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Battling the Breeze

May 31st, 2013 - 2:06pm by Mike Morris

The howling wind in the Denver area on Thursday was formidable enough to divert aircraft elsewhere, but it certainly did not divert the Broncos offense from taking to the air in practice.

While wind gusts of over 30 miles per hour forced planes to land at neighboring airports, quarterbacks Peyton Manning, Brock Osweiler, Zac Dysert and Ryan Katz launched spirals through the blustery weather conditions at Broncos headquarters.

And while some balls bobbed, fluttered and sailed in the unrelenting breeze, the squall also helped simulate the unpredictable and often harsh weather conditions that transpire in the course of an NFL season – something that Manning believes is important to the team’s preparation.

“I think that’s a good thing,” Manning said on Thursday. “We had a little rain yesterday, wet field. A little wind today. Any time, whether it’s OTAs or training camp, as many game-like conditions that might come up during the season, that’s a positive.”

Offensive Coordinator Adam Gase mentioned that while breezy conditions may force quarterbacks to make adjustments on deep passes, the weather didn’t impact the general operation of the offense.

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Building Chemistry on the Greens

May 30th, 2013 - 2:48pm by Stuart Zaas

Before the Broncos returned to the practice field for OTAs on Wednesday, the team hit the greens at the Sanctuary Golf Course in Sedalia, Colo.

The club participated in a nine-hole golf tournament split into foursomes with teammates at different positions that they don’t typically interact with as much inside the team’s Dove Valley headquarters.

“It was good,” Head Coach John Fox said of the outing. “Some of these guys have never played before. So it’s really a team-building exercise where guys get to spend a little time with a teammate and get to know him better.”

Quarterback Peyton Manning played with offensive lineman Vinston Painter, running back Montee Ball and wide receiver Trindon Holliday.

“It went well,” said Manning, who reportedly shot a 77 the weekend prior at Augusta National. “I can tell Ball and Painter have been studying their playbooks and not playing much golf, which is a good thing.”

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In This Week…..in 1965

May 30th, 2013 - 7:05am by jim_saccomano

The Denver Broncos website has continuous great content on the current activities of the team, and so I am going to do a weekly series of blogs reflecting back on some historical event that happened “in this week.”

Fans can read fast, or not at all, but some might enjoy a quick look back at a historical moment that has its anniversary this week.

Back in 1965 the Broncos came very close to being sold to a group that would have moved the team to Atlanta, Georgia.

That did not happen because Gerry Phipps stepped forward, and along with his brother Allen (who was in fact out of the country on vacation at the time) bought out the other owners and literally saved the franchise for Denver.

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Fans Invited to Participate in Inaugural Back to Football Run

May 30th, 2013 - 6:55am by Stuart Zaas

The Denver Broncos and Competitor Group, Inc. (CGI) today announced a new event for Broncos fans to combine their love of running with their passion for the orange and blue at the Broncos Back to Football Run, featuring a 5K, 10K, Fans on the Field Stadium Run and Broncos PLAY 60 Fun Run for kids.

The 2013 race is set to take place at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Saturday, Sept. 7, and will benefit the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD). Fans who previously participated in NSCD’s Fans on the Field event are encouraged to join this new event.

Debuting the weekend following the Broncos home opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, Sept. 5, the Broncos Back to Football Run invites fans to share in the glory of the gridiron while supporting a healthy and active lifestyle. Participants will have the unprecedented opportunity to finish their race at the 50-yard line at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, the home of their beloved Denver Broncos.

“Denver is a proud football city that also has a vibrant and active running community, making this event a perfect way to kick off the 2013 season and bring the fans together,” said Dennis Moore, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Denver Broncos. “We’re proud to be part of a series of races that also supports the league’s commitment to healthy families and our PLAY 60 initiative to combat childhood obesity.”

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Von Miller: Two-Way Player?

May 29th, 2013 - 8:33am by Andrew Mason

Deep in John Fox’s head-coaching past, there were moments when he allowed his top pass rusher to line up on offense, as he did in Carolina for Julius Peppers in 2004.

And last year, the Broncos let defensive tackle Mitch Unrein line up at fullback — and promptly catch a touchdown pass, living out the dream many defensive players hold deep in their hearts.
 
So there’s precedent for giving Von Miller a shot on offense, an idea the third-year player threw out to the media last week.

But there’s no envy in Miller’s heart that Unrein got the big chance to grab a pass from Peyton Manning first during the win over Tampa Bay last December — mainly because Unrein had the pressure that set up Miller for a touchdown off an interception return that same day.
 
