Three years ago this week, the Broncos scaled the sport's ultimate mountaintop. Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards reflect on what has happened since then, starting with the path at quarterback since Peyton Manning's final game (5:30). "It's amazing to think about all the what-ifs," Edwards says. At 19:00, Mason reflects on how the Broncos took steps forward in building a deep roster in 2018, but still need to string together good drafts to get the club's depth to the level of teams like New England. They also share memories of Super Bowl 50 (25:50), noting, "It still somehow doesn't seem real." Subscribe to the Broncos Audio Zone in iTunes, Stitcher or wherever you download your podcasts!
Smith, a Ring of Famer, joined his old teammate Atwater along with Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards to discuss the Hall of Fame and the Super Bowl on Orange and Blue 760.
Cole, the editor-in-chief of Fanided.com, joined Atwater, Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards on Orange and Blue 760 to discuss the selections of Champ Bailey and Owner Pat Bowlen and the outlook for Atwater, who made the cut to 10 finalists at the Feb. 2 voting session in Atlanta.
Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards reflect on the Pro Football Hall of Fame selections (1:04), where Steve Atwater stands after making it to the final 10 among finalists (3:04) and how a potential expanded class of Seniors nominees for 2020 (7:51) could help Randy Gradishar in particular. Mase chats with Champ Bailey (12:31) and asks fellow 2019 inductee Ed Reed about his admiration of Atwater (15:17). Finally, Ryan and Mase share their memories of Denver sports-broadcasting legend Irv Brown (17:48), who died Sunday.
Smith, who stood out for the Broncos during their back-to-back Super Bowl seasons of 1997 and 1998, joined Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards from Radio Row on Orange and Blue 760 to discuss how Steve Atwater recruited Smith to Denver in 1997 and what Owner Pat Bowlen meant to him.
"Pat Bowlen, he was always in the locker room, intermingling with the guys. He worked out with us. He loved on us. He got on the airplane, spent time, ate with us. He was a hands-on type of owner," Johnson told Steve Atwater, Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards on Orange and Blue 760 from Radio Row during Super Bowl week.
Lofton, who is also a Hall of Fame voter, joined Tyler Polumbus and Andy Lindahl on Orange and Blue 760 to discuss Atwater's Hall candidacy. "Nobody hit harder and nobody was a better tackler, because not only did he hit hard, he tackled guys," Lofton said. "... You think he should be in. You wonder why he hasn't gone in, but I also understand the selection process, that it's so thin a margin between being in and not being in."
"It starts with the owner, and so what Pat Bowlen has done throughout his career as an owner is pretty phenomenal ... he absolutely belongs in the Hall of Fame," McCaffrey said when he joined Atwater, Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards on Orange and Blue 760 from Radio Row at Super Bowl LIII.
Miller listened closely when Fangio talked about getting more out of him at his opening press conference as Broncos head coach. As the Super Bowl 50 MVP told Tyler Polumbus and Steve Atwater on Orange and Blue 760, "When he said that, the hair just stood up on the top of my back."
"I had the opportunity this week to speak to some voters, and I just laid it all out as best I could, how great this guy was and how really deserving he is of being in the Hall of Fame," Brown told Atwater, Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards on Orange and Blue 760 during a conversation from Super Bowl Radio Row in Atlanta.
Former Ravens head coach Brian Billick, who hired Vic Fangio to join his staff in Baltimore in 2006, joined Justin Adams and Brandon Krisztal from Radio Row on Orange and Blue 760 to discuss what he likes about the Broncos' hiring of Fangio.
"I think he's going to continue to develop that offensive line," said Beachum, who played for new Offensive Line Coach Mike Munchak in Pittsburgh. Beachum joined Andy Lindahl and Tyler Polumbus on Orange and Blue 760 from Radio Row this week and said, "Munch is the best, and y'all have a jewel,"
Frelund joined Brandon Krisztal and Justin Adams on Orange and Blue 760 from Radio Row on Wednesday to discuss what to expect from the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII.
