Denver Broncos News
NFL.Com
Peyton Manning's arrival assures that the Denver Broncos are set at quarterback for the near future. Now the team's focus has turned to protecting the blind side of its big offseason investment.
2012-05-20T12:59:00Z
NFL.com
NFL.Com
The Denver Broncos have reportedly opened contract-extension talks with starting left tackle Ryan Clady, the man who will be charged with protecting quarterback Peyton Manning.
2012-05-19T23:50:00Z
NFL.com
NFL.Com
The Denver Broncos defense turned in some clutch performances last season, but new defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio now wants the group to become one of the NFL's elite.
Sessler, Marc
2012-05-19T19:04:00Z
NFL.com
NFL.Com
While we have yet to see if/where Peyton Manning will be on "The Top 100: Players of 2012," Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com has already ranked him at No. 33 on his list, though Manning didn't play in 2011.
Sessler, Marc
2012-05-18T21:26:00Z
NFL.com
NFL.Com
When radio host Colin Cowherd unveiled his list of the most delusional fan bases in sports, he undoubtedly lost a few supporters -- especially in Dallas, Oakland and the House of Tebow.
Sessler, Marc
2012-05-17T22:09:00Z
NFL.com
NFL.Com
Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith has been elected into the team's Ring of Fame.
2012-05-17T20:31:00Z
NFL.com Wire Reports
CBS - Denver
DENVER (AP) – Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith entered the league as an undrafted rookie and now his name is about to go up in lights after being elected into the team’s Ring of Fame on Thursday.
Smith, who set every major receiving record in franchise history, becomes the 23rd member of the Broncos to have his name etched into the inner facade encircling Sports Authority Field at Mile High. He will be inducted during a halftime ceremony on Sept. 23.
A college free agent out of Missouri Southern, Smith finished his career with 849 catches for 11,389 yards receiving and 68 TDs.
He also helped the Broncos to two Super Bowls and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection.
“Players like Rod don’t come through your door very often, but he came through ours every day with a purpose and hunger to be great,” owner Pat Bowlen said. “Rod’s production and numbers — as outstanding as they were — paled in comparison to his commitment to winning and the respect he commanded from each and every one of his teammates throughout his career.”
Smith had a club-record eight 1,000-yard seasons. He also has three of the top-10 single-season reception totals in team history, including a 113-catch performance in 2001.
“Rod brought his lunch pail to work each day, took nothing for granted and made himself into an elite player,” said Broncos boss John Elway, who played with Smith. “He’s a true pro. In addition to being one of the greatest undrafted players of all time, he’s one of the greatest wide receivers to ever play the position.”
Smith’s last season was 2006 as an aching hip finally forced him to the sideline.
He spent his rookie season in 1994 on the Broncos’ practice squad. His first NFL reception was against the Washington Redskins on Sept. 17, 1995, when he hauled in a 43-yard pass from Elway as time expired to lift the Broncos to a 38-31 victory.
It was simply a glimpse of things to come.
Smith helped Denver to seven postseason appearances, three AFC West crowns and, of course, two Super Bowl titles. Even more, the Broncos had a 126-70 record in games in which Smith played.
“Although he had plenty of catches and touchdowns in his career, the only things that mattered to Rod were winning and competing for Super Bowls,” Elway said. “That’s what was most important to him, and it showed in everything he did. Whether it was in the passing game or running game, you always knew Rod would give 100 percent on every play and do whatever it took to help his team win.”
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
CBS - Denver
DENVER (CBS4) – Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno pleaded not guilty to DUI charges in court Wednesday morning.
Moreno was pulled over in South Denver on Feb. 1 after allegedly driving 70 mph in an interstate construction zone where the speed limit was 45 mph.
In addition to DUI charges, Moreno was also charged with careless driving and driving without insurance.
Moreno is scheduled for trial on Oct. 3.
At the time of his arrest, the Broncos issued a written statement saying they take the incident very seriously and will monitor the case while the legal process runs its course.
CBS - Denver
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) – John Elway says he just couldn’t pass on Peyton Manning‘s heir apparent, even though he hopes Brock Osweiler will be holding a clipboard for years to come.
Elway said he had to “sacrifice the short-term for the long-term” when he used a second-round pick last month on the Arizona State quarterback rather than drafting a player who could help Manning right away.
