On day three of the London 2012 Olympic Games Missy Franklin, a Colorado native, won the gold in the Women's 100m Backstroke! She visited with the at the Bronco's HQ back in June meeting a couple of friends including Peyton Manning and Eric Decker.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Missy Franklin wins the gold!
On day three of the London 2012 Olympic Games Missy Franklin, a Colorado native, won the gold in the Women's 100m Backstroke! She visited with the at the Bronco's HQ back in June meeting a couple of friends including Peyton Manning and Eric Decker.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Broncos players visit Aurora shooting victims
Bronco players visited with victims of the Aurora shooting at the Medical Center of Aurora on Sunday. Left tackle Ryan Clady, right guard Chris Kuper, wide receiver Eric Decker, tight end Jacob Tamme, linebacker Joe Mays, defensive end Ben Garland, and the retired Brian Dawkins were present. Peyton Manning also called the victims on a one-by-one basis earlier in the day. Twelve were killed and 59 injured in the tragedy.
“It was just such a tragic event,” Mays said. “You just wish that things like that never happened, but it did and my heart goes out to all the family members and loved ones. Today, we just wanted to come here and speak to those that were in the hospital and just talk to them a little bit. We just wanted to show extra support to them.”
The players spent time with the victims listening to story after story and learning about some connections with a few of them.
They first met with Steve Barton, who was biking across the country when the event happened. The players grouped up in the room with his family and his friend Evan Rodriguez-Torrent ,also on the biking trip with Steve.
“We just wanted to come out show support and to be able to crack a smile with these guys -- it’s good to see that they’re making progress,” Decker said. “I think they’re excited to get out of here, but it’s just good to see a smile on their face.”
The next victim they met with was Carey Rottman, who has a gunshot wound in his leg.
After a while the conversation with Rottman turned to football and right guard Chris Kuper learned of a connection the two had. Rottman played runningback at Winona State, and his team played against Kuper's North Dakota team.
“It meant the world,” Rottman said. “Especially with some of the guys I had a connection with through college football – we knew a lot of the same people and that just brings them down to more of a real level. It’s surreal.”
The two continued talking and talked about their games and Rottman discovered a few of his friends played with Decker and Mays in North Dakota State and Minnesota.
"We’re just here to show support for the medical staff and some of the victims and just kind of do what we can to help people,” Kuper said. “Hopefully we can lift someone’s spirits after such a tragedy.”
Next up the players met up with Josh Nowlen, who is an Iraq war veteran. Nowlen jumped on his friends to protect them. He suffered hits to his arm and leg.
While talking with Nowlen and the family, the players found out they were talking with Patriots fans. The two groups were not on the same page with teams, but each left with a smile on their face.
“A lot of these victims are in great spirits and just happy and blessed to be alive,” Clady said.
The seven players also spent time with the emergency room staff, who first treated the patients.
“We’re just thrilled to have the Broncos here to visit with the patients and uplift their spirits as well as the staff that was here,” Acting President of the Medical Center of Aurora Bill Voloch said. “There’s no doubt it helps the patients in every way. As they’re trying to recover from their injuries, it’s just a wonderful thing for the players to be able to come down and visit with them.”
The players felt that coming to visit the patients before training camp was the least they could do.
“When a tragedy happens to us as people, what I quickly do is think, ‘What if that was me? What if that was my brother? Or what if that was a friend going through that?’” Dawkins said. “It’s such a surreal thing that can happen in any place. So, I wanted to get in here and visit as many people as I could as quickly as possible to just bring a smile to their faces in the midst of what they’re going through right now.”
Ben Garland, a Colorado native, extended Dawkins thoughts.
"Colorado is a tight community,” he said. “We just wanted to come together and do anything we could for these victims. It’s been a tough summer for everyone, so if we can do even a small part just to help them out, we will.”
Ryan Clady offered contract extension
Broncos All-Pro left tackle has reportedly been offered a five-year $50 million deal. The contract extension includes $28 million guaranteed according to an NFL source.
The talks began in May, and if Clady takes the offer he would be included in one of the five richest offensive lineman in football, based on annual salary. This upcoming year he is to earn $3.5 million; if he accepts the offer he will earn $10 million.
Since he was drafted with the 12th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft Clady has played all 66 regular season and playoff games. In that time he has only missed 15 regular-season snaps. In his rookie year he earned his All-Pro status when he did not allow one sack all year long, and he went to the Pro Bowl in the 2009 and 2011 seasons.
