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Parker Gabriel, Post Broncos reporter
Alright, gents. ‘Tis the season. We’re giving out one present and one lump of coal each. Make your list and copy edit it twice.
In a bad season for the Broncos, a present nonetheless for outside linebacker Baron Browning. He’s been a revelation for Denver in his first year playing the position. Life got tougher for him and the rest of the group when Randy Gregory missed 10 weeks with a knee injury and Bradley Chubb got traded, but he’s shown he can be a central part of the Broncos’ plan on the edge. It’s still likely GM George Paton will try to add to the group next spring in the draft, but they found a good player in Browning.
As for the coal, how about hamstrings? They’ve not done any favors to Denver this year. A dozen players have missed games due to hamstring injuries and several — tight ends Greg Dulcich and Andrew Beck, wide receiver KJ Hamler, and defensive back Darrius Phillips among them — have had aggravations along the way that caused additional problems. When coach Nathaniel Hackett said, “hamstrings are weird,” during training camp, he had no idea what was coming his way this season. Not Denver’s only coal candidate this year by a long shot, but a worthy recipient nonetheless. What say you Santas?
Matt Schubert, deputy sports editor
Does Santa ever actually leave a lump of coal? I knew a lot of awful children growing up who got some really great Christmas presents every year. But I digress…
If we’re handing out Tickle Me Elmos in the Broncos locker room, one must be reserved for Justin Simmons — the consummate professional who never stops producing for a franchise that so rarely deserves it. Now at five interceptions for the third consecutive season (and one fumble recovery), the veteran safety is one of few players on the roster whose selection to the Pro Bowl wouldn’t immediately elicit a double-take. Can the Broncos get this man get one playoff appearance before he leaves Denver? Just one?
Moving on to the lump of coal, I think it’s only right that offensive coordinator Justin Outten receives a briquette. Does anyone know what he actually does? When head coach Nathaniel Hackett turned over play-calling last month, I would’ve assumed the next man up would be the one charged with, um, coordinating the offense. Instead, that job was kicked down to quarterbacks coach Klint Kubiak, who had previously called plays during his time in Minnesota. Which leaves me wondering: Why exactly wasn’t Kubiak named the offensive coordinator in the first place?
Sean Keeler, sports columnist
I mean, can you even have a nice list without Justin Simmons? On the field, the veteran Pro Bowler’s already tied his career single-season best with five interceptions — and there are three games yet to go. Earlier this fall, his foundation gave checks worth more than $10,000 each to the Denver Public Schools Foundation, Boys Hope Girls Hope of Colorado and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. And yet Santa’s biggest helper in that locker room this year might’ve been guard Dalton Risner, the franchise’s nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, who reportedly has taken part in close to 50 community events this calendar year and keeps doing Wiggins proud.
Old Saint Nick is less crazy about rookie cornerback Damarri Mathis and his seven penalties, which is tied for the individual team high with Dre’Mont Jones. Although four of those calls were pass interference calls in one game, that Oct. 17 nightmare vs. the Chargers — he’s been on the nice list ever since. We’re saving our largest lump of coal for GM George Paton, who over the last 13 months has doled out $339.8 million in contract extensions to Russell Wilson, Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick, three misfit toys who’ve been either too broken or too beat up to enjoy over the holidays.
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