Quarterback Michael Vick has been granted a conditional reinstatement by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and could begin playing games as early as Week 6, the NFL announced today.

The former Falcons QB was suspended indefinitely in 2007 after facing criminal charges involving his underground “Bad News Kennelz” dogfighting operation. The reinstatement grants Vick the ability to immediately participate in preseason practices, workouts and meetings and to play in the final two preseason games. Vick, once the highest-paid player in the NFL, is not signed with any team.

Vick has been a hot topic across the entire NFL of late, and the Broncos are no exception. What do you think? Should the Broncos take a look at Michael Vick? Personally, I’m against it, but I know a lot of fans are torn on the subject. Dish it out in the comments.

ENGLEWOOD, CO - JUNE 12: First round draft pick running back Knowshon Moreno #27 of the Denver Broncos runs the ball during minicamp practice at the Broncos Dove Valley training facility on June 12, 2009 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

It looks like the Denver Broncos might have to begin training camp practices Monday afternoon without their top two rookies in tow. First round picks Knowshon Moreno and Robert Ayers remain unsigned even as the 3pm start of practices grows near.

This could very well change in the hours to come, but word is, the Broncos and their respective parties are still far apart on contract negotiations.

The Denver Post reports that Moreno’s contract negotiations with the team have stalled, citing an NFL source who said there was “no way” the Georgia product would be under contract in time for the start of practice. This is especially unfortunate when you consider the two sides began contract discussions two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, FOX 31 reports that Ayers and the Broncos are “still a ways” apart on agreeing to a deal. A source close to the negotiations told FOX’s Josina Anderson that the two groups were not even on the phone Sunday evening. UPDATE: FOX now reports that negotiations have been ongoing this morning, but as of 9am, talks were “not looking good, still working, but we are still apart on it.”

The Broncos entered the eve of camp with six of ten drafted rookies unsigned. They were able to reach agreements with Alphonso Smith, Darcel McBath, David Bruton, and Tom Brandstater Sunday.

I have to admit, I’m surprised we’re sitting here without our top two guys locked up. We’re counting on both of these guys to make an impact on our team this season, and making the first set of practices is important. That being said, one of the difficulties in signing Moreno and Ayers has to be that only four of the 32 first-round draft picks have signed to date…. The full team doesn’t report until Thursday, so it’s not the end of the world, but it is disappointing if they don’t get either deal done.

McBath, Bruton and Brandstater

The Denver Broncos have announced the signings of rookies Darcel McBath, David Bruton, and Tom Brandstater Sunday evening, hours before rookies are expected to report for training camp. Rookies and quarterbacks begin camp practices Monday, while the full team begins workouts Thursday.

The Broncos’ remaining unsigned draft choices are running back Knowshon Moreno and linebacker Robert Ayers, both drafted in the first round.

Excellent to see the Broncos burning the midnight oil to get this done. On the other hand, the latest on Ayers is that he and the Broncos might not come to terms before practice tomorrow. A source close to the situation told FOX 31 that the two sides were “still a ways” apart, and were “not on the phone now.” We’ll keep you posted. Press release after the jump. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Denver Broncos rookie cornerback Alphonso Smith warms up during drills at the team's mini camp at Broncos headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Saturday, June 13, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Consider the potential of social media as a news-breaking service fulfilled. On the eve of the day Denver Broncos‘ rookies are expected to report to training camp, one of the team’s more controversial draft choices announced he has signed his contract – through his Facebook profile.

Alphonso Smith, cornerback drafted in the 2nd round, posted on his FB Wall, “I am officially apart of the Denver Broncos…deal finally done….time to play some football…….”

Smith’s selection by the Broncos was mired by many fans because of its steep price. The Broncos traded their 2010 first-round selection to draft Smith early in the second round. They still own the Chicago Bears‘ first-round choice they acquired through the Jay Cutler trade.

Smith is expected to compete for the starting nickelback position in training camp.

Rookies, quarterbacks, and injured vets report to training camp tomorrow. The Broncos still have five drafted players unsigned, including three of their four top draft picks.

Now it’s time for Smith to prove he was worth a first-rounder all along. I’ll be pulling for him as I scout the DB’s starting next week. UPDATE: Broncos press release after the jump. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

As has been rumored for some time now, the NFL is moving the NFL Draft to a three-day, Thursday-Saturday evening event starting in 2010. Round One will be held on Thursday beginning at 7:30pm; Rounds 2-3 will be held on Friday starting at 6:30pm, and the final rounds 4-7 will be held Saturday starting at 10am.

