A Tour of Sports Authority Field at Mile High

On a hot August Sunday morning I was fortunate to tour Sports Authority Field at Mile High with a private group.

We started in the north parking lot, where the spot of home plate in the old Mile High Stadium/Bears Stadium  is marked.  It's easy to miss unless you are looking for it!

 

As I took a swing at home plate I thought of all the great baseball players who had stood at this very spot over the years - Mickey Mantle, Andre Dawson, Barry Larkin, Barry Bonds, and more.

On to the interior of the stadium. We started at the Security Command Center where Sports Authority Field is monitored with various tv monitors 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

Get too rowdy at a game?  You may find yourself in this holding cell while the Denver Police is called to escort you to jail!

 

Next we walked out to the field.

 

The stadium from this view point was an impressive sight!  I was at the edge of the North End Zone, just a few feet away from where Baltimore's Jacoby Jones crossed the goal line in the last seconds of the January playoff game.  That loss still stings 7 months later!

A closer look at the new scoreboard - currently the third largest in the NFL.  I look forward to seeing hi-def replays here during the up coming season!

 

The scoreboards over the north end zone were updated, too.  They are now 1 1/2 times bigger also with hi definition screens.

 

The highlight of the tour for me was seeing the Bronco locker room.  We could take pictures and explore as long as we didn't walk on the horse head - sacred ground!

#1 draft choice Sylvester Williams' locker. 

 

Motivational slogans were posted throughout the Broncos locker room.

 

The visitors' locker room is one of the largest in the NFL.

 

No motivational slogans in the visitors room, but rather warnings on proper play.

When exiting their locker room visitors look straight at this sign reminding them just how light the air is outside.

 

Outside both locker rooms is a large covered area where the visiting team's bus pulls up.  This area is also used for trucks used in supporting the TV broadcast.

 

Post game press conferences are held in this room nearby the locker rooms.

 

Next we had a look at one of the suites on the club level.

 

The windows of the suite can be opened giving an unobstructed view of the field.  Or if the weather is cold (like that 5 degree Baltimore playoff game in January) fans can watch from behind the glass in heated comfort.

 

 

Above the club level is a state of the art press box with internet connections at each seat.

The barrel man's barrel is displayed in the press area.

We finished our tour in the scoreboard operations room - 25 technicians operate the scoreboards from this room during games.

The tour was a fantastic inside look at the stadium I have attended so many games in. When I am in my seat for the season opener on September 5th vs the Ravens I will certainly have a better appreciation of all the behind the scenes work that makes attending a Broncos game a great experience!

Bronco Training Camp 2013

On Monday July 29, 2013 I made my annual visit to Broncos training camp.  My son and I arrived one hour early only to be surprised by the crowds:

I've been going to Broncos training camp at Dove Valley for years and this was the biggest crowd I have seen yet (on a Monday morning at 8 a.m. no less).  Broncomania is alive and well!  We ended up standing for three hours on the top of the hill next to the main practice field (around the 30 yard line):

 First up was punt catching practice.  Balls were launched from this machine to the Broncos returners:

 Dynamic returner Trindon Holliday didn't drop a ball during this drill - good to see!

 Wes Welker also took part in this drill.  The sure handed Welker also didn't drop a ball and looks like he may be the "safe" punt returner to replace Jim Leonhard.

  

Our 30 yard line location provided a good view of the action.

 

 Peyton Manning was in fine form - very accurate and with more arm strength than I remember from my camp visit last year. 

Wes Welker will be a great addition - it was strange seeing him in a Bronco uniform after watching him play for the Patriots in recent years.

 

Welker caught everything thrown his way this day and showed good moves to get open.

 

Here's Welker chatting with Manning in a break from the action.

Brock Osweiler (#17) showed impressive arm strength during his time, but also made a few mistakes.  Osweiler has the raw tools to be a good qb but I think game action will determine if he will be Peyton's successor in a few years.

