February 5, 2016 - Denver Broncos Media Room

After Super Bowl 50, Peyton Manning needs to walk
away from football
By Mark Kiszla
Denver Post
February 4, 2016
"Let me hold on to your arm," whispered Archie Manning, as he grabbed my elbow with the same strong
hand that threw 125 touchdown passes in the NFL. "And help me down these steps."
We stood on a stage. Beneath us, a large crowd had gathered Thursday to watch the 66-year-old
Manning toss pizza dough as part of the madness that is Super Bowl week. The floor was maybe 30
inches below our feet, a mere two steps down to the carpet. But Manning, feeling the residual pain from
every hit he took in the game, did not want to make the journey down the stairs alone. "I don't want to
fall," he confessed.
On Sunday, Archie Manning will watch his kid play in Super Bowl 50.
When the game is done, win or lose, Peyton Manning needs to walk away from the game while he still
can. A smart man listens when his body screams it's time to quit and go home.
"I understand the last few years that football has been under attack. And I get it," said Archie Manning,
who will say a little prayer his son won't be hurt by taking the field against the Carolina Panthers.
This is a painful story to tell. This is why, every day, more parents don't allow their kids to go out and
play America's favorite sport.
There is a war on football. Isn't it obvious why?
The NFL does not care if you're a hero. In the end, the game throws everybody who plays the game on
the scrap heap.
All week, Peyton Manning has revealed his 39-year-old body is a mess, confessing how his arm strength
is shot and he has a bum hip destined to be replaced. If that's not a strong hint about his impending
retirement, then Manning certainly has a strange way of advertising he's available for work next season.
He's a rusty 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier with bald tires and bent chassis. Who's going to buy that?
With more than 100 journalists hanging on every word, Manning told a funny story Wednesday about
what a drag it is growing old. The five-time NFL MVP reminded us that in 2011, the year before joining
the Broncos, he had more neck surgeries (four) than pass completions (zero). And before each of four
seasons in Denver, doctors have checked out his battered body before giving him clearance to play.
"When you have injuries, when you have surgeries, the doctor sometimes will mention to you, whether
you ask him or not, 'Hey, you are probably heading for a hip replacement sometime,' " said Manning,
recalling a conversation during his annual physical two years ago.
"I said: 'Doc, I didn't ask you if I was going to have a hip replacement. I didn't need to know that right
here at age 37. But thanks for sharing. I look forward to that day when I am 52 and have a hip
replacement.' "
Everybody in the room laughed.
The problem? How football destroys its heroes is not funny.
The late Ken Stabler was a friend of Archie Manning. After the legendary Raiders quarterback died at
age 69 from cancer in July, an autopsy revealed Stabler suffered from an advanced stage of chronic
traumatic encephalopathy, the degenerative brain disease believed to be caused by repeated blows to
the head. The news shook the elder Manning to the core.
"It makes us all in the fraternity of quarterbacks think," he said. "We looked at (former Chargers
linebacker) Junior Seau and always thought: 'Well, how many times did he hit somebody? Thousands of
times. But as quarterbacks, we didn't think it was the same for us. When Ken Stabler died, it makes you
think. Hey, it's tough stuff."
Just this week, Archie Manning has exchanged his concerns in text messages to another quarterback
from his era: Oliver Luck, whose son now plays for the Indianapolis Colts and has been sacked 115 times
in 55 regular-season games.
"Listen, when mothers say, 'I'm not sure if I want my son out there playing football,' I do get it," said
Archie Manning, who has endured back fusion, a knee replacement and neck surgery during the past
two years alone.
But the father of America's first family of quarterbacks also whole-heartedly believes coaches serve as
great mentors for young men. He is proud of how the NFL has tried to make the sport safer. He feels all
his aches and pains were a fair price for the joy of the game. "Playing football is all I ever wanted to do,
and I got to do it," he said.
We want all our favorite bands to stay together. We wish our parents never had to die. And we certainly
don't want to watch the sports heroes of our youth step unsteadily down a short flight of stairs.
With Archie Manning leaning on my elbow for support, I can see the future for his son.
And it hurts.
How the murder of T.J. Ward's high school friend drives
him for Super Bowl
By Mark Kiszla
Denver Post
February 4, 2016
Viewed now, the snapshot is symbolic, a reminder of friendship, fun and football.
At legendary De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., coaches permit the players to take a single
customized picture on team photo day. The Amigos — T.J. Ward, cousin Maurice Jones-Drew, Terrance
Kelly, Jackie Bates, Willie Glasper, Cameron Colvin, DeMontae Fitzgerald, Damon Jenkins and Eric Love
— stood tall, reflecting the confidence and innocence of youth. No one thought about the cruel way
lives can change and meld through tragedy.
On Aug. 12, 2004, Kelly, just hours before he was supposed to head to summer practices at Oregon for
his freshman season, was murdered. When Ward arrived at De La Salle, Kelly treated him like a little
brother. Or as Ward's father, Terrell, said Wednesday, "He was his guardian angel."
Ward internalized his grief. It remains one of the worst moments of his life, a pain that frames his Super
Bowl 50 experience. Ward honored Kelly, who died in Richmond, two hours from Levi's Stadium in Santa
Clara, with a tattoo of an angel on his right arm.
"I got it because it keeps T.K. with me at all times," Ward said of his friend who was long shielded from
violence by a protective grandmother. "T.K. goes where I go. They see me, they see him."
Ward arrives at the apex of his career with an important role. He is a three-level player, integral to
coverage of Carolina tight end Greg Olsen, on run support against Jonathan Stewart, and in a few welltimed, sprinkled-in blitzes. The Broncos continue to be asked how they are going to stop quarterback
Cam Newton, not what Newton will do against the league's top-ranked defense.
"That's what the question should be," Ward said.
Ward "brings the boom," as Broncos linebacker Von Miller says. Ward inspires fear with big hits. And
cornerback Aqib Talib provides the running soundtrack. The pair forms the attitude of the defense.
"T.J. plays with his hair on fire," Talib said. "He's our Tasmanian Devil."
Photos in the Ward family scrapbooks reveal a long history of swagger and intensity. When T.J. was
little, he wore No. 44 on his Antioch youth team, same as his father's jersey at San Diego State. He
began playing tackle football at age 8, weighing 60 pounds.
"The coaches didn't think he would make the team because he was so small," said his mother LaNeita
Ward, decked out in Broncos gear at the couple's home. "But he had heart."
Coaches and opponents couldn't break Ward. He learned toughness and work ethic from his father, who
played defensive back in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles. Terrell broke out the chalkboard in the
living room and taught 9-year-old T.J. and 7-year-old Terron, a running back for the Atlanta Falcons, how
to read a playbook. The boys went through circuit training, joined by Jones-Drew, a longtime NFL star,
featuring sit-ups, curls and hill training.
The idea that her son is playing in the country's biggest sporting event creates pause for LaNeita. But
when she thinks about T.J. running out of the tunnel, she remembers the days in Pop Warner.
"He was little, and going against the archrival San Leandro Crusaders. He played both sides of the ball
and dominated them," she said. "And after the game, he changed his clothes and put on his glasses, and
all the opposing coaches were asking, 'Where is the kid that ran us over?'^"
Ward's personality belies his persona on it. He plays angry. Yet he remains quiet when in company of
strangers. Even as T.J.'s secondary coach in high school, Terrell wasn't sure what the future held for his
son. Ironically, it was when T.J. wasn't playing that the father realized how much football meant to him.
"His junior year he was standing next to me on the sidelines and I asked him if he was OK. And he looked
at me with a glare that said, 'No I am not.' He was (really upset)," Terrell said. "He wanted to be out
there so badly."
After waiting his turn, Ward began his senior year at De La Salle with a flurry of interceptions. Then, he
injured the patella tendon in his knee, leaving his friends, including Colvin, to carry him to his parents'
Honda SUV.
"T.J. was always a fiery player when we were little. He made himself known on the football field," said
Colvin, who sang in the church choir with Ward. "He had worked so hard for his chance. But I knew he
would overcome it somehow. He was always so focused on his goal."
After taking a year to recover, Ward walked on at Oregon, joining a crew of De La Salle players. It wasn't
long before he landed in the starting lineup and his parents began making the 8-hour drive to every
home game for four years. The memories of those days tumble out quickly: Ward's crushing tackle of
Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor in the Rose Bowl, his 15 stops in three quarters against Boise
State, his breathtaking hits on helpless Cal receivers.
"There are times I will ask him after the game, 'Do you have to hit so hard?'" said LaNeita, with a smile.
Ward can't help himself. Football is a tough game played by tough men. This Sunday has been 29 years
in the making, ever since a 6-month T.J. laid on his father's chest as dad read a story about De La Salle
High School.
And it's an opportunity he will share with his family, friends, and TK.
"I think about him everyday. ... I mean everyday," Ward said. "And I know he will have an eye in the sky
on me on Sunday."
Peyton Manning hired investigators to probe al-Jazeera
source, per report
By Nicki Jhabvala
Denver Post
February 4, 2016
Peyton Manning’s lawyers hired two private investigators to visit the parents of the primary source in a
documentary linking him to human growth hormone, before the report was released, according to The
Washington Post on Thursday.
The investigators visited the Brownsburg, Ind., home of Randall and Judith Sly on Dec. 22, according to
The Post. They are the parents of Charles Sly, the primary source in al-Jazeera's documentary that
claimed an Indianapolis anti-aging clinic shipped HGH to Manning's home.
Sly, a former pharmacy intern, was filmed undercover by al-Jazeera saying The Guyer Institute, where
the Broncos quarterback was a patient in 2011, shipped HGH to his wife, Ashley Manning. The drug is
now banned by the NFL and is illegal to prescribe except for a few serious diseases.
On Dec. 4, three weeks before the documentary aired, al-Jazeera emailed every person named in its
report, including Manning's agent, Tom Condon, alerting them of what it said. Shortly after, according to
The Washington Post, Manning hired the Gibson Dunn law firm and Ari Fleischer, a former White House
press secretary who heads a sports communications company.
The private investigators were Brian Bauer and Ben Ford. One of them initially told the Slys they were a
law enforcement officer, but later clarified they were private investigators. The Slys told their daughter
to call 911, according to The Washington Post, but ended up speaking to the men. Bauer and Ford
returned to the Slys' home the next day to speak with Charles, with his lawyer, Travis Cohron, on
speakerphone. The investigators asked Charles about his background and his relationships with the
athletes named in the report, per The Post.
Cohron told the paper that Bauer and Ford refused to divulge who they worked for "other than a party
interested in the al-Jazeera documentary."
The day after the investigators' second visit, and three days before al-Jazeera aired its documentary,
Randall Sly recorded on his iPhone a recanted statement by his son, who said, "there is no truth to any
statement of mine that al-Jazeera plans to air."
The al-Jazeera documentary also alleged other professional athletes, including NFL and Major League
Baseball players, received performance-enhancing drugs from Sly. Two of them, Nationals first baseman
Ryan Zimmerman and Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, have filed lawsuits against al-Jazeera.
Al-Jazeera's report has prompted investigations from the NFL and MLB in conjunction with the United
States Anti-Doping Agency.
The NFL has said it is investigating the report. Manning said this week the report was "garbage" and he
welcomed the league looking into it.
Demaryius Thomas' mom will attend Super Bowl 50
By Nicki Jhabvala
Denver Post
February 4, 2016
The last time Demaryius Thomas played in the Super Bowl, against the Seahawks two years ago, his
mother could only watch on a prison television in Florida. Sunday, Katina Smith will watch her son play
live for only the second time since her release from prison.
"It's totally different," Thomas said. "Up toward the Super Bowl (in 2014) my mom and granny were able
to call me. I talked to them I don't know how many times. They were excited for me. They were saying
this is going to happen, that is going to happen, but you know we didn't come out on top last time and
now we get another chance, and it's special as well to also have her here. I don't have to talk to her on
the phone anymore. I can be in the same room. We can play together about it. It's just special, and I will
know she'll be sitting at the seat, know she's there and it's just like a dream come true."
Snooping around. Rapper Snoop Dogg has watched one of his own come up in the ranks. Denver tailback
Ronnie Hillman became the first player in Snoop Youth Football League history to be drafted by an NFL
team when the Broncos got him in the third round in 2012.
"He had a lot to do with the players and was a mentor to a lot of players I know," Hillman said of Snoop.
"You can definitely tell he loves the kids."
Snoop Dogg, an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan, attended the Broncos' media availability Thursday morning
as a correspondent for "The Rich Eisen Show." He interviewed Peyton Manning, took selfies with Denver
offensive linemen, doted on Aqib Talib's rap skills and, of course, praised Hillman.
When asked if he was rooting for the Broncos in Super Bowl 50, Snoop refused to take sides. "I'm
rooting for Ronnie Hillman," he said. "You know that."
MVP moment. The NFL will honor 40 Super Bowl MVPs and 18 Hall of Famers before Super Bowl 50 at
Levi's Stadium on Sunday. Former Broncos running back Terrell Davis, a Class of 2016 Hall of Fame
finalist and the MVP of Super Bowl XXXII; general manger John Elway, a Hall of Famer and the MVP of
Super Bowl XXXIII; and Manning, the MVP of Super Bowl XLI, with the Colts; will be among the honorees.
Center stage. Manning said second-year center Matt Paradis reminds him a lot of Jeff Saturday, the
former Colts center.
"I think Matt is off to a great start in his career. He is a tough guy. He is a guy you like having in front of
you. You know he is going to fight for you. The only difference between him and Jeff is that he doesn't
have the unibrow that Jeff had his second year and Matt's arms are a lot longer, and he doesn't, as far as
I know, have an O-line tattoo on his right shoulder like Jeff does. Besides that though, I see a lot of
similarities," Manning said, jokingly.
Peyton Manning interviewed by Snoop Dogg on last
media blitz before Super Bowl 50
By Nicki Jhabvala
Denver Post
February 4, 2016
On the final day of media interviews ahead of Super Bowl 50, Peyton Manning was given a reprieve from
answering many of the same questions, albeit a brief one.
Standing to the side of the podium Thursday was the rapper Snoop Dogg (credentialed as Cordozar
Broadus), who spent his morning as a correspondent for The Rich Eisen Show.
After first asking Manning if he could get a 50 percent discount at Papa John's in Colorado —
"Absolutely. Absolutely," Manning said — Snoop followed with a real question.
"With this big game right here," he asked, " is it safe to say you're getting advice from Archie and Eli?"
Manning's response: "Well, Snoop, I've always enjoyed my conversations with my dad and Eli, as far as
things that have to do with the NFL. I had dinner with Eli the other night. He and I talked about a lot of
things. Certainly he played against these guys earlier in the year. We talked about the practice routine
and the setup. He is great to bounce ideas off of. My dad has always been a great sounding board from
me throughout my lifetime. I am very grateful to have both of those guys, who have played in the NFL
and still in the NFL, to be able to talk to. I feel very fortunate."
The celebrity sighting shifted the focus, if temporarily, but added to the light mood on the Broncos' final
media blitz before Sunday's game.
Some quick hits:
• Manning, again, reflected on the many coaches he's played for over the years and said he's spoken to
many of them this week in advance of Super Bowl 50.
"I think it's important to adapt as a player," Manning said. "I've played for five head coaches and I've
heard from all of my former coaches this week, which has been special. I had a nice conversation with
coach (Tony) Dungy and got some really nice text messages from Jim Mora, my first coach, and Jim
Caldwell and John Fox. And, as I mentioned earlier, I called both my high school coach and college coach
this week, coach Tony Reginelli and coach (Phillip) Fulmer. I do think about coaches when you play in a
game like this. Every coach has different styles, different philosophies and I've enjoyed learning
something from all of them."
• Asked if he thinks the Broncos would have made it to the big game this year with former Broncos
coach Fox coaching them, Manning responded: "Yes." The quarterback refused to compare Fox vs.
current Broncos coach Gary Kubiak, choosing instead to laud both for how they helped him in recent
years.
"I don't get into comparisons," Manning said. "I don't. It is easy to do, but like I mentioned earlier, I was
grateful to play for coach Fox. Coming off a year, there wasn't a lot of fun in 2011. Not playing, being
injured. I had more neck surgeries than snaps that year. John Fox was a big reason why I came to
Denver. We had a great three years together. We had a special team on that Super Bowl team that got
beat by a better team. I just don't do the comparisons. I was grateful to play for him. I have enjoyed
playing for coach Kubiak. He has led us into this position. I am grateful and felt fortunate to have played
and learned from both of them."
• Manning was asked if he saw any similarities between Jeff Saturday, his longtime center in
Indianapolis, and Matt Paradis, his second-year center in Denver.
"I really enjoy playing with Matt," he said. "He really reminds me a lot of Jeff Saturday, the center that I
played with in Indianapolis. He is smart. He is a student of the game. Obviously, only his first year
starting and Jeff played for 14 years as a center and had great experience. I think Matt is off to a great
start in his career. He is a tough guy. He is a guy you like having in front of you. You know he is going to
fight for you. The only difference between him and Jeff is that he doesn't have the unibrow that Jeff had
his second year, and Matt's arms are a lot longer and he doesn't, as far as I know, have an O-line tattoo
on his right shoulder like Jeff does. Besides that though, I see a lot of similarities."
Peyton Manning's interview, Broncos fan rally, and
more
By Nicki Jhabvala, Cameron Wolfe and Sara Grant
Denver Post
February 4, 2016
Peyton Manning's final media blitz was no ordinary one. The 18-year quarterback stood at a podium
outside the Broncos' hotel Thursday morning in his usual white Broncos jersey and blue jeans, ready to
be peppered with questions, when the cameras slowly turned toward to the right side of the room.
Standing to the right side of the podium was rapper Snoop Dogg (credentialed as Cordozar Broadus), a
correspondent for The Rich Eisen Show.
"First of all, can I get a 50 percent discount on Papa John's pizza when I'm in the state of Colorado?"
Snoop opened.
"Absolutely. Absolutely," Manning responded, smiling.
"Second of all," Snoop followed, "with this big game right here, is it safe to say you're getting advice
from Archie and Eli?"
Manning acknlowedged he has relied on his father and younger brother over the years, and said he had
dinner with Eli the other night.
Manning's teammates, however, weren't as calm and collected upon meeting the rapper.
"That gives you the real Super Bowl moments when Snoop Dogg comes and interviews you and things
like that," Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib said. "It's good, man. It's good for the week."
Talib, who showed off his rap skills during Super Bowl 50 media night, caught the attention of Snoop.
"I heard Aqib. He was dope," Snoop said. Hey, rappers and athletes, we're the same people, man. We
got spirit, we got soul, we got rhythm."
Fan rally. The Broncos will hold a fan rally on the main stage of Super Bowl City in downtown San
Francisco on Saturday, from 11:45 a.m.-12:45 PST. Broncos cheerleaders, Miles the Mascot and other
Broncos guests will be on hand to celebrate.
The event is open to all fans.
Fashion statement. The most unusual question of Thursday's final player availability came when a
reporter asked Panthers' quarterback Cam Newton "why are you wearing socks with your sandals?"
Newton gave a long stare and simply said "next question."
Expensive taste. At the NFL Shop at Super Bowl 50, you can buy the most insanely lavish stuff ever to
sport the number 50. The popup at the Moscone Center West in San Francisco is 35,000 square feet of
limited edition merchandise...and some of it for thousands of dollars.
While you will find the usual T-shirts, keychains and chotchkies for $5-$25, the VIP experience offers
some of the most outrageous sports souvenirs ever seen, and it costs $300 just to get inside. Big ticket
items include a $4,200 purse with 7,600 Swarovski crystals, a $2,500 New Era cap and a $50,000
commemorative gold coin.
Bucking Bronco. The Keystone along Fourth Street in San Francisco sits just blocks from the NFL
Experience, one of Super Bowl 50's main fan attractions, as well as radio row and the enormous pop-up
NFL shop. The tavern decided to add two special drinks to their extensive craft cocktail list for the week,
the Bucking Bronco and the Black Panther.
Aric Sandoval, Keystone general manager, moved to San Francisco from Denver and has been by the bay
for two years. "We wanted Broncos fans and Panthers fans to enjoy our restaurant," he said. "It's great
having the Super Bowl in San Francisco. It's great for the economy of the city. It's nice seeing a lot of
new faces around here."
The Bucking Bronco is a vodka-based cocktail that has an orange tint to it. The Black Panther is a ryebased cocktail with infused charcoal to give it that black hue.
Darian Stewart, T.J. Ward anchors of the Denver
defense
By Cameron Wolfe
Denver Post
February 4, 2016
walked into a Broncos defense that was already built, talented and somewhat defined.
When fellow safety T.J. Ward first lined up next to Stewart in training camp, he didn't know what to
expect. Ward has played with a lot of safeties during his NFL career but has jelled with only a few.
Ward was pleasantly surprised that Stewart was such a good fit.
"We had an immediate chemistry," Ward said. "I think that's us being in the league for six years and he
plays with a chip on his shoulder just like me. We have that same mentality. It's easy to play with."
Stewart earned the Broncos' respect, then earned a starting job. He also ended up earning the role as
quarterback of the defense.
The Broncos had a lot of talent before Stewart arrived, but what he brought from Baltimore was the
"missing piece," he said, to make their defense an elite group.
Ward already was the enforcer. But since joining the Broncos as a free agent during the offseason,
Stewart has brought even more aggressiveness to a defense loaded with athleticism.
Denver cornerback Aqib Talib likes to call Stewart and Ward the "farmers and bangers" of the team. It's
his way of saying they do the dirty work and harass the wide receivers who venture across the middle.
"We're nasty dudes that love to play football, love to hit, love to be aggressive and smart too," Ward
said.
Their intelligence is what sets them apart. In today's NFL, where big hits are becoming more criticized
than celebrated, a safety needs to know when not to lower the boom.
While outside linebackers Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware and cornerbacks Talib and Chris Harris take
home much-deserved recognition and honors, Stewart and Ward are the heart and soul of the Denver
defense from their positions in the secondary.
"At safety, you have to speak with confidence. You can't whisper on the field because that'll mess
everybody else up," Stewart said. "Me and T.J., we built that chemistry from Day One. We're real vocal
on the field."
When the AFC champion Broncos struggled most this season, it came with Stewart or Ward battling
injuries.
In the Denver defense's worst performance of the season, Dec. 20 at Pittsburgh, Steelers star Ben
Roethlisberger took advantage of the wounded secondary and threw for 380 yards and three
touchdowns. He was the only quarterback to throw for 300 yards against the Broncos this season.
Backup safeties Josh Bush, Shiloh Keo, David Bruton and Omar Bolden held their own but couldn't
replace the starters' capability. In the regular season, the Broncos went 10-2 with Stewart and Ward
playing and 2-2 when at least one was missing.
Even as veterans in the league, Stewart and Ward felt disrespected. For most of his career, Ward was
labeled a "box" safety, suggesting he wasn't good in space against the passing game. During the AFC
championship game Jan. 24 in Denver, Ward was the primary defensive player assigned to the New
England Patriots' most dangerous weapon, tight end Rob Gronkowski, whenever Gronkowski was split
out wide in a formation. For the most part, Ward did well.
Stewart was beginning to earn a journeyman title, heading to his third NFL team in six seasons. He
signed a two-year, $4.25 million contract last March, a deal that is turning out to be a bargain even
though he probably will receive another $1.75 million in incentives based on playing time.
Sunday in Super Bowl 50, Ward and Stewart will have a huge challenge trying to slow the Carolina
Panthers' passing game. Tight end Greg Olsen creates matchup issues.
Stewart (sprained right knee) and Ward (sprained left ankle) are dealing with injuries, but they
participated in practice Thursday.
"It's a close-knit group," Denver coach Gary Kubiak said of his defense. "I'm glad they're all together for
Sunday because it's been a tough ride, especially at the safety position."
Super Bowl 50 matchup to watch: Broncos' Demaryius
Thomas vs. Panthers' Josh Norman
By Cameron Wolfe
Denver Post
February 4, 2016
Thomas has been a source of frustration for Broncos fans all season. His dropped passes and
occasionally lackluster play seem to come at the most inopportune time, but it could all be erased with a
superstar performance Sunday. Thomas possesses the size and speed that have given the much smaller
Norman trouble against other similarly gifted wide receivers this season.
A key for Thomas will be getting off to a strong start in Super Bowl 50, to get his confidence flowing.
Norman overflows with confidence. He's arguably been the best cornerback in the NFL this season, but
the Panthers often give him help with their plethora of zone coverage.
Thomas is the Broncos' all-time leader in 100-yard receiving games. One more would go a long way
toward a super win for Denver.
Broncos’ Brandon Marshall credits former coach John
Fox for growth
By Cameron Wolfe
Denver Post
February 4, 2016
Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall still can’t believe it sometimes. A little over two years ago he was
on the Broncos practice squad under then coach John Fox. He had already been cut multiple times for
the Jaguars. He was just trying to make the team.
Marshall just finished his second straight season with 100+ tackles as a starter and key cog on the best
defense in the league.
Thursday, he looked back on what got him to this point.
“Now some coaches I’ve been around, it’s been about who is the starter? Who played last year? We’re
going to get those guys ready. Who’s making the most money,” Marshall said. “But Fox is like, ‘OK, well
this guy is putting in the work. He’s making plays in practice. Let’s give him an opportunity.'”
Marshall played nearly the entire 2013 season on the practice squad. He was called up before the final
game of the regular season when outside linebacker Von Miller was placed on injured reserve with a
torn ACL.
Fox, now the head coach of the Chicago Bears, foreshadowed it all.
“I remember there was a moment and we were playing the Eagles. Coach Fox told me, he said, ‘Look,
man.’ He came to me on the sidelines. I’m in a sweat suit. He said, ‘Look, you’re going to get your
chance. I promise you. Just keep working,'” Marshall said. “I thought that was big because he came up to
a practice squad player during the game and told me that. That gave me new life and he cared. They
treated the practice squad players as just not like they’re on the practice squad. We want a
development. We want to develop these guys because they can actually play.”
Peyton Manning looked “as good as he’s looked all year
long” at Broncos practice Thursday
By Cameron Wolfe
Denver Post
February 4, 2016
Bye weeks and extended rests have been good for Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning this season. It
apparently has worked again leading up to Super Bowl 50.
“This is as good as he’s looked all year long,’’ coach Gary Kubiak told Pro Football Writers Association
pool reporter Peter King after practice Thursday. “You saw some big downfield throws today. This is
what Peyton looked like back at the start of the season.’’
King reported that Manning only threw four total incompletions during practice and landed three deep
balls during team drills.
The Broncos, who are practicing at Stanford University’s facility, went through a one-hour, 42 minute
workout in the heaviest work day of the week. The team was just in helmets and shorts instead of their
typical shoulder pads on Thursday.
“We practiced better today than we did last week,” Kubiak told the pool reporter. “I liked our retention.
I liked our speed. I think we’re in good shape here.’’
Safeties T.J. Ward (left ankle sprain) and Darian Stewart (right knee sprain) and guard Louis Vasquez
(knee soreness) were upgraded to full participants Thursday after being limited Wednesday. Kubiak
expects all three to be ready to play Sunday.
The Broncos will hold a Friday practice at 11 a.m. before finishing up with a Saturday walkthrough at
Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
Snoop Dogg turns Broncos players into fans at media
availability
By Cameron Wolfe
Denver Post
February 4, 2016
It was the Broncos' last media availability of Super Bowl 50 week, but there was an even bigger star in
the building.
Rapper Snoop Dogg made his grand appearance during Gary Kubiak's press conference and shook his
hand.
Once he entered the room from the player's availability, the swarm eclipsed what was going on in
quarterback Peyton Manning's press conference.
Guard Evan Mathis came in and shot a video, while tackles Ryan Harris and Tyler Polumbus sought out
the West Coast rap legend for a selfie.
"I have to get a picture with Snoop," Polumbus said. "He was my idol growing up."
Running back C.J. Anderson sat at the podium in front of a group of media and called out to Snoop Dogg:
"you have to come over and show me some love."
Snoop went over and shook Anderson's hand, and asked a couple questions relating to his fellow
California native.
Receiver Emmanuel Sanders was giddy, as well. He knew Snoop Dogg from his days in Pittsburgh where
the rapper showed up often as a lifelong Steelers' fan.
Sanders also said he came out to his 25th birthday party in Houston and it was the highlight of his day to
be interviewed by Snoop.
Running back Ronnie Hillman shared a more personal connection. He talked about growing up in Long
Beach and how he played on many of the youth football teams that Snoop Dogg managed.
"He changed my life," Hillman said. "Once I started playing on those teams, I stopped getting in trouble
and focused on ball."
Hillman also said Snoop Dogg poured thousands of dollars into the community.
Snoop Dogg was at the Broncos media availability a guest reporter for "The Rich Eisen Show." He
revealed that he was a big fan of Manning's and thought that the Broncos would pull out the win.
Peyton Manning has a rare chance to exit as a legend at
the Super Bowl
By Nick Groke
Denver Post
February 4, 2016
There is a whispered question hanging over the Broncos this week as the fog of age and a dimming
career follow Peyton Manning's every move.
His teammates are curt about it.
"I won't talk about that," backup quarterback Brock Osweiler said.
But there's a wink and a nod here too. Everyone is sure it's coming, that Manning is playing his final
game Sunday in the Super Bowl, even if Manning won't say it.
If this is the end, Manning is lucky. Rarely do the greats get a chance to walk off with such drama.
John Elway did it. Ray Bourque. Rocky Marciano. Bobby Jones. It was their ticket into legend. Their final
swings made them champions. The game's greatest exits came when sport met theater and everything
fell together like a script.
"It is a special opportunity," Manning said Thursday, a small acknowledgment of the situation.
We say: "They went out on top" — as if the opposite could have been true. If the Broncos hadn't won
their second Super Bowl in 1999, would we have said, "Elway went out a loser?" Of course not.
Michael Jordan, at age 39 (the same age as Manning), played his final game for the Washington Wizards,
a ho-hum loss to the 76ers in Philadelphia. Does it detract from his legacy? Of course not.
But Manning, in his 18th season, stands one win from his 201st, one that could cement his legacy.
"It's something we're going to look back on. It's unbelievable," Bourque said on live TV, seconds after
handing the Stanley Cup back to Joe Sakic when the Avalanche won in 2001. Bourque played 22 seasons
in the NHL. He won his final game. He skated off a legend as a champion with the Avs, his only title.
"The stories will get better and better as we age," he said.
Marciano was 48-0 and 32 years old when he fought Archie Moore for the heavyweight championship at
Yankee Stadium in 1955. Marciano was still undefeated when Moore knocked him to the canvas in the
second round and the referee counted to five. And he stayed undefeated after he KO'd Moore in the
ninth. Marciano retired undefeated a few months later.
The pressure to exit as a champion can be paralyzing. Jones was a massive star on par with Babe Ruth
when he won golf's version of the Grand Slam in 1930. He retired soon after at age 28. The grind was
too great.
"It is something like a cage," Jones said of living up to the legend. "First, you are expected to get into it,
and then you are expected to stay there. But, of course, nobody can stay there."
Manning is already on a rare pedestal as a five-time MVP. He won a Super Bowl as the game's MVP in
2007. But that was nine years ago.
"You want to be remembered as someone who set yourself apart at what you did. Every player wants
that," said Kurt Warner, who won a Super Bowl in 2000 but lost his final game in 2008, then retired the
next year. "You push forward so that regardless of where you were or what was going on that people
remember you at that certain level."
Ted Williams hit .316 in 1960 when he was 41. The Red Sox finished seventh in the American League.
But in his final at-bat, Williams hit a home run to deep center field at Fenway Park to help win the game.
He walked off a legend and never came back.
In his essay on Williams' final game, John Updike wrote about "the hardest thing" — how to quit:
"There will always lurk, around a corner in a pocket of our knowledge of the odds, an indefensible hope,
and this was one of the times, which you now and then find in sports, when a density of expectation
hangs in the air and plucks an event out of the future."
Going out on top
A lucky few have the rare opportunity to win their final games for a championship. Here are some of the
most legendary sports exits:
John Elway
1999, Super Bowl XXXIII
The NFL's greatest exit. Elway threw for 336 yards and a touchdown and ran for another. The Broncos
won and Elway, at 38, became the oldest Super Bowl MVP.
Ray Bourque
2001, Stanley Cup Game 7
The NHL's greatest exit. Bourque played in 1,826 games over 22 seasons before winning a title. Avs
captain Joe Sakic immediately handed him the Stanley Cup.
Rocky Marciano
1955, heavyweight championship
The only heaveyweight champ to retired undefeated, Marciano rallied after a second-round knockdown
to KO Archie Moore at Yankee Stadium and move to 49-0.
Bobby Jones
1930, U.S. Amateur Championship
He was only 28 when his victory at Merion Cricket Club near Philadelphia made him the first to win golf's
grand slam, the game's four most prestigous tournaments.
Pete Sampras
2002, U.S. Open
He was seeded 17th that year in New York, but his four-set victory over Andre Agassi netted him a
record 14th grand slam singles title and a fifth U.S. Open championship.
Bill Russell
1969, NBA Championship Game 7
He was 35 with creaky knees, but Russell grabbed 21 rebounds to help lead the Celtics to a 108-106 win
over the Lakers. It gave Russell an 11th NBA title in 13 seasons.
Trash talking between Super Bowl teams has heated up
By Patrick Saunders
Denver Post
February 4, 2016
For the first three days of Super Bowl week, the Broncos and Panthers traded compliments. That
changed Wednesday. And things took a nasty turn Thursday.
It began when Denver wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders labeled Carolina all-pro corneback Josh Norman
a media creation. Norman fired back Thursday.
"I haven't heard much about (Sanders), so obviously he should go practice some more," Norman said.
Then he laughed off Sanders' criticism.
"I think you have to be pretty darn good at what you do to talk your way into the spotlight," he said. "If
you're not good, you're not recognized as one of the best."
Norman is accustomed to getting caught up in a war of words. In an ugly game the week before
Christmas against the New York Giants, Norman got into the head of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. So
much so, in fact, that Beckham drew three personal fouls and a one-game suspension for retaliatory
cheap shots.
Norman probably will cover wide receiver Demaryius Thomas most of the time Sunday, meaning he and
Sanders may not meet up.
Injury report. All players listed on the Carolina injury report — linebacker Thomas Davis, defensive end
Jared Allen and fullback Mike Tolbert — were full participants in practice Thursday and should be good
to go Sunday.
According to pool reporter Jarrett Bell, the Panthers' practice was upbeat and crisp. After the team's
stretching period before the start of the practice, quarterback Cam Newton sprinted to the other
practice field, where the offense conducted individual drills.
Of the 80 plays during the team periods of the practice, coach Ron Rivera said he counted four mistakes.
"There were some things as far as detail that we needed to clean up," Rivera said. "We had four
mistakes. That will cost you. The game comes down to a matter of mistakes."
Residence for rent. Safety Roman Harper is offering his one-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment in
Charlotte, NC., on Airbnb — for $5,000 on Super Bowl night. It's listed on Airbnb as "A Panther's Dream
Den."
"On Sunday, Feb. 7, a super fan and their super guest will be able to feel right at home in my living room
while I play in this year's main event," reads the ad. "Kick back on my sofa while watching Super Bowl 50
on our 70-inch TV."
Harper also is throwing in an autographed football.
Proceeds from the night will go to Harper's Hope 41 Foundation, and Airbnb will match the $5,000
charge.
There are some strict rules. The stay is limited to two guests, and they cannot wear cleats on the
hardwood, practice football in the hallway, host a party or smoke.
The stay includes access to the apartment building's amenities, including a 50th-floor lounge and a
4,000-square-foot health club.
Cam Newton represents football's evolution heading
into Super Bowl 50
By Patrick Saunders
Denver Post
February 4, 2016
Faster than a pocket quarterback, more powerful than an average linebacker and able to leap defensive
lines in a single bound. Cam Newton is the NFL's man of steel.
With apologies to Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who might be playing the final game of his
career Sunday, Newton is the story leading up to Super Bowl 50.
For many, Newton represents football's evolution, both as sports and entertainment. The Carolina
Panthers' quarterback is a chiseled 6-foot-5, 250-pound man who throws lasers and plows over
defenders. He dances and dabs in the end zone. He speaks his mind. He named his infant son Chosen.
He's a lightning rod of attention.
Like other trailblazing sports figures such as Joe Namath, Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan, Newton
does it all on his terms, like it or not.
"I guess you'll have to get used to it, because I don't plan on changing," he said. "I know it's going to
sound cliché, but I'm just having fun. It's been something that I've been doing since I was 7 years old and
nothing has changed."
Yet, for some, Newton represents what's wrong with contemporary sports. They see arrogance in his
actions, and view his end zone gyrations as disrespectful mockery of his opponents. Never mind that
part of his routine since 2011 has been handing footballs to kids in the stands after he scores a
touchdown.
Race is also part of how critics view him, at least in Newton's view.
"I'm an African-American quarterback. That may scare a lot of people because they haven't seen nothing
that they can compare me to," he said last week.
But like him or hate him, there is no denying Newton's incredible talent. And his charisma, which has
been on full display here this week during media conferences.
"I tell you, he's just had this incredible year. I mean, no doubt in my mind he's going to be the MVP,"
said the 39-year-old Manning. "What he's done in the short time being an NFL quarterback, he's been
awesome. It's the best word I can think of. He's been a great passer, he's been a great runner, he's been
a great leader."
How awesome? Newton led the NFL during the regular season with 45 total touchdowns (35 passing, 10
rushing), becoming the first player in league history to pass for at least 30 touchdowns and rush for at
least 10.
It's the merrymaking after the touchdowns that has pushed some people's buttons.
In November, Rosemary Plorin attended a Tennessee Titans-Panthers game with her 9-year-old
daughter and sent the Charlotte Observer a letter she wrote to Newton questioning whether he was
setting a good example.
"Because of where we sat, we had a close-up view of your conduct in the fourth quarter," she wrote.
"The chest puffs. The pelvic thrusts. The arrogant struts and the in-your-face taunting of both the Titans'
players and fans. We saw it all."
The letter created a firestorm of controversy, with many saying it was racially motivated. Plorin was
vilified on social media.
Newton responded to the letter by telling Carolina reporters: "Everybody's entitled to their own opinion.
Everyone is. You can't fault her for that. If she feels offended, I apologize to her, but at the end of the
day, I am who I am. It is what it is."
After hearing that, Plorin softened her criticism.
Earlier this season, former Chicago Bears all-pro linebacker Brian Urlacher fired off a salvo toward
Newton.
"I played defense, so I don't like it when guys celebrate with dances and stuff," Urlacher told USA Today.
"Who I like the way he celebrates is Peyton (Manning). He kind of gives the guy a handshake and goes
back to the sidelines. That's a great celebration right there. You don't see him dancing. Even when he
gets a first down, he doesn't do anything."
The Broncos, however, don't seem to object to Newton's touchdown dances. They just don't want to
give him the chance to do them.
"What is my take on celebrations? I love it. I love it," Broncos linebacker Von Miller said. "Whoever is
dancing the most is probably going to win Sunday. I like to dance. I like to show emotion and celebrate
with my teammates.
"Cam is the same way. I love it. I think it is great for the game. You have a younger generation that pays
close attention to that, and that is what they follow. That is the future of the sport."
Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib said he doesn't think the fuss over Newton is a racial issue, or even a
generational one.
"Man, it's fun, I mean, but you guys may have never played," he told the media crowded around his
podium. "But if you ever played, you would get excited, you would see how fun it is. You might want to
dance, too."
Just five years into his NFL career, Newton has led the Panthers to the Super Bowl for the first time since
the 2003 season. He is only one victory shy of writing an impressive chapter in football history. The
former Auburn star could become the first quarterback and second player to win a Heisman Trophy,
college football national championship, NFL MVP award and Super Bowl.
He is transforming the way the game is played and the way it's viewed. And yet Panthers veteran
defensive end Jared Allen cautions against labeling Newton as the NFL's prototype quarterback of the
future.
"Really, how many Cam Newtons are out there?" Allen said. "The versatile offense we run, all of the
looks we throw at people, that's a testament to Cam Newton."
As for his place in the spotlight of America's most popular sport, Newton is ready to soak it all up, so
long as it's done on his terms.
"Whether I want it or not, the position that I'm in, I'm given a stage and what I do on that stage means a
lot," he said."For these people that are saying, 'Hell, I hate Cam,' I'm going to stay true to who I am and
try to fulfill the things that are important to me."
Super Bowl Flashback: This one was for John
By Irv Moss
Denver Post
February 4, 2016
This one was for John.
Team owner Pat Bowlen proclaimed that the first Super Bowl victory by the Broncos was for
quarterback John Elway. The Broncos were 0-4 in previous Super Bowl games, and Elway had carried a
major part of Broncos' hopes into three of them.
The heavily favored Green Bay Packers made it tough on the Broncos, with quarterback Brett Favre
completing 25-of-42 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns. But the Broncos had a better weapon.
Running back Terrell Davis scored three touchdowns, including the last touchdown of the game.
Elway completed 12-of-22 passes for 123 yards and didn't find the end zone. But his performance in San
Diego will long be remembered for the "helicopter" play. With the Broncos needing a first down late in
the third quarter, Elway couldn't find an open receiver. He ran toward the goal line but was knocked
parallel to the ground and spun in a circle when tackled.
"I was downfield, but I could see what was happening," said center Tom Nalen. "I think John said to
himself that he might as well run for it."
It was Nalen's first Super Bowl.
"We couldn't understand why we were underdogs to the Packers," Nalen said. "We came away thinking
it was the easiest game we had in the playoffs."
The Broncos finished the 1997 regular season 12-4, then defeated Jacksonville 42-17, Kansas City 14-10
and Pittsburgh 24-21, the last two of those games on the road, to advance to the Super Bowl. Mike
Shanahan was in his third season as Denver's coach.
Nalen didn't immediately comprehend the significance of the Super Bowl win for the Broncos, their fans
and the city of Denver.
"I wasn't here and hadn't been through the losses," Nalen said. "I didn't realize how hard they had been
on everyone. Finally winning was a big relief for the region."
Denver starters
Offense: WR Rod Smith, LT Gary Zimmerman, LG Mark Schlereth, C Tom Nalen, RG Brian Habib, RT Tony
Jones, TE Shannon Sharpe, WR Ed McCaffrey, QB John Elway, RB Terrell Davis, FB Howard Griffith.
Defense: LE Neil Smith, LT Keith Traylor, RT Maa Tanuvasa, RE Alfred Williams, LB John Mobley, LB Allen
Aldridge, LB Bill Romanowski, CB Ray Crockett, CB Darien Gordon, SS Tyrone Braxton, FS Steve Atwater.
Place-kicker: Jason Elam. Punter: Tom Rouen.
Prepping for Super Bowl victory means weighing
economics of losing
By Tamara Chuang
Denver Post
February 5, 2016
Employees at Out of the Blue on Sunday will be watching Super Bowl 50 on the small office TV anxiously
waiting on the final score.
As soon as the Broncos win — Peyton Manning's arm willing — the printing company's staff will begin a
12-hour process to emblazon nearly 3,500 T-shirts declaring the Broncos champions.
And if Denver loses?
"If they don't win, everything is contractual," said owner Blue Grimes, whose Denver shop for the first
time has a deal to print NFL-licensed shirts. "We still get paid."
Betting on a Broncos victory could be financially rewarding. But for every business in a rush to get
merchandise to stores and consumers, someone, somewhere is taking a risk in the hope of a super
payoff.
"We pretty much have to," said Scott Franklin, the Broncos' general manager for Gameday
Merchandising, which runs the team store at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. "We'd look pretty bad
if the team store didn't have championship gear after the game. You hedge your bet."
Think of it as the economics of coming in second.
Confetti doesn't just fall from the sky. Fireworks need preparation. Stores must schedule staffers for late
shifts if the local team wins.
Before the AFC championship two weeks ago, Dick's Sporting Goods ordered shirts declaring both the
Broncos and the New England Patriots AFC winners.
When the Broncos won, Dick's kept several Denver-area stores open late that night to sell the shirts. But
in Boston, employees went home and inaccurate Patriot-as-AFC-champs shirts were donated to charity.
That's just part of the game, said Brandon Yergey, community marketing manager for Dick's.
"Providing excited fans with championship gear immediately following big games outweighs the costs of
being prepared for both outcomes," Yergey said. "Through our long-standing partnership with the
humanitarian organization World Vision, we donate any unused championship merchandise to countries
in need."
The company Sports Authority also sold Broncos AFC champions shirts that night at area stores. The
Englewood-based retailer did not respond to requests for a comment.
Gearing up for a conference or a Super Bowl victory goes beyond shirts and hats. Design teams create
new images, which must be approved by the NFL. Merchandisers must get sample products to the
league. Celebration plans must be made.
"Just magically, champagne is there, and guess what? Both teams set up their locker rooms, but one of
them will have to tear it down," said Dan Price, co-founder of Adrenalin, a Denver marketing and design
agency specializing in sports. "There is all kinds of merchandise out there that people make, but my
sense is, short of a hat or shirt, a lot of that isn't made until longer after the game. I don't think anyone is
going out and taking the risk of making replica championship rings. They have time to do that
afterward."
(By the way, the NFL, unlike Major League Baseball, doesn't allow alcohol in locker rooms.)
Blowout
Two years ago, when the Broncos lost 43-8 to Seattle in Super Bowl XLVIII, the gamble hurt some Denver
businesses terribly.
When a team loses that badly, nobody wants to remember it, said Nick Baumgart, owner of Smirk, the
Denver digital design firm that saw sales explode that year after putting Peyton Manning's "Hurry Hurry"
and "Omaha" pre-snap calls on orange shirts.
"As a Broncos fan, that hurt. As a business, that hurt worse," said Baumgart, who chalks up the
overordering of shirts to inexperience. "(Sales) just stopped entirely. Losing a game doesn't turn off a lot
of people. But the way we lost that game, people didn't want to think about the Broncos at all."
Smirk couldn't afford to keep the unused shirts. "We didn't preprint, which I'm thankful for," he said. It
was cheaper to return the shirts for a refund and pay a restocking fee.
This year, Smirk has fewer new designs but plans to add some gold flair. Presses are ready, silk-screening
screens are burned. Blank tees — about half the investment from two years ago — should arrive
Monday, long after the game between the Broncos and the Carolina Panthers is over.
This video player must be at least 300x168 pixels in order to operate.
"We've ordered more moderately. We have things set up in case we need to ramp up really quick," he
said. "But we're not throwing it all in."
There are ways to recoup a gamble gone wrong: Don't print before the game ends. Negotiate terms in
case of a loss. Kill fees and tax write-offs may help ease the pain.
But if you are in the business where fresh merchandise must be available to frenzied fans right after the
game, there will always be risk.
"It's a sizable investment, a five-figure investment that we risk" for preprinting Super Bowl merchandise,
said Franklin, with Gameday Merchandising. "We did the same for the AFC championship. We will have
hats and T-shirts available for sale after the game at Sports Authority Field."
If the Broncos win, the team store will set up a trailer near gates 9 and 10 for fans who want to get the
first T-shirts. Other team stores will open early Monday.
"We've got hundreds of other items on an if-when basis. Those begin to ship the day after, on Monday,"
he said. "The vast majority of Super Bowl orders never get made until we win. The minute the team wins
the Super Bowl, we go into action."
By waiting a few days, fans will get better selection and quality products, said Jim Kelleher, owner of
promotional-product maker Tops of Rockies.
"If you're going to spend $60 to $80 on a hoodie after the Broncos win the Super Bowl, I'd wait a couple
of days because you'll have other (design) options that are better," he said. "If you're a big fan, wait 24
hours and you'll get a better quality shirt, too."
