Kiszla: Von Miller doesn’t regret ultimatum to Broncos, but does he have guts to sit out 2016 season? By Mark Kiszla Denver Post June 23, 2016 Why can’t Von Miller be more like LeBron James? What’s best for the Broncos would be Miller playing football in 2016. But it might be better for all NFL players if Miller sat out the season in protest of what a rip-off the franchise tag is for the league’s stars. In the NBA, James gets to be star, de facto coach and general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers. All franchise owner Dan Gilbert does is write the checks. James leads the Cavs in scoring, calls the plays, picks the coach and shapes the roster to his liking. When James upset Golden State to win a championship, the entire state of Ohio shared tears of joy with him. It’s good to be the King. When Miller brought the Vince Lombardi Trophy back to Denver, a million adoring fans showed up to cheer him. But the respect ended with the victory parade. Did the team show him the money? Heck, no. Miller can’t even get the Broncos general manager John Elway to guarantee him three years of salary. The Super Bowl MVP is just a puppet whose strings are being yanked by constraints of the franchise tag. That ain’t right. So on Wednesday, I chased Miller from a youth football camp where he danced with kids to a go-cart track where he raced for charity. I asked him him if he envied James. “I think all NFL players envy LeBron James,” Miller said. Is any of that envy because an NBA superstar has much more control over every aspect of his career than an NFL superstar does? “Basketball is totally different than football,” said Miller, smiling with recognition of the motivation for my question. “I see where this is going.” But how far is Miller willing to go in his dispute with the Broncos? Few in the NFL believe Miller will sit out the entire NFL season if he cannot reach agreement with the team on a new contract by July 15. Giving up an earning year in a short career, especially when even the franchise tag would pay Miller the hefty sum of $14 million, is not something players have shown the guts to do. While James is larger than the game of basketball, pro football players are afraid to fight the man. Miller dances for the pleasure of the Broncos, on Elway’s terms. But here’s where Miller, who already has earned $30 million during his career, could start a little revolution. If he sat out the season and signed with a new team willing to treat him like a full partner instead of a highly paid entertainer, it would offer

a challenge to the league’s economic structure with as much impact as New England quarterback Tom Brady’s challenge against commissioner Roger Goodell as judge, juror and executioner. Taking his message directly to the people via social media last week, Miller said, “I love my Teammates, Coaches and my Fans but there is ‘No Chance’ I play the 2016 season under the Franchise tag.” I asked Miller: Did he regret drawing that line in the sand or sending a message to Elway by cropping him out of photograph taken during the Broncos’ recent visit to be feted by President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C.? “No, not at all,” Miller replied. His tune, however, has changed, from “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy to “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin. Miller now steadfastly refuses to talk about his contract squabble with the Broncos. Did he wise up? Or did someone tell Miller to shut up? “I just think, where we’re at right now, everything has been said. Everything is already in the books right now,” Miller said. From the beginning, I have been firmly on the side of Miller in this dispute. The going rate for his services was six years, $120 million, with $60 million guaranteed. Elway refused to pay it. But if Miller was really intent on sitting out the season in a contract dispute, why did he fly to Los Angeles this week to shoot promotional photographs for Sunday Night Football? He smiled with Odell Beckham Jr. and players who figure to be central to the NFL drama on television during 2016. Why would Miller bother to pose for NBC’s cameras, if he was going to spend NFL Sundays on the couch next to me instead of on the field, rushing the quarterback? Miller laughed at the idea of sharing a bowl of popcorn with me in front of a big-screen television rather than wearing a Broncos uniform when the team opens its season in September. Yes, Miller genuinely loves Denver and has put down roots in Colorado. I remain optimistic that he can find common ground with Elway and get a long-term deal done. But don’t fool yourself. Miller could also love winning football games for Dallas, Atlanta or any NFL team that would pay him the salary he deserves. “When I was at Texas A&M, I tried to put my all in,” Miller said. “Any team that I’m going to be involved in, I’m going to put my all into it. Any teammates that I have, I’m going put my all into my team.” We’re down to T-minus 23 days until the Broncos either come to their senses and pay Miller, or call his bluff and run the risk of defending their NFL championship without an elite quarterback or one of the league’s most dominant defensive players. Don’t worry, be happy.