The Broncos have some beef in the defensive line - here's Kevin Vickerson (99), rookie Sylvester Williams (92) and Terrance Knighton (94) next to Von Miller (58)

Miller (58) and Derek Wolfe (95) provide a good pass rush this day.

Uh oh!  #1 draft choice Sylvester Williams goes down with an injury in the middle of practice and limps off the field.  In a post practice press conference head coach John Fox thinks the injury isn't too serious.

 

Defensive backs David Bruton (30), Rahim Moore (26), and Champ Bailey (24) chat with coaches during a break.

On the offensive line, it was good to see coach Alex Gibbs back with the team and active in practice.  Though only part time Gibbs was very active in coaching the offensive line this day.

A new 1-2 punch at running back?  Here is Ronnie Hillman and rookie Montee Ball.

 

The team ran a number of plays where Ball was split wide in pass formation.  I thought Hillman and Ball both looked good, in addition to rookie free agent CJ Anderson at running back.

I always enjoy a visit to Broncos training camp for a close up look at the team.  I thought the offense looked great today - as long as the offensive line holds up to give Manning time to throw the Broncos should put a lot of points on the board.  The defense is more of a question mark, especially if Von Miller misses four games, but I think Denver will end up outscoring lots of teams this year.

CU Coaches Impressive at Coaches Caravan

CU Men's Basketball Coach Tad Boyle

Today I attended a coaches caravan lunch featuring University of Colorado head football coach Mike McIntyre, men's basketball coach Tad Boyle, and women's basketball coach Linda Lappe.  The lunch was hosted by Pasta Jay's in Lone Tree.  Some observations:

Coach MacIntyre (MM) was very impressive.  My wife, who is not much of a football fan, said afterwards "what a coach! I loved that speech."  MM talked about how he is getting the players to support each other as a team (more enthusiasm at practices, accountability groups, etc).  My wife's reaction tells me he'll be good with the Moms in recruiting.

MM said the Buffs are going to have 5 camps on campus this summer.  He said there are "10 or 11" BCS caliber players coming out of Colorado this year and coaches are visiting all those schools for the 2 allowed visits.  He was asked how he has been received by the former players and he said that is going very well.  He's going to have ex-Buff and New England Patriot Chad Brown speak to the team in June.

MM said he had an hour 45 minute lunch with Bill McCartney at Pasta Jays in Boulder recently where he picked McCartney's brain on how to be successful at CU.  Good to hear the original Coach Mac is still supporting the program.

Tad Boyle said the team will play 31 games this year.  He said they have 4 exempt games that count as 1 towards the ncaa limit.  One of those will be Wyoming at home, and he's working on the other 3.  He said Harvard will be coming to Boulder, and he mentioned the Oklahoma State neutral court game in Las Vegas as well as the Kansas game.  He said the toughest part of his job right now is scheduling, and not recruiting, because it's tough to get teams to come to Boulder with the Buffs recent success.  Tad had high praise for each of the incoming recruits and said "we won't miss a beat" because of the Roberson departure.

Linda Lappe seems to have women's basketball headed in the right direction.  Tad Boyle called her the "CU coach of the year" (other than the Buffs ncaa champion skiing coach).  I realized I don't follow women's hoops much - I didn't know the Buffs beat Louisville at home last season and that Louisville later made it to the ncaa women's championship game.  Lappe said the return visit to Louisville this year will be very tough. 

All 3 coaches were very personable, meeting with fans individually before and afterwards.  The coach's caravan is a good idea.  I've been to a few recruiting lunches before but I liked this event better as it was easier for the average fan to talk to the coaches.