"There's not one of the 15 [modern-era finalists] that really should not be in the Hall of Fame," said the Newsday reporter in an interview with Justin Adams and Brandon Krisztal on Orange and Blue 760. Glauber, who also said he expects Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen to be inducted, noted that he would like to see "at least two spots" added per year to the Hall of Fame's annual class size.
"It's like proving yourself all over again. I feel like it gives yourself something to work for for another year," Chubb said when he joined Brandon Krisztal and Justin Adams of Orange and Blue 760 on Radio Row in Atlanta on Tuesday.
"Not only was he my boss and the owner ... he was a friend, and he cared about his players," the former Broncos linebacker told Ring of Famer Steve Atwater, Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards when he joined them on Orange and Blue 760 from Radio Row in Atlanta.
"We've got to get some of these safeties in," Williams told Justin Adams and Brandon Krisztal on Orange and Blue 760, but she added that she expects Ed Reed will get in, leaving Steve Atwater and John Lynch waiting for now. However, Williams also feels that safeties like Atwater and Lynch, along with others such as LeRoy Butler, are all worthy of the Hall. She also discussed the outlook for Champ Bailey and Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen, of whom she says, "He probably should have gone in a few years ago."
Join Andrew Mason, Hall of Fame finalist Steve Atwater and Ryan Edwards for a jam-packed podcast! We begin by talking with three Hall of Fame voters about the induction chances of Atwater, Pat Bowlen and Champ Bailey: SiriusXM NFL Radio's Alex Marvez (1:02), Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot (11:00) and Yahoo! Sports' Terez Paylor (12:28). Then, it's on to another Hall finalist, John Lynch, who joins the show at 16:43, Lynch explains why the Broncos are getting a "real talented coach, a smart, smart football coach" in new offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello. Lynch also discusses his own candidacy, Bowlen's Hall-worthy resume and the lack of safeties in the Hall. Finally, the guys talk to Duke quarterback Daniel Jones (22:52) about his progress and the feedback he got from coaches throughout the week.
Pauline joined Ray Crockett and Marc Stout on Orange and Blue 760 to discuss the standouts from Senior Bowl week. Pauline liked what he saw from Auburn's Jarrett Stidham, but felt Missouri's Drew Lock was too "inconsistent."
"It's the only way you're going to allow him to help him be the best he can be," Scangarello told Ring of Famer Steve Atwater, Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards on Orange and Blue 760.
President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway joins Andrew Mason, Steve Atwater and Ryan Edwards to share his thoughts on Vic Fangio's staff, what he looked for when he watched Senior Bowl prospects -- especially at quarterback.
The Broncos' new defensive coordinator joined his former star pupil Steve Atwater -- and Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards -- on Orange and Blue 760 to discuss his return to Denver and how he and Head Coach Vic Fangio will tailor their concepts to the talent on hand.
Wesley joined Steve Atwater, Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards on Orange and Blue 760 to talk about his Senior Bowl week and what areas of his game he knows that he must improve.
Weather forced the Senior Bowl to move its practices inside, but there was still plenty for Steve Atwater, Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards to break down. They also catch up with Kansas State's Dalton Risner at 18:48 to find out how the week is going for the Wellington, Colorado product, and talk with new father Kahlen Sanders (36:14), whose massive week includes outstanding on-field work at the Senior Bowl and the news that his fiancee delivered their first child.
Hall of Fame finalist Steve Atwater, Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards break down what they saw from the quarterbacks on the South team (1:51) and the North team (21:23), a group that is led by Missouri's Drew Lock, who joins Brandon Krisztal and Justin Adams of Orange and Blue 760 at 29:25. At 37:35, New Mexico State linebacker Terrill Hanks joins the show to discuss how he made the biggest hit of the day during South team practice.
Jackson catches eyes with his size (6-foot-7 and 249 pounds), but it's his arm talent and mobility that put him on the NFL radar. He joined Hall of Fame finalist Steve Atwater, Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards on Orange and Blue 760 to talk about playing in the Senior Bowl and how his recent work with QB guru Jordan Palmer is helping him "clean up my lower-body mechanics ... for me, I want to go 100-for-100 and hit the same spot every time."
