Some Fun Facts about the #Broncos drafting QB Paxton Lynch with the 26th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft

Some fun facts regarding the #Broncos drafting Memphis QB Paxton Lynch last night:

- The #Broncos QB draft board rated the top 3 QBs as:
1- Carson Wentz
2A- Paxton Lynch
2B- Jared Goff
So in their evaluation they rated Goff and Lynch as equal values. Goff was drafted number 1 overall!

- #Elway ended up swapping Osweiler with Lynch and in the process saved $60 million in Cap Space which will help pay Von Miller that big contract he deserves. Not to mention the only thing Elway gave up to move up is a 3rd round pick which ironically he will get back as compensation for losing Osweiler in the 2017 draft. Can you say G.O.A.T.!

- At the time the #Broncos moved up with a trade to #26 with the SeaHawks to draft Lynch, both the Chiefs and the Cowboys were trying hard to move up ahead of Denver to snatch Lynch from the #Broncos. As he often does, #Elway won.

- By drafting a QB in the 1st round, the #Broncos now can take advantage of the all important 5th year option on 1st rd. selected rookies on Lynch which means they can have Paxton Lynch under contract for the next 5 years at a very low cap hit, for a QB, before he would be due a big contract. That will enable the team to stay strong at various positions for the next 5 years.

- Paxton Lynch was the QB at Memphis for 3 years and started all 38 games in that span. He finished with a 22-16 record as a starter, including a 2-1 mark in bowl games. In 2014, Memphis finished 10-3, beating BYU 55-48 in the Miami Beach Bowl to post the School's first 10-win season since the 1930s.

- Just for the heck of it here is how you spell Paxton as compared to Peyton... See the similarities?! Weird ha? lol

- At 6' 7" and 244 lbs. Paxton is a big QB much like Osweiler was before him. But unlike Osweiler, Paxton is actually an athletic physical specimen. It's hard to imagine that with his size he was actually the RB at his high school! This kid has way more mobility than Osweiler did, is an actual legit scrambling threat, and has a stronger arm than him as well.

- The 49ers blew it by not taking the Broncos deal on Kaepernick. As a matter of fact John Elway was totally surprised by it. This wa a type of decision that now the bumbling head coach, Chip Kelly, is becoming unfortunately known for in his short and ridiculous tenure in the NFL. That dumb decision has however led the #Broncos to Lynch and in the long term perspective should prove to be the best move for the #Broncos.

- Michael Salavati
#MichaelSalavati

Denver Broncos 2016 Regular Season Schedule

Here's the hot off the press Denver #Broncos 2016 schedule (All times Eastern Std. Time):
Give me your thoughts below.

Week 1: Panthers @ Broncos 9/8/16 (TNF) 8:30 pm
Week 2: Colts @ Broncos 9/18 4:25 pm
Week 3: Broncos @ Bengals 9/25 1 pm
Week 4: Broncos @ Buccaneers 10/2 4:05 pm
Week 5: Falcons @ Broncos 10/9 4:05 pm
Week 6: Broncos @ Chargers (TNF) 10/13 8:25 pm
Week 7: Texans @ Broncos (MNF) 10/24 8:30 pm
Week 8: Chargers @ Broncos 10/30 4:05 pm
Week 9: Broncos @ Raiders (SNF) 11/6 8:30 pm
Week 10: Broncos @ Saints 11/13 1 pm
Week 11: Bye
Week 12: Chiefs @ Broncos 11/27 4:25 pm
Week 13: Broncos @ Jaguars 12/4 1 pm
Week 14: Broncos @ Titans 12/11 1 pm
Week 15: Patriots @ Broncos 12/18 4:25 pm
Week 16: Broncos @ Chiefs 12/25 (SNF) 8:30 pm
Week 17: Raiders @ Broncos 1/1 4:25 pm

5 prime time games. A #SB50 rematch to start the season. A date with Billy Osweiler on a MNF matchup. A rematch with the evil empire and Brady late in the season. A X-Mas Game at KC. A tangle with Malik & Julius at Jacksonville. Are some of the highlights of the 2016 season. Can't wait!!!