ESPN's Cecil Lammey at the Bronco QB Club

Here's a copy of a post I wrote for the Denver Broncos Quarterback Club on our annual meeting with ESPN's Cecil Lammey. - Tim

Members of the Denver Broncos Quarterback Club listened to an excellent hour long presentation by ESPN’s Cecil Lammey at the club’s March 11th dinner meeting.  Cecil gave a thorough analysis of the Broncos 2012 draft class, the team’s free agent prospects, and the overall state of the team heading into the 2013 season.
First Cecil reviewed last year’s rookie class:

• Derrick Wolfe dl – He maintained a high motor through the end of the season.  He didn’t hit the rookie wall.  Wolfe gives up the middle pressure on the pass rush which is key in today’s pass happy NFL.
• Brock Osweiler qb – If he had stayed in school he’d be a top 15 pick in this year’s draft.  Manning has been a great mentor for him as well as Adam Gase.  When Osweiler came in he had bad feet and a low release point.  Gase fixed that.  Brock has also taken to the coaching of Peyton Manning.  Reminds Cecil of Roethlisberger without the off field baggage – Brock has great upside.
• Ronnie Hillman rb – People say he’s too small, but Hillman is bigger than Clinton Portis when Portis gained 1500 yards for the Broncos.  People say he’s poor in pass protection – but Hillman only gave up one sack this year.  He’s more than a change of pace back.  John Fox said at the combine Hillman can be an every down back.  Reminds Cecil of LeSean McCoy or Jamal Charles.  Hillman danced too much this year, but got better (with 83 yards on 22 carries in the Baltimore playoff game).  McCoy as offensive coordinator didn’t use the outside zone stretch play.  Cecil thinks Gase, the new offensive coordinator, will.  Manning loved that play when with the Colts.  Gase told Cecil “there will be changes to the run game.”
• Omar Bolden cb – good for depth
• Philip Blake center – Didn’t get a chance to show much in 2012 because of injury.  Nasty.  Will compete with JD Walton
• Malik Jackson dl – didn’t see much of him
• Danny Trevathan lb – can be better than Wesley Woodyard.

2012 free agents:

• Keith Brooking lb – people said he was washed up but he came to the Broncos and played better than Joe Mays
• Jim Leonhard safety – solid
• Trindon Holiday – what was Houston thinking? Dynamic returner.
• Dan Koppen c – better than JD Walton.  Great find off the scrap heap.

2013 draft prospects:

• Monte Te’o lb notre dame – Cecil always had him graded as a late 1st round pick but he was climbing up the draft boards before the “girl friend” incident.  Now Te’o is back to a late first round pick.  Te’o slimmed down and was much better in pass coverage this year (with 7 interceptions).  He can cover tight ends – something the Broncos need.  Has great on field intelligence.  Broncos defense hasn’t been the same since losing Al Wilson – Te’o can be that type of middle linebacker.  Te’o will be available at #28 Cecil says.  But Baltimore is looking at Te’o at #32 to replace Rey Lewis.
• Arthur Brown lb kstate – great human being.  Can play any lb position.  Almost better than Te’o.  Might be there in the 2nd round but still a decent pick in the late 1st round.
• John Jenkins dl Georgia – 359 pounds.  Great run stuffer.  Can play, quick initial burst.  Could still be there in the 2nd round but Denver may take him in the first.
• Ryan Swope wr texas a&m – a young wes welker.  Ran a 4.3 40, 2nd fastest at the combine.  A super charged Wes Welker.  This is a great wide receiver class which could drop Swope to the 2nd or 3rd round.
• 2013 draft strong in defensive tackles – 6 or 7 will go in the first round.  Denver could get one at the end of round 1, or draft g Jonathan Cooper

See Cecil’s mock first round at the espn denver site here.
Some other interesting comments:

• If the Jets cut Tim Tebow he could end up in Seattle as Russell Wilson’s backup.  Pete Carroll loves Timmy.
• Having Del Rio as d coordinator for a 2nd year is a huge advantage.  Broncos may lose him after this year but this makes the 2013 defense better.
• Adam Gase – brash, cocky, he will run the offense differently than McCoy
• Nate Irving lb – very smart, tends to be over aggressive and over runs plays.  Need to see more of him to determine if he’s the broncos future at middle linebacker.
• Zane Beadles g – got a lot better in 2012, walton at center didn’t
• At the Shrine game most scouts told Cecil “Denver was the best team last year”.  The best team doesn’t always win.
• Elway brings vision, leadership, and passion as the head of the Broncos.  Elway has an eye for talent , which he gets from his Dad.  Jack Elway was a huge fan of Drew Brees when other scouts were saying Brees was too short.  John Elway has football in his blood.
• Tyler Wilson is Cecil’s #1 quarterback in the 2013 class.  He wasn’t impressed with Geno Smith, even though Smith will probably go in the top 10 picks.
• Elway, when asked if the Baltimore loss was like the ’96 loss to Jacksonville, said “I hope so.  I don’t want the players to forget last year.  Don’t forget that feeling.”

