Just some quick quotes from around the web.

Denver Broncos Official Website

Josh McDaniels on Champ Bailey

As an opposing coach, McDaniels said he would give his quarterbacks simple advice when facing Bailey: “Don’t throw over there.”

Eddie Royal on Brandon Stokley

“He’s been great for me — great in helping me grow as a wide receiver,” Royal said. “Just watching him in the slot every day, they should teach tape just watching him, every route he runs. It’s great getting little tips from him.

Denver Post

Peyton Hillis on Peyton Hillis

“It’s all about how I can help the team,” he said. “I want people to see I can do a variety of roles, not just tailback. Slot me out, dot me in the I (formation), put me on special teams. . . . Wherever they put me, I’ll be happy. As far as my athletic ability, I can pretty much do it all. You can put me at linebacker and I’ll do a good job.” Click here to read the rest of this entry »

The 2009 NFL season marks the 50th anniversary of the Denver Broncos. To commemorate the past while embracing the future, the franchise is recognizing its community of fans who have been an integral part of Broncos Country during the first 50 seasons.

As a part of the celebration, fans have the opportunity to select their choice for the All-Time Denver Broncos Team through an online voting tool found at http://www.denverbroncos.com/50th/ (Editor’s note: page is not online yet). Voting begins June 6 and can be completed at Fan Fair or by logging on to DenverBroncos.com any time. Voting concludes Sept. 4.

The rest of the press release can be found after the jump. These are the types of questions and debates that make perfect offseason fodder, and there are a ton to choose from. For instance, who would be the Broncos’ all-time running back? Terrell Davis or Floyd Little. Without Little, the Broncos might not have survived the early years in Denver. Without Davis, the Broncos might not have won two Super Bowls. Voting starts tomorrow, but be sure to give your choices here in the comments.

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His lasting impression.

I’ve always loved Jake. 

With that love also comes understanding. 

I understand that sending the bird towards the mile high sky was uncalled for. I understand the grudge he still holds from being benched for Cutler. I understand his lack of enthusiasm to compete with the gaggle of quarterbacks on the Tampa Bay roster. I understand his leaving the broken bones/bruises of the NFL to play handball professionally with his brother and father. I understand his easy transition to Sandpoint High School quarterbacks coach.

I understand that Denver fans have a love/hate/really really hate relationship with the Snake.

Say what you will, Jake Plummer is definitely his own man. I could list all of Plummer’s achievements on and off the field. I could list all of his shortcomings. Why? Why drudge up all of those useless details when the man left us a shinning piece of gold in Broncos history?

The Mustache roster photo. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler showed up to his OTAs this offseason in high spirits. ESPN covered the whole deal. Mr. Cutler thinks that the receivers in the windy city are comparable to Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall. Something I believe just as much as that the before and after ads on this site are the same person. However, I wasn’t at these workouts. According to ESPN, who was there:

The new quarterback even staunchly defended his teammates. When one fan began asking whether a quarterback makes his receivers better or vice versa, Cutler stopped the fan before he had a chance to finish.

“You’re worried about our wide receivers a little bit? Let me put you at ease,” Cutler said, before explaining how the Broncos’ Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal were relative unknowns before their arrival in Denver. “Receiving-wise, we’ve got what we need here. You don’t need to worry about it.”

I had no idea that Jay single-handedly crafted Royal and Marshall into the receivers they are today. When was it that Mr. Cutler turned fresh Eddie into that beautiful route runner? Was it on that game changing 93 yarder that the corner got burnt on? Perhaps all the times he over threw him? There’s not a chance that Jay doesn’t hang Matt Forte out to dry like he did to Peyton Hillis on that third down pass against Kansas. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

News is breaking that the NFL has decided not to suspend Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall. Marshall was being investigated for a March 2009 incident between him and his fiancee, where witnesses claim the two were being violent with each other outside their apartment in Atlanta, Georgia. Both were taken into custody, with charges being dropped quickly the next day.

Great news, Broncos fans. With all the OTL-hubbub and contract requests of late, it’s nice to get some good news about #15. Hopefully next year Marshall can even enjoy a TRULY incident-free offseason.

The Denver Post’s Kirk Mitchell just released an article regarding the Darrent Williams trial stating,

“Willie Clark, 26, is accused of killing Williams on New Year’s Day 2007. At Friday’s hearing, District Judge Christina Habas also continued the trial set for July to Oct. 13 at the request of Clark’s defense attorneys.“

The continuance was granted based on Clark’s attorneys request to suppress cell phone evidence the prosecution was attempting to use.

