There will not be any parades in Denver this season. The locker room has emptied, equipment stored, and tarp put on the field. There is however renewed hope and inspiration by the achievements within the organization. When the new ownership took over during the 1974 season, they promised a competitive franchise looking towards building for the future. It appears they are delivering on that promise. “It has hard to find a silver lining with a 5-11 record, but there are many positives. The 5 wins are a franchise high. We won our first 2 division games in history (sorry K.C., not really, lol). We lost 5 games by one score, with 3 of those coming against division rivals. The front office is constantly looking for trades, the waiver wire, and draft choices in our continuing building process.” said owner greyghost.

Ghost continues, “We have several things we are reviewing this off season. The one thing that has been determined. First, we will be keeping head coach Jonathan Parker. He has earned the position and deserves to continue coaching as long as he wants the job. He has shown his willingness to adapt on different ideas and has been a positive influence on the players. Second and most important, we have been negotiating with QB Willie Lewis and his agent, we are all in agreement that we will try to get a long-term deal done, but will be looking at offers in the off season. We have great respect for the leadership that he has shown. Finally, we would like to thank the fans in Denver for their unwavering support and fully expect a playoff appearance soon”.

That’s the way ghost! Good job this season, keep your nose to the grindstone, and I am sure that your hard work will pay off starting as early as next season.
You’re exactly who Denver needs

The debris scattered throughout the room, the phones working non-stop, the monstrous television screen in the center of the big wall has everyone’s attention fixed. It must be draft day.

This was going to be Denver’s first draft with a #1 pick under the regime that took over in the 1974 season. Well at least that was the fan’s anticipation, ownership had different ideas. First, they traded down their #1 pick while trading up from their #3 pick in 1976, while picking up a #2 in 1978. The trade sent their 1976 #1 and #3 to Houston for 1976 #1, #2 and a #2 in 1978. Fans were catching their breath when the front office struck again, this time trading the acquired Houston #1 pick and a 1978 fourth rounder for FS Edwin Hill. Hill is a former top ten draft pick, and with already much improved secondary, he should fit in. “Hill is a player we have been looking at extensively and happy he is coming in to help us build a winning philosophy”, said owner greyghost.

The fans exhausted dining at Blake’s Street Tavern finally got to enjoy a Broncos pick as the 2nd round pick was made; the fans were exuberant. The Broncos took LB Boyd Henson from Kent State. Henson had no choice, but to attend the college of NFL great Jack Lambert. Henson was born and raised in Pittsburg. “My father and grandfather would tell me stories, share videos, and buy me memorabilia of the steel curtain.” While attending Kent State, Henson was fortunate to meet the HOF’er, “He such a great inspiration for me growing up and it was an honor to meet him.” Time will only tell if this if this is the makings of a new steel curtain.

In other draft day news, the highly sought after QB Willie Lewis remains a Bronco. “At this point it he will remain our starting QB. There have been some offers made, but one of the issues is opposing teams' reluctance to accept a multi-player deal. This is one of those times that the talent level is greater than the market perception, so creativity is needed. Willie’s agent has told us he wants 25 million to stay, we are looking over the proposal”, said ghost.

"Accountability, Stability, Respectability" is painted on the wall and is the first thing that is seen walking in the Broncos locker room. The franchise has exceeded expectations within the Denver community and the front office this season. The 8-3 record breaks last years win record with the franchise being in the middle of the playoff hunt. "Yes, without a doubt this is exciting. We are a a season ahead of where we expected to be at this point. Looking at the whole picture, we are only 2 points away from being in first place(referring to the 1 point loss to San Diego). Every game is a playoff game from here on out in this division and there are no easy wins. We have 4 of the best teams in the league in our division, so no there is no direct path to the playoffs."

Leading the way are cast offs from other franchises, free agents, and the much hardheaded rookie class that continues to excite the fans. SLB Boyd Henson has started from day one and has been consistent which is what was expected. 3rd round pick RB Thomas Siegel, 4th Rd bookends LDE Gerard Carr, and RDE Victor Wright are getting significant playing time and pushing their incumbents for starting positions. 5th round pick TE John Larson began as a backup, but when fan favorite Andrew McNeely went down to injury ceased the opportunity to take over the starting role. Then there is the case of 6th round pick LT Cary Clapp who they are trying to find playing time without resolve. They may be forced to make a move on the offensive line in the off season. Ownership made promises to Denver and their future is looking bright.

