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Good Afternoon, Broncos Country!
I couldn't let the day go by without a Horse Tracks, so although I have nothing of substance to say, if you want to talk a little NFL football, here are some interesting headlines and tweets to get this conversation going.
It seems fairly clear (if it hadn't been already) that Orlando Franklin and Julius Thomas will get a lot of interest from around the NFL when Free Agency begins at 2 p.m. MT Tuesday. And if money has anything to do with it - and it usually does - then both are likely gone.
Reportedly, the Chargers and Eagles are interested in Franklin.
Not in terms of $, but in talking to folks around the league #Broncos G Orlando Franklin is going to get as much interest as Julius Thomas.
— Jeff Legwold (@Jeff_Legwold) March 8, 2015
Remember the rumors last season that the Seahawks offered a straight up trade between Julius Thomas and Percy Harvin? That is still such a ridiculous idea, it makes me laugh - and despise the Seahawks - all over again.
But it's possible our tight end could still end up in major enemy territory - whether it's the Seahawks, Raiders or Jaguars.
Julius Thomas' market starting to shape up. #Seahawks have interest. Tried to trade for him last yr. #raiders like him and #jags have most $
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) March 8, 2015
And for anyone thinking Ndamukong Suh was a consideration, Broncos would have needed a whole lot more money. He's good but not that good, in my opinion.
Per @mortreport: Barring breakdown in formal contract negotiations, Ndamukong Suh will sign with Dolphins. Deal around $114M, $60M gtd.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2015
Luckily Suh won't be at the Raiders, but here's a good question from our friends at ProFootballTalk:
Monday office pool suggestion: "Who will the Raiders grossly overpay for?"
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 8, 2015
This week is definitely going to be interesting - let the (FA) games begin!
Horse Tracks
Denver Broncos' John Elway hires director of analytics Mitch Tanney - ESPN
Elway had pledged to step up the team's use of advanced metrics in scouting.
Paige: Peyton Manning's return trumps $4M return - The Denver Post
The headlines across the nation shouldn't have been "Peyton Manning Takes $4M Hit."
Services of center Rodney Hudson in line with Denver's needs - The Denver Post
With or without much payroll relief from quarterback Peyton Manning, the Broncos are not expected to have the wherewithal to sign more than one free agent at top market price.
Don't look for big-splash free-agent signings from Broncos this year - The Denver Post
For the 2015 free-agent market, the soaring NFL economy and the Broncos' limited budget may force them away from the higher-tiered free agents.
Broncos' Brandon Marshall deals with the name game -- again - Denver Broncos Blog - ESPN
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Often Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall sits in front of his locker shaking his head, a knowing smile on his face as he ...
Indeed, Tamba Hali optimisic about staying with Kansas City Chiefs - ESPN
This tweet sent by linebacker Tamba Hali on Thursday would seem to indicate more than a little optimism that he would play for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jacoby Jones adds juice to return game for San Diego Chargers - ESPN
Veteran specialist addresses glaring need for team.
Kansas City Chiefs are finally spending some money! - ESPN
After some roster paring necessitated to comply with the NFL's salary cap, the Chiefs have re-signed one of their potential unrestricted free agents.
March 8: Happy Birthday, Jason Elam
Happy birthday to former Broncos kicker Jason Elam.
Chargers closing in on new deal for Brandon Flowers - NFL.com
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that the San Diego Chargers are closing in on a deal to keep cornerback Brandon Flowers in town before he hits the open market in free agency.
Randall Cobb, Packers agree to four-year, $40M deal - NFL.com
Randall Cobb is staying put in Green Bay. The wide receiver has agreed to a four-year, $40 million deal with the Packers, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
Report: Eagles primed to make play for Frank Gore - NFL.com
Could the Eagles have a LeSean McCoy replacement in Frank Gore? According to a report, Philadelphia is interested in the veteran running back.
Chris Johnson stable after being shot in shoulder - NFL.com
Chris Johnson is recovering at an Orlando hospital after being shot in the shoulder early Sunday morning. He is in stable condition.
Oakland Raiders expressing interest in Bengals TE Jermaine Gresham - Cincy Jungle
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham isn't expected to return after completing his fifth season as a former first-round pick. The Oakland Raiders have emerged as the first team expressing interest in him.