Entertainment
Then there is the entertainment. For the AFC championship against the Patriots, the host Broncos
covered the cost.
Liz Coates, the Broncos' game entertainment manager, said she began planning AFC festivities during
week 16, after the Broncos clinched the playoffs.
She got a stage for the trophy presentation, made sure two confetti cannons were secured and got
everyone to a dress rehearsal the day before the game. Fireworks were handled by the team's regular
pyrotechnics company, Pyromix. The NFL took care of the trophy and stand and organized a celebration
for the visiting team — just in case.
"The players aren't (at rehearsal), but stadium security, NFL security, CBS and everyone else are," Coates
said. "We run through both scenarios. We brought out the stage, the trophy stand and set up the
camera platforms."
If the Broncos had lost, the stage and confetti cannons would have remained hidden. But costs are the
same regardless of who wins, and Coates said the proposed budget for the AFC halftime show and
trophy presentation was about $185,000 — including confetti cleanup.
"It's basically the same budget because you incur the same expenses whether you use it or not," said
Coates, who gets to attend Super Bowl 50 as a fan.
Even the losers
Then there are companies such as Jell-O, which gambled on the loser of Super Bowl XLVII. A TV
commercial congratulating the losing 49ers fans aired on network TV after the game. Thirty-six hours
later, the company set up "Pudding Drops" around San Francisco and handed out free pudding. A video
commemorated the campaign.
In four days, the video had over 114 million impressions. Jell-O's agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky said it
"gave a sad city something to smile about."
But even Jell-O hedged its bets: It created a losing TV spot for the winning Baltimore Ravens, too.
Sports Authority said to take steps toward bankruptcy
filing
By Jodi Xu Klein, Bloomberg News
Denver Post
February 4, 2016
Sports Authority Inc. is preparing to file for bankruptcy as it faces a debt payment due in 10 days,
according to people with knowledge of the matter.
The Englewood-based retailer, once the biggest sporting-goods chain in the U.S., is in talks with lenders
including TPG Capital Management LP on a deal to reorganize in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings,
said the people, who asked not to be named because the negotiations are private.
It's also mapping out a plan to close as many as 200 of its more than 450 stores under the bankruptcy
plan, the people said.
Sports Authority is negotiating with creditors as the clock ticks on a $20 million interest payment that it
skipped last month on its $343 million of subordinated debt.
It's been talking to holders of those bonds about accepting a loss in exchange for other securities, said
the people. The company would be able to stave off a bankruptcy filing if it reaches a deal with the
bondholders.
Representatives for Sports Authority and TPG declined to comment.
The retailer, which has at least $643 million in debt, has struggled to keep up with competition from old
rivals such as Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. as well as newer entrants like Lululemon Athletica Inc., Gap
Inc.'s Athleta and even Amazon.com Inc.
Fort Worth, Texas-based TPG provided Sports Authority with $70 million of a $95 million asset-backed
loan late last year that enabled it to operate through the holiday season, a person said.
The subordinated bondholders are being advised by Houlihan Lokey Inc. The company's advisers are
Rothschild & Co., FTI Consulting Inc. and Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP.
Sports Authority was bought by a group led by private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners LP for $1.3
billion in 2006. A spokeswoman for Leonard Green didn't respond to telephone and e-mail messages
seeking comment.
Broncos fans cruise wave of Super Bowl excitement
through San Francisco Bay
By Sara Grant
Denver Post
February 4, 2016
On an unseasonably sunny and clear February day, a boat full of blue and orange set out into San
Francisco Bay to test the sea legs of 150 lucky Broncos fans. As the boat passed under the Golden Gate
Bridge, a team flag danced in the bay breeze and let everyone know Broncos Country was in town.
The free outing hosted by the Broncos began at the city's popular Pier 39 for an hour-long ride that
traveled under the Golden Gate Bridge, turned around then passed by Alcatraz, offering countless
photo-ops featuring Super Bowl 50's host city as the backdrop. How did they get the Golden (Gate)
ticket? The Broncos randomly selected 75 fans from people who applied online, and each of those
winners got to bring a guest. Cheerleaders and Miles were along for the ride too.
Brother-sister duo Kunal and Monisha Merchant were born and raised in Lakewood, Colo., but now live
in the San Francisco area. They are each self-employed, so taking the time away from work to
experience the Broncos boat was a no-brainer.
"It's nice to meet up with a whole bunch of Broncos fans here in California, get excited, cheer the team
on, meet Miles and the cheerleaders and be a part of the enthusiasm and countdown to the big game,"
said Monisha, 38.
The most surprising part of the week for many Broncos fans has been seeing just how many supporters
there are in the Bay Area. The boat gave them the opportunity to share stories, reminisce on favorite
memories and get each other excited for Sunday.
"I had no idea there were all these Bronco fans in San Francisco," Kunal, 35, said, joking that he's used to
sitting at home cheering by himself.
"It doesn't get any better than this. I mean, Super Bowl 50. The NFL is out here in the great city of San
Francisco, but more importantly all the great fans of Denver are here for when we win on Sunday. We
have fans all over the country as this shows."
As the season progressed, fans like Kunal started to realize that having the Broncos come to their
backyard was a possibility and they have been soaking up each and every moment.
"Obviously the thought crosses your mind. It just sounds too good to be true. We've had such a crazy
season with so many ups and downs. We were all on the edge of our seats. None of us have any nails
left we bit them all off," he said. "Then it happened and it was just like 'Whoa. Two weeks in the city I
live in. My hometown team. I still don't believe it.'"
Fans mingled and chanted loud enough for those ashore to hear and Miles got in his "Titanic" moment.
Then an hour later, the boat docked and everyone went their separate ways. But on Sunday they will all
have one thing in common again, rooting for the Broncos no matter where they are.
Peyton Manning 'on fire' in SB 50 practice Thursday
By Mike Klis
9 News
February 4, 2016
If only it were called Super Bowl Thursday.
According to a pool report of the Denver Broncos' practice Thursday at Stanford Stadium, quarterback
Peyton Manning "was on fire," completing three deep balls with just one incompletion on a long pass.
Manning has struggled to execute the deep ball the past 1 1/2 seasons. He connected with Emmanuel
Sanders, Demaryius Thomas and Andre "Bubba" Caldwell on Thursday.
“This is as good as he’s looked all year long,’’ Kubiak told pool reporter Peter King on the field after
practice.
More good news: Free safety Darian Stewart (knee), strong safety T.J. Ward (ankle) and right guard
Louis Vasquez (knee) were all full practice participants Thursday after they were limited on Wednesday.
The 14-4 Broncos play the 17-1 Carolina Panthers on Sunday in Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium.
The Broncos held their final padded practice last Thursday at their Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse and practiced
this Thursday in helmets. They will hold their final full practice of the season at 11:30 a.m. Friday at
Stanford, then conduct a walk-through at Levi's Stadium at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Bronco Bits
Family members and Broncos non-football department personnel arrived Thursday. Each player gets
their own room, plus one more and have the option to buy up more rooms here at the Santa Clara
Marriott. ...
The Carolina Panthers pool report said backup quarterback Derek Anderson drew his No. 1 defense
offsides by yelling the cadence, "Omaha!'' Anderson is imitating Manning.
Obedience one of Manning's leadership qualities
By Mike Klis
9 News
February 4, 2016
When Peyton Manning was in his prime, mostly during his time with the Indianapolis Colts, there would
be claims he was really the coach of the team, or the guy in charge.
Such talk was part cajolery of Manning’s value and his air of superiority but it also dishonored his
willingness to obey.
Obedience may be the most underrated characteristic of leadership.
“I don’t know about obedience but you need your leaders to buy in,’’ said former NFL receiver Brandon
Stokley, who was twice a former teammate of Manning’s. “If you don’t have that then the others guys
aren’t going to do it. When you get a new coach in college, if those seniors don’t buy in, you lose the
underclassmen.
“Same thing in the NFL. That’s why you see so many coaches come in and they start getting rid of
players. Because if you’re not buying in they know they’re going to lose the rest of the guys. You
need Peyton, you need Demarcus (Ware), you need Aqib (Talib) to buy into your philosophies.’’
This season more than any other in his 18-year NFL career, Manning proved he understood his role of
subservient student who listened to his teachers. He took a $4 million pay cut. He didn’t have to like it.
But he took it. John Elway is boss. (Manning earned $2 million back through a bonus for winning the AFC
Championship Game and he can recoup the other half by helping to defeat the Carolina Panthers in
Super Bowl 50 on Sunday).
Then there was new head coach Gary Kubiak. Everyone knew from the moment Kubiak was hired his
offensive system was not a good fit for Manning. All that huddle-up, under-center, handoff, and roll-out
stuff was fine for Matt Schaub.
But Manning became a legend by operating at the line of scrimmage, playing at a fast tempo, passing
from the pocket and handing off only when his receivers needed to catch their breath.
Why it was like putting reigns on an old Colt.
But instead of complaining, Manning worked hard to learn the new system. He spent hours on footwork.
He leaned his body. He studied the new playbook.
“I don’t think necessarily that players complain,’’ Manning said. “I will just say this: When you have a
new head coach, I think it is important for all players to take some time to understand what his
expectations are and what his philosophies are. That takes time. We all got together for the first time in
April. There are minicamps, OTAs and training camps. I have tried to understand what coach has
expected from me as a player and as a leader.
“The fact that we get to experience working with (Kubiak) and playing for him in the couple postseasons
games and Super Bowl – we feel very fortunate.’’
To be clear, this wasn’t a Kubiak-or-else relationship. Kubiak didn’t become a coach good enough to
participate in the Super Bowl by not adapting to his players’ skill sets.
Broncos tight end Owen Daniels, who played eight seasons for Kubiak in Houston, one in Baltimore and
now one in Denver, was asked how much of his head coach’s offense has changed as an adjustment to
Manning.
“I would say maybe 20 percent,” Daniels said. “We never worked at the line of scrimmage like we do
now. He let Peyton play to his strengths. Peyton is great at working at the line of scrimmage.
“(Before) we would huddle, call a play, maybe have a check, but we usually would just run the
play. It was a little bit of adjustment for maybe (Kubiak), maybe a guy like me who has never
done that. But it adds a lot to what we usually do.
“Maybe we don’t move the quarterback quite as much as we did other years, but we do other things
that take that spot. I think both guys have been really unselfish about everything. They both have given
a little bit on either side.’’
Manning may not have had his best season playing quarterback. In fact, it was his worst, at least
statistically. But he was vital to the Broncos reaching Super Bowl 50 because he helped lead the Broncos
through the first-year transition of the Kubiak era by doing what the head coach told him.
Here’s a stat: The Broncos have won 10 of 12 games Manning has played this season.
“I’ve been fortunate in this league, I got to coach John (Elway) for a period of time, I got to coach Steve
Young for a time in San Francisco, and now I get a chance to spend a year with Peyton,” Kubiak said.
“Those great players, they challenge you as coaches. They’re so bright and they understand the game,
they understand how to attack things. They challenge you when you walk in that meeting room.
“To be honest with you, from a coaching standpoint, that’s what you want to be around because that’s
how you grow as a coach. If you go in there every day and they’ve got guys that say, ‘Okay, what do you
want me to do?’ you don’t really grow. I’ve enjoyed it.’’
And this isn’t about Manning conforming because his advanced age and declining physical skills gave
him no other choice. Contrary to perception, Manning has always known his place.
“Is he heavily involved in the offense and do coaches ask him how he feels about certain things?’’
Stokley said. “’m sure. I’m sure he has his input. But he’s always bought in to every head coach and
given every head coach the respect that that guy deserves.”
Maybe that's one reason why Manning is about to become only the quarterback to play in his
fourth Super Bowl with his fourth head coach.
Armed security a strong presence at Broncos practice
By Mike Klis
9 News
February 4, 2016
Super Bowl practices aren’t what they used to be.
As the Denver Broncos practice at John Elway’s former Stanford Stadium this week in preparation for
their Super Bowl 50 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, they are being watched.
Not by the media, lord help us. By local law enforcement SWAT teams equipped with AK-47s or AR-15s
or whatever those assault weapons are called these days. By snipers positioned at various points in the
stadium. By Black Hawk-type helicopters who follow the team’s buses from the stadium to the Broncos’
hotel.
“A lot is going on in the world today,’’ Broncos’ defensive lineman Antonio Smith said. “ A lot of people
are trying to send a lot of messages by disaster or terrorism. So I feel safer with these guys around our
game and our stage.’’
Not to get anyone involved in a political firing line, but guns stir different feelings in different people.
“It kind of makes you feel uncomfortable,’’ Broncos tight end Vernon Davis said. “I get a little antsy
when it comes to guns. So I’m thinking, “Something’s about to happen.’ That SWAT team is right there
with their hands on the guns. That can make you uncomfortable.’’
Davis played in Super Bowl 47 three years ago with the San Francisco 49ers. He didn’t see such armed
security during the 49ers’ outdoor practices then like he has this week.
“I understand they’re just protecting us,’’ Davis said. “It’s different, man. I guess they just have to do it.”
Broncos’ defensive lineman Vance Walker was happy to see the armed guards and snipers.
“I think it’s pretty cool,” Walker said. “They’ve got everything locked down. Everywhere you go they
have somebody who’s got eyes on your area.’’
Some Broncos say there was a similar security presence when the team practiced for Super Bowl 48 two
years ago in New Jersey. There was security manning machine guns in flat boats patrolling the Hudson
River outside the Broncos’ hotel.
Other Broncos say they don't remember the armed security presence at practice two years ago like it is
here.
“They don’t give me the heebie-jeebies, but I definitely keep my head on a swivel when I’m on the
sidelines not practicing,’’ Broncos’ linebacker Brandon Marshall said. “It’s kind of crazy when you see
those big-ass guns with silencers on them.’’
Broncos’ long snapper Aaron Brewer said he and his special team’s mates, who have their share of
downtime during practice, exchanged some friendly chit-chat with security personnel. Apparently,
SWAT members are people, too.
“Some of them are pretty cool,’’ Smith said. “They’ve got to keep their eyes focused on their jobs but
some of them will talk to you a little bit. Some of those guys have the greatest mustaches you have
ever seen. Mustache, big beard. You look at ‘em like, man, they don’t look like they can take you out.
But they can take you out.’’
Snoop Dogg asks Manning a ridiculous question
By Rod Mackey
9 News
February 4, 2016
After three straight days of answering sports questions from sports reporters, the Denver Broncos finally
caught a break.
Playing the role of reporter during the final day of media availability was Snoop Dogg, who was serving
as a temporary correspondent for The Rich Eisen Show.
The rapper was a big hit with all of the Broncos.
"To be interviewed by Snoop, that’s really big," Denver receiver Emmanuel Sanders said.
But Ronnie Hillman is Snoop's favorite. Hillman actually played on Snoop's youth football team in Los
Angeles when he was young.
“He could’ve done plenty of things with his money, but he was just giving back and being supportive of
the kids and just trying to get them out the neighborhood. You notice that stuff," Hillman said. "He had a
lot to do with the players and he was a mentor to a lot of players I know. You can definitely tell he loves
the kids.”
Hillman was also asked to compare Snoop to Denver coach Gary Kubiak.
“I don’t think Kubiak is dancing after a touchdown," Hillman said, eliciting some laughs. "You might get a
raised hand, but I don’t think you’re going to get the whole dance celebration. That’s probably the major
difference. Snoop is a little bit more loose with his (celebration).”
The iconic rapper floated around, asking players questions and posing for pictures, while also requesting
a 50 percent Papa John's discount from quarterback Peyton Manning, who owns several of the pizza
chain's franchises, the next time he visits Colorado (get it?).
“Absolutely,” Manning said.
Snoop also asked Manning if he'd be soliciting advice from father Archie and brother Eli this week.
Snoop also took time to take a few questions from his fellow reporters. Here's a sampling:
Q: Can you get answers from players that other reporters can’t?
A: Easy. Easy because it’s a comfort zone with me. I’m not going to hurt them. I’m not here to make
them feel bad or talk bad about them. I’m here to encourage them and let them know I support them.
The media is just doing their job. It hurts people’s feeling but you’re just doing your job.
Q: What’s the secret to your style?
A: Me. Doing me. Do nobody but me … I can do me very well.
Q: Are you a big Manning fan?
A: Peyton is my friend. Didn’t you see how we were interacting? He called me by my name, man.
Q: How did you come up with your question for Manning?
A: I’m a family man. I always depend on my family when I am in dire need. I feel like he has great family
members for the job he has. Why not ask him if his family is influential in what he does before the big
game? Peyton Manning is a true leader. A legend. I love the way he is always in control. You never see
him too frustrated, never see him too happy. He stayed right where he needs to be.
Q: Cam Newton?
A: Player. Real player with swag, style. The young generation. It’s old versus new. Two different styles.
But it’s football. It’s all good.
Snoop also made an appearance at the Carolina Panthers' media session later Thursday in San Jose.
First Miss Denver Bronco reflects on team's history
By Whitney Wild
9 News
February 4, 2016
Before Denver Broncos cheerleaders, there was Jimmie. And before Thunder, there was Tango.
"When I see her ride out on to the field, the woman who does it now, it's like 'Oh yeah, I used to do
that!'" Jimmie Crabb said.
In the team's first year in 1960, she was the Broncos' first fan -- the original Miss Denver Bronco. She
says she won the spot in a contest. She says she was riding high, but admits the bar for the job wasn't.
"I think it was basically just be a good horseman, and have my own horse, and be willing to travel!"
Jimmie said laughing.
The duties were limited to appearances, ribbon cuttings and handshakes.
"You just rode as fast as you could around the stadium," she said. "They cheered and it was exciting and
I think it was such a newness being the first year we had a professional football team. Everything was
totally new and we all had to experience what it was going to lead up to."
A bronco queen without an abundance of confidence. From the saddle, looking into so many empty
seats, it was hard to see where the new team was headed.
"I guess I wasn't sure of the football," she said. "I never figured that it would ever take off as it has."
After so many years Jimmie has seen a lot of success with her team, making the losses easier to handle.
"We should be very excited that we've gone to so many Super Bowls, win or lose," she said.
A thought for this Sunday, from a woman who spent the Broncos' first ones on the sidelines.
Broncos want to avoid another Super Bowl disaster
By Jeff Legwold
ESPN.com
February 4, 2016
As he watched football disaster unfold, Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. said he had one
overriding feeling as wave after wave of Super Bowl infamy swept the Broncos into blowout history.
“Helpless," Harris said. “Just helpless. I was hurt, wasn’t even there for the whole week. You can’t do
anything, you can’t help, you can’t change it. You’re just helpless, man."
That was Feb. 2, 2014, at Super Bowl XLVIII, when the Seattle Seahawks dismantled the Broncos 43-8 at
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It was one of the largest margins of victory in Super
Bowl history. Harris, having torn his ACL in the Broncos’ divisional round win over the San Diego
Chargers, was not in uniform that night.
Neither was Von Miller, who had suffered a torn ACL in a Week 16 win over the Houston Texans, or
Derek Wolfe, who was on injured reserve. But the Broncos had brought the highest-scoring offense in
league history -- a record 606 points in 2013 -- only to watch the game become a clinic in how not to
make it through Super Bowl week.
Start with how things felt.
“It was just different," Miller said. “I wasn’t around everybody all the time because I was working with
the trainers. But it didn’t feel like this team."
Whether it was the tug of trying to find tickets and hotel rooms for family and friends, the lure of the Big
Apple's nightlife, a hint of overconfidence because of their offensive dominance in the season or what
some players have called a painful oversight, the Broncos’ hopes for the franchise’s third title seemed to
evaporate on the first play.
Having not practiced with noise during their workouts -- something that repeatedly has been confirmed
by many players -- the Broncos opened the game at their own 14-yard line after Trindon Holliday elected
to bring the kickoff out from six yards deep in the end zone.
That end of the stadium had a decidedly concentrated grouping of Seahawks fans in what was a Seattledominated crowd. In the noise, Manny Ramirez snapped the ball toward an unsuspecting Peyton
Manning, and the play resulted in a safety 12 seconds into the game.
The tone was set, and the Broncos never recovered. With one of the most bruising defenses in decades,
the Seahawks led 8-0 at the end of the first quarter and 22-0 at halftime.
“But even then, it seemed like our defense was still hanging in," Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson
said. “I think we still felt like we could get back in it."
At least until Seattle’s Percy Harvin returned the second-half kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown.
“That’s when it was, like, this is really not our day," Harris said. “Anybody in this locker room who was
there remembers.
"And I think we’ve just done the work this time around, kept our focus.’’
The proof will be in however Sunday unfolds for the Broncos, whether they start better this time around
or if they rebound from the inevitable mistake to play on. But they have tried to show throughout the
past two weeks that they have learned their lesson.
Denver coach Gary Kubiak has used noise at practice. Veteran players such as DeMarcus Ware and
Manning have spoken to their teammates about the importance of doing the work, enjoying the
moment and embracing the opportunity.
The Broncos arrive to the Super Bowl this time with the league’s No. 1 defense. Plus, they are welltested in close games, with 11 of their wins (playoffs and regular season) having been by seven or fewer
points.
“You can’t do things like turn the ball over, make mistakes, start slow," Demaryius Thomas said. “It’s the
Super Bowl, the two best teams, so if you make mistakes, the other team is going to take advantage."
“I think, you know, guys like me, DeMarcus and T.J. [Ward], we weren’t here and they signed us after,"
cornerback Aqib Talib said. “[Executive vice president of football operations and general manager] John
Elway said he wanted to add some tough-minded people to the guys that were already here. We’ve
heard about that game. But this is a different team, different year; we just have to go play, man, like
we’ve been playing all year.’’
Peyton Manning: Four Super Bowls, four head coaches
By Jeff Legwold
ESPN.com
February 4, 2016
If continuity is king in the NFL, then Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has reached the
league's title game a much different way.
Super Bowl 50 will be the fourth time Manning has been behind center in the NFL's championship game,
and Gary Kubiak is the fourth different coach Manning has played for that advanced to the Super Bowl.
“I’ve enjoyed learning from coach Kubiak this year," Manning said. “Continuity is always a great thing,
but when you have a chance to play with some different coaches, you want to take advantage and learn
from them. … I’ve learned something from all of them."
Kubiak has joined a list that also includes Tony Dungy, Jim Caldwell and John Fox. Manning was the MVP
of Super Bowl XLI, a 29-17 win over the Chicago Bears, which gave Dungy a ring.
Manning also started Super Bowl XLI, as the New Orleans Saints defeated the Colts 31-17. And Manning
piloted the highest-scoring offense in the league’s history in Super Bowl XLVIII whrer the Seattle
Seahawks cruised to a 43-8 victory.
The Broncos won four consecutive division titles under Fox and 38-10 in regular-season games in the
three seasons. In the wake of the Broncos’ playoff loss to the Colts a year ago, Fox “parted ways" with
the team and Kubiak was hired.
The Broncos finished 12-4 this season, going 7-2 in Manning’s nine starts and 5-2 in backup Brock
Osweiler’s seven starts.
“It just tells you what he’s all about," Kubiak said of Manning. “Peyton has been successful throughout
the course of his career in everything that he has done. He’s been successful as a player, as a person,
he’s a tremendous person. It was tough for him, we came in new, he’d been running a system for a
while, we have some things we believe in, we tried to mesh two things together, and I know it was
tough on him."
“It’s Peyton Manning," Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. said. “You’re always going to be in the mix
with Peyton Manning."
In contrast to the New England Patriots having had Bill Belichick as coach and Tom Brady as starting
quarterback for six Super Bowl appearances, Manning’s route to his fourth Super Bowl was full of
change for a player who has said he likes stability.
With a vastly different offense and a team powered by -- even by Manning's own admission -- its
defense, Manning was presented with the most drastic changes of his career. From a football
perspective, the Broncos have asked Manning to line up under center more, run more play-action plays
and do a little more throwing on the move.
Toss in the left foot injury that forced Manning to, for the first time, miss games during a season in
which he had started the opener, and Manning has called this the “most unique" season he has played
in his career.
“Well, I think it’s important to be able to adapt," Manning said. “As a player, I’ve played for five head
coaches -- I’ve heard from all of my former coaches this week, which has been special. ... I do think
about coaches when you play in a game like this. ... Every coach has different styles, philosophies and
I’ve enjoyed learning something from all of them. ... I’ve tried to apply it to my game and the way I
approach things."
“He’s been great with us," Kubiak said. “It gets down to, for us, doing what he’s most confident in and
him running our football team. That’s what I feel good about right now. This past month this football
team has been his, and he’s taken them back over and he’s feeling very confident, very good in what
he’s doing."
Despite the success, the divorce between Fox and the Broncos has been a well-worn topic at times in
recent days. On Thursday, Manning was even asked if he believed the Broncos would have made it to
this Super Bowl had Fox remained in place.
“Yes," Manning said. “I don’t get into comparisons. I don’t. It is easy to do, but like I mentioned earlier, I
was grateful to play for coach Fox. Coming off a year, there wasn’t a lot of fun in 2011. Not playing,
being injured. I had more neck surgeries than snaps that year. John Fox was a big reason why I came to
Denver. We had a great three years together.”
Manning said he had heard from every head coach he has played for -- since high school -- in recent
days. That's a group that includes former University of Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer and Manning’s
prep coach, Tony Reginelli, as well as Jim Mora, who coached Manning during his rookie season with the
Colts.
Archie Manning says Peyton hasn't made up mind on
retirement
By Jeff Legwold
ESPN.com
February 4, 2016
Archie Manning said his son and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning probably hasn't "totally"
made up his mind about whether Super Bowl 50 will be his final game.
Archie, who appeared on ESPN's "Mike and Mike" radio show Thursday morning, was asked if he
believed Peyton had made up his mind about retirement.
"Maybe not totally," Archie said. "He probably envisions himself getting good and healthy. If he is good
and healthy, can he play? I think he pretty much knows that it wouldn't be with the Broncos and that
would be another thing, to change teams."
Archie said other teams had interest in Peyton before the 2015 season. The Broncos asked Peyton to
take a significant pay cut that was eventually negotiated to $4 million. Peyton still has one year left on
his contract with the Broncos -- with a team-high salary cap figure of $21.5 million for 2016.
And while Archie said he believed other teams would have interest again, he doesn't think Peyton would
want to go through the process of switching teams for a second time in five years. Peyton signed with
the Broncos in 2012 after a high-profile free agency tour.
"Now, he had some offers last year from teams, some teams talked to him," Archie said. "But I think that
was going to be a lot of drama, again, to change teams, that he didn't want to go through. He did do that
once, so I don't know that he would want to do that."
Peyton missed seven starts this season with a tear in his plantar fascia near his left heel. Archie said
Thursday the foot injury has bothered his son "all year." Peyton returned to the lineup in the third
quarter of the regular-season finale and has started the Broncos' two playoff wins.
"And the whole episode of having to work his way back -- went in as a backup for the first time -- so it's
been unique, I think, as he said," Archie said. "But I have always told them to enjoy the journey. And
Olivia and Cooper and all our family, we have tried to do that with them, with Eli too, and don't take
anything for granted. ... He hasn't talked to me about next year, but Peyton, he will find the time, when
it's over and he'll make a good decision."
When it comes to how he, and his wife, Olivia, will watch Super Bowl 50, Archie said he will have to find
"that lucky spot," where he can stand at the game. Sunday will be Peyton Manning's fourth Super Bowl
appearance to go with Eli Manning's two appearances in the title game with the New York Giants.
"Even the last few years, I didn't know if [Peyton] would come back and play after the neck surgeries, I
wasn't sure he could," Archie said. "... So, we have always said don't take it for granted, but yeah, feel
very fortunate that he has been doing this for 18 years. He's had a good run and played with some really
great players and really good coaches and it just is, we'll look back and say it's been a really good ride. If
he wants to play some more, we will keep supporting him."
Defensive tale of the tape: Broncos vs. Panthers
By Jeff Legwold and David Newton
ESPN.com
February 4, 2016
In this pass-happy NFL, in which the 4,000-yard season is almost the norm -- 12 quarterbacks topped the
mark this season -- Super Bowl 50 is proof there is still room for defense at the grown-up table.
In fact, neither of Sunday's starting quarterbacks -- Cam Newton or Peyton Manning -- threw for 4,000
yards this season. It will likely be the defense of the Denver Broncos or the Carolina Panthers that
decides the big game.
The Broncos finished the regular season No. 1 in total defense, No. 1 in sacks, No. 1 in pass defense and
battered New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in the AFC Championship Game. The Panthers
were No. 1 in turnover margin (plus-20), No. 1 in takeaways, No. 1 in interceptions and forced Arizona
Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer into a four-interception day in the NFC Championship Game.
As Super Bowl 50 approaches, we take a tale-of-the-tape look at the two defenses from ESPN Panthers
reporter David Newton and Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold:
Calling card
Panthers: Opportunistic. There’s a sign over the lockers of the secondary that says "Thieves Ave." The
defensive backs put it there after the Panthers led the league during the regular season with 39
takeaways, including a league-best 24 interceptions. The sign even made its way to California for the
Super Bowl. Two of the biggest thieves were linebackers Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly, each with four
picks. Kuechly has two more in the playoffs, returning both for touchdowns. They deserve at least a
reserved parking spot on the avenue. So does the defensive front, which forced quarterbacks to make
errant throws. The Panthers generated a league-best 148 points off of turnovers. That’s 70 more than
Denver, which had the No. 1 overall defense during the regular season.
Broncos: Bruised quarterbacks. The Broncos have harassed opposing quarterbacks. They hit Brady
almost two dozen times in the AFC Championship Game, sacked Teddy Bridgewater seven times, beat
Philip Rivers and Derek Carr twice, held Aaron Rodgers to 77 yards passing and sent Andrew Luck to the
hospital with a lacerated kidney. Newton’s size, athleticism and ability to function as both a pocket
passer and impact runner make him unlike anyone the Broncos have faced. But on the flip side, Newton
has not faced a defense that can rush the quarterback from so many angles with so many different
players -- 13 players had at least one sack this season for the Broncos, while five players had at least five
sacks. The Broncos' defense scored five touchdowns this season and made a defensive play that decided
games almost weekly.
Most impressive game or stretch of games
Panthers: This is simple: a 49-15 victory over the Arizona Cardinals and the league’s top-ranked offense
in the NFC Championship Game. The Panthers made quarterback Carson Palmer, Cam Newton’s biggest
competition for the NFC MVP Award, look like a candidate for the league’s worst quarterback. It was a
microcosm of everything the Panthers did well all season. They intercepted Palmer four times, returning
one for a touchdown. They forced him into two fumbles. They sacked him three times. Palmer finished
with a passer rating of 43.2 after he compiled a 104.6 rating during the regular season. That it came a
week after Carolina’s defense was criticized for giving up 24 points in the second half against Seattle
made it all the more impressive.
Broncos: Pick a week, any week. The Broncos intercepted a pass in the end zone to preserve the victory
over the Baltimore Ravens in the season opener, returned a fumble for a touchdown in the final seconds
for a Week 2 win over the Chiefs, and secured a Week 3 win in Detroit with an interception with just
under four minutes to play. Over and over again, a strip sack with a forced fumble (Minnesota in Week
4, Chicago in Week 10), an interception for a touchdown (Baltimore in Week 1, Oakland in Week 5),
sacks (Cleveland in Week 6) or a well-timed punchout (Bradley Roby against the Steelers in the divisional
round) powered the Broncos on their title-game trip. As Manning has repeatedly said this week: “We’re
here because of our defense, let’s just make that clear."
The one to watch
Panthers: You may hear "LUUUUUKE!" a few times during Super Bowl 50. Luke Kuechly is the best
middle linebacker in the NFL. He has a chance to go down as one of the best in NFL history. He has led
the league in tackles since Carolina selected him with the ninth pick of the 2012 draft. He led the
Panthers in tackles this season despite missing 3½ games with a concussion. But as mentioned above,
Kuechly’s also huge in coverage. That was an area he worked to improve on during the offseason.
Mission accomplished. But what will make Kuechly really worth watching against Denver is he’ll make
the calls when Manning tries to confuse the defense with shouts of “Omaha," among other things.
Kuechly has spent almost as much time during nearly two weeks of film study listening to what Manning
says as he has watching what Manning does.
Broncos: The Broncos have plenty of star power on defense with Pro Bowl cornerbacks in Chris Harris Jr.
and Aqib Talib or linebacker DeMarcus Ware, as well as unheralded, but certainly not undervalued,
players -- at least by personnel executives around the league -- such as Derek Wolfe, Malik Jackson,
Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan. But the guy who is the potential game-wrecker is linebacker
Von Miller. Miller was the league’s sack leader with 11, but defensive coordinator Wade Phillips doesn’t
believe that tells the story. "Von affects play every play, he beats the guy, or the guys, he's supposed to
beat on almost every play." Miller was at his best in the Broncos’ win over the Patriots that pushed the
team into Super Bowl 50 with 2.5 sacks and an interception. If Miller has that kind of game against the
Panthers, there is a good chance the Broncos will hold the Lombardi trophy at the end of the game.
X factor
Panthers: Rookie outside linebacker Shaq Thompson. If Thomas Davis can’t be effective playing with a
cast on the fractured right forearm suffered in the NFC title game, the first-round pick out of
Washington would fill that role. Thompson was drafted with the idea he could one day replace Davis,
one of the more athletic linebackers in the NFL. A former safety, Thompson has a similar skill set as
Davis in that the Panthers can match him one-on-one with a tight end or a back. It’ll probably take an act
of God to get Davis out of the game. But if something happens, Thompson is more than capable of
picking up the slack.
Broncos: Quarterbacks do what they are told, which is go where the coverage takes them. And when
those passers look over the Broncos’ secondary, going after Harris and Talib isn’t a great option. So,
quarterbacks try the Broncos’ No. 3 cornerback, Bradley Roby. And Roby has been prepared to be in the
middle of the action. In Week 2 he scooped up a fumble and returned it for a touchdown in the closing
seconds for the win, and in the AFC divisional round he knocked the ball out of Steelers running back
Fitzgerald Toussaint's hands to set up the Broncos’ win. The Broncos have wanted to get Roby in the
lineup badly enough to have played him at safety at times in the base defense. Or as Talib has put it,
"Ro, man, he’s always where the action is."
Something you didn’t know
Panthers: Cornerback Josh Norman really does consider himself "Batman." Or the "Dark Knight," as he
often calls himself. Norman has a small Batman statue in the upper left corner of his locker at Bank of
America Stadium. He often wears a Batman T-shirt in interviews after a game. He has a black Dodge SRT
Challenger Hellcat with red seats that he calls his Batmobile. Norman also wears red contact lenses,
which makes him look even more like a superhero. But what makes Norman a real superhero for the
Panthers is his ability to shut down the opposing team’s best receiver. Opposing quarterbacks had a
passer rating of 54.0 against him during the regular season. No cornerback was better. Norman is at his
best when he goes to -- you guessed it -- what he calls his "dark place."
Broncos: John Elway was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his work as a quarterback. So he
loves the passing game, loves quarterbacks who can make plays with the game on the line and make
things happen throwing the ball. Yet, as a personnel executive Elway has taken an entirely different
approach, one that seems to surprise those who live outside of the Rocky Mountain region. Elway has
overseen five drafts as the Broncos’ chief football decision-maker and used the first selection on a
defensive player in each of those five drafts -- Miller in 2011, Wolfe (in second round) in 2012, nose
tackle Sylvester Williams in 2013, Roby in 2014 and linebacker Shane Ray in 2015. Miller, Wolfe and
Williams are starters in the league’s No. 1 defense. Roby played 57 percent of the snaps this season,
while Ray played 31 percent of the snaps. “John Elway, he knows what defense means," Miller said.
“You look at our defense and you see what he thinks about defense."
Report: Peyton Manning's legal team checked source of
allegations
By ESPN.com News Services
ESPN.com
February 4, 2016
Private investigators working for Peyton Manning visited the source of a report that he and other star
athletes had obtained performance-enhancing drugs before the documentary aired late last year,
according to a report from The Washington Post on Thursday.
In December, Al Jazeera reported that an intern at an Indianapolis anti-aging clinic was secretly recorded
suggesting that Manning's wife received deliveries of human growth hormone in 2011. Manning, then
with the Colts, was rehabbing from neck surgeries at that time.
The intern, Charles Sly, recanted his statements, which were recorded without his knowledge. He said
they were fabricated in an attempt to impress a potential business partner.
Manning angrily denounced the report, calling it "completely fabricated, complete trash, garbage," and
insisting he never took shortcuts in his return to football after missing the 2011 season with neck
problems. He recently said he supports an NFL investigation into the report. His father, Archie Manning,
said Thursday on ESPN's Mike & Mike he believes his son never took HGH.
"I always had a saying when he was going through everything and he had to talk to a lot of different
doctors and trainers, and I always said, 'No voodoo.' That was kind of our theme. And he didn't. He said
he didn't. He didn't."
Manning and the Broncos are preparing for Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
Manning's lawyers launched the private probe shortly after Al Jazeera started contacting athletes who
would be named in the documentary in December.
They hired investigators to identify, locate and interrogate Sly and sent a lawyer to examine Peyton's
and Ashley's medical records at the Guyer Institute of Molecular Medicine in Indianapolis, according to
Ari Fleischer, the former White House press secretary and crisis management consultant Manning hired.
Fleischer told the Post that Manning's investigative team didn't interfere with subsequent
investigations, nor did it remove any medical records or coerce Sly into recanting his statements.
Fleischer did confirm to the Post that the Indianapolis anti-aging clinic shipped medication to Manning's
wife. But, citing her right to privacy, he declined to say if it was human growth hormone.
HGH is banned by professional sports leagues and is legal to prescribe in only a few specific medical
conditions.
The NFL is reviewing the allegations with the assistance of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, something
Manning has said he welcomes.
Archie Manning blasts HGH report involving son Peyton
By ESPN.com News Services
ESPN.com
February 4, 2016
Archie Manning says he believes that his son Peyton Manning never took HGH, lambasting an Al-Jazeera
America report that linked the Denver Broncos quarterback to performance-enhancing substances
delivered to his wife while he was recovering from neck surgery in 2011.
"I didn't like it. I thought I was some pretty shabby journalism," Archie Manning said on ESPN's Mike &
Mike. "Actually, I hadn't done a lot of interviews this year. This is the first time I've been asked about it.
But I'm pretty much with him.
"He told me, 'I didn't do that.' I always had a saying when he was going through everything and he had
to talk to a lot of different doctors and trainers, and I always said, 'No voodoo.' That was kind of our
theme. And he didn't. He said he didn't. He didn't."
Peyton Manning has said he supports an NFL investigation into the report.
"I do welcome it. It's no news to me," Manning said in January. "I still stand by what I said then -- that
it's garbage from the first day that it came out, garbage today."
Regarding the reports that Peyton will retire after the Super Bowl, Archie Manning said he hasn't spoken
with his son about next year but doesn't think Peyton has made up his mind.
"He'll find the right time to sit down and discuss it. He hasn't talked to me. He'll talk to Ashley," Archie
Manning, a former New Orleans Saints quarterback, told SportsCenter later in the day. "I think it will be
pretty clear-cut. He loves this game. ... The end of last year being hurt, this year being hurt could affect
this. When the time comes, he'll sit down and make the right decision."
One factor that could affect Peyton Manning's decision is the possibility of moving on to a new team.
Archie Manning acknowledged that it's unlikely Peyton plays for the Broncos in 2016. Having to deal
with the "drama" of changing teams might not be worth it to Peyton, Archie said.
"If this is it, we'll look back and say that was a good ride," Archie Manning said to Mike & Mike. "If he
decides he wants to play next year, we'll support him."
Peyton Manning shares lasting bond with high school
coach
By Ian O’Connor
ESPN.com
February 5, 2016
Back home in New Orleans, a man who had endured three heart attacks, three back surgeries, an
orange-sized growth on his liver, two knee replacement surgeries, and a near-death encounter with
Hurricane Katrina had just spotted a package on his porch. Tony Reginelli figured it was his standard
shipment of medical supplies, at least until he and his wife of more than a half-century, Joan, noticed
the name of the sender.
Peyton Manning.
The Reginellis dug into the box and pulled out a charcoal-colored Super Bowl jacket with an NFL football
patch on the back, a star on the front, the number 50 on the side, and the date of the big game, Feb. 7,
2016, stitched inside. On the phone Thursday, as Joan looked over the jacket in her husband's closet,
she came across a couple of shirts carrying the Manning name and number, 18.
But no, Tony Reginelli isn't your average 82-year-old superfan living out his own glory days through the
career endgame of an all-time great. Reginelli is the high school coach who junked his veer offense at
Isidore Newman School to accommodate the gangly pocket passer who didn't have his old man Archie's
wheels.
"Coach," a tentative, teenage Peyton asked Reginelli back in the day, "we're not going to run the option,
are we?"
Reginelli allowed himself a laugh over the memory, before apologizing if the pain medication made him
sound tired and weak. Manning sent the jacket the other day as a get-well gift after Reginelli's latest
back surgery, and as a way to keep the old coach connected Sunday when he settles in to watch the
Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers on TV.
Manning called Reginelli earlier this week as a follow-up; he'd been in contact with all five of his high
school, college and pro head coaches in the lead-up to what will likely be the final game of his
distinguished football life. At his news conference Thursday, Manning said of Reginelli, "He was truly one
of a kind and a special man."
Nearly every pro athlete holds fast to the sweetest memories of his or her high school coach, and
Manning is no exception. Reginelli kept saying how shocked he was by the beautiful jacket his
quarterback had sent him, at least until the old coach inside of him reached for a whistle.
"I just want Peyton to concentrate on this game," Reginelli said.
Don't worry Coach, Peyton Williams Manning is most definitely concentrating on this game.
But even as he approaches this stunning duel with Cam Newton, a Super Bowl appearance that seemed
unfathomable to his family and friends only a month ago, Manning has Reginelli on his mind. The
quarterback has spearheaded an effort to raise more than $100,000 to rebuild some structures around
the Newman football field and to rename its entrance "Reginelli Way," in honor of the coach who first
took the head-coaching reins in 1968 and retired 26 years later. The dedication is set for the end of the
month, according to Reginelli's son, Reggie, and Peyton is scheduled to attend.
Will he be an officially retired living legend at that point? The Reginellis, both two-sport athletes at
Tulane, aren't in agreement on that one.
"I think it's definitely Peyton's last game," Reggie said, "but my dad seems to think that Peyton is so
competitive that he might take off a couple of months and decide to give it one more year."
Of course Tony Reginelli sees his quarterback fighting on. Reginelli grew up in the Mississippi Delta as
one of nine kids in a farming family that believed work was more essential to the household than
education once eighth-grade schooling was complete. Tony was the first of the Reginelli kids to continue
into high school and beyond, and his athleticism delivered him to a football and baseball career at
Tulane, where he was an all-SEC catcher who drew some interest from the Red Sox.
"And my dad never even told me that," Reggie said. "I had to find out about the Red Sox while reading a
book on Tulane's baseball history. That's the kind of guy he is."
Tony Reginelli was a worker, a grinder, and a man of precious few complaints. He was in Memorial
Medical Center for treatment on his liver infection when Katrina hit New Orleans with an apocalyptic
fury in 2005. The levees broke, flood waters started rising in and around the hospital, and Reginelli
escaped and pulled himself onto a National Guard truck already overloaded with screaming patients and
residents.
"I was the last one to get out," Reginelli said.
He was transported to Baton Rouge while his daughter-in-law, a nephrologist, stayed behind to treat
patients at Memorial, where several patients did not make it out and the bodies of those who didn't
survive the storm were kept in the hospital's chapel.
"After Katrina my father was down," said Reggie, 55, an attorney who also runs a pizzeria business. "My
mom told me he was upset and saying, 'I just don't know if I've done anything in my life.' I said, 'You've
got to be kidding me. He's touched so many lives at Newman, and you'd have to put 100 people
together to match that. His legacy will live through that school and everyone he touched.'"
Peyton Manning was among the hundreds upon hundreds of students who were better for knowing
Reginelli over his four-plus decades at Newman. Reggie remembers watching Peyton as a sophomore,
his first year as the varsity starter, and thinking in the first few games of the season that the kid still had
plenty to learn.
"But by the middle of the year," Reggie recalled, "suddenly Peyton was hitting his receivers in stride. I'll
never forget a throw he made at St. Martin's. Peyton threw just a dart to his older brother, Cooper, who
was streaking across the middle of the field, and it was right where it needed to be. It was a major
college throw as a high school sophomore. Cooper took it for about a 50- or 60-yard touchdown, and I
remember thinking, 'Wow, my father has something special here.'"
Soon enough, Peyton became everybody's All-American, the target of Division I powerhouses in every
corner of the land. Reggie recalled Peyton being quoted during his senior year saying he wanted to win a
state championship for his high school coach; the coach's son found it an awfully mature thing for a teen
prodigy to say.
It didn't matter that Newman lost in the state semis. The journey shared by Manning and Reginelli
couldn't be measured by some high school scoreboard.
"It would be great if I could make it out to San Francisco," Tony Reginelli said through a sigh. "But I'm
going to have to sit this one out."
The old coach laughed one more time over one more thought. Archie Manning finished up his career
with Houston and Minnesota, and Reginelli was wondering what would've become of his own career at
Newman had Archie moved his family -- young Peyton included -- to one of those cities for keeps.
Truth was, even if the Saints were done with Archie, the Mannings were never, ever leaving New
Orleans. Peyton ended up at Newman, Reginelli revamped his offensive system to suit him, and the rest
is NFL history.
"My father is my hero," Reggie said, "so it's a great feeling to see what he's meant to Peyton, and to
know that Peyton is still lifting his spirits today."
This is the bond so many professional athletes share with so many high school coaches, and one the 39year-old quarterback of the Denver Broncos will carry onto the Super Bowl 50 field.
With tricks up his sleeves, Wade Phillips must be perfect
to win
By Ian O’Connor
ESPN.com
February 4, 2016
As the ultimate study in American excess, Super Bowl week should not be your first or second stop on a
search for humility. It is no time or place for a man to start opening up about his own human failings.
But this is what Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said Wednesday about his
experience as an NFL head coach: "I probably should've stayed a defensive coordinator the whole time."
When have you ever heard one of the very best assistant coaches of his NFL generation concede he
wasn't really cut out to compete with the big boys? Once upon a time, Phillips was a head coach for
Denver (of all teams), Buffalo and Dallas, and an interim guy in New Orleans, Atlanta and Houston, and
he finished with an 82-64 record. Here's something you should know about his career .562 regularseason winning percentage:
It's better than Jimmy Johnson's (.556), Tom Coughlin's (.531), Mike Ditka's (.560) and Weeb Ewbank's
(.502), and nearly as good as Chuck Noll's (.566). It's also better than the winning percentages of
former/current bosses Marv Levy (.561), Dan Reeves (.535), Buddy Ryan (.500), Gary Kubiak (.518), and
of his dearly departed father/boss, Bum (.516).
Of course, the postseason is where Wade Phillips didn't measure up. He was a head coach for six playoff
games, five of them losses. He was on the devastating end of Tennessee's Music City Miracle 16 years
ago ("If they had HD in those days we wouldn't be sitting here; I'd be a head coach somewhere," Phillips
said of the questionable lateral-ness of the famous Frank Wycheck-Kevin Dyson lateral), and he presided
over the top-seeded Cowboys' loss to the Giants eight years ago, right after Tony Romo spent his bye
week in Cabo with Jessica Simpson.
Any chance Romo takes that trip with Bill Belichick as his head coach?
Nice guys finish you-know-where, and even though his teams advanced to the Super Bowl tournament
five times in nine seasons, Phillips was missing that certain something -- an edge? -- separating the
Johnny Carsons from the Ed McMahons, the Michael Jordans from the Scottie Pippens, the Batmans
from the Robins.