ESPN and the NFL Network will continue to provide television coverage for the event. The 2010 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 22-24.

What do you think of the move, Broncos fans? Personally, I hate it. The draft drags on enough already, not to mention that the Thursday event will be cutting it close for the Pacific time zone fans getting off work later.

UPDATE: The Broncos announced the signing, making it official. They also released undrafted rookie receiver David Grimes. Press release after the jump.

Sources close to the negotiations indicate the Denver Broncos have agreed to terms with 4th round OG Seth Olsen. According to rotoworld.com, it’s a four-year deal with a $415,000 signing bonus.

The rotoworld blurb says the drafting of Olsen is “more evidence that they’re moving away from their old zone-blocking scheme.” Don’t listen to that nonsense; we kept offensive line coach Rick Dennison and running back coach Bobby Turner for a reason.

This leaves six of ten draft picks unsigned, including the Broncos’ top four selections. Rookies report on Monday, July 27th. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Kyle Orton Week continues on BroncoTalk. We’ve already broken down The Good; now let’s take a look at The Bad, with the series’ conclusion, The Ugly, coming later this week.

On paper, Kyle Orton is a mediocre quarterback.

Boasting a career passer rating of 71.1 in 33 games played over a four-year span, and a touchdown-interception ratio of 30-27, Orton hasn’t been horrible, but he hasn’t been that good, either. All but 15 of those games were played in a backup capacity to boot, having never won a starting NFL QB job until 2008. Take a look at the stats (click to enlarge):

Of course, Orton had his best year as a pro last year, where he boasted a still-not-great, but better, 79.6 passer rating. Is it feasible he will continue to impress this year? Possibly, but some early reports from mini camp have been less than favorable. Here’s Woody Paige (Denver Post):

During practice with the first team, Orton threw a couple of interceptions and also threw a completion to the young man operating the music machine several yards out of bounds and threw a pass onto the distant field. And he was forced to eat the ball twice on red-zone plays. It was not Orton’s best day on the field.

OK Woody, fair enough. But let’s take a look at some highlights and try and see for ourselves. Let’s look with some purpose and focus, however, and not be blinded by the flashy end results (these are all highlight reels after all). I want you to look at Orton as a technical passer. Two videos after the jump. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Quinn and McKinley

With only four days until the rookies report for training camp, it was about time the Denver Broncos got the ball rolling with draft-pick contracts.

Today, the team announced signings of tight end Richard Quinn (2nd round, 64th overall) and wide receiver Kenny McKinley (5th round, 141st overall). Along with seventh round pick C Blake Schlueter, these are the only three of ten 2009 Denver Broncos draft choices that have signed with the team to date.

The Broncos had a top-heavy draft, and still have yet to sign four players selected in the first two rounds (RB Knowshon Moreno, DE/OLB Robert Ayers, CB Alphonso Smith, and DB Darcel McBath). The Broncos have already begun contract discussions with their top overall selection Moreno.

It looks like Josh McDaniels and GM Brian Xanders have their work cut out for them in the next few days. Burn that midnight oil and get these rooks into camp on time. Press release after the jump. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

The Broncos Nation Podcast is celebrating its Season 2 premier, and BT Staffers Josh and myself joined the show’s hosts, Ian Henson (also from BT) and Danh Hoang for the festivities. We broke down the Brandon Marshall situation from all angles, talked about Kyle Orton (it’s his week after all), discussed the potential of additions Knowshon Moreno and Brian Dawkins, and even revealed our respective 50th Anniversary All-Time Broncos Teams.

Download the episode here: The Broncos Nation Podcast Episode 2.1, and check out the podcast at the iTunes store! Many thanks to Ian and Danh for having us on the show, and we’re looking forward to more collaborations in the future!

Bears OC Ron Turner, WR Devon Hester, and Orton in March 2009 (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

What, you didn’t think we were done, did you? Kyle Orton Week continues on BroncoTalk, busting open the space-time continuum and forming the LONGEST WEEK EVER. (In all seriousness we have a lot more content to deliver on KO that we couldn’t fit in due to time constraints.) For now, let’s caption another golden photo of the Neckbeard, this time from the end of his Chicago Bears Era. Your wittiest, most cleverest captions in the comments. Thursday’s winner after the jump. Click here to read the rest of this entry »