Broncos Mailbag: Is it time to usher in

Paul Cornick era?

By Mike Klis

The Denver Post

October 15, 2014

I guess it is time to usher in the Paul Cornick era! The Jets have huge

secondary issues, and the Broncos coaches decided to counter with Wes

Welker on the sideline? Rex Ryan takes that tradeoff every day of the

week. I know the Broncos won, and they scored 31 points. But punt after

punt — what could the Broncos coaches have been thinking?

— Tom Jagger, Lake Hopatcong, N.J.

Tom - Long live Paul Cornick! Here's the deal: Jets coach Rex Ryan employed a

defensive strategy where he often only rushed three and put just five players in the

"box," as two of their linebackers moved out to check receivers.

Compare this to the eight-man boxes Minnesota's Adrian Peterson often faced in

recent years.

You're supposed to run at will against five-man boxes. The Broncos ran OK —

Ronnie Hillman had his first 100-yard rushing game. But a running game like those

in Dallas and Seattle would have destroyed the Jets' concept.

With all those defenders back in coverage, including two safeties that played near

the warning track, Peyton Manning was limited in what he could accomplish in the

passing game.

Cornick, an offensive tackle, played 21 of 74 offensive snaps, ostensibly as a

second tight end.

I was impressed by how the Broncos' won. They were up 24-7 midway through the

third quarter. That's not bad for an early East Coast game, even if it was against

the Jets.

Ryan's strategy was good for keeping it close but not necessarily for winning. He

accomplished both.

John Elway makes it look easy. I look at the star-studded Broncos roster,

the balance of young and veteran players, and the apparent dedication and

harmony among the players, and I think: Why can't others do that? What's

the secret? I'll grant that playing with Manning must be attractive for vets,

but most of the recent draft classes have stuck. Is Elway charmed or just

that good?

— Patrick Fort, Eagle River, Ark.

Patrick - Careful. There are no geniuses in sports. But I would say Elway is good

more than charmed. First, he surrounds himself with good people. Matt Russell,

Tom Heckert, Champ Kelly and Adam Peters are excellent talent evaluators. Mike

Sullivan is an astute financial/salary-cap guy who fits the talent into the payroll

puzzle.

And the Broncos' coach-coordinator trio of John Fox-Jack Del Rio-Adam Gase has to

be among the top five in the NFL.

Harmony? That comes from winning. If the Broncos were losing, I promise you this

same collection of players wouldn't get along so well.

But it does appear Elway has an instinct for the job. He has a commanding

presence. He is a unique competitor in a highly competitive occupation. By all

accounts, Elway listens to his lieutenants. Values their opinions.

And he has worked at it. He grew up around the talent-evaluation aspect of football

as his dad was a longtime college coach and Broncos scout. And Elway's stint

presiding over the Arena Football League's Colorado Crush gave him experience in

roster building within a budget.

But the key to it all is Peyton Manning. I know we give him too much credit in

victory and perhaps not enough blame when the team falls short. But he's earned

those favorable critiques.

Forget the career touchdown record he figures to tie this Sunday night against the

49ers. Manning is well on his way to posting his 12th consecutive 10-win season

while playing with two different teams. Twelve in a row. And the average record in

this span is slightly better than 12-4.

I think most NFL GMs would say, with more than a touch of envy, that they'd be

smart, too, if they had Manning as their quarterback.

Hi, Mike. Tell me about Juwan Thompson. He sounds like a good character

guy who runs with a purpose and has good vision. Why in the world did

two running backs have to get hurt for him to get a chance to play?

— Bradley, Highlands Ranch

Bradley - You did your homework on the kid. I don't know of a second running back

getting hurt, though. Only Montee Ball. Thompson played four years at Duke, but

never rushed for 500 yards in a season. He was versatile, as he could catch the

ball, block, play special teams and run a bit. He started one game at linebacker.

He went undrafted. The Broncos lured him into camp with a mere $3,500 signing

bonus. He started out as the No. 6 running back during the offseason — behind

Ball, Ronnie Hillman, C.J. Anderson, Brennan Clay and Kapri Bibbs.

Now he's ahead of everyone except the injured Ball and Hillman. Give the Broncos

some credit for discovering this guy.

Thompson does seem like a quality person. He doesn't speak much but when he

does it's with authority.

Hey, Mike. Which career and/or season records will mean the most to

Peyton Manning after his retirement? Thanks.

— Mike, Boulder

Mike - His won-loss record. His regular-season record is currently 171-74 for a .698

winning percentage. Only Brett Favre (186-112, .624) has more wins.

As for Manning's passing records, he said last year as he set the single-season

touchdown and yardage records that the touchdowns meant more to him because

touchdowns generally coincided with wins. Yards, in many cases, are piled up by

the losing quarterback.

Manning has 506 touchdown passes, on his way to 606. Or so. Favre's record of

508 is about to become toast.

I have noticed that Peyton Manning is wearing a glove on his throwing

hand every game this year. What is the reason?

— Steve Baker, Grand Junction

Steve - Once he put it on for the Kansas City game last season on Nov. 17, he's

worn it ever since. The residual effect to the nerve injury he experienced in 2011

was his grip isn't quite as tight on the ball. The glove helps him with that. He's

become so accustomed to throwing with the glove that he might as well keep the

same feel year-round.

Kurt Warner wore a glove every game in the final three seasons of his career, even

though he played in warm weather/domed Arizona.

After six weeks, what do you see as the Broncos' biggest weakness, Mike?

— A.P., Arvada

A.P. - The running game. The offensive line has done a good job in pass protection

— Manning has only been sacked six times in five games — but it has not been

getting a push on running plays. Too often the defensive front has been getting

penetration.

And the backfield was one of the team's biggest question marks entering the

season. I'm bummed for Knowshon Moreno now that he is finished with a torn ACL,

but it also validates the Broncos' decision to let him go. They knew his knees were

close to shot last season. Tough kid, quality back, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's

taken his last NFL carry.

I don't think Ball quite recovered from his appendectomy and now his groin strain

means it will make it difficult for him to regain his featured-back role this year.

But I do think it's possible for the Broncos to have a solid running game with

Hillman, Thompson and Anderson. Maybe not great. But the great part of this

offense is taken care of with Manning and the Thomases, Demaryius and Julius.

Hi, Mike. I know it's early in the season, but I'm at an age when I worry

about the future. Here's a list of Broncos free agents at the end of the year:

Aaron Brewer, Ben Garland, Brandon Marshall, Chris Harris, Demaryius

Thomas, Jacob Tamme, Julius Thomas, Mitch Unrein, Nate Irving, Orlando

Franklin, Paul Cornick, Quinton Carter, Rahim Moore, Steven Johnson,

Terrance Knighton, Tony Carter, Virgil Green, Wes Welker, Will

Montgomery. How in the heck are the Broncos going to pull this off?

— Andrew, Littleton

Andrew - It's not as bad as you think. Brewer, Garland, Marshall, Cornick, Johnson

and Tony Carter are not unrestricted free agents.

As for the rest, it's clear the Broncos consider Demaryius Thomas and Julius

Thomas as top priorities. My feeling is the Broncos get a new contract extension

done with Julius Thomas and they place the franchise tag on Demaryius Thomas.

Next up is Harris. Put it this way: I think among Bronco players in their contract

year, Harris would draw the most interest in free agency. Like Julius Thomas,

Harris' value seemingly goes up each week. The Broncos would also like to keep

Knighton, Franklin and Moore.

But last season, the Broncos would have loved to have kept Dominique Rodgers-

Cromartie, Eric Decker, Zane Beadles, Wesley Woodyard, Robert Ayers and Moreno.

And they didn't keep any of them, primarily because the salary cap forces

adjustments.

Hi, Mr. Klis. I enjoy reading your stellar work every day. Speaking of stellar

and every day, how do you think the Broncos' running-back selection has

panned out (Ball/Eddie Lacy)? This may be political at Dove Valley but

hopefully not.

— Jim, Denver

Jim - The Packers' Eddie Lacy hasn't been tearing it up this season. He had one

good game against Minnesota (13 carries, 105 yards, two TDs) but he's been a

disappointing 40 yard-a-game/3.0 yard-per-carry back in his other five games.

Still, there's no doubt Montee Ball has yet to get it going, primarily because his

health hasn't cooperated.

