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Posts Tagged ‘Uncategorized’

The GREEK Roast, wonderful man, we all LOVE!

March 15th, 2009 - 8:48pm by mark_cooperOther posts by

The fundraiser was for Dani’s Foundation that raises money for pediatric sarcomas, which is a rare form of cancer that strikes children and young adults.

It was a comical roasting of one of the greatest men in Broncos history, Steve Antonopulos. The Greek. The hosts were Ron Zappolo and Dave Logan. The evening started out with the Mayor cracking on “The Greek”, then Vic Lombardi, Rich Karlis, Billy Thompson, me, Keith Burns, Claudie Minor and Gary Zimmerman taking shots at him, along with many others in the crowd, as Roasts are suppose to be. Zappolo and Logan chimed in occasionally between speakers too, taking shots back at some of us that fingered them out a few times.

The event, like all Roasts, ended with “The Greek” getting the last shots/cracks in at all of us individually and then on many of the alumni in the crowd. He was hilarious cracking back on everyone.

It was a wonderful evening for a wonderful cause for a man I love. Steve kept me and many of my teammates, current and past players on the field and in the league, probably longer than some of us could have without him. He is loved dearly.

The side note that has been written about is how Jay wasn’t there. No one actually expected him there with the media circus that’s been going on that’s hopefully cleared up tomorrow so we can get back to the main agenda in Broncotown… winning football games, period. He made a donation to the cause, and I respect that. Thanks Jay, that was the right thing to do.

Like I said before, people make mistakes… you – me – the President – all of us. I can agree to disagree with anyone and still get along… that’s what we do for the betterment of the TEAM.

Some folks have asked if I cracked on Jay. You bet, just like I cracked on “The Greek” and about 10-15 others……. because that’s what you do at a Roast. :o )

Heck. I even cracked on myself. If you can’t laugh at yourself, you better check your pulse. I still take credit for Elway’s scrambling abilty.

Coop

Lots of Characters in 50 Years – Gene Mingo

March 10th, 2009 - 10:10am by jim_saccomanoOther posts by

Continuing with the theme of taking a look back at some of the guys who were Denver Broncos back in the day, Gene Mingo is a gentleman who occupies a unique position not just in Bronco history but in the annals of all professional football.

Mingo was unique and accomplished on several levels.

An Ohio native who did not play college football, Mingo was a high school star who continued to play in the United States Navy during a time when many military bases had excellent teams and service football was very competitive, often at the college level.

But in the late 1950′s just as now, players who did not go to college had virtually no future in pro football.

However, sometimes ability and time combine to create opportunity, and such was the case for Mingo when the American Football Legue was formed in 1959, with the first season of play slated for 1960.

The Broncos were among the cheapest and most hardscrabble of teams, looking at any and all players that they could get on a “cost effective basis,” and they took a look at the young Navy veteran.

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Taking Stock

March 9th, 2009 - 11:48am by mike_riceOther posts by

The initial flurry of free agent activity has subsided and the Broncos were as active as any team in the NFL. Their list of acquisitions looks like an oversized draft class. They signed players at a variety of positions, which is good because the Broncos have a variety of needs.

Here are some thoughts about the Broncos’ moves in free agency. Keep in mind that I am an optimist and look for the bright side of things.

RUNNING BACK

I like what the Broncos did here. They brought in experienced NFL players Correll Buckhalter, J.J. Arrington and LaMont Jordan. Add them to a group of young backs including Peyton Hillis, Ryan Torain, Selvin Young and Andre Hall and the Broncos will have plenty of options once training camp starts.

They simply had to bring in some guys who have produced in the NFL. They accomplished that. When Coach McDaniels was in New England, the Patriots used several running backs instead of one workhorse back. I can see the Broncos using the same philosophy at running back in 2009. If they do, they’ll have some good candidates from which to choose.

I think Buckhalter, Arrington and Jordan can and will be productive, assuming all are on the team in September when the regular season opens.

And let’s not forget that Hillis showed he is an NFL-caliber player in 2008 and Torain showed flashes of good play in his short time on the field before injuring his knee.

