Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy is set to be former Denver Broncos offensive coordinator.

As first reported by CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, the San Diego Chargers plan to finalize a deal today making McCoy their next coach. ESPN’s Adam Schefter says McCoy has already informed the Broncos of his decision.

As for possible replacements for McCoy, La Canfora says one candidate is Ken Whisenhunt. The former Arizona Cardinals head coach interviewed with the Philadelphia Eagles Monday regarding their head coaching vacancy. The Eagles fired Andy Reid at the conclusion of the season. He was later named Kansas City’s head coach.

The Chiefs will soon be Denver’s lone AFC West foe without a former Broncos assistant as head coach. Ex-Denver defensive coordinator Dennis Allen just completed his first season as Oakland Raiders head coach.

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Two teams.  Two very opposite directions.

The 9-3 Denver Broncos have clinched the AFC West for the second consecutive year.  The team is also riding a seven-game regular-season win streak, its first since 1998.

Meanwhile in Oakland, the slumping Raiders are 3-9 and losers of five straight, and are eliminated from the playoff race for the 10th straight year.  The record only tells part of the story: The rushing Raiders of recent memory only rank 29th in the league with 82.8 yards a game.  The only steady offensive production has come from quarterback Carson Palmer, but he’s looked flat out terrible at times in 2012.  The Raiders are even worse on defense, ranked 28th overall in the NFL.

But…we know the cliché, and it’s entirely true: Anything can happen, especially in a division game at a hostile stadium…and especially with only a four-day turnaround.

Former Broncos defensive coordinator and current Raiders head coach Dennis Allen is expected to coach Thursday, just two days after the death of his father.

When Oakland has the ball:  The Raiders are battling a whole slew of injuries.  The running back corps has been particularly hard hit; four backs – Mike Goodson, Taiwan Jones, Darren McFadden, and Marcel Reese – were limited participants in practice this week.  All are listed as probable for Thursday.

Palmer is one of seven quarterbacks with more passing yards than Manning, but he has fewer touchdown passes (29 to 20) and more interceptions (13 to 9).  Palmer’s favorite target as of late is tight end Brandon Myers, who had 130 receiving yards in the Raiders’ Week 13 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

The Broncos defense has been burned at times by tight ends heavily involved in the offensive game plan, but don’t expect Denver to surrender too many yards on Thursday night.  Gone are the days of the defense being a liability.  The Broncos allow an average of 308.2 yards a game, which is third best in the NFL.

Von Miller has more sacks than the entire Oakland Raiders defense. (courtesy Jeffrey Beall)

When Denver has the ball: It took the better part of six quarters, but during the second half of Sunday’s victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Denver Broncos offense finally started to resemble the Denver Broncos offense we’ve grown accustomed to seeing.

And for Broncos fans, Thursday should be more of the same.

The Raiders defense allows 31.3 points a game – worst in the NFL.  You know a unit is bad when it gives up 475 yards to the Browns, including eight passing plays of more than 20 yards.

If Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden can pick apart the Raiders defense, imagine what Manning can do Thursday.  Manning threw for 338 yards in the teams’ 37-6 thumping in Week 4.  It doesn’t help Oakland that three members of the Raiders secondary – safeties Matt Giordano and Mike Mitchell and cornerback Phillip Adams – suffered concussions in the Cleveland game.

As usual, the offensive line must work to keep Manning from getting battered in the box.  Manning wasn’t sacked when Denver hosted Oakland back in late-September.  The Raiders don’t get to the quarterback much.  In fact, Broncos linebacker Von Miller has more sacks (15) than the entire Oakland Raiders (14).

The reality of it all is barring Oakland delivering a revelation of perfect execution, about the only way the Raiders can remain in this game is keeping Denver out of rhythm, and forcing Broncos turnovers.  The Broncos are minus-3 in the turnover differential this season, much worse than the other top teams in the AFC.  New England, Houston, and Baltimore are all plus-13 or better.  Earlier this week, head coach John Fox said cutting down on turnovers is crucial to making a deep playoff run.  On Thursday, turnovers and/or a smattering of Denver penalties are about the only things that can realistically allow Oakland to hang around.  If the Broncos take care of the ball, it shouldn’t be too difficult to take care of the Raiders.

Prediction 

Denver 34, Oakland 17

Not even 44,000 people attended Oakland’s game Sunday against Cleveland – the lowest since 2010 – but expect a bigger turnout Thursday.  It’s an evening game against a division opponent.  It’s been a tough season for Oakland, but humbling the division champs could provide a bright spot for the organization moving forward.

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Tuesdays are typically the Denver Broncos day off, but with a four-day break between games, players practiced at team headquarters.

The only player to not participate was linebacker Wesley Woodyard, who’s nursing a sprained ankle.  Wide receiver Brandon Stokley, who was inactive for Sunday’s win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a wrist/hip injury, also participated, as did defensive end Robert Ayers, who was away from the team last week after the death of his father. 

Oakland Raiders head coach Dennis Allen, Broncos’ defensive coordinator a season ago, is expected to coach in Thursday’s game.  He is also coping with the death of his father, Grady, who died Tuesday.

Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has experienced just about everything in his illustrious career, but he’s only played in two Thursday night games.  The short week means changing routine for the routine-driven Manning.  He said Tuesday the schedule is a challenge, but he – and the team – will be prepared:

“It’s a challenge. I’ve played in a few Thursday night games (but) I know Coach (John) Fox has had a formula that he’s used. I think he’s played five times (on Thursday).  It’s about efficient preparation and a lot of mental preparation. Obviously, the biggest challenge for guys physically is to rest and recover from a physical game on Sunday against Tampa. The key is getting good mental preparation and I think we’re in a good start today.”

Playoffapalooza Headlines:

• Denver Broncos: A look at the matchup scenarios if the playoffs started today.
• Denver Post: The Houston Texans have likely locked up the No. 1 seed, but the Broncos are Baltimore Ravens are fighting for No. 2.

Other Headlines:

• Associated Press: Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders game preview
• Denver Broncos: The 2013 schedule is coming together…and includes Denver visits to New England, Indianapolis, and the New York Giants.

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Raiders coach Dennis Allen has disappointing homecoming in Denver - In less than three quarters Sunday, Peyton Manning produced his NFL-record 65th 300-yard passing performance and the Raiders had not forced the Broncos to punt. On third down, the Broncos were a nifty 8-of-12 (67 percent).  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz and Phil Simms look and sound rather familiar - Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, who have become the Broncos’ main TV broadcasting team, will be in Foxborough, Mass., next Sunday for the Denver-New England game — Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Next Day Notebook: Playing How They Practiced - A strong week of practice helped the Broncos defeat the Raiders, the defense enjoyed playing with a lead and running back Willis McGahee cracked the 100-yard mark for the 32nd time.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

John Fox Press Conference - Head Coach John Fox talks about moving center J.D. Walton to injured reserve, Sunday’s win over Oakland and looking ahead towards New England.  Watch video from Denver Broncos >>>>

Broncos fans keep the faith - Broncos fans remained undaunted, despite the team’s two straight home game losses.  ”I’m not worried about the Broncos at all, I think they’re going to win,” Barkley Collinson said, as he played catch with a football before Sunday’s game.  Read more from 9News >>>>

Bill Belichick on Peyton Manning: “Not real excited” to face him - Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he kept a close watch on what was perhaps the biggest story of the NFL offseason — former Colts quarterback Peyton Manning hitting the open market as a free agent, touching off a frenzy among several teams for his services.  Read more from Boston.com >>>>

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The Oakland Raiders have come into Denver each of the last four years and won.

Sunday’s game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High is Peyton Manning’s first against an AFC West rival.  It’s also the return of ex-defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, now Oakland’s head coach.

Denver’s chance to end the streak of home-field letdowns comes at a somewhat critical time for the Broncos.  While Sunday’s game marks just the fourth of the season, it’s also a chance to avoid entering the second quarter of the schedule very much behind the curve.  New England looms the following week, and San Diego after that.

Gaining a win against a division opponent puts the Broncos at 2-2, allowing the Broncos a much more realistic chance at reaching the bye week at .500.  This isn’t to say Sunday’s game can safely be considered a “should win” for the Broncos.  While Oakland has looked messy at times in the first three weeks, the Raiders are also capable of generating points.  Carson Palmer isn’t going to miss many throws if allowed to dictate his own rhythm, and the Raiders defense has mimicked the Broncos – adjusting during games to limit opportunities.

All that said, the key to Oakland’s success on Sunday will be the same thing that’s made the difference for the Raiders during their past four trips to Denver…an effective running game.

When Oakland has the ball:

When it comes to a stout rushing attack, consider last week’s game against the Houston Texans a test run for the Broncos.  Lead by Arian Foster’s 105 yards, the Texans rushed for 152 yards in a Week 3 victory.

Enter Darren McFadden, playing the role of thorn-in-the-side…

McFadden has made a habit of dashing for green and leaving behind scores of Broncos defenders.  McFadden has averaged 144.7 yards in his last three games against the Broncos, with his “worst” performance being only 119 yards.  McFadden’s penchant for making mincemeat out of the Broncos D is especially worrisome with the current gaping lack of depth of linebacker.

Joe Mays is suspended for Sunday’s game.  D.J. Williams is serving at least a six-game suspension, putting even more pressure on second-year stud Von Miller.  The problem for Denver is there’s only one Von Miller (and his calling card is getting to quarterbacks), putting additional pressure on Keith Brooking, who will presumably “replace” Mays, and usual specialty package players Wesley Woodyard and Danny Trevathan.

Even with early-down option Mays in last week’s game, the Broncos linebacker corps struggled against the Texans’ balanced, prolific offense.

When Denver has the ball: 

Texans DE J.J. Watt terrorized the Broncos last weekend, outmuscling overmatched guard Manny Ramirez.  The impact was enough to sputter Denver’s ground game, but more importantly, forced Manning out of his comfort zone and into premature throws – a lethal concoction for a timing and precision offense.

