The South Stands

Broncos Cuts Announced

2011-09-04T10:02:00.000-07:00

The Broncos announced their cuts early Saturday.

WAIVED/RELEASED

David Anderson, WR, Colorado State, Jeremy Beal, DE, Oklahoma, Brandon Bing, CB, Rutgers, Alvin Bowen, LB, Iowa State, Ronnell Brown, DT, James Madison, Jeff Byers, G, Southern California, Perrish Cox, CB, Oklahoma State, Stanley Daniels, G, Washington, Britt Davis, WR, Northern Illinois, D'Andre Goodwin, WR, Washington, Adam Grant, T, Arizona, Dan Gronkowski, TE, Maryland, Steven Hauschka, K, North Carolina State, Jeremy Jarmon, DT, Kentucky, Jeremiah Johnson, RB, Oregon, Kyle McCarthy, S, Notre Dame, Eric Olsen, G, Notre Dame, Greg Orton, WR, Purdue, DeMario Pressley, DT, North Carolina State, Eron Riley, WR, Duke, Lee Robinson, LB, Alcorn State, Dante Rosario, TE, Oregon, Austin Sylvester, FB, Washington, Adam Weber, QB, Minnesota,

INJURED RESERVE

Jamel Hamler, WR, Fresno State, Brandon Minor, RB, Michigan, Syd’Quan Thompson, CB, California

THOUGHTS

Surprise cut: The cutting of DL Jeremy Jarmon and S Kyle McCarthy were a suprise to me as Jarmon was brought in from Washington through the trade for Jabar Gaffney. He was thought to be part of Denver’s rotation on the defensive line. McCarthy was working with the "one's" on defense during part of training camp. But, 2010 picks Bruton and McBath obviously out-played McCarthy.

Duh: With Jarmon cut, it's no suprise that Derrick Harvey was kept, there were rumors floating around that he would be let go. The former No. 8 overall pick from Jacksonville is desperately needed on Denver’s D line. Harvey is solid against the run and will help. Also, Denver kept only rookie tight ends Julius Thomas and Virgil Green behind starter Daniel Fells. They cut Dante Rosario and Dan Gronkowski. The Broncos really like their rookie tight ends.

What's next: With the Broncos having the 2nd worst record last year at 4-12, the Broncos have the No. 2 waiver priority. Expect them to use it often. The only team ahead of the Broncos are the Panthers. The Panthers need a starting right guard after placing Garry Williams on injured-reserve. They also need help at CB and WR. Denver will look at DL, OL, RB and CB on the waiver wire.

As always I welcome your thoughts!

James

NFL Player Tweets:

2011-07-21T17:26:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the recent NFL Player tweets coming across the wire:

Carlton Powell: oh hell nahh 48%…u gotta be kiddn me, tell me i'm misinformed please

Carlton Powell: the owners playing to the public, don't believe the hype, educate urself on the real issues…there is still work to be done

Kyle McCarthy: Hold on everyone, no deal yet.

Aaron Curry: Email I received: There is no agreement between the NFL and the Players at this time. I look forward to our call tonight.

NickBarnett: Lockout over... Well not yet still need another vote!!! Looks like we headed to work baby!!!

Damien Woody: Looks like a PR ploy was played

Chris Long: Hey guys just so yall know the news that just came out a couple minutes ago doesn't mean the lockout is over....

Chris Long: we all wanna play ball but no one is gonna sign off on some BS

Greg Olsen: Personally I think deal will be approved by players. But dont forget owners approved OWN proposal. Haha.

Aaron Curry: Why is it all of a sudden pressure on us?? THEY LOCKED US OUT! Lol.

Carlton Powell: Stop callin me, texin me, dnt even Skype me, dnt send no letta, dnt email me, dnt even send morse code sayin nuttin lol CUZ IT AIN'T OVA

Le'Ron McClain: Alot of us in dark

Greg Olsen: Will get done. Just keep that in mind.

Ryan Clark: The owners want u to believe that they have been extremely fair everywhere and this is their olive branch" to finalize it. Media mind games

Le'Ron McClain: Jay Glazer saying the NFLPA* will NOT vote tonight?? How true??

Vonnie Holliday: Please don't get excited about that press conference. The owners have agreed on a deal we the players have not seen! This is not consistent

Heath Evans: Players side source: "The NFL passed their own proposal. There r NUMEROUS items in the proposal that players never agreed 2!

Heath Evans: Here is what the "Real" fans need 2 know: The owners tried 2 slip many things n2 the CBA "they" voted on that were NEVER agreed 2!

Roddy White: So D smith agreed to a deal with owners and just giving it to us so we gone see how it looks than go from their

Domonique Foxworth: @LeRonMcClain33 man they dont make anything easy. DM me your number I'll let you know where we stand

Aaron Curry: honestly what do fans think if the owners paid the players less they'd lower ticket prices and merchandise? HA!

Mike Sims-Walker: Owners tried to pull a publicity stunt and trick us wit the same garbage deal from last time #wontloseus

Greg Olsen: I totally understand the frustration the fans have during all this bc us players feel the same way. Only winners will be media and lawyers

Jay Feely: A lot of criticism of greedy players not taking deal. We are being prudent business men. We need to review the offer & it's new terms first

Steve Breaston: I seen my boys argue about 5 dollars last week #imjustsayin

Josh Cribbs: Aiiight man I'm bout 2 get ready to see Captain America I can't change the lockout, never wanted it to begin with

Chad Ochocinco: Wonder how many people understand the awesome strategic move that some genius came up with to shift the pressure n negativity on us.

Arian Foster: What's sad is that today's owners vs players soap opera is bigger news then NASA getting canceled.

Greg Jennings: This lockout is an absolute mess. Players are just ready to play the game we love & get back to entertaining the fans who truly support us.

Ryan Clark: Anybody that tweets me something like "just sign" or " your stupid" and doesn't know specifics on this seal I am blocking. That kind of day

Le'Ron McClain: It really ain't what it look like....

Jay Feely: You are right Ken, we won’t RT @kentsomers Can't believe players with serious questions will approve a 10-year deal with no opt-out.

Keep it tuned to The South Stands for more tweets from players regarding the latest developments on the NFL Labor Issues.

James

NFL Clubs Approve Comprehensive Agreement

2011-07-21T16:46:00.000-07:00

31 of the 32 NFL clubs (of course, the Raiders abstained) approved the terms of a comprehensive settlement of litigation and a new 10-year collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association.

The vote was taken at a league meeting in Atlanta where the clubs were briefed on the terms of the agreement and the rules for the transition into the new League Year. The agreement must be ratified by the NFL Players Association in order for the league year to begin.

Here is the official statement from the NFL.

“We are pleased to announce that our clubs have approved the terms of a long-term negotiated agreement with the NFL players,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “It includes many positive changes that emerged from a spirit of compromise rooted in doing what is best for the game and players. DeMaurice Smith and his team, and the players and owners involved in the negotiations, deserve great credit for their skill and professionalism. If approved by the players, this agreement will allow the league and its players to continue to benefit from the NFL’s popularity and will afford a unique opportunity to deliver to fans an even better, safer, and more competitive game in the future.

“On behalf of the NFL, our teams and players, I want to express our deep appreciation to Chief Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan. Judge Boylan was the court-appointed mediator, but his contributions far exceeded that role. His patience, determination, and commitment helped keep everyone focused on the goal, and helped lead us to today’s announcement.”

The NFL announced that players can begin voluntary workouts at club facilities on July 23 if the NFLPA Executive Board approves the settlement terms. Following the reconstitution of the NFLPA as a union and approval of the new CBA by the NFLPA membership, the League Year and free agency signings will start at 2:00 PM ET on July 27 and training camps for all teams will open on July 27.

Day one activities will be limited to physicals, meetings, and conditioning. Players will practice without pads on days two and three.

As part of the transition rules for the 2011 League Year, the parties have agreed that the CBA’s specified deadlines for certain free agency contract tenders will be delayed to the dates indicated below. For example, the deadline for the CBA’s “June 1 Tender” to Unrestricted Free Agents will be changed from June 1 to August 12.

Following are key dates on the revised 2011 League Calendar, contingent upon ratification of the agreement by the players prior to these dates:

JULY

July 23 Voluntary training, conditioning and classroom instruction permitted until first day of clubs’ preseason training camps.

July 23 Pre-2011 League Year Period commences. 2011 Free Agency List to be issued and will become effective on the first day of the 2011 League Year (July 27). Clubs/players may begin to renegotiate contracts. Clubs may begin to sign Drafted Rookies and their own UFAs, RFAs, Exclusive Rights Players and Franchise Players.

July 23 Waivers begin for the 2011 League Year.

July 23 Starting at 2:00 PM ET, clubs may negotiate with, but not sign, Undrafted Rookie Free Agents, free agents, and other clubs’ UFAs, RFAs, and Franchise Players.

July 24 Starting at 2:00 PM ET, clubs may begin to sign undrafted rookie free agents.

July 27 2011 League Year commences at 2:00 PM ET, provided NFLPA has ratified CBA. Free Agency Signing Period begins. Clubs may sign free agents and other clubs’ Unrestricted Free Agents. Clubs may sign Offer Sheets. Trading period begins. All Clubs must be under the Salary Cap. Top 51 rule applies.

July 27 Expand rosters to 90-man limit.

July 27 Training Camps open for all clubs, provided NFLPA has ratified CBA. Day One activities limited to physicals, meetings, and conditioning. No pads permitted on Day Two or Day Three.

AUGUST

August 9 Deadline for players under contract to report to their clubs to earn an Accrued Season for free agency.

August 11-15 First Preseason Weekend

August 12 Deadline for signing of Offer Sheets by Restricted Free Agents. (17-day period concludes)

August 12 Deadline for June 1 Tender to Unrestricted Free Agents. If the player has not signed a Player Contract with a Club by August 26, he may negotiate or sign a Player Contract from August 26 until the Tuesday following the tenth week of the regular season, at 4:00 PM ET, only with his Prior Club.

August 12 Deadline: if a Drafted Rookie has not signed a Player Contract by this date, he cannot be traded during his initial League Year and may sign a Player Contract only with the drafting Club until the day of the Draft in the next League Year.

August 13-17 Each Club has until five days prior to its second preseason game to provide any tendered but unsigned Exclusive Rights Player or Restricted Free Agent with written notice of the Club’s intent to place the player on the Exempt List if the player fails to report at least the day before the Club’s second preseason game.

August 16 Deadline for Prior Club to exercise Right of First Refusal to Restricted Free Agents. (Four-day matching period conlcudes)

August 17 Deadline for June 1 Tender to Restricted Free Agents who have received a Qualifying Offer for a Right of First Refusal Only.

August 18-22 Second Preseason Weekend.

August 25-28 Third Preseason Weekend.

August 26 Signing Period ends for Unrestricted Free Agents who received the June 1 Tender.

August 29 Deadline for June 15 Tender to Restricted Free Agents. If player’s Qualifying Offer is greater than 110% of the player’s prior year’s Paragraph 5 Salary (with all other terms of his prior year contract carried forward unchanged), the Club may withdraw the Qualifying Offer on August 29 and retain its exclusive negotiating rights to the player, so long as the Club immediately tenders the player a one-year Player Contract of at least 110% of his prior year’s Paragraph 5 Salary, with all the terms of his prior year’s contract carried forward unchanged.

August 30 Clubs reduce rosters from 90 players to 75 players.

SEPTEMBER

September 1-2 Fourth Preseason Weekend.

September 3 Clubs reduce rosters to 53 players.

September 8-12 First Regular-Season Weekend.

September 18-19 Second Regular-Season Weekend

September 20 Deadline at 4:00 PM ET for any Club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multi-year contract or extension.

If approved by the players, the new collective bargaining agreement will include the following key terms:

TERM:

The fixed term of the agreement covers the 2011 through 2020 seasons and includes the 2021 draft.

PLAYER HEALTH AND SAFETY:

Immediate implementation of changes to promote player health and safety by:

Reducing the off-season program by five weeks, reducing OTAs from 14 to 10;
Limiting on-field practice time and contact;
Limiting full-contact practices in the preseason and regular season;
Increasing number of days off for players.

Opportunity for current players to remain in the player medical plan for life.
An enhanced injury protection benefit of up to $1 million of a player’s salary for the contract year after his injury and up to $500,000 in the second year after his injury.
No change to the 16-4 season format until at least 2013; any subsequent increase in the number of regular-season games must be made by agreement with the NFL Players Association.
$50 million per year joint fund for medical research, healthcare programs, and NFL Charities, including NFLPA-related charities.

RETIRED PLAYER BENEFITS:

Over the next 10 years, additional funding for retiree benefits of between $900 million and $1 billion. The largest single amount, $620 million, will be used for a new “Legacy Fund,” which will be devoted to increasing pensions for pre-1993 retirees.
Other improvements will be made to post-career medical options, the disability plan, the 88 Plan, career transition and degree completion programs, and the Player Care Plan.

DRAFT/FREE AGENCY SYSTEM:

An annual Draft of seven rounds plus compensatory picks for teams which lose free agents.
Unrestricted free agency for players after four accrued seasons; restricted free agency for players with three accrued seasons.
Free agency exceptions (franchise and transition players).

ENTRY LEVEL COMPENSATION SYSTEM:

New entry-level compensation system including the following elements:

All drafted players sign four-year contracts.
Undrafted free agents sign three-year contracts.
Maximum total compensation per draft class.
Limited contract terms.
Strong anti-holdout rules.
Clubs have option to extend the contract of a first-round draftee for a fifth year, based on agreed-upon tender amounts.

Creation of new fund to redistribute, beginning in 2012, savings from new rookie pay system to current and retired player benefits and a veteran player performance pool.

ECONOMICS:

Salary cap plus benefits of $142.4 million per club in 2011 ($120.375 million for salary and bonus) and at least that amount in 2012 and 2013.
Beginning in 2012, salary cap to be set based on a combined share of “all revenue,” a new model differentiated by revenue source with no expense reductions. Players will receive 55 percent of national media revenue, 45 percent of NFL Ventures revenue, and 40 percent of local club revenue.
Beginning in 2012, annual “true up” to reflect revenue increases or decreases versus projections.
Clubs receive credit for actual stadium investment and up to 1.5 percent of revenue each year.
Player share must average at least 47 percent for the 10-year term of the agreement.
League-wide commitment to cash spending of 99 percent of the cap in 2011 and 2012.
For the 2013-2016 seasons, and again for the 2017-2020 seasons, the clubs collectively will commit to cash spending of at least 95 percent of the cap.
Each club committed to cash spending of 89 percent of the cap from 2013-2016 and 2017-2020.
Increases to minimum salaries of 10 percent in Year 1 with continuing increases each year of the agreement.

2011-2012 TRANSITION RULES:

Special transition rules to protect veteran players in 2011. All teams will have approximately $3.5 million in what would otherwise be performance-based pay available to fund veteran player salaries.
Each club may “borrow” up to $3 million in cap room from a future year, which may be used to support veteran player costs.
In 2012, each club may “borrow” up to $1.5 million in cap room from a future year. Both these amounts would be repaid in future years.

OTHER:

No judicial oversight of the agreement. Neutral arbitrators jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA will resolve disputes as appropriate.
Settlement of all pending litigation.

# # #

Mr. Smith, the ball is in your court... will you fumble or score?

As always, I welcome your thoughts.

James

The Lockout in Cartoons

2011-04-20T10:42:00.000-07:00

Here are some funny cartoons from some of the best cartoonists in the country on the current labor situation. Enjoy!

As always I welcome your thoughts.

James

2011 Schedule Released

2011-04-19T17:20:00.000-07:00

BCourtesy of the Denver Broncos (www.denverbroncos.com)

By Gray Caldwell

The Broncos' 2011 schedule was revealed on Tuesday, featuring two nationally televised matchups starting with a Monday Night Football contest against the Oakland Raiders to kick off the season.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- With the draft a little more than a week away, football fans now have yet another thing to look forward to -- the 2011 schedule was released on Tuesday.
The Broncos' slate of games features a season-opening Monday Night Football matchup against a division rival, a trip to face off against the defending Super Bowl champions and a nationally-televised game on Thursday Night Football against the 2010 AFC runner-ups.
Before we get to the full schedule, here are a few notes on the 2011 slate:

It will be the first time the Broncos have opened at home since the 2004 season, and the first time since 2001 that the season opener has been at home and on Monday Night Football.
The team has not opened the season with two consecutive home games since the 1998 campaign.
This marks the 20th consecutive season the Broncos have played on Monday Night Football, extending the longest active streak in the NFL. It is the second-longest such streak all-time.
The schedule features five games against 2010 playoff teams, including three of the four clubs involved in the AFC and NFC championship games (GB, CHI, NYJ).
This will be the 12th consecutive season the Broncos have played at least one of the previous season's two Super Bowl teams.
Denver's regular-season opponents had a combined record of 133-123-0 (.520) in 2010.

