Mile High Monday: Broncos rookies were slighted by the NFL

The Denver Broncos are going through offseason training activities (OTAs) at UC Health Training Center this month. The energy is high in and around the building, and things just feel different (and better) than they have in quite some time.

I like when OTAs finally get here because one full practice per week is open to the media. I like things even more when mandatory minicamp is here (in just a couple of weeks) because we get to see every full practice before the team takes a break for training camp.

I also like contemplating life and sports when driving around with the top down on my old Jeep TJ! The following is a result of those trips during the week.

Buckle up, let’s take a ride through my thoughts.

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Disrespected Rookies

The NFLPA Rookie Premiere is always something I look forward to. Each year, the NFL Players Association gets together some of the top rookies in the NFL for a photo shoot and symposium. We as NFL fans get to see these players in their game-day jerseys for the first time, and it’s fun to think of the future success they’ll have in the pros.

This year, the NFLPA Rookie Premiere did not feature any players from the Broncos. I know, I know, the Broncos didn’t have a pick until the very last selection in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. But they did add at least a couple of players that should have been there.

Nik Bonitto has the upside to be a star pass-rusher in the NFL, and there’s a chance he could have been a first-round pick. Greg Dulcich is a weapon at the tight end position, and he could start – and star – from day one for the Broncos even though he was a third-round pick.

The Rookie Premiere is not just about top picks. In the photo the NFLPA released to mark the occasion, there are players from most every team, including day-three picks and one undrafted free agent. No offense to those players, or any rookie that was there, but the Broncos got some quality talent and I’d imagine Bonitto and Dulcich make more of an impact this year than many of the players who were invited.

no #Broncos here….
Bonitto with star potential
Dulcich with fantastic hair (and star potential)
It's a mistake not to have those two at @NFLPA Rookie Premiere @1043TheFan https://t.co/OV3y6hSFW4

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) May 22, 2022

It’s a mistake that Bonitto and Dulcich were not at the Rookie Premiere. It’s a form of disrespect for the Broncos rookie class in my opinion. It’s not a big deal, but it is a slight. Players can use anything for motivation (see Michael Jordan making up stories about being wronged), so if Bonitto and Dulcich can put this as a chip on their shoulder it could be a positive for the Broncos.

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Stronger Down the Stretch

The Denver Broncos schedule begins with a set of games that should allow them to get off to a hot start. However, the schedule ends with some tough games – huge divisional games – and several matchups that will feel like playoff games. In fact, I think the Broncos could be undefeated (8-0) by the time they get to their bye in Week 9.

Javonte Williams is there to lead the way on the ground for the team. However, I’d prefer for the team to save him up (a little bit) early in the season. During that time, the Broncos could turn to their superstar quarterback Russell Wilson. The beginning of the season is the time to “let Russ cook” and feature the passing attack. However, after the bye and into the postseason I think the Broncos should turn things over to the rushing attack.

The NFL is a quarterback-driven league. It takes a great passer to put yourself in position to make a championship run – something I think the Broncos can do this season with Wilson at the helm. However, there is a flip that is switched when the postseason draws near. The best teams will understand they can’t keep doing the same thing repeatedly with the same results. Instead of being quarterback-centric, teams near the postseason will start running the ball a little bit more as things get tighter in the playoff race. That sounds like the best plan for the Broncos this year, especially with such a talented back like Williams.

RT if you're excited to see @javontewill33 in 2022 🚂 pic.twitter.com/YHj3SWN6gr

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 18, 2022

I’m not a fan of the Broncos bringing back Melvin Gordon. I understand why they did it, I just hope he doesn’t fumble away any big games – especially down the stretch. I’m a big fan of Williams, my no.1 running back in last year’s class, but having Gordon there will keep the second-year back fresh for a postseason run. I think the Broncos will need to lean on their rushing attack more than ever in the back half of the schedule. They can beat people up on the ground with Williams and Gordon while playing great defense – just like every team wants to do in the postseason.

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Offseason Fluff

This time of year is fun because every team has a chance to win the Super Bowl – at least that’s how it sounds if you monitor all the “offseason fluff” with every team like I do. My job is to cover the news around the NFL and write about it. In the offseason, every team is in a championship window and every player is in the “best shape of his life” – and the entire news cycle has laughable moments.

That’s where the New England Patriots are now. They are in full offseason fluff mode, with many stories about second-year quarterback Mac Jones beating the staff to the facility as he works diligently in the new offense. Jones is ready to take that next step, and this team is totally trying to cover up his flaws (and their flaws) in the post-Tom Brady era. When you talk to team insiders, there is another story brewing.

The Patriots have not named a new offensive coordinator since Josh McDaniels left to be the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason. It’s the end of May, and the Patriots do not have a named OC – and they have not revealed who would be calling plays this season. Matt Patricia and Joe Judge are in line for the job/responsibilities, but neither is known as an offensive-minded coach. Digging even further, you hear rumblings about players being “alarmed” about the inconsistencies in the offensive installation. The fluff says everything is great and Jones is totally going to be a monster this year. The real story says something else.

Reports Out of Foxboro Say Mac Jones is Working His Ass Off and Taking Charge https://t.co/PA4feACWOW

— Jerry Thornton (@jerrythornton1) May 21, 2022

The Broncos are no longer in the business of fluff. It makes me so happy not to have to polish the turd that this team used to be. I like to be positive, but at the same time I like to tell the truth about the situation and am in no position where the team makes me say or write only positive things. When I write or talk about the Broncos being a Super Bowl contender, it’s because I truly think they are. When I write or talk about Wilson as a potential MVP candidate, it’s not because I’m sucking up to the team, it’s because I believe he could win that award this season.

Other teams must spin things – and the Broncos have had their fair share of spin (usually from team-friendly outlets) over the last few years – but now the talk about the team is real. I can’t wait to see it really pay off when the games get here in the fall.

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Hit or Miss?

We finally got to see the trailer for the upcoming Disney+ series “She Hulk: Attorney at Law” and I’m quite impressed. I’ve long been a fan of She Hulk as a character in Marvel Comics, mainly from the John Byrne run from the 80s, and I’m excited to see what she looks like on the small screen.

Some were complaining about the CGI in this trailer, but that stuff doesn’t bother me right now – especially since they can continue to work on the graphics all the way up to the show release (August 17 2022). I enjoyed the teaser for the show, and I know the graphics are going to be as good as they can be for television. If this was a theatrical release and had bad graphics (like the initial incarnation of Sonic the Hedgehog which was changed/improved), then I think people would have more of a reason to complain.

She Hulk has a ton of attitude, and this teaser trailer showed that she would continue to have that in the show. It looks fun, and it looks like they’ve got a modern take on the character while still paying respect to the source material. I still can’t believe we live in a time when we can get shows like this. I think this show could be a hit – but I also thought that about “Moon Knight” only to be disappointed with the final product. Hopefully, Disney gets this right.

You'll like her when she's angry.

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, an Original series from Marvel Studios, starts streaming August 17 on @DisneyPlus. #SheHulk pic.twitter.com/3e946gsSvh

— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) May 17, 2022

Does the new She Hulk show look like a hit or a miss? Hit me up on social media and let me know!

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