Denver, CO

Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. continues to impress

Published

3 days ago

December 30, 2024

Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. continues to impress

The Denver Broncos have faltered late in the season with back-to-back losses against key AFC foes. But they still have one more shot to get things right. Their playoff hopes are on the line this Sunday when they host the Kansas City Chiefs.

A win allows their season to continue, where they’d face off against the Buffalo Bills in the Wildcard Round. A loss would be the official curtain close on their 2024 endeavors and leave Broncos Country hoping for more in 2025.

It’s hard to find positives to talk about after two heartbreaking losses, but I think one player deserves some praise for his accomplishments over the last month. That’s second-year wideout Marvin Mims Jr. who has really come into his own in December.

Mims has given the Broncos an added dimension and much-needed speed boost on the offensive side of the ball. He was a major reason why the Broncos defeated the Indianapolis Colts. His explosive plays against the Cincinnati Bengals were some of the best highlights for the offense this season. Against the Bengals, he had eight receptions on eight targets for 103 yards and 2 touchdowns. 100-percent efficiency is hard to come by, but he absolutely dominated and rose to the occasion when it mattered most.

To date, Mims has 34 catches for 452 yards and 4 receiving touchdowns. That’s a 13.3 yard per catch average. Additionally, 12 of those 34 receptions have gone for first downs. He has also added 42 yards on 13 rushing attempts and leads the NFL with 408 punt return yards.

Overall, Mims has 1,096 all-purpose in ‘24. He should eclipse his 2023 totals this weekend. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Payton draws him up to be a focal point in their gameplan against the Chiefs on Sunday. He’s on a hot streak—keep getting him the ball.

“I think we’ve just seen his confidence grow as a receiver, as a runner and as a returner. It’s great to see. Obviously, it was an explosive play the other night and then the catch he makes at the end of the game was unbelievable,” stated Payton.

“He’s got that vertical speed. He works his tail off at it. I think he’s good with the ball in his hands as a runner as well.”

The Broncos will certainly use resources in free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft to upgrade their offense. There is no doubt in my mind that surrounding Bo Nix with more talent will be the primary goal of the team this offseason. However, it’s clear Mims deserves a larger role heading into his third season in 2025.

Versatile weapons are good for any offense. Mims has proven himself worthy of more looks. In the modern NFL, you need someone who can be a wildcard playmaker and that’s what Mims is. He’s a special talent, and I believe he has the potential to be a 1,500 all-purpose yard player with more volume share in Sean Payton’s offense.

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Denver, CO

Denver group lands NWSL team for record expansion fee, Sportico reports

Published

9 minutes ago

January 2, 2025

Press Room

Denver group lands NWSL team for record expansion fee, Sportico reports

DENVER — The NWSL’s 16th team is headed to Denver for a record $110 million expansion fee, Sportico.com reported on Thursday.

It’s more than double the previous NWSL record for new teams and the largest expansion fee ever in U.S. women’s sports. Groups from Cleveland and Cincinnati were also finalists for the new franchise.

Sportico, citing anonymous sources because the details are private, reported that the Denver group had submitted its first payment to the league on Tuesday. The group is led by IMA Financial Group CEO Robert Cohen, who would become the team’s control owner, according to Sportico.

The NWSL added the Utah Royals and Bay FC last season. A Boston-based club will join the league in 2026 after agreeing to pay the same $53 million expansion fee as Bay FC.

The Cohen-led group also includes former Obama administration official Ben Hubbard, CEO of Denver-based insurance company Parsyl; sports business executive Tom Dunmore; Phos CEO Nicole Glaros and former NWSL player Jordan Angeli.

The group has said it would play in a temporary venue until it can build a soccer stadium.

— The Associated Press

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Denver, CO

8 Broncos (including Bo Nix) named alternates for 2025 Pro Bowl

Published

8 hours ago

January 2, 2025

Press Room

8 Broncos (including Bo Nix) named alternates for 2025 Pro Bowl

The Denver Broncos had three players elected to the 2025 Pro Bowl, the NFL announced Thursday.

In addition to those players, eight other Broncos players were named alternates for the all-star game.

Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz (first alternate), long snapper Mitch Fraboni (first), kicker Wil Lutz (third), tackle Garett Bolles (third), fullback Mike Burton (fourth), defensive lineman Zach Allen (fourth), quarterback Bo Nix (fourth) and safety Brandon Jones (fifth) were named Pro Bowl alternates. They will be candidates to join the Pro Bowl roster if other players drop out.