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New faces in the House

March 8th, 2009 - 3:59pm by mark_cooperOther posts by

$39.52 Million worth of new faces.

Goodman
Dawkins
JJ Arrington
Buchalter
Gaffney
Hill
Reid
Simms
Paxton
Fields
Davis
Jordan

I’ll need to do some research on most of these guys, but I know I can count on you all to help fill me in.

Monodono, I saw the article on Simms but wasn’t sure what you were looking at in it. I’m not a Simms fan because his Dad kept me from a Superbowl ring :o ). Just kidding, he’ll make a nice addition to the team. Now Simms’ fishing gear and accessories… some of the best stuff out there along with Scientific Angler and GLoomis rods. Couldn’t resist, sorry. You know how I like to flyfish.

O.K. I’ll stop being self serving……..nah.

I’m really curious what you all know about the $39+M dollar guys we just signed. Curious on your take other than maybe Dawkins, Arrington and Paxton.

Love to hear what your opinions are.

Coop

Free Agency Frenzy!

March 5th, 2009 - 1:42am by Romi BeanOther posts by

Hello Broncos Country! Oh my goodness, how exciting has free agency been?! There have been so many interesting trades, and I think Coach McDaniels and the Broncos organization have been doing an awesome job! McDaniels is really getting down to business and making this offseason count! Free Agency officially started on February 27, and from about the first minute, the Broncos started making big plays.

Let’s start off with a rundown of who we’ve acquired so far. I don’t know about you guys, but sometimes I lose track of all the new signings, because there is just so much news coming from every team! So let’s start from the beginning! Our first acquisition was Brian Dawkins from the Philadelphia Eagles, who signed a 2-year contract. Dawkins is a powerhouse safety and has been selected to the Pro Bowl seven times – this is just what our defense needs! The day after signing Dawkins, the Broncos added three more unrestricted free-agents to the roster: Correll Buckhalter, Jabar Gaffney, and Lonie Paxton. Buckhalter is a running back, who also comes from the Philadelphia Eagles. Gaffney is a wide receiver from the New England Patriots, and Paxton is a long snapper, also from the Patriots (so I’m guessing Coach knows a few secrets about these two!!)

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2009 NFL Draft Order

March 4th, 2009 - 10:54am by Adam ZinserOther posts by

Over the weekend with all the free agency happenings, a number of y’all asked about the Broncos’ 2009 draft selections.

I now have an updated full round-by-round order of the 2009 NFL Draft.

As most already know, the Broncos hold the 12th overall selection in the draft, but they also have eight more picks as of now.

Their next selection will be the 48th overall, 15th in the second round. The third pick is the 79th overall selection, which is the 15th in the third round.

They pick 14th in the fourth round, and then things get interesting. They have two picks in the fifth round, beginning with the fourth selection which they acquired from Seattle by trading wide receiver Keary Colbert. Then the team has the 13th pick in the fifth round.

The Broncos have just one pick again in the sixth round, the 12th. And again in the seventh round, they have two picks. The first comes in 16th position and the last in 26th, acquired by trading Domonique Foxworth to the Falcons.

This is the most up-to-date list, however it very likely could change. The NFL has not determined compensatory picks yet, which will be awarded to teams at the bottom of rounds 3-7. Once the compensatory picks are announced, we’ll have an updated draft order.

– Adam Zinser, DenverBroncos.com

The Frenzy Begins

March 1st, 2009 - 2:51am by mike_riceOther posts by

NFL free agency is underway and the Broncos have already made a splash. Safety Brian Dawkins makes the move from Philadelphia to Denver and he is in the fold.

There are also multiple report that the organization is also close to signing safety Renaldo Hill, running back Correll Buckhalter, wide receiver Jabar Gaffney and longsnapper Lonie Paxton.

It seems like a good possibility the moves are imminent and if they indeed come to pass, I like them.

First off, the Broncos would presumably have their two starting safeties and upgraded the back end of their defense.

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HOT off the press, interesting??

