The varsity football coaches for Chaparral High School. Dave Ziegler seen in the front row, thrid from the left. (Courtesy of www.chaparralfootball.com)

It is uncommon, but not unheard of, for a football coach to jump from High School to the Pro’s.

Chaparral High School Football Special Teams Coordinator/RB Coach Dave Ziegler has just made the jump.

The Broncos have signed Ziegler to the player personnel/football operations staff.

Under Ziegler, Scottsdale Chaparral’s runningbacks–Dwayne Garrett and Cole Tyree–rushed for 3,200 yards and scored 45 touchdowns on their way to a state championship last season.

Dave Ziegler has coached College and High School ball for the past seven years.

The Motherland

My pilgrimage to Mecca begins on Tuesday August 17th. Delta Airlines will be flying me to the Mile High City. With the exception of once as a very young child and a couple of layovers, I have never been to Denver, let alone Colorado. You can imagine how estatic I am to spend four days watching my favorite sports team/thing in life, while being in the city they call home. Scattered throughout this article you will find random facts about Denver.

FACT: Denver International is the nation’s largest airport at 53 square miles, it could hold both Dallas-Fort Worth and Chicago O’Hare Airports combined.

In order to prepare for the epic event, I am preparing a checklist of things to do while in Denver/Englewood.

1. Check on the status of Kyle Orton’s neckbeard.

Is the neckbeard good or bad luck? I just don’t know. What I do know is that I dig the rugged lumberjack look on my QB. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

If the Broncos are to succeed this upcoming season many of their players are going to have to turn it up to eleven.

A PSA for everyone before we begin. 

No! Not Tim Tebow! Just stop it!

Back to your regular scheduled broadcasting.

10. Ronald Fields & Jamal Williams

They may be two different players but they should rotate and play like one. Ronald Fields had a pretty good season last year, but he wore down in the stretch due to the lack of rotation at the nose tackle position. If the Bronco’s defensive line is going to hold up, these boys are going to have to hold their end of the bargain.

9. Darcel McBath Click here to read the rest of this entry »

I wrote an article a few months back before the Marshall trade that detailed my lack luster judgement when it comes to purchasing jerseys. The basic gist is that every player whose jersey I bought has been let go or traded (or retired, damn you Plummer). Every single purchase.

It is obvious that I am not capable of making these decisions alone, I mean I was this close to buying a Marcus Thomas jersey once. What the hell is wrong with me? Did I once unknowingly buy a Mike Shanahan jersey? It is clear that I need proper guidance, the only kind of guidance other Bronco fans can provide.

Aid me in my quest Bronco fans. Which player’s jersey should I buy for this season?

Don’t you even think Ryan Clady. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Jabar Gaffney during Denver Broncos training camp drills on Sunday Aug 2, 2009. (BroncoTalk/Kyle Montgomery)

Only 24 days until Bronco Veterans report for the first practice of training camp that will be open to the public on August 1st. Let the count down begin!

• Zane Beadles has earned respect and confidence from the Broncos front office. [DenverBroncos.com]
• Alex Marvez interviews QB Tim Tebow at NFL rookie symposium. [YouTube video]
• Tebow’s No. 15 Denver Broncos jersey was the highest selling jersey in the NFL from April 1 to June 30. [CNBC]
• It is rare for the Broncos to get any kind of respect or praise from the World Wide Leader in Sports, so it’s not surprising to see ESPN insulted Denver with a 23 ranking. [DenverPost]

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Offensive Tackle Kirk Barton stands on the sideline during a Bears practice. (Photo © 2007 by John Cravatta)

A day after being waived by the Detroit Lions, offensive lineman Kirk Barton found himself claimed off waivers by the Broncos.

A big boy, 6-6, 300 pounds, Barton was drafted in the last round of the 2008 NFL Draft. The former Ohio State Buckeye was selected by the Bears. Although he’s been on the rosters of the 49ers, Dolphins, Bengals, Lions, and Bears, he’s only played in one game.

Head Coach Josh McDaniels loves competition (that has become obvious), however, that’s probably not the sole reason for the signing. The Broncos O-line is a little shaky heading into Training Camp, with Ryan Harris and Ryan Clady coming off injuries, and a rookie probably handling the center duties. Adding some more depth was a solid move, even if he only contributes in some camp practices.

Raised in Naples, Florida, Barton was born on November 4, 1984.

Eric Decker is saying goodbye to Lis Franc at Larry Fitzgerald’s football camp this weekand greeting a new world of NFL route running. When it comes to health Decker has not been a man of fortune. However, geography is acting quite favorably towards him because Fitzgerald’s camp takes place at Decker’s Alma matter, the University of Minnesota. Fitzgerald himself is native to Minnesota. This year Fitz brought a variety of  stars, including Michael Irvin and Roy Green.

“Especially being in my backyard, you can’t miss this opportunity. Having Michael Irvin, Larry Fitzgerald, Roy Green, great quarterbacks,” he [Decker] said. “Everybody is working hard together for a common goal and that’s to be the best you can be going into training camp.”

Not only is this a great opportunity for Decker, this is a great sign of progression. Eric Decker is finally out of the training room and onto the field and just in time for training camp. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

The Denver Broncos waived wide receivers Dicky Lyons and Landis Williams, the club announced Tuesday.

Williams was an undrafted free agent rookie out of Maine, while Lyons was a first-year player from Kentucky who spent some time with the Atlanta Falcons in training camp in 2009.

In this Dec. 13, 2009, photo, Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney gestures during an NFL football game between the Colts and the Denver Broncos in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

One of the Broncos hardest home games in 2010 will come in week 3 on September 26th against the Indianapolis Colts. While it is debated who will be the starting quarterback, common sense insists that it will be Kyle Orton. Yet, Dwight Freeney is looking forward to hitting Tim Tebow.

“I couldn’t wait to hit Mark Sanchez,” Freeney told Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times. “And I can’t wait to hit Tim Tebow even more.”

If Mr. Freeney is hoping to get to Tebow in September though, he has another thing coming, as I expect Tebow won’t be getting much, if any, playing time as a rookie.
Click here to read the rest of this entry »

It's the questions and McDaniels has them for Rick Dennison. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Last year’s training camp was one of the most interesting in recent years for Denver fans and Bronco Talk was there for you. This year won’t be any different. As of yesterday I just finalized my plan to make it to a few days of the Denver Bronco’s training camp. Kyle and Jon will be there early on, as will Ian, and I will be there for four practices in the middle-to-late stage. Translation: Lots of training camp coverage.

So let us prepare for what we are about to witness. It’s time to stimulate some inter-cranial activity and highlight what just might be the most interesting parts of this year’s training camp.

5. Battle for the 3rd running back position.

Josh McDaniels may like J.J. Arrington a whole lot but that doesn’t mean he’s got the job in the bag. The competition is still wide open outside of the two incumbents (Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter). The Broncos have brought in some new younger guys such as Lance Ball, Toney Baker, Bruce Hall, and Kolby Smith who all have a fair chance at making the roster. Lance Ball and Toney Baker both had solid college careers and Kolby Smith has some NFL experience, so the door is wide open.

One thing to take into consideration is that there is a new sheriff in town at the running back coach position, Eric Studesville. Studesville brought in Bruce Hall, who was on the Buffalo Bills practice squad, so he might also have a viable chance. Click here to read the rest of this entry »