thedenverpost--2020-04-23--Final mock draft: Trades allow Broncos to make two first-round picks

A final projection at how the first round of Thursday ’ s NFL draft will develop : 1 .
Cincinnati : Joe Burrow , QB , LSU .
The Bengals were active in free agency ( three defensive starters ) and tagged receiver A.J .
Green , which should be good signals to Burrow about the franchise ’ s commitment .
2 .
Washington : Chase Young , DE/OLB , Ohio State .
The Redskins don ’ t overthink it and select the draft ’ s best overall player .
3 .
TRADE — Los Angeles Chargers ( from Detroit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oregon .
The Chargers trade second- and fourth-round picks to move up three spots to make sure they get Herbert .
4 .
New York Giants : Jedrick Wills , OT , Alabama .
The Giants have a pick of the top tackles and choose Wills to play right tackle .
5 .
Miami : Tua Tagovailoa , QB , Alabama .
The Dolphins sit tight and get the quarterback they probably wanted all along .
6 .
TRADE — Detroit ( from Chargers ) : Jeff Okudah , CB , Ohio State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be available in a trade-down .
He replaces Darius Slay , who was flipped to Philadelphia last month .
7 .
Carolina : Isaiah Simmons , LB/S , Clemson .
The Panthers take the versatile player over Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown .
8 .
Arizona : Tristan Wirfs , OT , Iowa .
Kyler Murray was sacked 50 times last year .
Enter Wirfs , who will start at right tackle .
9 .
Jacksonville : Derrick Brown , DT , Auburn .
This could be a trade-down candidate to gather more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite what some opine ) .
We have them staying put and taking Brown .
10 .
TRADE — Las Vegas ( from Cleveland ) : Jerry Jeudy , WR , Alabama .
The Raiders , wary of the Jets starting a run on receivers at No .
11 or another team leap-frogging them , trade a third-round pick to move up two spots and take Jeudy .
11 .
New York Jets : Andrew Thomas , OT , Georgia .
Our No .
1 tackle because he actually played left tackle in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( from Las Vegas ) : Mekhi Becton , OT , Louisville .
The Browns signed Jack Conklin to play right tackle .
In Becton , they add a 364-pound monster who they would have selected at No .
10 if the Raiders hadn ’ t called .
13 .
San Francisco ( from Indianapolis ) : CeeDee Lamb , WR , Oklahoma .
The 49ers traded DeForest Buckner to move into this spot and take Lamb to replace Emmanuel Sanders .
14 .
Tampa Bay : Javon Kinlaw , DT , South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are gone so instead of getting Tom Brady a blocker , they bulk up their defensive line .
15 .
TRADE — Jacksonville ( from Broncos ) : C.J .
Henderson , CB , Florida .
The Jaguars trade third- and fifth-round picks to the Broncos to move up five spots .
Henderson will take the place of new Broncos cornerback A.J .
Bouye .
16 .
TRADE — Philadelphia ( from Atlanta ) : Henry Ruggs , WR , Alabama .
The Eagles move up five spots ( giving up No .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ importantly , move ahead of the Broncos .
Ruggs ran the 40-yard dash in 4.27 seconds at the combine .
17 .
Dallas : K ’ Lavon Chaisson , DE/OLB , LSU .
The Cowboys take Chaisson to be the weak-side defensive end replacement for Robert Quinn ( signed with Chicago ) .
18 .
Miami ( from Pittsburgh ) : Josh Jones , OT , Houston .
The Dolphins ’ listed starting offensive tackles are Julie ’ n Davenport and Jesse Davis .
Yikes .
19 .
TRADE — New England ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jordan Love , QB , Utah State .
The Patriots trade third- and sixth-round picks to move up four spots to find their next quarterback .
20 .
TRADE — Broncos ( from Jacksonville via Rams ) : Justin Jefferson , WR , LSU .
The leading pass catcher in FBS last year ( 111 catches ) , Jefferson will be a fine addition to Courtland Sutton and Noah Fant .
21 .
TRADE — Atlanta ( from Philadelphia ) : Xavier McKinney , S , Alabama .
Regarded as the draft ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense that added pass rusher Dante Fowler last month .
22 .
Minnesota ( from Buffalo ) : Noah Igbinoghene , CB , Auburn .
The Vikings allowed cornerbacks Trae Waynes , Xavier Rhodes and Mackensie Alexander to leave in free agency .
Igbinoghene will start right away .
23 .
TRADE — Oakland ( from New England ) : Jeff Gladney , CB , TCU .
The Raiders have a bunch of safeties , but few quality cornerbacks .
Gladney had five interceptions in 50 college games .
24 .
New Orleans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Saints added safety Malcolm Jenkins in free agency and continue a secondary retool with Diggs , who is a good fit opposite Marshon Lattimore .
25 .
Minnesota : Austin Jackson , OT , USC .
The Vikings need to address offensive line more than once in this draft .
Jackson is only 20 years old , so he could be eased into the lineup as a rookie .
26 .
Miami ( from Houston ) : A.J .
Terrell , CB , Clemson .
Yes , his first half against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his tape is solid .
Terrell joins Xavien Howard and Byron Jones as a formidable trio of corners .
27 .
TRADE — Green Bay ( from Seattle ) : Brandon Aiyuk , WR , Arizona State .
The Seahawks are always open for business and they move down three spots .
Aiyuk had 65 catches last year .
28 .
Baltimore : Kenneth Murray , ILB , Oklahoma .
Murray made a whopping 355 tackles in three college seasons and will plug in as an immediate starter .
29 .
Tennessee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 304-pound Gallimore will take over the role vacated by Jurrell Casey , who was traded to the Broncos last month .
30 .
TRADE — Seattle ( from Green Bay ) : Yetur Gross-Matos , DE , Penn State .
Jadeveon Clowney remains a free agent .
Gross-Matos had 19 sacks in 38 college games .
31 .
TRADE — Broncos ( from San Francisco ) : Cesar Ruiz , C , Michigan .
The 49ers don ’ t have second- , third- or fourth-round picks so old buddies John Lynch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Broncos give San Francisco Nos .
46 , 77 and 118 to move back into the first round and Ruiz becomes the new center .
32 .
Kansas City : De ’ Andre Swift , RB , Georgia .
The Chiefs probably hate seeing Ruiz drop off the board , but instead of taking center Lloyd Cushenberry , they opt for Swift , who averaged 6.6 yards per carry for the Bulldogs .

A final projection at how the first round of Thursday’s NFL draft will develop:
1. Cincinnati: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU. The Bengals were active in free agency (three defensive starters) and tagged receiver A.J. Green, which should be good signals to Burrow about the franchise’s commitment.
2. Washington: Chase Young, DE/OLB, Ohio State. The Redskins don’t overthink it and select the draft’s best overall player.
3. TRADE — Los Angeles Chargers (from Detroit): Justin Hebert, QB, Oregon. The Chargers trade second- and fourth-round picks to move up three spots to make sure they get Herbert.
4. New York Giants: Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama. The Giants have a pick of the top tackles and choose Wills to play right tackle.
5. Miami: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama. The Dolphins sit tight and get the quarterback they probably wanted all along.
6. TRADE — Detroit (from Chargers): Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State. The Lions correctly figure Okudah will be available in a trade-down. He replaces Darius Slay, who was flipped to Philadelphia last month.
7. Carolina: Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson. The Panthers take the versatile player over Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown.
8. Arizona: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa. Kyler Murray was sacked 50 times last year. Enter Wirfs, who will start at right tackle.
9. Jacksonville: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn. This could be a trade-down candidate to gather more currency (not to save money, despite what some opine). We have them staying put and taking Brown.
10. TRADE — Las Vegas (from Cleveland): Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama. The Raiders, wary of the Jets starting a run on receivers at No. 11 or another team leap-frogging them, trade a third-round pick to move up two spots and take Jeudy.
11. New York Jets: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia. Our No. 1 tackle because he actually played left tackle in college.
12. TRADE — Cleveland (from Las Vegas): Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville. The Browns signed Jack Conklin to play right tackle. In Becton, they add a 364-pound monster who they would have selected at No. 10 if the Raiders hadn’t called.
13. San Francisco (from Indianapolis): CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma. The 49ers traded DeForest Buckner to move into this spot and take Lamb to replace Emmanuel Sanders.
14. Tampa Bay: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina. All of the offensive tackles are gone so instead of getting Tom Brady a blocker, they bulk up their defensive line.
15. TRADE — Jacksonville (from Broncos): C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida. The Jaguars trade third- and fifth-round picks to the Broncos to move up five spots. Henderson will take the place of new Broncos cornerback A.J. Bouye.
16. TRADE — Philadelphia (from Atlanta): Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama. The Eagles move up five spots (giving up No. 20 and a third-rounder) and more importantly, move ahead of the Broncos. Ruggs ran the 40-yard dash in 4.27 seconds at the combine.
17. Dallas: K’Lavon Chaisson, DE/OLB, LSU. The Cowboys take Chaisson to be the weak-side defensive end replacement for Robert Quinn (signed with Chicago).
18. Miami (from Pittsburgh): Josh Jones, OT, Houston. The Dolphins’ listed starting offensive tackles are Julie’n Davenport and Jesse Davis. Yikes.
19. TRADE — New England (from Las Vegas via Chicago): Jordan Love, QB, Utah State. The Patriots trade third- and sixth-round picks to move up four spots to find their next quarterback.
20. TRADE — Broncos (from Jacksonville via Rams): Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU. The leading pass catcher in FBS last year (111 catches), Jefferson will be a fine addition to Courtland Sutton and Noah Fant.
21. TRADE — Atlanta (from Philadelphia): Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama. Regarded as the draft’s top safety, McKinney joins a defense that added pass rusher Dante Fowler last month.
22. Minnesota (from Buffalo): Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn. The Vikings allowed cornerbacks Trae Waynes, Xavier Rhodes and Mackensie Alexander to leave in free agency. Igbinoghene will start right away.
23. TRADE — Oakland (from New England): Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU. The Raiders have a bunch of safeties, but few quality cornerbacks. Gladney had five interceptions in 50 college games.
24. New Orleans: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama. The Saints added safety Malcolm Jenkins in free agency and continue a secondary retool with Diggs, who is a good fit opposite Marshon Lattimore.
25. Minnesota: Austin Jackson, OT, USC. The Vikings need to address offensive line more than once in this draft. Jackson is only 20 years old, so he could be eased into the lineup as a rookie.
26. Miami (from Houston): A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson. Yes, his first half against LSU was rough, but the rest of his tape is solid. Terrell joins Xavien Howard and Byron Jones as a formidable trio of corners.
27. TRADE — Green Bay (from Seattle): Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State. The Seahawks are always open for business and they move down three spots. Aiyuk had 65 catches last year.
28. Baltimore: Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma. Murray made a whopping 355 tackles in three college seasons and will plug in as an immediate starter.
29. Tennessee: Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma. The 304-pound Gallimore will take over the role vacated by Jurrell Casey, who was traded to the Broncos last month.
30. TRADE — Seattle (from Green Bay): Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State. Jadeveon Clowney remains a free agent. Gross-Matos had 19 sacks in 38 college games.
31. TRADE — Broncos (from San Francisco): Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan. The 49ers don’t have second-, third- or fourth-round picks so old buddies John Lynch and John Elway connect for a trade. The Broncos give San Francisco Nos. 46, 77 and 118 to move back into the first round and Ruiz becomes the new center.
32. Kansas City: De’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia. The Chiefs probably hate seeing Ruiz drop off the board, but instead of taking center Lloyd Cushenberry, they opt for Swift, who averaged 6.6 yards per carry for the Bulldogs.