Von Miller takes on new roles at first youth football camp By Nicki Jhabvala Denver Post June 23, 2016 For two days this week, Von Miller opted for a new team. He practiced at a different field and he took on new roles. The Broncos’ outside linebacker and Super Bowl 50 MVP played quarterback and coach for a team of 560 children who attended his inaugural two-day football ProCamp at Englewood High School. “It’s so fun when you can get to them at an early age,” he said Wednesday. “Technique is the foundation of football. I know for me, getting in football camps and basketball camps and all the stuff I was doing at a young age was instrumental in my growth. All these guys are excited. And whenever you got all this energy around, it’s always fun. “This is my very first football camp, and I can see myself doing this all summer. It’s so much fun when you look at the kids’ faces and they’re happy and they’re excited to learn. It’s so much fun.” Unlike most summers, Miller had the time this year. Despite his cross-country travels (in between Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s camp sessions, he flew out to Los Angeles for a “Sunday Night Football” photo shoot), Miller is in limbo. He received the Broncos’ exclusive franchise tag, worth about $14.1 million guaranteed for one season, but he hasn’t signed the tender and didn’t report to the team’s offseason program as negotiations on a long-term deal continue. And unlike in most recent interviews, on national talk shows or at local events, Miller refused to talk about his contract. The day, he said, was not about his future but those of more than 500 others. “I want all the attention to be on the kids today,” he said. “I want all the attention to focus on the football camp and everything that we’re doing here. There’s a lot of exciting stuff that we’re doing here, a lot of great athletes we got here.” But the talks couldn’t be ignored. Not completely. Miller and the Broncos have until July 15 to reach an accord or else he must play on the franchise tag, something he said via Instagram last week that he would not do. The Broncos recently offered Miller a six-year contract worth $114.5 million. But only the first two years were guaranteed at signing, worth $38.5 million. An additional $1.3 million could be earned in workout bonuses, and the third year is guaranteed only for injury, meaning the team could cut him after two seasons. Although the sides agreed on the length and overall value of the deal, the sticking point has been the fully guaranteed money up front. The floor for Miller’s representatives was likely raised last week when the Eagles re-signed defensive tackle Fletcher Cox to a six-year, $102.6 million contract that included

$63.299 million in guarantees and $55.549 of that fully guaranteed within the first nine months of the deal. The day after Super Bowl 50, Miller said he anticipated peaceful negotiations with the Broncos. Months of optimism followed, but discourse turned sour after the Broncos’ offer. Now Miller said he’s done talking. “I just think where we’re at right now, everything has been said. Everything is already in the books right now,” he said. “It’s just a time for waiting right now.”

Broncos, Von Miller nominated for a pair of ESPYS, snubbed in other categories By Hugh Johnson Denver Post June 23, 2016 The Broncos and linebacker Von Miller made their presence felt in the NFL this year, winning Super Bowl 50. They may do the same at ESPN’S annual award show, the ESPYS. ESPN unveiled the nominees for the annual event Wednesday. Miller was nominated for best championship performance for his “Vonster” showing in the Super Bowl while the Denver Broncos were nominated for best team. The Broncos were nominated alongside other championship teams, including the Alabama Crimson Tide, Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Penguins, Cleveland Cavaliers, Villanova Wildcats and UConn Huskies. Miller, on the other hand, will face some steep competition from Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James who dominated the NBA Finals, United States Women’s National Team midfielder Carli Lloyd for her epic performance at the Women’s World Cup, and Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby for his excellent display during the Stanley Cup Final. Miller was snubbed in a couple other categories though. He failed to make the cut for best male athlete –though James and Panthers quarterback Cam Newton are nominees — and isn’t even on the list for best NFL player which features Newton, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, Steelers receiver Antonio Brown and Falcons receiver Julio Jones. Both James and Crosby are included in the running for best athletes of their sports respectively. Also of note, Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey, son of former Broncos great Ed McCaffrey, is up for best record-breaking performance for beating Barry Sanders’ NCAA record for most all-purpose yards in a single season with 3,864 to Sanders’ 3,250. McCaffrey contends with UConn Women’s Basketball coach Geno Auriemma who has won the most NCAA basketball titles in Division I history with his 11th this past April and Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry who broke his own record for most 3-pointers in a season with 402. The ESPYS will be hosted by WWE Superstar John Cena and will be broadcast live Wednesday, July 13 on ABC.

Miller quiet on contract negotiations By Aaron Matas 9News June 23, 2016 Von Miller didn't want to talk about it. "Because I want all the attention to be on the kids today. I want all the attention to be on my football camp," Miller told 9NEWS. Contract talks were off-limits as the Super Bowl MVP was at Englewood High School on Tuesday and Wednesday hosting his first ever youth football camp. "It's so much fun when you look at the kids faces and they're happy and they're excited," said Miller who was surprised at the turnout. "560 kids vs. Von. It's a tough challenge but with all the fun and excitement it's pretty easy," said Miller. The linebacker has been very open to publicly discussing his on-going discussion with the Denver Broncos on a new long-term deal but perhaps that is over. "Where we're at right now, everything has been said, everything is already in the books. Right now it's just time for waiting right now," said Miller.