Denver is trying hard to keep the former Boise St. Bronco and have him guard Manning's blindside. Here's hoping Clady stay a Bronco and retires as one too.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Denver's teams and players send condolences to those affected by Aurora shooting
No one would have thought that the flag at the White House would have been lowered to half-staff on July 20, 2012. Unfortunately there was such an event that made this happen.
On July 20, the new Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises" started playing at midnight in theaters across America. In Aurora, Colorado, a former honor student and recent graduate school dropout by the name of James Holmes walked in prepared and disguised wearing black with a bullet proof helmet and vest, ballistic leggings, throat and groin protector, black tactical gloves, a gas mask, and had three weapons on him. He cast off two smoke grenades then opened fire killing 12 and injuring 59.
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| Zach Golditch remarkably walked away after stray bullet went right through him |
His family and friends never suspected this kind of action from Holmes as he was described as "quiet and easy-going" and never had problems; he was also described as "respectful". Holmes barely talked and did not socialize. As one man said, "No one knew him. No one."
Denver's teams and players payed respect to those effected in the shooting on twitter and through other ways:
The Colorado Rockies made a jersey remembering the sad event.
The Broncos said this in a statement:
"Our deepest, most heartfelt condolences go out to the victims of this horrific tragedy in our community"
Many Bronco players sent their prayers as well on Twitter and Facebook:
Ben Garland: "I was planning on attending that exact movie in that theater but changed my mind. Thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims."
Ryan Clady: "Thoughts and prayers to the victims in the shooting in Colorado. Sad day"
Zane Beadles: "Deeply saddened by the Aurora shooting. A bit of anger too. Prayers to all those affected. #tragic"
Terrell Davis: "My heart goes out to all of the victims of the Aurora, Colorado movie theater shooting last night. Just a senseless act by a coward. #tragic"
Willis McGahee: "My thoughts and prayers are with my Denver family - can't believe the news of this mass shooting in Aurora - this is crazy"
Former Bronco Eddie Royal: "Sick to my stomach hearing about the senseless tragedy in Aurora, CO last night... My thoughts and prayers are with those effected. Really puts in perspective how insignificant our daily stresses are..."
Former Bronco Tim Tebow: "My prayers go out to all the families and friends of the victims of the terrible tragedy that took place in Aurora, CO. Psalm 23"
The Denver Nuggets: "Our thoughts are with all of those affected by last night's tragedy in Aurora, CO."
Holmes was taken into custody "without any significant incident" as Aurora police chief Dan Oates said.
In the link below is a video of people frantically getting away and scary phone calls.
http://widget.newsinc.com/_cfvp/playlist16x9_player.html?CID=994&WID=10812&VID=23750245&freewheel=90115&sitesection=denverpost_nws_us_sec&external_url=http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_21118947/
Holmes told police about explosives in his home which caused the police to evacuate five nearby buildings.
If you want to learn more about the bomb in his apartment the link is below.
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_21118947/
My own thoughts and prayers go out to all the families and friends in the shooting. May God be with them.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Numbers show Williams is worthy to keep
Is D.J. Williams really worth it to have him be released? Sure he has been arrested for multiple issues he's had and tweeted a photo of the team's playbook, but according to stats shown by Pro Football Focus he's been one of the most productive linebackers since 2009.
From 2009 to 2011 he's had 304 tackles (tenth most in the NFL) and is the eleventh best tackling linebacker throughout the entire NFL. When pass rushing Williams has a total of 43 total pressure (eighth best among linebackers) on the quarterback (total pressure includes hits, hurries, and sacks).
According to a recent poll Bronco fans would rather have a lineup at linebacker that would include Miller/Mays/Woodyard and have Williams off the team. I think fans are overreacting to what Williams has done and are forgetting how much impact he makes on the defense. The Denver Broncos organization is sure to look at the videos and numbers Williams has notched and will value what he's done for the franchise and keep him.
Personally I'd keep him as long as he wants to play. Williams is a veteran that is savvy and can play every linebacker spot. It's hard to replace some of his talents especially with someone not as experienced as the nine veteran. I hope the former first round draft pick continues to play well in Denver and (being optimistic) stay out of trouble.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Prater signs four-year contract
The Broncos and kicker Matt Prater has finally come to an agreement on a contract! The deal is for four years worth $13 million with a $3 million signing bonus. The franchise-tagged kicker was unhappy he skipped out on the team's offseason workouts, but is now happy to get back to business and focus on football.
