Connect with us

Denver, CO

In a new era of Broncos football, what will Denver do in the 2022 NFL Draft?

Published

on

In a new era of Broncos football, what will Denver do in the 2022 NFL Draft?


Have an opinion of your personal on this yr’s draft and the outlook for the workforce in 2022-23? We need to hear from you! Submit ‘Your Opinion’ by clicking right here.

DENVER – The minute Russell Wilson arrived in Denver, the whole lot modified – together with how the Broncos strategy this yr’s NFL Draft, which kicks off Thursday and runs by Saturday, with full protection on Denver7.

So, with draft evening practically upon us, we took a 360 In-Depth take a look at the brand new period of Denver soccer and a brand new draft technique for Broncos common supervisor George Paton.

We spoke with Broncos followers are who college students at Evergreen Excessive Faculty, a superfan from throughout the pond, and some gridiron specialists to reply the questions of how a lot the Broncos can enhance on this yr’s draft, what positions or gamers ought to get drafted, and the way excited followers are regardless of the Broncos not proudly owning a first-round choose after the Wilson commerce.

Advertisement

Let’s begin with curiosity within the draft. Except they commerce up, the Broncos gained’t even be making a choose on the primary evening of the draft on Thursday. And once more, so long as they don’t commerce up, followers could possibly be ready fairly a while even on Friday to see what Paton decides to do together with his first choose, for the reason that Broncos personal the final choose of the second spherical.

Evergreen Excessive Faculty senior Luke Alby stated his curiosity shouldn’t be fairly there, although that’s additionally not fairly an opinion shared by his friends.

“I’ll undoubtedly simply be getting the notification on my cellphone and never watching all seven rounds,” stated fellow excessive schooler Russell Taber. One other Evergreen excessive schooler, Jameson Davis, stated he’ll be glad so long as the Broncos choose a place they should deal with and never one other quarterback bust.

And whereas the youthful era may need much less time-consuming methods of monitoring their favourite workforce’s draft, over in Eire, Colum Cronin is a little more jazzed.

“I adore it. I like the hypothesis that goes round it,” he stated.

Advertisement

And the place does the majority of his curiosity come from this yr?

“Now we have Russell Wilson this specific draft,” Cronin stated – one thing felt throughout Broncos Nation after 5 less-than-stellar seasons.

Although the Broncos gave up early draft picks within the Wilson commerce, there aren’t a ton of holes to fill on the roster.

“Should you take a look at the roster candidly, the correct aspect of their offensive line [might get addressed first] – proper sort out, possibly,” stated ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, a former quarterback who thinks the Broncos ought to draft a proper sort out – however solely the proper proper sort out.

“You don’t need to take a man at proper sort out that you’ve got a fifth-round grade on simply because he’s the one proper sort out left,” Orlovsky advised Denver7. “[It] could be a man or a place that they might determine and be aggressive with it.”

Advertisement

Central Michigan’s Bernhard Raimann could possibly be a superb match if he’s obtainable at No. 64.

Broncos legend and media icon Mark Schlereth agrees if Denver can get a superb beginning proper sort out within the second spherical, they need to go for it. However he additionally is aware of diamonds may be discovered late within the draft, as he was a tenth-round choose who gained three Tremendous Bowls.

“Nearly all of your soccer workforce is constructed across the fourth spherical anyhow,” Schlereth stated.

Orlovsky agrees that these varieties of mid-to-late spherical gamers may be the inspiration for a successful tradition.

“You need to show it each single day,” he stated. “They make up for it with their professionalism.”

Advertisement

And as Cronin famous from Eire, one of the well-liked and profitable Broncos gamers ever, Shannon Sharpe, was a late-round choose as nicely.

However second-round choose and proper sort out apart – the place else do followers suppose the Broncos ought to look to enhance on this yr’s draft?

For Cronin, it’s at tight finish after the commerce of Noah Fant, or cornerback, since Paton loves having these round, as famous by final yr’s first-round choose of Pat Surtain II. Or possibly it’s linebacker, he says, a place many say the Broncos want to deal with.

Davis, one of many college students, thinks the Broncos ought to look first at defensive linemen – the core of the protection that led the Broncos to their final Tremendous Bowl victory. Taber steered beefing up the offensive line.

So, clearly, there may be loads for Paton to contemplate over the subsequent three days. However the good half about this yr’s draft is that after the offseason Paton has had, all roads more and more appear to result in long-term relevancy for a proud and storied franchise. However the Broncos will nonetheless have to indicate up on Sundays and play nicely in what is predicted to be a neck-and-neck AFC West race.

Advertisement

“Russell’s in a really huge window,” Orlovsky stated.