AFC West Q&A: Is Alex Smith good enough to lead the Chiefs to a championship? By Adam Teicher ESPN.com June 23, 2016 Today's question: What do AFC West opponents think of quarterback Alex Smith? Is he good enough for the Chiefs to win a championship? Jeff Legwold, Denver Broncos reporter: Smith's strengths are his toughness and mobility. He will be helped, as will the Chiefs' offense as a whole, if running back Jamaal Charles can remain healthy coming off last season's ACL surgery. The Chiefs have also tinkered with the offensive line during offseason workouts. When you combine that uncertainty with Smith's past with the San Francisco 49ers, when he was benched after an injury for the mercurial Colin Kaepernick, you have the reasons opposing defenders see a tentative player at times, a quarterback reluctant to take a risk to make a play. Smith is smart, athletically gifted and more mobile than most of his peers. But his career has taken something out of him, having battled back from his turbulent time in San Francisco to be the Chiefs' starter. The Chiefs were middle of the road last season -- 16th -- in net yards gained per pass attempt, at 6.3, and were 23rd in the category in 2014, 23rd in 2013. In short, despite the quality work they've done in the run game with Charles and the rest of the team's backs, they haven't been able to consistently challenge defenses down the field. Smith is good enough to be a playoff quarterback and get the Chiefs into the league's final four. But to win a title, there are moments a quarterback has to be the guy to make a play at the biggest time. To win a championship, Smith will have to take a risk when he has the most to lose. Paul Gutierrez, Oakland Raiders reporter: Well, from the Raiders' perspective, he definitely has some ownage of Oakland. Or did you forget that not only did he take a page from John Elway's playbook by marrying a former Raiderette, Smith is also 7-1 in his career against Oakland, with five of those wins coming for the Chiefs since 2013, when he was traded from the San Francisco 49ers. Game manager? Smith has practically owned Oakland in his career. His career passer rating of 106.1 against the Raiders is his highest against any team he's faced more than once. His 18 touchdown passes are also the most he's thrown against any opponent, compared to just three interceptions. And he's passed for 1,625 yards while completing 60.5 percent of his passes against the Raiders. Yes, it's safe to say the Raiders have a lot of respect for Smith, even if they would mumble it. But enough to win a title? Slow down. He is just 5-8 against the rest of the AFC West, going 2-5 against the Broncos. As Ric Flair says, to be the man, you have to beat the man. That's Smith's next test. Wooooooooo! (Flair voice) Eric D. Williams, San Diego Chargers reporter: If Smith is willing to take chances when the game is on the line, specifically in the red zone, Kansas City has a talented enough team to win a championship. It will be important for the Chiefs to win the AFC West and secure home-field advantage at Arrowhead Stadium. The last two times Kansas City has made the playoffs, the Chiefs have lost postseason games on the road. But if they can win enough games to host those contests at Arrowhead with a quarterback like Smith, who doesn't make many mistakes, the Chiefs have enough talent to earn a trip to the Super Bowl.

Von Miller gets back on the football field – at his camp By Arnie Stapleton Associated Press June 23, 2016 Back in his element, Von Miller danced to the delight of his audience, got his hands on plenty of footballs and infused every minute with hearty laughter. Just like that night four months ago when he was tormenting Cam Newton, the Denver Broncos' star linebacker served as the center of attention Wednesday as he hosted his first youth football camp. "All these guys are excited and whenever you've got all this energy around, it's always fun," Miller said. "This is my very first football camp and I can see myself doing this all summer." Nearly 600 kids and dozens of coaches joined Miller at Englewood High School not far from Broncos headquarters, which Miller has avoided since shortly after leading Denver to victory in Super Bowl 50. That marked the franchise's first championship since John Elway was its quarterback. Now as its general manager, Elway is proving harder to pin down that Newton was on that night back in February. Elway has refused to meet Miller's contract desires, offering $38.5 million guaranteed over the first two years of a six-year, $114.5 million proposal. Miller's camp wants something more along the lines of Fletcher Cox's recent deal that guarantees him $55 million in the first nine months and about $63 million overall. Miller skipped the Broncos' offseason program after Elway placed his exclusive franchise tag on him. The sides have until July 15 to get a deal done. At the urging of his P.R. team, Miller avoided talking about his contract situation Wednesday, saying he wanted the attention to be on the kids. Last week, though, he made it clear that he would not sign his $14.129 million franchise tag and would instead sit out the 2016 season if the sides don't agree on a long-term deal. "I just think where we're at right now, everything has been said. Everything is already in the books right now," Miller said. "It's just time for waiting right now." Miller wouldn't bite when asked if NFL players envy LeBron James because NBA players have more control over their careers than football players do. "I think all NFL players envy LeBron James. I think he's one of the best athletes in the world right now," Miller said. "But basketball is totally different than football." Is that a good thing or a bad thing? "Ah-ha, I see where this is going," Miller said. "No, but basketball is totally different from football. I play football. I'm happy where my career choices have brought me to this point where I am right now.

LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in the world. I play football. I'm good at what I do and I'm very blessed and appreciate where I'm at." Joined by close friends Earl Thomas of the Seahawks and Tony Jerod-Eddie of the 49ers, Miller said he had a blast hosting the camp although his arm was sore. Miller appears to be in terrific physical condition, likely a byproduct of his endless hours of practicing moves while appearing on "Dancing With The Stars" this spring. Miller's offseason has been a busy one as he's jetted from coast to coast on the talk show circuit and for other TV appearances. His latest venture was shedding his clothes — save for his white cowboy hat — for ESPN The Magazine's annual Body Issue. "The first two minutes, I was like, 'Whoa! What did I get myself into?' But after like two minutes, it just felt normal," Miller said. "And the photographer that I had, she was great. All the props that we used, cowboy hats, disco lights, we did a little bit of everything. So, it was a pretty great shoot. I was excited about everything." Being naked in front of 20 people in a room means you have to be comfortable with yourself, Miller said. "Vince Wilfork, he said it best: You've got to be comfortable with who you are and what you're doing. And if that can inspire any confidence in anybody else, we did our job." Notes: On Wednesday, Broncos spokesman Patrick Smyth tweeted, "No plans for sale of the team. The hope remains to keep the Broncos in the Bowlen family." That was a response to Pro Football Talk's story with a headline that suggested the "departure of three Bowlen children from Broncos invites speculation as to possible eventual sale."

Broncos allowed to cancel Sports Authority sponsorship deal By AP Associated Press June 23, 2016 A federal judge has approved a request from the Denver Broncos to end the team's $55 million sponsorship contract with the bankrupt Sports Authority. The Denver Post reports the Broncos' motion to terminate their sponsorship agreement with the Englewood-based company was granted in U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Friday. Sports Authority has also sought to end the contract. Court records show the August 2011 contract is valued at more than $55.3 million. Sports Authority owes the Broncos $36 million. The Broncos seeking an end to the sponsorship agreement comes as Sports Authority is working to auction off the naming rights of the Broncos' Mile High Stadium. The company is also looking to sell its brands, customer data and patents. A deadline for bids on those assets is set for Monday.

Broncos' Von Miller peppered with more contract questions at his football camp By Lindsay H. Jones USA Today June 23, 2016 Von Miller is back in Colorado, but not to get resolution of his contract dispute with the Denver Broncos. Instead, the Super Bowl 50 MVP deflected questions about his future with the Broncos as he hosted the second day of his football camp for more than 500 kids Wednesday. A staff member from the Von Miller Football ProCamp said Miller would not answer questions about his status with the Broncos and, indeed, the star pass rusher politely dodged queries about his football future. “I just think, where we’re at right now, everything has been said. Everything is already in the books right now,” Miller said. “It’s just a time for waiting right now. I want all the focus to be on the kids today.” Miller spoke recently about his contract impasse in an interview with comedian Chelsea Handler for her Netflix television show and on his own Instagram page, where he posted last week that he would not play the 2016 season under the franchise tag. The Broncos franchised Miller in March. The one-year tag equates to a salary of $14.129 million. Miller skipped the Broncos’ offseason program in protest, and contract talks broke off earlier this month when the two sides could not agree on the structure and guaranteed money of a new multiyear deal. Miller and the team have until July 15 to reach a long-term agreement. If that deadline passes, Miller will have two choices: play under the franchise tag, or sit out all or part of the season. For now, though, he seems happy to continue his whirlwind offseason. Miller was an active participant of his camp Wednesday despite an exhausting 24 hours that included the first day of the camp Tuesday, a flight to Los Angeles on Tuesday afternoon so he could participate in a promo photo and video shoot for NBC’s Sunday Night Football followed by a late-night return flight to Denver. He was joined on the flight and at the camp by fellow NFL players Earl Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks, and defensive tackle Tony Jerod-Eddie of the San Francisco 49ers. Miller also recently posed for ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue, using props like a cowboy hat and disco ball to cover himself. “Initially going out there, I was like ‘Whoa, what did I get myself into?' " he said. "But after like two minutes, it just felt normal."

