...I want 'Chucky' for Christmas!

The Denver Broncos wanted Josh McDaniels to bring the New England Patriots' winning ways with him to the Rocky Mountains when they hired Bill Belichick's brash, young disciple 22 months ago.

What they got instead was the ash-gray hoodie and their very own videotaping scandal to go with a pile of losses and personnel blunders that cost him his job not even halfway through his four-year contract.

McDaniels, the successor to Mike Shanahan in Denver, began his Broncos coaching career with a bang, going 6-0. But since then, the team has gone just 5-17. The loss to the Chiefs on Sunday was their seventh defeat in eight games, dropping the Broncos' 2010 record to 3-9.

He was fired Monday in the midst of the franchise's worst skid in four decades. Spread the word on facebook, twitter and to all your friends. Woo Hoo!

'Baby Josh' might be best known for his decisions to trade quarterback Jay Cutler and wide receiver Brandon Marshall over the past year as well as his surprising decision to select Tim Tebow in the first round of the 2010 draft.

The Broncos traded Cutler and a fifth-round draft pick to Chicago in April of 2009, in exchange for Kyle Orton, first- and third-round picks in 2009 and a 2010 first-rounder. Denver then shipped Marshall to Miami after the 2009 season, following McDaniels' late-season benching of Marshall for disciplinary reasons. And to top it off.... the Broncos unloaded Peyton Hillis just prior to the 2010 draft, sending him and a pair of draft picks to Cleveland for Brady Quinn. What? My Fantasy Team trades better than that!

And...the organization was embarrassed by McDaniels' role in a videotaping scandal that resulted in the firing of a Broncos cameraman and league-imposed fines of $50,000 for both McDaniels and the team. A former team employee was found to have improperly taped a 49ers practice the day before the 49ers beat the Broncos in a game played at London's Wembley Stadium on Oct. 31.

The ex-employee, NFL investigators found, offered to show the tape to McDaniels, who refused to look at it and ordered it destroyed. But McDaniels failed to inform team brass or the league about the matter as required by league rules relating to the integrity of the game, leading to the fines.

Hey! Could there be a second John Elway Era in Denver?

Today, Broncos Chief Operating Officer Joe Ellis publicly stated what has been known for some time — that the franchise’s all-time greatest player has been serving as a consultant for the Broncos. John Elway’s involvement has been predominantly on the business side, but recent developments suggest his role could quickly be expanding within the Broncos organization.

Ellis seems to recognize (and indicates that Bowlen recognizes) that they need to change the model. Ellis graciously admitted that the Broncos may have ensured McDaniels' failure by giving him way too much responsibility. It sounds like they will be changing the model going forward.

First, there was Elway’s address of the players during practice a few weeks ago, a move clearly outside his capacity as “business consultant.” Then, there was a groundswell of media support for Elway’s increased involvement within the franchise, potentially in a pro personnel/front office role.

Denver news reported that Pat Bowlen had dinner with John Elway at the Cherry Creek Elway's restaurant. It seems more and more likely that John Elway will be brought back into the fold.

“One of the things that (Broncos Owner) Pat (Bowlen) asked him to do was come back in the building and get involved with the team,” Ellis said during the team’s press conference Tuesday. “He’s been at practices and in the course of meetings we have on the business side, he’s shared thoughts about the team (and) he’s expressed an interest to some of you in the room.

“I don’t take that lightly and Pat doesn’t take that lightly, that’s for sure,” Ellis continued. “The conversations we’ve had with John clearly indicate one thing. He loves the Broncos, and loves Denver.”

Those conversations, however, are very preliminary. “I don’t know where that’s going to go, if anywhere, I really don’t,” Ellis said. “But, I respect the fact that he’s interested in helping the Broncos. He has a lot of qualities that perhaps could lend themselves to helping the Broncos. But, I don’t know if that’s going to advance at this point or not.”

Will The Duke’s comeback be in a full-time front office role? Is Elway aptly armed for such service? (Yes, I just questioned Elway’s arm). I’m honestly on the fence on this one folks. On-field prowess does not necessarily translate into off-field football acumen, and Elway has no scouting experience. I sense Pat Bowlen is on the fence on this one, too, or Elway would already be signed, sealed and delivered.

We have some time, Mr. Bowlen. Let’s do our due diligence here. Talk to John, and see what he can bring to the table. He’ll bring ticket sales and fan excitement and unquestioned support, for sure — but will he make the Broncos better? And if, Mr. Bowlen, you ultimately decide to bring him in, bring in some checks and balances as well — something I’m sure you wish you had done two years ago with Josh McDaniels.

Then go and get Jon Gruden at any cost! Chucky! John and Jon!

"I hate to lose more than I love to win."

Face it!...I am a Denver Bronco fan....I cannot help myself. We just lost number four-in-a-row. "I hate to lose more than I love to win."