February 28th, 2009 - 3:20pm by mark_cooperOther posts by

REPORTS: BRONCOS ENTERTAINED TRADING CUTLER

Adam Schefter of NFL Network & Vic Lombardi of CBS4 in Denver report that the Broncos have been shopping quarterback Jay Cutler.

The Bucs and Broncos were trying to swing a three-way deal pursuant to which Matt Cassel would have been traded from the Pats to the Broncos, Cutler would have gone from Denver to Tampa, and the Patriots would have been compensated presumably by the Buccaneers.

According to Schefter, the Lions also approached the Broncos about a trade for Cutler.

Schefter’s version creates the impression that the Broncos didn’t initiate the talks, and merely responded to the offers presented. Vic Lombardi’s version suggests that the Broncos were and are shopping the eleventh overall pick in the 2006 draft.

“I’ve heard the rumors,” Cutler said. “I know what they’re trying to do. Even though I love Denver and I’d love to remain a Bronco, I know how this business works. If they want me to play somewhere else, so be it.”

Despite Cutler’s generally P.C. comments, sources say Cutler is angered by the news.

There’s a consensus in league circles that Cutler has plateaued after showing some improvement early in the 2008 season. He has been criticized in some circles for having a nonchalant demeanor.

The reality is that, whenever there’s a new coach, there’s a chance that he’ll want to pick his own quarterback. Regardless of whether the Broncos initiated the trade talks, the fact that the Broncos said anything other than “hell no” suggests that new coach Josh McDaniels wants to go in a different direction.

We can get into the new signings later. A buddy called me from Kansas and told me about this story.

What’s your take Broncomaniacs??

Lots of characters in 50 Years — Cookie Gilchrist

February 25th, 2009 - 8:44am by jim_saccomanoOther posts by

This is the anniversary of 50 years of Denver Broncos football, as the American Football League began play in the 1960 season and will be celebrated in various ways throughout the year.

I thought one of the things that might be a little bit of fun and nostalgia on our web site would be to blog about some of the great memories and legendary characters who were a part of the Broncos and the AFL in those early years.

The AFL, by the way, lasted longer than any other “second” football league in history and was the only one to have all of its franchises absorbed into the National Football League.

You will find plenty of fans and officials who were a part of the AFL who consider it an indelible part of their lives.

One of the great characters in the AFL was Cookie Gilchrist. The name perhaps evokes a small kick returner or undersized cornerback, but don’t be fooled by the moniker “Cookie.”

There was nothing soft about Carlton Chester “Cookie” Gilchrist.

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Back in Town and Ready for Football!

February 23rd, 2009 - 5:18pm by Romi BeanOther posts by

Hi everyone! Please excuse my tardiness in sending out a blog since Hawaii – I have been wonderfully busy since returning and am finally all caught up! Going on a vacation or a work trip is an incredible experience filled with many unforgettable memories and important lessons learned. These are the experiences that don’t come around everyday, and we are so lucky to experience them. But once we return home, it is always a challenge to catch up with everything we have missed, while simultaneously moving forward with everyone else! But catching up and then getting ahead of our work is always such a gratifying feeling!!!

It’s great to be back in Colorado, however, my week in Hawaii was truly extraordinary. I met some of the most gracious, kind-hearted children and teenagers who have left a lasting impact on me. As I mentioned in my previous blog, the Youth Clinic Cheerleaders and Players traveled to a different island of Hawaii each day, visiting several schools in the mornings, and hosting a cheerleading/football camps at the end of each school day. Since I have been back in Colorado, I have shared my experiences with friends, family, and some schoolmates as well. A common theme that has emerged as I’ve shared my experiences is a general unawareness of the economic situation in much of Hawaii. When we think of Hawaii, beautiful beaches, endless sunshine, and complete relaxation comes to mind – basically, the perfect vacation spot. In reality, this is only a tiny portion of Hawaii; much of the population struggles to make ends meet and is living with very low-incomes. We traveled to nearly all of the islands, and had the privilege of working with many of the underprivileged kids living there. And these kids are some of the most remarkable people I have come across. They are so grateful for the smallest gesture; a simple “good job” from a football player or cheerleader means the absolute world to them. They are so kind, giving, and excited to have you share a day with them.

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