Broncos DT explains why they can't replace Peyton Manning, even after his down year By Sean Wagner-McGough CBSSports.com June 23, 2016 On the field, Peyton Manning rarely contributed during the Broncos' Super Bowl season. Instead, he was just along for the ride as the Broncos' defense sacked their way to the championship.

So, when Manning officially announced his retirement, the news didn't really come as a blow for the Broncos. They didn't panic. They not only let Brock Osweiler walk in free agency, but they then moved on to Mark Sanchez and Paxton Lynch. Clearly, given the state of their defense, the Broncos weren't fretting over their lackluster, unproven quarterback group.

But as defensive tackle Sylvester Williams points out, the Broncos might miss Manning in another area: the locker room.

"I just think you can't replace a guy like him," Williams told SiriusXM NFL Radio. "Because he's such a powerful guy that you've just got to try to figure out other ways to bring some of the energy back to the locker room, because you will never have another Peyton Manning in the locker room that'll touch the team the way he did. Because, for one, Peyton was a guy that was a hundred-percent business, so when he did speak, a lot of guys sat up in their chairs and paid attention. It was unbelievable, man."

I usually try to stay away from the topic of leadership, mainly because I'm not inside the locker room and it's impossible to actually measure the impact leadership has on the field. But it's worth noting that the Broncos are in good shape in terms of having veterans on the roster who can pick up the slack -- nine-time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Ware and Super Bowl MVP Von Miller come to mind. They're also in good shape because they just won a Super Bowl, and leadership stories are pretty much a non-factor for successful teams.

The Broncos might miss Manning in the locker room, but they'll be just fine without him, assuming their defense maintains a similar level of play. It's a heck of a lot easier to lead on a winning team than, say, the Browns.

Mark Sanchez among athletes bilked out of millions in scheme By Frank Schwab Yahoo.com June 23, 2016 Denver Broncos quarterback Mark Sanchez was among several professional athletes who were reportedly bilked out of more than $30 million in a "Ponzi-like scheme." Even worse, the man accused of cheating the athletes out of money was reportedly an NFLPA-approved financial adviser. Sanchez, San Francisco Giants pitcher Jake Peavy and former Houston Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt were named by federal investigators as being the victims in the case, according to the Associated Press. An adviser, Ash Narayan, put about $33 million of the athletes' money into a ticket business without their knowledge. Even worse, the lawsuit filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission against Narayan says he was given a $2 million finder's fee from the ticket company for directing the money its way. The ticket company, The Ticket Reserve, had lost money for four straight years. "Narayan exploited athletes and other clients who trusted him to manage their finances. He fraudulently funneled their savings into a money-losing business and his own pocket," Shamoil T. Shipchandler, director of the SEC's Fort Worth regional office, said in a statement. According to Vice.com, Narayan was listead as an NFLPA-approved financial adviser on its site. Vice reported that Sanchez directly deposited game checks into investment accounts managed by Narayan. Although Narayan claimed to be a certified public accountant, he never had a CPA Vice said. According to the AP Sanchez said he agreed to make a $100,000 investment in the company but never would have invested more in what his statement said was "a risky investment." As part of the lawsuit, Peavy and Sanchez say they believe their signatures were forged by Narayan to transfer money from their accounts to the ticket business. The AP reported $15.1 million was taken from Peavy, nearly $7.8 million from Sanchez and nearly $7.6 million from Oswalt. The players said they hired Narayan in part because "he represented himself as a devout Christian involved in charitable causes," the AP reported.

Von Miller on deal: 'Just a time for waiting right now' By Kevin Patra NFL.com June 23, 2016 Von Miller and the Denver Broncos have until July 15 to strike a long-term deal. Until then, we wait. Speaking Wednesday at his charity football camp, Miller didn't feel like discussing his contract situation. "I just think, where we're at right now, everything has been said. Everything is already in the books right now," Miller told USA Today's Lindsay Jones. "It's just a time for waiting right now. I want all the focus to be on the kids today." Last week Miller noted that there was "no chance" he plays 2016 under the franchise tag -- a response to his own previous comments that he couldn't see himself sitting out the season. Given that the last time Miller spoke he needed to correct himself, Wednesday's non-comment makes sense. The biggest sticking points in negotiations are guaranteed money and how much Miller stands to make in the first three years of his deal, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport has previously reported. These deals usually don't get done until pressed against a deadline. So until July 15, go take a nap, enjoy the fireworks, make sandcastles in the sand. We'll wake you up in three weeks.