“It feels amazing,” Prater said. “It’s something I’ve worked for since I was a little kid. Throughout the process it was kind of tough especially once practice and everything starts, I wanted to be there. In the end, I knew it was going to get done. The Broncos made it pretty easy and my agent did a great job so it wasn’t too bad of a process. I’m excited to be back. I’m very thankful to (Owner) Mr. Bowlen, (Executive V.P. of Football Operations John) Elway, the entire organization, the fans and everybody involved. It’s awesome to be out here.”
In 2011 Prater put up 87 total points leading the team in his sixth year and was first in the NFL with a 70.1 touchback percentage on kickoffs. He also joined two other players in league history to have four game-winning field goals in overtime or as time expired.
Prater has improved every season and wants to live up to his new contract.
“I’ve progressed and gotten better,” Prater said. “I was hoping for it to happen and now that it’s happened I’m very thankful and gracious and ready to prove myself and why I got a long-term contract. I need to show everyone that I’m worth it.”
He was sure a deal would get done, but did not like that it was not done before the offseason workouts. For he was always there in previous years.
“It was just tough because in the past, I’ve always been out here for the offseason program,” Prater said. “Seeing on the news all the guys together working out and getting the chemistry, the team chemistry, and building relationships – that was probably the most difficult part. Just the uncertainty of not knowing exactly what’s going to happen was a little difficult too.”
The former UCF kicker joined Denver in 2007 and has gone 90 of 112 (80.1%) field-goal attempts with 12 of 16 (75%) on kicks that are 50 yards or longer. Along with his four game-winning field-goal makes in the fourth quarter or overtime, Prater also had three game-tying field-goals in 2011.
When Josh McDaniels was head coach is when Prater started to show his value to the team.
"A couple years ago, when (I was) just kicking and seeing the other kickers, I realized I definitely had the talent and I knew I could do it," Prater said. "I just had to prove myself, and the Broncos saw that and rewarded me."
Prater has not yet met with Denver's new quarterback Peyton Manning, but is excited to see what they will do when training camp starts on July 26.
“I’m really excited just to see the offense and what they’re going to be doing,” Prater said. “I’m excited to meet everyone, which was a big thing too that was tough about not being there for the offseason – all the new faces that were in the facility. Now I’m going to have to meet everybody at camp. I’m really excited to get back to work and meet all those guys and see what I can do.”
He is also hoping Manning and the offense will make his job easier.
“The offense can also make my job easier too,” he laughed. “Maybe I’ll just have to kick a lot of extra points this year, which will be awesome.”
In 2011 Prater put up 87 total points leading the team in his sixth year and was first in the NFL with a 70.1 touchback percentage on kickoffs. He also joined two other players in league history to have four game-winning field goals in overtime or as time expired.
Prater has improved every season and wants to live up to his new contract.
“I’ve progressed and gotten better,” Prater said. “I was hoping for it to happen and now that it’s happened I’m very thankful and gracious and ready to prove myself and why I got a long-term contract. I need to show everyone that I’m worth it.”
He was sure a deal would get done, but did not like that it was not done before the offseason workouts. For he was always there in previous years.
“It was just tough because in the past, I’ve always been out here for the offseason program,” Prater said. “Seeing on the news all the guys together working out and getting the chemistry, the team chemistry, and building relationships – that was probably the most difficult part. Just the uncertainty of not knowing exactly what’s going to happen was a little difficult too.”
The former UCF kicker joined Denver in 2007 and has gone 90 of 112 (80.1%) field-goal attempts with 12 of 16 (75%) on kicks that are 50 yards or longer. Along with his four game-winning field-goal makes in the fourth quarter or overtime, Prater also had three game-tying field-goals in 2011.
When Josh McDaniels was head coach is when Prater started to show his value to the team.
"A couple years ago, when (I was) just kicking and seeing the other kickers, I realized I definitely had the talent and I knew I could do it," Prater said. "I just had to prove myself, and the Broncos saw that and rewarded me."
Prater has not yet met with Denver's new quarterback Peyton Manning, but is excited to see what they will do when training camp starts on July 26.
“I’m really excited just to see the offense and what they’re going to be doing,” Prater said. “I’m excited to meet everyone, which was a big thing too that was tough about not being there for the offseason – all the new faces that were in the facility. Now I’m going to have to meet everybody at camp. I’m really excited to get back to work and meet all those guys and see what I can do.”
He is also hoping Manning and the offense will make his job easier.
“The offense can also make my job easier too,” he laughed. “Maybe I’ll just have to kick a lot of extra points this year, which will be awesome.”
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