Denver Broncos predicted to finish with best record

Andrew L. John, The Desert Sun

Photo: +The Associated Press 

With the 2014 +NFL draft complete and mini-camps set to begin, the countdown to the upcoming season is under way. And now we have our very first look at projected win totals for all 32 teams, according to Football Outsiders.

The statistic-based analytical website has been projecting win totals for several years now, and has a track record of mixed success. Last season, the website correctly predicted five of the eight division winners and eight of the 12 playoff teams.

RELATED: DVOA predictions | Strength of Schedule | 2015 NFL mock draft

Using advanced statistics, Football Outsiders also predicted the +Washington Redskins and the +Houston Texans, the two worst teams in the league record-wise, would both win their respective divisions. Injuries ravaged what could have been a good season for both teams but, in hindsight, it’s hard to imagine either of those teams making the playoffs with a healthy roster, let alone winning their division.

So who is Football Outsiders projecting success for this year? Let’s take a look.

It’s no surprise that the website is projecting the +Denver Broncos to have the best record (12-4) in the league this year. The team fell just short of a Super Bowl victory and returns Peyton Manning, Von Miller and a host of other elite players.

The top team in the NFC? The +New Orleans Saints, with an 11-5 record. Drew Brees, Sean Payton and Co. won 11 games a year ago and lost at Seattle in the divisional round of the playoffs.

The other two division winners are projected to be the Super Bowl winning +Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers, who should have a healthy Aaron Rodgers ready to go. Both teams are each projected to win 10 games, as are the +New England Patriots, the +Philadelphia Eagles and the +Indianapolis Colts.

Here is where I start to get a little skeptical. Football Outsiders has the +San Francisco 49ers only winning nine games, the same amount as the +New York Giants. I understand the uncertainty of +Colin Kaepernick, and that he perhaps could miss games following a sexual assault investigation, and that the Niners have a top 5 strength of schedule. Still, nine games is a hit for a team that talented. After all, the Broncos and Seahawks also have one of the tougher schedules in 2014.

On a personal note, I’m surprised the Bears — after the offseason they’ve had — are only projected to win eight games. Full disclosure: I’m a Bears fan. call me partial and even biased, but Chicago’s roster is too talented to not improve upon last year’s record. The +Chicago Bears’ SOS is average.

+ESPN.com NFL draft insider Todd McShay has released his early 2015 mock draft based on Football Outsiders’ projections. Check out the first round of his mock draft to see where every team is expected to finish this year. 

Jeremy Mincey says Broncos were Lackadaisical before Super Bowl XLVIII Versus the Seahawks

Jeremy Mincey: Broncos were 'lackadaisical' before Super Bowl

"Having veterans (older players) made the team low-key before big game..." Sports CR3W will have to deflect that onto the coaches and partially the captains in overlooking the noise factor and perking up the emotions at the right time instead of not at all. As it unfolded on that dreadful Sunday for the Broncos who played the worst game of their very successful last two seasons by exponential 'times' of the next worst performance in that same time span.

This is a metaphor for the Broncos' night: a safety 12 seconds into the game. (USATSI)

More NFL offseason: Mock Drafts | Prospect Rankings | Pro Days | Top free agents

Defensive end Jeremy Mincey joined the +Denver Broncos late last season and found himself in the Super Bowl. Denver was no match for +Seattle Seahawks in a game that was decided by halftime, and Mincey, who signed this week with the +Dallas Cowboys, thinks part of the Broncos' problem was their laid-back approach.

"Sometimes the better team doesn't always win, that's the team that wants it the most," Mincey said Saturday during an appearance on "The End Zone" with Zig Fracassi and Alex Marvez on SiriusXM radio. "And the Seattle Seahawks came out fired up and they wanted it a little more than we did. I think we were a little bit lackadaisical in the locker room before the game.

"That's the thing about having older guys -- and Denver was full of older guys -- [they] take stuff a little lighter than younger guys do ... but we were more laid back and lackadaisical and I think that cost us, in a sense," Mincey said. "But you live and you learn. Denver's putting together some great players and a great scheme, and I think they're going to have a phenomenal year."

In the first week of free agency, the Broncos have added DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib and T.J. Ward to, as Elway noted via Twitter, add energy and toughness to the defense.

When Marvez asked Mincey if the pre-Super Bowl locker room could've been more "rah-rah, you're playing the game of your life," the defense end said: "Yeah, it could've been, you know. All of us could have played a lot better, but things happen. But as you can see with what coach Del Rio, coach Fox and John Elway are trying to put together, I don't think they want to go through what they went through last year. And adding those type of players can make your team very dangerous."

This isn't the first time we've heard that the Broncos weren't ready for the enormity of the Super Bowl. Days after the game, wide receiver Wes Welker admitted that the team didn't prepare well for the crowd noise that led to a safety on Denver's first offensive snap.

Broncos Could be better at Safety play in Playoffs

Broncos could be better in playoffs with stronger play at safety

Photo Courtesty: +USA TODAY Sports Sports Images

If the safety position were a math problem, it would be one plus one equals three.

Something about it doesn't add up.

If the safety position were an opening act, it would set the tone for the concert for the musicians and audience, but overlooked regarding its value to the show or performance.

The NFL recently released its 2014 franchise-tag salaries based on the average of the richest players at each position, and safeties were the lowest-paid on defense.

Among the 10 nonkicker positions overall, safeties make less than all but tight ends. At least pass-catching tight ends come out on run downs, while the blocking types sit on third-and-long.

Safeties don't leave the field. Broncos safety Rahim Moore was the only player who was in on 100 percent of his team's defensive snaps in at least four of the first nine games last year, and he played at 96 percent in the other five.

When Moore went down with a lower leg circulatory disorder, his replacement, Mike Adams, played 100 percent of the snaps in a team-high five games, including the Broncos' two AFC playoff wins.

Yet in recent years, the Broncos have approached the safety position as the rest of NFL does: as an afterthought. Too often the Broncos have filled those positions with undrafted overachievers or 30-something, free-agent stopgaps.

If the Broncos want to better match up with the Seahawks the next time they meet (at Seattle in a date to be determined in the 2014 season), they may want to address the lopsided mismatch at the safety position.

