Broncos Schedule 2013: Old Friends Turned Enemies, Peyton Going Home, Family Feud.

The sheriff is ready, bring it on.

The Denver Broncos have the easiest schedule in the NFL, according to NFL.com.  The Broncos will be playing teams that were a combined 110-146 (.430 win percentage) in 2013.  This is misleading due to the fact the AFC West was so poor last year.  The Chargers, Raiders, and Chiefs were a combined 13-35, double that up and you get 26-70 for division opponents....in 2013.  I think it is safe to say the Chiefs are improved from 2-14 last year with the addition of Andy Reid and Alex Smith.  The Chargers are always a threat, even though their window of opportunity to compete for a championship seems to be closed.  The Raiders.....well yeah....they aren't very good and won't be for a long time.  That is what happens when you trade a first round pick and a second round pick for an aging, "me first guy", never elite Quarterback in Carson Palmer.  I told Raider fans at the time it was a terrible move, I think they may finally agree.

But enough about the division, that is the boring part of the schedule.  This season is filled with old friends turned enemies, all-time great rivalries, returning home, and family feuds.  Let's look at some intriguing match ups:

Let's start where the Broncos left off...

The Baltimore Ravens, here in Denver.  This match-up has some extra sizzle with the recent events.  On December 16th 2012, the Denver Broncos went into M&T Bank Stadium and absolutely embarrassed the Baltimore Ravens.  They not only won the game 34-17 (not as close as the score indicates), they left the Baltimore Ravens questioning whether they could make the playoffs, let alone win the division.  Joe Flacco was intercepted right before halftime by Chris Harris who returned the INT for a 99 yard touchdown and left Joe Flacco laying face down, embarrassed to get up, wondering if the Ravens organization would even re-sign the 28 year old QB.

Well it was a different story on January 12th, 2013 for the Divisional Playoff game.  We all know the Rahim Moore play by now, the debacle that occurred that day will hopefully resonate with every Broncos player just like the Divisional Playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on January 4th 1997 (worst loss in Broncos Franchise history).  The Broncos had a legitimate chance to win the Super Bowl in 1997 and blew it, but they came back next year with a fire to complete the mission and they did by winning Super Bowl 32.

I am getting off topic...my thoughts are wandering...that Ravens loss always does that to me.

So not only will it be a chance at payback, but an old friend will be coming back to Denver, Elvis Dumervil.  In his 6 productive seasons with the Broncos, "Doom" recorded 63.5 sacks and was a fan favorite.  You can find # 92 jersey's all over Sports Authority Field and the streets of Denver.  That's what happens when you become one of the greatest edge pass rushers in Broncos history.  Elvis wanted to be a Denver Bronco...well kind of...but not really...actually no he didn't.  The Broncos asked Elvis to take a pay cut, because his contract was "out of whack" according to John Elway.  Elway was right, the market showed Elvis wasn't worth 12 million a year, but closer to 8 million.  Elvis was hurt that his boss asked him to take a pay cut, I don't blame him, I would be too.  So after waiting to the last minute, and actually beyond the last minute, Elvis decided he wanted to stay in Denver, but it was too late.  Then "Fax-gate" happened, a huge failure on Elvis and his agent, Marty Magid.  So the Ravens took advantage and wound up signing the free agent.  Elvis, we will see you in Denver, be prepared to be schooled by Ryan Clady.

Mike Shanahan will be returning to Denver as an opposing coach for the first time since being fired on December 30, 2008.  Shanahan spent 14 seasons as the Broncos head coach, winning two Super Bowls and returning the franchise to championship expectations.  Now Mike Shanahan will lead RG3 and the Washington Redskins into battle against the Denver Broncos in 2013.  John Elway texted Mike Shanahan, "put in a good word for us" when Peyton Manning was scheduled to have a meeting with Shanahan and the Redskins...maybe he did.  Shanahan no longer lives in Denver, perhaps he was tired of having such a dump of a house in Cherry Hills...

...or not.  Shanny's house was on the market for 2 years before being sold for a cool 7 million, 10 million less than what he purchased it for, ouch.  But have no fear, Shanahan's Steak House is still alive and kickin' in Denver, maybe Mike will drop by before game time for a 24 oz. Prime Porterhouse for an easy $52.

Peyton Manning vs Tom Brady, it doesn't get any better than that.  Oh wait...it does...