The boss of the Denver Broncos was joined by coach John Fox in an hour-long conference call with 6,000 season ticket holders Tuesday, and one caller from suburban Broomfield asked Elway for his reasoning in selecting Osweiler with the 57th overall pick.
The Hall of Fame quarterback, who rejoined the Broncos last year as vice president of football operations, replied: “It’s always tough to pick a quarterback that you know is not going to play for you for a while. But I think we have high hopes for him in the future to where once Peyton decides to hang them up that he’s the guy in waiting that can keep this (going) and we don’t miss a beat … and we can continue to compete for world championships year in and year out.”
Manning signed a five-year, $96 million deal in Denver after his release from Indianapolis. His father, Archie, has said he thinks his son is “year-to-year” after missing all of last season because of a nerve injury that caused weakness in his throwing arm.
Manning, however, has said he intends to fulfill all five years of his contract.
That would mean a long apprenticeship for Osweiler, a 21-year-old righty from Montana who stands 6-foot-8 and is working hard to fix flaws in his throwing motion to better capitalize on his height advantage.
“It’s a perfect situation where there’s not the pressure for him to come in and start right away,” Elway said. “He’s not ready for that. But he’s also going to learn from Peyton and … I think it’s a great learning experience for him to where we are set for the future.
“And he’s our guy for the future,” Elway said. “And sometimes we have to sacrifice the short-term for the long-term to grab the guy that you believe can be that next guy for you, and that’s Brock Osweiler.”
Many of the questions during the conference call, which the Broncos have been using as a way to connect with their most ardent supporters, centered on Manning and the Broncos’ revamped offense.
Manning has been working out at the team’s Dove Valley complex since offseason workouts began last month. OTAs start Monday, and that’s the first chance for media to see firsthand how the league’s only four-time MVP is throwing the football after undergoing a series of neck operations last year.
One caller told Elway he was a child when he saw him more than 25 years ago but didn’t get the autograph he’d hoped for, so Elway promised he’d sign something for him now.
By ARNIE STAPLETON, AP Pro Football Writer
(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
NFL.Com
The Broncos' John Elway acknowledged that it was difficult to pick for the future, but he has high hopes for young quarterback Brock Osweiler.
2012-05-16T00:49:00Z
NFL.com
NFL.Com
When Peyton Manning joined the Broncos, the rest of the AFC West felt like an afterthought to many onlookers. Chiefs CB Brandon Flowers isn't ready to concede anything to anyone.
Sessler, Marc
2012-05-15T22:40:00Z
NFL.com
CBS - Denver
DENVER (CBS4) – Fort Morgan native and for Colorado State University star Joel Dreessen has returned to his home state to play for his beloved Denver Broncos. He’s the Broncos’ newest tight end after playing for the Houston Texans since 2007.
“I definitely grew up a Broncos fan but I was employed by other NFL teams,” Dreessen said. “It’s definitely a blessing to come back home and I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
Dreessen had made many trips to Denver from Fort Morgan to see the Broncos play as a youngster.
“My favorite memory of coming to Denver is actually in 1998, the AFC Championship versus the Jets. My buddy’s father was the general manager at the beef packing plant in Fort Morgan, so they got tickets and we came to that game and it was so awesome because they won and they were going to the Super Bowl … and I got on videotape my buddy high-fiving (John Elway).”
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A couple years ago in Houston Dreessen caught 38 passes. He can do a little bit of everything on the field, so what’s going to be his role?
“I definitely like to view myself as a complete tight end as far as first down, second down, third down; not leaving the field,” he said. “I can hold my own on the line of scrimmage as well as run all the routes and catch passes and make yards.”
When Dreessen played in Houston he was in the same division as Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. He said Manning could make the Texans frustrated.
“We would have our scout team of quarterbacks try to emulate what he does, but it never worked. I think during my five years in Houston, when Peyton played, I think we only beat them one time.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Broncos Rookie Camp
Dreessen was very comfortable playing in Houston and it came down to the 11th hour for him to decide to play for the Broncos. He said both John Elway and Peyton Manning had a hand in his decision, as well as other aspects.
“Basically it was just that I wanted to get a little bit more out of my career. I’m not getting any younger and there was a lot of upside to coming back home. But most importantly the main factor was I want to find another level to my career and push myself more; and I felt that this opportunity, this challenge would do that.”
