Miami nice? Broncos QB Orton appears headed to Dolphins

There wasn't any official word on a new address for Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton on Wednesday, but several signs point to it being in Miami.

Sources close to the situation told NFL Network's Michelle Beisner, reporting from Denver, that a trade is very close to happening. Orton would compete with Chad Henne for the Dolphins' starting job.

Observations from Dolphins camp NFL Network reporter
Scott Hanson checks in from South Florida with the latest on Brandon Marshall, Karlos Dansby and a possible trade for Broncos QB Kyle Orton. More ...

NFL Network's Albert Breer reports the Dolphins' pursuit of a trade for the Broncos quarterback might hinge on Miami's ability to renegotiate Orton's contract. Orton has a salary-cap figure of $8.4 million for 2011.

The Broncos put Orton on the trade block Tuesday, and they are unlikely to deal him for less than a third-round draft pick, league sources told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora. There is the possibility that the compensation will escalate based on Orton's performance and/or his new team signing him to an extended contract.

Orton is in the final year of his deal and has put up solid numbers in Denver after being a part of the Jay Cutler trade with the Chicago Bears in 2009, but apparently, new Broncos coach John Fox has decided to go with Tim Tebow, a first-round pick in 2010, as the starter.

Orton has made it clear that he doesn't want to back up Tebow, a former Heisman Trophy winner and national champion at Florida, who replaced Orton for the final three games last year.

Orton participated in Broncos player-led workouts during the lockout and, despite his hazy status, reported to Dove Valley on Wednesday for a physical and Fox's first team meeting.

The six-year veteran has started 28 games for the Broncos the past two seasons, passing for 41 touchdowns and almost 7,500 yards, along with 21 interceptions.

The Broncos' first practice is Thursday morning. Orton declined to comment to reporters as he left the facility Wednesday about 1 p.m. and again when he returned three hours later for the team meeting.

After saying early on in the offseason that Orton was the incumbent, the Broncos' new front office football chief, John Elway; general manager Brian Xanders and Fox haven't made any public comments about the quarterback's situation of late.

Pro Bowl wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, however, described Orton's presence at the facility Wednesday as awkward.

"Yeah, I didn't know what was going on," Lloyd said. "I didn't know all the rules and stuff, but there's obviously some logistical things about showing up to camp. Technically, he's still a member of the Denver Broncos football team, so it was normal after I saw him."

Lloyd and Orton made a great duo last season, but Lloyd has moved on, figuring it's Tebow's time now.

"I've been spending most of my brainpower in the offseason focusing on how to get Tebow better and what I can do to help him develop as a quarterback," said Lloyd, who spent a week with Tebow preparing for training camp.

"Kyle's going to be awesome, wherever he goes," Lloyd said. "There's a lot of vacancies in the NFL for really good quarterbacks, and Kyle's a really good quarterback, and he's going to be fine."

The NFL free agency cycle is in full effect, with teams and players agreeing to terms fast as training camps open. Get the latest on all the news right here.

Actually, those vacancies are starting to fill up, whittling the list of potential landing spots for Orton.

Tebow went 1-2 as a rookie, completing 41 of 82 passes for 654 yards and five touchdowns with three interceptions with six sacks. He also rushed for 227 yards and six scores.

"I think Tim's ready," Lloyd said. "And I think it's going to put a lot of pressure on us veterans to make him better. That's what it comes down to."

Star pass rusher Elvis Dumervil praised both quarterbacks.

"Man, I think both of those guys are good players. That's a decision the front office has to make. That's not really my area," he said. "Well, whoever the guy is we've got to rally around him because obviously he's the team captain being the quarterback."

Defensive captain Brian Dawkins said Tebow's trial run in 2010 showed he possessed "a lot of grit, a lot of determination, and he is as advertised as far as being a fiery guy."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View the original article here

Broncos want to trade QB Orton to clear way for Tebow

The Denver Broncos are willing to deal starting quarterback Kyle Orton, league and team sources said, and spent Tuesday assessing that market. Minnesota, Arizona and Miami are among the teams expected to engage in trade talks with them.

The Broncos value Orton and are unlikely to deal him for less than a third-round pick, sources said, with the possibility that the compensation escalates based on Orton's performance and/or his new team signing him to an extended contract.

Orton is in the final year of his deal and put up solid numbers in Denver after being a part of the Jay Cutler trade with the Bears in 2009, but apparently new coach John Fox has decided to go with Tim Tebow, a first-round pick in 2010, as the Broncos' starter.

Orton, who participated in Broncos player-led workouts during the lockout, has made it clear he does not want to back up Tebow. Orton has started 28 games for the Broncos the past two seasons, passing for 41 touchdowns and almost 7,500 yards.

The Denver Post, which first reported that Orton was on the trading block, listed the Tennessee Titans as another possible trade destination for Orton. Trades were able to be announced as of 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday.

