL are in the same exact place, which is we want whatever makes it the safest possible environment for all of our constituents. ... Again, this is all about risk reduction and trying to mitigate risk. We know that we can’t eliminate risk. And so we will work very

much hand in hand with the players association because, again, this is where everyone in that team environment is going to share the same risk. But they’ll also share the same responsibility to each other.” Sills also noted that the league and union are looking into the use of personal protective equipment by players. That includes modifications to the helmet that may provide additional risk reduction. “Obviously we have to think about any potential unintended consequences of that modification. So a lot of work is still being done on that,” he said. Also: — Barring the unlikely prospect of having full stadiums, every stadium will have seat coverings during the season in an effort to protect people in the stadium, something owners approved Thursday. “They will provide clear separation between the players and the fans,” said Renie Anderson, the NFL’s chief revenue officer. “Clearly, obviously, it will provide a unified look on broadcasts as well. ... There’s no requirement for the clubs to integrate advertising. It’s somewhat of an added benefit if there is an opportunity there. There’ — If limited attendance is allowed by local governments, tickets would be distributed to long-term season ticket holders and personal seat license holders. Contingencies exist for moving games from where they can not be played safely. “But the focus would be on playing in home stadiums, even if initially that is without fans in some stadiums,” said Peter O’Reilly, the league’s executive vice president of club business and events. — The NFL is kicking off a voting education and registration initiative. Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is developing programs and working with the players association, Players Coalition and other organizations such as RISE and the US Vote Foundation. The programs will focus on education, registration and activation. The goal is for NFL players, coaches, executives and staff to register to vote, inspire others to vote and vote themselves. The NFL also will support players who have plans or programs to achieve the same in their communities. In recent conversations with players, Goodell said voting was a subject they consistently stressed as important to them.

Friday Faceoff: What's your expectations of this year's Broncos? By Lindsey Smith and Matt Wiley Colorado Springs Gazette June 26, 2020 Lindsey's take: From a non-Broncos fan perspective, there's a lot to be excited about in 2020 Full disclosure: I am not a Broncos fan. I am a tried and true Eagles fan still basking in that sweet SB LII victory. But I think there’s something special happening in Denver, and I’m excited to see what this franchise can do with its collection of young talent. Drew Lock, Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler, Courtland Sutton, Phillip Lindsay — these young guns are going to turn the gridiron into a track meet. And that’s my favorite kind of football. It’s going to be electric and hopefully produce some wins. First let’s talk about Drew Lock. At 23 years old and a 4-1 record, I think he’s on his way to becoming a fan favorite. He’s charismatic, a good locker room guy with endless potential with the right talent around him. Enter, Jerry Jeudy. Have you seen his offseason workout videos? Need I say more? He is a beast. And paired with fellow rookie Hamler and Sutton coming off his first pro bowl season? — Phew. Another disclaimer: Hamler has been my guy since 2018 when he shocked Ohio State with a 93-yard touchdown reception as a freshman at Penn State. Hamler is small but mighty and plays like he has something to prove. The addition of Pat Shurmur at OC, who has a history of helping speedy offenses (Re: 2013 Philadelphia Eagles) and young quarterbacks, might be a match made in heaven. But can the defense put them in a position to win? Road signs lead to yes. Last year Vic Fangio’s scheme produced the league’s best red zone defense, paired with new additions and the hopeful return of Bradley Chubb, the defense appears to be getting better. There’s a lot to look forward to this season and I’m excited to add Broncos games to my Sunday routine. Matt's take: Pump the breaks on expectations for the Broncos There's no doubting that the Broncos, on paper, have the potential to be one of the most exciting offenses in the NFL. Excitement doesn't always translate into victories so don't expect Denver to make the playoffs just yet.

Ever since Colin Cowherd predicted the Broncos would take down the Super Bowl champion Chiefs, and win the AFC West, the expectations for the team have gotten a little out of hand. Yes, the Broncos are built around a 23-year-old second-year quarterback in Drew Lock. In five starts he had four more touchdown passes than interceptions. But we've seen this before. In 2007 Jay Cutler entered the season at 24 with four more TDs than INTs in five starts as a rookie and Denver went 7-9. Yes, Denver has rebuilt the skill positions around young, fast players (Courtland Sutton 24, Jerry Jeudy 21, Noah Fant 22, KJ Hamler 20, Phillip Lindsay 25, Melvin Gordon 27), but they are missing valuable time in a professionally coached camp because of precautions from the coronavirus. Sure, the highlights on social media are great — but it's a different game with pads on. It's going to take time for this team to reach its endless potential. Pat Shurmur was brought in as offensive coordinator because Denver ranked 28th in total offense (298.6 yards per game and 17.6 points). Call me skeptical, but the intricacies of his system can't be duplicated at practices at the park. He incorporates elements of a West Coast offense with a vertical passing game and mixes in hurry-up with three-receiver formations. That's a significant difference from the 2019 Broncos which ranked ninth in the league at 42.87 % of the offensive plays being runs. Vegas has Denver at 8 wins and I'd guess that would be closer to reality than taking down Kansas City.

