You probably know of the news that struck some of us Wednesday. Layoffs are tough, but it’s part of any business. It’s happened to me before. It happened to my dad on multiple occasions. As Mom reminded me Wednesday night, he always came out with a better situation in the end. I hope that will be the case with me, but it will be tough, because it might not have y’all as a part of the deal. I’ll miss each and every one of you, even the ones who drove me bonkers from time to time.

(Yes, LetPlummerPlay, that means you. My New Year’s resolution was to no longer feed the trolls, but I’m going to break it now.)

I had hoped to break the news to you guys here, but Mike Klis beat me to it. A high-quality journalist, that fellow. I hadn’t even told my parents the news when he had the story on the Post’s Web site and a classy and heartfelt message on my voice mail. His message wasn’t the only one. Thank you all.

But I’d be remiss without also tipping my hat to those who’ve brought you Broncos news on various sources over the years, with whom I’ve repeatedly jockeyed for locker-room and press-conference position. On the print side, there’s Frank Schwab, Lee Rasizer, Bill Williamson, Ryan Thorburn, Pat Graham, Eddie Pells, Arnie Stapleton, Bill Wilson, Pete Bigelow, Patrick Saunders, Lynn DeBruin, Kamon Simpson and Adam Schefter. Hope some of those transcripts and random facts helped you out, gang. Over on the TV side, there’s FSN photog extraordinaire Charlie Felix — I’ll see you at Slammer’s, pal - Brian Olson, Gary Miller, John Kuhrt, Blake Olson — God bless you, brotha — and countless others. And lurking in the spirit of radio, special thanks to Mike Rice and Andy Lindahl of KOA, and Mark Knudson and James Merilatt for the couple of occasions my voice was allowed to pollute their airwaves. And Stefan Fatsis, I still can’t wait to read your upcoming book about your adventures at training camp.

Then there’s the people in the organization itself, too numerous to name and to thank. But I should give special shout-outs to Kyle Sonneman and Kasey Byers, on whose watch the Web site will continue, Patrick Smyth and Dave Gaylinn, who are the “keepers of the flame” in regards to the media guide, Paul Kirk, whose Seinfeld command probably surpassed my own, Steve Harbula, who hired me in the first place and put up with me for the last five years and eight months, and Jim Saccomano, whose blog you should continue to read, and whose wit, hearty laugh and disseminations about baseball I will miss terribly.

If I missed anyone, I apologize.

At least I know I did everything I possibly could, maybe even more than I should have.

“Back away from the computer, son,” I can recall my dad saying during one vacation when I filed a story from a Starbucks in Florida. In the months and years that followed, I could hear his voice echoing in my mind as I slammed my fingers into the keyboard at 1 in the morning, working on a game-program story at the only time I had to write in peace.

Perhaps my dad was right to offer that advice. But I’ve always worked in fifth gear, perhaps because my internal transmission was busted and I couldn’t downshift. It gets me in trouble sometimes, but I’d like to think the results of that speak for themselves in this Web space.

For now, I’m going to watch college basketball. Life … and sport … goes on.

Thanks for your eyes, your ears, your attention, your suggestions, your unrestrained love of all things Broncos.

Until we meet again, Vaya con Dios … and take care, and thanks for watching — and reading.