Previewing, breaking down, and picking the winners of this weekend’s playoff action. Your picks and game discussion in the comments.

Cardinals (10-6) at Saints (13-3)
2:30 p.m. MT
The Line: Saints by 7

The Story: Do you like points, Football Fan? Oh, you do? Well last week, the Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers set an offensive playoff record with their 96-point overtime thriller. And as good as that shootout between Kurt Warner and Aaron Rodgers was, there’s potential for today’s game to be even better. Drew Brees and Warner will forsake running backs and take to the skies in what should be another offensive juggernaut. Defenses need not apply. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Javon Walker

It is being reported that former Bronco wide receiver Javon Walker has been subpoenaed as a witness in the murder trial of Darrent Williams.  Defendant Willie Clark has been charged with murdering the Broncos cornerback on New Years day 2007.  Clark stated to the post that he did not kill Darrent Williams.  The judge, Christina Habas has banned all players and public testifying or attending the proceedings from wearing championship rings or other team paraphernalia that could swing juror opinion in the case.

Judge Christina Habas has ordered that no one could wear any “clothing, jewelry or reference to any sports team” in the court room during proceedings.  “I do not want to make this a circus,” Habas said. “If people want to exercise their free speech rights, they can go to the overflow court room.”  The “overflow court room” Habas was referring to will be the Denver city council chambers. Only audio of the trial will be available there.

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

The Denver Broncos‘ first scheduled game of the 2010 regular season has been announced, with the Mile High football club set to enter foreign territory.  Literally.

The NFL announced today that the Broncos will play the San Francisco 49ers in London, England on October 31 (Halloween) as part of the league’s International Series.  Kickoff will be set for 11 a.m. MST (5 p.m. local time).

“It’s a wonderful, historic opportunity for our franchise and will be an unforgettable experience for our players, coaches and fans,” Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said.  “I’m excited for the game in London and am thrilled that the Broncos will be part of the NFL’s continued international growth.”

The game counts as a home game for the Niners, meaning the Broncos will still host eight games at Invesco Field at Mile High.  It also effectively neutralizes what would have been an away game for the Broncos, since San Francisco loses its home-field advantage.

Tell us what you think, fans — do you like the Broncos heading to the UK?  Dish it out in the comments.  Press release after the jump. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

• Mike Shanahan made his first signing with the Redskins: 2008 Denver Broncos 4th round draft pick Kory Lichtensteiger.  [ProFootballTalk]
• Age and experience are deciding factors as Josh McDaniels evaluates his personnel this offseason.  [Denver Post]
• The Broncos have a lot of tender decisions to make.  (Yeah, sorry).  [DPO]
• We seriously applaud the Gazette’s Frank Schwab for displaying transparency in his awards ballot.  Check out his votes for the AP All-Pro teams, offense and defense.  [Colorado Springs Gazette]
• Champ Bailey may not have been worthy of trumping Darrelle Revis or Charles Woodson on the AP All-Pro’s first team, but he can make an argument for second team.  [All Things Broncos]
• The Jets are a turnover-happy team that will look to continue that trend against the Chargers.  [San Diego Union Tribune]
• So that means Ladainian Tomlinson is not okay with a reduced role, right?  [Sporting News]
• The Chargers are starting to feel the heat.  [SDUT]
• Tom Cable‘s meeting(s) with Al Davis are expected to continue through Friday.  [ESPN]
• Even with Romeo Crennel taking the reigns, the Chiefs‘ defensive coordinator in 2009 still has a spot on Todd Haley‘s staff.  [ESPN]

Dennison's done in Denver (AP Photo)

We’re not the only Broncos blog on the block, so let’s go take a walk ’round the neighborhood…

Broncos Stable discusses Rick Dennison‘s coaching career before mentioning how big a downer these departures have been. “Right now everyone is leaving, and that’s not so much fun.”

South Stands Denver prognosticates the playoffs again. Colin went 1-3 over Wild Card Weekend and likes all the home teams. Reidy went 2-2 and only picks the Chargers among the home teams.