The best back from the 2013 draft, though, was Le'Veon Bell. Most draftniks had

him going in the third or fourth round, but the Pittsburgh Steelers took him with the

No. 48 overall pick in the second round — 10 spots ahead of where the Broncos

took Ball and 13 spots ahead of where the Packers selected Lacy.

Matt Russell loved Bell, and I believe the bruising Michigan State back would have

been the Broncos' pick at No. 58 had the Steelers not made such an astute pick at

No. 48.

Mike - We need something like the Lambeau Leap (but not it) that we can

do after touchdowns that is just ours. And not the Mile High Salute. What

about the Mile High Macarena? They play the Macarena, and the fans and

the players do it after each TD. What do you think?

— Sandy Sauer, Littleton

Sandy - I don't pay much attention to the silly stuff. Maybe, I've been doing this

too long. I focus on how a player gets to the end zone. What he does from there is

just silly stuff.

Having said that, I do wish the NFL loosened up a tad on the end-zone celebrations.

But that wish is for fans like you who enjoy everything about the game, including

the entertainment parts.

I do agree the Mile High Salute was for another time. And the Macarena for a very

brief time. Never mix fads with tradition.

Personally, I would prefer if the players didn't spike, didn't self-congratulate

themselves and just hand the ball to the nearest official.

I know. B-o-r-i-n-g!

Do you think Peyton Manning might be overworked and be the cause of

him not doing so well in the playoffs? All he does before the snap of the

ball, 55 TDs and age ... how about letting Brock Osweiler on the field?

When Peyton does leave and if Osweiler is not good, then the Broncos will

be in trouble.

— Milt, Oklahoma

Milt - Manning is overworked, all right. But who says he doesn't do so well in the

playoffs? He's 11-12 lifetime in the postseason — but in 2003, 2006, 2009 and

2013, his teams were a combined 10-3.

In the AFC championship game last year against his nemesis New England Patriots

and rival Tom Brady, Manning threw for 400 yards and two touchdowns without an

interception.

He once drove away with a Cadillac Escalade as Super Bowl MVP.

Brady, by the way, is 8-8 over the past nine years in the playoffs.

Everybody wants to make blanket statements about how Manning doesn't play well

in the playoffs and Brady is so clutch. Not only is this not fair, but it's also not true.

Mike - Are the Broncos considered in the NFL vanguard in the use of so-

called advanced analytics to research opponents, potential draft targets,

etc.? Do they have someone on staff who is helping on this front? If so, can

you elaborate on who that is, and what kinds of things they are doing for

the team?

— Scott, Hanover, N.H.

Scott - No, the Broncos are not football's equivalent to "Moneyball." They do use

the analytics-research component. Tony Lazzaro, the Broncos' director of football

information systems, does a lot of this work. Former Broncos general manager

Brian Xanders was excellent at gathering research and analysis.

The Broncos do respect this analytical side of scouting. But they are not the

Jacksonville Jaguars, who are the league leaders in this stuff. How's that working

out for them? And for that matter, the Oakland A's can't win a playoff game with

their Moneyball approach.

Remember, the Broncos' head honcho upstairs is Elway. He's a former player, one

of the best of all time. The Broncos' No. 1 talent evaluation tool is the tape. Long

live film.

Danny Trevathan placed by Broncos on

IR with designation to return

By Mike Klis

The Denver Post

October 14, 2014

The most popular team in America just lost its starting weakside linebacker for the

next eight games.

The Harris Poll released its most popular NFL team survey Tuesday, and it revealed

the Broncos had overcome the Dallas Cowboys' stranglehold on the top spot.

The Broncos are now the league's most popular team with the New York Giants

coming in second, Green Bay Packers third and the Cowboys — supposedly

America's Team — dropping to fourth.

They say it's tough at the top, and the Broncos are about to find out. After

discussing Danny Trevathan's injury further Tuesday, the Broncos have decided to

place their starting weakside linebacker on injured reserve with a designation to

return in eight weeks.

Trevathan suffered a fracture in the upper part of his left kneecap Sunday against

the New York Jets. He can return to play in the Broncos' 14th game Dec. 14 at San

Diego.

The Broncos are expected to replace Trevathan by promoting linebacker Shaquil

Barrett from the practice squad. Barrett played at Colorado State.

Trevathan suffered a similar injury during a Broncos' training camp practice on Aug.

13. That was a fracture in the leg bone just below the left kneecap. He was

sidelined seven weeks, including the first three games of the season, and returned

to play after the Week 4 bye.

He returned to play in 95 percent of the Broncos' defensive snaps against Arizona

on Oct. 5, making seven tackles in a 41-20 victory. It was a reminder of how

valuable Trevathan is to the Denver defense. Last season, he led the team with 124

tackles.

But on the second defensive play Sunday against the New York Jets, Trevathan got

caught in a double-team blocking steamroll on a receiver screen to former

teammate Eric Decker.

This time, Trevathan's left kneecap was dislocated and as it popped back in, a bone

fractured near the top of the knee.

The Broncos initially hoped to have Trevathan back sooner, but medical science has

yet to figure out how to heal a fracture in less than six weeks.

Two breaks in the same area made the IR designation a logical move. While Barrett

will likely take Trevathan's roster spot, Trevathan's starting weakside linebacker

spot will be filled by Brandon Marshall, as it was through the first three weeks of

the season.

Rookie linebackers Corey Nelson and Lamin Barrow, and veteran middle linebacker

Nate Irving also will get more snaps in sub packages.

The Denver Post’s NFL power rankings:

Broncos, Seahawks still on top

By Mike Klis

The Denver Post

October 14, 2014

Starting this week, I’ll rank the top eight teams in each conference. We’re only

interested in the halves, not the have-nots.

AFC

1. Denver Broncos (4-1): Defense ranks fourth in total yards; seventh in points

allowed. Last year, D ranked 19th and 22nd. Facing three-week gauntlet of 49ers,

Chargers, Patriots.

2. San Diego Chargers (5-1): Philip Rivers is early MVP. League’s most efficient

passer (117.6) with 15 TDs, two picks. Defense allowing just 15.2 points per game.

3. Baltimore Ravens (4-2): League’s best front seven, but not a good secondary.

Flingin’ Joe Flacco passed for 306, five TDs, 0 INTs in rout of Tampa Bay.

4. Indianapolis Colts (4-2): Won four in a row after 0-2 start. Andrew Luck’s

favorite receiver, T.Y. Hilton, ranks in top five with 40 catches, 604 yards

5. New England Patriots (4-2): Since he looked washed-up at Kansas City, Tom

Brady has six TDs, 0 INTs, 653 yards in two games, both wins.

6. Cleveland Browns (3-2): Not only beat Big Ben for only second time 10 years,

whipped him convincingly, 31-10. Two losses were by three and two points.

7. Kansas City Chiefs (2-3): Took a tough loss at San Francisco going into their

bye week. Play at San Diego this week, then get Rams, Jets, Bills.

8. Cincinnati Bengals (3-1-1): A.J. Green (toe) likely to miss game Sunday at

Indy. Missed 36-yard field goal by Mike Nugent on final play of overtime cost

Bengals win vs. Carolina.

NFC

1. Seattle Seahawks (3-2): Russell Wilson was only 14-of-28, 126 yards in home

loss to Cowboys. Biggest difference has been defense. After ranking No. 1 in yards,

No. 1 in points allowed last year, D ranks ninth and 14th this year. Still, the team

to beat.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (5-1): Nick Foles threw two bad picks and Eagles still

trounced the Giants, 27-0 as LeSean McCoy rushed for season-high 149.

3. San Francisco 49ers (4-2): In a league full of athletic quarterbacks, Colin

Kaepernick has the fastest legs, strongest arm.

4. Green Bay Packers (4-2): Aaron Rodgers is sooo good. Has 10 TDs, 0 INTs

during Pack’s three-game winning streak; 15 TDs, one pick for season. Remarkable

2-minute drive to beat Dolphins in Miami.

5. Dallas Cowboys (5-1): DeMarco Murray on pace for 2,093-yard rushing season.

Win at Seattle has people believing Jerry Jones’ team is for real.

6. Detroit Lions (4-2): Easily the league’s best defense, but Matthew Stafford has

taken league-most 21 sacks and Calvin Johnson is gimpy with high ankle sprain.