thedenverpost--2020-04-23--Josepha “Jossy” Eyre, founder of the Women’s Bean Project in Denver, dies of coronavirus

The fire never left Josepha Eyre ’ s belly .
She was a woman of endurance .
And the work of Eyre , founder of the nonprofit Women ’ s Bean Project in Denver , will endure beyond her death Monday of complications from the new coronavirus .
She was 89 .
Growing up in Denver , Christina Eyre , one of Eyre ’ s four children , said the family would spend a day every week crafting sandwiches for the needy .
During holidays , new faces would appear : guests from Sudan , Eritrea , Uganda , Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night and others would stay for months , she said .
Their family wasn ’ t quite like other families , Christina Eyre said .
“ We were different but I didn ’ t realize until later how good that different was , ” Christina Eyre said .
The children grew up with stories from their mother and extended family members of survival during the Nazi occupation of Holland , Christina Eyre said .
Nazi officers commandeered the Eyre family home in Nijmegen for their wives , and there was no sense of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eyre said .
And then there was the mischief .
Misleading Nazis who asked for directions , pointing them in the wrong direction so they would lose their way .
Two of Josepha Eyre ’ s brothers were held in internment camps during the war , and though they would survive , another of her two siblings were killed in a bombing .
“ It wasn ’ t just her stories , it was my uncle ’ s stories and my aunt ’ s stories .
We would hear all kinds of things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Like the horror of discovering her brother and sister ’ s bodies after the bombing .
They were identified by their shoes.
” Josepha Eyre ’ s family fled Europe to the United States .
She was a teenager at the time and didn ’ t speak a lick of English , Christina Eyre said .
In school , she was given the nickname Jossy , which she carried until the end .
She learned firsthand what it meant to lose control and live at the mercy of your own surroundings , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Like her nickname , the lessons stuck .
“ It ’ s sort of hard to separate who she became as a person , as an activist , from that early history , ” Christina Eyre said .
In the United States , Josepha Eyre became a nurse and headed west to California on the way to a job , Christina Eyre said .
After passing through a “ traumatizing ” snowstorm in Kansas , she stopped in Denver on a particularly warm and beautiful day and decided to stay .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , she stopped in Denver and decided to stay .
In her 40s , Eyre picked up distance running .
Later she turned to swimming , a habit she maintained into her early 80s , Christina Eyre said .
In her 50s , with all four of her children out of the house she went back to school , ultimately earning a master ’ s degree in social work , Christina Eyre said .
“ That sort of fire never left her , ” she said .
“ Change the trajectory of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eyre founded the Women ’ s Bean Project , a nonprofit organization that continues to this day , helping women experiencing homelessness , suffering from addiction and other challenges by providing jobs manufacturing food .
The idea is to help women who don ’ t feel as though they have a lot of control over their lives , to give them a sense of control , said Tamra Ryan , CEO of the Women ’ s Bean Project .
“ That was something she could very much relate to , ” Ryan said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea that if she could teach the women by actually doing , that would give them the ability to change the trajectory of their lives.
” So with $ 500 out of her own pocket , Eyre bought beans for a skeleton crew to make 10-bean soup , Ryan said .
Demand grew and so did the team .
The 10-bean soup remains a best seller .
“ The first time someone asked for a case of soup , which at the time was 12 units , she couldn ’ t believe anybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ And today we ship in pallets , which is about 1,400 units.
” Even after she stepped down from her role with the Women ’ s Bean Project , Ryan said she remained amazed with each of Eyre ’ s visits .
“ There were times when I ’ d watch her interact with the women and it made me wonder if she had the elements of what Mother Teresa had , ” Ryan said .
“ When she was speaking with an individual women they were the only people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ empathy .
It was , ‘ I want to hear your story and I want to feel who you are and what you care about and what your life is and where you are going.
’ ” That ’ s a side of Josepha Eyre that Mariya Golovanich caught when she immigrated to the United States from Ukraine in 1998 .
It would be four years before Golovanich said her husband and two children could join her , but in that time , Eyre — who she met through church — took her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work and more .
“ She really was my American mom , ” Golovanich said .
“ I could come and talk to her about everything .
I knew I would get the best , the most kind , the most understanding advice and attitudes ever.
” Once while Eyre was healing from a hip replacement surgery , Golovanich said she helped carry her groceries inside and refused to take money for the assistance .
So Eyre opened a bank account for each of Golovanich ’ s children , and by the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was more than $ 200 waiting for each of them , Golovanich said .
“ She was always like my guardian angel in every aspect of this American life , ” she said .
The two bonded over their European upbringings and challenges as immigrants , and Eyre extended that empathy toward most everyone she knew , Golovanich said .
“ She never lost that touch and that feeling toward poor people , toward people , ” she said .
If Eyre wanted a single idea shared , Christina Eyre said , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have to be great or important or a famous person to change the world.
” “ If you can look around , you can be inspired by the situation or the challenges other people face and turn that into an expression of love and commitment and dedication to your fellow human beings , ” she added .

The fire never left Josepha Eyre’s belly. She was a woman of endurance.
And the work of Eyre, founder of the nonprofit Women’s Bean Project in Denver, will endure beyond her death Monday of complications from the new coronavirus. She was 89.
Growing up in Denver, Christina Eyre, one of Eyre’s four children, said the family would spend a day every week crafting sandwiches for the needy. During holidays, new faces would appear: guests from Sudan, Eritrea, Uganda, Ukraine and Morocco. Some would leave that night and others would stay for months, she said.
Their family wasn’t quite like other families, Christina Eyre said.
“We were different but I didn’t realize until later how good that different was,” Christina Eyre said.
The children grew up with stories from their mother and extended family members of survival during the Nazi occupation of Holland, Christina Eyre said.
Nazi officers commandeered the Eyre family home in Nijmegen for their wives, and there was no sense of when the occupation would end, Christina Eyre said. And then there was the mischief. Misleading Nazis who asked for directions, pointing them in the wrong direction so they would lose their way.
Two of Josepha Eyre’s brothers were held in internment camps during the war, and though they would survive, another of her two siblings were killed in a bombing.
“It wasn’t just her stories, it was my uncle’s stories and my aunt’s stories. We would hear all kinds of things,” Christina Eyre said. “Like the horror of discovering her brother and sister’s bodies after the bombing. They were identified by their shoes.”
Josepha Eyre’s family fled Europe to the United States. She was a teenager at the time and didn’t speak a lick of English, Christina Eyre said. In school, she was given the nickname Jossy, which she carried until the end.
She learned firsthand what it meant to lose control and live at the mercy of your own surroundings, to rebuild a life, Christina Eyre said. Like her nickname, the lessons stuck.
“It’s sort of hard to separate who she became as a person, as an activist, from that early history,” Christina Eyre said.
In the United States, Josepha Eyre became a nurse and headed west to California on the way to a job, Christina Eyre said. After passing through a “traumatizing” snowstorm in Kansas, she stopped in Denver on a particularly warm and beautiful day and decided to stay.
In her 40s, Eyre picked up distance running. Later she turned to swimming, a habit she maintained into her early 80s, Christina Eyre said. In her 50s, with all four of her children out of the house she went back to school, ultimately earning a master’s degree in social work, Christina Eyre said.
“That sort of fire never left her,” she said.
“Change the trajectory of their lives”
And in 1989, Eyre founded the Women’s Bean Project, a nonprofit organization that continues to this day, helping women experiencing homelessness, suffering from addiction and other challenges by providing jobs manufacturing food.
The idea is to help women who don’t feel as though they have a lot of control over their lives, to give them a sense of control, said Tamra Ryan, CEO of the Women’s Bean Project.
“That was something she could very much relate to,” Ryan said. “She was driven by this idea that if she could teach the women by actually doing, that would give them the ability to change the trajectory of their lives.”
So with $500 out of her own pocket, Eyre bought beans for a skeleton crew to make 10-bean soup, Ryan said. Demand grew and so did the team. The 10-bean soup remains a best seller.
“The first time someone asked for a case of soup, which at the time was 12 units, she couldn’t believe anybody wanted that many,” Ryan said. “And today we ship in pallets, which is about 1,400 units.”
Even after she stepped down from her role with the Women’s Bean Project, Ryan said she remained amazed with each of Eyre’s visits.
“There were times when I’d watch her interact with the women and it made me wonder if she had the elements of what Mother Teresa had,” Ryan said. “When she was speaking with an individual woman they were the only people in the room. It was connection beyond empathy. It was, ‘I want to hear your story and I want to feel who you are and what you care about and what your life is and where you are going.’ ”
“My guardian angel”
That’s a side of Josepha Eyre that Mariya Golovanich caught when she immigrated to the United States from Ukraine in 1998. It would be four years before Golovanich said her husband and two children could join her, but in that time, Eyre — who she met through church — took her in for months, helped her find work and more.
“She really was my American mom,” Golovanich said. “I could come and talk to her about everything. I knew I would get the best, the most kind, the most understanding advice and attitudes ever.”
Once while Eyre was healing from a hip replacement surgery, Golovanich said she helped carry her groceries inside and refused to take money for the assistance.
So Eyre opened a bank account for each of Golovanich’s children, and by the time they arrived in the United States there was more than $200 waiting for each of them, Golovanich said.
“She was always like my guardian angel in every aspect of this American life,” she said.
The two bonded over their European upbringings and challenges as immigrants, and Eyre extended that empathy toward most everyone she knew, Golovanich said.
“She never lost that touch and that feeling toward poor people, toward people,” she said.
If Eyre wanted a single idea shared, Christina Eyre said, it would probably be “that you don’t have to be great or important or a famous person to change the world.”
“If you can look around, you can be inspired by the situation or the challenges other people face and turn that into an expression of love and commitment and dedication to your fellow human beings,” she added.


