Broncos, heed your coach’s advice: Do not engage in any bye week follies.

Don't do anything I wouldn't do... (personal photo)

Now, get out there and enjoy your extended football respite.

For only the second time in his 10 years as NFL head coach, Fox gave his team a four-day bye week break, though this time around, he didn’t have a choice.  Thanks to our friend, the new and improved CBA, players must have four consecutive days off.  How the players spend that time is entirely their choosing, but Fox told The Denver Post:

“I always tell them I don’t want to read about you unless you win the lottery.  You hope and pray and wish them the best and hope they make the best decisions.”

Players return practice Monday, the third this season with Tim Tebow as starting quarterback.  Having just one four-day player break under his belt, Fox is drawing on limited experience, but said the schedule affected the offense more than the defense.  He suspects the same with the somewhat revamped Broncos offense:

“We’re going to practice on Monday to get our timing and rhythm back, particularly in the passing game.  And that’s an area, I think, with the extended time off, we suffer some sometimes.”

Translation: “The Decision” – that to name Tebow starting quarterback ahead of the bye week – might be a bumpy ride next week in Dove Valley.

But at least there’s excitement again.  We haven’t seen much of that lately.

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Happy New Year.

The league year is officially underway, and my resolution is to watch more football.

Thankfully, I will get my wish very soon.

Players ratified a 10-year collective bargaining agreement Thursday afternoon, a celebratory moment for two reasons:

1. Players who signed contracts on or after July 26 can finally join teammates in practice
2. We don’t have to utter, let alone think about, the words ‘collective bargaining agreement’ for a long, long time

With the addition of Warren, the Broncos waived cornerback Chevis Jackson to get the roster to 90 players.

Orange Crush

The Broncos will wear the alternate orange jerseys at two home games this season:

Thanks for the confirmation, Denver Broncos, but is there anyone who didn’t think Oakland was an “orange-worthy” game?

• Monday Night Football: √
• AFC West rival: √
• Season opener: √

Detroit is a mild surprise.  The New York Jets and Chicago are sexier options.  Get used to orange; the Broncos are expected to make the move to orange jerseys full-time in 2012.

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The wait is almost over for Broncos free agents who are unable to practice due to CBA rules.  The Denver Post has more.

Also from The Denver Post, the Broncos are cleaning house – of the Josh McDaniels regime.

From the team’s official site, the Broncos’ offensive and defensive coordinators talk philosophy and goals for 2011.

Kyle Orton has established himself as the No. 1 QB for now at Dove Valley.  Sporting News writes about the Broncos quarterback situation.

Shannon Sharpe’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is now days away.  The Washington Post has more on Shannon’s inspiration and journey to Canton.

A former Bronco doesn’t like the new practice rules, writes ESPN NFC West blogger.

Ohio’s Tribune Chronicle reports on the voided deal that would have sent Brodrick Bunkley to Cleveland.  Instead, he was traded to Denver Monday.

Mocking the Draft projects the league’s top rookies in 2011. A certain second-overall draft pick is featured.

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Good Sunday morning to all.  Time for Broncos headlines.

The NFL and NFLPA are ironing out the final details of the CBA.  Here’s an update from The Denver Post.

The team’s official site announces the re-signing of three Broncos players.

Also from denverbroncos.com, a review of the team’s first practice in pads.

The just in: Denver has salary cap problems.  ESPN AFC West blogger Bill Williamson has more.

Former Broncos TE Daniel Graham could have a new team, according to SB Nation Music City Miracles.

Speaking of Graham, NFL.com has details on another team interested in the tight end.

NFL Gridiron Gab ponders if Kyle Orton would make sense in Seattle.

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It’s going to be a big Monday for those who are paid to play in the National Football League.  From the perspective of those who love football, it better be a Monday that ends with votes in favor of getting back to work.  Last week ended with Lee Corso, “Not so fast, my friend,” pessimism.  This week needs to begin with a Hank Williams, Jr., “Are you ready for some football?” croon.

Basically everyone in the Lockout Watch universe seems to think the players will finally get on board and approve both a settlement and CBA.  They should.  The ball is in their red zone.  As Denver-based public relations specialist Pete Webb told the Associated Press on Friday:

“If fans aren’t going to get their fall appetite of football, it’s not only the fans that are going to be the losers but the players’ images are going to take a hit.”

To fully appreciate the importance of Monday to NFL players, it’s necessary to flash back a few days when the NFL touted a deal.

Last Thursday’s news conference featuring a bleary-eyed Roger Goodell was either a power play, or a milestone of progress depending on your level of cynicism.  What it wasn’t was a desperate move.  There’s no way the owners coffers run dry before those of the players — even without that “lockout insurance” TV money.  No, the speedy ratification of a new CBA signifies two things.  First and foremost it shows that NFL owners prefer to make money, even if it’s not entirely on their preferred terms.  It also shows they understand the way to make money off a professional football league is to…you know…play football.

Commissioner Roger Goodell and owners were all smiles last week.

Now back to the players.  While this legal saga has more complicated layers than party dip, the basic fact that fans recognize is that the owners were the ones who locked the doors.  Now they’ve agreed to unlock them, but alas the players have now dragged their feet.  Yes, it is perfectly reasonable for the NFLPA to read all the fine print before signing a deal that will last a decade. This is a complicated deal, and there is undoubtedly a lot of fine print to read.  The problem is that if that truly is the main cause of this delay on the players’ side, no one is saying so…at least not very well.  Basic timetables, and a thoughtful voice haven’t existed.  Instead it’s been a mixture of social media infighting, and sniping from the players.