The Post also reported that the Broncos plan to release 11-year veteran running back Correll Buckhalter, 32, who is scheduled to make almost $2 million this season.

After starting seven games and rushing for 642 yards in 2009, Buckhalter gained just 147 rushing yards and 240 receiving yards this past season.

The Broncos spent the day negotiating with their draft picks, including No. 2 overall selection Von Miller, who said he planned to be ready to practice when training camp starts.

"I want to come in and just learn. I don't want to put myself anymore behind than I already am," Miller said.

Miller stands to make much less money in the new labor accord, with a four-year deal likely worth about $25 million or so, some $45 million less than he could have gotten under the old setup.

"I've been playing football all my life for free. So, whatever it is, whatever my contract may be, I'm good with whatever," Miller said. "You really can't be possessive over something you didn't have."

On top of that, Miller figures he will simply make it up during his career.

"I plan on getting three, four, five contracts," Miller said, smiling. "I don't plan on just getting this one. I just want to play football. I'm not really worried about all that other stuff."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View the original article here

Coach Fox: Broncos' QB derby comes down to game execution

Broncos coach John Fox maintains that a "wide-open competition" lies ahead for the team's starting quarterback position, but told The Denver Post that "deep down, I have an idea" who will come out on top between Kyle Orton, Tim Tebow and Brady Quinn.

Fox, in his first season with the Broncos after nine years as coach of the Carolina Panthers, told the newspaper Thursday that "we do have a depth chart," but it's not set in stone.

There is no doubt that veteran Kyle Orton could be considered a "gamer" and second-year man Tim Tebow, at least based on his collegiate résumé, more than fits the description, Steve Wyche writes. More ...

Fox, who hasn't even seen his quarterbacks practice, wants to see how all three respond to game situations.

"I prefer a gamer to a good practice player. ... I want someone who will execute under pressure in a game," he told the newspaper. "So much depends on what happens (with the length of the lockout). I honestly can't sit here and tell you when a starter will be chosen."

The team's official website states that the 2011 depth chart "will be released before the first preseason game," but The Post reported Orton-Tebow-Quinn as the current order, which falls in line with Fox's statements at February's NFL Scouting Combine in which he called Orton his starter.

Broncos team executive John Elway echoed that later in the month, telling NFL Network that Orton, not 2010 first-round draft pick Tim Tebow, was the man to beat.

"Kyle is still the starting quarterback," Elway said at the time. "Tim is a very good football player," Elway said. "He's not a very good quarterback yet. We can make him a great quarterback. He's a young guy."

Orton passed for 3,653 yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions and completed 58.8 percent of his throws in 12 starts last season.

Tebow, an icon at the University of Florida, generated excitement starting the Broncos' final four games. He passed for 654 yards and five touchdowns on the year, while rushing for another 227 yards and six scores.

Then there's Quinn, who was acquired last offseason in a trade with the Cleveland Browns for running back and Madden NFL 12 cover boy Peyton Hillis, a deal that has yet to pan out for Denver. Quinn joined his teammates for workouts last month, and said at the time that he sees himself as an NFL starter.

"I want to be No. 1," Quinn said. "I feel they (Orton and Tebow) both had a chance last year and I didn't get an opportunity. I'd love to get an opportunity to help us win games and get this team to the playoffs and see what happens from there."

Fox told The Post the Broncos have no plans to bring in a fourth arm.

"We've got three quarterbacks who have started games in this league," he said. "I know that quarterback is the top priority in Denver -- and there's a reason why they are so important because the great ones are so hard to find -- but I like the problem of having three to pick from."

The Broncos are coming off a disastrous season that included the midseason firing of coach Josh McDaniels and culminated with a 4-12 record. That led to the installation of Broncos legend Elway as the team's chief football executive and the hiring of Fox as coach.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View the original article here

Keep details of Broncos DB Cox's case private, lawyer asks

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. -- A lawyer for Denver Broncos defensive back Perrish Cox is again asking a judge not to release a document detailing allegations of sexual assault against him.

Cox is accused of two counts of sexual assault stemming from a Sept. 6 incident. A hearing is scheduled Wednesday before a Colorado judge for his lawyer to argue against releasing an affidavit that explains why authorities wanted a warrant to arrest him.

Such affidavits are often available to the public, but in January the judge ordered that it be kept secret, saying it could expose Cox and the alleged victim to abuse.

The Associated Press and The Denver Post asked the judge to reconsider and he granted the request last week. He said the alleged victim's name and other personal information must be redacted before it is released.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

View the original article here

Broncos legend asks punk band 'Elway' to change its name

The punk rock band thought it was a way to honor its Colorado roots. Apparently, John Elway has a different opinion on the name change.

"Elway" has been asked through a letter to change the group's name after the Hall of Fame quarterback's representatives caught wind of its act.

