As week 17 of the NFL regular season approaches, and Broncos fans across the World receive their gifts from Saint Nick. The Broncos, face an extension to their playoff drought. Seeds of change have been sewn this year, on the field at least, with Drew Lock appearing to be the answer to our Quarterback problem. The Mile High men, can look at solidifying the team around the Missouri rookie.

There are many positions of need, in Vic Fangio’s lie up. Each fan has their own opinion on what is needed, to enable the Broncos to return to the playoffs. As I am writing this on Christmas Eve, here is my last minute wish list for Santa.

1. Offensive line strength- The Offensive Line has been the Achilles heel in the team, for way too long. Garret Bolles has been an expensive bust, at Left tackle, with the Broncos spending a first round pick on him back in 2017, an annus horriblis for John Elway and his scouting team. There has been no progression from the 27 year old ex Utah man, Bolles has 15 Holding penalties in 16 games, so far this season and has been a penalty machine at home. It’s not just the stat that is concerning, it’s the nature of the timing of the penalties, which has cost the Broncos some big gains and lost on field momentum. Bolles is heading into the fourth year of his rookie deal, there is the option of tying Bolles in for a fifth season, which the Broncos can exercise if they wish. Bolles has Mike Munchak as his offensive line coach, who is renowned for being the best in the business, but Bolles has shown no improvement this season. But, I feel time and patience has run out for Bolles, it has seemed that his composure completely deserts him when he has been flagged, as he seems to give away another penalty in quick succession. A player penalised as consistently as Bolles, will also be on the referee’s mind before the game has even started, surely any opposition coach/ captain would be highlighting Bolles discretions to the officials as ‘one to keep an eye on’? This puts Bolles on the back foot to start with.

‘ It’s got to stop. Period. There are no more excuses for it, he’s had 26 holding penalties in the last two years and two games… Does he know what holding is? Does he know what he can and can’t do?’

John Elway expresses his frustration at Garret Bolles performances, whilst talking to KOA News Radio in September. Bolles went on to accrue 13 more holding penalties heading into the final game of the 2019 season.

‘ We’ve got to be able to block our guys, without holding…. they are real drive killers.

Vic Fangio echoes Elway’s thoughts in a press conference at Dove Valley in September.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not just Bolles that’s been a problem. Juwuan James, the highest paid Right Tackle in the game has barely been fit, keeping up his pattern of missing huge portions of every other season. Fangio noted that James has not been right, mentally, let alone physically right to play.

The luck has run out, on the Ron Leary project, and we need to move on from him and wish him all the best for the future.

I would love to see  Anthony Castonzo come into the team, as a free agent, heck, we could even try Bolles at guard. I feel we have nothing left to lose with Bolles, plus he has no real trade value after this season. Joe Thuney, could be another option via free agency. Thuney would be  costly signing and teams have been burned with patriot offensive linemen entering free agency ( e.g Nate Solder at the Giants). Picking up a second round lineman would also add much needed depth to our pool of players.

2. Targets for Lock- Courtland Sutton has progressed nicely this year, and is the number one receiver in the team at the moment. But, as you look down the depth chart, there is a lack in top level talent for Lock to throw to. Noah Fant has been the most productive rookie Tight End in the league this year, one would hope for continued progression from him in 2020. There are some tantalising options available in the draft, or via Free agency.

– Jerry Jeudy- The Alabamba junior, won the Biletnikoff award for the best college wide receiver in 2018. Jeudy lets his Football do his talking, he has been a consistent star since his freshman year in Tuscaloosa. The Florida native will be a man in demand, but, the hype of the draft process, Quarterbacks having more of a premium and the focus on combine results, could see Jeudy fall to Denver. See why he is so highly rated here.

– Laviska Shenault Junior- A lot of Broncos Country will be familiar with the Texas raised Junior from CU. Shenault Jr is a versatile and athletic receiver who has been the fulcrum of the Buffs offense. Shenault Jr is a physical receiver, with star quality, he has also been effective rushing from the backfield at Folsom Field. Laviska has declared for the NFL, a year early, just like Jerry Jeudy. If the Broncos pick at 10, this may deemed to be slightly too high for Shenault Jr, the option of trading back a few spots to secure the local prospect and accrue even more draft capital, would be an extremely tempting offer. Check out Shenault Jr’s highlight reel here.

Free Agency- Robby Anderson, has shown flashes of his talent with the Jets, over the last few years. He is a quick, nimble player, who has solid hands and an athletic jump. A change of scenery from New York, to Denver could see Anderson prosper, when being targeted by Lock. Drew’s big arm, and the thin mile high air, could lead to Anderson racking up some serious yards, in the right system. Anderson’s highlights on Youtube.

3. An end to the Ownership feud. Pat Bowlen, the Hall of fame owner, sadly, passed away in June, due to complications associated with the awful disease, Alzheimer’s. The dispute around placing ownership of the franchise into a trust, is a complicated matter.

Bowlen’s two oldest daughters, Beth Bowlen Wallace and Amie Bowlen Klemmer, have taken this case to the Arapahoe county court, to decide whether Mr B had the capacity to make the decision.

Now, to explain, at least to my knowledge, Capacity is very difficult to assess, especially in retrospect. Also, it’s worth highlighting that, unless it’s directly proven otherwise, capacity has to be assumed, and an individual’s right to make a decision that may be deemed unwise, is still their right. So the case is a complex one, which also has a lot of emotion involved, for most importantly, the Bowlen family, but also the fan base. Meanwhile, the franchise seems to be caught, in no man’s land, between the owners and the needs of the organisation. The case will run its course, and this cannot be rushed, but when it is finished, the franchise needs some TLC. The Broncos organisation needs to become innovative again, to embrace the legacy of Mr B, until then, the dark cloud of franchise ownership debate, will hang over the franchise.

4. Now, Christmas, is a time for giving, but it is also a time for receiving and spending time with people that make you happy. In that case, I’m hoping to extend Christmas to next season, particularly to either September or October 2020. That’s right, I’m hoping for the Broncos to be announced as one of the teams acting as a visiting team to one of the International series games in London, whether that’s at Wembley. Or at the new Tottenham Hotspur stadium. I’m hoping for a gathering of European Broncos fans, and hopefully a DNVR tailgate, if this wish is granted.  

5. Returning players- I’m hoping for Bradley Chubb to make a full recovery, from his second ACL tear, the talented pass rusher can become the future of the defence. I’m intrigued by the development of Malik Reed and Jeremy Attachou, who have both stepped up to cover the plethora of injuries the Broncos have suffered this year. Derek Wolfe, in my opinion, has earned a new contract, his season was ended prematurely by injury. Pro Bowl snubs, For Courtland Sutton and Justin Simmons, should add extra motivation for these two, to show the NFL how good they are next season. Plus, Drew Lock has now secured the starting position, to enable him to get all the starting reps in the summer training camp, and allow him to truly own the offense.

If you have taken the time to read this, I wish you, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.