Journeyman Richard Gordon arrested for hitting girlfriend, had AR-15 in car By Darin Gantt Pro Football Talk June 23, 2016 Journeyman tight end Richard Gordon hasn’t stayed in any one place long, but he’s managed to keep finding work in the NFL. That might get a little tougher now. According to Brian Hamacher of NBCMiami.com, the veteran blocker was arrested on battery charges Tuesday after allegedly punching his girlfriend, amid concerns he was going to do much worse than that. The former University of Miami tight end, who was most recently with the Broncos, was also charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, according to a police report. Gordon’s being held on $6,000 bond. Police responded after a witness reported seeing a woman being punched and pushed out of a Mercedes SUV. The woman told police she lived with Gordon and had a 3-year-old child with him, but that he began acting crazy when she was taking him to pick up his car, which was at a strip club called Tootsie’s. She told police he punched her arm several times and slapped her in the face. As he was being taken into custody, he yelled at an officer and kicked the car door, which hit her arm and shoulder. That wasn’t the end of Gordon’s problems, as cops also found an AR-15 rifle visible in the back seat of Gordon’s car, along with two magazines of ammunition and a small amount of marijuana. The report said he intended to shoot up the Office strip club after he had a confrontation there the night before. The girlfriend said he hadn’t slept in days. He’s spent time with six different organizations, with stints with the Raiders, Steelers, Chiefs, Titans, Chiefs again, Broncos, Ravens and Broncos again. He has four career receptions, none since 2013.

Broncos reiterate there are no plans to sell team By Mike Florio Pro Football Talk June 23, 2016 In response to Tuesday’s item from the Denver Post explaining that three of Broncos owner Pat Bowlen’s seven children have exited the employment of the team, we pointed out that the development invites speculation that the team eventually will be sold. In response to that response, Broncos V.P. of communications Patrick Smyth reiterated that the Pat Bowlen Trust doesn’t plan to sell the team. “No plans for the sale of the team,” Smyth said on Twitter. “The hope remains to keep the Broncos in the Bowlen family.” “Hope” is the key word here. There’s a chance that none of the seven Bowlen children ever will develop and demonstrate the skills and abilities necessary to “earn the right to sit in his seat and run the team,” as team president Joe Ellis said in 2014. Taking a broader look at the situation, and comparing it to a dynamic with which my limited cognitive powers can relate, the seven Bowlen children are in a Willie Wonka-style competition for the privilege of securing the keys to the chocolate factory. At some point, one of them will be deemed to be worthy of becoming the controlling owner of the franchise. Until then, the team is being held in trust, with Ellis serving as the de facto owner, for the purposes of casting votes and otherwise representing the team at league meetings. Given the ownership issues in Tennessee, where team founder Bud Adams didn’t arrange for a clear transfer of control to one of his children before his passing, it’s critical that one person at all times be in charge of the Broncos and every other NFL franchise. In Denver, Pat Bowlen has decided that one of his children eventually will be selected as being worthy of having that power. There’s no guarantee, however, that any of them will qualify. There’s no specific timetable or deadline for one of the Bowlen children to earn the right to succeed their father. At a minimum, it will take several years. In theory, it could take many years. For now, there’s no urgency to resolve the situation. The franchise is thriving, both financially and on the field. Unless and until the organization stumbles badly (since 1982, the Broncos have had only five total sub.-500 seasons, and they haven’t had back-to-back losing seasons since 1971 and 1972), no one from outside the organization will clamor for a new leader to be named from inside the Bowlen family — or for the family to sell the team to someone else who will be able to do the job. Regardless, ownership of the team has been and will remain in a state of limbo until Ellis and his fellow trustees determine that one of the Bowlen children is ready to run a football with primary colors that include the shade of the Oompa Loompa.

Von Miller on contract: Just a time for waiting right now By Josh Alper Pro Football Talk June 23, 2016 In recent weeks, linebacker Von Miller has addressed the status of his push for a long-term contract with the Broncos a few times. He said that he couldn’t see himself sitting out the entire year or leaving the Broncos on one occasion and then posted to Instagram that there was “no chance” he plays out the year under the $14.1 million tender that comes with the franchise tag. All of that came after reports that the Broncos proffered and then pulled a six-year, $114.5 million offer with just under $40 million guaranteed in the first two years. The deadline to work out a multi-year agreement is July 15, which leaves time for some more posturing from both sides before the clock strikes 12. Miller wasn’t in the mood for any while at his football camp for kids on Wednesday, however. “I just think, where we’re at right now, everything has been said. Everything is already in the books right now,” Miller said, via USA Today. “It’s just a time for waiting right now. I want all the focus to be on the kids today.” We’ve seen the waiting game for players with franchise tags continue right up until the deadline many times before a deal is struck — see Miller’s teammate Demaryius Thomas last year, for example — and there’s plenty of sand left in the hourglass on that front, so Miller shoul have plenty of time to brush up on his dancing and/or nude modeling in the next couple of weeks.