7. Arizona Cardinals (4-1): Carson Palmer returned just in time to beat the

Redskins after receiving shoulder treatment from Denver nerve specialist who

previously worked with John Lynch and Peyton Manning.

8. Carolina Panthers (3-2-1): Cam Newton threw for 284 yards, two TDs and ran

for 107 yards, one TD in 37-37 tie at Cincinnati.

Rookie LB Corey Nelson takes long road

to Denver Broncos' roster

By Troy E. Renck

The Denver Post

October 15, 2014

Corey Nelson figured his football career was over. In the fifth game of his senior

year at Oklahoma, he wrenched his body during a tackle against Texas Christian,

tearing his left pectoral muscle off the bone.

Once a top national linebacker recruit at Dallas' Skyline High School, Nelson began

weighing other options. He completed his communications degree.

"I didn't know if I had a future in the NFL. I didn't know or even think I was going

to get drafted," Nelson said of his interrupted final season sabotaging his value. "I

was probably going try to get into broadcasting or be a motivational speaker."

Before Nelson returned to the Denver locker room Monday, several teammates

talked him up. The rookie, known primarily by Big 12 Conference fans and family,

played a huge role in the Broncos' 31-17 victory over the New York Jets on the

road.

The ride to relevance requires Dramamine. Five weeks ago, Nelson survived the

final cut with a strong preseason performance at Dallas. With weakside linebacker

Danny Trevathan out eight weeks because of a knee injury, Nelson will be required

to excel after moving ahead of Nate Irving as the Broncos' second nickel linebacker.

"Nobody probably knew we were going to have to use him that much, this year or

in that game," cornerback Chris Harris said. "He's going to have to learn fast. Our

defense is complex, too. For him to come in and play on the road like that after

getting thrown in there, I tip my hat to him."

Before the Jets' third offensive snap Sunday, Nelson had logged two NFL plays. He

made the Broncos' roster because of his versatility on special teams — he's a bit

undersized at 6-foot, 230 pounds — and speed in space. He can cover tight ends

and execute in zone drops. Nelson participated in 36-of-63 plays, finishing with a

team-high seven combined tackles, a seamless transition he credits in part to the

NFL-type terminology he learned from former Sooners defensive coordinator Brent

Venables.

The performance surprised his teammates little. They see what others don't —

Nelson's attention to detail in practice and his inquisitive mind.

"We expect a lot from our rookies. If you are suiting up, you are expected to be

playing. Corey prepares during the week," defensive tackle Terrance Knighton said.

"He asks a lot of questions. I have complete faith in him."

The road to the roster began through arduous rehab and a confidence boost from

his agent. When Nelson considered abandoning football, Kelli Masters expressed

faith in his ability. She stationed him in Florida to prepare for the scouts.

"She gave me hope," said Nelson, a former high school class president. "That's

when I started believing."

The Broncos told Nelson to stay by the phone during the draft. By the third

preseason game, he rewarded their faith, conceding, "I knew then I could play in

the league."

Once on the team, Nelson disappeared into his playbook, into his locker. He said

little, learned more. When the moment of opportunity would come was shrouded in

uncertainty, but Nelson was determined to be ready.

"He's a smart kid who's willing to study," Broncos coach John Fox said. "He's willing

to do the things necessary to succeed. And he gained invaluable experience."

Denver Broncos eyeing ... San Francisco

49ers

By Troy E. Renck

The Denver Post

October 14, 2014

For the record: The 49ers boast a three-game winning streak, rallying from a 14-

point deficit at St. Louis on Monday night despite losing top linebacker Patrick Willis

to injury.

Streaking: The return to dominance features an unlikely path. The 49ers have

fallen behind in every game of their streak, including a mistake-filled first half

against the Eagles.

Who's hot: Colin Kaepernick runs faster than any other quarterback in the league.

He possesses the strongest arm, clocked at 93 miles per hour in high school as a

pitcher. As he steadies, the 49ers follow suit. Kaepernick has thrown only one

interception in his past four games. He passed for 343 yards in the victory over the

Rams, including a season-high 9.5 yards per attempt. His ability to make plays

outside the pocket, throw against his body and turn upfield yardage are the biggest

threats to the Broncos' undefeated home record.

Who's not: Frank Gore impersonates a steamroller on weekends, flattening

opponents for tough yardage between the tackles. However, he has been streaky

this season. The Rams held him to 38 yards on 16 carries.

Key stat: San Francisco revels in drama this season. Each week, another story

surfaces about how this could be the end of coach Jim Harbaugh's run with the

49ers regardless of whether they win a Super Bowl. Harbaugh excels in crisis. The

49ers are 18-7 on the road under his watch.

Coachspeak: "I don't know how he saw him back there behind the defense." —

Harbaugh, on Kaepernick's off-balance TD throw to Anquan Boldin on Monday

Denver Broncos are America’s favorite

NFL team

By Nicki Jhabvala

The Denver Post

October 14, 2014

The Broncos are 4-1, Peyton Manning is on the verge of breaking Brett Favre’s all-

time touchdown passing record, Julius Thomas is making it all look “so easy,” Von

Miller is back to being Von Miller and … wait for it … wait for it …

The Broncos are now America’s favorite team.

That’s right. According to the latest Harris Poll, which surveyed 2,543 adults

between September 10-17, Denver has ended Dallas’ six-year reign as the

country’s preferred NFL team, moving up from No. 3 in 2013.

The Cowboys slipped to No. 4, while the Giants and Packers took the Nos. 2 and 3

spots, respectively. The Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars tied as the

least-favorite teams.

Earlier this year, Manning ranked No. 4 in the Harris Poll of America’s favorite

athletes.

Basically this means that THE DENVER BRONCOS ARE AMERICA!

But while the Broncos jumped to No. 1 on this list, the Seahawks moved in as the

Super Bowl XLIX favorites, according to the poll. Nearly three in 10 of those who

follow the NFL (28 percent) believe Seattle will repeat as champion, while about 19

percent think Denver will take the crown.

And despite the flak the NFL has received in recent months for its handling of

domestic violence cases, 55 percent of U.S. adults say they follow the league, up

from 54 percent last year.

Trevathan placed on IR, out until Dec. 14

By Arnie Stapleton

Associated Press

October 14, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan's broken leg will

keep him out longer than expected.

The Broncos placed Trevathan on recallable injured reserve Tuesday.

That means the team's top tackler from last year can't practice until Nov. 26 and

isn't eligible to play in a game until Denver visits San Diego on Dec. 14.

Trevathan reinjured his left leg Sunday in his second game back from a broken

bone under his kneecap. On Monday, coach John Fox said this latest injury was to

the top and side of his knee.

Trevathan's teammates were told Monday he'd be out six weeks, about the same

timeline for his first injury. Now, it'll be eight weeks.

Broncos are No. 1 in AP Pro32 rankings

By Simi Buttar

Associated Press

October 14, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — As he nears yet another milestone, Peyton Manning has the

Denver Broncos back as the top team in the NFL.

Denver received eight first-place votes Tuesday for the AP Pro32 power rankings,

which are decided by a 12-member media panel that regularly covers the league.

Manning threw three touchdown passes in a 31-17 win Sunday over the New York

Jets and is two touchdown passes shy of Brett Favre's record of 508 regular-season

TD throws. Manning can set the mark Sunday night against the San Francisco

49ers.

"Peyton creeps ever closer to Brett Favre's record of 508 career TDs with three

more against the Jets," Newsday's Bob Glauber said. "Three to go for another slice

of history for the great one."

San Diego, which moved to 5-1 after rallying past the winless Oakland Raiders 31-

28, moved up a spot to No. 2 and received three first-place votes.

The Broncos and Chargers will meet for the first time this season on Thursday, Oct.

23.

"(Philip) Rivers ready for Peyton showdown," Fox Sports' John Czarnecki said.

After facing San Diego, Manning will travel to Foxborough, Massachusetts, to take

on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots on Nov. 2.

"Peyton Manning is bracing for a Murderer's Row — 49ers, Chargers and Patriots,"

Ira Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune said.

The surging Dallas Cowboys (5-1), who have won five in a row and are tied for first

in the NFC East with the Philadelphia Eagles, received the other first-place vote.

"The Cowboys not only won in Seattle, but they were the more physical team

against the Seahawks," said Jenny Vrentas of The Monday Morning Quarterback.

"Both are rare feats."

The Eagles stayed in fourth place after their 27-0 rout of division rival New York

Giants.

