Sorry no updates yesterday. Had early morning meetings and had to work late. I’ve got a few items up my sleeve today for you guys though, so let’s get right to it.

• Champ Bailey was the only Bronco to earn All-Pro votes, and for the first time since 2002, he wasn’t named to the first team. [Mason’s Morsels]
• Good news for season ticket holders out there who may have tried to re-sell tickets for games they can’t attend – the U.S. Senate has got your back. [Rocky Mountian News]
• While the topic of the book seems laughable when you first read about it, Jason Elam did his homework and then some in penning his first action novel. [The Gazette]
• The Houston Texans have the type of offensive coaching staff that makes me drool for years past. Alex Gibbs is now an assistant head coach, and Kyle Shanahan is the offensive coordinator. [Houston Chronicle]

In a tell-all interview with 103.5 The Fox in Colorado, Broncos receiver Javon Walker cleared the air regarding his recent comments where he said Denver was not a good fit for him.

Listen to the interview here.

Note that this isn’t a sports talk station – it’s a classic rock station, and the interviewers could have done a better job (even calling Javon “Brandon” at one point).

Some quick highlights from the interview (paraphrasing and my interpretation) –

• This is not a Green Bay situation, in any form. He has not requested or demanded a trade.
• His issues are almost entirely financial. He just wants to get paid.
• His previous comments saying he’s better suited in a different offense were off-base and out of frustration of losing.  He apologized for those statements.
• He has no control over the situation. The Broncos will decide to either honor their contract or trade him.
• He gave the listeners his resume, reminding us how productive he was with Jake Plummer and a pure rookie Jay Cutler throwing him passes in 2006.  Sadly, some fans do need reminding.
• He has no problem playing across from an elite wide receiver, and has no issues with sharing the spotlight with Brandon Marshall. In fact, he even switched positions in some plays with Marshall to make sure Brandon got his 100 catches.
• He compared his frustrated comments with a 15-yard personal foul and apologized several times.
• He wants to win a championship, and I got the impression he believes he can win one in Denver.

I came away believing that Javon Walker regrets his comments and is truly apologetic for upsetting the fans.  I definitely feel better after listening to the interiew, and recommend you give it a listen (link above the highlights). With any luck the situation pictured right will continue for years to come.

Photo Courtesy

Jim Bates has opted to leave the Denver Broncos after one season as the Assistant Head Coach/Defense.

The Rocky Mountain News reports that Bates was facing reassignment within the coaching staff. The report also indicates that current Defensive Coordinator/Secondary Bob Slowik will now oversee the entire defense.

“I’m very thankful for the opportunity and very saddened that things did not work out. I had the opportunity to stay. Mike has been very fair with me, and the final decision, for the Broncos and for me, was to step aside.”

So, the Jim Bates era is now over in Denver. I can’t say that I’m thrilled – with change comes adjustment. Hopefully this year it’s a positive adjustment – one that sees the Broncos play better under Slowik than they did in Bates’ complicated system.

After ranking 30th in run defense and 28th in points allowed, his one-year stint with the Broncos is surely something Bates would like to leave off his resume should he continue coaching in the future.

Best of luck, Jim, in your future endeavors.

• Looks like the John Lynch Live show on CBS in Denver has Bill Williamson thinking that Lynch may have unfinished business.   Either way, Lynch said his decision should be coming soon.  [Denver Post / Photo Courtesy]
• Our friends over at MHR break down what Lynch going and staying means for the Broncos and to the safety position. [Mile High Report]
• Taking a peek at the free agent market, and how it fits with the Broncos’ needs. [The Gazette]

With the long offseason ahead, BroncoTalk begins its look forward to the 2008 season by looking at the current state of the Broncos roster, position by position. We’ll take a look at the players signed through 2008, and give you our opinion on the need this position represents for the Broncos this offseason. Today we’re looking at tight end. Enjoy.

Not since Shannon Sharpe retired has the Broncos’ tight end situation looked so optimistic. We have a premiere blocking tight end who can make plays in space, and we have one of the top 10 pass-catching tight ends in the league. While depth is a concern heading into the long offseason, the Broncos look set in a two tight end set for years to come.

Daniel Graham

Contract Status: Signed through 2011

Daniel Graham ended up being one of the best moves the Broncos made before the 2007 season. His impact on the field was evident when he missed time at the end of the season – in weeks 15 and 16 the Broncos suffered 9 sacks, far and away the least productive two week stretch for the offensive line this season. He also has the athletic talent and ability to make plays in the open field, although he’s so valuable in the blocking game it becomes difficult for the coaches to call on him on passing plays.

In 2007: He finished the season with 24 receptions and over 240 yards and 2 touchdowns, representing the 3rd highest totals in receptions and yards in his career. His blocking ability, though, made him all the more valuable.

In 2008: He should come back healthy and ready to continue his dominant blocking ways. Hopefully we can find ways to get him the ball more often, but he’s a team player through and through and will do anything to help the team win.

Tony Scheffler

Contract Status: Signed through 2009

Tony Scheffler came on strong to end the year after injuring himself in the summer and missing the early part of the season. In his second year, Scheffler showed that the chemistry between he and Jay Cutler is still in full force, and the Broncos are hoping that chemistry can continue for seasons to come.

In 2007: Scheffler finished as one of the top 10 receiving tight ends in the league, posting good numbers. After missing the first four weeks of the season, Scheffler went on to catch 49 balls for over 500 yards and 5 touchdowns. His blocking came on a bit at the end, but still leaves something to be desired.

In 2008: I want to see two things from Scheffler before I will distinguish him among the elite tight ends in this league: staying healthy, and better blocking. I think he can do both, and I’m excited to see what he can do in the near future.