2020 vision: Looking ahead to Denver's Week 12 matchup vs. the Saints By Aric DiLalla DenverBroncos.com June 26, 2020 The Broncos' regular-season opener isn't for another few months, but over the next few weeks, DenverBroncos.com will take an early look at each game on the Broncos' 2020 schedule. We don't know how injuries could impact each contest, but we'll present the pressing storylines, matchups, questions and more. It's never too early to start talking football. We continue with Denver's Week 12 game against the New Orleans Saints. Storyline to monitor: For the first time since he was traded to San Francisco in 2019, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders will return to Empower Field at Mile High. After signing with the Broncos in 2014 as a free agent, Sanders posted 5,361 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns during his six-plus seasons in Denver. A two-time Pro Bowler, Sanders provided a dynamic element to the Broncos' offense. In Week 12, he'll return with hopes of winding up in the end zone again. This time, though, he'll be paired with quarterback Drew Brees, 2019 Offensive Player of the Year Michael Thomas and running back Alvin Kamara. Sanders, while not the Saints' top option, still bears monitoring. He still possesses the toughness, route-running ability and speed to make an impact. Now No. 17 with the Saints, the former Bronco will pose a challenge for Denver's new-look secondary. The question mark: Are the Broncos ready to defend Taysom Hill? The Saints' all-purpose player is listed as a quarterback, but he lines up all over the field for New Orleans. He can throw the ball, block as a fullback, catch passes and even return kicks. And while Hill has shared his ultimate goal is to be a starting quarterback, he currently is a player that can hurt opponents in a variety of different capacities if they're not aware of where he is on the field. In the Saints' playoff loss to the Vikings last January, Hill posted the 13th game in NFL history where a player rushed and threw for 50 yards and also had 25 yards receiving. He finished the game with four carries for 50 yards, two catches for 25 yards and a touchdown and one completion for 50 yards. The Broncos must be ready to gang tackle a physical player whose role can change from play to play. More importantly, the Broncos' defense must be sound in its assignments. Against a team as talented as the Saints, Denver cannot afford to give up first downs or scores when New Orleans runs its gadget plays. Player to watch: WR Michael Thomas

Let's say the Broncos find a way to slow Sanders and don't give up chunk plays when unconventional QB Taysom Hill is on the field. That's only half the battle. Denver's defense still has to deal with Thomas, who has led the NFL in receptions in each of the last two seasons. Last year, Thomas caught 149 passes for 1,725 yards and set the NFL's single-season reception record. The two-time first-team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler has found the end zone 18 times over the past two years and caught 173 passes for first downs over that time frame. The 6-foot-3, 212-pound receiver is strong enough to make catches over the middle, shows excellent body control along the sideline, is a yards-after-catch machine and has tremendous hands. His 80.5 percent catch rate in 2019 led all NFL receivers with at least 50 receptions. It's no stretch to say Thomas will be the best skill player the Broncos see all season. The last meeting: The Broncos last played the Saints in 2016, when they traveled to New Orleans and escaped with a 25-23 win to improve to 7-3. Denver led 23-17 with 2:50 to play in a back-and-forth game when Brees led the Saints on a six-play, 75-yard drive to tie the game at 23. It appeared the Saints would take a one-point lead with 1:22 to play, but rookie Justin Simmons changed the game with perhaps the most impressive play of his young career. Simmons timed the snap on the extra point, hurdled the line of scrimmage and blocked the extra-point attempt. Fellow rookie Will Parks scooped up the ball and took off down the left sideline toward the end zone. Parks nearly stepped out of bounds as his white shoe sidled up against the edge of the white sideline. A review of the two-point play, though, did not find conclusive evidence that Parks stepped out, and the Broncos' 25-23 lead stood. After recovering an onside kick, the Broncos kneeled out the clock.