Lead singer Tim Browne finds it flattering that Elway, the chief football executive of the Denver Broncos, has taken notice of a band that routinely plays "in front of about 30 people in a basement." But Brown says the four-man group from Fort Collins, Colo., plans to keep the name.

Browne's band switched from "10-4 Eleanor" to "Elway" last November, and the change has generated plenty of talk of late.

"None of us really care about football that much," Browne said Saturday in a phone interview with The Associated Press a night after performing at a small venue in Philadelphia. "It's not a direct reference to John Elway. We make no mention of him in records or in our art work. He's local color, part of the local vernacular that people understand."

Browne doesn't quite understand the fuss, but certainly appreciates the attention, even suggesting he'll give Elway a raise for all the publicity the flap has generated.

A phone message was left seeking comment from Elway's representatives.

Browne said the letter strongly urged the band to change its name, but it didn't include a cease and desist order.

"They're banking on us being idiots and that we wouldn't talk to a lawyer," Browne said. "They wanted us to email them back when we change the band's name. I haven't even responded to them. It's blown my mind that it's gotten this big."

The group is scheduled to play in Indianapolis, St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo., before returning in mid-June to Fort Collins, about an hour's drive north of Denver.

"We're just guys living in a van, driving across the country, playing shows with next to nobody (in the audience)," Browne said. "And then this multimillion dollar successful business man, Hall of Fame football player gets so mortified that a punk band would use his last name? It's an incredible shock it happened.

"We're not out to get John Elway. This situation is hilarious and he needs to loosen up. Life's too short to worry about a punk rock band using your name."

Browne wasn't a big sports fan growing up. But since he lived in the area and Elway was the face of the Broncos, the face of the state for that matter, he did pay attention to the beloved quarterback.

Elway led the Broncos to back-to-back Super Bowl championships before retiring in 1999. He returned to the team in January to begin restoring the franchise's tarnished image and bring back its winning ways.

He also is a successful entrepreneur, operating a popular steakhouse in town bearing his name.

"It's kind of hard not to know much about him living in Colorado," Browne said. "But I really have no interest in meeting him."

In addition to Browne, the group also includes bass player Joe Henderer, drummer Garrett Carr and guitarist Brian Van Proyen.

And while Elway the quarterback once played in sold-out stadiums, "Elway" the band barely fills a venue.

"We're slouches," Browne said, laughing. "But we're not the worst slouches in the world. We're doing what we can. We're about having a good time, not trying to steal money out of anyone's pocket.

"We're so small that it confounds me thoroughly why anyone would try to legally strong-arm us."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

View the original article here

Elway: Orton, not Tebow, is Broncos' starting QB right now

If the Denver Broncos had to pick a starting quarterback today, it would be veteran Kyle Orton, not youngster Tim Tebow, team executive John Elway said Wednesday on NFL Network.

"Kyle is still the starting quarterback," said Elway, a Hall of Fame quarterback who's now the Broncos' executive vice president of football operations.

Orton passed for 3,653 yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions and completed 58.8 percent of his throws in 12 starts this season as the Broncos finished 4-12.

Tebow, a first-round draft pick out of Florida in 2010, generated some excitement while starting in the Broncos' final four games. He passed for 654 yards and five touchdowns on the season, but he also rushed for 227 yards and six scores.

"Tim is a very good football player," Elway said. "He's not a very good quarterback yet. We can make him a great quarterback. He's a young guy.

"When you look back a year ago when they drafted him ... he has all (the intangibles). Now we have to get him experience and get him the work to improve him as a quarterback."

Elway, no stranger to Super Bowls after having played in five of them, emphasized that new coach John Fox and his staff have plenty of evaluation to do at quarterback and every other position this offseason.

"Now that John and his staff are in place, they're going to have to come in and draw their own conclusions," Elway said.

View the original article here

Broncos place kicker Prater on IR with groin injury

The Denver Broncos have placed kicker Matt Prater on season-ending injured reserve.

To fill the open roster spot, the Broncos promoted offensive lineman Jeff Byers from the practice squad to the active roster, the team announced Thursday.

Prater has missed the last two games with a groin injury. Steven Hauschka has filled in, connecting on 5 of 6 field-goal attempts in games at Arizona and Oakland.

In his career with the Broncos, Prater has made 71 of 87 field-goal attempts, the best accuracy rate in team history for anyone with a minimum of 50 attempts.

Known for a booming leg, Prater has made nine field-goal tries of 50 or more yards in his career, including two this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View the original article here

October incident leads to court date for Broncos' Dumervil

DENVER -- Broncos Pro Bowl linebacker Elvis Dumervil has been cited for assault and disturbing the peace for an alleged run-in with a security guard at Invesco Field.

Denver court records show the reported incident happened Oct. 24 following the Broncos' 59-14 loss to the Oakland Raiders.

Dumervil's lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, told The Associated Press the linebacker forgot his credentials, and a guard wouldn't allow him into a players' parking lot, despite Dumervil showing his driver's license.