You can find the preseason schedule here, along with the exact dates for each game and the scheduled kickoff time for two of them. Without further adieu, the Broncos' 2011 campaign is laid out below.
2011 SCHEDULE:

Week 1: vs. Oakland Raiders (MNF)
	• DATE: Monday, September 12 • TIME: 8:15 p.m. MDT • LOCATION: INVESCO Field at Mile High • TELEVISION: ESPN (National) • OPP. 2010 RECORD: 8-8 • ALL-TIME VS. OPP.: 41-58-2

Week 2: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
	• DATE: Sunday, September 18 • TIME: 2:15 p.m. MDT • LOCATION: INVESCO Field at Mile High • TELEVISION: CBS • OPP. 2010 RECORD: 4-12 • ALL-TIME VS. OPP.: 17-8

Week 3: at Tennessee Titans
• DATE: Sunday, September 25 • TIME: 11 a.m. MDT • LOCATION: LP Field • TELEVISION: CBS • OPP. 2010 RECORD: 6-10 • ALL-TIME VS. OPP.: 14-20-1

Week 4: at Green Bay Packers
• DATE: Sunday, October 2 • TIME: 2:15 p.m. MDT • LOCATION: Lambeau Field • TELEVISION: CBS • OPP. 2010 RECORD: 10-6 • ALL-TIME VS. OPP.: 5-5-1

Week 5: vs. San Diego Chargers
	• DATE: Sunday, October 9 • TIME: 2:15 p.m. MDT • LOCATION: INVESCO Field at Mile High • TELEVISION: CBS • OPP. 2010 RECORD: 9-7 • ALL-TIME VS. OPP.: 54-47-1

Week 6: BYE

Week 7: at Miami Dolphins
• DATE: Sunday, October 23 • TIME: 11 a.m. MDT • LOCATION: Sun Life Stadium • TELEVISION: CBS • OPP. 2010 RECORD: 7-9 • ALL-TIME VS. OPP.: 3-11-1

Week 8: vs. Detroit Lions
	• DATE: Sunday, October 30 • TIME: 2:05 p.m. MDT • LOCATION: INVESCO Field at Mile High • TELEVISION: FOX • OPP. 2010 RECORD: 6-10 • ALL-TIME VS. OPP.: 6-4

Week 9: at Oakland Raiders
• DATE: Sunday, November 6 • TIME: 2:05 p.m. MST • LOCATION: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum • TELEVISION: CBS • OPP. 2010 RECORD: 8-8 • ALL-TIME VS. OPP.: 41-58-2

Week 10: at Kansas City Chiefs
• DATE: Sunday, November 13 • TIME: 11 a.m. MST • LOCATION: Arrowhead Stadium • TELEVISION: CBS* • OPP. 2010 RECORD: 10-6 • ALL-TIME VS. OPP.: 46-55

Week 11: vs. New York Jets
	• DATE: Thursday, November 17 • TIME: 6:20 p.m. MST • LOCATION: INVESCO Field at Mile High • TELEVISION: NFL Network (National) • OPP. 2010 RECORD: 11-5 • ALL-TIME VS. OPP.: 16-15-1

Week 12: at San Diego Chargers
• DATE: Sunday, November 27 • TIME: 2:15 p.m. MST • LOCATION: Qualcomm Stadium • TELEVISION: CBS* • OPP. 2010 RECORD: 9-7 • ALL-TIME VS. OPP.: 54-47-1

Week 13: at Minnesota Vikings
• DATE: Sunday, December 4 • TIME: 2:05 p.m. MST • LOCATION: Mall of America Field (Metrodome) • TELEVISION: CBS* • OPP. 2010 RECORD: 6-10 • ALL-TIME VS. OPP.: 5-7

Week 14: vs. Chicago Bears
	• DATE: Sunday, December 11 • TIME: 2:05 p.m. MST • LOCATION: INVESCO Field at Mile High • TELEVISION: FOX* • OPP. 2010 RECORD: 11-5 • ALL-TIME VS. OPP.: 6-7

Week 15: vs. New England Patriots
	• DATE: Sunday, December 18 • TIME: 2:15 p.m. MST • LOCATION: INVESCO Field at Mile High • TELEVISION: CBS* • OPP. 2010 RECORD: 14-2 • ALL-TIME VS. OPP.: 25-16

Week 16: at Buffalo Bills
• DATE: Saturday, December 24 • TIME: 11 a.m. MST • LOCATION: Ralph Wilson Stadium • TELEVISION: CBS • OPP. 2010 RECORD: 4-12 • ALL-TIME VS. OPP.: 15-18-1

Week 17: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
	• DATE: Sunday, January 1 • TIME: 2:15 p.m. MST • LOCATION: INVESCO Field at Mile High • TELEVISION: CBS* • OPP. 2010 RECORD: 10-6 • ALL-TIME VS. OPP.: 46-55

*All NFL games scheduled for Sundays from Weeks 10-15 and Week 17 are eligible to be moved to the Sunday night game, which is televised nationally by NBC.

Click here for a printable version of the 2011 schedule

Brian Billick Speaks Out

2011-04-18T13:38:00.000-07:00

Interesting commentary by former NFL head coach Brian Billick on one of the sticking points of the on-going battle between the NFLPA* and the NFL.

Owners don't need to open books

It is being reported that one off the sticking points for a new collective bargaining agreement is the players wanting the owners to “open their books.”

I hope this does not become an issue that delays the eventual deal that we all know will get done.

In my opinion this is likely a “throwaway” part of the negotiation, meaning that the players will hold on to it until they need something and will use this as a lever to get what they want. The fact is, they really don’t need for the owners to do this. The NFLPA has all the relevant numbers it needs to determine the fair percentage the players should be getting. Things like stadium revenue, tickets revenue, TV money, player cost and operation costs are all figures that are easily obtainable.

This is more about embarrassing the owners rather than actually obtaining important information. Almost every team is basically a family business. Like most family businesses, expenses and cost of the family are typically run through the business. This is neither illegal nor inappropriate. It is simply the way our tax system requires those with small businesses to operate.

Regardless of the huge sums of money and the public attention, each team in the NFL individually is really nothing more than a small business.

Hopefully, the NFL Players Association will move past this point quickly so we can all get back to the business of football. A deal will get done. That much we know. The question is how much damage will be done to the game and the relationship between the owners and the players along the way.

I happen to agree 100% with coach Billick on this one!

As always I welcome your thoughts.

James

League Proposed a 10 Year Deal says NFL's Lead Negotiator

2011-03-14T18:05:00.000-07:00

Article from the Associated Press (See my comments in Orange BOLD).

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Had enough of the he-said, he-said rancor between the NFL and players? Don't expect it to go away anytime soon.

The outcome of the league's first work stoppage since 1987 could be decided in court; the first hearing on the players' request for an injunction to block the owners' lockout was scheduled for April 6. In the meantime, there probably will be more of the same as Monday, when Kevin Mawae - president of the ~~NFL Players Association~~ trade association, the now-dissolved union - accused the league of spreading "complete falsehoods and complete lies."

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, on the same conference call as Mawae, said the owners' final offer Friday "was all a front."

"I think it was all a show, with no real intent to get a deal done, other than just to say they made a proposal - that was no different than anything else that they proposed over the last couple years, couple months, couple weeks," said Brees, a named plaintiff in the players' antitrust lawsuit against the league. Hey Drew, how would you know if it was a front or not if your own ~~NFLPA~~ trade association executive committee member, Jeff Saturday says you weren't even given enough time to review it?

Brees and Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday, also a member of the players' executive committee, complained that the players were not given enough time to assess and ask questions about the proposal owners made Friday morning.

"It just seems odd you would wait until Friday to put out a 20-point proposal, when each point has a number of different details in it," Saturday said.(Then why didn't you at the least for the fans sake, agree to another extension to review it? An extra hour, day, week, whatever?)

The NFL's lead labor negotiator, Jeff Pash, said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press that Friday's proposal contained various new provisions. He said owners offered a 10-year deal.

"I was frankly surprised that the (owners' labor) committee supported an offer as forthcoming as that was," Pash said.

He also said the league would have been willing to agree to a third extension to the collective bargaining agreement, which originally was due to expire at the end of March 3, before two delays. But another extension, he said, "wasn't really discussed in a serious way, because it was perfectly obvious they weren't interested."

By the end of Friday, talks broke off, the ~~union~~ trade association announced it no longer would represent players, Brees and others filed suit, and the owners imposed a lockout at midnight.

"If they were saying they were not going to negotiate, under any circumstance, after 4 p.m. on Friday, don't you think you have to ask yourself: Who was it who was in Washington putting on a show?" Pash said. (Good point. Additionally, they, the ~~NFLPA~~ trade association sent an email I believe around 4pm saying they were decertifying, why give the NFL another 15 minutes at 4:45pm to decide if they would open their books for a 10 year period in order to get another extension? Why even make the offer to agree to another extension 45 minutes after decertifying?)

"We answered all the questions they had at the time, and we never put a deadline on it. We're not the ones who were filing a lawsuit at 5 o'clock," Pash said. (Good point)

For all the things the owners and players disagree on, the two main sticking points are clear: how much money owners would get up front before dividing the rest of $9 billion in annual revenues with players, and the ~~union's~~ trade association's demand for full financial disclosure.

"If we're going to talk about 'trust,' maybe you should ask the owners if they trust each other to see each others' books," Mawae said. "I think that's a greater issue than the players trusting the owners." (What a stupid comment? Hey Kevin, why don't you open your family's financial records for Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady or the 53rd player on the roster who was an undrafted free agent who is only on the team to hold a roster spot until your franchise player comes off IR and his family to review? You are the employee, you HAVE NO RIGHTS TO SEE THE DETAILED FINANCIALS OF YOUR TEAM/COMPANY - get over it! If I want to see how good or bad my company is doing, I have to look at the SEC filings or the stock market. Have the independent 3rd party review them as the NFL agreed to and be done with it!)

Under the old CBA, owners received more than $1 billion to cover certain operating expenses, before other money was split with players. When negotiations began on a new deal, the owners sought an additional $1 billion off the top. Both sides acknowledge there was movement in that area.

But as the ~~NFLPA's~~ trade association's lead spokesman, George Atallah, put it Monday: "The perception is that we were really, really close. The reality is we really, really weren't." (I'm fully convinced that the sole purpose of George's existance is to be the "mouth" of the ~~union~~ trade association so that DeMaurice Smith never needs to get in front of a mic until the absolute last minute or when there's real news to pass along. George is the destraction so that you never see the "trick" and "smoking mirrors" that the magician, Dee Smith is using to create the illusion that somehow the players are getting the shaft.)

Because the ~~NFLPA~~ trade association says it no longer is a union, but rather a trade association - a distinction the NFL calls a "sham" - Atallah said any decision to return to negotiations would be up to the lawyers representing the players, rather than ~~NFLPA~~ trade association executive director DeMaurice Smith. Asked whether there would be talks before the April 6 hearing, Atallah replied: "As of now, no."

The league, meanwhile, would prefer to return to the negotiating table. Starting Feb. 18, the sides met 16 times at federal mediator's office.

"We would get back together with them tomorrow if they wanted to. We're not the ones who walked out. We're not the ones who renounced our status. We're not the ones who filed litigation," Pash said. "So we would get back together with them tomorrow. And if they have questions about our proposal, we'd answer them. If they have alternatives they want us to consider, we'd consider them."

Mawae said that if the NFL contends the ~~union~~ trade association walked away from mediation, "that's a fabrication and a lie. We sat in that room ... Tuesday and Wednesday of last week for 16 hours. ... We met face-to-face a total of 30 minutes." (and that's about the ONLY HONEST THING I'VE HEARD COME OUT OF KEVIN'S MOUTH since this whole saga began a month or so ago - that my friend is the real reason why the ~~NFLPA~~ trade association walked away from negotiations... "R.E.S.P.E.C.T, find out what it means to me!" Well we all found out! The players felt disrespected for making them sit in a room for 2 days like the misbehaving red-headed step-children while the parents figured out how to discipline them. So they said "we're done" and left. I get it, frankly, I'd be pissed too, but if my livelyhood was on the line, and I was gonna run the risk of putting my family's well-being in jepordy, I would sit at that table for however long it took to get a new deal.)

I get it that both sides want to come out looking like the victors in this battle. I get it, but there are 1,900 or so players who those few men in that room should be considering as well, most of which don't make over a million a year, not to mention the multiple thousands who came before them who depend on the health coverage the league provides them and the 10's of thousands who'll come after them in the next decade and beyond.

I know the NFL says they're ready to continue talking, but why isn't the ~~NFLPA~~ trade association willing to as well?

Fans like to associate with the little person, the underdog, David over Goliath. In this day of high unemployment, jobs being shipped over seas, foreclosures, health care and big government etc. we as fans tend to side with the guys who actually do the work, "Damn the Man, Save the Empire", not the company owners who are sitting in their high back leather chairs, smoking their cigars and drinking their congnac.

If the players don't like the system, sure try to negotiate a new one, that's your right. If you're successful, then congratulations! But at the least give it a realistic effort. Both sides had 2 years to sit down and figure it all out. Why didn't you? Yeah I know, you said you were, but seriously, do you think we're that stupid? How much of an effort did either side really make? Did you think it was all going to take care of itself? Or did you want to wait to the last minute so that you could hold each other's feet to the fire and hopefully the pressure would cause the other side to cave in?

At the end of the day, the owners own the franchises and the players, as the employees, play the game.

(Forgive me in advance here, it's soapbox time)

To the players: Consider yourselves lucky that you get paid an obscene amount of money to play a GAME that you, or most of you love to play. I would play for $100k a year and sign a lifetime contract stating I would never ask for an additional red cent if I had the talent to play professional football as you all do. Do you know why? BECAUSE I LOVE THE GAME OF FOOTBALL! But also because I'm on the other side. I'm on the side where I've been unemployed with a wife, kid, mortgage, car payments and bills to pay. Heck, I live paycheck to paycheck as it is right now! I know what it's like to struggle. I don't think a single NFL player in those negotiating sessions has ever had to struggle to pay bills and take care of a family with little or no income.

Part of me hopes this lockout continues on into the season and they hire replacement players, let you all find out what it means to struggle. Half of you would lose your wives and kids because they're used to a certain type of lifestyle that you can no longer provide. There'd be a flood of used Esclades and diamond and gold jewelry on eBay and Craigslist. 8 bedroom mansions on auction, find out what's it like to struggle.

To the owners: Probably not one of you have ever struggled to pay bills or put food in your kid's mouths either. If I was an owner of an NFL franchise ya know what, give the players their money and health care and reduced contact practice time, etc., etc. I am an owner in a $9 billion dollar a year plus industry. I own a team that is part of the #1 sport in all of the US of A. I'm not hurting for money. I can cut back from 6 massages a week to 3. I can sell a Bentley or Rolls, even drive myself around town for a change. That chalet in Aspen that I've owned for 15 years and only been there twice, anyone know the number to Southerby's?

Now I know none of that'll happen. Both sides wouldn't allow it. The networks wouldn't allow it. But I think you get my point.

(Excuse me while I step down.....)

To me, and I'm only speaking for myself here, I think what most fans don't want to admit, because they root for the underdog, is that players come and go. Let me ask the average fan a question, if John Elway got traded back in 1992 (Dan Reeves' last season in Denver) would he be as revered in Denver as he is now? NO. When was the last time you saw someone with a tattoo of a player on their bodies (well I have actually seen a guy with both an Elway and a T.D. on seperate calves). When have you seen someone placing a flag of a player on their front balcony on game days? You ever see a cling on sticker on the back of that redneck (no offense to rednecks) F-150 of Tim Tebow?

Players come and go, my team, the Denver Broncos are forever!

As always, I welcome your thoughts.

James

Letter from Pat Bowlen

2011-03-14T14:02:00.000-07:00

I just received this in my inbox and figured I'd post it.

Open Letter to Honorable David S. Doty

2011-03-11T18:45:00.000-08:00

Hon. David S. Doty
Senior United States District Judge, District of Minnesota
United States District Court
14W U.S. Court House
300 South Fourth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Dear Hon. Doty,

I’m writing you this letter first and foremost as a Fan of the Denver Broncos (since 1979) as well as a fan of the National Football League. After seeing and hearing both sides begin the PR smear campaigns against the other today with the end result being the NFLPA decertifying, I implore you to please insist that the NFL and the NFLPA reconvene for another round of mediations. No one wants to spend their time listening to each side plead their case in the court of public opinion, or waste the tax payers money by litigating this in your courtroom. It’ll only cause a deeper rift between the NFL (league and players) and it’s fans. It doesn’t need to get to this point. You have the power to make this all go away. You have the power to come out of this looking like a hero to sports fans across the country. Please make them sit down and continue to negotiate longer.

Let me ask you a question, what could go wrong if you were to order them back to the negotiating table for a definitive period of time? Say you were to postpone your decision and order them back to the negotiating table for 60 days of negotiating starting March 15th. If no progress is made by May 15th, then you make your ruling. As a fan I’m ok with that scenario. No one was forced to rush to judgement ruling one way or another, because then there would have been ample time to hash this out. Put pressure on both sides Judge Doty to get a new deal done, so we as fans of the NFL and it's players, will be assured of football games in 2011 and beyond.

Judge Doty, we are the customers of the NFL, the NFLPA and the players themselves. Without us, neither would exist.

Warmest Regards,

James Patrick Owen

Twitter: DaSouthStands
http://thesouthstands.blogspot.com/

This letter will go out in tomorrow's mail. Feel free to copy and paste this letter and send it to Honorable Doty at the address above. Let's make our voices heard as fans of the National Football League and our individual teams.

As always I welcome your thoughts.

James

Maybe It's Time for the Fans to Strike???

2011-03-11T11:25:00.000-08:00

Joe Fortenbaugh of National Football Post

Make no mistake about it. The billion-dollar battle that is currently being waged in Washington D.C. has only one thing to do with the fans: their wallets.

America’s most popular sport is embroiled in a fight between rich athletes who want a bigger portion of a diamond-laced pie that even wealthier owners are unwilling to part with. Our favorite game has reached a critical impasse and the water is about to boil over.

Which brings us to an interesting question: How much longer would this argument last if there was no money left to fight over?

Without the fans, there would be no NFL.

The lifeblood of American sports is, has and always will be the fans. You’re the ones who pay ridiculous ticket prices to watch these teams play. You’re the ones who purchase jerseys, hats and God knows what else in an effort to truly represent your team’s colors. You’re the ones who watch this game every week, which affords networks like FOX the sickening ability to sell 30-second Super Bowl advertisements for $3 million a pop. The most passionate of you purchase the “Sunday Ticket” and “Red Zone Channel” in an effort to enjoy a sensory overload of smash mouth football each and every Sunday.

So how come you have no say in the matter?

Simple. Because the league and the union KNOW you’ll be back. It’s the same reason why these two sides waited until the last minute to start seriously talking (leading to a request for an extension) rather than jump the gun and resolve the various issues before panic began to set in amongst the masses.

There’s a reason why the 1994-1995 MLB strike and the 2004-2005 NHL lockout are rarely mentioned in comparison to what is currently taking place in our nation’s capital. It’s because everyone knows that the NFL has such a ridiculously tight grip on its audience that any form of a work stoppage won’t be enough to keep the fans away once professional football decides to return to business.

Which is why the time has come for the fans to rise up and let their voices be heard.

The majority of you are already in unison as to your position on the CBA negotiations. You don’t side with the players and you don’t side with the owners. You side with football and you don’t care how or why a deal gets done as long as it does, in fact, get done.

So what would happen if that aforementioned majority decided not to renew their season tickets for the 2011 season, boycotted purchasing NFL merchandise and told DIRECTV to go pound sand when it came time to renew “Sunday Ticket” packages?

I’ll tell you what would happen. The league and the union would begin to sweat, and that sweat would lead to a serious increase in pressure to get a deal done as fast as possible.

Because at the end of the day, it’s better to have 55% of $9 billion than it is 100% of nothing.

And the only people who can make that point crystal clear to the parties in Washington D.C. are the fans.

As always I welcome your comments.

James

Fans’ List of Demands for New NFL Labor Agreement

2011-03-07T10:19:00.000-08:00

Posted with permission by Sports Fans Coalition (http://www.sportsfans.org/)

NFL labor talks continue in Washington this week, where there is suddenly optimism that a lockout might be avoided. Yet, the NFL and NFL Players Association continue to shut fans out of the talks despite our repeated requests that fans have representation in the room. It is important that a deal gets done, but it should be one that is not just in the best interests of owners and players, but also of fans.

As SportsFans.org continues to point out, fans and taxpayers have spent over $6.5 billion on NFL stadiums. We have transformed our urban centers into sporting zones because we were promised NFL games would provide an economic lift to our cities. But since the NFL doesn’t feel that fans should have their own representatives and the NFLPA is unwilling to respond, it’s up to us to let them know what we would like to see in a new collective bargaining agreement.

