Welcome to the Family
When you work in professional sports for a number of years you cannot help but develop a second family, besides the one at home which means so much to all of us, and is in fact the basis of our entire lives.
But that second family is in a building where you spend a huge percentage of your time, working with a unified group of individuals passionate about a singular goal.
Every team can’t win every year, but that’s the goal for every team, and that is the bond that creates the second family.
Over the years in the Denver Broncos family I have been fortunate to be a part of seasons that have been mostly good, and often great.
And there have been great people as part of the extended Broncos family; I can remember when the children of Mike and Peggy Shanahan were very young, and my own son and daughter working here as summer ball boy (son) and PR office typist (daughter).
At the same time the kids of other longtime coaches were growing up – many have now moved away, but they will always be a part of the Broncos family.
New members enter the family every year through the NFL draft, which in 2008 brought us nine players of diverse backgrounds and locations.
But as of April 27, they are tied to the Broncos forever.
The new draftees perhaps do not yet know how outstanding a franchise they are coming into, but they soon will see the operation of a great meritocracy.
Draftees come in rounds from one through seven, but when they first enter the locker room and later the field, they are treated as equals, and the best advance.
So to tackle Ryan Clady, wide receiver/return specialist Eddie Royal, offensive lineman Kory Lichtensteiger, cornerback Jack Williams, running back Ryan Torain, defensive tackle Carlton Powell, linebacker Spencer Larsen, safety Josh Barrett, and fullback Peyton Hillis, welcome to the Broncos family.
The 2008 season now is just lifting and sprinting, but it will evolve into meetings and practices, and ultimately into 16 games that once again will determine the measure of a team.
The above players already have passed the test of talent and character which brought them draft day selection by the Denver Broncos, and soon enough all the members of the Broncos Country family can watch the new guys integrate themselves into our “second family” community.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:15 am
haha they took down the last blog.. it would be nice to get a new blog where we could actually give our opinions and discuss things like we used to
June 12th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Jim,
Thanks for taking the time to do another blog. While the fans don’t get the day to day interaction, blogs like this help us to feel part of the family too. I’m looking forward to seeing the new members of the family on the field come game day.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:59 am
they took off the 1 with the guy crying about cutler at fan fair?? cover up lol
June 12th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Don’t forget about the UFA in the newcomers of family , some of them may be remembered longer than the draftees !
June 12th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
You may not realize this yet Jim, but Bronco fans have begun seeking their information elsewhere. Your blogs are disappointing at best. Please do not feel that a blog should be some manufactured lecture about the governmental style of a team (meritocracy) or that the players are reading this as their “welcome” to the team.
What is the point of the rhetoric in this blog? Whom does it serve?
Communication 101 - Know your audience. You took that class somewhere…pull out the notecards and review.
June 12th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
>>>>>READ ME!
June 12th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
READ ME!
What rookie will make the biggest immediate impact on the broncos?
My choice is Eddie Royal. He is going to help out in the return game and has the hands and speed to be a quality reciever.
June 14th, 2008 at 6:28 am
Being a Resident of Arkansas,I was very happy that the Broncos were able to get Peyton Hillis a former Razorback. Peyton brings great character and work ethic plus one heckofa Fullback, Good blocker and he will surprise with great ability to catch the football out of the back field. Go Peyton,Go Broncos
June 14th, 2008 at 11:48 am
wheres mason?!?
we cant discuss this
June 14th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
June 14th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Clady and Royal, Boss Bailey and Dewayne Robertson will impact our team, but without Marshall we can’t dominate teams. We can win. But to dominate in the N.F.L., you need players on your team like Marshall. He is our horse, and we must ride him!
June 14th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
You guys need to get off of Jim’s back. It has obviously become personal with yall. You remind me of a team ganging up against his coach and getting him fired. Freakin mob mentality is disgusting. If you don’t like his post, just respond to your own topic or one of the other issues rasied by the other fans. Your making me not want to read this blog, and I can’t get enough of the Broncos!
June 16th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
lol Looks like Javon got what he deserved. Kind of makes you wonder if he was the target in that drive by shooting that took Darrent Williams life. What a classless ass he is.
June 16th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Jim - Please get us some better info, your blogs leave a lot to be desired. This site has gone to crap without Mason…cmon get it together. They should have fired you and replaced you with Mason.
