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Horse Tracks - 3/16/10 - Broncos get back to work

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Good Morning Broncos Country!  The Broncos officially got back to work yesterday - in a completely unofficial capacity - as the 'voluntary' conditioning program began.  We all know the names of the players who were missing - Kyle Orton(he'll be there Friday), Elvis Dumervil, Tony Scheffler, Brandon Marshall - and one surprise name - Marcus Thomas.  We've talked at length about the competitive atmosphere that Josh McDaniels is trying to create.  You can learn a lot about a player when they are asked to compete, when they are presented with adversity.  Marcus Thomas, at least for now, is heading in the wrong direction.  Sure, Thomas is likely to be upset that the Broncos signed 3 new defensive linemen.  I think that is a natural reaction.  At some point, however, it's time for fight or flight.  Thomas, in my opinion, is not in a position to stay away from the team.  He should be there, proving the coaches wrong for trying to replace him.  He should be fighting for playing time, fighting for a spot on the roster.  Staying away won't do that.  Listen, I know this is 'voluntary'.  I know March 15th is ridiculously early to start.  But I also know that the seeds to a championship - and the team chemistry that helps it along - are started in these early days of voluntary workouts.  The choice is yours, Marcus, fight or flight.

***REMINDER - Our first MHR Mailbag comes out Thursday.  Send your questions in NOW to mhrmailbag@gmail.com***

Working for a Fresh Start - DB.com
Brady Quinn arrived at Dove Valley on Monday ready to work.

VIDEO - Off-Season Workouts - Champ Bailey
Champ Bailey discusses roster changes and the first day of offseason workouts.

VIDEO - Offseason Workouts - Nate Jones
Nate Jones meets with the Denver press following the first day of workouts.

VIDEO - Offseason Workouts - Justin Bannan
Justin Bannan talks about his first day with the Broncos and how excited he is to be back in the place where he played his college football.

Simms Released; Three QBs Remain on Roster
In the wake of Sunday's acquisition of quarterback Brady Quinn, the Broncos have released Chris Simms.

Quinn: Broncos "a very talented team" - The Denver Post
"It's a very talented team. It's a great city. It's got great tradition," Quinn said of the Broncos during a conference call with the Denver Media today. "There's a lot to look forward to."

Notre Dame is X-factor in Quinn trade - The Denver Post
Because when it comes to Golden Domers, there is no middle ground. You either love the Fighting Irish or you love to hate them. Just like Duke basketball and Coach K.

Stars absent from Broncos workouts - The Denver Post
"I noticed not as many guys are here as normal. I guess with a lot of guys being restricted, and new guys coming in, not everyone's going to be here," Bailey said. "That's just another thing we have to deal with."

Broncos' Quinn, McDaniels have common thread in Weis - The Denver Post
There has been a long, linear connection between Broncos coach Josh McDaniels and his new quarterback, Brady Quinn. Between these connected dots was Charlie Weis, a big guy who nevertheless didn't get in the way.

Kiszla: Broncos' intent is to win with Quinn - The Denver Post
When the Broncos make their next Super Bowl appearance, the starting quarterback will be Brady Quinn.

Broncos' Champ Bailey adapts to new teammates - The Denver Post
As the Broncos' elder statesman — or at least the player who has been here the longest — Champ Bailey has seen plenty of players come and go at Dove Valley.

Broncos introduce defensive newcomers | coloradoan.com
The Denver Broncos introduced defensive lineman Justin Bannan and cornerback Nate Jones today, the first day of voluntary offseason conditioning for the team.

Simms’ comeback story reaches end | All Things Broncos
As we say goodbye to Chris Simms, let us remember not only his two abbreviated performances for the Broncos in 2009 but that he almost pulled off one of the NFL’s all-time best comebacks.

DT Marcus Thomas’ future with the Broncos uncertain - KWGN
Marcus Thomas has elected to remain in Florida, for now, to begin training for the upcoming season.

Trading Hillis was easy call for McDaniels - The Longmont Times-Call
Fan favorite Peyton Hillis — who never really stood a chance with head coach Josh McDaniels — was shipped to Cleveland in exchange for quarterback Brady Quinn, who, just three years ago, was a first-round draft pick.