Steinberg said Thursday that it was a simple disagreement and it's "unfair Elvis is being villainized." The incident was first reported by Denver's KDVR-TV.

"Elvis was never arrested, simply given a ticket. He was never handcuffed or had a mug shot," Steinberg said. "It was a simple disagreement. That's what this is. We hope the prosecution reviews it, finds no reason to go forward and dismisses it."

Dumervil already appeared in court once and is set to appear again Jan. 11.

"Disturbing the peace? Hard to believe you can disturb the peace with 75,000 people there," Steinberg said of the incident.

Dumervil, who led the NFL with 17 sacks in 2009, has been out all season after ripping a chest muscle during training camp.

This has been quite a tumultuous season for the Broncos (3-11).

Earlier this month, coach Josh McDaniels was fired with the squad mired in the worst slump in four decades. The team also has been embroiled in a videotaping scandal, sullying the image of the organization.

Away from the field, three Broncos players have been arrested.

Kevin Alexander was arrested earlier this week and pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and battery stemming from an allegation of a domestic dispute over alleged infidelity. The Broncos released the rookie linebacker hours after the arrest, calling it a football decision to clear a roster spot for cornerback Chevis Jackson.

Rookie cornerback Perrish Cox was arrested in a sexual-assault case. The alleged assault was reported a few days after Cox was knocked out of the Oct. 24 game against the Raiders with a concussion. Court documents say the alleged assault happened Sept. 6.

Linebacker D.J. Williams was stripped of his captaincy after his October arrest on suspicion of drunken driving.

"The off-field conduct is something we take very, very seriously," said Broncos interim coach Eric Studesville, whose team hosts the Houston Texans on Sunday. "We've never downplayed that. We hold every person in this organization, coaches, players, staff, to a high standard of conduct away from this building as they represent this organization.

"The situations that have come up, we've complied with every fact-finding opportunity there is. We've cooperated in every way that we can, to gather the facts."

Is Studesville disturbed by the number of arrests?

"My job is to coach football," he said. "Those things that happen, we're going to comply with everything and we're going to help with it. My job is to focus on getting this team ready for the Houston Texans."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

View the original article here

Broncos waive LB Alexander on same day he's arrested

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos waived rookie linebacker Kevin Alexander hours after he was arrested on a domestic violence allegation.

Team spokesman Patrick Smyth said that although the team was aware of Alexander's arrest, his release was a football decision to clear a roster spot for cornerback Chevis Jackson.

Aurora police were called to an apartment Monday morning and were told by a woman who said she was Alexander's girlfriend that he had assaulted her Sunday night. Alexander, 23, was arrested for investigation of misdemeanor assault and battery. He was taken into custody shortly before noon and was released after posting $2,000 bail. A court date was set for Tuesday.

Alexander's arrest was the third for a Broncos player this season. Linebacker D.J. Williams was stripped of his captaincy after his October arrest on suspicion of drunken driving and rookie cornerback Perrish Cox faces a sexual assault case and potential prison time after his arrest earlier this month.

Alexander played in eight games for the Broncos, including Sunday at Oakland, where he was whistled for an illegal block on a punt return by Syd'Quan Thompson in the second quarter.

Alexander signed with the Broncos in April as an undrafted free agent out of Clemson. He was promoted to the active roster on Oct. 16 after spending the first five weeks on Denver's practice squad. He finished with one tackle on defense and three special teams stops.

The Broncos were awarded Jackson, a third-year player, off waivers from the New England Patriots. He also has played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons.

View the original article here

Broncos' Tebow earns second start of season against Texans

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos don't care if everyone knows it, including the Houston Texans: Tim Tebow will start again Sunday.

Rather than keep everybody guessing, interim coach Eric Studesville made the unusual move Monday of announcing that Tebow would be under center when the Broncos (3-11) play host to the Texans (5-9).

Studesville said Kyle Orton is still bothered by bruised ribs and that Tebow did a good job managing the game plan, the team and the crowd in his first NFL start Sunday despite Denver's 39-23 loss at Oakland.

"Well, the reason right now was that we felt that Tim played well yesterday, ran our offense effectively," Studesville said. "Compounding that was the fact that Kyle still was rehabbing ... and we just felt like prolonging this later into the week wasn't the best thing for our preparation and practice."

So, now the Texans don't have to worry about preparing for two quarterbacks, one a right-handed prolific passer and the other a rookie southpaw.

Studesville thought the benefit to the Broncos outweighed any concerns about the Texans knowing it.

"I think they'll certainly have tape on him now to have a game plan," Studesville said. "What they'll do differently ... we're going to do some things differently because we'll have more information on him too, now. So, how that all plays out I'm not exactly sure."

Tebow, who was stunningly selected with the 25th overall pick in the April draft by former coach Josh McDaniels, had thrown just one NFL pass before Sunday and most of his two dozen snaps had come in specialty situations such as short-yardage and goal line packages.

