April 26 2012; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos executive vice president of football operations John Elway speaks following the end of the first round of the NFL Draft at Broncos headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Why read Rhymes with Orange and Blue this week?
I’ll give you more than one good reason.
We’ve got Manning and a draft sneak peek,
Plus Broncos/Ravens to start the season!

Last year’s Bronco offense was not boring.
In fact, they were second in scoring.
“We can play faster” says Peyton Manning.
The other teams should heed his warning!

The NFL schedule was released.
Exciting games for your eyes to feast.
Shannahan’s back from out East.
Peyton in Indy to say the least.

They play the Pats on Sunday Night.
Of course the Ravens in game one.
Their first kick off game will be tight.
This revenge tour is gonna be fun!

Will Manti Te’o be their draftee?
or Georgia’s Alec Ogletree?
Maybe running back Eddie Lacy?
Perhaps a top tier to play DE?

The Broncos want to win now,
at least that’s what they say.
So draft guys that help this year,
and no QB’s on the second day.

On Friday if you go to the bar,
and listen to picks from Gradishar,
who in his day was quite the star,
Don’t let Al Michaels drive your car!

This week we sadly say goodbye
to a great announcer Pat Summerall.
For four of our Bronco Super Bowls
Mr. Summerall had made the call.

Please join us again next Tuesday
when we will examine our new men.
Just maybe if we’re real lucky
Clady will sign a contract by then!

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Lance Ball (35) against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

The Denver Broncos’ official schedule will be released on April 16. We already know who they’re playing. Now we just need to know when they’ll be playing.

Home: Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Baltimore Ravens, Kasas City Chiefs, Oakland Radiers, San Diego Chargers

Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, New England Patriots, Kasas City Chiefs, Oakland Radiers, San Diego Chargers

According to the NFL’s strength of schedule formula, the Broncos have the easiest schedule in the league. That’s thanks in large part to the rest of the AFC West stinking up the division. The NFL calculates its strength of schedule based off of last season’s regular season win-loss totals for the opposition. This coming season, the teams that the Broncos will face had a 110-146 record in 2012.

Just because the Broncos have the “easiest” schedule doesn’t mean that there isn’t a long and tough road ahead. The Broncos will play five playoff teams from last year including the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens. In the last ten seasons, the NFL has had at least four new teams qualify for the playoffs, meaning that the teams didn’t qualify for the playoffs the year before.

The Broncos faced the second most difficult schedule in the league last year, and as we all know they finished 13-3. Needless to say, records from the previous season don’t mean much, especially with the draft where more and more quality impact players come in contributing right away. Look no further than Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III leading the Colts and the Redskins to the playoffs, respectively, in their first year.

There’s no reason the Broncos should take the foot off the gas now. If anything, the “easiest” schedule should translate to “kick them while they’re down.”

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Feb 28, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick waits to start his workout during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. (Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)

The NFL Combine isn’t all about the on-field workouts. It’s about the medical testing, interviews, and psychological testing as much as anything. Yes, the NFL Network covers the workouts, but those don’t begin until Saturday.

Until then, all other activities will focus mostly on players’ work off the field. Additionally, each head coach and GM will speak to the media over the next few days.

Here’s the schedule for that:

Thursday, February 21

10:00 AM Marc Trestman, Chicago Bears Head Coach

10:15 AM Trent Baalke, San Francisco 49ers General Manager

10:30 AM Jim Schwartz, Detroit Lions Head Coach

10:45 AM John Fox, Denver Broncos Head Coach

11:00 AM Phil Emery, Chicago Bears General Manager

11:15 AM Jeff Ireland, Miami Dolphins General Manager

11:30 AM Greg Schiano, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach

11:45 AM Bruce Arians, Arizona Cardinals Head Coach

Noon Kevin Colbert, Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager

12:15 PM Rick Spielman, Minnesota Vikings General Manager

12:30 PM Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers Head Coach

1:00 PM John Schneider, Seattle Seahawks General Manager

1:15 PM Dave Gettleman, Carolina Panthers General Manager

1:30 PM Steve Keim, Arizona Cardinals General Manager

1:45 PM Mike McCoy, San Diego Chargers Head Coach

2:00 PM Tom Telesco, San Diego Chargers General Manager

2:30 PM Chip Kelly, Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach

2:45 PM Howie Roseman, Philadelphia Eagles General Manager

3:00 PM Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach

3:15 PM Ron Rivera, Carolina Panthers Head Coach

3:30 PM Gary Kubiak, Houston Texans Head Coach

3:45 PM Rick Smith, Houston Texans Executive Vice President/General Manager

4:00 PM Rex Ryan, New York Jets Head Coach

4:15 PM John Idzik, New York Jets General Manager

4:30 PM Ryan Grigson, Indianapolis Colts General Manager

Friday, February 22

10:00 AM Rob Chudzinski, Cleveland Browns Head Coach

10:15 AM Mike Smith, Atlanta Falcons Head Coach

10:30 AM Martin Mayhew, Detroit Lions Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager

10:45 AM John Elway, Denver Broncos Executive Vice President of Football Operations

11:00 AM Ted Thompson, Green Bay Packers Executive Vice President, General Manager & Director of Football Operations

11:15 AM Leslie Frazier, Minnesota Vikings Head Coach

11:30 AM Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach

11:45 AM David Caldwell, Jacksonville Jaguars General Manager

Noon Thomas Dimitroff, Atlanta Falcons General Manager

12:15 PM Tom Coughlin, New York Giants Head Coach

12:30 PM Doug Marrone, Buffalo Bills Head Coach

12:45 PM John Dorsey, Kansas City Chiefs General Manager

1:00 PM Les Snead, St. Louis Rams General Manager

1:15 PM Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts Head Coach

2:00 PM Jeff Fisher, St. Louis Rams Head Coach

2:15 PM Dennis Allen, Oakland Raiders Head Coach

3:00 PM Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers Head Coach

4:45 PM Jason Garrett, Dallas Cowboys Head Coach

Saturday, February 23

10:00 AM Jerry Reese, New York Giants Senior Vice President & General Manager

11:45 AM Gus Bradley, Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach

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