"What I can do better is improve on things I don't have experience in, like playing a lot of zone [coverage] and off-man [coverage]," Ya-Sin told Ring of Famer Steve Atwater, Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards during a conversation on Orange and Blue 760.
On our third episode, Spencer Horner, Sr. Manager of Business Intelligence and Analytics, shares his insights for young professionals pursuing a career in sports! Host Niyanth Anand, MBA candidate at Duke University and Business Intelligence intern, gathers insider advice for breaking into the competitive sports industry.
Special thanks to Meher Kohli for assisting in the sound edit.
"To think that he's trying to evaluate me to possibly be the quarterback for his team ... that's just something you dream about as a kid," Lock told Justin Adams and Brandon Krisztal on Orange and Blue 760 from the Senior Bowl on Monday.
A product of Wiggins, Colorado and Kansas State, Risner told Andrew Mason, Steve Atwater and Ryan Edwards about his versatility, leadership and his love of his home-state team. "I was watching the Broncos from the Jake Plummer days and the Kyle Orton days. I'm a true Broncos fan," he said.
The former NFL Network analyst-turned-general manager joined Steve Atwater, Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards on Monday to discuss the Senior Bowl and his new team's needs, which start with speed. "We've got to improve our team speed on both sides of the ball," Mayock said.
Andrew Mason, Ryan Edwards and Andy Lindahl of Orange and Blue 760 take a look at the Senior Bowl, the draft and how the coaching moves could affect the direction in which the Broncos could go in the offseason. At 11:42, Andy says, "I'm not of the mindset that [the] No. 10 [pick] has to be a quarterback," spurring some discussion. Later, Ring of Fame Rod Smith joins Mase, Ryan and Steve Atwater in the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse (38:12) to discuss the future of the Broncos' offense and what he expects from the 2018 rookies in their second season.
Neil Smith won a pair of Super Bowls with Denver, but he's also a Chiefs legend who lives in Kansas City. He joined Ray Crockett and Marc Stout on Orange and Blue 760 to break down the AFC Championship matchup between the Chiefs and Patriots -- and to share his memories of how Atwater compelled him to join the Broncos as a free agent in 1997.
"[Kansas City's] offense is levels ahead of us, and we've got to get to that point," Harris told Justin Adams and Anthony Rodriguez on Orange and Blue 760 as he broke down this weekend's conference-championship games.
Balzer, of The Sports Xchange, joined Hall of Fame finalist Steve Atwater, Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards on Orange and Blue 760 to discuss the possibilities of this year's Hall class, as well as the potential for a one-time, larger class in 2020 to commemorate the NFL's 100th anniversary.
NBC Sports Bay Area's 49ers reporter, Matt Maiocco, joined Andy Lindahl and Tyler Polumbus on Wednesday morning to discuss the Broncos' new offensive coordinator and how he helped guide San Francisco's quarterbacks to success. Maiocco is also a Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, and he told Andy and Tyler that he "would be very surprised, if, in some way, it's not a very good day for Broncos fans" when the 2019 Hall of Fame class is announced.
Former NFL quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan played for new Broncos Offensive Coordinator Rich Scangarello at UC-Davis. He told Ray Crockett and Marc Stout of Orange and Blue 760 that the Broncos' new offensive playcaller brings a "really strategic mindset," intelligence and adaptability to his role.
Ledyard of The Draft Network joined Steve Atwater, Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards from St. Petersburg, Florida, to talk about some standouts from the Shrine Game practices, led by Kansas defensive lineman Daniel Wise. Ledyard also discussed the quarterbacks at the Shrine Game, focusing on Boise State's Brett Rypien and Mississippi's Jordan Ta'amu.
King also touched upon the Hall of Fame candidacy of Steve Atwater in a conversation with Ray Crockett and Marc Stout on Orange and Blue 760. King cited a "logjam" at safety but adding, "I believe that eventually, Steve Atwater, one of those years is going to get in. Some of these things take a long time, as you guys know. But I think he's a very, very deserving candidate."
