Good MORNING, MHR Friends! I'm tanned, well-rested and back after a few days in what turned out to be perfect Sarasota. The weather was surprisingly terrific, and we had a great time. Certainly, lots happened over the past week, as final cuts came (no surprises, in my eyes), Richard Quinn found himself in hot water, BMarsh returned and may even be talking over a new deal, team captains were announced (with the fascinating inclusion and contract extension of LB Mario Haggan), and the DP went "Premium." Oh, and Vonnie Holliday signed with the Broncos, which I predicted back in July. For anyone puzzled by the choice to keep LaMont Jordan over Darius Walker, look back at my RBs preview and you'll see that Jordan got a much bigger signing bonus; that, plus his receiving ability, usefulness in short-yardage situations and prior knowledge/experience within Josh McDaniels' offense make a strong case for LaMont. One final thought; if Kyle Orton starts playing this week, could that mean his finger never fully heals this year? Does another week or two mean he's 100% the rest of the way? Okay, onto the news...
DB - Players Vote for 2009 Captains - Broncos TV
DB - Week 1 - Wed.: McDaniels - Broncos TV
DB - Week 1 - Wed.: Orton - Broncos TV
DB - Week 1 - Wed.: Dawkins - Broncos TV
NFL - Broncos discussing new deal with WR Marshall - Jason La Canfora
ESPN - Team Preview: Denver Broncos
Y! - Marshall could learn from Hall, McGahee - Charles Robinson
AP - Broncos New Era Under McDaniels About To Get Real - Arnie Stapleton
Well, the DP went "premium" just in time to roll out their prolific season preview...
DPP - Broncos' and Bengals' controversial receivers face off Sunday - Mike Klis
DPP - Orton putting up with pain, ready to start - Lindsay Jones
DPP - Kyle Orton embracing Colorado - Lindsay Jones
DPP - Bowlen is still Broncos' boss - Mike Klis
DPP - Fans fickle when it comes to McDaniels - Jim Armstrong
DPP - Krieger: Altered egos take time to evaluate
DPP - Paige: Orton must star in glove story
DPP - Broncos social time has seen its last time - Jeff Legwold
DP - McDaniels won't shed — or sweat — hoodies - Jim Armstrong
DPP - Analysis: Broncos to see pass-happy Bengals - Jeff Legwold
DPP - Benson has big role in Bengals' running game - Jeff Legwold
DPP - Broncos moving to a new beat at practice - Lindsay Jones
DPP - Shutting doors to draft big change - Jeff Legwold
A look at the different ways Shanny and McD handle the draft.
DPP - Broncos' blocking system changes to power game - Terry Frei
DPP - Tough practice, tough players - Anthony Cotton
DPP - Yoga takes big hit in switch to how Broncos will stretch - Lindsay Jones
I wonder if all those guys who pulled/tore groin muscles and hamstrings last season were the ones too macho to practice yoga. IMO, this was a poor choice by both the players and the team.
DPP - McDaniels has a busy helping hand - Mike Klis
A look at Mark Thewes, Josh McDaniels' childhood friend and right-hand man.
DPP - McD's goal for O-line: bigger and stronger - Anthony Cotton
DPP - Broncos offense: Small passes, big results - Mike Klis
DPP - All defensive schemes need players - Terry Frei
DPP - Broncos offensive starters - Lindsay Jones
DPP - Broncos defensive starters - Lindsay Jones
DPP - Broncos 2009 schedule - Lindsay Jones
DPP - Q&A: Where'd all the offense go? - Jeff Legwold
DPP - Fan surveys fuel stadium changes - Mike Klis
DPP - Numbers: Broncos coaches tend to have dandy debuts
DB - Week 1 - Tues.: Sounds from the Locker Room - Broncos TV
DB - The Challenge at Hand - Zach Eisendrath
A look at the Bangles' many offensive weapons, plus the initial injury reports. Denver reached injury settlements with Josh Bell and Matt McChesney.
DB - From Ourselves to Our Opponents - Chris Gentilviso
More player quotes heading into the opener.
DP - Mailbag: Broncos' roster moves questioned - Woody Paige
CSG - Three Broncos to test the importance of preseason - Frank Schwab
SI - Would Brandon Marshall, Anquan Boldin consider skipping games? - Ross Tucker
Bengals News
NFL - Ochocinco insists he'll provide the NFL with a surprise Sunday
CE - Palmer: Week's practices will rust-proof him - Joe Reedy
CE - All's well with Chad, for now - Paul Daugherty
CE - Bengals upgrade their special teams - Joe Reedy
AFC West News
KCS - Chiefs notebook | Cassel still uncertain for opener - Kent Babb
KCS - Chiefs hope their defense steps up against Ravens - Adam Teicher
SDUT - No catch to Chambers' game - Tod Leonard
SDUT - Rookie Vasquez a starter with a future - Nick Canepa
SDUT - District Attorney's Office reviewing deputies' report in Merriman-Tequila abuse case
SDUT - Merriman taking it slow, still not 100% - Kevin Acee
SFC - Sympathy for Seymour - Gwen Knapp
NFL - Why Patriots acted quickly on Seymour trade; top five teams of '09 - Vic Carucci
CCT - Raiders 2009 outlook - Steve Corkran
NFL News
NFL - Mangini picks Quinn over Anderson to be Browns' starting QB
NFL - Steelers LB Timmons doubtful to play vs. Titans
NFL - Jags welcome Jones-Drew back to practice, expect him to play vs. Colts
NFL - Westbrook ready to play again, expecting full load in Eagles' opener
NFL - Rams QB Bulger takes direct snaps for first time since breaking pinkie
NFL - Panthers LB Beason, RB Stewart look 'really good' in return to practice
NFL - Niners safety Lewis shakes off concussions, will start vs. Cardinals
Team doctors FAIL.
NFL Opinion
NFL - Among NFL trends, finding rookie starters is growing tougher - Pat Kirwan
NFL - Wins and losses will rule, but rookie coaches already have made an impact - Steve Wyche
Y! - Nine on '09: Storylines of upcoming season - Jason Cole
Y! - Steelers get lost in turbulent offseason - Dan Wetzel
SI - NFL experts make 2009 predictions on Super Bowl, MVP, more
Y! - McNair was more than just a player to Fisher - Mike Silver
NYT - N.F.L. Preview - N.F.L. Teams Unleash Offense, With a Nod to the College Game - Judy Battista