Denver, CO

Keeler: Jonathan Taylor would look sweet in Broncos orange. But Colts’ Pro Bowl RB doesn’t solve Denver’s No. 1 problem: depth

Published

9 months ago

August 22, 2023

Keeler: Jonathan Taylor would look sweet in Broncos orange. But Colts’ Pro Bowl RB doesn’t solve Denver’s No. 1 problem: depth

Jonathan Taylor is a killer off-road tire, slightly worn, on a car with dodgy brakes. Uphill, the grip is incredible. Downhill, you’ll still be grabbing rosary beads.

The NFL’s leading rusher in 2021 wants a trade out of Indy, with the Colts reportedly, as of Monday night, willing to oblige. Meanwhile, the Broncos have run the ball this month like an F-450 Super Duty and pass-protected like a Peel P50. So far, coach Sean Payton has picked up largely where Week 17 of last season left off, leading with a strong ground game, in which Russell Wilson’s right arm is a side dish and not the main course.

In keeping with that theme, there’s a part of Broncos Country that could picture Taylor, a power back with sprinter’s speed, breaking tackles in orange and blue and keeping Patrick Mahomes bored on the sidelines. You could even tell yourself Taylor might be the new Beast Mode to old Russ, a formula that worked pretty darn well a decade earlier.

But have you looked at the price tag? Per ESPN.com, the Colts are seeking “a first-round pick or a collection of picks that equates to one.”

So to land Taylor, the Broncos would have to add to what’s already a position of strength — the running backs room — while cutting another big chunk out of a lopsided roster’s greatest weakness: depth. And draft-pick depth, in particular.

No thanks.

Even if backup tailback Jaleel McLaughlin didn’t come out of the weekend looking like the second coming of Darren Sproles, trading for Taylor, if those are Indy’s terms, should be a nonstarter for Broncos GM George Paton.

Dove Valley might have the will to plop a Pro Bowl runner next to Wilson. But it doesn’t have the capital — not in current cap room, not in future cap space, and sure as heck not in terms of draft picks, the most cost-effective way to improve or refresh a capped locker room. Much of the latter already got shaved off and shipped out in trades for Big Russ and for Payton.

As a result, for the first three rounds of the ’24 NFL Draft, Days 1 and 2, the Broncos have just two picks to play with. The average NFL franchise has 3.2 selections. Seven clubs already four picks or more stashed up for Rounds 1-3.

And while the Broncos have needs, tailback isn’t one of them. Javonte Williams needs time to get fully up to speed, but the way he moved past both the dropsies and butterflies against the Niners was plenty encouraging. Bonus: Payton can back that up with pure thunder (Samaje Perine) or greased lightning (McLaughlin), depending on the down, distance, mood or imagination.

Alas, doesn’t solve the Broncos’ biggest problem — nor what’s contributed, in part, to a pair of irrelevant, if galling, last-second road losses to the Cardinals and Niners. Namely, the pedigree, or lack thereof, on the bottom 40% of the roster.

The Broncos’ third team defense, per the team depth chart Monday, was composed of nine undrafted free agents and two sixth-rounders. The 49ers’ third-team offense, as projected by Ourlads.com, featured eight college free agents, a first-round pick, a third-round pick and a seventh-round pick. The Rams’ third-team offense is projected to feature seven undrafted free agents, a fourth-rounder, a seventh-rounder and two sixth-rounders.

Most NFL rosters take a dip when the two-deep gets dinged up.

The Broncos plummet.

Nor does it help that Taylor’s seeking a long-term contract extension as part of a potential swap. Based on OverTheCap.com’s math, the Broncos have $9.09 million of salary cap space to play with this fall, which was seventh-smallest in the league as of early Monday night. They’re projected to be over the cap by $17.66 million next year.

Jerry Jeudy’s rookie contract remains a relative bargain with a $4.83 million cap hit. After ‘24, though, all bets are off. Spotrac.com pegs No. 10’s value on the open market at $20.1 million, on average, over four years starting in 2025.

Speaking of bargains, Pat Surtain II’s four-year rookie contract expires after the autumn of 2024, with a fifth-year option for 2025. The top four cap hits for corners in 2024 average out to $25.8 million; the top four hits at the position for ’25 average out to $25.2 million.

Franchise cornerbacks, like elite left tackles and pass-rushers, don’t come cheap. Neither will Taylor, sadly. And when faced with those kind of mark-ups at tailback, the prudent call, ironically, is almost always the same. A hard pass.

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Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves – May 13, 2024

Published

6 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Press Room

Jokic scores 35 with 7 assists as Nuggets knock off Timberwolves, tie up series 2-2

Aaron Gordon Full Game Four Post Game Press Conference vs. Timberwolves 🎙

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Nikola Jokić Full Game Four Highlights vs. Timberwolves 🎥

Nikola Jokić Full Game Four Post Game Press Conference vs. Timberwolves 🎙

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Anthony Edwards on what he said to Jamal Murray after the game, Full Postgame Interview🗣

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Nikola Jokic talks tying the series 2-2, Postgame Interview 🎤

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Denver, CO

Denver police host

Published

13 hours ago

May 12, 2024

Press Room

It’s no shock the COVID-19 pandemic caused a major shock to Colorado’s job market. In the last four years there have been a lot of workforce changes, including an ever-changing unemployment rate. Whether you’re looking for a new job now or hoping to hire, one thing that’s never changed is how first impressions make a big difference. That’s why Denver police teamed up with the community to help job hunters “dress for success” over the weekend.