I've been having a raging internal debate (with myself) lately about what's more important for a Bronco fan -- the love/passion for winning or the "never say die" mentality of a comeback artist. I've asked some good friends who are true competitors which is more important to them, and the margin is definitely tilted towards the "hate to lose" end of the spectrum. And, for those that know me, I daresay I'd be considered one who hates to lose.

In the world of ‘The Broncos’ and our new coach, I think I've reduced it to this: if you're born with unbelievable talent and grace, you have the luxury of loving to win. Things kind of fall into place, you have a knack for being in the right place at the right time, and winning is expected. Don't misunderstand -- those that love to win work as hard as anyone, and make their luck. But there is a subtle distinction between expecting to win and refusing to lose. I'll get back to that in a second.

If you don't have the talent and grace of those chosen few, you must have a mentality of hating to lose in order to win. You have to overcome soooooo many obstacles, so many naysayers, so much negative and contradictory feedback, so many gatekeepers that keep you from decision-makers that it is only through sleepless nights, torn and crumpled piles of paper, 99 misses for every 100 swings, and screaming in the mirror that you will find the path. It requires undying passion and relentless head-against-the-wall sessions that only those that hate to lose more than anything can make it through.

But in a pinch, I'd rather have those that hate to lose on my side. Watch any movie, any sporting event; read any book on the history of warfare; ask any CEO. Those that hate to lose have a grimace, a grunt, an expression on their face (with sweat flying no doubt) that says it all: "I'm not done yet! This isn't over!" Those that love to win are pleasant to be around; they're gracious, wonderful people. And I've never met anyone who loved to win who didn't work as hard as the other guy (or even harder).

But, when push comes to shove, I've ultimately concluded that those who love to win are not as hungry as those who hate to lose. And hunger, my friends, is what ‘being a Bronco fan’ is all about.

I am a Bronco fan: "I'm not done yet! This isn't over!"

Tough Initiation to 'Six and Zero'

When the Denver Broncos replaced long-serving head coach Mike Shanahan with 33-year-old Josh McDaniels, eyebrows were raised at the choice of a rookie to take charge of an underachieving team and a difficult locker room, honestly I thought Pat Bowlen (owner) just "lost it." I loved Shanahan (when he was winning).

McDaniels had a tough initiation as head coach when a dispute over a potential trade for Jay Cutler became a media soap opera in the off-season and ended with the disaffected quarter-back leaving for Chicago.  McDaniels' intended replacement, former New England back-up quarterback Matt Cassel, eventually joined Kansas City, leaving the coach with the much less-fancied Kyle Orton from Chicago.

McDaniels then had to handle a tricky situation with wide-receiver Brandon Marshall, whom he suspended for two pre-season games after being unhappy with his attitude in training.

The quarterback change, just one part of a major overhaul of the roster, has worked out well so far, with the steady but unspectacular Orton fitting neatly into Denver's offense.  Marshall's return to the team has seen him score four touchdowns in the last three games, including two against the Patriots.

But the biggest change has been the creation of a defense which is currently the second best in the NFL and which has helped produce six wins that open up the real chance of a first play-off place since 2005.

Experienced cornerback Champ Bailey places the credit for the team's turnaround from their 8-8 record last season firmly with McDaniels and the changes he has made.  "I tell you what, just being under Josh McDaniels for a few months now, he's a guy that is going to have you as prepared as you can be for a game and that's something that throughout my 11 years I haven't had a lot of."

"I've had some great coaches including Shanahan, but he's (McDaniels) definitely one of a kind in the way that he approaches the game," he said before Monday's clash.  "With the guys we brought in and the guys that were left here, we got rid of a lot of bad apples and we brought in a lot of good ones and I think that that was the key to really getting this thing turned around," he said.

And last week, the highly symbolic win over Belichick's Patriots saw McDaniels celebrate in a manner unthinkable for his famously dour mentor -- racing to the home fans and punching the air and screaming in delight.  Such outbursts are rare for NFL coaches, but McDaniels, whose father Thom built a reputation as a college coach in Ohio, is hardly bashful about letting his enthusiasm for the game pour out.

But that is EXACTLY what this team needs....

Shanahan who?

Hey! Those socks are cool....

I am still surprised that the Bengals are sitting atop their division with wins over the Steelers and Ravens. That’s crazy talk. If not for that miracle reception in Week 1 by Denver, the Bengals would be the undefeated team everyone was talking about instead of the Broncos.

Speaking of Denver, the Broncos took it to overtime against New England, where Tom Brady has never lost, but the coin toss went in Denver’s favor.

I have to say that the Broncos are legit now that they have beaten two shaky but worthy opponents, the Patriots and the Cowboys. But those throwback uniforms are not legit (especially the socks).