Once upon a time in Denver, losing was accepted, although not the only reason QB Willie Lewis was part of that scenario. These are new days and Lewis is in large part of the resurgence and face of the Broncos. His 522 yd and 8 td performance against Dallas resembles a QB possessed. In saying he has a chip on his shoulder is an understatement “Ownership allowed me to negotiate with other teams this past off-season and no other team showed they wanted me, I will do whatever necessary to win in Denver” Lewis said.

Lewis isn’t the only player reaching new heights for the Broncos. The wide receivers go 6 deep and they can all catch the ball. They are led by dual 1000-yard receivers. The re-acquired 24-year-old youngster from Cleveland originally drafted by the Broncos is leading the way 1167 yards and 7 tds. Free agent signee Gregory Kelley is 23 and has been lights out in the #2 slot with 1048 yards and 7 tds. William Brandt, acquired originally from Seattle has been the go to guy in many situations and has accepted his reduced role after 1000 yards season in 1975, but still has contributed 700 yds and 8 scores. James Wilson and Michael Brunner have both contributed and have split time between tight end and wide out to get their snaps, but the receiver might that be the most valuable is Lucas Saunders. Sanders is 26 and entered his 5 season in Paydirt, and has seen a significant drop in his numbers due to the depth. He was named a co-captain due to his leadership of the receivers in the off-season and has already been told he will retire a Bronco. His role will change going forward with the potential departures of Brunner and Wilson.

Don’t tell the running backs for the Broncos they are not the focus, they will be the first to tell you about how important they are to the offense. The backs have just enough strength and speed to be dangerous weapons shown by David Brown’s (700 yds, 5tds) 75 yard scamper against Dallas or rookie Thomas Sigel’s(400 yds, 4tds) 48 yard tackle breaking run against Oakland to seal the victory. The #3 spot on the depth chart is held by journeyman Robert Smith who is averaging 5.2 yards per carry.

Rookie Tight End John Larson has stolen the show in Denver. The come from nowhere story is the epitome of the Broncos season. The 5th round draft pick has stepped in and has done nothing but produce, 532 yards, 4 tds, while catching 58 percent of the ***** thrown to him. Incumbent Andrew McNeeley who had 800 yards receiving and 6tds in 1975 is the #2.

First year Offensive Co-Ordinator Alfredo O’Malley said it simply “Our goal was to put the best offensive team on the field with as many weapons as possible. We have the benefit of having an all-pro offensive line and wanted to use it in the most beneficial way, so far this season it has worked. We just need to maintain focus and keep moving forward.”

The odds were definitely not in Denver’s, favor going into Miami against the powerhouse Dolphins who had dominated the Broncos earlier in 1976 season. The odds were even greater when it was found out that superstar MLB John Mullins would not play due an arm injury. There could not have been a better script in Hollywood written, enter the unknown journeyman LB Daniel Garner. Garner was originally drafted in the 3rd round out of Clemson by the Packers. He was released by the Packers and played for the Dolphins in 1975, then signed by the Bronco’s this season. He contributed with a big 2nd down sack in the first quarter, but closed the door on the first half with a drive stopping interception. “The Denver front office and coaches have a great system built and I am just happy to contribute.” said Garner. Well contribute would be an understatement as Garner totaled 9 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 interception against his former team.

It seems as though that you’ve been defying the odds all season long, I say continue that trend and destroy anything that gets in the path of the orange crush!

As the dawn sets on the 1976 season, the sun shines in Denver after the surprising 11-5 playoff season of the Broncos. “We surpassed many goals this season and look forward toward the team's future”, said owner Greyghost. The team shattered records and everyone in Denver is going to sleep tonight with renewed hope. The main parts of the team will return in full with beginning of 1977 with exceptions of a few minor pieces. There is a dark cloud looming in a distance, just on the horizon though and it will be interesting to see if the Broncos can adapt to the storms coming, not just on the playing field, but the notoriety of being a playoff contender. Will they jump into free agency as last season? Will they deal their #1 pick or make a choice for the first time in the owner's history of the team? Will they be able to keep the magic going from the 76 season? Only time will tell and we will keep you updated here.