Last week, we asked sports fans everywhere to offer their best suggestions for what the future NFL labor agreement – assuming they are eventually able to reach one – should include. Fans have spoken, and so we are proposing three key provisions we would like to see worked into the new agreement. We believe these changes will be for the benefit of fans everywhere and will lead to better treatment of fans of every team.

Eliminate the Blackout Rule

One of the most galling business practices of the NFL is its insistence on blacking out local television broadcasts of games that aren’t sold out. In 2010, the NFL blacked out 26 games, up from 2009, when it blacked out 22 games.

Blackouts happen despite the fact that virtually every stadium has received public subsidies to some degree. In effect, the fans who are most punished are the ones who kicked in their tax dollars to pay for their team to have a new (or newly refurbished) home but who cannot afford to attend games.

Every Buccaneers game was blacked out in the Tampa Bay area in 2010, even though the city entirely financed the $168.5 million Raymond James Stadium after Bucs owner Malcolm Glazer threatened to move the team if they didn’t. Tampa Bay already showed its commitment to the Bucs.

The only reason the blackout rule continues is because of the greed of a few individual owners. They are still making plenty of money off of the television contracts, but they want every last dollar from the local community.

Further, the rule is counterproductive. What better way to assure yourself of fewer customers in the future than to shut them out from half the games now? Will the children of today be fans in the future if they cannot watch their teams on television now?

It should be noted that we, the people, via Congress, grant the NFL antitrust exemption when it comes to negotiating broadcast television contracts. This has allowed the NFL to make billions of dollars. If the NFL (and its players) are unwilling to work with fans to end blackouts in any stadium that has received public subsidies, Congress should reconsider this antitrust exemption.

Allow Public Ownership of Teams

Since 1960, NFL rules have prevented public ownership of any teams other than the Green Bay Packers. Specifically, the rules state: “Charitable organizations and/or corporations not organized for profit and not now a member of the league may not hold membership in the National Football League.” Of course, the NFL’s rules are not actual law and states could actually seek to keep a team threatening relocation in town by using eminent domain. (This is what led the Baltimore Colts in 1984 to hurriedly pack everything into moving fans and rush to their new home in Indianapolis. By the time the state had passed legislation to seize the Colts, there was nothing left to seize.)

Imagine if the people of Minnesota could buy shares in the Minnesota Vikings to keep them in the state. As it is, their only hope now to hold onto the Vikings is to have to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes for a new stadium. Otherwise, owner Zygi Wilf may move them to Los Angeles. Keep in mind that Minnesota is $6 billion in debt.

Do you really think hundreds of thousands of Vikings faithful wouldn’t jump at the chance to buy shares in the Vikings to keep the team in town? Wilf can own a new team in Los Angeles. Minnesota can keep the Vikings and a share of the profits can go back into the community.

Stadium Financing = Public Ownership

Without a doubt, sports stadiums are a terrible use of public money. Economists, from the most conservative to the most liberal, agree that they provide a very low return – if any – on investment. Yet, cities around the country build new stadiums (or renovate old ones) because owners threaten to move the team to a new city if they don’t get their way. The gravy train has to stop.

If a team wants a new stadium, it needs to build one on its own dime. If a team cannot afford a new stadium and has to turn to the public for financing, the public should receive a stake in the team equal to what it spent on the stadium.

Some might say that cities, themselves, vote for these new stadiums and thus have only themselves to blame if owners take advantage of them. Stadium funding proposals are usually initially very unpopular and only after voters are subjected to repeated threats of team relocation and are bombarded with one-sided information from incredibly well-funded political campaigns designed to convince voters new stadiums are in their best interests. And, of course, one could make the same “they have only themselves to blame” argument about the NFL owners who favor salary caps even though they are the ones paying the players increasing salaries.

–

It is our sincere hope that both the NFL and NFLPA continue to work with their loyal fan base rather than against them. I know from 1st hand knowledge that one side is and I truely believe that the other cares as well. Their willingness to at the least engage in discussing these topics and proposed measures will send a clear message to the fans that they are in fact interested in growing the game in a way that doesn’t just amount to dollars and cents but the enjoyment of their "customers", the fans.

As always, I welcome your opinion.

James

Unionize the Fans? Might not be a completely bad idea.

2011-03-03T09:03:00.000-08:00

Here's something from ESPN's Mike & Mike that may not be too far fetched of an idea if the NFL and NFLPA can't learn to play nice in the same sandbox. Remember, we, the fans, are the paying customers of the NFL and NFLPA.

Enjoy!

As always, I welcome your thoughts!

James

Champ is Still a Bronco!!!

2011-02-22T16:26:00.000-08:00

By Mike Klis, The Denver Post

As it turned out, Champ Bailey probably took less than market value to stay with the Broncos.The team and its star left cornerback reached an agreement today on a four-year, $43 million contract.

Bailey, who turns 33 in June, took a pay cut to stay. He will make a guaranteed $11 million this season, or $2 million less than the $13 million he made in 2010.

"The commitment and loyalty that Champ has shown to the Broncos, the city of Denver and this region is exemplary," stated John Elway, the Broncos' vice president of football operations, on Twitter.

Bailey also has $4 million of his 2012 money guaranteed for a total guarantee of $15 million.

The Broncos could have kept Bailey off the free-agent market by placing a $15 million franchise tag on him, so the team essentially got him for four years at the same guarantee as would have for one.

With other cornerbacks such as Nnamdi Asomugha, Darrelle Revis and Charles Woodson making more in annual average salary, Bailey showed that after playing seven previous seasons with the Broncos he was willing to take a hometown discount to stay rather than try for a bigger contract in the open market.

Bailey has earned 10 Pro Bowl appearances, a record among NFL cornerbacks. He has picked up six of those Pro Bowls in his seven seasons with the Broncos.

Negotiations Are Back On!!!

2011-02-16T15:59:00.000-08:00

No I'm not talking about the negotiations between teh NFL and the NFLPA, I'm taking about negotiations between the Broncos and Champ Bailey.

The Broncos and Pro Bowl cornerback are engaged in contract talks, The Denver Post reported Wednesday.

"He's a guy we have strong feelings about," Broncos coach John Fox told the newspaper. "We've had some dialogue there. There have been discussions.

"He's a guy we definitely want to bring back. You never know how things like that work out, but we're moving forward as best we know how."

Bailey, 32, recently competed in his 10th Pro Bowl in 12 NFL seasons -- a record for cornerbacks -- after a campaign in which he made 45 tackles and two interceptions. He'll be eligible for unrestricted free agency once the NFL and the players' union agree to a new collective bargaining agreement.

The Post reported that it is unlikely the Broncos will apply their franchise tag to Bailey, who has 48 career interceptions, because it could cost them as much as $15 million for next season. Bailey's expiring contract was a seven-year, $63 million deal.

Meanwhile, a reporter from Denver's Fox television station reported via Twitter that Bailey plans to sell his suburban Denver house.

"I am putting my Littleton, (CO) house up for sale. It will be officially listed within the next few days." Bailey told Josina Anderson, who tweeted about the exchange Wednesday.

According to The Post, the sides were negotiating a contract that would have been worth more than $40 million for four years before the team stopped the talks this fall.

Anderson posted several tweets, citing an unnamed source, saying the team was proposing what amounted to a one-year contract with option years after that.

Hopefully we'll see Champ retire as a Bronco, but the fact that he's putting his house on teh market doesn't bode well in my opinion.

As always I welcome your thoughts.

James

Broncos WR Thomas tears ACL

2011-02-10T16:00:00.000-08:00

By ARNIE STAPLETON, AP Pro Football Writer February 10, 2011

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) The Denver Broncos' deep wide receiver corps has taken another hit with word that last year's top pick, Demaryius Thomas, tore an ACL during an offseason workout in Atlanta.

Thomas, the first receiver selected in last year's draft, was working out at his offseason home when he was injured, according to CBS4 in Denver. The extent wasn't known, but if it's a full tear, his entire 2011 season would be in jeopardy.

Last week, slot receiver Eddie Royal had hip surgery that could sideline him for up to six months, although the Broncos are hopeful he'll be back by late May.

Neither Thomas nor his agent, Todd France, responded to messages from The Associated Press and the Broncos didn't respond, either.

As always I welcome your thoughts.

James

NFL Calls Characterization of Wednesday’s Meetings “Inaccurate”

2011-02-10T15:43:00.000-08:00

Updates from the NFL on the current state of negotiations between the owners and the NFLPA.

As posted by Gregg Rosenthal of Pro Football Talk on February 10, 2011, 5:54 PM EST

The NFL released a statement Thursday afternoon on the state of labor negotiations that tried to have the best of both worlds.

It tried to take the high road. Essentially the purpose for the statement was to say the NFL won’t negotiate in public. But the league couldn’t resist calling the reports coming out of Wednesday’s session with the NFLPA “inaccurate.” That’s basically negotiating in public.

Here’s the full statement:

“Despite the inaccurate characterizations of yesterday’s meeting, out of respect to the collective bargaining process and our negotiating partner, we are going to continue to conduct negotiations with the union in private and not engage in a point-counterpoint on the specifics of either side’s proposals or the meeting process.

“Instead, we will work as hard as possible to reach a fair agreement by March 4. We are fully focused on that goal.”

The statement recognizes that the guts of the negotiation should be kept private. In the age of Twitter, 24-hour sports coverage, and PFT (sorry), that’s going to be more difficult than ever before.

As the days turn into weeks, and the weeks turn into months, my hope that there will be no lockout come March 4th is quickly dwindling.

As always I welcome your comments.

James

NFL vs. NFLPA - Lockout Facts

2011-02-07T12:01:00.000-08:00

There was a great piece on ESPN’s Outside the Lines on the looming NFL Lockout and how it would effect both the players and the league. I tried to follow it as best as I could and after several pauses, rewinds, more pauses and rewinds, I think I’ve nailed it down.

Current CBA

$9,000,000,000 billion in annual revenue
Owners get $1,000,000,000 billion ($31,250,000 million per team) off the top
Players Currently Get = $4,800,000,000 billion ($1,900,000 million per player – 2,500 active players)
Current Remaining Revenue = $2,200,000,000 billion (this assumedly goes to the league for operating expenses and salaries)

NFL & Owners Want

18 game season
Rookie Wage Scale
NFL & Owners Propose Additional Cut for Operating Costs = $1,000,000,000 billion ($31, 250,000 million per team)
NFL & Owners Proposes Player Reduction to = $4,200,000,000 billion or $1,680,000 million per player (total of 2,500 active players)
NFL & Owners Propose Increase to $2,800,000,000 billion

NFLPA

No 18 Game Season

Increased chance of injuries (Current average number of players on Injured Reserved each season is 20%)
Reduction of Average Career from 3.3 years to 2.8 years
Average player will not achieve Free Agency (Player is eligible for Free Agency after 3 years)
Decrease in Health Care – Players eligible for post career health care after 3 years in the league

Potential Lost Revenue to NFL and Teams if there is a Work Stoppage

Revenue lost as of March 4th = $120,000,000 million
Revenue lost as of August = $350,000,000 million
Revenue lost as of September = $1,000,000,000 billion
Revenue per lost game for the season = $400,000,000 million

Total Potential Revenues Lost

League

$6.8 Billion Dollars

Players

$4.2 Billion Dollars

But what seems to be lost in all this bickering between billionaires and millionaires (or as I like to think of it, rich parents cutting off their spoiled children from their excessive allowance) is that the fans who work all year, or extra hours in most cases to be able to afford the season tickets, single game tickets, game trips, merchandise, satellite game packages, etc., etc. lose out of the enjoyment of taking their family, friends and relatives to the most popular sport in America.

As always, I welcome your thoughts!

James

Shannon Sharpe is a HOF'er!

2011-02-05T18:50:00.000-08:00

As a die-hard Broncos fan I am extremely happy, as I was when Elway, Zimmerman and Little were elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, that Shannon Sharpe was elected into the Class of 2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Bill Williamson of ESPN writes:

Sharpe was a truly special player. He made the Denver Broncos unique. He made the team’s offense in the 1990s special. He changed the way the tight end was viewed in the NFL. Drafted out of tiny Savannah State in 1990 (in the 7th roucd) as a raw, lanky receiver, Sharpe transformed into an elite tight end and paved the way for the likes of Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates.

He made linebackers and safeties look silly in coverage. He was a pumped-up receiver at tight end. It’s ironic that it was his ability as a receiver that kept Sharpe out of the Hall of Fame for two years. Sharpe was considered by many voters as a receiver.

But Sharpe was more than simply a receiver. Former Denver quarterback John Elway said Sharpe was an underrated blocker and he was a key part of the team’s famed zone-blocking scheme that helped pave the way to Super Bowl titles after the 1997 and ’98 seasons.

What made Sharpe special was his ability to stretch the field as a big receiver. He had terrific hands and he was incredibly strong, so he was a nightmare for defenses to prepare against. Before Gonzalez broke his records, Sharpe widely considered to be the NFL’s best-ever tight end. Elway said this week that he still thinks Sharpe was the best tight end to play the game.

Sharpe revolutionized the way Tight Ends play the game. Sharpe had been eligible for the hall in 2009 and 2010 without getting elected. Sharpe's election means the Broncos now have four players honored in the last seven years. Sharpe follows quarterback John Elway (2004), left tackle Gary Zimmerman (2008) and running back Floyd Little (2010). For the 1st 40 years there was not one Broncos player inducted into the HOF. What a shame!

Here's what some have said about Sharpe's induction into Pro Football's Hall of Fame:

"This is a great day for Shannon Sharpe individually as well as for the Denver Broncos' entire organization and our fans," Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said. "Shannon has made immeasurable contributions to this franchise and the NFL, and he deservedly will take his place among the greatest to play this game in the Pro Football Hall of Fame."

Bowlen added that Sharpe was a key component of the Broncos' championship teams. "Shannon was a key leader on our back-to-back Super Bowl teams who set the bar for which all tight ends are measured after his record-setting career," Bowlen said. "He had such a presence in our locker room, and his work ethic was unmatched. I really enjoyed my personal relationship with him when he played here. Shannon is a winner in every sense of the word and was a big part of some of the best years in Broncos history. He belongs with football's elite in the Hall of Fame."

Former Denver Bronco quarterback John Elway was very happy for his former teammate. "I am thrilled for Shannon on his election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame," said Elway, now the Broncos' vice president of football operations. "It's great to see another Bronco in the Hall of Fame and part of the club. It's a well-deserved honor, and I'm proud of him. This caps off a tremendous football career by a guy who truly was self-made and worked his tail off to become one of the best players in the history of the NFL."

Shapre's place among football's elite was more of a question of "when" rather than "if". Since Sharpe finished his 14-year career in 2003, he finished as the league's all-time leader among tight ends with 815 catches, 10,060 receiving yards and 62 touchdowns. He also was an important piece of three Super Bowl champions, the 1997-98 Denver Broncos and the 2000 Baltimore Ravens.

"This is the ultimate validation," said Sharpe. "This is not why I played football. This is a celebration. The reason I played, the reason I trained, the reason I was so diligent was because I wanted to make my grandma Mary proud."

Sharpe's grandmother, Mary Porter, who turns 89 on May 12, will not likely be able to make it to the Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Aug. 6 at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio. But she will be able to hear first, her grandson Sterling Sharpe make the presentation for his brother Shannon.

Sharpe said his grandmother raised him, his brother and sister on $197.13 every two weeks. She worked in a nursing home, the same nursing home where she currently resides.

He admitted that he didn't sleep much the night before his election, "I woke up and worked out for about an hour," he said. "I took about four showers. I tried to take a nap. As time went on I thought the longer I didn't hear anything that's a great sign. Everybody was calling me."

His breakout year came during his third season when he led the Broncos in receiving with 53 catches for 640 yards to earn his first of eight Pro Bowl nods. Other than an injury-shortened 1999 campaign, Sharpe never caught less than 60 passes in a season for the remainder of his career.

In 1993, he was named first-team All-Pro for the first of four times after catching 81 passes for 995 yards and scoring 9 touchdowns. He followed that performance with a career-high 87 receptions in 1994.

Sharpe left the Broncos in 2000 and signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an unrestricted free agent. It was while with Baltimore in 2001 that Sharpe surpassed Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome to become the NFL’s record holder for receptions and receiving yards by a tight end. After two seasons with the Ravens he returned to Denver and played two final years with the Broncos. He became the career leader in touchdowns by a tight end in his final season. All three career marks have since been surpassed. Sharpe’s final career numbers read 815 receptions for 10,060 yards and 62 TDs. Ten times he had 60 or more catches including three 80-catch seasons. Sharpe eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark three times and twice had 10 TDs in a season.

He played in 204 regular season games and started in four AFC championship games. He was the starting tight end in Denver’s back-to-back Super Bowl titles (XXXII and XXXIII) and the Ravens’ Super Bowl XXXV victory.

Sharpe’s 96-yard touchdown reception in the 2000 AFC Championship Game came on a short pass from Trent Dilfer on third-and-18. The tight end streaked up the middle untouched for the game’s first and only touchdown which proved to be all that the Ravens needed to secure its first AFC championship and Super Bowl berth. The play remains the longest TD catch in NFL playoff history.

Sharpe led the Broncos in receiving six times and the Ravens once. He was named first-team All-Pro and All-AFC in 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998 and was selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s.

Sounds Like the Ice is Beginning to Thaw!

2011-01-31T15:38:00.000-08:00

Jason LaCanfora of the NFL Network is reporting that both Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith met today and have agreed to meet with their negotiators on Saturday prior to Super Bowl XLV.

Looks like both sides want to avoid a work stoppage which is GREAT news for us fans! Hopefully both sides will make some serious headway towards a resolution so we fans can enjoy football in 2011!

Maybe my email and conversation made a difference....... yeah probably not :)

As always I welcome your thoughts!

James

10 Things Every Fan Should Know About the NFL Labor Situation

2011-01-31T12:21:00.000-08:00

by Mike Sando of ESPN

NFL labor tensions have produced insults, threats and widening divisions -- among allies.

"I will smash ur face in," New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie tweeted to Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck recently.

Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith have conversed on a higher plane, but not by much. They have until March 4 to forge a new collective bargaining agreement.

Without an agreement, the league and its players risk dragging fans into a world without rules, one sure to carry unintended consequences. Ten things to know about the labor situation and what a lockout could mean:

This isn't about 18-game seasons or a rookie wage scale. The league and its players might already have an agreement if those were the primary issues. Owners want to redefine what revenues they share with players. They want some of the money players are getting to help cover costs associated with building and maintaining stadiums and facilities. Owners see these expenditures as good for the game. Players see them as good for owners' wallets. Once the sides agree on what goes into the revenue pie, they can work out percentage breakdowns.

No agreement means no free agency. The CBA determines qualifications for reaching free agency. In the past, players with at least four accrued seasons could become unrestricted free agents. Nearly 500 players would qualify under those guidelines this offseason, but only if there is an agreement. Those players could have no prospects without a new CBA. Teams hoping to upgrade their rosters could be stuck.