"The position is ignored but yet in the playoffs, there seems to be a safety who's extremely instrumental during the (postseason) run," said former Broncos safety John Lynch, now an NFL broadcaster for the Fox network. "(Bernard) Pollard a couple years ago with Baltimore. You saw with the Broncos in the Super Bowl, Kam Chancellor in many ways took over that game."

The Broncos are going to attempt to upgrade the position. They are expected to pursue Cleveland strong safety T.J. Ward when the free-agent market opens Tuesday. They also have expressed interest in Detroit safety Louis Delmas, while the Pro Bowl likes of Jairus Byrd and Donte Whitner also are available.

It's not so much the Broncos' safeties were bad last season. In fact, Moore, Adams and Duke Ihenacho were collectively decent. But the Seahawks with Earl Thomas and Chancellor had by far the NFL's most dominant safeties.

Not so coincidentally, the Seahawks had by far the league's best defense.

Chancellor delivered a tone-setting blast early on Demaryius Thomas, then came up with an interception on Peyton Manning that helped turn an 8-0 lead into a rout-is-on 15-0.

Chancellor was free to play a monster back-type role because he had the league's best free safety behind him in Earl Thomas — acquired with the No. 14 overall draft pick in 2010 after a trade with Josh McDaniels' Broncos.

"The best defensive player all year, if you ask (Seattle coach) Pete Carroll, if you ask opponents — I did Seattle a lot — Earl was the guy who made that whole thing go," Lynch said. "And I'm a believer that it starts up front. But I think that entire defense could press people and be as aggressive as they were because they knew they had Earl, who could basically clean up all their mistakes."

The Broncos can improve at safety if first Moore returns healthy.

The strong safety is where the Broncos could use a more consistent player. New England won back-to-back Super Bowls in the 2003 and 2004 seasons and nearly went undefeated in 2007 after signing strong safety Rodney Harrison. When the Steelers won the Super Bowl in 2005 and 2008, their biggest defensive star was strong safety Troy Polamalu.

When Peyton Manning won his only Super Bowl title with Indianapolis in the 2006 season, the difference was the return from injury of strong safety Bob Sanders. Those Colts ranked 21st in total defense and 32nd against the run as Sanders was hurt through most of the regular season. They ranked No. 1 in total defense and No. 2 in rush defense as Sanders returned for the postseason.

"I think what you see is when you get a really good one, he can have a tremendous impact on the game," Lynch said. "Because he's in the middle of the field. And offensive coaches will tell you they're tough to account for. It's easy to double-team a defensive lineman. It's tough to account for a safety, because you can move them all over the field. I think the safety position reveals itself in the playoffs even more."

The Broncos have demonstrated they are plenty good enough during the regular season. If they want to take that next step toward giving Seattle a better fight, the back of the defense is a logical place to start. But as +BRONCOS CR3W has pointed out before, that the back end of the defense capablility will not mean much unless there is consistent pressure on the QB. The best DB's can't guard a receiver for 5 seconds consistently over a 60 minute game.

Safety first

Safeties don't play the most valuable position in the NFL, but they can establish the personality of a defense. Did you see the hit that Kam Chancellor put on Demaryius Thomas in the Super Bowl? The Broncos need another Brian Dawkins or John Lynch. NFL reporter Mike Klis analyzes three top free-agent safeties (ages as of April 21, when the Broncos begin offseason conditioning):

T.J. Ward, 27, Browns
Very good box safety who can hit. He can be had in deep coverage, but that's what Rahim Moore is for.

Jairus Byrd, 27, Bills
The most talented safety available, but he's commanding the highest price. Best ball hawk too, and Denver needs to start creating turnovers.

Louis Delmas, 27, Lions
Another terrific tackler against the run. His issue has been being healthy consistently.

Denver Broncos - "Current State" - 2.23.14

Team Report - DENVER BRONCOS
The SportsXchange

INSIDE SLANT

Sure, Denver Broncos coach John Fox is dealing with the frustration that one can expect to extract from losing in the Super Bowl by a lopsided margin. But 18 days after the humbling 43-8 shellacking to the Seahawks, he wasn't moping about what contributed to the result.

"As you look back, get a chance to look at the tape and expound on that, I think we're capable of playing better," Fox said. "Not taking anything away from them, they had a lot to do with it. It was disappointing that we didn't play better."

"It's a team thing," Fox later added. "And they had something to do with it. Give them credit. We were just awful. I think we could have executed better. But (the Seahawks) had a little to do with that. And they did that against New Orleans twice. That's a pretty good outfit."

But Fox understood the Broncos were complicit in their own demise.

One area of consternation revolved around the Broncos' short kickoff to Percy Harvin to open the second half, which he fielded on the bounce and returned 87 yards for the touchdown that effectively ended Denver's realistic hopes of a comeback.

Fox said the kickoff was intentionally pooched. It bounced at the 13-yard line, but went straight up, allowing Harvin to get under the football and immediately sprint forward.

"It was an aggressive call. But it was a great call. It was a great kick. Just a (bad) bounce for the good guys," Fox said. "If the ball bounces anywhere other than how it did, we've got a 90 percent chance of getting it, so that would have been a nice way to start the third quarter, is by recovering a muffed pooch kick, which it was perfect, but the ball bounced straight up to him."

Once Harvin took off, the Broncos' wave of injuries exacted another toll: a chain-reaction of personnel shifts that began with the loss of several key starters and ended with shuffled special teams that resulted in three kickoff returns of at least 88 yards allowed by the Broncos from December onward.

"And then we missed five tackles," Fox said. "That (the personnel shuffling) is not an excuse. It's just what happened."

"But we didn't play well."

They didn't, but there isn't cause for panic, even though the roster will undoubtedly change in the coming weeks. With pending unrestricted free agents like running back Knowshon Moreno, wide receiver Eric Decker, guard Zane Beadles and linebacker Wesley Woodyard, the Broncos will absorb a personnel hit.

But with players like left tackle Ryan Clady, linebacker Von Miller, defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson, defensive end Derek Wolfe, cornerback Chris Harris Jr. and safety Rahim Moore expected to return from various injuries, the Broncos will get an upgrade from their Super Bowl roster even if they don't add an unrestricted free agent.

