You can tweet questions to me with the hashtag #AskMase or use the submission form to your right (if you're viewing on a standard browser) or at the bottom of the page if you're on the mobile site.*
What is your opinion in that adding a new quarterback, free agent or rookie, would change the woes on offense?
-- John Webster
It will not solve every problem, but it will help immensely. While the offense had multiple issues last year, it did receive improved play from the offensive line and produced its first 1,000-yard rusher since 2013. Meanwhile, the Broncos' team-wide passer rating was the second-lowest in the league, ahead of only the Browns.
Not all of that can be laid at the feet of the quarterbacks, but with better play from the position, even a league-average rating could have been mustered despite the issues elsewhere on that side of the football.
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Of all the names being tossed around for a free agent QB why is Teddy Bridgewater's name never mentioned? He had a very high ceiling before he got hurt.**
-- Wayne Gould
On our weekday radio show, "First and Ten at Ten" on Orange and Blue 760 from 10 a.m. to noon MST, I've discussed the possibility of Bridgewater with Ring of Famer Steve Atwater and Ryan Edwards. My argument for considering Bridgewater as a possible, cost-effective target who could be part of a competition for a team is based on three points:
1) His last possession of any consequence saw him lead the Vikings downfield in a high-pressure situation against an elite defense (that of the 2015 Seahawks) for what should have been a game-winning drive in a playoff game, had the field-goal attempt at the end of it not been botched.
2) Bridgewater came into the league with the willingness to throw into tight windows, which put him ahead of many quarterbacks who have to adjust to the lack of wide berths given to receivers running downfield. This allowed him to quickly adjust and find his footing, and by his second season as a starter he was already a competent quarterback. According to pro-football-reference.com, Bridgewater's completion percentage in his first two seasons is the second-highest of any quarterback (minimum 250 attempts) in NFL history.
3) Although the situations are not exactly the same, there exists the possibility that he could be a value signing along the lines of Drew Brees in 2006. Brees hit free agency that year coming off of a torn labrum suffered in his final game with the San Diego Chargers. In fact, there was some debate over whether Brees or Daunte Culpepper was the better free-agent play, with many arguing for Culpepper because of Brees' injury. Well, we know how that turned out.
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What's the chance of bringing Peyton Manning back as a QB coach?**
-- Al Keay
I get this question often -- and we've been asked it on the radio, as well -- so let me answer it once in the hopes it will not be asked again: This isn't happening for multiple reasons, including the fact that there is little obvious incentive for one of the best players in league history -- one whose earnings as a player soared into nine figures -- to toil as a position coach, given the grueling hours involved in that line of work.
The analysis, opinion and speculation in this story represents that of the author, gathered through research and reporting, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Denver Broncos organization.
Andrew Mason lists his top 10 inside linebacker free agents for the 2018 offseason.
Davis combined strong production against the run with improved work in pass coverage in his return to the Jets after one season away. He finished with career highs in tackles (135) and sacks (5), and remained a durable player, having never missed a game as a pro. (Bill Kostroun/AP Images)
Although he played on the outside in the Eagles' 4-3 scheme, Bradham would likely project to an inside role in the 3-4 alignment. What jumps out about Bradham is his coverage ability. There are better run thumpers available than the 241-pound Bradham, but perhaps no better linebackers in pass coverage. (Matt Rourke/AP Images)
The durable Brown is always around the football, posting four consecutive 100-tackle seasons, including a career-high 144 last year. The 251-pound Brown has also never missed a game in his four seasons with the Bills. (Al Messerschmidt/AP Images)
Oakland's run defense showed marked improvement in the first six games after Bowman joined the Raiders in October. Although that upturn eventually leveled off, Oakland allowed 0.14 fewer yards per carry in games Bowman played than it did before he arrived. (Ryan Kang/AP Images)
Williamson is one of the league's strongest linebackers against the run, and although he has endured some ups and downs in pass coverage, the 246-pounder's status as an outstanding two-down linebacker should ensure he's snapped up quickly. Williamson also has two 100-tackle seasons in the last three years. (Rick Scuteri/AP Images)
Bostic started a career-high 14 games in 2017, and he responded with 97 total tackles -- 13 more than he ever had in any previous season. Bostic was able to successfully put a foot injury behind him before he suffered a season-ending knee injury against Denver in Week 15. (David J. Phillip/AP Images)
His work in coverage declined last year, even before he suffered a season-ending hamstring injury, but he is just one year removed from an outstanding season in that regard. His work against the run also remained solid last year before the injury. Cincinnati could opt to move on from Minter after one season, but he should have offers elsewhere. (Frank Victores/AP Images)
Toomer punctuated his 2017 season with a 59-yard pick-six against the Bills, but his tackle numbers were down -- from 75 in 2016 to 48 -- despite the fact that he started in the same number of games (eight) and played in two more games than he did in 2016. Toomer is a bit of a specialist, but he's a specialist that is more needed in the air-centric NFL. (Jae C. Hong/AP Images)
Still solid after 14 years, Dansby has played all 16 games in six of his last seven seasons and finished 2017 with 95 total tackles, four passes defensed and an interception. He is one of just five players with at least 40 sacks and 20 interceptions; two of the other four are members of the 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Ryan Kang/AP Images)
Although he will go into his 12th year in 2018, Posluszny still has plenty of value as a two-down run thumper and as a locker-room leader. (Mark Zaleski/AP Images)