Darrent Williams

There has been little movement in the Williams case. In other Williams news, most recently Denver Broncos rookie running back Knowshown Moreno has announced that he will be wearing jersey #27, out of respect for Williams this season.

As The Denver Post’s Mike Klis pointed out this morning, Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall is amongst kings:

“His salary request is affordable for a receiver who averaged 103 catches and 1,295 receiving yards the past two years. Larry Fitzgerald averages $10 million a year, Randy Moss $9 million, Andre Johnson has an eight-year deal at $7.5 million per and Anquan Boldin is holding out in Arizona trying to get a deal worth at least $9 million per.”

Brandon Marshall

However, Klis doesn’t appear to be aware of exactly how much Marshall is asking for, my best guess is somewhere near $5 million for this season, with around five or six years worth of a contract. Okay… And? My early prediction was that Marshall will face little or absolutely no suspension following the announcement of the Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch‘s suspension. However, NFL Spokesman Greg Aiello says that the matter is, “Still pending.”

The fat lady still hasn’t sung on the suspension and Marshall’s ex-girlfriend is singing to whomever is willing to listen. We’ll have to wait until Sunday when ESPN will air “Outside The Lines” featuring Marshall’s ex-girlfriend Rasheeda Watley‘s interview.

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Let the purging of the backfield begin. Denver Post reports that tailback J.J. Arrington has been cut after failing his physical.

So much for my Madden season. Down goes my three-headed monster Moreno/Arrington/Hillis.

UPDATE: The Denver Post is now reporting that Arrington required season-ending micro fracture knee surgery. He will be out for the season.

The first departure of the crowded backfield obviously won’t be the last, but I am surprised that the former Cardinal is leaving Denver so early. With the release the Broncos take a $1.8 million signing bonus hit. But hey, if the guy can’t play, there ain’t no use keeping him around. Hopefully this means the young bunch will get more detailed attention. Could also be a warning shot from Coach McD to anyone who isn’t making their way to the practice field.

2nd UPDATE: Arrington’s bonus was totally dependent on his participation in the OTA’s.

J.J., we hardly knew ya…

The Denver Broncos have had quite the offseason. They fired a head coach, hired a young gun, signed a safety, traded a quarterback, and drafted blindfolded (just kidding – sort of). When all is said and done, the fruits of their labor will be seen on the field; until then, the masses can only speculate.

Don’t count owner Pat Bowlen among the masses. Appearing on ESPN Radio Chicago this week, Bowlen hesitated to comment about the status of his team. Furthermore, when asked about Kyle Orton, Bowlen couldn’t commit to the ex-Bear as the starter.

“It’s a little early for me to start commenting on stuff like that, so we’ll see. We’re going through some OTAs and you know we’re watching guys throw footballs around. But, we’re a long way away-at least I’m a long way-from making any serious judgment calls on who is going to be good and who isn’t.”

We’ve known it’s a race between Chris Simms and Orton, but I’d be able to sleep a lot easier if one of these guys would start to pull away. Hopefuly we’ll get more answers during the Broncos’ minicamp/passing camp on May 26-29, June 2-5 and 8-10.

ESPN Radio Podcast with Pat Bowlen (scroll to about 39:12)

Note: This thought was dug up as my roommates and I were watching the NBA playoffs (if you’re not watching, do so, best playoffs since the MJ era). I realize my first two posts have to do with age, specifically my age. Please bare with me. It seems as if I must be having a quarter life crisis. Give me a month or two and I’ll get over it.

Back in the days when ‘ten plus one’ meant ‘two years from being a teenager,’ I went to the Football Hall of Fame in Canton. To be honest I don’t remember much of the visit, only that I could pick out one souvenir from the gift shop. I chose an 8×10 glossy of Elway stepping back into his drop.

both hands strangling the ball/legs jetting towards earth forming a perfect V/framed by a sea of blurred orange/golden brown locks cascading from his helmet, mere inches from a supreme mullet/this was the precise moment before pigskin evaporation.

I still have this photograph.

When I was old enough to drink, or at least old enough to enter bars, I did so, to watch games. This picture came with me, in a cheap frame, with the ability to stand (meant for displaying family portraits on mantels and end tables). I propped it up on the bar in front of me, the only barrier between the hanging television and myself. It was a portable shrine, a bit of luck, a proclamation of pride. Now, at the time Elway was a no longer playing under center. No, this was meant as a beacon of positive energy, shooting from my barstool in small town Ohio, to whoever was commandeering the Broncos in Mile High Colorado.

Kinda silly. Kinda childish…. Kinda awesome. Click here to read the rest of this entry »