On the subject of valuable sidekicks, it seems Denver's best chance to upset the Carolina Panthers in
Super Bowl 50 rests between the ears of Phillips, a wise, 68-year-old head who has come to terms with
the fact that he was destined to shine in supporting roles. In fact, if the top-ranked Broncos defense is to
contain the certain league MVP, Cam Newton, and the only team in the league to score 500 points,
Phillips has to pitch the kind of perfect game Belichick threw at the Buffalo Bills 25 years ago, back when
a lot of football people thought the Bill Parcells aide was born to be a career coordinator, too.
You know the story by now. Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed and friends were the no-huddling,
high-flying Bills who dropped 51 points on Oakland in the AFC title game and were favored to shred the
Giants in the Super Bowl. Belichick decided to physically punish Buffalo's wide receivers, drop everyone
and his brother into coverage, and force Kelly to turn to the ground game. Belichick guaranteed his
defense that if it allowed Thomas to run for at least 100 yards, slowing the Buffalo fast break to a halfcourt, clock-draining crawl, the Giants would win.
Thomas ran for 135 yards, Scott Norwood went wide right and Belichick's game plan ended up in the
Hall of Fame, where its architect will someday land on the first ballot.
Phillips? He won't be making the trip to Canton, but that doesn't mean he can't send out a defense
Sunday that will be remembered forever. The Broncos know Peyton Manning, or this soon-to-be-40year-old version of him, can only be counted on for so many points. They know they have to rattle
Newton like they rattled Tom Brady in an AFC Championship Game that reintroduced Phillips to the
world as one of the sport's bright lights.
"Good year for me from unemployed to the Super Bowl!" he tweeted from his tribute handle,
@sonofbum, after Broncos 20, Patriots 18.
"I like to have fun," Phillips said.
His players have noticed. He talks about his favorite Drake songs, jokes about being fired by all three
teams from his home state of Texas (Oilers, Cowboys, Texans), and goes on about the need to stay
flexible with his schemes to best fit the players' skills and personalities. Phillips doesn't berate his
players; he strongly encourages them to max out their potential.
"You don't want to mess up yourself because you feel like you owe him," said Danny Trevathan. "The
way he came in [to Denver] was so humble, it was new to me. I'm not used to having a coach sit back
and just watch and observe and then talk to you."
Phillips learned from the many accomplished men he worked under, but at day's end, he said, "I'm my
father's son, that's for sure. I was around football and around him my whole life. He was a football coach
in high school, and I played for him. He pretty much shaped everything. ... My dad is my hero."
Like his son, Bum Phillips was the very definition of homespun under that cowboy hat of his. He led the
Houston Oilers to two consecutive AFC title games with Wade on staff but never made it out alive.
"When you win as many games as we did in Houston," Wade said, "then lose playoff games to the team
that won the Super Bowl three years in a row, and then get fired on New Year's Eve, you say, 'Hey,
what's the deal here?'"
Truth was, Wade Phillips knew the deal as far back as his Texas schoolboy days, when his old man was
chasing high school and college jobs all over the state. Bum's children were afraid to pile into the family
car for a ride to the country store out of fear their father might drive them straight off to the next job.
"I was in Amarillo in ninth grade," Wade recalled, "and we lived across the street from the school, and I
knew we were going to El Paso because my dad got the head job at UTEP. But I didn't know we were
going that day, and I got a note that said, 'Come to the principal's office.' I looked outside the window
and they had a moving van outside, which was sad for me because I had a girlfriend and a lot of friends.
We left that day and that was it."
Wade was always going to follow his father into the family business. "My dad was in the league for 16
years," he said, "and this is my 38th year." Bum's thing wasn't necessarily X's and O's, Wade said. Bum's
thing was common sense.
Wade said he learned to keep it simple while working 11 seasons for his old man. His linebackers coach
with the Broncos, Reggie Herring, said that simplicity is what makes the coordinator great.
"Wade has us coach fundamentals harder and with more emphasis over X's and O's than anybody else in
the country," Herring said. "Now that bores you, but that's our foundation. And Wade lets his coaches
coach. A lot of guys in this league, ego-wise, they've got to be the guy in front of the camera, and Wade
doesn't believe in that.
"We don't reinvent football every week. We have a tool box and we pull out of it what we already know,
and it breeds confidence and execution from the players. We don't put five new blitzes in every week.
Some guys tell the media they're designing 20 new looks while they're trying to get a new job. Wade's
not concerned about that."
He's concerned this week with winning his first Super Bowl ring on his first trip to the big game since
January 1990, when he was the defensive coordinator for the Dan Reeves Denver team destroyed by the
dynastic 49ers. Wade tweeted out a cartoon shot of Underdog over the weekend. Sunday, the Broncos
are expected to be the second-best team on the field.
What an opportunity for Phillips, who has been spending part of the lead-up praising Kubiak for handling
the delicate Manning-Brock Osweiler situation a lot better than Bum's boy handled the delicate Doug
Flutie-Rob Johnson situation in Buffalo. In full self-deprecating mode, Phillips has also let every inquiring
mind know that he's retired from the head-coaching business for keeps.
"It's passed me by," he said. "This is my niche. This is what I think I do best."
He has held the Patriots and Steelers to a combined 34 points in two playoff games, and DeMarcus Ware
promised that his defensive coordinator "has a lot of tricks up his sleeve" for Newton. He'll need them
as much as Belichick needed his 25 years ago.
Will the Broncos temper the pass rush that battered Brady, stay home on the Newton-Jonathan Stewart
run game, and dare Newton to do what he's perfectly capable of doing: beat them from the pocket?
Only this much is certain: Wade Phillips, born coordinator, is highly qualified to make that call.
Vasquez and Garcia are living the American (football)
dream
By Carlos A. Nava
ESPN.com
February 4, 2016
Louis Vasquez knows the chances of a Latino playing in one Super Bowl are slim, for various reasons. But
to be a Latino player in the Super Bowl twice in three years is so rare that the odds are virtually
impossible. Yet on Sunday, the Denver Broncos offensive lineman will contest the NFL's championship
game for the second time in three seasons, when his team faces the Carolina Panthers.
“I'm very proud to represent our people in a Super Bowl,” said Vasquez. "We're not many Latinos here
in the NFL, so to be one of them and to have the opportunity to play in the Super Bowl sometimes feels
like a dream."
Like many Hispanics in the United States, Vasquez grew up in a football culture, but it was football
where feet passed a round ball. Vasquez, who is in his seventh season in the NFL, grew up in a Mexican
family in Texarkana, Texas, a town located about 180 miles northeast of Dallas. He began playing soccer
from a young age, but soon realized that it was difficult for him to progress. It was at school that he
became convinced that he might be better off playing American football.
"I was always very big," recalls the 28-year-old Vasquez, who stands 6'5" and weighs 335 pounds. "I
started playing and did well... I went to Texas Tech. Now here I am a few days away from playing in
another Super Bowl and hoping to win a ring."
Vasquez reasoned that his second experience in the big game should be slightly easier than the first.
"Now I know what to expect," he explained. "It'll be a little easier to focus on my job. I think I'm better
prepared to win the game."
He said one of the things he learned in the week before the 2014 Super Bowl they lost against the
Seattle Seahawks was to live in the moment and forget everything going on around the game.
"I can do more to limit my distractions this time around," Vasquez explained. "I have to be ready to do
my job, which is to keep Peyton [Manning, the Broncos quarterback] out of trouble."
Vasquez said it was a privilege to represent his community in the guard position, of which there are only
a handful of Latinos in the NFL.
Coincidentally, the Broncos have another Latino guard, a backup who alternates with Vasquez on the
offensive line. Max Garcia, of Puerto Rican and Mexican heritage, is a rookie who was drafted by Denver
in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft.
Like Vasquez, Garcia also started his career in soccer, before realizing that he was destined for the
"other" football -- the tackling kind.
"As a kid, I was a goalkeeper," said Garcia. "My dad wanted me to be a footballer, but in truth I was
really bad. Because I was big and tall, I realized that things might go better for me if I played American
football."
Playing opportunities were limited during the regular season for the 6'4", 309-pound Garcia. He was
active in all 16 games, but only played in five.
"Sometimes I think it's a dream to be here," he said. "To play alongside Peyton, with DeMarcus Ware...
sometimes I have to pinch myself to see if this is real... it seems like only yesterday I was still in college
[at Florida] and now I'm close to being in a Super Bowl."
Garcia, Vasquez and the rest of the Broncos were given the day off Tuesday. Coach Gary Kubiak even
allowed them to leave the team hotel to attend to personal matters or simply explore the area. On
Wednesday, preparations continued in an attempt to win the third championship in franchise history.
"We have already done the bulk of the work during the year," said Garcia. "The guys who have already
been here just recommended we stay focused and enjoy the moment."
Enjoyment is important when the opportunity for the moment is so rare.
Josh Norman fires back at Broncos WR Sanders for
'spotlight' remark
By David Newton
ESPN.com
February 4, 2016
Twenty-four hours after Denver wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders called Josh Norman a media creation,
the Carolina Panthers' Pro Bowl cornerback delivered a counterpunch.
"I think you'd have to be pretty darn good at what you do to talk your way into the spotlight,'' Norman
told reporters during Thursday's Super Bowl media availability. "I haven't been hearing much about him.
Obviously he may want to go back and go practice some more."
Norman sometimes can be brash and outspoken. He also has backed up his words with performance.
He was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September after intercepting four passes in
the first four games. He returned two for touchdowns.
Opposing quarterbacks had a passer rating of 54.0 when targeting Norman during the regular season.
That, according to Pro Football Focus, rated Norman No. 1 among corners.
Yet on Wednesday Sanders said Norman "talked himself into the media.''
Norman likely won't spend much time in Super Bowl 50 covering Sanders, who plays most of the time in
the slot. He'll likely be on Denver's top receiver, Demaryius Thomas.
Norman has a reputation for going to what he calls his "dark place'' when offended by opponents. He
said the Broncos haven't gotten under his skin enough to push his buttons, yet.
"It's way too early,'' Norman said. "I'm not going back and forth, but him obviously saying something to
me ... it's just the buildup.''
Bulls' Jimmy Butler pulling for his 'brother' Demaryius
Thomas in Super Bowl
By Nick Friedell
ESPN.com
February 4, 2016
The Chicago Bulls will be in Charlotte on Sunday, in advance of a Monday meeting against the Hornets. It
should be a fun place for many to watch the Super Bowl given the excitement surrounding the city
about the Carolina Panthers.
But in a city full of black-and-blue Panthers jerseys, there will be at least one large orange No. 88 Denver
Broncos jersey.
The guy wearing that jersey will be Bulls All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler, who will be pulling for his
buddy, Demaryius Thomas .
Butler will be repping Thomas and the Broncos because he and the star wide receiver have developed a
close friendship. Butler spent his off day in Sacramento on Tuesday catching a ride over to San Francisco
so that he could hang with Thomas and some of his Denver teammates during Super Bowl week.
"It means a lot to me, man," Butler told ESPN.com of seeing Thomas in the Super Bowl. "That's like a
brother to me. All the hard work that I've seen him doing every time I've talked to him over the summer,
he's always working. I think he's going to be huge in this game and I know they're going to come out on
top."
Given the similarities in their background, the reality is that Butler and Thomas already have come out
on top. Their journeys to the peak of their respective professions have been well-documented. Butler's
story -- he was kicked out of the house by his mom when he was 13 -- has been referred to as
basketball's version of "The Blind Side."
Thomas dealt with losing his mom to prison for 15 years on a drug trafficking conviction. It was just last
month that Thomas' mother, Katina Smith, was able to watch her son play in the NFL for the first time
after President Obama commuted her sentence over the summer.
"It's not easy not having a mom," Thomas said. "I knew the same things [Butler] was going through and
have gone through. That was a bond and we kind of stayed in touch from there."
Butler has never been one to focus on the circumstances that led him to this point. He bonded with
Thomas soon after meeting him at the ESPYS a few years ago.
"His career has taken off in a great direction as has mine [since they met]," said Butler, who was just
selected to his second straight All-Star Game. "We just support each other, we're each others' biggest
fans because that's what friends [do]. We're like brothers, that's what we do."
Thomas was glad Butler reached out.
"For him to reach out was big, that was unexpected, maybe, but I'm glad he did," Thomas said. "There
was a time I didn't like talking about it because it wasn't going to end anytime soon, I didn't know when
my mom was getting out. But now people know my story, she's had the chance to get out and get her
life going. Kind of that happy ending. But I'm glad he reached out."
Butler, 26, knows that he and Thomas, 28, have overcome some huge hurdles to get to this point in their
careers, but he says the topic of how they reached it doesn't come up nearly as much as talk of the
future.
"We really don't talk about [the past] much," Butler said. "The past is the past. It made you, but it never
is going to define who you are, moving forward. We try to stick in the right now. We talk about going on
vacations, making sure he comes up to Chicago to catch a game, which I will see him there. Me coming
to Atlanta and kickin' it over the summer. Going on vacation together, that's what we talk about. So
hopefully he gets this Super Bowl and you'll see him courtside at the Bulls game."
Butler's Instagram feed shows pictures from earlier this year of him on the sidelines of a Broncos game
in Denver cheering on his friend. He routinely wears Thomas' jersey in the Bulls' locker room before and
after games.
Butler's relationship with Thomas has produced other friendships on the Broncos' roster as well. Butler
posted a photo of himself on Instagram with Thomas and Broncos defensive end DeMarcus Ware on the
streets of San Francisco on Tuesday. He says he keeps in contact with several Broncos players on a
regular basis and enjoyed picking "their brain" at dinner on Tuesday night.
"I've talked to all of those guys," Butler said. "Just learning a little bit about them, where they're from,
about their kids and stuff like that. I think that's important because you got to look at them as a human
before you do as an athlete. Everybody got things that are going on on and off the court. So when I'm
texting them or calling them I'm asking them about their family. I'm asking them what you were doing
on your day off. I know what you're doing on the football field, I watch it. So just being personable about
everything."
Now Butler, the Broncos fan, can have the last laugh among his NFL fan teammates in the Bulls' locker
room. Kirk Hinrich, Mike Dunleavy and Aaron Brooks can't.
"You can talk all the crap you want to -- my team's in the Super Bowl," Butler said. "Kirk's Kansas City
Chiefs, they're not there. Mike's Green Bay Packers, they're not there. Aaron's Seattle [Seahawks],
they're not there. My team's there so you can talk all you want. My team's there and we're going to get
this W."
By coincidence, Butler and the Bulls play Friday in Denver against the Nuggets, Saturday in Minnesota
against the Timberwolves and Monday in Charlotte against the Hornets as they complete a crosscountry, seven-game road trip. Butler still isn't sure exactly where he will be watching the game -- a
team party hosted by former Bulls center Nazr Mohammed's home in Charlotte is a possibility -- but he
knows when the game finally comes on, he will be cheering hard for Thomas -- and beaming at what his
"brother" has already accomplished.
"That's the biggest stage," Butler said. "This is what you dream of. This is what you work toward. I know
he's going to do whatever it takes for his team to win. I know how hard he works. I know what he wants
to have done over his career. So this is just the first step of one of many championships for him, I hope."
John Lynch awaits call from Hall of Fame
By Mike DiRocco
ESPN.com
February 4, 2016
At some point, John Lynch's consistency will likely pay off with an induction into the Pro Football Hall of
Fame.
That could happen Saturday.
Lynch is among 15 modern-era finalists being considered by the 46-person selection committee to be
part of the Class of 2016. This is Lynch's fourth year of eligibility and second year in a row as a finalist.
The former safety was a big hitter during his 15-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver
Broncos, but to only remember him that way is short-changing one of the best defensive backs in NFL
history. Yes, Lynch did deliver big hits, but he also was a smart, reliable and productive player who
consistently performed at a high level for a long time.
Lynch made at least 90 tackles in nine seasons and was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, which is tied for
the second-most at the position behind Hall of Famer Ken Houston. Lynch also was named to three
consecutive All-Pro teams (1999-01) with the Bucs, and he ranks fifth in team history in games played
(164) and tackles (973).
Lynch was a key piece of a Bucs defense that led the team to a Super Bowl XXXVII title by holding their
three playoff opponents (San Francisco, Philadelphia and Oakland) to an average of 270 yards and 12.3
points per game. Two other members of that defense -- defensive tackle Warren Sapp (2013) and
linebacker Derrick Brooks (2014) -- are already in the Hall of Fame.
After an 11-year career in Tampa, Lynch spent four seasons in Denver, where he started 59 of 60 games
before retiring following the 2007 season.
Friday NFL preview: Panthers, Broncos both healthy as
Super Bowl nears
By ESPN.com Staff
ESPN.com
February 4, 2016
Thirty teams have finished their seasons, and there's only one game remaining: Super Bowl 50. David
Newton and Jeff Legwold look ahead to what Friday has in store for the Panthers and Broncos.
Carolina Panthers
Storyline to watch: It'll be "no holds barred" for quarterback Cam Newton in terms of how much he runs
against the Broncos, coach Ron Rivera said. There is no plan to hold Newton back for fear he could be
injured against the league's No. 1 defense. "It's situational football now, from here on out. It's no holds
barred. There really is no next game. The approach has to be we're willing to do things we need to do.''
Newton averaged 10.5 carries in Carolina's two playoff wins. Don't be surprised if he gets closer to 15
against the Broncos, who haven't faced a running quarterback like him.
Injuries to monitor: None. Defensive end Jared Allen (foot) has been the only question mark, and he was
a full participant in Thursday's practice. He said there is absolutely no way he won't play.
Stat of the day: Newton is the fourth quarterback in Super Bowl history to enter the game with 50
combined passing and rushing touchdowns, along with Peyton Manning (SB XLVIII), Tom Brady (SB XLII)
and Dan Marino (SB XIX). The three previous quarterbacks to have at least 50 combined passing and
rushing touchdowns entering their Super Bowl start all lost the game, by a combined 60 points. -- David
Newton
Denver Broncos
Storyline to watch: The guys to watch in the Broncos' defense on Sunday may be the guys who didn't get
a chance to play in the team's Super Bowl appearance two seasons ago because of injuries. Cornerback
Chris Harris Jr., linebacker Von Miller and defensive end Derek Wolfe -- all starters on the league's No. 1
defense this season -- were on injured reserve when the Broncos were defeated, 43-8, by the Seattle
Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII. All have had prominent roles in the Broncos' defense this time around
and all three have said they are determined to not let this opportunity slip away. For his part, Miller is
coming off his best big-game performance with 2.5 sacks and an interception in the Broncos' win over
the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
Injuries to monitor: The Broncos reached a milestone of sorts with Thursday's practice as every player
on the roster participated fully in the workouts at Stanford Stadium. That included three players -- safety
T.J. Ward (left ankle), safety Darian Stewart (right knee) and guard Louis Vasquez (knee) -- who were
limited in Wednesday's practice. It means, as coach Gary Kubiak has said, all three players should be
ready to play in Sunday's game.
Stat of the day: When Peyton Manning was removed from the Broncos' Nov. 15 loss to the Kansas City
Chiefs because of his left foot injury, he led the league in interceptions with 17 in those nine starts.
Manning has not thrown in an interception since he was reinserted into the Broncos' lineup with just
more than reight minutes remaining in the third quarter of the regular-season finale. Only one
quarterback who threw a pass against the Carolina Panthers' defense this season did not throw an
interception: Matt Cassel, who had 17 attempts against the Panthers. -- Jeff Legwold
Re-grading the 2015 offseason for all 32 teams
By Mike Sando
ESPN.com
February 4, 2016
The New England Patriots tend to get the last laugh. The Cleveland Browns tend to get laughs. So it is
again as we re-grade the work teams put in last offseason.
The Patriots jumped into the A range. The Browns, downgraded from a C-plus to D-minus, have
company in detention. Ill-fated 2015 offseasons for Philadelphia and San Francisco reverberated with
enough force to launch coach Chip Kelly from the Eagles to the 49ers. Those teams' re-grades suffered
accordingly.
Here's how all 32 teams fared when put under the microscope for a second time.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Offseason grade: B+
Re-signing key players such as Jerry Hughes and Kyle Williams secured high marks for the Bills last
offseason even amid some concerns over the price paid for LeSean McCoy and the team's coaching
change. What we missed, completely, was the impact Tyrod Taylor would have at quarterback. The Bills
had Taylor buried on the depth chart when we handed out grades, so there was little outward indication
the team had big plans for him. Buffalo scored significant offseason victories by adding Taylor, guard
Richie Incognito and second-round cornerback Ronald Darby.
Re-grade: AMiami Dolphins
Offseason grade: B
The re-signings/additions of quarterback Ryan Tannehill, center Mike Pouncey, defensive tackle
Ndamukong Suh, tight end Jordan Cameron and receiver DeVante Parker generally went over well at the
time. But the Dolphins did not get their money's worth in 2015, leading to changes in the front office
and coaching staff. Those high-priced players could still pay off in the long run, but until they do, it
makes sense to knock them down a peg.
Re-grade: C
New England Patriots
Offseason grade: C
The Patriots took a hit in the initial grading for losing talent in the secondary while failing to bolster the
offensive skill positions. They got the last laugh (big surprise there) as Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan
took over at cornerback and Dion Lewis provided tremendous value at running back until suffering a
season-ending knee injury. The addition of defensive end Jabaal Sheard was a good one, as expected.
Re-signing Devin McCourty, Rob Ninkovich, Patrick Chung, Danny Amendola and Stephen Gostkowski
made sense. New England also got 3,210 snaps from a promising rookie class, good for the NFL's
seventh-highest total. Malcolm Brown, Shaq Mason, David Andrews and Tre' Jackson all played at least
491 snaps for a team that nearly reached a second consecutive Super Bowl. The $7.3 million per year
spent for linebacker Jerod Mayo did not pay off, but New England still jumped two spots to No. 10 in
defensive expected points added.
Re-grade: ANew York Jets
Offseason grade: A
The Jets' first year under general manager Mike Maccagnan and coach Todd Bowles showed what can
happen when a struggling team uses all potential avenues for improvement. The Jets went from the
bottom 10 to the top 10 in both offensive and defensive expected points added. Trades for quarterback
Ryan Fitzpatrick and receiver Brandon Marshall paid off big. Spending in free agency often backfires, but
the Jets fared well there too, upgrading their secondary. Veteran addition James Carpenter was better
on the Jets' offensive line than he previously was on the Seattle line. The Jets also resisted overthinking
in the draft when they selected Leonard Williams sixth overall.
Re-grade: A
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
Offseason grade: BThe Ravens' season unraveled for reasons largely beyond their control. Offensive coordinator Gary
Kubiak unexpectedly left to coach the Broncos, forcing another scheme change onto Joe Flacco. Injuries
wiped out Terrell Suggs, Justin Forsett, Flacco, Steve Smith Sr. and first-round pick Breshad Perriman.
Those injuries made the Ravens pay an exorbitant price for moves that otherwise might have drawn
much less attention, such as letting receiver Torrey Smith, linebacker Pernell McPhee and backup
quarterback Tyrod Taylor leave in free agency. Re-signing safety Will Hill and guard Marshal Yanda
worked out well, but cornerback Jimmy Smith struggled after re-upping on a deal worth $10.3 million
annually.
Re-grade: C
Cincinnati Bengals
Offseason grade: C+
Some thought the Bengals needed to be more aggressive, but Cincinnati disproved that thinking. The
Bengals' roster was so strong that the team might still be playing had quarterback Andy Dalton not
suffered a thumb injury. Cincinnati got a league-low 745 snaps from its rookies -- and that is not
necessarily a bad thing. Teams such as Denver, Carolina and Seattle also ranked near the bottom of that
category, having rosters packed with players in their primes and few openings. Cincinnati worked the
free-agency system beautifully in re-signing defensive end Michael Johnson a year after watching him
collect a windfall from Tampa Bay. Those transactions one year apart allowed the Bengals to collect a
compensatory draft choice in addition to signing Johnson at reasonable cost.
Re-grade: B+
Cleveland Browns
Offseason grade: C+
The Browns badly needed to upgrade their offensive weaponry last offseason, particularly at wide
receiver. They did not make much of an effort on that front, and the results were predictable. Signing
Dwayne Bowe for $6.25 million per year might have been the most baffling move any team made last
offseason, then and now. Bowe was out of shape and fell out of favor with the coaching staff, which
basically refused to play him. First-round picks Danny Shelton and Cameron Erving could turn into good
players, but their initial contributions were underwhelming. Defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin left in free
agency and became a key contributor for Seattle.
Re-grade: DPittsburgh Steelers
Offseason grade: BRe-signing Ben Roethlisberger and adding running back DeAngelo Williams as insurance for Le'Veon Bell
stand out as two of the best moves Pittsburgh made last offseason. The change to Keith Butler at
defensive coordinator seemed to go well as the Steelers' defense improved from 24th in 2014 to 11th
this season in expected points added. Pittsburgh also got good value from 37-year-old James Harrison,
who re-signed for less than $1.4 million. On the down side, Pittsburgh got only 801 snaps from its
rookies, the second-lowest figure in the league. Losing second-round choice Senquez Golson to injury
hurt the Steelers at cornerback. First-rounder Bud Dupree played 539 snaps, but his rookie season was
not particularly notable.
Re-grade: BAFC SOUTH
Jacksonville Jaguars
Offseason grade: B+
First-round pick Dante Fowler Jr. and veteran tight end Julius Thomas were the big-ticket personnel
additions for Jacksonville last season. Both got hurt. Neither factored as anticipated, which means Bill
Polian's comments from last offseason might still apply: "They are in a situation where everything goes
wrong all the time, but they are working hard enough that their luck will change." Bringing back former
quarterbacks coach Greg Olson as offensive coordinator and adding to the offensive personnel panned
out. The Jaguars jumped from 32nd to 14th in points scored and from 31st to 21st in offensive expected
points added per game. If only they could have realized similar gains on the defensive side of the ball.
Re-grade: C+
Houston Texans
Offseason grade: C+
The Texans re-signed Ryan Mallett, added Brian Hoyer and parted with Ryan Fitzpatrick. It wasn't much
of a solution at quarterback, but then again, what were the options? Getting a second crack at the 2014
quarterback draft class was not one of them, so the Texans spun their wheels and probably lost some
ground at the position. The moves they made in the secondary paid off. First-round choice Kevin
Johnson joined the re-signed Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson to give Houston a good
combination of talent and depth. Getting a career-high 12 sacks from the newly re-signed Whitney
Mercilus was another plus for Houston.
Re-grade: BIndianapolis Colts
Offseason grade: C+
The Colts made a series of boom-or-bust moves that went bust. They still nearly won the AFC South, but
they finally paid the price for failing to build an effective offensive line and scheme to protect
quarterback Andrew Luck. With Luck struggling before finally leaving the lineup with a multitude of
injuries, the Colts failed to maximize veteran offseason additions Frank Gore and Andre Johnson. They
also had a hard time getting value from first-round receiver Phillip Dorsett, who missed five games
entirely and played more than 35 percent of the snaps just once all season -- in Week 17.
Re-grade: DTennessee Titans
Offseason grade: BFirst-round pick Marcus Mariota finished his first season with the fifth-highest QBR (61.0) among 29
qualifying rookies over the past decade. That was a notch better than Jameis Winston, Teddy
Bridgewater and Cam Newton as first-year players -- and just behind Andrew Luck. The addition of
Mariota salvages an offseason marked by decent but not highly impactful moves. Brian Orakpo was
about what the Titans expected, particularly before Derrick Morgan's injury (re-signing Morgan was
another plus from the offseason). Free-agent addition Perrish Cox signed for too much money. Watching
Michael Oher fare better elsewhere after leaving Tennessee had to hurt.
Re-grade: BAFC WEST
Denver Broncos
Offseason grade: C
The middling grade for Denver reflected a feeling that the team failed to upgrade its offensive line
sufficiently after reducing Peyton Manning's salary. On-field results justified those concerns. A season-
ending injury to left tackle Ryan Clady was both unfortunate and not entirely surprising given that he
missed 14 games in 2013. The Broncos did not get much from their draft class, which came as little
surprise. Denver weathered these deficiencies and Manning's sharp decline to reach the Super Bowl
thanks in part to the addition of Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator. That move must go down as
one of the best a team made this past offseason. It's why the Broncos' offseason mark is higher now.
Re-grade: BKansas City Chiefs
Offseason grade: B
Adding receiver Jeremy Maclin through free agency and cornerback Marcus Peters through the draft
armed Kansas City with a key playmaker on each side of the ball. Both played prominent roles in Kansas
City reaching the postseason. Second-round choice Mitch Morse also became a valued contributor on
the offensive line. The Chiefs were able to re-sign both Justin Houston (long term) and Tamba Hali (short
term), while committing to versatile defensive back Ron Parker. Those moves helped Kansas City win
with its defense for much of the season.
Re-grade: B+
Oakland Raiders
Offseason grade: BAdding Amari Cooper, Mario Edwards Jr. and Clive Walford through the draft paid immediate dividends,
as did re-signing safety Charles Woodson. The Raiders also got good value on the veteran market by
signing receiver Michael Crabtree to a deal worth $3.2 million annually. Oakland got about what it
expected from pricier free-agent additions in center Rodney Hudson and two-down defensive tackle Dan
Williams. Aldon Smith was a miss, but the cost was minuscule. Improving from 3-13 in 2014 to 7-9 in
Jack Del Rio's first season reflected well on his hiring as the team's sixth head coach in the past decade.
Re-grade: B+
San Diego Chargers
Offseason grade: BLinebacker Denzel Perryman provided immediate positive impact as a second-round pick. Veteran
cornerback Patrick Robinson was a success story on a contract averaging $2 million per year. Tackle Joe
Barksdale was also a good value on a one-year deal. Those were notable successes, but the Chargers
didn't get great value from their pricier free-agent additions. Orlando Franklin, Stevie Johnson and
Donald Brown underwhelmed. Cornerback Brandon Flowers struggled after re-signing for $9.1 million
per year. Philip Rivers' contract situation was resolved, but the Eric Weddle situation remained
uncomfortable. The Chargers also got little from first-round pick Melvin Gordon, who had fumbling
issues and struggled behind a poor line. Is he the answer?
Re-grade: C-
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
Offseason grade: B+
The Cowboys would have gotten an A last offseason if they'd done more to address their running back
situation after deciding DeMarco Murray's price was too high. The re-grade would be more favorable if
Dallas had gotten more from its draft class -- Randy Gregory, to be specific -- beyond the contributions
from productive first-round safety Byron Jones. In retrospect, we should have initially downgraded the
Cowboys more for losing offensive line coach Bill Callahan and failing to sufficiently address their backup
quarterback situation. Those areas hurt the team's chances in a wide-open NFC East.
Re-grade: C+
New York Giants
Offseason grade: C+
It's tough to find significant moves that worked out better than anticipated for the Giants. Re-signing Eli
Manning was an easy call. He was among the least of the Giants' problems this past season. Was firstround pick Ereck Flowers a good value with the ninth overall pick? That is not an easy case to make,
especially for a team with unmet needs on defense. Running back Shane Vereen set career highs for
receptions (59), receiving yards (494) and receiving touchdowns (four) on a free-agent deal averaging
$4.1 million per year. The Giants failed to upgrade a pass rush that was a major concern even before
Jason Pierre-Paul suffered a career-altering hand injury.
Re-grade: C+
Philadelphia Eagles
Offseason grade: B
The moves Chip Kelly made in his lone season with full control over personnel are threatening to set the
organization back for some time, especially because he's no longer around to advocate for the players
he added last offseason. DeMarco Murray, Sam Bradford and Byron Maxwell fell short of collective
expectations to a degree that seemed almost unimaginable. First-round pick Nelson Agholor didn't
contribute much, while linebacker Kiko Alonso was hampered by injuries again after Kelly suggested
there would be no heightened risk. Meanwhile, receiver Jeremy Maclin left the roster and quickly
became a highly valued producer for Kansas City.
Re-grade: F
Washington Redskins
Offseason grade: AHiring Scot McCloughan as GM stabilized the organization. The nonstop drama surrounding the Redskins
went away almost overnight. Switching to Kirk Cousins at quarterback played a role; McCloughan's
public and private support for coach Jay Gruden smoothed that transition as well. The Redskins now
seem to have a coherent plan. That in itself made the 2015 offseason a successful one for Washington.
The team's rookie draft class appears generally solid. Washington became more competitive while
ranking fourth in 2015 snaps played by rookies. Some of Washington's free-agent additions contributed
less than the team would have hoped, but the financial ramifications were tenable.
Re-grade: ANFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
Offseason grade: B
New coach John Fox and new GM Ryan Pace stuck with quarterback Jay Cutler and had a plan for
managing the volatility out of his game -- all while gaining about three points per game in scoring
differential. They spent big for Pernell McPhee in free agency and were not disappointed. Led by
surprise fifth-round pick Adrian Amos, their rookies ranked second in snaps played, despite Chicago firstround receiver Kevin White missing every game with a shin injury. White's absence made the Bears miss
Brandon Marshall, whom they had traded away. That was bad luck, not bad management.
Re-grade: B
Detroit Lions
Offseason grade: BThe moves Detroit made along its offensive line, including using a first-round pick for guard Laken
Tomlinson, did not produce desired results. Second-round running back Ameer Abdullah showed great
promise, but fumbling problems made it tough for the Lions to trust him. And while re-signing linebacker
DeAndre Levy was a smart move, the defense wasn't close to the same without Suh, Nick Fairley and
others. Levy's injury problems also contributed. The Lions might have struck gold with sixth-round
corner Quandre Diggs, but the moves they made last offseason weren't enough to keep the team
competitive. A strong finish to the 2015 season does provide some hope.
Re-grade: C
Green Bay Packers
Offseason grade: AThe Packers did make the right personnel moves, notably re-signing tackle Bryan Bulaga and receiver
Randall Cobb. It was tough to know whether Green Bay would get much from its draft class, but as Mel
Kiper pointed out in his 2015 draft re-grade, that group exceeded first-year expectations. Damarious
Randall, Quinten Rollins, Ty Montgomery and Jake Ryan all contributed. Losing top receiver Jordy Nelson
to a season-ending injury during camp wound up hurting the offense more than I would have
anticipated. Finding a comparable replacement for him in late August was not realistic. The Packers'
grade fell a bit mostly because Mike McCarthy's decision to relinquish play-calling duties went badly
enough (in his view) for the head coach to reclaim those duties during the season.
Re-grade: B+
Minnesota Vikings
Offseason grade: B+
The Vikings acquired receiver Mike Wallace from Miami and paid him $9.85 million in salary for
pedestrian production (39-473-2). That was not such an exciting move in retrospect, but Minnesota
could feel good about getting 3,275 snaps from rookies, fifth most in the NFL. Second-rounder Eric
Kendricks, third-rounder Danielle Hunter and fifth-rounder Stefon Diggs look like keepers. First-rounder
Trae Waynes disappointed as a rookie, playing only 189 snaps with one start, but the addition of
Terence Newman allowed the Vikings to take their time with the young CB. The team's ability to work
through differences with running back Adrian Peterson was another key offseason victory for
Minnesota.
Re-grade: BNFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
Offseason grade: B+
How should the Falcons feel about their first three draft choices (Vic Beasley Jr., Jalen Collins and Tevin
Coleman)? How should they feel about new coach Dan Quinn after they lost eight of their final 11 games
to finish 8-8? How should they feel about Matt Ryan's prospects under new offensive coordinator Kyle
Shanahan after Ryan matched his single-season high with 21 turnovers? Questions outnumber answers
for the Falcons, which is why their 2015 offseason isn't looking quite as good now. Receiver Julio Jones
showed he was worth his new contract. The Falcons' move to acquire guard Andy Levitre helped their
running game, but he was not consistently effective.
Re-grade: C
Carolina Panthers
Offseason grade: C
Who can argue with a 17-1 record? No one. The Panthers have gotten nine interceptions from freeagent addition Kurt Coleman, a signing that made much more sense for them than it would have for
other teams, based on his familiarity with coordinator Sean McDermott's defense. The Panthers are also
getting more from free-agent addition Michael Oher than Tennessee got from him, a positive reflection
on the player, the coaching staff and the organization in general. Bringing back Ted Ginn Jr. proved to be
an excellent move despite his inconsistent hands. Re-signing Greg Olsen was a no-brainer. Time will tell
whether Carolina gets much from its draft class. Shaq Thompson and Devin Funchess are supporting
players at this point. There's no shame in that when the record is 17-1.
Re-grade: B
New Orleans Saints
Offseason grade: B-
The Saints got a league-high 3,040 defensive snaps from their rookies, which sounds great, but the New
Orleans defense was once again the NFL's worst by just about any meaningful measure. That makes it
tough to applaud New Orleans with much vigor for the young talent added on the defensive side, even if
linebacker Stephone Anthony looks like a keeper. The Saints scored a short-term victory over Seattle in
the Jimmy Graham-for-Max Unger trade, and re-signing Cameron Jordan certainly made sense. The
Saints did well in finding cornerback Delvin Breaux from the CFL, and Tim Hightower's resurgence partly
offset a disappointing first season in New Orleans for C.J. Spiller. But first-round pick Andrus Peat
bounced around various spots along the offensive line without getting a shot to settle down, and not
many free-agent deals worked out worse than the one New Orleans gave cornerback Brandon Browner.
Re-grade: C
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Offseason grade: B
This grade holds firm after the Buccaneers upped their victory total from two (2014) to six this past
season while getting a league-high 4,868 snaps from their rookies. That was 1,243 more offensive and
defensive snaps than any other team got from its first-year players. First-rounder Jameis Winston,
second-rounder Ali Marpet and fourth-rounder Kwon Alexander all look like they have bright futures.
Another second-round choice, left tackle Donovan Smith, played every snap, with mixed results.
Winston's 58.6 Total QBR ranks sixth among 29 qualifying rookies over the past decade. Tampa Bay
largely refrained from the veteran market after whiffing on high-priced veterans a year earlier.
Re-grade: B
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals
Offseason grade: BThe Cardinals did well in signing coach Bruce Arians and GM Steve Keim to contract extensions. Arians'
bet on James Bettcher as Todd Bowles' replacement at defensive coordinator seemed to work out
exactly how the Cardinals hoped it would. Arizona got a career year from franchise icon Larry Fitzgerald
after resolving a tricky contract situation. The Cardinals also got positive results from their running game
after adding guard Mike Iupati in free agency and running back David Johnson in the draft's third round.
The re-grade would be higher if Arizona had been able to lift its pass rush onto a more solid long-term
foundation.
Re-grade: B+
Los Angeles Rams
Offseason grade: B
The Rams' grade took a hit largely because acquiring Nick Foles made a shaky offense demonstrably less
potent. Foles' 30.0 QBR ranked dead last out of 35 qualifying quarterbacks, 10.9 points worse than the
34th QB (Joe Flacco). Sam Bradford was only 33rd on that list, but at least he was trending upward later
in the season. Foles was on the Rams' bench at that point, and it's questionable whether he can be
salvaged. That's bad news considering the Rams signed Foles to a two-year extension worth $24.5
million before the season started. The 2015 season also was one-and-done for Frank Cignetti, Jeff
Fisher's latest offensive coordinator. Those two failures -- missing on the QB, firing the OC -- made the
offseason a failure as well. The Rams' other moves worked out well enough. Akeem Ayers and Nick
Fairley contributed to a solid defense. Todd Gurley met expectations at running back, and secondrounder Rob Havenstein showed promise at right tackle.
Re-grade: D
San Francisco 49ers
Offseason grade: D+
Promoting Jim Tomsula to the head-coaching job was the ultimate "trust us" move by the 49ers'
ownership and front office. It did not work out well enough for the team to give Tomsula a second
season, which explains why San Francisco emerged with the second-lowest re-grade. The coaching
change predictably did not produce immediate positive results for a team that was turning over its
roster to become one of the NFL's younger teams almost overnight. Draft choices Arik Armstead and
Jaquiski Tartt showed promise. Torrey Smith could have been a solid addition at wide receiver if the
49ers had gotten better quarterback play. Overall, the personnel additions San Francisco made could
not offset the long list of key losses, some of which were beyond the team's control.
Re-grade: DSeattle Seahawks
Offseason grade: B+
The B-plus grade reflected moves made before the Seahawks re-signed quarterback Russell Wilson,
which helps elevate Seattle now. Rookies Tyler Lockett and Thomas Rawls (undrafted) showed star
potential, while second-rounder Frank Clark flashed as a pass-rusher. Veteran Ahtyba Rubin became the
latest midpriced veteran defensive lineman to flourish in Seattle. On the down side, Seattle whiffed on
$7 million-per-year free-agent cornerback Cary Williams, releasing him during the season. And while
Jimmy Graham was gaining momentum before he was injured, Seattle underestimated how much
center Max Unger would be missed. The Seahawks also overestimated their offensive line talent in
general.
Re-grade: A-
Roger Goodell: Women will interview for open
executive jobs
By Jane McManus
ESPN.com
February 4, 2016
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday that the league will institute a Rooney Rule for women
when it comes to all NFL executive positions.
He announced the decision in opening remarks at the NFL Women's Summit, where roughly 250 men
and women associated with the league are gathered to listen to a slate of speakers on issues affecting
women in sports.
"Last but not least, it's management, and when I say that, it's about diversity in our management. We
believe in diversity," Goodell said. "We believe we're better as an organization when we have good
people at the table. We have great people at the table. We're also seeing it on the field. ...
"You can see that progress is being made and our commitment is, we have something called the Rooney
Rule, which requires us to make sure when we have an opening that on the team or the league level
that we are going to interview a diverse slate of candidates.
"Well, we're going to make that commitment and we're going to formalize that we, as a league, are
going to do that for women as well in all of our executive positions. Again, we're going to keep making
progress here and make a difference."
The NFL's Rooney Rule requires teams to interview one minority candidate for each open coaching
position. The rule was instituted in 2003 in response to the small percentage of minority candidates
being named to head-coaching positions. The rule aims to force decision-makers to become familiar
with candidates they might not otherwise consider.
"It's a beginning, the challenge of course is the follow through," said tennis champion Billie Jean King,
who spoke at the event. "There's a new commitment from the NFL. I think there's something special
about a 50th anniversary, it's an ending but it's also a beginning and I think they're starting to figure out
this commitment to girls and women."
This past season, women broke barriers in the NFL when the league hired its first female official in Sarah
Thomas. Last month the Bills hired Kathryn Smith as a special-teams assistant coach, the first full-time
female coach in the league. A number of women serve as vice presidents at the league level, including
those in marketing and public policy.
According to the NFL, 30 percent of the employees in the league's front office are women.
Michelle McKenna-Doyle, a senior VP and CIO for the league, said this week the NFL launched a website
where interested candidates can create profiles for jobs. That way, even if a position isn't currently
available, the NFL will have a list of women and minority candidates when jobs do become available.
McKenna said the league's internal women's affinity group conceived of the idea to build the number of
women in the pipeline.
"You have to have a rule that starts it," McKenna-Doyle said. "You still pick the best candidate, but it's
just being in consideration, it shows a big vote of confidence. It will change the face of the NFL."
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, whom Goodell introduced at the end of his remarks,
addressed the issues that keep the number of women and minorities down in corporate jobs.
"They keep looking in the same channels; they keep finding the same people," Rice said.
Rice emphasized that executives can find people like themselves to groom for advancement, but they
can also find people who aren't like themselves. She said if she'd waited to find a mentor who was a
black woman and a Soviet specialist, she'd still be waiting.
Rice is a football fan and serves on the College Football Playoff selection committee. She also has said
she'd be interested in serving as NFL commissioner.
"Most of the mentors in my field were white men. They were mostly old white men," Rice said.
Said King: "You do have to get a critical mass at the bottom. You try to choose from within if you can
because they've already been in your co-culture and understand, and you want give people a chance to
be promoted, so you have to have a critical mass at both ends. It's not just words, it's words and actions
matching."
Tennis champion Serena Williams, as well as actress and "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks, also are
scheduled to speak at the two-day event. Goodell also said the summit likely will become an annual
event around the Super Bowl.
Both kickers hoping Super Bowl 50 comes down to them
By Arnie Stapleton
Associated Press
February 5, 2016
They both visualized Adam Vinatieri growing up, these even-keeled kickers who are hoping to emulate
"Mr. Clutch" in Super Bowl 50.
Maybe it's not the mighty legs of Cam Newton or the beautiful mind of Peyton Manning that will decide
who wins Sunday when the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos play for the silver trophy in this
golden anniversary game.
It could come down to the big right toe of either Brandon McManus or Graham Gano.
Both are more than ready.
They've been envisioning a last-second kick to win the Super Bowl ever since they traded the soccer
pitch for pigskins as kids.
While fans might be freaking out — just ask Minnesota fans who watched Blair Walsh miss a 27-yarder
in the NFC playoffs last month — these kickers are icy cool and confident.
"Yeah, I've been thinking about that since I first starting playing," said Gano, Carolina's sixth-year kicker.
"So, hopefully it does come down to that."
"The end of the game could end up on my foot," said McManus, Denver's second-year kicker. "I'm super
excited it might happen."
Both had their speed bumps during the season — Gano had four kicks blocked, including three field
goals and McManus missed kicks in five consecutive games — and each missed an extra point, but both
are 7-for-7 on field goals in the playoffs.
McManus bounced back in a big way, making a pair of long field goals and history in the opener to get
back in his teammates' good graces a year after his sideline erupted in anger when he shanked a short
field goal, costing him his job.
McManus won his job back from Connor Barth last summer, then joined St. Louis kicker Greg Zuerlein as
the only players in NFL history to make two field goals of 56 yards or longer in the same game in
Denver's 19-13 win over Baltimore in the season opener.
McManus began tinkering with his kicking mechanics to eliminate a jab-step and improve his accuracy to
salvage his NFL career. That work paid off when he reclaimed the kicking job from Barth with a
spectacular summer that included a 70-yard field goal in camp.
He went on to make 30 of 35 field goals.
Gano was 30 of 36.
Now each is one win away from fulfilling their childhood dream.
"I think all kids dream of the biggest moment to win a championship," Gano said. "I was no different.
Watching guys do it over the years, especially Adam Vinatieri — although unfortunately one of them
was against us. But he's a great clutch kicker. Everybody dreams of that moment."
Vinatieri is the patron saint of kicking visionaries, the antithesis of Scott Norwood, whose miss against
the Giants sent the Bills on a run of four consecutive Super Bowl losses in the 1990s.
Vinatieri, the Colts' 43-year-old kicker, has played in five Super Bowls, winning four rings, three with
New England and one with Indy.
He had winning kicks in the final seconds of the Patriots' Super Bowl wins over the Rams in 2002 and the
Panthers in 2004.
Gano has been envisioning himself as Vinatieri since high school.
"I think every opportunity, every practice it is in the back of your mind, the chance to make that winning
kick," Gano said. "The opportunity to do that, I think that is what every position dreams of — the
quarterback dreams of throwing the winning TD pass, same as a running back scoring the winning
touchdown, the cornerback dreams of making that interception return."
At 24, McManus is five years younger than Gano, but he actually got to emulate Vinatieri when he was
signed by the Colts as a college free agent in 2013 before being released at the end of that summer.
"I was with Adam in training camp, so I learned a lot from him and I still stay in contact with him,"
McManus said. "So, he's been a good mentor for me and we've played Indianapolis every year, so I get
to pick his brain even more."
McManus tied an NFL record by going 5 for 5 on field goals in Denver's 23-16 win over Pittsburgh in the
playoffs last month, and he did it in 30 mph crosswinds that swept over the Rocky Mountains just before
kickoff.
"Yeah, but I mean, it's not going to say 'on a windy day' in the record books," McManus said.
