A Happy Birthday to Broncos HC John Fox! He’s spending the day meeting with coaches/personnel dept. prepping for FA/draft.

— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) February 8, 2012

After the jump, we’ll give a quick review of what Fox accomplished during his first season in Denver:

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  Fox helped quarterback Tim Tebow find success last season. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

  John Fox was named the 14th head coach in Denver Broncos history on Jan. 13, 2011. He joined Denver after spending the previous nine seasons as head coach of the Carolina Panthers.

• Fox became just the third head coach since the 1970 NFL merger to take over a team with four or fewer victories the season before and lead it to a division title and at least one playoff win in his first season.

• John Fox joined Red Miller (1977) this season as the only two individuals in franchise history to lead the club to a division title in his first year as head coach.  Overall, Fox is one of three head coaches to lead the Broncos to the postseason in his first year.

• Fox lead the Broncos to a five-win improvement in his first season (from 4-12 to 9-9).  The team’s post-season appearance was also it’s first since the 2005 season.

• Under Fox, Denver led the NFL and set a team record with 2,632 rushing yards in 2011 (with 164.5 rushing yards a game).  The defense also showed improvement, recording 41 sacks, which represented an improvement of 18 from the 2010 season.

• Under Fox, six players represented the team in the NFL’s annual All-Star Game following the 2011 season.  Cornerback Champ Bailey, safety Brian Dawkins, offensive tackle Ryan Clady, defensive end Elvis Dumervil, running back Willis McGahee and linebacker Von Miller were the Broncos’ largest Pro Bowl complement since the 2001 season.

• Fox finished third in the Associated Press’ NFL Coach of the Year Award voting.

The above information was compiled courtesy of the Broncos’ media relations team.  We would like to wish Fox a very Happy Birthday.  Here’s hoping for many more post-season-bound seasons to come under Fox!

In this file photo, John Fox is seen with Jack Del Rio before an NFL game in 2003. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn, File)

All of the Broncos coaching staff has off this week, but Denver’s new defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio has already arrived at the team’s facility and has been settling in.

“I’m here to get an early start,” Del Rio said in a press conference call on Monday. “I want to dig into the film and I want to help my son get settled. I’m eager to get going.”

In 2002, Del Rio coached the Carolina Panthers‘ defense under John Fox before becoming the Jacksonville Jaguars head coach in 2003. After being fired eleven games into the 2011 season, Del Rio found himself available for the Bronco’s vacant coordinator position—reuniting him with Fox in Denver.

“I find myself rejuvenated. I’m very excited about the opportunity here, to come to Denver, this franchise and this organization. That’s why I’m here.”

Had Del Rio sat out the 2012 season, he could have collected unpaid salary from the Jaguars — $5 million dollars due in the final year of his contract.  Whatever he makes with the Broncos this season will be deducted from what the Jaguars owed him.

“I love to compete, I love being around ball. It’s not about the money,” Del Rio said.

Last season, Denver’s defense—although vastly improved since 2010—recorded nine interceptions and came away with a minus 12 turnover ratio.  That is something that Del Rio is aiming to improve in year one.

“We want to be an attacking defense, one that’s going to be able to get after quarterbacks and make their life miserable,” Del Rio continued, stressing the importance of stopping the run and forcing turnovers. “At the end of the day, help the team win.”

Del Rio Dives into Film Study [MaxDenver]

The Denver Broncos 2012 schedule‘s opponents have been announced following the team’s first-place record in the AFC West in 2011. Dates to be announced later in the offseason.

The Denver Broncos 2012 schedule sees the Mile High men facing seven opponents who finished better than their 8-8 record in 2011, including four teams with 12 or more wins. Welcome to the big leagues, Broncos.

Opponents are listed based on whether the Broncos are at home or away; the opponent’s 2011 record is in parenthesis.