1. Quinn Meinerz delivers big pancake blocks on a near-weekly basis and his 86.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus ranks fifth among NFL guards.

2. Mitchell Fraboni was named a PFF second-team All-Pro last season and he had another impressive campaign in 2024. He totaled five tackles on punt coverage after snapping to Dixon.

3. Wil Lutz converted 30 field goals this season, which ranked sixth in the AFC and seventh overall. His 90.9% field goal rate ranked fifth among qualified kickers in the AFC and he was one of nine full-time kickers to go 100% on extra point attempts this fall. Lutz was a perfect 11-of-11 on field goal attempts between 40-49 yards, the best mark at that range this season.

4. Garett Bolles was credited with allowing two sacks this season and his 88.8 pass-blocking grade on PFF ranks fifth in the NFL among offensive tackles.

5. Michael Burton is the No. 1-ranked fullback on PFF this season with an overall grade of 66.8 and a pass-blocking grade of 75.8. Burton is used primarily as a blocker, but he has also picked up six first downs and scored two touchdowns with six carries and 10 receptions this season.

6. Zach Allen has recorded 73 pressures, 8.5 sacks (tied for second among AFC interior defensive linemen), 39 QB hits, 34 hurries, 15 tackles behind the line, one safety and one pass breakup this season.

7. Bo Nix‘s 30 total touchdowns rank fourth in the AFC this season, only trailing Joe Burrow (44), Lamar Jackson (43) and Josh Allen (41). His long of 93 yards ranks third in the NFL and his 24 sacks are eighth-fewest among the league’s 32 quarterbacks.

8. Brandon Jones has totaled three interceptions this fall, tied for fourth-most in the AFC. His 114 tackles are a team-high in Denver. Jones also broke up 10 passes, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble in 2024.

The 2025 Pro Bowl Games will be held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Feb. 2. The NFC defeated the AFC 64-59 last season.

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Denver, CO

Denver area events for Jan. 2: Shane Torres at Comedy Works South and more

Published

16 hours ago

January 2, 2025

Press Room

Denver area events for Jan. 2: Shane Torres at Comedy Works South and more

If you have an event taking place in the Denver area, email information to carlotta.olson@gazette.com at least two weeks in advance. All events are listed in the calendar on space availability.

Thursday

Dog Lob – Phish Tribute — 6-9 p.m., New Terrain Brewing Co., 16401 Table Mountain Parkway, Golden; newterrainbrewing.com.

La Paloma: Tribute to Nina Simone — 6:30 p.m., Dazzle at Baur’s, 1080 14th St., Denver, go online for prices. Tickets: dazzledenver.com/#/events.

Sipping N’ Painting Hampden — “Northern Lightshow,” 6:30-8:30 p.m., Sipping N’ Painting Hampden, 6461 E. Hampden Ave., Denver, $35. Registration required: sippingnpaintinghampden.com.

Paint and Wine Party — “Arctic Sun,” 7-9 p.m., Sipping N’ Painting Highland, 1331 W. 38th St., Denver, $32.65. Registration required: sippingnpaintinghighland.com.

Sundance Head — 8 p.m., The Black Buzzard at Oskar Blues, 1624 Market St., Denver, $20. Tickets: theblackbuzzard.com.

Drew Dew — With Odd Encounter, Plague Flora, Groosvm & Nekronix, 8 p.m., Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St., Denver, $18.50-$23.50. Tickets: larimerlounge.com.

Emily Kooi — With Genevieve Libien & Finn O’Sullivan, 8 p.m., Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St., Denver, $18.50-$23.50. Tickets: globehall.com.

Bicycle Day — With Null & Void & Jumpin at Shadows, 8 p.m., Lost Lake Lounge, 3602 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, $18.50-$23.50. Tickets: lost-lake.com.

Split the Deck Vinyl Spin — Hosted by DJ Random Temple, 8 p.m., Goosetown Tavern, 3242 E. Colfax Ave., Denver; goosetowntavern.com.

“Dawoud Bey: Street Portraits” — Through May 11, Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway, Denver, go online for prices: denverartmuseum.org.

Thursday-Saturday

Shane Torres — 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:15 and 9:45 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Comedy Works South at the Landmark, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village, $15-$28. Tickets: comedyworks.com.

Sean Patton — 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, 7 and 9:15 p.m. Sunday, Comedy Works Downtown in Larimer Square, 1226 15th St., Denver, $17-$25. Tickets: comedyworks.com.

CARLOTTA OLSON, The Denver Gazette

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