Denver Broncos News

Broncos might draft quarterback, Bowlen says
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February 9
Denver Post
 
"In his first interview since the Broncos faded from a 6-0 start to an 8-8 finish, Pat Bowlen, the team's owner since 1984, addressed his club's hot-button issues with The Denver Post on Super Bowl eve Saturday. Bowlen said he would like star receiver Brandon Marshall to remain with the Broncos, but wouldn't block a trade if rookie coach Josh McDaniels feels it would benefit the team. Bowlen revealed the plan is for Kyle Orton to remain the Broncos' quarterback, but the team hopes to select another quarterback in the upcoming draft. Bowlen said he wasn't troubled by McDaniels' decision to bench Marshall and Tony Scheffler in the season's final game, saying it was necessary for a young coach ..."
Money talks with Broncos' Marshall
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February 9
Denver Post
 columnist Dave Krieger
"Now that the Super Bowl champion Saints have reminded everyone how useful a 6-foot-4 wide receiver can be — thank you, Marques Colston — let's set our imaginations free for a minute. Imagine that everything the relevant parties have been saying lately about Brandon Marshall and the Broncos is true. Imagine that neither Marshall nor coach Josh McDaniels has any problem continuing their professional association, as both recently said. Imagine owner Pat Bowlen would like Marshall to stay, as he recently said, which really doesn't take much imagination. Finally, imagine that this isn't all just posturing on everyone's part to salvage some semblance of leverage in trade talks. In our imaginary ..."
Bowlen would like Marshall to stay with Broncos
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February 9
Denver Post
 
"In his first interview since the Broncos faded from a 6-0 start to an 8-8 finish, Pat Bowlen, the team's owner since 1984, addressed his club's hot-button issues with The Denver Post on Super Bowl eve Saturday. Bowlen said he would like star receiver Brandon Marshall to remain with the Broncos, but wouldn't block a trade if rookie coach Josh McDaniels feels it would benefit the team. Bowlen revealed the plan is for Kyle Orton to remain the Broncos' quarterback, but the team hopes to select another quarterback in the upcoming draft. Bowlen said he wasn't troubled by McDaniels' decision to bench Marshall and Tony Scheffler in the season's final game, saying it was necessary for a young coach ..."
Some think little of Broncos' Floyd
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February 8
Denver Post
 
"Shortly after Broncos legend Floyd Little was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, my mom called me to see if I had heard the news. She was ecstatic. I could tell she had shed a few tears of joy. Little was ecstatic, too. The bowlegged running back was bouncing off the walls during the post-announcement news conference. But certainly not everybody believes Little is worthy of a place in the hallowed halls of Canton, Ohio. You can count Kansas City Star columnist Jason Whitlock as one of the non-believers. Whitlock not only blasts Saturday's selection of Little, Russ Grimm and Rickey Jackson, he blasts the process that put them in the Hall of Fame."
Birds QB rumors
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February 8
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"If there is one day in the NFL year when we ought to be free of worrying about Donovan McNabb and the Eagles, it should be Super Bowl Sunday. Alas, such is not the case. We've had reports from ESPN folk who apparently have too much time on their hands, with their network not doing the game. Adam Schefter says multiple teams have asked the Birds about all three of their quarterbacks and three teams have called about Michael Vick. Sal Paolantonio added that three teams - Cleveland, Denver and Buffalo - have had multiple conversations with the Eagles about Donovan McNabb. Don't know the exact teams myself, but I understand there have been a lot of calls, many of them not about any QB in ..."
Bowlen says Broncos want to draft a quarterback
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February 7
Denver Post
 
"In his first interview since the Broncos faded from a 6-0 start to an 8-8 finish, Pat Bowlen, the team's owner since 1984, addressed his club's hot-button issues with The Denver Post on Super Bowl eve Saturday. Bowlen said he would like star receiver Brandon Marshall to remain with the Broncos, but wouldn't block a trade if rookie coach Josh McDaniels feels it would benefit the team. Bowlen revealed the plan is for Kyle Orton to remain the Broncos' quarterback, but the team hopes toanother quarterback in the upcoming draft. Bowlen said he wasn't troubled by McDaniels' decision to bench Marshall and Tony Scheffler in the season's final game, saying it was necessary for a young coach to ..."
Sharpe fails to make Hall of Fame for second straight year
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February 7
Baltimore Sun
 