DENVER BRONCOS 2012 SCHEDULE Dates to be announced
Home Games	Away Games
Kansas City Chiefs (7-9) Oakland Raiders (8-8) San Diego Chargers (8-8) Cleveland Browns (4-12) Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) Houston Texans (10-6) New Orleans Saints (13-3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12)	Kansas City Chiefs (7-9) Oakland Raiders (8-8) San Diego Chargers (8-8) Baltimore Ravens (12-4) Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) New England Patriots (13-3) Atlanta Falcons (10-6) Carolina Panthers (6-10)

How many games do you see the Broncos winning next year? Take the poll that either appears to the left (on the sidebar) or directly below.

(Click to view larger.)

Set to make its debut on December 13th, the NFL’s new monthly magazine will feature Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow on the cover of the  premiere issue.

Tebow’s no stranger to magazine covers.  He’s been on the cover of Sports Illustrated six times (five times while at Florida, once as a Bronco).  It’s no secret that Tebow is a money maker, and now the NFL is cashing in.

Among the top ten jersey sales in the NFL (6th), Tebow’s No. 15 Broncos jersey has been flying off the shelves.  The Broncos official store probably sells more Tebow merchandise than everything else combined.

Besides Tebow, the National Football League’s first addition of NFL Magazine will also touch on Carolina’s Cam Newton, San Francisco’s Jim Harbaugh and the impact Peyton Manning‘s absence has had on the Colts this season.

The magazine will hit newsstands on Tuesday the 13th, but you can save up to 75% by purchasing a one year, twelve issue subscription at NFL.com/Magazine for just $19.90.

Well, I just added that to my Christmas wish list.  Will you?

Quarterback Tim Tebow, #15 of the Denver Broncos, eludes Eric Smith #33 of the New York Jets and rushes 20 yards for the game winning touchdown in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 17, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Jets 17-13. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow may be among the least accurate passers in the NFL, but nobody can deny his running ability.  The record books reflect that.

• Tebow was the fastest quarterback in franchise history to rush for nine touchdowns in his career (15 games), and also holds the second-most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in team history, second only to John Elway‘s 33.

• As a rookie in 2010, Tebow rushed 43 times for 227 yards (5.3 avg.) and six touchdowns and recorded two of the top three single-game rushing performances by a quarterback in franchise history.

• This season, Carolina’s Cam Newton joined Tebow (Den., 2010) and Fran Tarkenton (Min., 1961) as the only three players in NFL history to run and pass for a touchdown in four or more games during their rookie season(s).

• On Sunday, Tebow rushed 22 times for 67 yards.  That marked the most rushing attempts by a quarterback in a single game in NFL history.  Second on the list is Billy Kilmer (20 carries with the 49ers in 1961).  Among modern-era quarterbacks, the closest anyone comes to 22 carries is Michael Vick‘s 14 carries in 2004.

The Denver Post‘s Woody Paige calls Tebow a “hybrack — a hybrid quarterback-running back, ” and predicts that he’ll make the 2012 Pro Bowl.

With starting running back Willis McGahee out, third year backs Knowshon Moreno and Lance Ball (pictured) could see a lot more carries. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

With starting running back Willis McGahee due to miss at least this week with a fractured hand, the Denver Broncos are left with just two backs on the active roster.

Third year running backs Knowshon Moreno and Lance Ball are expected to carry the load on Sunday against the Detroit Lions, but the team is looking for a third active back.

According to multiple reports, the Broncos worked out running backs Xavier Omon and Tyrell Sutton on Tuesday at the team’s facility in Dove Valley.  Denver hasn’t signed either of the two backs yet; a more likely scenario would be activating Jeremiah Johnson off of the practice squad.

Omon (5-11, 227 pounds), played under Broncos current running backs coach Eric Studesville in Buffalo from 2008-2009 and has since bounced around the league on practice squad units.  Active for seven games during his career, Omon has rushed 11 times for 27 yards.

Sutton (5-8, 213 pounds) played under Broncos current head coach John Fox in Carolina from 2009-2010.  He’s been active for sixteen games in his career and has rushed for 139 yards on 25 attempts.

Johnson (5-9, 210 pounds) has been active in one game for Denver this season but has yet to carry the ball in a regular season game.  Johnson was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2009 before going to play for the practice squads of the Washington Redskins, Carolina Panthers (with Fox) and finally the Broncos.  Johnson had an impressive preseason in August.

