Horse Tracks 1/8/10 - HOF finalists to be announced today; Broncos sign O-Linemen Fry, McChesney to futures contracts

by Douglas A. Lee on Jan 8, 2010 5:38 AM MST in Horse Tracks

NFL - Exclusive announcement of Hall finalists on NFL Network
"For the first time ever, the announcement of the 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2010 will be televised on "Pro Football Hall of Fame: Road to Canton" on Friday, Jan. 8 at 4 p.m. ET with an encore at 9 p.m. ET only on NFL Network."

DB - Three Signed to Future Contracts - Gray Caldwell
"Center Dustin Fry, guard Matt McChesney (pictured) and punter A.J. Trapasso have been signed to future contracts. They will be officially added to Denver’s roster at the conclusion of the 2009 NFL season in February."

CSG - Charges against Broncos' Quinn dismissed - Frank Schwab

LTC - Broncos’ Smith eager to improve - Brian Howell

"Being a confident guy, I thought I could match up better (with receivers)," he said. "It was way more (difficult) than I thought. You have (veteran) guys telling you, but you still can’t understand the magnitude of it until you go through it, until you experience it. That’s what I did. I experienced it, and it was way tougher than I thought it was."

DPP - Analysis: McDaniels must take a look in the mirror - Jeff Legwold

DB - Interesting Conversation - Jim Saccomano

DPP - McChesney among large O-line signees - Jeff Legwold

"At 333 pounds and 326 pounds, respectively, McChesney and Fry underscore Broncos coach Josh McDaniels' intentions of being bigger along the offensive line."

DPP - Q&A: Would Bowlen consider firing McDaniels after only one season? - Jeff Legwold

Seriously, people?

DP - Memo to Mac: "Shhhh" is the word in the NFL - Jim Armstrong

CSG - Former Broncos think Shanahan will succeed in Washington - Frank Schwab

NFP - Redskins’ gain is Broncos’ gain, too - Robert Boland
Interesting, but Boland didn't do his proper research...as we all know, Mr. B is still paying Shanny $3.5 million each of the next two seasons.

DP - Expectations were too high for Cutler, former coach says - Lindsay Jones

AFC West News

NFP - Why Weis hire is good for Haley, Chiefs - Matt Bowen

KCS - No word from Chiefs on Weis’ official hiring - Adam Teicher

SDUT - Bolts’ FB duo shares it well - Chris Jenkins

SDUT - Offense has possession game down - Kevin Acee

OT - Oakland Raiders' curt response baffles Rich Gannon - Steve Corkran

NFL News

NFL - Colts choose Stover over ailing Vinatieri as kicker during playoffs

NFL - Super Bowl players who miss Pro Bowl will be paid

NFL - Peppers is waiting for Panthers to make first move

Playoffs?!?!?!?!

NYT - Saturday’s N.F.L. Wild-Card Matchups - Mike Tanier

NYT - Sunday’s N.F.L. Wild-Card Matchups - Mike Tanier

SI - Aaron Rodgers, Packers hit their stride as NFL playoffs start - Jim Trotter

NFL - Packers have momentum, while Cardinals will rely on experience - Steve Wyche

NFL - Home cooking should help Patriots overcome loss of Welker - Vic Carucci

SN - Extreme makeover: Jets' defense rollicks, rolls under Ryan - Bill Eichenberger

Y! - Edwards goes from problem child to playoffs - Jason Cole

FH - NFL Picks, Wild-Card Round: Home Sweet Road - Dave Goldberg

FOX - 5 Questions with John Lynch: Cowboys poised to fall?

CBS - Playoff preview: Rushing is past tense in pass-intense postseason - Pete Prisco

PFW - Aces, jokers and other wild cards - Tom Danyluk

"It's been an AFC league for years, but now, at least for a season, the heavies have shifted back to the National Conference."

Whack-a-Coach (or not)

NFL - Second chance: Mangini will stay Browns' coach, Holmgren decides

CBS - Keeping Mangini first step in Holmgren's Browns turnaround - Clark Judge

PFW - Mangini's back, but questions remain for Browns - Mike Wilkening

NFL - Steelers fire coordinator Ligashesky after poor special-teams play

NFL - Fewell interviews with Giants for defensive coordinator opening

NFL - Giants’ Ross joins list of GM candidates in Seattle

NFL Opinion

ESPN - Many minute details in beating the clock - Greg Garber

ESPN - Best, worst at preserving timeouts - Greg Garber

NFP - Top NFL business stories of 2009 - Andrew Brandt

NFP - Why I am now a fan of Rex Ryan - Matt Bowen

FOX - Boom or Bust: Battered Pats will still beat Ravens - Adam Schein

FH - NFL Standings for the Decade: Colts, Patriots Are the Best, Lions Are Clearly the Worst - J.J. Cooper

PFW - Bills' rookies provide foundation to build upon - Michael Blunda

Tweet Comment 29 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Thanks, Doug.

"All by their heads, he places crowns."

by Tempestuous Binary on Jan 8, 2010 6:11 AM MST reply actions

Thanks doug. As always your great work is much appreciated.

I'm glad we had this talk.
(signature courtesy of TJ Johnson)

by BroncoInExile on Jan 8, 2010 6:16 AM MST via mobile reply actions

thanks Doug!

