"... and Lukas Krull (from a planet ravaged by Slayers, where only the subject of the prophecy can wield the glaive)."
Yes, you have a wonderful football mind, but this stuff? This is the stuff that puts you on another level and keeps me happily reading (and paying for the joy of doing so).
wait, which one of Michael Strawn's guesses does that refer to (or none of the above)? and are all of the modern versions just variations on the original Grieg tune? (the ELO one definitely is)
my mind went to the whistling in Fritz Lang's "M" (also the Grieg tune)
Normally I’d be happy that Mike is paying attention to Denver, but we saw what happened when he said nice things about Atlanta and Arizona. Hopefully AFC teams are different.
The only disappointing part of this article is that, with Nix's development, the hilarious nickname "Leftenant Beauregard Sideways" doesn't really apply anymore! Sad!
Hey, Mike gave him a battlefield promotion a few weeks back. He's now Capitaine Beaugeste Ordinaire. Unless the 93-yarder to Mims earned another new nickname.
Me too! It was my favorite nickname of the year and always made me chuckle. Though I imagine the Broncos and their fans would trade "funny nickname" for "competent QB play and potential" any day...
Bo Nix has delivered on every promise the Broncos were hoping for from Sean Payton and Russell Wilson. The combination of Nix’s upside, especially playing under Payton complementing that dominant and ascending defense is such an exciting future in Denver.
It’s great when your favorite writer writes about your favorite team! It’s been a rough period in Broncos Country. The Mountain King’s halls developed a few cracks post Manning, with poor drafts and worse free agents signings. Paton took the brunt of the frustration over Hackett (rightfully) and Wilson (who knew?), but with limited picks (we used another 1st for Payton) he has quietly had some good drafts. With Nix, Payton and a defense, I’m hoping we’re turning a corner.
Never thought I’d see the day when Mike would show a bit of enthusiasm for a Broncos quarterback. 10 years of reading and it has finally happened. It’s a good day.
Per Over the Cap, the Broncos have >$90m in total dead money this year. That's almost a half-Deshaun. Its tough to be a fan of Sean Payton, but you have to grudgingly concede 2024 is great example of taking your medicine and moving on.
Said that, I think it makes more sense for Atlanta to hold Kirk through 25 and cut in 26. There's $25m cap benefit in keeping him and he seems like a decent "veteran mentor" type for Penix, his blandeur rendering him unlikely to be any more of a distraction off the field than he has been on it.
In September it certainly seemed like Payton turned Broncos into a ego project with leftenant sideways micropasses. He and his staff of cronies took a while with New Orleans. 2006 was an instant hit with a playoff win then 07-08 quietly built a monster while failing to make it into playoffs. They had Number one offense of 2008 with an 8-8 record. 2009 offense was even better in PPG but this time without 30th place defense to make it , like 2008, a historical footnote.
“ No team has helped itself more in the 2024 season than the Denver Broncos.”…except the Steelers with Wilson, the Chargers with Harbaugh, the Commanders with Kingsbury/Daniels, the Vikings with Darnold, the Seahawks with Macdonald, the Browns with Winston, the Panthers with Canales, and the Bears with firing their HC and OC. There. Fixed it.
Yeah, the Browns+Jameis is a big WTF?!? But really, Canales?
And of course the biggest is playing so poorly - with a team that the Vegas pros put at .500 for the season - that you fire both your HC and OC midseason counts as 'helping yourself in the 2024 season'.
The Browns with Winston? The two pick-sixes in the Broncos game would argue otherwise, and that wasn’t exceptional. If the Browns had an average QB and average kicker they might be competitive.
The Vikings yes, but not because of Darnold - he'll be gone.
Vikes are taking a $70m dead money hit this year. Cousins obviously but also Marcus Davenport, Dalvin Cook, Danielle Hunter.... Hunter can still play, but he's over 30. Plus they extended Jefferson through 2028 in the summer. Minnesota has $76m space in 25. The only (potential) playoff team with more are the Commanders, but they've only got 30 players under contract.
A lot depends on JJ McCarthy, but Nix isn't a nailed on perennial pro-bowler just yet.
"... and Lukas Krull (from a planet ravaged by Slayers, where only the subject of the prophecy can wield the glaive)."
Yes, you have a wonderful football mind, but this stuff? This is the stuff that puts you on another level and keeps me happily reading (and paying for the joy of doing so).
I was wondering if the headline was referencing progmetal outfit Savatage, Rick Wakeman, The Who or Norwegian classical composer Edvard Grieg.
Knowing Mike it's very possible it's all four.
I was going with the old song! And I remember seeing Krull in the theater.
wait, which one of Michael Strawn's guesses does that refer to (or none of the above)? and are all of the modern versions just variations on the original Grieg tune? (the ELO one definitely is)
my mind went to the whistling in Fritz Lang's "M" (also the Grieg tune)
I thought it was Hawkwind. "Hall of the Mountain Grill".