thedenverpost--2020-04-23--Colorado’s new safer-at-home phase is not a grand reopening, Gov. Jared Polis says

Gov .
Jared Polis on Wednesday defended his decision to allow some businesses to resume operations next week , saying another month under a stay-at-home mandate wouldn ’ t eradicate the coronavirus from Colorado — and stressing that the upcoming changes are incremental and not a return to normal life .
“ We would never classify this as a grand reopening , ” Polis said , likening the state ’ s new “ safer-at-home ” phase to a hike in the Rocky Mountains .
“ We ’ re at the trailhead , ” he said .
“ We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Denver , along with some other Colorado counties , have stay-at-home orders that extend until April 30 and supersede any less restrictive guidance from the state , which will begin easing rules on Monday .
Polis reinforced his decision to move past the stay-at-home order at a news conference Wednesday as state public health officials revealed Colorado ’ s coronavirus death toll has surpassed 500 , and new data revealed that 64 % of the state ’ s COVID-19 deaths are tied to nursing homes and other assisted-living facilities .
State modeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the stay-at-home mandate that expires Sunday wouldn ’ t cause a peak in COVID-19 patients to be any less severe , Polis said .
It would only push that peak down the line .
The governor also pushed back on the focus on testing for the new coronavirus , saying that while it is a crucial piece of keeping people healthy and safe during this new phase , it ’ s just one of four key factors — along with widespread use of face masks , protecting older and more vulnerable populations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals from being overwhelmed .
“ It ’ s not a panacea , ” Polis said of testing .
“ It doesn ’ t solve this .
We can ’ t just test and trace our way out of this in any model.
” The state has made progress on this front , the governor announced , with 150,000 tests expected by the end of the week and 150,000 swabs expected by mid-May .
The state has partnered with Colorado State University to expand testing for skilled nursing facility workers , including those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first states to do so , Polis said .
Another partnership with the Gary Community Foundation is expected to bring hundreds of thousands of antibody tests .
Colorado set a goal to increase testing and tracing capacity by 5 % per week during May , Polis said .
The state is currently testing only 39 people per 100,000 residents each day — a jump up from recent days , but far below the 152 tests per 100,000 deemed necessary by public health officials to actively monitor the virus .
The governor on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a stay-at-home mandate to a “ safer at home ” way of living , expressing time and again that people still need to wear masks , practice social distancing and work from home if possible .
More extensive guidelines for specific industries — such as education , child care , real estate , retail and personal services — will be announced in the coming days .
“ I know everybody ’ s chomping at the bit , ” Polis said , “ but it ’ s very important to get this right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beginning Monday , retailers not under stricter orders like those in Denver would have the option to reopen with curbside pickup , with the ability for some to open to limited numbers of in-store customers on May 1 .
Personal service providers and elective medical providers , including hair salons , dental offices and tattoo shops , could reopen with some social-distancing precautions on Monday as well .
On May 4 , offices will be able to reopen with half of their workforces , Polis said , even as he urged companies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , particularly with older employees .
Gatherings will be limited to 10 or fewer peopler .
Restaurants and bars will remain closed to in-person service until at least mid-May , Polis said , though he has indicated that date may change .
Gyms and spas will stay closed , while schools will remain online-only until at least the fall .
As the state slowly reopens , deaths from the novel coronavirus continue to mount .
At least 508 people have died of complications related to COVID-19 .
At least 859 people are currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 218 patients are being investigated for the illness , according to state data .
At least 73 people since Tuesday either went home or were transferred to a lower level of care , like a rehabilitation facility .
More than 10,800 people have tested positive for COVID-19 , though health officials say total cases are likely closer to 65,000 or 75,000 .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday defended his decision to allow some businesses to resume operations next week, saying another month under a stay-at-home mandate wouldn’t eradicate the coronavirus from Colorado — and stressing that the upcoming changes are incremental and not a return to normal life.
“We would never classify this as a grand reopening,” Polis said, likening the state’s new “safer-at-home” phase to a hike in the Rocky Mountains.
“We’re at the trailhead,” he said. “We’re not going to summit it right away.”
Denver, along with some other Colorado counties, have stay-at-home orders that extend until April 30 and supersede any less restrictive guidance from the state, which will begin easing rules on Monday.
Polis reinforced his decision to move past the stay-at-home order at a news conference Wednesday as state public health officials revealed Colorado’s coronavirus death toll has surpassed 500, and new data revealed that 64% of the state’s COVID-19 deaths are tied to nursing homes and other assisted-living facilities.
State modeling showed that another two to four weeks under the stay-at-home mandate that expires Sunday wouldn’t cause a peak in COVID-19 patients to be any less severe, Polis said. It would only push that peak down the line.
The governor also pushed back on the focus on testing for the new coronavirus, saying that while it is a crucial piece of keeping people healthy and safe during this new phase, it’s just one of four key factors — along with widespread use of face masks, protecting older and more vulnerable populations, and social distancing — that will keep hospitals from being overwhelmed.
“It’s not a panacea,” Polis said of testing. “It doesn’t solve this. We can’t just test and trace our way out of this in any model.”
The state has made progress on this front, the governor announced, with 150,000 tests expected by the end of the week and 150,000 swabs expected by mid-May. The state has partnered with Colorado State University to expand testing for skilled nursing facility workers, including those who may be asymptomatic — one of the first states to do so, Polis said. Another partnership with the Gary Community Foundation is expected to bring hundreds of thousands of antibody tests.
Colorado set a goal to increase testing and tracing capacity by 5% per week during May, Polis said. The state is currently testing only 39 people per 100,000 residents each day — a jump up from recent days, but far below the 152 tests per 100,000 deemed necessary by public health officials to actively monitor the virus.
The governor on Wednesday reiterated the timeline for the shift from a stay-at-home mandate to a “safer at home” way of living, expressing time and again that people still need to wear masks, practice social distancing and work from home if possible. More extensive guidelines for specific industries — such as education, child care, real estate, retail and personal services — will be announced in the coming days.
“I know everybody’s chomping at the bit,” Polis said, “but it’s very important to get this right. We are charting new ground.”
Beginning Monday, retailers not under stricter orders like those in Denver would have the option to reopen with curbside pickup, with the ability for some to open to limited numbers of in-store customers on May 1. Personal service providers and elective medical providers, including hair salons, dental offices and tattoo shops, could reopen with some social-distancing precautions on Monday as well.
On May 4, offices will be able to reopen with half of their workforces, Polis said, even as he urged companies to continue with telecommuting as much as possible, particularly with older employees. Gatherings will be limited to 10 or fewer peopler.
Restaurants and bars will remain closed to in-person service until at least mid-May, Polis said, though he has indicated that date may change. Gyms and spas will stay closed, while schools will remain online-only until at least the fall.
As the state slowly reopens, deaths from the novel coronavirus continue to mount. At least 508 people have died of complications related to COVID-19. At least 859 people are currently hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 infections, while 218 patients are being investigated for the illness, according to state data. At least 73 people since Tuesday either went home or were transferred to a lower level of care, like a rehabilitation facility.
More than 10,800 people have tested positive for COVID-19, though health officials say total cases are likely closer to 65,000 or 75,000.
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thedenverpost--2020-04-22--Colorado surpasses 500 coronavirus-related deaths as confirmed cases near 11,000

Colorado has surpassed 500 deaths from the new coronavirus , a reminder that the respiratory disease remains deadly as some businesses prepare to open next week .
There have been 2,123 people hospitalized since the outbreak was first confirmed in the state last month , but only 859 people were in Colorado hospitals with symptoms of the illness as of Tuesday night , state data shows .
At least 73 people since Tuesday either went home or were transferred to a lower level of care , like a rehabilitation facility .
More than 10,800 people have tested positive for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the virus — though health officials have said between 65,000 and 75,000 have likely had the disease .
Health officials also confirmed 123 outbreaks at contained facilities such as nursing homes , long-term care facilities and factories — four more than the previous day .
The state health department announces new totals daily of coronavirus deaths and confirmed cases based on what ’ s reported up from Colorado ’ s counties ; though the deaths and positive test results may be announced on a particular day , they may have occurred any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now being reported to the state .
The 508 deaths announced Wednesday were 22 higher than the total reported Monday .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

Colorado has surpassed 500 deaths from the new coronavirus, a reminder that the respiratory disease remains deadly as some businesses prepare to open next week.
There have been 2,123 people hospitalized since the outbreak was first confirmed in the state last month, but only 859 people were in Colorado hospitals with symptoms of the illness as of Tuesday night, state data shows. At least 73 people since Tuesday either went home or were transferred to a lower level of care, like a rehabilitation facility.
More than 10,800 people have tested positive for COVID-19, the highly infectious respiratory illness causes by the virus — though health officials have said between 65,000 and 75,000 have likely had the disease.
Health officials also confirmed 123 outbreaks at contained facilities such as nursing homes, long-term care facilities and factories — four more than the previous day.
The state health department announces new totals daily of coronavirus deaths and confirmed cases based on what’s reported up from Colorado’s counties; though the deaths and positive test results may be announced on a particular day, they may have occurred any time in the past and are just now being reported to the state.
The 508 deaths announced Wednesday were 22 higher than the total reported Monday.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-04-22--Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson to stage TV match with Tom Brady, Peyton Manning

