Denver, CO
The Broncos have 3 major problems to solve for 2024
Buckle-up, Broncos Country. This offseason is likely to bring significant change to this Broncos team as well it should.
Year 2 of the Sean Payton era is underway and he has 3 major problems to solve:
Who’s the quarterback of the future for the Broncos?
Russell Wilson has done an admiral job of trying to help the Broncos win, but he’s obviously not the solution to any problem the future of the Broncos holds at quarterback. Payton will have to maneuver trading or releasing him to find the answer for the future of the position.
The Broncos may need to trade up to get the right player. Many teams require an upgrade at quarterback and the Broncos likely won’t be able to sit tight at pick #12.
What needs to be done to fix the running game – new backs or improved line?
My honest answer is that both issues exist for the Broncos. The talent at running back on the current roster is lacking. We got to see Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Samaje Perine all season long and none of them looked like players with starting-caliber talent. I do think McLaughlin and Perin are talented depth running backs. But the Broncos can and should be looking to get more talented running backs on the roster for 2024.
The line isn’t without its faults as well. After bringing in Ben Powers and Mike McGlinchey in 2023, both signings honestly underwhelmed. The crazy thing is that neither of them are candidates for an upgrade. They both will need to improve to help this Broncos offense begin to hum in 2024. Do look for a possible change at center with Lloyd Cushenberry being an unrestricted free agent.
How will this defense find a front seven capable of creating pressure and stopping the run?
I honestly don’t know where to start with the defensive front seven. Actually, I do. Keep Zach Allen. Everyone else on the starting roster for this defensive front is a very real option to be upgraded.
The Broncos pass rush was at best ineffective all season long. They ranked 20th in the league at sack percentage and I challenge you to find a team with a worse run defense than the Broncos.
There aren’t enough draft picks to solve all of these problems. Look for some value free agents to be brought in to help shore up the front this off-season.
Broncos News:
Mile High Morning: Broncos’ ‘really good rookie class’ flashes potential in first season in Denver
Denver’s rookie class made an impact on all three units and showed why it will be an integral part of the Broncos’ future.
NFL playoffs show that Broncos can win with lots of dead money – Denver Sports
A massive dead-money charge could challenge the Broncos … but the playoffs show that it doesn’t need to be an excuse.
Former Broncos play-caller now guiding potential No. 1 pick Caleb Williams – Denver Sports
Caleb Williams declared for the NFL Draft, and the man preparing him for the big stage is a former Broncos play-caller.
Other NFL News:
NFL truth be told: Cowboys and Eagles need change; Jared Goff and Baker Mayfield deserve flowers
What’s next for the Cowboys and Eagles after both NFC East teams bailed out of the playoffs in humiliating fashion? Are the NFC North upstarts in Green Bay and Detroit for real? Is Josh Allen poised to knock off Patrick Mahomes? Adam Schein provides nine
Mike Tomlin tells Steelers players he plans on coaching team in 2024
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told players on Tuesday the speculation about him stepping away is unfounded and he plans on coaching the team in 2024, NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported.
Eagles All-Pro center Jason Kelce retires after 13 seasons following wild-card loss to Buccaneers
After the Philadelphia Eagles’ season-ending playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night, center Jason Kelce announced he’s retiring following his 13th season.
John Schneider is in charge of coaching staff, personnel for first time as Seahawks GM
Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider confirmed during a Tuesday news conference that for the first time in his career he will have authority over both the team’s coaching staff and all football personnel matters.
Falcons interview Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh for coaching vacancy – ESPN
The Falcons announced Tuesday they had completed an interview with Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.
Manufacturer says Patrick Mahomes’ helmet ‘did its job’ despite breaking – ESPN
VICIS, which makes the ZERO2 helmet that Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes wears, said its product “did its job” despite a piece breaking off in the freezing cold of Saturday’s playoff game.
Todd Bowles credits Bucs for staying the course amid rocky stretch – ESPN
One day after the Buccaneers delivered a shocking playoff upset of the Eagles in the wild-card round, coach Todd Bowles credited the organization with “staying the course” when the team had lost five of six games and appeared destined for a losing season.
No, Brett Favre Didn’t Say Taylor Swift Is Dating Travis Kelce for Publicity or a Money Grab – Sports Illustrated
Here’s how a fake Favre quote about Swift spread on social media.
