October 10, 2012

im Tebow gave the Broncos their most exciting season since the days of John Elway. He led the Broncos team to seemingly countless come-from-behind victories. He represented the Broncos organization better than anyone could have imagined. He handled media pressure with ease. He was a fan favorite in Denver as well as in the rest of the country. Tebow led the Broncos to an overtime victory in the rst round of the playoffs against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Denver was embarrassed with a score of 45-10 in the following game against the New England Patriots. Perhaps by watching an elite quarterback like Tom Brady, John Elway had an epiphany. Maybe it was that game he realized that although Tim Tebow is a winner, Tim Tebow is not a champion. It seems pretty obvious that Tim didnt have the skills he needed to be successful in the NFL, said Ben Randall (15). Im glad hes in New York and all of these ignorant fans around me have stopped talking about things they dont know. In the recent years, Super Bowls have been won by the Giants, Saints, Packers, Patriots, and Colts. What do these teams have in common? The answer should be obvious: an elite quarterback. John Elway has recognized that he needs such a quarterback to win a Super Bowl, so he sought out one of these elite quarterbacks: Peyton Manning. Peyton Manning was a little kid in a candy shop this spring. He had three treats he was considering, with one treat being much more enticing than the other two. The sweetest treat I am referring to is the San Francisco 49ers. They are legitimate Super Bowl contenders, and are missing only an elite quarterback to make them the favorites. Peyton, however, felt as if one of the more bitter treats would be the best option. He avoided the Cardinals and chose to come to Denver. Although he probably should have tried to land himself in San Francisco, at least in Denver he is provided with the Elway factor, an adaptable head coach, a decent running game, and young receivers he can mold and develop. Arizona would have put together Larry Fitzgerald and Peyton Manning, said Carlos Juarez (15). That could have been an amazing connection, but I guess Peyton had other plans. There are also some major reasons Peyton Manning should not have chosen the Broncos. Rather, there are some reasons he should not have chosen to play the AFC West. The Chargers have Peyton Mannings number. In ve career games against the Chargers, Manning has gone 1-4,

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What do the Broncos need to be legitimate Super Bowl contenders? As mentioned before, they will need to improve their run defense. Jack Del Rio appears to have made major steps with the defense, but the steps are not large enough. As Willis McGahee is in the twilight of his career and former rst round pick Knowshon Moreno appears to be a bust, the Broncos must either put their faith in Ronnie Hillman or pursue a solid running back. Peyton Manning will also need some time to develop in a new system, as it is not fair to expect immediate success. As Manning improves, so should his two young receivers. While the Chiefs roster is ooded with talent, the Raiders have one of the best running backs in the game, and the Chargers have dominated Manning in the past, one thing is for sure. None of these teams, including the Chargers, have a quarterback that compares to Peyton Manning. People do have a couple good reasons to doubt Peyton Manning. The man is 36 years old, is coming off four neck surgeries, and has decreased velocity when passing. He was also a part of the Colts offensive system for more than ten years and now will be expected to succeed in a whole new system. The Broncos schedule this year will also make it hard for them to even win the division. According to the redzone. org, Denver has the second most difcult schedule in the NFL, based on wins and losses by teams from last year. Their schedule includes the Falcons, Saints, Packers, Bengals, Texans, Steelers, Lions, and Patriots. They will have the challenge of facing eight playoff teams from last season. In the past, Peyton Manning has toyed with opposing defenses and has developed a habit of lighting up the scoreboard. In Denver, Manning will not have the luxury of throwing to Marvin Harrison or Reggie Wayne. Rather, he will have to polish and produce young receivers into productive stars. Peyton Manning may have one wish to win a Super Bowl, but to even make an appearance in the playoffs he will have to compete successfully in the unpredictable AFC West. This division is home to a Chargers team and a Chiefs coach that have buried Manning in the past. It is also home to a Raiders running back that can pose serious problems for Denver. Given the underrated competition in the AFC West, the strength of the Broncos schedule, and the uphill battle Manning will have to face with this new team, the Broncos may not even win their division, much less a Super Bowl. Story by: Seth Armentrout

One team, one trophy, one wish

Peyton Manning directs trafc before a play. Photo provided by broncotalk.net

throwing 10 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. San Diego also knocked Peyton and the Colts out of the playoffs two consecutive years. You think those stats are bad? Lets look at how he has done against Romeo Crennel, Chiefs head coach and defensive coordinator. Peyton has gone 3-6 with nine touchdowns and fourteen interceptions. His career quarterback rating, 94.9, is more than twenty points lower in nine career games against Crennel. Super Bowl chances are also cut down because of the Broncos rushing defense. In a division that includes Darren McFadden, Ryan Matthews, and Jamaal Charles the Broncos may nd themselves being destroyed by these young superstars.

Collin Tabor: future NBA star?

o become a professional athlete it takes enormous amounts of work ethic, discipline, courage and mental toughness. Millions of kids dream of becoming a pro-athlete, but only a select few have the true talent and ambition to accomplish such a goal. One BHS student athlete cared to share his dream of wanting to become a professional basketball player in the NBA. Collin Tabor is a great athlete at BHS for both the football and basketball teams. I have great ambition; I love the game of basketball. I have always dreamed of playing in the NBA and wish that this could happen one day, said Collin. Believing is ones self is a major aspect for an athlete when it comes to being successful. An athlete having great condence in his or her athletic ability and knowledge of the game can help with a sport more than anything, even work ethic and practice in some cases. Collin works very

hard in both his sports and has great passion for both, but above all he does everything in his power to pursue his dreams of being a professional athlete. Even though this is a remote possibliltiy for high school athletes (less than 4% of all high school baskteball players will play professionally, according to the NBA), Collin still works hard to be the best player that he can be and improve his chances of this wish coming true.He knows that there is a will there is a way. Basketball is not just a sport, it is my life. I could play this game for the rest of my life, said Collin. This is the mental mindset that it will take to go far in a sport after high school. College sports and professional sports are no joke and take a great amount of skill on and off the court to be able to contend as a student athlete or professional athlete. The chances of becoming a professional athlete are slim to none but with dreams, courage and great work ethic it is possible to accomplish this goal.

Photo courtesy of Collin Tabor

I will never quit dreaming, no matter the odds, I will stand out and will always keep dreaming, said Collin Tabor. Story by: Nick Garcia

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SPORTS EDITORS: SETH ARMENTROUT AND EVA ZENTENO