“Mitch was a catalyst to me getting my first interception. I wasn’t like, ‘Aw man, that should’ve been me,’” Miller said. “People don’t credit Mitch for my interception, because I think that was really his first sack of the season, but (Tampa Bay quarterback) Josh (Freeman) threw it to me. So I feel pretty good for Mitch.”
 
Nevertheless, Miller would love that chance in the future.
 
“I want to get my conditioning up so I can play offense, too,” he said with a chuckle. “Whatever they give me the ball at. I’ll block first. I’ll play a little bit of receiver, tight end. I feel like it’s the same way on defense — whatever they want me to do, I’ll do it. I’ll try to get it done.”
 
There’s only one thing on offense he can’t do.
 
“I can’t throw at all,” he said, laughing.

2014 NFL Draft Dates Announced

May 28th, 2013 - 8:59am by Stuart Zaas

The 2014 NFL Draft will be held May 8-10 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, the league announced on Tuesday.

The decision was made after discussions with club personnel and key NFL business partners. No decision has been made regarding the dates of the NFL Draft in 2015 and beyond. A variety of alternatives are being explored, teams were told, including holding the draft at Radio City or at other locations, either in the New York area or in other cities.

The NFL clubs also were informed that there would be no significant changes in the dates of other off-season events next year:

    • • Several Regional Combines will be held on various dates from January 24 through February 16, 2014. Some Regional Combines may be held after the National Combine in Indianapolis.
      • The National Combine in Indianapolis will be held from February 18-25, 2014.
      • The new League Year, and the Free Agency period, will begin on March 11, 2014.
      • The Annual Meeting will be held in Orlando, Florida, on March 23-26, 2014.
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    Reflecting on the Past Week in Broncos Country

    May 26th, 2013 - 8:00am by jim_saccomano

    The past week has been a great one in Broncos Country and a great one for The Game.

    The Game is something generally experienced from the inside looking out, not from the outside looking in.

    Pat Bowlen, beloved owner of the Broncos and one of the great owners in history, received the ultimate community award from The Mizel Institute.

    Pat has donated over 25 million dollars in actual, real cash money–not promotional considerations–cash, within the state of Colorado over his 30 years owning the Broncos.

    And, get this and really considered it: in the history of the NFL, MLB and NBA he is one of just three owners to have their team for 30 years AND have a .600 winning percentage–the other two are the late Tim Mara of the Giants and Jerry Buss of the Lakers.

    Click to continue reading “Reflecting on the Past Week in Broncos Country”

    Bruton Speaks at YESS Institute Mentoring Celebration

    May 22nd, 2013 - 6:39pm by Stuart Zaas

    Broncos safety David Bruton more experience than most players at speaking to a group of students.

    During the 2011 offseason, Bruton worked as a substitute teacher in his hometown school district in Miamisburg, Ohio, teaching students in grades 1 through 12.

    So when he was asked to serve as the keynote speaker at the YESS Institute Mentoring Year-End Celebration, it was a natural fit.

    “Any time I can get in front of youth and deliver a message or teach it’s definitely great,” Bruton said. “It’s just something that I love to do.”

    Bruton posed for pictures with the students and the student-mentors at the beginning of the event, which was held in the United Club East Level at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

    Click to continue reading “Bruton Speaks at YESS Institute Mentoring Celebration”

    Wes Welker Sends DU Lacrosse Off to Final Four

    May 21st, 2013 - 9:04pm by Stuart Zaas

    As the University of Denver Men’s Lacrosse team got set to wrap up their final practice before departing for the NCAA Final Four, a surprise visitor stepped onto the field to address the team.

    Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker visited Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium to address the Pioneers squad that will take on Syracuse at 2 p.m. CDT in Indianapolis on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Denver overcame a six-goal deficit to become the first team in men’s lacrosse championship quarterfinal history to win after trailing by five goals or more.

    Click here for a photo gallery of Welker’s visit.

    And below is the footage of Welker’s speech to the team:

    Rahim Moore Stands Tall

    May 21st, 2013 - 1:25pm by jim_saccomano

    Denver Broncos safety Rahim Moore is working hard in the off-season to get better, but the UCLA third-year player is aware that he will never be able to blot out the memory of that touchdown pass thrown by the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs.

    Not from his mind, and certainly not from that of legions of Broncos fans.

    After that devastating loss Moore stood at his locker and answered all the questions, taking all the blame, deflecting none to anyone else.

    And he met the press like he was supposed to on the first day of OTA’s.

    Click to continue reading “Rahim Moore Stands Tall”