Normally I’d be happy that Mike is paying attention to Denver, but we saw what happened when he said nice things about Atlanta and Arizona. Hopefully AFC teams are different.
I was so relieved to see this was the broncos and not the Seahawks.
The Curse of Too Deep Zone may be real. Let's see how this week plays out.
The only disappointing part of this article is that, with Nix's development, the hilarious nickname "Leftenant Beauregard Sideways" doesn't really apply anymore! Sad!
Hey, Mike gave him a battlefield promotion a few weeks back. He's now Capitaine Beaugeste Ordinaire. Unless the 93-yarder to Mims earned another new nickname.
It's Bombardier Bomber Beauregard now.
I like that!
Bombadier Beauregard Blunderbuss.
Me too! It was my favorite nickname of the year and always made me chuckle. Though I imagine the Broncos and their fans would trade "funny nickname" for "competent QB play and potential" any day...
Nix is definitely a few levels above Completely Competent Kyle Orton.
Bo Nix has delivered on every promise the Broncos were hoping for from Sean Payton and Russell Wilson. The combination of Nix’s upside, especially playing under Payton complementing that dominant and ascending defense is such an exciting future in Denver.
A+ use of 'rubber baby buggy bumpers'. Haven't heard that phrase in years.
It’s great when your favorite writer writes about your favorite team! It’s been a rough period in Broncos Country. The Mountain King’s halls developed a few cracks post Manning, with poor drafts and worse free agents signings. Paton took the brunt of the frustration over Hackett (rightfully) and Wilson (who knew?), but with limited picks (we used another 1st for Payton) he has quietly had some good drafts. With Nix, Payton and a defense, I’m hoping we’re turning a corner.
Never thought I’d see the day when Mike would show a bit of enthusiasm for a Broncos quarterback. 10 years of reading and it has finally happened. It’s a good day.
In fairness, the long wait wasn’t Mike’s fault. Unless you want to fault him for being able to see and having a basic understanding of football.
Per Over the Cap, the Broncos have >$90m in total dead money this year. That's almost a half-Deshaun. Its tough to be a fan of Sean Payton, but you have to grudgingly concede 2024 is great example of taking your medicine and moving on.
Said that, I think it makes more sense for Atlanta to hold Kirk through 25 and cut in 26. There's $25m cap benefit in keeping him and he seems like a decent "veteran mentor" type for Penix, his blandeur rendering him unlikely to be any more of a distraction off the field than he has been on it.
Condi "The Wall" Rice
I used to avoid that joke. But Amanda Waller is CLEARLY based on Condy. Especially when she is not portrayed as heavier set.
In September it certainly seemed like Payton turned Broncos into a ego project with leftenant sideways micropasses. He and his staff of cronies took a while with New Orleans. 2006 was an instant hit with a playoff win then 07-08 quietly built a monster while failing to make it into playoffs. They had Number one offense of 2008 with an 8-8 record. 2009 offense was even better in PPG but this time without 30th place defense to make it , like 2008, a historical footnote.
“ No team has helped itself more in the 2024 season than the Denver Broncos.”…except the Steelers with Wilson, the Chargers with Harbaugh, the Commanders with Kingsbury/Daniels, the Vikings with Darnold, the Seahawks with Macdonald, the Browns with Winston, the Panthers with Canales, and the Bears with firing their HC and OC. There. Fixed it.
When Substack needs a downvote option.
The Broncos started the year with the second lowest projected over/under for wins, ahead of only New England. So, I’d say it applies.
The Steelers are just the Steelers. Only more so. Some of these others are ... odd selections.
Yeah, the Browns+Jameis is a big WTF?!? But really, Canales?
And of course the biggest is playing so poorly - with a team that the Vegas pros put at .500 for the season - that you fire both your HC and OC midseason counts as 'helping yourself in the 2024 season'.
The Browns with Winston? The two pick-sixes in the Broncos game would argue otherwise, and that wasn’t exceptional. If the Browns had an average QB and average kicker they might be competitive.
The Vikings yes, but not because of Darnold - he'll be gone.
Vikes are taking a $70m dead money hit this year. Cousins obviously but also Marcus Davenport, Dalvin Cook, Danielle Hunter.... Hunter can still play, but he's over 30. Plus they extended Jefferson through 2028 in the summer. Minnesota has $76m space in 25. The only (potential) playoff team with more are the Commanders, but they've only got 30 players under contract.
A lot depends on JJ McCarthy, but Nix isn't a nailed on perennial pro-bowler just yet.
Flag - spelling interference - Payton/Peyton confusion, 3rd to last graf. Ten pedantry yards.
ugh. It was inevitable
yeah, with Peyton/Payton/Paton there is just no way
Hah! So, Mr. Tanier, you leave me dangling -- Thursday OR Friday?
It was Thursday. I am stuck not being sure what I will get to when.
I missed storm king Elway! Haha but seriously, thanks Mike. Always been a fan, and love your writing. Question, thoughts on Oxford commas?
not sure whether I missed Storm God or not, but nice to see some love thrown #broncoscountry way for a change.