Earlier in the week, CBS Colorado’s Jasmine Arenas had a conversation with Denver police Chief Ron Thomas where he emphasized the importance of regaining the public’s trust and being in the community. On Saturday morning, he put words into action with the department’s second Dress for Success event.

From blazers to shoes, women of all shapes and sizes enjoyed a free shopping spree. Some were even able to get a makeover. It’s all courtesy of Denver police and community partnerships.

Sgt. Christopher Baird with Denver Police said this event was especially for those looking to look sharp while on the hunt for a job.

“Maybe it’s something that’ll help them with a job interview or just something that’ll make them feel good about themselves,” said Baird.

It was an important event because a big part of landing the job has a lot to do with how someone presents themselves.

Nicole Desich with the Other Side Academy, a training school in which students learn pro-social, vocational and life skills, echoes this sentiment.

“A lot of times when you go in for a job you have the self-confidence if you have the clothes, you feel confident in, then you also can feel confident getting the job,” said Desich.

Police said before the doors even opened at least 60 people were waiting in line to get in.

“It’s a shopping experience without the financial burden,” said recruit officer, Milliner with the Denver Police Academy.

With no limit on what one can take, some left with a handful of bags filled with new looks.

“As a female myself it’s empowering to be able to come in here and build these relationships,” said Milliner.

The purpose of these events is to help those who want a job get one and stay employed. This is all part of Thomas’s mission of being in the community.

“We just want to fill that gap where we recognize there is one,” said Thomas.

Denver police look to continue to effort similar events and help the community feel supported.

“I think there are other service needs that community has and providing clothes, providing food, shelter… I think those are all needs that we can also provide to our community,” said Thomas.

In April a similar event was held for men, where more than 80 participants left with hundreds of items.

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Denver, CO

Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves Game 4 odds, picks and predictions

Published

20 hours ago

May 12, 2024

Press Room

Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves Game 4 odds, picks and predictions

The Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves meet Sunday in Game 4 of a best-of-7 Western Conference, 2nd-round series. The Timberwolves lead the series 2-1. Tip-off from Target Center is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (TNT). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Nuggets vs. Timberwolves odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

The Nuggets are starting to show signs of life in this series after a 117-90 road victory in Game 3 Friday. Denver won straight up as a 3.5-point underdog and did most of the heavy lifting to help the Over (205.5) hit.

C Nikola Jokic and G Jamal Murray each had 24 points for the Nuggets, who can regain home-court advantage with a victory Sunday.

Minnesota’s 90 points in Friday’s loss was its lowest scoring output since an 89-88 setback against the LA Clippers March 3. The Over/Under for points scored by G Anthony Edwards was set at 27.5, and he finished with 19 after taking just 15 shots (8 for 15).

The Timberwolves covered and the Under hit in the 1st 2 games of this series.

Nuggets at Timberwolves odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:01 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Nuggets +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Timberwolves -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets +2.5 (-105) | Timberwolves -2.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 204.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Nuggets at Timberwolves key injuries

Nuggets

G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (abdominal) questionable
G Reggie Jackson (calf) questionable
G Jamal Murray (calf) questionable

Timberwolves

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Nuggets at Timberwolves picks and predictions

Prediction

Nuggets 100, Timberwolves 99

Moneyline

While I like the Nuggets (+125) at these odds, it’s tough to fade the Timberwolves (-150) in back-to-back home games. What we do know is that Minnesota’s No. 1-ranked defense should bounce back after getting blown out, and in a close, low-scoring game, this may just come down to which team gets the final possession.

PASS. Bet the spread and/or total instead.

Against the spread

The defending NBA champs were grossly undervalued by the market heading into Friday. They went from 7.5-point favorites in Game 2 to 3.5-point underdogs in Game 3. That 11-point swing was way too drastic, even when accounting for change of venue.

The Nuggets have barely been upgraded since Friday’s win, and I believe that’s a mistake.

Minnesota is a young team, and its best player, Edwards, is just 22 years old. The Timberwolves faced zero adversity in a 4-game sweep of the Phoenix Suns in the 1st round. They now have to deal with the pressure of potentially giving home-court advantage back to the defending champs.

I’ll put my money on the veterans who have proven that they can win multiple playoff series.

BET NUGGETS +2.5 (-105).

Over/Under

The Under has hit in 2 of the 3 games this series, and Minnesota’s NBA-best defense should look much better after allowing 117 points in Game 3.

This is a pivotal game in the sense that a Timberwolves victory would put them just 1 win away from the conference finals and a Nuggets upset would give them back home court. Look for both teams to play conservatively and slow down the pace.

BET UNDER 204.5 (-110).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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