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are ready for a made-for-TV rematch at a time when fans are craving live action .
And this time , they ’ ll have company .
Turner Sports says quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning will join them for a two-on-two match sometime in May .
Missing from the announcement were such details as when and where the match would be played , except that tournament organizers would work with government and health officials to meet safety and health standards .
Turner said all donations and fundraising from “ The Match : Champions for Charity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic .
It wasn ’ t clear who would be on which teams .
The event will be televised on TNT , with social and digital content leading up and during the event available through Bleacher Report and House of Highlights .
The first match over Thanksgiving weekend in November 2018 was supposed to be pay-per-view , except that technical difficulties allowed everyone to watch .
It lacked some of wild bets both players had teased , and the trash talking was forced at times .
Mickelson ended up winning the $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contest under the lights when the matched ended in a tie .
Live golf was last seen on television March 12 , the first round of The Players Championship as developments with the new coronavirus accelerated at such a rate that sports began shutting down .
The PGA Tour first decided not to have fans at the TPC Sawgrass , then canceled its premier event , and then began canceling or postponing all tournaments across each of its tours .
Woods was not at The Players .
The defending Masters champion has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Genesis Invitational at Riviera on Feb. 16 .
Saying his back did not feel ready , Woods chose not to play the Mexico Championship , the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship .
Woods and Manning have played together in pro-ams on the PGA Tour .
The Palm Beach Post has reported that Brady , who recently signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , has joined fabled Seminole Golf Club in south Florida .

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are ready for a made-for-TV rematch at a time when fans are craving live action.
And this time, they’ll have company.
Turner Sports says quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning will join them for a two-on-two match sometime in May. Missing from the announcement were such details as when and where the match would be played, except that tournament organizers would work with government and health officials to meet safety and health standards.
Turner said all donations and fundraising from “The Match: Champions for Charity” would benefit relief efforts for the COVID-19 pandemic.
It wasn’t clear who would be on which teams.
The event will be televised on TNT, with social and digital content leading up and during the event available through Bleacher Report and House of Highlights.
“It’s on now,” Mickelson tweeted Wednesday afternoon responding to Bleacher Report.
The first match over Thanksgiving weekend in November 2018 was supposed to be pay-per-view, except that technical difficulties allowed everyone to watch.
It lacked some of wild bets both players had teased, and the trash talking was forced at times. Mickelson ended up winning the $9 million winner-take-all purse in a wedge contest under the lights when the matched ended in a tie.
Live golf was last seen on television March 12, the first round of The Players Championship as developments with the new coronavirus accelerated at such a rate that sports began shutting down.
The PGA Tour first decided not to have fans at the TPC Sawgrass, then canceled its premier event, and then began canceling or postponing all tournaments across each of its tours.
Woods was not at The Players. The defending Masters champion has not played since he finished last in his Genesis Invitational at Riviera on Feb. 16. Saying his back did not feel ready, Woods chose not to play the Mexico Championship, the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship.
Woods and Manning have played together in pro-ams on the PGA Tour.
The Palm Beach Post has reported that Brady, who recently signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has joined fabled Seminole Golf Club in south Florida.


thedenverpost--2020-04-22--Residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities now account for 64% of Colorado’s coronavirus

Residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities now account for 64% of Colorado’s coronavirus deaths

New state data shows 323 residents of nursing homes and other health care facilities in Colorado are believed to have died of COVID-19 , an 84 % increase over the death total announced just a week ago .
The number of cases in long-term care facilities more than doubled , from 632 as of April 15 to 1,274 as of Wednesday , according to the Colorado Departent of Public Health and Environment .
An additional 30 facilities reported cases of COVID-19 , bringing the total number of health-care related outbreaks to 109 .
About three-quarters of the deaths were confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were presumed to have had the new coronavirus based on their symptoms .
Some of the sharp increase could be due to delays in reporting the deaths to the state .
Statewide , 508 people have died of the new virus as of the most recent data released Wednesday .
That means roughly three out of every five people who had died was a resident of a nursing home , assisted living center or similar facility , even though only about 12 % of reported cases were in people living in health facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term care facilities accounted for only about 8 % of all COVID-19 cases in Colorado , but nearly half of deaths .
The data also showed the first recorded death of a facility staff member .
The person worked at Julia Temple Healthcare Center , a nursing home in Englewood , but no other information was released .
The increase in cases and deaths came a day after a new state order tightened infection control rules for residential facilities .
Under the new rules , facilities will have to isolate residents who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees to wear masks .
Residents who leave the facility for medical care or other reasons will be required to wear a mask while in public .
Facilities will have to submit a plan to prevent cases of the new virus , and stop any existing infections from spreading , by May 1 .
The plan will have to require residents to stay in isolation for 10 days after developing symptoms , and for three days after their fevers break .
Almost a third of the facility deaths are in seven homes with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 facilities that have reported cases have no fatalities , but it can take weeks to progress from a positive test to life-threatening symptoms , so it ’ s not clear how many will remain so fortunate .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

New state data shows 323 residents of nursing homes and other health care facilities in Colorado are believed to have died of COVID-19, an 84% increase over the death total announced just a week ago.
The number of cases in long-term care facilities more than doubled, from 632 as of April 15 to 1,274 as of Wednesday, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. An additional 30 facilities reported cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of health care-related outbreaks to 109.
About three-quarters of the deaths were confirmed by lab testing, and the others were presumed to have had the new coronavirus based on their symptoms. Some of the sharp increase could be due to delays in reporting the deaths to the state.
Statewide, 508 people have died of the new virus as of the most recent data released Wednesday. That means roughly three out of every five people who had died was a resident of a nursing home, assisted living center or similar facility, even though only about 12% of reported cases were in people living in health facilities.
A week before, residents of long-term care facilities accounted for only about 8% of all COVID-19 cases in Colorado, but nearly half of deaths.
The data also showed the first recorded death of a facility staff member. The person worked at Julia Temple Healthcare Center, a nursing home in Englewood, but no other information was released.
The increase in cases and deaths came a day after a new state order tightened infection control rules for residential facilities.
Under the new rules, facilities will have to isolate residents who have the new coronavirus, and require all employees to wear masks. Residents who leave the facility for medical care or other reasons will be required to wear a mask while in public.
Facilities will have to submit a plan to prevent cases of the new virus, and stop any existing infections from spreading, by May 1. The plan will have to require residents to stay in isolation for 10 days after developing symptoms, and for three days after their fevers break.
Almost a third of the facility deaths are in seven homes with the highest tolls:
Cherry Creek Nursing Center, Aurora: 68 cases, 24 deaths
Centennial Healthcare Center, Greeley: 38 cases, 19 deaths
Columbine Northshore, Loveland: 42 cases, 14 deaths
Fairacres Manor, Greeley: 38 cases, 12 deaths
Juniper Village, Aurora: 36 cases, 10 deaths
Winslow Court, Colorado Springs: 23 cases, 10 deaths
Laurel Manor, Colorado Springs: 17 cases, 10 deaths
So far, 29 facilities that have reported cases have no fatalities, but it can take weeks to progress from a positive test to life-threatening symptoms, so it’s not clear how many will remain so fortunate.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-04-22--Vail Resorts, Alterra hit by class-action lawsuits from angry passholders

The two Colorado titans of the ski industry , Broomfield-based Vail Resorts and Alterra Mountain Company , based in Denver , are facing class-action lawsuits filed by disgruntled pass-holders seeking refunds because both companies shut down North American operations a month early due to the coronavirus .
One suit was filed on April 14 in U.S. District Court in Denver against Alterra and its subsidiary , Ikon Pass , by Robert Stephen Kramer , a resident of Villa Park , Calif. “ Despite not providing the promised skiing access , Defendants did not offer a refund ( or even partial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kramer lawsuit says .
“ Instead , Defendants kept all of skiers ’ money .
With hundreds of thousands of pass-holders , this amounts to tens of millions ( or more ) in unjust profits .
Plaintiff brings this case on behalf of himself and the hundreds of thousands of skiers who purchased Ikon ski passes for the 2019-2020 ski season , but did not get the full benefits they paid for .
Plaintiff seeks fair and reasonable compensation for Ikon pass-holders.
” Another suit was filed April 10 against Vail Resorts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a resident of San Ramon , Calif. That suit , filed in U.S. District Court in Northern California , says Vail Resorts “ has made the unconscionable decision to retain its millions of customers pass-holder fees while closing 100 % of its mountain resorts as the novel coronavirus , COVID-19 , rages throughout the world and the United States economy has gone into a deep recession.
” Spokeswomen for both companies said they could not comment on pending litigation .
Both companies have long-standing policies that their passes are “ non-refundable.
” Buyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through third parties at the time of purchase .
The Kramer lawsuit seeks damages , arguing “ it would be unjust for Defendants to retain all pass fees , when Defendants failed to provide resort access for a substantial portion of the ski season.
” The Hunt suit asks for “ compensatory and punitive damages ” and “ an order of restitution and all other forms of equitable monetary relief.
” While not commenting on litigation , Vail Resorts spokeswoman Johnna Muscente noted that purchases of Epic Passes received an email from chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , acknowledging their “ frustrations ” and adding that the company was “ committed to identifying an approach that acknowledges this past season and retains your loyalty for the future.
” The Vail letter , which says nothing about refunds , promised more information by the end of April .
Muscente said the company “ remains on track ” to do so .
“ We have a wide-ranging portfolio of pass products , ” Muscente said , “ and want to ensure any action that we take considers them all.
” Alterra has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ double renewal discounts for next year ’ s passes as a result of the shortened season .
It also extended the deadline for early renewals and extended the payment plan deadline for next year ’ s passes .
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter , The Adventurist , to get outdoors news sent straight to your inbox .

