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New York Times
9 hours ago
- Business
- New York Times
What Broncos' interest in JK Dobbins says about running back room status
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — When Sean Payton showed up in Florida for the annual league meetings back in March, he did so without a new running back on his roster. The first wave of NFL free agency had passed without Denver addressing one of its biggest positions of need, and Payton stated the reason plainly. Advertisement 'We felt like it was a pretty lean year in regards to free agency at that position, just relatively speaking,' Payton said at the time. 'There is depth in the draft.' The Broncos did indeed find their running back in the draft when they selected RJ Harvey in the second round, but they might not be out on the position in free agency after all. Denver this week hosted former Los Angeles Chargers running back JK Dobbins at the team's headquarters. He had dinner with members of the organization on Wednesday night and was set to spend time touring the facility on Thursday. 'We'll have a chance to visit with him and we'll see where it goes,' Payton said after the Broncos wrapped up their final OTA practice Thursday, with only next week's three-day mandatory minicamp standing between the team and its summer break. The Broncos drafted Harvey and have been pleased with his early progress during what has amounted to three weeks of practices and meeting work. He's been a staple in the passing game during OTA practices open to reporters, including a catch from quarterback Bo Nix on a long route down the sideline Thursday. Payton has expressed an eagerness to give second-year back Audric Estimé more opportunities to showcase his 'physical, downhill' style as a runner. He mentioned Tyler Badie's solid work as a pass protector after Thursday's practice. And Jaleel McLaughlin continues to showcase his versatility as a runner and receiver as he enters his third year in the offense. Right on 🎯 @BoNix10 x @Speedkills2k_ — Denver Broncos (@Broncos) June 5, 2025 So the potential pursuit of Dobbins, Payton said Thursday, isn't an indictment of what the Broncos already have on the roster. Instead, he said, it's a chance to add a productive back — when healthy, being the key caveat with Dobbins — to a deep, if largely unproven group. 'It's another good football player that we've seen firsthand,' Payton said. 'I've seen him for a while. The importance of that position group, we really like the group we're working with, (but) it's just another opportunity to possibly bring in another good football player who can help us win.' Advertisement Dobbins, a second-round pick of the Ravens in 2020, is coming off the best season of his career. He rushed for 905 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games last season and caught 32 passes. He had 96 rushing yards and a touchdown during a Week 6 win for the Chargers over the Broncos in Denver. Dobbins missed four games with a knee injury, but 2024 still qualified as by far the healthiest season for the running back since his rookie year. Dobbins suffered a devastating knee injury during the 2021 preseason in which he tore multiple ligaments, similar to the setback former Broncos running back Javonte Williams suffered in 2022. Dobbins missed all of the 2021 season and half of the 2022 season as a result. Then, in 2023, he suffered an Achilles injury in Week 1 and missed the rest of the season. That extensive injury history is the biggest reason Dobbins did not find the offers he was looking for when free agency opened in March. He also struggled in the Chargers' playoff loss to the Houston Texans, rushing for just 26 yards on nine carries. But in this stage of the offseason, Dobbins could be a value add for a team that lacks overall experience at running back. The Broncos have been determined this season to bolster a running game that struggled at times last season despite Denver's offensive line ranking first in ESPN's run-block win rate metric. 'Did we watch cut-ups of runs where we felt like there was more meat left on the bone? Yes,' Payton said. 'We feel like it's certainly a point of emphasis to improve in that area.' A contract with Dobbins at this point in the offseason could be palatable for a Broncos team that has roughly $16.2 million in available cap space, according to Over The Cap. It would be a move to create another backfield option for a team that believes it is ready to contend for the AFC West and needs a more productive running game to make it happen. New Broncos tight end Evan Engram entered the NFL in 2017 as a first-round pick of the New York Giants. The Giants' third-round pick that year: quarterback Davis Webb, who is entering his second year as the coach of that position in Denver. Engram and Webb struck up a quick friendship and stayed in touch as their NFL paths split in different directions. Engram found himself scanning Broncos film last season, his way of 'just watching and supporting' Webb. Advertisement Little did Engram know he was actually getting a jump on learning about his next quarterback. 