Expect the Broncos to sign or activate one of the three backs mentioned above by Saturday afternoon prior to Sunday’s game.

Lloyd has made all of the tough catches for the Broncos, but doesn't seem to have great rhythm with quarterback Tim Tebow. He's also come across as a diva receiver at times. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

The NFL’s trade deadline is next Tuesday.  Let the rumors begin!

Earlier today, Kyle noted in the daily links that the Broncos may try to deal linebacker D.J. Williams and wide receiver Brandon Lloyd on the trading block.  Late this afternoon, Mike Klis of the Denver Post reported that Lloyd is in fact on the trading block.

Per Klis, there are three or four teams that are currently interested in Lloyd, the Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers among them (I can just imagine Cam Newton having Steve Smith and Lloyd as his two main receivers!).  Getting value for Lloyd now would be a good move for the Broncos, as he will be a free agent after this season.

The Broncos are reportedly looking for a 3rd-4th round draft selection in exchange for Lloyd, which could help them in rebuilding their defensive unit.  Lloyd will probably be asking for more money than the Broncos are willing to give him next offseason, so it’s not surprising that the team is shopping him.

As Klis pointed out, the Broncos will also have receivers Demaryius Thomas and Eddie Royal back from injury following the bye, solidifying Denver’s receiving corps with Eric Decker‘s emergence.  With quarterback Tim Tebow under center, the Broncos will also have a run oriented offense, one which will have no need for a high-paid receiver that gets disgruntled when not receiving the ball.

Personally, I think the Broncos should make this happen.  Lloyd is 30 years old and has only one notable season in nine years — his value will never be as high as it is now.  Rather than letting him walk next offseason, why not get another draft selection for him now?

Cornerback Darius Butler (left) was awarded on waivers to the Carolina Panthers Wednesday. The Denver Broncos also placed a claim. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Their prime time season opener is a mere five days away, but the Denver Broncos might not be done tweaking their roster.

The Broncos placed a waiver claim for CB Darius Butler Wednesday, per several reports. Unfortunately the Carolina Panthers, the only team in the NFL with higher waiver priority than Denver, were one of three other teams to do so, and the Panthers were subsequently awarded the third-year player. Butler, a 2009 2nd round draft pick, was waived by the New England Patriots Tuesday.

This wasn’t the first we had heard that the Broncos were exploring their options at cornerback. Earlier Wednesday, we shared scoop that the Broncos were actively looking.

Either Jonathan Wilhite isn’t quite panning out or the Broncos want to add even more depth at corner. Stay tuned.

Mike McGlynn was waived by the Philadelphia Eagles Saturday and could have been a Denver Bronco Sunday. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The Denver Broncos had the 2nd pick in the NFL waiver wire Sunday. Many thought “The Day After Cut Day” would be a virtual second draft for the Broncos in 2011. Deeper teams’ trash would become Mile High treasures for a front office eager to improve its depth and talent.

But the Broncos opted not to place one claim.

In contrast, the Carolina Panthers, who had top priority, snagged five players through waiver wire claims Sunday. Other teams, like the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, picked up three apiece.

It’s true that claiming a player on the waiver wire means you also inherit the player’s contract, and that the Broncos haven’t been as loose with the purse strings as they have been in years past, but not addressing their depth on the offensive line and defensive line with some of the players that were available is surprising at best, maddening at worst.

For instance, the Bengals, who had the 4th option in the waiver wire, snagged two young, experienced, relatively productive players in WR Brandon Tate and C/G Mike McGlynn. It’s particularly disappointing to see McGlynn go to another team when the Broncos could have easily signed the former Eagles starter. It’s true that McGlynn doesn’t know the Broncos’ system, but he’d be a clear upgrade over Manny Ramirez or even Russ Hochstein. And, as a backup, he’d have time to learn.

Today’s flurry of moves means the Broncos do have another option at the waiver wire tomorrow. But based on today’s relative lack of activity (signing CB Jonathan Wilhite, a free agent, was the only roster move), don’t get your hopes up.