NFL Free Agency opens up on Wednesday, with the legal tampering period beginning on Monday. The top free agents usually all commit to a team during that period, so be ready to rock and roll to start next week.
Denver, CO
MSU Denver unveils health care training facility with hopes of cutting statewide nursing shortage
DENVER — Colorado is experiencing a shortage of health care professionals. Metropolitan State University Denver is hoping to put a dent in that shortage with a new state-of-the-art facility.
After Marissa Schreiner saw how nurses cared for her family during her dad’s health struggles, she knew it was the career she wanted to pursue.
“I just wanted to be a part of that impact and make other families and other patients feel that same way,” said Schreiner, a junior at MSU Denver.
Schreiner and her classmates are now able to train in a hospital-like environment without stepping foot off campus, thanks to the university’s new training facility.
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“I did have a moment of, ‘Whoa, am I at the hospital or am I at my teaching job?’ So it does feel very real in here,” said MSU Department Chair of Nursing Jenny Allert.
Allert said students used to run through patient simulations in storage rooms. They now have access to an 18,000-square-foot space that includes eight simulation rooms. The facility also includes improved technology, including mannequins that simulate birth and a working ambulance bay.
“Our students are able to be in an environment that feels like the real world [and] practice those skills. So when they’re in the real world, they can react and do and give the care they need to give,” explained Allert.
The university hopes the technology boosts enrollment, particularly with students who want to stay and work in Colorado.
In its most recent Talent Pipeline Report, the Colorado Workforce Development Council estimated that the state needs more than 7,000 nurses. That shortage is expected to grow to more than 10,000 registered nurses by 2026.
“Beyond that, we face a lack of representation… data repeatedly supports improved outcomes when patient and provider have shared racial and ethnic backgrounds,” said Dean Hope Szypulski of the College of Health and Human Sciences.
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“I think has made all of us just even more excited to get to work and hopefully be better nurses in the future,” said Schreiner.
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Denver, CO
Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense
I figured now would be a good time to do a little discussion around the Denver Broncos and where we think their top priorities should be on offense when free agency kicks off.
Broncos top FA needs on offense
Tim Lynch: For free agency, I’d say running back and tight end are the highest on my wish list.
I’d say pay big for a top free agent running back and ensure you have a monster two-headed backfield next season. They need a superior run-blocking tight end and, if they move on from Evan Engram, a pass-catcher too.
Christopher Hart: I agree with Tim. Those are the biggest needs for the offense. Getting a top-notch running back and a tight end capable of playing inline to replace Adam Trautman is a must. The two players I advocated a few weeks ago were running back Travis Etienne and tight end Cade Otton. Both would be fantastic additions and help take Denver’s offense to the next level in 2026.
Scotty Payne: Playmaker is the top and biggest need. That includes a RB, TE, and/or WR in that order.
Need to improve the run game regardless, need some sort of production out of the TEs as well as improved blocking, and if they can get a true WR1, that would be great too.
Ross Allen: I think we’re all in agreement.
Getting someone who can be the dominant running back and have RJ Harvey serve that glamorous “joker” role would be huge for this offense. And given that they also don’t have a legitimate playmaker at the receiving position hurts them. A TE or WR can fill that role.
Sadaraine: The #1 need for the Broncos on offense is a top-notch running back. I will be blown away if the Broncos don’t sign a top-tier free agent running back to upgrade the offense (and no, J.K. Dobbins wouldn’t be that guy…not with his injury history).
There’s a significant gap in need after that until we start talking about tight ends and receivers. I think we’re more likely to see more money spent on a tight end than a receiver, but this offense could use both to be sure.
Ian St. Clair: Not to beat a dead horse, but running back is the biggest need and priority for this team when free agency starts. Having a consistent and effective running game will make Nix and the offense exponentially better. It will make the team better. After running back, the Broncos need to figure out their tight end.
Adam Malnati: Give Bo a weapon. I don’t care which position. Yes, RB is a need. Yes, TE is a need (thanks a lot Evan Engram). Still, a weapon would be nice.
Predictably, we’re all heavily keyed in on running back and tight end. That was a big part of our free agent profile coverage too and for good reason. There have been many rumors around Denver looking to target both positions next week and where there is smoke there is usually fire.
The question really becomes: go big or go affordable? With the championship window open, I’m leaning go big on premium play-maker positions this offseason.
Where do you stand on this discussion? Give us your top free agent needs on offense and how you hope the Broncos address them next week.
Denver, CO
Denver area events for March 5
Denver, CO
Report: Broncos expected to ‘make a splash’ at running back
The Denver Broncos are in the market for a running back.
Just two days after NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Denver wants to have the running back position addressed before the draft, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported that the Broncos are “poised to make a splash” at running back during NFL free agency.
“Denver is the reason why the Jets used the franchise tag on Breece Hall rather than the transition tag, according to sources, making sure Denver wouldn’t get the opportunity to put together an offer the Jets would refuse to match,” Jones wrote for CBS Sports.
Jones said the Broncos would be an obvious potential landing spot for Kenneth Walker, and he noted that Travis Etienne could be a cheaper alternative. The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider also reported this week that Denver is expected to “closely examine” the RB market, and he name-dropped Walker, Etienne and Rico Dowdle.
The Broncos also have an in-house free agent at RB in J.K. Dobbins, who has expressed his desire to remain in Denver. The Broncos can begin negotiating with pending free agents from other clubs on March 9, but no deals can become official until the new league year begins on March 11. In-house free agents can be re-signed at any time.
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