"Shannon Sharpe, the long-time Denver tight end who won a Super Bowl with the Ravens, failed to get voted into the Hall of Fame for a second straight year. Sharpe made the round of 10 on Saturday but didn't make the cut to five finalists."
Colts' link to Broncos starts with Elway
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February 7
Denver Post
 columnist Mike Klis
"One day around the coffee pot at Colts headquarters, an Elway Curse was suggested. In 1983, the Baltimore Colts had the No. 1 draft pick in the same year the greatest pro quarterback prospect ever was coming out of college. But John Elway refused to play for the Colts in part because he had heard enough horror stories about their head coach, Frank Kush. The Colts had no choice but to trade Elway to the Broncos. And the Elway Curse was born. "It was (talked about), no question about it," Colts owner Jim Irsay said. "I don't think there was a curse there. If there was, it's certainly gone." Before Irsay flew to New York to personally deliver the name "Peyton Manning" with the No. 1 pick of ..."
Bowlen says Brandon Marshall might be back with Broncos
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February 7
Denver Post
 
"In his first interview since the Broncos faded from a 6-0 start to an 8-8 finish, Pat Bowlen, the team's owner since 1984, addressed his club's hot-button issues with The Denver Post on Super Bowl eve Saturday. Bowlen said he would like star receiver Brandon Marshall to remain with the Broncos, but wouldn't block a trade if rookie coach Josh McDaniels feels it would benefit the team. Bowlen revealed the plan is for Kyle Orton to remain the Broncos' quarterback, but the team hopes toanother quarterback in the upcoming draft. Bowlen said he wasn't troubled by McDaniels' decision to bench Marshall and Tony Scheffler in the season's final game, saying it was necessary for a young coach to ..."
Broncos' Floyd Little elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame
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February 7
Denver Post
 
"Sleep well tonight, Floyd Little. For the first time in days - for the first time in 30 years, really - the Broncos' running back and the franchise's first big national star can sleep knowing football immortality is his. Nominated by the seniors committee, Little was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame today, finally capping his nine-year career with the Broncos from 1967-75. "I didn't sleep at all last night," Little said at mid-afternoon Saturday, hours before he learned of his election. "I haven't slept in three nights. It has been rough."' Little was the NFL's seventh all-time leading rusher at the time of his retirement. The first six have long been inducted into the Hall. ..."
Broncos Little, Sharpe learn their Hall of Fame fates today
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February 6
Denver Post
 
"As the Pro Football Hall of Fame voting process whittles down today to a final decision, former Broncos Floyd Little should be a cinch and Shannon Sharpe is a definite maybe. The 44 Hall voters will gather at 7 a.m. mountain time today. There are 17 Hall finalists, but it's more precise to state there are 15 modern-era finalists and two senior candidates. Sharpe is one of the 15 modern-era finalists from which five can be elected. Little and Dick LeBeau are the two senior candidates. Both can be elected."
Orton puts in the most preparation of any Broncos player
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February 5
Denver Post
 
"Kyle Orton needed to move 1,000 miles, find a bed to sleep in, hook up the TV, get something to eat. All he could think about was learning the Broncos' new offensive system. Orton had been traded from the Chicago Bears to the Broncos in a deal that included Jay Cutler and draft picks on April 2. On the morning of April 3, he flew to Denver and spent a full day going through his new offensive concepts and plays with coach Josh McDaniels. Orton flew back to Chicago that night, a Friday, packed up a few things, and was back in Denver on Sunday. There's not much debate as to which Broncos player watches the most film and puts in the most preparation time during the offseason. "Kyle Orton is ..."
Marshall vows to "go with the flow," but trade remains likely
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February 5
Denver Post
 