- Michael Salavati
#MichaelSalavati

Some Denver #Broncos odds and ends this week:

1) Von Miller has reportedly been offered a contract by the #Broncos between $17-$18 million average annually which would make him the 2nd highest paid defensive player in the NFL only behind Suh from Miami.

There had been reports that Miller is looking for a $22 million per year deal a couple weeks ago, although he has publicly said numerous times that he is willing to take a hometown discount for the #Broncos. Another report also suggests that the #Broncos are somewhat flexible but are unwilling to go any higher than $19.06 million per year (Which is what Suh from the Dolphins is making). This negotiation will most likely drag on well into the summer. I only hope it does not drag as long as Demaryius Thomas' contract last year did, causing a hold out in the OTA's.

2) There have been some weird and contradictory stories suggesting Johnny Manziel is now actually living with Von Miller! As in in his house. We all know Von is fond of Manziel and he has openly talked about his desire for the #Broncos to sign Manziel this offseason. In Manziel, Von Miller sees himself as he was a few years back. A very talented kid going through a rough spot ready to redeem himself and steer his ship straight. Von is a star and beloved by the #Broncos, I wouldn't be surprised if and when (A big IF and WHEN) Manziel gets cleared of his domestic violence legal issues that the #Broncos would give him a look see in the future. Again, only if he is cleared and not convicted.

3) The #Broncos have Duke WR Max McCaffrey, son of the #Broncos great Ed McCaffrey, scheduled for a Pre-Draft workout at Dove Valley on Tuesday 04/12/2016. It would be cool to have him on the #Broncos roster next year! His dad is one of my all time favorite #Broncos.

- Michael Salavati
#MichaelSalavati

To be fair to the Broncos newly acquired QB Mark Sanchez

Just to be fair to Mark Sanchez:

He has really not been as bad as people's perception of him as of late. Perception is reality and it's not any different in the NFL either.

Consider these 2 points:

1. In 8 games played in 2014 for the Eagles who were one of the worst teams in the NFL last year in talent and dysfunction, Mark Sanchez  completed 64.1 percent of his passes, averaged 7.8 yards per throw, threw 14 touchdown passes against 11 interceptions, and generated a passer rating of 88.4. He also has a 4-2 playoff (on the road mind you) record!

2. In contrast, in seven starts last season playing with the Broncos, the best team in the NFL last season, Brock Osweiler completed 61.8 percent of his throws, averaged 7.2 yards per attempt, had 10 touchdown passes and six interceptions, and racked up a passer rating of 86.4. And Zero playoff experience.

One of those guys went onto sign an $18 million per year deal, and the other still gets butt fumble jokes hurled at him! But he may have the last laugh now playing for a team with the best offensive mind coaches in the NFL and the best defense in the NFL.

Let's go #Broncos

- Michael Salavati
#MichaelSalavati

The current status of the #Broncos search for a QB:

The one thing we know for sure is that the #Broncos will add another Quarterback to their roster prior to the OTA's. The question is who will that QB be? The rumors & contradictions the last week have been tremendous! Here is what I think I know in 5 possible scenarios:

1) Colin #Kaepernick: The #Broncos are definitely interested. The Browns don't have to make a move until April 1st when his salary becomes fully guaranteed. So there is no rush on either party to move from their positions. The word is that the #Broncos have evaluated Kaepernick's value at a 4th round pick.

The issue is the #Broncos don't have a 4th round pick (which they can trade, compensatory picks cannot be traded) in 2016. So one way around that would be to give the 49ers their 3rd rd. pick in return for Kaepernick and the 49ers 5th or 6th round pick. The 49ers want a 2nd rounder, but come March 31st they'll be desperate to move him or pay him. So Elway is playing it cool there, hoping they'll flinch.