"Philadelphia eased concerns about its offense with a dominant win over its division

rival," ESPN's Herm Edwards said.

The Seattle Seahawks dropped from No. 1 to No. 5 after their 30-23 loss to the

Cowboys. The San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals, Green

Bay Packers and the Patriots rounded out the top 10.

NBC's Tony Dungy was impressed with Arizona after its 30-20 win over

Washington, which gave the Cardinals (4-1) a half-game lead over the 49ers in the

NFC West.

"If (Carson) Palmer can stay healthy, they can make some noise," he said.

The Patriots have scored 80 points in the past two games and host Rex Ryan's

reeling Jets on Thursday night.

"The Patriots are more than just Tom Brady," Rick Gosselin of The Dallas Morning

News said. "They lead the NFL defensively with seven fumble recoveries and 14

takeaways."

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders and the Jacksonville Jaguars filled the

bottom three spots in the poll.

Los Angeles extends deal with AEG to

snag NFL team

Associated Press

October 15, 2014

LOS ANGELES — The City Council on Tuesday gave developer AEG another six

months to lure a professional football team to the nation's second-largest city,

which has lacked one for two decades.

Without discussion, the council extended AEG's 2012 agreement to build a

downtown stadium and convince an NFL team to move there. The original deal was

set to expire on Saturday but the new deadline to obtain a team commitment is

April.

AEG would then have until October of next year to finalize the deal.

AEG has had no luck getting a team to come but its chief legal and development

officer, Ted Fikre, told a council committee last week that there has been "renewed

dialogue" with the league.

In addition to receiving more time, AEG agreed to cover the $750,000 it would cost

for a "Plan B." If no new stadium is built, the money would pay the early design and

study costs of expanding the existing Los Angeles Convention Center — next door

to where the proposed Farmer's Field stadium would stand.

Los Angeles hasn't had an NFL franchise since losing the Rams and Raiders after

the 1994 season.

However, Mayor Eric Garcetti told radio station KFWB-AM on Tuesday that the

recent $2 billion sale of the Clippers basketball team showed the value of a Los

Angeles franchise.

Garcetti said it is possible that someone at the NFL owners' meeting next spring will

decide to take their team to Los Angeles, and a football team worth perhaps $1

billion or less would be "smart to come."

Garcetti has said that no public money will be used to build a downtown stadium,

although ideas such as tax incentives have been floated in the past.

Downtown isn't the only place where an NFL team could choose to settle.

Over the years, proposals have been floated for NFL stadiums in the Los Angeles

suburbs of Carson, Irwindale and Industry, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, in a

remodeled Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and near Dodger Stadium.

Broncos Rewind: Defense, special teams

By Jeff Legwold

ESPN.com

October 15, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Aqib Talib returned the first pass he intercepted for the New

England Patriots 54 yards for a touchdown.

Talib had to wait to repeat that feat with the Broncos -- he had an interception

return for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs called back in Week 2

because of a penalty -- but his first official interception for the Broncos came with

just 15 seconds remaining Sunday when he returned it 22 yards for a score.

"That's twice the first one went for a touchdown," Talib said. "In New England and

now with Denver ... man, I want to add to the list."

So, with that in mind, after a long look at the game video, here are some thoughts

on the Broncos' defense and special teams:

In John Elway's first four drafts as the team's top football decision-maker the

Broncos' first selection has been a defensive player. Von Miller, Sylvester Williams

and Bradley Roby were first-round picks while Derek Wolfe was taken in the second

round in 2012 after the Broncos had traded out of the opening round. Couple that

with all of the free-agency capital the Broncos expended on the defense this past

March, including Talib, and the Broncos are just beginning to enjoy the fruits of

those labors. What it all means will have to wait, but when the Broncos lost in

overtime in Seattle they were 30th in the league in yards allowed per game (390.7)

and 16th in points allowed per game (22.3). After they had concluded their

business against the Jets' struggling offense -- the Jets are near, or at, the bottom

of the league in most significant passing categories -- the Broncos are now 4th in

the league in yards allowed per game (318.2) and seventh in the league in scoring

defense (20.8 points allowed per game). Granted playing the Cardinals No. 2, and

then No. 3, quarterbacks didn't hurt their rankings and neither did Geno Smith's

struggles. But it is the trend the Broncos both wanted, and needed, with a plan that

has been several years in the making. Or as Elway has said "so we don't put Peyton

in a position to have to do everything with the offense. We want the defense to

have its own identity about how it plays."

The Broncos' current regime, especially Elway, has always liked the multi-taskers at

linebacker, the guys with enough physicality to play along the line of scrimmage if

they had to as well as the agility to play in the open in the team's specialty

packages. And they're willing to go a little smaller behind their defensive tackles to

get those players on the field. Enter seventh-round pick Corey Nelson, whose four

years in what he called "a pro-style defense" at Oklahoma, has enabled him to

move into the lineup. Nelson first caught the Broncos' eye enough to be kept on the

53-man roster after the preseason as the eighth linebacker. Then Nelson made a

big enough impression on special teams to be used on defense, albeit for just two

snaps against the Seattle Seahawks. But has done enough in practice since that

when Danny Trevathan left Sunday's game on the second defensive snap it was

Nelson, not Nate Irving, who came into the game as the second linebacker in the

nickel, alongside Brandon Marshall. Nelson was credited with a team-leading seven

tackles in the game and showed the ability to get off blocks and good instincts to

the ball. "I feel like that's what they brought me in for—for my talents and abilities,

that's what they wanted me to do," Nelson said. "So I was able to do it. But I

definitely feel like that's a strength that I have, and that they're using." Nelson

flashed as a productive pass-rusher in some situations at Oklahoma, especially in

his sophomore season, so that is something else the Broncos could add to his to-do

list in the coming weeks.

The Broncos, in large part, have kept rookie receiver Cody Latimer out of the game

day lineup because wide receiver Andre Caldwell returns kickoffs and wide receiver

Isaiah Burse returns punts. So, despite showing enough chops in the preseason to

be legitimate deep threat as well as a matchup problem in the scoring zone,

Latimer continues to take what can be a bumpy ride on the learning curve in the

audible-heavy Broncos' offense. But in the big picture it's worth noting the Bronco

are currently just 30th in kickoff returns (21.6 yards per return) with just four

returns in their five games and 27th in punt returns at 5.2 yards per return. The

Broncos are also one of just six teams in the league with at least 10 fair catches.

After a shaky training camp on all fronts in the return game, the Broncos have

made what they believe are the best, and safest, choices for their game day 46

without using a starter like Emmanuel Sanders or Wes Welker in the return game

because of the threat of injury. But at least part of the price tag for all of it is

Latimer without a uniform on game day.

Danny Trevathan can return Dec. 14

By Jeff Legwold

ESPN.com

October 14, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- With linebacker Danny Trevathan recovering from the second

fracture in his left leg this season, the Denver Broncos have formally moved

Trevathan to injured reserve, but tagged designated to return.

By league rules Trevathan must remain on injured reserve for at least six weeks.

Since the Broncos confirmed Monday what coach John Fox called "a crack" just

above the left knee, the team has expected Trevathan to miss six weeks in his

recovery.

The Broncos placed injured linebacker Danny Trevathan on injured reserve

designated to return.

The third-year linebacker, who was the team's leading tackler last season, missed

all of the preseason and the Broncos' first three games of the regular season when

he suffered a crack at the top of his tibia during an Aug. 12 training camp practice.

Trevathan returned to practice on a limited basis in the sixth week of his recovery

from that injury and played in the Broncos' Week 5 game against the Arizona

Cardinals following the bye week.

Trevathan will be eligible to return to practice Nov. 26 and can be moved back to

the active roster in the week leading up to the Dec. 14 game against the San Diego

Chargers. The Broncos will sign linebacker Shaquil Barrett from their practice squad

to fill Trevathan's spot.

Trevathan was injured on the defense's second snap of Sunday's win against the

New York Jets. The Broncos believed, after a preliminary exam at MetLife Stadium,

that Trevathan had not injured any of the ligaments in the knee, but X-rays gave

them some indication of the newest injury. Trevathan was then evaluated more

Monday morning and the fracture was confirmed.

"Same leg, but nothing even remotely the same as the last injury," Fox said on

Monday.

Asked if the latest injury could be related to Trevathan's previous fracture, Fox

said: "Really kind of a movement that caused it, but like in completely different

area. Low front last time, high on the side this time."