Mile High Morning: Why preseason prognosticators may be undervaluing the Broncos By Ben Swanson DenverBroncos.com June 26, 2020 The Lead We've previously examined how a few NFL analysts have rated the Broncos in their power rankings. Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News had the Broncos at 15th and NFL.com's Dan Hanzus placed them at 21st after the draft, and NBC Sports' Peter King ranked them 20th earlier in June. According to Pro Football Focus' Ben Linsey, all of them may be underrating this Broncos roster. In a new ESPN article ranking teams' rosters based on PFF's rating database, Linsey ranked Denver 14th, bolstered largely by a strong set of offensive targets for quarterback Drew Lock. "The 2020 draft was all about getting quarterback Drew Lock some more weapons. And now, those offensive weapons stick out as one of the strengths of the team," Linsey wrote. "Courtland Sutton corralled the drop issues that plagued him as a rookie and ended the 2019 season as PFF's 10th-highest-graded wide receiver, and Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler should give him plenty of support early in their NFL careers." That means, of course, that a lot is riding on Lock — as many Broncos fans undoubtedly already understand. "This team will go as far as Lock takes it this season," Linsey wrote. "… At this point, it's too early to say what he'll look like in his second season, making him a true X factor on what is otherwise a talented roster." Below the Fold On Wednesday, we shared The Athletic's detailed recounting of Peyton Manning's free-agency decision process. They followed that up with an extensive exercise wondering what each team's outlook would have been like had Manning made a different decision. Obviously we don't much want to imagine a world where Manning didn't become a Bronco, but the alternate universe is certainly interesting, as Lindsay Jones explores for the Denver-centric perspective. Is Von Miller one of the three best players ever in the NFL? Courtland Sutton thinks so. In a newly published Players Tribune questionnaire, he shared that and much more to help fans get to know him better. Get an inside glimpse of Jerry Jeudy's first trip to Denver in a new video on his YouTube channel. Over the four minutes you can see snippets of a workout with Broncos cornerback Davontae Harris and his perspective of the Broncos' player-led protest for racial justice.

Broncos Legends: A look back through Ed McCaffrey's Broncos career By Staff DenverBroncos.com June 26, 2020 In our Broncos Legends series, we're revisiting the careers of some of the best players in franchise history with video highlights and rarely seen photos — and they'll join us to break down their favorite moments as a Bronco and more. We continue the series with Pro Bowl wide receiver Ed McCaffrey. Here's a refresher of his time in Denver. Career overview A former third-round pick by the New York Giants, McCaffrey joined the Broncos as a free agent in 1995 following three years in New York and a one-year stint with the 49ers. Mike Shananan brought McCaffrey with him from San Francisco to Denver when he became the team's head coach in 1995. McCaffrey was simply a spot starter early in his career, as he started just four of his first 64 games in the league. In Denver, though, McCaffrey developed into one of the franchise's leading receivers. After starting five of 16 games in 1995, McCaffrey started all 76 of the games in which he appeared over the next five seasons. During that span, McCaffrey was a key contributor on two world-championship teams. In 1997, he caught 45 passes for 590 yards and eight touchdowns before adding a touchdown during the 1997 postseason. McCaffrey was the Broncos' leading receiver in Super Bowl XXXII as he caught two passes for 45 yards. A year later, McCaffrey made an even bigger impact. He was selected to the lone Pro Bowl of his career with a 1,053-receiving yard, 10-touchdown output in 1998. He caught 64 passes that year as the Broncos earned back-to-back world titles. Following John Elway's retirement after the 1998 season, McCaffrey continued to post solid numbers. He recorded his second career 1,000-yard receiving season in 1999 and added a 101-catch, 1,317-yard, nine-touchdown effort in 2000. McCaffrey played with the Broncos through the 2003 season, though his 2001 campaign was cut short after one game after he suffered a broken leg on "Monday Night Football" on Sept. 10, 2001. He caught at least one pass in 68 consecutive games from 1997 to 2003, a streak that ranks third in franchise history. The Stanford product finished his career with 462 catches, 6,200 receiving yards and 46 touchdown receptions for the Broncos. He ranks fifth in Broncos history in career receptions and receiving yards and fourth in receiving touchdowns. "He is going to be remembered by me and by most of the fans here as the bravest and most courageous player to play for the team," said late Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen following McCaffrey's retirement. Career accolades