June 18th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
I agree with BleedBlue&Orange. People need to lay off of Saccomano and get over the Mason thing. He’s with the Panthers now. Obviously he’s moved on, so everyone here should, too.
As for the notion of “family” in the NFL … whatever. It’s a business. I’m sure at least one or two of those rookies Saccomano mentions will no longer be Broncos by the 2009 season, and that’s assuming this is a good draft class. Nick Ferguson seemed a good “family” member and he was not asked back. Mason and the others laid off probably thought they were part of the “family” and they were shown the door.
Leave the sentimentality for high school and college. This is a business. Thinking of it as more than that — and thinking of it as “family” — will leave you disappointed.
June 18th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
To Mountain and Bleedblue&Orange. I disagree with you both. We want real topics to blog about. I don’t really think its a Mason thing. Its real Broncos fans wanting to discuss there team, and not these boring topic. there lots out there. How the new guys doing, How Marshall arm, does the team look good right now. Just give us something other than front office stuff.
June 19th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
***NEWS FLASH****… if you keep whining and crying about all this then that will magically bring Mason back and the other dude will magically dissapear… So keep on whining and crying so your wildest dreams come true
June 20th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Broncobailey99 Who whining if things keep going like they are you will be the only one blogging on this site
June 21st, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Uh… yeah doubt that…
June 22nd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
JIM SACCOMANO!!!!,
Your getting trashed hear and there is no way that you like it. One thing thats gets good blogs going is asking a question. For instance, in this blog you could of said ” Now that we have welcomed these players to the organazation, which of these players is the best fit for the Broncos?” and I just made that up off the top of my head, there are probably better questions you could of asked. So if you want to keep the attention off you and your unimpressive blog, give us fans something to discuss!
June 23rd, 2008 at 11:52 am
I’ve seen several football publications with their “expert” analysis of all the 2008 teams and their rospects. None of them are verry impressed with the Broncos. One publication had the Broncos finishing second in the AFC West with a 7-9 record. The one area they all really were down on the Broncos was special teams with a consistant rating of D or D-. I hate to admit it, but they’re right. While the addition of Kosto and Royal will significantly improve some aspects of the special teams, the total unknown abilitiy of whoever will be the Broncos punter and kicker leaves specials teams a potential major disaster area. Anyone else agree with me?
June 24th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
oldsouthstander-
No, i dont agree at all.
June 24th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Please expound on your opion. I’m trying to get some sort of discussion going instead of the currently blah stuff.
June 24th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
oldsouthstander,
Hey buddy good question.
I actually agree with them. However, I also think it was the one area of the football team that was the easiest to fix. Royal is going to add that “thing” you can’t teach to the return game. He has pure instinct. I don’t expect him to be the next Hester his first year but he does bring vision and experience to that part of our team. We haven’t had a solid returner in a long time. One that prided himself in college at that position.
Kickoffs were the next biggest concern and I like the yardage our boy put up the last few weeks of the season.
Again, great question!
P.S REGARDING JIM! BACK THE F*CK OFF!!!
This is not how we treat members of our organization. If you don’t like his style of writing, simply don’t respond. You don’t have to throw the man under the bus because you want every blog to be about specific players, practices, insights etc. That’s not jim. It’s not his job to report that stuff. We all know like it or not that that person to be in the huddle and then blogging just isn’t there just yet. Give it time. But don’t throw up on OUR OWN GUY because he’s writing about stuff you don’t like.
Furthermore, Jim was bloggin while Mason was. Nobody said one word about his blogs while Mason was here. Actually it was applauded. Now that Mason leaves and Jim continues what he has always done, some of you freak the f*ck out! Are you kidding me? Talk about dissplaced aggression.
Come on guys, we’re better than that. Show some respect.
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
June 25th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
AGREED
June 27th, 2008 at 9:02 am
while I appreciate your work jim and you effort, the blog definitely needs some improvment….Mason gave us insight and information we couldn’t find elsewhere….I hope you can jumpstart this blog…if not, myabe somebody else can….
June 27th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Quick question for you guys.
Why does the national media look past Denver? Don’t they see the opportunitites we had last year vs. the corrections the team made through players and coaching changes?
I don’t need the national spotlight, I’m just fine with the boys going under the radar. I’m just wondering if our outlook is better because we’re more in tune with things or we’re just great fans that expect perfection.