Overall it was a great offseason rundown of the draft, the free agent possibilities, and the general state of the Broncos.  Cecil is one of the most knowledgeable and hard working NFL analysts around.  He attends the college all star games, the combine, and he is well connected to personnel experts and media around the league.  Cecil took questions from the crowd and stayed afterward to talk with fans individually.  It was a treat to hear his expertise for the second straight year at the Denver Broncos Quarterback Club, and we plan to make this an annual March event!  We have plans for more great meetings this Fall – join today so you don’t miss out.

Cold forecast for Denver/Baltimore brings back memories of 77 team

I've been to most Bronco home playoff games since the first one - a Christmas Eve victory over the Steelers in 1977. Tomorrow will be the coldest Bronco playoff home game since that magical AFC championship win on January 1, 1978 over the Raiders 20-17. It was 18 degrees that day and I was there. The coid didn't seem to bother a limping Craig Morton or Haven Moses (the M&M connection had 2 tds and Haven had 168 receiving yards).  I remember dressing warmly for the game and not being bothered by the cold much at all - the excitement of seeing the Broncos earn their first Super Bowl berth more than made up for the frigid temperatures.

On to tomorrow's game.  I think the 18 degree weather forecast plays to the Ravens advantage - they have a better power running game and the cold negates the Broncos passing advantage somewhat. That said Denver will be fine if they can get the lead and force the Ravens to play catchup. Like in the first game the immobile Joe Flacco and the Ravens o-line is no match for a strong Broncos pass rush. But if the Ravens can get ahead they can neutralize the Broncos pass rush and control the clock with a strong running game. The Broncos had problems with tight end Dennis Pitta in the 1st game and now the Ravens have Ed Dickson back, too, as another tight end threat. The Ravens have played well in road playoff games before ( last year's AFC title game in Foxboro was much closer than most expected). I still like the Broncos chances. I'll be there, sitting in the southwest corner of the North Stands.  Here's hoping Denver gets a quick early score like that legendary Broncos 77 team did vs the Raiders in 18 degree weather:

Top 10 Colorado Sports Moments 2012

I've been a fan of all the Colorado sports teams since growing up in Denver in the 60's.  Here are my top sports moments of 2012:

10. Colorado scores 17 points in 4th quarter to beat Washington State at Pullman 35-34.
Bet you didn't think a Colorado football moment would make it into the top 10!  It was an awful season for the Buffs but at least their ONLY win was an exciting one - coming back from 17 points down to beat Washington State on the road.  After losing 69-14 the week before to Fresno State, and losing their first two games to lowly CSU and Sacramento State this win was totally unexpected.  And much maligned quarterback Jordan Webb had his best quarter of the season in that 4th quarter - winning the game on a gutsy quarterback keeper as time ran out.

9. CSU beats Colorado in opener 22-17 after trailing 14-3 late in 1st half. 
I'm one of those rare CU fans who also roots for CSU except when the Rams play the Buffs.  While this game was disappointing for my CU interests, I must admit I was glad to see new CSU coach Jim McElwain celebrating with his team after this huge win in Denver.  Colorado is better off when both CU and CSU are fielding competitive teams, and this win was huge to get the McElwain era off to a good start in Ft Collins.  Now that I have a son going to CSU I'll be rooting for the Rams a little more, but just a little.  The Buffs are still my favorite college football team.