His repertoire was limited Sunday because of bad weather and offensive coordinator Mike McCoy's conservative game calling but he showed enough to merit more playing time and perhaps more of a chance to throw the ball.

"We know more now about Tim and what he can do in a game, we can give him things," Studesville said. "But the entire game plan is still based on what we think gives us the best chance against the Houston Texans, and that's what's going to determine the volume of the playbook more than anything else."

Asked if team owner Pat Bowlen might have suggested the move to ensure there isn't a sea of empty seats at Invesco Field on Sunday, Studesville said he indeed met with the owner and chief operating officer Joe Ellis in the morning but that it was his decision alone. He said Bowlen and Ellis agreed with his call.

Although Studesville gave his team the day off Monday, both quarterbacks reported to Dove Valley, Orton for treatment on the ribs he bruised in a loss at Arizona on Dec. 12, and got the news.

Studesville said Orton didn't object.

"No, he's a professional," Studesville said.

Tebow had moments of greatness and moments of grief in his first career start.

By the time the first quarter ended, he had joined Kordell Stewart and Michael Vick as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to run for a 40-yard touchdown and throw for a 30-yard touchdown in the same game.

He was a bit lucky: his 40-yard scamper was supposed to be a hand-off and his 33-yard touchdown strike went through the hands of cornerback Stanford Routt before Brandon Lloyd caught it as he rolled out of bounds.

Tebow admitted after the game that on his touchdown run, he was supposed to hand off to tailback Correll Buckhalter on third-and-24.

"My reaction was it was seven points no matter how it happened," Studesville said Monday.

So, it's forgivable when a rookie goofs up?

"Forgivable? No," Studesville said. "But I'm happy it worked out in a good way."

The Raiders were impressed by the NFL's most intriguing pro prospect since Vick joined the Atlanta Falcons out of Virginia Tech in 2001.

Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha got a good hit on Tebow late in the game but Tebow, who weighs nearly 250 pounds, doled out a lot of punishment himself.

"A lot of guys will either slide or they'll try to take the path of least resistance. But he's going to go head-up with a guy, every time. He's a big guy, tough to bring down," Asomugha said.

That's the concern about Tebow: can he last in this league with that same style that helped him win two national titles and a Heisman Trophy at Florida?

"He's a tough runner. He runs like a back," Raiders safety Michael Huff said. "Once he gets more experience throwing the ball, he'll be a good quarterback."

He's definitely a work-in-progress quarterback who needs more polish in his footwork and throwing mechanics to go with his high energy and enthusiasm.

Tebow completed eight passes for 138 yards and ran eight times for 78 and wasn't picked off Sunday.

"People said he couldn't be an NFL quarterback but he made some good throws, he had some good runs," Oakland linebacker Quentin Groves said. "He does what suits him best and that's what it is."

And what best suits him right now is throwing occasionally and running -- he averaged 9.8 yards a carry.

"He earned a lot of respect from me today," defensive tackle Tommy Kelly said. "He's a lot better athlete than you think he is. You heard so much about him and then you play him. He made a couple moves out there today that surprised me. I think he's got a bright future."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

View the original article here

Broncos turn page on McDaniels era, take first steps forward

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Josh McDaniels and his videographer have been fired, Denver is abuzz with hope that John Elway will gain a greater role with the Broncos as a chief football executive, and interim coach Eric Studesville exudes enthusiasm.

But that dark cloud that hung over the fractured franchise hasn't dissipated just yet, quarterback Kyle Orton insisted.

"The only way you lift anything is to win football games," Orton said Wednesday before Studesville's first practice. "I mean, if you want to feel better as a player, if you want to feel better as an organization, if you want to feel better as fans, you've got to win."

The Broncos haven't done much of that lately, winning just twice since September and five times since McDaniels burst onto the NFL scene by winning his first six games last season.

They travel to Arizona for a matchup of 3-9 teams Sunday.

Studesville said he wouldn't change much on offense, defense or special teams. But one thing he did adjust was the volume on the music that McDaniels liked to blare over the concert-style speakers during practice. They were silenced after stretching Wednesday, replaced by the sounds of hits and hollers.

When Studesville was promoted, the typical reaction -- even among Broncos players -- was "Eric who?"

Studesville had only been with the Broncos for 11 months, hired Jan. 23 to replace longtime running backs coach Bobby Turner after six seasons in Buffalo.

McDaniels didn't like to let his assistants speak with the media too much, and the only interview Studesville had given in Denver was a brief chat with The Associated Press in mid-November.

So the stealthy Studesville gathered his captains Wednesday morning ahead of his first team meeting for a get-to-know-me session one day after standing in front of cameras and recorders for the first time.

"Really, what I wanted to do was just kind of open those lines of communication," Studesville said. "Some of those guys don't know me very well."

