After the Horn

The guys open with Peyton Manning turning 50 and a hilarious Woody Paige story about a blind date with Diane Keaton, setting the tone for a classic episode. They transition into the Nuggets, who are finally healthy but remain wildly unpredictable heading into the playoffs, with matchup concerns—especially against Minnesota—dominating the conversation. The crew questions rotations, bench usage, and whether the team defends well enough to make a real run.

March Madness talk follows, where the lack of Cinderella teams stands out despite an entertaining tournament. The Sweet 16 is loaded with top seeds, and the guys debate contenders like Duke, Arizona, Houston, and potential upset picks, while acknowledging how wide open the field still feels.

The Avalanche segment focuses on playoff expectations, depth, and whether goaltending could become an issue. Despite concerns, the team is viewed as deep, experienced, and aggressive at the trade deadline—continuing a long-standing organizational philosophy.

The conversation shifts to Denver sports history, where Pierre Lacroix is unanimously praised as the greatest executive in the city’s history, followed by a debate over the greatest coaches, including Mike Shanahan, Doug Moe, and Bill McCartney.

The Rockies discussion brings a more sobering tone, with projections around 55 wins and skepticism about the organization’s commitment to winning, despite expected improvement.

The back half of the show adds lighter segments, including a discussion about media consumption habits, flag football, and broader sports viewing trends, before circling back to college basketball relevance in Colorado.

The episode closes with classic banter and a final Woody Paige story, wrapping the show at just over an hour.

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The Broncos shook up their offseason by trading for Jaylen Waddle, but the move sparks immediate debate over value, cost, and whether he truly elevates the offense. The crew questions giving up premium draft capital for a wide receiver and compares the move to other potential options Denver could have pursued. They also examine how this changes the narrative around what had been a quiet offseason and what it means for Sean Payton’s long-term plan.

Shifting to the Nuggets, the conversation turns to a troubling pattern — an inability to close games and inconsistent defense. Despite flashes of dominance, Denver’s late-game execution and defensive lapses raise serious questions about their ability to contend in the playoffs. The panel also breaks down rotations, coaching decisions, and what needs to change before the postseason.

On the ice, the Avalanche are coming off a disappointing performance, but the discussion focuses on the bigger picture — depth, injuries, and whether this team is still a legitimate contender. The crew debates playoff matchups, including potential concerns with teams like Dallas and Minnesota, and what Colorado needs to clean up.

The episode also includes a lively NCAA Tournament discussion with dark horse picks, bracket strategy, and the unpredictability of March Madness. The show wraps with a look at the World Baseball Classic final and what to expect from Team USA vs. Venezuela.

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The Broncos entered the legal tampering period with plenty of cap flexibility, but instead of making a splash they chose to retain much of the roster from a 15-win season. Woody Paige questions why Denver didn’t take advantage of the money freed up from Russell Wilson’s contract situation, while Ron Zappolo argues the biggest mistake teams make in free agency is waiting too long to strike.

From there the conversation turns to the Nuggets and their recent stretch of games. After an ugly performance against the Knicks and a competitive loss to Oklahoma City, the panel examines whether Denver has an answer for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder. The discussion also dives into the physical play Nikola Jokic faces, particularly from Lu Dort, and whether the Nuggets need someone to respond when their superstar gets hit.

The Avalanche are trending in the opposite direction. With Nazem Kadri returning and the team putting together high-level wins over Dallas and Minnesota, Colorado is playing playoff-caliber hockey again. The crew breaks down why the Avs suddenly look dangerous in the Western Conference and why their goaltending stability could be the key to another Cup run.

00:00 Broncos quiet in NFL free agency

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The Nuggets have 20 games left — and the conversation isn’t about seeding anymore, it’s about identity. Are they playing hard enough? Is Nikola Jokic being overworked, underprotected, or both? The crew debates the coaching staff’s adjustments, the non-Jokic minutes problem, and whether Denver is drifting toward the Play-In Tournament instead of contending for another title.

The Avalanche, meanwhile, continue to surge near the top of the NHL standings. But does the Presidents’ Trophy even matter? The guys break down Colorado’s push to finish ahead of Dallas and Minnesota, the flawed NHL playoff format, and whether the Avs should make another aggressive move at the trade deadline. They also discuss Joel Quenneville’s 1,000th career win and the complicated legacy that comes with it.

On the Broncos front, free agency and the draft loom large. Should Denver trade up? Who could be cap casualties worth targeting? And what does Davis Webb taking over play-calling signal about Sean Payton’s willingness to evolve? The conversation shifts into tempo, no-huddle concepts, offensive philosophy, and whether Payton will truly give up control if the offense sputters early.

