The Drive

In hour 3 of The Drive, Zach and Phil debate where the upcoming Colorado and Kansas State game ranks in the recent history of CU games. Is this actually the biggest game for Colorado since the 2016 team featuring our own Phillip Lindsay? Bo Nix was ranked as the 32nd quarterback according to a major media outlet, do Zach and Phil agree? Does Nix get extra credit for limiting his turnovers the last two weeks? We hear from Bo Nix on his performance from last week. Zach challenges Payton Watson to be his best self this season and continue to keep the main part of his game, the main thing.

In hour 4 of The Drive, Zach and Phil preview the Raiders and Broncos game this upcoming Sunday. Are the Broncos and Raiders still rivals? Why has the NFL lost many of its rivalries? What did Sean Payton say about the inter-AFC West matchup? Would the guys take a guaranteed split the next 2 weeks or gamble to go 2-0 or 0-2? Zach has a problem with people saying the upcoming CU game is the biggest for Colorado in over a decade. Zach and Phil go through all the big games for the Buffs over the last ten years, including some that Phil played in during the 2016 season. We wrap up the show with asking Phil how often he watches his highlights and how so many athletes get spiteful about the NFL after they retire.

Hour 1 of The Drive kicks off with Zach and Phil cross talking with Dover and Cecil. The guys discuss the idea of the Broncos trading for a playmaker. Should the Broncos trade away assets for Tee Higgins, Kyle Pitts, or Davante Adams? The guys hand out their “progress report” for the Broncos defense and break it down by position group. Zach brings up a stat for the Broncos defense that is reminiscent of the 2015 Broncos defense. Will we see either ESPN’s College Gameday or Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff in Boulder in two weeks when Colorado hosts Kansas State? Where does CU’s matchup rank among the biggest matchups in college football that weekend?

In hour 2 of The Drive, Zach and Phil hand out their “progress reports” for the Broncos coaching staff. How can Sean Payton jump start this Broncos offense and get them out of the bottom 5 in most offensive categories? Does Sean Payton get credit for a successful special teams and defense? Is Sean Payton’s offense outdated, like Bill Barnwell suggest? Or is it the lack of experience by the players in his system? Today’s “Three Count” includes a potential wild scenario in college football at the end of the season, the Nuggets landed in Abu Dhabi, and the Broncos re-debuting their 70’s throwback jerseys this weekend vs the Raiders. We hear from Avs GM, Chris McFarland, on Gabe Landeskog’s rehab. When will Landeskog return to Avalanche practice? How much do the Avs take from Lonzo Ball and the Bulls going through the same injury? Can the Avalanche win a Stanley Cup without their captain?

In hour 3 of The Drive, Zach and Phil hand out their “progress reports” for the Broncos defense as a whole and each position group. Could the Broncos defense improve by creating more turnovers? Is Patrick Surtain the best player at any respective position in the NFL? Zach has a stat for the Broncos defense that is bringing flash backs to the 2015 Broncos defense. Can the Broncos keep up their sack production from these first 4 weeks? Colorado has their biggest home game in years, in two weeks, will ESPN’s Gameday or Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff be in Boulder for the affair? What top tier college football games could CU and Kansas State upend to get a national tv show in town for the game? Zach explains why it might be time to buy stock in Michael Porter Jr. after his tough series to finish the season last year. Can MPJ take a leap in his game this season?

In hour 4 of The Drive, Zach and Phil had out their “progress reports” for the Broncos coaching staff. The guys criticize Sean Payton for his offense and decision making while still crediting him for a strong defense and special teams. How can Payton get the Broncos out of the basement of the NFL in offensive ranks? Is Sean Payton paying too much attention to the offense that its hurting his in-game decision making? We may see a wild situation in college football where two teams could play for a conference championship and a spot in the college football playoff and then play again the following week, Zach fills us in with the details. We wrap up the show with what we heard from Avalanche GM, Chris McFarland, on Gabe Landeskog’s health and how it relates to Lonzo Ball’s injury timeline.

Hour 1 of The Drive kicks off with Zach and Phil cross talking with Dover and Cecil. The guys discuss Javonte Williams performance on Sunday and ask if he is “back”. Was Sean Payton not setting up Williams for success or did Javonte need more time to get back to being fully healthy? Is Sean Payton not giving his defensive coordinator enough credit for carrying the Broncos to wins the past two weeks? Where would Audric Estime fit into the Broncos running back room if he was healthy? Would Javonte Williams continue to get opportunities if Estime was healthy? We have breaking news about a former Bronco and fan favorite as well as an update on AFC west foe, Davante Adams and the Raiders. Has Davante Adams played his last down with the Raiders?

In hour 2 of The Drive, Zach and Phil take a look at the Broncos offense through 4 games and hand out their progress reports. What grade did the guys give Bo Nix, the offensive line, the running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends? Is anyone on the offense not failing? Today’s “Three Count” includes Raider’s HC Antonio Pierce liking a social media post about Davante Adams, viewership from the weekend of college football and the CU/UCF game, and Lonzo Ball returning to the NBA after suffering the same injury as Avs Gabe Landeskog. We finish up the hour with Zach asking if Sean Payton messed up by cutting Tim Patrick. Would Patrick be an asset to this struggling Broncos offense?

In hour 3 of The Drive, Zach and Phil grade Javonte Williams game on Sunday vs the Jets. Javonte had his best game under Sean Payton, would he have had the same opportunity if Audric Estime was healthy? Has Javonte Williams solidified himself as the starting running back for the rest of the season? We have entered the window when Aaron Gordon and the Nuggets can reach a contract extension, when or will we see this extension done? What is Gordon’s value to the Nuggets, and will he take a “hometown discount” to stay in Denver? Zach questions why Sean Payton hasn’t been giving defensive coordinator, Vance Joeseph more credit this season. Is Payton jealous that he is not the reason the Broncos have been winning games? Is Colorado bowl bound after moving to 4-1? What bowl would Zach and Phil be happy to see CU play in?

In hour 4 of The Drive, Zach and Phil hand out report cards for the Broncos offense. What grade did Bo Nix, the offensive line, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends receive? Has the Broncos offensive line lived up to their expectations and amount of money they are making? Should we be happy with the Broncos running game from Sunday or is it only good compared to how bad it was in the first 3 weeks? Does the Broncos receivers deserve a failing grade? We wrap up the show with the question, did Sean Payton make a mistake by letting Tim Patrick go. Would Patrick be more of an offensive weapon than Troy Franklin and Josh Reynolds?