'I was always really observant of Bo Nix,' Engram said Thursday as he spoke with the Denver media for the first time since signing with the Broncos as a free agent in March. 'It was kind of, obviously, as a rookie, kind of a slow start last year. He was learning the game, but once he turned it on, you can see it all over the tape. Flying around for the (free agent) visits, got to download some games on the laptop and watch some film. The potential is through the roof, and even better is just the way he is as a man, as a worker, as a leader.' Engram met with the Broncos and then the Los Angeles Chargers as free agency opened in the spring. He arrived in Denver first and had lunch with Nix. As Engram continued to move intentionally through the decision-making process, the early interaction with the quarterback kept sticking in his mind. 'It's been really great to get to know him on and off the field,' Engram said. 'I just love the way he approaches each and every day. I love the way he builds relationships with his teammates. ' … Even that lunch, I was able to just kind of listen to his process and things that he's working on. Just a really impressive young guy. Like I said, the potential is through the roof, and I like to see myself as someone that can come in and help his development and take this team to another level.' Engram is hard to miss during Broncos practices. He's the fluid route runner and consistent target at the position the Broncos haven't had since at least 2021, which was Noah Fant's last season in Denver. Then there's the No. 1 jersey that Engram is wearing, an unusual digit choice for a tight end — but one that has significant meaning for the team's new offensive weapon. 'It's awesome, honestly,' Engram said. 'That was my number for three years in high school. I wore 17 in college, so I got to Jacksonville and got to wear 17 again. When I signed with Denver, (the equipment staff) sent me a list of numbers that were free. I sent the list to my family, and I honestly didn't even notice 1 was open. All of them said 1. It's a cool thing just to reconnect to the glory days of high school football where I really started to come into my own as a football player. Where I'm at in my career, how much I've learned, the talent I've worked for, the experiences I have to be able to bring that here and wear that jersey number again, I don't take it lightly.' • Defensive end John Franklin-Myers did not attend OTA practices, but Payton said the veteran will participate in next week's mandatory minicamp. Left tackle Garett Bolles was also not in attendance. • Payton and the Broncos' coaching staff have been impressed with the way first-round pick Jahdae Barron has grasped the team's defensive scheme at multiple positions early in the offseason. He's shuffled between the nickel spot and both outside corner spots with aplomb. Advertisement But that doesn't mean the Broncos will overload Barron with responsibilities. Asked if Barron also would play safety, similar to former Payton draft pick Malcolm Jenkins, the coach said he doesn't 'have the same vision' for the rookie. 'Malcolm came (to New Orleans) in (2009); he played nickel and then went to safety,' Payton said. 'Now, I'm not saying (Barron) couldn't in a pinch, but the vision for him is corner: inside and outside.' • One player who has been hard to miss during the two OTA practices open to the media is second-year wide receiver Troy Franklin. He caught three passes near the line of scrimmage Thursday that he quickly turned into massive gains with the help of his quick, long strides. 'You haven't been able to see all the plays, but there have been a number of explosive plays,' Payton said. 'He can run, and I would say a strength of his is ball in hand after the catch. He can run after the catch. He's doing well.'
CBS News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Flames rip through two-flat in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood
Tall flames shot through a two-flat in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood Monday evening. Video showed fire on the canopied porch and spreading to the upper level of the brick apartment house in the 6600 block of South Laflin Street — near Marquette Road. Firefighters arrived at the scene to put out the flames. The building appeared to have sustained extensive damage. It was not immediately learned how the fire started or if anyone was hurt.