Now the Browns are also in this sweepstakes and are reportedly willing to give up their 2nd rd pick but have been unable to agree to restructured terms with Kaepernick. And contrary to reports that Kaepernick prefers the Browns over the Broncos, he does not. He'd much rather play in Denver. And the #Broncos are a lot more likely to reach an agreement with Kaepernick on a restructure than the Browns are. The ball is in the 49ers court at this time. We may not know until April 1st.

2) Ryan #Fitzpatrick: The #Broncos have been the most interested team in Ryan other than the Jets. The Jets offer to Fitzpatrick, at the moment, tops out at $7 million per year. Fitzpatrick wants Osweiler money, and no one is willing to pay that at his age. The #Broncos have spoken to his agent and have made it clear where they value him as well. I'd guess his status hinges on a conclusion to the Kaepernick saga, since I believe Kaep is the #Broncos 1st choice. So that situation is also at a stand still.

3) The third option, if the above two fail, is another veteran QB, like a Brian Hoyer, brought in to compete with Sanchez and Siemian for a starting job. Not anyone's plan B nor C if they can help it.

4) The final option would be to draft a QB in the 1st round and give him the keys to the team. I don't know if the #Broncos feel there is a QB that they could draft at the bottom of the 1st round worthy of putting their future in his hands. The fact that they are pursuing Kaep and Fitz tells me they're not that keen on the idea. I also wouldn't be surprised that if they land Kaep or Fitz, they would still draft a QB with one of their 1st two draft picks no matter what.

5) One final possible twist in the Kaepernick saga: The #Broncos may end up packaging Sanchez with a draft pick to the 49ers as well in order to move them from their 2nd round request. It's not probable, but is possible & plausible. Chip Kelly, the 49ers Head Coach, would love to have Sanchez and tried to trade for him with the Eagles, but the Eagles refused to deal with Chip in any way shape or form. So the #Broncos pounced on him. A smart move considering their situation.

So as you can see it's a fluid situation. And until April 1st there is no motivation for any of the involved parties to move from their current stance. So we'll see. Cross your fingers #BroncosCountry.

- Michael Salavati
#MichaelSalavati

What is the Denver Broncos plan for starting Quarterback in 2016?

My two cents on the #Broncos Quarterback situation:

The #NFL is Quarterback starved, that's for sure. The monkey wrench thrown into the negotiations with Brock Osweiler and the #Broncos is that in the last couple of days guys like Sam Bradford in Philly and Cousins in Washington have gotten contracts for 2016 representing an obscene amount of money (in excess of $19 million) for the level of talent they posses and the mediocrity they have shown.

However Osweiler doesn't quite compare to either of those QBs. In his case he has 7 starts in 4 years. A very difficult situation to evaluate. In years past it would have been pretty clear cut, his worth would not be overstated, but the state of the starting QB in the NFL is poor right now. There are many teams starved for a quality QB.

Having said that, I don't believe there are many teams, if any, who would throw Cousins' type of money at Osweiler. Because all of those teams with a desperate need at QB have top 20, 1st round, draft picks. Why pay all this money to an unproven QB when you can just draft your own and develop him at a relative bargain price for 5 years? I know I wouldn't do that in their position, but there is always that slight chance that one team (maybe the Texans) has a desperate GM who makes a bad decision and decides to offer a ridiculous contract to Brock. If that happens, the #Broncos would let him walk. Elway would never pay Osweiler in 2016 the kind of money Peyton Manning was making when he was the NFL MVP in 2013! And he shouldn't.

What I know with relative certainty is that the #Broncos have evaluated Osweiler's value at somewhere in between Nick Foles' contract with the Rams and Andy Dalton's contract in Cincy. Those contracts are $12 million per year for Foles and $16 million per year for Dalton. The #Broncos have offered somewhere north of $12 million per year to Osweiler. Just how much over no one knows, but it's definitely over $12 million and under $16 million. My guess is it's a lot closer to the $12 million number than the $16 million. That is a more than fair, and actually more than he deserves at this point in his career contract.

