The rich? Yep, they keep getting richer.

If free agency were a competition among NFL teams, the Philadelphia Eagles would have raised the championship trophy days ago.

Forget a trophy; the Eagles would rather continue to collect players – the latest at the expense of the Broncos.

Right tackle Ryan Harris, who was reportedly ready to ink a deal to remain in Denver, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Eagles.  According to The Denver Post, Harris believes a fresh start would re-energize his career.

Read between the lines and what you have is player who wants to be part of a perennial playoff team.  It’s hard to blame him.

Odds and Ends

The Broncos’ next public practice is Wednesday from 2:20 – 5 p.m.  Players are off today.  See full schedule here.

The team waived DT Colby Whitlock, an undrafted free agent from Texas Tech signed last week by Denver.

New York Daily News reports the Broncos are one of five teams with expressed interest in Giants DE Osi Umenyiora, who is now on the trading block.  Baltimore, San Diego, St. Louis, and Seattle are the other teams in the running.  Umenyiora had 11.5 sacks last season with the Giants.

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From now until 11 a.m. local time, all signed Broncos players are required to show up at Dove Valley.

So far, the Broncos training facility is sans Kyle Orton.

That isn’t telling – yet.  It will be if 11 a.m. rolls around and he’s still a no-show.

The stakeout is on…

Let’s make it a date

Training camp is underway for eight other teams;

• Chargers
• Cowboys
• Eagles
• Jags
• Patriots
• Raiders
• Ravens
• Seahawks

Opening dates were determined Monday based on the start of the preseason schedule.  All teams will be in camp by July 31.

Note: Like the above teams, the Cardinals first preseason game is August 11, but will begin training camp tomorrow, according to NFL.com.

Morning odds and ends

According to CBSSports.com Rapid Reports, the Broncos will sign between 15-20 undrafted free agents to round out the 90-player roster limit.  Those players reportedly had physicals yesterday.  The team has yet to release its completely listed of signees.

Also from CBSSports.com Rapid Reports, all nine Broncos draft picks should be signed by 4:00 p.m. – in time for the team’s first full-squad training camp meeting.

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DHF Reader Rankings return following a two-week respite.

And the timing couldn’t be better.

Last week, we were entertained with flirtations the lockout’s end was imminent, John Fox’s “idea” of which quarterback is poised to lead the Broncos in 2011, along with a notable retirement, and two passings.

So which was the week’s most popular story?  Put an end to the guessing and read on…

**For the record, my favorite two stories of the week missed the cut.  Go HERE and HERE for those.

3. I Should Learn to Expect the Unexpected

Well, that was unexpected.

Not the ruling.  The timing.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled this morning the NFL lockout is legal.  The league’s latest victory may be the momentum needed for a speedy resolution.

Okay, maybe ‘speedy’ isn’t the right word; it’s Day 115 of the NFL lockout after all.

The 2-1 decision throws out an April ruling by U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson, who ordered the lockout lifted.  Judge Nelson sided with the players’ argument the lockout caused them “irreparable harm.”

While today’s ruling isn’t entirely surprising, its timing certainly is.  For days now, we’ve heard insiders say to not expect a ruling announced anytime soon, and we should only expect one if talks between the league and players’ union stall.  Continue reading I Should Learn to Expect the Unexpected >>>

2. NFL Notes: Hall of Fame Tight End John Mackey Dies, Quarterback Kerry Collins Retires

This morning, we learned of the passing of John Mackey, former NFLPA president.  Associated Press reports the Hall of Fame tight end died at the age of 69.  He had struggled dementia following his 10-year career.

Drafted out of Syracuse, Mackey played for the Baltimore Colts from 1963-71 and San Diego Chargers in 1972.  Mackey is often regarded as the first offensive threat tight end.  His breakaway speed, size, and strength earned him five Pro Bowls.

Of his nine touchdown receptions in 1966, six were 50 yards or longer (51, 57, 64, 79, 83, and 89).  Mackey’s most defining moment is still considered among the best Super Bowl plays ever; he caught a deflected pass from Johnny Unitas in Super Bowl V to score a 75-yard touchdown – a record at the time.  Continue reading NFL Notes: Hall of Fame Tight End John Mackey Dies, Quarterback Kerry Collins Retires >>>

1.     Making A Liar Out of Me

It’s still Wednesday, so call this premature, but I’m conceding.

NFL lockout: 1

My prediction the lockout would end July 6: 0

I’m hanging up my prognostication hat – at least regarding this issue – but I remain confident a deal will happen soon.  Just don’t ask me for a date; turns out I’m lousy at league-related guesswork.

NFL.com reports legal teams representing the league and players’ union are meeting for a second straight day in Manhattan, hammering out details and language of a *gasp* potential agreement.  Continue reading Making A Liar Out of Me >>> 

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This morning, we learned of the passing of John Mackey, former NFLPA president.  Associated Press reports the Hall of Fame tight end died at the age of 69.  He had struggled dementia following his 10-year career.

Drafted out of Syracuse, Mackey played for the Baltimore Colts from 1963-71 and San Diego Chargers in 1972.  Mackey is often regarded as the first offensive threat tight end.  His breakaway speed, size, and strength earned him five Pro Bowls.

Of his nine touchdown receptions in 1966, six were 50 yards or longer (51, 57, 64, 79, 83, and 89).  Mackey’s most defining moment is still considered among the best Super Bowl plays ever; he caught a deflected pass from Johnny Unitas in Super Bowl V to score a 75-yard touchdown – a record at the time.

Watch NFL.com video of John Mackey here >>>

Former Broncos tight end Daniel Graham won the John Mackey Award in 2001. (Courtesy Jeffrey Beall)

In 1992, Mackey became the second tight end inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, four years after Mike Dikta.  Six tight ends have since joined them, including former Broncos standout Shannon Sharpe, who will be enshrined next month.