Trevathan played 55 of the defense's 58 snaps against the Cardinals.

Brandon Marshall, who started at weak-side linebacker in place of Trevathan in the

first three games of the season, took over for Trevathan Sunday and will be the

team's every-down player at the position. Marshall played the remaining 61 snaps

for the Broncos' defense after Trevathan left the game Sunday.

Rookie Corey Nelson was also moved into the nickel, as the second linebacker with

Marshall, following Trevathan's injury as well. Nelson ended up being the team's

leading tackler against the Jets with seven.

"I kind of didn't expect it to happen the way it did," Nelson said. "It was kind of

nerve-wracking at first. But once you play a couple of snaps and get those jitters

out, then it's just downhill from there. It's just ball."

Cowboys fall from top spot to 4th

By Jeff Legwold

ESPN.com

October 14, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos, with a Hall of Fame quarterback calling

the shots as the team's top football executive and a future Hall of Famer behind

center in Peyton Manning, are the new America's Team.

Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos are No. 1, at least according to a Harris

Poll survey.

That's according to The Harris Poll, which surveyed 2,543 adults (1,275 of whom

said they followed professional football). The nationwide poll was taken from Sept.

10-17.

The Broncos replaced the Dallas Cowboys, who had finished in The Harris Poll's top

spot for each of the previous six years as the "favorite team" of adults who follow

professional football. The New York Giants finished as the No. 2 team with the

Green Bay Packers at No. 3, the Cowboys at No. 4 and Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 5.

The Seattle Seahawks, who routed the Broncos 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII this past

February, came in at No. 6. The San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots,

Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints rounded out the top 10.

Earlier this season, Broncos coach John Fox said, "I think when you coach here or

play here, you kind of realize the reach of the team. You always knew this was a

tough place to play if you've ever had to compete here in a game, but the reach is

something you see when you're around it every day."

The Broncos are currently 4-1, with Manning poised to break Brett Favre's NFL

mark for career touchdown passes (508). Manning has thrown 506 touchdown

passes in his career.

The Broncos have the NFL's second-longest home sellout streak -- trailing only the

Washington Redskins. The Broncos have sold out every home game since the start

of the 1970 season.

Broncos Rewind: Offense

By Jeff Legwold

ESPN.com

October 14, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- There was a time, and it wasn't so long ago, when if a guy

threw for 237 yards, tossed three touchdowns without an interception and the

Denver Broncos closed out a 14-point win, it would have been cause to build a

parade float or two.

Such is life in Peyton Manning's tenure when the Super-Bowl-or-bust mantra

permeates everything the team does, or doesn't do. The Broncos didn't have their

best fastball in the 31-17 victory over the New York Jets and Manning wasn't all

that fired up himself about the work that was done.

While the offensive line made room for RB Juwan Thompson here, the Broncos' line

needs to keep a close eye on increased holding penalties.

So, with that in mind, after a long look at the game video, here are some thoughts

on the Broncos' offense:

The penalties were troubling for the Broncos Sunday, as was a bad snap and the

nagging feeling they never really found the gear they like. The Jets were physical

on defense and continually dropped eight players into coverage, even going as far

as to use their linebackers to chip at the Broncos' wide receivers. But the red flag of

red flags, especially with two physical 3-4 defenses next on the Broncos' schedule

in San Francisco and San Diego, both of the Jets' sacks in the game came on three-

man rushes. That means the Broncos were essentially beaten three-on-five, once in

the first quarter, once in the second, both on long-yardage plays -- a third-and-15

and a second-and-17 -- created by the bad snap and a penalty respectively. On the

first sack, Muhammad Wilkerson beat center Manny Ramirez from the snap as left

tackle Ryan Clady, left guard Orlando Franklin and right guard Louis Vasquez each

engaged outside linebacker Quinton Coples, who had lined up at right defensive end

on the play. On the second, Leger Douzable lined up wide on the defensive left, to

outside shoulder of right tackle Chris Clark. Douzable pushed Clark back on initial

contact, then darted to the inside before Vasquez could cut him off. But if defenses

have the luxury of rushing four at Manning, let alone three, and get away with it,

there will be some additional frustration ahead.

It isn't their preferred way of doing business, but as was the case last season and

the season before that, the Broncos have consistently shown the ability to gather

themselves when they move to a two tight end look, especially if things don't go

well initially in their three-wide set. The cost is putting Wes Welker on the bench,

where he spent most of the second half Sunday, but the Broncos opened each of

their first two touchdown drives in two tight ends and worked out of it for all 10

snaps of their third touchdown drive. Sunday they used reserve tackle Paul Cornick

as the second tight end for 21 snaps. And when they wanted to give it a more

three-wide vibe they moved Jacob Tamme in as the second tight end. After they

opened the game with 12 consecutive snaps in three-wide, that resulted in a field

goal and two punts, the change was both needed and productive.

Not all holding penalties are created equal. While it might takes a hold to keep

Manning from taking a big hit, there will always be a discussion about cleaning up

what happened. But in the end, better to keep the quarterback on the field rather

than serving him up to a hit that could change a season. But a holding call in the

run game is another matter because it can be a sign defensive players are either

beating the Broncos' linemen to the spot or simply winning 1-on-1 matchups at the

point of attack. Yes, sometimes the defensive guys win, that's how it goes. But it is

worth noting of the 10 times the Broncos have been flagged for holding this season,

five have come on called running plays and each of the Broncos' starting five

offensive linemen has been called on one of those five holding penalties. The

Broncos had two holding penalties on run plays against the Colts, two against the

Jets and one against Arizona.

Tight end Julius Thomas, with nine touchdowns in five games, is currently on pace

to set a single-season NFL mark for touchdown receptions by a tight end -- Rob

Gronkowski's 17 set the mark in 2011. According to Elias Sports Bureau, only

Calvin Johnson has also had nine touchdown receptions in a team's first five games,

Johnson did that in '11 as well. Nine touchdowns is staggering, but consider

Thomas has only been targeted 30 times by Manning this season and his 24

catches to go with the nine scores shows a staggering efficiency as well.

Broncos linebackers a homegrown group

By Jeff Legwold

ESPN.com

October 14, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- When it comes to building a roster, Denver Broncos

executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway has

certainly shown he's not afraid to dive into free agency if he thinks he has to.

Just watch Peyton Manning throw passes to Emmanuel Sanders or Wes Welker,

watch DeMarcus Ware chase down an opposing quarterback or Aqib Talib return an

interception for a touchdown and anyone can see the impact Elway's victories on

the open market have had for the Broncos.

But Elway has consistently also said free agency can only be a supplement, not a

long-term plan. That the draft has to be the foundation over the long haul or the

team won't be able to deal with "the bumps in the road, the injuries, that come

along.''

And nowhere on the depth chart can the team's ability to work deep into the draft

to find players who can contribute be seen more than at linebacker. Danny

Trevathan's latest injury only highlights that once again. Trevathan is expected to

miss six weeks with a fracture just above his left knee.

"Other guys have to play," said linebacker Von Miller. "We have a lot of guys who

can get out there and make some plays."

Miller was the Broncos' first draft pick of Elway's tenure as an executive -- second

overall in 2011 -- a two-time Pro Bowl selection taken at the top of the board and is

the team's marquee player at the position. But the Broncos have also worked down

the board to fill the position as well as comb the waiver wire from time to time,

even from the time Wesley Woodyard -- now a Titans linebacker -- made Mike

Shanahan's last Broncos team as an undrafted rookie in 2008.

Trevathan, who was the team's leading tackler last season, was a sixth-round pick

in 2012. The guy who has played in Trevathan's weak-side spot has been Brandon

Marshall, a player the Broncos promoted from their practice squad late last season

who has started four games this season.

And when Trevathan left Sunday's game on just the defense's second play, it was

Corey Nelson, a seventh-round pick this past May, who played alongside Marshall in

the two linebacker spots in the nickel.

Nelson, a classic "fit" player in their defense, earned his way into the nickel by

moving past Irving and showing himself to be a quick study who understands what

the Broncos want to get done. Like they did with Trevathan, the Broncos found a

place for a linebacker like Nelson, a player who others in the league didn't like

nearly as much. Nelson was credited with a team-leading seven tackles in Sunday's

win over the New York Jets despite playing just 36 snaps.