And whereas the stress from Broncos followers is seemingly at all times on the workforce to win, particularly for the final a number of years, it’s not but Tremendous-Bowl-Or-Bust for some.

“I don’t count on to win the Tremendous Bowl this yr,” stated Davis, including that Wilson ought to be right here for a lot of extra years to carry one other Lombardi Trophy to Denver.

And with regards to speaking Broncos, it’s all a bit extra enjoyable this yr in comparison with debating over Drew Lock.

“That’s the enjoyable factor,” stated Cronin. “That’s what’s nice about this time of yr, and that’s what it’s all about.”

Advertisement

Denver7 could have full protection of the NFL Draft on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with evaluation from the Denver7 Sports activities Workforce to observe. Denver7’s NFL Draft Particular airs Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

Editor’s Word: Denver7 360 | In-Depth explores a number of sides of the subjects that matter most to Coloradans, bringing in several views so you may make up your personal thoughts in regards to the points. To touch upon this or different 360 In-Depth tales, electronic mail us at 360@TheDenverChannel.com or use this manner. See extra 360 | In-Depth tales right here.





Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Denver, CO

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar sounds off on controversial goal after Scott Wedgewood injury: “The goal shouldn’t have counted”

Published

on

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar sounds off on controversial goal after Scott Wedgewood injury: “The goal shouldn’t have counted”


Jared Bednar knows his bank account is going to take a hit in the coming days and, in his words, he does not care.

Bednar went off after Colorado’s incredible 6-5 comeback win Thursday night against the Buffalo Sabres at Ball Arena. His ire was directed at a Buffalo goal that was allowed despite Avs goalie Scott Wedgewood writhing in pain inside his net as it was scored early in the third period.

Sabres forward Zach Benson was pushed into the Colorado net, and Wedgewood fell backward onto him. As Wedgewood was laying on the ice, Benson eventually got the puck and scored on a wraparound goal to give the Sabres a 4-2 lead.

“The referee said (the whistle) wasn’t blown because we put their guy into Scott,” Bednar said. “I said, ‘I don’t give a (expletive). He’s hurt. They’re standing there. He’s sitting there. He’s hurt. Blow this whistle.’

Advertisement

“If the puck is in the net front still and they’re hacking away at it and it goes in, I’d say fine. But as soon as the puck squirts to the corner, they got to blow it dead. They do it all the time for regular players because of player safety. The rule would state that we have to touch it, but they never follow that rule.”

Bednar said he wasn’t specifically mad at officials TJ Luxmore and Corey Syvret, but the inconsistency of when the guys in stripes do or do not blow plays dead for injuries. He pointed out that this game was stopped when Mikko Rantanen and Rasmus Dahlin collided in the neutral zone and the Buffalo captain stayed down on the ice.

He also noted a play two games ago when Cale Makar was about to line up a shot, but an opposing player was on the ice in the slot so play was stopped.

“If he’s hurt and he’s not getting up and they’re standing there looking at it, the whistle should go. It’s just that simple,” Bednar said. “For them to just let it go and then allow the goal is insanity to me. It’s a player safety thing. If they would have loaded up (Rasmus) Dahlin for a one-timer, for a 105-mile an hour slap shot, they are just going to let it (expletive) happen with our goalie down in the net? Can’t do it. Got to blow it dead.”

Avs defenseman Devon Toews, who scored the game-winning goal in the first minute of overtime, also mentioned player safety as the main reason why the play should have been stopped before the goal was scored.

Advertisement

There was a long delay after the goal while Wedgewood was attended to on the ice. He was not able to put any weight on his right leg as he was helped off to the dressing room. Bednar said Wedgewood needs to be evaluated, but he will miss some time.

When the officials were ready to resume play, Bednar challenged the play for goaltender interference … even though he knew it wasn’t.

“Yeah, it gives them another chance to do the right thing,” Bednar said when asked if that was done in protest. “The goal shouldn’t have counted. Yeah, I was mad so … we just did it.”

When asked if there was any recourse for the Avalanche after the fact, Bednar acknowledged that he will likely be fined by the NHL for his postgame rant.

“We’ll call the league,” Bednar said. “After this presser, I’m sure I’ll get a call from the league. I don’t care. That wasn’t a difficult call. Again, I’m not picking on the guys who were out there tonight. Any one of the four guys could be looking at it and just blow the whistle.

Advertisement

“It’s not just that it went in. How long are you going to let it go? They talk about player safety, player safety. If they pass it to the slot and someone hammers a one-timer off his head, then what? … Just make the call. They blown it down on plays like that when guys go down like that in the neutral zone but then they’re not going to do it with your goalie? It makes no sense.”

