Tag: Broncos Wire

Russell Wilson delivers commencement speech at Dartmouth College

Russell Wilson received an honorary doctorate from Dartmouth College over the weekend.

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson gave the commencement speech for Dartmouth College and was awarded an honorary doctorate on Sunday.

Wilson, who graduated from North Carolina State University in 2010, has a good chance of understanding the magnitude of this moment and academia. His father, Harrison Wilson III, was a graduate of Dartmouth, and as noted in his commencement, so were his three uncles. 

Wilson also had a grandfather, Harison Wilson Jr., who served as the president of Norfolk State, while his grandmother, Anna Wilson, served as a faculty member for Jackson State University. Perhaps it’s safe to say that he understood the occasion.

Wilson, in his speech, spoke to the graduating class of 2022 about overcoming obstacles, words of wisdom his late father taught him, and that it’s not about the year you are born or die but the dash in between the years.

Recently, Wilson surprised his wife, Ciara, with a bouquet while stating in his Instagram caption: “Stay Squared up my friends.” Previously, former NFL player Channing Crowder noted on his “I Am Athlete” podcast that Wilson was a “square,” so, of course, the caption was a shot at Crowder and anyone who believes that Wilson isn’t up to par as a man.

If being clean-cut, a loving father and husband, an excellent NFL quarterback, and becoming an honorary doctorate is square, Broncos Country has the best square possible to lead this team.

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Aqib Talib reacts to Von Miller putting his Colorado home up for sale

Aqib Talib had a similar reaction as Broncos fans when Von Miller put his Colorado home up for sale.

The 2015 Denver Broncos season is remembered as Peyton Manning’s swan song season, but the true gem of that Super Bowl-winning team was the defense. Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib and Co. were No. 1 in the NFL in total defense that season.

Talib, who was a member of the famed “No Fly Zone” secondary, would also lead the NFL in passing defense. A top defense of that caliber requires special chemistry, bond, and culture to go along with talent.

So when Miller put his Colorado house up for sale, the former star cornerback understandably had a melancholy reaction.

Miller was a cornerstone for the Broncos since 2011 and was traded to the Los Angeles Rams mid-season in 2021. Miller’s time with the Rams was parlayed into a second ring for the future Hall of Famer which additionally garnered him a massive, six year, $120-million contract with the Buffalo Bills this offseason.

With Miller on the East Coast, it made sense for him not to need the Foxfield mansion. However, the memories he and Aqib made in the orange and blue will never go away.

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Russell Wilson posts video of him watching film with Peyton Manning

Seeing Russell Wilson watch film with Peyton Manning has Broncos fans pumped up for the season!

When it comes down to greatness, it’s essential to be a student first, especially when your teacher is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time: Peyton Manning.

Over the weekend, Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson tweeted out a video showing him watching film with Manning. The two were dissecting some throws Wilson made during an offseason workout with Denver’s offense this spring.

Wilson has shown over the years that he is an obsessive athlete that always strives for greatness. He takes care of his body during the season and offseason, and he has an outstanding commitment to winning.

But his time in Seattle ended because both sides grew apart: Wilson wanted to chase the ghosts of Manning and the current titans Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady. At the same time, Pete Carroll liked the offense philosophy of yesteryear: run the ball, control the clock.

With Wilson moving on to an organization that he feels respects his football skill and intellect, it allowed the door to be open for schooling from Manning, who became a Broncos legend in its own right.

In the end, it made sense for Wilson to gravitate toward learning from Manning: Wilson attended the Manning Passing Academy when he was a tenth grader in high school, so the two men have a history. If Manning stays on to help Wilson in an extended role, Wilson may become the quarterback he envisioned, but the Seahawks didn’t.

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Latest episode of ‘Behind the Broncos’ gives behind-the-scenes look at team’s draft

The latest episode of ‘Behind the Broncos’ gives a great behind-the-scenes look at the team’s draft

The front office and the head coach must be in lockstep within the NFL structure, and the head coach should be aligned with the general manager and vice versa.

