Peyton Manning runs youths through drills at the Manning Passing Academy at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, La., Friday, July 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

The NFL’s 2012 supplemental draft was held last week.  The Cleveland Browns were the only team that selected a player — using a 2nd round selection on wide receiver Josh Gordon.

Carson-Newman linebacker Larry Lumpkin signed with the Indianapolis Colts as a free agent.  The Denver Broncos had shown interest in Lumpkin.

Rookies Brock Osweiler and Ronnie Hillman remain un-signed with training camp just around the corner.  If the Broncos are going to get deals done before camp, there is a good chance they’ll be announced on a Monday.  That leaves tomorrow and next Monday (the 23rd) as dates to keep an eye on.

Player foundation links after the jump.

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In just over a month, EA Sports will release their 2012 version of their Madden NFL video game.  The game will be available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Vita and Wii.

Leading up to Madden 13’s August 24th release, EA Sports has been releasing game-play screenshots in an attempt to hype up the game.  By our unofficial count, among the 13 game-play images EA has released since early June, 3.6% of them have featured a Denver Broncos defender missing a tackle.

We could come up with some conspiracy theories, but EA choosing to embarrass Denver defenders three times is likely just a coincidence.  After all, EA seems to be warming up to the Broncos — BroncoTalk has learned that the team has an 81 overall rating in this year’s game, which is a +7 improvement from Madden 2012.

After the jump, here are the three images released of Bronco defenders missing tackles.  Be forewarned that some of the images are alarming.

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We’re celebrating some of the greatest hits in Denver Broncos history.  Today, we remember Brian Dawkins‘ big hit against Baltimore.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for Hit No. 9!  After the series is over we’ll top it off with one big hitastic video.

We’re celebrating some of the greatest hits in Denver Broncos history.  Today, we remember John Lynch‘s big hit on Dallas Clark.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for Hit No. 10!  After the series is over we’ll top it off with one big hitastic video.

This is going to get you excited for September.  Guaranteed or your money back!

Let the countdown begin continue!  We’re approximately two weeks away from training camp, one month away from preseason and two months away from the season.  September 9th can’t come soon enough!

We’re celebrating some of the greatest hits in Denver Broncos history.  Today, we remember Todd Sauerbrun‘s big hit and forced fumble against New England.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for Hit No. 11!  After the series is over we’ll top it off with one big hitastic video.

Wesley Woodyard and D.J. Willams (BroncoTalk/Kyle Montgomery)

Three strikes, you’re out. That’s how America’s other favorite sport plays ball, and that’s how Roger Goodell and company operate. At least when it comes to drug testing.

In a detailed, damning report, the Denver Post‘s John Ingold outlines the incidents that led to Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams‘ six-game suspension, stating that Williams failed two separate urine tests for supplying “non-human” (possibly synthetic) urine. In a third incident, Williams was seen suspiciously kicking a sample bottle aside while the test administrator was locked outside of the room.

Today, CBS4’s Vic Lombardi even cites a “very good source” that Williams was using a Whizzinator.

“The evidence is clear,” hearing officer Harold Henderson wrote in the February letter, “that Williams was involved in three separate incidents of attempted substitution of a specimen.”

Williams has one last shot at an appeal, then the six-game suspension takes effect. It’s a shame D.J. Williams made these choices; he’s flushing a promising NFL career down the toilet.

Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams flunked second doping test, court documents say [Denver Post]

File Photo: NFL scouts look on during the 2012 NFL Combine. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

The Denver Broncos have been doing their homework on Carson-Newman linebacker and supplemental draft prospect Larry Lumpkin in recent days.  On Wednesday, team scouts showed more interest by watching Lumpkin workout in Alabama.

The Broncos were among a handful of teams that attended the workout at Lumpkin’s high school in Irvington, Ala., which was affected by muddy conditions, according to Aaron Wilson of Scout.com.  Despite the poor weather, Lumpkin managed to run 4.69 and a 4.72 40-yard dashes.  In the past, Lumpkin has run a 4.57 40-yard dash.

The 6-foot, 241-pound linebacker also bench pressed 225 pounds 27 times and registered a 9-10 broad jump.  Lumpkin, who recorded 96 tackles last season, is expected to be a late-round supplemental draft pick or a priority free agent target.

Lumpkin’s former position coach, Jay Martin raised red flags when he cited Lumpkin’s lack of punctuality and discipline last week.  Martin has more recently backpedaled a bit on his previous comments.

“Larry is a tremendous young man and extremely talented player who has winning DNA,” Martin said. “Despite having some missteps in his past, this kid has grown up, learned and matured from his experiences and is ready for the NFL.”

The supplemental draft will take place Thursday evening.  Lumpkin is considered one of the top prospects available.

(Image courtesy of CBS4)

Peyton Manning can move out of Mike Shanahan‘s Cherry Hills Village home now.  The veteran quarterback recently purchased his own home in the neighborhood.

Manning closed the deal on the 16,000 square foot home for $4,575,000, according to CBS4 in Denver.  The home was originally listed for $5.25 million early last year.

The seven-bedroom house comes with more than three acres and includes seven bathrooms (meaning he can host six receivers at a time, assuming Peyton, his wife and one-year-old twins stay in the same room).  Manning’s commute to Dove Valley and the Denver Broncos‘ practice facility will be roughly twenty minutes (if traffic gets bad, he’ll be able to call an audible).

Manning and his teammates will report to Dove Valley on July 25th with 2012 training camp scheduled to begin on the 26th.  View the team’s complete training camp schedule here.

Manning has been in Colorado for a few months but purchasing his own home makes it seem all the more official.  We’re glad to have you here, Peyton.  We hope you’ll stick around for a long, long time and win some rings during your stay.

We’re celebrating some of the greatest hits in Denver Broncos history.  Today, we remember Joe Mays‘s big hit on Ryan Matthews.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for Hit No. 12!  After the series is over we’ll top it off with one big hitastic video.