Pat Bowlen Set To Join Broncos Greats In Ring Of Fame
By Mark Schiff
The Broncos and the Packers don't play each other often (just once every four years under the league's current scheduling), but their recent meetings have been memorable for both teams. Green Bay's 49-23 humiliation of Denver in Week 4 of the 2011 season helped expedite Tebow-time and in 2007, Brett Favre threw a 82-yard walk-off bomb to Greg Jennings on the first snap of overtime, a play reminiscent of Tebow's own game-winner against the Steelers.
Broncos fans will take their three straight losses to the Pack given the smiles they wear when remembering Denver's stunning 31-24 Super Bowl XXXII upset over Green Bay, a game that featured the single greatest moment in Broncos franchise history. So send out the welcome wagons, it's always fun to see the Packers, especially in what's going to be just the fourth game ever played between two teams that are both 6-0 or better.
With great anticipation for Sunday night, here are your Week 8 team headlines.
Jake the Snake stops by to see Peyton practice
Former Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer stopped by Denver's practice on Wednesday and was seen chatting with Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak. Kubiak was Denver's offensive coordinator through most of the Plummer era, in which he amassed a 39-15 record and lead the team to the 2005 AFC Championship game.
Plummer was on hand to see quarterback Peyton Manning throw passes at practice, which wouldn't be newsworthy if not for the fact that thus far, Manning has been held out activities during Wednesday practices (and therefore turned up as a curious presence on the injury report).
Rodgers talks Denver D
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had a call with Denver media on Wednesday and he had high praise for Denver's No. 1 ranked defense.
"They're great players, they're excellent players," Rodgers said of Denver's starting cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Chris Harris. "They're Pro-Bowl players. Aqib is playing the position at the highest level and so is Chris. Those guys are fantastic athletes. They do it a little differently, but they're both very effective and so you've got to be smart with the football. They both have good ball skills."
He also spoke highly of Denver's star outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller.
"I think that duo right there is as good as you're going to see in the league," Rodgers said. "They bring a lot to the game."
Pat Bowlen heading to the the Ring of Fame
Broncos fans under the age of 32 have been blessed with one of the most consistent franchises in all of sports and a large part of that is due to the culture created by the team's owner Pat Bowlen. Since Bowlen bought the team in 1984, the Broncos have recorded 307 regular season wins, the most in the the NFL in that span. If you really want to feel spoiled, consider that Denver's gone to the Super Bowl more times (six) than they've finished under .500 (five).
In addition to rechristening their newly constructed fieldhouse after their owner, the Broncos will officially welcome Pat Bowlen into the team's Ring of Fame during halftime on Sunday. It's a much deserved honor for the 71-year-old, who resigned control of the team in 2014 as he battles Alzheimer's disease. Thanks to his leadership on the NFL's Broadcast Committee, Bowlen's next stop will invariably be in Canton, Ohio and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Mark Schiff is a freelance writer and music journalist for AXS.com. In 2013, his coverage of the Seattle Seahawks ended in heartbreak when they defeated the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl. Now covering his beloved hometown team, his knowledge and passion for pro football has resulted in multiple fantasy football championships. Find him on Twitter at @mihilites.