Do NFL offseason programs have value? | National Football Post
Every year at this time, we begin to look at the process and value of NFL offseason programs. Players who don’t show up on time, such as Monday’s first causality, Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell, are thrown under the bus for what’s supposed to be a "voluntary activity" inside team facilities.

Packers' Havner involved in motorcycle crash | National Football Post
Green Bay Packers tight end Spencer Havner was involved in a motorcycle accident in California early Saturday morning, according to Liz Keller of TheUnion.com.

Antonio Robinson runs in the low 4.4s at Southern workout | National Football Post
A year ago, the Baltimore Ravens found a starting cornerback and kick returner at Nicholls State when they drafted Lardarius Webb in the third round.

Source: Zac Robinson to work out for Patriots | National Football Post
The New England Patriots have scheduled a private workout for Oklahoma State quarterback Zac Robinson, according to a league source.

Adalius Thomas denies wanting to play for the Jets | National Football Post
It's no secret in NFL circles that New England Patriots outside linebacker Adalius Thomas has had a rocky relationship with coach Bill Belichick.

Jets owner angry about coin toss result, process | National Football Post
New York Jets team owner Woody Johnson isn't taking this coin toss loss lying down.

Browns interested in drafting a quarterback | National Football Post
Holding the seventh overall pick of the first round, Cleveland Browns team president Mike Holmgren indicated that he's not done overhauling the quarterback position even after adding Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace, trading Brady Quinn and cutting Derek Anderson.

Source: Broncos working out Tennant | National Football Post
The Denver Broncos are scheduled to conduct a private workout Tuesday with Boston College center Matt Tennant, according to a league source.

Titans sign Ricky Schmitt | National Football Post
The Tennessee Titans have signed unrestricted free agent punter and kicker Ricky Schmitt.

Packers officially announce Tauscher's return | National Football Post
The Green Bay Packers made it official this afternoon as they officially announced the re-signing of veteran right tackle Mark Tauscher to a two-year contract.

Delhomme’s shrewd move | National Football Post
A final word about the Jake Delhomme contract with the Panthers and (lack of) offset, as there have been many questions and erroneous reports about the lasting value of his this contract (the gift that keeps on giving)

Behind the times: the 10-yard split | National Football Post
One of the biggest misconceptions that emerges from the NFL Combine each year is the importance of 40-yard dash times. The 40 is the considered the glamour event of the combine, and every year NFL executives, scouts, draftniks and fans (including me) get carried away by some of the mind-boggling times. This often puts too much value on a player’s straight-line speed, more so than on his pure football talent.

Favre reportedly tried to recruit L.T. to play for Vikes - NFL.com
As speculation continues about Brett Favre’s decision to return for a 20th NFL season or retire, Newsday believes the quarterback has given a hint to his intentions.

Browns see Delhomme as veteran leader on young team
Mike Holmgren knows Jake Delhomme is 35 years old and coming off the worst season of his career.

Giants, Jets will host home games on opening weekend of 2010
Both the Giants and Jets wanted to open next season in the new Meadowlands Stadium. Both will. The NFL said Monday the Giants will play on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 12, and the Jets will host a Monday night game the next day.

Raiders' Gradkowski signs tender as Russell due to join team
Quarterback Bruce Gradkowski and Pro Bowl long snapper Jon Condo signed their restricted free agent tenders and reported to the Oakland Raiders for the start of voluntary offseason workouts Monday.

Spiller sprinting up board to Seattle in latest mock draft
11. Denver Broncos Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama The Broncos have revamped their defensive line in free agency with Jarvis Green, Jamal Williams and Justin Bannan. Now it's time to plug in the big inside linebacker next to D.J. Williams. McClain made 40 plays behind the line of scrimmage last season and had five interceptions after posting a sub-4.7 at Alabama's pro day. McClain revealed that he has Crohn's disease, which is manageable.

Holmgren puts credibility on the line with quick Browns makeover
Mike Holmgren got the proverbial keys to the castle when Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner named him team president in January.

Georgia Tech's pro day an invaluable experience for NFL evaluators
Around draft time, the key buzzword we tend to hear throughout the NFL is "value." Well, if it's value everyone is looking for, they could've found it at Georgia Tech's pro day on Monday.