The Broncos have not done that. The defense forces a turn over, th

m right now. Great teams capitalize on other team’s mistakes. e offense starts a drive, and it falters. They get a drive extending penalty, and then get called for holding. There have been moments where Vance Joseph and company were out-coached. These are not the traits of a great team. I wish I knew what was the driving factor as to why the Broncos aren’t great. There have been a small number of players that have said things about the coaching staff, but I’m only 95% sold on that. I can see that HC Joseph has a real passion for the game and the people he coaches, but with the ever looming legendary shadow of John Elway, who knows what is causing their misfortune. They should not be as bad as their record. The ever building frustration for this particular fan has almost turned completely to delirium.2: What’s your opinion on Case Keenum so far? He hasn’t had the season many Broncos fans were hoping for, but is he still the franchise QB of the future, or do Denver need to look elsewhere?This is an overly talked about topic amongst Bronco’s fans (and has been since Peyton Manning rode off into the sunset), but not so much in the media. You’re absolutely right about not having the season many of us expected. After all the positive vibes that came out from the players about having Keenum at the helm... we’re left with more questions than answers. My opinion, is that Keenum wasn’t ready for this particular starting job, and is playing to not screw up. After quite the positive season with the Vikings last year, Keenum seemed poised for a starting gig. But in Minnesota, what did he have to lose? He was the backup that came in and performed. When he came to Denver, he was made “the guy” that the entire region had so desperately wanted after three seasons sans Manning. To me, at training camp, and at practice, he seemed like he could very easily fill the role. When he gets into the game situation, to me, his body language looks different. Being “the guy” at quarterback in Denver is not an easy place to be. There’s a lot of unnecessary pressure from numerous places. We have been spoiled as Broncos fans when it comes to a lot of player personnel, and most fans have zero appreciation for it. I feel like coming to Denver to be the starting QB, under John Elway, with Gary Kubiak around, comes with additional pressure. I would like to see Keenum relax and see if he can ball out, or if the starting job just isn’t for him. We know what he (and the offense) SHOULD be doing or accomplishing, but it’s just not happening. That usually boils down to two things: The players in those positions are not good enough, OR the coaches aren’t preparing the players and themselves well enough. But in any ‘Case,’ what we will see out of Broncos quarterbacks will be a mystery week in and week out, and that makes the foreseeable future not very foreseeable.3: In my opinion Brandon Mebane Color Rush Jersey , Phillip Lindsay doesn’t get enough of two things - respect, and touches of the football. To me, he’s been one of the best RBs in the NFL this year. Am I overvaluing him? How exactly is the Broncos RB situation playing out with Lindsay, Freeman and Booker all commanding touches?We have a Mile High Report chat room, which is quite active during the games. We are constantly using the term “Run. The. Ball.” As an undrafted rookie, no one in the league gets that kind of respect until they win an award or something bigger. You are in no way overvaluing him. They need to run the ball more. He (Lindsay) is still number 8 in the league in total rushing yards, ahead of Giants RB Saquon Barkley. Lindsay and Freeman are the future at running back for Denver, which should be exciting in the years to come. Booker is still the best (of the three) at pass blocking, and has shown that he can also be valuable coming out of the back field catching passes. I believe that if either Lindsay or Freeman had that pass blocking abilities that Booker has, Booker would’ve been released (or traded) coming out of camp. But Booker is not only good at picking up the blitz, he’s good at reading where they’re coming from, and that’s not always an easy class to teach RBs. Booker has an opportunity to really show off his value, but I expect it to be the Lindsay and Freeman show next season, I just hope they get something for Booker. 4: I think it’s fair to say Vance Joseph isn’t having the time of his life anymore. The consensus amongst Broncos fans (at least, as far as I know) was that he shouldn’t have been bought back for this season, and I doubt anything that’s happened so far has changed your mind. Just why has it been such a disaster for Vance in Denver?Yet another overly talked about subject within fan communities, and again, not a hardcore topic within the local media. But it will be if this team continues to underperform. There are plenty that felt that “VJ” has had his time as head coach and it’s come to an end. And yes, there were many fans and a portion of media that felt that Joseph’s time in Denver was over last year. This... this is a topic where I wish I was a fly on the wall in Dove Valley. There is opinionated speculation that President of Football Operations and General Manager John Elway wants to have a “Yes” man in the head coaching spot. That personality is not easily found within seasoned head coaches. I feel like Vance is smart enough to be a head coach. He definitely loves the game, and loves the people he works with and coaches, but there is something missing from his style. I’m not sure if it’s knowledge, experience, swagger, or what. But there have been a number of moments where the chess match that is the game of football has gone against the Broncos, mostly because of a move that did or did not come from the head coach. Those are things that are learned through time. However, time and patience is not the Broncos way (both organization AND fans). It feels like (and this is strictly a gut feeling) Vance doesn’t have a mentor, or anyone that is giving him game knowledge. Like he’s been coaching on the terms or “trail by fire.” With the brains that make up the front office and coaching staff, there is zero reason for Vance not progress and get better. But then again, and at MHR we talk about it often, is he coaching to not screw up, knowing that Elway (and Broncos fans) have little patience for lacking success? Again Michael Schofield Color Rush Jersey , we’re left with more questions. 5: How did you feel about the Demaryius Thomas trade? Is it simply a case of making space for the talented Courtland Sutton and Daeshawn Hamilton?On the surface, the DT trade looks legit. There have been many games where he failed at catching important passes. Not the big time TD type of passes, but those 2nd or 3rd and long situations that could’ve continued drives. BUT, underneath, DT has some very, very impressive stats. The numbers don’t lie, DT is a great wide receiver. Now, that being said, he was one of the highest paid WRs in the league when he and Denver agree on his new contract in 2015. He still is in the top 15 as far as contracts go. I think, for fans anyway, he wasn’t the performer that we see out of the comparable WRs in the league (D. Hopkins, A. Brown, A.J. Green etc). All of that considered, he was a great human. He was constantly involved with the community, and his fan interactions are something I am genuinely going to miss. But, he is in Houston now. I do believe that trading DT was about the future and the cap space it is going to require to maintain that future.This year’s Bronco rookie class is something that is going to cost some dollars in the next three years, and I do not envy John Elway and staff to figure out the numbers it’s going to take to keep guys like Sutton, Lindsay, Freeman, and Chubb. Courtland Sutton can be an elite WR in his career. He reminds me of a young Megatron, in that, not only is he big and strong, but he’s also creative in the way he sets himself up to make plays. While some WRs are only looking for the ball, he’s figuring out ways to keep the defenders hands out of the way so he can make clean catches. The other aspect of Sutton’s game that I really like is his ability to make blocks downfield. He has been a part of many big plays, simply because he’s making blocks. When guys like Phillip Lindsay or Emmanuel Sanders are running past Sutton making a block, I’m extremely encouraged by his know how of what makes a good, all around wide receiver. His future is very bright. Daeshawn Hamiltion is going to be good, maybe great, but I don’t feel like he has been incorporated enough within this offense to see his true potential. However, with things settling now that DT is gone, we may see that change.I predict another nail biter Tyrell Williams Color Rush Jersey , and praying that the Broncos can finally be on the winning side of these close games.Broncos win 31-30.Thank you so much for having me Bolts! Good luck on Sunday! FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers says thinking about how to defend against the Los Angeles Chargers has kept him up at night.“Over the bye I had a dream about not setting the edge,” Flowers said this week. “I woke up and it was a nightmare.”New England’s leader this season with 7½ sacks, it was Flowers who gave opposing offenses fits as part of a defense that’s had its struggles but did just enough during the regular season to earn victories against some of the NFL’s top quarterbacks including Andrew Luck, Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers.The Patriots’ next challenge is Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers , who will arrive in Foxborough on Sunday still looking for his first playoff victory (0-2) against New England and his first win over the Patriots with Tom Brady as the starting quarterback.Rivers is 1-5 overall in regular-season meetings with New England, with his lone victory coming in 2008 when Brady was sidelined with a knee injury. He has yet to throw a touchdown pass against the Patriots in the postseason.But Flowers said none of Rivers’ past shortcomings are evident when he dissects the 37-year-old quarterback on film.“He’s definitely a veteran that’s been very successful over his career,” Flowers said. “I guess the experience just allows him to know that he can take over the offense, he can change things. It’s just one of those things where you’ve got to be aware that he can come in and take over.”Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in that way the challenge of defending Rivers is not unlike the one Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger presents. Both are big presences in the pocket, giving them the ability to spot open receivers. Their size also makes them difficult to tackle.“Makes good decisions with the ball, uses everybody — as he always does,” Belichick said.That said, defenses have been able to get to Rivers with the pass rush this season. He was sacked 32 times during the regular season, up from 18 a year ago.A perennial 4,000-yard passer, Rivers is among the NFL’s best quarterbacks at throwing the deep ball. But according to analysis done by Football Outsiders, the Patriots finished the regular season second only to the Chicago Bears at defending passes that travelled at least 16 yards in the air .The Patriots also enter Sunday’s divisional round having forced eight turnovers in the final three games of the regular season.Rookie cornerback J.C. Jackson was responsible for one of those turnovers, an interception against Buffalo. One of New England’s latest undrafted gems, he finished with three interceptions on the season. It’s helped fortify a veteran-led secondary that’s made things difficult for opposing quarterbacks.Safety Duron Harmon leads the Patriots with four interceptions. First-team All-Pro Stephon Gilmore has two picks on the season.Jackson says he’s looking forward to his first bite of playoff football.“Of course, I’m nervous — this is my first playoff game,” he said. “I’m nervous, but I’m ready. It’s a ready nervous.”While New England’s defensive personnel has changed over the years, Rivers said the Patriots have consistently made things difficult on him over the years.“The ability for them to be very multiple and do things very well and really you see how … they do of trying to take away what you do best,” he said.Rivers may have to throw the ball even more this week with running back Melvin Gordon dealing with a knee injury he sustained during last week’s wild-card win over the Ravens.Gordon helped take a lot of pressure off Rivers during the regular season. In 12 games, he rushed for 885 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also catching four scores out of the backfield. His 5.1 yards per rushing attempt average was also key in helping Rivers and offense sustain drives.Gordon rushed 17 times for 40 yards and a touchdown against Baltimore.Chargers coach Anthony Lynn rested Gordon at practice on Wednesday and acknowledged he likely wouldn’t be 100 percent by Sunday.Harmon said he is expecting Rivers’ best, whoever is in the huddle with him. He said he’s not trying to overthink the challenge.“Just try to make it hard on him,” Harmon said. “Give him different looks. Try to make him play that game with us and hopefully we can win that mind game against him.”