"Even if a contrite Brandon Marshall is open to playing next season with the Broncos, there remains a strong possibility the star receiver will be playing elsewhere. "Help me understand this: How can a guy catch 21 passes one week and then two weeks later he doesn't even play?" said former Broncos tight end and CBS analyst Shannon Sharpe, who is up for a Pro Football Hall of Fame vote Saturday. "Once you go there, once you break that communication, once you break that trust, I don't know how you get that back. So Brandon Marshall and Coach (Josh) McDaniels, I don't know how they mend this." Perhaps the most logical resolution is for Marshall and the Broncos head coach to go separate ways. ..."
NFL players preparing for 2011 lockout
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February 5
Boston Globe
 
"As collective bargaining agreement negotiations between the NFL Players Association and the NFL owners continue to drag, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said he expects the owners to lock out the players before the 2011 season. Chad Ochocinco, representing OCNN, asked the first question of a press conference this afternoon in which the NFLPA laid out their message. He asked Smith how worried he is about a lockout next season. "On a scale of 1 to 10," Smith said, "it's a 14." Smith said he and NFLPA president Kevin Mawae have informed players to save 25 percent of their paychecks in order to prepare for a lockout. Mawae said negotiations for a CBA have been "frustrating" and moved ..."
Brandon Marshall open to playing for Broncos next season
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February 4
Denver Post
 
"Call Brandon Marshall a talented receiver. Call the Broncos' star receiver a magnet for drama and controversy. And now call him contrite. "Learning from last year and last offseason, I approached things unprofessional," Marshall said today at the Super Bowl XLIV media center. "This offseason I'm just going to go with the flow and just go in whatever direction the Broncos want to go." After not granting interviews during the Pro Bowl events last week, Marshall broke his silence today so he could promote the NFL 2009 Season in Review DVD that comes out June 1. Marshall's record-setting, 21-catch game against the Indianapolis Colts, who are here preparing to play the New Orleans Saints in ..."
Coyer not the gloating type
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February 4
Denver Post
 
"If he were the snickering kind, Larry Coyer could say he's a better defensive coordinator than Mike Shanahan is a head coach. The bottom line provides proof. Coyer is here, coordinating the Indianapolis Colts' defense through its frightening challenge of trying to stop the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in Super Bowl XLIV. And Shanahan is not. Not that Coyer is a told-you-so type. He looks better, thanks to a more hip hair style, and he feels considerably better, thanks to a new right hip. Otherwise, he's still the softspoken, pipe-smoking West Virginia- raised gentleman that ran the Broncos' defense from 2003 until he was essentially fired the day after Darrent Williams' funeral in January ..."
Broncos cut Saints' Hartley before camp in '08
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February 4
Denver Post
 
"Garrett Hartley's time as a Bronco was short and unmemorable. Hartley was signed as an undrafted rookie in the spring of 2008 to compete with Matt Prater to be the Broncos' first kicker after Jason Elam. Former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan quickly picked Prater, cutting Hartley before training camp. Things have worked out just fine for Prater, and for Hartley, too. Hartley, who eventually signed with the Saints midway through 2008, recently found stardom after nailing a 40-yard field goal in overtime of the NFC championship game to send New Orleans to its first Super Bowl. "It was funny, I thought I had a pretty good camp out there," Hartley said Wednesday. "Denver was a great place and I ..."
Eyes off the prize
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February 4
Denver Post
 
"Winning two Super Bowls didn't define John Elway's career so much as cement his legacy and punch his ticket to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. So why does Elway seldom, if ever, wear his rings from Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII? Given their worth, their weight and how uncomfortable they are to wear, it isn't worth the hassle, he says. He'd be just as likely to wear the Lombardi Trophy on his finger. "The rings are my prized possessions," Elway said. "They're better than any trophy I ever received. I don't wear them because they're way too big. You can't put your hand in your pocket when you have it on." So it is that the crown jewels of Elway's storied career rest in a safe, where they'll ..."
Broncos' (for now) Marshall shines in Pro Bowl
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February 1
Denver Post
 