There is a reason why the San Francisco partnership with Kyle Shanahan is still going strong and why the Miami Dolphins moved on from Brian Flores. Last year, the drafting of Trey Lance signaled the strong partnership the 49ers enjoyed between Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.

Similarly, the Broncos are attempting to build a strong program with their new coach, Nathaniel Hackett, through a united vision through the draft.
The team’s YouTube channel recently gave us a behind-the-scenes on their draft day process through their web series, “Behind the Broncos.”

In the video, you can see Broncos GM George Paton, Hackett, and other front-office representatives going through their process of drafting pass rusher Nik Bonitto and tight end Greg Dulcich. Check it out below:

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Dwayne Stukes wants attack-minded players on Broncos special teams

“We want violent guys. That’s just my mindset; that’s just my mentality,” Broncos special teams coach Dwayne Stukes said.

Although often overlooked, special teams are the third element of football. The adage: offense sells tickets, and the defense wins games could be seen as accurate by many. However, special teams play requires a lot of grit and toughness, and one big special teams play can break the game open.

Dwayne Stukes, the new special teams coordinator for the Denver Broncos, knows what type of players are needed to compete for special teams. Last season, Stukes was the assistant special teams’ coach for the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams. With his chance to run his unit, Stukes wants players on his special teams to have an attacking mindset.

“Obviously [we] want guys that are good athletes, that’s first and foremost,” Stukes said Wednesday. “Guys that can move in space. We want physical guys. We want violent guys. That’s just my mindset; that’s just my mentality. You have to have some type of physicality, some type of violent nature of not yourself, to perform at a high level on the football field in my opinion.

“There’s no need — or no room — for guys to be soft and passive on the field. Like I said before, and I’m going to stand by this, we want to have an attack mentality. We do want to physical. We do want to be violent. We do want to dictate the flow of the game to our opponents. I’m not going to shy away from that.”

The Broncos have assembled a coaching staff that has had varied success in the NFL to change the culture into a winning one. Stukes’s championship pedigree should help the Broncos mold the third phase of football into good shape.

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Broncos don’t think they have a short window with Russell Wilson

Will the Broncos draft instant impact players for Russell Wilson’s window? GM George Paton shot down that notion.

The arrival of Russell Wilson has shifted the Denver Broncos’ Super Bowl aspirations into overdrive. Although the AFC West is no slouch — Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Las Vegas Raiders all have playoff and championship expectations — Wilson’s pedigree completely revamps any idea that the Broncos are just trying to compete.

However, Broncos general manager George Paton firmly believes that the Wilson-led Broncos won’t just be around for this year, contending for a title. He sees the Broncos competing for the next few years and does not see a “championship window.”

“I don’t look at it as a window,” Paton said last week when asked if the team will prioritize drafting instant-impact players to take advantage of the Wilson window. “‘Russ’ is young, 33, he wants to play until he’s 40.

“We want to [draft] the best player. Now if he’s not quite ready Week 1, that’s fine. We want a guy to be here long-term and be the best player. So, we’re not going to take a player just because he’s ready Week 1. We want a player who’s going to be here four or five years. Russell will probably outlast them all.”

Paton isn’t wrong to aspire that Wilson can keep the Broncos contending for Super Bowls even at age 40. Since Wilson takes excellent care of his body and since Tom Brady has reinvented longevity, Paton has every right to believe there is no such thing as a window as long as Wilson is QB.

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Joy of Russell Wilson outweighs pain of no 1st-round pick for Broncos

George Paton is feeling good about not having draft capital in exchange for Russell Wilson.

The Los Angeles Rams have created a modern blueprint of chasing and obtaining win-now talent in exchange for usually-coveted draft picks.