Not sure but I see huge! upside with the team. Particularly with the D-Line. Getting the DE’s back up and running with Ekuban wow!
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
June 27th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Your right Broncfalls, why are the broncos so far under the radar? It wasn’t that long ago that we went 13-3. It wasn’t that long ago that we defeated the back-2-back Super Bowl champion Patriots in the divisional round of the ‘05-’06 season to advance to the AFC Championship. I wasn’t that long ago that we were 2 minutes and 34 seconds from tying the 49ers in OT and making the playoffs. And it wasn’t that long ago that we went 7 and 9 with an EXTREMELY injured team and a second year quarterback that was loosing wait and didn’t know why. But the difference between you and I Broncfalls is that I hate how Denver is under the radar. I would love to be like Cowboy and Patriot fans and get to here about my team on Total Access or NFL Live. I get sick of hearing about all those powerhouse teams because I think we have the ability to be one of them.
What do you guys think?
June 27th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
broncos14441,
Good point. It’s nice to be under the radar, but better when you see them getting the respect.
Good point!
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
June 29th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Well my last attempt to get some discussion going sure fizzled. How about this:
The broncos 2008 record will be 10-6 and here’s how they fare game by game:
At Oakland A toss up at it’s a Monday night game at Oakland, but the
Broncos prevail.
San Diego The Broncos will be fired up as it’s their home opener, but
they’e still no match for the Chargers. Their only hope is
that the Charger players who had off season surgery still
haven’t fully recovered.
New Orleans The Broncos are the better team and it will show in Spades.
At KC Winning at KC is always extremely difficult. Winning in KC
two years in a row is a major challange, but the Chiefs
have way to many problems. A Broncos win.
Tampa Bay The Bucs are a long way from the Super Bowl winner they
were a few years ago, Broncos show why. Broncos win.
Jacksonville The Jags are an elite team. Broncos will find out why. Jags
win easily.
New England See above.
Miami Almost as good as a bye. Broncos clean up.
at Cleveland Will the real Derek Anderson please stand up. If 2007 was
real, Browns win easily, if not they win in a cliff hanger.
at Atlanta See Dolphins
Raiders Sure is nice to pound the Raiders twice a year. Wonder who
their new starting QB will be.
at NY Jets A building team, but the Broncos are better. Another win
for the Broncos.
KC Another, who’ll be their new starting QB. Broncos win.
at Carolina Panters defense is too much for the Broncos. Panthers win.
Buffalo Another team on the rise. Broncos prevail.
at San Diego Broncos go 0fer against the Chargers.
June 30th, 2008 at 6:06 am
After further review, I say 8-8.
Broncos have never won two games in a row in KC and they always suck against the Dolphins. Even Elway never beat them.
Comments?????
June 30th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
i see denver going 12-4 or 11-5 and winning the division…call me crazy but I think the Chargers will come down a little bit this year…they don’t have Turner backing up LT anymore either….
I think the Key is week 2 agaist SD at home…we win that game, and we have a real shot at the division…
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:58 am
Well, hear’s what I think…
at Oakland (MNF)
Defevensive battle, JaMarccuss will be starting for the Raiders. 1st Year Starter vs. Champ and Dre’. I got the Broncos 17-3
vs San Diego
Sweet Revenge. Remeber Champ and John sticking up for Jay after Phillup Rivers trash talking, don’t be surprised if he doen’t finish that game, but I still think we blow a lead late in the game. Chargers 20-24.
vs New Orleans
Not much to say hear. Broncos win.
at KC
Blowout… Denver puts up 36 point on their D and hold them under 14.
vs Tampa Bay
Never sure about the Buccs. I say who ever the new kicker is ganna be gets his first walk off FG in OT as the broncos win 13-16
vs Jacksonville
Nailbiter… Jacksinville is to tough, they blow another late lead as they loose 21-27
at New England (MNF)
Shanahan keeps his dominance going agaist the Pats as we win easily, 24-13
Bye
The Broncos need to prepair for their toughest game yet…
Dolphins (Yes, that last remark was sacastic)
Denver scores somewhere between 36 and 52 as we kill ‘em for their 6th win
at Cleveland (TNF on NFLN Opener)
Who will show up, last years Browns or the ‘06 Browns. I say last years, they loose.
at Atlanta
Win.
vs Raiders
Close one but i gotta take the Broncos 10-16
at New York
Loss, I can possibly see the Jets being good next year and after playing the close one vs the Raiders i just see them loosing even though we’re the better team.
at Pathers
I think the Panthers are overrated and will only win 4 next year and none of those will be against the broncs, We win 24-6.
at Buffalo
Very very close but in a cold December game the Broncos win 21-13.
at San Diego
Winner takes the division as both teams go in to this game 10-5, but they win.