"In a game in which it appeared nobody but the receivers tried, Brandon Marshall was in good position. Marshall is a receiver. He has been catching passes for four enthralling and controversial seasons with the Broncos, and again Sunday night for an AFC Pro Bowl team that defeated the NFC 41-34 before 70,697 fans at Sun Life Stadium. "This game sure isn't set up for running backs," said Tennessee's 2,000-yard back, Chris Johnson. "This game is for receivers. That's all right, though. There's a lot of great receivers in this league." The second-largest crowd in Pro Bowl history most likely witnessed the final time Marshall played while representing the Broncos. When he did play, which was ..."
Pro Bowl could be Marshall's final game in orange and blue
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January 31
Denver Post
 
"Today most likely is goodbye to All Things Brandon Marshall. Have the Broncos ever had a player who brought so many things? There were three 100-catch seasons, and numerous off-field incidents. Two Pro Bowl appearances and two games missed — the first of 2008 and last of 2009 — for disciplinary reasons. He often flashed the world's greatest smile and suffered through the tribulations of trials. He had monstrous games of 21 catches, an NFL record, and 18. If only there was one catch in one postseason game. There was one offseason contract holdout, and financial considerations will likely deliver the final kick out of town. Unquestionably the most physically gifted receiver to ever wear the ..."
Floyd Little's last run
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January 31
Denver Post
 columnist Mark Kiszla
"Older than Broncomania, too deep in debt to retire and feeling the chill of mortality on the back of his neck, Floyd Little cannot stop running. There is a do-or-die election to win. Nearly 35 years after he dashed 66 yards for a touchdown, turning snow flurries that danced in the Colorado sky to tears raining down his cheeks in his the final game at old Mile High Stadium, the first true superstar in Broncos history finally gets his first real crack at being voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. There is precious Little time remaining in his lifelong campaign, and the player who wore No. 44 for Denver knows the score. "The Hall of Fame won't call twice. I've got to own this. Right now. ..."
Will the Broncos trade away Marshall?
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January 29
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
"Is it already time to start talking about Brandon Marshall? According to reports, the wide receiver expects to be traded once free agency begins March 5, and despite whatever we think about Josh McDaniels - the young Broncos coach - if he thinks his team is better off without Marshall's production, well, then we shrug our shoulders and move on. In my opinion, it will be the Broncos' loss - and a big gain for another team in the league. Let's be honest here and talk about production in the NFL - because it does talk. Red flags, off-the-field issues, court dates, etc., don't really factor into making a play for a guy in the offseason. We've seen it play out too many times to believe that a ..."
Broncos' Dumervil will shift to end to rush Pro Bowl quarterbacks
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January 29
Denver Post
 
"It would be like Peyton Manning handing off for a full game. Or limiting Andre Johnson to blocking. Or asking Chris Johnson to come in only on passing downs. It's no wonder that one day into his first Pro Bowl experience, Broncos star Elvis Dumervil was almost feeling discouraged. Dumervil, who led the NFL with 17 sacks this season, woke up Thursday believing he wasn't going to get a chance to rush the passer during the Pro Bowl game Sunday. The Pro Bowl uses a 4-3 defense and doesn't allow blitzes. That meant Dumervil, who made the AFC team as an outside linebacker, would have to spend the game doing little else but stopping the run and covering backs or tight ends on pass routes. "I got ..."
Broncos' Dawkins missing Hawaii's hosting of the Pro Bowl
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January 28
Denver Post
 
"Sunday's game will be the ninth Pro Bowl for Broncos' cornerback Champ Bailey, eighth for safety Brian Dawkins. It's the first time they're not playing at Hawaii on the week after the Super Bowl. "My personal feelings are, I loved it over in Hawaii better," Dawkins said. "But they're doing a good job here with what I've seen of it so far. And it's a blessing to be here in the first place.""
Broncos name Martindale defensive coordinator
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January 28
Denver Post
 
