Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

IS IT REALLY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND ALREADY!? It seems like only a few weeks ago I was standing alongside rabid Broncos fans in sub-zero temperatures tearing my heart out. I wasn’t thinking about the redemption that comes with a new season but rather lamenting what could and should have been as well as searching for answers… and a heat lamp, perhaps. That was actually over four months ago.

Jack Del Rio said this week that he got “tired of apologizing” for letting fans (who also happen to be neighbors) down back in January. He wasn’t saying that he hadn’t in fact felt sorry or that he hadn’t let Bronco fans down. He acknowledged that and took it a step further stating, “Obviously we let ourselves down first.”

Del Rio’s statement simply places the extremely disappointing events of January 12 in the past… WHERE THEY BELONG! Whether you are as shocked as I am that it’s already summer (well… almost!), it means that football is right around the corner. There is no time to focus on anything but the present and prepare for the future. Besides, in addition to Del Rio’s comments on the events that unfolded in last season’s playoffs, he also stated that Von Miller “can get better”. He can?!

From a statistical standpoint Von Miller’s first two seasons have been incredible. He has already logged 30 sacks! He was on pace to set the single season sack record for much of last year and finished with 18.5. If he makes the same kind of leap in production this year he will ultimately attain the distinction he was so close to in 2012-2013. Also, he’s durable. He’s played in 31 of 32 games despite wearing a cast for almost half of 2011. An improved Miller means an improved defensive overall, of course, and that must be a frightening prospect for the AFC and league as a whole. Simply consider that Denver had a top five defense last season en route to an 11 game win streak and a 13-3 finish.

If Miller gets better that means the additions of Shaun Phillips and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie were a success. It means that suring up the defensve line by re-signing Kevin Vickerson and adding Sylvester Williams and Terrance Knighton created the type of pressure that allowed Miller to pick his spots and make quarterbacks awfully uncomfortable.

Del Rio shouldn’t be apologizing anymore. It’s summer time and preparations for the 2013 season are underway. An improved Von Miller is an exciting prospect for all Bronco fans and the prospects for his improvement are good. The Broncos have made solid off season moves.

Hey, it’s Memorial Day weekend. Whatever you and your family have planned, it shouldn’t be about hanging on to the cold days of winter… it should be about what lies ahead. There is a lot to look forward to. Enjoy your long weekend, Broncos fans. It will be football season before you know it.

Jack Del Rio laughs on the sidelines during the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. (Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)

Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio took the Denver Broncos from being a 24th ranked scoring defense (24.4 points per game) in 2011 to being a 4th ranked scoring defense (18.1 points per game) in 2012. Not to mention, the team finished the season 2nd in yards per game allowed, 1st in sacks, and 3rd in forced fumbles.

It’s a bit surprising then that Del Rio doesn’t have any head coaching interviews lined up this weekend unlike offensive coordinator Mike McCoy who already has four interviews between Saturday and Sunday.

“I’m just busy preparing for the next possible opponent,” Del Rio said following Thursday’s practice. “I have an eye on the playoffs. Like I said, I’m very proud to be the defensive coordinator here. It’s a great spot, it’s a great group of guys that I’m working with, and I’m happy with my job here. At some point in the future, there may be an opportunity to do other things, and if that comes, then I’ll do my best and we’ll see how it goes.”

Del Rio came to Denver after being fired by the Jacksonville Jaguars in November of 2011. During his nine-year tenure, he compiled a 68-73 record in the regular season, and went 1-2 in the playoffs.

Still fresh off of many hard seasons, it’s no wonder that Del Rio is enjoying his time in Denver. In fact, Del Rio is paying money to be with the Broncos, and disguise their defense.

“It has been rejuvenating to be here in Denver, to be part of the organization, be back in the grass teaching,” Del Rio said. “I’ve got a passion for it, [and] that’s why I’m doing it. I’m actually paying to be here, because there are no state taxes in Florida. I could be laying on a beach somewhere making more money (laughing). My brother-in-law said I was an idiot. Whoever passed up laying on a beach and getting paid for it? But I took this job because I wanted to work.”

For the first time in eight seasons, the Broncos likely won’t have to hire a new defensive coordinator.

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Jack and Luke Del Rio at a Nike Camp. (Tom Hauck/ESPNHS)

When one hears the name ‘Del Rio,’ one automatically thinks ‘defense.’ Jack Del Rio played linebacker for 5 different NFL teams from the mid-80′s to the mid-90′s, and he’s the current defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos.

Now people are getting to know an offensive Del Rio. Jack’s son, Luke, is a great high school quarterback who has already committed to play for Oklahoma State next fall. First, he has to put in one last full season of high school football which will be played at Valor Christian High School.

The younger Del Rio’s season begins Friday, but he’s been working heavily with the Broncos this summer to become a better quarterback.

Luke has helped the team in drills, throwing to receivers, and even participated in quarterback drills in which he got to run alongside Peyton Manning.

“I could relate to what he was going through when I was in high school,” Manning said. “Jim Mora, the old head coach of the Saints before he came to the Colts allowed me to go out there and sit in meetings, and actually got to practice with them a little bit, which may have been as nervous as I’ve been in my entire life.”

Manning’s father, Archie, was doing radio for the New Orleans Saints at the time, not to mention he played quarterback there for 14 seasons. Access was immediately granted for the young Manning to work on his game in a way that no other high school player could.

Luke Del Rio has not only taken part in practices on the field, but he’s been able to sit in on meetings too.

“I know this will be great experience for him, just listening to meetings,” Manning said. “That was big for me. Just listening to different ideas on coverages.”

Jack Del Rio and the Manning’s were neighbors while Peyton was growing up in New Orleans, so Manning is happy to do an old friend a favor by mentoring his son.

According to Manning, his experience practicing with an NFL team while still in high school was invaluable.

“I had not thrown to that kind of speed before,” Manning said. “It really helped me when I went to college. I know it will pay dividends for Luke.”

Valor Christian should be a fun team to watch this year.

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