The two Colorado titans of the ski industry, Broomfield-based Vail Resorts and Alterra Mountain Company, based in Denver, are facing class-action lawsuits filed by disgruntled pass-holders seeking refunds because both companies shut down North American operations a month early due to the coronavirus.
One suit was filed on April 14 in U.S. District Court in Denver against Alterra and its subsidiary, Ikon Pass, by Robert Stephen Kramer, a resident of Villa Park, Calif.
“Despite not providing the promised skiing access, Defendants did not offer a refund (or even partial refund) on passes,” the Kramer lawsuit says. “Instead, Defendants kept all of skiers’ money. With hundreds of thousands of pass-holders, this amounts to tens of millions (or more) in unjust profits. Plaintiff brings this case on behalf of himself and the hundreds of thousands of skiers who purchased Ikon ski passes for the 2019-2020 ski season, but did not get the full benefits they paid for. Plaintiff seeks fair and reasonable compensation for Ikon pass-holders.”
Another suit was filed April 10 against Vail Resorts and its Epic Pass by Brian Hunt, a resident of San Ramon, Calif. That suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Northern California, says Vail Resorts “has made the unconscionable decision to retain its millions of customers pass-holder fees while closing 100% of its mountain resorts as the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, rages throughout the world and the United States economy has gone into a deep recession.”
Spokeswomen for both companies said they could not comment on pending litigation. Both companies have long-standing policies that their passes are “non-refundable.” Buyers are encouraged to opt for pass insurance through third parties at the time of purchase in case they are unable to use their passes.
The Kramer lawsuit seeks damages, arguing “it would be unjust for Defendants to retain all pass fees, when Defendants failed to provide resort access for a substantial portion of the ski season.” The Hunt suit asks for “compensatory and punitive damages” and “an order of restitution and all other forms of equitable monetary relief.”
While not commenting on litigation, Vail Resorts spokeswoman Johnna Muscente noted that purchases of Epic Passes received an email from chief marketing officer Kirsten Lynch on March 25, acknowledging their “frustrations” and adding that the company was “committed to identifying an approach that acknowledges this past season and retains your loyalty for the future.”
The Vail letter, which says nothing about refunds, promised more information by the end of April. Muscente said the company “remains on track” to do so.
“We have a wide-ranging portfolio of pass products,” Muscente said, “and want to ensure any action that we take considers them all.”
Alterra has not offered refunds, but it did double renewal discounts for next year’s passes as a result of the shortened season. It also extended the deadline for early renewals and extended the payment plan deadline for next year’s passes.
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Adventurist, to get outdoors news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-04-22--WATCH: Denver sights during the novel coronavirus stay-at-home order

Photojournalist Hyoung Chang examines the Denver metro area from the air and on the ground during the statewide stay-at-home order @ @ @ @ @ novel coronavirus .
In a city normally bustling with activity , both foot and vehicle @ @ @ @ @

Photojournalist Hyoung Chang examines the Denver metro area from the air and on the ground during the statewide stay-at-home order due to concerns from the novel coronavirus. In a city normally bustling with activity, both foot and vehicle traffic have diminished considerably.


thedenverpost--2020-04-22--Role of Broncos’ IT department during NFL draft: “100% help desk”

Since joining the Broncos in 2008 , senior vice president of information technology Russ Trainor ’ s biggest logistical challenge has been outfitting the team ’ s Super Bowl 50 hotel in Santa Clara , Calif. , for a week-long stay .
“ Super Bowl prep is pretty intense because you need to have everything squared away and you ’ re working to win that game so that was more blood pressure-boiling if you will , ” he said .
Since the coronavirus pandemic shut the doors of every NFL facility , the onus has been on the IT staffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , coaches and scouts can enter this week ’ s draft confident in their at-home technology .
“ This is new , ” Trainor said in a phone interview with The Post on Wednesday .
“ We haven ’ t done it before .
The league hasn ’ t done it before.
” The Broncos are scheduled to pick 15th in Thursday ’ s first round , which gives them at least two hours to observe the mechanics of the selection and trading processes .
During the draft , Trainor will be at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of football information systems Tony Lazzaro will be at general manager John Elway ’ s house .
“ We ’ re turning into a 100 percent help desk over the weekend , ” Trainor said .
“ I ’ ll probably be 10 , 12 , 15 feet away from Vic and I ’ ll have my mask on and if he hollers , I ’ ll be there quickly to assist.
” Trainor said Elway has nine computer/television screens set up at his house .
Trainor and his staff assembled eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , director of player personnel Matt Russell , director of pro personnel A.J .
Durso , director of college scouting Brian Stark , vice president of football administrator Rich Hurtado , director of team administrator Mark Thewes and director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos .
“ They did a great job of helping us define what tools worked best for them , ” Trainor said .
“ We gave them different options and they chose what they wanted .
Even ( on Tuesday ) , we changed one thing around from a work-flow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good about latching onto the tech and working with it.
” The scouts who live throughout the country and the assistant coaches also have home set-ups provided by video director Steve Boxer .
On March 12 , Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis gave employees the option of working from home .
On March 24 , commissioner Roger Goodell ordered the closing of all team facilities .
“ I give Joe kudos because he pushed us to get our wheels turning , ” Trainor said .
“ It was getting the dominoes rolling — get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the business side ( from home ) and then we were able to switch gears quickly for the draft .
We had a decent time for the setup.
” Trainor said nearly all of the equipment at the homes of Broncos employees came from the team facility so there wasn ’ t a big cost component to the challenge .
“ We purchased a few small things , like a microphone or a new iPad , but we pilfered a lot from our offices — computers , tables , that kind of thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Broncos have consulted weekly with teams in the other professional leagues to exchange ideas ( what ’ s working/not working ) and progress reports and have also taken measures to make sure the team ’ s computer system isn ’ t breached .
“ The league pushed the clubs to make sure things are secure and even ( Wednesday ) , we talked about some of our firewall tuning and tweaking , ” he said .
“ We want our system to be as secure as possible .
There are always cyber @ @ @ @ @ @

Since joining the Broncos in 2008, senior vice president of information technology Russ Trainor’s biggest logistical challenge has been outfitting the team’s Super Bowl 50 hotel in Santa Clara, Calif., for a week-long stay.
“Super Bowl prep is pretty intense because you need to have everything squared away and you’re working to win that game so that was more blood pressure-boiling if you will,” he said.
The past month is a close runner-up.
Since the coronavirus pandemic shut the doors of every NFL facility, the onus has been on the IT staffs of each team to make sure executives, coaches and scouts can enter this week’s draft confident in their at-home technology.
“This is new,” Trainor said in a phone interview with The Post on Wednesday. “We haven’t done it before. The league hasn’t done it before.”
The Broncos are scheduled to pick 15th in Thursday’s first round, which gives them at least two hours to observe the mechanics of the selection and trading processes. During the draft, Trainor will be at coach Vic Fangio’s house and director of football information systems Tony Lazzaro will be at general manager John Elway’s house.
“We’re turning into a 100 percent help desk over the weekend,” Trainor said. “I’ll probably be 10, 12, 15 feet away from Vic and I’ll have my mask on and if he hollers, I’ll be there quickly to assist.”
Trainor said Elway has nine computer/television screens set up at his house.
Trainor and his staff assembled eight home draft hubs: Elway, Fangio, director of player personnel Matt Russell, director of pro personnel A.J. Durso, director of college scouting Brian Stark, vice president of football administrator Rich Hurtado, director of team administrator Mark Thewes and director of sports medicine Steve Antonopulos.
“They did a great job of helping us define what tools worked best for them,” Trainor said. “We gave them different options and they chose what they wanted. Even (on Tuesday), we changed one thing around from a work-flow perspective. They’ve been very good about latching onto the tech and working with it.”
The scouts who live throughout the country and the assistant coaches also have home set-ups provided by video director Steve Boxer.
On March 12, Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis gave employees the option of working from home. On March 24, commissioner Roger Goodell ordered the closing of all team facilities.
“I give Joe kudos because he pushed us to get our wheels turning,” Trainor said. “It was getting the dominoes rolling — get people safe, get them going on the business side (from home) and then we were able to switch gears quickly for the draft. We had a decent time for the setup.”
Trainor said nearly all of the equipment at the homes of Broncos employees came from the team facility so there wasn’t a big cost component to the challenge.
“We purchased a few small things, like a microphone or a new iPad, but we pilfered a lot from our offices — computers, tables, that kind of thing,” he said.
Trainor said the Broncos have consulted weekly with teams in the other professional leagues to exchange ideas (what’s working/not working) and progress reports and have also taken measures to make sure the team’s computer system isn’t breached.
“The league pushed the clubs to make sure things are secure and even (Wednesday), we talked about some of our firewall tuning and tweaking,” he said. “We want our system to be as secure as possible. There are always cyber bad guys out there.”


thedenverpost--2020-04-23--Colorado’s greatest athlete bracket — recapping Elite 8, previewing Final Four

