Author: Nick

With news that the Bills are working out former Jets tackle Wayne Hunter, this gave my good friend and colleague Jason Fitzgerald a reason to remind us of the lowest of Hunter’s lowlights.  But of course, as Bob and I both pointed out, that’s a highlight for Broncos fans.  Also, as much as we’re worried about the Broncos’ offensive line, at least they haven’t had to stoop as far as working out Wayne Hunter.

But turnabout is fair play, hence the question that I’ve posed in the title for some dead season discussion.  Who is the one player that, due to his exceptionally poor play on the field, you’re glad no longer resides in the home team’s locker room in Denver.  The first player that came to my mind as a nominee was Marquand Manuel.  Among the absolute abomination that was the 2008 Broncos defense, Manuel continually stuck out to me as the epitome of that abomination.

Via the Washington Post:

The team listed its stadium capacity at 85,000 last season, but attendance never topped 81,000 and averaged less than 78,000. The Redskins led the NFL with an average attendance of 88,090 in 2007 but have averaged fewer than 80,000 four seasons in a row.

The Redskins still remained near the top of the league in attendance; the league average last season was 68,776. The Redskins say every home game for the past 47 seasons has been a sellout.

Why am I making a quick mention of this here?  I am because the Redskins are the only team that has a longer sellout streak than the Broncos.  There are, of course, ways that the numbers can be manipulated, as Dan Snyder is demonstrating here.  But I certainly wouldn’t mind if Snyder continues to do Dan Snyder things that causes more Redskins fans to get fed up.

Broncos sign first-round pick Shane Ray

— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) June 1, 2015

Per the numbers of the rookie wage scale, as the 23rd overall pick the total of Ray’s contract and signing bonus are both known–they should be close to, respectively, $9.12 million and $4.89 million.  Judging by previous 23rd overall picks, Ray should also have the first three years of his base salary fully guaranteed.

The only possible serious point of negotiation is if the Broncos pushed for a clause to void Ray’s guarantees should he run afoul of the NFL’s substance abuse program.  Ray was placed in Phase 1 of the program due to his pre-draft citation for marijuana possession.

Broncos Pro Bowl LT Ryan Clady tore his left ACL during practice Wednesday and is likely to miss the 2015 season, a league source told ESPN.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 28, 2015

Here are the upcoming dates that the Broncos will be convening in the next few weeks:

• OTAs: May 27-29, June 1-2, June 4, June 15-18
• Minicamp: June 9-11

Hope for no more injuries!

If Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf can stick to her guns, it pretty much guarantees the inevitable departure of the Raiders from her city:

Raiders owner Mark Davis and his colleagues at the NFL might have to wait a long time to hear from Oakland and Alameda County on a plan to help finance a new $900 million stadium.

That’s because elected officials are in no hurry to help the team close a $400 million funding gap, partly because taxpayers in Oakland and Alameda County are still paying millions of dollars a year for the Coliseum renovations that lured the team back in the mid-1990s. And that debt won’t be paid off until 2026.

“That money we’re paying now is general-fund money we could spend on police, parks or libraries,” said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, who has said she cannot support spending a dime of public funds for a new stadium.

Continue reading The Dark Side’s Groping in the Dark for a Stadium

With the news that Ray McDonald has been cut by the Bears swiftly after he was arrested a second time for an incidence of domestic violence, it’s spurned me to open up a discussion on what the NFL in general should do about disciplining such actions—especially since this could ensnare the Broncos soon regarding the ongoing investigation of Antonio Smith. My own thoughts are beyond the fold, and as always, I encourage you to give your own in the comments. Continue reading How should the NFL improve its disciplinary system regarding domestic violence?

The extra point rule for 2015 just changed. Snap for kick from the 15-yard line, 2-pt try stays at 2-yard line and defense can return.

— Dean Blandino (@DeanBlandino) May 19, 2015

http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/john-lynch-kubiak-s-2005-departure-hurt-the-broncos-051715

“I just felt like, and looking back I’ll always feel like we were never quite the same after Gary (Kubiak) left,” former Denver safety Jon Lynch said. “I think (then-head coach) Mike (Shanahan) didn’t feel the same, have the same confidence in how we were doing things. I think Gary was just, beyond what a great football mind, was somebody who just knew how to help push a team along.”