The draft would go forward. Teams would select college players, but a long list of questions would follow. Would those players sign contracts? Would teams retain rights to those players? Would there be a rookie wage scale?

Forget about trading players. The NFL trading period would generally open in March, but that will not happen without a new CBA. Teams couldn't even trade players during the draft, cutting off a widely used avenue for player acquisition.

Players stand to lose millions quickly. According to the league, 74 players stand to earn more than $140 million in bonuses and other compensation this March. They wouldn't collect that money during a lockout. These players will feel the effects of a lockout long before fans feel the effects.

Players have other immediate concerns. Players accustomed to seeing team doctors and visiting team facilities for treatments would suddenly become responsible for their own health care during a lockout. Securing benefits for family members with special health needs could create challenges. This is an immediate concern among players behind the scenes, but one that doesn't draw much attention from the outside.

Sponsorship money is at stake. Some of the league's sponsors might not honor their contracts with the league if the NFL shuts down. That would hit owners and players by shrinking the revenue pie. It's revenue the league would not recoup.

Union decertification could become an adventure. If teams lock out players, the NFLPA could move to decertify, clearing the way for players to challenge the league's antitrust status in the courts. That initial move could trigger a lengthy battle, and a defeat in the courts would prove disastrous to players. What if teams went about signing players in the absence of a union? No one knows for sure.

Assistant coaches would be in limbo. Teams would presumably want assistant coaches to continue working through the draft, but that could vary by team. Many assistant coaches' contracts call for reduced pay during a lockout. The assistants can usually earn back the money if there's a labor agreement in place by the regular season, but September remains a long way off. Teams with new coaching staffs would have a difficult time implementing new schemes.

Goodell and Smith are wild cards. The NFL and NFLPA knew what they were up against when the late Hall of Famer Gene Upshaw was running the union and former commissioner Paul Tagliabue was leading the NFL. Smith and Goodell have no real history together, and no rapport. Smith's background is in law, not football, and that could explain some of the disconnect.

The Super Bowl will come and go as usual. Teams will head to Indianapolis for the college scouting combine in February, same as always.

The labor rhetoric will surely intensify.

After that, all bets are off.

As always I welcome your throughts!

James

Comments from the Fans...

2011-01-31T12:07:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the comments that others have made regarding my visit to NFL Total Access. I appreciate all of the positive comments other fans have made!

goffma - Awesome stuff, not only is it the greatest sport it also has the greatest fans.

orangecrush100 - lololol Broncos fans are hardcore! You tell 'em buddy.

greats1991 - Well done sir! I googled a phone number but couldn't find one lol smart move checking for an email. I really hope the league and the players realize what impact the fans have on this game and how without us they can kiss their careers and their fortunes goodbye. Hopefully the two sides can find a compromise and each give up a little in order to get this agreement done. I want to see teams on the field for 16 games next season, let's not let this CBA issue take away from what us fans wait all year to watch.

smilin73 - Man I love this segment its about time one of us stepped up.James did it the right way not sure if I would have been so kind in a E-Mail.So that being said thank-you James you helped us all with your voice!!My son and I watch football every Sunday he is only 8 and for the league to not get this done would be horrible for all of us!!But for me it would futher teach much son GREED not the TEAM unity that he gets from the game now.I feel it could be a CRUSHING BLOW to not only us older fans BUT...THE YOUNG ONES WHO ARE THE FUTURE MONEY SPENDERS OF THE NFL!!KIDS LIKE MINE ARE JUST BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND THE GAMES AND THE RULES OF THE LEAGUE ITS AMAZING TO LISTEN TO MY SON WEEK AFTER WEEK PICK UP ON MORE AND MORE THINGS.PLEASE NFL DONT STOP THESE CHILDRENS PROGRESSION.

jonjets - Greedy players,and as commish that has no clue.......................JUST GET IT DONE!

jaziel - i think EVERYONE should stop and consider what this is about it is about millions of dollars and no one wants to lose any of it that is why there should be a lockout so everyone remebers the REAL important thing the game of FOOTBALL not the money

hackist - lol this is funny, they are trying to make it seem like the NFL cares alot about the fans by showing this ONE story where goodell called someone back, how pathetic!

chadwa - I have to say that I as a football fan will no longer spend one cent on anything. No more merchandise, no more tickets, no more NFL package, nothing. If I can't see it on tv for free I don't watch. The league and players (and a lot of fans) need to realize that there is much more to life than football. If there was never an agreement reached and football ended forever it wouldn't affect me one bit. My life will go on. The fans should stand up with that type of attitude more. Show them that we really don't need their "product", that's the only way they'll wake up. With that being said I'm a Packer fan and one reason I have always been a very proud Packer fan is that we don't have an owner, the fans are the owner. That's the way it should be and the NFL would be a better league if that were the case with every team. Private ownership (and ultimately free agency as well) has lead to the greed that we see today. The players have no loyalty to the team, the team has no loyalty to the players and ultimately neither have any loyalty to the fans.

100110rams - This was by far the dumbest interview I have ever seen, who cares about this guy, and I dont care what the league says, they dont care about the fans, they care about the fans money. They put this guy on t.v. to shut the fans up, not to resolve anything. I take this as a spit in the face to all fans by the NFL. All of you rich greedy people need to get it together, quit caring about the money so much, and start caring about the game again. That goes out to everyone in the NFL, players, owners, commissioners, EVERYONE! Have a great day.

chazthegr806 - Yeah seriously, it's about time someone said something. I couldn't tell you you how much money I have spent on NFL merchendise, let alone everyone else. Hope something is done before March 3, a year without football is something that should not happen. A fan representive from every time hmmm... that could be interesting.

big12buffs - Geeeezzz 17Kcchiefs. Just because you're a Chief doesn't mean you can act ignorant like that. Of course the answer is "we don't know". Otherwise this NFL.com already published the story quickly. Rather than calling people stupid why don't you learn how to write in proper English and send the commissioner an E-mail yourself.

headcoach526 - well done james owen.

17kcchiefs - IS THEIR GOING TO BE A 2011 SEASON?????????????

If you want to add your comments please feel free to do so!

As Always I Welcome Your Thoughts!!!

James

Thank You to the Guys Over at NFLTA!!!

2011-01-28T21:10:00.000-08:00

Well, as some of you may have seen on Friday night (1/28/2011) I was asked to appear on NFL Total Access to share my story on my conversation with Commissioner Goodell.

The folks over there at the Network were nothing short of the very definition of professionals! I'd like to thank Ferdinand for the invite to be on the show, I'd like to give an extra shout-out to Puma, the stage director, for being the consummate host for myself and friend Sergio as well as Mr. Randy Moss for making sure I was prepared for my segment.

Shout-out as well to Hall of Fame Cornerback Mr. Rod Woodson as well as Mr. Jamie Dukes. These guys bust their asses every day and night to bring us fans, as Walter Cronkite used to say, "All the news that is the news, around the country and around the world!" as it pertains to the NFL anyway. My hat's off to everyone there for treating us well!

As always, I welcome your comments!

James

P.S. Alex is better looking in person than on TV!!!

P.S.S. If you didn't get to see the interview, click here to watch it on the Internet.

Interviewed on my conversation with the Commissioner.

2011-01-26T16:36:00.000-08:00

Well, today was interesting to say the least. I got up this morning and for a DM from Lindsay Jones over at the Denver Post asking me if it was ok for her to give my number to Gil Whitley over at Mile High Sports Radio. So as I was talking to Gil setting the time for the interview, another call comes in and it's a PA (production assistant) with ESPN Radio in Chicago wanting to interview me as well.

Never did I ever think this would draw this much attention to me, however I quickly realized that the voice of the fans MUST BE HEARD!

If you care to listen to the interview on s, simply click the links below.

As always, I welcome your thoughts.

James

Mile High Sports Radio with Gil Whitley - Click Here

ESPN 1000 Chicago - Click Here

My Conversation with Commissioner Goodell

2011-01-25T18:47:00.000-08:00

Yes, I spoke with the Commissioner of the National Football League today!

So here’s how this thing transpired. I crafted an email to both the Executive Team of the NFLPA as well as Commissioner Goodell basically stating that no one on either side seems to be expressing their concern on how a potential lockout of the 2011 season is going to affect the fans. I mentioned that the fans are their “customers” and keep the league what it is… the number one sport in the country. I also mentioned in no uncertain terms that they need to lock themselves in a room and not to come out w/o a new CBA in place NOW, not later.

So this afternoon, my phone rings here at my home office and the caller ID says, “NFL” and lists the number of league in New York. So immediately I panic and start thinking that I’ve got myself into something that I shouldn’t have and that some Italian Mafioso Security guy is going to say he's outside my house at that moment.

So here’s how the 1st part of the conversation goes:

Me: “Hello, this is James.”

Voice: “Is this James Owen?”

Me: “Yes”

Voice: “James, this is Roger Goodell, the Commissioner of the NFL, how are you?”

So I’m thinking, “This guy, the Commissioner of the National Football League, is taking time out of his busy Tuesday afternoon to call me…WOW!” He goes on to say that he read my email and wanted to assure me that the he and the league have NEVER discounted that the fans are what make the NFL what it is, and that he ALWAYS is reminded of that every day. He also goes on to say that the league has ALWAYS been willing to sit down for however long it takes to knock out a new CBA.

We then get into how he hopes that it doesn’t come to having to be locked in a room with the NFLPA and that he’s confident that a new CBA will be reached before the end of the league year on March 4th. Sure it’s some of the same stuff we’ve all heard from the league offices and owners over the last year, but the fact that he called me is what impressed me the most.

BTW, he’s really a down to earth guy. He never once made me feel like he was above me in any way, shape or form. He was encouraging, supportive of the fans and even corrected me, politely, when I misspoke and NEVER tried to rush me off the phone.

It was pretty cool! I even encouraged him to think about holding another “Town Hall” meeting, sort of a “State of the League” meeting similar to what has been held before the Super Bowl last year or even to debate DeMaurice Smith of the NFLPA in front of the fans and on TV, similar to past Presidential Debates. Wouldn’t that be sweet to see?

Anyways, that’s my story.

As Always I welcome your comments!

James

BTW, no one from the Player's Association even responded to my email let alone picked up the phone to call me. Shows who's got class and who doesn't.

BTW Part II: I was interviewed by Lindsay Jones (@postbroncos) at the Denver Post on this and her story (http://bit.ly/28cuoP) was tweeted by her, Jason LaCanfora (@JasonLaCanfora) of the NFL Network as well as NFL Spoksperson Greg Aiello (@gregaiello) among others.

Denver Broncos - Looking Ahead

2010-12-27T13:28:00.000-08:00

Here are a few things I’d like to see for the Broncos in 2011.

1. Bring in Jon Gruden or Bill Cowher as our Head Coach. I don’t care how much it costs. My preference at this moment in time is Gruden as he is a proven developer of QB’s. “Touchdown” Timmy needs someone who believes in him and won’t look at him as a “product of the former regime” and if you watched Gruden during the 2010 Draft coverage, he was a supporter of Tebow coming out of Florida and thought he has all the qualities of a successful if not an elite NFL QB.

Both Gruden and Cowher are NOT player friendly coaches. I mean that they are not friends with their players like McDaniels seemed to be. They have each won Super Bowls and Conference titles and will be respected by their players. They’ll both work with what they have and have a history of building championship teams through the draft process, not by bringing in their old players from their former teams.

   a. See if Brian Billick would be interested in our Defensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach position. This guy single handedly built arguably one of the most feared defensive units in the history of the game. He knows defensive talent and would be a great fit.

2. Commit to Xanders full control of Player Personnel issues and see how he deals with them in 2011 only. This is an audition of sorts for the future. I don’t know how the new HC will take this and if they’ll want to have this power or not.

3. I’m not really sold on the idea of keeping Champ around after this year. Listen, he is a 1st ballot HOF’er no question about it, but watching him yesterday against the Texans, he looked old and as if he’s lost a step. Maybe now is the time to trade him while he still has some value? Unless we plan on going CB with our 1st pick in the upcoming draft (see #5) in that case, we’ll need him to bring them along like he did with Dominique Foxworth and Darrent Williams….. R.I.P.

With all of the draft and personnel mistakes McDaniels made with our upcoming draft picks, we need to recoup some of those picks.

4. Elway NEEDS to be the face of the franchise. Along with Tebow, Elway and Tebow can bring the passion and respect back to Denver.

5. DRAFT DEFENSE IN 2011. We have plenty of offensive weapons. Tebow, Lloyd, Royal, Gaffney, Buckhalter and maybe even Moreno (if he can learn to quit dancing all the damn time, every time he runs the ball it looks like he should be on “Dancing with the Stars”) can provide all the offensive fire power to put up a lot of points next year. Our “O” line is in the top 25% of the league when healthy, so protecting Tebow shouldn’t be an issue. We need defensive players and in a bad way! Champ’s getting old (see #3) so Prince Amukamara from Nebraska fits a big need here. Robert Quinn, North Carolina DE/OLB and Da’Quan Bowers DE from Clemson would make a great book end DE to match up opposite Elvis Dumervil. Similar to what Indianapolis has with Mathis and Freeney. Nick Fairley a DE/DT from Auburn and Patrick Peterson a CB out of LSU are also possibilities with our 1st round pick. The bottom line is that we NEED to draft nothing but defense this year with our 1st 3 or 4 picks.

6. Free Agency. According to KFFL.com these following players may be available via Free Agency for 2011 and if so should be pursued by Denver.

   a. Vernon Davis, TE UFA – This guy is a beast and would be the missing TE the Broncos have so desperately missed since the retirement of Shannon Sharpe.

   b. Haloti Ngata, DL UFA – Have you seen this guy play? He is a CONSTANT disruption in the middle and would fill a big need for the aging and slowing Jamal Williams.

7. Find a way, and I know this is a serious stretch here, to get Peyton Hillis back to Denver. This was by far the BIGGEST mistake McDaniels made during his time in Denver. This dude is a stud and would make a great change of pace back for Knowshon (I Can’t Stay Healthy) Moreno. Trade Orton to Cleveland for Hillis.

As always I welcome your comments.

James

More Tebow-isms

2010-08-01T23:40:00.000-07:00

Here's a little unknown piece of information I got from someone inside the Broncos organization who wishes to remain nameless.

During the 2010 NFL Draft in New York City, the Denver Broncos DIDN'T really draft Tim Tebow..... he drafted them.

Tim Tebow is the only one who can "try this at home."

When Tim Tebow gets pulled over he lets the cop off with a warning.

Tim Tebow doesn't use sunblock; the sun wears Tebowblock.

Tim Tebow and Superman once fought each other on a bet. The loser had to start wearing his underwear on the outside of his pants.... we all know the outcome.

The word "lesbian" derives from an old Latin phrase that roughly translates as "She who has not yet been introduced to Tim Tebow."

Tim Tebow can kill two stones with one bird.

Tim Tebow sleeps with a night light. Not because Tim Tebow is afraid of the dark, but the dark is afraid of Tim Tebow and Tebow cares.

Tim Tebow died as a child, but the Grim Reaper can't get up the courage to tell him.

If at first you dont succeed, you're not Tim Tebow

The only time Tim Tebow was wrong was when he thought he had made a mistake.

Tim Tebow's calendar goes straight from March 31st to April 2nd; no one fools Tim Tebow.

Only Tim Tebow can delete the Recycling Bin.

Tim Tebow does not sleep. He waits.

Tim Tebow doesn't play "hide-and-seek” with opposing CB’s and Safeties. He plays "hide-and-pray-I-don't-find-you."

Most men are okay with their wives fantasizing about Tim Tebow during sex, because they are doing the same thing.

Tim Tebow cannot predict the future; the future just better do what Tim Tebow says.

Tim Tebow can win a game of Connect Four in only three moves.

If paper beats rock, rock beats scissors, and scissors beats paper, what beats all 3 at the same time? Answer: Tim Tebow.

On the 7th day, God rested.... Tim Tebow took over.

Scientists used to believe that diamond was the world's hardest substance. But then they met Tim Tebow.

Tim Tebow played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.

Tim Tebow doesn't need a miracle in order to split the ocean. He just walks in and the water gets out of the way.

Brett Favre can throw a football over 50 yards. Tim Tebow can throw Brett Favre even further.

When God said, "Let there be light", Tim Tebow said, "say please."

Tim Tebow has never blinked in his entire life. Never.

Life doesn't give Tim Tebow lemons. Life asks him which fruit he wants.

Tim Tebow does not use spell check. If he happens to misspell a word, Oxford will simply change the actual spelling of it.

Tim Tebow was originally cast as the main character in 24, but was replaced by the producers when he managed to kill every terrorist and save the day in 12 minutes and 37 seconds.

Once a snake bit Tim Tebow' leg. After five days of excruciating pain, the snake died.

While attending the school that invented Gatorade, Tim Tebow had the idea to sell his urine as a canned beverage. We know this beverage as Red Bull.

Tim Tebow doesn't pop his collar, his shirts just get erections when they touch his body.

Tim Tebow can speak Braille.

When Tim Tebow walks on water his feet don't get wet.

When someone says, "Nobody's perfect," Tim Tebow takes it as a personal insult.

Tim Tebow laughs at Superman for having a weakness.

Although it is not common knowledge, there are actually three sides to the Force: the light side, the dark side, and the Tebow side.

Tim Tebow once ordered a Big Mac at Burger King... The King made Tebow a Big Mac

Tim Tebow can drown a fish.

When Tim Tebow enters a room, he doesn't turn the lights on, he turns the dark off.

Bill Gates lives in constant fear that Tim Tebow's PC will crash.

Tim Tebow is the reason why Waldo is hiding.

All of Tim Tebow's genes are dominant

Tim Tebow can predict the shuffle on his iPod.

Tim Tebow beat Ray Charles, Roy Orbison and Stevie Wonder in a staring contest.

Weeping Willows are a result of Tim Tebow yelling at trees for not being tough enough.

Tim Tebow is the only person in the world who can actually give 110%.

The laws of physics state that nothing can survive entry into a black hole. Tim Tebow jumped into one, emerged five minutes in the past, and threw all the scientists out of a window. Just to show them that Tim Tebow makes the laws.

If Tim Tebow wants some shade, he stares the sun down until it eclipses.

As always I welcome your thoughts!

James

Welcome Back!

2010-07-26T11:26:00.000-07:00

Now that the 2010 Training Camp is around the corner, I'd like to welcome you all back and hope you're all as excited as I am to see what the 2010 Denver Broncos can accomplish!

I hope that we can build off of what we accomplished the 1st part of the 2009 campaign and get back into the playoffs for the 1st time since the 2005 campaign.

We have signed some key free agents this year that I think will help us overcome some of our pitfalls of last year, and with the rookies we drafted in the 2010 NFL Draft, the future of our franchise looks promising.

