Horse Tracks - 8/18/10

Broncos' versatile Larsen specializes at fullback - The Denver Post
As the backfield carousel continued spinning at the Broncos' training camp last week, one player assumed the same stance at the same position on each repetition.

Broncos' special-teamers disappointed with preseason opener - The Denver Post
Broncos rookie Perrish Cox lined up deep to catch a kickoff midway through practice Tuesday morning, and as soon as the ball was in his arms, Cox darted upfield, dashing between tacklers.

Analysis: Broncos may have some surprises on 53-man roster - The Denver Post
When an NFL team makes those final coach-wants-to-see-you decisions about the 53-man roster, it's the last five or six spots that can be filled by a surprise or two — by those who made the most of training camp and the preseason games.

Q&A: Broncos gambled and lost Barrett to Patriots - The Denver Post
The NFL rule for players who are not yet vested veterans — any player who does not have four accrued seasons — is they have to pass through waivers to be moved to injured reserve, if that move is made before the first roster cutdown in training camp.

Broncos QB Quinn puts Bengals game behind him - The Denver Post
There is a dusty adage in football that the eye in the sky never lies. But Broncos quarterback Brady Quinn would contend the camera may fib a little from time to time.

Favre might practice with Vikings today - The Denver Post
Brett Favre's latest summer of indecision finally appears to be over.

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning undergoes tests, uncertain for game vs. Pittsburgh Steelers - ESPN New York
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning spent Tuesday in Manhattan undergoing a battery of tests which revealed nothing more serious than the 3-inch gash that required 12 stitches on his forehead.

Cincinnati Bengals' Rey Maualuga fined but not suspended - ESPN
Linebacker Rey Maualuga of the Cincinnati Bengals has been fined two game checks by the NFL and will forfeit an additional portion of his signing bonus for 2010 for a drunk-driving violation.

Oakland Raiders to let Nnamdi Asomugha prove he's best CB - ESPN
While Darrelle Revis continues his holdout with the New York Jets in hopes of a new contract befitting a player many think is the best cornerback in the NFL, Nnamdi Asomugha is working on taking that title back.

Tennessee Titans waive injured rookie back Stafon Johnson - ESPN
The Tennessee Titans waived injured rookie running back Stafon Johnson, the former Southern California standout whose college career was ended by a weightlifting accident that crushed his neck.

Illness cuts DT Albert Haynesworth's practice short - ESPN
Albert Haynesworth was sidelined after just a few snaps at practice Tuesday morning, apparently because he wasn't feeling well.

Time to talk football again with Favre | National Football Post
Can we move on now and talk real football with Brett Favre and the Vikings? I can agree as much as the next guy that the Minnesota QB handled this offseason and training camp unprofessionally, but that is just an opinion, really. In fact, we can all sit here and bitch about No. 4 coming back, but the bottom line is that it looks like the Vikings have their QB for the 2010 season once it becomes official.

Inside the Revis talks | National Football Post
The Darrelle Revis holdout and its surrounding drama illustrate a couple of realities of negotiations that I learned the hard way in my years as an agent and a team executive.

New York, New Stars, Blitz schemes and Glen Coffee | National Football Post
The first game at the oddly named New Meadowland Stadium will go in the books as a 31-16 Giants win fueled by a big 3 TD performance by rookie WR Victor Cruz of UMass. Simple conclusion then, right? Not so fast, this is the preseason and you can jump to conclusions that are fake outs.

Shawne Merriman shedding rust | National Football Post
Shawn Merriman is looking to regain his old Pro Bowl form.

Tavares Gooden takes his turn with the starters | National Football Post
Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Tavares Gooden worked with the first-team defense Tuesday at inside linebacker next to All-Pro middle linebacker Ray Lewis.

Jim Zorn doesn't harbor animosity toward Redskins | National Football Post
Jim Zorn isn't consumed by bitterness, grudges or hard feelings.

Buddy Ryan: 'It's none of Dungy's business' | National Football Post
Rex Ryan's father, Buddy Ryan, didn't take kindly to Tony Dungy's disapproving comments about his son, including a remark that he wouldn't hire the younger Ryan because of his penchant for cursing.

Charlie Frye to have wrist surgery | National Football Post
Oakland Raiders backup quarterback Charlie Frye is set to have surgery on his wrist today.

Andre Smith returns to practice | National Football Post
Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Andre Smith returned to practice today after missing the majority of training camp with a left foot injury.

Nate Garner out two months after foot surgery | National Football Post
Miami Dolphins offensive guard Nate Garner had another surgery on his foot, the same foot that was repaired during the offseason.

Jim Zorn with no animosity for Redskins | National Football Post
Jim Zorn will see some familiar faces on Saturday when the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Redskins get their Beltway series going.

NFL.com news: Progress for Chiefs difficult to see as pressure to win mounts
So far, little of what the Kansas City Chiefs have shown this summer looks any different than what they've displayed over the past few years.

NFL.com news: Quinn trying to shake off poor showing in Broncos debut
Brady Quinn was brought in to push incumbent Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton for the starting job. Instead, Quinn is fending off rookie Tim Tebow for the backup role.

NFL.com news: Brohm ready for his turn in Bills' three-man QB competition
Trent Edwards has maintained his hold on the Buffalo Bills' starting quarterback job for now. Brian Brohm will have his chance to prove himself this week. And it's Ryan Fitzpatrick's turn to sit.

NFL.com news: Seahawks newcomer Balmer won't say why 49ers dealt him
It took Kentwan Balmer a meeting with Mike Singletary, a few days of unexcused absences from the San Francisco 49ers and a trade to find a new NFL life.

NFL.com news: Romo's pledge: Cowboys will 'have a good offense, period'
Tony Romo is over his flu bug, but his right tackle just had knee surgery.

America’s love jones over Tim Tebow. How did it happen? | Helmet and Pads Required
Tebow mania has swept the country and it doesn’t look like it will be going away anytime soon. Even if you’re not a Tim Tebow fan, you know exactly what’s going on with him and his pro career every minute, hour and day of the week.