The players quickly got a taste of his passion.

"He's lit up like a kid on Christmas Day," defensive lineman Kevin Vickerson said.

Correll Buckhalter said the rest of his teammates finally saw what the running backs have witnessed all year.

"All he knows what to do is work," Buckhalter said. "He wants everybody to come to work happy, just to feel like you want to come here even though it's a rough season. We still have four games to go."

Studesville said offensive coordinator Mike McCoy will call the plays from the sideline, something McDaniels used to do. McCoy was the quarterbacks coach last year, so Orton is accustomed to having him in his ear.

As Studesville tries for a quick fix to the many problems facing the Broncos on the football field, the organization's brain trust is mapping out a long-term plan to resurrect the franchise.

Team owner Pat Bowlen faces a massive rebuilding project to fix the mess that McDaniels left behind when he was fired Monday after going 11-17 and making a series of personnel miscalculations that cost the Broncos talented players and valuable draft picks.

The Broncos' to-do list includes reconfiguring the structure of the football operations, retooling a gutted roster, refurbishing their tarnished image and regaining the trust of their frustrated fans.

McDaniels was fired with the franchise mired in its worst funk in four decades and encumbered by a videotaping scandal that cast the Broncos as cheaters, although the team's front office and the league said they found no evidence the coach had ordered the illicit taping.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wants to meet with fired videographer Steve Scarnecchia, who was busted for wrongfully taping the San Francisco 49ers' walkthrough Oct. 30 in London after he had been caught up in the 2007 videotaping scandal in New England.

Asked if that meeting had been scheduled, league spokesman Greg Aiello said: "At this point, we are going to consider that a confidential matter."

The NFL fined the Broncos and McDaniels $50,000 each for his failure to report the video violation. If the league uncovers evidence of a more widespread breach, the Broncos could be subject to more severe penalties.

In his 23 months on the job, McDaniels seemed intent on imitating his mentor, New England coach Bill Belichick, from his hoodie to his aloofness. But McDaniels never adopted Belichick's personnel acumen, a series of lopsided trades leaving the Broncos with just a half-dozen picks in next year's draft with which to rebuild a roster that has lost the likes of Peyton Hillis, Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall.

NFL RedZone

Watching football on Sundays will be a whole new experience with NFL Network's new channel, NFL RedZone. Find out why.

Broncos chief operating officer Joe Ellis said the next coach probably won't have the same amount of power that Shanahan enjoyed or which McDaniels was given when he was hired at age 32 with no head-coaching or NFL executive experience.

It's still an attractive job, Ellis insisted.

"I believe that we can set up a structure that's attractive to the next candidate and move forward," Ellis said.

Elway returned to the team as a consultant this year, and Bowlen dined with him Monday, spawning speculation that the Hall of Famer could have an expanded role in the organization, perhaps by overseeing an organizational chart that includes both a general manager and a coach with separate duties.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

View the original article here

Broncos' Tebow writing book about 'faith, family and football'

NEW YORK -- Former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow is working on an inspirational memoir.

Tebow is collaborating with Nathan Whitaker on "Through My Eyes," scheduled to come out in April. HarperCollins announced the book Monday.

The former University of Florida quarterback was drafted 25th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. He has played in four games so far, scoring two touchdowns in 10 carries, but has yet to throw a pass in the regular season.

In a statement released by HarperCollins, the 23-year-old Tebow said his book would be a story "of faith, family and football" and inspiring people to "fulfill their dreams."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

View the original article here

Broncos RB Moreno expected to shake injury, play next week

The Denver Broncos don't have running back Knowshon Moreno for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens, but they fully expect him to play next week, a team source said.

NFL RedZone

Watching football on Sundays will be a whole new experience with NFL Network's new channel, NFL RedZone. Find out why.

There was a sense that Moreno would play this week, but he ultimately was ruled out because of a hamstring injury that has sidelined him since Week 2. Moreno has 111 yards on 39 carries in two games this season.

The Broncos, who are averaging an NFL-worst 55 rushing yards per game this season, will host the New York Jets in Week 6.

Without Moreno in the backfield, the Broncos have struggled to run the ball. Correll Buckhalter has 49 yards on 27 carries, and Laurence Maroney, acquired in a trade with the New England Patriots, has managed just 29 yards on 23 carries in two starts for Denver.

View the original article here

Bailey's future uncertain after Broncos change contract tact

The Broncos have ceased contract negotiations with Champ Bailey, The Denver Post reported Thursday, increasing the likelihood that the nine-time Pro Bowl cornerback is playing his final season in Denver.

"I am disappointed because I want to be here," Bailey said. "We know that, they know that. What's the issue here, really?"

Bailey, 32, is in the final year of a seven-year contract. He said his agent, Jack Reale, and the Broncos were close to finalizing a four-year extension that Bailey didn't really like, but he said he was willing to accept it to stay in Denver.