So today, I'm going to start off by listing the free agents that have joined us this off season.

Kolby Smith, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Kyle Eckel, FB, New Orleans Saints

Justin Bannan, DL, Baltimore Ravens

Jarvis Green, DL, New England Patriots

Jamal Williams, DL, San Diego Chargers

Akin Ayodele, LB, Miami Dolphins

Bruce Davis, LB, New England Patriots

Nathan Jones, CB, Miami Dolphins

Obviously the biggest FA pickup for this off season was the addition of Jamal Williams from San Diego. Last season after our tremendous 6-0 start our defensive front 7 fell apart. In my opinion I felt it was from the lack of conditioning, preperation and a BIG HORSE in the middle. Well, we now have that horse in Williams. He's listed as 6'3" and 348 pounds, but I'd be willing to bet that he's closer to 360 if anything. Williams has been to 3 Pro Bowls and anchored San Diego's DL for 13 years. Although he's long in the tooth, and spent all of last season except for the 1st game against Choketown on the DL due to a torn triceps muscle. My thought is that he's had almost a full year to recover from his injury, and more importantly, to recover and recharge his batteries overall and was a great pickup. Additionally, Philip Rivers secrets are no longer a secret and that make me VERY, VERY HAPPY!
Justin Bannan (Baltimore Ravens) and Jarvis Green (New England Patriots) are going to be good relievers and scheme players for us this year. As McDaniels and Martindale consistantly swap players in and out depending on the scheme, they will provide a good change of pace for the starters from time to time.
Nathan Jones (Miami) and Akin Ayodele (Miami) are also going to see significant playing time this year as situational players. Whether it's in the nickel for Jones or in short yardage situations for Ayodele, both are great additions for our team.

Listen, the bottom line is that the NFL is like every other company or organization. In order to be successful at what you do, you MUST have individulas who are in key positions as well as roll players who are multi-faceted and can fill those key positions from time to time as needed. This has been the Patriot way for the last decade or so and brought them 4 championships and almost a 5th if it wasn't for a "super glue" catch. Now it's part of the Bronco Way.

Next week, traing camp opens and we'll discuss the 2010 Draft Picks specifically some rookie outta the state of Florida....... what's his name again???

Oh yeah, that guy.....

As always I welcome your thoughts!

James

Why Tebow Should Start

2010-05-27T20:12:00.000-07:00

I found this somewhere on the web and almost pissed myself at some of these. ENJOY!

Here are just a few reasons why I think Tebow should start.

Tim Tebow CAN believe it's not butter.

Tim Tebow has counted to infinity... twice.

Tebow makes the "Most Interesting Man in the World" from those Dos Equis commercials boring.

Tim Tebow once got Blackjack with one card.

There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of animals Tim Tebow allows to live.

When Tim Tebow pisses into the wind, the wind changes direction!

Every mathematical inequality officially ends with "< Tim Tebow".

You can lead a horse to water. Only Tim Tebow can make him drink.

Tim Tebow can get McDonald's breakfast after 10:30.

Superman wears Tim Tebow pj's to bed.

When God sneezes, angels say, "Tebow Bless You."

When Timmy falls into water, he doesn't get wet. The water gets Tebowed.

A picture is worth a thousand words. A Timmy Tebow is worth a billion.

Tim Tebow doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants. (Which is good for learning McDaniels' Playbook)

Outer space exists because it's afraid to be on the same planet with Tim Tebow.

When the boogie man goes to sleep, he checks his closet for Tim Tebow.

Tim Tebow can touch MC Hammer.

Tim Tebow saved the Manatees. Then he stiff armed them back on the endangered species list so they wouldn't get cocky.

Tim Tebow can eat just one Lay's potato chip.

Tim Tebow has the greatest Poker-Face of all time. He won the 1993 World Series of Poker, despite holding only a Joker, a "Get out of Jail Free" Monopoly card, a 2 of Clubs, 7 of spades and a green #4 card
from the game UNO.

As Always I Welcome Your Thoughts!!

James

OTA's Day One

2010-05-17T17:40:00.000-07:00

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) -- Elvis Dumervil put his coveted signature down on a piece of paper. Not a contract extension that will pay him like a Powerball winner. Not his tender worth $3.168 million.

Instead, he signed a waiver allowing him to participate in the Denver Broncos' passing camp this week.

"I didn't have to, but at the end of the day I'm going to be a Bronco in 2010 and I wanted to come out and support the organization and teammates and get acclimated with the new guys," Dumervil said following the two-hour workout Monday.

"We have a couple tweaks terminology-wise as far as defense so I don't want to fall behind mentally."

The Broncos' star pass rusher led the NFL with 17 sacks in 2009 after switching over from a 4-3 defensive end to an outside linebacker in the 3-4, but he hadn't worked out with them this season.

As a restricted free agent, he skipped the team's offseason conditioning program while working out on his own in Miami and keeping in touch with the Broncos' new defensive coordinator, Don "Wink" Martindale.

Dumervil said he has faith that his agent, Gary Wichard, and the Broncos will agree on a long-term deal.

"I think both parties want to get something done," Dumervil said.

Coach Josh McDaniels shared that sentiment.

"Yes. We are working with Gary right now. Nothing imminent, but we're working together on the thing to try to make sure he's a Bronco for a long time, and he deserves it," McDaniels said.

Dumervil said he wasn't overly concerned that he hadn't signed a new deal yet as veterans and rookies took the field together Monday for the first time.

"I've always played this game without the big contracts or the long-term extensions," he said. "So, I'll continue to do so."

Just not for long, he hopes.

Among those skipping this camp are offensive linemen Ryan Clady, Ryan Harris and Russ Hochstein, all of whom are coming off surgeries. Also, veteran journeyman guard Matt McChesney is mulling retirement after suffering an ankle injury in a freak golf cart accident last month.

Monday marked the first time all four Broncos quarterbacks were on the field together.

Incumbent Kyle Orton was followed by newcomer Brady Quinn, first-round draft pick Tim Tebow and second-year pro Tom Brandstater in taking snaps, although McDaniels cautioned not to read too much into that order.

While the others were taking their reps, Tebow, who is trying to modify his footwork and throwing mechanics, stood about 25 yards away, mimicking their dropbacks and throws.

"Well, I'm just trying to every time a play's called get a rep in my head and even if I can't fully do it with the team, I'm still trying to learn and get better even on the side," Tebow said.

Tebow has drawn enormous attention since McDaniels made him a first-round pick last month. Already, he has the top-selling jersey in the NFL and he's under the media microscope much like John Elway was as a rookie in 1983.

Only now, Tebow's every move isn't just chronicled by reporters and photographers but also videographers, bloggers and Tweeters.

Tebow said he exchanged some texts with Elway, who didn't offer any advice on dealing with the attention.

"He just was very complimentary and wanted to welcome me and very supportive and that meant a lot," Tebow said.

As for his performance Monday, Tebow said: "I think I went out there and played hard and I think I've got a long way to go and I'm just going to try to get better every day."

This was also the first day with the full squad for Quinn, who was acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Browns two months ago.

"I think it went pretty well," said Quinn, who overthrew his receivers on several long passes. "Obviously, we can always do better."

Orton has a big head start, having been here a year.

"It's night and day from the first day I stepped on the field in OTAs last year," Orton said. "I feel great. And it's just nice to go through 'Day 1 install' and you really have no questions about it.

As Always I welcome Your Thoughts.

James

Something I picked up on the other day...

2010-04-30T08:26:00.000-07:00

After reviewing our 2010 Draft Class and doing some reading on the players selected by the Broncos, something hit me.... Perrish Cox, our newest CB is from the same school (Oklahoma State) that former Bronco Darrent WIlliams played for. So it got me thinking. "Wonder what the similarities are between the two and how I can read into that to maybe predict how good of a player Perrish Cox will be in the NFL?

Below is the scouting reports for both Darrent and Perrish. There are a lot of similarities between the two, and there are differences as well.

(Thanks to Wikipedia and CBS Sports for the background info)

Darrent Williams

Height: 5’9”

Weight: 176

Williams played college football for Oklahoma State University. He played ten games his first year, becoming a starter during the second half of the season. In Williams' freshman year, he returned two interceptions for touchdowns against Baylor. During the postgame press-conference, it was revealed that he had actually predicted he would do this in a statement to then head coach, Les Miles. As a sophomore, Williams started all of the team's thirteen games, recording 53 tackles and three interceptions, while breaking up 13 passes.

During his junior year, Williams continued to start for the Cowboys. He posted 66 tackles and six interceptions (third in the Big 12 Conference). He also broke up 17 passes. His junior-year performance earned him first-team All-Big 12 Conference honors.

Williams' played in only seven games in his last year at Oklahoma State. He missed the last three games because of injury and was limited before that because of an arm injury. Still, Williams totaled 21 tackles (18 solo), three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery, which he returned 53 yards. Williams finished his collegiate career tied for first place all-time in Division I college football in career interception returns for touchdowns. He had 11 career interceptions and scored 9 touchdowns on returns (5 interception returns, 3 punt returns and 1 blocked extra point return).

Draft Overview

Positives: Has a short, compact, but very muscular build … Instinctive player with very good key and diagnostic ability … Quick-twitch type with excellent speed and man coverage ability … Has the playing speed for man coverage, easily running with the receiver on deep routes … Very productive playing the ball, showing good timing ability on his leaps and natural hands to field the ball … Has a knack for getting his hands up to deflect the pass away from the receiver … Shows good zone awareness, giving a small cushion and is quick to plant and drive to close … Very smooth coming out of his backpedal, showing an explosive burst out of his breaks … Shows urgency and very good acceleration closing on the ball … Very elusive runner after the catch, showing precise cutting ability and vision to easily spot the small openings … Flashes good hip flip on his turns … Has the speed to go vertical and accelerate to the ball … Not a trained killer in run support, but will come up and support.

Negatives: Naturally strong athlete, but is not a fan of run support, doing it begrudgingly … Has had durability and character issues ever since arriving on campus … Had a positive drug test (marijuana) as a freshman, but has worked hard to steer clear of those problems since … Not a physical tackler, as he shows marginal consistency due to a lack of striking power and will get run over by the bigger blockers when working close to the line … Lacks ideal size and bulk, but does show natural power … Good reader who can adjust working the zone, but does not show great whip-turn quickness … Quick in his backpedal, but will sometimes be seen up on his heels … Needs structure, as he lacks a strong work ethic, but will produce under hard coaching … Will bite on the occasional stick and sometimes peeks into the backfield too long … Despite his leaping ability, he struggles to match up vs. the bigger receivers on the perimeter.

Personal: Has two children. Was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas and attended O.D. Wyatt High School where he played cornerback and was also a punt returner. As a senior, he was named 7-4A Defensive Most Valuable Player after posting five interceptions that featured several long returns, including a best of 54 yards. As a punt returner, Williams averaged 30 yards per return with four touchdowns.

Perrish Cox
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 195

After a U.S. Army All-American prep career in Waco, Cox made an immediate impact for the Cowboys. He returned the opening kickoff of the 2006 season for a touchdown, becoming the first 'Poke true freshman to do that since Barry Sanders in 1988.

That season Cox made 24 tackles and two interceptions, then followed it up with another solid campaign in 2007, when he started the last eight contests. He was named honorable mention All-Big 12 by league coaches in 2008 after putting together his second consecutive season with two interceptions and eight pass breakups. Cox capped off his career in Stillwater with a first-team all-conference senior year in which he led the nation in passes defended per game (1.73, four interceptions, 15 pass breakups).

Simply looking at Cox's size, straight-line speed and statistics, including his return skills (six career touchdowns) leads one to believe he could be a top-40 pick. But questions about his maturity, tackling, and technique against top-flight receivers might cause him to fall further than expected.

Draft Profile

Positives: Cox has ideal height and bulk. Explosive with very good top-end speed and lateral agility. Possesses great ups and soft hands which makes him a ball-hawk in the secondary. Effective in press coverage and strong enough to support the run. Talented return man who scores touchdowns.

Weaknesses: A bit stiff in the hips, especially when getting out of his backpedal. Does not consistently make good reads and reacts late. Gives too much of a cushion and looks lackadaisical at times. Gets turned around too often and sometimes struggles to find the ball. Misses some tackles by dipping his head.

Started to take on a leadership role in the secondary as a senior, but his maturity is under question again after missing curfew before the Cotton Bowl and later tweeting about it. Good work ethic in the weight room, although it does not always translate on the field. Arrested for speeding and driving with a suspended license in September 2009. Solid kickoff returner with necessary size and speed but must improve his vision to find open lanes and hit them hard instead of dancing; he will not get the corner against NFL special teams coverage units. Needs work on his blocking when in tandem return formation.

Personal: Has three children. Cox attended University High School in Waco, Texas, where he was born and raised. A standout on both sides of the football. As a senior, Cox recorded 27 tackles and led the team with nine interceptions. On the offense, he had 47 catches for 670 yards and 12 touchdowns. He earned first-team Class 4A all-state and first-team all-Central Texas honors and played in the 2006 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Cox was listed as the No. 8 cornerback prospect in the nation. He chose Oklahoma State over LSU, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

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As you can tell, both players are from Texas, Williams from Forth Worth and Cox from Waco. I think there are tremendous similarities in playing style between the two. However, what's interesting to me is that alot of the negative things that Darrent was graded on in pre-draft workouts and game film didn't necessarily translate into how he played for us. Darrent realized what a tremendous opportunity that he was given and up until that fateful night of December 31st, 2007 stayed out of trouble or more like away from trouble. He was a good spirited kid playing a game that he loved playing. Trouble found Darrent, not the other way around.

Perrish seems to be in that same mold coming out of Stillwater. Hopefully he can, and after everything I have heard and read, will be another D-Will on and off the field. He will be an overachiever who will contribute immediately to the progression of the team to the next level of the NFL playoffs. McDaniels, I believe, will give him every opportunity to play now. Special teams, nickle packages, he'll be on the field in 2010. I look forward to Perrish making plays and following in the footsteps of the late, great D-Will.

However, nothing, and no one will replace D-Will and his charisma and personality.

As always, I welcome your thoughts. R.I.P. D-Will.

James

The 2010 NFL Draft Is Complete.......

2010-04-24T23:22:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Bronco Fans around the world, please let me introduce you to the 2010 Denver Broncos Draft Class!

Round 1, Pick 22 (22) (from N.E.) - WR Demaryius Thomas, Georgia Tech

Round 1, Pick 25 (25) (from Balt.) - QB Tim Tebow, Florida

Round 2, Pick 13 (45) - OL Zane Beadles, Utah

Round 3, Pick 17 (80) - C J.D. Walton, Baylor

Round 3, Pick 23 (87) (from Phil.) - WR Eric Decker, Minnesota

Round 5, Pick 6 (137) (from Cle. through Phil.) - CB Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State

Round 6, Pick 14 (183) - OL Eric Olsen, Notre Dame

Round 7, Pick 18 (225) (from Pit. through TB) - CB Syd'Quan Thompson, Cal

Round 7, Pick 25 (232) (from Bal. through TB) - LB Jammie Kirlew, Indiana

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And here the unofficial list of who we signed as undrafted free agent rookies after the conclusion of the draft.

LS Clint Gresham TCU - 6'3" 236lbs This is one way to take advantage of the last G/C position and it is likely that if he works out, he will go straight to the practice squad.

TE Nathan Overbay Eastern Washington - 6'4" 262lbs An actual TE signing, and a top quality one at that. Needs to work on his routes, and he will be a 2 year developmental blocker, but he could be one of the more well rounded UDFA TEs to be signed overall.

DT Jaron Baston Missouri - 6'0"301lbs With this signing Denver is officially carrying an extra OLB/DE, as Baston a traditional interior DL. He may benefit from attempting to move outside, but he is likely a 2+year developmental prospect who still has room to bulk up and play inside, if given time to develop, with proper tutelage.

TE Michael Palmer Clemson - 6'5"240lbs Smart player with good understanding of routes, and good field awareness. Better receiver than blocker who can catch like a possession WR. Not a polished blocker, yet. Averaged 11.8 ypc on 43 grabs in 2009. Solid pickup that straddles the roster division between WR and TE.

CB Cassius Vaughn Mississippi - 5'10"180lbs A little more DB depth to keep rounding out the group for camp. Smaller in stature, but has flashed the big play at the key moment. Could be a nice PS addition.

DE Brandon Gilbeaux Delaware - 6'3"282lbs Speedy young interior DL with the versatility to slide between DT and DE. Could be a solid addition to the interior special teams units, and knows how to get his hands up into passing lanes. Could be developed as a pass rushing end if he can put on a little weight, but currently could be a bit to raw to contribute.

SS Marty Bowman Boston College - 6'2"218lbs The right measurables get him on the board, and he is just a hair short of being an obvious priority free agent on talent alone. His height is good, and he is strong at the line, so he'll get a bit longer look.

OT Chris Marinelli Stanford - 6'6"300lbs Excellent addition who was a 3 and half year starter at Stanford. Good technique, not ex ceptionally quick, or athletic, but very sneaky player who runs well for his size. Terrific developmental prospect.

WR Alric Arnett West Virginia - 6'1"188lbs Junior college transfer who runs excellent routes, catches outside of his frame, and has a good understanding of spread and quick passing game concepts. Very good hitch and bubble screen runner, who is elusive underneath and can slip through blocks undetected. Questionable motivation and drive.

TE Riar Geer Colorado - 6'4"256lbs Big, sit down style blocker who gets the edge sealed effectively, and knows how to get out into the soft spots in the seam. Great hands, rare drops, doesn't let the ball get into his body. Works to the ends of plays and finishes off his blocks. Great addition.

OL Micheal Shumard Texas A&M - 6'5"305lbs Another BIG OL, primarily a guard, but with LT experience has a ton of experience under his belt, with 40 starts for the Aggies. Particularly good pass blocker, the Aggie line was one of the better groups in the nation.

RB Chris Brown Oklahoma - 5'10"210lbs Not the huge bruiser that we were all expecting, but a quick back who looks like he runs slower than he does, due to a slowing effect he has when he cuts. Needs to keep working on his pass blocking and blitz pickup, but has natural athletic ability and is a good mix of pass receiving and rotational rushing.

OLB Kevin Alexander Clemson - 6'2"250lbs Stout player with decent speed and agility, but above all, a tremendous work ethic, which could make him a contender this summer. He is a durable player who notched a lot of snaps and a lot of playing time, yet didn't accumulate a large number of starts. A borderline talent.

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Overall I am excited to see some of the position battles that come up during training camp. I think McDaniels and Xanders did a pretty good job of addressing the needs of the team, however what was missing was the lack of a quality OL and ILB that we desperately need. Hopefully the addition of Akin Ayodele, a ninth-year run stuffer who was the Miami Dolphins third-leading tackler with 71 last season will reduce the glaring need of an inside linebacker. Ayodele will compete with Mario Haggan for the Broncos "Mike" linebacker spot in their 3-4 system. D.J. Williams will start at the "Will" inside linebacker position.