And then there were four .
The Elite Eight round of The Denver Post ’ s Greatest Athlete in Colorado History championship bracket came to a close Wednesday , seeing some juggernauts of the Centennial State ’ s sports world tumble .
Here ’ s a look at the results and a preview of the Final Four : • 1 .
Nolan Arenado ( 52.44 % ) d. 2 .
Larry Walker ( 47.56 % ) It was a battle between the Rockies ’ biggest star of the ’ 90s against the team ’ s prized standout today .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came out on top .
He is the only active athlete remaining in the tournament .
• 1 .
John Elway ( 79.93 % ) d. 7 .
Terrell Davis ( 20.07 % ) Davis may have been the missing piece that lifted the Broncos to their first two Super Bowl victories , but voters made it clear that this is Elwaytown , Colorado .
• 3 .
Joe Sakic ( 51.72 % ) d. 1 .
Peter Forsberg ( 48.28 % ) In the closest matchup of this round , the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But in the end it was the captain , “ Super ” Joe Sakic who conquered Peter the Great to advance .
• 1 .
Chauncey Billups ( 57.92 % ) d. 2 .
Alex English ( 42.08 % ) English was lighting up the scoreboard when Billups was just a tyke , but it was a strong victory for the King of Park Hill .
• 1 .
Nolan Arenado vs. 3 .
Joe Sakic The home-run-hitting , Gold-Glove-winning Rockies perennial all-star third baseman goes mano-a-mano against the highly decorated , long-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elway vs. 1 .
Chauncey Billups Will the Duke of Denver reign supreme or is this truly the King of Park Hill ’ s court ?
The Final Four starts now .
Tap here to vote .
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And then there were four.
The Elite Eight round of The Denver Post’s Greatest Athlete in Colorado History championship bracket came to a close Wednesday, seeing some juggernauts of the Centennial State’s sports world tumble. Here’s a look at the results and a preview of the Final Four:
Under the Sun quadrant
Fourth-round results:
1. Nolan Arenado (52.44%) d. 2. Larry Walker (47.56%)
It was a battle between the Rockies’ biggest star of the ’90s against the team’s prized standout today. With a narrow margin of victory, Arenado came out on top. He is the only active athlete remaining in the tournament.
Gridiron quadrant
Fourth-round results:
1. John Elway (79.93%) d. 7. Terrell Davis (20.07%)
Davis may have been the missing piece that lifted the Broncos to their first two Super Bowl victories, but voters made it clear that this is Elwaytown, Colorado.
Water and Ice quadrant
Fourth-round results:
3. Joe Sakic(51.72%) d. 1. Peter Forsberg (48.28%)
In the closest matchup of this round, the two Avalanche legends went blow for blow. But in the end it was the captain, “Super” Joe Sakic who conquered Peter the Great to advance.
In the Arena quadrant
Fourth-round results:
1. Chauncey Billups (57.92%) d. 2. Alex English (42.08%)
English was lighting up the scoreboard when Billups was just a tyke, but it was a strong victory for the King of Park Hill.
Final Four preview
1. Nolan Arenado vs. 3. Joe Sakic
The home-run-hitting, Gold-Glove-winning Rockies perennial all-star third baseman goes mano-a-mano against the highly decorated, long-time Avalanche captain.
The home-run-hitting, Gold-Glove-winning Rockies perennial all-star third baseman goes mano-a-mano against the highly decorated, long-time Avalanche captain. 1. John Elway vs. 1. Chauncey Billups
Will the Duke of Denver reign supreme or is this truly the King of Park Hill’s court?
The Final Four starts now. Tap here to vote.
— Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post
If you enjoy the Denver Sports Omelette, tell a friend it’s easy to sign up here for our daily sports roundup. If you have any questions or suggestions, hit me up on Twitter @joenguyen or by email.
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Ask The Experts
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thedenverpost--2020-04-23--As coronavirus precautions shift from government order to individual choice, how will Coloradans liv

As coronavirus precautions shift from government order to individual choice, how will Coloradans live?

Darlene Zwolinski ’ s monthly sales dropped from $ 10,000 to $ 1,200 in March when she closed up her acupuncture practice as the novel coronavirus swept into Colorado and prompted a statewide stay-at-home order .
Now , she ’ s preparing to reopen , but said the practice will look different than before .
She ’ ll wear a mask and ask clients to do the same .
She ’ ll use paper on her tables instead of sheets , sanitize surfaces more frequently and stagger clients ’ appointments so no one bumps into each other in the waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think people can be protected until we have a vaccine or antibody tests , ” she said .
“ I think this will be how I run my practice until then.
” As the state prepares to lift its stay-at-home Sunday , officials warned that a phased approach to reopening the economy will be required , and Coloradans will need to maintain some level of social distancing for months to avoid a second wave of coronavirus infections .
But with the state mandate lifting , the impetus for taking those precautions now moves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jared Polis said this week .
How that will look varies from person to person .
Some are ready to jump back into life as normal when the order lifts , but others are prepared to avoid pre-coronavirus activities like eating out or going to the movies for several months , or longer .
Andy Gerber , a 54-year-old IT worker at a large health care company who lives in Denver , said he plans to work remotely for the foreseeable future , and that he ’ ll limit other day-to-day activities as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hairdresser or going to the gym .
A season-ticket holder for the Colorado Symphony , it ’ s tough to imagine returning to another concert this year , he said , even if performances restart .
“ It will depend on what infection rates look like , ” he said , adding that it ’ d be different if he could take an antibody test to see if he ’ s already had the virus and recovered , potentially developing some immunity .
Harvard University researchers estimated this month people around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some degree into 2022 as the virus makes seasonal rounds through the population , unless hospital capacity is increased or a treatment or vaccine is developed for the novel coronavirus .
Without such measures , Gerber said he ’ ll continue to be cautious .
“ I am planning to take it very carefully , ” he said , adding that for him , one of the first steps to returning to normalcy will be spending time with friends again .
“ Maybe a BBQ in the back yard where we are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
I don ’ t know , it ’ s scary stuff.
” He ’ s not alone in that attitude .
A recent poll by Seton Hall University in New Jersey found that nearly three out of four Americans said they would not attend major sporting events before a vaccine is developed .
Of 46 responses to a Denver Post query , most said they ’ d take extra precautions even after the stay-at-home order lifts , including working from home , avoiding restaurants and large gatherings , and canceling summer trips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to life as normal as soon as possible , without taking any additional precautions .
“ If a restaurant was open today I ’ d be having dinner at a restaurant , ” Randy Ketner , a 60-year-old in Aurora , said .
“ If a bar was open , I ’ d be sitting there having a drink with friends.
” He feels the statewide stay-at-home order was too restrictive and an overreaction to the pandemic .
He ’ d like to see vulnerable people , like those who are older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home to avoid overloading the health care system while others mingle to develop “ herd immunity.
” “ We ’ re all getting it , ” he said .
“ Might as well get out there and get it over with.
” He ’ s planning to get married June 10 in Italy , a trip he still hopes to make , even though most guests have said they can ’ t attend .
“ It ’ s not necessarily a matter of keeping the date , ” he said .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to go to Italy .
To me it ’ s like my second home .
And we don ’ t see what ’ s going on as a reason not to go.
” The state ’ s phased approach to reopening reflects a need to balance residents ’ health against mounting economic devastation , said Colorado Health Institute CEO Michele Lueck .
“ If we have this really damaged economy , that too is going to take lives , that too is going to create sickness within the population , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a longer , more dotted line to suboptimal health outcomes , but at some point we ’ re going to have to weigh what the impact to our health and economic environment is to be on stay at home orders versus the longer term impact of having a closed society .
They ’ re both detrimental to the health of Coloradans.
” For 25-year-old Dominique Miles , in Crested Butte , the coronavirus and shutdown upended her life so much that it ’ s difficult to even picture a return to normalcy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado from Tulsa in late October , using much of their savings on the move and some subsequent surprise veterinarian care for their dogs .
She ’ s an artist , and he works in restaurants .
When the novel coronavirus hit , the art festivals where Miles sells her jewelry shut down .
Art galleries closed .
Her fiance was laid off from his restaurant job .
Now , they ’ re scraping by , living with reduced rent at the resort where her fiance worked , and hoping to stay there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might have to leave Crested Butte and Colorado all together , Miles said .
“ All of them are canceled if we can ’ t find work , ” she said .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

Darlene Zwolinski’s monthly sales dropped from $10,000 to $1,200 in March when she closed up her acupuncture practice as the novel coronavirus swept into Colorado and prompted a statewide stay-at-home order.
Now, she’s preparing to reopen, but said the practice will look different than before. She’ll wear a mask and ask clients to do the same. She’ll use paper on her tables instead of sheets, sanitize surfaces more frequently and stagger clients’ appointments so no one bumps into each other in the waiting room.
“I don’t think people can be protected until we have a vaccine or antibody tests,” she said. “I think this will be how I run my practice until then.”
As the state prepares to lift its stay-at-home Sunday, officials warned that a phased approach to reopening the economy will be required, and Coloradans will need to maintain some level of social distancing for months to avoid a second wave of coronavirus infections. But with the state mandate lifting, the impetus for taking those precautions now moves from government to individuals, Gov. Jared Polis said this week.
How that will look varies from person to person. Some are ready to jump back into life as normal when the order lifts, but others are prepared to avoid pre-coronavirus activities like eating out or going to the movies for several months, or longer.
Andy Gerber, a 54-year-old IT worker at a large health care company who lives in Denver, said he plans to work remotely for the foreseeable future, and that he’ll limit other day-to-day activities as well, like grocery shopping, visiting the hairdresser or going to the gym.
A season-ticket holder for the Colorado Symphony, it’s tough to imagine returning to another concert this year, he said, even if performances restart.
“It will depend on what infection rates look like,” he said, adding that it’d be different if he could take an antibody test to see if he’s already had the virus and recovered, potentially developing some immunity.
Harvard University researchers estimated this month people around the world will need to social distance to some degree into 2022 as the virus makes seasonal rounds through the population, unless hospital capacity is increased or a treatment or vaccine is developed for the novel coronavirus.
Without such measures, Gerber said he’ll continue to be cautious.
“I am planning to take it very carefully,” he said, adding that for him, one of the first steps to returning to normalcy will be spending time with friends again. “Maybe a BBQ in the back yard where we are not sitting in a room with closed windows? I don’t know, it’s scary stuff.”
He’s not alone in that attitude. A recent poll by Seton Hall University in New Jersey found that nearly three out of four Americans said they would not attend major sporting events before a vaccine is developed.
Of 46 responses to a Denver Post query, most said they’d take extra precautions even after the stay-at-home order lifts, including working from home, avoiding restaurants and large gatherings, and canceling summer trips. Eleven people said they plan to return to life as normal as soon as possible, without taking any additional precautions.
“If a restaurant was open today I’d be having dinner at a restaurant,” Randy Ketner, a 60-year-old in Aurora, said. “If a bar was open, I’d be sitting there having a drink with friends.”
He feels the statewide stay-at-home order was too restrictive and an overreaction to the pandemic. He’d like to see vulnerable people, like those who are older or who have underlying conditions, stay home to avoid overloading the health care system while others mingle to develop “herd immunity.”
“We’re all getting it,” he said. “Might as well get out there and get it over with.”
He’s planning to get married June 10 in Italy, a trip he still hopes to make, even though most guests have said they can’t attend.
“It’s not necessarily a matter of keeping the date,” he said. “It’s a matter of, I want to go to Italy. To me it’s like my second home. And we don’t see what’s going on as a reason not to go.”
The state’s phased approach to reopening reflects a need to balance residents’ health against mounting economic devastation, said Colorado Health Institute CEO Michele Lueck.
“If we have this really damaged economy, that too is going to take lives, that too is going to create sickness within the population,” she said, adding, “It may be a longer, more dotted line to suboptimal health outcomes, but at some point we’re going to have to weigh what the impact to our health and economic environment is to be on stay at home orders versus the longer term impact of having a closed society. They’re both detrimental to the health of Coloradans.”
For 25-year-old Dominique Miles, in Crested Butte, the coronavirus and shutdown upended her life so much that it’s difficult to even picture a return to normalcy.
She and her fiance moved to Colorado from Tulsa in late October, using much of their savings on the move and some subsequent surprise veterinarian care for their dogs. She’s an artist, and he works in restaurants.
When the novel coronavirus hit, the art festivals where Miles sells her jewelry shut down. Art galleries closed. Her fiance was laid off from his restaurant job. Now, they’re scraping by, living with reduced rent at the resort where her fiance worked, and hoping to stay there until mid-May.
After that, they might have to leave Crested Butte and Colorado all together, Miles said.
As for summer plans?
“All of them are canceled if we can’t find work,” she said.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-04-23--Nuggets exit interview: Monte Morris’ steady hand indispensable component of Denver’s success