Watch more of the video with Dreessen in the Xfinity Monday Live! section.
- By Matthew J. Buettner, CBSDenver.com
NFL.Com
We're starting to see signs of the Peyton Manning effect in Denver, as WR Demaryius Thomas can attest.
Sessler, Marc
2012-05-15T19:31:00Z
NFL.com
NFL.Com
John Elway and the Broncos believe they've acquired a secret weapon in the form of RB Ronnie Hillman, comparing him to another dangerous, change-of-pace runner.
Sessler, Marc
2012-05-15T18:57:00Z
NFL.com
CBS - Denver
DENVER (CBS4) – The John Lynch Foundation has generated nearly $500,000 in scholarships for local students, and every year Lynch treats them to a special luncheon at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. This year Lynch brought along an old friend — his former head coach, John Gruden.
Gruden and Lynch won a Super Bowl together in Tampa. Two years later Lynch went from the Bucs to the Broncos.
“The guy fired me,” Lynch laughed. “But we’re still great friends. I let him know that every time he’s here, so maybe that’s why he did it.”
Gruden owed him one. He was the keynote speaker at Lynch’s annual “Salute The Stars” luncheon.
“I used to coach in the NFL. I remember losing right here in 2008 with the Buccaneers. When I was coaching the Oakland Raiders for four years I was 0-4 here,” Gruden told the audience. “To be honest with you, I’m a loser in Denver.”
But he’s brilliant on Monday Night Football, and on his “Gruden Quarterback Camp” on ESPN.
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The Gruden’s QB Camp show on ESPN recently featured Broncos rookie quarterback Brock Osweiler.
“Man, he’s a big guy, man he’s big. He can actually sit down in a chair and reach the top of a chalkboard; so rangy, big, great kid,” Gruden said. “He has a thirst for it too. He really wants to be good, so I think that’s going to allow him to take coaching and get consistently better.”
During his trip to Denver Gruden huddled-up with Peyton Manning during a private function at the Lynch house. They talked football into the wee hours of the night.
“Watching Gruden and Peyton go at it just talking ball; I wish I could have had that conversation when I was still playing,” Lynch said. “I learned a lot last night.”
Lynch said Gruden actually brought a videotape he had prepared for Manning.
“Some things he wanted him to see,” Lynch said. “I think he’s someone Peyton has always admired because they’re both not only great at what they do, they are grinders and they have to outwork everybody else.”
“I’m really excited for Peyton Manning. Obviously I hated to see his run in Indianapolis come to an end. He’s a good friend of mine,” Gruden said. “I’m excited he hooked up with John Fox; a veteran coach, a defensive coach. I think it’s going to allow Peyton to really flourish in a new setting.”
Lynch agrees. The other thing they agree on is the future of football. Can it survive the brain injury issues that are now linked to the sport?
“I think the sport will survive, it’s a great sport; I think the greatest sport,” Lynch said. “It’s at an all-time high in terms of popularity. I think this is a real issue though … it’s an issue they’re facing and they better address it.”
“Unfortunately a lot of people do get hurt in certain professions, whether we’re playing rugby or playing hockey; some professions are more risky than others,” Gruden said. “Not everybody feels negative towards football, I can assure you that. It’s a great game, it’s a great league, and it’s a great character builder. That’s how I feel.”
Some interesting facts about Gruden is that he only sleeps two to three hours a night and he carries his cellphone in his sock.
NFL.Com
Denver Broncos defensive line coach Wayne Nunnely announced that he was retiring Monday after more than three decades of coaching in the professional and college ranks.
2012-05-14T21:44:36Z
NFL.com
CBS - Denver
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) – Denver Broncos rookie Omar Bolden considers himself a budding cornerback and CEO.
To think, an injury on the field led him to become an inspirational entrepreneur off it.
Bolden tore the ACL in his left knee during spring practice at Arizona State in 2011. There went another season.
Usually such an affable and upbeat person, Bolden slipped into a funk over the prospect of sitting out again. Soon, those feelings turned into a vision as he hit on an idea: What can he do to brighten someone’s day?
Like that, he created a “Positive Living” movement. He began a website touting the benefits of optimistic thinking and designed elastic bracelets. He also sends out uplifting messages.
