In Sean Payton’s first season with the Broncos we got all of the arrogance and little of the excellence.
He was a coach coming from a TV set. This year, he is a coach coming from the Saints. There is a clear difference. Last season, he was rusty. This year, he is in rhythm.
In 2023, he spent a lot of time marking his territory, acting grumpy. He was uncomfortable with quarterback Russell Wilson, and it bled into everything. He called a timeout that helped the Chiefs, misfired on a two-point conversion call vs. Washington, picked the wrong play on his sheet because of vision issues (he fixed those this offseason) and mismanaged the clock at the end of the Patriots game.
In 2024, he is still moody, but his energy and happiness remain impossible to miss. He has his quarterback, a player in Bo Nix who fits his scheme with this athleticism, processing and ability to throw on time and on target. He has better weapons, the signing of Josh Reynolds, return of Tim Patrick and emergence of Devaughn Vele justifying trading Jerry Jeudy. He has a more physical, aggressive defense, making it look like he was right to not bring back Josey Jewell or keep Justin Simmons.
And he loves his draft class. He has mentioned this group in the same breath as his 2017 draft with the Saints, which morphed into one of the most decorated classes in NFL history. Nix, edge rusher Jonah Elliss, cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, running back Audric Estime and Vele are all potential starters in the next two seasons, and perhaps receiver Troy Franklin gains his footing.
It is August, the baseball equivalent of spring training. But there is hope based on the improved roster and coach.
Penalty Flag: When Darrell Doucette first said he would be a better quarterback for the 2028 U.S. Olympic flag football team than Patrick Mahomes, it was funny. When he said it again, he exposed his ignorance. Darrell thinking he would be better than Mahomes is like a slow-pitch softball player insisting he’s a better option than Aaron Judge. Enjoy your games, Darrell. And if NFL players — any of them – decide to participate in flag football, enjoy watching the Olympics from the stands.
Hall Call: With the Pro Football Hall of Fame smartly separating the coaching and contributor categories — meaning one can go from each group now — it should help Mike Shanahan’s bid for Canton. There is no strong argument for keeping him out, given his two Super Bowl titles, offensive legacy and coaching tree.
Saturday fun day: College football returns on Saturday. Love watching it. The top game is Florida State vs. Georgia Tech in Ireland. Will the Seminoles begin a revenge tour after getting snubbed by the playoff committee last season? The most fascinating matchup? Hawaii hosting Delaware State. Now, that is a road trip. And of course it started with Delaware State missing its flight because of a shuttle delay.
Gabe in the woods: Avs captain Gabe Landeskog told fans during Wednesday’s Pro-Am round at Castle Pines that he will return this season. I believe him. But who will he return as? An impact player or a third-liner? So many questions, but impossible not to root for him.
Mail Time
Bo Nix is our best quarterback. It’s time for some winning football again and some great quarterback play.
Katalist Productions, via Twitter
Broncos Country deserves to enjoy this moment. After using 13 starting quarterbacks since Peyton Manning, the Broncos have finally married the coach to the player and the scheme. I am not sure what the ceiling is, but there is no reason this can’t work. Even if the Broncos go 6-11, the season will be successful if Nix shows he’s a future franchise quarterback.
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