Mile High Monday: Saturday could feel like a home game for the Chiefs
Jan 3, 2022, 6:20 AM
The Denver Broncos were flat out embarrassed by the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17. They lost by a score of 34-13 and could not do much of anything in any phase of the game. With the loss, the Broncos are completely out of the playoff picture.
I like knowing that change is on the way. How much change? We’ll have to wait and see, but the Broncos should look completely different – and much better – in the 2022 season.
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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Chiefs Home Game at Mile High
After the embarrassing loss to the Chargers, Broncos fans started to say on social media that they were not going to attend the season finale at Empower Field at Mile High. A game against the Kansas City Chiefs is coming up in Week 18, and the Chiefs still have to position themselves for the playoffs so they will not be resting any starters.
It’s easy to predict the Broncos will drop this game too. The Chiefs lost a close contest to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, and now they look to get back on the winning track in Denver. Chiefs fans travel well, and there should be thousands of them at the Broncos game. It’s so bad with the Broncos that many fans may choose not to go. Others may choose to sell their tickets to Chiefs fans who will be more than happy to take them and enjoy the game.
Ugh. I know I'm not a #Broncos fan, but I come from a family FULL of Orange and Blue pride. It hurts me deeply the way this franchise has fallen…. the Josh McDaniels era was a blip on the radar compared to this fiasco.
Please, George Paton don't get fooled by Uncle Vic https://t.co/plTdoI1btH
— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) January 3, 2022
It will be interesting to see how many no-shows there are in Week 18. I imagine the number will be greater than 10,000 no-shows, and it could be as high as 20,000 no-shows. That’s a preposterous number for any team, but it’s ridiculous for a team like Denver with a pride and tradition of selling out since the 1970s. I hope I’m wrong, but it could seem, look and sound like a Chiefs home game in Week 18.
It would be a disgusting turn of events, but fans must send a message to the team somehow. The Broncos performance is not acceptable, and perhaps the high number of no-shows could prompt the team to get rid of the bad coaching staff while adding talent to a strong roster (minus a good quarterback of course).
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Give Me a Break
The future is unknown for Broncos head coach Vic Fangio. Before the Chargers game, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport had a report that the team was undecided on Fangio’s future. In his report, it was noted that the front office really likes Fangio and he’s got the respect of the players too.
I rolled my eyes at the report and felt like it came directly from Broncos PR. I know most players respect Fangio because his history of being a great defensive coordinator, but players on offense could have a different opinion. The reason why? Fangio doesn’t pay much attention to the offense and seems to care little about how they do on that side of the ball so long as his defense is making plays.
The spin is coming. The team may keep Fangio as their head coach, mainly because they like him. Yes, it could be that simple. However, it will be spun that Fangio and his world-class defense would be a great attraction for a player like Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson. The idea that is already being floated behind the scenes is that Fangio could run the defense, and the superstar quarterback could have his way running the offense with little interference.
BEWARE anyone trying to spin that the #Broncos are more attractive to Aaron Rodgers (or Russell Wilson) with Vic Fangio as head coach. A bunk narrative to be sure.
It's coming…and has been floated already…just don't buy it.
— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) January 2, 2022
The Broncos should be attractive to a veteran quarterback for many more reasons than just a head coach with a losing record. I could just see Fangio throwing Rodgers under the bus after a loss next season. Think Fangio wouldn’t do that? Remember that he rarely complimented Von Miller – a future Hall of Fame player and best player on the Broncos roster.
If things were to get off track next season with a great quarterback, you know Fangio and his larger-than-life ego would have something to say. I just think it’s propaganda to promote the idea that Fangio could be some sort of attraction to someone like Rodgers.
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On The Road Again
My favorite time of year is upon us! The NFL regular season is a grind for me, and this year with an extra week has been especially harrowing. My schedule is jam-packed on a daily basis during the regular season, so as soon as it’s done I’m happy to be moving on to my favorite season – the draft season.
Since 2007, I have traveled on what I call the “All-Star Road Trip” where I go to the East-West Shrine Bowl and the Reese’s Senior Bowl to scout the incoming class of seniors. I love traveling for work, talking to scouts, watching practice and interviewing players. For years, I have seen some of the brightest stars in the league when very few knew who they were. Finding those gems at this All-Star games is something I really have fun doing.
With the Broncos season coming to an end, I’m looking forward to draft season. The Broncos may not have some of their premium picks if they trade for a superstar quarterback. However, that makes their mid-round and late-round picks even more important. They’re going to need some of those unknown gems, and I’m going to get to see these guys before anyone else in the Denver media.
Thanks Gavin! I will be back on the All-Star road trip @ShrineBowl @seniorbowl looking at the top talent in the 2022 #NFLDraft – my favorite time of year is almost here! all my coverage on @1043TheFan https://t.co/XnN6FjlaQb
— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) January 3, 2022
I can’t wait to hit the road again. All of my 2022 NFL draft coverage will be right here at DenverFan.com and I plan on bringing you the most comprehensive coverage in this market once again. The Broncos are a good team, they have good talent, and by adding more talent they could be in a Super Bowl window faster than some think if they can get a superstar quarterback.
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Book It
To say I was excited to watch the new Disney-plus series “The Book of Boba Fett” would be an understatement. Fett is one of my favorite characters from the Star Wars universe, and last week a show dedicated to telling his story came to Disney-plus.
The “space Western” feel of this series is undeniable. The opening show was fun to watch, and it gave us some things to consider for the future of the show. I want to know what’s going on with Fett in this universe, and I want to see more of the characters from his past come into the present to create conflict.
Fett is joined by master assassin Fennec Shand, and she has quickly become a favorite for Star Wars fans such as myself. While Fett is trying to rule as a crime lord with respect, Shand wants to rule like most crime bosses would – with fear. This show was pitched as “Sopranos set in the Star Wars universe” but it doesn’t feel like that. It’s early, so I’m going to give it more time but the twists and turns this show is setting up are interesting to watch unfold.
Fennec Shand every 5 seconds:#TheBookofBobaFett pic.twitter.com/q1ifSG0hNg
— Tori Fox (@theMandaTorian) December 30, 2021
What did you think of the first episode of “The Book of Boba Fett” and are you excited to see where the story goes? Hit me up on social media and let me know!