With that venture taking off, he’s now eager to begin his other business: Being a shutdown cornerback for the Broncos.
The team drafted him in the fourth round, believing they received a steal of a deal as he slipped down the board due to his injury-filled past. In addition to missing last season, Bolden also sat out a bulk of the 2009 season after tweaking the MCL in his right knee.
No matter where he was picked, he’s here now. And that’s all he cares about.
The power of positive thought at work.
“It’s good to be back on the field, just competing again,” said Bolden, who participated in a three-day rookie minicamp that concluded Sunday. “Just to have the opportunity to be out here and play in the NFL and for the Broncos, it’s an amazing opportunity.”
When healthy, Bolden was a standout defensive back for the Sun Devils. He had three interceptions and broke up seven passes in 2010, giving a glimpse of what he could do.
Even when he wasn’t healthy, Bolden was still a contributor. Last season, he was a voted captain in part because of his energizing and engaging attitude.
“I stayed involved. I traveled to every game, went to every practice, went to every meeting,” Bolden said. “I played my part. But it was just hard to watch.”
About that time, he began hatching his idea of inspiring others. It was his way of keeping from tumbling into a melancholy.
“I’ve seen many of my friends go through the same injury and distance themselves from everything, from football and friends,” Bolden said. “I didn’t want to go down that road. I learned from their experiences.”
His website, which was launched earlier this year, has a mission statement that counts this as its principle tenet: “It is about making the decision to be a positive impact on the lives of the people you are around on a daily basis. A family member, friend, co-worker or even a stranger. You have the ability to affect people’s lives with a simple action. Let that action be positive. Life is too important to let opportunities slip by.”
That edict now empowers Bolden.
“I’ve always been a positive, high-energy guy,” said Bolden, who finished up his degree last spring. “I just have a tight circle of close friends and we’re real big on positive energy. It kind of just started as `Live positive. Live positive.’ We turned it into `Positive Living.’ Then, we started tweeting about it.
“Before you know it, a lot of people were just catching on and it turned into a movement. It wasn’t planned, it just happened like that.”
He’s also taking care of business on the field, too. The early impressions of Bolden have been nothing but favorable.
“He had a good camp,” coach John Fox said. “I thought he played well and he reacted to our install very well. He has good football awareness and football intelligence. It’s just a matter of learning to compete at this level at a consistent basis and I believe he can do that.”
Bolden can’t wait until the entire team shows up and he has a chance to pick up pointers from perennial Pro Bowler Champ Bailey. The Broncos also have veterans Drayton Florence and Tracy Porter for Bolden to lean on as well.
“They’ve been around for a long time. There’s a reason why they’re still here,” said Bolden, who no longer wears a protective knee brace. “Seven-to-10 years later, I want to be one of those guys that are still around. I’m just going to do my best to stick in their pocket, stick in their ear and learn as best as I can.”
With such an abundance of defensive backs, Bolden’s role in the upcoming season may be in special packages on defense or possibly as a special teams contributor. He was a returner at Arizona State, even bringing back a kick 97 yards against Wisconsin in 2010.
Willing to slip into that role again?
“If they give me the opportunity, yes, I’m going to take it and run full speed with it,” Bolden said.
Bolden is surrounded by quite an ASU support system with quarterback Brock Osweiler being drafted by the Broncos in the second round and receiver Gerell Robinson coming on board as a college free agent.
“It’s always good to come in with somebody you know,” Bolden said. “Obviously, you come in with a class full of rookies and everybody’s going through the same thing. But when you can look to your right or to your left and know that you’ve been through similar situations like this for the past three-to-four years with guys that you kind of consider as your brothers, it helps.
“It makes it a little easier to transition to the NFL.”
Notes: Broncos coach John Fox will ride in an F-16 with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds on May 21. “I didn’t realize exactly it was that intense when I first signed up,” he said, laughing. “But, I’m looking forward to it. I have great respect for our military and it’s a great opportunity to hang out with some of those guys.”
LINK: omarcbolden.com
By ARNIE STAPLETON, AP Pro Football Writer
(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
NFL.Com
The Denver Broncos want veteran defensive lineman Ty Warren to reduce his salary for the 2012 season, but Warren has yet to comply with the team's wishes, the Denver Post reported on Sunday.