Then the Broncos suddenly broke off talks Tuesday, according to Reale.

"We were scheduled for a discussion on the contract offer they had recently e-mailed me," Reale said. "Before we had a chance for discussion, I received a call saying they wanted to put it off and wait until the end of the season. That is certainly their option, and while not pleased, since no player likes playing in the last year of his contract, we respect their right to pursue that approach.

"Champ will do what he always does. Play hard, give 100 percent, keep quiet and lead this team."

Broncos coach Josh McDaniels declined to comment on Bailey's contract situation.

View the original article here

With run game grounded, Orton leads Broncos' aerial assault on Titans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Denver Broncos couldn't be more one-sided offensively right now. The way Kyle Orton's playing, it doesn't matter.

Orton threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Correll Buckhalter with 1:33 left, and the Denver Broncos rallied and beat the Tennessee Titans 26-20 on Sunday.

In what is quickly becoming a weekly routine, Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton had another 300-yard passing game. Find out where he ranks among the top performers.

» More: NFL.com blogs

The Titans held Denver to 19 yards rushing, forcing Orton to put the ball up 50 times even as he was sacked six times. Orton responded by throwing for 341 yards and two touchdowns.

"I don't think we played our best football the whole time, but anytime you can give yourself a chance to win in the fourth quarter on the road against a good football team, we'll take it," Orton said. "When it got down to it, we made the plays."

Denver coach Josh McDaniels said Orton was hit way more than he wanted.

"But he never lost his poise, continued to be confident on the sidelines, and made a lot of critical throws for us to change field position. He executed when we needed him to execute. I'm very pleased with the way he's leading our football team and the way he's playing," McDaniels said.

The Broncos (2-2) clinched the victory when wind shortened the ensuing kickoff. The Titans (2-2) let the ball bounce, and rookie Marc Mariani, who already had a 98-yard return for a touchdown, ran up and jumped trying to catch it only to be hit by David Bruton.

Cassius Vaughn recovered, and Matt Prater kicked his fourth field goal to pad the lead.

Tennessee had one last chance with 33 seconds left, but Vince Young's third incompletion fell to the turf as time expired to overshadow a game in which Tennessee had a season-high in sacks and an interception. Young's second pass went through Kenny Britt's hands deep in Denver territory.

"This loss is unfortunately an example of just not being able to make the play at the end to close this game out, and that is exactly what happened," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said.

Denver came in with the NFL's top passing offense, and Orton helped the Broncos hold the ball for more than 35 minutes. The Broncos, who got only two field goals on five trips inside their opponent's 20 in losing to the Colts last week, scored on six of seven such trips against the NFL's best defense in that category.

The only time the Broncos didn't score?

When Jabar Gaffney couldn't collect a low throw from Orton at the back of the end zone with 4:33 left. Gaffney atoned for that on the next drive as Orton threw deep to the receiver, and officials flagged Titans safety Chris Hope for pass interference, putting the ball at the Tennessee 1.

Orton put Denver ahead with his TD pass to Buckhalter, his second of the game.

"Jabar had been asking for the ball the whole game," Orton said. "(I) just didn't have time to get him the ball in some of those situations, went back to him, and he made a great play."

Denver's defense also did its part with two sacks and one turnover. The Broncos held Tennessee to just 46 of its 288 yards on offense in the second half with three first downs. Chris Johnson ran for only 53 yards, including an 8-yard run that gave the Titans their lone first down in the fourth quarter trying to protect a lead.

"The situation is we are not a good running team right now," said Johnson, who ran for 2,006 yards last season. "We got work to do."

Tennessee led 20-16 after Mariani's kickoff return for a TD in the third quarter, and Rob Bironas kicked his second field goal of the game with 5:00 left in the third quarter.

The Titans sacked Orton three times in the first quarter and outgained the Broncos 115-15. But Bironas pushed a 35-yard field goal wide right, and Johnson fumbled to end two drives deep into Denver territory.

"We've actually got to start scoring touchdowns on defense and making big plays and interceptions and fumbles," Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan said when asked what more they could do defensively. "We have to put that on ourselves. We have the added pressure ourselves to start making plays."

There's no need to fret about missing any games. You can watch every contest again with Game Rewind. Get more information here.

Denver took advantage of a roughing call by Sen'Derrick Marks on Orton on third down where the lineman appeared to grab the quarterback around the thigh. A play later, the Titans jumped offside for a neutral zone infraction that prompted defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil to throw an obscene gesture at officials that was caught by television cameras.

A play later, Orton put Denver up 7-0 with a 2-yard TD pass to Eddie Royal.

The Titans answered almost immediately. Javon Ringer, Johnson's backup, broke loose on a 54-yard run, and Young found Kenny Britt for an 8-yard TD to tie it up on the next drive. The teams swapped field goals to go into halftime tied at 10 apiece with Bironas kicking a 55-yarder as time expired to atone for his earlier miss.