Wall Street Journal
3 days ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
EchoStar Misses Second Interest Payment Amid FCC Review
EchoStar is skipping another interest payment as it awaits the conclusion of a review by the Federal Communications Commission. The Englewood, Colo., owner of Dish TV and Boost Mobile said Monday it wouldn't make a $183 million cash interest payment due that day related to its Dish DBS company. The missed payment comes after the company said Friday it elected not to make a $326 million interest payment related to its spectrum business.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Michigan State football lands commitment of 2026 linebacker from Colorado
Michigan State football has added to the 2026 recruiting class, landing a massive priority target in the first weekend of official visit season. Englewood (CO) native Braylon Hodge has made his commitment to Michigan State, cancelling his remaining official visits. The Spartans beat out Iowa, Minnesota and Utah for the 6-foot-3, 210 pound linebacker. He is a highly rated 3-star, ranking as an 88-rated player on 247Sports, and the No. 44 linebacker in America. Advertisement Hodge has been a rapidly rising prospect in the region, and he almost certainly will be someone that is going to see his stock continue to rise as he continue to show off his ability with his size. Getting him to commit is a massive win for the Spartans. He is the first defensive commitment for Michigan State in the 2026 recruiting class, and comes at a massive position of need. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Michigan State football lands 3-star linebacker commit Braylon Hodge
CBS News
30-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Helping unhoused Coloradans get back on their feet: Ready to Work program and navigation center opens in Englewood
A new facility just opened in Englewood to help unhoused people in Arapahoe County. It's a collaborative effort between the Colorado county, Englewood, Littleton and Sheridan to address homelessness with an approach being seen more in the state: putting work first instead of housing first. Bringing the facility to Arapahoe County also represents a milestone in the Tri-Cities Homelessness Initiative, which addresses homelessness in these communities. CBS The new Bridge House Ready to Work Tri-Cities location is located 4675 South Windermere Street in Englewood. The facility has two programs within it, offering long term and short-term resources. For Chris Charles, going through a similar program, was life changing. Charles found has his path out of poverty, but several years ago, he found himself in jail for 6 months because of DUIs after losing several family members. "My drinking was a problem for me, and I didn't know how to cope with the emotions. I lost everything, because I wasn't able to work, and I wasn't able to pay my bills," said Charles. He then got into Bridge House's Ready to Work program. It's a Boulder-based organization founded nearly 25 years ago that began the Ready to Work program nearly a dozen years ago. A second site also opened in Aurora where they continued to focus on the Ready to Work program, which helps people get out of homelessness and into housing and employed in a sustainable way. As part of the Ready to Work program, people live in dorm style housing for nine to 12 months and get paid work opportunities. The organization has contracts with local cities, where employed people do landscaping work. Bridge House also offer wrap around services to get people out of homelessness. Scott Medina is the Director of Community Relations at Bridge House. "We're playing the long game here, to really change people's lives permanently and to get those kinds of results, you need a longer, more in depth program to do it," said Medina. The new Bridge House Ready to Work Tri Cities location is more than 13,000 square feet and can house up to 50 people long-term. The program has an 80% success rate. While the other side of the facility is the Tri Cities Homeless Navigation Center meant for short term resources like showers and laundry facilities, and up to 20 overnight beds. The Navigation Center also provides walk-in services, housing assistance, employment services, medical and mental health care. Both programs in the new facility operate as programs under Bridge House. "There are very few ready-to-work options. Housing First is very popular across the country, which is fantastic, but we take it a step further by including the employment piece," said Medina. "We also have the navigation in the same building as the ready to work program. So, we can even serve a much wider range of people through that... There are so many reasons that people become homeless in the first place, so there needs to be a lot of solutions to get out of homelessness." Medina said more than 500 people have graduated from the Ready to Work program in the last 12 years. He added, all graduates end up getting a full-time job. Those in the program must also maintain sobriety. For Charles, he believes in the program because people are given the resources they need to get back on their feet. He added, toward the end of the program, participants work with employment specialists, who can also help with writing resumes and mock interviews to help prepare people to enter the workforce and find permanent housing. "It's not a handout. We're teaching people how to take care of themselves and advocate for themselves, and that is what saved my life," said Charles, who graduated from Boulder's program and spent 12 months there. Charles got the support he needed through the program and is now three years sober. He has been out of the program for over two years and currently oversees housing operations at Bridge House in Englewood at the Tri Cities location, with compassion for residents now in the program and giving back to them. "I wanted to be a part of something that saved my life, and being a part of saving other people's lives and helping them become successful is the most rewarding thing that I've ever done," said Charles. All say it's a group effort in addressing homelessness between Arapahoe County, Englewood, Littleton and Sheridan. In a press release from Arapahoe County, the County said, "the project's funding represents a significant multi-jurisdictional commitment," as each community has helped fund the effort, which is listed below: - Arapahoe County: $1 million (American Rescue Plan Act Funds) - Arapahoe County: $577,000 (Community Development Block Grants) - City of Englewood: $850,000 - City of Littleton: $175,000 (American Rescue Plan Funds) - City of Littleton: $1.5 million Housing & Urban Development grant - City of Sheridan: $250,000 - Additional support from foundation and operational grants "Addressing homelessness and harm reduction are top priorities for the residents of Arapahoe County," said Board Chair Leslie Summey. "Our $1.5 million ARPA investment demonstrates our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for our most vulnerable community members." "They're really looking for some very effective services to get people out of homelessness in the area and really deal with the issues that they're facing. So, they've been very excited to get a Ready to Work program in this area that will permanently people out of homelessness," said Medina. For more information about the Tri-Cities Homelessness Initiative, visit