One Pro Bowl (1998); one-time Associated Press second-team All-Pro (1998); fifth in Broncos history in career receptions and receiving yards; fourth in Broncos history in receiving touchdowns; Broncos Top 100 Team member. Stats to know 105 starts in 121 career games in Denver, 462 catches, 6,200 yards, 13.4 yards per catch, 46 touchdowns, 303 catches for first downs, 8.4 yards per target. In his own words "I've always been known as the tall, thin, slow white guy,'' said the 6-5, 215-pound McCaffrey with an easy smile. "I was actually thinking of calling up all of the reporters and media I know and running a 40-yard dash to finally clear the air and show I'm not as slow as they think. "I like to think I'm more than just a possession receiver. I can block, catch and clear people out. I don't know why I get labeled. Maybe my stride doesn't look quick." via a January 1998 article in the Long Beach Press-Telegram (CA) Three games to remember Week 9, 1998: Broncos 33, Bengals 26 McCaffrey's son Christian called out this game as part of a Father's Day feature on NFL Network, so we'll toss it in this list. In Weeks 9 and 10 in 1998, McCaffrey posted back-to-back games with 133 receiving yards. The first effort came in Week 9, as he caught seven passes for the 133 yards and a score. Running back Terrell Davis broke the tie with just over a minute to go, but the drive was spurred by a pair of 30-yard and 14-yard catches by McCaffrey. Week 1, 1996: Broncos 45, Ravens 34 McCaffrey posted one of his two career three-touchdown games as the Broncos surged to a come-from-behind fourth-quarter win in Baltimore. In a back-and-forth game, the Broncos jumped out to a 21-3 lead, fell behind in the third quarter and then surged ahead late. McCaffrey caught the opening touchdown of the game, snagged an 8-yard score in the second quarter and then caught a 6-yard pass in the final frame to give the Broncos a lead. He finished with seven catches for 76 yards and three scores. Week 12, 2000: Broncos 38, Chargers 37 Another pick by his son Christian, this was one of McCaffrey's many two-touchdown performances. The older McCaffrey caught a go-ahead touchdown from Gus Frerotte with 1:33 remaining to secure a 13-point fourth-quarter comeback. He finished the game with 10 catches for a career-best 148 yards and two touchdowns.

Why Steve Atwater is fine with pushing his Hall of Fame induction back one year By Andrew Mason DNVR June 26, 2020 For obvious reasons, 2020 isn’t turning out the way anyone planned. More than 100 days have passed since the last major-league team sporting event in the United States or Canada. Even the events that have taken place have scarcely resembled their form in a pre-pandemic world. The events celebrating of the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame class in Canton, Ohio would be no different. Had the ceremonies for Steve Atwater and his fellow inductees gone forward, some crucial people would have been unable to take part. Starting with Atwater’s father. “If we would have had it — my dad, I doubt very seriously [that] he would have come,” he said Thursday afternoon in the wake of the Hall’s decision to postpone the induction of the 2020 class to August 7, 2021. Atwater described the move as “the smart thing to do.” But Steve’s father is far from the only person who would have been unable to celebrate had the proceedings gone ahead. “I’ve always felt like the Pro Football Hall of Fame would do what’s best for the most people involved,” he said. “They have a lot of workers there, a lot of volunteers and a lot of the Hall of Famers who are older — I’m in that category too [and] there are some guys that are older than me — and I just don’t think that they would show up with the risk being so high of them catching COVID.” Pro Football Hall of Fame president David Baker gave Atwater and his fellow 2020 inductees the news Thursday morning. “I know the last time we had spoken a few months ago, he told me that there were five or six different contingency plans, ranging from moving it back to September, to later in the season, to doing a Zoom call, to doing it in the spring, all the way up to next [August],” Atwater explained. Delaying it a few weeks or months might have left the Hall facing the same pandemic-caused problems that scuttled the scheduled August ceremonies. Holding it via Zoom is not worthy of such a momentous occasion — at least not for something without a firm deadline. The NFL Draft needed to happen via video conference because the process of preparing for a season continued even through the weeks of shelter-in-place guidelines. But the Hall has the luxury of waiting until the ceremonies can be conducted in a manner befitting the accomplishments of the honorees. “I think they made the right choice,” Atwater said.

