Denver Broncos game thread: Honoring Pat Bowlen

With their illustrious longtime owner Pat Bowlen given a great chance, the Denver Broncos have a chance to honor him with a game against the Redskins.

While the focus is on the Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins Friday, longtime Broncos owner Pat Bowlen had a big day Thursday.

Bowlen, who bought the Broncos from Edward Kaiser in 1984, has led the franchise to 348 wins, seven Super Bowl appearances (three wins in the Super Bowl) and only six losing seasons.

For his contributions, the Pro Football Hall of Fame named him as one of two contributor finalists for the class of 2019 at the Canton, Ohio-based museum.

Obviously, an induction for Bowlen would be long overdue and the tradition of excellence he instilled still permeates the Broncos franchise today.

Anyway, the Broncos come into Friday’s game at Landover, MD against the Washington Redskins with the hope of sustained excellence and no further injuries.

In that vein of thought, safety Will Parks is all right after all, long-term anyway. This is per KOA News Radio contributor Justin Adams.

There has been much speculation concerning fellow safety Su’a Cravens, but Vance Joseph, per Aric DiLalla of Broncos digital media, Friday is not the time.

Anyway, my observations from the first two preseason tilts for the Broncos are succinct.

At quarterback, I honestly think the Broncos are fine, provided third-stringer Paxton Lynch is axed.

Speculation has emerged that Lynch may not even play Friday. The third preseason game is, as you know, the dress rehearsal for the starters.

With that said, I’d expect to see starter Case Keenum play at least a half. Afterward, I’d expect to see Chad Kelly extensively.

Kelly, to me, has been the Broncos’ most pleasant preseason surprise. He is 21-of-30 (70 percent completion percentage), 267 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.

Lynch, meanwhile, has done nothing to demonstrate he can handle the immense pressure that playing quarterback for the Broncos is. His meltdown after the 24-23 loss to Chicago last Saturday was particularly telling.

Secondly, the undrafted rookie free agent out of Colorado, Phillip Lindsay, has been dynamic. He is listed as a running back, and I presume this will be how he’s primarily used.

Nevertheless, the Broncos have placed him in the slot as well and he seems to have natural receiver skills.

He reminds me of former Browns/Falcons/Chargers/Cardinals/Panthers/Redskins/Packers star jack-of-all-trades Eric Metcalf.

For you youngsters out there, he was a three-time All-Pro and had 12 career returns for touchdowns.

Here’s some film of Metcalf so you can judge between the two for yourself.

Anyway, the point I make is the skill set is such that defenses have so many things to account for. I think Lindsay absolutely has to be a lock to make the team.

I do realize receiver Carlos Henderson showed up at Dove Valley this week to speak to Broncos administrators but Lindsay and receiver Tim Patrick may make him expendable.

Star meteorologist Melissa Nord of WUSA 9 in Washington D.C., has graciously provided us with a game-time forecast.

Thus, 80 degrees is my perfect temperature and Joseph, of course, hopes for perfect Broncos execution.

In any event, this is your game thread. If any Redskins fans visit, treat them kindly, the Broncos’ way. GO BRONCOS!!!