Good Morning, MHR! As this is my first Horse Tracks following a game, I am still figuring out how I will handle these mornings after. I think I will try to convey here what I think was important and be info heavy at the top. I'll make sure to link the box score and highlights from the Broncos game, and just the scores and game center for other games around the league. I don't care much to read much into columns/opinions when I watched the game with my own eyes, so I'll just present those as plain, old links. But this is a work in progress, so please bear with me and all suggestions are welcome!
The biggest news of the day was that Brandon Marshall was acquitted of his misdemeanor battery charge in Atlanta. He's reportedly healthy and could practice tomorrow. Great news for the Broncos and Marshall, as this means the WR should avoid any further suspensions by the league. Onto the game...Kyle Orton had a poor game. While he looked very good on the passes he completed, he made 3 interceptions; from what I saw, 2 of them were horrible decisions and the third was a terrible throw. Knowshon Moreno looked very good, but left with an apparent leg injury. He'll have an MRI today; cross your fingers. The running game looked pretty good, pass protection was excellent, and Eddie Royal was spectacular. The run defense was spotty at best, and for the first time in years (seemingly) the Broncos produced an effective pass rush. Chris Simms performed quite well, throwing two touchdown passes and looking poised. So, it was a mixed bag. Orton is clearly a concern; hopefully he progresses over the coming weeks.
NFL - Box Score - Denver Broncos 16 at San Francisco 49ers 17
NFLN - NFL Videos: 49ers 17, Broncos 16 - Highlights
DB - 49ers Postgame: McDaniels - Broncos TV
DB - 49ers Postgame: Orton - Broncos TV
DB - 49ers Postgame: Simms - Broncos TV
DP - Broncos star Marshall cleared of battery - Lindsay Jones
DP - Niners edge Broncos in preseason game - Mike Klis
DP - Paige: Broncos induce chant of worry
DP - Turnovers mar makeover for Broncos - Jeff Legwold
Legwold evaluates each unit's performance
DB - Immediate Contributions
Zach Eisendrath looks at the rookies' performances, including a long TD by Kenny McKinley and 3 big plays by Chris Baker (1 sack, 2 TFL).
DB - Showing Flashes - Gray Caldwell
DB - Broncos at 49ers: First Half Live Blog - Gray Caldwell
DB - Broncos at 49ers: Second Half Live Blog - Gray Caldwell
DP - Broncos' Larsen a man for all reasons - Jeff Legwold
Spencer Larsen isn't the first player Josh McDaniels has coached who did it all...
DP - Bowlen mum on contract extension
Pat Bowlen isn't talking about Brandon Marshall's contract situation
CSG - Orton throws 3 picks as Broncos lose preseason opener - Frank Schwab
CSG - Broncos rookie RB Moreno injures leg - Frank Schwab
CSG - Broncos defense has good first showing - Frank Schwab
AP - Kyle Orton Has A Night To Forget In Preseason Opener - Janie McCauley
IDT - Orton awful in Bronco debut - Hunter Ansley
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NFL - Cincinnati Bengals 7 at New Orleans Saints 17
NFL - Minnesota Vikings 13 at Indianapolis Colts 3
NFL - St. Louis Rams 23 at New York Jets 20
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SDUT - "Turner mum on Tomlinson" by Chargers Blog
KCS - Haley era with Chiefs begins with tonight’s exhibition opener
KCS - Five things to watch in the Chiefs’ preseason opener
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NFL - Giants QB Manning makes it official, signs six-year, $97 million extension
NFL - Monroe signs five-year, $35.4 million contract with Jaguars to end holdout
NFL - Raji ends holdout, signs five-year, $28.5 million contract with Packers
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SI - Jay Cutler is focus of attention at Chicago Bears camp - Don Banks
Y! - Falcons display signs of being 'Super' balanced - Charles Robinson
CBS - Patriots camp report: Taylor latest senior solution - Mike Freeman
PFW - Browns' QB picture still murky - Mike Wilkening
Y! - Andre Johnson a man of big numbers, few words - Jason Cole
NFP - Negotiating an injury settlement - Jack Bechta
NFP - 2009 NFP scouting series: Wisconsin - Wes Bunting
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NFP - Diner morning news: Vick’s challenges - Mike Lombardi
NFL - Despite tumultuous past, Blank hopes Vick has learned from his mistakes - Steve Wyche
NFP - Vick decision came from the top - Andrew Brandt
NFL - What the Vick signing means to the Eagles - Bucky Brooks
NFL - McNabb comfortable that reward in Eagles signing Vick outweighs risk - Thomas George
SI - Philadelphia Eagles making big mistake with Michael Vick - Ross Tucker
FOX - Actions, not words, the only solution for Vick - Alex Marvez
SI - Philadelphia Eagles getting Michael Vick isn't about second chance - George Dohrmann
SI - Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb can't co-exist in Philadelphia - Don Banks
ESPN - Vick swallows pride, makes smart move - Jeffri Chadiha
ESPN - Nothing clean about Vick's return - Howard Bryant
ESPN - Vick needs the Eagles, but why do they need him? - Matt Mosley