"I think just working hard, busting my butt to get to the ball, listening to the

coaches, listening to my assignments and what I had to do, and just being as fast

as I can with that," Nelson said. "That's what allowed them to trust me to be able

to do that. I just tried to remain consistent, especially on special teams, and those

things just all added up to now. ... I consider myself a pretty smart guy and the

terminology of the defense was quite similar to an older defensive coordinator's I

used to have back at Oklahoma."

But the whole group continues to be a testament to homegrown personnel. Irving is

a former Broncos third-round pick, Steven Johnson is a former undrafted rookie

who made the team in 2012 and Lamin Barrow was a fifth-round pick this past May.

"That's our group," Miller said. "We're all growing up together as Denver Broncos."

The Film Don't Lie: Broncos

By Jeff Legwold

ESPN.com

October 14, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- A weekly look at what the Denver Broncos must fix:

In an offense built on precision and making split-second changes at the line of

scrimmage to put itself in the best possible play, the Broncos continue to give

defenses too many second chances with penalties.

Yes, 4-1 is, and always will be, the bottom line. The Broncos win pretty, they win

not so pretty, but penalties are self-inflicted items that seem to hurt worse the

deeper a team is into the football calendar, so what gets overcome now might not

be with a Super Bowl trip on the line.

And while the Broncos might not agree with all of the flags -- and they don't -- their

51 penalties in five games put them in not-so-good company. Of the 13 teams

which have been flagged at least 51 times this season, only the St. Louis Rams (1-

4) and Broncos have not yet played six games.

The team’s offensive line continues to draw many of those flags, even as it

struggles to tighten up the gaps in the run-blocking scheme. The Broncos are

always going to draw the occasional holding penalty to keep any rushers who get

free from hitting quarterback Peyton Manning -- better a 10-yard walk-off than a

clean shot on Manning -- but some defensive coaches in the league say the Broncos

linemen are tipping their hand with their footwork in the run game by having the

linemen back out slightly before they pull to run wide.

Defensive linemen are shooting those gaps as soon as they see the movement.

Broncos linemen have been flagged for several holding penalties in the run game,

including two more Sunday against the New York Jets, as they have tried to combat

that.

In all on Sunday, four of the five starting offensive linemen drew flags in the game.

The one who didn't, right tackle Chris Clark, is the most penalized player on the

team at the moment.

Right guard Louis Vasquez, who has played through some back and rib issues this

season, has already drawn three flags, or the same number he did in all of the

2013 season when he was named an All Pro.

Blog: Broncos emerge as new America's

Team, poll says

By Paul Klee

Colorado Springs Gazette

October 14, 2014

Maybe Joseph Randle is just smarter than the rest of us. Maybe he is prescient.

How else to explain why the Dallas running back allegedly stole cologne and

underwear?

Randle is simply preparing for when the Cowboys poop the bed.

Regardless of his motivation to stay fresh and clean, Randle and the Cowboys beat

the Seahawks on Sunday but lost their title on Tuesday: The Cowboys are no longer

America's Team.

That would be the Denver Broncos. Thanks to Peyton Manning, the Broncos are the

NFL's most popular team, according to a Harris poll. The Harris folks surveyed

2,542 adults. The Broncos' next opponent, the Niners, ranked seventh in this year's

poll.

This was a fast rise in popularity for the Broncos. Last year the Broncos were No. 3.

In 2011, the Tim Tebow season, the Broncos ranked in a tie for 17th. In 2010, the

Broncos were only 14th.

No wonder Manning gets the big bucks as a pitchman. He really should consider a

run for President, as I suggested here.

As for Randle, the Cowboys' pilfering running back, maybe next time he should just

run faster.

The Week 6 Mailbag

By Peter King

MMQB/SI.com

October 14, 2014

In the wake of the first (and probably only) tie game this season, I thought it would

be appropriate to reinforce my opinion on overtime and ties. It’s an opinion that so

many of you love so much.

I am being facetious there.

First, about ties: I don’t like when a game ends in a tie, but I would like even less

two teams playing beyond five quarters to decide a winner. I believe 75 minutes is

long enough for people to play a football game. I think in this time of concerns

about player safety, it would be wrong to ask players to play 90, 100, 110 snaps in

a regular season game.

I have often said both teams deserve a chance to possess the ball at least once in

an overtime period. The reason is simple. I believe the coin flip before overtime is

too significant an event. I realize the logical sentiment about the coin flip is that if

you lose it then just play good defense and you’ll get the ball back with a chance to

win. While I agree with that, how often at the start of overtime does the team

winning the coin flip not take the ball? Coaches realize the value of having the ball

right out of the box in overtime. And I just think the coin flip winner gets too much

of an advantage, even if they have to score a touchdown in order for the game to

end.

So that’s how I feel and I’m sure I’ll hear from many of you who feel differently,

which is all good. I’ve never said my opinion is right; I’ve just said it’s my opinion.

Now onto your emails…

J.J. WATT IN YELLOW COAT. When you talk about Hall of Fame voting, you

often mention longevity as a serious consideration and a reason why stars

like Terrell Davis have never made it in. In light of this, and given J.J. Watt

is the best defensive player in the league and so far ahead of anyone else

at his position, how many more seasons at his current level will he need

for you to think of him as a near-certain Hall of Famer?

—Dave, London

Another good question. I think a player needs to be great for 8-10 years in today’s

football before he should get strong consideration for the Hall. There are exceptions

to that of course, and in past eras when players didn’t play for as long as current

players do, I think shorter careers could certainly be Hall of Fame-worthy. One of

the things that makes discussing the Hall so difficult is because there are

exceptions to every rule. Kurt Warner might be one of those exceptions. He wasn’t

great for my requisite 8-10 years, but he was so good and such an explosive player

for his time that he might have done enough to make it. We shall see.

FINE DISCREPANCY. The league is still trying to deal with the crisis of

player safety, and yet this happens:

Julius Thomas delivers an illegal and possibly career-threatening block in

the course of play and is fined a bit more than $8,000.

Colin Kaepernick wears a pair of headphones from a company that’s not an

official league sponsor and is fined $10,000.

Is anyone in the league office paying attention to this? How will this

disparity sound to a jury the next time (and there will be a next time) the

NFL is trying to defend its track record on player safety?

—Vince, St. Louis

That’s a good question. I felt the fine on Thomas was light. The NFL has the same

sort of fine system in place for many violations of rules involving league sponsors,

such as the one that cost Kaepernick. I remember a few years ago when Brian

Urlacher was heavily fined for continuing to wear a hat with a sports drink

company’s logo on it. So this isn’t the first time. I think the Thomas block should

have been cause for a bigger fine. No question about it.

DUE CREDIT FOR CAM. I think you misinterpreted the Bengals-Panthers

game. I watched every second, and the story isn’t a lousy Bengals

defense. The story is the return of Cam Newton. There’s no defense in the

NFL stopping Cam Newton when he’s running like that and throwing darts

like Aaron Rodgers. This was the first game Cam has been Cam in, what, a

year or so? It’s a reminder of how unreasonable it is to try to contain a

scrambler like that who can also pull up and exploit the man-to-man

coverage that QB-spy-defenses depend on. Russell Wilson and Colin

Kaepernick don’t hold a candle to a healthy Cam.

—Reggie, Cincinnati

I definitely agree that Cam Newton was extremely good Sunday and deserves credit

for being a real difference-maker in the game. But I look at plays like the

misdirection touchdown to Greg Olsen in the fourth quarter as part of the reason

why I am so down on the Cincinnati defense. How are you not covering one of Cam

Newton’s favorite targets? Cincinnati giving up 80 points in eight quarters might not

be a big story to someone who has just watched Cam Newton play great, and I

understand that, but in the first four weeks of this season, the Bengals looked like

they might be the best team in football. In the past two weeks, their defense has

convinced me otherwise.

BEAR ‘BACKERS IN SPOTLIGHT. Re: things you liked about Week 6, you

should have acknowledged the Bears’ linebackers. All three starters and

top backup (Lance Briggs, Shea McClellin, D.J. Williams, Jonathan Bostic)

were out with injuries, meaning 2013 late-round pick Khaseem Greene

(signed-off-the-street three weeks ago), the unheralded Darryl Sharpton

and undrafted free agent rookie Christian Jones were the starters. The

Bears held the high-powered Falcons offense to 13 points in Atlanta. Some

of these guys may not even retain roster spots once the starters are

healthy, but they stepped up when needed the most.

