Currently listed as day-to-day, Oakland Raiders starting QB Josh McCown has suffered a broken finger in his throwing hand following Sunday’s loss to the Lions. His status is questionable for Sunday at the Denver Broncos’ home opener.

The injury adds more turmoil to an already murky quarterback situation in Oakland. Veteran Daunte Culpepper, a former All Pro who hasn’t recovered to form since his knee injury in 2005 (or perhaps the trading away of WR Randy Moss), is listed second on the team’s depth chart. Reports indicate he may not be 100% healed from his knee, although he did play well during the team’s preseason games (26 of 47 for 308 yds, 4 TDs, 1 INT – 95.0 rating).

Meanwhile, top overall pick JaMarcus Russell has finally agreed in principle to a contract, ending the final holdout of this year’s rookie class. It is questionable whether Russell will see the field at all this year, let alone this week against the Broncos.

The decision on who will start (McCown or Culpepper) likely won’t be made until later this week. We’ll keep you updated as more information becomes available.

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Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos

Sunday, September 16, 2007 – 4:15 PM EDT
CBS (KCNC TV Channel 4), KOA 850 AM, Sirius Channel 143

One of the most heated rivalries in the NFL reignites this Sunday as the Oakland Raiders (0-1-0) travel to Denver, Colorado to take on the Broncos (1-0-0). The Broncos have enjoyed 4 straight victories against their division rival, but Oakland’s last win within the AFC West was against the Broncos in 2004.

Oakland is looking for their first win this year, and their first win under new head coach Lane Kiffin. The Broncos are looking to continue their stay at the top of the AFC West and put pressure on the currently-tied-for-first Chargers.

For coach Mike Shanahan, the Broncos’ twice yearly contest against the Raiders has always been personal. Shanahan started his head coaching career in Oakland nearly two decades ago, but his now infamous dispute with owner Al Davis ultimately ended their relationship. Shanahan returned to the Denver organization a few years later, and the rest, as they say, is history.

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The Denver Broncos added another linebacker to its roster late Tuesday, announcing the signing of recently released linebacker Jamie Winborn. The team cut T/TE Chad Mustard to make room on the roster, whom they had signed only a few days ago.

Winborn (5-11, 242) is seventh year man who spent most of his career with the San Francisco 49ers. He’s also seen time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs released the 28-year-old Wilborn on September 1.

Career totals include 266 tackles, 9 sacks and 3 interceptions in 62 regular season games. In 2006, with the Bucs, Winborn had a career high 14 special teams tackles in 14 games, and added 6 tackles (4 solo) on defense.

Jonathan already mentioned how thin we are at linebacker last week. This is a good depth-adding move that could pay dividends in special teams as well.

I admit it. I obsess on the power rankings. I particularly obsess on the Football Outsiders DVOA rankings, which I find to be more interesting than some writer’s opinion ranking, but I like the writer’s opinions too (mostly because most writers have a higher opinion of the Broncos, at least last year, than DVOA. Though two years ago DVOA loved the Broncos).

So here’s what I’ve got:

Football Outsiders DVOA: 10 (Preseason 13. Total VOA: 19.7%)
Alas, no witty commentary this week. Instead I give this related quote:

It might be a bit early to bury Denver’s defensive line with the same old jokes. Elvis Dumervil tipped and intercepted a Losman pass at the end of the first half, ending the second of two horrible drives for Buffalo in which they appear to have rented Scott Linehan’s End Zone Force Field.

Also, Jay Cutler might be the best pure thrower off the back foot I’ve ever seen. I’m serious. If we ever chart DVOA off the back foot, Cutler’s would be off the hook. I’ve seen at least three long completions in that fashion — perfect rainbows right in the receivers’ arms.

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The latest on the Kevin Everett case just broke in the last hour – and it is encouraging.  His doctor has announced that Everett displayed movement in his arms and legs, indicating that the injury was not as catastrophic/serious as some had thought.

This also means the 25 year old will more than likely walk again.  Rehabilitation could take weeks to months, but he will likely walk out of the hospital.

Great news – simply elated at this point to hear it, and couldn’t be happier for the Everett family or for Bills fans.

(All information as reported by SportsCenter)

A matter of inches… that’s what I’ve learned made the difference regarding the life-threatening injury Kevin Everett suffered during Sunday’s opener.  It’s the reason former Broncos linebackers John Mobley and Al Wilson are still walking… and it’s the reason Mr. Everett is heavily sedated as doctors wait for the swelling to go down before they give the young tight end a full diagnosis.

The hit wasn’t extraordinary – Everett lowered his head while attempting to tackle Domenik Hixon, there was contact, and then Everett sickeningly slumped to the floor.  The fragility of the spinal cord is illustrated through the lack of drama in the hit – hit just the wrong spot and one’s life is changed forever.

Pray for Kevin Everett and his family.  Let’s send as much positive energy as we can to this Buffalo player and his family.  As soon as the doctors update his status, we’ll let you know.

This may be the most bizarre story I’ve heard in some time. ESPN reports that the Browns have traded their starting quarterback, Charlie Frye, to the Seattle Seahawks for what is believed to be a 2008 draft pick.

First, Byron Leftwich gets released the week before the regular season. Now, Frye has been traded two days after he started for the Browns on Sunday.

Some things are just so weird, I just have to mention them, even if they have nothing to do with the Broncos.

• Goodbye to Meadows – I hadn’t reported it before the game, mostly out of my own schedule hell, but backup and injured RT Adam Meadows was released last weekend. TE/T Chad Mustard took his spot on the roster – which indicates to me the team needed depth along the offensive line for the game and couldn’t rely on Meadows to step in. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the team talk to Meadows again once he’s healthy.
• Injuries from Sunday – CB Domonique Foxworth is nursing a sprained ankle after the game, and LB Louis Green is dealing with a blow to the head. Tim Crowder is still out with his high ankle sprain, and LG Ben Hamilton continues his doctor-ordered benching.

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Week 1 is in the books, so it’s time to take a look around the AFC West and tally up how everyone did this weekend.

AFC WEST STANDINGS
1. Denver Broncos (1-0-0)
1. San Diego Chargers (1-0-0)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (0-1-0)
3. Oakland Raiders (0-1-0)

Much like many expect this division to play out, the Broncos and Chargers are tied for first, and the Chiefs and Raiders are fighting for third. Time to break down each game, starting with our upcoming opponent the Oakland Raiders.

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Yeah, it’s only one game… and 4 teams play tonight, each of which could challenge some of these rankings. But our statistics from last night’s game are screaming to be mentioned, so I figured I’d bring them up here.

In total yardage rankings, the Broncos finished in the Top 5 leaguewide in total offense, passing offense, rushing offense, total defense and passing defense (and the top 3 in 4 of those 5 categories). And we were #1 in total defense.

Total Offense

1. Dallas Cowboys – 478 yards

2. Denver Broncos – 470 yards

3. Indianapolis Colts – 452 yards

4. New York Giants – 438 yards

5. New England Patriots – 431 yards

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