Sylvester Williams: I don’t think you can replace Peyton Manning’s leadership By Josh Alper Pro Football Talk June 23, 2016 The Broncos have spent the last few months telling anyone who would listen that they believe they’ll be OK at quarterback after Peyton Manning’s retirement and Brock Osweiler’s departure as a free agent. It looks like Mark Sanchez or Trevor Siemian will get the first chance in the starting lineup and the Broncos’ success through sketchy offensive production last season suggests they can do enough on the field to keep the team winning. That doesn’t mean they won’t miss Manning, however. During an interview with Alex Marvez and Kirk Morrison of Sirius XM NFL Radio, defensive tackle Sylvester Williams said that Manning “carried us more than just his play on the field” and that the team will miss what he brought as a leader. “I just think you can’t replace a guy like him,” Williams said. “Because he’s such a powerful guy that you’ve just got to figure out other ways to bring some of that energy back to the locker room because you will never have another Peyton Manning in the locker room that’ll touch the team the way he did. Because, for one, Peyton was a guy that was a hundred-percent business, so when he did speak, a lot of guys sat up in their chairs and paid attention. It was unbelievable, man.” Regardless of how confident the Broncos are that their quarterbacks will be able to handle things on the field this season, it seems foolish to expect any of them to have the same hold on the locker room that a player with Manning’s resume enjoyed in Denver. The Broncos do have plenty of other veterans who can work to fill that void and a team effort may have to suffice until there’s a long-term sheriff in charge of the offense again.

Five best Broncos comebacks: Broncos 21, Colts 19, 1983 By Andrew Mason DenverBroncos.com June 23, 2016 This was the first chapter in the legend of John Elway. Until the fourth quarter of this Week 15 game, Elway's rookie season had been scattershot. The Broncos were 3-5 in his first eight starts, and his rating was just 56.2, with more than two times as many interceptions (10) as touchdown passes (four). Although he had enjoyed his best game to date a week earlier against the Browns, he was struggling, and the Colts were dominating, up 19-0. Finally, early in the fourth quarter, Elway and the Broncos began to click. A 21-yard touchdown pass to Clint Sampson started the furious rally 4:08 into the fourth quarter; a 26-yard catch-and-run by Gerald Willhite with just 44 seconds remaining ended it. Willhite took off on his route from the left side and ignored the safety bearing down hard on Elway, who threw just before he was clobbered. "Gerald was wide open. I just put it up there and prayed,” Elway said after the game. Elway's run of three touchdown passes in in 10 minutes, eight seconds stunned the Colts. They found themselves eliminated from the playoffs, dissected by the quarterback they drafted with the No. 1 overall pick seven and a half months earlier. Meanwhile, Elway and the Broncos celebrated their first postseason trip in four years. “I’ve seen this before. Roger Staubach got his reputation that way with great comebacks, and Danny White did it after him," Broncos coach Dan Reeves said after that comeback. “Now, our team is never really out of a game. They know they can always come back." And that knowledge would be the foundation of the Broncos' success for the next 15 years. Elway would become the league's master of late-game heroics. But he never led a single rally back from a larger deficit than the one the Broncos had against the Colts.