If it weren't for the unusual dynamics I have described above, I believe Brock would have already signed this deal. But he is going to wait at least until Monday the 7th when the tampering period begins and his agent can legally speak to other teams for 2 days before free agency begins to gauge the interest and the value for him in the open market before a decision to sign is made.

Free agency officially begins on Wednesday the 9th. If Brock hits the open market at that time, chances of getting him back in Denver diminish significantly. I still believe that Brock will  end up signing with the #Broncos on March 8th and stay. I don't believe he is keen on the idea of playing elsewhere. But, again, that could only change if a team offers him a crazy $16 to $19 million per year contract. Any one would be hard pressed to walk away from that! And he would not either. We'll see what happens soon enough.

If all goes as planned, or as Elway would say "plan A", Osweiler will be the starting QB for the #Broncos in 2016. But what if he moves on, what is plan B?

 Elway is one GM not afraid to take risks. He is the one guy who will not overpay for a player and has the confidence he'll figure it out, especially at the QB position. And in this case the same is true on this issue.

The #Broncos are very high on Trevor Siemian and would not hesitate to go into the offseason ready to get a QB battle going for a new starter. I believe if Osweiler leaves, the #Broncos would make a push for a veteran, in my opinion that veteran would be Colin Kaepernick as their 1st choice and some others such as Case Keenum, TJ Yates or even maybe RGIII if Kaepernick is not available. And they will also draft a QB either with their 1st or 2nd round pick of the draft and let the 3 QBs duke it out for the starting position in OTAs and training camp.

As for Manning, I stand by my contention that regardless of what Peyton decides about his retirement, he is done in Denver and the #Broncos are moving on no matter what.

Can't wait to see this all unfold next week! Let's go #Broncos.

#BroncosCountry
#InElwayWeTrust

- Michael Salavati

#MichaelSalavati

My Homage to the Great #PeytonManning:

Peyton Manning's time as the QB for the Denver #Broncos was as special as any in the history of the NFL and one of the most prolific 4 year spans for any player, ever. We as the lucky fans of the #Broncos should cherish, respect and forever be grateful for these fond and rare lifetime memories. Two of NFL All-Time GOATs, Manning & Elway, quickly turned around an Organization reeling from a disastrous tenure by Josh McDaniels and instantly revived the team which had fallen to the very bottom of the NFL back in 2010 to a perennial Super Bowl contender.

Here are some of Peyton's amazing accomplishments and NFL records set in that short 4 Year span:

- 1 NFL MVP in 2013
- 2 AFC titles (Super Bowls)
- 1 Super Bowl Victory
- 4 consecutive AFC West titles
- 50-15 record
- 19,062 Yds
- 151 TDs
- Single season TD record in 2013 at 55 TDs
- Tied record for most passing TDs in a single game in 2013 at 7 TDs
- Highest Yards per game record set in 2013 at 342.31 Yds
- Most passing yards in one season record set in 2013 at 5477 Yards.

Some career milestones and NFL records set while a Denver #Bronco:

- NFL career passing touchdown record: 539
- Most passing yards, career: 71,940
- Most wins (including playoffs): 200
- Most games throwing for 300+ yards: 93
- Most games with a passing rating higher than 105: 97
- Most games with a perfect passer rating of 158.3: 5
- Most seasons with 350+ completions: 10
- Most games completing 80% passing: 19
- Most game winning drives: 56
- Most comeback wins: 45
- Most games with 4+ touchdown passes: 25
- Most seasons passing for 4,000+ yards: 14
- One of two QBs to ever beat all 32 teams
- Most Associated Press NFL MVP awards: 5
- The only QB to ever win a Super Bowl Championship with 2 separate NFL teams
- The only QB ever to reach 4 Super Bowls with 4 different coaches

#ThankYouPeyton
#BroncosCountry

#MichaelSalavati