EDITOR ’ S NOTE : One of a series of Nuggets player evaluations for the 2019-20 regular season , which would have concluded April 14 .
Evaluations done so far : Jamal Murray , Gary Harris , Will Barton , Paul Millsap , Nikola Jokic , Michael Porter Jr. , Jerami Grant .
In just his second full season , backup point guard Monte Morris has grown into one of the most indispensable voices in the Nuggets locker room .
If it ’ s insight into a play or sequence , Morris can describe it .
If it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can diplomatically peel back the curtain .
He ’ s the rare player who has the utmost respect of his teammates and yet is still honest and candid with the media .
Midway through this season , which may never come to a satisfying conclusion , Morris revealed a number that had nagged at him since last postseason : 0-for-13 .
That was his hit rate from 3-point range during last year ’ s postseason run .
Though Morris wasn ’ t entirely healthy as the Nuggets made their second-round playoff push , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In fact , Morris admitted he didn ’ t sleep well during the playoffs because he knew he was better than what he ’ d shown .
That was the backdrop heading into this season .
Morris was determined to have the stamina for the whole year and be a knockdown 3-point shooter , like he was last season .
His task – running the second unit – was made even more challenging considering the revolving door of players he had to mesh with .
He also intended to be accountable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ eviscerated Denver ’ s defense in November , it was a humbling loss that left the locker room fuming .
“ The head coach shouldn ’ t have to come ( and get ) into guys that have been around and know what our expectations are , ” Morris said after the loss .
“ … And he should be mad at us .
We should be mad at ourselves.
” On the court , for the first month and a half , Morris struggled to galvanize all the second unit ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new to the team and the backup small forward job was being split among Torrey Craig , Juancho Hernangomez and Michael Porter Jr. Reserve shooting guard Malik Beasley bounced in and out of the lineup , and the Nuggets struggled to define their rotations , which impacted Morris .
By December , Morris was knocking down his 3-pointers at a 40 % clip .
In January , as a result of Jamal Murray ’ s ankle injury , he was thrust into starting duties where he guided a handful of signature wins .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , again , made him one of the league leaders in assist/turnover ratio at 5.11 .
Murray ’ s injury ( he missed 10 games ) gave Morris a more prominent voice , too .
After a loss to Houston , in which the Nuggets were down three starters and five key players , Morris underscored that their depth shouldn ’ t matter .
“ When we left the locker room , we wanted to win , ” he said .
“ We aren ’ t just going out there feeling sorry for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frustration while also speaking for the team .
No amount of excuses was going to be permissible .
It ’ s perhaps with that attitude in mind that the Nuggets , two weeks later , pulled off signature wins in Milwaukee and Utah .
The latter , of course , came with just seven players .
Whatever fortitude the Nuggets had , Morris was an integral part of it .
It ’ s why , in the wake of their embarrassing loss to the Clippers to end February , Morris was one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke hard truths that night about what had been said in the locker room , but things that needed to be addressed nonetheless .
He talked about their composure , their internal accountability and how their championship aspirations were fruitless unless they showed up against elite opponents .
They were all salient points .
If the season doesn ’ t return , Morris had a productive year on a number of fronts .
And you can bet the house that he ’ s dying to rectify that 3-point playoff number that kept him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s take : “ Steady backup PG .
Smart , simple playmaker .
Takes care of the ball and doesn ’ t turn it over .
Doesn ’ t need the ball to be impactful though .
Proven shooter .
Limited defensively due to lack of size .
Would like to see him use his quickness to be more of a pest on the ball.
” * Scouts from opposing teams requested anonymity so they could share their unvarnished opinion of players .

EDITOR’S NOTE: One of a series of Nuggets player evaluations for the 2019-20 regular season, which would have concluded April 14. Evaluations done so far: Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Will Barton, Paul Millsap, Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr., Jerami Grant.
In just his second full season, backup point guard Monte Morris has grown into one of the most indispensable voices in the Nuggets locker room.
If it’s insight into a play or sequence, Morris can describe it. If it’s the pulse of the team, Morris can diplomatically peel back the curtain. He’s the rare player who has the utmost respect of his teammates and yet is still honest and candid with the media.
Midway through this season, which may never come to a satisfying conclusion, Morris revealed a number that had nagged at him since last postseason: 0-for-13.
That was his hit rate from 3-point range during last year’s postseason run. Though Morris wasn’t entirely healthy as the Nuggets made their second-round playoff push, it was a stat that irked him. In fact, Morris admitted he didn’t sleep well during the playoffs because he knew he was better than what he’d shown.
That was the backdrop heading into this season. Morris was determined to have the stamina for the whole year and be a knockdown 3-point shooter, like he was last season. His task – running the second unit – was made even more challenging considering the revolving door of players he had to mesh with.
He also intended to be accountable. When Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks eviscerated Denver’s defense in November, it was a humbling loss that left the locker room fuming.
“The head coach shouldn’t have to come (and get) into guys that have been around and know what our expectations are,” Morris said after the loss. “… And he should be mad at us. We should be mad at ourselves.”
On the court, for the first month and a half, Morris struggled to galvanize all the second unit’s moving parts.
Jerami Grant was still new to the team and the backup small forward job was being split among Torrey Craig, Juancho Hernangomez and Michael Porter Jr. Reserve shooting guard Malik Beasley bounced in and out of the lineup, and the Nuggets struggled to define their rotations, which impacted Morris.
By December, Morris was knocking down his 3-pointers at a 40% clip. In January, as a result of Jamal Murray’s ankle injury, he was thrust into starting duties where he guided a handful of signature wins. His steady play and savvy decision making, again, made him one of the league leaders in assist/turnover ratio at 5.11. Murray’s injury (he missed 10 games) gave Morris a more prominent voice, too.
After a loss to Houston, in which the Nuggets were down three starters and five key players, Morris underscored that their depth shouldn’t matter.
“When we left the locker room, we wanted to win,” he said. “We aren’t just going out there feeling sorry for ourselves.”
Morris was airing out his frustration while also speaking for the team. No amount of excuses was going to be permissible. It’s perhaps with that attitude in mind that the Nuggets, two weeks later, pulled off signature wins in Milwaukee and Utah. The latter, of course, came with just seven players.
Whatever fortitude the Nuggets had, Morris was an integral part of it. It’s why, in the wake of their embarrassing loss to the Clippers to end February, Morris was one of the few players to speak. He spoke hard truths that night about what had been said in the locker room, but things that needed to be addressed nonetheless. He talked about their composure, their internal accountability and how their championship aspirations were fruitless unless they showed up against elite opponents.
They were all salient points.
If the season doesn’t return, Morris had a productive year on a number of fronts. And you can bet the house that he’s dying to rectify that 3-point playoff number that kept him up at night.
Morris file
Contract status: Second year of three-year, $4.6 million deal
Stats: 8.4 ppg, 3.5 apg, 1.7 rpg
Needs to improve: Strength
*Opposing scout’s take: “Steady backup PG. Smart, simple playmaker. Takes care of the ball and doesn’t turn it over. Doesn’t need the ball to be impactful though. Proven shooter. Limited defensively due to lack of size. Would like to see him use his quickness to be more of a pest on the ball.”
* Scouts from opposing teams requested anonymity so they could share their unvarnished opinion of players.


thedenverpost--2020-04-23--Broncos draft preview: Five picks in first three rounds rarity for franchise, first for John Elway