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More on Orton & Tebow courtesy of the Denver Post

Just as Kyle Orton prepares for his contract year, the Broncos draft another quarterback who will soon get a contract commitment for many years.

But even with the Broncos sending the message Thursday that first-round pick Tim Tebow is the quarterback of their future; Orton is not unfamiliar with the pressure of playing year to year.

He will be the Broncos' starting quarterback in 2010. And take it from there.

"I certainly understand the economics of a first-round draft pick at quarterback," Orton said today. "But I'm really set on going out and having the best year of my career. And whatever decision they make, it's going to be a tough one for them."

Regardless of whether or not a collective bargaining agreement is reached following this season, Orton will make $2.621 million this season, and become an unrestricted free agent as a six-year player after this season.

Tebow, as the No, 25 overall draft pick, can expect a five-year contract with $8 million guaranteed.

Speaking of Tim Tebow, many pastors around Colorado are “praising” the courage of McDaniels in selecting Tebow in the draft. The following is an excerpt from Saturday’s edition of the Denver Post.

Many in Colorado's evangelical Christian community believe the Denver Broncos' first-round draft pick of quarterback Tim Tebow will give them a lot more to cheer about than just football.

Like Tebow, they feel blessed by Coach Josh McDaniels' choice.

Tebow, an all-American, Heisman Trophy-and championship-winning Florida Gator, is also the home-schooled son of Christian missionaries. He wore Bible-verse citations on his game-day eye black and starred in a Super Bowl ad for Colorado Springs-based ministry Focus on the Family.

"Tim Tebow is a lightning rod. This transcends football," said Bill McCartney, the former University of Colorado football coach and founder of the Promise Keepers Christian men's ministry.

"There is an anointing on Tim and his family," McCartney said. "He's one of those guys who comes along who has God's handprints all over him."

Tebow was the buzz of the hallways at Focus on the Family media ministry Friday, said spokesman Gary Schneeberger.

Pastor Rick Long of Grace Church of Arvada has coached high school sports for 25 years. He is a die-hard Broncos fan, he said, and thrilled with Tebow's selection on all counts.

"You don't want to just flaunt your faith but live it. I like the fact that he's not afraid to do both," Long said. "You have to be a living epistle. You're the only Bible most people ever read. You're the only Jesus most people ever see."

Tebow is a model, not just for young people but for all believers, said Promise Keepers president Raleigh Washington.

"Evangelical Christians are excited about Tim Tebow because he has proven himself to be a man who not only professes Jesus to be the lord of his life, but he models that on and off the football field," he said. "That's absolutely refreshing."

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As a Christian myself, I think it's great what Tim Tebow stands for, how he carries himself on and off the field. I'll just leave it at that.

As always I welcome your thoughts.

James

Well Day One is in the Books.......

2010-04-23T00:55:00.000-07:00

I hesitated to posted a new blog right after the Tebow pick at #25 because quite frankly I was too full of emotion to do so and it probably would have come of as a man crush for Tim Tebow. So it's about 2 hours now since the 1st round ended and here's where we stand as an organization.

Round 1, Pick 22 - Georgia Tech wide receiver Demaryius Thomas

Clearly after the trade of Brandon Marshall to Miami for two 2nd round draft picks we needed his replacement. Thomas is faster and has better hands than Brandon Marshall. He is a tall, thick receiver who can jump outta the gym as they say and snatch the ball away from the defender. Here's the difference; Thomas has NO OFF THE FIELD ISSUES that he brings to the organization. Bottom line is that McDaniels covets character guys who will put the team first before themselves which leads me to our 2nd first round pick.......

Round 1, Pick # 25 - Florida quarterback Tim Tebow

I LOVE TIM TEBOW! There, I said it, happy? AM I a homer for the underdog? You betcha! Here's where I see Tebow fitting in on the team. We now have 4 quarterbacks:

1. Kyle Orton - He's the starter........ for now.

2. Brady Quinn - He's gonna compete for the starting job and may even beat out Orton this year.

3. Tom Brandstarter - He's worked his backside off for the last year and a half both during the season and off season. He will spend time with Josh's younger brother Ben continuing to work on his mechanics along with Tebow. But will probably end up on the practice squad.

4. Tim Tebow - As I mentioned, he will work diligently with Ben McDaniels the QB coach fine tuning his mechanics and learning the offense. HE WILL PLAY THIS YEAR. Although it won't be as a starter, or even the back up, but in the "Wild Horses" formation which is Denver's version of the "Wildcat". He will have to be accounted for on third and short and will be asked to pick up short yardage for first downs. He'll get his NFL feet under him doing this and it'll prepare him to take over the starting role in 2012. Heck he may even throw a couple of touchdowns for us along the way.

Here is a couple of interesting things I picked up from the TV and Internet during the draft on Tebow and how he came to be Denver's pick.

McDaniels has three quarterback characteristics he insists on:

1. They must be a proven winner. Which is why he likes Orton and Cutler's playing in Chicago.

2. He likes his quarterbacks to be 6' 3" because he needs them to see over the lineman in his shotgun formations. Tebow is 6'3", and has there been a quarterback at a top 5 program who's won more big games than Tebow? NOPE. Not Carson Palmer, not Matt Leinart, not Peyton Manning, not Sam Bradford, Jimmy Clausen or Colt McCoy. Tebow as a matter of fact has beat those last 3 guys.

3. McDaniels wants his players, all his players, to be intelligent and a "high character" individual. Tebow is the #1 "high character" guy in the draft. He is a highly devout Christian and puts his faith in God ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE.

“Tebow's religious expression has been a big part of the wholesome image we see described in every single feature written about him,” wrote sports columnist Tom Herrera in the NCAA Football Fanhouse.

What do you think the odds are that we will ever see a police blotter involving the name Tim Tebow? NEVER! He has high morals and is a leader in the locker room. People gravitate to Tim Tebow. He'll bring the team together like nothing we have seen since a buck-toothed quarterback named Elway rode his white horse off itno the sunset after the 1999 season. Is he smart as well? We'll find out soon enough.

Interesting enough, a reporter asked Urban Meyer, Head Coach at Florida 2 weeks ago about the possibility of Tebow landing with Denver and Josh McDaniels, he answered by holding his had about 3 feet off the ground and said, "I've know Josh since he was about this tall." I wonder if Meyer's friendship with Josh's dad Thom, the legendary Ohio High School football coach, had any bearing on the team drafting Tebow today......... Yeah I think it did too! He mentioned after Tebow was drafted by the Broncos, "I’m sure Tim and his family are glad the process is over. The Denver Broncos are getting a winner."

My guess is that whoever loses out on the starting job this year (Orton or Quinn) will be out of Denver in 2011. Both are playing on one year deals essentially as Orton signed his one year tender and Quinn is in his last year of his rookie contract, so both are playing for jobs. Quinn didn't come here just to ride the pine, and Orton is good enough to play for another team as a starter in the right system.

Tebow isn't ready to start this year, that's for sure, but give him time to learn the system and we could have another Tom Brady in the works! If it takes Tebow and the McDaniels brothers 2 years to develop Tebow into a NFL quarterback and we end up winning 3 of 4 Super Bowls, I'll gladly wait for 2012 for that to happen.

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On to day 2:

Day two I project that we will focus on ILB first and DL next. Maybe pick up a safety along the way. Hope it's as exciting as day 1, but I doubt it.

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Overall Observations:

I've been watching the NFL Draft now for almost 30 years now, and I've never seen players embrace the Commissioner like they do with Roger Goodell. He reminds me of your father. When your'e doing well, working hard, dating the right girl and doing your chores, he's your best friend and there is no one more proud of you. However, when you cross that line and screw up or break curfew, or come home drunk (by the way, I'm not talking from personal experience here dad!) he'll be the first one to put a whoopin on your butt! I love me some Commissioner Goodell. The players clearly respect and admire him.

Can someone please tell Steve Young to take a breath? Consistently he was interrupting and talking over Tom Jackson and Coach not talking from personal experienceGruden. It got so bad, you could clearly see they were both very, very frustrated with him. My guess is that he won't be back next year.

ESPN was off their game tonight! There were numerous times where they were supposed to have the mics cut, yet you could hear Kiper, Gruden and Young all discussing the upcoming pick. Once the camera even cut back to Berman and he was clearly agitated with the screw up. I thought we were going to see another one of these.

After a while it became too much for me to stomach, so I gladly switched back to the NFL Network and it was like a breath of fresh air.

By the way, is it just me or does anyone else like the new format? I love that it's spread out over 3 days. I also think that the NFL should make it a tradition to invite the Super Bowl MVP to announce their team's pick the following year. Nice touch.

As always, I welcome your thoughts

James

The Curious Case of Timmy Tebow

2010-04-21T22:53:00.000-07:00

Great Article on why Klis of the Denver Post believes Tebow will again don the Orange, White and Blue, only difference is that he'll a bit higher in altitude than before.

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Will the Broncos draft Tim Tebow?
By Mike Klis of the Denver Post

The more I think about Tim Tebow, the more I talk myself into thinking the Broncos just might take him.

Not at No. 11. There’s no sense taking him there. But if they trade back from No. 11 and get an extra second-round pick, and then maybe put together a package that included one of their existing second-round picks (No. 43 and 45 overall) I wouldn’t be shocked if they took Tebow somewhere in the 20s to early 30s.

Here’s why I think it’s possible:

1. It would be a bold move. A blockbuster. A national headliner. Josh McDaniels is nothing but a football administrator who makes bold moves. If he’s bold enough to trade away Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall, he’s bold enough to draft Tim Tebow.

2. McDaniels has two quarterback characteristics he insists on: They must be a proven winner. Which is why he liked Kyle Orton and didn’t like Cutler. And he likes his quarterbacks to be at least 6-foot-3 because he needs them standing tall in his shotgun pocket. Tebow is 6-3. And has there been a quarterback at a top 5 college program who has won more big games than Tebow?

3. McDaniels wants all his players, quarterbacks or otherwise, to be high on smarts and character. Tebow is the No. 1 character guy in the draft. As for how smart he is, we’ll be the judge of that should the Broncos draft him.

4. The Broncos visited and worked out Tebow twice in a five-day span this past week.

5. As a passer, Tebow is a project. McDaniels, and his brother Ben, who’s the Broncos’ quarterbacks coach, would have to fancy themselves as the type of coaches who can mold Tebow into an efficient passer.

6. Until Tebow develops mostly by spending his rookie season watching Kyle Orton, he can also come in for four or five plays a game as a Wildcat QB. Or, remember how the Broncos struggled on third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 last year?

Tebow might be the solution. If not as a runner, as a threat.

There you go. The case for the Broncos taking Tim Tebow

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There are few times I have agreed with my friend Mike Klis on potential options for the Broncos in past drafts, however, this is one of them. While I was sitting at my desk today reading the various posts on Twitter and overall on the Internet, my thoughts kept coming back to how Denver can get Tim Tebow and here's what I came up with:

1. If Denver keeps the #11 pick, then they have to hope no one jumps back into the end of the 1st round to take him and the Rams take Bradford with the 1st overall pick. If this happens, then there will need to be almost nothing short of a miracle to get him because there are at least 3 other teams who have shown great interest in the Florida QB.

2. Denver can take their #11 pick and package one of their 2nd round picks, probably #43 along with a 3rd to move back into the 1st round to take Tebow at the end of day 1.

3. However, if I'm a betting man (which I'm not, especially when it come to the NFL Draft) I'm betting the farm Denver takes the #11 and ships it to Philadelphia (who has expressed great interest in moving up towards the front of the line) for the #24 and # 37 and take Tebow's Center at Florida in Maurkice Pouncey with #24. Then trump McDaniels' old boss in New England and take Tebow at #37. New England has been rumored to be enamored with Tebow. Wouldn't it be great to stick it to Belichick again?

My only concern is what is Minnesota going to do with the #30 pick and what New Orleans does with the #32 pick?

Minnesota just resigned Tavaris Jackson to presumably back up Grandpa Favre, so that leaves New Orleans @ #32. Their backup QB last year was Mark Brunell....... yes that Mark Brunnell who in 1997 kept us from what should have been our 1st Super Bowl Championship. He's no spring chicken and New Orleans would love the draw of Tebow. Plus he could sit and learn from one of the best "community" and "team first" players in the league in Drew Brees. Oh and by the way, he's not a bad QB either.

So with all that being said, the main reason I think Denver will draft Tebow, is because recently #15 became available in the equipment manager's supply shelf......... its destiny people!

With only about 21 hours left until the Rams are on the clock, I welcome your thoughts on Denver taking Timmy Tebow.

James

Dez, Dez your phone is ringing, it's from a 303 area code.....

2010-04-21T17:34:00.000-07:00

Interesting pick for Denver in Peter Schrager's final mock draft on FoxSports.com

Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

I’m sick and tired of hearing about Dez Bryant’s “character red flags.” Character schmaracter. The only “crime” Bryant’s guilty of is being a knucklehead. Sure, he’s missed a few practices. And yes, he lied to the NCAA — something I don’t take lightly. But the punishment he was handed was absurd. Bryant has Randy Moss-like talent. And that’s not hyperbole. Brandon Marshall, for as good of a player as he was on the field, was a constant distraction off of it and in the locker room. His departure creates a tremendous void at wideout. Josh McDaniels loves going to multiple wideout sets, and as of now his receiving corps is worse than thin, it’s emaciated. Eddie Royal is coming off a miserable season, Brandon Stokley is nearing 100 years old, and neither Brandon Lloyd or Kenny McKinley are reliable first or second wideouts. Bryant’s the answer. He’ll be a tremendous NFL player and he’ll produce right away in Denver. And I promise, Denver fans, there will be no “issues” to worry about.

As always I welcome your thoughts.

James

2010 Denver Broncos Regular Season Schedule Released

2010-04-20T16:10:00.000-07:00

Well folks, it's that time again (better late than never I guess) the NFL has released it's schedule for the 2010 Regular Season and the team here at the South Stands has it for you.

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(All times are EST)

Week 1 Sun, Sept. 12
Denver at Jacksonville CBS 1 p.m.

Week 2 Sun, Sept. 19
Seahawks at Denver FOX 4:05 p.m.

Week 3 Sun, Sept. 26
Colts at Denver CBS 4:15 p.m.

Week 4 Sun, Oct. 3
Denver at Titans CBS 1 p.m.

Week 5 Sun, Oct. 10
Denver at Ravens CBS 1 p.m.

Week 6 Sun, Oct. 17
Jets at Denver CBS 4:05 p.m.

Week 7 Sun, Oct. 24
Raiders at Denver CBS 4:15 p.m.

Week 8 Sun, Oct. 31
Denver at 49ers (in London) CBS 1 p.m.

Week 9
Bye

Week 10 Sun, Nov. 14
Chiefs at Denver CBS 4:05 p.m.

Week 11 Mon, Nov. 22
Denver at Chargers ESPN 8:30 p.m.

Week 12 Sun, Nov. 28
Rams at Denver FOX 4:15 p.m.

Week 13 Sun, Dec. 5
Denver at Chiefs CBS 1 p.m.

Week 14 Sun, Dec. 12
Denver at Cardinals CBS 4:15 p.m.

Week 15 Sun, Dec. 19
Denver at Raiders CBS 4:15 p.m.

Week 16 Sun, Dec. 26
Texans at Denver CBS 4:05 p.m.

Week 17 Sun, Jan. 2
Chargers at Denver CBS 4:15 p.m.

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Looks like the folks over at the scheduling office again for the 6th year in a row have done us a HUGE disservice by having us open the season on the road. Also, why is the schedule backloaded? I mean it's almost like a college schedule. Out of conference games up front, then nothing but conference games the rest of the way out???

Anyways, I'm really disappointed with the schedule makers this year.

As always, I welcome your thoughts!

James

The South Stands presents.......

2010-04-18T22:54:00.000-07:00

The South Stands was honored today to have Duane Lee Chapman of the A&E Television Show “Dog the Bounty Hunter” stop by for an interview regarding his fandom and Aloha (love) for the Denver Broncos.

If you are a fan of the A&E show Dog the Bounty Hunter, as well as a fan of the Denver Broncos, every once and a while you’ll see bumper stickers or images of the Broncos logo on the show, ironically most appear not in their Colorado Springs retreat, but in their offices in Honolulu, Hawaii.

TSS - It’s great to see you representing the Broncos on the show! How long have you been a Broncos fan?

DLC - “Since a year before the Broncos 1st Super Bowl against the Cowboys. I was born in Texas so I was born into the Cowboys world……. I barely made it out of there.”

TSS - What is your fondest Bronco memory is and why?

DLC - “It would probably be the 99 ½ yard drive in the AFC Championship against the Browns. I was sitting with some friends who were mostly Browns fans, I was pretty young, a lot of them were talking about how after the muffed kickoff they were going to the Super Bowl. They were all dancing around and then came John Elway with that drive. Then when we scored, I was like “OH MY GOSH!” That’s gotta be my best memory.”

TSS - I imagine with the rigors of filming and bounty hunting, you probably find it hard to catch Bronco games, or do you watch them?

DLC - “Usually on Sundays, because the time difference in Hawaii, the games start at like 6 or 7 in the morning. So if we’re bounty hunting late at night on Saturday nights, usually I get a couple of hours of sleep but I’m up for all the (Bronco) games. The only time I miss games is if it’s a Sunday or Monday night game and we’re out working. Sometime I miss those, but usually every game I’m there watching.”

TSS - When you’re in Colorado, do you attend any home games?

DLC - “Yeah, last year I went and saw the Steelers game and the last home game against the Chargers, that was terrible.”

TSS - Will you be watching any part of the draft this weekend?

DLC - “I’m gonna try, Thursday we’re gonna be starting to film again here soon, but I’ll have my iPhone handy to see who we get.”

TSS - This next one is a two part question. 1st part is who do you think the Broncos will draft in the 1st round on Thursday, and the 2nd is who do you want the Broncos to draft on Thursday?

DLC - “Shoot, with Josh McDaniels, I don’t really know what he’s looking for and where he’s gonna be taking the team. We know he was the Patriots offensive coordinator, and what they did, but, with the moves he’s making, who knows. There’s Dez Bryant, who I’ve heard isn’t that bright of a player, but who knows, I really like that C.J. Spiller guy from Clemson. Man if we could get him, that’d be GREAT. I’d really like to do that.”

TSS - Even though we have Knowshon Moreno from last year’s draft?

DLC - “I watched some of the games last year and they like shut him down, he’s too little. We need the big back whose gonna pick up those two yards. I’m not quite sold on him yet.”

TSS - He tended to dance around too much I thought last year.

DLC - “Yeah, I mean, it’s not Georgia, this is pro ball, and there were too many times where he’d get hit and have to come off the field because it was like he was hurt. He fumbled the ball a couple of times last year near the goal line too, I mean I know he was a rookie, but…. with McDaniel’s game plan last year we were throwing the ball short for the most part and running the ball. If we don’t have a running game, then we’re destroyed. Kyle (Orton) can’t throw the ball far.”