"You know, I don't know if I'd say we have a lot of high needs, but obviously every team has needs. We will get some guys back, which should help," Fox said. "I feel good about where we are and the way John (Elway) has maneuvered it moving forward. Now it's just a matter of time."

And that time is ticking down. Free agency hits March 11. Elway just signed a three-year extension, through 2017, and his next task is talking with John Fox's agent, Bob LaMonte, about the coach's extension. The two sides plan to meet at the combine.

"I want to get him done," Elway said. "I'm going to sit down with his agent while I'm here. I'm going to sit down with him, see where we come out and what they're thinking."

But what Elway and Fox are thinking is clear: as bad as the Super Bowl was, their team isn't in need of a gutting.

"It was very disappointing the way we played in the Super Bowl, but looking back not to let what we did in the Super Bowl cloud what we did this season," said Elway. "It was a tremendous year."

NOTES, QUOTES

ESPN.com Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold explains why Denver gave new contracts to 

            defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and general manager John Elway

--The Broncos have 18 players due to become unrestricted free agents, a group that includes a two-time 1,000-yard receiver (Eric Decker), their leading rusher (Knowshon Moreno), a team captain the last five seasons (Wesley Woodyard), a Pro Bowl guard (Zane Beadles), their best defensive back last season (Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie) and their leading sacker in 2013 (Shaun Phillips).

Don't expect any of them to receive the franchise tag. And don't expect Decker to be re-signed, either, given the other contracts the Broncos have and will have among pass-catchers.

"I think they have to hit the market. And the market sets those (terms)," said general manager John Elway. "So, especially when you look at where we are and what we have coming up -- Julius and (Demaryius), both Thomases are up next year. And Wes (Welker) is, too. All that plays into it."

Decker said he would entertain discussions of a return to the Broncos, but more than likely he will test the free-agent market by doing what is best for his family.

"I would like to figure something out and stay here, but at the same time, my priority is taking care of my family and making sure I set myself up the right way," Decker said Tuesday on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "If we can get on the same page and if we can understand one another, that would be awesome, but a lot of that control is not in my hands. So I'm just going to enjoy these couple of weeks off and see what it brings."

Decker hinted he may be willing to take less money for the right situation.

"The best offer to me isn't necessarily the most money," he said. "For me, am I going to have fun going to work every day? That doesn't add up to any dollar amount, that's priceless. The situation, the city, the organization itself from the top down, the owner, the GM, the coaching staff, the culture they've built in the locker room, all that's going to play into my decision."

Decker could receive one of the more lucrative contracts once the new league year begins next month.

Decker, who turns 27 in March, set career highs with 87 catches for 1,288 yards in 2013. He also had 11 touchdown receptions.

Elway said he will work to re-sign Decker. "We'd love to have Eric back, and I know Eric has made the comment that he'd like to be back, but it's just a matter of he's got to do what's best for Eric, too, and vice versa," Elway said. "That's why we go through this process. Then once we get closer to free agency, we'll have a better idea where everything's going."

--Coach John Fox was optimistic about the prognosis for cornerback Chris Harris, Jr., who underwent surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament on Feb. 6.

"Chris's (situation) was a little unique, because it wasn't completely torn," Fox said. "They said he could have played. But the problem is that if you further injure it, you could get meniscus damage."

Harris avoided that by being placed on injured reserve, and given the nature of his injury, the Broncos are optimistic he can be ready in time for training camp, even though it begins just six and a half months after he was injured on Jan. 12 against the Chargers.

"His (surgery) was not a complete reconstruct, so his was a little bit better off than some," said Fox. "Now whether that translates, I'm not a doctor, but I just know that wasn't as bad as some."

--The Broncos signed executive vice president of football operations John Elway to a three-year contract extension through the 2017 season.

In addition, the club has added general manager to Elway's title.

Said club president Joe Ellis in a statement, "Our organization is extremely pleased with the work John Elway has done in his three years since rejoining the Broncos," Ellis said. "He has demonstrated great vision and leadership in his role, assembling a championship-caliber team and positioning it for sustained success.

"We are very confident in the direction of the Broncos with John Elway leading our football operations."

--Elway wants to talk with cornerback Champ Bailey about his future, as well. Bailey is owed $10.5 million this year, including a $1 million roster bonus.

"We're still in the process of talking about that and seeing what we're going to do there," Elway said. "I'm going to sit down with Champ, first of all, and find out what he wants to do, and go from there."

In recent weeks, Bailey has expressed a willingness to accept a move to safety if that is what keeps him in the NFL for his 16th season this fall. But given his struggles with a foot injury last year that cost him 11 games and his up-and-down play when he returned, he is a prime candidate for a restructure or even a release if an accord cannot be reached.

Bailey said before Super Bowl XLVIII that he wanted to keep playing "'til I can't, or 'til I don't like it."

"I really don't know. I don't think about retiring," he added.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Those problems in Miami, those surprise me because I think that we never had those issues in Denver when it came down to the things that went on in that locker room and the things that were said. I think that every locker room that I've ever been in in the NFL and the guys I've been around have always respected the right of other players. There is a line you don't cross. I still believe that's the way the majority of the NFL is. This brings it to light a little bit to where it prevents it from happening again. But I don't think it's something that is ... rampant throughout the NFL." -- John Elway, on his reaction to the Ted Wells report about the Dolphins.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

FREE-AGENT UPDATE

S Mike Adams

DE Robert Ayers

G Zane Beadles

WR Andre Caldwell

WR Eric Decker

G Chris Kuper

LB Paris Lenon

RB Knowshon Moreno

DE Shaun Phillips

CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

LB Wesley Woodyard

TEAM NEEDS

MIDDLE LINEBACKER: Paris Lenon was a stop-gap replacement after Wesley Woodyard struggled to make plays there, and the Broncos would like to find an every-down option.

SAFETY: Mike Adams is a free agent, Rahim Moore is coming off compartment syndrome and Duke Ihenacho was inconsistent. Denver badly needs a playmaking safety.

WIDE RECEIVER: If Denver loses Eric Decker in free agency, they will need another veteran. They also need a developmental slot receiver to eventually replace Wes Welker.