—Jay, Chicago

You and many other Bear e-mailers are correct. They deserve some kudos in the

column, which I did not give. It’s like I say many weeks when people point out

teams that I have not written about: I wish I could be more than one person when

I write this column, but I can’t. It has nothing to do with me liking or not liking a

team; it has more to do with trying to take three or four events that happened on

Sunday and writing about them intelligently or shining a light on some aspect of the

game than you may not have realized. I try to be as conscientious as I can, but

sometimes I just miss the Khaseem Greenes of the world.

SNOOP DOGG AND THE STEELERS. Is it just wishful thinking that the

Steelers will fire Todd Haley soon and do something quick to try and

salvage this season? The Rooneys are patient, but the Haley experiment

has gone on far too long and it has been abysmal. What Big Ben did best

under Bruce Arians was to move the ball downfield—not these short, dinky

passes. He regularly got clobbered for it because it often involved holding

the ball too long, and so they brought in Haley to reduce the sacks. But

Ben is still getting clobbered. This means the cost hasn’t really changed,

but now the ball doesn’t move and so we’ve lost all the benefits. I’m with

Snoop Dogg on this one.

—Rick, Latrobe, Pa.

The Steelers are not the kind of people who look back with regret. I’ve known the

Rooneys and know Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert fairly well. But there is no

question in my mind after watching Bruce Arians perform his offensive magic in

Indianapolis and Arizona for the last two and a half years that he never should have

been let go by the Steelers. He and Roethlisberger were a good team. As far as

Haley goes, it’s just not Pittsburgh’s style to whack a guy in midseason. If they

make a change—and I don’t expect them to make a change at the head coaching

position—it almost certainly will come after the season. The way Pittsburgh has

played in recent weeks, I would say anything is possible come January, because the

Rooneys believe that Roethlisberger’s career is finite and they don’t want to waste

any possible contending years if they’re not comfortable with how he’s being

coached.

PLAYERS AND MONEY. “I think you cannot overpay football players. That’s

what I thought after seeing the Victor Cruz injury.” Really Peter? Just

because a guy gets a serious injury you can’t overpay him? How about the

factory worker or coal miner who suffers a serious injury while making

$20-$30 per hour. What about the military person injured with little help

or pension. Yet you cry for the $7-million-a-year guy with access to the

best medical care, benefits and rehab facilities?

—EW, Canada

I’m not crying for anybody. I’m simply stating my opinion. Would you prefer that

the players get the majority of the money from the people who watch the games on

the TV and in the stands? Or would you prefer that the owners get the majority of

the money? There’s plenty of money for everybody in the NFL, obviously, but that’s

not really the point here. The point is the players who lay their bodies on the line

and who are very well compensated for it deserve every bit of that compensation

when you see the kind of torturous injury that occurred to Cruz on Sunday night.

Brandon Stokley Thinks The Broncos

Lack The ‘Killer Instinct’

CBS4 Denver

October 14, 2014

DENVER (CBS4) – After watching Denver’s start slow against the New York Jets on

Sunday, former Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley thinks the team still lacks

the killer instinct against a lesser squad.

“They lack that killer instinct that you need to have if you want to be successful

week in and week out, especially against good football teams,” Stokley said.

“You’ve got to put those teams away, and they just haven’t been able to do that so

far this year.”

He said he thought there were too many three-and-outs against the Jets.

“You’ve got to put your foot on that throat and finish the game. They haven’t been

able to do that this year, and that’s kind of what’s been disappointing to me as a

Broncos fan.”

After the game Peyton Manning said the Jets sort of laughed at the Broncos’

running game by the way they approached them with moving linebackers outside of

the box to harass receivers at the line.

“The running game should be there … it was there at times, but it should have been

a lot more consistent,” Stokley said.

He said it’s a copycat league and other teams will probably start doing the same

against the Broncos after seeing it work.

“You’ve just got to be physical up front, and the Jets pretty much said, ‘Hey, our

three guys up front are going to be able to get penetration and stop the run.’ For

the most part they did a pretty good job of it.”

There’s a fine line between being physical and showing a lack of discipline in the

NFL today. Against the Jets the Broncos were flagged 11 times. Stokley doesn’t

think it was bad officiating — he blamed it on the players.

“It’s just week in and week out, special teams, offense and defense; it’s just dumb

penalties. You can’t have that if you want to be a good football team and if you

want to win against good football teams,” Stokley said. “Either the players have to

change, and if they don’t change it comes down to the coaching where the coaches

have to start pulling guys out because those penalties are going to lose you football

games.”

The Jets were whistled for only two penalties the whole game and Stokley said they

played much more disciplined than the Broncos.

Despite the slow start where Manning was hassled, rushed many of his passes and

was sacked twice, he was able to pick up his game in the second and third

quarters.

“Right when you think you’ve got him where you want him, then he throws a ball

like he did to Julius (Thomas) when they put that drive together right before half.

The Jets did a great job of confusing him, confusing the offensive line, and putting

pressure on him,” Stokley said. “In the second half they tried to make some

adjustments … they thought they could pound them a little bit more with the

running game.”

Speaking of Julius Thomas, he has nine touchdowns on the season, and wideout

Emmanuel Sanders, who leads the team in receptions, has none. Stokley said

Sanders just needs to be patient.

“It will come his way. He’s done a great job of catching the ball and making some

big plays for them. But man, Julius Thomas, nine touchdowns, that’s pretty

impressive.”

The Broncos host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football. Kickoff is at

6:30 p.m.

Report: Broncos to promote Shaquil

Barrett from practice squad

By Curtis Crabtree

NBC Sports/ProFootballTalk

October 14, 2014

With linebacker Danny Trevathan out for the next eight weeks after being placed on

injured reserve with a designation to return on Tuesday, the Denver Broncos are

looking in-house for a replacement.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Broncos intend to promote

rookie Shaquil Barrett from their practice squad to take Trevathan’s spot on the

active roster.

Barrett had six tackles and two sacks in four preseason games for Denver.

Brandon Marshall filled for Trevathan’s prior injury absence and will likely assume

the duty in this instance as well with Barrett providing depth.

Marshall has 39 tackles with a sack and a forced fumble in five games for the

Broncos.

Poll: Broncos are America's favorite team

By David DeChant

DenverBroncos.com

October 14, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Broncos have unseated the Cowboys as America's

favorite professional football team.

According to The Harris Poll, which polled 2,543 adults (1,275 of whom follow

professional football) between Sept. 10 and Sept. 17, the Broncos were the most

common answer fans gave when asked which team they follow most closely.

The Broncos moved up from third on last year's list to unseat the Cowboys, who

dropped to fourth. The Giants moved up from fourth to second, the Packers

dropped from second to third and the Steelers rounded out the top five by moving

from seventh to fifth.

The Broncos are also a common pick by fans to win the Super Bowl this year, with

19 percent of those polled choosing them as the likely Super Bowl XLIX champions.

Miller hosts charity night for Von's Vision

By Ben Swanson

DenverBroncos.com

October 14, 2014

DENVER —You need not look further back than Sunday to see how difficult it is for

Von Miller to function without his vision. During the game, he missed a chunk of

time after losing a contact, being passed through precautionary concussion protocol

and then having to get help putting in a new contact to restore his eyesight. Miller

is truly only at full strength when he has clear vision.

The man is often clad in stylish frames when he's out and about, and he rarely goes

more than five minutes without his glasses, he said. Without his eyewear, he can't

even drive. He's just not himself without them.

And the same goes for everyone who needs them, he said before his Celebrity

Steak Out event to raise money for Von's Vision, Miller's foundation to give eyewear

or contacts to children in low-income situations.

Miller and more than 30 of his Broncos teammates put on a different uniform

Monday night, donning white aprons and hoisting hors d'oeuvres on trays to offer to

guests in attendance at Ocean Prime in downtown Denver.

"It's an amazing setup we've got here," Miller said, gesturing toward the tables

equipped with autographed Broncos gear up for auction and other items to be bid

on to help Von's Vision. "We're trying to help 5,000 kids tonight. Every $20 will get

one kid a pair of glasses."

Miller said Von's Vision aims at an issue that flies a bit under the radar in helping

kids grow their confidence and their grades with better ability to perform in class.