Mackey’s dementia forced him into an assisted-living facility in 2007.  His care costs were much higher than his NFL pension of $2,500 a month.  The story pushed the NFL and players’ union to create the “88 Plan.”  Named for Mackey’s number, the “88 Plan” provides $88,000 annually for nursing home care and up to $50,000 a year for adult day care.

Mackey’s wife has said she will donate her husband’s brain for research.  Boston University School of Medicine is conducting an ongoing study of brain damage in athletes.

In 2000, the John Mackey Award was established to honor the nation’s most oustanding collegiate tight end.   Former University of Colorado and Denver Broncos tight end Daniel Graham won the award in 2001.

Veteran quarterback retires

Tennessee Titans quarterback Kerry Collins is calling it quits.

The 16-year veteran announced his retirement today.  In statement released by his agent and posted on NFL.com, Collins said:

38-year-old quarterback Kerry Collins retired today. (Courtesy Ray Montgomery)

“The past several months have brought on much introspection, and I have decided that while my desire to compete on Sundays is still and always will be there, my willingness to commit to the preparation necessary to play another season has waned to a level that I feel is no longer adequate to meet the demands of the position.

“I want to wish Mike Munchak and the Tennessee Titans the best of luck in the future.  I have had a fantastic five years here, and my family and I look forward to remaining part of the Middle Tennessee community that has been extremely gracious towards us and an honor to play for.”

Collins’ 40,441 yards ranks 11^th in league history.  The fifth overall draft pick in 1995 out of Penn State, Collins was the first player ever taken by Carolina Panthers.  He also played for the Saints, Giants, and Raiders.  Collins was selected to two Pro Bowls 12 years apart – 1996 and 2008.

Collins’ departure leaves even more uncertainty at quarterback for Tennessee.  Vince Young is expected to be traded or released once the lockout ends.  The Titans drafted Washington quarterback Jake Locker with the eighth overall pick in April.  Rusty Smith is the only other quarterback on the roster.

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Happy Memorial Day weekend to all.

The unofficial start of summer is here, so let’s christen its arrival with a smattering (yes, smattering) of Denver Broncos headlines.

In The Denver Post Q & A tackles Mario Haggan’s need for a typical – not lockout-filled – offseason.

Also from The Denver Post, Woody Paige writes about John Elway’s front office job – in a way only Woody Paige can do.

ESPN’s AFC East blog insists Kyle Orton is the best quarterback on the not-yet market, not Kevin Kolb.

Chargers fan site Bolt Beat breaks down the 2011 Broncos.

Tim Tebow returned to Florida for an awards ceremony.  Naples Daily News reports Tebow was the keynote speaker for the Winged Foot Scholar-Athlete Award banquet.  Earlier this spring, DHF wrote Tebow was scheduled as keynote speaker for last year’s event, but canceled due to scheduling conflicts.  Dick Vitale served as replacement.

Field Gulls counts down the best NFL throwback uniforms.  The Broncos white/brown combo makes the cut.

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Some NFL teams are apparently breaking lockout rules.

According to Pro Football Weekly, six NFL agents claim they have been contacted about undrafted clients.  Any other year, this would be entirely expected, but until the lockout is resolved, teams are banned from any such communication.

If true, that would be considered tampering.  One agent told PFW:

“It was almost like a normal year in terms of contact, a little less [phone contact] than normal maybe, only without the signed contracts at the end.”

The agents didn’t say which teams or players are involved.

Uh, Steve, what are you doing? (Courtesy Keith Allison)

Just days after the NFL Draft, undrafted University of Missouri center Tim Barnes told a Missouri newspaper the Ravens, Bengals, and Dolphins contacted him.  The teams have either denied doing so or haven’t responded to Barnes’ claims.

Chargers Interested in Smith

It’s not just undrafted free agents off-limits during the lockout.  All paid players are, but that hasn’t slowed the rumor wagon.

San Diego Union Tribune reports AFC West rival Chargers are interested in trading for Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith.  It’s no secret Smith is unhappy with the Panthers; he recently cleaned out his locker and has put his Charlotte home up for sale.

Smith turns 32 on Thursday.

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For the first time since 2004, the Denver Broncos will open the season at home against divisional rival Oakland.  Even better, it’s on Monday night, extending Denver’s MNF streak to 20 straight years, longest in the league.

Oh, and Jay Cutler will be here December 11.

Without further ado, here is the complete 2011 Denver Broncos schedule:

• September 12: Broncos vs. Raiders 8:15 p.m. (Monday Night Football)
• September 18: Broncos vs. Bengals 2:15 p.m.
• September 25: Broncos at Titans 11 a.m.
• October 2: Broncos at Packers 2:15 p.m.
• October 9: Broncos vs. Chargers 2:15 p.m.
• October 16: BYE
• October 23: Broncos at Dolphins 11 a.m.
• October 30: Broncos vs. Lions 2:05 p.m.
• November 6: Broncos at Raiders 11:05 a.m.
• November 13: Broncos at Chiefs 11 a.m.
• November 17: Broncos vs. Jets 6:20 p.m. (Thursday night)
• November 27: Broncos at Chargers 2:15 p.m.
• December 4: Broncos at Vikings 2:05 p.m.
• December 11: Broncos vs. Bears 2:05 p.m.
• December 18: Broncos vs. Patriots 2:15 p.m.
• December 24: Broncos at Bills (Saturday) 11 a.m.
• January 1: Broncos vs. Chiefs 2:15 p.m.

**For a complete 2011 schedule, visit the NFL’s website.

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