Both Gano and McManus missed PATs from the new longer distance and had rough stretches, but both
teams are supremely confident they have the right guy should it come down to a field goal — or even an
extra point Sunday.
"I definitely feel ready for it," Gano said.
"I grew up trying to make the penalty kicks in soccer, the free throws in basketball," said McManus. "So,
I've prepared my life for this."
Denver's Marshall and Trevathan bounce back from
injuries
By Arnie Stapleton
Associated Press
February 4, 2016
The Super Bowl linebackers getting all the attention this week are Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis.
This talented and tenacious twosome is the heart and soul of the Carolina Panthers' stingy defense.
Kuechly is the first player at his position with pick-6s in back-to-back playoff games and Davis is playing
with a fractured forearm.
Much respect, say the Denver Broncos.
But, also, pshaw!
In their view, the best linebackers in Super Bowl 50 are theirs.
Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware on the outside, Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall on the inside.
Between the edge rushers pounding the passer and the "No Fly Zone" secondary locking down receivers,
Marshall and Trevathan collected a combined 234 tackles, three interceptions and 13 pass breakups
while helping Denver lead the league in defense for the first time in franchise history.
When starting safeties T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart got hurt in the AFC championship game, Marshall
and Trevathan found themselves covering Patriots wide receivers on go routes.
Successfully converting all that sideline-to-sideline speed into vertical velocity kept Tom Brady from
burning them deep — and gave them an appreciation for their star-studded secondary.
"I told Chris, 'Now I know how it feels to be a corner,'" Marshall said. "Because I was tired as hell after
that game."
"They did a great job," Harris said. "Having two inside linebackers who can cover, that's crucial in the
NFL now the way the offenses are. I mean, these two cats might be the fastest linebackers in the league.
I don't know if the Panthers have seen anyone faster from sideline to sideline than Danny and Brandon.
Those guys are moving."
They're tough, too.
Marshall played all season with a broken screw in his right foot which will have to be removed after the
Super Bowl. He'll also go for an MRI to see if he needs surgery on his right index finger, which he used to
poke the football from Kansas City's Jamaal Charles' grasp in Week 2, forcing the fumble that Bradley
Roby turned into a scoop-and-score in the waning seconds.
Trevathan has an appointment with an oral surgeon after the Super Bowl because he's been missing two
molars for two months. He swallowed one and spat out the other in a game at San Diego on Dec. 6
when an O-lineman drove him into the ground in a pileup.
"Didn't have my mouthpiece, didn't have my chinstrap strapped and it came loose," Trevathan said.
"Don't do that anymore."
These are bumps and bruises compared to what Marshall and Trevathan went through last offseason.
Trevathan played in just three games in 2014 because of a trio of injuries to his left knee, which he
fractured in August and again in October before dislocating it in December, requiring surgery.
Marshall suffered a dreaded Lisfranc ligament injury in his right foot late in the season and underwent
surgery in mid-March, too late for him to have the hardware removed before the 2015 season. The
titanium screw broke during training camp, however, causing excruciating pain that he feared would
send him to injured reserve in August before it suddenly subsided.
Marshall and Trevathan were rehab partners when Wade Phillips arrived and changed Denver's 4-3
defensive system to a 3-4 scheme that would put them on the field together when they got healthy.
"We worked hard together and it just made our bond stronger," Trevathan said. "We were pushing each
other and both fighting to get back."
And envisioning greatness.
"I just felt we had good chemistry," Marshall said. "I saw how hungry he was, how hungry I was and I
just know from that, OK, we're going to be great."
Now, they're preparing for the game of their lives — and maybe their last one together, too.
Trevathan is an unrestricted free agent in March and Marshall is a restricted free agent.
"Keeping us together would be gold," Marshall said.
"This is the Gold Bowl," Trevathan said. "I'm trying to make a name here. I know what it means for all of
us. You got to cash in to cash out. It's way in the back of my mind, but this is the biggest game of my life,
so it's all focused on this game. I know what I need to do to get to the next level, and playing my best in
this (game) can help me get to the next level.
"I believe I could fit into any scheme. This game could make or break my contract. But, man, this is the
Super Bowl. That's all this is about, winning the game."
So, Kuechly and Thomas can keep getting all the love; Marshall and Trevathan will take the Lombardi
Trophy.
Broncos' Smith preparing to play Super Bowl with heavy
heart
By Arnie Stapleton
Associated Press
February 4, 2016
At first, Antonio Smith thought about running out of the team hotel and catching the first flight home
after his mother awakened him with news of his father's death following heart surgery.
"But I know I got a greater purpose and a greater responsibility here on this stage," Smith said Thursday,
a day after that phone call shattered the joy of Super Bowl week for him.
Denver's defensive end will play Sunday when the Broncos take on the Carolina Panthers. It's not so
much to honor Marty Christopher Williams, 58, but to salute the way his father lived his life even after
being sentenced to life in prison.
Williams had been incarcerated in Oklahoma since 1991 for a murder his family contends he didn't
commit.
"I would definitely say he was one of my biggest fans and he would have loved for me to play as best as I
could for the glory of the Lord in the same way he lived his life," Smith said. "So, I would say more of
that."
His heart heavy, Smith said it "was kind of hard to focus on football" as the team buses followed police
on motorcycles and a helicopter into Stanford Stadium for practice Wednesday, a few hours after he
heard the news. But once inside, he relaxed.
"Right before I got out to stretch I had a pretty hard time, but football comes second nature," Smith
said. "Sometimes I don't even think I need to practice football. But I think it's all part of the
responsibility, part of the role of being a leader and trying to make your life mean something more than
just for you."
Smith, 34, is a 12-year NFL veteran who joined the Broncos this season after his release from the
Oakland Raiders. He was a key member of the league's top defense and posted 2 1/2 sacks in the regular
season and another in the playoffs.
"Man, 'Tone, that was an awesome pickup for us, just to add another veteran and his leadership,"
cornerback Chris Harris Jr. said. "Guys love him and this is just something else to add motivation for this
team, just go play for him, too."
A leader in the locker room, his cut-up personality is a key component of the chemistry that helped
Denver's defense rise to the top of the NFL this season.
Smith said he'll play Super Bowl 50 with his usual infectious enthusiasm, too.
"I definitely cannot hide that. It's in my DNA. That's the way God made me," Smith said. "That's just how
I play. I'm going to play with the same smile on my face."
Broncos take a chance, and it pays off with Kubiak
By Eddie Pells
Associated Press
February 4, 2016
It's hard to know who took the bigger risk.
Was it the team, the Denver Broncos, who were hiring a coach with recent health problems and a
penchant for not maxing out talent?
Or was it the coach, Gary Kubiak, who signed on with a team that had just fired a coach with a winning
record because he came short of the only goal that mattered — capturing the Super Bowl?
Turns out, it wasn't such a risk.
The coach, hired by his loyal friend John Elway, changed his ways, in part because he couldn't keep up
the pace that caused him to have a mini-stroke while he was coaching the Houston Texans.
The team, now built on defense and nowhere near as dependent on Peyton Manning, is a win away
from its first title in 17 years.
"The hot seat Gary stepped into was hotter than any seat in the league," Elway said.
Elway said he recognized the coach Kubiak might be someday from the time they both joined the
Broncos, after the 1983 draft. The two quarterbacks were roommates, who talked a lot of football in
between the endless loop of "Andy Griffith" and "Gilligan's Island" reruns on their TV.
"Very bright, a very hard worker, a great offensive mind," Elway said.
All that said, this was a hiring that only made sense in Denver.
The Broncos had parted ways with John Fox, who went 49-22 and took the team to four straight playoff
appearances, only to flop big-time in season finales. Denver was outscored 150-66 in those four games.
Kubiak, meanwhile, could've been easily perceived as damaged goods. Not so much because of the
health scare that marred the last of his eight seasons with the Texans — or even the 11-game losing
streak in 2013 that led to his dismissal.
There were just as many questions about 2011 and 2012, when Houston was loaded and started the
season with Super Bowl expectations, but struggled at the end, losing three straight to close out 2011
and three of four in 2012, en route to early playoff exits.
"Did I think I would get another opportunity? I don't know," Kubiak said. "But I knew I loved the work."
To do it, though, he would have to change. He'd have to delegate more. The scene on the field during a
November 2013 game against Indianapolis — Kubiak collapsed and was taken off on a stretcher — made
clear how the stress had taken its toll.
"I kind of ran myself into the ground a little bit," Kubiak said.
Instead of taking a year off, Kubiak went to Baltimore. In one season offensive coordinator, he helped
Joe Flacco have his most productive season. Then, the Broncos made their move.
Elway wanted teams that, even if they lost, would go down "kicking and screaming." It was the way he
played. Nobody understood that better than Kubiak, who backed him up for nine years, then worked
with him as Denver's offensive coordinator for four more, including when the Broncos won Super Bowls
in 1998 and '99.
Elway also wanted to plan for life after Manning.
The Broncos VP went about building a team centered on defense and running. Would it be as exciting as
the 2013 team that scored a record 606 points behind a record 55 touchdown passes from its Hall of
Fame-worthy quarterback? Of course not.
"You've got to have great defense to have a chance to win it all," said Mike Shanahan, the former
Broncos coach who worked with Kubiak for years. "That's what football's all about, and Gary knows
that."
Kubiak's first delicate task was to build an offense that would mesh his style — zone running, bootlegs,
QBs under center — with what was comfortable for Manning, who was more of a shotgun, throw-allthe-time player. It wasn't perfect. The last four of Manning's career-high 17 interceptions came on a day
in which the quarterback shouldn't have been playing because of an ever-worsening foot injury. Kubiak
pulled Manning from the game, then took the blame for letting Manning talk him into playing.
Manning spent six weeks on the bench, with Kubiak keeping everyone — Manning, new starter Brock
Osweiler, the entire locker room — aware of the decisions being made.
"We were always the first to know what the deal was," said tight end Owen Daniels, who has followed
Kubiak to every place he's coached. "That took away distractions."
Manning's return to the lineup — off a gut feeling Kubiak got when the Broncos committed five
turnovers, none of them really Osweiler's fault, in their regular-season finale — was the final piece of
the puzzle.
The Broncos played defense-first, ball-control football in the playoffs. They won two close games, and
find themselves one win away from the title they couldn't win under the previous coaching staff.
"Gary kept them focused on a common goal," Shanahan said. "It's not always easy to do."
Will Peyton's dream scenario come true vs Panthers?
By Barry Wilner
Associated Press
February 4, 2016
It's the perfect scenario, a Hollywood-type script: Peyton Manning emulates John Elway and rides off
into the sunset with the Lombardi Trophy in his grip.
Will it really happen?
For Manning to take the Denver Broncos to their first NFL title since the team's current general
manager, Elway, did in 1999 before retiring, seems the sentimental choice across the nation.
Like Elway, Manning has had a taste of losing in the big game, going 1-2, including a lopsided loss to
Seattle two years ago. Elway dropped his first three Super Bowls, then won his final two.
"I am very grateful for the opportunity," the 39-year-old Manning said. "I keep probably repeating
myself but I'm honored to be a part of it, and the other three that I played in, I was honored to be a part
of those as well."
Should this be Manning's final game, he will leave as the most accomplished regular-season
quarterback, owning five league MVP awards. He's had a difficult past few seasons, sidelined for 2011
entirely because of neck surgeries, then struggling in last year's playoffs and missing six games in 2015
with a foot injury.
But he also earned that fifth MVP in 2013 before falling to Seattle.
Receiver Demaryius Thomas can envision the proper ending to this drama for Denver.
"It's amazing to play for Peyton," Thomas says. "He's one of the best to have ever done it, a future Hall
of Famer, and he has done so much for me. I'm excited about it, and hopefully we can get this win, and
if he decides to retire then he can go out with a bang."
Standing in their way, though, is simply the best team in football.
This is the third straight season the top seeds have won conference titles. The Panthers are 17-1, have
the league's most prolific offense behind All-Pro quarterback Cam Newton, and a big-play defense. That
D might not match the stats of the Broncos (14-4), who ranked first overall, but it's just as impactful.
"I sound like a broken record, but yet for a dream to play out as it has through the ups and downs, it just
means the world for us to get what you prepare for," says Newton, finishing off his fifth and, by far, best
pro season.
"For us, the ultimate goal for this sport is to win a Super Bowl. You win national championships in
college and ... you try to get drafted to a team that's going to put you in the right position to win a Super
Bowl."
That's where the Panthers have arrived. Carolina is a 5 1-2 point favorite to become only the third team
to go 18-1 and win the Super Bowl.
Both defenses will have their moments Sunday. Denver's is just too good to be dominated for very long,
producing a dynamic pass rush led by Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware, and with superb coverage backs.
Carolina's Luke Kuechly, Josh Norman, Thomas Davis (if he can go after needing surgery on a broken
right arm) and Kawann Short are game changers.
Carolina is far more likely to find balance on its offense; Jonathan Stewart is the best running back on
either roster, and Newton's power and breakaway ability toting the ball are unmatched for the
quarterback position.
One area the Panthers are superior, perhaps vastly so, is on the offensive line. So the Broncos' relentless
pursuit of the quarterback doesn't figure to be as fruitful as it was against New England's Tom Brady in
the AFC championship game.
It all adds up to Cam and Company spoiling another Super Bowl for the Broncos, leaving Manning to
ponder if he wants to leave football after losing his final game.
PANTHERS, 27-20
___
2015 RECORD: Against spread: Week 1-1, Season (126-125-7). Straight up: Week 1-1, Season (162-104)
Best Bet: 8-10-1 against spread, 11-8 straight up.
Upset special: 9-9 against spread, 6-12 straight up.
Broncos, Panthers have full participation in practice
By Staff
Associated Press
February 4, 2016
The Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers had full participation at practice from all 53 players on their
respective rosters on Thursday.
Broncos starting safeties T.J. Ward (ankle) and Darian Stewart (knee) and guard Louis Vasquez (knee)
had been limited in practice on Wednesday.
"We came out here with the thought that they'd all be limited again," Broncos coach Gary Kubiak told a
pool reporter on the field after practice. "But we got a response from them, so they just worked
(normally)."
Panthers defensive end Jared Allen (foot) also returned to participate in full practice after being limited
on Wednesday.
Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning completed three deep throws during team drills in a 1 hour, 42minute practice at Stanford Stadium.
"This is as good as he's looked all year long," Kubiak said. "You saw some big downfield throws today.
This is what Peyton looked like back at the start of the season."
According to the pool report, Manning connected with wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders on one deep
ball early in the session and found Demaryius Thomas and Andre Caldwell later on. Manning only threw
four incompletions during practice in shorts and helmets, one of them on a deep ball.
"I thought we practiced very well today," Kubiak said. "We practiced better today than we did last week.
I liked our retention. I liked our speed. I think we're in good shape here."
Meanwhile, the Panthers spent practice preparing for Manning.
At one point during the 1 hour, 15-minute session backup quarterback Derek Anderson screamed
"Omaha!" — Manning's famous call — and drew the defense offside.
"We're trying," Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. "We know that certain things (with calls at the line of
scrimmage) mean something else. But it's just so our players hear it. We got one today. That was one of
the things that got me today."
However, Rivera said that is a good learning experience for his players, but added "we are shooting for
perfection."
Rivera said there were four mistakes that he counted during the 80-play practice.
"There were some things as far as detail that we needed to clean up," Rivera said. "... That will cost you.
The game comes down to a matter of mistakes."
But overall, Rivera was pleased with the tempo of practice.
"I told them that I thought it was exactly what we needed to do to go out and win a football game,"
Rivera said.
Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis participated fully in practice, 10 days after having surgery to
repair his broken right forearm.
All-Pro quarterback Cam Newton set the tone early at practice by taking off in a full sprint, leading
teammates to the other practice field for individual drills.
Panthers owner Jerry Richardson attended practice for the first time after arriving in California on
Wednesday night, watching practice from a golf cart beyond a corner of the field.
Manning's legal team looked into documentary
By Staff
Associated Press
February 4, 2016
Private investigators working for Peyton Manning visited the source of a report that he and other star
athletes had obtained performance-enhancing drugs before the documentary aired late last year,
according to a report from The Washington Post on Thursday.
In December, Al Jazeera reported that an intern at an Indianapolis anti-aging clinic was secretly recorded
suggesting that Manning's wife received deliveries of human growth hormone in 2011. Manning, then
with the Colts, was rehabbing from neck surgeries.
The intern, Charles Sly, recanted his statements, which were recorded without his knowledge. He said
they were fabricated in an attempt to impress a potential business partner. Manning angrily denounced
the report, calling it "completely fabricated, complete trash, garbage," and insisting he never took
shortcuts in his return to football after missing 2011 with neck problems.
Manning and the Broncos are preparing for Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
Manning's lawyers launched the private probe shortly after Al Jazeera started contacting athletes who
would be named in documentary in December.
They hired investigators to identify, locate and interrogate Sly and sent a lawyer to examine Peyton and
Ashley's medical records at the Guyer Institute of Molecular Medicine in Indianapolis, according to Ari
Fleisher, the former White House press secretary and crisis management consultant Manning hired.
Fleisher told the Post that Manning's investigative team didn't interfere with subsequent investigations
nor did they remove any medical records or coerce Sly into recanting his statements.
Fleisher did confirm to the Post that the Indianapolis anti-aging clinic shipped medication to Manning's
wife. But, citing her right to privacy, he declined to say if it was human growth hormone.
HGH is banned by professional sports leagues and is only legal to prescribe in a few specific medical
conditions.
The NFL is reviewing the allegations with the assistance of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, something
Manning has said he welcomes.
Ohio plant workers take pride in making Super Bowl
footballs
By Mike Householder
Associated Press
February 5, 2016
Every time Peyton Manning throws a pass or Cam Newton takes off to run in Sunday's Super Bowl,
they'll be gripping a football made in a quaint Ohio village 2,000 miles away.
Ada, Ohio, is home to the Wilson Sporting Goods factory that makes footballs used by the NFL, many of
the nation's top college teams, high schools, and more.
The Wilson football brand is so dominant that plant manager Dan Riegle says every offensive point
scored in an NFL game since 1941 was with one of the company's footballs.
"We're kind of proud of that fact," Riegle said.
The factory's 100-plus employees make between 3,000 and 4,000 footballs a day and around 700,000
per year, according to Riegle, who said Wilson sent Manning's Denver Broncos and Newton's Carolina
Panthers 108 footballs each after the teams qualified for this year's NFL title game near San Francisco.
The footballs feature the Super Bowl 50 logo, the team names, the date of the game, and its location.
"We treat it just like we do every other football we make, yet we know this ball is a little bit different —
especially since it's Super Bowl 50. I mean, that's pretty big," Riegle said.
The game's pretty big for Sue Nichols, too.
The 27-year employee of the Wilson plant, where she laces the footballs, will watch the big game
thinking, "maybe that's the ball that I laced.
"It could have been one that I touched and put the laces in it," she said. "And now they're out there on
the field and using something that I did."
Plus, Nichols has another reason to tune in.
"I'm from North Carolina originally, so I'm a big Panthers fan," she said.
Her prediction?
"I think Cam'll do it."
If he does, it will be with a Wilson football, of course, Riegle said.
"You need to keep your eye on the ball, because without us the game would be pointless," he said with
a smile.
Unlikely Super Bowl stars from Timmy Smith to Larry
Brown
By Josh Dubow
Associated Press
February 5, 2016
Super Bowl history is filled with great performances from the biggest stars, such as Jerry Rice, Tom Brady
and Emmitt Smith.
Then there are some unlikely performers who just happened to have their best game on the biggest
stage. Here are a few of the notable players who are remembered almost exclusively for their unlikely
Super Bowl stardom:
TIMMY SMITH
With starter George Rogers banged up, Smith got his only career start in a bit of a surprise in the 1988
Super Bowl for Washington. Smith had a 58-yard touchdown run in Washington's 35-point second
quarter and finished the game with a Super Bowl-record 204 yards and two scores in a 42-10 win over
Denver. Instead of that launching him to success, drug problems and injuries limited Smith to 15 games
and 476 yards rushing for the rest of his career.
LARRY BROWN
On a star-studded Dallas team with Hall of Famers such as Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Deion Sanders
and Michael Irvin, it was Brown who ended up winning the MVP in 1996 against Pittsburgh. Brown
intercepted two passes to set up two touchdowns in the 27-17 over the Steelers to earn the honors. He
parlayed that success into a lucrative free-agent contract with Oakland, but never came close to
replicating that success.
Brown had just one interception in 16 games for the rest of his career.
DWIGHT SMITH AND DEXTER JACKSON
The two defensive backs were among the lower-profile players on Tampa Bay's stellar defense that led
the way to a Super Bowl win over Oakland in 2003. But the duo delivered against league MVP Rich
Gannon and the Raiders. Jackson intercepted two passes in the first half to set the tone and win the
MVP. Smith added two more in the second half that he returned for touchdowns in the 48-21 victory.
Other memorable one-hit wonders:
— David Tyree: made the final of his 58 career catches in the regular or postseason in the 2008 Super
Bowl when he pinned the ball against his helmet to key the winning drive for the New York Giants that
spoiled New England's perfect season.
— Dominic Rhodes: ran for 113 yards and a touchdown to help Peyton Manning win his only Super Bowl
to date over Chicago 29-17 in 2007.
— Jack Squirek: spent his career as a reserve linebacker mostly with the Raiders, but came up with a
game-changing play against Washington in 1984. He intercepted a screen pass from Joe Theismann late
in the first half and returned it 5 yards for a TD that helped send the Raiders to a 38-9 win.
Mayor's use of city funds for Super Bowl trip to get
review
By Staff
Associated Press
February 5, 2016
The Denver Board of Ethics will review plans for the city to fund Mayor Michael Hancock's family trip to
watch the Broncos play in the Super Bowl.
The Denver Post reports that the board will meet Friday to discuss Hancock's use of city funds to pay for
his airfare, lodging and meals as well as costs for two staffers and two security officers. A mayor
spokeswoman says Hancock's wife and daughter have purchased airfare by themselves and will stay in
the mayor's hotel room.
The Broncos have provided tickets for the mayor's group to attend Sunday's game against the Carolina
Panthers in Santa Clara, California.
Hancock's communications director, Amber Miller, says the use of city money is appropriate because the
trip is in line with the mayor's duties.
Column: Goodell riding high, and so is the unstoppable
NFL
By Tim Dahlberg
Associated Press
February 5, 2016
Roger Goodell might as well mail this one in.
Just before noon on Friday, the NFL commissioner will stand before a gaggle of media and deliver his
annual State of the NFL address. It's a tradition born by the late Pete Rozelle in the early days of the
Super Bowl, and every commissioner since has carried it on.
The short answer this year is things couldn't be much better — at least if you're an NFL owner.
There's a new team in Los Angeles for the first time in two decades, a richer Thursday night television
contract and state-of-the-art stadiums sprouting up in every corner of the nation. Despite bad news
about daily fantasy sites and concussions, bonehead refereeing decisions and some ugly football on the
field, America's infatuation with the NFL continues unabated, with stadiums filled and TV ratings in the
stratosphere.
Paid labor continues to be remarkably docile, though that's hardly a surprise. With no guaranteed
contracts, their jobs remain subject to the whim of coaches and team officials, and no player dares to
bite the hand that feeds them.
And every week it seems teams find new ways to separate fans from their money, like the $30 each paid
this week to watch players answer questions at Super Bowl media night.
That's a stark contrast to a year ago, when a tsunami of troubles enveloped the league and some critics
suggested that perhaps a new commissioner was in order.
Owners laughed then, and they might find it harder to suppress a giggle now. Goodell is the perfect
front man for the league, a smooth former PR man who his employers believe is more than worth the
millions ($44 million alone in 2013) they pay him each year to keep peace among their fellow billionaires
while making sure their franchises continue to escalate in value.
He navigated through Spygate, found a way to resolve Bountygate and even managed to come out of
Deflategate with his authority intact. And even when his decisions were questioned by many, the league
continued to grow the bottom line.
Goodell led the league through a lockout that ended with a 10-year labor agreement that slashed
spending on rookie deals, kept intact a salary cap and locked players into another decade of contracts
that are easily canceled by a team looking to save.
More recently, Goodell won praise from his employers for coming up with an agreement to move the
Rams to LA while leaving open the possibility that the Chargers or Raiders could move their too, if
taxpayers in San Diego or Oakland don't promise hundreds of millions to build new stadiums.
That doesn't mean you should believe everything the guy says.
A year ago, Goodell went into his State of the NFL address portraying himself as humbled by a year that
included a firestorm over the Ray Rice domestic abuse case and the charges that the New England
Patriots tampered with footballs so Tom Brady could grip them better. He said he had done a lot of soul
searching.
Then he strung along St. Louis fans, calling news of a proposed new stadium there a "positive
development," knowing that Rams owner Stan Kroenke was busily getting his LA site put together and
had no interest of negotiating a new deal in St. Louis.
The NFL will always ignore fans and do what it wants, which mostly means it will chase the most dollars
wherever they may be. The fans of St. Louis understand that now, and so do the generations who grew
up in San Diego following a team that can't wait to bolt from town.
Goodell won't need to be contrite this year, not after a string of successes that include the
announcement this week that NBC and CBS would each pay a whopping $45 million a night to televise
the Thursday game of the week for the next two years.
Owners, meanwhile, can hardly wait to start pocketing the $550 million the Rams will pay to move to LA,
and another $550 million if the Chargers join them there.
Yes, the state of the NFL is good, even if the pesky issue of head injuries just won't go away. Oakland
great Ken Stabler is the latest dead player confirmed to have brain damage. While the NFL doesn't have
a real defense to the problems football can cause for players in their later lives, it will offer up the
positive image of five healthy former Bay Area MVP's on Sunday to oversee the pregame coin flip.
Proof once again that the league that can do nothing wrong has an answer for everything.
NFL critic crashes news conference about concussions
By Howard Fendrich
Associated Press
February 5, 2016
An uninvited guest at the NFL's annual pre-Super Bowl news conference about health and safety, Chris
Nowinski stood nearby and listened Thursday as one of the league's chief advisers about concussions
declined to acknowledge a link between football and the brain disease called CTE.
"I wanted to see the talking points in real time, and you can tell it affected me emotionally," said
Nowinski, executive director of the Concussion Legacy Foundation and an outspoken critic of the NFL on
the topic of head injuries. "It's just incredibly frustrating to see this stuff."
What he found particularly bothersome was an exchange between reporters and Dr. Mitch Berger, a
member of the NFL's head, neck and spine committee.
Berger would not draw a direct line from football to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a disease
linked to repeated brain trauma and associated with symptoms such as memory loss, depression and
progressive dementia. Just this week, it was announced that CTE was found in the brain of former Raider
quarterback Ken Stabler, one of dozens of deceased players whose brains have shown signs of it.
Berger, chair of the department of neurological surgery at the University of California-San Francisco,
repeatedly said that while the types of degenerative changes to the brain associated with CTE have been
found in late football players, such signs have also been found "in all spectrums of life."
Tao, a protein that indicates the presence of CTE, "is found in brains that have traumatic injuries,"
Berger said, "whether it's from football, whether it's from car accidents, whether it's from gunshot
wounds, domestic violence — it remains to be seen."
Nowinski rejected that explanation.
"Part of (the NFL's) general talking points is to say: Concussion can happen in any activity. ... It's all
irrelevant," Nowinski said. "This is clearly part of a strategy to say, 'Don't focus on the fact that over 100
NFL players have been diagnosed with CTE in the last decade."
The NFL intended the session as a chance to tout research it has funded for discovering ways to reduce
or detect concussions, such as a new type of helmet or a blood test that could help detect concussions.
But Nowinski said that rather than focusing on concussions, the league should be more concerned with
CTE.
"You do want people to invest in tools that can reduce the risk of concussion. I do want NFL players to
be safer," Nowinski said. "But the big crisis facing the NFL and players — it's CTE, not concussion."
Nowinski said he thinks one way to reduce the number of players with CTE would be to decrease the
number of years people play football, in order to cut their exposure to head trauma.
He said no one should play tackle football until high school.
"We promote all kinds of youth football — flag and tackle — as well as general youth physical fitness, no
matter the sport or activity," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. "Medical studies and leading medical
groups do not support a ban on young people participating in contact sports."
Nowinski's take on the league pushing youth football?
"From my perspective, that's a real problem," he said. "That's like big tobacco teaching kids how to
smoke."
Broncos back at full strength for Super Bowl 50
By Lindsay Jones
USA Today
February 5, 2016
The Denver Broncos are back at full strength, as three players were upgraded Thursday to full
participation in practice just days before Super Bowl 50.
Head coach Gary Kubiak told AFC pool reporter Peter King that guard Louis Vasquez and safeties T.J.
Ward and Darian Stewart were each supposed to be limited in Thursday’s practice at Stanford
University, just like they were on Wednesday, but all three felt good during the practice lasted more
than an hour and a half.
“We got a response from them, so they just worked,” Kubiak said.
According to King, quarterback Peyton Manning was the star of practice after he completed three deep
passes, one each to receivers Emmanuel Sanders, Demaryius Thomas and Andre Caldwell.
Manning has struggled with his deep ball throughout 2015, both before his foot injury and after.
Quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp earlier this week attributed some of those issues to Manning’s health
earlier in the year, when it was difficult for Manning to plant his left foot and step into his throws, and
then to poor timing with receivers later in the year.
Part of the timing issues have had to do with pass protection on the Broncos’ offensive line, making
Vasquez’s full return even more important. He is the only lineman who remains from the Broncos’ Super
Bowl team two years ago.
Kubiak praised his team’s work in Thursday’s practice, which will prove to be their longest session of the
week. The team will practice one final time at Stanford on Friday morning and will hold a walk-through
session at Levi’s Stadium on Saturday.
“We practiced better today than we did last week. I liked our retention. I liked our speed. I think we’re in
good shape here,” Kubiak said.
Champ Bailey offers insight into Peyton Manning's
retirement decision
By Lindsay Jones
USA Today
February 5, 2016
Champ Bailey knows he’s biased – the Denver Broncos are still very much his team – but he can only
picture one ending to Super Bowl 50.
“My gut is telling me Peyton (Manning) is going to win and he'll ride off into the sunset. I believe that's
how it's going to happen,” Bailey, the former Broncos cornerback, told USA TODAY Sports in a phone
interview Wednesday. “I can't see it ending any other way.”
But if it doesn’t, if the Broncos quarterback's season doesn’t end with a win against the Carolina
Panthers and his second career Super Bowl title, Bailey wouldn’t blame Manning if he isn’t quite ready
to retire.
After all, Bailey’s own career ended in a similar way two years ago.
The Broncos’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII wound up being Bailey’s final game, but
not before he tried to continue his career elsewhere. He was cut by the Broncos in March of 2014, a
move the Broncos made for salary cap reasons, and also because Bailey’s performance had suffered
during an injury-plagued 2013 season. He spent the following preseason with the New Orleans Saints
but did not make the 53-man roster.
He officially retired after 15 seasons (10 in Denver) and 12 Pro Bowls with a formal ceremony at Broncos
headquarters in Englewood, Colo., that fall.
Bailey could have saved the indignity of getting cut – twice – by retiring in the immediate aftermath of
the Super Bowl. But even with hindsight, he’s glad he didn’t.
“It sounds good, but I can't say that. If I had done that, then I'd have been saying, 'Maybe I should have
given it another shot. Maybe I should have moved to safety.' I'm just glad I got back out there, proved to
myself that yeah, it is time to sit down, you know?” Bailey said. “When everything played out, that's
ultimately what it came down to. But no, I don't regret going to the Saints training camp. I don't regret
any of that.”
Bailey’s decision to file his retirement papers came when he realized he was OK with not playing. He
spent Sundays on his couch for the first time, and though he says he still gets chills when he watches
games on television, he didn’t wonder if he should still be out there.
He understands that might not be the same for Manning, and that his former teammate’s decision
might be far different.
“With Peyton, there's going to be a lot of factors. How he feels, do they even want him back, is he willing
to go somewhere else – there's a lot of different things that come into play. It's a unique situation,”
Bailey said. “Fortunately enough, if you play 15-plus years, like we did, then you can really sit back and
decide. We had the luxury of doing that, and Peyton does now.”
Broncos' Peyton Manning has been in touch with all of
his coaches in last week
By Lindsay Jones
USA Today
February 4, 2016
Peyton Manning completed his pre-Super Bowl 50 media responsibilities Thursday morning without
offering any predictions on if the game would be his last.
But he continued to talk about how he’s savoring this experience, just in case he does decide to retire.
That included the tidbit that over the course of the last week, he’s been in touch with all of his former
head coaches, including Tony Reginelli at Isidore Newman high school in New Orleans, Phillip Fulmer
from the University of Tennessee and all four of his previous NFL head coaches (Broncos coach Gary
Kubiak is Manning's fifth).
“That’s been special,” Manning said. “Every coach has different styles, different philosophies, and I’ve
enjoyed learning from all of them. All of those men I’ve mentioned I’ve learned a great deal from and
have tried to apply it to my game and the way I approach things,” Manning said.
He said neither Reginelli nor Fulmer will be able to attend Super Bowl 50, though it appears they were
invited.
“I do think about coaches when you play in a game like this,” Manning said.
Von Miller compares Cam Newton to Stephen Curry
By Tom Pelissero
USA Today
February 5, 2016
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller calls Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton one of the NFL’s
greatest players. And Newton’s game reminds Miller of one of the NBA’s greatest players, too.
“When you’ve got a guy like that that’s trying to score on you every single time, it’s kind of like Steph
Curry,” Miller said of Newton on Thursday. “He’s trying to take the big one every time.”
Curry won an MVP award and the NBA title last year not far from here with the Golden State Warriors.
He’s leading the league in scoring this season with 29.8 points a game.
Newton is expected to take home the NFL MVP on Saturday night and has a chance to win the Super
Bowl on Sunday against Miller and the Broncos. The Panthers led the NFL in the regular season with 500
points.
Speaking at the Broncos’ final media availability of the week, Miller made the comparison at the end of a
longer answer to a question about preparing for the dual threat of Newton as opposed to pocket passer
Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
“Tom Brady, he’s so sharp and quick, and Cam can be that as well,” Miller said. “But their style of
offense of getting it down the field, pushing it down the field, trying to put as many points on the board
(as possible). That’s why some of the decisions that he makes with the ball are just a little bit slower
than Tom Brady’s.
“Tom Brady, he’s just trying to dot it, get it here, get the ball in the field, get it to (tight end Rob)
Gronkowski, break a couple tackles. But Cam is truly trying to get the ball in his hands and put it in the
exact right spot to go the distance.”
Newton and Miller were the first two players selected in the 2011 NFL draft, and Miller said the two
exchanged jerseys a few years ago. All the admiration will be set aside Sunday, of course.
“I will be back to Von that I’m always. It’s not going to stop me at all,” Miller said. “On the field, you’ve
got to have a switch to turn off and on to be great. … I’m a fan now, and I’ll be a fan after the game. But
I’ll be the other guy during the game.”
Peyton Manning's future: Pain and suffering
By Nancy Armour
USA Today
February 4, 2016
A little golf, some quality time with the family, watch Bull Durham another hundred or so times, maybe
do some traveling.
Oh, get that hip replaced at some point, too.
Whether Peyton Manning retires after Sunday’s Super Bowl, in a few months or after another season,
life after nearly two decades in the NFL is sure to include aches, pains and, undoubtedly, time under the
knife.
“In this game, especially if you play as long as he played, chances are going to be you have something
wrong when you leave the game,” John Elway, a Hall of Famer as a player and now Manning’s boss as
executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos, told USA TODAY Sports.
It’s simply the price you pay for doing business with the NFL.
Elway, who played his entire career without an ACL in his left knee, had it replaced within a decade of
retiring in 1999. Terrell Davis, Denver’s running back when it won those Super Bowls in 1997 and 1998,
has no cartilage in his right knee and not much more in his left. Eventually, at least one will have to be
replaced.
Deion Sanders is scheduled for back surgery next week to repair a sciatic nerve so painful he can’t sit in
the same position for more than about 10 minutes. That’s in addition to the three toe surgeries he’s
already had.
“In every battle there’s going to be casualties and this game is that. So you’re going to be one of the
casualties,” said Sanders, who won two Super Bowls during a 14-year career that ended in 2005.
“But it’s what I signed up for, so how can I complain?”
Joe Montana retired, in part, so he’d be able to keep up with his active family as his kids got older. Now
59, he’s got arthritis in his elbow, one of his knees and both of his hands. One of his knees won’t
straighten, and he hasn’t had feeling in his left foot since 1986.
He’s had back surgery as well as three procedures on his neck, and thinks he’ll have to have another
spinal fusion.
“My whole family likes to live on the edge, so some of the things I regret that I can’t do with them,”
Montana said. “Most of the stuff, I try to do. I’ll suffer after.”
Then there’s the nerve damage in one of his eyes that doctors attributed to “head trauma.”
“Can’t figure out where that came from,” Montana deadpanned. “Right now it’s still a little bit
manageable, but it continues to get a little bit worse. Can’t fix it, so there’s not a lot I can do.’’
Indeed, the damage to the NFL’s star-studded retirees – and the guy who will soon join their club – was
done long ago.
Manning missed the entire 2011 season after a herniated disk in his neck left him with nerve damage in
his right – throwing – arm. He had four surgical procedures, the most significant being spinal fusion.
Four years later, the 39-year-old still doesn’t have feeling in his fingertips – and it might never come
back.
“Am I going to have some potential neck procedures down the road?” Manning said earlier this week. “I
don’t know the answer to that.”
His hip, however, now that’s a different story.
Manning said he was meeting with one doctor to go over risks and potential problems when the doctor
dropped the news that he’d need his hip replaced.
“I said ‘Doc, I didn’t ask you if I was going to have a hip replacement. I didn’t need to know that right
here at age 37, but thanks for sharing,’” Manning said. “I look forward to that day when I am 52 and
have a hip replacement.”
Manning said he already does “preventative” stretching and even wears a posture shirt, whatever that
is, to try and keep the surgeons at bay. His future fellow retirees know that drill well, with Elway and
Davis both saying their aches and pains are far worse when they don’t work out.
Elway starts his day with a workout with his staff at the Broncos facility. They’ll work with the strength
and conditioning coaches, even having competitions amongst each other. He also has played golf and
racquetball for years.
“I’m actually in pretty good shape,” Elway said. “But I have to work at it. If I don’t, I don’t feel well. I’m
55 now, and I can tell the difference when I don’t do that.”
The physical toll won’t be the only one Manning can expect to face, either.
Football will have been the focus of his life for the better part of four decades and then, all of the
sudden, it won’t be.
“When you’ve had a long career, it’s all you know you’re good at,” two-time MVP Kurt Warner said.
“That’s the first challenge, of being willing to jump into something else that you don’t know if you’re
going to be good at. You’re not used to failing. Peyton’s not used to failing at anything.”
It’s like quitting smoking cold turkey, said Montana – or so he’s been told.
“Withdrawals go on,” he said.
“The game is gone,” Montana added. “Then the physical stuff tries to catch up with you.”
Enjoy retirement, Peyton Manning. Memories of the game won’t be the only thing you’ll be taking with
you.
Josh Norman fires back at Emmanuel Sanders for media
remark
By Eric Prisbell
USA Today
February 4, 2016
Josh Norman fired back at Emmanuel Sanders on Thursday over the Denver Broncos wide receiver's
suggestion Wednesday that the Carolina Panthers cornerback had "talked himself into the media."
"Wow. I think you have to be pretty darn good at what you do to talk your way into the spotlight,"
Norman said in the final media availability before Super Bowl 50. "If you are not good you are not
recognized as one of the best, and I guess people don't want to know about that person. So I don't know
where he gets that from.
"I haven't been hearing much about him, so obviously he may want to go back and practice some more."
Norman later added that he was not surprised or put off by the comments, saying that they're to be
expected from a wide receiver.
"That's wide receivers for you," Norman said. "If they don't think they're the best, they're not doing
their job."
Sanders claimed that his statement was taken out of context and was an attempt to change the focus of
questions from the media.
“No, he’s not overrated to me,” Sanders told USA Today Sports on Thursday morning. “I never said he
was overrated. That story has blown up. I pretty much (said) that I’ve been here for four days and I’ve
answered more questions about Josh Norman. Robert McClain is on the opposite side. Luke Kuechly is in
the middle. They have a defense. They have 10 other guys out there. Is that fair to keep asking questions
about one guy as if me and him are the only ones out there playing? Walk up and ask me questions
about the defense in general because they have a great defense.
"I don’t want to talk about just one guy. That’s the reason why I said it. I’m kind of tired of talking about
just one guy when there are 11 guys out there on the field. So don’t walk up and ask me questions about
one guy. Ask me questions about their defense.”
NFL takes another move in direction of diversity
By Christine Brennan
USA Today
February 4, 2016
How many times have we talked about the serious issues involving women and the NFL over the past
year and a half, since the Ray Rice video entered our lives and shook us to our core?
The topic of women and the NFL came up Thursday morning at the NFL’s first-ever Women’s Summit,
but it was an entirely different conversation.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the league will institute a "Rooney Rule" for women,
mandating that at least one woman be interviewed for every executive position opening in the league
office. It’s believed to be the first time that any major professional sports league anywhere has issued
such a mandate.
“It’s about diversity in our management,” Goodell said in his opening remarks at the summit. “We
believe in diversity. We believe that we’re better as an organization when we have good people at the
table. We have great people at the table. We’ve expanded the number of women at the senior levels …
but we’re also seeing it on the field (league firsts with the hiring of a female official, a female assistant
coaching intern and a female assistant coach).
“You can see that progress is being made,” he continued. “We have something called the 'Rooney Rule,'
which requires us to make sure when we have an opening, on the team or the league level, that we are
going to interview a diverse slate of candidates. Well, we’re going to make that commitment and we’re
going to formalize that we, as a league, are going to do that for women as well in all of our executive
positions. Again, we’re going to keep making progress here and make a difference.”
According to the NFL, 30% of its league office employees are women. Two of the league’s 10 executive
vice presidents are women: Dawn Hudson and Cynthia Hogan. At the senior vice president level, 22%
are women, and 29% of the league’s vice presidents are women.
For more than a decade, the "Rooney Rule" has referred only to people of color. Men of color, actually,
since we’re talking about NFL head coaching and general manager vacancies. Named after Pittsburgh
Steelers owner Dan Rooney, it was established in 2003 to ensure that at least one minority candidate
would be interviewed for every coaching and senior football operations opening.
You'll occasionally hear murmurs and complaints about the rule, that it’s some sort of quota system or
might prevent the best people from being hired. There’s a name for this, of course: the old boys’
network, the concept of people hiring people who look like them.
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the summit’s keynote speaker who was introduced by
Goodell, had something herself to say about why women and minorities have trouble advancing in the
corporate world.
“They keep looking in the same channels,” she said. “They keep finding the same people.”
Nothing changes overnight, but you get the feeling that if the NFL is as serious about this as Goodell
sounded Thursday morning, the refrain for Rice's words will be simple: "Not anymore."
NFL cheerleaders scoring victories in labor lawsuits
By Josh Peter
USA Today
February 4, 2016
Not far from Super Bowl 50 festivities, NFL cheerleaders have inspired a battle cry.
“Two-four-six-eight, it’s finally time to litigate!’’
The Oakland Raiders’ cheerleaders, the Raiderettes, and four others NFL cheerleading squads better
wages filed class-action lawsuits against their respective teams seeking increased compensation. Some
of the cheerleaders said they were making less than $2 an hour and complained about working
conditions.
Now times are changing for the pom-pom shakers.
In the past 16 months, the Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets agreed
to settlements worth more than $2.6 million combined and the guarantee of minimum-wage pay.
California legislators took action, ensuring professional cheerleaders get workers' compensation and
other benefits, and New York legislators introduced a similar bill.
A pending suit against the Buffalo Bills could force NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to testify. He is a
defendant because his signature is on a contract stipulating that the Bills’ cheerleaders, the Jills, are not
to be paid for performing at games.
“It’s like you see with any exploited group,’’ said Hina Shah, director of the Women's Employment Rights
Clinic at Golden Gate College in San Francisco. “Once they understand what their rights are, they
become empowered to do something about it.’’
The fight began in 1995, when the Jills won the right to unionize after the National Labor Relations
Board ruled the cheerleaders were not independent contractors, but rather team employees. Even
earlier, the Bills pulled what attorneys for the cheerleaders described as an illegal end-around.
The team farmed out the cheerleaders to a third party, which in turn told the cheerleaders they could
continue only if they agreed to work as independent contractors — and work for free. The union
dissolved, and one former cheerleader said work conditions grew intolerable.
Robin Bishop, a member of the cheerleading squad in 2000, said the cheerleaders were prohibited from
wearing underwear with one set of uniforms because it would show panty lines.
During an unscheduled weigh-in, Bishop said, one of the two female cheerleading coaches pinched the
side of Bishop’s stomach, called her “chunky,’’ ordered her onto a diet and benched her for one game.
One of the few ways the cheerleaders could make money was to sell swimsuit calendars that included
provocative photos of the cheerleaders, according to Bishop.
“It just killed my self esteem as a 21-year-old girl,’’ Bishop told USA TODAY Sports, adding that she
refused to abide by the no-underwear rule and was in good shape at the time she was benched. “My
coaches were especially heinous. They were just so cruel and mean.
“I remember thinking, ‘Doesn’t anybody else notice this?' ”
Years later, an outsider took notice of the NFL cheerleaders’ plight.
Diane Todd, who works in the health care industry and whose daughter is a high school cheerleader in
Southern California, said in 2013 she searched online to see how much cheerleaders make. She
discovered that some NFL cheerleaders make less than $1,000 per year while mascots make as much as
$65,000 per year.
“I was appalled,’’ Todd said.
Soon after, she set up a petition on change.org calling on NFL teams to pay cheerleaders a living wage.
The NFL did not act, but the cheerleaders did.
One of the Raiderettes, who for privacy concerns was identified in court documents as Lacy T., filed the
first class-action suit in January 2014. She heard from her counterparts soon after, according to Lacy T.’s
attorney, Sharon Vinick.
“Lacy got a series of emails and texts from women she was currently dancing with and women who had
been dancers that were vile and hateful, telling her that she had broken ranks with the sisterhood,’’
Vinick told USA TODAY Sports.
The next month, the Bengals’ cheerleaders sued. Two months later, the Bills’ cheerleaders sued. The
month after that, Buccaneers’ and Jets’ cheerleaders sued.
“It was long overdue,’’ said Alexa Brenneman, the former Bengals cheerleader who filed the suit against
the team. “The issue of pay equality for women is not a new thing. But it’s new to the NFL, and I think
for a while women were really kind of intimidated to speak up.’’
Manouchcar Pierre-Val, the former Buccaneers cheerleader who filed suit against the team, noted that
many of the cheerleaders who agreed to meager pay were young and naive.
“In a sense, it’s kind of taking advantage of the situation,’’ she said.
The litigation was brewing while the NFL dealt with the outcry after video showed Ray Rice, then a
running back with the Baltimore Ravens, punching his then-fiancee in the face. Vinick, the Bay Area
attorney, said the cheerleaders’ lawsuits and NFL domestic violence crisis were revealing.
“That showed there was just a general disrespect for women by the NFL,’’ she said, adding that she
knows of no other imminent lawsuits. “I think the fact that virtually all of the cheerleaders are women,
it’s not a coincidence that they’re the worst paid people out on the field.’’
Still the worst paid, said Vinick, even after the lawsuits. So far, the cheerleaders have won only the right
to minimum wage, and Vinick and the cheerleaders said they’ve heard other teams have increased pay
to minimum wage after the four teams settled class-action suits.