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• Bill Williamson has ranked the Denver Broncos players by value now and in the future, and while I would definitely swap a few players here and there (Ian Gold below Jamie Winborn? Sounds like a message board), for the most part he’s dead on. [Denver Post]
• Work on the sculpture for the Darrent Williams Memorial Teen Center has begun (design sketch pictured right). [CBS4 Denver]
• RMN talks to our old defensive coordinator Larry Coye, who had a successful 2007 season with Tampa Bay.  [Rocky Mountain News]
• J.D. and I were featured over at the DenverBroncos.com blog, probing us for our playoff prognostications. AFC predictions, NFC predictions. [Mason’s Morsels]

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Adam Schefter has his finger on the pulse of the Broncos better than anyone in the national media (and probably most of the local Denver media, too). He’s one of the best in the business when it comes to reporting on what teams will do in the near future, and he’s almost always dead on.

This means his recent report is nothing short of horrible news for Javon Walker fans. Schefter reports that the Broncos will definitely shop and trade the disgruntled wideout after his recent comments. Schefter reports that Walker’s hefty contract is also a big reason behind the anticipated move.

As for Walker, Denver will look to deal him in the coming months. The Broncos are reluctant to pay Walker the $5.4 million option bonus payment due to him. Denver surrendered a second-round pick to Green Bay two years ago and since then, Walker has battled injuries and controversy, the most recent coming Sunday when he said he didn’t want to return to Denver for next season.

Now Denver will seek to find a new home for Walker.

I was really hoping this whole thing would blow over. Obviously that’s not the case, and Mike Shanahan is showing he has little patience for oft-injured receivers mouthing off. We gave up a very early 2nd round pick for Walker in 2006; hopefully we can recoup some of that value back in trade.

Two prominent receivers expected to seek trades  [NFL.com]

Photo Courtesy

It was only a few days ago that the Broncos’ all-time leading receiver announced he would have a second hip surgery in less than 12 months. It now looks like Rod Smith will be undergoing this surgery this coming Tuesday, the Rocky Mountain News reports.

It’s a more invasive procedure than his previous surgery that took place in late February, but it is still a step below a complete joint replacement, which Smith has said would surely end his career.

Smith made it clear that this decision was not about an attempt to continue his playing career, instead referring to it as a “quality of life” decision. He said all decisions regarding his health would be made from that standpoint from now on.

Best of luck to Smith as he fights his way through these painful surgeries. You’ve done so much to bring joy to fans over the years, Rod – the least we can hope for is a healthy, comfortable lifestyle as you approach retirement.

• I have to choke back a ton of laughter on this one – the Chargers received a 24-hour extension to sell their remaining tickets and avoid a TV blackout. [Rocky Mountain News]
• Their opponent for Sunday, the Titans, just lost their best tight end. Now they’ll be without their #1 WR, too. [Denver Post]
• In 2007, the Broncos started out the year one of the oldest in the league, but ended it one of the youngest. [Rocky Mountain News]
• The Steelers and Jaguars really do hate each other. Should be a great game if Pittsburgh can come out and defend their swamp. [Denver Post]
• Oakland DT Warren Sapp announced his retirement. [Denver Post]

With the long offseason ahead, BroncoTalk begins its look forward to the 2008 season by looking at the current state of the Broncos roster, position by position. We’ll take a look at the players signed through 2008, and give you our opinion on the need this position represents for the Broncos this offseason. Today we’re looking at defensive end. Enjoy.

After addressing the defensive end position three times in the past two drafts, the Broncos are hoping their young players can make more of an impact in the 2008 season and beyond. While Elvis Dumervil is already earning his paycheck (and likely a bigger one), Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder will need to show they can stay healthy to be productive in their second NFL seasons. Outside of these three, the Broncos’ situation looks thin at best. I’ll also take a look at potential free agents at the position, and address the rumors regarding Jason Taylor out of Miami.

Elvis Dumervil

Contract Status: Signed through 2009

Elvis Dumervil is far and away the most talented player on the Broncos defensive line, but he’s a pure pass rushing specialist whose small size makes him vulnerable against the running game. He started all year for the Broncos after Ebenezer Ekuban tore his Achilles in the preseason, registering 12.5 sacks.

He’s entering the third year in a four-year deal, making him a high priority for an extension this offseason.

In 2007: Started all year. Dumervil’s 12.5 sacks (6th best in NFL) were complemented by 4 forced fumbles (9th best in NFL), and he was consistently on the receiving end of double teams by opposing offensive linemen. He should have been elected to a Pro Bowl this season.

In 2008: I think the Broncos are better off with Dumervil as a pass rushing specialist, meaning he may lose his starting job in lieu of this designation.

Jarvis Moss

Contract Status: Signed through 2011

Our first round pick this year suffered a broken fibula right in the middle of the season. These can be nasty injuries, and some reports indicate that Moss will have to rehab fiercely to play at his best level next year. He has the ideal size, speed, and strength you’re looking for in an every-down defensive lineman, and has the physical toolset to be considered one of those proverbial “freaks of nature” every defense needs.

In 2007: It was beginning to look more and more that Moss was going to steal John Engelberger‘s starting job when Moss went down with his leg injury in practice. He only played 6 games in 2007, registering one sack in limited play time.

In 2008: I have Moss speculatively penciled in as a starter for the Broncos next year. Again, this all depends on how well and quickly he rehabs from his broken fibula. If he’s healthy, at the least he’ll have the opportunity to compete for the starting job.

Tim Crowder

Contract Status: Signed through 2010

The man I call T-Crow. Crowder had an up and down year in his first NFL season, showing flashes at some points and clearly struggling in others. Can we expect more from a first year defensive lineman? I’m very excited about this prospect in the years to come.

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