Mason's Power Rankings: Broncos hold steady

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."

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.

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."

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."

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."

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.