"I mean, I've been wearing glasses all my life. I was wearing glasses when it wasn't

cool and when I didn't have the opportunity or the funds to get a cool pair of

frames, so my whole purpose is to give back to the community and create that cool

opportunity for kids to show them that it's cool to wear glasses," he said. "Do what

you've got to do to get good grades in class. You'd be amazed at how many kids

just need glasses or contacts just to excel in class."

Miller enlisted the help of his friends and teammates in giving fans the opportunity

to donate to a good cause that flies a bit under the radar, and the opportunity to be

served shrimp with cocktail sauce or sliders by NFL players. Following an initial

reception that gave guests the chance to interact players they see on the field on

Sundays, the restaurant sat the dining guests and the players served them a three-

course dinner. Patrons also were able to participate in silent and live auctions on

Broncos memorabilia and other gifts to help raise money for Von's Vision.

Though it was a fun event, Miller was more excited about the impact it would have

on the kids who would receive better sight as a result. He could identify with the

feeling they would have, because he knew that feeling well when he was younger,

and he knew the feeling when he finally got his first pair.

"I would fall asleep in them and bend them up and my mom would straighten them

back up. They wouldn't be perfectly straight, they would just have to work. And my

whole goal is now to give those kids who have the same struggle a new pair of

glasses, a new frame, a new outlook," Miller said.

"If you aren't able to see, it's life-changing when you get a pair of glasses or

contacts, especially if you get a pair of glasses that you love wearing," he added. "If

you can give that to a 6- or 7- or 8-year-old, 10-year-old, any young kid with a pair

of cool frames, it totally changes their whole image, especially at school. [...] Your

self-esteem—that's my whole goal, to show all those kids it's cool to wear glasses,

it's cool to be you."

AFC West Rundown: Week 6

By Lauren Giudice

DenverBroncos.com

October 14, 2014

DENVER BRONCOS (4-1)

Week 5: Won 31-17 at New York Jets

How it happened: Peyton Manning hit Julius Thomas twice for touchdowns and

Demaryius Thomas once to defeat the Jets. The Jets put up a good fight and their

defense consistently put pressure on Manning during the game, allowing the

Broncos’ run game to open up. The Broncos defense stifled the Jets’ offense and

held them to just 204 total yards, including just 31 yards on the ground. Geno

Smith had two touchdown passes, but threw a game-sealing interception that was

returned for a touchdown by Aqib Talib.

It was over when: The Jets got the ball back down by seven with less than one

minute left, but Talib picked off Smith and ran it back for a touchdown.

Key performer: With Montee Ball out with a groin injury, Ronnie Hillman stepped in

as the Broncos’ starting running back. He rushed for 100 yards on 24 carries and

became the fourth Bronco in team history to reach 100 yards in his first start.

Between the hash marks:

- With his two touchdowns, Julius Thomas now has nine this season, which is the

most by a tight end in NFL history through his team’s first five games.

- Von Miller continued his impressive play with six tackles, two sacks and one pass

defensed.

What’s next: The Broncos take on the 49ers and their impressive defense in Denver

on Sunday night.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-3)

Week 5: Bye week

Between the hash marks:

- After spraining his ankle Week 2 during the Chiefs’ game against the Broncos, Eric

Berry returned to practice this week.

- Andy Reid is 13-2 after the bye week in his career.

What’s next: The Chiefs head to San Diego to take on the Chargers, who sit on top

of the AFC West.

OAKLAND RAIDERS (0-5)

Week 5: Lost 31-28 to San Diego at home

How it happened: In Interim Head Coach Tony Sparano’s first game at the helm,

the Raiders had their best performance of the season. Derek Carr had four

touchdown passes, including two to Andre Holmes, and the Raiders had their best

offensive performance of the season, but they still fell to the Chargers. The Raiders

racked up 396 yards on offense and were up 28-21 in the middle of the fourth

quarter, but a Nick Novak field goal and a Branden Oliver 1-yard touchdown run

with less than two minutes left in the game gave the Chargers the win. The Raiders

got their ground game going with 114 rushing yards, including 80 from Darren

McFadden.

It was over when: Down by three with less than two minutes left in the game, Carr

was picked off by Jason Verrett.

Key performer: With four catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns, Andre Holmes

had one of the most productive games of his career.

Between the hash marks:

- Carr’s four touchdown passes were the most ever by a Raider rookie in a single

game. He completed 18-of-34 for a career-high 282 yards for a career-high 107.7

passer rating.

- The Raiders’ offensive line did not allow a sack in the game and they now sit in in

second in the NFL in sacks allowed per pass attempt.

What’s next: The Raiders’ will stay at home to face the Cardinals, who are first in

the NFC West.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (5-1)

Week 5: Won 31-28 at Oakland Raiders

How it happened: Philip Rivers finished 22-of-34 for 313 yards and three

touchdowns as the Chargers scraped by the Raiders and earned their fifth straight

win. The Chargers’ offense also leaned heavily on undrafted rookie Branden Oliver,

who finished the game with 101 yards on 26 attempts and a touchdown. The 28

points the Raiders accumulated were the most the Chargers have given up in a

single game all season. The Chargers gave up a few key plays, including 77- and

47-yard touchdown passes. In addition, the Chargers struggled to stifle the Raiders

on third down and they converted on 8-of-13 opportunities.

It was over when: Chargers rookie cornerback Jason Verrett picked off Derek Carr

with less than two minutes left in the game.

Key performer: In addition to his 101 yards on the ground, Oliver also had four

catches for 23 yards. His 1-yard touchdown with 1:56 left in the game gave the

Chargers the lead, and eventually the win.

Between the hash marks:

- With his three touchdown tosses, Rivers now has 15 touchdowns this season.

Sunday’s game was his fifth consecutive multiple-touchdown game, four of which

have been three-touchdown games.

- Antonio Gates has three touchdowns in his last two games and six in his last five.

What’s next: The Chargers will take on the Kansas City Chiefs at home.

Trevathan moved to short-term IR

DenverBroncos.com

October 14, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Linebacker Danny Trevathan was moved to the short-term

injured reserve Tuesday, following a knee injury he suffered early in the game

against the Jets on Sunday.

In his Monday morning press conference, Head Coach John Fox said Trevathan

suffered "a crack, just above the knee, on his left leg."

With NFL rules on the short-term injured reserve, Trevathan's earliest available

return would be in six weeks, which would be at practice on Nov. 26. His potential

return to the active roster would be some time in the week before the game against

the Chargers in San Diego on Dec. 14.

Broncos announce partnership with

Alzheimer's Association

DenverBroncos.com

October 14, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos on Tuesday announced a partnership

with the Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter, making that organization one of

its 10 flagship community partners.

This relationship with the Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter aims to raise

awareness and provide support to those diagnosed and living with the disease. The

Broncos will engage in an extensive public awareness campaign about Alzheimer’s

and provide information regarding services and support that are available to

patients, families and caregivers.

It was announced in July by the Bowlen family and the Broncos that Owner Pat

Bowlen is one of the many Coloradoans living with Alzheimer’s disease.

“The Denver Broncos are proud to partner with the Alzheimer’s Association

Colorado Chapter as our newest flagship community partner in our Be a Champion

in the Community campaign,” Broncos Vice President of Community Development

Cindy Kellogg said. “Its commitment to support patients diagnosed with the

disease, as well as their families, is extraordinary.

“We look forward to the potential of this collaboration and the hope it will bring a

larger platform for the Colorado Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association to expand

its important work.”

“We are so grateful to the Broncos organization for their support and providing this

platform to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease,” Alzheimer’s Association of

Colorado President & CEO Linda Mitchell said. “More than 63,000 Coloradoans are

living with Alzheimer’s disease, and 229,000 people serve as their caregivers

throughout the state.

“The Alzheimer’s Association offers a range of services at no-cost to support

families in Colorado through our statewide network of seven offices. Thanks to the

Broncos, we will be able to activate a new level of awareness and support for

Coloradoans living with the disease as a community flagship partner.”

In addition to the Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter, the Broncos have

flagship partnerships with the following organizations: Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro

Denver, Denver Public Schools, Denver Rescue Mission, Habitat for Humanity of

Metro Denver, Food Bank of the Rockies, Susan G. Komen Colorado, Bonfils Blood

Center, Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children and Colorado Youth Football.

For more information about Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter, please visit:

http://www.alz.org/co/.