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
All I want is 53 Rod Smiths. Is that asking too much????
"Peyton Hillis didn’t rip the sleeves off his jersey, they flew off out of fear."
Calijoefornia.

by boydy2669 on Jan 8, 2010 6:17 AM MST reply actions

hopefully alphonso can back up his comments

by Todd Jewell on Jan 8, 2010 6:56 AM MST reply actions

yes!

by Whidbey Bronco on Jan 8, 2010 8:03 AM MST up reply actions

Thanks Doug

-Richee
-Stick to the fight when you are hardest hit - it's when things seem worst that you must not quit!

by BroncoSense72 on Jan 8, 2010 6:58 AM MST reply actions

so 290 for hamilton, 305 for hochstein, 303 for kuper and 285 for wiegmann

compared with 333 and 326 — that is a lot of extra weight =)

by Todd Jewell on Jan 8, 2010 6:59 AM MST reply actions

Don’t bother to read any of the DP comments… good lord

by Todd Jewell on Jan 8, 2010 7:28 AM MST reply actions

For sure

I never do, although I wonder if “Jay Kutler” is still a-trolling over there.

by Remember Keith Kartz! on Jan 8, 2010 8:06 AM MST up reply actions

Yeah really

Save yourself the brain damage, folks.

by AllBroncsallday on Jan 8, 2010 8:13 AM MST up reply actions

Thanks Doug.

Real Power, comes with the realization that One cannot change the Moment;
only ones perception of it: Atitude! JQM

by UB3 on Jan 8, 2010 7:45 AM MST reply actions

Why are some links different color?

And thanks a lot, Doug

by si_ice on Jan 8, 2010 7:47 AM MST reply actions

I’ve been wondering that all morning…

formerly known around these parts as nycbroncosfan

by Douglas A. Lee on Jan 8, 2010 9:33 AM MST up reply actions

Wow, that's scary then

by si_ice on Jan 8, 2010 9:59 AM MST up reply actions

Why do some writers and analysts assume that Josh McDaniels isn’t looking in the mirror. I mean he admitted in his press conference that he’s learning a lot and made some mistakes and will look back and try and right the ship. Let’s be honest, as much as we love this team. I don’t doubt for a second that McDaniels doesn’t care about the Broncos winning as much as I do. HE LOVES THIS TEAM, and I love him for it and I know he will work relentlessly until they are winning Super Bowls.

"No more my bad just make the play"-McJedi

by RockyMountainThunder on Jan 8, 2010 7:59 AM MST reply actions

I think that goes back to their beliefs that he’s “too young”, which means he’s arrogant and unable to self-examine. You know, because it’s NOT arrogant to smugly suggest that someone needs to “look in the mirror”. I’m with you, I think that’s ridiculous.

by AllBroncsallday on Jan 8, 2010 8:16 AM MST up reply actions

Its the tidy little box.

It resonates with the fan base, ergo the average reader. Its easy. It requires less effort to keep him in it than let him out. .

So this is war...misfortune at every bend in the road. Misery and murdered mules and sudden death in a ditch.-- Rick Atkinson

by PredominantlyOrange on Jan 8, 2010 8:25 AM MST up reply actions

Agreed 100%

To assume that Josh would not be laying awake at night trying to figure out what HE could do better as a Coach is…well…Just Silly!

-Richee
-Stick to the fight when you are hardest hit - it's when things seem worst that you must not quit!

by BroncoSense72 on Jan 8, 2010 12:23 PM MST up reply actions

I'm with you Brotha (Hulk Hogan style), there is a new source of energy here, a new source of power..

The Denver Broncos are going to put on a show for the fans this fall…Come and see for yourselves. All you Broncomaniacs out there hold on to your suspenders and get ready for a wild ride Brother…

by bfree2bronc on Jan 8, 2010 3:11 PM MST up reply actions

Thanks Doug

Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks

by KaptainKirk on Jan 8, 2010 8:10 AM MST reply actions

Thanks a lot NYC

live and die blue and orange

by jerry251 on Jan 8, 2010 9:25 AM MST reply actions

Thanks Doug

by BroncoTwins on Jan 8, 2010 10:06 AM MST reply actions

Thanks Doug as always.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun" - Ash from Army of Darkness
"H.I., you're young and you got your health, what you want with a job?" - Evelle from Raising Arizona
"It happens sometimes. People just explode. Natural causes." - Agent Rogersz from Repoman

by Broncoman on Jan 8, 2010 10:10 AM MST reply actions

ugh... HoF talk gives me heartburn

This year’s packed with alot of big names again. Are we prepared for disappointment again? Will Shannon get snubbed again because he is viewed as a “pass-catching” TE?! Will Floyd Little get snubbed again despite MHR’s efforts?

And even though I don’t think TD necessarily deserves to get in now (later is fine with me), I think his “Notables” are severely lacking on the HoF website:

Significantly increased yardage total each season until he suffered knee injury. In 1998, he became the fourth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season.

How about his postseason credentials, or his myriad of MVP awards?! In the mortal words of Gob Bluthe… C’mon!!!!!

/goes and gets some pepcid

by tunga77 on Jan 8, 2010 10:24 AM MST reply actions