Super Bowl React with the Denver Post

Broncos CR3W Super Bowl Special Edition for "Stunner" Honors: Broncos CR3W Filly & Stallion

The lovely Mrs. Jennifer Garner who is wildly beautiful, but also has the +Denver Broncos by 10 despite her husband's fandom of Brady and the Pats. She is with the Orange, Peyton Manning, and Broncos Country, +BRONCOS CR3W on the big of the game. Honored to have her represent as Broncos CR3W FILLY for #SB48! Let's Gooooo #MileHighOverFishMarket

==========

Broncos CR3W Stallion: Thomas Beaudoin brought to you by the intelligent and lovely +Marleigh Crews who reps the Broncos, Rack City, as well as Jem. #OrangeCR3W on Super Bowl Sunday!

*** Plus on +Late Night with Jimmy Fallon had puppies go to a bowl of food with the +Denver Broncos and +Seattle Seahawks respectively labeled on bowls with food and the only bowl the puppies chose and ate was the BRONCOS 4 the WIN :D 

Super Bowl Weather no Longer Whether or Not

Fears that Super Bowl XLVIII would be done in by bad weather seem to have blown away.

(Photo: Mark Humphrey, AP)

Saturday's temperatures were in the mid-40s in New Jersey near the site of Sunday's Super Bowl.
That could be the same at kickoff Sunday, with winds also far less fierce than predicted.
Weather shouldn't be a factor at the next three Super Bowls, in Arizona, California and Texas.

NEW YORK -- With about 24 hours until kickoff of Super Bowl XLVIII, the only vortex happening in midtown Manhattan proved to be of the human variety.

With temperatures peaking in the mid-40s on Saturday, a giant mass of football fans swirled around the attractions in Times Square's Super Bowl Boulevard, many forgoing coats and wearing the jerseys of their favorite teams over bulky sweatshirts.

For all of the hype about the NFL's first cold weather Super Bowl bringing potential blizzard conditions or a continuation of the east coast's recent bout of polar temperatures, the weather at MetLife Stadium on Sunday could have about as much influence on the game as the players on the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos practice squads.

Weather.com predicts the temperature at kickoff around 6:30 p.m. ET will be 43 degrees, with minimal west to northwest winds of 5 miles per hour. By the time the game ends around 10:30 p.m., the temperature is expected to have dropped 5 degrees, with any potential snow holding off until Monday morning.

The next three Super Bowl venues are lined up in Glendale, Ariz., Santa Clara, Calif. and Houston, none likely vulnerable to game-altering seasonal elements. The finalists for Super Bowl LII -- the host determined in May -- include New Orleans and two cold-weather cities with domed stadiums: Indianapolis and Minneapolis. This means that the earliest we could see another outdoor Super Bowl in a traditionally cold-weather market is February 2019.

When asked about the possibility of that happening, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell explained that the choice of future host cities comes down more to existing infrastructure than climate.

"We know there's interest in other communities hosting the Super Bowl," Goodell said Friday. "We'll all sit back and review that when we're done, but we have a very aggressive process in how to select cities.

"The ability to host a Super Bowl is more and more complicated, more and more complex, because of the size of the event and the number of events. So, the infrastructure's incredibly important. We're well over 30,000 hotel rooms needed even to host the Super Bowl. So, there's some communities that may not even be able to do it from an infrastructure standpoint, but we know the passion's there."

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WATCH: Athletes and celebrities' Super Bowl predictions

How does Broncos QB, Peyton Manning, Read a Play

Break It Down: How Broncos QB Peyton Manning reads a play

AFC WEST, DENVER BRONCOS, SUPER BOWL XLVIII

BY CHRIS BURKE

When it comes to making pre-snap reads, there may be no one better than Peyton Manning. (Julie Jacobson/AP)

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Watching Peyton Manning play the quarterback position is a singular NFL experience. The audibles, the line adjustments, the constant motion of his feet after the snap — it’s all very distinctive and can be incredibly difficult to deal with for opposing defenses.

“He knows what he wants to do when he goes to the line,” Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Brandon Mebane said this week. “He knows what he’s looking for. He knows what his options are and everything like that. I think he’s just great at what he does.”

In hopes of providing a little more insight into Manning’s game, I asked Denver third-string QB Zac Dysert at one of this week’s media sessions to walk me through one of the Broncos’ key completions from the AFC title game win over New England. He agreed, though he was understandably a little guarded about specific play calls and audibles with Super Bowl XLVIII just around the corner.

The play in the spotlight: a 2nd-and-20 from the Denver 10 late in the first half. The Broncos led 10-3 at the time, but New England was threatening to get the ball back with promising field position before halftime. Instead, Manning rifled a 26-yard completion to Demaryius Thomas and then took his team down for a field goal.

A refresher on the pass:

---------------

The Broncos initially lined up with Eric Decker and Wes Welker to Manning’s left and Thomas and RB Montee Ball to his right. Ball (boxed in orange below) was split out to the far right sideline. As linebacker Dont’a Hightower (white box) started to make his way out to cover Ball, Manning waved

Ball into the backfield.

This was all part of the play call, as opposed to being a Manning audible — Manning eventually faked an inside handoff to Ball before dropping to throw.

“Some stuff’s called, some stuff he’ll do on his own,” Dysert said of Manning’s pre-snap routine. “He’s just trying to get every kind of indicator he can, something from the defense that tells him what they’re doing.”

-------------
Pictured below is how the Broncos and Patriots actually lined up for the snap (you’ll notice Ball now next to Manning).

The Patriots had a four-man line, press coverage outside on the Broncos’ three receivers, two linebackers and two deep safeties. Hightower slid back into his usual spot after Ball motioned; Manning, meanwhile, pointed out Collins as a possible blitzer.

“Where the linebackers are can dictate where the safeties are going to go,” Dysert said of the process at this point, “but it just helps you, little things that help you identify the coverage before the snap.”

---------------

Often the main focus for Manning before the snap: safeties. Here, both of New England’s safeties were at least 12 yards off the line of scrimmage.

“He’s [looking] more at the safeties than linebackers,” Dysert said. “Pretty much at the snap is where they’re going to move. You can identify just by the positions of the linebacker where they’re going to go. Maybe if [the safeties] are backed up, you can plan for blitz … things like that.”