Brian Griese, Chris Harris Jr. stir up excitement for September Judi's House event By Aric DiLalla DenverBroncos.com June 23, 2016 A small scheduling conflict pushed former Broncos’ QB Brian Griese’s fundraising luncheon back to September this year. The conflict? Denver’s trip to Super Bowl 50. That game, plus all the corresponding events that followed, made it impossible to hold the normal spring event for Judi’s House, a bereavement center founded by Griese. On Tuesday, when he welcomed more than 80 donors to Osteria Marco in Denver to gear up for the Sept. 7 event with the help of cornerback Chris Harris Jr. as a guest speaker, that seemed like a trade-off Griese would be willing to make again. The Lombardi Trophy, however, doesn’t seem nearly as important as the work Judi’s House does for the thousands it serves. When Griese was just 12 years old, he lost his mother to breast cancer. Later, using his former NFL quarterbacking career as a platform, Griese made sure to limit the number of children in the Denver area who would undergo the same sort of pain. “He just didn’t want to be a burden to the rest of his family,” Judi’s House Director of Development and Communications Margaret Bachrach said. “So he kept it all in and he grieved in his own way and didn’t really get the professional counseling and coping skills he needed.” Together with his wife, Dr. Brook Griese, a clinical psychologist specializing in childhood trauma and loss, Brian founded Judi’s House to help families heal. The bereavement center, which is the only free-standing organization in the Denver Area devoted solely to supporting grieving kids and families, has served more than 8,000 children and caregivers since its opening in 2002. And the fundraising for the center never ends. Judi’s House, which operates on a multi-million-dollar budget each year, relies on donors to keep its doors open. On Tuesday, the people in attendance made sure to help get Judi’s House a little bit closer to its goal. “I think because of who Brian and Brook are in the community and how well they’re respected, they’ve got so many fabulous supporters and friends,” Bachrach said. “The people in this room are really family to Judi’s house.” Donors purchased more than five tables for the Sept. 7 kickoff luncheon. Future Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy and award-winning broadcaster Bob Costas will also be in attendance for the annual event. Last

year, Brian’s father, Bob Griese, and Archie Manning were the speakers, but Brian joked Tuesday that they’d surpassed that level of celebrity with the addition of Costas and Dungy. Bob promptly told his son he’d return to Denver to attend this year’s event and judge for himself. The majority of the conversation focused on football, as Harris discussed his journey from an undrafted free agent out of Kansas to one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. He also responded to a series of questions from the audience, which quizzed him about how to cover larger receivers, the toughest receiver to play against and matchups he’s looking forward to in 2016. But Griese also pivoted the conversation toward the larger theme of the event: dealing with difficult family situations. Harris, who grew up in a single-parent home, said he could empathize with those children at Judi’s House. He, like many of those kids, was forced to grow up quickly and at a young age. “Being able to come in and talk about just raising funds for Brian’s foundation is a great opportunity just because the kids losing their parents, I mean, that’s a tough deal,” Harris said after the event. “So to be able to bring help to the (other) parent and also the kid, I think that’s a huge opportunity.” That’s not the only reason the Judi’s House event struck a chord with Harris on Tuesday night. Now that he has a daughter and another child on the way, he said he better understands the heartbreak that comes with this variety of loss. “Just having those kids now, I couldn’t imagine if I’m gone and them having to live their life without me,” Harris said. “And also I’ve had very close relatives that had to live without their parents so I can definitely see the effects of it and the much needed help that they need.”

Sacco Sez: NFF honors Archie Manning By Jim Saccomano DenverBroncos.com June 23, 2016 There is no question that the Mannings are the first family of football, and that Peyton Manning is the crown prince. But even with all the honors and tributes Peyton has accumulated for a Super Bowl 50 victory and for a lifetime of absolute achievement, so too is Archie Manning being honored once again, this time by the National Football Foundation. The NFF and College Football Hall of Fame have announced that Archie Manning has been named the 2016 recipient of the NFF Gold Medal in recognition of his exceptional leadership and unblemished reputation. He will be honored for his achievements and contributions during the 59th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Dec. 6 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. NFF President and CEO Steve Hatchell, whom I have known since he was cutting his teeth as a sports information assistant at the University of Colorado in the early 1970s, said, "Archie Manning became an icon as one of the greatest players to ever set foot on the gridiron, and he subsequently used his standing to become one of the game's greatest ambassadors. "The entire football community has been blessed by his enormous contributions, and we take great pride in having him as our chairman," Hatchell continued. Manning became NFF chairman in 2007 and continues in that role today. While Broncos fans are well aware of the many civic contribution made by Peyton, Archie oversaw the launch of the NFF Leadership Hall of Fame, which has helped raise and distribute millions of dollars for scholarships, programs and instruction. Currently, more than $1.3 million each year is distributed, making this one of the leading football charities nationwide. "Archie has had an extraordinary work ethic, and his focus has always been on others and making those around him better," added NFF Awards Chairman Jack Ford. Archie Manning will be the 63rd Gold Medal recipient, following such notables as former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the first recipient in 1958. Since then six other presidents have received the award, along with four generals, three admirals, a Supreme Court justice, John Wayne and Jackie Robinson. The National Football Foundation began in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and journalist Grantland Rice.

With 774 colleges and universities and 15,585 high schools playing amateur football, the NFF is a non-profit organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. Also honored at the Dec. 6 banquet will be Marlin Briscoe of the University of Nebraska-Omaha. While with the Denver Broncos, he became the first African-American quarterback in pro football. Briscoe will be honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame that night.