"The Broncos officially promoted Don "Wink" Martindale from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator today. Martindale becomes the Broncos' fifth defensive coordinator in five years. He succeeds Mike Nolan, who left after one season and now is defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins. "Wink definitely deserves this," Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said. "He's earned this opportunity. Our system won't change, our philosophy won't change. He's a very aggressive coach. This is a great day for the Denver Broncos." Martindale, 46, is an Ohio native. He's been a linebackers coach since arriving in the NFL in 2004 with the Oakland Raiders. He was last a defensive coordinator in 2003 at Western ..."
Dawkins, Bailey are all-decade
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January 28
Denver Post
 
"Two current Broncos have been named to the NFL's all-decade team for the 2000s. Cornerback Champ Bailey and safety Brian Dawkins are among the 15 players already named to the all-decade team, which is selected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee. The NFL has released only the portion of the team that includes active Pro Bowl players. The remainder of the all-decade team, including non-Pro Bowlers and retired players, will be announced during the telecast of the Pro Bowl on Sunday. Bailey has spent the past six of his 11 NFL seasons in Denver after starting his career with Washington. He made the Pro Bowl in nine of the 10 years in the decade, missing out only in 2008 ..."
Look who's not talking: Marshall mum on future
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January 28
Denver Post
 
"In what are most likely his final days of playing football while wearing a Broncos helmet, wide receiver Brandon Marshall is healthy and happy. And conspicuously quiet. During the AFC Pro Bowl team's first practice Wednesday at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Marshall ran a few patterns at top speed, cut sharply on the artificial surface and showed no ill effects from the bum hamstring that brought on a controversial and premature end to his 2009 season. After the practice, Marshall was pleasant and conversational, until it was time to speak on the record. "I'm not talking," he said. "I've had enough publicity." Marshall was benched by Broncos coach Josh McDaniels the Friday before ..."
McDaniels: Running game will change
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January 24
Denver Post
 
"A moment of silence, please, for the Broncos' zone-blocking scheme. Can there be a more fitting farewell tribute? New coaches have been hired to teach a new way of running the ball at Dove Valley. The zone-blocking, one-cut running scheme, a Broncos staple since 1995, will not be back. "Our running game and some of the things we're going to do next year will definitely change," Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said Saturday night. Freshly promoted offensive line coach Clancy Barone and newly hired assistant offensive line coach Bob Wylie and running backs coach Eric Studesville have been brought in to help transition the Broncos to more of a power running style. "The teams that run the zone ..."
Broncos add former Steelers coach, others to staff
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January 24
Denver Post
 
"The Denver Broncos added more Super Bowl pedigree to their coaching staff with the hiring of Bob Ligashesky, who served the past three seasons as special-teams coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ligashesky, 46, will be the new tight-ends coach on a Broncos staff headed by Josh McDaniels. Ben McDaniels, Josh's younger brother, will become the quarterbacks coach, a move that allows Mike McCoy to devote all his time to his offensive-coordinator duties. The tight-ends job became available when offensive-line coach Rick Dennison left to become the Houston Texans' offensive coordinator and after McDaniels moved Clancy Barone to offensive-line coach. Barone, an NFL veteran coach and ..."
Broncos add former Steelers coach, others to staff
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January 24
Denver Post
 
"The Denver Broncos added more Super Bowl pedigree to their coaching staff with the hiring of Bob Ligashesky, who served the past three seasons as special-teams coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ligashesky, 46, will be the new tight-ends coach on a Broncos staff headed by Josh McDaniels. Ben McDaniels, Josh's younger brother, will become the quarterbacks coach, a move that allows Mike McCoy to devote all his time to his offensive-coordinator duties. The tight-ends job became available when offensive-line coach Rick Dennison left to become the Houston Texans' offensive coordinator and after McDaniels moved Clancy Barone to offensive-line coach."
Broncos make Barone, Wylie offensive line co-coaches
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January 23
Denver Post
 
"A day after hiring former Canadian Football Leaguer Bob Wylie to coach its offensive line, the Broncos on Friday made current assistant Clancy Barone his co-coach, according to two NFL sources. The Broncos will divide the offensive line duties between the two assistant coaches. Barone last season coached Denver's tight ends. He will be in his seventh NFL season and second with the Broncos after arriving from San Diego."
Wylie is added to staff
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January 22
Denver Post
 
"Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels said he would look far and wide to cure what ailed the team this past season, and he meant it. McDaniels has plucked an assistant coach from the Canadian Football League to be the team's assistant offensive line coach. Bob Wylie is a longtime NFL assistant who spent the last three years in the CFL — 2009 in Saskatchewan and 2008 and 2007 in Winnipeg. Wylie, who coached at Colorado State early in his career, has coached seven Pro Bowl offensive linemen in his previous NFL stops in Arizona, Tampa Bay and Chicago. He also coached tight ends for Cincinnati and spent two years as a Jets assistant. Wylie joins Eric Studesville as new additions to the Broncos' ..."
Broncos pass often, but run game needs to improve in 2010
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January 22
Denver Post
 
"Thirteen teams threw at least 550 passes during the regular season. The Broncos were one of those 13 teams. Just two of the 13 are among the postseason's final four. The Broncos are not one of those. The two are Indianapolis and Minnesota, which have Hall of Fame quarterbacks behind center. Coincidence? Uh, no. The rule book is structured so teams will throw, the league's power brokers want teams to throw and fans want teams to throw. But if those teams don't have a once-in-a-franchise quarterback behind center, an offense that off-balance, that dependent on the passing game, they are simply going to have a difficult time getting to the trophy game. The Colts threw the ball 601 times this ..."
Law may return to Broncos
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January 21
Denver Post
 
"The 1-year deal Ty Law signed with the Broncos in early November expires at the end of February, but Law said today he has spoken with Broncos coach Josh McDaniels about the possibility of returning to the team in 2010. "I'm going to train as if I'm playing," Law said. "They said I'm welcome to come back.""
Broncos coach McDaniels can do it all, or at least he's trying
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January 21
Denver Post
 columnist Dave Krieger
"In retrospect, as soon as Josh McDaniels explained in his season-ending news conference that run blitzing is "never a good formula," we should have known Mike Nolan was gone. Nolan's aggressive mind-set is no secret in the NFL. When it was working for the Broncos early in the season, nobody seemed to mind. When it started working against them as the season wore on, people — including, apparently, Nolan's boss — started to mind. Considering the defensive talent he inherited, especially up front, some of us thought it was amazing Nolan's smoke and mirrors worked as long as they did. Evidently, McDaniels was not among us. In any case, an odd pattern seems to be emerging. When McDaniels ..."
Ty Law open to returning to Denver
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January 21
Denver Post
 
"The one-year deal Ty Law signed with the Broncos back in early November officially expires at the end of February, but Law said he has spoken with Broncos coach Josh McDaniels about the possibility of returning to the Broncos in 2010. "I'm going to train as if I'm playing," Law said Wednesday. "They said I'm welcome to come back.""
NFL coordinators predict a Belichick-like defense for Broncos
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January 20
Denver Post
 
"I polled a few offensive coordinators Tuesday to see what they thought a defense coached by Dean Pees would look like for the Broncos. The answer: Think Bill Belichick. Think Patriots. Pees is the front-runner to be the team's new defensive coordinator and would bring with him the kind of playbook Josh McDaniels desires. Broncos linebackers coach Don Martindale is in the mix for the job as well and, like Pees, would likely run a scheme far closer to what McDaniels wants than the departing Mike Nolan did. Whereas this past season was a mix of Nolan's and McDaniels' philosophies, there should be a lot less "mix" in the 2010 season. Nolan preferred to take risks in the pass rush, blitzing ..."
Nolan right guy, unjust end
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January 20
Denver Post
 columnist Woody Paige
"Josh McDaniels took only 51 weeks to agree with me about Mike Nolan. On Jan. 26, 2009, the Broncos' new head coach hired Nolan as his defensive coordinator, and I vehemently opposed the choice. On Jan. 18, 2010, McDaniels and Nolan "parted." In this case, "parted" is a synonym for "fired." McDaniels uttered a few words afterward; Nolan said he knew he was out of here beforehand. Their conversation on Monday morning in McDaniels' office probably went something like this: "Hi Mike. How's it going?" "That probably depends on our talk." "I'm not happy with the way you coached, Mike." "We're not on the same page, Josh." "Mike, don't let the door hit you in the butt on your way out." I publicly ..."
Familiar signs point to Pees being picked
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January 20
Denver Post
 
