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.
Tags: Personal Thoughts
Good luck with everything Andrew. Let us know if you ever become a free agent and blog for yourself.
Your a class act.
Stay in touch, just like a player, you are family.
I wish you all the best, unless you go to the Raiders, then, your “no” longer family. (OK with other 30 teams however)
I will swill a “black-tooth” in your honor tomorrow night at 9 pm.
Better days are coming.
John
Thanks for everything Andrew, and good luck to you.
Thank you for everything Andrew! I am from Hungary (about 8 hours ahead of the Denver time zone) and I could only follow a lot of games through your blog. I will terribly miss those coverages and your inside news on the other days!
Good luck in everything you do and take care!
Thank you Andrew! I am from Italy and I must follow Broncos only by web, during the game. Your coverages was simply perfect for me. I’ll miss yuor web site. Good luck!
Sorry to hear about this mate. I’d like to thank you for imparting your wisdom and wit to everyone. You could come over to England and work for Man City - they need all the help they can get. But seriously, if you’re ever in Manchester - feel free to look me up. Best of luck for the future and whatever you end up doing.
Andrew this is the only place I ever post messages about my beloved Broncos because of the type of environment you managed to create. Your reporting and in depth coverage will be missed greatly. This year I really became a fan and when I couldn’t watch the preseason games (yeah, I’m insane) I would turn to your up to the date blog to see what was going down in Bronco Town. I truly hope you find another gig somewhere soon in the same field. Again, “Taker easy dude” and I’ll look for ya down the line.
Thank you Andrew!!! I am a member of the Haitian Denver Broncos Fan Club, a group of Americans and Haitians that watch “our boys” play every Fall weekend in Cap Haitien, Haiti. You have been the link to all our Broncos news , we read your blogs religiously and we argue, discuss and argue more about our beloved Broncos. These are dark times for the orange and blue and you moving on will make it all the more darker. Who will be the voice of reason now in the darkness? Peace my (our) friend.
Andrew good luck in your future endeavors.
Like Superchop says… don’t go to the Raiders. lol j/k
In all seriousness, your work was quality and we’re sad to see you go.
Good luck.
Thanks for everything Mason. Couldn’t have asked for a better friend to us Broncos fans… Hate to see you go.
Jonah Sheridan, San Francisco
I’m sure you won’t be out of work for very long Andrew– Especially with the library of work you’ve got to attach to your resume… I’ve enjoyed the blog over the past year and a half and am sad to see your insider’s perspective go. Godspeed!
PS– (Don’t mean to take a cheap shot here, but maybe you ought to apply for Bill Williamson’s job– he isn’t very good at it.)
Arg. Well, good luck, Mase. It was fun while it lasted.
It’s tough to see “non-essential” behind the scenes personnel get sacked for doing nothing more than their jobs while management throws money around on questionable on-field/sideline characters, but thems the breaks.
Nice shout out to LetPlummerPlay, by the way. There were never any hard feelings, I’m sure. (And no, I’m not specifically him…but it takes more than one lunatic to run a website like that, doesn’t it?)
Horrible, just horrible. Some of the best wasted time at my job was spent on your blogs arguing with my fellow broncos fans. That which does not kill us, only makes us stronger. Keep on keepin’ on. Your insight and wit will be missed. Please drop by one of the other blogs to let us know where you end up. I would like to keep up with reading your work, even if it isn’t about the Broncs.
I will come out and say it i no longer feel it to be needed for me to go to Denverbroncos.com. I always came on here for your blogs but since wednesday the website hasnt done anything really. This is sad, but better times are in the future this was just a pit stop for you to show the world what you can do now you can go find a job and blog with us for fun. Thanks for the good times mason.
Tribute to Mase at http://letplummerplay.blogspot.com/ …
…and on that note, I will never come to this website again.
Good luck Andrew on your next step in life!
I’m sure you will do quite well!
Keep checking in from time to time on Broncomania, you will be missed.
Good Luck Andrew!! You did an awesome job during your time here and you will be sorely missed!!
Hope to see you now and again on the boards, if for nothing else than to say ‘hi!’
As WhiteHoss stated….I will never visit this website again!
And for everyone who ever loved Mase….We did a pretty good write up on his sitch! (PAT OURSELVES ON THE BACK!)
And may I once and for all and again say JAKE PLUMMER WAS 10X the QB Jay Cutler will ever be! HA!
http://www.LetPlummerPlay.com
Mase,
Your following covers the Earth and your football knowledge covers the universe. I learned a lot from my time in Denver and will always apply your approach on DenverBroncos.com to my little section of the Web. You have a friend in me and I wish you all the best.
- J. Mike
andrew,
best of luck to you. you are already missed.
Andrew, nothing but the best to you and your family. You did phenomenal work !!!! Vaya con Dios amigo.
I seriously do not know where to begin> Mason you were seriously the one bright spot in the organization. You were our link to our favorite NFL team. We felt like you we our man on the inside. I have been a Bronco fan since I was little but I am very dissapointed in my team. Letting you go basically was just telling the fans that we do not matter. I am not proud of our team as we speak. Its sad how I live about 50 miles from the Chargers stadium yet they have turned into the organization everyone wants and we are pretty much like the Raiders yet even last year the Raiders were flat out the better team. Andrew if your ever in So Cal you always have a place to stay. I can kick my kids on the floor. Take care…Martin
Hey, if last seasons trend continues they’ll have you back in 72 hours!