That chest-thumping rhetoric was fine in March, when we all knew this thing would likely drag on until mid-to-late July.  Now that kind of talk is just plain concerning.  For roughly the past month the news from the lockout beat has been messages of progress.  That progress appeared to reach its apex last week, but the deal didn’t get sealed, and the crowing continued.  If…IF…for some mind-boggling reason the players fail to get this deal moving on Monday, and let another week slip by without showing up at team facilities the blame falls squarely on them.

It doesn’t matter if its deserved.  That’s just the way it goes.

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Multiple candidates.  Only one champion.

What was DHF’s most read story of the week?  The suspense is over.

3. Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas Denies NCAA Allegations

Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas wants to make one thing clear: Don’t believe everything you read.

Thomas yesterday disputed reports he received improper gifts during his college playing days at Georgia Tech.

The NCAA put Georgia Tech on four probation for football and basketball violations.  As part of the punishment, Georgia Tech must pay a $100,000 fine and vacate the final three games of the 2009 football season.  Continue reading Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas Denies NCAA Allegations >>>

2. I Should Release A Statement Asking to End the Statements

The NFL lockout hit another dubious distinction this week: 4 months and counting.

In a typical offseason, mid-July means free agency, OTAs, and counting down the days until training camp.

This isn’t a typical offseason, thanks to the longest work stoppage in league history.  Instead, we’re left to pass the time reading about the latest lockout squabbles, rumors that a done deal is imminent, and the likelihood of preseason – maybe even regular season – cancellations.

Sense of urgency?  Haven’t we already passed that?  Continue reading I Should Release A Statement Asking to End the Statements >>>

1. Mark Your Calendars for July 28 

We could get our first look at the 2011 Denver Broncos – pre cuts – in exactly 12 days.

The Denver Post reports if a new collective bargaining agreement is reached in the coming days, the Broncos’ training camp would begin July 28.  As with any fluid situation, that date could be moved by a day or two.

Once a new CBA is okayed, the next steps will happen very quickly.   Think of it as an attempt to cram an entire typical offseason into mere days.  The plan, which is subject to change, would begin free agency season July 25.  Teams could also conduct trades during that time.  As for signing undrafted players, those details are still undetermined.  Continue reading Mark Your Calendars for July 28 >>>

I hope everyone got a good night’s rest, because we’re likely in for a very eventful week.

By all accounts, and I know I’ve used this line before, this is the week the NFL lockout thankfully comes to an end.

NFL owners and players will meet again either today or tomorrow, or perhaps even both days, according to NFL.com.  U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan, who’s been out of the country on vacation, will be back to mediate.

Sources say only a few issues remain unresolved.  Talks will take place in either New York or Washington, D.C.

Owners will be in Atlanta on Thursday for league meetings.  It’s expected that if a deal is reached, owners can ratify the agreement then.  As so eloquently put by Broncos tight end Dan Gronkowski:

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday the NFLPA started contacting plaintiffs in Brady vs. NFL antitrust lawsuit.   Broncos rookie linebacker Von Miller is one of the 10 plaintiffs.

While NFL labor negotiations continue, chew on this…

NFL franchises – despite any suggested financial problems – remain the collective global envy of other professional sports teams.

Pat Bowlen’s Broncos are No. 15. (Courtesy Jeffrey Beall)

Want proof?  Look no further than Forbes.

In a countdown of the world’s 50 most valuable sports teams, ALL 32 NFL teams made the cut.

Say what? ALL 32 MADE THE CUT.  For me, that line can be summarized in one word: staggering.

In 25 years, television revenue alone has increased 700%.  Back then, if you had $70 million lying around, you could purchase a NFL team.  Nowadays, you need a cool $1 billion to make that happen.

To find the world’s most valuable team, head across the pond.  English Premier League’s Manchester United is worth nearly $1.9 billion.  The highest placed NFL team is No. 2: the estimated $1.8 billion Dallas Cowboys.

(Side note: Can someone explain to me how the Houston Texans are ninth in this list?)

Pat Bowlen’s team is the AFC West’s most valued franchise at $1.05 billion.  That’s also good enough for 15th in Forbes ranking.  Kansas City Chiefs come in 27th ($965 million), San Diego Chargers rank 32nd ($907 million), and the Oakland Raiders are 43rd, worth a measly (relatively speaking) $758 million.

We could get our first look at the 2011 Denver Broncos – pre cuts – in exactly 12 days.

The Denver Post reports if a new collective bargaining agreement is reached in the coming days, the Broncos’ training camp would begin July 28.  As with any fluid situation, that date could be moved by a day or two. 

Once a new CBA is okayed, the next steps will happen very quickly.   Think of it as an attempt to cram an entire typical offseason into mere days.  The plan, which is subject to change, would begin free agency season July 25.  Teams could also conduct trades during that time.  As for signing undrafted players, those details are still undetermined.

The short window is precious little time for the Broncos front office to take care of business matters, including signing the team’s nine draft picks.

The Broncos preseason schedule begins August 11 at Dallas.

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