"There's comfort level, and there's been-there, done-that, back-in-the-day comfort level. That's what Broncos coach Josh McDaniels has with Dean Pees, who is the front-runner to be the team's new defensive coordinator. The Broncos also have given a look within their own staff at linebackers coach Don Martindale, according to two NFL sources. Martindale's last stint as a defensive coordinator came at Western Kentucky in 2003. But if familiarity is the difference, Pees has the inside track. When Pees was the head coach at Kent State, he tried to hire a legendary Ohio high school coach: Thom McDaniels, the father of Josh McDaniels. And the Denver coach's younger brother Ben, a current Broncos ..."
NFL coordinators predict a Belichick-like defense for Broncos
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January 20
Denver Post
 
"I polled a few offensive coordinators Tuesday to see what they thought a defense coached by Dean Pees would look like for the Broncos. The answer: Think Bill Belichick. Think Patriots. Pees is the front-runner to be the team's new defensive coordinator and would bring with him the kind of playbook Josh McDaniels desires. Broncos linebackers coach Don Martindale is in the mix for the job as well and, like Pees, would likely run a scheme far closer to what McDaniels wants than the departing Mike Nolan did. Whereas this past season was a mix of Nolan's and McDaniels' philosophies, there should be a lot less "mix" in the 2010 season. Nolan preferred to take risks in the pass rush, blitzing ..."
NFL coordinators predict a Belichick-like defense for Broncos
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January 20
Denver Post
 
"I polled a few offensive coordinators Tuesday to see what they thought a defense coached by Dean Pees would look like for the Broncos. The answer: Think Bill Belichick. Think Patriots. Pees is the front-runner to be the team's new defensive coordinator and would bring with him the kind of playbook Josh McDaniels desires. Broncos linebackers coach Don Martindale is in the mix for the job as well and, like Pees, would likely run a scheme far closer to what McDaniels wants than the departing Mike Nolan did. Whereas this past season was a mix of Nolan's and McDaniels' philosophies, there should be a lot less "mix" in the 2010 season. Nolan preferred to take risks in the pass rush, blitzing ..."
Broncos consider Martindale for coordinator
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January 20
Denver Post
 
"Though Dean Pees is considered the frontrunner to be the Broncos' next defensive coordinator, Denver linebackers coach Don Martindale is being considered for the job, according to two NFL sources. Martindale, 46, was hired last year as part of coach Josh McDaniels' first staff with the Broncos. Martindale has been a linebackers coach since coming into the NFL in 2004 as a member of the Oakland Raiders' coaching staff. He had been with the Raiders until he was hired by McDaniels. Martindale has not been a defensive coordinator since 2003 when he was at Western Kentucky."
Ex-Broncos assistant Nolan joins Dolphins
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January 20
Denver Post
 
"Less than 24 hours after his departure from the Broncos became public, Mike Nolan has accepted an offer to become the Miami Dolphins' defensive coordinator, a league source said this afternoon. Nolan spent only one season as the Broncos defensive coordinator. The team termed the exit a parting "of ways" Monday. Dolphins coach Tony Sparano moved quickly to secure Nolan, even as the Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears had begun to show interest. Nolan replaces Paul Pasqualoni, who was fired in the wake of the Dolphins 7-9 finish. Miami surrendered 390 points this past season, the third-highest total in the AFC."
Broncos considering Pees
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January 20
Boston Globe
 
"Dean Pees may not share a sideline with Bill Belichick in 2010, but that doesn't mean the recently departed Patriots defensive coordinator is leaving the family. The Denver Post reported that Pees is the likely choice to replace Mike Nolan as Broncos coach Josh McDaniels's defensive coordinator. A Broncos source indicated that there is interest in Pees, but no deal has been reached. If it does get to that point, it would hardly be a shock, given the deep ties between McDaniels and Pees. The five years the two shared in New England, from 2004-08, are just the most recent example."
Broncos part ways with defensive coordinator Mike Nolan
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January 19
Denver Post
 