The Bills responded to the litigation by suspending operations of the the cheerleaders. An NFL attorney
filed an affidvavit saying that she, not Goodell, affixed the commissioner’s signature by hand stamp to
approve broadcast rights, not the cheerleaders’ contract.
“We expect clubs to comply with federal, state and local wage laws,’’ NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy
said.
Meanwhile, Todd said she is closely monitoring her petition calling on NFL teams to pay cheerleaders a
living wage, and the signatures of supporters have piled up.
Jerry Rice, the Hall of Fame NFL wide receiver, and Paul Abdula, a one-time cheerleader for the Los
Angeles Lakers, are 156,000 people who have signed the online petition earlier this week. She is waiting
on about 44,000 more signatures.
“Once 200,000 is reached,’’ Todd said by email, “I'm looking to take all signatures to NFL/Goodell for
delivery."
Wade Phillips steers Broncos toward Super Bowl parade
By Paul Klee
Colorado Springs Gazette
February 4, 2016
Thursday morning under a white tent, Broncos defensive mastermind Wade Phillips jumped suddenly
from a folding chair. The chilled-out Texan slammed his right fist on the table, threatening to spill a
coffee cup like it was Tom Brady in the AFC Championship game.
Does ol' Wade ever raise his voice?
"Sometimes I do, dammit!" he shouted.
The kind of laughter that makes your stomach hurt filled the makeshift media room, lightening a mood
that's grown noticeably more serious as Super Bowl week inches closer to Sunday.
"My lifetime's getting shorter," Phillips joked. "That's for sure."
Super Bowl 50 feels like a turf war. The meek will not inherit the Lombardi trophy.
Leading the Broncos gang is a man with a twang: Phillips, 68, who took the same pieces from a so-so
defense and molded it into one of the nastiest, cockiest defenses the NFL has seen in three decades.
There's a catch, though: The Broncos defense knows it only will be remembered as such if it shuts down
the Carolina Panthers on Sunday night at Levi's Stadium.
Turn off the Cam Show? A defense led by Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware has every right to scribble its
name next to the celebrated Seahawks and Ravens defenses that cemented their manly man legacies in
Super Bowls past.
Become another set of tire tracks run over by Newton and the league's highest-scoring offense? Nobody
remembers. All that cool stuff the 'No Fly Zone' accomplished - such as becoming the first top-ranked
defense in franchise history - goes to waste if it's not the No Dab Zone.
"To get that recognition as one of the best defenses, yeah, we have to win the championship," safety T.J.
Ward said.
"I'm sure after we win that championship, we'll be recognized as one of the greatest defenses to ever
play," linebacker Danny Trevathan added. "It would be so lovely."
There's nothing lovely about the violence that must unfold if the Broncos are to upset the Panthers. The
Broncos must remove Newton from his happy place. They need Newton on the grass instead of posing
for photos on the sideline.
It's a sports axiom the San Antonio Spurs and New England Patriots mastered over a decade ago: We do
what we do better than you do what you do. What the Broncos do better than anyone else is chase the
quarterback until he has nowhere to run. As Denver showed in the AFC title game by thumping Brady
more than 20 times, if your best is better than their best, you win the game. Football isn't science, we
just like to make it sound that way.
"The first time I was really watching (Newton), I was surprised at how much he doesn't run," Ward said.
Athletes at all levels - from a JV hoops game at Denver Christian High School to a football game that
could set a TV record with over 120 million viewers - see straight through phony. They want real, and
Phillips has kept it real since his first job, as the defensive coordinator for Lutcher Stark (Texas) High
School in 1970.
Now the golden Super Bowl is Phillips' golden moment. With a self-deprecating wit that belongs on latenight TV, Phillips captured his players' hearts the moment he returned to Colorado.
"I played football for a little while. I always liked to play for somebody I like rather than somebody I
didn't like," Phillips said. "I don't know that you played harder, but you listen better to somebody you
believe in."
"Some coaches feel you have to be mean all the time and cuss at 'em all the time to make them better.
If someone cussed me out, I didn't really want to be better," he said. "My best teachers were ones who
showed me how to do things."
The Broncos defense took notice of Phillips' comments way back in training camp, when he called Chris
Harris Jr. and Aqib Talib the best pair of cornerbacks he's coached, and when Phillips mentioned Miller
in the same sentence as pass-rushing legends Bruce Smith and Reggie White. They know he has their
back, evidenced when a reporter asked if the Broncos have anyone who can track Cam.
"Have you seen our guys?" Phillips said. "Have you seen Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware and some of our
defensive linemen?"
There's talk of whether the Broncos should employ a "spy" against Newton, one player assigned to the
powerhouse quarterback from the time he breaks the huddle to when he rumbles from the pocket to
when he uses the facilities at Levi's Stadium.
Nonsense. The team that sips expensive champagne Sunday night is the one that does its thing better
than the opponent does its thing. The Broncos' thing is man-to-man coverage and a pass rush that might
be illegal in some states.
Don't bend for the opponent.
Denver's sole chance at upsetting Carolina is to burst Newton's happy bubble. His charisma is a joy to
watch when things are going good, but that level of emotion also leads to sideline hissy fits that suggest
he can be rattled.
Give me Russell Wilson over Newton every day of the week and twice on Super Bowl Sundays. Oh, the
schedule says Newton beat Wilson twice this season, but Newton has a superior team built around him.
Trailing 31-0 in the NFC playoffs, Wilson doubled down and nearly brought Seattle back from defeat in a
31-24 loss.
Wilson doesn't crack. Can the Broncos crack Newton's spirit?
Super Bowl 50 probably is Peyton Manning's final game, and it might be DeMarcus Ware's final game as
a Bronco. But if Denver hosts a parade on the strength of Phillips' defense, the offensive and defensive
captains might not be the only ones riding into the sunset with a new ring glimmering in the light.
"Oh, I've seen Coach Wade mad. If you're late to a meeting? He'll pound the table to let you know he's
mad," defensive lineman Antonio Smith said. "But we've got an inside joke with Coach Wade. Every time
Wade comes in late, he sneaks in the back of the room and sits on the steps and acts like he's not late."
How the Broncos can beat the Panthers is no joke.
"You have to be yourself," Phillips said.
This is an ego game. Denver must bruise Carolina's to win.
Panthers' Mile High Cats roaring behind enemy lines in
Colorado
By Paul Klee
Colorado Springs Gazette
February 4, 2016
It started when Holly, Joey and Josh just wanted to watch the game. Deep in Broncos Country, wouldn't
someone cater to Panther Nation?
The bar, their favorite bar, wasn't even open on NFL Sundays. So they promised the owner at Shelby's, a
fine neighborhood establishment in downtown Denver:
Show the Panthers game, we will come.
"Now we run out of Jell-O shots by the end of the first quarter," says Holly Earls, a member of the
Denver chapter of the Roaring Riot, the Mile High Cats, one of the biggest Panthers support groups
outside of North Carolina.
Holly's a brain scientist. She's smarter than you. Joey's a nurse. Josh is a retail manager. Derek's a
managing director at a financial firm. Together they built the Mile High Cats from scratch in 2010, and
now, with Super Bowl 50 days away?
"We're probably the most hated people in Colorado," Holly says.
Their line of demarcation is drawn in black and Carolina blue. Standing strong just miles from Mile High,
the Mile High Cats aren't budging an inch.
"Traditionally, Broncos fans have had open arms because the Panthers were never seen as a threat. This
week is different," said Derek Crumpler, who wears a No. 13 Kelvin Benjamin jersey "in remembrance"
of the Panthers wide receiver injured in training camp. "It's been tough to bite my tongue. I was in
Golden the other day and I overheard a bunch of Broncos conversations. But I didn't want to blow my
cover."
Cover, blown.
"I promised not to start trash-talking until Thursday," he said.
The Panthers and Broncos share more than the field Sunday at Levi's Stadium, the field of jeans. They
also represent more than a city; Broncos Country is known to extend far beyond state lines, from
Montana to New Mexico and regions in between. Likewise, the Panthers play their home games in
Charlotte, N.C., but opened their inaugural 1995 season at Clemson's stadium in South Carolina.
"The thing that separates us from other franchises is we're a team for both states," Derek says. "When
the Panthers were established, that was part of (team owner) Jerry Richardson's mantra."
Super Bowl 50 is their second appearance in the ultimate game, the first coming when former Broncos
coach John Fox guided the Panthers to Super Bowl XXXVIII.
Since then the Panthers have had twice as many losing seasons as winning seasons, explaining how
membership in the Mile High Cats has blown up during this run. These days the Mile High Cats roar with
400 members - even an Uber driver who picked up a Cats member and earned an invite to join in their
chants, cheers and $2.50 beers.
"We didn't really have a quarterback. That was the problem," Derek says. "When we cut ties with Steve
Smith and he went to the Ravens, that was a tough shot for a big majority of our fans. But it had to be
done. Cam (Newton) needed to be the leader in the locker room. That was the changing of the guard for
Panther Nation.
OK, the serious stuff. Who wins Sunday?
"I predict it's going to look a lot like the last time the Broncos went to Super Bowl," Holly says.
Ouch! Shots fired.
"The Von Miller matchup is the key. We need to establish the running game, slow down Miller off the
edge," Derek says. "But I don't think anyone has seen anything like Cam Newton. I would like to predict
a Panthers victory. Either way, I will not be going into work on Monday. I'm either going to sulk by
myself or enjoy it by myself."
The Mile High Cats are behind enemy lines. Hear them roar.
Just don't take their Jell-O shots.
Broncos' Von Miller, the natural, makes peace with his
vast potential
By David Ramsey
Colorado Springs Gazette
February 4, 2016
He's the natural, astoundingly gifted. Fast, mighty, quick and courageous.
Von Miller once struggled to juggle all his football gifts. He recklessly danced on the edge, missing a
court date, failing drug tests, earning a suspension.
He teeters no more. Miller and his Broncos defense conquered the AFC. On Sunday, he can conquer the
football world.
"Anything can happen Sunday," Miller said in his east Texas drawl. "It's a huge opportunity."
Yes, it is.
He once danced on the edge. Sunday, he could dance with the Super Bowl Trophy in his arms.
Tim DeRuyter worked as Air Force's defensive coordinator from 2007-09 before moving to Texas A&M
to direct the Aggies' defense. In the spring of 2010, DeRuyter met a hilarious linebacker named Von.
DeRuyter watched at practice as Miller toyed with offensive linemen. No one could block him. A&M
quarterbacks were doomed.
Miller begged A&M coaches to let him return punts in practice. Yes, a 245-pound linebacker sought one
of the more dangerous and demanding tasks in football.
"Guys had a hard time getting a finger on him," DeRuyter said of Miller's punt returns. "First, he made
them miss. And then he would get a head of steam, and I'd worry about the poor souls getting in his
way."
Coaches were tempted, but decided punt returning would be too dangerous and draining for the team's
star.
DeRuyter, now head coach at Fresno State, watched the AFC Title game and saw his former pupil sack
Tom Brady three times and grab an interception.
The word potential follows Miller around. For one spectacular afternoon, Miller flirted with exceeding
his potential. No Broncos defender has been more commanding in a big game.
DeRuyter keeps in touch with Miller via texts. He tells Miller how proud he is. The traditionalist coach
has even grown to tolerate Miller's dancing after dragging a quarterback to the ground.
Still, DeRuyter knows Miller's history. He remains concerned about No. 58.
"There are few boundaries for him right now," DeRuyter said. "He's as good a player as there is in the
National Football League, but at times when you don't have boundaries, you can kind of step over
things. I'm hoping he can stay grounded."
Defensive end Derek Wolfe understands those concerns. He once shared them.
Wolfe lifts weights with Miller, and these workouts are a constant in their lives. Wolfe watches as Miller
strains with massive amounts of poundage. Wolfe sees how much his teammate cares. Miller doesn't
laugh or dance in the gym.
Miller is known for strange shoes and outlandish hats and gyrating dance moves. He sometimes
resembles an 11-year-old trapped in an adult body.
Wolfe knows a different Von.
"He's very serious," Wolfe said. "Von is serious. Von isn't the old Von that everybody thinks he is. The
get-suspended Von, the screw-up Von, the being out and partying all the time Von, that's not him. He's
serious. He's becoming a great leader."
He's getting help. Miller grew up in Texas cheering for DeMarcus Ware, a linebacker for the Cowboys.
He modeled his game after Ware's. He calls Ware his hero.
In 2014, Ware joined the Broncos to play alongside Miller. Ware closely watched Miller at practice. He
was, as DeRuyter once had been, stunned by what he saw.
"There's only one Von, to be honest with you," Ware said. "There's only one Von. I've never seen
anybody like him at all. He's a phenomenal athlete, just very smart, and he has that awareness, and a lot
of players don't have that. He rushes with so much tenacity.
"I told him when I first came here, 'The sky is the limit for you. Do you want it or not? I'm going to give
you everything I got and teach you what I know.' "
Ware was talking in the Bronco locker room. He looked down the row and saw Miller surrounded by
reporters.
"I know he wants it," Ware said. "I know he wants it. Oh, yes, he does."
Miller stood on the sideline in 2014, watching as the Seahawks trashed the Broncos. He was stunned to
see his teammates surrender in football's Ultimate Game. His right knee was in tatters after an ACL
injury.
He's plotting a vastly different ending for this game. He's hoping to sack Cam Newton while more than
100 million watch.
Yes, he's planning to dance.
"What's my take on celebrating?" he asked before quickly answering. "I love it. Whoever is dancing the
most is probably winning the game."
He's changed, and he hasn't changed. He remains child-like, but in all the best ways. He's jubilant, but
he's diligent. He's outrageous, but understands the value of limits.
He's made peace, finally, with his potential.
Ban on Manning jerseys in northern Colorado schools
remains in place
By Tyler Silvy, The Greeley Tribune
Colorado Springs Gazette
February 4, 2016
If Greeley-Evans School District 6 students want to wear a Cam Newton jersey on their last day of class
before the Super Bowl, it’s all good.
But they better not let administrators catch them wearing a Peyton Manning jersey.
Since 2011, the District 6 universal dress code has outlawed the number 18 as it appears on clothing,
including jerseys. Students also are barred from displaying the numbers 13, 14, 31, 41 and 81.
It all comes back to gangs. The Denver Broncos’ run to the Super Bowl won’t yield any exceptions.
“Gangs use those items of clothing for a few reasons,” District 6 spokeswoman Theresa Myers said.
“They use them to recruit and they use them to intimidate.”
Super Bowl 2016: Peyton, Gary Kubiak and the Broncos'
crazy journey
By Jason La Canfora
CBSSports.com
February 4, 2016
It seems obscured now, in the afterglow of all those close wins and the mini-quarterback controversy
and a fairly shocking run back to the Super Bowl. But just over a year ago, the Denver Broncos were a
team without a coach, and a quarterback.
They, to some degree at least, lacked leaders in critical roles and were negotiating the uncomfortable
arrangements of what will surely become Peyton Manning's final days in Denver, and they were tugging
at the heartstrings of Gary Kubiak to come back home to the Rockies and bolster the Lombardi vision
that his old buddy, John Elway, was trying to craft. They were getting ready to wave goodbye to top
contributors like Julius Thomas and Terrance Knighton in free agency and standing on a precipice of
sorts, with another season of unfinished business eating away at Elway and the powers that be.
For these Broncos to be back in the Super Bowl, a year after a humbling loss to a modest Colts team in
the 2014 postseason -- yet another one-and-done for Manning, this one once again at home, and a loss
that relegated Elway's former comrade John Fox to be deemed no longer worthy of coaching this
Lombardi-or-bust outfit -- was anything but a given. Indeed, it has defied the odds in more ways than
one.
For Manning to have another shot to be the oldest quarterback ever to win a Super Bowl, and for him to
get another crack at bolstering his legend following a devastating loss to Seattle the last time he
ventured this far into the playoffs, is improbable enough. For all of Elway's bargains to have paid off -when six weeks ago, at the height of Brock Osweiler's stint running this offense, all of this seemed
remote at best -- is another testament to his instincts and chutzpah when it comes to roster
construction and team building.
But it's worthwhile to at least consider just where the Broncos were last February, in the not-so-distant
past -- when the organization was sorting through yet another playoff letdown, and the future was far
from certain.
Lest we forget, it took no shortage of awkward negotiations and strained exchanges and outside
flirtations to get back to this point, four quarters away from a title, or another heartache. It was not
without compromise. It was far from pretty.
Word leaked out, through one of John Fox's closest confidants in the media, just prior to the Broncos
hosting the Colts last year in the Divisional Playoffs, that this was likely the end of the Fox/Elway
marriage. Anything short of a Super Bowl win and the organization was going to move on from him. It
was over. Relationships were strained, Elway thought he could do better and indeed, following a brutal,
24-13 loss to a Colts team that through the prism of time seems patently flawed, it became a fait
accompli that Fox would move on. The sides agreed to part ways, and Fox took the highly unusual path
of walking away from his remaining years and salary to simply leave. You tend to know when you are no
longer wanted, and he ended up making more money a few weeks later when he remerged as the Bears'
new head coach (tip of his hat due to agent Bob LaMonte, in the process).
Elway always had his sights on Kubiak, a friend for more than half his life at this point, a man who had
helped show him the ropes of playing quarterback in the NFL early in Elway's Hall of Fame career. This
was someone who thought the same way as Elway, someone with head-coaching experience and
someone who would bring an offense that Elway loved as a player and continue to focus more heavily
on a run game that was becoming increasingly important as Manning's skills eroded (just as Elway's did
when he managed to finally win the Lombardi at the end of his career). Kubiak would get it. They would
be simpatico.
There was just the matter of him taking the job.
Kubiak, who suffered serious health issues at the tail end of his stint coaching the Houston Texans, had
fallen into a very comfortable spot with the Ravens as their offensive coordinator. Under his tutelage,
quarterback Joe Flacco flourished, Baltimore rediscovered its run game, journeyman running back Justin
Forsett performed like a Pro Bowl player, receiver Steve Smith was reborn and the Ravens came close to
another AFC Championship appearance of their own. He and his staff liked it there, and early in the
offseason Kubiak released a statement that he would not be pursuing any head-coaching openings or
interviewing for any jobs.
Then his ol' buddy came a callin. Elway had a siren song unlike anyone else; this went way beyond
football, and this was always Kubiak's job for the taking. The Broncos interviewed rising offensive
coordinator Adam Gase, though he was never really in line to get the job and ended up with Fox in
Chicago. They talked to Bengals secondary coach Vance Joseph -- which put them in compliance for the
Rooney Rule -- and had a fallback interview with Doug Marrone scheduled (he was always a bridesmaid
this past offseason again), but only if it somehow didn't work out with Kubiak.
No extensive negotiations were necessary once Kubiak agreed to have dinner with Elway. A deal was
quickly struck a week after Denver's playoff ouster. All Kubiak had to say was yes, and once he arrived in
Denver, everything else was a mere formality.
The dance with Manning, however, took much longer.
Elway became convinced the team needed a change of offensive direction before Thanksgiving 2014,
after a thrashing by the lowly Rams in which Denver went pass-happy and Manning was pounded (he
hasn't ever really been the same since). Elway tore into his coaches, sources said, demanding more
balance, knowing Manning would not hold up through January and into February at this rate, and
indeed the Broncos became much more ground oriented down the stretch. Manning was pedestrian at
best in the loss to the Colts in the postseason (26 of 46 for 211 yards -- a horrid average of less than 5
yards an attempt -- with one touchdown).
Manning's days of making $19 million a year were over. If Tom Brady could play for $9 million a year on
his new deal at the height of his powers, many in the Broncos' organization wondered, why couldn't
Manning, now in decline, do the same? It would allow them to perhaps keep Demaryious Thomas and
Julius Thomas and address the offensive line and stay as strong as possible for one more Super Bowl run
as constructed. Manning would have none of that, nor a subsequent $12 million a year offer. Eventually,
with Denver getting more serious about moving on with Osweiler and whomever else than many might
realize, he did agree to take $15 million for 2015, with the chance to earn back that $4 million by
winning a Super Bowl (he got half of it back already by winning the AFC Championship Game).
Relations between Manning and Broncos brass have been strained and complicated at times this season
as well, through reports about the extent of Manning's injuries, with him turning the ball over at a
league-leading rate, with Osweiler thriving for a spell in relief. That he would get a chance to come back
from his plantar fascia injury during the final game of the season -- with Osweiler struggling and now
injured himself -- was far from guaranteed, and that Manning would retain his job through the playoffs
with mundane yet effective game management (and, most critically, avoiding turnovers) was far from a
given, as well.
As it stands now, these men might be one game from one of the more fairy-tale endings the NFL has
ever seen, with Elway and his best bud, Kubiak, and Manning likely in his final game all possibly sharing a
stage holding football's sacred chalice in the historic 50th Super Bowl ever played. That ending might
prove to be too sweet for culmination, and the Panthers will have plenty to say about the outcome, but
for the Broncos to have reached this stage alone is a unique accomplishment that has shoved the fallout
from last January's shake-up deep into the back-story, and might render it little more than a footnote.
After Further Review: Three unsung players who'll
impact Super Bowl 50
By Pete Prisco
CBSSports.com
February 4, 2016
The corners, the linebackers and especially the Denver edge rushers will hog the defensive spotlight this
week as we ready for Super Bowl 50.
But three down-and-dirty defensive linemen might be the keys to the game. They aren't exactly
household names, and not one was a first-round pick, but all have developed into three of the best
down linemen in the league.
They are Carolina defensive tackle Kawann Short, and Denver defensive ends/tackles Malik Jackson and
Derek Wolfe. Short was a second-round pick in 2013, while Wolfe came in the second in 2012 and
Jackson was a fifth-round pick in that same draft.
In the years since, they've developed into big parts of their respective defenses. Short was picked for the
Pro Bowl this season, getting 11 sacks and being a force against the run.
Wolfe missed the first four games serving a league suspension for violating the league policy on PEDs,
but he has returned even better than he was a year ago. Playing with Jackson on the front -- next to
each other in a lot of passing situations -- he just might be the most-improved player in the league.
The Broncos were proactive with him, signing him to a new contract earlier this month to keep him off
the free-agent market. Based on his play in the postseason, they got a bargain with the four-year, $36million extension.
With Wolfe signed, it's almost a certainty that Jackson will be out the door. He is also set to become an
unrestricted free agent. With cap issues and star pass rusher Von Miller set to also become a free agent,
Jackson will be a hot commodity on the open market.
“I love him because he can play the run and rush the passer,” said one NFL general manager. “That's
rare for a big guy.”
In Sunday's Super Bowl, these three will be able to show off their talents to a lot of folks who might not
know their names. Here's a little preview of what you might get to see.
I will start with Short since he's the best of the three. His 11 sacks tied him with Cincinnati's Geno Atkins
and Aaron Donald of the Rams for the most sacks by a defensive tackle. With just 25 regular-season
starts, and three in the postseason, Short is just learning the position, which is downright scary.
At 6-foot-3, 315 pounds, he can play with power, but he also has excellent quickness for a man his size.
There are numerous examples of him rushing the quarterback where he looks more like a 260-pound
player than one that weighs 50 pounds more than that.
His feet are quick, and his hands are outstanding. Here's a look at a sack that came against the Saints in
Week 13.
He was lined up on outside shoulder of guard Andrus Peat. At the snap, he moved to the outside of Peat,
who tried to move with him. But the impressive thing was the way Short used his hands to get rid of
Peat, and then exploded into Drew Brees for the sack.
That was speed, quickness, hands and power all in one play.
He showed off that same type of talent in the divisional round game against Seattle, which led to a picksix for Luke Kuechly. It was the linebacker who got all the praise for the play, but it was Short who made
it happen. Take a look:
On the play, he was lined head up with guard Justin Britt. At the snap, he charged into Britt, but then
used his hands to get Britt off-balance and go around him. He then chased down Russell Wilson, who
threw a horrible pass to Kuechly that he returned for a touchdown for the Panthers.
Short is also really good in the run game, mainly because he can hold the point and play a power game if
need be. Here's a look at a play against Tampa Bay where he splits a double team to help make the
tackle on Doug Martin.
The ability to split the double takes leverage and power, which he shows on this play. It's the type of
play that might go unnoticed to the casual fan. But it's an amazing display of strength.
It's those plays in the run game, combined with his pass-rush skills, that have made Short the best
defensive lineman on the Panthers and one of the best in football. Getting inside pressure this week
against Peyton Manning will be key.
Now let's take a look at Wolfe. He opened the season missing the first four games serving his
suspension. When he came back, it took him a while to get going. He didn't get his first sack until Week
11 against the Bears, his sixth game back. He finished the season with 5.5 sacks, but has had one in each
of the Broncos' two playoff games.
He has really amped up his play in the postseason. So much so in fact that he's outplaying Jackson,
which is tough to do.
Here's a look at Wolfe in the run game against the Steelers in the divisional round.
I like this play because he's working against David DeCastro, one of the better guards in the league. You
can see him fight off DeCastro and then move down the line to make the play.
That's strength and lateral quickness. That's impressive for a man his size.
But if you really want to see an impressive play, take a look at the next one. This is one of the best plays
by a big guy that I've seen in a long time. Dare I say it: It's J.J. Watt-like. It also came against the Steelers,
a few plays after the play above in the first quarter.
The play was a short, designed inside screen to Fitzgerald Toussaint. Wolfe was lined up in the gap
between DeCastro and right tackle Marcus Gilbert. At the snap, Wolfe charged to his left to engage
Gilbert. DeCastro let him go to get out to block for the screen. Wolfe read it right away. He disengaged
from Gilbert and then turned to tackle Toussaint. He dove at him, got a piece, but didn't knock him
down.
So what did he do? He jumped up, and got a real good piece of the tackle. That's unreal effort and
awareness by Wolfe.
The next play involves both Jackson and Wolfe, so it's kind of a transition to Jackson.
On this play, Wolfe and Jackson were lined up inside next to each other. That's a defense they use a lot
in passing situations with Miller and DeMarcus Ware outside of them. On this play, Wolfe and Jackson
used an X-stunt to try and get pressure. It worked when Wolfe overpowered guard Ramon Foster to
dump Ben Roethlisberger.
The play shows how they can work together inside to create problems for Cam Newton this week.
Now let's shift to Jackson. For the past few years, he's been considered one of the keys to the Denver
defense, even if few noticed since he was mostly a backup. This year, he became a full-time starter and
had 5.5 sacks.
He's good against the run, but what teams like is his ability to push the pocket from a down position.
While the sack numbers aren't great, he has a lot of hurries.
Here's a play from Denver's Week 15 game with the Steelers where he got one of his sacks.
On this play, he jumped inside of Alejandro Villanueva with quickness, and then ran through running
back DeAngelo Williams when he tried to get in his way.
That's speed and power, which has been a common theme for these guys.
But the Jackson play that really impressed me came in the playoff victory over the Steelers. And it came
40 yards down the field. It's an effort play that anybody who is looking to sign him in free agency will
love to see.
On this reverse by Martavis Bryant, Jackson, like a lot of Broncos, was blocked. But instead of giving up,
he turned to chase Bryant. Some 40 yards down the field, Jackson knocked Bryant out of bounds.
There are not a lot of interior players who would chase a play down like that. Nor are there many who
can do it. That's what makes Jackson so good, and so appealing to teams looking to get better up front
in free agency.
So while the football world is focused in on Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware and Luke Kuechly and Josh
Norman, keep an eye on these three down players in Super Bowl 50. I have a feeling two or maybe even
all three will have a big impact on the outcome of the game.
After Further Review: How Broncos' D can stifle Cam in
Super Bowl 2016
By Pete Prisco
CBSSports.com
February 4, 2016
The Denver Broncos were smothering on defense against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, a
defensive performance for the ages, the kind that can keep an opposing quarterback up at night.
But now comes a different type of challenge: The new-age quarterback, one many say is re-defining the
position, in Carolina's Cam Newton, who is unlike any other passer in the league.
For one, he's huge. He is 6-foot-5, 265 pounds of sledgehammer when he runs it, and power when he
stands in the pocket to shake off pass rushers. He's also an elusive player when he runs it, but can also
truck defenders in his path.
Newton has been that way his entire career. But what makes him different now, and perhaps is the
biggest reason the Panthers are facing the Broncos in Sunday's Super Bowl 50 is this:
Newton has grown up as a pocket passer.
Where he once used to make one read and run, he now sits in and makes timely, accurate throws for big
plays. He spins his head and goes through his progressions. His completion percentage isn't great, but
he's still a big-play passer. Combine that with his ability to run, and it makes for an enormous challenge
for the Denver defense.
How will they defend him? The Broncos love to play man coverage underneath and come after the
quarterback. But when you do that, you turn your back to the quarterback, which is dangerous against a
player like Newton.
So will the Broncos change? Don't expect it. As one Broncos player said this week, “We're going to do
our thing.”
The problem is the versatility of the Carolina offense. Newton can do so many things, and they are
creative with the way they use him, especially in the run game. They run zone plays. They sweep him.
They run read-option runs.
Take a look at some examples.
Here is Newton on a quarterback draw against the Falcons in Week 16.
What I love about this play is that Newton made it with his mind as much as his legs. He came to the line
of scrimmage, and checked to this play when he saw the way Atlanta was lined up.
They had a double on tight end Greg Olsen (No. 88), so Newton widened him to create more room in the
middle.
When he did, you can see the linebacker and safety walk out some.
Newton then got good kick-out blocks by his guards, while fullback Mike Tolbert and center Ryan Kalil
lead him up the middle for the touchdown.
If the Broncos play a lot of man, this can be really effective. But Denver's down two players in passing
situations -- usually Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson -- are tough to move inside. They won't be easy kickouts for the guards. The Broncos linebackers can also run, which will help limit the effectiveness of this
play.
Newton will also run quarterback sweeps. He scored on one against Seattle in the regular season. Take a
look:
This is a power sweep with the quarterback, which is rare in the NFL. But Newton is so special with the
ball under his arm and he's so strong. The Panthers have a bunch formation to the right and then they
pull offensive linemen Trai Turner and Mike Remmers to lead him to the touchdown.
Seattle is a fast defense, but they aren't that stout. Denver is fast as well. This is a play the Panthers
might use in the Super Bowl if they are on the goal line.
Here's a zone-read run by Newton against the Giants that went for a 47-yard gain.
This is a play where they pull the offside guard and lead him into the hole as Newton makes the fake
inside to the back.
The fake helped widen end Kerry Wynn, which made the block easier for Turner. That opened up a huge
hole inside for Newton to run.
These types of runs could slow down Denver's outside pass because they have to account for the
quarterback.
Newton can also hurt with his scrambles. That's why teams like to zone up against him. That keeps the
defenders' eyes on him when he takes off. But here's a play against Atlanta where he scrambled against
a zone and still got the first down on a third-and-8 play.
The Falcons actually did a good job on this play. They covered the receivers in zone and when Newton
took off, they reacted to it. But this is where his athletic ability and power came into play. He ran over
linebacker Justin Durant to get the first down. He also carried a handful of Falcons with him when he
did.
That's why just getting the right defense isn't the end-all, be-all for slowing Newton. He makes plays
outside the scheme. That's called talent.
Here's a play in that same Atlanta game where the Falcons played man and Newton beat them with a
scramble for a first down. It wasn't a big run, but it was an effective one.
I picked this play because this is something Denver has to be afraid of if they match up with their cover
people in man coverage.
I still think Denver will play man outside and try and take away the run game with a safety down. They
will try and force Newton to beat them from the pocket. That will mean edge rushers Von Miller and
DeMarcus Ware have to be more patient with their rush, rather than just charging up the field like they
did last week against Brady. They have to keep Newton contained in the pocket, and then hope Wolfe
and Jackson can get inside push. The problem is the inside three of the Carolina line are really good.
Even if Newton does stay in the pocket, he has the arm and the mind to make the defense pay. Here's a
play from the Giants game that shows his growth as a passer.
This is against zone coverage, which a lot of teams like to use in the red zone. Denver doesn't use as
much, but they will play zone down there. This play shows how Newton has improved with his eyes.
Take a look at the way he uses his eyes -- looking to the middle -- to hold the safety and create the cavity
to fit the ball into Devin Funchess for the score. That's a big growth part of his game as a passer.
It doesn't mean he's always spot on. He still misses open receivers when he pre-determines where he's
going with the football. That's the curse of a lot of younger passers, but he does it less frequently than
he did in his first few years.
Here's a look at a pre-determined throw from the Giants game.
On this play, Newton forced the ball into double-coverage and missed two open receivers. He had the
crosser in the middle open, and had the back on the right side wide open for what could have been a
touchdown.
This is what happens when he pre-determines where he is going with the ball. That doesn't happen a lot,
but it happens. This is where the Denver pass rush could be key. If they start hitting him, he won't get to
his second and third reads. He will try and make the throw on a pre-snap decision. That could lead to
trouble.
The last play I wanted to show was Newton against man coverage, again since this is what I think he will
see a lot Sunday. This play came against Arizona last in the NFC Championship Game.
The Cardinals are locked in man coverage. They do a solid job of it, but this is where Newton's strong
arm and ability to throw from all angles comes into play. The Panthers emptied the backfield and
Arizona blitzed it. That tells Newton he has to be decisive and get the ball out. With pressure coming, he
fired a bullet to Olsen for a 12-yard gain and a first down.
The Panthers used a little rub to help free up Olsen, even if it was Cardinals linebacker Kevin Minter
knocking corner Justin Bethel off the play to free up Olsen. What impressed was the throw.
If Denver mans up, and comes after Newton, those are the types of throws that will hurt them. That's
the risk I think they will take. If he can make those throws consistently, the Panthers will win it. If he
can't, or gets into the habit of pre-determining his throws, thanks to some hits by that pass rush, the
Broncos will have a big edge.
Denver won't stop Newton and the offense. There's just too much there for that to happen. They have
to hope they can force turnovers and limit the big plays. If they do that, it will be a success.
If not, the MVP of the season will be the MVP of the game.
Agent's Take: How the 2016 Super Bowl teams spend on
each position
By Joel Corry
CBSSports.com
February 4, 2016
The old saying, "There's more than one way to skin a cat," can apply to building a championship-caliber
roster under the salary cap. A specific blueprint for getting to the Super Bowl doesn't exist. Super Bowl
teams have been assembled recently with low-cost quarterbacks on rookie contracts (2012 San
Francisco 49ers, 2013 and 2014 Seattle Seahawks) and high-priced quarterbacks (2011 New York Giants,
2013 Denver Broncos).
The following graphic outlines the salary cap charges for starters at each position on the Carolina
Panthers and Denver Broncos. The Collective Bargaining Agreement's $195 daily amount for
participating in a team's voluntary offseason workout program is included in the cap numbers.
Each NFL team's actual salary cap (known as adjusted salary cap) is typically different from the NFL's set
amount, because unused cap room can be carried over from one year to the next year and other
adjustments can further increase or decrease cap space. The actual salary cap is currently $143.28
million. The Super Bowl participants are operating with almost equivalent adjusted salary caps.
Carolina's adjusted salary cap is $149.37 million, while Denver's is approximately $150 million.
Here's a detailed look at how the two teams stack up financially at each position.
A look at the offenses: Paying a premium for quarterbacks
Quarterback
Cam Newton has the second-highest cap number on the Panthers. The five-year, $103.8 million contract
extension (with $60 million in guarantees) he signed during the offseason gave the Panthers almost $1.7
million of cap relief. Newton's 2015 cap number prior to the new deal was $14.666 million, the salary of
his fifth-year option.
Carolina is fortunate Newton signed an extension. He would be in a position to surpass Aaron Rodgers as
the NFL's highest-paid player at $22 million per year if he had played out his rookie contract. An
exclusive franchise tag, which currently projects to $25.94 million for the 2016 league year, would have
been necessary. The exclusive tag and his MVP type season would have given him leverage for a longterm deal averaging more than $25 million per year with more than $70 million in guarantees.
Peyton Manning has Denver's biggest cap charge. This is after taking a $4 million pay cut in the
offseason to lower his salary from $19 million to $15 million. Manning earned back $2 million of his $4
million salary reduction with Denver winning the AFC Championship. He will get the other $2 million
with a Super Bowl win where he plays at least 70 percent of Denver's offensive snaps.
Running Back
There's a huge discrepancy in how the teams invest at running back. Jonathan Stewart signed a fiveyear, $36.5 million extension (including $23 million guaranteed and worth a maximum of $41.5 million
through salary escalators) in 2012. He has the fifth-highest running back cap number this season at $8.3
million. Carolina has the second-highest fullback cap number with Mike Tolbert at $3.425 million. He is
one of two NFL fullbacks playing on a contract averaging at least $2.5 million per year. The Panthers also
have $4,333,333 in dead money, which is a cap charge for a player no longer on the roster, from
releasing DeAngelo Williams last March.
Broncos leading rusher Ronnie Hillman is making $770,000 in the final year of a four-year rookie
contract worth $3,000,832. He splits carries with C.J. Anderson, whose $595,018 cap number wasn't
included in the calculations.
Wide Receiver
The five-year, $70 million contract (with $43.5 million in guarantees) Demaryius Thomas received last
July as Denver's franchise player makes him one of the NFL's five highest-paid wide receivers. He has
Denver's second-largest cap number at $13.2 million, which is also third among NFL wideouts this
season.
Carolina having a minimal investment in its lightly regarded and underrated wide receivers isn't a
surprise considering the team had a league-leading 526 rushing attempts this season. There wouldn't be
a significant change if No. 1 wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin ($1,748,115 cap number), who tore his left
ACL in the preseason, was a part of the equation. Steve Smith hasn't played for the Panthers since 2013,
but his $4 million in dead money is more than twice as much as the biggest cap charge for a Carolina
wide receiver, which belongs to Jerricho Cotchery ($1.95 million).
Tight End
The combined three-year contracts for Denver's tight end tandem of Owen Daniels ($12.5 million) and
Virgil Green ($8.4 million) don't quite equal the three-year, $22.5 million extension Greg Olsen received
from the Panthers last March. Although Olsen turns 31 next month, his deal seems like a bargain
compared to the five-year extensions Zach Ertz (for $42.5 million) and Travis Kelce (for $46.842 million)
recently received from the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively.
Offensive Line
A majority of Carolina's cap charges come from Ryan Kalil's six-year, $49.116 million deal, which he
signed in 2011. His $11.795 million cap number is the NFL's second largest for an offensive lineman this
season. Right guard Louis Vasquez's $6,255,460 cap number is responsible for more than half of
Denver's cap expenditures with the starters. Denver's spending would be substantially more than
Carolina's if left tackle Ryan Clady, who has a $10,605,265 cap number, hadn't torn his left ACL in the
offseason. Clady has Denver's third-biggest cap charge this season.
Examining the defenses: A tale of two secondaries
Defensive End
There isn't a direct comparison with the front sevens of the two teams because of the different financial
positional values with Carolina's 4-3 scheme and Denver's 3-4 base defense. Pass rushers are typically
paid a premium, which are defensive ends for Carolina and outside linebackers with Denver.
Carolina's cap charges are almost exclusively from Charles Johnson. His $20.02 million cap number is
tops among NFL defensive players and fourth overall this season. Jared Allen, who was acquired from
the Chicago Bears in an early-season trade when Johnson went down with a severe hamstring injury,
only has an $823,529 cap number. The $11.5 million roster bonus he received last March is dead money
for the Bears.
Archie Manning: Peyton 'knows' he won't be with the
Broncos in 2016
By John Breech
CBSSports.com
February 4, 2016
If Peyton Manning decides to play one more season, don't look for him to return to Denver. According to
Archie Manning, Peyton "knows" that Super Bowl 50 will likely be his last game with the Broncos.
During an interview with ESPN's Mike and Mike on Thursday, Archie revealed that Peyton has come to
terms with the fact that he won't be in Denver if he decides to play in 2016.
"He probably envisions himself getting good and healthy," Archie said, via ESPN.com. "If he is good and
healthy, can he play? I think he pretty much knows that it wouldn't be with the Broncos and that would
be another thing, to change teams."
According to Archie, Peyton might be leaning toward retirement just because he doesn't want to change
teams for the second time in four years.
"He had some offers last year from teams, some teams talked to him," Archie said. "But I think that was
going to be a lot of drama, again, to change teams, that he didn't want to go through. He did do that
once, so I don't know that he would want to do that."
Peyton has been mum all week when it comes to retirement talk. The Broncos quarterback gave a short
answer on Monday when he was asked if Super Bowl 50 would be his final game.
"I don't know the answer to that," Manning said.
Archie doesn't seem to know either. During his interview, he was asked if he thought Peyton had made
up his mind about retirement yet.
"Maybe not totally," Archie said.
That doesn't really clear things up.
If Peyton does decide to return in 2016 and the Broncos don't want him, someone will pick him up. The
Rams are reportedly interested in Peyton and will most likely try to lure him to Los Angeles if he decides
to play another year.
Whatever happens, will happen fast. Peyton's $19 million salary for 2016 becomes guaranteed on March
9, so the Broncos and Manning will definitely have to make a decision before that date.
Peyton Manning looks the best 'he's looked all year' in
Broncos practice
By Will Brinson
CBSSports.com
February 4, 2016
The expectation of the Denver Broncos' offense in Sunday's Super Bowl 50 is that it will be limited, it will
feature mostly running and it will feature Peyton Manning as a game manager.
But what if he magically looks great? Gary Kubiak told Broncos pool reporter Peter King (of the
MMQB.com) that Manning looked the best "he's looked all year long" in practice Thursday and started
to wing the ball downfield.
"This is as good as he's looked all year long," Kubiak said. "You saw some big downfield throws today.
This is what Peyton looked like back at the start of the season."
Per King, Manning striped a deep ball to Emmanuel Sanders early in practice, later hit Demaryius
Thomas on a deep ball and hit Andre Caldwell as well.
Manning only threw four incompletions during the practice.
It is practice, of course, so getting too amped up about it and expecting a massive game from Manning
at his advanced age is probably asking too much. But he is one of the all-time great quarterbacks and
knows he has maybe just 60 minutes of football left in his career.
Summon something special, make some plays down the field and ride off into the sunset, is not
impossible, especially if Manning is the healthiest he has been all season.
Colts owner Jim Irsay says he asked Peyton Manning to
retire as a Colt
By Jared Dubin
CBSSports.com
February 4, 2016
When Peyton Manning split from his former team, the Indianapolis Colts, it was not exactly all sunshine
and rainbows. Manning was essentially forced out the door after sitting out an entire season due to
multiple neck surgeries, as the Colts decided to select his replacement (Andrew Luck) with the No. 1
overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. About a month and a half before they did so, the Colts released
Manning, who was about to be due a $28 million roster bonus at the time.
Peyton signed with the Broncos not long after that, and he's since had three excellent seasons (including
one of the best ever) and one bad one (this year), and on Sunday will make his second Super Bowl
appearance with the team, the same number of appearances he made with the Colts in 15 seasons.
There has been a lot of talk that Peyton will hang up his spikes for good, win or lose, and if he does, Colts
owner Jim Irsay would like to see him return to the team one last time to retire as a Colt. (He's
presumably referring to having Peyton sign one of those one-day contracts that players sign so they can
retire as a member of the team they're most closely associated with.)
“I want him to and I've asked him to,” Irsay said in an interview with WISH-TV. “I would love to have him
retire as a Colt and how he handles that part of his career. And when it comes, I think he's going about it
the right way. Look, he's focused on this game. We all talk about staying in the moment, staying in the
day, and I think the older you get, the more you practice that because you realize you're given only one
day at a time. I think he really has tunnel vision in the sense that he doesn't want to think about that
part of his life after football. Him and I have talked about that through the years, of course, as he's
gotten older. What he might do and the opportunities are obviously many for him.”
Manning has been talking more openly about the possibility that this might be his last game throughout
this week. If and when he decides his career is over, he'll obviously go down as one of the best players in
NFL history, regardless of position. Does it really matter what team he retires with? No. He's a legend no
matter what. Would it be pretty cool to see him in front of the Colts logo one last time, though? Sure,
absolutely.
Peyton Manning talks about life after football, probable
hip replacement
By James Parziale
FOXSports.com
February 4, 2016
Peyton Manning hasn't said he's retiring, but he did give a glimpse of what's in store for him when his
career is over.
On Wednesday, the Broncos QB was asked about the news that Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler — who
died last July after a battle with colon cancer — had CTE, the disease which is found in the brain after
years of head trauma.
Manning, 39, admitted he hadn't heard the Stabler news, but said that there are things he knows are
waiting for him after the NFL.
"Certainly when you have injuries, when you have surgeries, the doctor sometimes will mention to you,
whether you ask him or not, 'Hey you are probably heading for a hip replacement at a certain time in
your life,''' Manning said, via 9news.com. "I said 'Doc, I didn't ask you if I was going to have a hip
replacement. I didn't need to know that right here at age 37, but thanks for sharing.' I look forward to
that day when I am 52 and have a hip replacement."
Manning missed the entire 2011 season with a neck injury, and had four surgeries. He said the hip
diagnosis came two years ago.
Manning is trying to win his second Super Bowl on Sunday when the Broncos play the Panthers at Levi's
Stadium. Manning has a 13-13 mark in the postseason.
Broncos LB Trevathan on Bears: 'I'm sure we'll end up
talking'
By Kevin Boilard
FOXSports.com
February 4, 2016
Denver Broncos’ linebacker Danny Trevathan has a Super Bowl to win this weekend. After that,
however, his focus will turn to free agency, where he's sure to garner plenty of interest from across the
NFL.
Trevathan expects to hear from the Chicago Bears and John Fox, who was his head coach for his first
three seasons in Denver.
Via Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post:
@NickiJhabvala
Broncos ILB Danny Trevathan said he believes former coach John Fox, Bears will be FA suitors. "I’m sure
we’ll end up talking."
11:17 AM - 3 Feb 2016
Trevathan, a former sixth-round draft pick out of Kentucky, was the Broncos' leading tackler in 2015
with 109 total stops (73 solo, three for losses). He also recorded six defended passes, including two
interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. In his last full season under Fox (2013), his
stats were even better -- 129 tackles (88 solo, seven for losses), 10 defended passes (three intercepted)
and four forced fumbles.
At 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds, Trevathan is an incredibly athletic inside linebacker who excels in pass
coverage. The Bears have a glaring need for this type of playmaker in their recently installed 3-4
defense. Trevathan's history and past success with Fox may help them reel him in this offseason.
Cam Newton vs. Von Miller matchup highlights deep
talent in 2011 NFL draft
By Eric Adelson
YahooSports.com
February 4, 2016
Wade Phillips prepared for the 2011 NFL draft in hopes of getting an outside linebacker.
Von Miller was there, and the then-Houston Texans defensive coordinator realized the Texas A&M star
wouldn't fall to Houston at No. 11. But then there was Aldon Smith out of Missouri. Draft day came and
Smith went in the top 10 as well.
Phillips figured he could move Mario Williams over and grab a player out of Wisconsin. The Texans made
a controversial pick: J.J. Watt.
Nearly five years later, that top 11 is remarkable in terms of the NFL talent it produced. Cam Newton
went first overall, and is the MVP frontrunner on the eve of his first Super Bowl appearance with the
Carolina Panthers. Miller is his foe in the game, his second Super Bowl (he was sidelined in Denver's last
title game appearance, a loss to the Seattle Seahawks).
The next five picks all became Pro Bowlers: Marcell Dareus, A.J. Green, Patrick Peterson, Julio Jones, and
Smith. Tyron Smith went ninth to Dallas and Watt went two picks later.
Several of these players are arguably the best at their positions in the league. Even Smith, who got into
off-field trouble before being suspended from the league last year, helped the 49ers to a Super Bowl.