8. Todd Helton walkoff home run vs Arizona, April 14, 2012.  
Talk about disappointing seasons.  The Rockies joined the Buffs in having a terrible 2012 campaign.  But in the first two weeks there was a magical moment at Coors Field that made me think I was watching The Natural.  At the end of a cold, rainy 5 hour game Todd Helton was up with 2 outs in the bottom of 9th man, man on first, with the Rockies trailing the Diamondbacks 7-6.  Coors field was virtually empty as most fans had departed the cold weather long before the game got to the 9th.  Todd Helton hits a two run homer just inside the right field foul pole to give the Rockies the win!  This fan captured the improbable blast by Helton on video:


7. Avalanche beat Detroit 4-3 Feb 25th ending the Red Wings 23 game home winning streak
Remember the Avs?  With the NHL work stoppage the local hockey team has been pretty much forgotten this Fall, but the team did have some big wins early in 2012.  The best was a 4-3 victory in Joe Louis Arena to stop Detroit's 23 game home winning streak.  The Avs had some other big wins too, like beating the Rangers in NY, but then fell apart in the season's final 3 weeks to miss out on the playoffs.  There were moments, though, like this win against the hated Red Wings, that hinted the Avs could be back on the right track. (addendum: Vancouver actually ended the Wings long home winning streak with a win in a shootout Feb 23rd, but the Avs on Feb 25th were the first to beat the Wings in regulation in Detroit since the streak started)

6. Colorado wins Pac 12 basketball tourney, beating Arizona 53-51.
For most of my life there was not much to get excited about when it came to CU basketball.  I remember Cliff Meely when I was a kid leading the Buffs to a Big 8 title, and Chauncey Billups had his moments in black and gold in the 90's.  But CU basketball has mostly been a wasteland for the last 4 decades.  That's what made this improbable tourney run by the Buffs so sweet!  The victory over Arizona was the Buffs 4th straight in the tournament, and then they followed it up with a first round upset of UNLV in the Big Dance.  After Colorado's horrendous showing in football it was good to let the other Pac 12 schools know that the Buffs could be competitive in at least one sport (other than skiing!)

5.  Nuggets 126 Lakers 114 NBA playoffs game 5.
Denver sportscaster Vic Lombardi had this one pegged.  After the Nuggets lost game 4 at home to fall behind in their first round series with the Lakers 3 games to 1 most fans thought the Lakers closing out the series in 5 was a sure thing.  Not Lombardi, who said at the time he thought the Nuggets would win game 5.  And the Nuggets did just that, led by Kenneth Faried's 21 points and 15 rebounds.  The Nuggets won game 6, too, in a blowout before losing game 7 and the series at the Staples Center.  But at least the Nuggets gave their fans some post season thrills with 3 victories against the Lakers.

4. Broncos 31 Pittsburgh 19
This was the first Broncos home opener I had missed since 1966!  Away on a business trip in Alaska I could only monitor this game through scoring updates on my cell phone, but Peyton Manning's first non-preseason NFL game in over 600 days did not disappoint.  Manning hit Demaryius Thomas with a 71 yard td pass, Tracy Porter had a huge interception TD to clinch the game, and the Broncos beat the hated Steelers in the opener.  With Denver's tough schedule to open the season I saw this game as very important (even with this win the Broncos started off 2-3).

3. Tebow to Thomas beats Steelers in the playoffs
In only the third home playoff game for the Broncos in 11 years, Tim Tebow completes an 80 yard pass to Demaryius Thomas in the first play of overtime to lead the Broncos over the Steelers in the first round of the NFL playoffs.  This win was especially sweet for me, as I was in attendance for this and the last playoff game in Denver, a disappointing Bronco loss in the AFC Championship game in 2006.  Little did we know at the time that this would be Tim Tebow's last game in Denver as the Broncos starting quarterback.