On a serious note, I’ll probably be coming here less as well. I usually visit the site for this blog.
Best of luck in the future Andrew, you’ll be missed.
Just thought I’d let you know:
I’d be anywhere lately with my iPod touch’s internet, I’d be in a Hotel with wifi so I could get on, and one of the first things I’d always check was your blog, no matter where I was. It was great to have you reporting.
Stay in touch!
Andrew, I have never posted before but I surely have read (probably too much) your various inside info to the Bronco family. You almost made me feel like I could get closer to my beloved Broncos through your experiences. You will sorely be missed. Good Luck, and Raiders Suck!
Andrew, you getting laid off is lame. But you’re right, things can be better in the end. I hope that they are for you. I liked reading your blog and will miss it. My only reason for the website now will be the press conference videos of Jay. Too bad.
We’ll all miss you. And already are! Stay in touch!
Andrew best wishes. I can’t believe this. I hope nothing but good things for you and your family.
I guess I should thank the Broncos I will have a lot more free time now. Come on. Why do you keep kicking the fans in the nuts. With out any Fans you have no organization. Bring Back Mr. Mason. Quit making emotional decissions. No one can seriously believe letting Mr. Mason go is what is best for this organization.
Stitch up!
I want to know how much your work has been appreciated, even where I live, in France.
I will miss you.
thank you for everything.
Good luck!
good luck to you hope you dont go to a divion rival
ANDREW THANKS FOR BEING A BRONCO AND GOOD LUCK !!!
this was the only blog i appreciated to send and read messages .
From France , so long man .
Good luck in the future, Andrew. I will miss all the stories and videos you contributed to this site. You did a great job, and I dont think any Broncos reporter is better than you.
Good Luck to you Andrew. You made this site worth the visit. Now I will have to get my Bronco news from NFL.com. I won’t be back other than to check and see if you are back.
Sad week in Bronco land: Mase is gone and now Elam. A disappointing season that just won’t end!!!
BABY, YOU’RE THE GREATEST!!!!!!!!!!
Wow… cheers to you for all your hard work, you’ve created an awesome Bronco family from all around the world here on the web. As others have said, please let us know if you start up again elsewhere blogging about our Broncos, you’ll have a reader in me! Good luck… and thank you.
Let’s get back to football: Reggie Heyward, Trevor Pryce, Bert Berry, Jason Elam, Shannon Sharpe, Steve Atwater - what do they all have in common ?? Shanny let them go as free agents because he did not want to pay them what they were worth. Obvioulsy, like I’ve said before, if we just would have paid Reggie, Trevor & Bert we would have had one of the BEST d lines in pro football. And now Elam !! I really can’t believe this !! If it weren’t for Elam we would have won only 3 games last year !! Without Elam, we’ll be lucky to win at all next year. What the heck is going on up in Dove Valley ??? Has Shanny lost his mind ?? Is Bowlen even aware of any of this ?? In an off-season to forget we’ve signed a couple of has-been safties, a couple of lb’s that didn’t even play every down on their former teams and freakin kerry colbert !!!! Instead of nailing down some defensive line stud or some offensive line help, no, we add safeties !!! Without some better linemen on both sides of the ball, we’ll be lucky to win even three games next year. Has the Broncos brain trust even been paying attention to the other teams in the AFC West ?? The Raiders have seriously up-graded their defensive backfield and they have a very high draft pick. The Chargers should be just as good next year, oh yeah, the cheifs will be worse !! Excuse me, we signed Casey Weigman !!! Wow, there will be a battle to see who is actually older, Nalen or Weigman !!!! We’d better make a splash in the draft !! Go Broncos !!!!!
I won’t be back to this site now..
Sucks to see you go Mason.
Wow! I agree with MileHighFan1987 — losing both you and Elam in the same week! I know there is a lot that goes on that we don’t always know about - but I DO know that team spirit and unity go a very long way toward making a team great — it has worked for us in the past and now we have so much loss this offseason in members of the organization (players and nonplayers), well….it will take a lot to fill the gaps. The unity seems to be gone and I only hope we emerge into the season with a leader who can be strong enough to jump over all those gaps. Going to miss you - please don’t be a stranger.
Andrew,
This is one lay off I am not responsible for.
Logging in from England as I do you are going to be a great loss to the site, and more importantly to the whole Broncos family for whom you have been such an erudite and eloquent messenger. I am hoping one of the Denver news outlets will take you on so that you can continue to provide all Denver sports fans the great coverage you have become renowned for.
It has been a privilege knowing you through your blog and TV coverage and I hope you will let us know where we can contact you when you find a new position.
Good Luck for the future - and may God be with you.
All the best
Rex
Same goes for me - you and Elam in one week just sucks. Here in Idaho Seachickens rule and I kept in touch with the Bronocs games via your game blogs. Good luck, man~ “Things happen for a reason” even when that reason isn’t so clear. You will be missed.
Great post!