The Rockies threw a boffo welcome-back for Ryan Feltner on Saturday night, and the right-hander was the biggest party animal of all.
Coming back from an elbow injury and making his first big-league start since April 23, the right-hander celebrated by pitching six crisp, efficient innings in Colorado’s 8-3 win over the Giants at Coors Field. Feltner allowed no runs, just four hits, struck out two, and walked none. He needed just 63 pitches, throwing 41 for strikes.
“I felt great and felt like all of my pitches were working,” said Feltner, who became the first Rockies starter to pitch six scoreless innings with no walks since lefty Kyle Freeland on Sept. 5 of last season vs. San Diego.
“I was really happy about the efficiency part of the game,” Feltner added. “It’s always important to go deep into a game here (at Coors).”
Manager Warren Schaeffer said there was never any thought about pushing Feltner past six innings after Feltner made just two minor league rehab starts.
“There was no reason to push him into the seventh; he did his job,” Schaeffer said. “His fastball command was exceptional, his slider was good and he got double-play balls early when he needed to. I just thought he controlled his game very well.
“He controlled his emotions, he was in attack mode, and like we talked about before the game, when he does that, he’s pretty dang good.”
The Rockies, who beat San Francisco 8-6 on Friday night on a walk-off homer by Ezequiel Tovar, clinched their first series win since sweeping the Mets from April 24-29 in New York.
Feltner got plenty of support.
The Rockies have had a nasty habit this season of scoring early only to see the offense go into hibernation. That wasn’t the case on Saturday. The Rockies kept piling on and taking away any chance for late-game drama in LoDo.
“When a guy goes out there and grinds away, like Feltner did, you want to reward them with run,” said center fielder Jake McCarthy, who had a big night from the leadoff spot, going 3 for 4 with a walk and driving in four runs.
McCarthy’s 427-foot two-run homer in the fourth off Giants right-hander Adrian Houser gave Colorado a 4-0 lead. McCarthy added an RBI single in the fifth and another in Colorado’s three-run seventh. He also recorded his club-leading 10th stolen base and reached base four times for the eighth time in his career.
“I haven’t been patient the last week, I had a lot of pretty bad at-bats” he said. “But I think it’s just about getting good pitches to hit. … Getting into good counts, seeing pitches and taking pitcher’s pitches you can make it easier on yourself. I think I did a good job of that tonight.”
Also in the seventh, Kyle Karros came off the bench to whistle a leadoff homer to right off Ryan Borucki. It was Karros’ third homer of the season, fourth of his young career, and the first pinch-hit home run of his career. It was also his first home run against a team other than the Dodgers — his father, Eric’s, former team.
“That was becoming a thing, so it’s nice to put that narrative to rest,” Karros joked. “I think I saw somewhere where it said, ‘Are the Dodgers just feeling Karros meatballs?’ That’s certainly not the case.”
The Rockies provided an early comfort zone for Feltner by scoring two runs in the first inning. McCarthy and Hunter Goodman drew walks off Houser, Willi Castro delivered an RBI single, and Sterling Thompson took one for the team, getting plunked by Houser with the bases loaded.
Castro hit 2 for 5, recording a multi-hit game for the fifth time in his last six starts.
San Francisco spoiled a rare Rockies shutout with a two-run homer in the eighth by Drew Gilbert off reliever Blas Castano.
The Rockies (22-37) will play for their third series sweep of the season on Sunday afternoon at Coors. Should the Rockies win, they will move out of the National League West cellar and the Giants (22-36) would fall into last place.
Pitching probables
Sunday: Giants LHP Robbie Ray (3-6, 4.60 ERA) at Rockies RHP Tanner Gordon (0-0, 5.85), 1:10 p.m.
Monday: Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (1-6, 8.08) at Angels RHP Jose Soriano (6-4, 2.65), 7:38 p.m.
Tuesday: Rockies RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (4-4, 4.01) at Angels RHP Grayson Rodriguez (2-1, 7.53), 7:38 p.m.
Wednesday: Rockies RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-7, 7.22) at Angels RHP Walbert Urena (2-4, 2.44), 7:38 p.m.
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM
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