---------------

Hightower’s shift out to mark Ball tipped off Manning here, too, part of the reason the Broncos lined up with their running back outside of Thomas in the first place. With Hightower responsible for Ball and the Patriots playing tight on the remaining receivers, it allowed Manning to pick out Collins as a likely blitzer.

--------------
“We know they do a lot at the line of scrimmage, and our challenge for our own players is to make sure we take care of us first and our assignment,” Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said this week. His team faces the task of slowing Manning on Sunday.

Here, the Patriots left some gaps, which is a crushing mistake against Manning.

Ball released out of the backfield after the play-action, which drew Hightower up in coverage. Behind the Patriots’ collapsing linebacker, Thomas ran a deep slant route against cornerback Alfonzo Dennard. Meanwhile, most importantly, safety Kyle Arrington stepped up on the fake to Ball, then hovered around the 20-yard line as fellow safety Steve Gregory backpedaled.

That sequence was the key to this whole play, according to Dysert.

“You want to go away from rotation [of the safeties] most of the time. Whatever they do, you go off them and do the opposite of what they do,” Dysert said, pointing at Arrington’s positioning. “For Peyton, he probably just needs a little opening to make it through, he’s so accurate.”

------------------

The safety movement combined with a slip by Dennard left Thomas with some room downfield.

“He’s pretty open … good route by DT,” Dysert said.

----------------

“It doesn’t matter what the ball looks like, it’s always in the right spot,” Thomas said. “That’s the main thing with [Manning]. I still remember the first day I was throwing with Peyton, throwing the ball. It probably wasn’t the prettiest ball, but it was always in the right spot and it was easy to catch. I’ve never had a quarterback like that, so I enjoyed it.”

Also worth noting: Collins was a non-factor as a blitzer, even with Ball running a route (and thus being unavailable to help as a blocker). Denver’s line plus tight end Julius Thomas easily corralled the Patriots’ five-man rush, which provided Manning with a comfortable pocket.

And that’s a variable on this play that ties back to Manning’s pre-snap read and adjustments.

“As a talent evaluator for college and even free agency, the toughest thing to evaluate is process,” Denver QBs coach Gregg Knapp said. “‘Can the guy process in the pocket during the heat of battle?’ [Manning] might be one of the best I’ve ever been around that can process, ‘OK, I’ve got these tools to use, and in 10 seconds I’ve got to make a decision and execute in less than four.’

“That trait he has is so special because it’s not like he’s up there audibling all the time. It might look like it sometimes, but he likes to be given direction. You know, ‘Give me this play and maybe one adjustment.’ But then he also has a tool kit available that if he wants apply, say, ‘I’m going to use this play or this protection change.’ That’s easy to do as a coach. You can create a lot of that stuff in the classroom, but can a guy process and apply it? He does, impressively.”

Seattle will test Manning’s abilities Sunday. ”They’ll try to disguise things longer than other teams,” Dysert said.

The Seahawks' also do not shy away from using the incredible Earl Thomas as a single-high safety and cramming their other 10 defenders within a compacted area near the line. Being able to counter with his trio of receivers, two pass-catching running backs and tight end Julius Thomas should give Manning a chance to solve the Seahawks’ conundrum.

How successful Manning is may depend on how well he can diagnose situations before the snap. As Dysert, Knapp and plenty of Denver’s previous opponents have stated, few NFL QBs are better in that regard.

Colorado's Tallest Peaks Renamed after Denver Broncos Players for Super Bowl Sunday

Colorado's tallest peaks temporarily renamed after Denver Broncos players

Name change effective Super Bowl Sunday only

Longs Peak View From Loveland
(Photo courtesy: Lorri Simpson)

Regular Photo Size

DENVER - Seattle and Denver are betting food, art work and smoke alarms on the Super Bowl. Now Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper is taking Super Bowl hoopla to new heights.

He announced Wednesday that's he's temporarily re-naming Colorado's highest mountains for each member of the Denver Broncos. The mountains will go by their new names for one day only -- on Super Bowl Sunday.

The state is home to over 50 mountains over 14,000 feet, called "14ers" by locals.

Hickenlooper re-named the tallest mountain, Mt. Elbert, for Peyton Manning while Zane Beadles and other members of the offensive line are getting the Collegiate Peaks range. Capitol Peak, considered to be the most difficult to climb, was temporarily renamed for Champ Bailey. Longs Peak went to long kicker Matt Prater.

In his proclamation, the brewpub pioneer also takes a dig at Seattle, noting that it makes some "OK beer."

Here is the full list of the temporary names released by the governor's office:

- Mt. Elbert: Peyton Manning - Mt. Elbert is the tallest mountain in Colorado
- Mt. Massive: Terrance Knighton - AKA POT ROAST
- Mt. Harvard: Zane Beadles - He, along with others on the offensive line, are as formidable as the line of - Collegiate Peaks
- Blanca Peak: Mitch Unrein - He blocks and tackles
- La Plata Peak: Jacob Tamme - Just as this is an impressive peak among the Collegiate Peaks, this tight end is an impressive addition to the offense
- Uncompahgre Peak: Steven Johnson - His defense is straight forward and uncomplicated
- Crestone Peak: Steve Vallos - Like this peak, which is surrounded by other looming 14ers, this center is the rock of impressive offensive lines
- Mt. Lincoln: Winston Justice - His name itself, and his humanitarian work in Uganda and Haiti, reflect the name of this majestic peak
- Grays Peak: Eric Decker - Grays and Torreys are right next to each other, like the dynamic duo of Decker and Thomas
- Torreys Peak: Demaryius Thomas
- Mt. Antero: Malik Jackson - This defensive end watches everyone's back
- Castle Peak: Duke Ihenacho - Because only a duke could vanquish a castle-like offense
- Quandary Peak: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - His coverage proves to be a quandary for opposing quarterbacks
- Mt. Evans: Nate Irving - This linebacker forms an imposing backdrop to opponents just like this peak does to Denver
- Longs Peak: Matt Prater - He kicks ‘em long (set an NFL record with a 64-yard field goal vs. Tennessee)
- Mt. Wilson: Shaun Phillips - Leads the Broncos in sacks this year and will be taking down Russell Wilson
- Mt. Shavano: Marquice Cole
- Mt. Belford: Andre Caldwell - Like this peak’s inclusion with other Collegiate Peaks, he joins an imposing offense
- Crestone Needle: Brock Osweiler - At 6 feet, 8 inches', he makes all opponents appear as thin as this 14er
- Mt. Princeton: Manny Ramirez
- Mt. Yale: Louis Vasquez
- Mt. Bross: Jeremy Mincey
- Kit Carson Peak: Aaron Brewer - His long snaps find their path just as Kit Carson found paths through the frontier
- Maroon Peak: Mike Adams - He maroons opponents due to his tackling prowess (posted a game-high nine tackles and intercepted a pass that led to a Broncos touchdown in Houston)
- Tabeguache Peak: Chris Kuper
- Mt. Oxford: Chris Clark
- Mt. Sneffels: Zac Dysert - In the shadow of Manning, the QB may be sniffling for not playing, but is tops nonetheless
- Mt. Democrat: Tony Carter - Working on a second degree in political science
- Capitol Peak: Champ Bailey - Rated the most difficult peak on 14ers.com
- Pikes Peak: Joel Dressen - A Colorado Mountain for a Colorado State University Ram and only player on the roster to graduate from a Colorado university
- Snowmass Mountain: Wesley Woodyard
- Mt. Eolus: Sione Fua - An eloquent name, like this peak
- Windom Peak: Ronnie Hillman - This running back runs like the wind
- Challenger Point: Montee Ball - He was a challenger for the Heisman Trophy in 2011
- Mt. Columbia: Orlando Franklin
- Missouri Mountain: Sylvester Williams - He was born in Missouri
- Humboldt Peak: Knowshon Moreno - He "bolts" off the line (Ranked fifth in the NFL in scrimmage yards at 1,586) and tied for fifth with 13 scrimmage touchdowns in 2013. Became the first player in franchise history to record 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in a single season in 2013
- Mt. Bierstadt: Robert Ayers - Just like the way that Ayers makes tackling look easy, this peak is one of the easiest peaks to summit
- Sunlight Peak: Omar Bolden - He is known for his power of positive thinking and is not blinded by any sunshine in his tackling prowess
- Handies Peak: Quentin Jammer - This defensive player is known for giving a hand to his teammates and those in need through his Jammer Family Foundation helping foster teens
- Culebra Peak: Michael Huff
- Ellingwood Point: Britton Colquitt - He would be able to land a punt on this point
- Mt. Lindsey: Paris Lenon
- Little Bear Peak: Trindon Holliday - He’s 5 foot, 5 inches, but is as tough as they come
- Mt. Sherman: Wes Welker - Let’s see Richard Sherman cover Wes
- Redcloud Peak: Virgil Green
- Pyramid Peak: Danny Trevathan - Like the Pyramids of Giza, Danny Trevathan's defense is a wonder of the world. He posted a team high 129 tackles, beating his next closest teammate by 44 and is 11th best in the league.
- Wilson Peak: Brandon Marshall
- Wetterhorn Peak: Vinston Painter
- San Luis Peak: Kayvon Webster
- Mt. of the Holy Cross: David Bruton - His alma mater is Notre Dame
- Huron Peak: C.J. Anderson - Another impressive peak included in the Collegiate Peaks, he is a fine addition to the offense.
- Sunshine Peak: Julius Thomas - because he always makes himself available to find the sunshine through the defenders and make the catch

Terrance Knighton Explains Origin of "Pot Roast" Nickname

Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

January 28, 2014

(Photo: Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)

NEWARK – No more satisfying way to begin Media Day morning than with a heaping helping of "Pot Roast'' for breakfast.

Denver Broncos star defensive tackle Terrance Knighton has become a rising star and was a popular attraction for Tuesday's Super Bowl XLVIII Media Day coming off his fourth-down sack of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in the AFC Championship game.

"I've only had Pot Roast twice,'' Knighton said. "My rookie year in Jacksonville. And the second time was last week when I took the whole defensive line out to a Denver restaurant.

"We had Pot Roast and Pot Roast egg rolls.

"Maybe I can get a Chunky Soup commercial or something like that.

"Who knows?

"There's a lot of things you can do with Pot Roast.

"Hopefully, somebody can up with an idea and I'm open to it.''

So how did the 6-3, 330-pound, fifth-year defensive tackle come by his moniker?

"It was on a flight coming back from Seattle my rookie year in Jacksonville,'' Knighton said. "It was a six-hour flight. Guys were tired. The plane was dark and the lady was walking down the aisle, saying, "Pot Roast? Pot Roast?'

"And I'm like, 'Right here.' My teammate behind me said, 'You say that like that's your name?'

"He said, 'I'm going to call you Pot Roast from now on.' I said, 'Yeah, whatever.'

"So it stuck to me.'''

Knighton paused before adding, "It was either that or Shrimp Alfredo.'''

One of the key players in the Super Sunday trenches is a ton of fun.

About 100 pounds and nine years ago, the 27-year-old Knighton was a 6-2, 235-pound wide receiver at Windsor High in Hartfield, Conn.

"I miss catching touchdowns,'' Knighton said.

That's OK. He's gotten pretty good at sacking quarterbacks after he beat guard Logan Mankins and dropped Brady for a key sack when the Patriots went for it on fourth-and-3 from the Broncos' 29 late in the third quarter in their win to reach the Super Bowl.

Knighton had some fun with the heralded battle between himself and Seattle Seahawks power back Marshawn Lynch, who just inked a deal with "Skittles.''

"People are saying, it's Pot Roast versus Skittles,'' he said.

"I'm going to have fun with it. My family loves it. Fans love it. My coaches love it.

"If I get a sack this game, I've got a little special sack dance. It's something to do with Pot Roast.

"You'll see.''