Wes Welker vs Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and the Patriots.  Add that to an already great rivalry and this game might set ratings records for the most watched regular season game ever.  I would be shocked if this isn't a prime time game.  Broncos vs Patriots is already huge because these two teams will most likely be the two favorites to represent the AFC in Super Bowl 48.  This game will be played in Foxborough, so it will be a tough match up for the Broncos.  Manning now has Brady's favorite target on his team, I expect Wes Welker to have a monster game against his former team.

Eli vs Peyton in New York.  The two Manning brothers have each said they do not enjoy playing against each other, oh well, everyone else does.  Peyton is 2-0 against his younger brother and that trend should continue in 2013 when the Broncos travel to New York to play the Giants.  Even though Eli Manning has 2 Super Bowl wins compared to Peyton's 1, nobody doubts that Peyton is the better all-time quarterback.  This is most likely the last meeting between the two brothers and Eli's last chance to get a head to head win.

Peyton Manning was supposed to finish his career an Indianapolis Colt.  However, when you have a chance to draft Andrew Luck, the second coming of Peyton Manning, the Colts didn't have a choice but to release Peyton and start over.  What makes this game so interesting is it will be in Indianapolis.  I anticipate the Colts fans to cheer Manning pre-game and to wear their #18 jersey's, but when the game starts it will be a fan base 100% behind Andrew Luck and the Colts.  Don't believe Manning when he says playing in Indianapolis is just another game, this game means more to him then he will let on.  As for Andrew Luck, the kid will be in Peyton's shadow until he wins a Super Bowl.  I am not sure who will be more nervous that game, Manning or Luck?  I expect Peyton to do everything he can to win that game, perhaps a game winning touchdown pass to Jacob Tamme would be the perfect ending.

There is one more game that intrigues me...Gary Kubiak facing the Broncos once again in Houston...no that's not it.  Let's just assume the Jets trade one of their high profile QB's to his home town...in Jacksonville.  Well Jacksonville is on the schedule to play in Denver.  So maybe, just MAYBE...an old face would be coming back to play in Denver...

It should be a great season.

Wilson Chandler: The key to success for the Denver Nuggets.

Wilson Chandler, "ill Will", is a forgotten man.  Or at least he was.

When the Nuggets acquired the versatile Chandler from the New York Knicks in the mega "Melo Trade" on February 22 2011, not many people knew what to expect from the 4 year player.  Chandler was averaging a career high 16.4 points per game in 51 games before being traded.  When he got to Denver his scoring has decreased due to less minutes and more offensive options available.  But that does not tell the story of what "ill Will" means to this Nuggets team.

As of March 19th 2013, Wilson Chandler has only played in 60 games out of a possible 157 for the Denver Nuggets since being traded.  In the shortened 2011-2012 season he only appeared in 8 games for Denver due to playing over in China at the start of the season and then suffering a season ending hip injury.  The Nuggets made some noise in the first round against the Lakers, but were unable to win Game 7 in LA.  Maybe things would have been different if Chandler was healthy, we will never know.

But for a majority of Nuggets fans Chandler was fading into the background.  Questions were raised if he could ever stay healthy for an extended period of time.  Wilson Chandler?  Oh yeah, that one guy we got in the Carmelo trade, is he still hurt?  Are we going to trade him?  Do the Nuggets really need him with their deep roster?

At the beginning of the 2012-2013 season Wilson Chandler was still recovering from the hip surgery he had on May 1st.  With a deep team that featured the ability to replace Chandler with the likes of Danilo Gallanari, Andre Igoudala, Corey Brewer, and even Jordan Hamilton or Evan Fournier, the idea of needing Wilson Chandler to compete became somewhat of an afterthought.

I have heard many people suggest that Wilson Chandler should be traded.  But let's take a look at how good this team can be when he is on the court.  This season the Nuggets are 24-4 when Wilson Chandler plays.  That is a 85.7% winning percentage.  They are 23-18 without him, 56% winning percentage.

I don't think that is a coincidence.  Not that type of disparity.  At that rate, Masai Ujiri and Josh Kronke might trade anyone except Wilson Chandler.

Chandler provides match up nightmares for opposing teams.  He has a perimeter game, mid range and from 3-point distance.  He can drive to the rim off the dribble and has a strong post game.  He also comes in with the second unit, so for a portion of the time he is playing against the opponents reserve players.  Even when Chandler isn't scoring he affects the game with his ability to rebound and hit a perimeter shot (something the Nuggets struggle with).  He is averaging a career high in 3-point shooting percentage (41.3%).  Wilson also allows George Karl the flexibility to rotate him in for Danilo Gallanari or Kenneth Faried if either needs a rest or is struggling, with no loss of production (or in some games an increase in production).