Now with 10 wins most teams would make the playoffs but hears how i see it playing out:
AFC Division winners
S- Colts 12-4
N- Steelers 11-5
E- Pats 13-3
W- Chargers 11-5
Wild Cards
1- Jags 12-4
2- Browns 10-5
Because the Broncos lost to the Browns in the regular season, Cleveland got the tie breaker and knocked Denver outta the Playoffs
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:01 am
By “they” in “at San Diego” i was refering to the Chargers.
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Bronco Fans, please try to remember that you are ONLY fans. Mason made the mistake of dealing with you on a personal level, as though you matter. (He was notorious for forgetting his obligation to maintaining the Voice of Authority, stooping to addressing comments by lowly fans, and even being so pedestrian as to inject his blog entries with his own personality.) There’s no room for personality on a fan website! He had to go. Now shut up, buy the merchandise, pay for the tickets, watch some football. You don’t matter.
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:45 pm
ocrush4ever, you are an idiot! This blog and this site exist to expand the fan base, maintain interest through the offseason and support the Denver Broncos fans.
Saying that we don’t matter? We are the only reason this site exists. You’re right, none of our individual voices matter, but PR (Jim S’s department) exists to appease us, the fans because quite simply Public=fans.
So, try again. You don’t like us giving our opinion? Poor you.
Mason wasn’t the most professional blogger, and he rarely demonstrated a “Voice of Authority” so I didn’t miss the tone of his blogs or the writing. What I and so many others cherished was the candor of Mason’s blog, the interaction he had with fans, and the excitement he instilled by sharing the internal workings of our f(r)anchise. So, you can buy a ticket, get a new hat and suck on Jim, but I’m waiting for the collective disappointment of the fanbase to affect some change on the DB site.
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:28 pm
I’M GETTING SICK OF THE FIGHTING!!! IF YOUR NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT NEXT YEAR OR PLAYERS OR SOMETHING THAT MIGHT START CONVERSATION ON A GOOD TOPIC, THAN STOP TYPING, AND DISJOINT THE BONCOS WEBSITE BECAUSE YOUR ONLY ANOYING US!!! SO PLEASE, STOP!
July 3rd, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Thanks for your input broncos14441, but I’ll decide what to type. Freedom of speech and all that…
If you don’t like it, you have the right to ignore me, just like I’ll ignore you.
BTW, all CAPS is ironic in a message intended to stop fighting. Thanks for the laugh.
July 5th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
I’m tired of fighting this fight we do need to just get over this. its time to talk about football. I know its hard to come up with topics because Jim and his people don’t give us anything. There have been some others trying to get topic going so that what we need to do. And to ocrush4ever YOu are an idiot
July 5th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Dare2bme, expand your understanding a bit. Look up “irony” and “parody.” Until you can demonstrate a higher level of intelligence, you should stay out of the growd-ups’ conversations.
July 5th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
F funk…read the above post. It pertains to you.
July 6th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
TO ocrush4eve!!… if we don’t matter to the Broncos than they’d be screwed… We mean the world to them… We pay for the players and coaches and stadium… NO FANS = NO TEAM… and ALL CAPS IS SOMETIMES USED TO GET PEOPLES ATTENTION
Any whoo… How bout them Broncos?
July 7th, 2008 at 8:26 am
ocrush
Maybe you need to look in the dictionary. I’d say irony was a quite appropriate word.
irony: A misleading use of a visual image to present one thing to the viewer, but actually representing the opposite.
So you understand, you IRONICALLY, spoke in all caps while expressing your desire that we STOP arguing. So, your contribution to the conversation acted in direct conflict with your stated desire. That, my dumbass friend is IRONY.
So STFU!
July 7th, 2008 at 8:57 am
I’m done with this blog. All of us fans have come to arguing over stupid stuff because we have nothing else to talk about and we all know why that is… So you can stay arguing on this blog, or you can go over to Coopers blog and talk about football. See ya later!