There's more: six other Pro Bowlers went in that first round – Robert Quinn, Mike Pouncey, Ryan
Kerrigan, Cameron Jordan, Mark Ingram and Muhammad Wilkerson.
That's 15 Pro Bowlers out of 32 first-round picks (so far), and a likely MVP.
A lot of these players have become prototypes: Watt is the ideal pass rusher, Newton is a new-age
quarterback with old-school ability, Miller is a hybrid linebacker-rusher (exactly what Phillips thought
he'd be), Jones is tall, wide, and fast, and Peterson is heady and dynamic.
"It was a lot of special guys, man," Newton said this week before reciting some of the names from
memory. "J.J. Watt, Von Miller, Julio Jones, A.J. Green. Sheesh, that's amazing. We are all impacting the
game in some shape or form."
That might be an understatement; it's hard to imagine the Panthers without Newton, the Broncos
without Miller, the Texans without Watt, the Cardinals without Peterson or the Falcons without Jones.
Even Richard Sherman, drafted in the fifth round that year, seems as much of the marrow of the
Seahawks as any other player except perhaps Russell Wilson.
The draft itself was unique even before the first pick took place. A labor dispute between the players'
union and the league imperiled the upcoming season, and only a CBA provision allowed the draft to go
forward. Trades of players for picks were forbidden, and Miller was named as a plaintiff in an antitrust
lawsuit against the league.
Despite the tumult, the players at the top of the class excelled almost immediately. Watt, whose name
was booed by Texans fans when it was announced, quickly justified his team's choice. Newton, who was
compared to fellow first-rounders Blaine Gabbert and Jake Locker, became Rookie of the Year, and
Miller battled with Smith for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors (which Miller won).
Five of the top 11 from that draft took part in these playoffs, and three made championship games. On
Sunday, it will be No. 1 vs. No. 2. And it's Phillips, now a coordinator with Denver, who is tasked with
helping Miller get to Newton.
"Hope they see each other a lot on Sunday," he said.
Snoop Dogg's appearance causes commotion among
starstruck Broncos
By Frank Schwab
YahooSports.com
February 4, 2016
More than 100 million people will watch the Denver Broncos play in Super Bowl 50 in a few days. So it
was funny to see them get starstruck on Thursday.
Snoop Dogg showed up at the Broncos' final media availability of the week, as a correspondent for "The
Rich Eisen Show." Snoop drew a bigger crowd than any of the players on Thursday, as the media
followed him as he stopped to ask questions to each player. And each player lit up when they saw
Snoop. Even quarterback Peyton Manning cracked a smile when Snoop Dogg asked him if he could get a
discount on Papa John's pizzas if he came out to Colorado.
"Certainly," Manning replied.
The Denver Broncos' offensive line was late to their availability because they had to line up and take
selfies with one of the most famous rappers on the planet. Later on, other players stopped Snoop so
they could get some pictures with him.
Defensive linemen Vance Walker and Malik Jackson were sitting quietly at their table, checking their
phones, when Snoop came up to Walker and slapped him on the back. After some handshakes and bro
hugs, Snoop walked off to the next table while Jackson gave Walker one of those "That's Snoop Dogg!"
smiles you'd see from a teenager meeting someone famous.
"That was cool, man. Snoop Dogg in the flesh, man," cornerback Aqib Talib said. "Never met him
before."
"That was cool," receiver Emmanuel Sanders said.
Snoop joked with guard Evan Mathis about pizzas, too.
"That was pretty cool," Mathis said.
"I never thought I'd be interviewed by Snoop," receiver Demaryius Thomas said. "It was cool. He asked
some good questions."
Snoop Dogg showed up for the Panthers' availability too. When Cam Newton came into the room for his
news conference, he spotted Snoop and got excited.
"Snoop D-O double G!" Newton said, and then went out of his way to give Snoop a handshake.
Reporters stopped Snoop between his interviews with players to ask him questions, and take selfies
themselves with him. Snoop has been around football for a while, coaching youth teams in Southern
California. He was asked if the job of being a reporter was tougher than he thought.
"This job is easy man. Easy peasy, baby," Snoop Dogg said.
The ingredients for each of the six major Super Bowl
upsets
By Frank Schwab
YahooSports.com
February 4, 2016
Almost everyone seems to think the Carolina Panthers will win Super Bowl 50, and beat the Denver
Broncos rather handily.
That has been the vibe in the Bay Area, and the betting in Las Vegas reflects it too. Jay Kornegay, who
runs the sports book at the Las Vegas Westgate, said 85 percent of bets are coming in on the favored
Panthers and that’s expected to continue through the weekend, according to Jason Logan at
Covers.com. The Panthers are favored by 5.5 points.
Before we book the victory parade in Charlotte for next week, it’s worth looking at the history of some
of the notable upsets in Super Bowl history. Alfred Williams was involved in one of the six major upsets
in Super Bowl history, as an All-Pro defensive end for the 1997 Denver Broncos. The Broncos were 11point underdogs against the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII and won 31-24. The problem with
asking Williams how the Broncos pulled off that upset is he never thought it was an upset.
“We were way better than them. Period," said Williams, who these days hosts a radio show in Denver.
"We went across our individual matchups and I couldn't see where they were better than us. They
weren't better than us at running back, they weren't better than us at quarterback, they weren't better
than us at wide receiver or tight end or offensive line or defensive line for that matter. We matched
them everywhere. I don't understand why we were not favored."
Williams said he never knew what the point spread was that week. He said he realized most people
expected the Packers to win, but he never did.
“I hear that and I laugh. Because I'm like, man, maybe people really did think we were going to lose that
game,” Williams said with a shrug.
Williams is biased, but he thinks this Broncos team can pull off the seventh big upset in Super Bowl
history. So as it turns out, not everyone in the Bay Area believes the Panthers will roll.
“This team has a lot of old, salty veterans who can play,” Williams said. "People don't understand who
the Broncos are right now. They're a tough, resilient, do-whatver-it-takes football team."
To qualify as a major Super Bowl upset for this post, the winning team had to be at least a 7-point
underdog coming in, based on Vegas Insider’s Super Bowl betting history. Not every upset is the same,
but there are lessons to be learned from each of the six shockers in Super Bowl history. (We’ll even
include Super Bowl XXXII, even though Williams insists it wasn’t an upset.)
Super Bowl III
New York Jets 16, Baltimore Colts 7
Colts were favored by 18 points
We all know the Jets were confident coming in, given Joe Namath’s famous guarantee and all. And the
Jets played well but it’s easy to see why they won: The Colts had five turnovers, and the Jets had one.
Even an 18-point underdog has a shot when it’s plus-four in turnovers. Three of the Colts’ interceptions
were thrown at the Jets’ 4-yard line, the Jets’ 15 and the Jets’ 25. One pick came when Earl Morrall
missed Johnny Orr running wide open on a trick play. The Colts also missed a couple field goals,
including a 27-yarder early on. The Jets did a fine job running the ball and moving the chains with a short
passing game, but turnovers were the key. The Colts did not play well.
Ingredients for the upset: Turnovers, turnovers and more turnovers
Super Bowl IV
Kansas City Chiefs 23, Minnesota Vikings 7
Vikings were favored by 12
We have to take into account that sometimes the line is way off. That might have been the case for
Super Bowl IV as everyone was still under the impression the AFL was the NFL’s junior varsity. Looking
back, the Chiefs had a phenomenal team. They had seven Hall of Fame players and a Hall of Fame coach
in Hank Stram. But again, turnovers were key. The Vikings had five. The Chiefs had one. Kansas City’s
defense had a great day, limiting Minnesota to 239 yards, 13 first downs and a single second-half
touchdown after the Chiefs already held a 16-0 lead.
Ingredients for the upset: Turnovers, stifling defense, bad betting line
Super Bowl XXV
New York Giants 20, Buffalo Bills 19
Bills were favored by 7
This upset featured complementary football at its finest. The Giants' offense pounded the ball on the
ground and held the pigskin for an amazing 40:33. That kept the Bills’ great offense off the field. And
Buffalo didn’t do much when it had the ball. The Giants took away the deep pass, giving up just one toss
of more than 20 yards. Thurman Thomas had a fine day on the ground, but the Giants were willing to
live with that. And then there was some luck, as Scott Norwood missed wide right at the end.
Ingredients for the upset: Time of possession, limit big plays, missed field goal at the end
Super Bowl XXXII
Denver Broncos 31, Green Bay Packers 24
Packers were favored by 11
Williams’ feelings about this game aren’t unique. Many players from that Broncos team will say they
were very confident they were going to win because they felt they were the best team. And as we look
back, the 1996-98 Broncos were a phenomenal football team. Coach Mike Shanahan also had a great
day, effectively taking All-Pro defenders Reggie White and LeRoy Butler out of the game with his playcalling. And the Broncos got a phenomenal effort from Terrell Davis, who rushed for 157 yards and three
touchdowns despite missing about a quarter due to a migraine headache. We’ll also give Williams some
credit: There’s no way this Broncos team should have been a double-digit underdog against anyone.
"We just played our normal game," Williams said. "We didn't make any adjustments. We just played
football."
Ingredients for the upset: Coaching, great individual performance, bad betting line
Super Bowl XXXVI
New England Patriots 20, St. Louis Rams 17
Rams favored by 14
Of all the upsets on the list, this one is among the hardest to figure out. The Rams dominated the box
score. St. Louis had 26 first downs to New England’s 15, 427 yards to 267 for the Patriots, and controlled
the ball for 33:30. Tom Brady had 92 passing yards going into New England’s final drive. New England
was just 2-of-11 on third downs.
Turnovers were huge. St. Louis had three. New England had none. Cornerback Ty Law’s pick-six of Kurt
Warner was the biggest play of the game. A fumble by the Rams gave the Patriots field position at St.
Louis’ 40-yard line and they cashed in a touchdown.
It was also curious that the Rams didn’t use Marshall Faulk more, giving him just 17 carries compared to
44 pass attempts for Warner.
Give Bill Belichick credit for doing some things to take Faulk away. And while the Patriots gave up a lot of
yards, they got key stops. St. Louis didn’t reach the end zone until the fourth quarter.
Then, of course, when New England needed it, Brady came alive and led one great drive to set up Adam
Vinatieri’s game-winning field goal.
Ingredients for the upset: Turnovers, big defensive score, clutch last-minute drive
Super Bowl XLII
New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14
Patriots favored by 12
The Patriots were on the wrong end of an upset just six years later. This game was dominated by the
Giants’ defensive line, which got consistent pressure on Brady and sacked him five times. Due to
pressure the Giants held an offense that is among the best in NFL history to just 14 points. The Patriots
were stuck on 7 points until the final three minutes.
New York also didn’t give up any big plays. The longest pass play for the Patriots was 19 yards. Their
longest run was 9 yards. New England couldn't effectively run the ball, with just 45 yards on 16
attempts. The Giants made New England one-dimensional but still didn’t allow any big pass plays.
The Patriots took the lead with 2:45 left. Then Eli Manning led a game-winning drive highlighted by
David Tyree’s famous helmet catch. New York coverted a fourth down and two third downs on that
drive, including a third-and-11 after Tyree’s catch.
Ingredients for the upset: No big plays allowed, dominant pass rush, clutch late drive
Foot injury helped Peyton Manning make peace with
himself, his new role
By Michael Rosenberg
SI.com
February 4, 2016
David Cutcliffe knew before we did. Cutcliffe was in Georgia, recruiting for Duke University, when he
spent 45 minutes on the phone with Peyton Manning right before the Broncos' 2015 season finale.
It had been a tough few months for Manning. The Broncos were winning, but Manning was, by almost
any measure, one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the league. He threw at least one interception in
every game. His injured foot seemed to get worse every week. His physical and emotional wounds were
on display every Sunday.
Against Kansas City on Nov. 15, Manning threw 20 passes. Five were caught by Broncos, four were
caught by Chiefs and 11 fell incomplete. He didn’t know if he should try to play, go on injured reserve, or
try to work his way back to health and competence.
“It was pretty consuming,” Cutcliffe said. “When you’re not playing, suddenly you’ve got what feels like
an eternity, 12 to 16 hours (a day) of thinking about this, what is going to happen.”
In the Broncos’ quarterback meetings, Manning was as vocal as if he were playing. But he wasn’t.
Backup quarterback Brock Osweiler took over and played well; it was reasonable to think Osweiler
would keep the job, and Manning had taken his last NFL snap.
Manning does not confide in many people. He has been famous for most of his life now, and he knows
how to handle it: Be polite to strangers, professional with colleagues and completely honest with a few
people he trusts.
Cutcliffe is on Manning’s most-trusted list. He coached him at Tennessee, coached Eli Manning at Ole
Miss, and helped Peyton reinvent himself after a neck injury knocked him out of the 2011 season and
eventually out of Indianapolis. So Manning and Cutcliffe kept talking, kept texting, and then came that
phone call:. Cutcliffe in Georgia, Manning in Colorado. Cutcliffe didn’t have to say much. Manning had
figured it out.
“My conversation with him was awesome,” Cutcliffe said. “It was great for him at that moment. The gist
of it was, letting the game come to you. You have to manage yourself, your emotions, work at getting
well and put the football aside. And figure out a new way to play the game.”
Manning went back into the game in the second half of the finale against the Chargers and did just that.
And now, when America watches its favorite sporting event Sunday, our most familiar quarterback will
play a most unfamiliar role. Peyton 1.0, in Indianapolis, was a force of nature. Peyton 2.0, in Denver,
managed to use his lesser physical tools to do a pretty good impression of Peyton 1.0 (and in the 2013
season, Peyton 2.0 had the greatest statistical year of his career.)
Peyton 3.0 is a game manager. He has thrown 78 passes since he returned in the Broncos’ finale, and he
hasn’t thrown an interception.
Denver tight end Owen Daniels said that early in the season, “he was probably trying to do some of the
stuff he did in his old offense with our offense. The second half of the season, when he’s been back, and
the playoffs, he just kind of rolls with what we’re doing. He hasn’t tried to do too much. We don’t need
him to go out there and be Peyton Manning circa the mid-2000s.”
It took Manning a while to figure that out, and some more time to accept it. The foot injury that looked
like it would end his career has set up a stunning ending.
Cutcliffe says without the time off, Manning wouldn’t be here today, preparing for another Super Bowl.
He healed physically, as much as he could, but the mental rehab was just as important. Manning had a
chance to do something he had never done in his whole football life: Step back and watch. Somewhere
in there, he made peace with his 39-year-old self.
“He is in a good place, is what I would call it,” Cutcliffe said. “There is no frustration. He’s figured out
what he wants to do and how he wants to do it to be successful.”
Manning has played with an uncommon burden for most of his life. He was named the starter at Isidore
Newman High School in New Orleans before his sophomore year. He became Tennessee’s starter as a
freshman. He started his first game as a rookie with the Colts in 1998 and didn’t miss a game until his
neck injury in 2011. And even then, he was out for the whole year, so he wasn’t around the team as
much as he was this time.
We make such a big deal about Aaron Rodgers watching Brett Favre for three years, or Tom Brady sitting
for three years at Michigan and one in New England, and we forget: That’s a normal path. Cam Newton
watching Tim Tebow from the Florida sideline is normal. Andrew Luck redshirting at Stanford, Eli
Manning backing up Kurt Warner in New York, Drew Brees sitting behind Doug Flutie in San Diego, and
then Rivers backing up Brees: all normal.
Manning never did that. He was always too good, the quarterback equivalent of LeBron James or Tiger
Woods. He was so likely to succeed at a young age that he was never given a chance to do anything else.
If he has made more critical mistakes than his Hall of Fame colleagues, that’s partly because his teams
always counted on him to win the games. There was no relying on the defense or playing a field-position
game. His teams demanded fireworks.
As he watched Osweiler, Manning realized he didn’t have to chase the ghost of Peyton 1.0 anymore.
Says Cutcliffe: “Sometimes it’s a great advantage when you sense what your team is all about.”
Now he knows, and he’s cool with it. Manning is playing conservative but not scared. Daniels says, “I’m
sure he’s had some times in these last few weeks when he wanted to make a throw, or maybe could
have made a throw, and decided on a safer route or a safer check-down.”
Peyton Manning, who has famously pushed teammates for his whole career, is letting them pull him. He
seems content to enjoy the ride. Cutcliffe saw it coming on that 45-minute call, when the coach didn’t
have to say much. He loves what he has seen since.
“We talk most weeks,” Cutcliffe said. “I haven’t bothered him this week, to be honest with you. I like
where his mind is, and I try to leave him alone.”
It’s one big SB50 party in Bay Area, but many residents
want no part of it
By Chris Ballard
SI.com
February 4, 2016
My seven-year-old nephew loves the Carolina Panthers. This is in large part because he loves panthers,
the animals, which are predatory and fast and awesome. Still, he’s excited for the Super Bowl this
Sunday. Which is great. It also makes him just about the only person I know in the Bay Area who is.
Granted, this may be because I live in Berkeley, which is 10 miles east of the city but could be its own
sovereign, sports-free state. A couple years back one of our neighbors, an otherwise normal-seeming
45-year-old real estate agent, claimed not to know what the Super Bowl was. She may even have been
telling the truth.
Still, this extends beyond Berkeley. Friends who live in the city grumble about the traffic caused by the
“Stupid Bowl.” North Bay residents are angry about the whole Santa Clara 49ers business. Others abhor
the corporate stink—the omnipresent Super Bowl branding—and outsized impact, which extends from
road closures to hidden costs to the police escort that accompanied a media bus to San Jose on Monday,
slowing the midtown commute. Because nothing is more important than making sure reporters arrive
on time to record what Brock Osweiler thinks about Caddyshack. (Spoiler Alert: he liked it).
If you sense a certain bitterness then I must apologize. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. When San
Francisco landed the Super Bowl, back in May of 2013, it doubled as a strategic football move. You
know, to secure home field advantage. At the time, the Jim Harbaugh-led 49ers appeared primed for a
decade of dominance.
And then, well, you know what happened next.
Rarely—never?—has a franchise been dismantled with such precision and efficiency. Not just the team,
but the soul of the 49ers. Have you been to Santa Clara? It’s a nice enough place but it ain’t the Bay
Area. Candlestick Park may have harbored its own frigid microclimate—windstorms abetted by
marauding fog— but at least it had character.
So forgive those of us in the Bay Area if we aren’t elated right now. Last Thursday, the San Francisco
Chronicle ran a story detailing an “Escape from Super Bowl City,” that listed, “concerts and events for
the Bay Area resident who considers the Super Bowl at best an inconvenience to the region and at worst
a taxpayer-supported abomination.” It included a Neil Diamond cover band, a white elephant sale in
Oakland, Snoop Dogg in Petaluma and “children playing the hits of Led Zeppelin” in San Jose.
The quest of author Peter Hartlaub was to find “safe spaces” in the Bay Area during Super Bowl week.
Smart man. Most of us aren’t so fortunate.
Let’s hear from some locals.
“It’s horrible,” says Joseph Redd, an Uber driver and native of the Mission District who says he’s moving
10 passengers per gallon of gas instead of his usual 20, due to the congestion. “I really want to see the
numbers. Is this really increasing the bottom line of the city? They need to do a forensic accounting.
Were we suckers?”
Redd’s referring to the roughly $5 million in costs the city’s incurring to “host” a game that's being
played 45 miles away. As two members of the Board of Supervisors wrote in a Chronicle op-ed recently,
Santa Clara is getting a lucrative marketing event while “San Francisco is hosting the traffic jam.”
“I’m still pissed they moved,” says Robert Gaustad, owner of Bobby G’s, a popular bar in Berkeley. “Then
they slap a sign on it, like Santa Clara is the same thing as San Francisco. It’s all about the money.” Not
that it matters: Gaustad says the upcoming release of Pliny the Younger, a sought-after triple IPA, will
generate exponentially more interest and business than the game, for which he plans on doing nothing
out of the ordinary. “Pliny’s the real Super Bowl around here.”
Seth Peckler is as diehard as they come. A 49ers season-ticket holder for 24 years, he tailgated with a
group of 14 friends—a second family, really—before every game at Candlestick. He is not pleased. “Jed
York got a crappy stadium built that only protected luxury box owners and didn’t take into account the
fans or the elements, like that it’s 100 degrees in the shade in September, or the rain later,” Peckler
says. “Why spend the money when he’s got it sold out? Who cares if they actually show up? The team is
now worth $2 billion. He’s laughing all the way to the bank.” So Peckler’s rooting for something else this
weekend: “The El Niño to hit. Let the NFL feel what the fans get on game day.”
Ah yes, Jed York, 35-year-old CEO of the Niners, the man who brought the Super Bowl to San Francisco
and the 49ers to their knees. Let’s check in with him, shall we?
Here he is this past Monday, hunched in a black armchair aboard a fake stage on the third floor of the
cavernous Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco, holding a microphone. He’s seated next to NFL
senior VP of events Peter O’Reilly, as well as Keith Bruce, the CEO of the Super Bowl host committee and
Daniel Lurie, the chairman of the host committee. They are “answering” a set of “questions” from a local
TV anchor. After a video presentation touting the Bay Area’s history as the home of “the disrupters, the
provocateurs, the enemies of the status quo,” the be-suited men talk about how it is their “right and
honor to redefine the Super Bowl.” After fifteen minutes of self-congratulation, they’re followed by four
area mayors, from San Francisco, Santa Clara, Oakland and San Jose, who proceed to congratulate each
other with even more gusto. Can-do spirit. Innovation. Economy.
Afterward, as San Francisco mayor Ed Lee bolts before the press can quiz him on anything substantive,
York sticks around and, to his credit, answers questions, pivoting and smiling in a dark suit and red tie.
His answers are bland, predictable. Talk to reporters who cover him regularly and they say he’s smart,
but not as smart as he thinks he is. That he’s impulsive. That the Chip Kelly hiring—a ray of hope for
Niners fans—was a bit of a Hail Mary and might last a few seasons at best. That Kelly won’t coexist with
Trent Baalke. That there’s only so much he can do.
To say York is disliked by local fans would be an understatement. Still, it’s possible to feel empathy for
the man. He only spent a year in the working world, as a financial analyst at Guggenheim Partners in
New York, before joining the 49ers, at which point his parents gave him too much responsibility too
early. And while he’s had some success, it'll likely never match that of his uncle, Eddie DeBartolo Jr.
Eddie is up for the Pro Football Hall of Fame (the decision will be made on Saturday) and 49ers fans
don’t care very much about the controversies of his later years (the felony charge of failing to report an
extortion attempt in Louisiana that forced him to give up control the team). He was an owner who loved
the players and the fans. Last fall, when I spoke to DeBartolo for a story, he teared up while describing
former Niners as “family,” adding, “to this day, no question, Joe Montana is probably my best friend.”
One imagines current players wouldn’t say the same about York. “I really feel for my nephew,”
DeBartolo said. “We haven’t talked about football much in the last 18 months.”
Then again, in person at least, York doesn’t seem too concerned. At one point during the press
conference, while discussing the turf at Levi’s Stadium, he said: “Peter [O’Reilly] asked us if we could not
make the playoffs this year to make sure the turf was as good as possible. I said, ‘OK, if that’s what we
have to do, then we’ll take that under advisement.’ ”
Good one, Jed.
Stepping away from the owners in suits and the predictable press conferences, what about the spirit of
the game?
Theoretically, that’s embodied by Super Bowl City, a free, “family-friendly” enclosure across from the
ferry building downtown. I visited it on Monday and, putting aside for a moment the costs and
complaints and the blatant marketing, I can report that, yes, I saw families having fun. Kids ran around
on patches of grass. Moms posed, heads peeking above mannequins of Broncos and Panthers players.
Gray-haired men swirled and sniffed 2013 Russian River Pinot Noir in the wine tasting area. Banjo Man,
longtime human avatar of the Niners, walked through the proceedings, plucking away.
Here’s what else I saw:
• A structure made entirely of Bud Light cans, which enclosed a giant football made of Bud Light cans,
which was adjacent to a server selling Bud Light to nonexistent customers. After all, nothing says San
Francisco like Bud Light.
• Assault rifles. Lots of them. In fact, the area resembled a militarized zone, with bomb-sniffing dogs and
cops in full combat gear. It detracted a bit from the “family fun” vibe.
• A couple of intrepid young men vaping some weed on a grassy hillock, 20 yards from one of the cops,
because this is the Bay Area, after all.
Something else struck me on my walk down the so-called “50th Mile” on Market to Super Bowl City:
what wasn’t there. The weird SF vendors. The homeless. Similarly, there was a distinct lack of street
poets swilling from brown paper bags and declaring end times. Which is to say, it felt nothing like San
Francisco.
Why is this? Well, as you may have heard, the city tried to clear the streets in an attempt to put on a
happy face. Some of the homeless ended up in a tent city under a bridge near the freeway (leading to
efforts to crowd fund their tents). Others were, in essence, sequestered. “We’ve had this big influx of
petty drug cases,” Eric Quandt, Deputy Public Defender, told me. “Cases where there are like six
codefendants and very little evidence. I doubt it's a coincidence that law enforcement timed the huge
number of petty arrests just days before San Francisco turned itself into Super Bowl City. It seems pretty
transparent that law enforcement is trying to ‘clean up’ San Francisco just when there is a national
spotlight upon the city, in spite of Constitutional safeguards.” (The city, on the other hand, argued that
the arrests are not Super Bowl-related.)
Then there’s the exciting artifact I encountered on one of my strolls: an intact Super Bowl 50 sign.
Perhaps you’ve read about the alterations to some of the other pieces of “art”—how vandals-slashfreedom-fighters transposed the “SUPER BOWL 50” letters and numerals into messages including: “SUP
BRO”; “SUPERB OWL”; “OOPS”; “UP R BOWEL”; and “LEE ROBS”. Really, it’s brought out the best of the
creative community.
As I gazed at the clean and unperturbed sign, a pair of fans in Niners jerseys came up and posed for a
selfie. Nearby, a Super Bowl staffer kept watch. He was a nice young man. Said he had to keep an eye on
the statue from 11 a.m. on, for about six hours. An easy job. He said I’d just missed some action, though.
“About an hour and a half ago, they came by and cleaned off some graffiti,” he said. Apparently, the
vandals hadn’t rearranged the letters but instead tagged the sign with, according to my informer, “a
sexy F word.”
I thanked him and prepared to leave. As I did, he looked disappointed. “Don’t you want me to take a
picture of you with the sign?” he asked.
Someone reading this column might think this is all a bit harsh. To play devil’s advocate, he’d probably
point out that we’re a bunch of elitists in the Bay Area (true). And that it’s only a couple weeks of Super
Bowl annoyance (also true), and Niners fans are spoiled by success to begin with (true again) and,
besides, traffic is always crappy in San Francisco (yup) and there must be some positives.
So, okay, let’s talk about the positives, because they do exist. Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf noted that
community organizations in her city have received $1.3 million in grants from the 50 Fund, which is
pretty cool. (50 Fund is an organization with the “goal to make Super Bowl 50 the most philanthropic
and giving Super Bowl ever”). And yes, this Super Bowl has apparently generated more philanthropy
than any game prior, which may be a low bar to clear but it’s still something.
Then there’s the influx of visitors, leading to interesting cultural opportunities. This Friday, for example,
Michael Sam is visiting Hi-Tops, the city’s first gay sports bar. (The event, during happy hour on Friday,
benefits the Sports Equality Foundation). Jesse Woodward, the bar’s co-owner, says that nobody he
knows seems to care about the Broncos or Panthers or the game but, hey, it brought Sam into town and
they’re psyched about that.
And some sectors are no doubt benefiting economically: hotels, restaurants, shops (and theoretically
Uber drivers, only they’re upset about lower wages and reportedly plan to protest by clogging the area
around the stadium on Sunday). One report estimates the positive economic impact at $220 million for
the Bay Area.
Then I think of my brother, who’s hosting a Super Bowl party on Sunday. His son slept with his new
leather football the other night. The two play catch in the driveway twice a day. The boy is seven, after
all. He loves sprinting around the corner, and evading imaginary tacklers and the call to “Go deep!” He
doesn’t know anything about concussions, or Roger Goodell, or corporate marketing speak. He just
thinks it’s cool that the Super Bowl is here.
Then again, sadly, most of us aren’t seven years old. We can’t ignore all the noise. And, in the end,
maybe it’s that the Super Bowl—this version of it, at least—just isn’t a Bay Area thing. It’s big and bland,
a celebration of bad beer and clipped diction and hierarchy and entertainment for the masses,
contested in a soulless ATM of a stadium in some far off land called Santa Clara and presided over by
self-satisfied men in suits and, well, that’s not us.
And so it was concerning on Monday when, near the end of his Q&A with reporters, York spoke of a
goal, one that doesn’t involve the 49ers. It’s something that will chill many a local’s heart. “We’d like,”
said York with a smile, “to host multiple Super Bowls.”
Is This Cam’s Kryptonite?
By Jenny Vrentas
MMQB.com
February 5, 2016
Dan Quinn wants to make this very clear: He doesn’t take pride in the Falcons’ Week 16 win over the
Super Bowl-favored Carolina Panthers.
“Nope,” he says. “Honestly, nope. I don’t take pride in saying we are good enough to beat them once.”
Fair enough. But, beating Carolina once is more than anyone else in the NFL has done thus far this
season. Quinn’s Falcons spoiled the Panthers’ bid for a perfect season, handing them a 20-13 loss in
Atlanta that is the lone blemish on their 17-1 record. (He was also the defensive coordinator for the
Seahawks team that eliminated the Panthers in the NFC Divisional Playoffs last year.) That makes him
the only head coach in the league qualified to answer the million-dollar question going into Super Bowl
50: How can the 2015 Panthers be beat?
As a caveat, on the road and within the division can be the trickiest kind of game, because the
opponents know each other so well. And in this case, the Falcons were just two weeks removed from a
humiliating 38-0 loss to the Panthers in Charlotte. “In fairness, for the second game, we were really
pissed,” Quinn says. “In my opinion, they had celebrated and laughed at us, and that happened on our
watch, and we didn’t like that. I think that was a factor, too. Emotionally, we were ready to go.”
Regardless, the Falcons put on film a demo of how Cam Newton and the Panthers can be slowed and
stopped. The Broncos, cornerback Aqib Talib assured, have watched and taken notes. And Quinn, with
the assistance of a steno pad and pen, gave us a short tutorial while walking through the Super Bowl 50
Media Center Thursday morning with Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff.
Atlanta’s success started where most winning defensive game plans start: By getting pressure on the
quarterback. What’s interesting is not that they got pressure on Newton, it’s how they did it. Some
teams are gun-shy about sending the heat against mobile quarterbacks like Newton, who can leak out of
the pocket and burn you, but Quinn wasn’t deterred. They weren’t getting to the quarterback with just
four rushers, so he regularly sent a five-man rush.
“Whether you are a mobile quarterback or not, Cam or Russ [Wilson] or guys who have the ability to
create, you better still hit them,” Quinn says. “You can’t, in my opinion, play so vanilla, just push it and
spy ’em. You’ve gotta still play aggressive because otherwise you’re not being true to what you do.”
All quarterbacks are affected by pressure, but as Pro Football Focus’ Neil Hornsby broke down for The
MMQB, Newton’s production drops off markedly. He ranks third in the league in passer rating on
dropbacks where he has a clean pocket. When he’s pressured, he slides to the 19th-ranked passer, with
his passer rating dropping more than 40 points.
“You nailed it,” Quinn says, when asked about those statistics. “To me, defensively, hitting him is way
more important than disguising him. He knows what the coverage is, it’s just a matter of, can the route
take the time to develop.”
That was reflected in the Falcons’ game plan that day. They sprinkled in some man-to-man coverage, but
for the most part used their staple Cover-3 defense with three defensive backs splitting the field into
zones. The pass rush has to come alive when you’re playing a zone defense—and the Falcons got rookie
Vic Beasley’s best production of the season against right tackle Mike Remmers. Since the Falcons had a
good pass rush, the seam routes and deep routes the Panthers like to throw to tight end Greg Olsen
didn’t develop, plus the zone defense presented Olsen from making the route adjustments that wily
receivers use to get open against man coverage.
“When you are playing man to man, [Olsen] is really good, almost like a wide receiver at saying, ‘OK the
guy is outside; I’m breaking inside.’ ‘He’s inside; I’m breaking outside,’ ” Quinn says. “When you are
playing a zone, there is no one for the guy to break off of, so he has to run his route, and you are able to
play.”
An example of how much Atlanta limited the Panthers' passing game: Of the seven pass attempts
Newton had on third or fourth downs, he had zero completions.
The first time the teams played, Ted Ginn Jr., had a pair of long touchdown catches, for 74 yards and 46
yards, that helped break the game open for Carolina. Getting beat deep is nothing more complicated
than a lack of technique or a lapse in focus. Fixing that was sort of reflective of Atlanta’s overall
approach on defense in the second meeting against the Panthers: Do what you do, just do it better.
Quinn says they actually had less in the game plan for the second meeting. It’s tempting to over-prepare
as a defensive coach, anticipating all the wrinkles the opponent might present that are different from
any other opponent—like the designed quarterback runs that bolster the Panthers’ diverse ground
game. But instead of getting wrapped up in the opponent, Quinn took his team into Week 16
emphasizing out-executing the Panthers on the things the Falcons do well.
“It’s not easy to do, but it’s not complex mentally,” Quinn says. “It’s can we be at our best, not, we have
to do all these different things to play these guys and you have to have the best game of your life. No,
it’s just the opposite.”
That would be Quinn’s advice for the Broncos. He was the defensive coordinator for the Seahawks in
both of the last two Super Bowls, one a win against Peyton Manning and the Broncos in Super Bowl
XLVIII. Based off of that, and what worked against the Panthers in Week 16, he recommends the
Broncos stick to their core defensive principles.
“Re-emphasize that,” he says. “They are a really good front. They know the importance of that. Maybe
[they can use] some of the scheme we played, but the style and attitude they play with, I don’t think
they are going to go too far away from what they do. That’s the biggest coaching point. You don’t have
to play the game of your life and make up new stuff. You’ve got to do what you do really well.”
***
NICKEL PACKAGE
1. The Cam-to-Peyton comparison. Ron Rivera was the one who said it, back in November when I went
down to Charlotte to write about the evolution of Cam Newton as a field general. Rivera described how
they implemented a no-huddle approach in the Panthers offense late in the 2014 season, not to push
the pace, but to get Newton to the line so he can stand in the shotgun and decipher the defense—like
Peyton Manning has been doing for years. We moved off that topic, and then at the end of our
conversation, I asked Rivera what made him believe in Newton when there hadn’t really been a
precedent in the NFL for a player with his skill set. He referenced right back to Manning.
“It’s interesting,” Rivera said that day, “because the truth of the matter is, it’s not much different than
what you have seen with Peyton Manning in terms of being out of the shotgun, having to look at
defenses and make determinations. I think the biggest difference, obviously, is he has that one extra
threat, and that’s the ability to truly run. That’s what makes him a little bit different.”
That’s how his coach sees him now, this master at the line of scrimmage who also possesses this rare
running ability. Not the other way around. Talk about the growth, and metamorphosis, of a quarterback.
2. Training camp fights, for the win. Every summer, the value of on-field skirmishes between teammates
is hotly debated. Now that the Panthers are in the Super Bowl, we can look back on the August dust-up
between Newton and cornerback Josh Norman fondly. Usually, franchise QBs aren’t involved, but when
Norman picked off Newton in team drills and ran it back, Newton was stoked to respond. Looking back,
it was an introduction to the fire of this 2015 Panthers team.
“The great part about it was Cam and J-No are two ultimate competitors,” safety Kurt Coleman says. “I
remember back then, Cam would always call out the defense and challenge us. When we would make a
play, when we were scrimmaging each other, typically you’d say good job, but Cam would be very
reluctant to let you know that you made a good play because he is an ultimate competitor. It transferred
over into the season. We all want the best. We all want to go out there, and play the best, and play for
one another. That early competitive fire, which people may misinterpret, I think it was a great spark that
helped the offense and defense set the tone for the season.”
3. Derek Wolfe, growth of a pass rusher. This is an impressive stat, one that Broncos defensive line
coach Bill Kollar knows off the top of his head. Since Week 11, a span of nine games, Derek Wolfe has
tallied 7.5 sacks. This was a player who, before the season, met with his position coach about trying to
find a way to get more pass rush out of him. Another player who had to earn his way onto the field for
passing downs under Kollar’s direction? A guy by the name of J.J. Watt. When Watt was a rookie, playing
under Kollar and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, early in the season they didn’t put him on the
field in third-down situations. Phillips’ approach to defense starts with coaching the fundamentals, so
with Watt, and now with Wolfe, they invested time teaching the techniques of individual pass-rush
moves. “You have to have technique to attack the opponent’s weaknesses,” Kollar says. Now, Wolfe’s
interior push is what helps make the Broncos defense work, particularly in the battering they delivered
to Tom Brady in the AFC Championship Game.
4. “Don’t let ‘it’ get in the way.” It’s a saying the Panthers have been using. One of the best attributes of
Rivera as a coach, probably as a result of his being a former NFL player who won a Super Bowl ring on
one of the most famous teams of all time, is knowing what his team needs from him in any situation. So
during a week like this, when his players had to talk to the media three separate times before their first
practice, he brings up a saying like this. “You sit there and say, ‘This is a hassle having to come here and
be around these guys.’ Well guess what you just did? You created a distraction,” Rivera says. Smart
advice for any team on a big stage.
5. Broncos under the radar. Well, as much as a No. 1 seed in the AFC can be. The chips on their
shoulders that players conjure up for motivation are always somewhat amusing. “All year, everyone has
kind of been like, we’re not suppose to be here, the way everyone else tells it,” safety Darian Stewart
vented. “It’s going to take us winning this game here to make everyone believe in us.” But there is truth
to the fact that there doesn’t seem to be much outside pressure on the Broncos. Pundits almost
universally picked the Patriots to be here instead. The near-perfect Panthers are the clear favorites on
Sunday. Media outlets are assuring the public that Peyton’s legacy is already secure without a win. It’s
not a Giants-in-Super-Bowl-XLII underdog situation, but you have to wonder if Manning isn’t enjoying
freedom from the lack of expectations, after a career full of them.
The Strange World of Super Bowl Prop Bets
By Andy Benoit
MMQB.com
February 5, 2016
Super Bowl prop bets can make for entertaining fodder (at least late in the week when everything that
could possibly be said about the game has been said 15,000 times). Here’s a breakdown and analysis on
some of this year’s most intriguing props.
How many times will announcers say dab/dabbing: Over/under 1.5.
Under, but that depends if you count Jim Nantz’s muffed attempts at it.
Will Ted Ginn drop a pass? Yes/no.
Haha, come on now. Yes. Of course. Even if Newton doesn’t throw him the ball.
Will the Golden Gate Bridge be shown during the broadcast? (Kickoff to final whistle; no halftime)
Yes/no.
Seriously? The Golden Gate Bridge? The icon that’s been shown in every live Bay Area television event
ever? A more competitive bet would be the Bay Bridge. It’s not majestic, but it’s used two-and-a-half
times more than its international orange cousin. Or, better yet, the over/under for number of cars in the
shot when CBS inevitably shows Lombard Street. Or how about: Will CBS show the Painted Lady houses?
And will Phil Simms reach for a Full House reference when they do?
Color of the liquid poured on the winning coach? (Orange, blue, clear, green, red, yellow, purple)
And maybe some double-action on color of liquid poured on the losing coach?
Will Mike Carey be wrong about a challenge? Yes/no.
Another way to ask this is: Will there be a challenge?
(Quick tangent: when CBS and ESPN said “us too” and tried to mimic what FOX did with Mike Pereira,
those networks failed to understand that FOX’s success here wasn’t because they had a rules expert, it
was because they had Pereira. Pereira was the head of all officials. He was Mike Carey’s and Jerry
Austin’s boss. Of course he’ll be better at interpreting and explaining replays. Besides, it’s not like Carey
was the league’s undisputed top official. He was just one of a few of the game’s better officials. He’s
John Harbaugh, not Bill Belichick. Which means, at times, Carey will be analyzing calls made by officials
who would have outranked him. (The Super Bowl is inherently one of those times, by the way.) As for
Austin, he’s been out of the game since 2007. It’s a different rulebook now. If Carey is Harbaugh, Austin
is Dick Vermeil.
Number of times Archie Manning is shown during broadcast. Over/under 1.5.
Over. Well over, if it’s a close game. And every time, Archie’s back will be turned, as if he’s about to
evacuate his luxury box.
Over/under total number of television viewers: 117 million.
Over. (One viewer for every 2.3 seconds of commercial time.)
Will the team that wins the coin toss win the game? Yes/no.
Yes. Because, as Phil Simms likes to remind us, if you win the coin toss and take the ball, you essentially
get an extra possession. (Even though that’s not actually true.)
Will there be an earthquake during the game? 10/1
Is anyone else confused as to why this one isn’t more like 100/1? Or even 1000/1?
Will the referee have to redo the coin toss? 20/1
Yes. And whichever player called it will be miffed that he didn’t get a chance to redo his call if he winds
up losing the toss. Just like Aaron Rodgers was so justifiably miffed.
***
Bets they don’t have but need to add:
Number of special teams players seen for some reason handling the Lombardi Trophy during postgame
celebration. Over/under 2.
Number of game minutes played before Demaryius Thomas visibly overcomes his nerves and starts
catching what’s thrown to him: Over/under 38.
If Panthers win: number of iso shots CBS shows of Peyton Manning standing alone on the sideline with
his helmet scrunched really low. Over/under 7
If Broncos win: number of times Manning nods up and down in good ‘ol Southern boy fashion in
humbled response to expressions of congratulations. Over/under 82.
Number of times at your Super Bowl party that an actual football fan shushes an annoying “just here for
a party that doesn’t apply to my life” fan during live game action. Over/under 7.5.
Number of times the “just here for a party that doesn’t apply to my life” fan shushes the actual fan
during commercials. Over/under 7.5.
Number of times the “just here for a party that doesn’t apply to my life” fan insists upon laughing at a
commercial that isn’t funny because, well, how else to make the moment feel as big as they wish it
were? Over/under 23.5.
Number of times Phil Simms makes a self-deprecating joke that you find surprisingly sort of charming.
Over/under 2.5.
Number of times we’re told, in a Super Bowl human-interest story, that one of the offensive linemen in
the game who makes 47 times the median income of citizens in his hometown is a blue collar Joe.
Over/under 0.5.
Number of personal foul flags for late hits on Peyton. Over/under 1.5.
Number of personal foul flags for late hits on Cam. Over/under 0.
Number of times CBS shows Panthers owner Jerry Richardson in his luxury box. Over/under 3.5.
Numbers of times Richardson visibly moves in those shots. Over/under 0.
Number of diagnosed concussions in this, the biggest game of the year. Over/under 0.5.
Number of diagnosed concussions after this game. Over/under 2.5.
Number of pregame Super Bowl 50 story ideas I have left. Over/under 0.
Broncos coaches speak on what makes Miller, Ware go
By Marc Sessler
NFL.com
February 4, 2016
One of the more memorable conversations I've had this week was with an NFL coach who shredded the
entire concept of Pro Football Focus.
When I asked if he or his fellow assistants leaned on the metrics site for input, he laughed out loud,
saying: "Absolutely not."
It's not a shocking take from a pro coach. These men spend hundreds of hours pouring through game
film to separate the cream from the crap.
Still, coaches and analytics-heads can agree on this: Denver's pass-rushing duo of Von Miller and
DeMarcus Ware have the potential to wreak havoc in Super Bowl 50 against the Panthers. After NFL
Media's Michael Silver penned a stellar take on the two, we decided to ask their peers and coaches
about what makes the pair tick.
"DeMarcus Ware's as good as they get," said Broncos outside linebackers coach Fred Pagac. "He's a
great person. Loves the game of football. He's a pro's pro, he's been doing it a long time. He'll be in the
Hall of Fame someday. Von might as good an athlete as I've been around in 37 years of coaching. Great
person. Loves the game and can't help but absorb some of the stuff D-Ware's done, so it has to be a
great, great tool for Von."
After Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips praised the two for a "phenomenal" job against New
England in the AFC title game, Denver's rookie pass rusher, Shane Ray, explained how helpful the pair
have been during his first NFL season.
"It's amazing. I feel like they're two of the best," said Ray. "To see how they prepare, to see how they
attack guys. It helps me a whole lot. I feel like a lot of guys when they come into the league, they got to
figure out everything on their own. I got two of the best in my room every day, so I can see what I need
to do to be great."
Broncos inside linebackers assistant Reggie Herring also coached Ware with the Cowboys, but said the
33-year-old pass rusher continues to surprise him.
"I coached Ware when he had his most productive time in the NFL ... Twenty-sack season. Fifteen sacks,"
Herring said. "The special thing about him is great athleticism, great get off, great bend, great instincts
how to stop on a dime off what he sees and feels. Pass rush is not a predetermined thing. It's a feel. You
don't know what kind of pass you're going to get. Normal set, over set or a jump set. There's all kinds of
passes that you get. You can't predetermine, 'I'm just gonna haul ass and go sack somebody.' You have
to have a plan or a concept and feel of how to deal with certain looks and blocks."
Said Herring: "Ware has an incredible instinctive feel for a pass rush on when to counter, on when not to
counter. Incredible get off, quickness, athletic ability and feel for how to manipulate and counter moves
off certain blocks. That's what separates D-Ware and Von from everybody else in the Pro Bowl that's got
the same stats. There's other guys like that, but they're not all like that."
As for Miller, Herring called him an "incredible talent," saying: "He reminds me of D-Ware when he was
young."
Denver wouldn't be here were it not for the special campaigns Miller and Ware and put together this
season. Like Carolina, Denver rolls into Super Bowl 50 with a defense that has a chance to be
remembered as a special group.
How special? As Pagac said with a smile, "We'll let you know after Sunday."
Von Miller & DeMarcus Ware: Mentorship fuels
Denver's defense
By Michael Silver
NFL.com
February 4, 2016
They call it "Club 58," but really, Von Miller's basement is even cooler than that, a festive and protected
space where the All-Pro pass rusher and his Denver Broncos teammates can recline, unwind and enjoy
the finer things a fabulous football life has to offer: pool, cards, mood lighting, tunes, a mini aquarium,
pop-a-shot, Louis XIII cognac, etc.
From the large, bronze rhinoceros head hanging atop the entrance to the semicircle bar that would
make Austin Powers' head spin to the sparkling white urinal in the restroom, Club 58 is a chic, upscale
lounge masquerading as the downstairs section of a very large bachelor pad.
"It's better than a club," Broncos defensive end Antonio Smith said. "It's the man cave of all man caves.
And best of all, it's a safe environment where the guys can all hang out, and that really builds the
camaraderie of the team."
Last Saturday, the day before the Broncos flew to Northern California to prepare for Super Bowl 50, I,
too, got to hang out at Club 58. My interview with Miller and his bookend edge rusher, nine-time Pro
Bowler DeMarcus Ware -- for a feature that will air on NFL Network's "GameDay Morning" on Super
Sunday -- was conducted at the pool table, while several other Broncos (cornerbacks Aqib Talib and
Kayvon Webster and safety T.J. Ward) looked on in bemusement.
And while the setting was ultra-casual, Miller and Ware willingly embraced a seriously charged
narrative: Just as the two potent pass rushers were the primary reason for the Broncos' 20-18 triumph
over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, Ware and Miller believe
that, in order to defeat the Carolina Panthers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, they'll have to provoke a
similar level of harassment of star quarterback and presumptive NFL MVP Cam Newton.
"I mean, no pressure, no diamonds," Miller said, laughing, after kissing the 9-ball into a side pocket.
"We're both 'pressure' guys. We seem to thrive in it. I love the moment and try to take advantage of it.