Wilson Chandler has tied his career high twice this season, 35 points, against the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Chicago Bulls.  Both games were won because of Wilson's play and have contributed to a Nuggets Franchise (NBA) record 13 straight wins.

Wilson Chandler is not just the Nuggets best bench player, when healthy, ill Will could be the Denver Nuggets best player, period.

Wilson Chandler is not forgotten anymore.

Elway making his move for 2013 Executive of the Year.

John Elway didn't win executive of the year in 2012, that award went to Colts GM, Ryan Grigson.  However, John Elway has quickly established himself as one of the top GM's in football.  Elway's first year on the job he landed Von Miller, arguably the best player in the draft.  Year two, simply lured the highest profile free agent in NFL history, living legend Peyton Manning.  Now for year three in Elway's reign, what was expected?  The expectations for the Broncos in free agency for the 2013 season was widely thought to be "steady and nothing flashy".  All Elway did was land the highest profile free agent for the second year in a row, Wes Welker.

Let's take a look into the Broncos signings 6 days in:

Wes Welker (WR)
Louis Vasquez (G)
Terrance Knighton (DT)
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (CB)
Stewart Bradley (LB)

Elway also re-signed DT starter, Kevin Vickerson and special teams beast, David Bruton.

Stewart Bradley was once a pro bowl LB.  If he can stay healthy it's possible he will be the starting MLB instead of Nate Irving or possibly an upcoming draft pick.  Plus, Elway was able to pick him up dirt cheap, $1.1 million for 1 year.

Terrance Knighton at 335 lbs. will be able to push the pocket and stuff the run effectively with Kevin Vickerson.  He will rotate with Derek Wolfe and is an upgrade from Justin Bannan.

DRC had a rough stint with the Philadelphia Eagles.  But when he was in Arizona he was a Pro Bowl CB.  DRC was a first round pick, 16th overall in 2008.  He is still very young, 26, and with Champ Bailey opposite him, one can only imagine how much better he will get.

Louis Vasquez is probably the Broncos best free agent pick up.  He may not be the most "flashy" signing, that would go to Wes Welker, but Vasquez unlike the other signings received a long term deal, 4 years $23.5 million.  Vasquez is expected to replace RG Chris Kuper, who has struggled with severe injuries recently.  Louis Vasquez was considered the second best Guard by most NFL executives behind Andy Levitre.  It makes it even better that Elway was able to weaken a divisional opponent, the Chargers, with the signing.  Running the ball will be much more effective with Vasquez (335 lbs.) and Franklin (330 lbs.) paving the way on the right side.

Wes Welker is a slot machine.  If you go by production it is easy to suggest Welker is the best slot receiver to ever play the game.  Yes, Broncos fans...even better than the warrior Brandon Stokley.  Welker has 111 receptions or more in 5 of the past 6 seasons.  Welker's career high in receptions is 123 in 2009, oh by the way, that was in only 14 games.  Only once in Broncos history has a WR caught more than 111 passes, that was Rod Smtih in 2001 when he had 113.  Welker's production is even tough to produce in a full season playing Madden 13 on Xbox, it's crazy.  Welker is also durable.  In his 8 year career he has missed a total of 3 games.  Welker will have the ability to work the middle of the field with DT and Decker alongside him, and a solid group of TE's in Tamme, Dressen, and Virgil Green.  Peyton Manning has a shiny new toy to play with and my guess is it's going to be a match made in football heaven.

Oh and by the way, Elway not only wanted Welker to be a Bronco, but he also wanted to weaken the Patriots.  Smart.  He knew Brady wanted Welker back, that was why he restructured his contract.... oops.

As for Elvis Dumerville....well this turned into a mess due to an unbelievable error made by the "Dumerville camp".  Elway is upset....no he is more than upset... he is raging mad.  Elway is a business man, he made a trillion dollars on car dealerships, he doesn't like to lose money....he hates dead money.  That is exactly what releasing Elvis Dumerville did, it put $4.8 million in "dead money" against the 2013 salary cap.  So can Elway fix this?  Does Elway even want to?  I don't know, but I hope so.  It is a good sign that Elvis has new representation, Tom Condon, who also represents Peyton Manning (maybe I am reaching, wishful thinking perhaps).  Anyway, if Elway can clean this up and sign Dumerville back to the Broncos somehow, then just give him the 2013 Executive of the Year right now, we don't need to see what happens in the draft....it's a rap.