Notes: Denver rookie Demaryius Thomas had his first career kickoff and took it 36 yards in the second quarter. That's the longest kickoff return for Denver this season. Then he had a 65-yarder in the third quarter. ... Gaffney needed 11 yards to reach 4,000 yards receiving for his career, and he had 51. ... Titans wide receiver Justin Gage hurt his left hamstring, and Fisher said he didn't have updates yet on rookie defensive end Derrick Morgan's left knee or Marks who got hurt late.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

View the original article here

Orton, special teams rally Broncos past Titans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Kyle Orton threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Correll Buckhalter with 1:33 left, and the Denver Broncos rallied to beat the Tennessee Titans 26-20 on Sunday.

The Broncos (2-2) clinched the victory when they kicked short on the ensuing kickoff, trying to avoid rookie Marc Mariani, who already had a 98-yard return for a touchdown. The Titans (2-2) let the ball bounce, and Mariani tried to jump up and catch it, only to be hit by David Bruton.

Cassius Vaughn recovered the loose ball, and Matt Prater kicked his fourth field goal to pad the lead.

Tennessee had one last chance with 33 seconds left, but Vince Young's third incompletion fell to the turf as time expired to overshadow a game in which the Titans had a season-high six sacks and an interception.

Orton finished with 341 passing yards and two touchdowns as Denver held the ball more than 35 minutes.

View the original article here

Knowshon Moreno Wins Upper Deck Dance Contest

Upper Deck had its 2009 NFL Rookie Premiere Photo Shoot at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on May 16. And it appears its touchdown dance contest was the hit of the event.

According to Upperdeckblog.com, new New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez was one of the show stealers.

When I informed USC QB Mark Sanchez the night before about Upper Deck’s TD Dance competition, he just looked at me and said, “I don’t dance. What am I gonna do?” I told him he’d dance on Saturday and that a Michael Jordan signed jersey was at stake. “Hmmm, maybe,” he said.

When Sanchez’s two-man group came around on Saturday, which included New York Jets teammate Shonn Greene (RB, Iowa), he remembered our conversation and seemed genuinely excited. When he finished his interview, where he mentioned former Jets QB Brett Favre has always been one of his idols, he hurried over to the end zone and went right to work. He even incorporated Greene to help him perform an end zone “football birth” for the competition. With Greene lying flat on his back with a towel strewn over his legs, Sanchez served as delivery doctor and - calling out QB-like signals - pulled a football from between Greene’s legs. The crowd went wild, right up until Sachez spiked the newly born baby football!

If it wasn't for helping out his teammate, Sanchez would have received an F for his dunk celebration, which was so very 1980. Of course, maybe he was going for the retro look. The winner? Denver Broncos rookie running back Knowshon Moreno, from Georgia. Moreno's winning prize? A Michael Jordan-signed red Chicago Bulls jersey (with a rumored retail price of $1,699.99). Moreno is wearing his winnings (backwards) at the end of the four-minute video.

Competing were Mark Sanchez, Matt Stafford, Mohamed Massaquoi, Michael Crabtree, Nate Davis, Glen Coffee, Ramses Barden, Knowshon Moreno, Andre Brown, Donald Brown, Aaron Curry, Josh Freeman, Shonn Greene, Percy Harvin, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Tyson Jackson, LeSean McCoy, Stephen McGee, Hakeem Nicks, Brandon Pettigrew, Javon Ringer, Jason Smith and Chris Wells (with help from Brian Robiskie).




In order to compare these rookies with other NFL players, here's a link to ESPN's top 10 celebrations. Looks like a few of the rookies borrowed their dances from the pros.

Broncos' Graham Gives Back To Hometown

"What does it mean to Daniel Graham to be able to work with all those Denver-area kids at his annual football camp?

You didn't have to ask him Friday morning. All you had to do was look at him.

The Denver kid who graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and played at Colorado and owns Nuggets season tickets and followed his dad's footsteps to the Broncos was wearing . . . what else? . . . a Rockies cap. No word on whether he had an Avs license-plate holder on his car.

"I don't really recall any football camps growing up around here," Graham said. "It's just something I wanted to do to give back, to help these kids, especially in my hometown. I was fortunate to have a father who played in the NFL, someone I could look up to and model myself after. I wanted to show my support for these kids, just like he did for me."

If you know the Grahams, you knew Camp DG was going to be a family affair. Tom, the patriarch, played linebacker for the Broncos and a few other NFL teams in the '70s. He was there, as was Daniel's mother, Marilyn, and his twin brother, Joshua, among others.

Then there was Daniel's honorary uncle, George Martin, the former Giants defensive end who played with Tom at Oregon back in the day. Not that Martin is the giving type, but he spent nine months in 2007-08 walking from New York City to San Diego on a Journey for 9-11, raising $5 million for the heroes of the post-attack calamity. "

Click here for full article