Blues Updates: Backes Rises To Occasion, Hitch Makes History

As Aaron Gordon’s calf heals, Michael Malone faces what can only be described as a good problem. The Nuggets have been steadily trending in the right direction, even while dealing with a variety of injuries to starters, most notably Gordon. During the most recent nine-game stretch that he spent on the sideline, Malone went small with his starting lineup, opting to start Russell Westbrook instead of Peyton Watson and repurposing Michael Porter Jr.

In an unexpected move, the Broncos fired special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica this week, a source told The Denver Post on Friday. Kotwica was hired by Denver in 2023 after serving as an assistant special teams coach for Minnesota in 2022. Over the past two seasons, he and former assistant head coach Mike Westhoff, who stepped down earlier this season to monitor a potential health issue related to his vision, were instrumental in Denver’s special teams success. Last year, Denver placed first in punt return average (16.3), second in punt return average against (6.3), eighth in kickoff return average (24.9) and ninth in kickoff return average against (21.5). This season, the Broncos ranked first in punt return yards (15.7), 15th in kick return yards (28.0) and sixth in field goal percentage (91.2%).

The Broncos offense did quite a bit of good in 2024. It finished 10th in the NFL in scoring — boosted, to be sure, by a whopping 39 defensive points along the way, but still a major improvement from recent seasons. No Denver offense between Peyton Manning’s retirement and coach Sean Payton’s arrival finished better than 23rd in scoring.

When the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers get together, there’s an overflow of offensive firepower available. Four of the top six scorers in the NHL this year, including three of the last four players to win a Hart Trophy. Since the start of the 2020-21 season, the Avs are tied for first in the league with 1,230 goals.

Despite the Broncos’ 31-7 loss to the Bills in the wild-card round, a new standard has been set. The Broncos returned to relevance with a 10-7 regular season and their first postseason berth since 2015. They’ve found a franchise quarterback in Bo Nix, who’s proven to be an ideal fit with head coach Sean Payton. Now, it’s time for Denver to capitalize on its success.

There’s been another changing of the guard at Valor Christian football. Bret McGatlin has resigned as the Eagles’ head coach after three years, Valor Christian AD Keith Wahl confirmed to The Denver Post on Thursday night. Whoever takes the job for 2025 will be the Eagles’ fifth head coach in nine seasons. A statement released by the school said McGatlin stepped down “to pursue new opportunities in his career.” “We’re really thankful for (McGatlin’s) last three years,” Wahl told The Post.