Want more Avalanche news? Sign up for the Avalanche Insider to get all our NHL analysis.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Denver, CO

Devon Toews completes wild Avalanche comeback in 6-5 overtime win

Published

on

Devon Toews completes wild Avalanche comeback in 6-5 overtime win


They did it again.

For the second time this season, the Colorado Avalanche completed a remarkable comeback against the Buffalo Sabres. Devon Toews scored 48 seconds into overtime Thursday night to give the Avs a wild 6-5 victory at Ball Arena that was not without controversy or a cost.

“It felt great because our guys dug in and they got the win,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “We needed that win and we wanted that win. I think that play … everyone on the team is pissed off so they dig in extra hard. I’m glad to see them get rewarded. I thought it was an unbelievable effort down the stretch.”

The play Bednar referenced was when this game took a wild turn early in the third period. Just 22 seconds after Ross Colton had brought Colorado to within a goal, Zach Benson scored to put Buffalo ahead 4-2.

Advertisement

Benson had been checked into the crease behind Wedgewood. After Wedgewood fell backwards onto him and was clearly injured, Benson got up and scored a wraparound goal while the Avs netminder was still writhing in pain.

Bednar went off on the officiating after the game, a move that will likely come with a fine from the NHL.

“Listen, this isn’t against the two refs that called the game tonight,” Bednar said. “It’s the inconsistency in that call. It seems pretty common sense to me, right? He’s hurt. The puck goes to the corner. He’s not getting up. Just blow it dead. … When you’re doing it for every other player on the ice, but you’re not going to do it for the goalie, that makes no sense to me.”

The Avalanche challenged for goaltender interference, but it was upheld. Wedgewood left the game and could not put any weight on his right leg.

Colorado’s new backup goaltender has been excellent since arriving in a trade from Nashville on Nov. 30. He was 4-2 with a .932 save percentage in six appearances since the deal.

Advertisement

“We need everyone,” Toews said. “We’re a family in here. We pick each other up. When one guy goes down, when (Wedgewood) went down, we were able to pick him up. It takes everyone.”

Colorado rallied after allowing the first three goals, then trailing 4-2 and 5-3. Jason Zucker scored his third goal of the night to give the Sabres a two-goal lead with 3:51 remaining, but the Avs stormed back yet again.

They also rallied for a 5-4 win at Buffalo last month after yielding the first four goals of the contest. This one might have been even more improbable.

Cale Makar had his second of the evening with 2:28 left and Jonathan Drouin sent it to overtime with eight seconds remaining on Nathan MacKinnon’s third assist of the contest. It was the latest game-tying goal for the Avs since a MacKinnon tally with seven seconds left at Tampa Bay on Jan. 17, 2015.

Buffalo took a pair of penalties shortly after the Benson tally, and Mikko Rantanen made it a one-goal game again on a one-timer from MacKinnon at 4:17 of the third. It was Rantanen’s team-leading 22nd goal, and one of three MacKinnon points to push his league-leading total to 64.

Advertisement

Zucker helped the Sabres build a 3-0 lead with a pair of power-play goals. Colorado’s penalty kill had been red hot coming into this game. The Avs had erased 23 of the past 25 opposing power plays during the past 11 games.

In between the first two Zucker goals, an old friend burned the Avs. Bo Bryam, playing in his first game at Ball Arena with the Sabres since he was traded to Buffalo before the deadline last season, got behind the Avalanche defensemen on a rush and tucked a pretty backhanded goal past Wedgewood.

The Avs traded Byram to Buffalo for Casey Mittelstadt in a swap of recent top-10 draft picks on March 6, shortly after sending Ryan Johansen and a first-round pick to Philadelphia for Sean Walker. It was Byram’s fifth goal of the season. He’s also averaging more than 23 minutes per contest while playing next to Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin on the top pairing.

Colorado had a MacKinnon goal waived off after an offsides review earlier in the second period. The Avalanche did get one back with 5:02 remaining in the second.

Makar took a drop pass from Drouin near the right point, then juked past Zucker before snapping a shot under the crossbar. His two-goal night gives him 13, which leads all NHL defensemen.

Advertisement

The second one began the late-game fireworks and kicked off another incredible comeback.

“I don’t even know what to say, to be honest,” Avs goalie Mackenzie Blackwood. “(I had) the best seat in the house. Obviously, it sucks for (Wedgewood). I feel bad for him. You never want to see anyone get hurt. That was tough. But the way we rallied back was fun to watch.”

Want more Avalanche news? Sign up for the Avalanche Insider to get all our NHL analysis.

Originally Published:



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Denver, CO

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

Published

on

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.

Advertisement

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



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending