06-26-26 Hour 2 of Broncos Country Tonight with Grant Smith and Zach Segars

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back to it Broncos Country tonight. Ben Benjamin Albright
off this evening. Who cares if we get his name right?
He roots against Team USA all the time. Benedict Arnold
Albright as Zack Segers, so put it Grant Smith alongside
Zach Segers. Thanks to Ryan Blackburn for joining us in
the last segment. We've got Zack Stevens coming up in
the next segment. So we're gonna do the six pack

(00:21):
a little early. Never a bad idea on a Friday night.

Speaker 2 (00:24):
It's time for the NFL six Path.

Speaker 3 (00:27):
I'm gonna train a lot of insight and insight information
you can't find anywhere else.

Speaker 4 (00:32):
No.

Speaker 2 (00:33):
Six the Top six NFL headlines.

Speaker 5 (00:37):
What Josh Allen said on NFL Network this week that
despite all the changes in Buffalo this offseason, the team
still has its eyes set on the Super Bowl.

Speaker 1 (00:50):
What are the twenty twenty six bills gonna be all about?

Speaker 6 (00:52):
You know, a lot of new We're gonna figure things out,
and obviously we go to camp July twenty eighth. That's
where you're really where you can make your team, you know,
But like you said, a lot of new faces offense, defense,
staff wise, new stadium, new head coach, So there is
a lot of news and we're looking forward to getting
out there and really learning each other and building that

(01:14):
team camaraderie when we go to Saint John Fischer's in Rochester.
But yeah, I mean, it's another tough task, but the
goal remains the same, and that's to bring a you know,
Lombardi Trophy to Western New York and we're gonna do
everything in our power to make that happen.

Speaker 5 (01:28):
Do you think we'll see the Bills take a step
back this year with all that change in all those
new faces and who will win the AFC East? Is
it going to be the raining AFC champs the Patriots
were the Bills.

Speaker 1 (01:40):
I think we will see a little step back from
the Bills at the beginning of the season. But I
think the addition of Joe Brady as a head coach,
a fresh voice. It seemed like Sean McDermott's time had
come to an end there. Even though I didn't necessarily
agree with the firing at the time, the longer I
sit with it, I think it was time for a change.

Speaker 2 (01:58):
Just you know, you hear the same message we.

Speaker 1 (02:00):
Saw what the Nuggets and Michael Malone like he's a
great coach. Sean McDermott very good coach, but it was
time for a change. So I think we'll see a
little bit of a step back at the beginning of
the year from the Bills, but I think they do
unseat the Patriots at the top of the AFC East
by the end of the year. The Patriots, they were
a great story last year. You know, they got lucky.
I feel like in the playoffs at bo Nicks broke

(02:21):
his ankle the game before against the Buffalo Bills, and
they've got a first play schedule this year, so we're
going to see how real the Patriots are. We know
what Josh Allen and the Bills are, even with some
new faces and a new head coach. When you have
that dude as your quarterback, you're always in contention for
a Super Bowl.

Speaker 5 (02:38):
And you know what, I think the most valuable addition
might be one of the guys they got from here
in Denver, Jim Leonard. I've heard about how he's an
incredibly bright, sharp, innovative defensive mind since he was the
defensive coordinator at Wisconsin.

Speaker 7 (02:53):
A lot of people don't know this.

Speaker 5 (02:54):
Kirby Smart stole a lot of his scheme ideas from
Jim Leonard.

Speaker 1 (02:58):
Which Kirby Smart is considered, you know, the best defensive
coach in college football.

Speaker 5 (03:02):
BINGO and college football is where a lot of these
ideas trickle up from, you know, his the offense is
or NFL is getting more spread and a lot of
new ideas come up from college football, so they tend
to be on the cutting edge. I think he's going
to do great things for that defense, which under McDermott
was very sound, would always do very well in the
regular season, but once it got to the postseason and

(03:23):
game plans got more team specific and you could really
pick at the really specific weaknesses of a scheme. You
saw the Bills defense kind of crumble and collapse, you know,
the thirteen second game being the.

Speaker 7 (03:34):
Most obvious example of that.

Speaker 5 (03:36):
Jim Leonard is going to be throwing curveballs at the
Mahomes's and Lamar Jackson's and Joe Burrows of the world.
Once it comes to January and February, I think this
might be the year the Bills get over the top.

Speaker 1 (03:46):
So you've got them definitely went in the AFC said
absolutely two.

Speaker 5 (03:51):
The NFL have started to unveil its Top one hundred
players list for twenty twenty six, announcing players one hundred
through ninety one this week. No Broncos have made the
list so far, though. That said, how many Broncos do
you think will ultimately make the list and who do
you think those Broncos will be?

Speaker 2 (04:10):
Let me, I'm gonna have to count on my fingers here.

Speaker 1 (04:12):
So we've got it's nice that they're all going to
be in the top ninety. Right, So let's think we've
got Bo Nicks Yep.

Speaker 7 (04:20):
I think he makes it.

Speaker 2 (04:21):
He made it last year, right, Yeah, I'm pretty sure,
so he's got to make it this year.

Speaker 1 (04:24):
PS two obviously, Nick Benito yep. He definitely made it
last year. Zach Allen yep. And who who am I
missing here? I was gonna say some.

Speaker 7 (04:35):
Of the line. I think it's harder for the line than.

Speaker 1 (04:37):
Yeah, maybe win Miners. Yeah, I think that's my five
for the Broncos. I think that's good. I think I
might I might be a little aggressive here. I think
Bulls might make it too.

Speaker 2 (04:48):
He did have a great year last year.

Speaker 5 (04:50):
And then you know what I'm gonna say, Jayalen Wattle
makes it Okay, Yes.

Speaker 1 (04:57):
I didn't even think about him because he hasn't played
a snap for the Bronx Goes yet. So you've got
seven Broncos in the top ninety.

Speaker 5 (05:03):
I'll say seven in the top ninety. I think they
had like eight or something last year. Okay, so I'm
going to still let the difference and go six. Smart man,
what Broncos?

Speaker 1 (05:11):
Let me ask you this question, what Broncos that will
not be on the list this year do you think
could make a big enough impact this season to be
on the top one hundred.

Speaker 2 (05:20):
List next year?

Speaker 4 (05:21):
R J.

Speaker 2 (05:21):
Harvey, Ooh, I like that. So you think there's some
growth in his game still to come.

Speaker 7 (05:25):
I think there's a lot.

Speaker 5 (05:27):
You see what he did as a runner at UCF,
and I think just the game was moving a little
fast for him this first year. Like he was great
at finding those tight little openings and shooting through them.

Speaker 2 (05:37):
And finding the end zone ultimately, Like vision was kind.

Speaker 5 (05:40):
Of a strength for him at You see if it
was a little boom or bust, but he found the
creases to make it work. I think he takes a
step as a runner this year, and he's already one
of the most dangerous pass catchers out.

Speaker 2 (05:52):
Of the backfield in the league. I'm gonna agree with
you on that.

Speaker 1 (05:54):
I like that pick a lot, and bringing in Jonah
Coleman out of Washington in the running back room maybe
provides a little extra motivation for RJ to continue to
improve his game.

Speaker 5 (06:03):
Absolutely, And I think Jonah Coleman might be taking more
of those Dobbin snaps than those Harvey snaps with you know,
we know how role specific Peyton is, and you know,
with speed and whatever body does, like he needs that
little Jordan Humphrey body type. He needs these different body types.
Jonah Coleman is much more like JK. Dobbins and RJ.
Harvey's kind of in his own little realm.

Speaker 4 (06:25):
Three.

Speaker 5 (06:27):
The NFL has announced April twenty ninth to May first
as the dates for the twenty twenty seven NFL Draft
in Washington, DC. The twenty twenty eight NFL Draft is
set to be in Minneapolis. They haven't announced any pass that,
notably Denver. They've been a finalist, They've been heavily considered
multiple times, they have yet to be selected as a

(06:47):
city to host an NFL draft. When do you think
Denver's finally going to get that chance to host the
draft end. Do you think they're just going to have
to wait until that new stadium comes in twenty thirty
one or.

Speaker 1 (06:57):
Whatever your second part of that question answered my or
use my answer for the for the first question. I
think it is gonna be when that that new stadium
is done. I think that'll be the big unveiling will
be when the when the new stadium is done, they'll
get the NFL Draft, and then a couple of years
later after that they'll get their their super Bowl with
that retractable roof. So I think it will be a

(07:19):
little later than Broncos fans hoped for, but it will
be a massive party and an unveiling of a beautiful
new stadium.

Speaker 5 (07:26):
Absolutely, I agree with you, and I wish I didn't.

Speaker 7 (07:29):
I I want that.

Speaker 5 (07:31):
I want a fun event in Denver because I know
they'll show out like we've seen Nashville and Kansas City
and some of these other cities that haven't gotten a
super Bowl, Pittsburgh most recently show out for the Draft.
I think it'd be amazing in Denver. And it's a
great time of year here. It's not too hot.

Speaker 7 (07:45):
You know, you're you're.

Speaker 2 (07:47):
April to early May. It's the best in Denver.

Speaker 5 (07:49):
It's fantastic and you've got a lot to do. There's
outdoorsy stuff. It'd be good for tourism all that.

Speaker 1 (07:55):
I can catch a Red Rock show while they're here
for the Draft.

Speaker 5 (07:58):
Rockies course fields get getting going around that time. I
think maybe no, no, there'll be some overlap there. So
I just I think the city's so deserving. I want
it to happen, but I think it's kind of hard
to imagine. Where would they host it, you know, maybe
Sixteenth Street. I think they'll probably wait for that stadium
district to be built alongside the new stadium and then
do it there.

Speaker 2 (08:18):
Yep, I agree.

Speaker 1 (08:18):
I think it's longer than Broncos fans want to wait,
but it will come eventually.

Speaker 5 (08:24):
Four Rams Superstar quarterback Matt Stafford said on Chris Long's
green Light podcast that Drew Brees really inspired him to
play longer.

Speaker 1 (08:36):
You know.

Speaker 3 (08:36):
I think one of the things that surprised me was
I was talking to Drew. This was before last season,
and he was like, how old are you again? I
was like, I'm thirty seven. He was like, you might
have your best five years of your career coming up. Wow,
you know, and I was like, huh, you know, I
never really thought about it that way. You're taught as
a player in this league. It's a young man's game,

(08:56):
and the older you get, you're just kind of doing
everything you can to try to stay up to par
with everybody else. And you know, Drew saying that kind
of little fire under me, and you know, gives you
a little bit of belief that maybe an old guy
can still go out there and spin it around a
little bit. And obviously last year was a successful year
for our team and for myself, and and you know,
just gives you a little bit of energy moving forward

(09:18):
and hope that that continues.

Speaker 5 (09:20):
I mean, Drew Brees seems to be incredibly a soothsayer there,
like said might be the five best years and then
he wins his first ever MVP. How many years do
you think we'll see Stafford play? And it's Stafford retired
right now, right now? Do you think he'd be a
Hall of Famer?

Speaker 1 (09:37):
Well? I answered the second question first. Yes, I don't
know if he'd be a first ballot Hall of Famer,
but he would definitely be in there. I mean, you
just look at his numbers and then you add the
super Bowl win on top of it. He's a Hall
of Famer, in my opinion, one of the best to.

Speaker 2 (09:50):
Ever do it.

Speaker 1 (09:51):
And I've always been saying, you know, after his year
last year, his MVP season, which was remarkable, I always said,
if they win it in so far this year, he's
retiring and they're all in. We talked about it yesterday,
like they want this championship this year in their home stadium.
But then begs the question, if they do win it,
does he want to try and repeat and go back

(10:13):
to back as an NFL champion, you know, and then
end his career with three Super Bowl wins. I mean,
that makes you a clear first ballot Hall of Famer.
So maybe we see him for a couple more years.
If he can stay healthy, which he's battled injuries throughout
his entire career, if he can stay healthy and play
at the same level he did last year, I could
see two or three.

Speaker 2 (10:31):
More years out of Matthew Stafford.

Speaker 5 (10:33):
I'm fully with you, And you know he's got the
one ring. Now you mentioned the numbers. I think people
underrate how great his numbers are. Do you know where
he rings all time in passing yards? And now where
is it sixth all time in yards, seventh all time
and touchdowns.

Speaker 7 (10:48):
That puts him in.

Speaker 5 (10:49):
Yards, he's right behind Aaron Rodgers and Brent Farr, Peyton Manning,
Drew Brees, Tom Brady. You know, those records have fallen
a lot recently, but I remember here in Denver when
Peyton Manning was trying to topple those far records, and
farv In Marino for a long time were that standard
bearer of you know, the all time compilers. Stafford's already

(11:10):
ahead of Marino. He's going to pass Philip Rivers and
some more guys on the passing where he's already had
of He'll pass Philip Rivers in passing touchdowns probably the
first game of this year. He's just two behind him.
That he's going to be top six in both categories.
Has an MVP has a Super Bowl even without those
two touchdowns, I think.

Speaker 7 (11:29):
He'd make it in there.

Speaker 2 (11:30):
Yeah, I agree.

Speaker 1 (11:31):
And man, he's a guy that like, even if you're
not a fan of either the Lions in the past
or the Rams currently, he's a guy that you root
for because he seems like I mean, minus his wife
talking out of pocket quite often, he seems like a
dude that you want to see succeed because he just
seems like a great dude who gives.

Speaker 2 (11:48):
All of his effort to the game.

Speaker 5 (11:50):
Seems like a great guy and absolutely loved the city
of Detroit. That was a dysfunctional franchise and he really
wanted to be the one who could turn it around,
and you know, didn't work out, but had some great
years there, one of the all time great lines.

Speaker 7 (12:01):
Just like a teammate of his, Megatron five.

Speaker 5 (12:05):
Texans OC Nick Keyley told the Houston Chronicle this week
that c J. Stroud and the offense made a lot
of progress over the course of last season. Will we
see Stroud finally bounce back to rookie form this year
and if not, do you think it's time for the
Texans to try and find another quarterback.

Speaker 2 (12:23):
I think this is a make or break year for CJ. Stroud.

Speaker 1 (12:25):
I mean, it was such high hopes for him after
his rookie season looked fantastic. We do have to remember,
as bad as he was in the playoffs last year,
the Texans have won a playoff game every year he's
been there, so they are still finding ways to win,
albeit largely because of that defense last season.

Speaker 2 (12:43):
I do think we see a bounce back here from CJ. Stroud.

Speaker 1 (12:46):
I think there's been a lot of outside noise with him,
some of it public, some of it not, and I
think he will maintain his focus and bounce back to
that rookie year.

Speaker 2 (12:55):
Form after a couple of years of regression.

Speaker 1 (12:57):
You know, we always hear about the sophomore slump, but
not the third year slump.

Speaker 2 (13:01):
So he's had two tough years in a row.

Speaker 1 (13:03):
I think this is the year that he proves that
he belongs in that upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks.

Speaker 7 (13:08):
I'm with you.

Speaker 5 (13:09):
I think he's got some scars and some warts with pressure,
you know, playing behind a battle line and getting you know,
the heck beat out of you for two years, We'll
do that. I just think, you know, this is going
to be the best offensive line he's played in front of.
And if they just get a better line, if he
isn't always fearing for his life back there, I think

(13:31):
you do see a really good quarterback and so I
think you get more of that version of CJ.

Speaker 7 (13:35):
Stroud this year.

Speaker 5 (13:36):
They bounce back and they might end up being my
pick to represent the AFC in.

Speaker 7 (13:40):
The Super Bowl.

Speaker 5 (13:41):
I'll probably pick the Broncos, because when you got a
team this good, you got to back them.

Speaker 7 (13:45):
But I think the Texans are right there.

Speaker 1 (13:47):
I was going to ask you that question, then you
already answered it. We're in synchronicity here, But yeah, I
think the Texans are a legit contender for the Super Bowl.
As we know here in Broncos Country, when you have
a top five defense, it makes every thing on the
offensive side of the ball a lot easier.

Speaker 5 (14:03):
Six last up here, Team USA is advancing to the
knockout stage after winning Group D.

Speaker 7 (14:11):
The last night's three.

Speaker 5 (14:12):
To two last second loss to Turkey definitely raised some
red flags and you know, left you with a bad
taste in your mouth. Did last night's match hurt your
confidence in Team USA all that much? And you know,
put your money on the line, grant how far will
Team USA go?

Speaker 1 (14:28):
I was talking to my buddy, I went to the
Rockies day game on Wednesday, and how about those Rockies
winning a couple of games or a couple.

Speaker 2 (14:34):
Of series in a row here?

Speaker 1 (14:36):
But I said, hey, man, we just need to take
a flyer ten bucks apiece and bet on Team USA
to win it all. Obviously, that was before their loss
to Turkey A. But I mean that game didn't mean anything,
as we talked about in the first segment tonight, So
it did hurt my confidence a little bit, just because
it felt like they were going to eke out that
to to draw with all their backup players. But we

(14:59):
saw all Christian Polisic back healthy. We see that the
dine dynamic way that they play now. Like it used
to be, they would get like a one goal lead
and just sit back and hope that the other team
wasn't going to score. They're the aggressor now on the
offensive side of the ball. So I think a legit
Privi prediction for me. I do not think they're going
to win it all. There's too many powers that come

(15:20):
out of Europe and Argentina and Brazil that probably will
keep us from that ultimate goal of winning a World
Cup on home soil. But I think there's a legit
chance that they make it to the quarterfinals, the final eight,
and then you only got to win two more games
and anything can happen in the quarterfinals, in the semi
finals of the World Cup. So I'm still feeling very
confident about this team USA making it to the final

(15:43):
eight of this World Cup.

Speaker 7 (15:44):
I'm with you.

Speaker 5 (15:45):
I think they got the path to make it to
the final eight.

Speaker 7 (15:48):
They've got good breaks.

Speaker 5 (15:49):
You look at all the other tough matchups in the
tournament and the excuse me, Team USA really does have
a good path. I think they make it to that quarterfinals.

Speaker 1 (15:56):
Yeah, man, And how awesome, how rabid was the fan
base be this growing Team USA fan base, be here
on home soil. If we can be hosting a final
eight game in the World Cup, I mean, that's just
it seems almost impossible that it could be happening this soon,
But it feels like it really is our time.

Speaker 7 (16:14):
Absolutely, that stadium will be rocking.

Speaker 5 (16:17):
I can't imagine it'll be such an exciting television watching experience.
Even that said, I don't know how much good it'll
do them if they run into Spain in that quarter finlee.

Speaker 2 (16:27):
Yeah, that's the truth.

Speaker 1 (16:28):
I mean, there are some legit countries still that will
be in our way if we make it that far.
We'll see if Zach Stevens has the World Cup fever,
as well as get his thoughts on his conversation with
Marvin Mims that coming up next on Broncos Country Tonight
on KOA Welcome back to it Broncos Country Tonight Grant

(16:50):
Smith alongside Zach Segers the Wet Blanket. Benjamin Albright off
tonight as he was on KOA Sports all week filling
in for Ryan Edwards as he got some much needed vacation.
So we're going to go out to the driest blanket
in Broncos Country. Always spinning things positive, which we love
here on Broncos Country Tonight. Zach Stevens with DMVR at
Zach Zac Stevens DMVR on X Zach.

Speaker 2 (17:14):
How are you tonight, man?

Speaker 4 (17:15):
I'm doing great, Fellaws, thanks for having me on.

Speaker 2 (17:18):
Yeah, appreciate you joining us.

Speaker 1 (17:19):
Before we get into some Broncos conversations, definitely want to
ask you about your discussion with Marvin Mims.

Speaker 2 (17:25):
But have you caught the World Cup fever? Man?

Speaker 1 (17:28):
It seems like this team USA is prepped for a
deep run, even though they had a disappointing loss last night.

Speaker 4 (17:34):
Yeah, a little bit last night was fascinating at the end,
they're good thing. It didn't mean too much for the USA.
But yeah, I'm pumped for the elimination stage me too.

Speaker 7 (17:46):
I just cannot wait.

Speaker 5 (17:47):
I've got the World Cup fever myself and it's just
been such an exciting run.

Speaker 7 (17:52):
Zach.

Speaker 5 (17:52):
You had great audio that you put out from your
interview with Marvin Mims at his summer camp. It really
got me thinking about that whole situation. I think it's
one of the more fascinating storylines to watch, you know,
throughout the rest of this offseason and you know, maybe
even into the regular season.

Speaker 7 (18:10):
What is your view on that contract situation.

Speaker 5 (18:13):
Do you think it gets wrapped up ahead of the season,
do you think there's chance for it to be done
mid season, or you know, is it maybe going to
come down to the wire with a potential Marvin Min's exit.

Speaker 4 (18:25):
Yeah, I think this is a very interesting situation. Like
you said, I mean, for so many different reasons. This
is fascinating. On one hand, Marvin's a great player, not
just as a kick returner and a punt returner, where
he's a two time All Pro and then the year
he didn't become an All Pro last year, he still
led the NFL in punt return yards, so he's invaluable
in special teams. And then when he's when he gets

(18:46):
the ball as a receiver, he is so unbelievably good
and he's proven it all three years that he's been
with the Broncos. He had a three game stretch his
rookie season Week two, three and four where he went off.
He had a seven game stretch at the end of
his second season where he had four hundred and fifty
receiving yards six touchdowns on twenty eight catches just on

(19:09):
thirty three targets, so proved that he can do it
for a long stretch too. And then last year in
the playoffs, in the two playoff games, one with a
backup quarterback, he had twelve catches on fourteen targets for
one hundred and fifty five yards and to touch down.
He is unbelievably productive, but it's only when he gets
that opportunity. And the most snapshets had on the offensive

(19:29):
side of the ball has been thirty eight percent, and
that was his rookie season. So clearly the Broncos are
now loaded even more wide receivers, so you don't expect
those touches to go up. So it's very, very interesting
to see it from both sides of the ball. The
Broncos do not want to let Marvin Mims go, guys,
but Marvin Mims wants a chance and an opportunity to

(19:50):
show that he can be a receiver that's on the
field seventy percent of the time and get more targets
than he's been getting right now, So I think the
Broncos are either going to have to to pay him
a pretty penny and a pretty penny is looking at
that Rashidhi eed contract that he got Dehawks of the
Year this year that was seventeen million dollars a year,
three years, fifty one million, thirty four million guaranteed, or

(20:13):
I think Marvin's gonna say, man, I don't want to
take a discount to play, not as much as I
think I should play. So I think this is this
fascinating Marvin Mins's comments. We're essentially, man, this might be
my last year here, and you know what if so,
it's okay, because I've had a great time here. But
I think he just knows that if Davis Webb doesn't
give him a bigger opportunity in the offense this year,

(20:35):
then he wants to go explore something else. So right now, guys,
I think it might actually end up being just a
mutual parting of ways where the Broncos just say, hey, man,
we've got too many guys here, and Marvin says, I
want more touches. So that that's my read on this
right now. Now the Broncos can always come in with
a big offer that Marvin says, you know what, I'm
not going to turn down thirty four million dollars guaranteed.

Speaker 1 (20:58):
Talking with Zach Stevens of d VR here and man,
I gained a new appreciation for Marvin Mems after you
put out that audio on your X page at Zack
Stevens DMVR of him talking. You can tell he's clearly frustrated,
but he's saying all the right things, Like he said,
you know, this team has something special about them and
could we could we could possibly win a Super Bowl.

(21:20):
That not his exact words, but the point he was making.
It feels like he is the odd man out the
last couple of years. But you mentioned the addition of
Jalen Waddele and how stacked this wide receiver room is.
Does that mean that we're going to see Troy Franklin's
production go down as well? Is he more of an
odd man out this year with the addition of Jalen.

Speaker 4 (21:37):
Waddle, Yeah, I mean the addition of Jalen Wattle hurts
probably those other three guys outside of Courtland Sutton. It
probably does hurt Marvin Men's, Pat Ryan and Troy Franklin
at least in the short term in terms of targets. Now,
Troy Franklin believes that he can make the most out
of those targets that he gets. Marvin Mems obviously whenever
he gets those targets, he makes the most out of him.

(21:59):
And honestly, guys inside the building, the Broncos might be
the highest on Pat Bryant of those three guys. So
the Broncos have a fantastic problem, and that is how
do they get these five receivers on the field as
much as possible. And look, you're not going to be
taking Jalen Wattle and Courtland Sutton off the field that much.
I actually think Jalen Wattle is going to free Courtland
Sutton up. So we might actually see Courtland Sutton have

(22:20):
a career year this year, even with Jalen Wattle on
the team. And it's I expect, and this is talking
from people, I expect the Broncos to go a lot
more ten personnel, that's one running back, no tight ends
on the field, and potentially Evan Ingram on the field,
but acting more like a wide receiver than a true
tight end. So split out. And it's because the Broncos

(22:41):
are just loaded at those two positions. You want JK.
Dobbins on the field, you want Jonah Coleman RJ. Harvey
rotating with them, and then you have five receivers, and
then I'm going to add Evan Ingram to that mix,
so you essentually have six receiving threats that you want
to get on the field as much as possible. So
I wouldn't expect a lot of heavy tight end for
in fact the opposite. A lot of wide receiver heavy

(23:03):
formations this year.

Speaker 5 (23:04):
That's fascinating kind of zagging while the rest of the
league is digging. I tends to work out pretty well
for teams. I'm curious, Ek you talk about how many
pass catchers there are, and there really are so many.

Speaker 7 (23:15):
RJ.

Speaker 5 (23:16):
Harvey was one of the more dynamic pass catching running
backs last year. You mentioned Ingram, the five wide receivers,
Who do you think becomes.

Speaker 7 (23:23):
That tertiary option?

Speaker 5 (23:26):
You know, I think we all understandably expect in some order,
Sutton and Water are going to be one and two
who is that third guy that that, you know, change
up pitch. Do you think they'll go with Will it
be Harvey Ingram or you know, one of those up
and coming receivers.

Speaker 4 (23:44):
Yeah, it's a great question, and it's it's the answer
that I was trying to find out during OTA's and
mandatory mini camp when we were out there. And obviously
it's just a fraction of what we're going to see
in training camp in pre season. But I'm going to
go off what I saw, and I think there's two
guys that are kind of taking that lead role right now,
and that's Evan Ingram and Troy Franklin. Troy Franklin guy's

(24:04):
eight hundred yard receiver last year. He had his goals
for this year before the Jayalen Wattle trade set on
eighty targets for twelve touchdowns or eighty catches for twelve
touchdowns and one thousand yards, and that was very realistic
for him to do before they got Jayson Wattle. Now
it's probably going to be difficult for him to hit
those numbers, but after an eight hundred yard season, he

(24:24):
proved that he is a very good receiver in the NFL.
Just in the second year, he was absolutely trending to
be a thousand yard guy. So I think from the
wide receiver room, from what I saw in OTAs and
mandatory Mini camp, I'd give the lead to Troy Franklin there,
but also Evan Ingram. He probably taught more passes in
OTAs and mandatory Mini camp than anyone, not just tight ends,

(24:46):
but anyone, And that might be a hope that Davis
Webb is going to make him a feature in this
offense like we thought he was going to be last year.
And then obviously he was frustrated at the end of
the season with the way things went over the season.
He had a a very down year compared to what
he had done the past couple of years before. So
I actually expect that Evan Ingram that now's the time

(25:07):
to buy stocking him because it's only going to go
up from here. And then I do think Troy Franklin
has that lead on the third wide receiver spot.

Speaker 1 (25:13):
All right, on your word, I'm adding Evan Ingram to
my fantasy football draft board right now.

Speaker 2 (25:18):
I agree with you. I think he is going to
have a big year.

Speaker 1 (25:20):
Talking with Zach Stevens of DMVR here on Broncos country tonight.
You mentioned Mini camp and OTAs let's flip to the
defensive side of the ball. What stood out to you there?
I mean, like you said, we can't see everything until
they put the pads on, But did anything stand out
to you on the defensive side of the ball.

Speaker 4 (25:36):
Yeah, a couple of things stood out guys, And really
that outside linebacker spot. Obviously with the situation with Jonathan Cooper,
all eyes were there, and during OTA's when he was there,
in the mandatory mini camp when he wasn't there. There's
two guys that continue to stand out to me from
that outside linebacker room. Obviously putting Nick Bonito aside because

(25:56):
we all know how good he is, but it's two
guys and the one that really stood out Hugh Robinson,
number fifty one man a rookie last year. He is
developing better than the Broncos could have ever hoped. And
this is the guy that has the opportunity to potentially
be a starter across Nick Benito in a year or two,
maybe even at the end of this year he takes

(26:18):
that spot. This guy has all of the NFL tools
you could want from an NFL outside linebacker. Went to Alabama,
so he has the physical tools and mentally and physically
he is developing at a rapid pace with this Broncos
defense and in the NFL. At the end of the
season last year, George Payton said, of all the draft
picks in last year's class, Hugh Robinson might have the

(26:40):
most potential. And the Broncos drafted Jade Baron a luxury
pick at number twenty, So that just shows you how
much they like Hugh Robinson. And he has developed right
in front of our eyes time and time again. He
was getting sacks, getting pressures in OTAs and mandatory mini camp.
So very very encouraged with him as a depth piece
this year and potentially a starter by the end of

(27:01):
the year, if not next year. And then another guy
in that outside linebacker room, Jonah Ellis. There's a lot
of talk this off season, understandably so because Sean Pate
brought it up that Jonah, we're gonna play a little
more inside linebacker. Franktons an't going to keep them at
outside linebacker and just have a couple of packages on
third down where he does move inside. And Jonah Ellis,
he just continues to prove he's such a he's such
a good player and he might have the most opportunity

(27:25):
this year with the Jonathan Cooper situation. So those two guys,
that was really encouraging to see.

Speaker 5 (27:30):
That's incredibly exciting. It's it's awesome to have too many
edge rushers like that is an incredibly luxurious position to
be in. Looking also on that defense, maybe some of
the more shallow spots, there's big questions with you know,
the loss of p J. Locke and and you know
dra Greenlaw moving elsewhere with the depth at safety, the

(27:51):
depth at linebacker. As you know, teams are getting more
tight ends on the field, enforcing more safeties and more
linebackers onto the field as well. What does depth look like?
Who do you think those third options are at those
respective positions.

Speaker 4 (28:04):
Yeah, it's young depth there and it's a lot of
unknown depth with those positions and that's something that Vance
Joseph is going to have to develop. But look, those
guys have great mentors ahead of them. That's one of
the reasons the Broncos wanted to bring out with Singleton
back is to mentor those young guys in the room.
And he's a fantastic mentor. But the goal is to

(28:25):
not have a lot of young guys play at either
of those positions. That's why you brought back Alex and
Justin and then with the safety room as well, you
have a lot of unknowns there. And I'll tell you what,
Jel Skinner physically is everything you want in a safety.

Speaker 2 (28:39):
Now.

Speaker 4 (28:40):
He had a torn labram all of last season and
still played every single game, which was pretty remarkable. This
is his opportunity that is wide open for that third
safety spot. This is his opportunity to grab that. I
like some things that I saw from him in the
off season program. And then inside linebacker guys Red Murdoch.
He's just a player, a little bit undersize, but man,

(29:01):
he was making some plays out there. I'm excited to
see mister Irrelevant and what he does because I would
bet that he's going to force at least one fumble
in the preseason and get Broncos fans fired up.

Speaker 2 (29:13):
Yeah. What did he have?

Speaker 1 (29:14):
Seventeen last year at Buffalo led the entire NCAA, So yeah,
I'd love to see that happen. He's a sleeper pick
for a lot of people to be the rookie that
makes the biggest impact on this Broncos team. Out of
this year's draft class, who else do you see making
an impact and the real games, the games that matter
as the season progresses.

Speaker 4 (29:33):
Yeah, Jonah Coleman, I mean instantly, that's the guy that
pops up. This guy is NFL ready right away. And
obviously we saw what a rookie running back can look
like with RJ Harvey last year. Look, it was not
all bad for RJ. Twelve touchdowns was incredible. He became
the joker for Sean Payton. But look, he came from
UCF which really ran two running plays, to a Sean

(29:55):
Payton offense which runs way more than two running plays,
and so it was a little overwhelming for him. Some
people were a little disappointed with how the running game
did at the end of the season when JK Dobbins
wasn't there. I'll tell you what, Jonah Coleman is the
NFL ready right now. He's got the size, He's arguably
got the best size of anyone in that running back
room right now. I expect him to be a feature

(30:18):
on this team outside of JK. They are going to
use RJ still in that joker role, but then you're
going to see Jonah Coleman get a decent amount of
caerries this year as well as the Broncos really tried
to manage the load of JK.

Speaker 2 (30:30):
Dobbins.

Speaker 4 (30:30):
So I'm excited to see Jonah Coleman. He's ready to
go right now. And then another guy that flashed during
the off season program, specifically at the end in the
final week of OTA's in the mandatory mini camp, was
Tyler on Yetow. Guys, it was really impressive to see,
especially because what I was told is more of a
developmental project for the Broncos. He flashed a couple of times,

(30:50):
and man, if he continues to do that, he is
going to get an opportunity to take over that John
Franklin Meyer role, wearing the same number as JFM as well.
Now I wouldn't give him the lead for that right now,
but it's encouraging to see him have some flashes because
he had two sacks. They're a mandatory mini camp, which
really impressed me.

Speaker 5 (31:08):
Well, you talked about replacing JFM. That's maybe the biggest
question the Broncos have to answer this offseason.

Speaker 7 (31:14):
If not Tyler Roonietam in the lead.

Speaker 5 (31:16):
Who do you think is in the lead to replace
that critical role on this defense.

Speaker 4 (31:21):
Yeah, it's probably got to be any whojaza Rique and
also Saviian Jones is in that mix as well. I
don't think it's going to be someone that just takes
over jfm's role and fills it completely. I do think
it's going to be by committee, and right now, I'd
have to give it to a guy that has been
productive over this past year in the NFL, and that
is any juaza Rique. But Bronco who's the third round

(31:43):
pick on Savion Jones last year. They hope he's able
to develop in that but early frontrunner, I gotta go any.

Speaker 1 (31:49):
Tako with Zach Stevens of dmv R. It does a
great job over there. And final question for you tonight,
Zach Garzak Young Seegers said earlier we're having a little
Nuggets conversation that Joker is the best athlete all time
in the Mile High City.

Speaker 2 (32:05):
Would you agree with that? And how much do you.

Speaker 1 (32:07):
Think that assessment because I actually agree with it too,
But how much do you think that assessment angers Broncos fans?

Speaker 4 (32:14):
Yeah, it probably does anchor Broncos fans. I guess how
do you define an athlete in this conversation?

Speaker 5 (32:21):
I would say, and I guess maybe Peyton Manning because
I was overlooking him because he finished the career here
the last few years. But I was thinking John Elway,
Duca Denver, Joe Sakic. I think if you were asking
the best national NHL experts, the best national NFL experts,
they might not have John Olay or sack Kick or
wa As like those, no doubt top ten fifteen players

(32:43):
in the sport all time, no matter the position. I
think a lot of guys would put Jokic there.

Speaker 4 (32:50):
I see what you're saying, Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I
would probably. Yeah, you're right about Peyton because if Peyton's
in there winning that final Super Bowl with the Broncos,
and if you give me his entire career, you do
go Peyton right now, just the way the NBA is, guys,
with with how important it is to win championships in

(33:10):
the NBA, I'll still give it to Elway right now
if you're excluding Peyton. But if Yoki gets just one
more championship to get into that multi championship caliber, then
he's definitely in the top ten in the NBA. And
so right now I'll still give the lean to l
Way because he does have those two championships.

Speaker 2 (33:31):
I love it. I love it.

Speaker 1 (33:32):
Zach Stevens from DMVR man, we appreciate your time tonight.
Glad we could finally make this work. Have a great weekend.

Speaker 4 (33:39):
Bredan, thanks for having me on fellas.

Speaker 1 (33:41):
He's such a great follow on x at Zach Stephens
Zac DMVR and he has tons of breaking information all
the time.

Speaker 5 (33:50):
One of the best, one of the best ways to
keep your thumb on the pulse of Broncos Country.

Speaker 1 (33:56):
Yes, if you're a diehard Broncos fan, he is someone
you definitely need to follow, and all the stuff they
do at DMVR is great.

Speaker 2 (34:02):
Zach, this was a lot of fun. Man.

Speaker 1 (34:04):
From one Zach to our Zach Young Zach Seegers, thanks
for sitting in with me this evening and we'll have
to do it again here soon.

Speaker 7 (34:11):
Absolutely can't wait to do it again.

Speaker 1 (34:13):
Broncos Country tonight on KOA eight fifty A ninety four
to one FM.