While the Broncos are actively pursuing free agents LB Boss Bailey and S Marlon McCree, they are also hinting at potentially visiting with Colts starting right guard Jake Scott. The Rocky Mountain News reports that Scott recently left Tennessee without a contract, and that Denver has mentioned interest in acquiring his talents. The author also noted that he possesses the size and athleticism Denver seeks for its zone blocking scheme.

Scott measures in at 6-5, 295 lbs. A fifth round pick of the Colts in 2004, Scott started at right guard four weeks into his rookie season and hasn’t missed a game since. He has played predominantly at RG but has also moved to RT at times.

I would love to see Scott in a Broncos uniform, but the free agent market for guards has elevated to extremes ever since Steve Hutchinson‘s deal a few years back. The Broncos may have to pony up more dough than they have to date this offseason to acquire Scott. Also, Scott may not have a definite starting position on the line, especially when the Broncos’ best offensive lineman last year, Montrae Holland, currently has the right guard spot on lock.

With Tom Nalen and possibly Ben Hamilton on their last legs, his addition might be especially valuable, though. Personally, I’m crossing my fingers.

The aftermath of the Javon Walker six-year deal is making the rounds of the Internet, and the consensus is clear – this deal is easily the worst signing by a team in the past 5 years – and possibly ever.

“Tommy Kelly looks like a bargain now. Javon Walker’s six-year, $55 million contract, with $27 million available in the first three years, was onerous in so many ways. It’s the single most shocking contract I’ve seen in the last five years.” — Rotoworld.com

When an oft-injured defensive lineman’s hypersaturated $50 million contract looks like a bargain, you know you’ve overspent. Then this one, from the NFL Official Site no less:

“Since last Thursday, the Raiders have doled out more than $144 million in contracts to defensive tackle Tommy Kelly ($50.1 million), safety Gibril Wilson ($39 million), and Walker ($55 million).

“The final one came Tuesday night, when the Raiders and Walker’s agent, Kennard McGuire, agreed to a deal that instantly became the talk of the league as the single-most stunning free-agent contract this off-season — maybe ever.” — NFL.com

Doesn’t that just put a sick, twisted smile on your face, Broncos fans? We’re laughing all the way to a season sweep while Javon Walker is laughing all the way to the bank.

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The Seattle Post Intelligencer has a good writeup on our new MLB, Niko Koutouvides. It looks like he will be greatly missed there, and they are predicting that he will be a substantial option for the Broncos as a starter in the “mike” position. Could we have uncovered a diamond in the rough? Full Article

Also out of the Post Intelligencer, an old friend and TE signed with the Seahawks.

• Champ‘s brother is in town today, but the elder Bailey says family ties won’t determine Boss‘ free agent fate. [Rocky Mountain News]
• Yahoo! Sports printed their retraction, removing the paragraph regarding Shanahan and his alleged spying, but Shanny’s lawyers point out that this is just a first step. [Rocky Mountain News]
• If there were any lingering doubts whether Gary Zimmerman would be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a Bronco or Viking, they’ve been answered. He has selected Broncos owner Pat Bowlen to be his presenter. [Denver Post]

Wow… just wow… Al Davis has officially gone off the deep end. [Full Story]

According to a league source, the Oakland Raiders reached an agreement with Javon Walker on a multi-year deal. The contract is for six years worth $55 million with $16 million guaranteed. Under the terms of the deal, Walker receives $27 million in the first three years.

For the record, Randy Moss just recently agreed to a three-year, $27 million deal with the Patriots.

The Raiders are throwing a ton of money at guys with huge injury concerns, and Walker has character issues to boot. It looks like we’ll be seeing #84 line up against #24 for a few years to come, assuming Javon is ever healthy enough to see the field.

If I were a vindictive fan (which I am, somewhat), and wanted to get back at Javon for screwing us, I couldn’t wish him any more harm and loss than joining the Raiders. Faider fans will soon realize Javon’s only about the money – he’s got that now, so good luck getting any type of production out of him.

God, I just cannot wrap my head around this deal. TWENTY SEVEN MILLION IN THREE YEARS?! How insane can you be?!