"If it's on us, it's already over with. If we're on point, then our odds of winning are really good -- and, you
know, we've been on point late in the season. I'm not worried about us coming to play. We're going to
be ready to go."
Added Ware: "It's always on the defense. Me and Von, we have to bring the pressure this game, and we
have to be able to chase Cam down. You put that pressure on yourself and say, 'Here's what we have to
do, or we're not going to win this game.' So that's what we do: We put the pressure on ourselves and we
just go out there and roll."
Miller, Ware and friends rolled over the Patriots' offensive line and manhandled Brady, registering an
astounding 17 quarterback hits. That's more than any NFL quarterback has been hit in any game this
season; only the Browns' Charlie Frye (20) and the late Steve McNair of the Ravens (18) have absorbed
more since they began tracking the stat in 2006.
The Patriots' offensive line looked powerless against Miller (2 1/2 sacks, one interception, four
quarterback hits, two tackles for loss) and Ware (half a sack, seven QB hits), and the consequences were
severe: The day after the game, offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo was fired by Pats head coach Bill
Belichick.
Back in Denver, the postgame mood was far more festive. At Club 58 -- located so close to the Broncos'
training facility that Miller and teammates sometimes spend their lunch breaks there during the week -the celebration was straight fire.
"One of my buddies said this was the best time that they ever had at Club 58," Ware said. "So as the
games get bigger, the times get bigger."
Notice that Ware wasn't speaking from personal experience.
"This is my first time in Club 58," he said. "They don't invite me."
Said Miller, laughing: "With DeMarcus, man, you know, Captain America ... it's tough after the game."
If the two sack specialists sometimes run at different social speeds, it's not entirely shocking. Growing
up in DeSoto, Texas, Miller (now 26) idolized Ware -- who spent his first nine seasons with the Dallas
Cowboys -- to the point where he mimicked his white gloves and two-point stance.
When Ware (now 33) arrived in Denver in March of 2014, shortly after being released by the Cowboys as
a salary-cap casualty, he immediately assumed the role of mentor.
"He came to the Broncos at a time when I needed him the most," said Miller, who was coming off a
hellish 2013 season that included a six-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse
policy, a missed court date for traffic citations and a torn ACL that kept him from being part of the
Broncos' run to Super Bowl XLVIII.
The following summer, Ware got a first-hand look at Miller's potential -- and did a double-take.
"When I saw him, I was just like, 'Dang!' " Ware recalled. "I'd never met a pass rusher where I could say,
'He's faster than me' ... or 'He can get around the corner lower than I can.' And during the first practice, I
went to him and said, 'Do you know how good you are?' And he looks at me. I said, 'No, I'm gonna stay
on you every single day ... because you can be the best player that ever played this position in the NFL.'
"And I [still] tell him that; I tell him that every single day. If there's a lull somewhere, guess what? We're
gonna pick it up, we're gonna keep going. Now it goes back and forth, like when we out there playing on
the field [against the Patriots], when I'm down a little bit and I'm tired, I look on the other end and I
know how hard we worked. And vice versa. And that's what that teamwork is about, that bond. So it's
more like a brotherhood now."
There's little doubt who plays the role of big brother: The night before the Patriots game, Ware
delivered a stirring speech that some teammates said gave them goosebumps, punctuating it by
dramatically pulling out the Lombardi Trophy from the Broncos' Super Bowl XXXII victory out of a
suitcase.
"It definitely got the emotions flowing," Miller said. "We were ready to go, and it flowed over to the next
day, and it's still flowing today. DeMarcus, he always gives great speeches -- he'll just pull you to the
side, the little motivational stuff that he gives.
"The speech before the game was legendary. When you see the Lombardi Trophy just right there, where
you can reach out and touch it, it gets the emotions going, and then you add that with the drive and the
will to want to go out and do something for somebody else. I wish, if I get to Year 11, that I'll have
people playing for me."
For now, on Super Sunday, Miller and Ware must tackle a massive challenge -- literally. Newton, because
of his size, strength and mobility, is exceptionally tough to contain.
"He's definitely harder to bring down," Smith said. "I'm seeing guys on the field peel off of him left and
right. I think he does [take pride in throwing guys off of him], but he picks and chooses when he won't
go down. When a tough dude is about to blast him, I've seen him go down quick. But when he thinks he
can take you on or he has momentum, he'll try to run you over."
If Miller, Ware and the Broncos successfully take down Newton and the Panthers, it's hard not to
imagine an epic celebration taking place at Club 58 upon the team's return to Denver -- one that would
ideally include a certain 39-year-old, future Hall of Fame quarterback.
"We've had Cooper Manning [Peyton's older brother] and [Chicago Bulls All-Star] Jimmy Butler here, and
I'm trying to get Peyton to come," Miller said as he surveyed the scores of high-priced bottles behind the
semicircle bar. "We actually had an opportunity to get Peyton after the [AFC Championship] game, but
me and Demaryius [Thomas], we lost track of our phones [and didn't get back to him in time]. He gave
us a hard time the next day, but we'll get him out there."
And if Manning's arrival follows a Super Bowl victory?
"He'll be standing on that bar for sure," Miller said, laughing. "I'm OK with it -- after the Super Bowl."
What we learned Thursday during Super Bowl 50 week
By Marc Sessler and Conor Orr
NFL.com
February 4, 2016
Peyton Manning might be on the hook to supply half-priced pizzas to a man with a perpetual case of the
munchies, but at least his teammates are backing him when it comes to questions about his arm
strength.
Heading into Super Bowl 50, one of the biggest storylines has been whether Manning is physically up to
the task of leading the Denver Broncos past a talented Carolina Panthers squad. Manning admitted at
Super Bowl Opening Night on Monday that he's not the same player he used to be, but his teammates
have continue to declare their unwavering faith in the 39-year-old quarterback. On Thursday, Broncos
wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders reminded everyone it was Manning's foot, not his arm, that was the
culprit behind his subpar season.
Here's what else we learned on the final day of player availability to the media before Super Bowl 50:
1. Josh Norman is not guarding Emmanuel Sanders on Sunday. Norman spilled the beans a bit after
countless questions about Sanders and his intense comments on Norman.
"I don't have any thoughts on the guy except: see you on Sunday. And I don't know if I will," Norman
said. "I guess that's why he's doing all the talking," he said. "I haven't heard much from 88 so that's
good."
Translation: Get ready, Demaryius Thomas.
2. Thomas Davis won't really know anything about his arm until Sunday. The linebacker is still deciding
between two different braces for the arm he broke less than two weeks ago. It's plated and the stitches
aren't going to be out by the Super Bowl. Basically, there will be blood. But the veteran linebacker said
he would be honest with coach Ron Rivera if his arm was failing him on Sunday and he just might -- he
has not tested it against contact in any significant way so far.
3. Jared Allen is a badass. The defensive end purchased all his fellow defensive ends expensive black
cowboy boots this week -- and they were a big hit. Allen has been a rah-rah guy almost everywhere he's
gone and his personality has been a great fit on the gregarious Panthers. If he wins the Super Bowl on
Sunday, could he ride off into the sunset as one of the league's two active sack leaders?
-- Conor Orr
4. NFL Media's Mike Silver wrote an excellent piece on Broncos pass rushers DeMarcus Ware and Von
Miller. To a man, their teammates and coaches raved about the duo this week, with outside linebackers
assistant Fred Pagac calling Ware "as good as they get," and a future Hall of Famer, while labeling Miller
"as good an athlete as I've been around in 37 years of coaching." It was especially interesting to hear
from rookie outside linebacker Shane Ray, who told me: "I got two of the best in my room every day, so
I can see what I need to do to be great."
5. Denver cornerback Aqib Talib still dreams about playing offense, saying Thursday that he was almost
used on that side of the ball during his years with the Buccaneers and even fielded passes from Tom
Brady during Patriots practice when he landed in New England. With eight pick-sixes during his eightyear career, including a pair of scores this season, Talib is an X-factor heading into Super Bowl 50.
6. Chris Wesseling wrote a fine column Thursday on the topic of Peyton Manning's arm strength. The
Broncos quarterback has gone without a touchdown in nine of his last 18 games, but wideout Emmanuel
Sanders says the issue isn't Peyton's arm, but a plantar fascia injury that reportedly dates back to
training camp. "It wasn't his arm. It was just his foot," Sanders stressed Thursday. "Peyton's arm has
always been good to me, in my eyes. He's never had a really, really strong arm. He's always been the guy
that before you come out of your breaks, the ball is there."
7. Best part of the day? I'll go with Snoop Dogg showing up to Peyton's presser to ask for half-priced
pizzas. The iconic rapper caused a stir at the team hotel by grabbing the mic to make his special request.
"Peyton, Snoop Dogg from the Rich Eisen Show," he said. "First of all, can I get a 50 percent discount on
Papa John's pizzas when I'm in the state of Colorado?"
"Absolutely," replied Peyton. "Absolutely."
8. Broncos players did an excellent job this week patiently handling a million oddball questions. More
than a few players told me the bigger issue was having to answer the same queries over and over,
although offensive lineman Evan Mathis went out of his way to say he was thankful for the experience
and opportunity to go through Super Bowl week. For all its minor hassles, it's an incredible chance for
writers, too, to get a deeper look at everyone on the roster. Next stop: Super Bowl 50.
-- Marc Sessler
Emmanuel Sanders: Peyton Manning's arm a non-issue
By Chris Wesseling
NFL.com
February 4, 2016
Peyton Manning has transitioned from MVP to an intermittent liability under center in his last two
seasons with the Denver Broncos.
After throwing a touchdown pass in 56 consecutive starts stretching from November 2010 through
November 2014, Manning has been kept out of the end zone in nine of his last 18 games.
Although Manning's flagging arm strength has borne the brunt of the blame for his disappointing
performance, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders insists the primary culprit has been a plantar fascia
injury that reportedly goes back to training camp in August.
"It wasn't his arm. It was just his foot," Sanders stressed on Thursday. "Peyton's arm has always been
good to me, in my eyes. He's never had a really, really strong arm. He's always been the guy that before
you come out of your breaks, the ball is there."
In fact, Sanders believes Manning is healthier in the lead-up to Super Bowl 50 than he has been all
season.
"I can tell he's healthy because he's running around, he has more bounce to him in his step," Sanders
added. "And hopefully it shows in the Super Bowl. ... Like I said, it wasn't his arm. It was his foot."
Sanders isn't the first Broncos player to suggest Manning's biggest 2015 issue was movement, not arm
strength. It's something we have pointed out since September: Manning's inability to move in the
pocket and set his feet had a debilitating effect on his throws.
Manning's waning arm strength has been an issue ever since his 2011 neck surgeries. It was nearly three
years ago that he first quipped, "I throw a lot of wobbly passes ... a lot of wobbly touchdowns, too."
Headlines from 2013 referenced Manning's "tired, old arm" shriveling up in January. What's interesting
is that the Panthers see Manning in a different light than Sanders does.
Appearing on Thursday's edition of NFL Network's Super Bowl Live, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport
offered that the Panthers agree Manning is as healthy as he's been all season, moving as well as he has
in Denver.
Where they differ, per Rapoport, is in the belief that Manning can't throw the ball like he did a couple of
years ago. In fact, they believe he can't even throw like he did early this season -- when his arm was still
the NFL's biggest mystery.
Will we see the rejuvenated Manning who marched down the field on the opening possession of the
AFC Championship Game, or the limited version who failed to move the offense for the final three
quarters of that Denver victory? We'll have to wait until Sunday evening to answer that question with
authority.
Jim Irsay asked Peyton Manning to retire with Colts
By Chris Wesseling
NFL.com
February 4, 2016
Peyton Manning won't give serious thought to his football future until Super Bowl 50 is over.
Once he does contemplate retirement, though, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay wants the future Hall
of Famer to walk away with the Colts.
"I want him to and I've asked him to," Irsay told Anthony Calhoun of WISH-TV in Indianapolis. "I would
love to have him retire as a Colt and how he handles that part of his career."
Irsay conceded that Manning "really has tunnel vision" in his ability to concentrate on enjoying the
moment.
In the meantime, Irsay is rooting for a happy ending to his former quarterback's career.
"I told Peyton right after the (AFC Championship Game) everyone here is so excited, and it's so
deserving because I don't think anyone is more respected by everyone in the game, meaning you guys in
the media to the players on the field he's playing against," Irsay added. "It's just so deserving, it really
is."
The novelty of ceremonial one-day contracts has slowly faded as the bar for qualification has been
lowered over the years.
It's only natural, though, for Colts fans to hope for Manning to retire in horseshoe blue. Arguably the
most legendary athlete in Indiana history, Manning had already garnered consideration as the greatest
quarterback of all time before he defected to Denver in 2012.
Aqib Talib explains why he's a scoring machine
By Marc Sessler
NFL.com
February 4, 2016
Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib has an outrageous eight touchdowns during his eight-year career,
including a pair of scores off three picks this season.
So what makes him such a threat with the ball?
"Because I used to play offense," Talib said Thursday. "I used to love playing offense. I played offense in
high school, in college, and I don't get to play it in the league. So when I get the ball, I have to score my
touchdowns like I'm on offense. I just like offensive guys, they don't practice tackling like that. It would
be wrong to let those guys tackle me when I get the ball. That's kind of how I go about it."
Talib wants the ball and almost had a shot during his early career stint with the Buccaneers.
"In Tampa, I was this close, I was young, too," Talib said. "I was young and flying around. I was this close
to getting an offensive package. I came to work late on a Monday. (Then-coach) Raheem Morris called
me up to his office and said, 'I had a 15-play script for you on offense,' and ripped it up. That's Raheem
Morris, he's my dog. He was going to give me an opportunity."
That opportunity nearly came again with the Patriots.
"Actually, when I first got to New England, I think my first practice maybe, (coach) Bill (Belichick) kept
me after practice for like 20 minutes and Tom (Brady) threw me like 10 routes: stop routes, fades, a
couple slants the first day I got there," said Talib. "I guess I didn't look good enough because he never
did it again. I feel like I caught all of my passes though. I was working hard out there but I still want to
know what happened with that, Bill."
So do we. Coach Belichick, if you're reading this, feel free to hit the comment section below.
Super Bowl 50 analyst predictions: Panthers or Broncos
in Santa Clara?
By Staff
NFL.com
February 4, 2016
Will the Carolina Panthers win their first-ever Super Bowl? Or will Peyton Manning and the Denver
Broncos earn the franchise's third Lombardi Trophy? Who will steal the spotlight? Which moment will be
talked about in years to come? Our analysts give their predictions of Super Bowl 50.
Daniel Jeremiah
Carolina Panthers 21, Denver Broncos 13
Why the Panthers will win: The Panthers' interior defensive line will dominate the line of scrimmage and
get after Peyton Manning.
MVP: Luke Kuechly
Bold prediction: Kawann Short will collect two sacks and force a fumble ... in the first half.
Bucky Brooks
Carolina Panthers 24, Denver Broncos 20
Why the Panthers will win: The Panthers run out to an early start and cruise behind a ball-hawking
defense that makes life miserable for Peyton Manning in his final game.
MVP: Luke Kuechly
Bold prediction: Jonathan Stewart rushes for 150 yards due to the special attention the Broncos pay to
Cam Newton. The Panthers wear out the Broncos with a variety of zone-read plays that allow Stewart to
crease the defense down the middle on the way to a spectacular performance.
Charley Casserly
Carolina Panthers 24, Denver Broncos 17
Why the Panthers will win: Denver's inability to run the ball costs them the game.
MVP: Cam Newton
Bold prediction: Carolina pass-catcher Ted Ginn Jr. steals the show with more big plays than the Broncos'
wide receivers.
Kevin Patra
Carolina Panthers 18, Denver Broncos 16
Why the Panthers will win: Carolina will move the ball early, but Denver's defense will force field goals
instead of touchdowns, keeping Peyton Manning in the game. In the end, however, Cam Newton will
engineer the game-winning drive.
MVP: Cam Newton
Bold prediction: The Denver Broncos' defense will stymie the Panthers' rushing attack, holding Jonathan
Stewart and the rest of the Carolina ground attack to their first sub-100 rushing game in 31 contests.
Ike Taylor
Carolina Panthers 24, Denver Broncos 21
Why the Panthers will win: I'd like Peyton to win his second championship, but I think Cam Newton and
Co. are too good right now. They are proving everybody wrong. Matchup-wise, Carolina's defense has
the upper hand against the Broncos' offense, and Peyton hasn't been that hot.
MVP: Luke Kuechly
Bold prediction: Denver kicker Brandon McManus is going to keep the Broncos in the game, making a
number of clutch field goals.
Michael Robinson
Carolina Panthers 28, Denver Broncos 24
Why the Panthers will win: I've gone back and forth all week about who will win this game. The Panthers
are more of a complete team, and if they get into a shootout, the defense and Cam will be able to pull
through and lead the Panthers to victory. My fear for Denver is if they get into a shootout, does Peyton
have enough in the tank to win the game? I'm not sure he does.
MVP: Luke Kuechly
Bold prediction: Cam Newton rushes for 150 yards and throws for 350 yards.
Adam Schein
Carolina Panthers 23, Denver Broncos 16
Why the Panthers will win: In a game featuring two high-profile quarterbacks, the defense for both
teams come to play. Carolina forces Peyton Manning into his first pick of the playoffs.
MVP: Luke Kuechly
Bold prediction: Kuechly racks up 10 tackles and keeps his postseason interception streak alive.
Maurice Jones-Drew
Denver Broncos 42, Carolina Panthers 28
Why the Broncos will win: The Broncos haven't turned the ball over lately, and that's key. Carolina takes
a lot of chances and is going against a Denver defense that has a really good front seven and a
secondary that can cover. As long as Peyton Manning doesn't turn the ball over, the Broncos will win.
MVP: T.J. Ward
Bold prediction: The Carolina Panthers don't rush for 100 yards, ending their 31-game streak of doing so.
Charles Davis
Carolina Panthers 30, Denver Broncos 21
Why the Panthers will win: The interior three of the Panthers' offensive line ( Ryan Kalil, Trai Turner and
Andrew Norwell) and their defensive line may be underrated, but they carry the day for Carolina,
despite an excellent effort from Broncos QB Peyton Manning.
MVP: Cam Newton
Bold prediction: The field of Levi's Stadium, which has been an issue in the two-year-old venue's young
life, will shock everyone by holding up well. Yes, this current field was recently installed just for this
game, but the field has been re-installed, re-sodded, re-everythinged prior to this latest -- and likely
most fevered -- incarnation. My prediction is that this one will hold up, and the field will be a non-factor
despite the scrutiny given to it in pregame discussions.
Dan Hanzus
Carolina Panthers 34, Denver Broncos 13
Why the Panthers will win: The Panthers enter the conversation among the best teams of the Super
Bowl era after another high-profile blowout of a league superpower.
MVP: Cam Newton
Bold prediction: Newton has a hand in every Panthers touchdown passing and rushing.
Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
Denver Broncos 23, Carolina Panthers 20
Why the Broncos will win: The Broncos will win because of two reasons. The defense, particularly Chris
Harris Jr., has been phenomenal. The Panthers' defense will stop the run, and it will all fall on the shaky
yet incredible arm of Peyton Manning. He's going to get it done.
MVP: Von Miller
Bold prediction: Manning will be literally carried off the field.
Nate Burleson
Carolina Panthers 34, Denver Broncos 17
Why the Panthers will win: It's going to be a defensive battle. For me, it's a wash, defensively; the only
game-changer you can't account for is Cam Newton. Because he's in the Super Bowl, he's going to be
the champion and Super Bowl MVP.
MVP: Cam Newton
Bold prediction: There will be three miscellaneous touchdowns by the Panthers. They will score two on
defense and one on special teams.
Gregg Rosenthal
Carolina Panthers 30, Denver Broncos 17
Why the Panthers will win: Carolina's versatile running game will be too difficult to stop, even for the
vaunted Broncos defense.
MVP: Cam Newton
Bold prediction: Kawann Short will record 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble in the game, exposing a weak
Broncos offensive line.
Gil Brandt
Carolina Panthers 20, Denver Broncos 14 (OT)
Why the Panthers will win: I think this game, as all games do, will come down to quarterbacks, and as
great as Peyton Manning once was, the torch has been passed. Cam Newton simply makes big plays for
Carolina, and I see him making the game-winning play in overtime, perhaps in the form of a big run.
MVP: Cam Newton
Bold prediction: Panthers left tackle Michael Oher will help keep DeMarcus Ware sackless.
Elliot Harrison
Carolina Panthers 26, Denver Broncos 20
Why the Panthers will win: Carolina will bottle the run enough to force the Broncos out of the run game,
forcing punts and winning field position.
MVP: Cam Newton
Bold prediction: The first score of the game comes on defense!
Conor Orr
Carolina Panthers 41, Denver Broncos 29
Why the Panthers will win: Carolina scores twice in the first eight minutes of the game and rolls from
there.
MVP: Shaq Thompson
Bold prediction: Denver will miss an extra point in the first quarter.
Shaun O'Hara
Carolina Panthers 27, Denver Broncos 17
Why the Panthers will win: The Panthers' offense is so hard to defend because with Cam Newton and
the run game, there are so many different facets that it's hard to simulate that for your defense. They
are doing so many different things that it paralyzes the defense. Carolina is so physical and it reminds
me of the Seahawks, who also beat Denver on this same stage two years ago.
MVP: Cam Newton
Bold prediction: Ted Ginn Jr. will have two touchdowns.
Eric Davis
Carolina Panthers 27, Denver Broncos 20
Why the Panthers will win: At the end of the day, the Panthers' run game is what's going to get them
through.
MVP: Cam Newton
Bold prediction: Ted Ginn Jr. will have two touchdowns.
Heath Evans
Carolina Panthers 31, Denver Broncos 10
Why the Panthers will win: If anybody has watched the last two games for both teams, I don't know how
anybody could pick the Broncos to win this game. If both teams play equally well, the Broncos will lose.
There is always a chance they could win because of injuries, defensive scores and other factors, but I
don't see that happening.
MVP: Cam Newton
Bold prediction: Cam Newton will throw for 300 yards and rush for 100.
Willie McGinest
Carolina Panthers 27, Denver Broncos 14
Why the Panthers will win: The Panthers play with a physical mentality and are tough on both sides of
the ball. There are a lot of underdogs on that team because people thought they didn't have a big name
starting off, so they play with a chip on their shoulder. The camaraderie that team has and the way Cam
Newton has led, it feels like they are destined to win it.
MVP: Cam Newton
Bold prediction: Ted Ginn Jr. will have a profound impact on this game because there is hardly any
attention on him.
Broncos’ Antonio Smith, mourning father’s death, stays
with the team
By Rick Bonnell
The Charlotte Observer
February 4, 2016
Losing a parent can be among the most disorienting experiences of young adulthood.
Denver Broncos defensive end Antonio Smith learned early Wednesday that his 58-year-old father died
from complications from heart surgery. He didn’t consider leaving his team, preparing for Sunday’s
Super Bowl 50. While he was excused from media responsibilities Thursday, he chose to attend the
interview session with the Broncos.
Smith said he was more concerned with his siblings than his own grief.
“That’s my whole role for my brothers,” Smith, 34, said. “I’m always here for them whenever they need
words of encouragement.”
Smith’s father, Marty Christopher Williams, had been imprisoned since a 1991 conviction on first-degree
murder in Oklahoma City.
Smith said his father’s side of the family was full of size and athletic ability.
“My dad’s side: 300-pound men who could probably run 4.8 (40-yard dashes), 4.7’s,” said Smith, who
told a story about the “Hood Olympics” competitions in his Oklahoma town.
“They would be picking up cars, picking each other up. I’m telling you, they were over 300 pounds. Some
of these kids picking each other up with one arm,” Smith recalled. “Foot races with 180-pound guys. I
wish I had all of their athletic ability. I just got a little bit.
“I never was the one coming up as a young kid, the one they say, ‘Oh he’s going to make to it the NFL.’ I
was clumsy, slow footed, had a lot of heart and ended up in this place for a reason and a purpose.”
No lap children
Broncos punter Britton Colquitt had to buy a Super Bowl ticket for his newborn. The NFL’s rule: Anyone
through the turnstiles, even infants, must have a ticket.
“Apparently it’s not every seat, it’s every head. Even though this one is so small that she can be
concealed under a sweatshirt, we had to get her a ticket, which is fine,” Colquitt said.
“It’s just kind of crazy. We’re going to have three kids there – a 4-year old, a 2-year old and then a 2week old. She’ll be there. If we win, we don’t want to take pictures and she’s not in it. She’d be kind of
mad at us one day: ‘Where am I? Why didn’t I go to the Super Bowl?’ It’s kind of silly, but I’m happy to
pay for it.”
The Peyton question
Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and his teammates can’t get through a media session without
multiple questions about the possibility of Manning retiring after Sunday’s game.
Constant a topic as it is for the media, it’s not on the players’ minds, according to safety T.J. Ward.
“It has not been talked about at all,” Ward said. “I know Peyton is completely about this team and
winning this for the team. Regardless of what he does, this one right here is for the 2015 Broncos.”
Snoop Dogg
Entertainer Snoop Dogg was credentialed for Thursday’s media sessions and worked the players with a
camera crew provided by the Rich Eisen show. Silly as some of Snoop’s questions were, the players got a
kick out of the routine.
“That gives you the real Super Bowl moment when Snoop Dogg comes and interviews you and things
like that,” said cornerback Aqib Talib. “It’s good, man. It’s good for the week.”
No dancing for Kubiak
Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman once played in the youth football league Snoop Dogg ran and
financed in Southern California. So he was asked Thursday the difference between Snoop and Broncos
coach Gary Kubiak in sideline demeanor.
“I don’t think Kubiak is dancing after a touchdown,” Hillman said, drawing laughter. “You might get a
raised hand, but I don’t think you’re going to get the whole dance celebration. Snoop is a little bit more
loose with his (celebration).”
With veteran group in Denver, coach Gary Kubiak has
learned to chill out
By Rick Bonnell
The Charlotte Observer
February 4, 2016
Denver Broncos tight end Owen Daniels has worked for coach Gary Kubiak in each of this three NFL
stops – Houston, Baltimore and Denver.
Kubiak stunned Daniels with a speech he gave to the Broncos last spring.
“At one of the first meetings he said, ‘I want you guys to be you. I want your personality to shine.’ I
thought, ‘Wait a second. Who is this guy?’” Daniels recalled.
Kubiak was a bit of a control freak when he coached the Houston Texans. He had some success but
eventually suffered health issues before being fired in 2013. He went on to be the Baltimore Ravens’
offensive coordinator for one season before replacing John Fox as Broncos coach last spring.
Now he’s coaching Super Bowl 50 and functioning in a very different way than he once did.
“It was a little bit different in Houston; he was a little more in control. Maybe he had to be,” 10-year NFL
veteran Daniels said. “We have such great leadership on this team that we can kind of check ourselves.
It’s been a good situation for us.”
Dream job
It seems some of this is about how Kubiak changed and some about how his circumstances changed. The
mini-stroke he suffered in 2013 on the Texans’ sideline would make anyone pause to reflect. Kubiak
would have been happy to continue as a coordinator in Baltimore, but the Broncos were a dream job,
coaching the team he played for and working for his former teammate and close friend, Broncos general
manager John Elway.
As a side benefit, Kubiak inherited a veteran team that could police itself.
“The (primary) leaders stayed the same: 18 (quarterback Peyton Manning), 94 (linebacker DeMarcus
Ware) and 58 (linebacker Von Miller). They’ve been the nucleus,” Kubiak said.
Kubiak empowered those leaders to set the agenda and decide team policy. For instance, when Kubiak
was asked about establishing a curfew for Super Bowl week, Kubiak said that was the captains’ call, not
his.
‘This is your team’
Ware had never played for Kubiak before this season, but Daniels’ description of his evolution makes
sense to him.
“He doesn’t put his thumb on everybody,” Ware said. “With the veteran guys, he’ll put it on us (to
establish discipline). He has said to the more mature guys, ‘This is your team. What do you want to do
with it? I’ll give you free reign to do things.’
“If there’s something we need to do, some kind of scheduling change, we come up with some kind of
agreement and you feel good about that.”
Does this lighter touch have anything to do with the health crisis when he was with the Texans? Not
directly, Kubiak said.
Kubiak suffered a “transient ischemic attack,” often called a mini-stroke.
“I don’t think it changed me as a person,” Kubiak said. “I think it made me change a little bit as a coach
and how I go about things. … (I) kind of ran myself into the ground.”
Learning to delegate
So Kubiak learned to delegate, not an easy change for man of his makeup. It helped that Kubiak had a
model – Ravens coach John Harbaugh – for a different way to approach the job.
“I think passing through Baltimore (and) working with a great organization, a great staff there helped
me, I’ve taken a lot of that with me here to Denver,” Kubiak said.
The guy who has played for him at each stop sure notices a shift.
“I have not heard him yell as much. I don’t know if that’s just him trusting us more, in concert with the
health scare he had in Houston,” Daniels said.
“Sure, we’ve had some meetings on the sidelines that weren’t so fun to be a part of. But he’s so mildmannered (now). But when we’re not doing our jobs, when we’re not doing what we’re supposed to be
doing, he (still) gets fired up and lets us know.”
Who wins in the Super Bowl 50 teams' stadium
matchup: Broncos or Panthers?
By Caitlin Hendee
Denver Business Journal
February 4, 2016
A win at the Super Bowl means a lot for fans: a cause to celebrate, bragging rights, parties, all sorts of
exciting things.
But for owners and employees of the teams, a win means monetary gains as well, like more revenue,
sponsorship deals and higher attendance.
That can be especially important when it comes to their stadium, the largest investment made by a NFL
team. The Denver Broncos' stadium is Sports Authority Field at Mile High, and the Carolina Panthers'
stadium is Bank of America stadium.
The Carolina Panthers, with a ratio of 18.1 percent, beat the debt-to-income ratio of the Denver
Broncos, at 22.8 percent, by 4.7 percent.
That's according to a new NerdWallet number-crunch that compared the teams based on whose
stadium has the better value, analyzing debt-to-income ratios, ticket sales, revenue from naming rights
and stadium-to-home price comparison.
And although the Panthers blow the Broncos out of the water when it comes to debt-to-income ratio —
a comparison of the team's monthly debt payment to monthly income — the Broncos come out on top
for ticket sale revenue and the stadium-to-home price comparison.
Gate receipts show the Broncos collected $70 million in revenue this past season. The Panthers
collected $65 million.
And the Broncos' stadium-to-home price comparison, at 8 percent below cost, really rocks the Panthers,
which is 68 percent above cost. The stadium-to-home price comparison looks at the median price per
square foot of homes in Denver and Charlotte, and then examines whether their stadiums were built
below or above cost, as compared with an ordinary home.
For naming rights, the Panthers' squeak ahead. Bank of America Stadium brings in $7 million in annual
revenue, whereas Sports Authority Field at Mile High brings in $6 million.
Today, reports surfaced that Sports Authority Inc. is getting ready to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
protection.
Broncos CEO Joe Ellis Told Team Pat Bowlen Would Be
‘Enormously Proud’ Of Them
By Staff
CBS 4 Denver
February 4, 2016
The Denver Broncos have been in the business of winning for more than three decades, and it has
started at the top with owner Pat Bowlen.
But as the Broncos prepare for their battle with the Panthers in Super Bowl 50, Bowlen is unable to be
with the team due to his battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
“You know, he’s doing the best he can fighting a terrible disease,” Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis
told CBS4. “He’s resting comfortably at home. I wish he were here with us here now; he’d really enjoy
this. But unfortunately he can’t be, and I know he’s here in spirit.”
It has been a couple of years since Bowlen has been able to address the team, so before the team
departed on their trip to the San Francisco Bay area last weekend, Ellis spoke to the players on Bowlen’s
behalf.
“I told them how much he would love this team and their resolve and how hard they’ve fought, how
well they’ve conducted themselves on and off the field this year,” Ellis said. “He’d be enormously proud
of this team and I wanted them to know that.”
Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib was among the players who said afterwards that they appreciated Ellis’
words and called Ellis’s speech “heartfelt.”
Quarterback Peyton Manning told reporters this week that Bowlen deserves a lot of credit for the
success they’ve had since he arrived in Denver four years ago.
“There’s no way that any of us would be in this position without the support and the role that Pat
Bowlen has done as an owner,” Manning said. “We’re trying to do our part to honor him.”
And what better way to honor Bowlen than to thank him in the exact same way that he honored John
Elway after the Super Bowl XXXII win when he declared “This one’s for John!” and handed him the
Lombardi Trophy.
“Pat would never want it to be for him. He’d want it to be about them and he’d want them to win it for
each other. And I hope the players do do that. But it would be nice — and the right thing to do at the
end — to have John stand up there and honor Pat up there on the platform for sure,” Ellis said.
Bowlen is already a member of the Broncos Ring of Fame. Ellis thinks the next honor Bowlen gets should
be an election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Inside Peyton Manning’s secret investigation into Al
Jazeera documentary
By Will Hobson and Justin Wm. Moyer
The Washington Post
February 4, 2016
Five days before a documentary alleged that quarterback Peyton Manning and other star athletes had
used performance-enhancing drugs, two men hired by Manning’s lawyers visited the parents of the
documentary’s key witness. Both men wore black overcoats and jeans and, according to a 911 call from
the house that evening, one initially said he was a law enforcement officer but didn’t have a badge.
After they told their daughter to call 911 the night of Dec. 22, Randall and Judith Sly stepped outside to
talk to the strangers, who clarified they were private investigators, not cops. They had come to this red
brick house with a well-manicured lawn looking for the Slys’ 31-year-old son, Charlie, a pharmacist who
was the primary source in the upcoming documentary.
The revelation of the visit to the Slys’ home in this rural, upper middle class suburb is another in what
has been a series of strange twists and turns since the Al Jazeera documentary, “The Dark Side: The
Secret World of Sports Doping,” first aired. In the documentary, Sly boasted about helping pro football
and baseball players cheat. In one scene, Sly implied that Manning took human growth hormone
prescribed by an Indianapolis anti-aging clinic and shipped to Manning’s wife, Ashley.
Manning and most of the other athletes named in the report have denied taking banned substances. Sly
has since recanted his accusations, which were recorded by Al Jazeera without his knowledge.
Sly’s claims have spurred investigations from the NFL and Major League Baseball that likely will take
months. But the first investigation of Sly came before the documentary even aired, and was bankrolled
by Manning, who will lead the Denver Broncos against the Carolina Panthers in Sunday’s Super Bowl.
Manning’s lawyers launched the private probe shortly after Al Jazeera started contacting athletes who
would be named in the documentary. They hired investigators to identify, locate and interrogate Sly,
and sent a lawyer to examine Peyton and Ashley’s medical records at the Guyer Institute of Molecular
Medicine in Indianapolis.
Manning’s investigative team did nothing that would interfere with subsequent investigations, said Ari
Fleischer, the former White House press secretary and crisis management consultant Manning has
hired.
The lawyer who visited the Guyer Institute did not remove any records, Fleischer said, and Manning’s
investigators in no way influenced or coerced Sly into issuing his recanting statement, which he recorded
Dec. 24, the day after they had questioned him.
Sly’s lawyer, Travis Cohron, also said his client’s statement — which Sly issued without knowing exactly
what he was recanting — was Sly’s idea. According to Cohron, everything Sly said in the documentary
about helping pro athletes take performance-enhancing drugs was a fabrication to impress Al Jazeera’s
undercover reporter, whom Sly claims he thought was a potential business partner.
“It was pure puffery,” Cohron said of his client’s words. “He was manufacturing a story to bolster his
own appearance.”
The story Sly said he made up contained at least a bit of truth, though: The Guyer Institute did ship
medication to Ashley Manning, Fleischer confirmed. Citing Ashley’s right to privacy, Fleischer declined to
specify whether the medication was human growth hormone, which is banned by professional sports
leagues and only legal to prescribe in America for a few specific conditions, such as growth hormone
deficiency, HIV wasting syndrome and short bowel syndrome.
Manning’s pre-emptive investigation, Fleischer said, was a “natural reaction” to being asked to respond
to anonymous allegations.
“When somebody accuses you of doing something you didn’t do — and Al Jazeera refused to tell us who
it was — it’s only logical to say, ‘Who is it, and why are they doing this?’ ” Fleischer said. “That’s human
nature.”
Search for the source
In the Al Jazeera documentary, Liam Collins, a former British hurdler, went undercover and claimed to
pharmacists and doctors he was trying to revive his running career and was willing to cheat. With hidden
cameras, Collins recorded Sly and asked him about procuring performance-enhancing drugs.
In speaking with Collins, Sly alleged illicit drug use by Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan
Zimmerman and Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, as well as by Pittsburgh Steelers
linebacker James Harrison. Sly also said he helped numerous Green Bay Packers take banned
substances, including linebackers Clay Matthews and Mike Neal, and defensive end Julius Peppers. (All
of the players have denied the claims; Zimmerman and Howard have sued Al Jazeera for libel.)
On Dec. 4, Al Jazeera sent a wave of emails marked “urgent.” One arrived in the inbox of Tom Condon,
Manning’s agent. Another went to Dr. Leonard “Dale” Guyer. Another went to Charlie Sly.
The personalized emails — which Al Jazeera said it sent to every person named in “The Dark Side” —
detailed allegations against each person and requested comment. (Spokesmen for Manning and Sly
described the emails to The Washington Post, but declined to share them. Al Jazeera’s lawyers also
declined to provide the emails.)
Within days, Manning hired both the Gibson Dunn law firm and public relations consultant Fleischer to
handle the situation. Fleischer said all parties agreed on a plan of attack: Identify the source and
scrutinize the claims.
“Our thinking was it would be very helpful to find whoever it was who was making up lies about Peyton,
and figure out why someone would fabricate information like this,” Fleischer said.
While Al Jazeera refused to identify its source, employees at the Guyer Institute noticed something
familiar.
The unnamed source, Al Jazeera wrote in the email to Guyer, alleged that Peyton and Ashley Manning
visited the anti-aging clinic after hours to “get IVs and shit .” The last two words reminded a few Guyer
employees of a fleshy, fast-talking intern from a few years before.
“Guyer’s a small place,” Fleischer said. “They thought, ‘Well, of all the people who have been here, no
one really talks like that but Charlie Sly.’ ”
Armed with a name, Manning’s investigators went looking for Sly, who had bounced around over the
last few years, living alternately in Nevada, Texas and Indiana.
Sly was living in Austin and, according to his lawyer, completely unaware that professional athletes
across the country — some of whom Sly now claims he has never met — were getting emails describing
things Sly had said about them. Al Jazeera’s Dec. 4 email to Sly — which explained that Collins had lied
and recorded all their conversations, and that all of this would soon be on television — ended up in Sly’s
junk folder, according to his lawyer.
(In an email to the Post, Bob Corn-Revere, a lawyer for Al Jazeera, noted that, in addition to the Dec. 4
email, Al Jazeera sent Sly a registered letter Dec. 7 and left him a voicemail that he never returned.)
On Dec. 18 or 19, Sly got a phone call from Dustin Keller, the former New York Jets tight end Sly has
known since they went to high school together in Indiana. Keller had gotten an email from Al Jazeera,
requesting comment, and had deduced the source against him was Sly. (In the documentary, Sly says he
helped Keller take banned substances throughout his college football career at Purdue University as well
as in the NFL. Keller has not replied to multiple requests to comment.)
Even after that call, which Sly discussed with his family, Sly didn’t comprehend what was about to
happen, his lawyer said. This was partly because the Slys were only vaguely familiar with Al Jazeera.
“The Sly family’s initial thoughts were, ‘This must be a scam,’ ” Cohron said. “His dad thought they [Al
Jazeera] were only in the Middle East and they reported on terrorist attacks. The whole situation was
surreal.”
The Slys, who refused multiple requests for an interview and deferred all questions to their lawyer,
started to realize this was not a scam when private investigators Brian Bauer and Ben Ford arrived at
their home just before 5 p.m. on Dec. 22. Initially afraid, the Slys told their daughter Kaitlyn — Charlie’s
younger sister, home from North Carolina for Christmas — to call 911. But by the time a police officer
arrived a few minutes later, the investigators had allayed Randall and Judith’s fears.
The Slys told the officer the men could stay, dispatch notes show.
Charlie wasn’t home yet; he was due to fly in later. On Dec. 23, Bauer and Ford returned and — after the
Slys put their lawyer on speakerphone — the investigators asked Charlie some questions.
As Bauer and Ford probed Sly’s background, asking about his connections to various athletes, Cohron
couldn’t figure out who they worked for.
“They refused to say . . . other than a party interested in the Al Jazeera documentary,” Cohron said. He
added: “It was a very cordial discussion.”
Sly told the investigators what his lawyer has said since the documentary aired: He made up everything
regarding performance-enhancing drugs. Later, Sly and the lawyer Cohron decided they should come up
with some kind of statement to rebut the upcoming documentary.
The next morning — Christmas Eve — Sly sat at the dining room table of his parents’ home. His father
recorded the 55-second statement with an iPhone.
“My name is Charles Sly,” he began. “It has come to my attention that the broadcaster Al Jazeera has
somehow obtained recordings or communications of me making statements concerning a number of
athletes . . . There is no truth to any statement of mine that Al Jazeera plans to air.”
On Dec. 26, the Huffington Post — given an advance look at the documentary — published a story
summarizing the allegations against Manning and other athletes. On Dec. 27, Manning angrily denied
taking HGH, calling Sly a “slapstick” and the report a “freaking joke.” That night, the documentary aired.
“Since then, it’s pretty much been chaos,” Cohron said.
Only the beginning
While Sly has recanted everything he said about giving athletes banned drugs, several scenes in the
documentary are more difficult to dismiss.
At one point, Sly offers Al Jazeera’s Collins a syringe he claims contains Delta-2, a banned steroid. Asked
about that scene this week, Sly’s lawyer Cohron said his client lied and that the syringe actually
contained a vitamin supplement.
In another scene, Taylor Teagarden, a journeyman catcher who played with the Chicago Cubs, is waiting
outside Sly’s apartment. Once inside, Teagarden talks about taking Delta-2.
Teagarden did not reply to requests for comment. Cohron claims Teagarden was lying to help Sly appear
to be a steroid dealer.
Cohron says his client doesn’t know why two Vancouver men — who both are recorded offering Collins
banned substances — praised Sly as a doping “genius,” according to Al Jazeera.
“He’s the only guy I trust,” said pharmacist Chad Robertson, who is also recorded bragging about how
easy it is to help athletes evade tests.
“He takes smart drugs to a whole new level,” said physician Brandon Spletzer, who is also recorded
offering to destroy medical records if doping investigators ask for them.
Manning’s investigators are satisfied Sly’s claims about the star quarterback are false.
“It’s like Peyton said: It’s a bunch of hooey and garbage,” said Bauer, who last week spoke briefly with a
reporter at the Greenwood, Ind., office of his company, Phenix Investigations.
Bauer deferred most questions to Manning’s lawyers, but denied the claim that he introduced himself to
the Slys as law enforcement.
“Impersonating a law enforcement officer is against the law, so obviously I didn’t do that,” said Bauer, a
balding, bulky redhead who wore a skin-tight long-sleeved Under Armour shirt and jeans. “Otherwise I
would have been arrested.”
Sly is cooperating with investigators from both Major League Baseball and the NFL, his lawyer said. Sly
also could be called to testify in Zimmerman’s and Howard’s lawsuits against Al Jazeera.
The central role of the Guyer Institute in the documentary again has drawn attention to the
controversial anti-aging industry, which some medical and law enforcement experts say is rife with
physicians operating in legal and ethical gray areas involving substances such as human growth
hormone.
Dr. Guyer declined an interview request this week. Stephen Cooke, an Indianapolis public relations
executive who said he was working with Guyer, initially offered to answer questions, and then didn’t
reply to multiple emails and voice messages. In multiple statements since the documentary aired,
Peyton Manning has never denied that the Guyer clinic shipped human growth hormone to his wife, as
Sly alleged. Manning has just denied ever taking it.
“We’ve never said he [Sly] had everything wrong. We just said what he said about Peyton was wrong,”
Fleischer said. “It’s like the saying . . . Someone with a little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing.”
Peyton Manning Is Already the Super Bowl’s (Pension)
MVP
By Timothy Martin
The Wall Street Journal
February 4, 2016
Peyton Manning this weekend will be the oldest quarterback to ever start a Super Bowl.
But on Sunday, when the 39-year-old trots onto the field at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., Mr.
Manning will be uniquely accomplished for another reason: he’s Super Bowl 50’s only six-figure
pensioner.
Based on his current 18 years of service, the Denver Broncos star would receive an annual pension of
$107,040, according to a Society of Actuaries’ analysis of NFL contractual data.
His next closest competition: 13-year veteran Charles Tillman, a cornerback for the Carolina Panthers,
who is set to pocket an annual $78,840 pension check after he turns 55.
The Panthers’ star quarterback Cam Newton? With just five years of service, Mr. Newton is due—for
now—to receive a $33,720 pension.
The NFL is crawling out of a pension hole that as recently as three years ago was $1.5 billion deep, with
the league owning less than half the assets required to fund future retirement obligations for 12,000
current and former players, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.
After Mr. Tillman, four other players—Carolina’s Jared Allen, Jerricho Cotchery and Dwan Edwards, as
well as Denver’s Antonio Smith—are 12-year veterans due to receive a $73,200 pension.
Players get the same bump each year for their pensions, regardless of salary. They can’t collect their
pension until the age of 55. The average annual pension benefit in 2014 was about $43,000, according
to the Society of Actuaries analysis.
That compares to an average annual pension benefit for public-sector employees of around $26,455,
according to U.S. Census data.
Mr. Manning can’t claim he’s got the biggest pension benefit among active NFL players.
That honor goes to Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri, whose 20-year career currently entitles him
to a $115,200 pension benefit.
At 43 years old, Mr. Vinatieri is only a dozen years away from being eligible to receive his pension
checks.
Super Bowl Pension Champions
The top six players in this year's Super Bowl, ranked by the pensions they're currently slated to earn
starting at age 55.
Name
Peyton Manning
Charles Tillman
Antonio Smith
Dwan Edwards
Jared Allen
Jerricho Cotchery
Pension
$107,040
$78,840
$73,200
$73,200
$73,200
$73,200
Team
Denver
Carolina
Denver
Carolina
Carolina
Carolina
Rivera, Kubiak: Profiles in survivalism
By Jay Mariotti
San Francisco Examiner
February 4, 2016
Not long ago, not long ago at all, the circumstances were aligned for neither man ever to arrive here, at
a Super Bowl, coaching for the highest prize of his football life. Ron Rivera could have been fired. Gary
Kubiak could have been dead.
Instead, both survived — and then thrived — in what stands as a telling testament to perseverance and
faith in an industry too often quick to press the ziggy button on stragglers.
Just last season, Rivera started 3-8-1 with the Carolina Panthers and was rumored to be an imminent job
casualty for what seemed an annual job watch. The year before, Kubiak was suffering through a horrible
season in Houston when suddenly, walking off the field at halftime of a Sunday night showcase game, he
collapsed and was rushed to the hospital as Bob Costas delivered gloomy updates on the telecast. He
was diagnosed with a “ministroke” — when, of course, nothing is “mini” about a stroke — and somehow
returned to the sideline days later amid reports the Texans were about to dismiss him, which happened
a short time after.
Well, wonders be. Come Sunday night at Levi’s Stadium, one of the two men will lift the Vince Lombardi
Trophy toward the sky. Though neither will say it, both have essentially flipped their middle fingers at a
cruel profession, the fickle and impulsive world of NFL coaching.