2. Broncos Signing of Peyton Manning
When I first heard the Broncos were interested in signing Peyton Manning I thought, "Why???"  Denver had just come off an improbable playoff season led by crowd favorite Tim Tebow, and I was anxious to see what Tebow could do with a full off season of workouts that he did not have the prior year.  I also thought Manning was a huge injury risk.  But I trusted that Broncos President John Elway knew what he was doing.  The more I thought about it the more I wanted to see Peyton in Broncos Orange!  Peyton Manning turned out to be the best free agent signing of any Denver team since I've been a sports fan.

1. Broncos 35 San Diego 24
With a 2-3 record and trailing 24-0 at half time, the prospects of the Broncos having a good year looked dim.  But Peyton Manning led an amazing 2nd half comeback, outscoring the Chargers 35-0, to lead the Broncos to this huge win (their best Monday Night performance ever in my book).  Going into the season's final week as I type this, Denver would not lose again.  Perhaps the Broncos would have still rebounded had they lost this game and fell to 2-4, but I think this game was the key to the Broncos miracle season.
 

Wesley Woodyard at Bronco QB Club

Tonight Denver Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard met with 80 fans from the Denver Broncos Quarterback Club.  Like past QB Club meetings I got the chance to meet an NFL player and ask questions about his experience with the Broncos.

Woodyard was incredibly gracious with his time before speaking to our group.  Each fan in attendance could get a picture taken with Wesley ...

Or get a football signed ...

Or even get a hug!

My favorite part of the meeting was when Wesley got in front of the mike and answered questions from the fans.  Here's a sample of some of his answers:

How would you compare the three NFL head coaches you have played under with the Broncos (Mike Shanahan, Josh McDaniels, John Fox)?

Mike Shanahan was a class act.  He brought me into the NFL.

Josh McDaniels was very smart.  That's it.

John Fox is a player's coach.  He really builds team comraderie.

Did you watch the 49'ers/Patriots game last night?

I didn't see it but I was hoping the 49ers would win.  I hate the Patriots!

What's it like to be Peyton Manning's teammate?

Peyton is great.  He's one of the first in the building each day and one of the last to leave.  He jokes with everyone - just like you see him in those commercials.

Does Manning get ticked off like it appears on TV?

Oh yeah!  He goes off on the offense.  He gets fired up when something goes wrong.  Not like any other quarterback since I've been here.

Does John Elway visit practice and give his coaching tips?

John usually stays out of it.  He and Peyton are always talking, though.  Like they are teammates.

Who do you admire?

Champ Bailey.  Playing football as a kid in Georgia I always wanted to be like Champ.  He's been the same person since day one.  A great person off the field - one of my closest friends on the team.

How has Keith Brooking fit into the team?

Since Keith didn't go through training camp we didn't know how to take him at first.  But from his first day he had given us a lot of insight.  He tells us what we are doing wrong.  I tell him 'Dude, you are so old, I used to have a bobble head of yours in my room growing up!'

Is Knowshon Moreno a good teammate?

Knowshon handled himself great in the early weeks of the season when he wasn't playing.  He worked hard every week (on the scout team) to get the defense better.  The looks Knowshon gave us really helped.  Now that he's playing more he's always encouraging us.  Yesterday he told the defense, 'Get us the ball, man!  We are going to score!'

Why has the defense stopped the run better this year?

We don't want to piss Del Rio off! (laughs)  When we don't stop the run, we do.  Del Rio is a true player's coach.  Having been a linebacker in the league he can relate to us.  He's better than any of the other defensive coordinators I've had in Denver.

Wesley thanked the Quarterback Club for inviting him to speak and for supporting his 16ways foundation - a charity he sponsors to help kids.  QB Club members donated christmas gifts to Wesley to distribute to kids in his foundation (pictured above)

Wesley Woodyard is truly a class act.  He was very gracious with his time in patiently talking with each fan who wanted an autograph, a picture, or just a handshake.  He answered all of our questions with candor and humor.  He stayed at the end and personally delivered the many door prizes given out to fans.  Woodyard is not only a great football player, he's a great person who is wonderful representing the Broncos and the NFL in the community.