The Denver Broncos recently followed L.A.’s lead and traded their draft collateral to the tune of five draft picks to the Seattle Seahawks. As part of the deal, Denver sent first- and second-round 2022 picks to the Seahawks.

But it does not appear that Broncos general manager George Paton is sweating his roster-building technique. Although the Broncos will not have a first-round pick this year or next, Paton describes Wilson as the type of player that can give you a good night’s sleep, even after trading away crucial draft capital.

“It’s a blessing,” Paton said last Friday. “We love having first-round picks. We love having the early second, but we also love having a franchise quarterback that sets the tone every day in the building.

“I come in here and he’s here working. There is a reason he’s great. It’s because of the work he puts into it. All the players and the entire organization is watching. There is no pain in that. On that first day [of the draft], we’ll watch Russell Wilson highlights.”

If Paton feels good, it shows the new attitude that is permeating the building. New coach Nathaniel Hackett, a new quarterback in Wilson, and their general manager in Paton exuding confidence? May be scary hours in Mile High city.

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Russell Wilson is really into winning

Russell Wilson spoke with Greg Olsen on his podcast about expectations to win

When the Denver Broncos traded for Russell Wilson, it was an atmosphere and culture-changing move geared toward bringing the team closer to Super Bowl contention. 

Whether on-the-field playing or off-the-field training, Wilson’s love for the game is well-documented. Wilson’s attitude made it an easy choice for the Broncos to swing for the fences to trade for the former Seattle Seahawks quarterback. 

Wilson recently appeared on the Youth Inc. podcast hosted by former Seahawks teammate Greg Olsen and he waxed poetic about his experiences playing baseball and how he got into playing football growing up. However, Wilson did make a quote about the importance of winning that should have Broncos Nation excited about what’s to come.

“I think what we can expect is a lot of showtime games,” Wilson said. “I think for me what’s the most important thing is it’s about winning, whatever that means to be able to do that. … To go and take over the game and whatever it may be. It’s time for that to happen, game in and game out.”

While the games still have to be played, Wilson’s optimism for this season should keep fans excited for all reasonable possibilities. 

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Here’s how Dre’Mont Jones reacted to the Russell Wilson trade

Dre’Mont Jones expresses a sigh of relief and excitement about the trade for Russell Wilson.

Dre’Mont Jones has spent three years with the Denver Broncos and has become a solid contributor. But while his numbers have shown that he can be a linchpin with the Broncos’ defense for years to come, he understands that the NFL can be a cold business, and he can be traded or released.

So when asked about his initial thoughts on the trade for Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks to Denver, Jones had to make sure he wasn’t amongst the trade bait used to lure the star quarterback in.

“To be honest, I was like, ‘Oh! We got Russell!,'” Jones said earlier this week. “Then they [media] said they traded for ‘Russ’ and some players [went the other way]. So everyone was like, ‘Oh — who are the players?'” Jones recalled with a laugh.

Once the dust settled, Jones expressed gratitude for Wilson’s arrival while noticing a atmosphere difference created by Wilson and new head coach Nathaniel Hackett.

“But it was cool realizing [that] I’m still here, and ‘Russ’ being here, too. I can just tell the energy has been totally different in this building from him and coach Hackett.”

Hopefully, with Super Bowl expectations growing, Jones can continue doing his part on defense while Hackett and Wilson look to enhance the Broncos offensively.

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Broncos hire Vikings’ George Paton as new general manager

The Broncos are hiring George Paton of the Vikings as their new general manager, giving him a 6-year deal.
John Elway stepped down from his role as GM this offseason, but he led the search for his replacement, landing on Paton.
Paton joined the Vikings 14 years ago and served as their VP of player personnel most recently

The Broncos are hiring George Paton of the Vikings as their new general manager, giving him a 6-year deal.
John Elway stepped down from his role as GM this offseason, but he led the search for his replacement, landing on Paton.
Paton joined the Vikings 14 years ago and served as their VP of player personnel most recently