As the months passed and the protocols for pro sports’ return involved metaphorical bubbles, events without fans and the potential for games in the fall played in stadiums with sharply reduced capacities, Atwater knew that postponement was a likelihood. Still, he had to prepare as though the show would go on in some fashion. Thus, his speech is nearly complete. “We really had to plan as though it was going to happen,” he said. “I kind of had a feeling that this would happen, but I didn’t know. I got done with my speech pretty early in the game. We had a professional speechwriter that helped me and my wife go through and get it together, so that’s been 95 percent done. “With everything that’s gone on, I’m sure in another year, I’ll probably make some tweaks to it, but I’m glad that I have the basic outline of it together.” Perhaps the most difficult aspect of piecing together his speech was the time limitations. Atwater indicated that the days of speeches that consume 25 or 30 minutes are over — in part to try and ensure that the ceremony doesn’t stretch beyond four hours deep into the night, as it has in recent years. “I know in past years, many people when they got up to speak, they could speak for as long as they wanted,” he said. “They’re trying to make sure that we had our speeches at 10 minutes, tops, and that’s with everything included!” Undoubtedly, Atwater will make that 10 minutes count, and it will be worth the wait — even though now it will be another year before he can slip on the gold jacket that will define his legacy and immortality in the sport. Atwater also shared some more thoughts regarding the NFL and life during the pandemic. SHOULD THE NFL PLAY? As a veteran of 11 seasons as a player, Atwater has concerns about whether the NFL should play this season. “To be honest with you, I don’t know that I would feel safe, because there are still quite a few medical specialists who are telling us that the coast isn’t clear. It’s still quite dangerous to do it,” he said. “Knowing that I come into contact with a lot of other people, I certainly wouldn’t want to spread it to someone else. That would be my biggest concern — me getting it and not knowing that I had it and spreading it to someone else and then finding out later that you played a part in someone else not being here. For me, that’s the big deal. “I know a lot of people — I don’t want to say that they don’t care about other people’s lives, but they don’t think that this coronavirus is as serious. I know a lot of people are saying that, ‘Hey, this only affects older people with pre-existing conditions,’ and that is the case for a majority of the cases, but there are some cases with youngsters. I know some 35- and 40-year-olds that have had it and have passed away from it. I just wouldn’t want anybody [with whom] I come into contact to be one of those statistics.” HOW HE’S BEEN KEEPING BUSY DURING THE PANDEMIC:

Few people are more naturally positive than Atwater, who is a firm believer in finding ways to extract personal growth from the most challenging of circumstances. “I’ve been exercising regularly and trying to be consistent and trying to stay in a positive state of mind. I believe that during rough times, if you’re not mentally strong, you can go crazy,” he said. “I felt like I was going through that in the beginning, man! I just happened to be at home so much and wasn’t around all my friends and people who I’m used to seeing on a regular basis. I kind of had to get into my little groove here and just work on being better when this is all over, and I think I’m doing that.”

Having an offense loaded with talent isn’t the key to winning games By John Davis 104.3 The Fan June 26, 2020 Since winning the Super Bowl 50, the identity of the Broncos has been its defense. Heading into the 2020 season, for the first time in a long time, the identity appears to be shifting back towards the offense. The Broncos have surrounded quarterback Drew Lock with multiple weapons on offense. It’s great the Broncos are loaded with talent on offense, but if those players don’t have the right attitude and approach, this offense could be wasted. If the current Broncos offense wants to know how to reach its full potential, they need to look back on the greatest teams the Broncos ever produced. The 1996-98 Broncos had a plethora of talent that included all-time great Broncos, players like John Elway, Terrell Davis, Shannon Sharpe, Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey. That offense was consistently good for those three seasons and results was one of the most-prolific runs in NFL history. Davis was clearly the focus of the Broncos offense during those seasons, but his teammates ability to play within that system is what made those Broncos teams truly successful. Davis was unstoppable in the 1997 playoffs. As Denver played at Pittsburgh against the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game, Davis once again led the way. However, with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, the Broncos needed to convert third-and-six. At this moment, they did not go to Davis. The play call was for Elway to throw to Sharpe. Davis was the best player on that team, but he wasn’t the best option for that scenario. The play call was correct, as Elway connected with Sharpe and the Broncos were on to the Super Bowl. Elway and Sharpe had no issue with allowing Davis to be star of the offense and Davis had no issue with Elway and Sharpe being called upon in the most-crucial moment of the game. The end result was the opportunity to play for the Lombardi Trophy. Super Bowl XXXII was Terrell Davis’ time to shine. Davis had 30 carriers for 157 yards and three touchdowns. As for the rest of the stars, on paper they were not as impressive. Elway was 12 for 22 for 123 yards and no touchdown passes. Sharpe was the leading receiver with an eye popping five receptions for 38 yards. Ed McCaffrey had two receptions for 45 years and Rod Smith did not catch a pass. The stats don’t tell the story, however. Sharpe, McCaffrey and Smith blocked all game. They played the role they needed to play to win. Elway had a very below average game as a passer, but he ran for a touchdown and converted a big third down with the famous “helicopter play.” McCaffrey had his block and finger point in the face late on a big Davis run.