“Did I think I would get another opportunity? I don’t know, but I knew I loved the work, and I felt good
about continuing to go,” said Kubiak, completing a wildly successful first season with the Denver
Broncos. “I’d answer that by saying I just feel fortunate that I have gotten another chance — a lot of
coaches don’t.”
“All I can say is that I’m very fortunate to have an owner with a lot of patience, and a general manager
that works with me very well,” said Rivera, referring to owner Jerry Richardson and general manager
Dave Gettleman. “We’ve put players in position and had been hoping to get to this point, and we were
fortunate enough to get to this point.”
At least Santa Clara will be blessed, if for only a day, with two well-managed organizations that had the
vision to make sound decisions and the common sense not to screw around. The Kubiak story is a fairy
tale, though not without its trials this season. He first realized, after spending a productive 2014 season
as Joe Flacco’s offensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens, that he would have to stop living the
cliche of the hopelessly obsessive coach. In his next gig as a head coach, assuming he got the chance, he
would delegate more and pull back. A transient ischemic attack, the official diagnosis, is not to be taken
lightly.
“I don’t think it changed me as a person. I think after going through that and talking to a lot of doctors, it
made me change a little bit as a coach and how I go about things,” Kubiak said. “When I look back, I
know exactly why it happened and what I was putting myself through. I was trying to do too much. I kind
of ran myself into the ground a little bit. I’ve tried to do things different. I mean, I still love the work, so
I’m going to be up early in the morning working the hours, but I told myself to try to go about it a little
bit different — not try to take on everything myself and understand I’ve got good people with me.”
He needed a backer, someone who didn’t feel he was taking a wild chance on a damaged retread.
Kubiak found one in his old roommate from their playing days, one of his best friends in the world. John
Elway, the Broncos’ football boss, knew what his team needed: an extension of himself. Too many
postseasons had ended with a thud, without energy of competitive edge, and when he parted ways with
John Fox, he needed someone to lead a delicate transition in Peyton Manning’s twilight from an
offensive machine to a program centered around a monstrous defense.
So he hired his buddy, nepotism and cronyism be damned. “We started as kids playing together. We’re
very close,” Kubiak said. “Our families are close. Our kids are all kind of the same ages. We parted ways
for a while, and then another break ensues and I get this opportunity. He hasn’t changed. I haven’t
changed.”
And their chemistry hasn’t changed. While carefully handling the tender ego of Manning — first by
downscaling his role in the offense, then by urging him to miss six games and heal with a foot problem
— Kubiak successfully managed the Elway plan. “The hot seat Gary stepped into was the hottest in the
league,” Elway said. “He proved that our decision was right.”
The players have responded for Kubiak because, they say, he is honest. “That’s exactly what he is — a
normal, laid-back, honest, straight-ahead guy,” cornerback Aqib Talib said. “He’s just been
straightforward with us, tells us what he expects out of us, and that’s what we give him. He lets us be
men and he runs our team perfectly.”
All of this only 27 months after he was sprawled on a field, medics all around, a stretcher whisking him
into an ambulance as millions watched and gasped. “I think that gave me a better understanding of how
I should do things,” Kubiak said.
Rivera’s challenges were perceptional: Was he cut out to be an NFL head coach? He was rejected eight
times by franchises until Carolina finally gave him an opportunity. In 2006, he’d been let go as defensive
coordinator in Chicago, where he’d been a member of the legendary 1985 Bears extravaganza but was
made a scapegoat by head coach Lovie Smith — who now is out of work after being fired twice himself.
When Rivera finally was given his shot by the Panthers, it wasn’t long before they wanted to run him out
of town.
“If you were Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, would you fire Ron Rivera this week?” asked a Charlotte
Observer online poll in 2013.
Eighty percent of almost 11,000 respondents said no.
It was about then that Rivera decided to adopt a looser style. A year later, he figured it was time to let
his skilled but immature quarterback, Cam Newton, have more say in the offense and general leadership
of the team. The situation looked bleak again for Rivera late in the 2014 season, but something
interesting happened: The Panthers closed their regular season with four straight victories.
They have lost only once since, dancing and prancing and dabbing their way to a rarefied place in
football history if they win Sunday. Ever so slightly, the Panthers remind us of those ’85 Bears, which
hardly is a coincidence. “Keep your personality,” Rivera tells his team. “Be who you are. Be true to
yourself. Don’t be more, but don’t be less. Be exactly who you are. That’s what got us to where we are
today.”
He’s even offended when someone refers to his team as cocky, flamboyant, which is fascinating because
the description certainly doesn’t fit him. “We’ve kind of crashed the party. We’re kind of new to the
scene,” he said. “Not a lot of people know who we are and so to draw a quick conclusion on that based
on a couple of things, I think is disappointing. So we’re just embracing it and being who we are. We’re
staying relaxed. We’re able not to be distracted. I think that’s part of keeping your personality and
making sure that you are who you are. That’s helped us and I’m not going to have our guys change now.
All of a sudden you want our guys to tighten up?”
No one is prouder than his bosses. When he arrived in Charlotte before the 2013 season, Gettleman was
faced with the “Fire Rivera” blitz. On two occasions, national media outlets reported that he would be
fired. How do they look now? How do all the doubters look now?
“I had this crazy idea that there were smart people already in the building.” said Gettleman, explaining
his rationale for keeping Rivera. “People think that firing is always the answer. I’m sorry, I think
everyone should have an opportunity to do their job.”
Consider it an invaluable lesson for a goofish owner such as, oh, the 49ers’ Jed York, who decided that
Jim Harbaugh’s idiosyncrasies trumped his three straight NFC title-game appearances and dumped him,
only to compound the problem by hiring a woefully overmatched Jim Tomsula, only to confuse matters
further by appointing another potential Harbaugh in control freak Chip Kelly. Is anybody surprised that
York’s only headline of Super Bowl week was this beauty: kicking the Girl Scouts out of a planned
sleepover at Levi’s so he could pencil in a more lucrative concert, then having the nerve to tweet a selfie
of him buying Girl Scout cookies near the Super Bowl media center?
The best executives tend to lead their teams to the championship game. The best executives also
understand who should be coaching their teams. Let Super Bowl 50 be remembered, then, for two
profiles in the lost art of survivalism.
Wade Phillips leads Broncos defense like a boss
By Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
February 4, 2016
Wade Phillips might look 68, but the Broncos defensive coordinator doesn’t fit the stereotype of
someone who enjoys early-morning mall walks and early-bird specials.
He quotes Drake to his players -- the entertainer, not Sir Francis – uses Twitter like he invented it and
directs a defense that has carried the Broncos to Super Bowl 50.
“I’m surprised about how energetic he is,” Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson said. “When I first met
him, it was one of those things like, 68, that’s old, But he definitely keeps up with us. He definitely
knows his music now and definitely knows what’s going on. I think we help keep him young, too.”
Phillips is a football lifer. His dad, Bum Phillips, coached in the NFL for 16 seasons, but was a high school
coach in Texas for much of his career. The family moved constantly as Bum took better jobs.
“One day, we got into the car, and I didn’t know it, but we were moving to another town,” Phillips said
this week. “I grew up as a coach’s kid. It was like being an Army brat, I guess.”
That’s only a bit of a stretch. Phillips was a ninth grader in Amarillo, Texas, at the time, and the family
lived across the street from the school. Phillips knew his dad had accepted the head coaching job at
Texas-El Paso, but he wasn’t sure when the move was happening.
“I got a note that said come to the principal’s office,” he said. “I looked outside the window and they
had a moving van outside, which was sad for me because I had a girlfriend and a lot of friends. We just
left and that was it.”
Like his father, Phillips’ coaching career has included numerous stops. This is his eighth stint as a defense
coordinator. He’s been a head coach for three teams and an interim coach three times. He likes to joke
that he's the first coach in NFL history to be fired from the latter six of those jobs.
At the majority of his stops, his defense ranked in the top 10 of the NFL. Phillips’ base scheme is a 3-4,
but the structure of his defense changes from year to year based on the talent at hand.
That’s something he learned from his dad, too, and it’s rooted in coaching at the high school level,
where you don't usually control the skills that walk through the door. Adjust your system to fit the talent
at hand, Bum Phillips always said, not vice versa.
“He brings confidence is what he brings,” Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said of Wade Phillips. “You go back
and look at Wade’s career, everywhere he has been, he has been able to turn things around and find
some success early. So, I think that talks about his ability to teach.”
Despite that reputation, Phillips was out of football in 2014, and it wasn’t because he wanted to stay
home and build birdhouses.
“I really don’t have any hobbies and my wife says I don’t do anything around the house,” he said.
The Texans fired Kubiak and his staff, which included Phillips. No one would hire him, and Phillips was
perplexed. His wasn’t shy about sharing those feelings on Twitter (@sonofbum) at the time.
“Disappointed not even an interview after 7 straight full seasons of top 10 D with 3 different teams. Last
5 times as D C= playoffs1st yr”
That changed when the Broncos and John Fox parted ways after last season, and Kubiak was hired.
This is Phillips’ second stint as Kubiak’s defensive coordinator, and also his second with the Broncos.
It’s also the second time he’s coordinated the Broncos’ defense in the Super Bowl. The first time, in
1990, didn’t go so well. The 49ers beat the Broncos 55-10.
“We played against one of the greatest teams of all time (the 1989 49ers),” Phillips said, “so things
didn’t start out well and the harder we tried, the (more behind) we got. That’s about it.”
That’s not likely to happen Sunday. The Broncos might be the most talented defense in the NFL. They hit
Tom Brady 23 times in the AFC Championship Game, but the Panthers and quarterback Cam Newton
present much different challenges.
Newton can run and also throw from the pocket, and the Panthers have a strong running game.
Asked how his father, who died in 2013, would advise him to stop Carolina, Phillips said his dad would
have kept it simple: stop the run.
The Broncos’ game plan will be a bit more complicated than that, but Phillips has a knack for playing to
his players’ strengths. That, too, comes from his dad.
Earlier this week, he told the story of the time Oilers running back Earl Campbell failed to complete a
mile run in the prescribed time.
Reporters asked Bum Phillips how he was going to handle the situation.
“He said, ‘Hell, if it’s third-and-a-mile, we won’t give it to him. But we’re going to give it to him the rest
of the time,’” Wade Phillips said. “And we did. We rode that train a while, too.”
High pressure no problem for budding meteorologist
Owen Daniels
By David Haugh
Chicago Tribune
February 4, 2016
Every Tuesday and Thursday from 1-4:30 p.m. in a classroom at Wisconsin, tight end Owen Daniels sat
attentively during his AOS 452 course titled "The Frontal Cyclone.''
Professor Jonathan Martin recalled Daniels, the Broncos 10-year veteran whose NFL career peaks
Sunday in Super Bowl 50, totally transfixed without ever worrying about the class interrupting Badgers
football practice. Weather patterns took precedence over pass patterns for the aspiring meteorologist
"Owen never complained, never left early, never was anything but completely riveted by our
discussions,'' Martin said in a phone interview. "It's true for a lot of us in this captivating field. The story
is archetypal: You can't look away, but you don't want to look. Most people can't shake it. Owen was
one of those people.''
Martin and Daniels met during the Naperville Central star's recruiting visit because attending
Wisconsin's well-regarded meteorology school intrigued the student-athlete as much as playing for the
Badgers' highly ranked football team. Since a scary thunderstorm experience as a boy, climate study
enthralled Daniels, a self-proclaimed weather nerd. Daniels did an internship as a meteorologist at
WKOW-TV in Madison, and the last time he was involved in the Super Bowl, he appeared on The
Weather Channel with Al Roker in 2014 to discuss game-day conditions in East Rutherford, N.J.
How would an expert scout the prospective meteorologist who did his first weather forecast in Denver
last summer before he put on a Broncos uniform?
"I'd say he's a high second-round draft pick,'' Martin said, chuckling.
Daniels' little-known fascination came up the other day when the 33-year-old coming off a 46-reception
season was asked how much longer he wanted to play. Whereas many players move into the broadcast
booth after retirement, Daniels wants to step in front of a green screen.
"A couple more years, we'll see,'' said Daniels, who signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the
Broncos last spring. "The last few years I have kind of been assessing my career and what I want to do
next. I do want to work in weather in some capacity. I've spent a ton of time on it in college, so I want to
put that degree to work when I'm done."
Until then, Daniels contributes to an atmosphere conducive to winning on the Broncos with versatility
and dependability on the field and humor and humility off it. Whether Daniels was imitating Peyton
Manning's insurance commercials — "The weather for the game will be oh, so good,'' Daniels said like
the familiar jingle — to reliving his two touchdown catches in the AFC championship victory, nobody is
savoring Super Bowl week more.
"It means everything,'' Daniels said. "Really why I'm still playing football right now. … Ten years is a long
time to wait, but it's 100 percent worth the wait to have this experience and to be in the moment.''
The moment the Broncos hired Gary Kubiak last January, Daniels started thinking this was possible.
Kubiak was the Texans coach when they selected Daniels in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft and
the Ravens offensive coordinator in 2014 when they signed the all-purpose tight end. When Kubiak took
over the Broncos, naturally his caddie for the offense followed.
"I knew he had some football left in him,'' Kubiak said. "I've always thought the world of Owen.''
Daniels' coach at Naperville Central, Joe Bunge, spoke just as fondly reminiscing about how far his
former player had come. To Bunge, it said everything about Daniels' character that when Bunge visited
his daughter, Carissa, at Wisconsin — from which, coincidentally, she also graduated with a degree in
atmospheric and oceanic science — professors raved about the impact Daniels made on their
department, not just the football program.
"He's somebody who made everybody proud,'' Bunge said.
As a junior quarterback, Daniels led the Redhawks to the Class 6A state title but blew out his knee in the
second game of his senior year. Another knee injury during his second year at Wisconsin preceded a
position switch to tight end, where Daniels flourished. He played 43 games for the Badgers, none bigger
than beating Auburn in the 2006 Capital One Bowl to send coach Barry Alvarez out a winner.
"My favorite Badger memory,'' Daniels said.
The football memories have come flooding back in recent days. The introspective Daniels recounted
falling in love with the game the first day he put on shoulder pads and developing his skills in the
Naperville Youth Football League. Every time Daniels talked, the oldest of Jerry and Bridget Daniels' four
children who's playing in his 140th NFL game on the sport's grandest stage made it clear he hasn't
forgotten where it all started.
"I know a lot of people from back home are supporting me and proud of me,'' Daniels said. "I just want
to show my respect for them by playing well and doing everything I can to help this team win."
For Daniels, that would be the perfect storm.
Belief in himself and an opportunity brought Ryan
Harris to Super Bowl 50
By Sam Cowhick
Mile High Sports
February 4, 2016
The Denver Broncos started the 2015 offseason in quite terrible fashion. The first player to go down
with a significant injury was one of their most prized. Ryan Clady, the three-time All-Pro left tackle, tore
his ACL in the first day of organized team activities May 27. Things didn’t get much better in the regular
season. Rookie tackle Ty Sambrailo, who filled Clady’s spot, was placed on injured reserve with a
shoulder injury after Week 3. Ryan Harris was brought back to the team a day after Clady went down
and has turned his second run with the Broncos into a dream season.
“We had some tough situations with Ryan [Clady] and Ty [Sambrailo], losing those two guys to injuries. I
remember John [Elway] and Matt [Russell] and I sitting in the office and [talking about] what direction
do we go. You’ve got to try to find some experience here. Ryan [Harris] happened to be right in our
backyard, happened to be free, living in Colorado. So we signed Ryan,” head coach Gary Kubiak said
Thursday.
After playing his first four seasons with Denver (34 starts) he did not appear in a game in 2011; he
started five games with the Houston Texans in 2012 and 2013 before starting 15 of 16 for the Kansas
City Chiefs in 2014 season. Harris was training in Colorado, weighing some offers when the Broncos
called in desperate need of his experience. Harris was ready to sign with a team, but it had to be the
right opportunity.
“I started training fairly early and often in the offseason. I got some calls and offers early on that just
weren’t opportunities I was looking for,” Harris said Wednesday. “You’ve got to look at what is a real
opportunity. At that time, I had already played in over 80 games in the NFL. For me, it was one of those
things that I’m not just a guy out there on the street. If you want me to come in, I’m going to compete
for a starting job and I’m going to contribute.”
Although Harris had several years of experience and quality starts, the Broncos were in need of
someone who could play right tackle and possibly left, as Sambrailo and Michael Schofield, who had
zero game action in the NFL, learned how to compete at two of the toughest positions in the league. He
not only came in late but he soon had to shoulder additional responsibilities.
Harris started the first three games of the season at right tackle while Sambrailo protected Peyton
Manning’s blind side. Sambrailo was coming along quickly, but a torn labrum and a bone spur in his left
shoulder abruptly ended his season. Harris suddenly jumped to the left tackle position and didn’t miss a
beat. Harris has not only started every game this season, he has played in 90.7 percent of the offensive
snaps, second behind only center Matt Paradis.
“Oh, yes he has,” Kubiak said Thursday when asked if Harris had exceeded the team’s expectations. “I
think it has a lot to do with how Ryan has played. We’ve kept him fresh, but he’s responded. I’m very
proud of him. He’s a great example of having a career but then hanging in there and hanging in there,
and look what happens for him this late in his career.”
Harris had several offers to go elsewhere early in the season but he felt that they were to simply be a
role player or just a backup option. After 54 career starts, Harris still maintained the confidence he had
in himself. The difference between the Broncos’ offer and other offers came down to a mutual opinion
of his talent.
“It was clear when they called that there was going to be an opportunity to not only earn a starting spot,
but to also make it worth my time. They did enough to tell me that they believed in me and my abilities
and saw me the way I see myself, and that was enough for me to sign on the dotted line,” he said.
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF) Harris has had a slightly worse 2015-16 season than his last in
Kansas City. He has allowed only three sacks this season, compared to five last season, and he ranks
60th among NFL tackles, six slots behind where he finished in 2014. However, his PFF ratings are pale in
comparison to the dependability he has brought to a Broncos offensive line that has struggled with
injuries since Clady went down. Offensive line coach Clancy Barone coached Harris in 2010 and knew
when he returned it would pay dividends.
“Tackles, especially good tackles are very, very hard to find,” Barone said Thursday. “He’s been a great
addition to our room. The guy is a pro, he knows how to prepare, he’s been great for our young players.
So yeah, I’ve been very, very pleased.”
Harris has battled through eight grueling seasons in the NFL; his return to the team that drafted him and
their subsequent run to a Super Bowl has been surreal.
“I think it is so far beyond my dreams,” Harris said of playing in Super Bowl 50. “I think the dream of just
being in the NFL was enough for me then. To be here, I couldn’t write a better story. Every single trial
and triumph has been worth it to get here.”
Harris joined a team of several young, unproven players and some seasoned veterans; all of them share
a similar mentality that has morphed them into a tight-knit group that truly believes they can win one
more game. That unwavering belief is all the motivation they need.
“We just believe in ourselves, we believe in our team, we love our team, we love each other,” Harris said
emphatically. “Its such a selfless team and to win on Sunday would just cement everything that we
believe about each other, that we are capable, that we are champions, that we can fight through
everything and overcome any obstacle. To do that, that’s what that ring would signify for us. The belief
in this team has really been something unique here in all my seasons in the NFL.”
Harris started this spring by himself, a seven-year veteran tackle without a team. His belief, and the
Broncos belief in his skills has them one win away from a wonderful ending. Whatever happens Sunday,
certainly Harris has proven doubters wrong and the belief he has in himself has spread through the AFC
Champions.
SB50 notes: Broncos' Schofield gets unexpected chance
By Dave Birkett
Detroit Free Press
February 4, 2016
Michael Schofield was supposed to be a backup this season, watching and learning while waiting to
become an NFL starter.
But Ryan Clady suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the spring, and Clady’s backup, rookie Ty
Sambrailo, suffered a major shoulder injury in October, opening the door for Schofield to start at right
tackle for the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday (6:30 p.m., CBS).
“It’s definitely an unbelievable experience,” Schofield said. “I keep telling people — it’s my second year,
and I’m in the Super Bowl right now. Some guys go 15 years and never make it, so it’s definitely a pretty
surreal experience.”
A third-round pick out of Michigan in 2014, Schofield did not dress for a game as a rookie, and his future
seemed in doubt when Gary Kubiak replaced John Fox as coach last year and the Broncos drafted
Sambrailo in the second round.
Schofield struggled in his first few games this season, but he rebounded with his best performance of
the season in a playoff-opening win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and said playing against Von Miller and
DeMarcus Ware every day in practice has prepared him for Sunday.
“It’s just been a lot of fun,” Schofield said. “This whole season’s just been awesome. We’ve played some
great games, had a lot of fun as a team, and hopefully, we can keep the trend going.”
■ He’s hip: Peyton Manning missed the 2011 season after four neck surgeries. He missed six games this
season because of a foot injury.
Wednesday, the Broncos’ quarterback revealed that he’ll require hip-replacement surgery after his
playing career.
“When you have injuries, when you have surgeries, the doctor sometimes will mention to you, whether
you ask him or not, ‘Hey, you are probably heading for a hip replacement at a certain time in your life,’”
Manning said. “I said, ‘Doc, I didn’t ask you if I was going to have a hip replacement. I didn’t need to
know that right here at age 37. But thanks for sharing. I look forward to that day when I am 52 and have
a hip replacement.’”
Manning said he wears a “posture shirt” and does a lot of preventive stretching to help with his hip
condition, which hasn’t affected his ability to get on the field in his 18-year career.
■ Braced for success: Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis said he planned to try a new brace for his
broken right arm in practice Wednesday, the second contraption he has tested this week.
“Just another thing that our trainers came up with,” Davis said. “I don’t really know what they call it, to
be honest with you. I don’t really ask a whole lot of questions. I try the things on and see what they feel
like, and then when we go out and practice.”
Davis, who finished second on the team with 105 tackles, reiterated that he plans to play Sunday.
Final score won’t alter fan opinions on Peyton Manning
By Ron Borges
Boston Herald
February 5, 2016
The truth is, it really doesn’t matter what happens on Sunday night. Not, at least, in any historical
context.
Sure Peyton Manning wants to win what common sense and good sense both say should be his last
professional football game when he faces the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. Win or lose, will that
change whatever your opinion of him already is? Truthfully, no it will not.
In New England, Manning will always be the choker who “couldn’t win the big one,’’ even though his
team has eliminated the Patriots the last three times he’s faced them in the AFC Championship Game
(which all seemed like big games to me) and is 3-2 overall against Bill Belichick and Tom Brady in the
playoffs. Despite that, Manning’s legacy in these parts will always be determined by how he started,
which was losing six straight to Brady, including in the playoffs in 2003 and 2004 to a defense ranked No.
1 and No. 2 in points allowed. Manning was 0-5 against those Super Bowl-winning teams which, frankly,
was no crime because they were better than the Colts.
Since then, Manning has fared better but few in New England care. Although he’s 6-5 since the end of
that Super Bowl run and eliminated the Patriots the last three times he’s faced them in the playoffs, it
won’t matter. He’s 1-2 in Super Bowls while Brady is 4-2 so adding one more ring to his collection will
not change his critics’ opinion.
Same is true for the more fair-minded parts of the larger world. For those who think Manning is one of
the greatest passers of all time, another Super Bowl victory, while preferable, is not necessary to prove
it as the stage lights darken and the curtain comes down on what has been a brilliant career.
Manning has had three neck surgeries, foot surgery, significant elbow nerve problems, and announced
this week he will need a hip replacement at some point. His soon-to-be 40-year-old body may be the
oldest on the planet when it comes to tread wear. Although he is not yet Willie Mays in the 1973 World
Series or Babe Ruth in a Boston Braves uniform, he is much closer to that than to the quarterback who
set a standard for passing excellence for the past 18 years. On that there can be no debate, even from
Manning himself.
He will soon retire first in career passing yards (71,940) and touchdowns (539), second in completions
(6,125) and attempts (9,380), fourth in completion percentage (65.3) and fifth in quarterback rating
(96.5). For those who insist he’s been a life-long choker, he will also retire first in game-winning drives
(56). But those are not his only numbers.
For football lifers, Manning’s legacy as the game’s greatest passer will remain secure regardless of
whether he repeats his Super Bowl debacle of two years ago against the Seahawks or plays the most
brilliant game of his career. They look at the totality of the man’s accomplishments and see few peers.
His critics, on the other hand, look at his playoff failures, where he is 13-13 overall with a remarkable
NINE one-and-dones and see a figment of the statistical imagination. They see an aggregator, Mr.
October in a game that reveres Mr. January.
If the Broncos, powered not by Manning but by the NFL’s No. 1 defense, win Sunday he will become the
oldest quarterback ever to claim the Lombardi Trophy at 39 years, 320 days. He is already one of only
seven quarterbacks to reach four Super Bowls and would become one of only 12 with multiple Super
Bowl wins. He would also be the only quarterback in NFL history to win a Super Bowl with two different
teams. Yet the truth is, after two weeks of endless prattling on about Manning’s legacy, it’s already set
in stone.
For the hard-hearted, he will always be less than he should have been. For the more realistic he will
always be a victim of his regular-season excellence because the truth is, while his play has slipped in the
postseason, that holds true for most great quarterbacks.
There are no Jacksonville Jaguars or Cleveland Browns to assault in the playoffs. The defenses you face
are usually the stoutest in football.
Regardless of how things turn out against the favored Panthers, unless you have a heart as cold as a
glacier, it is always sad to see the end arrive for a great performer. When Sinatra could no longer carry a
tune or Ali couldn’t slip a punch, a loss is felt by everyone who remembered them at their height. Part of
what makes it so is not only their personal defeat but the reminder of the one looming ahead for us all.
I had the joy of being in the RCA Dome when it all began for Manning on Sept. 9, 1998. This hotshot
rookie from Tennessee was facing Dan Marino, the Peyton Manning of his day. Manning was both
brilliant and addled that game, passing for 302 yards to Marino’s 135 in a 24-15 defeat.
After it was over, he came in looking like someone had stolen his puppy, a kid not used to being sacked
four times and throwing three picks. He talked about learning a lot and he did.
The Colts were 3-13 that year but one season later Manning reversed that to 13-3. He would have only
one more losing season in his career yet the truest measuring stick of his value came in 2011 when he
missed the entire year with the neck injury that continues to deaden his arm.
That season, a Colts team that had won 10 or more games nine straight seasons went 2-14 and finished
30th in the NFL in total offense. It couldn’t even compete without him. Four years earlier, in 2008, the
Patriots lost Brady for the season and went 11-5 with a backup quarterback named Matt Cassel, who
went on to prove that’s exactly what he was.
What that says about Manning and Brady and the teams they played on is open to debate, as is nearly
everything between them but their jewelry collection. Of the latter, there is no doubt whose is
dominant. Sunday night’s outcome won’t change that or Manning’s place in football history.
But Manning will remain whatever you want him to be. Greatest passer? Biggest choker? That’s up to
you, not him.
All I know is when I left the RCA Dome that night 18 years ago I knew I’d seen something special, even in
defeat. Peyton Manning hasn’t done anything to alter that opinion nor will he on Sunday. But here’s
hoping he has one great night left in him, one last game to remind us all why, as Ty Law once told me,
“you didn’t sleep the night before you played Peyton Manning.”
That, better than any numbers you can crunch, says all you really need to know about who — and what
— he was.
From Small Town To Super Bowl: The Josh Bush Story
By Megan Allman
WFMY News 2 Greenboro, NC
February 4, 2016
Proudly framed in the student common area of West Davidson High School is a weathered green
football jersey with a stitch sewn above the number 5.
That jersey once belonged to former star for the Green Dragons, Josh Bush, who now dons the number
20 for the Denver Broncos.
A Tyro boy – playing in the Super Bowl.
“It’s a great sense of pride,” says West Davidson Athletic Director Dale Barnes who coached Josh during
his high school years, “It gives you a weird feeling inside. It’s hard for some of us men to describe
sometimes."
The Broncos' free safety graduated from West Davidson in 2007 where his talents were undeniable on
both sides of the ball. As a quarterback, he threw over 600 yards and rushed just as many. In 2006, he
was named The Dispatch All-County Defensive Player of the Year after having six interceptions as a
senior.
Barnes says Josh's old jersey serves as this reminder: that big dreams can come out of a small school.
“He [Josh] understands how important it is for our community and for our students to see somebody
from West Davidson leaving here and being successful."
Not just a baller on the football field - Josh was also a standout on the diamond. Coach Barnes even
anticipated baseball to be Josh's calling.
"I always thought his future as a baseball player was really, really bright," said Barnes. "I thought it was a
lot brighter and a lot more realistic maybe than being a football player."
But the football coaches at Wake Forest saw what the multi-talented athlete could do, and invited Josh
to a camp during his junior year.
Josh recounted the experience in a Facebook post the morning before his Broncos would win 23-16
against the Steelers to advance in the 2016 NFL playoffs.
On the day of that Wake Forest football camp, Josh rode with a teammate's mother due to both of his
parents having to work. Josh recalled his friend's mother telling him 'You never know what could
happen.'
You never know what could happen.
This is what happened: Josh went on to play for the Demon Deacons as a free safety, registering six picks
his senior year, and being named first team all-Atlantic Coast Conference.
The New York Jets picked up Josh in the 2012 NFL draft. He was with the team for two years before
signing with the Broncos' practice squad. During the 2015 season, Josh was waived from the Broncos
and became a Buffalo Bill for less than two weeks before eventually signing his second stint with Denver.
Now, he's going to his first Super Bowl.
And his parents, Janet and Anthony Bush, will be in Santa Clara rooting for him this Sunday.
Just down the road from West Davidson at Josh's childhood home in the small town of Tyro, Anthony
Bush holds up his son's signed #20 Broncos jersey, given to him as a gift by Josh.
The pro-athlete whose modesty usually keeps him from signing many autographs left a simple, but
special note on the jersey for his dad - "Thanks for everything you have done for me."
Anthony reads those words and beams with pride for his NFL son and the community that stood by Josh
since his days as a West Davidson Green Dragon.
"That meant a lot to me," said Anthony. "That let me know that he didn’t forget where he came from.”
Stanford head coach David Shaw watches Broncos
practice
By Andrew Mason
DenverBroncos.com
February 4, 2016
As David Shaw watched the Broncos practice Thursday, he stood at a unique -- and prestigious -- spot in
coaching circles.
Stanford's wildly successful head coach sits at the helm of a program firmly in college football's elite. But
Stanford is also a program renowned for its deep connections to the NFL and the coaching and tactical
philosophy of many in the league, not only through the two stints and profound ties to Hall of Famer Bill
Walsh, but a host of players, including Broncos legends John Elway and Ed McCaffrey, both of whom are
on hand in the Bay Area this week as general manager and radio color analyst, respectively.
Walsh's philosophies still guided the San Francisco 49ers in 1994, when Gary Kubiak worked on the
49ers' staff under Mike Shanahan, then the 49ers' offensive coordinator and then-head coach George
Seifert.
When Shanahan and Kubiak returned to Denver a year later, so much of their plan -- from offensive
philosophy to daily schedules and routines -- was built off the Walsh template.
And just as Walsh's influence continues to this day with the Broncos, it lingers at Stanford, as well.
"Bill, to me, was the definition of a football coach," Shaw said. "When it came to scheme, he was
brilliant. There was nobody better -- ever. When it came to motivating players, he could do that as a
team, but he could also motivate individually. He could get to guys and talk to them silently, or if he
knew that chewing out a guy would help him, he would do that.
"He would do whatever it took: trick him, tease him, play with him. Whatever it was, the end goal was to
get the best out of every single player, and I don't know that anyone has ever done it as well as Bill
Walsh."
Today, Stanford's football team is guided by Shaw and powered by the phenomenal exploits of
McCaffrey's son Christian, a Heisman Trophy finalist with a skill set unlike any other. But Christian is a
Colorado kid through and through, and supports his old man's team, only strengthening the bond
between Stanford and the Broncos.
"It's funny, after the AFC Championship Game, I called Christian, and Christian was so excited because
his team is coming to practice in his stadium, and his dad's coming," Shaw said. "It's been a special time,
and I'm excited for Sunday.
There was no better spot for the Broncos to practice this week than Stanford Stadium. The field was
pristine; the locker room was immaculate.
"It means a lot, because we've got such a great community here and we put so much into these
facilities," Shaw said. "To be able to share it with the NFL, and a franchise like the Denver Broncos --
especially one that's been associated with Stanford University, with John Elway and Ed McCaffrey -that's so special for us.
"I'm glad that it's working out for the team, but we're just excited to host them."
Peyton Manning a product of the coaches who guided
him
By Andrew Mason
DenverBroncos.com
February 4, 2016
Barely seven weeks from his 40th birthday, Peyton Manning stood in front of another crowd of
reporters Thursday, answering another set of questions in anticipation of a game that will, for better or
worse, help define his legacy and his football life.
No starting quarterback has ever had so much experience heading into a Super Bowl -- experience
through victory and defeat, exposure to myriad situations, the continued evolution of the sport into one
more aerial-centric than ever before and, finally and most importantly, the coaches that guided him
along the way.
In the professional ranks, that started with Jim Mora in Indianapolis, who Manning knew from the
coach's time on the Saints sidelines, when he even let Manning run a period of practice as a highschooler against the Saints' then-elite defense.
"He was a tough disciplinarian and I think really helped our team," recalled Manning "Even though
Coach (Tony) Dungy came in and took over, Jim Mora taught that team and taught all of us about
discipline and about how to be a professional and approach your business and your craft with a serious
tone. I really enjoyed playing for him."
Mora understood what he had in Manning, and knew the value of patience with his then-young
quarterback.
"He stuck with me that year [1998] all season," Manning remembered. "We went 3-13, I led the league
in interceptions and still hold the rookie record for interceptions, which I really pray maybe this kid [Cal
QB Jared] Goff who gets drafted this year breaks it this year."
All joking aside, Mora got to reap the benefits of Manning's rapid development before the 2001 Colts
limped home 6-10, wrecked by injuries. That remains the last losing season in which Manning took a
snap. Mora was dismissed and replaced by Tony Dungy, who guided the Colts to seven consecutive
playoff appearances and a Super Bowl XLI win.
"Tony Dungy -- you have to check old notes for that for how I feel about him and what I have learned
from him," Manning said. "He was a special guy to play for and had a unique way of leading and
coaching. ‘No excuses, no explanations' was one of his catch phrases and I think that is a good one to
always remember."
And in looking back at the old notes, one example of what Manning learned from Dungy stands out:
composure under duress. When the Colts trailed the Patriots 21-3 in the 2006 AFC Championship Game,
it seemed as if the RCA Dome would collapse in panic from fans stunned at a potential third postseason
loss in four seasons to the Patriots.
Dungy, meanwhile, was an island of tranquility.
"That calm look on his face," Manning said after that 38-34 Colts comeback win. "He's calm on the
opening kickoff, and he's calm when you're down, 21-3. How many guys can say that? He's just a cool
customer."
Dungy left the Colts after 2008, ceding the reins to longtime assistant Jim Caldwell, who was Manning's
position coach. Caldwell kept the Colts stampeding, leading them to consecutive division titles and a
Super Bowl XLIV appearance before four neck surgeries ended Manning's 2011 season before it began.
The bond between pupil and teacher was profound. Caldwell remains a "great friend" and helped
Manning hone his intense eye for the smallest nuances of the game.
"Attention to detail," Manning said. "We had a great routine we did every single day from in the film
room and on the field. Attention to detail and taking care of those little things that would take care of
the big things. That had a big influence on me."
Caldwell was dismissed after Manning's final season in Indianapolis. He moved on and played four
seasons for John Fox, who Manning said reached out to him this week, along with Mora, Dungy and
Caldwell.
"John Fox had a great passion for football," Manning said. "You really wanted to play well for him and
make that great throw for him or that great tackle. All the players loved playing for him.
"John Fox was a big reason why I came to Denver," Manning added. "We had a great three years
together. We had a special team on that Super Bowl team that got beat by a better team."
And Fox was followed by Gary Kubiak, with whom Manning meets most days. He didn't want to
compare Fox and Kubiak, nor should he.
"I have enjoyed learning from Coach Kubiak this year," Manning said. "Continuity is always a great thing,
but when you do have a chance to play for some different coaches I think you want to take advantage
and learn from them. I am grateful for all of those people and I have learned something from all of
them."
And when Super Bowl 50 kicks off, Manning will have the chance to apply every lesson he's learned from
every coach.
No quarterback has ever gone into a Super Bowl with more accumulated wisdom, more career wins and
more accomplishments. Sunday, he hopes all of it gives him the insight to guide his team across the
finish line with a Lombardi Trophy in hand.
Broncos Injury Update: Full participation for everyone
By Andrew Mason
DenverBroncos.com
February 4, 2016
Safeties Darian Stewart and T.J. Ward and right guard Louis Vasquez were upgraded from limited to full
practice participation as the Broncos continued their week of fine-tuning work in advance of Sunday's
Super Bowl 50 showdown with the Panthers.
All three were limited in Wednesday's work, but they saw more repetitions as the Broncos practiced for
a second consecutive day in helmets. Stewart has been recovering from a sprained MCL, while Ward and
Vasquez dealt with ankle and knee injures, respectively.
"We came out here with the thought that they’d all be limited again," Head Coach Gary Kubiak said via a
pool report. "But we got a response from them, so they just worked [normally]."
At the Thursday morning media session, Stewart said he came through Wednesday's work with no
setbacks.
"It felt great, man," Stewart said. "Another day of practice and I'll be all right."
ON THE FIELD, Peyton Manning had just four incompletions according to the pool report provided by
the Pro Football Writers of America.
"This is as good as he’s looked all year long," Kubiak said, via the pool report “You saw some big
downfield throws today. This is what Peyton looked like back at the start of the season."
INSIDE LINEBACKER BRANDON MARSHALL has not had an injury concern for over a month, having
recovered from the ankle injury that forced him back to the sideline on the first possession during the
Week 17 win over San Diego.
But he has played the entire season with two screws in his foot to aid in recovery from surgery -- one of
which broke in the preseason. This season has been defined by pain tolerance, although it has gotten
easier over time.
Marshall has known for months that he will undergo surgery to have the screws removed once the
season ends. When the Broncos qualified for Super Bowl 50, an end date was finally set. But no surgery
has been scheduled as of now.
"We haven't had a date, but I need to set a date, because I want to get it over with," he said. "That's
something I should talk with 'Greek' [Head Athletic Trainer Steve Antonopulos] about."
The sooner Marshall undergoes the procedure, the sooner his recovery can begin -- and the sooner the
restricted free agent can take part in offseason work. He delayed having the screws removed because
that surgery would have potentially ended his season.
"The doctors said we could talk about it after the season," said Marshall, "but I should probably plan it
now."
Though injured, safeties Bruton and Bolden still
contributing
By Ben Swanson
DenverBroncos.com
February 4, 2016
Two years ago when the Broncos left Denver to begin their preparation for Super Bowl XLVIII, they were
missing a significant part of the team.
They had all the players who would appear during the game, but they did not take those on injured
reserve (like Chris Harris Jr. and Von Miller, who were recovering from torn ACLs), opting to have them
come out on the Thursday before the game.
"I know how it felt to be left," Harris said. "It kind of felt like none of my plays mattered that year."
But this year that changed and those who are on injured reserve have been with the team for the entire
week.
"I think that's just an awesome thing you can say about Coach [Gary Kubiak]," safety Shiloh Keo said. "He
sees the importance of bringing all his guys out here, whether they're playing or not, because we're still
part of one team. They're still one of us. Even though they can't help us contribute in the game on the
field, there are still other things that they can do for us by just supporting us, being there, showing that
they're still committed. And it's just an extra set of eyes and ears and extra minds in the meeting rooms
[and] on the sideline, so when you bring everybody and you have everybody together, it's so much
easier to want to fight harder."
Though they have a much freer schedule than the active players, safeties David Bruton Jr. and Omar
Bolden—the two safeties on injured reserve—have contributed when they can. They're in position and
team meetings, able to offer their perspective if they so choose.
"They're still involved," said Defensive Backs Coach Joe Woods. "[Bruton is] a guy that on our back end,
he could play any position: both safety positions, he could play the dime positions. I mean, he really
knows what everybody does on defense. So he's always been a guy in the room that can help other
guys, in terms of if they're struggling or having questions. So they're still involved, they're coming to the
meetings, and that's kind of what they do, him and Omar both.
"It's definitely good for us to have those guys on the road, just to help go through the process in terms
of what we do film-study-wise, what we're doing game-plan-wise and to give those guys some
comments and to help guys if they have any questions. So it's really been good from that standpoint."
Their involvement helps during games, almost as if they're temporary assistant coaches. They've offered
advice to their teammates based on their experiences and what they see on the field.
"Things always look different on the sidelines," safety Josh Bush said. "It's just you're able to see more,
perhaps, of just them telling me some things that I may not have seen, different disguises that we can
do."
Though Bush and Keo, each added to the roster late in the season, have experience with Defensive
Coordinator Wade Phillips and his scheme, some extra help can't hurt.
"They just want to make sure they're doing everything possible to help us out so that we can continue to
just be that next guy in and hold each other to the same level of play that everyone's had all year," Keo
said. "It's really cool just to be able to grow and get to know these guys and see their passion for the
game and see how bad they still want it, even though they can't be out on the field."
Antonio Smith plays for his teammates, and his father's
memory
By Andrew Mason
DenverBroncos.com
February 4, 2016
Even as he grieves for the death of his father, defensive end Antonio Smith knows where he belongs:
with his teammates, preparing for the biggest football game of his life.
"Definitely. My life in this stage has a bigger purpose than me, my feelings and my emotions," Smith
said. "People are counting on me. My brothers are counting on me. There's no question."
Smith's father, Marty Williams, died at the age of 58 this week following complications from heart
surgery. Smith said that his father "had some problems breathing" in recent weeks, giving him a hint of
the news he received early Wednesday morning.
Somehow, Smith's smile and enthusiasm remained through his work Wednesday and as he answered
questions Thursday morning before going to meetings and practice at Stanford University.
"It comes back every now and then," Smith said. "It's a hard thing to endure, but the spirit he put in me
is my spirit. I was born with it. Through rougher and harder times than this, I even smiled. Throughout
the whole hard year I've smiled. It's something that I have no control over; it's who I am."
One reason why Smith will stick it out through Super Bowl 50 is because he didn't have to look far for
support; it came from his teammates.
"Everywhere. More support than I ever thought I even had," he said. "Just love. Love coming from every
direction. The epitome of Jesus Christ, man -- just love. Wherever I needed it, it came."
Williams has been incarcerated for since 1991 after being convicted of murder in Oklahoma. According
to The Denver Post, a Denver attorney, Johnny Lombardi, investigated the case to try and free Williams,
and told the Post that Williams "was falsely convicted" of the crime.
For the last quarter-century, Smith never stopped visiting his father on a regular basis. During the
season, he only had the opportunity to visit him on bye weekends, but during the rest of the year, when
he settles down at his ranch in Jones, Okla., he tried to visit at least every other weekend.
"I took more from it than he probably did," Smith said. "He might have felt that he took more from it
because of the situation he was in, not being able to see us as much, but I drew from it every time I
went, man.
"The knowledge and wisdom that man harbored inside him was amazing. It drew me to him in the same
way knowledge draws some of my brothers in to me. I got it from him."
One bit of advice stood out above all the rest.
"He just had a way of saying in the right place with a confidence that always moved me, and he would
say, 'God brought you this far; he ain't about to leave you now,'" Smith recalled.
"And sometimes everybody says that, but when hard times come, that ain't what you're thinking -'Yeah, I hear what you saying, but I feel this pain' -- and he just would say it in a way where it would
penetrate, like, just remember everything you've been through. You never thought you were going to
make it out of them situations when you first got into them, and He carried you every single time, so
why not this time?
"Him and my grandfather were strong, manly men. They were like, 'Pick your head up and stop all that
weeping and remember that He brought you this far; He's not about to leave you now.'"
There was something else Smith received from his father -- athleticism. He said that most of his athletic
ability comes from that side of the family.
"My dad's side, I mean, there were 300-pound men who could probably run 4.8, 4.7. They would have
Olympic trials in a famous black town in Oklahoma called Sandtown; that's where I'm from. We called
called them 'Hood Olympics,'" Smith remembered.
"They would be picking up cars; picking each other up. They're over 300 pounds, some are 350, and
they're picking each other up with one arm. They had footraces with 180-pound guys. Man, I wish I had
all of their athletic ability. I just had a little bit."
But despite being the "clumsy, slow-footed one," as Smith himself put it, he did enough to get this far,
and when Sunday comes, he will play and hopes to get a sack not only for his teammates, but his father
and family, as well.
"Definitely. It would be a wonderful memory," he said. "But even more than that, I wish that this week I
could bring a good and encouraging word to my brothers. I think that's my greater purpose."
Sacco Sez: Denver's Super Bowl architect
By Jim Saccomano
DenverBroncos.com
February 4, 2016
With the decision to move Media Day to prime-time television on Monday night, millions of football fans
got the opportunity to see the organized chaos of that moment live for the first time.
When you watched the event take place, did you notice that many players had organized positions, and
that the NFL Network had a designated set?
Organizing this event is a major project, but who exactly does the design and execution of Super Bowl
events? A man from Denver, that's who.
Jerry Anderson is a co-founder of Populous, a sports architectural firm headquartered in Kansas City but
with offices in Denver, as well as with six other locations in the United States and seven locations in five
other countries.
I have been honored to know Jerry over the past 30 years as a good friend, and he is as humble today as
he was when he did the design for his first Super Bowl 29 years ago.
Populous has designed over 1,000 sports venues worldwide and Jerry personally has had a direct role in
the design of 11 Olympic Games.
He is calm (I don't know how), completely charming and so humble one would never guess the impact of
his role. But it is big, even if Jerry makes it seem like no big deal.
"We plan out the needs for the Super Bowl, assign the space, design the needs, and then build it out,"
he says.
Oh, it's as simple as that?
The job includes dozens of employees and hundreds of temporary workers, planning out and putting up
trailers, tents, offices, pipes and drapes, to include virtually every square foot of Super Bowl space.
He is quick to praise every employee, and in most cases will give the credit to someone else when you
know very well that he made the decision.
I worked with Jerry for over two decades in the building out of the media center and credential area,
and to make it very clear, he was always very tolerant and understanding of the goofiest request,
invariably either doing it or doing something much better thought out, and always with a smile.
You need a generator to provide more power to the stadium? Tell Jerry.
You want to heat the outdoor press seating area in Arizona (yes, this really happened)? Tell Jerry.
For many years, Gary Wright of the Seattle Seahawks and I were "co-captains" of the media center, and
it was such a joy to work with Jerry. It was a warm moment for me and Gary, and I hope for Jerry, when
we ran into each other on gameday when the Broncos played the Seahawks, and he took the time to
take a picture with us.
A Denver resident who truly is a Westerner, Jerry got his bachelor's degree from Montana State and
earned a master's in architecture from the University of California-Berkeley before embarking on an
illustrious career.
This most regular of guys is an internationally recognized and honored sports architect who, in addition
to designing the Super Bowl for these past three decades, did much of the major design work on Coors
Field, Pepsi Center, and Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Denver.
Jerry also designs the Pro Bowl, the Major League Baseball All-Star game, and the National Hockey
League Winter Classic series.
A busy guy, you have to catch him when you can at his office in Denver, as he is more often than not on
the move.
In fact, when we played the San Francisco 49ers in London several years ago and our team buses pulled
into the fabulous new Wembley Stadium for practice, the first words I heard as I got off the bus were
"Hey, Sacco!"
Who is calling me out in London?, I wondered.
It was the architect of the NFL's international games, of course, from Denver to London, the ubiquitous
Jerry Anderson, smiling and in charge, as always.