The former Broncos cornerback shared his thoughts on new Head Coach Vic Fangio and his focus on avoiding "death by inches" and discussed the absence of Orange Crush defenders from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in a conversation with Steve Atwater, Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards on Orange and Blue 760.
How do players see Vic Fangio's words? Find out from former Bronco Tyler Polumbus at 0:49, as the Orange and Blue 760 morning co-host and Broncos Radio Network analyst shares his thoughts on the message from the Broncos' new head coach (2:06). Then listen to Hall of Fame voters Scott Garceau from Baltimore (15:34) and Gary Myers from New York (22:15) tell Steve Atwater, Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards about Atwater's Hall of Fame chances!
Fangio's leadership could be just what the Broncos need, as Derek Wolfe tells Steve Atwater, Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards at 0:38. Wolfe expects the new coach to "bring a different type of discipline" to the team. Wolfe also talks about how some of the details, and says that getting discipline right starts in the meetings (9:01). Steve, Mase and Ryan then share what they took away from Fangio's introduction to Broncos Country (17:33).
New Broncos Head Coach Vic Fangio joined Voice of the Broncos Dave Logan after his press conference. He told Logan that one of the best compliments he's received is from some retired coaches. He said they told him they loved watching his defenses because, "They play hard, they play smart, they tough. I would love for that to be a moniker that's tagged to our team." Logan and Fangio also reflect on their memories of the late Sam Mills, a training-camp teammate of Logan's who played for Fangio in the USFL and with the Saints and Panthers.
Elway told Voice of the Broncos Dave Logan that Fangio's attention to detail, defensive mind and "football intelligence" as reasons why he earned the Broncos' head-coaching job.
Take a deep dive inside the Broncos' hire of Vic Fangio with the Orange and Blue 760 crew! First, Tyler Polumbus, Andrew Mason, Ryan Edwards and Andy Lindahl gather in the Pat Bowlen Studio Fieldhouse to give their impressions on the news and its impact (0:34). NFL Network's Ian Rapoport then joins Andrew, Ryan and Steve Atwater at 7:56 to discuss the news, saying that Fangio "takes [the defense] to another level." Voice of the Broncos Dave Logan then calls in to discuss the move at 11:03. Finally, Andrew takes a look at other comparable hires in NFL history, and says that Mike Zimmer and Buddy Ryan offer potential templates and comparisons to Fangio.
In a conversation on Orange and Blue 760, Marshall told Justin Adams and Brandon Krisztal that he felt like he was not strong enough at the point of attack, so as he rehabilitated from a knee injury, he added weight so he could return stronger at the end of the season.
Thayer told Andy Lindahl and Tyler Polumbus that being around the run-pass-option-heavy attack the Bears ran last year will help him if he gets a head-coaching shot. "I think he got to see the updated offense, and I think that will help him as a head coach making decisions for the entire team," Thayer said on Orange and Blue 760.
The former Broncos starting quarterback joined Justin Adams and Brandon Krisztal to discuss the honor. He also offered his thoughts on the Broncos' 2018 season and his belief that the team is "not far off."
Troy Fumagalli's season was lost to injury, but he tells Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards that he "feels great" and is ready to go for 2019. Find out how the fifth-round pick in the 2018 draft used the year to work in the weight room and work on the mental side of his game by participating in film sessions and meetings with his fellow tight ends.
Former NFL head coach Jim Mora, who had Vic Fangio as an assistant with the Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints and the USFL's Philadelphia Stars, joined Justin Adams and Brandon Krisztal to shower praise on his protege. "I'm surprised that he hasn't had opportunities in the past," Mora said. "... He's extremely smart and he's got a great way with players.'
Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic joined Andrew Mason, Steve Atwater and Ryan Edwards on Orange and Blue 760 to discuss Fangio. Fishbain described Fangio as a "straight shooter [who] says it like it is; he's not a kiss-up." Fishbain also described Fangio as "an incredible defensive mastermind."