John Elway was one of the best Quarterback to ever play the game, my personal favorite.  When he took the Broncos front office job in 2011 I thought he just wanted back in the building to get rid of the nasty stench that was Josh McDaniels.  Maybe John would have a tee time at 9:00, go to lunch at Shannahan's, come in to Dove Valley to talk with Pat Bowlen and Brian Xanders about football operations, head over to Del Frisco's for a steak and a scotch, and head home before 8:00.

Well that didn't happen, the man is dedicated beyond belief.  Not only that, but he is good, damn good.  He is perhaps the best recruiter in the NFL.  Who has the reputation Elway has?  Who demands more respect than Elway in front offices?  Nobody.

The 2012 Executive of the Year winner Ryan Grigson was a nice story.  Rookie QB making the playoffs after a 2-14 season, coach battling life threatening cancer, young players stepping up in big time situations....I get it, I really do, but Elway was robbed last year.

It won't happen again this year.

2K, Nuggets best big?

Is Kosta Koufus the Denver Nuggets best big man?  I honestly don't know, but I think the question is fair and until recently most Nuggets fans would only laugh at the thought.

Konstantine Demetrios "Kosta" Koufos started his career with the Utah Jazz, picked 23rd overall in the 2008 NBA Draft.  His first 2 seasons with the Jazz he played sparingly, even spending some time in the D League.  He was traded to Minnesota on July 14th 2010, where he only appeared in 39 games and was then traded to Denver in the Carmelo Anthony 3-team trade on February 22, 2011.  A lot of fans may remember Timofey Mozgov showing up to Pepsi Center with his former Knick buddies; Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, and Danilo Gallinari, but nobody cared about this Kosta kid from Minnestoa.  Media speculated that Mozgov was a "huge" piece in the trade negotiations and that the New York Knicks front office was reluctant to let him go, even if that meant canceling the "Melo trade".  Well it turns out, the Nuggets did land a starting center, but he came from Minnesota not New York.

So let's compare the Denver Nuggets centers.  The measurable's are similar, McGee is 7'0 252 lbs., Koufos is 7'0 265 lbs., Mozgov is 7'1 250 lbs and they all have athleticism, however nobody is going to deny JaVale McGee is out of this universe with his athletic ability.  When you see Kosta Koufos and the nice bald spot he is forming on his head, you may think he is close to 30 years old.  However, Kosta is only 24 years old, compare that to 25 years old for McGee and 26 years old for Mozgov.  Kosta is averaging 8.4 points per game in 22 minutes a game.  JaVale is averaging 9.4 in 18 minutes per game.  Mozgov...well we will just skip him for this exercise.  Rebounding, probably the most important stat for a center, especially for a team like the Nuggets.  Kosta is averaging 6.8 rebounds compared to JaVale's 4.7 rebounds per game this season.  Field goal percentage; Kosta is shooting a career high 61.4% while McGee is at a solid 56.9%.  What about protecting the paint?  Kosta is averaging a career high 1.4 blocks per game while JaVale is one of the top shot blockers at 2 blocks per game in just 18 minutes a game.

Stats are great but they are not the whole story.  Kosta Koufos plays with an edge, he doesn't play nice all the time, he isn't out there to make friends.  Kosta will trash talk with anyone, he doesn't care if you are a Hall of Famer or bench warmer, if you cheap shot him, you will hear about it.  Kosta also has an intelligence about the game that should not go overlooked.  His basketball IQ is high and he is a team player, always doing what is best for the team and winning compared to "getting his".  Last night against the Memphis Grizzlies, with less than a minute to go in the game, the Nuggets got a turnover and ran out on the fastbreak.  Kosta received a pass under the basket and could have easily gone up to get a score, but instead Kosta dribbled out of the paint wasting about 5-6 seconds worth of valuable time and passing to a guard.  Kosta in a nut shell.  He cares about the "W" and nothing else.  Career high in rebounds during that game, 16, but when asked about it, he said "all I care about is the win".  Yep, that's Kosta.

JaVale McGee has the biggest upside, there is no doubting that.  McGee can be brilliant at times, potentially an all-star one day.  But there are times when he makes poor decisions and doesn't value each possession.  Mozgov has a great work ethic.  George Karl calls Mozzy a "gym rat", always in the gym working to get better.  No doubt he has the best shooting touch of any of the centers, but he struggles to rebound consistently, gets in foul trouble, and seems to have communication break downs frequently with teammates. Kosta Koufos is the most improved center this year and is the starter for a good reason.  He is solid, doesn't make mistakes, rebounds, and scores efficiently.

Hopefully Nuggets fans will appreciate how important Kosta Koufos is to the success of this team.  I know I do.