2012-05-13T19:55:00Z
NFL.com
CBS - Denver
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) – The Denver Broncos still plan on running an option offense.
Only, this version centers on giving Peyton Manning the option of calling anything he wants.
For the second time in six months, offensive coordinator Mike McCoy has to overhaul his playbook to fit the QB under center.
McCoy restructured the offense on the fly last October to better suit Tim Tebow’s unique skill set, switching over to the unconventional read-option. Tebow proficiently ran the system, too, leading the Broncos into the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.
But with Tebow a member of the New York Jets and Manning taking over, McCoy has gone back to the drawing board.
Naturally, he’s leaning heavily on the opinion of the league’s only four-time MVP for this revamped scheme.
Any play that Manning feels comfortable running, it goes into the playbook.
Any play he doesn’t, well, it’s gone, ripped from the pages.
“This is going to be a work in progress for everybody,” McCoy said Saturday after the second day of a rookie minicamp. “With Peyton coming in, he’s got plenty of ideas and things he’s done a great job with over his career. Our job as coaches is to adjust to the talent we have and the players we have. We’ll make the necessary adjustments as we go along.
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“Build the best system we can.”
With Tebow running the show last season, McCoy was limited in what he could dial up on game day. That’s not a knock on Tebow – he was just green at the position and so McCoy relied on a steady diet of running plays to take the pressure off him and also kept the tight ends close by to help with pass protection.
Obviously, that won’t be the case with Manning, who was brought in to throw, not hand off. Tight ends Joel Dreessen and Jacob Tamme were added to catch passes, not simply pass block.
“Tight ends will be more involved,” McCoy said. “They’ll be the main part of progressions.”
McCoy is hoping Manning will be receptive to some of the Broncos’ staples, maybe even come to enjoy working out of a two-back system.
“We’ve had a lot of success with that here, in the past couple of years,” McCoy said. “We’ll pick and choose what we want to do, come the opening game.”
In other words, nothing is set in stone.
Nor will a play when it’s called in the huddle.
After all, Manning is a maestro at surveying a defensive alignment and making the appropriate adjustments at the line. It’s one of his greatest strengths – along with his wealth of knowledge.
“When a guy has played as long as he has, it’s not going to take him a long time to figure it out,” McCoy said. “I’ll tell you what: The way Peyton works and the way he wants to work is unbelievable. He doesn’t want to leave any detail out. He’s going to be very meticulous in everything he does.
“It’s going to be different. You’re going to see a different type of football, a different way we approach the game during practice. Peyton, he’s one of the great leaders of the game.”
It’s incumbent for those around Manning to pick up their game, too. That’s why receivers Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas have been diligently working out, because they very well could be the biggest benefactors in Manning’s arrival.
“They’re like two little kids in a candy shop right now,” McCoy said. “They’ve worked extremely hard this offseason so far. They know an opportunity like this doesn’t come around very often. To be able to play with a quarterback we have now, they’re doing everything possible to make sure they know every little detail of everything we’re doing, getting in the best shape of their lives.”
When the Broncos floundered under Kyle Orton last season, the team went with Tebow, who rallied the squad straight into the postseason.
For that to happen, though, McCoy implemented the read-option offense that turned the NFL on its ear and resulted in the Broncos soaring to the top of the league in rushing. Tebow ran for 660 yards, the most by a QB in Broncos history, in the regular season. The system was similar to the one he ran at Florida, where he won the Heisman and two national titles.
McCoy received not only kudos for the job he did with Tebow, but consideration as a head coach. He was in the running for the Miami Dolphins job before it went to Joe Philbin.
“I learned a lot from the experience,” McCoy said. “But the best thing about it is I’m back in Denver.”
NOTES: New Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio said his son, Luke, has taken an unofficial visit to meet with Colorado coach Jon Embree. “I’ve known Jon a while,” said Del Rio, whose son is a highly touted high school QB. “I think a couple of strong recruiting classes and he’ll get that thing turned around.” Might his son be a part of it? “Maybe,” Del Rio said. … Del Rio said he hasn’t seen DT Ty Warren (triceps) around the complex lately. “When he was here, he was looking pretty good,” Del Rio said.
- By Pat Graham, AP Sports Writer
(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
NFL.Com
Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy said the team's offense is still evolving under new quarterback Peyton Manning.
2012-05-12T19:00:00Z
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