The regular season finished just a week ago, but with the focus on the next head coach and offseason plans, it already seems like much longer than that to Andrew Mason and Andy Lindahl of Orange and Blue 760. They discuss coaching possibilities, dive into President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway's comments about "shaking the tree" to find the answer at QB, and much more.
McBride, who covers the Patriots, told Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards on Orange and Blue 760 that Flores is "a real players coach" who "had a way of explaining things and teaching things that was a lot simpler and easier to understand for a lot of players."
TitansOnline.com's Jim Wyatt, who has covered the Titans for two decades, joined Andrew Mason, Steve Atwater and Ryan Edwards on Orange and Blue 760 to discuss Munchak's three years as Tennessee's head coach and how he might fare better if he receives another opportunity.
The "First and Ten at Ten" crew of Steve Atwater, Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards takes a deep dive into Mike Munchak's career, including some numbers that reveal the degree of his impact on the Steelers' offensive line the last five seasons.
Sherman, a former Packers head coach who hired Taylor as a graduate assistant at Texas A&M and worked with him on the Miami Dolphins' staff, joined Ray Crockett and Marc Stout to discuss Taylor's attributes as a potential head coach. Sherman, who is also Taylor's father-in-law, said the 35-year-old Taylor "doesn't get too high, and doesn't get too low."
"He's going to be one of the rising stars in this business. He's as good as they're going to be," said Tuberville, a long-time college head coach who hired head-coaching candidate Zac Taylor as his offensive coordinator at the University of Cincinnati for the 2016 season.
"It would be cool to be reunited with Chuck," said Kerr, who played for Pagano with the Indianapolis Colts. Kerr discussed what the Broncos could expect if they hire Pagano in a conversation with Justin Adams and Brandon Krisztal on Orange and Blue 760 on Thursday. Kerr also said he thinks the Broncos are "pretty close" to returning to the playoffs.
"There's no doubt that he'd love to come home," said Arians of Pagano, who grew up in Boulder. Arians and Pagano coached together with the Colts in 2012. Also, when asked about the possibility of returning to coaching, Arians downplayed it, saying, "I don't know if it's in my future."
Davis told Justin Adams and Brandon Krisztal that he wants the Broncos to hire "who's passionate about the players that we have now -- that really sees the talent that we have on this team and really wants to build from there."
"There are no short cuts," Broncos President/CEO Joe Ellis said, and that's where this podcast begins. Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards go into the locker room to discuss the decision to relieve Vance Joseph of his duties and what changes could be coming with Justin Simmons (1:16) and Shelby Harris (7:12). Then, Chris Harris Jr. answers media questions with characteristic candor (14:21), and at 18:10, Mason, Edwards and Ring of Famer Steve Atwater discuss what Harris' sentiments mean.
President/CEO Joe Ellis discussed the Broncos' upcoming coaching search and the task of returning the team to success with Voice of the Broncos Dave Logan on Orange and Blue 760 following a New Year's Eve press conference.
"We're going to try to cover the whole gamut [of possibilities]," Elway told Voice of the Broncos Dave Logan in a chat on Orange and Blue 760 on Dec. 31. Elway also said that the four-game season-ending losing streak was "kind of the final straw" in leading to the decision to relieve Vance Joseph of his head-coaching duties.
For Week 17, Andrew Mason, Ryan Edwards and Steve Atwater talk to four players whose roles and form have evolved and grown in 2018. First up is Gotsis (1:15), who is playing the best football of his career. Then they talk to Parks, who reflects on the season (10:56). Finally, it's on to the offense, with Garett Bolles (19:37) -- one of two offensive players to start every game this season -- and Royce Freeman (25:53), who will play a big role Sunday with Phillip Lindsay on injured reserve.
"We start to make plays way too late," Harris said when he joined Andy Lindahl and Tyler Polumbus in the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse studio on Thursday. He also talks about having to watch Monday's loss "like a die-hard fan" at home and makes some predictions for Week 17.
Barrett discussed his return in Oakland, his family's Christmas and his outlook as he becomes eligible for unrestricted free agency in his conversation with Julie Browman, Michael Coover and Anthony Rodriguez as they filled in for Ray Crockett and Marc Stout on Wednesday.
