Bill is joined by Lindsay Jones of The Athletic to definitively rank all 20 teams that missed the playoffs last year for the upcoming season, including the Raiders (5:28), Lions, (14:39), Jets (25), Vikings (47:51), Panthers (53:22) and many more.
Lindsay is scheduled to return from wrist surgery for Broncos training camp thanks to a much different recovery process than he has endured before.
Mina and Field Yates evaluate the offseason in the AFC West and discuss how the Raiders (8:20), Chargers (20:09), Broncos (38:13), and Chiefs (46:52) will fare this season. Plus, who at ESPN has the best hair (55:23)?
Pat Bowlen's children thanked the fans for coming to the memorial and Beth Bowlen Wallace said it was"comforting" to meet so many people who had been impacted by her father.
Denver mayor Michael Hancock has arrived to Pat Bowlen's memorial. Long before his career in public office Hancock was the Broncos mascot — Huddles. And he has long said that 1986 season — his senior year of high school — was a sports highlight for him.
Broncos' first-round pick Noah Fant said it was important for the team's rookies to attend Pat Bowlen's memorial to offer condolences to the family and to "recognize greatness."
The Denver Broncos rookies have arrived to Pat Bowlen's memorial.
Former Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith just finished meeting with Pat Bowlen's family and said "there isn't room (in the stadium) for all the tributes for Mr. B." And he added "I really feel part of the Bowlen family."
And you can't have a memorial for Pat Bowlen without the coats.
And you can't have a memorial for Pat Bowlen without the coats.
Pat Bowlen's children are meeting Broncos' staff members as well as fans as they move through the memorial. Broncos president of football operations/general manager John Elway just finished viewing the displays a short time ago.
Pat Bowlen's memorial features all of the team's AFC Championship trophies as well as Super Bowl trophies, a variety of game balls given to Bowlen, family photos and his desk as he would have had it on a typical day.
Peyton Manning has arrived at the memorial for Pat Bowlen.
The memorial for Broncos owner Pat Bowlen is in the downtown stadium this morning. It is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature displays from Bowlen's three decades as the team's owner. Bowlen died last Thursday night after a years-long battle with Alzheimer's disease.
Did the Browns indeed have the best offseason? Which teams struggled to reach their goals? NFL Nation ranks them and looks toward training camp.
The Broncos are planning several ways to honor team owner Pat Bowlen, including a public tribute Tuesday and orange and blue "Mr. B." decals that players will wear on their helmets this season.
Could a former first-round selection be done with the Pittsburgh Steelers? NFL Nation picks a player on each team who might not make the opening day roster.
With the passing of the former Broncos owner, it's time for the current leadership to follow his winning example.
Randall Cobb and a 312-pound tight end lead a list of eye-opening performances from under-the-radar players this offseason.
Adam Schefter talks to NFL Films' Ken Rodgers about the selection of the Raiders for "Hard Knocks" (:54). Plus, Jets GM Joe Douglas (30:48) & a tribute to Pat Bowlen (51:30).
Via the Broncos, a statement from Peyton Manning on Pat Bowlen, who died Thursday night: "My deepest sympathies go out to the entire Bowlen family. I met Mr. Bowlen for the first time when I played for the Indianapolis Colts and I was over in Hawaii at the Pro Bowl when he was also there at his Hawaiian home. I saw him several times throughout the years and had short, brief conversations with him that I really enjoyed. Coming to play here for Denver, even though his health was declining, I did enjoy a couple of conversations with Mr. Bowlen. In my first year in 2012, I was here a lot in the offseason. As soon as I signed with the Broncos, I was basically living at the facility—Studying film, rehabbing and working out. I was usually one of the last to leave the facility during that time. I say, ‘I thought I was the last to leave,' but Mr. Bowlen was still there. He'd usually be in the training room on the elliptical, and I would go in there and have conversations with him. He was asking me if we found a place to live yet, and I remember once I told him we found a place to live, he told me he used to live right near there, and we talked a little about that. Just short, brief conversations, and I enjoyed that time with him. It was an honor to play for Mr. Bowlen's organization, as I've said numerous times. I always had great respect for the Denver Broncos during my time playing for the Colts competing against his organization. So much of that credit goes to Pat Bowlen and his desire to be the best and to win. That had a lot to do with me signing with the Denver Broncos – That I knew Mr. Bowlen was all about winning and I knew the people that he had hired would carry on that tradition and legacy. It was a great decision to come play here—We still live here today. I'm grateful for Mr. Bowlen and the legacy that he's established with the Broncos, in the NFL and certainly in this Denver community. He will be missed by many. It was an honor to know Mr. Bowlen and a real pleasure to have played for his team – The Denver Broncos."
Pat Bowlen, the longtime owner of the Denver Broncos who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August, died late Thursday night at age 75.
The 60-year-old Fangio has introduced himself to his players by staying true to what he believes works in any era: "fundamentals and structure."
| RD(PK) | PLAYER | POS | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1(20) | Noah Fant | TE | Iowa |
| 2(9) | Dalton Risner | OT | Kansas State |
| 2(10) | Drew Lock | QB | Missouri |
| 3(7) | Dre'Mont Jones | DT | Ohio State |
| 5(18) | Justin Hollins | OLB | Oregon |
| 6(14) | Juwann Winfree | WR | Colorado |
| TEAM | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 565 | 421 |
| Los Angeles | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 428 | 329 |
| Denver | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 329 | 349 |
| Oakland | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 290 | 467 |