P.P. over at Horvil Tiki actually found one of those elusive Josh McDaniels high school football trading cards, if you take his word for it.

Former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Baraka Atkins has been signed to a 2010 contract with the Denver Broncos.

The Denver Broncos on Thursday signed outside linebacker/defensive end Baraka Atkins to a future contract, it was announced. He will be officially added to Denver’s roster at the conclusion of the 2009 NFL season in February.

This guy’s young and has some playing experience; like all the future contract players, he’ll be fighting for a roster spot in August, but he actually stands a good shot. The rest of the press release after the jump. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Clady and Dumervil’s first-team selections marks the Broncos’ first such multiple All-Pro players since 2005.

The Denver Broncos are well represented in the 2010 Associated Press All-Pro Team.  Tackle Ryan Clady and linebacker Elvis Dumervil were both named first-team All-Pros, while safety Brian Dawkins was named second-team.

“To be selected for the All-Pro team is really overwhelming to me,” Clady told the Associated Press. “There are so many great tackles playing right now. To be recognized among them is truly a blessing. I would like to thank my teammates and coaches for this honor.”

All three were selected to the Pro Bowl this year, firsts for Clady and Dumervil. Clady was named second-team All Pro as a rookie in 2008.

It’s only the fifth time in the past 20 years that the Broncos have boasted multiple first-teamers (2005, 1996-98).

And if my quick scan of the All-Pro team list was correct, the only other players in the division to make first-team All-Pro were specialists Shane Lechler and Nate Kaeding. The Broncos have closed the talent gap in the AFC West; it’s time they took control.

• Elvis Dumervil grew up in Miami’s Little Haiti and has 40-50 relatives in the country.  [Denver Post]
• Dumervil encourages everyone to donate.  [All Things Broncos]
• View video of Dumervil’s appearance on SC here.  [BroncoTalk]
• Darrell Reid was in the Dominican Republic, which shares the island with Haiti, when the earthquake struck.  Reid returned to the US Wednesday.  [ATB]
• Jeff Legwold discusses the Broncos’ likely scheme change(s) in the wake of Bobby Turner and Rick Dennison‘s coaching hires.  [DPO]
• Woody Paige tackles Kyle Orton (not literally), Brandon Marshall, Peyton Hillis, Josh McDaniels and others in his latest mailbag.  [DPO]
• Legwold explains what a “futures” contract is.  Can we drop the ‘s’ already?  Singular works fine.  “Future contract.”  /venting [DPO]
• The Chargers expect the Jets to bring the blitz.  [San Diego Union Tribune]
• Taking an objective look at Shannon Sharpe‘s chances in the Hall of Fame.  [Pro Football Reference]

Coasting the sports blogosphere at 5280 feet.

Broncos Zone asked other Broncos bloggers what Denver should do with their upcoming restricted free agents, particularly Kyle Orton, and everyone agrees that Orton should be back in 2010 (and Elvis Dumervil deserves to get paid).

The Mothership encourages you to vote for Brandon Stokley‘s Immaculate Deflection for the 2009 Sprint Can’t Miss Play of the Year. View our favorite version of the play here.

Bleacher Report grades the 2009 season. Yeah, we know, more grades. But this one’s in a slideshow format, which makes it slightly less lame.

The devastation in Haiti is hitting us all differently as we come to grips with the estimated “several hundred thousand” people who have lost their lives.  For many, like Elvis Dumervil, the situation hits closer to home.

UPDATE: Here is video of Dumervil’s appearance on SportsCenter this afternoon.

Please do whatever your means allow to help those affected.  One of the easiest ways it to text “HAITI” to 90999 and confirm the $10 American Red Cross International Relief Fund charge to your cell phone bill.  Darrell Reid did that ten times today and donated $100 while waiting for a plane… it’s really that easy.  Also visit yele.org, the web site Dumervil mentioned in the video. We encourage you to take a minute and contribute in whatever way you are able.