On this holiday episode of "The Neutral Zone," Aric DiLalla and Phil Milani are joined by intern sensation Zach Pereles to share their New Year's resolutions for the Broncos as we near the start of 2019. Want to hear more of "The Neutral Zone"? Subscribe to the Broncos Audio Zone on iTunes, TuneIn or Stitcher — and make sure to leave a rating and review!
Baltimore's recent form has it atop the AFC North -- and ahead of AFC West standouts from Kansas City and Los Angeles in Andrew Mason's power rankings. The Broncos fell to No. 19. Find out where everyone stands, from the top (New Orleans) to the bottom (Arizona).
"A lot of times you can see things -- what they do on the sideline and how they act -- that you don't see on tape," Elway told Andrew Mason, Steve Atwater and Ryan Edwards on Orange and Blue 760 Wednesday afternoon.
"It requires surgery and a rehab time, but we'll get him back next year," Joseph told Steve Atwater, Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards on Orange and Blue 760 on Wednesday. Joseph also discussed what went wrong on the 99-yard punt return allowed by the Broncos on Monday, as well as other issues that led to the defeat.
Happy holidays, merry Christmas and happy Festivus! First we catch up with Will Parks (1:10), who says he expects "a lot of emotions" from Raider Nation on Monday night. Then, Brandon Marshall hops on (8:56). At 15:07, Marshall makes the case for keeping as much of the team together as possible, allowing them to build off the progress they made this year. The newest Bronco, CB Craig Mager, joins the conversation at 16:27, and Ryan Edwards, Andrew Mason and Steve Atwater find out that the ex-Charger doesn't lack for confidence. Finally, Ryan, Mase and Steve take an early look at the draft with The Draft Network's Jon Ledyard (21:55), who has a QB mocked to the Broncos in his first-round projection. Get all the latest Broncos podcast by subscribing to the Broncos Audio Zone in iTunes, Stitcher or Google!
Sutton told Justin Adams and Brandon Krisztal about the best gift he received as a child, the gifts he plans to give to family, the and "decorative robes" that Brandon McManus gave his teammates on Friday.
Simmons also talked about the atmosphere he expects to see in Oakland on Monday night when he spoke with Justin Adams from the locker room.
Harris also told Andy Lindahl and Tyler Polumbus how he feels "great," even though he was placed on injured reserve this week. He discussed a few other topics during his weekly interview on Orange and Blue 760.
With a Pro Bowl selection, Phillip Lindsay's stellar rookie season received a fitting cherry on top of a sundae filled with heaping scoops of yardage (over 1,200 yards from scrimmage) and touchdowns (10). Hear his conversation with Ray Crockett and Marc Stout, and then learn more about what made him so successful from his high-school coach, his uncle, Tony Lindsay!
"To have a 1,000-yard back behind us, that's a spectacular season [for the line] in my eyes," Bolles told Ray Crockett and Marc Stout on Wednesday, one day after Lindsay was selected to the Pro Bowl.
How far did the Broncos fall in their loss? Did the Chargers' win over the Chiefs move them past their rivals from the Midwest? And which ranking was so absurd that Steve Atwater could only shake his head in exasperation? Find out in Andrew Mason's by-the-numbers power rankings for Week 15.
In this week's edition of "The Neutral Zone," Phil Milani and Aric DiLalla — joined by special guest Zach Pereles — talk about the Broncos' two Pro Bowlers, recap #CLEvsDEN (4:58), discuss the steps forward the Broncos took this season (21:06), offer an early perspective on how the Broncos could spend their pick in April (28:59), preview the final stretch of the season (33:33) and finish up with their usual banter (40:54). Like "The Neutral Zone"? Subscribe to the Broncos Audio Zone on iTunes, TuneIn or Stitcher and leave a rating/review!
"They're all competitors, they're all tough and they're mature kids, so they've been able to come in and help us," Elway told Steve Atwater, Andrew Mason and Ryan Edwards in his weekly chat on Orange and Blue 760.