H/T - Original +USA TODAY Sports Article Founde Here:

Manning Takes it all in on Super Bowl Media Day

Manning Appears to be more calm, focused, and his usual "Enjoying the Moment" of Being back in the Super Bowl with his new team, the +Denver Broncos 

NEWARK, N.J. – Peyton Manning played along. Manning is known for being very serious about football, but as we know from commercials, “Saturday Night Live” and some of his press conference answers, the Broncos quarterback has a personality too. On … Continue reading →

AFC Championship Pictures from Denver Broncos (AP) Victory over New England (Compilation)

Super Bowl 2014 Media Day: Denver Broncos

+Denver Broncos Media Day: Super Bowl Week from +CBS Sports Network

Boston Mayor Wears Broncos Jersey

LOOK: Boston Mayor Marty Walsh loses bet, wears Broncos jersey

By Will Brinson | NFL Writer - January 27, 2014 7:02 pm ET

The Broncos defeated the Patriots and, like any fan worth his salt, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh had to pay up.

Walsh made a bet with Denver mayor Michael B. Hancock that involved the loser sporting a jersey of the opposing team.

This was the result:

I'm a man of my word, even when it stings. Here you go, @mayorhancock: pic.twitter.com/YwAKSMtHc6
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) January 27, 2014

Kudos to Walsh for not welching on the bet and having some fun with it.

On the phone congratulating @mayorhancock for the @broncos win & holding up my side of our bet: pic.twitter.com/d5rk9SRFrZ
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) January 27, 2014

H/T to +CBS Sports Network writer Will Brinson

Original Link Found Here:

Broncos vs Seahawks - NFL Network 'Playbook'

Always enjoy Baldinger's insight. It is pre-season but they're certainly things Peyton knows and does pre and post-snap that is why +BRONCOS CR3W believes +Denver Broncos are making this their destiny. "Destiny is Chosen" - This team has that veteran mix with great youth to keep it contained during a very long, arduous week. That's before even the long game day it is. #BroncosUp

Like Mile High's weapons against anyone - Playbook' #Broncos offense vs. #Seahawks defense | http://t.co/8cevbHZKay #BroncosCR3W #SB48
— Broncos CR3W (@BRONCOSCR3W) January 26, 2014

Broncos Fans, You Have It (Better Than) Good

Over the Past 37 Years, Your Team Has Been One of the Top Franchises in All of Pro Sports

 

By Ken Pomponio

COMMENTARY | Yeah, this two-week wait for the Super Bowl tends to drag a little.

After all, there are only so many times Richard Sherman's psyche can be analyzed, Peyton Manning's legacy can be broken down or the looming battle between the Denver Broncos' top-ranked offense and the Seattle Seahawks' No. 1-ranked D can be dissected.

But here's something that's not debatable: Broncos fans should be living and loving every minute of the build-up to Super Bowl XLVIII. They need to savor every sound bite, revel in every rumor and cherish each close-up on NFL Network.

After all, many Orange and Blue backers might not realize how truly good they have it.

Sure, most know the Broncos are making their seventh Super Bowl appearance -- matching the New England Patriots -- and might have heard that only the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys (with eight apiece) have more.

But consider that of the 28 other remaining NFL teams, 19 of them haven't made it to a Roman Numeral game even half as often, with three or fewer appearances apiece. That, of course, includes the four franchises -- the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars -- which have yet to play on Super Sunday at all.

Having married a Browns fan, I'm reminded of this constantly during football season.

In terms of Super Bowl wins, only 18 of the 32 current franchises have accomplished the feat, and 11 -- including the +Denver Broncos, of course -- can boast of multiple Lombardi Trophies.

Meanwhile, the list of 14 teams without Super Bowl victories includes the Seahawks and nine franchises which have been in existence for all 48 years of the Super Bowl era.

In fact, there are 67-year-old fans of the Arizona/St. Louis/Chicago Cardinals franchise and middle-aged Lions backers who have never witnessed their teams win a league championship. Ten other franchises haven't captured a league crown since the 1960s, and seven others - the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings, Texans, Jaguars and, yes, the Seahawks - haven't won any at all.

Think some of those fans would be griping and grousing about the Jersey weather if their teams had Groundhog Night plans at MetLife Stadium this year?

In the meantime, the Orange and Blue have treated Broncos Country to an almost unparalleled run of success since their first Cinderella Super Bowl season of 1977.

Over that 37-season span, the Broncos have had 23 winning campaigns, made 20 playoff appearances and won 13 division titles. Their overall .599 winning percentage (370-248-1) is matched only by the Steelers (373-250-1, .599).

Since '77, no NFL team has made more Super Bowl trips -- the Patriots' seven have all come during this span as well -- and, in fact, only the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers (an amazing 16 NBA Finals appearances) and the New York Yankees(9 World Series berths) have made more championship appearances than the Broncos over the last 37 years in the four major professional sports leagues.
Wayne Gretzky's Edmonton Oilers and the Boston Celtics -- predominately in the Larry Bird Era of the 1980s -- also have made seven championship series showings since '77.

How's that for big-time company?

In short, the Broncos' organization has been a model of success -- most notably after current owner Pat Bowlen took over in 1984 -- but most of the credit belongs to a pair of Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks. John Elway, who guided the Broncos to five Super Bowls, is a 10-year Canton vet, while Manning, currently looking to put a cherry atop the best QB season in league history, will be a first-ballot selection five years after his retirement.

Also including the yet-to-be-enshrined Brett Favre and Tom Brady, there have been only 21 modern-era (careers predominately running 1960-present) Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks -- representing 16 franchises -- and two of them have taken snaps from center in the Mile High City. Not bad for a franchise lost out here in the wilderness of country's forgotten time zone.

In the meantime, for those of you who call Broncos Country home, just realize how good you have it and be sure to treasure every moment along the way -- particularly during this current two-week Super Bowl wait.

If you don't, I'm pretty certain there's a Browns, Lions or Cardinals fan out there who would be more than happy to switch replica jerseys.

____________

Ken Pomponio has spent the past 25 years as a sports journalist who has been published extensively in print and online. He's been an avid follower of the Denver sports scene since early childhood, and can be found on Twitter @kenpomp.

Super Bowl XLVIII Storylines Start with Peyton Manning

10 Biggest Factors for Super Bowl XLVIII (ESPN - Clayton)

Who's No. 1? In Super Bowl XLVIII, aces are wild.

The Denver Broncos had the No. 1 offense in the regular season. The Seattle Seahawks had the No. 1 defense. Both teams were the No. 1 seeds in their conferences.

