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Horse Tracks - 3/13/10 - Champ collects his bonus

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Good Morning Broncos Country!  One week into the new NFL calendar year - which means several players received a nice check in the mail.  For the Broncos, that meant Champ Bailey got a crisp $3 million roster bonus.  He wasn't the only one.  Running back Knowshon Moreno ($3.775 million), linebacker D.J. Williams ($3 million) and receiver Brandon Stokley ($500,000) were other Broncos players whose bonuses were exercised this week.  Mike Klis gave a list of Broncos in the 'Millionaire's Club' and the list was quite shocking to me.  The Top-5 Broncos in terms of 2010 salary - Champ($13.5 mil), Knowson Moreno ($8.44 mil), Justin Bannan ($7 mil), Jamal William ($6 mil), D.J. Williams ($6 mil).  A 2nd year running back, 2 free agent signees and D.J. Williams round out the Top-5 after Champ.  How about the 'lowest' paid millionaires on the Broncos?  Here's the list - Brandon Lloyd($1.26 mil), Tony Scheffler($1.18 mil), Russ Hochstein($1.13 mil), Ryan Clady($1.02 mil), Mario Haggan($1 mil).  Yes, you read that right, Ryan Clady, perhaps the best LT in football, will make $1.02 million this season.  In these economic times it is hard to feel bad for anyone making $1 million, but in the world of the NFL Clady is obviously underpaid.  We haven't heard Clady complain, however, haven't heard any threats of holding out of mini-camp, or OTAs.  It's refreshing to know some people focus on going about their business - knowing that the reward for that effort will come in time.  On to the Tracks!

American Football in London
Both Broncos and 49ers head coaches and players talk about playing at London's Wembley Stadium next season.

Champ Bailey still on top of Broncos' salary pile - The Denver Post
As Champ Bailey's once-record, seven-year contract with the Broncos enters its final months, the left cornerback on Tuesday collected one more $3 million roster bonus. Running back Knowshon Moreno ($3.775 million), linebacker D.J. Williams ($3 million) and receiver Brandon Stokley ($500,000) were other Broncos players whose bonuses were exercised this week.

Champ, Lynch to help Darrent Williams Teen Center | All Things Broncos
Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey and former Broncos safety John Lynch will co-chair a fundraiser for the Darrent Williams Teen Center in September.

Broncos' millionaire club: who makes at least $1 million for Denver | All Things Broncos
With the Broncos giving cornerback Champ Bailey a $3 million signing bonus this week, Mike Klis on Saturday will breakdown the roster by salary. Look for it overnight.

Chiefs sign former Broncos center Wiegmann - The Denver Post
Veteran center Casey Wiegmann is returning to Kansas City.

The disconnect in scouting | National Football Post
NFL scouting is not a perfect science. Tony Mandarich and Ryan Leaf were high first-round draft picks. Defensive tackles John Randle and La’Roi Glover went undrafted. Tom Brady was a sixth-rounder. So why is the scouting system only about 60- to 70-percent accurate? I have some theories.

Behind the times: MLB short-shuttle | National Football Post
With college pro days now taking center stage in the draft process, terms such as "40 times," "straight-line speed" and "workout warriors" are becoming familiar in scouting communities across the country.

The meaning behind the words | National Football Post
Welcome to our third edition of "What They Say, What They Mean." Today, we deal with the comings and goings of the early NFL free agency period:

Could LT's New York visit affect Washington's Jets future? | National Football Post
I am curious about the Jets’ interest in former Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson, because I just don’t see what the plan is by swapping out one RB in his thirties in Thomas Jones — who was very productive as a Jet — for LT.

Bradford bumps back pro day | National Football Post
Quarterback Sam Bradford has pushed back his pro day workout to March 29 due to the annual NFL owners meeting, according to Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network.

Welker also recovering from torn rotator cuff | National Football Post
New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, an offseason procedure that's less serious than the torn anterior cruciate ligament he shredded in the final game of the season.

Cleveland Browns cut Steve Heiden | National Football Post
The Cleveland Browns cut tight end Steve Heiden, a transaction executed after signing tight end Ben Watson to a free agent deal.

Buccaneers land Jon Alston | National Football Post
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed unrestriced free agent linebacker Jon Alston today, a move that follows his recent visit with the New York Jets.

Packers sign Pickett, Collins | National Football Post
They signed defensive tackle Ryan Pickett, the team's franchise player, to a four-year, $28 million deal that includes $10 million in the first year and also agreed to terms on a three-year, $24.3 million deal with safety Nick Collins.

Larry Johnson is a Redskin | National Football Post
The Washington Redskins signed running back Larry Johnson to a three-year deal with a maximum value of $12 million.

Tomlinson leaning toward the Jets? | National Football Post
Veteran running back LaDainian Tomlinson might make his decision tonight, and there are signs pointing toward him potentially signing with the New York Jets.

Big day for Vuna Tuihalamaka | National Football Post
University of Arizona linebacker Vuna Tuihalamaka had a strong Pro Day workout with a 4.61 time in the 40-yard dash.

Adam Terry signs with the Colts | National Football Post
Former Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Adam Terry has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts, a league source confirmed.

Holmgren: Quinn’s future ‘depends’ on Browns’ moves - NFL.com
It appears Brady Quinn is nothing more than the Browns’ last resort at quarterback.

Walker healthy, hungry for another chance after release by Raiders
Multiple injuries and incomparable tragedy have derailed Walker's career since he caught 69 passes for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns with the Denver Broncos in 2006. However, Walker professed Friday on NFL Network that after several surgeries — including an experimental procedure on his right knee — he's 100 percent healthy and ready to play for whatever team is willing to give him a chance.

Roethlisberger's attorney hires private investigator for assistance
An attorney for Ben Roethlisberger has hired a private investigator to look into a 20-year-old Georgia college student's sexual-assault allegation against the Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback.

Panthers lack of free-agent aggression makes task ahead tough
With the vast majority of top free agents off the market, the big spending is just about over. Although unsigned players aren't necessarily on the verge of panic, you can rest assured that they're calling their agents about getting a deal done now.

Need for playmakers has receivers going fast this offseason
In the week since teams began their shopping spree for proven talent, one clear trend is that wide receivers are in high demand.