Nobody remembers that Smith didn’t catch a pass in Super Bowl XXXII because Smith didn’t care. He did what his team needed him to do that day, which was block and get out of the way. The end result was the Broncos pulling off the big upset and winning Super Bowl XXXII by a 31-24 count over the Packers. The following year, the Broncos played in Super Bowl XXXIII against the Falcons. Davis had just completed a 2,000-yard rushing season, so Atlanta would make stopping him their No. 1 priority. With the focus on Davis, the Broncos passing game would take center stage. Smith, who had zero receptions in Super Bowl XXXII, had five catches for 152 yards in Super Bowl XXXIII. McCaffrey added five catches for 72 yards. Sharpe was injured very early and still managed two receptions for 26 yards. The MVP was Elway who finished his final game with a stat line of 18 of 29 for 336 yards and one touchdown. Davis had a nice game with a quiet 25 carries for 102 yards. Perhaps the biggest example of the Broncos unity on offense was that fullback Howard Griffith scored two touchdowns in Super Bowl XXXIII. With the attention on Davis, Mike Shanahan and Gary Kubiak opted to give the ball to Griffith inside the five on two separate occasions and both times Griffith scored. To this day, you have never heard one player on that offense complain about “touches” or “targets.” Not one of those players had a problem with Griffith getting the ball in the red zone. All that mattered was that the Broncos scored touchdowns and won the game Super Bowl XXXII was all about the running game and Super Bowl XXXIII was all about the passing game. The result was that every one of those players collected two Super Bowl rings. John Elway, Terrell Davis, Shannon Sharpe, Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey are five of the most-celebrated players in Broncos history. What made them so successful was that they weren’t out to prove they were better than one another, rather they were out to win football games. Also, yes, I’m aware Sharpe would always tell Elway “I’m open,” but Sharpe also learned to block and always did what was asked of him. He never took plays off. He also played a huge role in helping the Ravens win a Super Bowl. Very few selfish players have three Super Bowl rings. This current Broncos offense has a lot to be excited about. Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Melvin Gordon, Phillip Lindsay and Noah Fant are all capable of making big plays and scoring touchdowns. It is vital to the Broncos that each of these players understand that their moment will come, but it may not be on every play or in every scenario. In 2013, Peyton Manning set every record a quarterback can own, and he lost Super Bowl XLVIII. In 2015, Manning understood for the Broncos to win Super Bowl 50, his job was to hand the ball off, control the clock and let the defense dominate. Manning’s stats that day were far from the best of his career, but his willingness to do what the coaches asked of him won him his second Super Bowl championship. The current Broncos offense needs to look at the Broncos three Super Bowl winning teams and understand the most successful teams in franchise history were also the most selfless teams in franchise history.

To find success, the Broncos must run an offense that fits Drew Lock By Kevin Kissner 104.3 The Fan June 26, 2020 We have seen for a number of years now that the quarterbacks the Broncos have brought in don’t fit well with the offensive coordinator. It’s time to fix that. Pat Shurmur is coming to Denver and running an offense that hasn’t really lit up the scoreboard during his coaching career. Shurmur has only called plays for a top 10 scoring offense once in his career; that came in 2017 with the Vikings. During the last three years, the Broncos offense has yet to rank better than 24th in points per game on offense. Now there’s multiple reasons for this issue. The play callers didn’t fit with the quarterbacks. In 2017, Denver rolled out with three quarterbacks through the season with Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch. This is far from the most talented quarterback room, but it for sure didn’t fit well with offensive coordinators Mike McCoy and Bill Musgrave. McCoy’s offense is more of a spread offense in which he wants to throw the ball more out of shotgun, as well as run the ball out of the same formation. Here’s the issue, McCoy looked good after Peyton Manning took over on the offense in 2012. McCoy also got a lot of credit for changing the offense in 2011 when John Fox forced the coaching staff to change the offense that fit Tim Tebow. Well the fun fact is, sources have told me that Tebow was the one teaching the team how to run his zone-read offense that helped them get into the playoffs instead of McCoy getting all of the credit. Once McCoy got fired midway through the 2017 season, Denver switched to Musgrave to take over play calling duties as well as in 2018. Safe to say that didn’t help either. Siemian was accustomed to running Gary Kubiak’s offense in which he succeeded rather than Musgrave’s offense. Osweiler was the same way. Yes, Musgrave runs similar concepts with Kubiak, but it’s not as effective and creative like Kubiak’s. Don’t forget both Siemian and Osweiler played really well in Kubiak’s system in 2015-16. Another issue is that Denver drafted Lynch, but they were too stubborn to help him out. The Broncos spent a first-round pick on Lynch who ran a simplified spread offense in college where he mainly made one read on one side of the field. Kubiak and his staff failed to adapt to the rookie quarterback. The Broncos made the same mistake in 2017 as well with Lynch. Now we can’t ignore that Lynch wasn’t the smartest guy in the building and was reportedly not always focused on football as much as he should have been. Don’t forget that Lynch ran an offense that fit him in Seattle in which he beat the Broncos in a preseason game where he shined in a revenge game. In 2018, Denver went out and signed Case Keenum after his MVP-type season with the Vikings the season before. Once again, Musgrave and the Broncos didn’t adapt to Keenum.

