(Image courtesy of Jason O. Watson/US Presswire)

“We’re going to tag [Ryan Clady],” Denver Broncos executive John Elway has told the Denver Post’s Mike Klis.

Tagging Clady will use about $9.66 million of the team’s $120 million salary cap.  For more on Denver’s salary cap situation, go here.

The ‘Post also expects veteran Brandon Stokley to return to the tune of a one-year, $925,000 deal.

According to PFF, rookie Derek Wolfe was much more effective against the run than against the pass last season, earning a +10.3 grade as a run-stuffer.

Did you even notice rookie long snapper Aaron Brewer last season?  Probably not, and that means he’s doing a great job.

Here’s a short board of draft prospects for the Broncos, hosted over at MHR.

(Photo courtesy of J.B. Forbes)

On Tuesday, Denver Broncos special teams assistant Keith Burns left for Washington.  On Wednesday, the team replaced Burns with former Kansas City Chiefs quality control coach Derius Swinton.

Former Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer has been helping quarterback prospect Collin Klein prepare for the upcoming NFL Combine.

Here is a review of who the experts are projecting to be drafted by Denver this April.

Weakside linebacker Wesley Woodyard has named to USA Today’s All-Joe Team and strongside linebacker Von Miller earned a spot on NFL.com’s All-Under-25 Team.  The official website has a recap of their recognition.

ESPN.com‘s Bill Williamson doesn’t think the team will go after free agent running back Reggie Bush.

(Getty Images)

• Former Denver Broncos linebacker Keith Burns has been a special teams assistant in Denver since 2007.  On Tuesday, he signed with the Washington Redskinsas their new special teams coordinator.

• FootballOutsiders.com‘s Andy Benoit suggests Randy Starks, Terrance Knighton, and Alan Branch as a few potential free agent defensive tackles that Denver could pursue.

• Denver’s Von Miller is a member of NFL.com’s All-Under-25 Team.

• If the Minnesota Vikings do place wide receiver Percy Harvin on the trading block, Denver may be tempted to make an offer.

• The Broncos aren’t in a dire cap situation, so restructuring quarterback Peyton Manning‘s contract isn’t something the team necessarily needs to worry about.

• USAToday.com‘s Pete O’Brien says running back Ronnie Hillman could have a breakout year in his second season.

(AP Photo)

According to Mile High Sports, the Denver Broncos will likely open the season on Sunday Night Football and play on Thanksgiving this fall.

“Broncos @ Giants – Peyton Manning versus Eli Manning.  The huge New York television market.  According to sources, it will be a “major upset” if this is not the SNF opener.  (…)

“While the plan for opening weekend is still being finalized, one game on the Broncos schedule is all but set in stone.  Denver will be playing on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 28) in Dallas.  “It’s a lock,” said a league source.”

So, Denver is expected to open against the Giants and are a lock to play the Cowboys on Thanksgiving.  With Manning’s rating history, expect the NFL to schedule many prime-time games for the Broncos in 2013.

More links and notes after the jump. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

During Denver’s heart-breaking 38-35 second overtime loss to Baltimore in the divisional round of the playoffs, Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey was burned twice by Ravens receiver Torrey Smith.  Immediately following the game, the knee-jerk reactions from fans started pouring in.

Some yahoos even went so far as to say the Broncos should cut the 34-year-old veteran to save cap room this offseason, an outlandish suggestion if you consider how well Bailey played in the regular season.  There was also talk of Champ being moved to safety, but head coach John Fox quickly shot down those rumors.

Adding fuel to the fire, CBS Sports‘ Jason La Canfora wrote on Tuesday that Champ may get the boot this summer:

“Bailey had a brutal time of it in the postseason, the Broncos have emerging young corners and owner Pat Bowlen has had them operating on a tight budget,” La Canfora wrote.

In reality, Bailey blew coverage twice—as do all corners at every level from time to time—before returning to shut Smith down in the second half.  Considering that La Canfora is considered an “insider” (he broke of the news of Brandon Stokley‘s signing last summer), his quip on Bailey raised a few eyebrows.

But Bailey won’t be going anywhere, according to the Denver Post‘s Mike Klis.  Click here to read the rest of this entry »

The combine, free agency, and the draft are all a few weeks away.  So, what else do we have to talk about besides 2013 expectations?

“Of course Denver (will be the team to beat in the AFC,” NFL.com’s Steve Wyche wrote on Friday.  “Its division is there for the taking as long as Peyton Manning is there.  And frankly, the Broncos were one blown coverage away from facing the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.  Denver should be better in terms of overall team play because the receivers will have had more time to work with Manning. Plus, Manning could be healthier and more in tune with his transition to Denver.  There is no reason why the defense can’t be as good, either.  Denver will be the team to beat in the AFC.

“As far as strength of schedule is concerned, it means nothing right now, because things always change once the season begins.  I put as much into the strength of schedule now as I do in Tim Tebow becoming New England’s starting quarterback.”

We don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves when predicting 2013 (obviously, anything can happen), but Wyche is spot-on about the strength of schedule notes.  A team’s win-loss record from the previous season means nothing.  It’s what you have done lately that matters.

Happy 58th birthday to Broncos HC John Fox! He is spending the day preparing for free agency/draft with his staff/personnel dept.

— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) February 8, 2013

• Today is coach John Fox‘s birthday. Have a great one, Foxy.
• Denver’s front office and Fox have begun offseason preparations.
• Here’s a list of five potential draft prospects the Broncos may target, which includes a few controversial players.
• You’ve probably heard that the Broncos will have “the easiest schedule” next season.  Strength of schedule goes beyond much more than win-loss records, however.

Did we miss an interesting link?  Share it in the comments below! 

(Getty Images)

Heading into the 2013 NFL offseason, the Denver Broncos could use some leadership at the safety position.  Could Baltimore’s Ed Reed fill in the gap?

The Broncos have a veteran in Mike Adams, but Adams is not the type of play-maker that Reed has been throughout his career.  At least one Broncos insider, CBS4’s Vic Lombardi, could see the Broncos pursuing Reed in free agency.

Reed would come at a reasonable price (a much better bargain than another free agent defensive back, Darrelle Revis).  The Broncos have had veteran safeties including John Lynch and Brian Dawkins finish their careers in Denver, Reed may be next.

If Reed does in fact land in Denver, it will probably be awkward when he meets Knowshon Moreno.  Reed and Moreno have, of course, met on the field.

More notes and links after the jump. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

(Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

• On Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 in the Super Bowl.  Congrats, Baltimore, enjoy it while it lasts.

• The Ravens, of course, defeated the Denver Broncos to get to the SB.  Next season, they’ll face off again, and Denver will be looking for revenge.

• Meanwhile, the Broncos are currently the Vegas favorites to win the SB in 2014 with 5-1 odds.

• Before we get too far ahead of ourselves though, the combine is just 16 days away, free agency is 36 days away, and the 2013 NFL Draft is 60 days away. The Broncos currently have six selections in the upcoming draft.

• In his final few games of 2012, quarterback Peyton Manning wore a glove on his right passing hand.  Moving forward, he’ll probably keep the glove.