July 7th, 2008 at 9:18 am
hey oldsouthstander–i appreciate you trying to get the discussion moving along….how about one more try? i’ll write something “outrageous” to most bronco fans and let’s see if it sparks some discussion…..
here it goes: the broncos are not very good. how’s that? oh–not strong enough? uh-uhm……the broncos will have a hard time going .500. still no?
one more time…..the broncos may finish 3rd, behind the raiders, in the west!
come on…surely that’s enough! everyone has to have some sort of raider comment.
uh. oh well.. i’ll just go now. y’all must be tired…
July 7th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
appreciate you trying to start something Bronco Sam… but i dont know if it will work just because you said you would try to spark something… but thanks for the laugh… it was ammusing.
Ah… what the heck THERE IS NO WAY THE RAIDERS WILL DO BETTER THAN US!!!! YOU’RE CRAZY BRONCO SAM!!!… You think cuz they got Mcfadden that they’ll do better?… pshhh… talk about fumling when you dont even have a o-line….
July 8th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
How do you guys think McCree will do for use this year .
July 9th, 2008 at 4:49 am
I don’t think very many of us, especially those with the personal attacks, realize how lucky we are to have the Broncos allow the lines of “discussion” go as far as they do. On the NE website, anyone making any critical comments on the Patriots was immedaitely banned. I think we all have to admit a lot of commentd posted here have gone way beyond simple “critical” comments.
How about a new area of discission?
The following Broncos should be in the HOF because:
The following Broncos don’t belong in ther HOF because:
July 10th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Damn….I don’t think the point of this blog is to do what Mason’s did. That’s ok. Give it a break!
-TSG
http://www.milehighreport.com
July 10th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I think Rod Smith will be in the HOF because he is HECKA AWESOME
I don’t think Patrick Ramsey will be in the HOF because… well he hasn’t done too much…
Come on now lets keep the ball rolling…. I sorta like this topic
July 10th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
I think Rod is a solid lock as a HOF he was one of the most exciting players i loved to watch not just as a bronco fan but as a football fan you just got to love the work ethic and dedication of a player.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:28 am
But of course for current you will have a deffinent spot in the HOF for John Lynch and Champ Bailey
and Lets not forget about Shannen Sharpe who thinks he’ll be in it?
July 11th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Shannen was a great TE but i don’t think in the world of TE i don’t think he has done enough but on a personal level I would vote for him
July 11th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
And there will be a spot for them two what your thought on Ed mcaf
July 11th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
I don’t think Ed has done enough… One of my past favorite players growing up though… I always thought he was such a cool dude. But I think Sharpe will be in the HOF because he did sooo much for the TE positon. In, I believe their 2nd superbowl winning game, Sharpe was their game plan… Denver had a lot they were gonna use him for… That just shows how much of an asset he was to Denver and the TE posistion by improving that newer style of the time
July 11th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Who do you think should start at RB this year I think Young because I think he is going to go into this year ready to prove something. I am also glad we got rid of Henry that was a good call He is such a loser.
July 12th, 2008 at 10:58 am
AGREED W/ EVERYTHING YOU SAID… HENRY = TROUBLE
I think Young starts w/ Torain and Pittman backing him up
But in more detail I see Pittman more 2nd and Torain 3rd as of right now, but later I could see Torain and Pittman getting equal time under Young
July 12th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I agree with that But i see Pittman playing more fullback and Torain backing up Young it should be exciting. How do you feel about Royal Me personal i think he is going to be great.
July 12th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Yes… w/ out a doubt
My thought is he’ll be punt/kick return early in the season, but than later in the season he’ll still be doin good w/ that but he’ll be thrown into WR quite a bit
July 13th, 2008 at 7:27 am
I hope Peyton Hillis becomes a great fullback for us… he is sorta versitle (can catch and run fairly good)
July 13th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Mason was the only blogger that gave us any information in the blogs.
Why do you think were on the site?
Were looking for information!
Hire us another Mason!!!
July 18th, 2008 at 11:53 am
I’m back… people have stop arguing so i will come back to this blog and speak my opinion.
Shanahan is so unpredictable. Truthfully, i think Andre Hall could be a quality back. With an injury prone dept chart at the running back position, I wouldn’t be surpised to see him in the running for main back-up if not the starter toward the end of the season.
July 18th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Yeah… I could see where you’re coming from… I’m not sure what to think anymore… I’m just waiting till the season….