Plus: George Paton’s contract status, how power is divided inside Dove Valley, and why this offseason could define the Broncos’ next window.

Playoff pressure. Front office politics. Offensive identity shifts. It’s all here on After the Horn.

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Shelby Harris joins Woody Paige, Ron Zappolo and Tom Green as NFL free agency approaches to discuss his future in the league, what he looks for in a head coach after playing under Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland, and why a return to Denver would appeal to both him and his family. The group also dives into the controversy surrounding Olympic hockey’s 3-on-3 overtime format in the USA-Canada gold medal game, debates whether the Olympics still carry the same cultural weight in America, and reflects on how moments from this year’s Games continue to inspire the next generation of athletes. Plus, a closer look at why the NFL Combine may be losing relevance in today’s data-driven evaluation process, how offensive timing impacts pass rushers more than most fans realize, and whether the Denver Nuggets’ loss to a short-handed Warriors team could become a costly wake-up call in the Western Conference playoff race.

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The guys open with Olympic storylines, including the medal race, US–Canada hockey anticipation, and standout athletes before diving into a deeper discussion about pressure, performance, and how athletes like Mikaela Shiffrin and Ilia Malinin handle the biggest stage. They reflect on legacy while paying tribute to Robert Duvall and Jesse Jackson, discussing impact beyond sports. The conversation shifts to whether the NBA finally found the right All-Star format, and what it would take to truly fix the event long term. Finally, it’s full Broncos mode: salary cap flexibility, free agency priorities, tight end and wide receiver targets, and whether splash trades like A.J. Brown make sense for Denver’s future.

00:00 – Olympic medal race and US–Canada hockey preview
05:45 – Avalanche players in the Olympics and standout performances
12:45 – Tribute to Robert Duvall and Jesse Jackson
18:40 – Mikaela Shiffrin, Olympic pressure and athlete mental resilience
21:00 – College basketball surge and CU basketball outlook
36:00 – Ronda Rousey return talk and combat sports discussion
37:10 – NBA All-Star Game format debate and whether it worked
44:00 – Broncos free agency outlook and salary cap flexibility
45:00 – Tight end targets: Isaiah Likely debate
49:00 – Wide receiver options: Alec Pierce, Rasheed Shaheed and more
1:00:05 – Trade rumors: A.J. Brown discussion
1:02:30 – Final thoughts and offseason expectations

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This special edition of After the Horn was recorded immediately after the news broke that Doug Moe had passed away at the age of 87. Woody Paige, Ron Zappolo, and Tom Green share deeply personal reflections on Moe’s career, character, and influence, both professionally and privately. The conversation covers Moe’s ABA roots, his fiery competitiveness, his unforgettable Nuggets tenure, his unique media presence, and the countless stories that defined him — from locker room tirades to golf course pranks to his enduring love for “Big Jane” and his family. More than a coaching résumé, this episode honors Doug Moe the man: loyal friend, relentless competitor, generous mentor, and one of the most beloved figures in Colorado sports history. His banner may hang in Ball Arena, but his legacy lives far beyond numbers and wins. If you knew him, you understand. If you didn’t, this is a window into why he mattered so much.

00:00 – Immediate reaction to Doug Moe’s passing
02:00 – Moe’s colorful life: player, coach, character
05:00 – North Carolina roots & ABA history
07:30 – Personal stories: family, friendship & loyalty
10:45 – The famous Doug Moe competitiveness
15:30 – “When I’m dead, do I give a f—?” – perspective on milestones
18:00 – Courtroom, roasts & radio moments
22:00 – Why Doug transcended sports in Denver
27:00 – Fear of flying & road trip stories
31:30 – The coach players loved (even when he screamed)
37:00 – “Hockey Doug” & the radio years
44:00 – San Antonio, Italy & NBA respect
49:00 – Why everyone felt like Moe’s best friend
52:00 – Banner at Ball Arena & Nuggets legacy
55:00+ – Final reflections & what Doug meant to Colorado

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The Super Bowl conversation opens with immediate reaction to a lopsided game, questioning whether the Patriots were ever truly elite and why Seattle was clearly operating on another level. The panel debates quarterback play, roster construction, and how the postseason exposed teams that benefitted from favorable paths. Attention then turns to the Bad Bunny halftime show and the intense backlash it sparked, leading to a candid discussion about culture, politics, race, and why sports no longer exist in isolation from the broader national conversation.

The show pivots back to football with an early look at the Denver Broncos’ outlook, how wide open the AFC appears heading into next season, and why free agency and coaching changes could dramatically reshape the conference. From there, the conversation moves to the Winter Olympics, including Lindsey Vonn’s final run, American athletes speaking out, and whether the emotional connection to the Games feels different than it once did.