It’s been eerily quiet in Javon Walker camp since it was first reported that some 10 teams were interested in his services (a claim I figured was some serious chest puffing by Javon’s agents)… today, Adam Schefter of the NFL Network reports that the Oakland Raiders are visiting with Javon, and the two could agree to terms on a multi-year deal as soon as Wednesday.

Broncos fans are well aware that Javon just wants to get paid… if the $18 million in guarantees given to DL Tommy Kelly is any indication, Walker has come to the right place.

While it disgusts me to think of Walker in silver and black, it’ll be fun to watch Champ completely shut Javon down. That is, if he’s ever healthy enough to see the field.

What do you all think of this? Discuss below.

• The Broncos will be visiting with Lions LB Boss Bailey and Chargers S Marlon McCree on Wednesday, and journeyman S Marquand Manuel will visit Dove Valley on Friday. [The Beat / Photo Courtesy]
• The Broncos made it official with Keary Colbert, Niko Koutouvides, and Ebenezer Ekuban. [DenverBroncos.com]
• Jason Elam may be considering retirement, too. [Denver Post]
• My boy Montrae Holland may have inspired the Broncos to find less expensive lesser-knowns to fill in positions of need in free agency. [Denver Post]
• Keary Colbert hopes to fill Rod Smith‘s shoes. [Rocky Mountain News]
• Brett Favre has reportedly called it a career.  [Fox Sports]

The Denver Broncos announced earlier this week that they signed linebacker Niko Koutouvides to a 3-year, $7.5 million deal. Koutouvides (pronounced KOO-tah-VEE-dees) is a career backup at the middle linebacker position, and will have an opportunity to compete for the starting job in training camp this fall.

Koutouvides measures in at 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds, joining the Broncos in his fifth year after four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. He was selected by Seattle in the 4th round of the 2004 NFL Draft coming out of Purdue University. He has played 59 career regular-season games (2 starts), totaling 60 special-teams tackles, 52 defensive stops, one sack and one pass breakup.

Koutouvides’ 60 special-teams tackles rank seventh in the NFL since he entered the league in 2004, and he led Seattle or tied for its team high in special-teams stops during three of his four seasons with the club.

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With the New England Patriots “Spygate” charges stealing the NFL headlines as of late, any hint or indication of spying or cheating in the NFL is taken as seriously as possible. Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan was casually accused of cheating in a September Yahoo! Sports article, and is now lashing back at the author and publisher, calling the story “bogus.” The original article, found here, was published on September 13 of last year, but wasn’t noticed for its pointed accusations toward Coach until recently.

Below is the excerpt in question:

More recently, the San Diego Chargers increased their security several years ago at a hill overlooking the practice field at the team facility during weeks when they played the Denver Broncos. Why? It turns out Broncos coach Mike Shanahan had been hiring spies to videotape the Chargers practices. The NFL had been aware of it for several years (at least one NFL official had seen one of the tapes), but didn’t step in because it was considered a team issue.

Now Shanahan is lashing back at his accusers, vehemently denying the claims and accusing the author and publishers of libel. The Rocky Mountain News reports that Shanahan and his lawyers have written a letter to several higher-ups at Yahoo!, demanding a retraction and apology.

The full letter (in PDF format) can be found here. Highlights from the RMN story and more after the jump:

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In a recent statement, the Denver Broncos effectively cleared recently-arrested DT Marcus Thomas of his drug-related charges, at least in regards to potential issues the arrest may cause with the team:

The Denver Broncos are aware that Marcus Thomas is under investigation for possession of cocaine and was a passenger in a vehicle where cocaine was found. The owner/operator of the vehicle has since admitted the cocaine was his and no cocaine was ever found on Marcus Thomas. Within hours of his release, Marcus had a test which confirmed that there was no cocaine in his system. The Broncos are hopeful that no charges will be filed, and we are monitoring the situation as it goes forward.

Thomas, a 2007 fourth-round draft pick with first round talent, has had his run-ins with the law and drugs in the past. While it appears that Thomas was innocent, he may have dodged a bullet this time. The bottom line, and I know it’s easier said than done: it’s time to find new friends, Thomas. Keep yourself clean and the fans will be doing backflips for you.