The Denver Broncos released their first depth chart of the 2009 season today, with several surprises.

• Brandon Marshall is not listed as a starter, although this is only mildly surprising.
• Knowshon Moreno is listed as the fourth tailback, while Ryan Torain is the fifth.
• The fullback position is not even listed (Coach Josh McDaniels has said that the FB would not be on the field often).
• Marcus Thomas is only listed at DE, although he’s been practicing extensively as the 2nd team NT.
• Mario Haggan has shot up the depth chart at OLB, where I rarely saw him line up in camp, and is listed as a starter over Darrell Reid and Robert Ayers.
• Neither Eddie Royal nor Kenny McKinley are listed at the returner spots, although both have seen plenty of work there.

The full depth chart is after the jump! Click here to read the rest of this entry »

As is my annual tradition, it’s time to select my favorite lesser-known Broncos.

It’s about this time each year, that I find a few players buried deep in Denver’s roster that I begin championing to friends and family. Over the year’s only a couple have risen to the starting line up while most turn out to be duds — and are quietly sent packing. However, as a fan of the Broncos I feel like pulling for the underdog is as natural as expecting ole #7 to pull out a win in a late 4th quarter game on ESPN Classics. So I’m proud to have promoted the ‘Free Thump Belton Movement‘ and cheer for characters like Kevin Kasper and Nate Jackson. They might have been deep on the depth chart and no one might own their jerseys, but they’re also Denver Broncos. And as a die-hard fan, I want to support the ‘little guys’ as well as the marquee players!

Here’s a look at some of my choices from the last few years: Click here to read the rest of this entry »

The moment we’ve all been waiting for.
After compiling the list of everyone interested (in having their butts handed to them by the BT staff) we have chosen 30 names to represent the readers in the
1st EVER BRONCOTALK FANTASY FOOTBALL CHALLENGE.
Contestants were chosen at random, we apologize if you weren’t picked. Look on the bright side, you have avoided certain embarrassment.

To maximize the number of participants, we will be splitting into:
3 leagues
12 teams in each league
2 staffers per league
10 readers per league

When all is said and done the league champ with the highest point total will be named Supreme Being/Winner of the Jersey. Runner-up prizes TBD.

Before we get down to biznass here is a quick read from ESPN Fantasy pages on Orton.

Broncos Fans, here are your BRONCOTALK Fantasy Football Challenge rosters! Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Mike Rice‘s blog over at denverbroncos.com informs us that we can expect the team’s first depth chart to be released Monday (tomorrow). Every year, the unveiling of the team’s first depth chart is always an exciting event for fans as we get to take a glimpse into the coaches’ heads and see how they’re evaluating the players thus far in camp.

With that being said, what are your predictions for this first depth chart? What surprises do you believe are in store? Where will Brandon Marshall and Knowshon Moreno be slotted after missing nearly every training camp workout? Do you foresee any rookies jumping ahead and making a splash this early? We want to hear from you, so dish it out in the comments, and go Broncos!

Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels, left, confers with offensive line coach Rick Dennison before drills during NFL football training camp at the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Friday, Aug. 7, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Your wittiest, most cleverest captions in the comments. Last week’s winner after the jump. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

First round draft pick running back Knowshon Moreno of the Denver Broncos runs the ball in June. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Adam Schefter along with the Denver Post is reporting via Twitter that the Broncos have agreed to terms with first round selection Knowshon Moreno.  Mike Klis has stated that the deal is for five years and $23 million.  It is unknown whether Moreno will be able to participate in the Broncos first preseason game again the 49ers next weekend.

RB Knownshon Moreno’s deal with Denver, finally, is done.

Just the news Broncos fans have wanted. So now, Knowshon will no longer be a Knowshow.

-Adam Schefter (Twitter)

The Broncos have reached an agreement on a five-year contract with Knowshon Moreno. The deal ends the rookie tailback’s 8-day holdout from training camp.

-Mike Klis (Denver Post)

Definitely excited. Can’t wait to get back

There wasn’t much I could do except workout all week. I’m happy to be part of the Broncos now. And I’m going to get back there and work hard.

-Knowshon Moreno

Knowshon Moreno the Broncos #12 pick in 2009 was still in Georgia this morning.

Future ESPNer and current Tweeter Adam Schefter just tweeted that a deal to bring in Denver Broncos other 1st Round Draft Pick Knowshon Moreno is near complete!

We will keep you up to date with any details that surface throughout the evening. We do know that there is a basement for his signing, given that the Washington Redskins sealed Brian Orakpo (the player chose after Moreno in the draft) several days ago.

Someone is about to make $20-million plus and he didn’t even have to score three touchdowns yesterday to do it…

13,402 fans attended the Thursday night practice at INVESCO Field at Mile High, a record audience for a Denver Broncos practice. (BroncoTalk/Kyle Montgomery)

Denver Broncos training camp goes to INVESCO Field at Mile High… News and notes from the Thursday evening practice.

The record 13,402 in attendance for a Broncos practice didn’t disappoint. Yes, there were boos, but there were also plenty of cheers and foot-pounding thunder as well. To end the practice, 850 KOA AM’s Dave Logan (who was the emcee of sorts) echoed a message from the Broncos thanking “the world’s best fans,” and then the entire team spent a good fifteen minutes signing autographs. And joy and good times were had by all.

Attendance Report

Only missing were the usual suspects – Brandon Marshall, Brian Dawkins and Rulon Davis. Tight end Marquez Branson and defensive lineman J’Vonne Parker both left the field with what looked like knee injuries. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton, left, talks with wide receiver Jabar Gaffney as they take part in drills during a scrimmage as part of NFL football training camp at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

It was a rough night for Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton and kicker Matt Prater. The two men most responsible for scoring points for the Broncos this year had trouble doing it.

The 13,402 in attendance at INVESCO Field at Mile High – a record crowd for a Broncos practice – weren’t in a forgiving mood.

Orton, the Broncos’ starting quarterback, looked shaky at best, and played terribly at the most inopportune of moments. During the team scrimmage portion of practice, Orton threw several deep, downfield, hold-your-breath throws. Every one of them was off target or to well-covered receivers. Two balls in particular were intercepted by cornerback Andre Goodman, one of which Goodman returned over 50 yards for a touchdown.

Matt Prater’s luck wasn’t any better. At the end of practice, the second-year kicker lined up for several field goal attempts from 43 yards. His first kick? Wide right. His second? Wide left. The crowd’s disapproval was deafening. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

The Denver Post is reporting, citing several team sources, that Denver Broncos safety Brian Dawkins had surgery to repair a broken hand he suffered Tuesday during practice. Head Coach Josh McDaniels would neither confirm nor deny the report after practice Thursday.

Dawkins is expected to miss two weeks.