"As the Broncos' confusing 2009 season wore on, Josh McDaniels and Mike Nolan began to realize that aside from their agent, they didn't have much in common. In large part because of differences in coaching styles, philosophies and game-day play calling, McDaniels, the Broncos' head coach, and Nolan, the team's defensive coordinator, decided at the conclusion of their meeting Monday to end their business relationship after just one season. "I definitely was surprised," Broncos inside linebacker Andra Davis said. "Didn't see this coming at all. It seemed like everything was good, everything is OK. I guess it's best if it was mutually agreed upon." McDaniels and Nolan moved quickly to fill ..."
Nolan out, Pees likely in with Broncos
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January 19
Denver Post
 
"As the Broncos' confusing 2009 season wore on, Josh McDaniels and Mike Nolan began to realize that aside from their agent, they didn't have much in common. In large part because of differences in coaching styles, philosophies and game-day play calling, McDaniels, the Broncos' head coach, and Nolan, the team's defensive coordinator, decided at the conclusion of their meeting Monday to end their business relationship after just one season."
Broncos interested in Bills' RB coach
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January 18
Denver Post
 
"Broncos coach Josh McDaniels has formally asked permission from the Buffalo Bills to interview their running game coordinator/running backs coach Eric Studesville. Even though the Bills recently released their entire coaching staff, many assistants like Studesville are still under contract with the Bills and permission is still needed to interview. Studesville would become only the Broncos' second running backs coach in 16 years. Bobby Turner, the Broncos' running backs coach for the previous 15 seasons, recently left to become associate head coach for the Washington Redskins and head coach Mike Shanahan. Prior to his six seasons with the Bills, Studesville was the New York Giants' running ..."
Broncos — Expect 8-8 season
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January 17
Denver Post
 columnist Woody Paige
"Josh McDaniels does not read The Denver Post, but Mark Thewes, Dr. Watson to the head coach, will, as usual, tell McD what this column proclaims today, and he won't like it. No shot, Sherlock. The Broncos will finish 8-8 in 2010. Same as 2009 and 2008. And the Broncos' record over five seasons will be 40 up, 40 down. In 2K10 the Broncos will play their first regular-season game on foreign soil. The Broncos also will play six games against this season's playoff teams. In a reversal of 2009, they will win at home against the usual AFC West suspects and lose to the three on the road. The Broncos will end up 6-2 in Denver, beating, also, Houston (and Rick Dennison), Seattle and St. Louis. They ..."
Wembley game classic case of carrot and stick
Comment
January 16
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist John Cumpacker
"Trading Candlestick Park for Wembley Stadium means the 49ers will have one fewer home game in 2010 when they play the Denver Broncos in the famed London facility Oct. 31. That being Halloween, both teams will come equipped with their costumes of helmets and pads, but the fact this is a regular-season game means neither the 49ers nor Broncos will want to be masquerading as anything but football squads playing a meaningful game. "The 49ers' organization is excited to be part of the NFL's 2010 international schedule," 49ers President and CEO Jed York said Friday in a statement. "We support the league's initiative to bring NFL games to the international stage and are looking forward to playing ..."
Former Bronco Walker subpoenaed for Darrent Williams murder trial
Comment
January 16
Denver Post
 
"Former Denver Broncos player Javon Walker has been subpoenaed as a witness during the upcoming Darrent Williams murder trial. Willie Clark, 26, is charged with murdering the Broncos cornerback on New Year's Day 2007 following an altercation at a Denver nightclub. Clark has told The Denver Post that he did not commit the homicide. Although Walker and other athletes are expected at the trial, Judge Christina Habas ordered that none of them can wear championship rings. Members of the public are also barred from wearing professional sports jerseys, clothing, pins or other paraphernalia that she believes may prejudice jurors. Jury selection is set to begin on Feb. 19 and opening statements by ..."