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Denver Broncos News: Horse Tracks - 1/2/11

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Broncos bringing back Elway not just a PR move - The Denver Post
The Broncos and owner Pat Bowlen are expected to call a news conference around midweek to announce Elway as their vice president of football operations.

Paige: Broncos must pick perfectly - The Denver Post
he most drastic recovery occurred 20 years ago when the Broncos, under Dan Reeves, climbed from a 5-11 abyss to 12-4. The Broncos went from worst to first in the AFC West. In 1991 they beat the Houston Oilers in a postseason game, then lost the AFC championship in Buffalo 10-7 after three field goals were missed and John Elway was injured.

Klis: Broncos in rush to reload - The Denver Post
As the Broncos move toward their second new era in two years, they will this time travel more frequently by ground.

Justin Bannan: Deeper Colorado roots - The Denver Post
Professionally, it hasn't been easy. Bannan left the Baltimore Ravens, where he was a rotational player, to become a full-time starter at defensive end in Denver. He's been one of the bright spots on the Broncos' defense with 32 tackles (including a sack and two tackles for a loss) and three pass breakups (including the deflection that led to a game-ending interception last week against Houston).

It's now pass first, run second in NFL - The Denver Post
It is a staple of the New Orleans Saints' game plan, a simple formation that puts Reggie Bush in motion and leaves tight end Jimmy Graham in a mismatch with an opposing cornerback near the goal line.

Studesville receives solid reviews in short tenure - The Denver Post
"It was a huge, huge thing he had to step into," Broncos veteran safety Brian Dawkins said. "The way Eric has handled himself, with nothing but class, he's spoken directly to the things we can accomplish and made sure we can have a good feeling. At the end of the day, I believe the guys in here would want to win games for him.

Orton feels wanted, but his status uncertain - The Denver Post
Still, Orton said there is "no question" he feels "wanted and appreciated" in Denver. But whether he returns in 2011, when he's under contract to make a total of $8.4 million — of which only $2.89 million is guaranteed, is far from a sure thing, not with a new coaching staff coming in and Tebow emerging as the quarterback of the future.

Leslie Frazier: 'Going to be tough' for Brett Favre to play - ESPN
Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier told ESPN's Ed Werder he doesn't expect Brett Favre to play Sunday in what is likely the final game of his NFL career.

Source: Florida hires Weis to be offensive coordinator - ESPN
Former Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis is leaving the NFL to become Florida's offensive coordinator, a source told ESPN.

Report: Maurice Jones-Drew of Jacksonville Jaguars needs arthroscopic surgery on knee - ESPN
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew will require arthroscopic surgery to repair torn knee cartilage, a team source said, according to the Florida Times-Union.

Buffalo Bills keep LB Shawne Merriman with two-year contract - ESPN
Shawne Merriman has signed a two-year contract to remain with the Buffalo Bills, general manager Buddy Nix confirmed on Saturday.

New York Jets won't decide Sal Alosi's fate until after season - ESPN New York
A day after the NFL fined the Jets $100,000 for a sideline wall orchestrated by Sal Alosi, New York coach Rex Ryan said that the strength and conditioning coach will remain employed by the team. For now.

Biggest NFL games of Week 17 by ESPN.com's John Clayton - ESPN
Once again, the NFL season closes with the feel of the preseason.

Adam Schefter: History tells us to expect plenty of NFL coaching changes - ESPN
Five teams -- Carolina, Dallas, Minnesota, Denver and San Francisco -- already have begun the process of changing coaches. Two more -- Cincinnati and Oakland -- have coaches in the final year of their contracts, though the Raiders' Tom Cable has an option that the Raiders could exercise. Speculation surrounds jobs in Cleveland, Jacksonville, Houston, Miami, New York (Giants), San Diego and Tennessee. Almost every year, there is a head-coaching change that comes out of nowhere, like a Sal Alosi knee.

Could Josh McDaniels replace Weis? - AFC West Blog - ESPN
The natural question to ask after getting over the initial shock of the news that Charlie Weis may be poised to go to the University of Florida is to ask who could possibly replace him as the offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs.

NFL.com news: Coaching carousel could be fast and furious after Week 17
Denver Broncos John Elway is coming in, and is Jim Fassel far behind? My sources say if Gary Kubiak is not the man in Denver, Fassel just might become the new coach. The former Giants coach is a favorite of Elway. Stay tuned.

NFL.com news: Jobs, playoff spots at stake as regular season comes to a close
1. Play for your coach, and yourself The Monday after the season ends is usually when head coaches on the hot seat are handed a pink slip. We already have four coaches fired, and more will follow. I talked with a player for the Texans who was happy to hear the rumors that Gary Kubiak will be back, but added that he and his teammates weren't taking any chances as they prepared for the Jaguars.

NFL.com news: Report: Falcons coach Smith will be rewarded with new deal
The Atlanta Falcons are seeking the NFC's best record and their first Super Bowl title, but they already know their top offseason priority: keeping coach Mike Smith.

NFL.com news: Bush on tenure running Texans' defense: 'It just didn't work out'
Frank Bush isn't under any illusions entering Sunday's season finale. He knows he'll most likely lose his job as the Houston Texans' defensive coordinator after the game.

Playoff scenarios, coaching scrutiny lead Week 17 storylines - John P. Lopez - SI.com
With the NFL's postseason tournament beginning in just one week and a full 10 games figuring in on playoff berths or positioning, consider Week 17 the mad scramble before the madness.

Texans' Andre Johnson out Sunday, will have surgery - NFL - SI.com
Texans Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson will miss Houston's season finale against Jacksonville and will have arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle next week.

Vikings Reportedly Looking to Make Leslie Frazier Officially Head Coach -- NFL FanHouse
Discussions between Minnesota Vikings interim coach Leslie Frazier and the organization are trending toward making Frazier head coach next season. This according to sources close to the situation.

Brandon Marshall gives Chad Henne a thumbs down - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
"Just got to let it go, you know?" Marshall said. "Don’t worry about the consequences. Just throw it up and see what happens. Throw a pick or whatever. Let’s live and die by it.

Polamalu practices, status for Browns uncertain - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
Steelers safety Troy Polamalu(notes) has practiced for the first time in three weeks, leaving his status for Pittsburgh’s game in Cleveland uncertain.

Seahawks offer no apologies for their status - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
Here in the NFL’s most remote outpost, a championship will be decided on Sunday night, and if the home team can snap out of a protracted slump and prevail, history will be made as well.