Denver went on to run a concept of the zone-blocking, Kubiak-type offense. The offense definitely didn’t fit Keenum like Pat Shurmur’s did the year before in Minnesota. Keenum would finish the season with only 18 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 3,890 yards and a completion percentage of only 62.3%. That was only good enough to lead Denver to a 6-10 record. The Broncos should have run more plays from the previous season with Keenum by adding more RPOs for him and simplifying his reads. Denver refused to give Keenum help on the offensive line by not adding extra protection on the edges to that Keenum would have time to make multiple reads. There were multiple times Keenum would not have enough time to go through his reads because of the pressure and none of his wide receivers were getting open. That’s on play calling to be more creative to get the ball out quicker. Let’s move to 2019. John Elway decided to bring in an aging 34-year-old quarterback in Joe Flacco who was also coming off a hip injury. So what did the Broncos do? They hired Rich Scangarello who was a first time play caller coming off the Shanahan tree. If the Broncos were in a ‘”win now” mode, why bring in a first time play caller? That didn’t make sense to me either. Scangarello’s offense is based off of Kyle Shanahan’s offense, but once again it didn’t match up with a quarterback that couldn’t move around. If Denver had a more mobile quarterback all season, Scangarello still might be the offensive coordinator for Denver in 2020. Flacco did excel in this type of offense in 2014 under Kubiak, but that’s when he was more mobile than he was at the age of 34. Once again, Denver paired up a quarterback with an offensive coordinator that didn’t fit him. It’s not just Elway’s fault on this issue, either. In the final five games when Drew Lock started, the offense seemed to fit the rookie quarterback. Five good games isn’t good enough for Elway and Vic Fangio though, as they fired Scangarello after the one season. The issue is that the Broncos are also hiring coordinators that are being too stubborn as well not willing to adapt to the quarterback they have on the roster. That has to change and it has to change this season with Pat Shurmur pairing up with Lock. Looking at last season’s Super Bowl, we saw Patrick Mahomes and Jimmy Garoppolo competing at the quarterback position. Andy Reid has been in the NFL since 1992 and has adapted to multiple quarterbacks like Brett Favre, Donovan McNabb, Nick Foles, Michael Vick, Alex Smith and now Mahomes. Kyle Shanahan has pretty much been around the game his whole life following his dad up and down the sideline, just trying to learn more how to call plays in the NFL. Kyle has coached quarterbacks like Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins, Matt Schuab, Matt Ryan, Johnny Manziel and now Garoppolo. What do the two these coaches have in common? They adapted to the new offenses in the NFL. They also adapted their offenses to match what their quarterbacks excelled at. Don’t forget even in the 2015 Super Bowl season that Kubiak and Manning didn’t mix well at first and they would butt heads at times, but Kubiak also knew he would adapt with Manning. If the Broncos needed the offense to be more effective, Kubiak would call a package called “Top Gun” in which Peyton would

pretty much take over and call the plays on the field, according to Tyler Polumbus, who was on that Super Bowl-winning team. If the Broncos really want Lock to workout this season, they must run an offense that he feels comfortable in and an offense that fits his skill set. Shurmur cannot be stubborn putting an offense together this season. It’s time to adapt. Remember Peyton Manning ran the same offense for 17 years of his career, but had to adapt in the final few games of his career if he wanted to win a Super Bowl? In the great words of Kevin Garnett, “Anything is possible!”