I’m impressed with Josh McDaniels and his Hulk-scream celebration after the game while Bill Belichick looked like a lost puppy in the middle of the field, but I don’t expect this team to go undefeated much longer. They’re scraping by in too many games so far to keep it up. So let me enjoy it for awhile.

A 98-yard drive to tie the game in the fourth quarter (sure, a taunting penalty and a great offensive line helped), and then the drive in overtime to beat the Patriots and one of the all-time franchise quarterbacks, Tom Brady. But Orton was a bit lucky. He almost threw an interception on the play before the winning field goal.

The Broncos are 5-0. The last time they started like that was in 1998, and they won the Super Bowl. So Orton might have a chance to show if he's a franchise quarterback. Right now, you'd still have to say that Orton is to Cutler as Cutler was to Elway. Maybe in February Orton will show otherwise.

But those uniforms! Ah, the 1960s. Back when every color except for white, black, mustard yellow, and maroon hadn't been invented yet. When players' helmets looked like Herbie the Love Bug. When everyone looked like the original Wolverine costume. The great thing about the 1960s is that it is not the 1960s right now.

The Denver defense was fantastic, shutting down – and shutting out – the Patriots high powered offense in the second half. Although they gave up a season high 17 points in the first half, as has been the case all season, they righted the ship at half-time and took control.

The Broncos continued to surprise the skeptical pundits – This is fun!

Broncos 4-0 (wow!!)

A daunting schedule released in April that includes eight of the past nine Super Bowl champions, doesn't look so horrible. The Broncos overcame a sluggish first half and rallied to beat the Dallas Cowboys 17-10 Sunday at Invesco Field at Mile High.

The victory kept the Broncos (4-0) in the same unbeaten ranks as the Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants and New Orleans Saints as winners the first four weeks. The Minnesota Vikings (3-0) host Green Bay on Monday night. Two other unbeatens -- Baltimore and the New York Jets -- lost for the first time today.

The Broncos defense again proved as stifling against the NFL's top rushing team as it did in Denver's first three games.

Denver held Dallas to just 74 yards rushing and stopped the Cowboys on a fourth-and-goal from the Denver 2 when Tony Romo's pass was batted down by Champ Bailey.

Denver never led until Kyle Orton connected with a cross-field throw that Brandon Marshall plucked over the reach of Dallas cornerback Terrance Newman. Marshall then cut toward the middle of the field before reversing to the right and avoiding several Cowboys tacklers before scoring on a 49-yard jaunt with 1:46 left.

The Broncos' next four games are Sunday at home against New England, then Oct. 19 at San Diego, Nov. 1 at Baltimore and Nov. 9 against the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers....(ouch!).

But Sunday the Broncos' defense proved they are for real. Especially on Dallas' last drive to try to tie the score. Romo escaped from the Broncos' defensive pressure on fourth and 3 at the Dallas 27 to complete a 53-yard pass to Sam Hurd to the Broncos' 20. Only a Brian Dawkins tackle saved the tying touchdown.

Dallas moved the ball to the 2 (and honestly I thought we would cave). After Romo downed the ball to stop the clock, Denver denied two passes into the end zone by Romo, the last swatted away by Bailey.  The Denver defense responded time after time and kept the score close when the Broncos' offense sputtered in the first half. Denver, which finished with 337 yards, had just 104 yards in the first half. Dallas had 184 yards in the first half, but had only 132 total yards in the second half.

The Broncos defense must have heard Troy Aikman before Dallas' final drive. The former Cowboys quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer said, "I don't know if (the Broncos) are a great defense; maybe they are. But I do know that great defenses close people out, and here is their opportunity"

Now, even with a daunting schedule ahead, the Broncos have an opportunity to surprise even more NFL experts if they can continue to stay unbeaten. We are still unbeaten...so please shut the hell up and let me enjoy this for awhile!

Remaining Schedule

5 Sun Oct.11 VS. NEW ENGLAND INVESCO Field at Mile High
6 Mon Oct.19 at San Diego Qualcomm Stadium
7 BYE WEEK
8 Sun Nov. 1 at Baltimore M&T Bank Stadium
9 Mon Nov. 9 VS. PITTSBURGH INVESCO Field at Mile High
10 Sun Nov.15 at Washington FedEx Field
11 Sun Nov.22 VS. SAN DIEGO INVESCO Field at Mile High
12 Thu Nov.26 VS. NEW YORK INVESCO Field at Mile High
13 Sun Dec. 6 at Kansas City Arrowhead Stadium
14 Sun Dec.13 at Indianapolis Lucas Oil Stadium
15 Sun Dec.20 VS. OAKLAND INVESCO Field at Mile High
16 Sun Dec.27 at Philadelphia Lincoln Financial Field
17 Sun Jan. 3 VS. KANSAS CITY INVESCO Field at Mile High