Ten items for 10 Broncos selections entering the NFL draft , which starts Thursday : 1 .
The Broncos have 10 total picks , including five in rounds 1-3 for the first time in general manager John Elway ’ s tenure and only the third time since 2002 .
Those two drafts produced running back Knowshon Moreno , guard Zane Beadles and receivers Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker .
2 .
How many games does an evaluator watch of a prospect ?
“ It really is player to player , ” Broncos director of player personnel Matt Russell said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times when you can watch 3-4 games and you don ’ t have a great feel for a kid .
There are other times , you watch one half of one game and say , ‘ I ’ ve got this guy ( evaluated ) , ’ but you ’ ll continue to watch 3-5 games .
If I ’ m watching a guy from Alabama , I want to watch him against LSU or Auburn and not a non-conference , lower-level opponent.
” 3 .
The focus for the Broncos , Las @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month was finding help to defend Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes .
The Broncos added cornerback A.J .
Bouye and defensive end Jurrell Casey , the Chargers signed cornerback Chris Harris and defensive tackle Linval Joseph , and the Raiders signed just about everybody — defensive end Carl Nassib , linebackers Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski and safeties Damarious Randall and Jeff Heath .
It will be interesting to see if the draft produces more defensive additions .
4 .
In a normal non-pandemic year , the Broncos ’ draft room is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole time and assistant coaches who go in and out upon request .
“ We ’ ve got all of the area scouts in there , we ’ ve got a cap guy and the trainers in there and we would have our coaches in there if we could fit them in , ” Russell said .
5 .
Another normal that isn ’ t happening – – the trade process .
“ Myself and ( director of college scouting ) Brian Stark will initially go through ( the trade calls ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so many calls , we ’ re answering the phones , working the computer and putting ( proposals ) up on the screen and John is watching all of this .
Ninety-five percent of what you talk about , you never do anything with .
But the 5 % that comes ( close ) to fruition , John will take over the call.
” 6 .
Last year , the Broncos had the No .
10 pick and Russell said talks with Pittsburgh began a “ couple of days before , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No .
15 , the calls may not heat up until after the first 6-8 picks .
“ ( Pittsburgh ) called us right before we were on the clock and we kind of knew where they were going , ” Russell said , referring to linebacker Devin Bush .
“ We talked about and ( projected ) who would still be available ( at No .
20 ) and where we thought we wanted to go with the picks ( received ) .
It worked out perfectly.
” 7 .
The Broncos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
20 and the second-round pick ( No .
52 ) from Pittsburgh helped them move up in round 2 to take quarterback Drew Lock a pick after left guard Dalton Risner .
Was Risner being available at No .
41 a surprise ?
“ A little bit , ” Russell said .
“ We were hopeful he would be there .
He was a targeted guy for us.
” 8 .
And so was Lock .
Russell said trade talks began Friday morning , several hours before the second round started .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lock in the fall and he was probably John ’ s target the whole time , ” Russell said .
“ The draft is a calculated risk , but in looking at it , John felt comfortable that as long as nobody came up , we would get an opportunity ( to draft Lock ) .
” 9 .
Some Elway draft trends ( since 2011 ) : He has made at least six picks each year , the high being 10 selections in 2018 .
… Elway has picked 38 offensive players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
… He has taken 11 offensive linemen , 10 defensive linemen and six receivers .
… From the 2018-19 drafts , 13 of the 16 picks remain under contract .
… The black hole is 2012-16 — only two ( safety Justin Simmons and tight end Jeff Heuerman ) of a combined 37 picks are still on the team .
… The most common colleges are Oklahoma , Ohio State and Arizona State ( three picks apiece ) .
10 .
Most famously ( or infamously ) , Elway has never drafted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just kind of fell that way , ” he said .
“ There ’ s really no reason .
Obviously , we have a great deal of respect for the program that Nick Saban has and the football players they have in their system.
” NEW 💥 If you enjoy The Denver Post ’ s sports coverage , we have a new subscription offer for you !
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Tap here to ask Ryan O ’ Halloran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draft for John Elway , here ’ s what Broncos need to get back in playoffs After 10 years , has John Elway finally figured out the NFL draft ?
Broncos Country better hope so .
Read more… Final mock draft : Trades allow Broncos to make two first-round picks A final projection at how the first round of Thursday ’ s NFL draft will develop .
Read more… Breaking down Broncos ’ options in first round of NFL draft : Go safe ?
Pick for need ?
Or be bold ?
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five in the first three rounds .
Hit on a few of those and maybe they can help end the string of three consecutive losing seasons and put the franchise back in playoff contention .
Read more… + Broncos seven-round mock draft 4.0 : How Denver can revamp its receiving corps and find new left tackle + Who will/who should the Broncos pick at No .
15 ?
The Post ’ s staff makes its predictions + NFL Journal : Several Broncos could see roles changed ( eliminated ? )
during draft + @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up Denver ’ s options at each position + Kiszla vs. O ’ Halloran : Would John Elway be dumb to draft for need in first round ?
+ Keeler : John Elway ’ s 2020 Broncos draft should be guided by two words : Drew Lock + Kiszla : John Elway ’ s riskiest draft choice in 2020 is Drew Lock as right answer at quarterback + Broncos Mailbag : If receiver is bypassed in round 1 of NFL draft , who are some possibilities in round 2 ?
+ Want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ join our closed discussion group on Facebook .
In this packed edition of the First-and-Orange podcast , Denver Post beat writers Kyle Newman and Ryan O ’ Halloran give a comprehensive preview of the Broncos ’ 2020 draft .
Listen here… Role of Broncos ’ IT department during NFL draft : “ 100 % help desk ” Since the coronavirus pandemic shut the doors of every NFL facility , the onus has been on the IT staffs of each team to make sure executives , coaches and scouts can enter this week ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Read more… If you see something that ’ s cause for question or have a comment , thought or suggestion , email me at dboniface @ denverpost.com or tweet me @ danielboniface .

Ten items for 10 Broncos selections entering the NFL draft, which starts Thursday:
1. The Broncos have 10 total picks, including five in rounds 1-3 for the first time in general manager John Elway’s tenure and only the third time since 2002. Those two drafts produced running back Knowshon Moreno, guard Zane Beadles and receivers Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker.
2. How many games does an evaluator watch of a prospect? “It really is player to player,” Broncos director of player personnel Matt Russell said in a February interview. “There are times when you can watch 3-4 games and you don’t have a great feel for a kid. There are other times, you watch one half of one game and say, ‘I’ve got this guy (evaluated),’ but you’ll continue to watch 3-5 games. If I’m watching a guy from Alabama, I want to watch him against LSU or Auburn and not a non-conference, lower-level opponent.”
3. The focus for the Broncos, Las Vegas and the Los Angeles Chargers last month was finding help to defend Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Broncos added cornerback A.J. Bouye and defensive end Jurrell Casey, the Chargers signed cornerback Chris Harris and defensive tackle Linval Joseph, and the Raiders signed just about everybody — defensive end Carl Nassib, linebackers Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski and safeties Damarious Randall and Jeff Heath. It will be interesting to see if the draft produces more defensive additions.
4. In a normal non-pandemic year, the Broncos’ draft room is a combination of people who remain there the whole time and assistant coaches who go in and out upon request. “We’ve got all of the area scouts in there, we’ve got a cap guy and the trainers in there and we would have our coaches in there if we could fit them in,” Russell said.
5. Another normal that isn’t happening – – the trade process. “Myself and (director of college scouting) Brian Stark will initially go through (the trade calls),” Russell said. “You get so many calls, we’re answering the phones, working the computer and putting (proposals) up on the screen and John is watching all of this. Ninety-five percent of what you talk about, you never do anything with. But the 5% that comes (close) to fruition, John will take over the call.”
6. Last year, the Broncos had the No. 10 pick and Russell said talks with Pittsburgh began a “couple of days before,” the draft. This year, sitting at No. 15, the calls may not heat up until after the first 6-8 picks. “(Pittsburgh) called us right before we were on the clock and we kind of knew where they were going,” Russell said, referring to linebacker Devin Bush. “We talked about and (projected) who would still be available (at No. 20) and where we thought we wanted to go with the picks (received). It worked out perfectly.”
7. The Broncos drafted tight end Noah Fant at No. 20 and the second-round pick (No. 52) from Pittsburgh helped them move up in round 2 to take quarterback Drew Lock a pick after left guard Dalton Risner. Was Risner being available at No. 41 a surprise? “A little bit,” Russell said. “We were hopeful he would be there. He was a targeted guy for us.”
8. And so was Lock. Russell said trade talks began Friday morning, several hours before the second round started. “We had gone out and watched Lock in the fall and he was probably John’s target the whole time,” Russell said. “The draft is a calculated risk, but in looking at it, John felt comfortable that as long as nobody came up, we would get an opportunity (to draft Lock).”
9. Some Elway draft trends (since 2011): He has made at least six picks each year, the high being 10 selections in 2018. … Elway has picked 38 offensive players, 31 defensive players and one specialist. … He has taken 11 offensive linemen, 10 defensive linemen and six receivers. … From the 2018-19 drafts, 13 of the 16 picks remain under contract. … The black hole is 2012-16 — only two (safety Justin Simmons and tight end Jeff Heuerman) of a combined 37 picks are still on the team. … The most common colleges are Oklahoma, Ohio State and Arizona State (three picks apiece).
10. Most famously (or infamously), Elway has never drafted a player from Alabama. “It just kind of fell that way,” he said. “There’s really no reason. Obviously, we have a great deal of respect for the program that Nick Saban has and the football players they have in their system.”
— Ryan O’Halloran, The Denver Post
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How to watch
When
Round 1: 6 p.m., Thursday, April 23
6 p.m., Thursday, April 23 Round 2-3: 5 p.m., Friday, April 24
5 p.m., Friday, April 24 Round 4-7: 10 a.m., Saturday, April 25
TV: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes
Ask the Expert
+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Tap here to ask Ryan O’Halloran.
Must-Read
After 10 years, has John Elway finally figured out the NFL draft? Broncos Country better hope so. Read more…
A final projection at how the first round of Thursday’s NFL draft will develop. Read more…
The Broncos have 10 total picks, including five in the first three rounds. Hit on a few of those and maybe they can help end the string of three consecutive losing seasons and put the franchise back in playoff contention. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Broncos seven-round mock draft 4.0: How Denver can revamp its receiving corps and find new left tackle
+ Who will/who should the Broncos pick at No. 15? The Post’s staff makes its predictions
+ NFL Journal: Several Broncos could see roles changed (eliminated?) during draft
+ Broncos NFL draft big board: Sizing up Denver’s options at each position
+ Kiszla vs. O’Halloran: Would John Elway be dumb to draft for need in first round?
+ Keeler: John Elway’s 2020 Broncos draft should be guided by two words: Drew Lock
+ Kiszla: John Elway’s riskiest draft choice in 2020 is Drew Lock as right answer at quarterback
+ Broncos Mailbag: If receiver is bypassed in round 1 of NFL draft, who are some possibilities in round 2?
Broncos Draft Board Profiles
+ Want to chat about the Broncos? Ask to join our closed discussion group on Facebook.
By The Numbers
Ep. 130
In this packed edition of the First-and-Orange podcast, Denver Post beat writers Kyle Newman and Ryan O’Halloran give a comprehensive preview of the Broncos’ 2020 draft. Listen here…
Parting Shot
Since the coronavirus pandemic shut the doors of every NFL facility, the onus has been on the IT staffs of each team to make sure executives, coaches and scouts can enter this week’s draft confident in their at-home technology. Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me @danielboniface.