N.F.L. Trims Early Preseason Game and Prepares for Training Camps By Ken Belson New York Times June 26, 2020 The N.F.L. on Thursday canceled its annual Hall of Fame Game, an exhibition scheduled for Aug. 6, so players and coaches grappling with restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic could have more time to prepare for the regular season, which, for now, is still set to begin Sept. 10. The decision, by team owners in an ad hoc teleconference, gave the league flexibility to push back, if needed, the start of training camps. Starting in late July, teams are expected to begin welcoming players to their facilities. The league and the players’ union are also discussing other measures, including further trimming the preseason schedule, which consists of four games per team. Still, Roger Goodell, the league commissioner, said the N.F.L. was committed to starting the regular season on time and, if allowed by state and local officials, having fans in the seats at games. The most immediate hurdle, though, is preparing for training camps. While the league has established safety protocols that have allowed front office members and coaches to return to their offices, the N.F.L. and the N.F.L. Players Association have not agreed on a set of guidelines, including testing and quarantines, to govern the return of players. “Obviously, there’s a lot more to do,” Goodell said. Allen Sills, the league’s chief medical officer, said in a conference call with reporters after the meeting that the N.F.L. was in “very active discussions” with the players’ union on screening, travel and a “very ambitious” testing program, though “testing alone is not going to be sufficient to keep everyone healthy.” “This is all about risk reduction,” he added. “We know we can’t eliminate risk.” Unlike other professional leagues whose seasons were interrupted by the pandemic in March, the N.F.L. has been able to conduct most of its normal off-season activities, including free agency, the draft and off-season workouts, remotely rather than in person. The league did, however, cancel its annual meeting in late March and has said its slate of regular-season games overseas will be moved back to the United States. Training camps will be particularly critical this year because coaches were not able to work directly with new draft picks, players acquired via trades, free agents invited to work out and other new players in April and June. The new collective bargaining agreement that was signed in mid-March allows teams to add two players, increasing the roster size to 55 from 53. The union and the league are discussing the possibility of increasing the size of rosters even more to make it easier to find substitutes for players who are infected with the coronavirus and must go into quarantine.

Teams must report to training camp 47 days before their first regular-season game. For the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans, who open the season on Sept. 10, that means reporting on July 25. Other teams would be required to start training camp by July 28. The league has said that to maintain competitive balance, all teams must open training camp at the same time. Doing so may mean pushing back the start of training camp because the number of infections has been rising in several states, including Arizona, Florida and Texas, that host N.F.L. teams. The number of players who have been infected is also growing. Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys’ star running back, confirmed that he tested positive for the coronavirus this month. Other members of the Cowboys, as well as staff members and players from the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Houston Texans, the Los Angeles Rams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have also reportedly tested positive. Von Miller, the star linebacker on the Denver Broncos, said in April that he had tested positive, while New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton also tested positive. Some players, including Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady, have been flouting the union’s social distancing recommendations by practicing in groups without wearing personal protective equipment, or P.P.E. On Thursday, Brady posted a photo of a workout to his Instagram account with a paraphrased quotation from Franklin D. Roosevelt that read, “Only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.” Alarmed by rising infection rates and informal practices, the players’ union’s medical director, Thom Mayer, sent a message to players last week urging them not to participate in group workouts during the off-season. While other leagues, like the N.B.A. and M.L.S., plan for players, coaches and staff to live and work in an enclosed community, the N.F.L. has announced no such plans. Anthony S. Fauci, the country’s highest ranking specialist in infectious diseases, cast doubt on the N.F.L.’s approach. “Unless players are essentially in a bubble — insulated from the community and they are tested nearly every day — it would be very hard to see how football is able to be played this fall,” Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN last week. With so many unanswered questions about how to begin training camp safely, the owners have bought themselves some time by eliminating the Hall of Fame Game.

Steve Atwater relieved Hall of Fame ceremony postponed to next year By Curtis Crabtree Pro Football Talk June 26, 2020 Steve Atwater had to wait 16 years to get inducted into the Hall of Fame. He’s perfectly fine waiting a little bit longer before officially being enshrined. According to Troy Renck of the Denver Channel, Atwater said Thursday night that he’s actually relieved that the ceremony originally scheduled for next month is being postponed until next year. “I am actually kind of relieved just because it would have been stressful for so many people and members of my family to go without a vaccine for COVID-19,” Atwater said. “I know my dad probably wouldn’t have gone. And a lot of the older Hall of Famers — and I am in that group now — might not have been able to make it. We are going to have party. We are just putting it off for a year.” The NFL announced earlier on Thursday that both the standard 2020 ceremony and the centennial ceremony scheduled for September were being moved to next year. The entire 20-man class for 2020 and the upcoming class for 2021 will be enshrined on consecutive days next August. The Hall of Fame game itself between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys to kick off the 2020 preseason was also scrapped.