The final stretch focuses on Colorado sports, starting with the Denver Nuggets’ late-game struggles, Nikola Jokic’s unselfishness in crunch time, coaching questions, and the concern that injuries may define the season as the team limps into the All-Star break. The episode wraps with classic After the Horn reflection, humor, and perspective from three longtime voices in Denver sports.

00:00 – Super Bowl reaction: a game over early
03:30 – Patriots’ path, roster gaps & Seattle’s dominance
06:00 – Quarterback play, Drake Maye & playoff exposure
10:00 – Broncos outlook and the wide-open AFC
12:30 – Bad Bunny halftime show and cultural backlash
16:30 – Politics, race, and why sports don’t live in a vacuum
18:00 – Early Broncos expectations for next season
20:30 – Winter Olympics begin & Lindsey Vonn’s final run
23:00 – American athletes speaking out on the world stage
28:00 – Olympic hockey, nationalism & rooting conflicts
32:45 – Nuggets segment begins: frustration building
36:30 – Late-game execution, Jokic’s unselfishness
40:30 – Coaching questions and injury concerns
45:30 – Seeding, road vs home struggles & playoff outlook
52:00 – Broader NBA context before the All-Star break
01:02:00 – Reflections on careers, timing & knowing when to step away
01:18:30 – Final thoughts and show wrap-up

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This Super Bowl week episode opens with perspective on NFL history and the current state of the league before zeroing in on the Broncos’ offseason questions. The panel examines whether Davis Webb’s move to offensive coordinator represents a real shift in play-calling responsibility or simply reinforces Sean Payton’s command, and how that decision affects Bo Nix, locker-room relationships, and long-term organizational balance. The conversation then turns to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with Woody Paige offering firsthand insight into the voting room, the problems created by anonymous ballots, and why transparency matters when evaluating legacies such as Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft, and Mike Shanahan. In the final portion of the show, attention turns to Denver’s winter sports teams, as the Nuggets’ loss to Oklahoma City sparks an honest assessment of Nikola Jokic, the emergence of Peyton Watson, health concerns, and the urgency surrounding the NBA trade deadline, along with discussion of the Avalanche and where both teams fit among true contenders.

00:00 – 02:20 | Super Bowl week open, Barrel Man memories, setting the stage
02:20 – 05:00 | Super Bowl history, media week perspective, league evolution
05:00 – 09:30 | Rooney Rule, minority coaching hires, ownership accountability
09:30 – 19:15 | Pro Football Hall of Fame: transparency, voting flaws, Belichick & Kraft debate
19:15 – 22:15 | Super Bowl matchup outlook and quarterback health
22:15 – 30:00 | Broncos offseason: Davis Webb promotion, Sean Payton, play-calling control
30:00 – 33:30 | Bo Nix, power dynamics, organizational balance, ownership role
33:30 – 36:15 | Broncos roster needs: tight end, wide receiver, salary cap window
36:15 – 39:30 | Sponsor read and transition to winter sports
39:30 – 45:00 | Nuggets vs OKC reality check, Jokic usage, Peyton Watson’s rise
45:00 – 49:30 | Nuggets trade deadline pressure, roster construction, financial realities
49:30 – 53:30 | Peyton Watson’s ceiling, contract reality, and why Denver may not be able to keep him
53:30 – 56:30 | Championship windows, Jokic’s responsibility vs roster limitations
56:30 – 59:30 | Avalanche context, recent results, contender vs pretender discussion
59:30 – End | Final league-wide observations, Denver sports outlook, closing thoughts

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The panel begins by dissecting the Broncos’ AFC Championship loss and whether Sean Payton overvalued and oversold Jarrett Stidham after Bo Nix’s injury. Woody Paige presents an extensive list of responsibility that stretches beyond the quarterback, pointing to coaching decisions, missed field goals, poor weather preparation, the grounds crew, and even ownership. The discussion examines why Denver failed to adjust to the snow, why a field goal was passed up at a pivotal moment, and how New England was better prepared for the elements.

From there, the focus shifts to officiating errors, roster depth, and a lack of impact offensive skill players compared to teams still standing. The show then pivots to a broader philosophical debate about “windows” in the NFL, using historical Broncos examples and league trends to argue that championship chances are never guaranteed year to year. The episode wraps with a forward-looking breakdown of Denver’s offseason challenges, including potential coaching departures, draft position, free-agent spending, and the urgent need to upgrade at wide receiver, running back, and along the offensive line.

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