Orlando Franklin denies saying he won't return to Broncos - Horse Tracks

Broncos right tackle/left guard Orlando Franklin is probably going to get paid this offseason. And probably not by the Denver Broncos. It's a simple numbers game for John Elway, and we've seen many times how he's not willing to (over)pay in free agency.

But that doesn't mean Franklin has said he's not coming back to the Broncos.

It's funny today I read an article saying that I said I would not be returning to the Broncos. I have no idea how I could say that.

— Orlando Franklin (@OFranklin74) February 25, 2015

Via Twitter, Franklin continued: "I'm in Jamaica, been here for the last week. Was in Cabo, Mexico before that and Toronto, Canada before that so I don't know when or how I spoke with a reporter for them to report that."

The 'reporter' he's referencing is most likely Brandon Spano, radio host of Mile High Sports in Denver, who reported widely on his show this week that Terrance Knighton has confirmed he isn't coming back and that Franklin is also likely gone. Spano grouped the two together in the same headline, which may have caused some confusion. It appears Spano never said Franklin said he was gone; Spano just cited a source.

Perhaps Franklin was actually directly responding to tweets like this -

Per @BrandonSpano Terrance Knighton and Orlando Franklin have confirmed they will not be coming back to the Denver Broncos.

— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) February 24, 2015

It's the danger of relying on shock jock sports radio to get your reports. Words get twisted, and then facts get twisted, even by other established NFL media accounts on Twitter, and pretty soon you're playing a game of telephone. Except in this version, you're online, in social media, and everyone in the world can see how you mistook, "Let's eat, Grandma" for "Let's eat Grandma!" Not appetizing.

Generally, here's the order in which I trust "media":

1. Adam Schefter. If he reports something about the Broncos, it's fact. Go get a tattoo about it and sleep like a baby.
2. The Broncos themselves.
3. Mainstream media - The Denver Post, other ESPN guys, USA Today, Sports Illustrated. They're usually pretty good, but the story is exponentially more believable once more than one reporter gets in on the act.
4. Other blogs, radio guys, and my gut/common sense (all about equal).

Your results may vary.

Horse Tracks

Renck: Julius Thomas' loss will be measured inside red zone - The Denver Post
The Broncos believe their offer was fair. Thomas didn't accept it, though, and talks stalled. Thomas will become an unrestricted free agent March 10, dramatically reducing the chance he returns to Denver.

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Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos quarterback: Gregg Rosenthal outlined the latent Manning imbroglio in his NFL Scouting Combine recap. While the odds are heavily in favor of Manning's return to Denver, the contract subplot looms as a potential hangup. How serious are the Broncos about a paycut? Serious enough to send Manning back into the arms of John Fox and Adam Gase in Chicago?

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Do you remember when Gary Kubiak first made a name for himself on the NFL stage? Read on to relive Kubiak's first start, leading the Broncos to a big win.

Murray, Thomas among top fantasy free agents - NFL.com
3. Demaryius Thomas, wide receiver: Much like Bryant, there's little chance Thomas won't be coming back to his current team in 2015. If the two sides can't come to terms on a new deal, then the star wide receiver will end up being tagged and enter a second consecutive contract season. Even if Peyton Manning declines, Thomas is still a good bet to remain among the elite players at his position in 2015.

Combine prospects to keep an eye on for Denver Broncos -- Part IV - ESPN
Several defensive backs could make sense for team after first round.

Post-Combine: What we've learned
Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson are expected to be the Broncos' 3-4 defensive ends in 2015. What else did we learn at the Combine? Find out here.