TSS - Who do you think will be the week 1 QB for the Broncos; Orton, Quinn, Brandstater, or someone else, maybe a Tim Tebow if we draft him and why?

DLC - “No, I think it’s Orton’s job to lose. Unless Brady Quinn does something I haven’t seen him do for the Browns. McDaniels got rid of Cutler and got Orton, so he’s gonna build this team around Orton for a while.”

TSS - I was going to ask the question “If there was one person from the team/organization that you could meet, who would it be?” But I noticed on the official A&E Dog the Bounty Hunter website, you sort of already answered that. You answered, “Mike Shanahan. I'd like to meet him. Kick it with him, drink beer with Shanahan.” Now that Shanahan is gone, does your answer remain the same, or is there someone new?

DLC - “I would still love to meet Coach Shanahan. I’ve read his book, growing up, that guy is a great man from what I’ve learned from his book and what he’s done for our team. I’d also love to sit down with Josh (McDaniels) and see what he’s about and pick his brain a little bit.”

TSS - Wouldn’t it be great as a fan to sit down with him and ask, “What the hell were you thinking trading away Cutler?”

DLC - “Cutler was a baby man, I hated, ya know he was great in the 1st half, in the 2nd half, he’s ya know, a cocky guy who continues to throw the ball to a guy who’s covered by three men. Every single time he did that. Then he’d come out and talk crap to everybody with a “Holier than Thou” attitude. I’m really glad we got rid of him, I never really liked him. He’s a great player and all…”

TSS - Yeah from a talent stand point, he’s a top 5 QB in the league, but from a smarts and execution stand point he’s middle of the pack at best.

DLC - “His cockiness on the field I can’t stand that. You can’t win a Super Bowl being cocky like that.”

TSS - Also from the A&E website you mentioned that Elway was your childhood hero. Why?

DLC - “Just because growing up, seeing him, I mean he single handedly took us to those three other Super Bowls that we lost. I mean he’d run to the left, scramble to the right, wait for one of the Three Amigos to get open and BAM. He was also always in the news in Colorado, from doing food drives to buying car dealerships, but it was always good things, he did a lot for the community as well. Like Peyton (Manning) is now, that’s how Elway was.”

TSS - With the exception of like a Manning, or a Tom Brady or a Drew Brees, you don’t see a lot of that these days with NFL players.

DLC - “Yeah right, now it’s all about the money, women, partying, ya know? They’re all getting busted now.”

TSS - What was your initial feeling when you heard that Brandon Marshall had been traded to the Dolphins for a 2010 2nd round pick and a 2011 2nd round pick?

DLC - “Since the beginning of last season, I was so upset with Brandon Marshall. I always felt that he had it in only for himself. Not for the team, but for him. I mean kicking the ball at practice, getting suspended, ya know. But when he plays, he plays hard. He did win some games for us, but what tells me the most is when he did his interview with the NFL Network after he was traded, he made the comment at the end, if you listen, he says, yeah I’m all about being a team player, I’m a team player and team this and that, but then he says with his last statement, all he wants is his name in the record books. I mean, what happened to getting your team to the Super Bowl? I mean he says he’s not a prima donna athlete, but yeah you are bro, you’ve already proven it. Now he’s going to Miami, a party town, I mean he grew up around there, but we’ll see how he does.”

TSS - I agree, it’ll be very interesting to see how Brandon Marshall and the South Beach Police get along.

DLC - “Yeah, that’s where it all started for him, the partying I mean. We got two 2nd round picks for him. Last year we got an extra 1st round pick for Cutler so we had two 1st round picks and we traded one to Seattle for that cornerback (Alphonso Smith). I saw him return a couple of kicks for us last year, but is he gonna be another bust for us?”

TSS - Yeah, we had to sign an 80 year old Ty Law to replace him during the season.

DLC - “Right, so we’ll see if this will be his year or if trading that pick to Seattle for him was any good. And if not, then that’ll be McDaniels’ huge mistake.

TSS - Back to the Marshall trade, people are saying that Jabar Gaffney should be able to step in and fill the void that Brandon leaves behind easily?

DLC - “I don’t know, he was never the #1 receiver in New England was he? I don’t think he’s as big as Marshall or as game quick as Marshall, but he gets the system that Josh (McDaniels) is trying to run now.”

TSS - Team first right?

DLC - “Exactly. We’ve gotta give McDaniels 3 years to see what he can do and how he’ll build our team. Hopefully he doesn’t destroy it and we then have to rebuild. I think he’s (McDaniels) smart, really, really smart. Look at what he did when (Tom) Brady went down. I mean they go 11 and 5 with freaking what’s his name…”

TSS - Matt Cassel?

DLC - “Yeah (laughing) freaking Matt Cassel. I mean he ate us up when we played him, him and Jamal Charles.

TSS - Yeah another no name.

DLC - “Yeah, I’m picking him up in my fantasy football league this year.”

TSS - Last three questions I got for ya because I know you’re busy, they’re gonna be some fun questions. If Leland was a running back and you were a linebacker or safety and he got the ball how would you play him?

DLC - “I would POP him so freaking hard, he wouldn’t even get 5 yards. You’d have to play him tight. I would squash him! If you let him get ahead of ya, he’s gone. He’d be a little scat back. I’d always have to keep him in front of me.”

TSS - If you and Leland met at the line of scrimmage under the same scenario, would Leland play the role of Earl Campbell and roll right over you, or would you play the part of Steve Atwater and he’d be Christian Okoye?

DLC - “Oh (laughing, hard) I’d definitely be Steve Atwater, or Dennis Smith, and he’d end up retiring after the game. He’d at least be going to the sidelines and they’d have to get a replacement.”

TSS - His coach would be on the phone finding out who’s an available free agent huh?

DLC - “Yeah that’s right, they’d be signing another running back that’s right.”

TSS - Who’s better at Madden, you, Leland, Tim or is there someone else?

DLC - “Oh I’m the Madden champ.”

-----------------------------------------

Another thing I found out about Duane Lee is that he was once the featured fan in the Game Day programs they sell at the stadium during the games at the culmination of Raider week one year.

He also remembers seeing my picture in the Denver Post for their 1st Annual Ultimate Broncos Fan, he saw it and thought that was great. I told him that the photographer who came up to take my picture for the article covers the San Diego Chargers for the San Diego Union Tribune and was not happy.

DLC - “Yeah, good, we love the Chargers (sarcastically).”

We then got on the subject of the San Diego Chargers and Philip Rivers.

DLC - “They’re done. They had their chance at a Super Bowl, but they’re done. Especially seeing that Phillip Rivers is such a cocky ass! He’s such an ass, a pure ass. I really don’t like that man; I really don’t like the Chargers.”

We then discussed the Broncos acquiring DT Jamal Williams from San Diego.

“If he can stay healthy all year, our defense could be great and do a lot of great things for us this year.”

I’d like to extend a HUGE thanks to Duane Lee for his time; it’s an honor to have you in the South Stands brother. God Bless you and the Dog the Bounty Hunter team, and as they say in Hawaii, “Mahalo nui loa” (that means “Thanks very much” – for us “Haoles” or foreigners).

As always, I welcome your thoughts!

James

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Watch Dog the Bounty Hunter on Wednesday nights on A&E. Check your local listings for times.

You can follow Duane Lee and the team on Twitter at:

@duanelchapman – Duane Lee

@lelandchapman - Leland

@mrsdogc - Beth

@dogbountyhunter – Dog

@DTBHClub – Official Twitter of the all new and improved Dog the Bounty Hunter fan club.

A&E TV Site - http://www.aetv.com/dog-the-bounty-hunter

Official DTBH site - http://dogthebountyhunter.com/

Brandon Marshall Departs: Time for Mr. Bowlen To Level with the Fans

2010-04-15T15:47:00.000-07:00

I have never, and I mean NEVER read an article that in my opinion sums up EXACTLY what needs to happen in Denver to get our beloved team turned around and FAST! Chaz has put it all down in this article.

We can all blame McDaniels or Shanahan or Elway or Marshall and Cutler, but accountability starts and ends at the top. The following article was written by Chaz Mattson from BleacherReport.com on 4/14/2010.

________________________________________

“…and there are some things happening in sports that will make your brain fall out of your skull.” - Ron Burgundy, The Anchorman

Brandon Marshall has found his way out of Denver and back to the South Florida fun in the sun. He leaves as a young star in full bloom off of his fourth NFL season which placed him in the top three of all NFL receivers.

Waiting on the other end of this break from Denver is a new deal with his new team in the Miami Dolphins. The Fish are apparently eager and ready to offer him all the money he was never going to get in Denver. Some figures being laundered in the media airwaves put the figure in the tens of millions of dollars.

Realistically it could reach $30 million plus in guaranteed money, the overall deal is over $40 million.

(UPDATE: Brandon Marshall signed an extension with Miami for $47.5 million over 4 years. That coupled with the 1 year tender at $2.5 million put the total deal at $50 million over 5 years with $29 million guaranteed)

So that leads us all to this next point and somehow the footballs fans at large and in particularly of the Denver Broncos are supposed to make sense of this move.

Perhaps it was essential to eliminate B-Marsh from the Broncos for a number of reasons, all of which have been well documented. B-Marsh has had a slew of domestic issues, turmoil in the club house under two head coaches, and he was unfortunately involved in events that lead to the untimely death of his Broncos teammate Darrent Williams on January 1, 2007.

Since D-Will died as a victim to gang violence, the Denver Broncos have struggled as a franchise in finding their identity as a team. Additionally the predominantly orange and blue have shown a lack of purpose in the most competitive professional sports league on earth.

This is a situation that was never handled lightly by the Broncos franchise and they should be commended for that. It has been a troubled time in Denver as prosecutors sought justice in the Darrent Williams case. As recently as the last week in February Brandon Marshall was put on the stand in the trial of Willie Clark who was eventually found guilty in the death of Darrent Williams. It was a dark cloud for the city, the Broncos franchise, and the players, especially if you are a player close to the situation.

With that, there has been unrest inside the Broncos franchise ever since the passing of D-Will and the heinous way in which he died. It’s probably the fallout from that season that really did not sit well with Pat Bowlen. His team was only one season removed from the AFC Championship Game that should have landed the Broncos back in the Super Bowl. It was Jay Cutler’s first season and there was much hope and anticipation behind his move to the starting role ahead of Jake Plummer.

Ironically the Broncos could not even back into the playoffs on their last game against the 49ers, the last few hours of D-Wills life. Some have speculated that had Coach Shanahan stayed the course with Jake Plummer that team would have made the playoffs, but there can’t be any denial about Jake’s implosion that season.

It’s an unfortunate chain of unfortunate events.

It’s something that led to the mental implosion of the starting quarterback, not to mention a professional football franchise as well.

Here it is 2010 a full three plus seasons removed and the franchise has further eliminated Mike Shanahan, Jay Cutler, and now Brandon Marshall among countless others. Still there is no clear cut vision in place for where this football franchise is, what it is, where it is going, or what the expectations of this team should be.

So what are the fans to expect moving forward?

Well the Broncos franchise won’t come out publicly and tell the fan base, so it’s time to draw the line, with an accompanying timeline.

The 1997 NFL season saw the momentum of the Broncos Super Bowl push end in a World Championship. However that was also the same season Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen chose to get new uniforms and down play ‘Denver’ and the ‘D’ on the teams merchandise.

It was a power-play to get a new stadium and make the team seem more viable to other markets.

The reality is however, Denver has been one of the strongest professional football markets since the 1977 Orange Crush squad landed in Super Bowl XII. Mr. Bowlen would have been a fool to move the Broncos even without a new stadium in Denver.

In spite of Mr. Bowlen’s hiring of focus groups and the like to push the product forward on and off the field, he never entirely won the full respect of the fan base because of those marketing decisions. Those sorts of business moves lacked tact, target market knowledge, and even the element of class, something the franchise supposedly focused heavily on in the Mike Shanahan era.

So the fans and franchise rode a wave of new hardware, acceptance of new things, and the eventual approval for a new stadium by the fans. Those same fans that helped to build the community were now ousted by the Broncos franchise despite their efforts to secure the team a new home in Denver. In other words there was some kicking of the fan base to the curb despite the fans coming through in the pinch for the team.

Pat Bowlen remains ashamed to say his team is the ‘Denver’ Broncos.

It’s time for the fans to demand greater out of their owner.

If this were a new high school program, they would have to start with bland jerseys and start without the letters or logos on their helmets. The Broncos are in that same state right now.

Whatever happens from here on out, the franchise needs to earn their place within the city. It serves as a great reminder that these are very challenging economical times nationally and locally. The Broncos fans are even selling their seats to rival fans at an alarming rate that is probably at an all-time high.

The harsh fact is the Denver Broncos haven’t earned anything since the fan base granted them a free stadium.

It’s time for the Broncos franchise and top brass a.k.a. Mr. Pat Bowlen to stand up in front of the Denver media and start answering directly where this franchise is at.

Where are the Broncos at now that they have relinquished Mike Shanahan, Jay Cutler, and Brandon Marshall?
Where are the Broncos at fiscally?

Where are the Broncos going with the new approach?

How aware is the franchise of itself and what a laughing stock it has become around the league since Josh McDaniels has been the head coach?

Brandon Marshall was responsible for a large percentage of total offensive yards for the Broncos last season, the reality is on tape, and at times he was all they had.

Now the last great hope on the offensive side of the ball is officially gone.

The Broncos now have no more prima-donna players on this team, with that this professional football franchise has officially run out of answers.

It’s time for the owner, the coach, and new regime to be held 100 percent accountable for the new direction.

The results have fallen not just short but off the charts.

Pat Bowlen should address the media himself and serve the fan base with his real influence and take on a number of these moves.

He needs to enlighten the fan base behind the decision making of late, as it appears to be an entire lost generation of football talent. It’s now a former generation thrown under the bus and all for not.

He should meet with the local media and address the hard issues straight on.

There has been an isolation of the Broncos franchise from the community over the years and it has always been given a pass. This is the year when a new relationship should be forged between the team and the local community.

If the owner himself can’t bring himself that far, he should look himself in the mirror and ask if he can spare another lost generation of Denver Broncos fans?

That’s the only way any of these B-Marsh moves will ever level with the fans.

Follow Chaz's national sports feed and other linked list on twitter by clicking here!

As always I welcome your thoughts!!

James

Can Dez Bryant replace Marshall in Denver?

2010-04-14T12:58:00.000-07:00

Concerns surround both players, but circumstances are different. by Matt Bowen, National Football Post

Is it possible that Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant could act as the replacement for the now departed Brandon Marshall?

Denver holds the 12th pick of the draft next Thursday night and it could be hard for head coach Josh McDaniels to pass on the top WR in the draft if he is sitting by the phone when the Broncos are on the clock.

From a production standpoint, Bryant will not have the same impact. Trying to replace Marshall’s numbers from the 2009 season (101 receptions, 1,120 yards and 10 TDs) and asking that from a rookie is near impossible with the transition to the pro game.

Will Bryant be an option to replace Brandon Marshall in Denver?

But, do the Broncos want to take on another receiver who is considered to have character issues off of the field?

That seems to be the discussion at hand. However, I do see Bryant as a possibility to Denver because any of the issues he has — or that we assume he has — are not related to McDaniels, the Denver locker room or the Broncos front office. Issues that need to be taken into account when drafting a player as high as No. 12, but still issues that don’t apply to the Marshall drama we got to see first hand last season.

The Broncos needed to trade Marshall. Yes, the idea of actually extending his deal for the future had plenty to do with it, but we have to believe that McDaniels working with Marshall, the suspensions and the distractions that were all a part of the ’09 Broncos season did weigh in their decision to trade away a receiver who I see as a Top 5 player at this position. There were internal issues that had to be taken care of before another season between player and coach.

Denver got fair value in return and can now move on to studying Bryant, watching more tape and deciding if he can be a player who not only fits in their offensive system, but in the locker room as well.

Move out one receiver who doesn’t fit what you are trying to do from a team and money aspect, and then draft another — and hope he can develop into a No. 1 option.

Follow Matt on Twitter @MattBowen41

As always I welcome your thoughts.

James

BRANDON MARSHALL TIMELINE SINCE START OF 2009

2010-04-14T08:59:00.000-07:00

As posted by the Denver Post on 4/14/2010

Feb. 8: Played in his first Pro Bowl in Hawaii, an honor received because of his performance in the 2008 season. While on that trip, he proposed to his girlfriend, Michi Nogami-Campbell. The couple wed in Denver earlier this month.

March 1: Takes part in a fierce argument in Atlanta with his fiancée that leads to their arrest on disorderly conduct charges. The charges are dismissed the next day.

March 31: Had surgery to repair the hip injury that bothered him through much of the 2008 season. The surgery and rehab kept him out of all of the Broncos' voluntary offseason workouts and practices.

May 21: Moves his rehab from Dove Valley to his adopted hometown of Orlando, Fla. Marshall's message is that if the team doesn't trust him enough to give him a long-term contract extension, he can't trust the Broncos' medical team, which told him last season his hip injury wasn't serious. The issue of trust with the Broncos medical team would return in the final week of the 2009 regular season.

June 12: Didn't participate in the team's only mandatory minicamp, but showed up at Dove Valley to meet with team owner Pat Bowlen. At that meeting, he asked to be traded.

July 27: To avoid a $15,888 daily fine, Marshall reports to training camp with rookies under contract and veterans coming off injuries.

Aug. 14: Found not guilty by an Atlanta jury after a two-day trial on a misdemeanor battery charge. For the first time in several years, Marshall's legal slate is clean.

Aug. 17: On the first business day after Marshall's successful trial hearing, his agent, Kennard McGuire, walks into the team's headquarters and reiterates the desire for Marshall to be traded.

Aug. 28: Coach Josh McDaniels suspends Marshall for the remainder of the preseason for conduct detrimental to the team, the day after he lost his cool at practice, punting away a football and batting down balls in frustration. He was reinstated Sept. 6.

Sept. 20: Benched for 27 straight plays in the second quarter of the Broncos win against Cleveland, eventually putting on a ballcap and sitting solo on the bench while the team played on without him.

Nov. 22: Got into a sideline spat with rookie running back Knowshon Moreno late in the first half of the Broncos' 32-3 home loss to San Diego after Moreno fumbled at the goal line. Television cameras caught the confrontation, which included Moreno shoving Marshall.

Dec. 13: Sets an NFL single-game record with 21 catches in the Broncos loss at Indianapolis.

Dec. 27: Records his 100th catch of the season in a game against Philadelphia to reach that benchmark for the third straight year. He had eight catches in that game but only 39 yards, an average of 4.8 yards per catch.

Dec. 29: Marshall is named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl team, this year as a reserve receiver.