And the No. 1 story is Peyton Manning, returning to the Super Bowl for the third time and trying to earn his second ring. For the NFL, it doesn't get any better than that.

In the big picture, it's also an amazing shift. About four years ago, the AFC West and NFC West were the two worst divisions in the league. John Elway, who made the Broncos a Super Bowl contender as a player, has proved to be equally successful as a front-office executive.

He signed Manning, produced 13 regular-season wins in two consecutive years and now is hoping to get another ring.

Pete Carroll completely turned around the Seahawks, modeling the rebuild on his restoration of USC into a national power. He's going for his first Super Bowl win as a coach.

Here are the 10 most important questions for Super Bowl XLVIII.

Continue to Read article on ESPN...

High Octane Broncos Offense can Grind it out too

SUPER BOWL 

Who: Broncos (15-3) vs. Seahawks (15-3)
When: Sunday, Feb. 2, 6:30 p.m.
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
Line: Broncos by 2
TV: Fox



ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — After hurrying Denver’s quick-strike, high-octane offense through a record-shattering regular season, Peyton Manning has turned the Broncos into a slow-grinding, clock-eating machine in the playoffs.

Denver’s three most time-consuming drives of the season have all come in the last two weeks, helping to render opposing passers short-tempered sideline spectators.

In dispatching the San Diego Chargers and the New England Patriots, Manning 'dinked and dunked' his way downfield.

“To keep Tom Brady on the sideline is a good thing,” Manning said after directing two epic drives in Denver’s 26-16 win in the AFC Championship.

Denver’s downshift, some of it by design, some due to circumstance, has thrown a new wrinkle into an already formidable test that Seattle’s stingy defense will have to prepare for in the Super Bowl.

After averaging seven plays, 65 yards and just over 3 minutes, 10 seconds on their 71 touchdown drives during the season, the Broncos have doubled the time to 6:23 in the postseason and the touchdown drives have averaged 12 plays and 79.4 yards.

With a wealth of receivers in Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, +Wes Welker and Julius Thomas and a rejuvenated running back in Knowshon Moreno, the Broncos are the first team in NFL history to sport five players who each caught 60 or more passes. Each member of this quintet also reached the end zone 10 or more times, something that’s never been done before.

Offensive coordinator Adam Gase capitalized on all that firepower, Denver’s altitude and Manning’s deciphering of defenses at the line of scrimmage to ramp up the Broncos to breakneck speed with a no-huddle offense that created mismatches in 2013 after taking over from the more conservative Mike McCoy following last year’s playoff upset.

The +Denver Broncos scored an NFL-record 606 points. Their 37.9-point average was the highest of the Super Bowl era and second only to the 1950 Los Angeles Rams, who averaged 38.8 points.

The Broncos could have beaten that mark, too, had Manning not sat out the second half at +Oakland Raiders in Week 17 after guiding Denver to a 31-0 halftime lead.

Taking away the three field goals backup Brock Osweiler led the Broncos to this season and Denver’s five return touchdowns, Manning’s offense accounted for 565 points in just over 453 minutes on the field.

AP Photo: Peyton Manning, Knowshon Moreno

Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno has carried

the ball 479 consecutive times, without a fumble

 That’s 1.25 points per minute. 

Scoring doesn’t come as easily in the playoffs, however.

The most prolific team before this season was the 2007 Patriots, who scored 589 points, an average of 36.8, in the regular season and then averaged just 22 in the postseason, losing the Super Bowl 17-14 to the New York Giants.

While the Broncos have scored on 10 of their 14 drives this postseason, not counting the two possessions that ended in victory formation, half of those have been field goals by Matt Prater after promising drives stalled at their opponents’ 27, 9, 17, 2 and 35.

In the regular season, they had 71 touchdown drives and 25 field goals.

That accounts for a lot of their dip to a 25-point scoring average in the playoffs.

Yet, they’re in greater control and their defense is better than it’s been all season, yielding just 17 and 16 points after allowing 24.93 points per game in the regular season.

Credit Manning for keeping the Broncos on the field for an average of 35 minutes, 35 seconds to his opponents’ 24:25.

Philip Rivers, whose +Chargers led the league in time of possession and had controlled the clock for more than 38 minutes in both of their regular-season matchups against Denver, watched helplessly as Manning converted 9 of 13 third downs in their divisional playoff game.

Manning had a tone-setting, 14-play, 86-yard touchdown drive that took 7:01 to start the scoring, then staved off San Diego’s furious fourth-quarter rally by converting two key third down passes to Julius Thomas to chew up the final four minutes.

“If we got it one more time, I believe deep down that we would’ve tied that thing up,” Rivers said after San Diego’s 24-17 loss. “Those are all a bunch of what ifs.”

Against +New England Patriots, Manning directed drives that lasted 7:01 and 7:08, covering 93 and 80 yards in 15 and 13 plays, respectively.

It was quite a change for the Broncos, who kicked off the NFL season against +Baltimore Ravens with a 24-yard touchdown that took all of 5 seconds, one of Manning’s record-tying seven that night.

Demaryius Thomas’ third-quarter TD Sunday capped a drive that took almost as long as those seven TD drives in the opener combined.

“Usually we score fast,” he said. “But we had a 13-play drive and I got to the sideline, that’s all everybody was talking about. I didn’t know. I just knew we scored.”
___

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org
___

Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton

© 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Peter King (Sports Illustrated) One on One with "Duke of Denver:" Elway

What Else can one say About +Denver Broncos Heart & Soul, John Elway?

+BRONCOS CR3W has witnessed this franchise become one of the most successful, prominent, valuable +NFL franchises largely because of this guy's ability on the field, but also doing what he has done as the Executive Vice President of the Broncos.

+USA TODAY Sports takes a look at the Super Bowl - Video - Denver Broncos vs. +Seattle Seahawks : Super Bowl XLVIII

Sound FX of the Broncos clinching Super Bowl berth vs Patriots

Watch the video ‘Sound FX’: Denver Broncos clinch Super Bowl berth on Yahoo Sports . Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos put on a football clinic to defeat the New England Patriots and advance to the Super Bowl. Get an inside look at all the best sights and sounds from the AFC Championship Game.

'Sound FX': Denver Broncos clinch Super Bowl berth | Watch the video - +Yahoo Sports