Dec. 30: Marshall injures his right hamstring while running a route early in practice. He did not practice the following day and was officially ruled out - as a coach's decision, McDaniels said - on Jan 1. Marshall, surprised by McDaniels' reasoning, responds by saying that he was too hurt to play.

Jan. 3: Told he would not be allowed on the sideline at Invesco Field during the team's game against Kansas City, Marshall does not attend the regular season finale. The Broncos lose, finish 8-8 and do not make the playoffs.

Jan. 4: Marshall completely empties his locker at team headquarters. He is the only player to remove all of his belongings, including his nameplate, that day. On his way out, he told reporters: "I appreciate being here for four years and the opportunity to still play football," Marshall said.

Jan. 31: Marshall wears a Bronco helmet for the last time when he plays for the AFC in the Pro Bowl (in what would become his new home stadium in Miami). Marshall caught a 23-yard touchdown in that game.

Feb. 26: Marshall testifies for the prosecution in the murder trial of Willie Clark, the man accused of killing former Bronco Darrent Williams on Jan. 1, 2007. Marshall was partying with Williams the night of the murder. In his testimony, Marshall said he escalated a dispute outside a downtown nightclub with Clark and Clark's friends. "I think about it every night," Marshall said.

March 3: The Broncos place a first-round tender on Marshall, who became a restricted free agent when the CBA expired. The tender is relatively low for a two-time Pro Bowl player, so the message the Broncos sent to Marshall and the league is this: Marshall is available.

March 6: Marshall visits the Seattle Seahawks (and arrives via seaplane). Marshall's agent does not attend the meeting, and Marshall leaves town without an offer sheet. He does not have another official visit with any other teams.

March 23: Marshall and his agent, Kennard McGuire, are in Marshall's hometown of Orlando. Marshall is there to celebrate his 26th birthday. McGuire is there to meet with various team executives and coaches who are attending the NFL owners meetings.

April 1: Marshall gets married in a courthouse ceremony in Jefferson County. Marshall was spotted wearing his new wedding band in a fashion magazine photo shoot on April 13.

April 13: Marshall signs his 1-year tender (and $2.5 million salary) with the Broncos. The move did not indicate Marshall and the Broncos had resolved their differences, but rather that a trade was imminent.

April 14: Marshall is traded to the Miami Dolphins for two second-round draft picks, one each in 2010 and 2011. He then signs a 4 year, $47.5 million dollar extension with the Dolphins esentally giving him a 5 year, $10 million a year salary with Miami.

As always I welcome your thoughts.

James

It's Finally Over

2010-04-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

Well sports fans, they pulled the trigger on the Brandon "the Beast" Marshall trade today, and I for one wish it wouldn't have come to this. But as we all know, Brandon wanted out for a very long time.

UPDATED: It looks like the deal is for a total of $10 million (after the $2.5 million dollar tender he just signed with Denver yesterday) over 5 years.

I'm happy for him now that he gets to move on, but a little sad for us as we lost a great talent today. Hopefully, Coach McD and the staff can find a great replacement for Brandon in the draft (can anyone say Dez Bryant?).

Best of luck to you Brandon, we wish you all the best! Hopefully you can keep your nose clean and prove to the world it was just a phase.

----------------------------------------------

As a side note, now it looks like a Dez Bryant to the Broncos is a MUST as we no longer have that big, jump outta the gym, WR.

I heard through the grapevine, that both Timmy Tebow and Dez Bryant are both in Denver today working out for the team. Personally I would love to see both in Orange and Blue!

As always, I welcome your thoughts!

James

Plan of Attack for the 2010 NFL Draft: Denver Broncos

2010-04-02T08:20:00.000-07:00

Starting with the Saints all the way down to the Rams with the first pick, the good folks over at DraftSeason will be taking an in depth look at each team. They’ll analyze their needs, track free agent gains and losses, and then figure out a plan of attack the team will take for the first three rounds of the draft. Keep checking back with them by clicking here as new teams will be added daily, and teams will be updated as new free agents are signed or lost.

Here’s they’re quick look at the Denver Broncos and what they've done in the offseason and what they may or may not do in the NFL Draft

DENVER BRONCOS

Team Needs: Inside Linebacker, Wide Receiver, Outside Linebacker, Offensive Line, Defensive End, Cornerback, Safety.

Wide Receiver - The Broncos will likely be trading Brandon Marshall this offseason and they have little behind him on the depth chart. Eddie Royal disappeared last season after a wonderful rookie year, and Brandon Stokley is older and ineffective. If Dez Bryant is on the board when the Broncos pick, it will be awfully hard for them to pass him up.
Inside Linebacker - The Broncos would love to find a young stud to play next to current stud DJ Williams. Andra Davis had a good 2009 season but some fresh legs would be welcomed. This is an area the Broncos could address somewhere in the first 3 rounds.
Quarterback - Kyle Orton and his disgusting facial mullet started the season on fire last year, but as expected regressed as it wore on. If they fall in love with Bradford or Clausen they could look at this position in the first round, otherwise expect them to grab a signal caller sometime in the middle rounds.

Offseason Acquisitions: QB Brady Quinn, DT Justin Bannan, DE Jarvis Green, CB Nate Jones, NT Jamal Williams, G Chris Kuper (resigned), WR Brandon Lloyd (resigned), G Russ Hochstein

Offseason Losses: QB Chris Simms, WR Chad Jackson, LB Andra Davis

Plan of Attack: The Broncos could have had two first round picks in this year’s draft but instead traded one last year to move up and get CB Alphonso Smith. So far that move has yet to pay off. Anyway they are a team who could go many ways with the no. 11 pick. One prospect who would make a ton of sense would be LB Rolando McClain. The Broncos lost Andra Davis in free agency and have a big hole next to star DJ Williams in the middle. McClain is a physical thumper who could step in and make an impact from day one. They would certainly have to consider Dez Bryant here as well but with Marshall still on the roster they may go in a different direction.

In round 2 the Broncos need to find another playmaking receiver. Brandon Marshall could still be traded, and Eddie Royal disappeared in his second season. There is a fighting chance that Golden Tate from Notre Dame would still be on the board when they pick early in round 2. Tate is a little undersized but is a dynamic receiver who can lineup pretty much anywhere. He is explosive and surprisingly tough, and would add some spice to this bland Denver offense.

In round 3 the Broncos may look for some depth across their offensive line. A versatile guard who can also play right tackle could tickle their fancy. Alabama’s Mike Johnson is a big physical specimen who is a nasty run blocker. They could use him either at guard or right tackle and let Knowshon run behind him all day. They could also find third round value at corner, or safety, or even grab another pass rushing linebacker like Utah’s Koa Misi or Virginia Tech’s Jason Worilds

Potential Draft Targets:

Round 1: LB Rolando McClain, WR Dez Bryant, CB Joe Haden, S Earl Thomas, OLB Brandon Graham, OLB Sergio Kindle, OT Bryan Bulaga, OT Anthony Davis

Round 2: WR DeMaryius Thomas, WR Arrelious Benn, WR Golden Tate, WR Damian Williams, OLB Ricky Sapp, LB Navorro Bowman, OT Rodger Saffold, G/OT Vladimir Ducasse, DE Corey Wootton, S Nate Allen

Round 3: OT Selvish Capers, OT Jared Veldheer, G Jon Asamoah, G Mike Johnson, OT/G Zane Beadles, WR Jordan Shipley, WR Dezmon Briscoe, WR Taylor Price, WR Mardy Gilyard, S TJ Ward, S Major Wright, OLB Koa Misi, OLB Jason Worilds

Again, check back with the guys over at DraftSeason for all the current Free Agent pick-up and losses for the Denver Broncos and around the league and how it impacts the Broncos in 2010.

As Always, I Welcome Your Thoughts!

James

Preseason Schedule Released

2010-04-01T13:56:00.000-07:00

By Gray Caldwell - DenverBroncos.com

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Broncos fans, look to the north.

That is, the AFC North and NFC North -- the two conferences that hold the team's four 2010 preseason opponents.

Denver's preseason schedule was announced Wednesday, and the slate includes two rematches from the 2009 regular season, a nationally televised game and a trip to the NFC's runner-ups on Thursday night to close out the preseason.

The Broncos will kick off the preseason the same way they kicked off the 2009 regular season -- in Cincinnati.

It marks the 13th consecutive year the team has opened its preseason on the road, extending the club record. Denver has played 18 of its last 20 preseason openers away from home since 1990. But that hasn't stopped the team from having success -- the Broncos own a 12-3 record in their last 15 openers.

The Bengals and Broncos have met four times in the preseason, with Denver holding a 3-1 edge. The date of the opening contest has yet to be determined.

The following week the team will head back home to give INVESCO Field at Mile High its first taste of Broncos football in the 2010 campaign. The Detroit Lions will be the opponent, a team the Broncos have faced four times in the preseason. The teams have split the previous games, 2-2. The game will be played on Saturday, Aug. 21, at 7 p.m. MDT.

In Week 3 -- on Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. MDT -- the Pittsburgh Steelers will head to Denver for a nationally televised Sunday night game. The rematch of a 2009 Monday Night Football game will be the first time the two teams have met in the preseason. In the regular season, Denver owns a 13-7-1 series lead, and the two teams have split their six postseason matchups, 3-3.

The team will close out the preseason in Minnesota on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. MDT against the Vikings. Preseason finales have been kind to the Broncos in recent years -- the team is 10-1 in its last 11 finales, and Denver has won its last five. The Broncos and Vikings have squared off 11 times in the preseason, with Minnesota holding a 6-5 lead.

The preseason should provide some excitement in addition to a taste of what's to come in the 2010 season. Denver has won at least one preseason game in every year but one -- the club's inaugural 1960 campaign. The team has posted at least a .500 preseason record in 13 of the last 15 seasons, and since 2000, the team's record sits at 27-14.

The regular-season schedule will be released in April.

Two Former Bronco QB's in Tennessee for a Visit

2010-03-31T08:57:00.000-07:00

Chris Simms, Patrick Ramsey visit.

According to Bryan Mullen of TheTennessean.com, free agents Chris Simms and Patrick Ramsey, two former Broncos quarterbacks, visited Baptist Sports Park on Tuesday.

The Broncos cut Simms, 29, two weeks ago after they traded for Brady Quinn from the Browns. Simms started one game last season for Denver and played in three, finishing the season with 23 passing yards and an interception. In September of 2008, Simms signed with the Titans and played in one game before signing with the Broncos in 2009.

The Lions signed Ramsey last December after starter Matthew Stafford went down with an injury. Ramsey signed a one-year deal with the Titans last April but was released in October. He previously was on Denver's roster.

Vince Young and Kerry Collins are the only quarterbacks currently on the Titans’ roster.

Jason Elam to Retire as a Bronco!

2010-03-30T14:54:00.000-07:00

One thing I can say about the Bronco organization is that they honor their great players. Tomorrow at 2pm (MST) the Broncos will announce the retirement of kicker Jason Elam. He will sign a one day contract allowing him to retire with the team he spent 15 of his 17 years in the NFL.

As much as everyone will remember his record tying 63 yard field goal against the Jaguars, what I most remember is the game winning field goal he made against the Bills.

I'll set the stage. Elway just completed a pass to Javon Walker on the left side of the field moving the team into field goal territory for a possible winning filed goal attempt. The problem is that by the time Walker got to his feet, there were only about 10 seconds left on the clock.

It takes anywhere from 15 to 18 seconds just to get the kicking team on the field and set up to attempt a field goal under normal circumstances. These were not normal circumstances though.

Remember the day the team was supposed to travel to Buffalo, there was a severe winter storm that blanketed most of the Denver and surrounding areas with as much as 4 feet of snow in some areas making even the players attempts at getting to the airport nearly impossible let alone getting to Buffalo. Many players arrived at Dove Valley thanks in large part to fans and neighbors on snowmobiles and snowplows. Most players didn't even get much more than a few hours of sleep on the plane before arriving in Buffalo a few hours before kickoff.

Here's what happened.......

According to Wikipedia, no player in NFL history has scored more points for one team than Jason has with the Denver Broncos.

Jason also holds NFL records for best extra point conversion percentage (.995), most consecutive seasons with at least 100 points (15), most seasons with at least 100 points (15), fastest to 300 successful field goals, fastest to 1,600 points and fastest to 1,700 points.

Furthermore, Jason was the first player in NFL history to score at least 200 points against three or more teams (San Diego Chargers: 222, Oakland Raiders: 215, Kansas City Chiefs: 203).

Jason shares a record with Steve Christie for the most overtime field goals; 9.

Then there's the record tying 63 yarder against Jacksonville.

Jason was named to the Denver Broncos 50th Anniversary Team in 2009.

Congrats Jason on a GREAT career and I look forward to hearing what your post-footbal life has in store for you!

God Bless!

James

Marshall Can Move if the Price is Right

2010-03-28T15:54:00.000-07:00

Reposted by the South Stands as written on March 28th, 2010 by Denver Post columnist Dave Krieger.

"Before proceeding to the weekly Brandon Marshall market update, let's try to clear up this mysterious $9.5 million-a-year contract offer from the Broncos that suddenly became part of the conversation eight months after it allegedly occurred.

Marshall's representatives told me last week that he is continuing to work out this offseason and is hopeful that wherever he lands will be the right place.

"If it were true that a contract extension commensurate with Marshall's skills was actually offered," one of them said, "there would be no question as to what team Marshall would be staying with at this time."

So, for the record, the recent suggestion that Marshall turned down an offer competitive with those of the NFL's best receivers because he wanted out of Denver is vigorously disputed by his people.

I don't know anything about the specifics of the Broncos' offer, but I do know that NFL contracts are the most difficult in sports to value because of all the nonguaranteed money that never gets paid, not to mention incentive clauses, deferrals and backloading.

From a public-relations standpoint, it makes sense for the Broncos to put the onus on Marshall, just as they put it on Jay Cutler a year ago. After all, people inside and outside the organization see a talent drain on the offensive side of the ball and some of them wonder what's going on.

The fact remains that the problems between the organization and a number of Mike Shanahan's players coincided with coach Josh McDaniels' arrival. McDaniels has every right to make these moves. He's in charge. But he needs to own them."

Click here for full article.

As Always I Welcome Your Thoughts!

James

Canceling My Mock Draft

2010-03-28T15:12:00.000-07:00

Due to the fact that I was harassed by some folks on Twitter the other day for what was percieved as plagerizing http://www.walterfootball.com/ 's mock draft, I decided to not do a mock draft this year.

I would like to however comment on it so there is no misconception.

1st of all, like any reporter, news agency or media outlet that reports on the news like we do here at the South Stands, when I began posting the mock draft, because of my research into what other mock draft bloggers were saying about the 1st two picks, I happened to form my own opinion, imagine that! Then I stumbled across Walter Football.com's site and they happened to be exactly inline with the way I thought the 1st two picks would go, I decided to take what they had originally written and edit it so that it would not plagerize them yet would have my own commentary and opinion..

So what I did was to take their 1st two picks and the comments they posted and edit them with my writing style and my commentary. Additionally, what I also did is add at the top, the very first thing on the 1st pick of Bradford was to give credit to Walter Football.com. The post started off like this;

"Originally written by WalterFootball.com and edited by the South Stands."

I in no way intended to "steal", "take", "rip-off" or anything of the sort. I gave credit where credit was due.

My apologies to the folks over at WalterFootball.com if I offended you in any way shape or form as it was NOT my intent to do so.

As Always I welcome Your Thoughts.

James

Brandon Marshall Update

2010-03-24T18:32:00.000-07:00

As reported by NFL.com Blogs, after several weeks of connecting the dots between Brandon Marshall and the Seahawks, more tangible progress has surfaced between the restricted free agent and his potential new team.

Pete Carroll revealed Wednesday at the NFL Annual Meeting that Seahawks general manager John Schneider has had what the coach termed as “very preliminary” talks with the Broncos as well as Marshall’s agent, Kennard McGuire, according to The Denver Post’s Mike Kils. Indeed, that sounds like progress.

Presumably, the Seahawks have discussed with McGuire a possible new contract for Marshall. The next step would be discussing trade compensation with the Broncos, who slapped a first-round tender on Marshall. The Seahawks have two first-round picks, No. 6 and No. 14 overall.

Carroll admitted to NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora that acquiring Marshall is still on the table and cited the three former Broncos assistants on his staff — offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates, receivers coach Jedd Fisch and tight ends coach Pat McPherson — in what sounds like an apparent comfort level with the player.

“Yes, there is some potential there,” Carroll said. “We thought we did our homework on that thing, and we have a lot of insight and background on Brandon because of the coaches who have been with him. We’re just trying to draw all the information we can. We’ll see what happens with that later on.”

Keep checking back to The South Stands as more information is gathered.

James

Update on Brandon Marshall

2010-03-24T16:07:00.000-07:00

Looks like the on again off again courting of Brandon Marshall by the Seattle Seahawks are on again.

Mike Kils of the Denver Post and Ian Henson of BroncoTalk.net is reporting that the talks between the team and Marshall's agent Kennard McGuire indicate that even if it's preliminary, the team has began talking about a contract with Brandon.

"This is not a Jamie Dukes (NFL Network Analyst) quote, unquote "Bombshell" by any means, but Carroll's (current Seahawks Head Coach) word choice shows that the Seahawks have not given up on their quest for obtaining Marshall and Kils' (Denver Post columnist) article insinuates that McGuire is there to see the Seahawks."

With all that being said though, Brandon's agent being in Orlando for the NFL Owner's meetings could mean that there could be interest from any of the NFL's 32 teams, and that McGuire is there to handle it or at the very least spark up more interest in his client's services.

Additionally, here's the NFL Network's Jason La Canfora interviewing Coach McDaniels at the Owner's Meetings over the weekend in Orlando, Florida. (click here to watch)

My thought is that come April 15th when the date passes for teams to speak with and negotiate with RFA's Brandon will still be a Bronco. For this fan, personally, that's what I want. I want to see Brandon in the Orange and Blue for the rest of his career. He's too good of a player to let go. It goes back to the old addage, "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." Someone who posts 3 consecutive 100 catch, 1000 yard seasons doesn't come around all that often. With all the off the field issues that are in his PAST, he still gives Bronco Nation the best opportunity to win on Sundays.

However, if what I'm hearing is true, then Seattle may make a push for him closer to draft day on April 22nd. In between now and then it gives both parties (Marshall/McGuire and the Seahawks) time to finalize a contract. There may even be a sign and trade deal done as well.

As always I welcome your thoughts.

James

2010-03-24T14:44:00.000-07:00

welcome to the south stands!

the south stands is a national blog dedicated to fans who reside in the south stands of invesco field at mile high stadium!

we will posting breaking news as it happens throughout the coming days, weeks, months and years as it pertains to all things denver broncos and the national football league.

the object of this blog is to not only report the news regarding the nfl and denver broncos but to give personal opinion with a touch of humor.

i hope you all enjoy the site!

as always, i welcome your thoughts.

james