The lesson here is perhaps two-fold:

1) Protect the quarterback: Manning is getting hurried, knocked down, and sacked, and each time, Broncos fans hold their collective breath to see if he’s okay.  Thankfully, he has been…so far…and here’s hoping it stays that way.  Since the Broncos offensive line is what it is until Chris Kuper returns (possibly next week), protect Manning by establishing an effective ground game with veteran Willis McGahee and rookie-speedster-I-want-to-see-more-of Ronnie Hillman.  This also “saves” Manning’s arm from having to throw 55 times a game.

2) Keep the defense at bay through whatever means necessary: To me, this smells of hurry-up offense, something we’ve only seen implemented by the Broncos in bits and pieces.  The Raiders defense is statistically the weakest unit the Broncos have faced this season, so if executed to typical Manning perfection, a no-huddle offense could be the key to swinging the needle in the team’s favor.

Prediction

Denver 31, Oakland 21

Four games, and four DHF projected Broncos wins…

With upcoming road games in New England and San Diego, Sunday’s game is the first must-win for the Broncos this season.

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Lose to Raiders? Don’t even think about it, Peyton - The Pro Football Hall of Fame aches with anticipation for the arrival of Peyton Manning. Indianapolis pines for him, now that No. 18 is gone. But Denver won’t truly fall in love with Manning until the legendary quarterback stands up in the stadium off Federal Boulevard and declares: This is my house.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Broncos’ D.J. Williams meets with NFL about further discipline - Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams had an appeal hearing with the NFL on Wednesday in New York regarding his recent conviction on a driving while ability impaired charge, according to multiple league sources.  Williams, 30, is likely to receive an additional two- to three-game suspension, according to the sources, on top of the six-game suspension he now is serving for violating the NFL’s performance enhancement policy.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Broncos’ Von Miller, Keith Brooking must excel with Joe Mays suspended - The Broncos will take on a Raiders offense Sunday that has vexed their run defense for much of the past three seasons without middle linebacker Joe Mays.  The Broncos were officially informed Thursday that Mays did not win his appeal of a one-game suspension and a $50,000 fine.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Allen Returns to Denver - The Broncos’ defense faces a unique challenge in this weekend’s division opener against Oakland.  The collective team speed of the Raiders, the talent of running back Darren McFadden, the hostility between the two teams – none of those things are new to the Oakland-Denver rivalry. The added wrinkle this year is Raiders Head Coach Dennis Allen, who was Denver’s defensive coordinator at this time last year.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Trevathan Ready to Step In -  The first defensive snaps of rookie linebacker Danny Trevathan’s career could come this weekend.  With starting middle linebacker Joe Mays serving a one-game suspension and linebacker Nate Irving listed as questionable with a concussion, Trevathan might be asked to step in.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

NFL Preview: Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos - After opening against three stout defenses, Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos seem to have a more favorable matchup in Week 4.  The Broncos’ defense, however, might be short-handed, and that could lead to problems against an Oakland Raiders offense that appears to be finding its stride.  The Broncos try to avoid losing their third in a row Sunday in an AFC West showdown with a Raiders team seeking its fifth straight victory in Denver.  Read more from CBSSports.com >>>>

Denver Broncos: Stat Projections for Starters vs Oakland Raiders - After two consecutive losses, the Denver Broncos are looking a lot like the Denver Broncos of 2011, and not much like the hype that surrounded them going into 2012.  In Week 4, the Broncos host the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High and look to bring their record back to an even standing.  Read more Bleacher Report >>>>

Source: John Fox appeals fine – Denver Broncos coach John Fox filed an appeal Friday with the NFL office contesting his $30,000 fine for inappropriate behavior toward the replacement officiating crew, according to a league source.  Read more from ESPN >>>>

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Broncos QB Peyton Manning wants to see fewer turnovers - Through two preseason games, the Broncos’ starting offense has more turnovers (four) than scoring drives (two). That statistic does not sit well with quarterback Peyton Manning.  Manning threw two interceptions Saturday against Seattle (he had one the previous week against Chicago), and running back Lance Ball lost a fumble.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Decorum course required for unruly fans ejected from Broncos games - Mind your game-day manners Broncos fans or face the consequences: a personal-conduct class.  Any fan ejected from Mile High stadium for hooligan-like behavior must pay to take a decorum class before he or she can attend a future game, according to a new National Football League policy recently adopted by the Broncos.  The four-hour online course is focused on alcohol abuse, anger management and unruly, crude behavior, NFL officials said.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

AFC West breakdown: Raiders’ Dennis Allen trying to take rough edges off Oakland - While the Denver Broncos are preparing fort the NFL season in training camp, with all things Dove Valley grabbing headlines in Colorado, the team’s AFC rivals have rolled up their sleeves as well.  After talking to scouts and personnel executives around the NFL, here is a quick look at how things are going elsewhere in the division.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Four Broncos Back in Action - The Broncos are getting healthy.  Four players — cornerback Tracy Porter, linebacker Danny Trevathan, running back Ronnie Hillman and safety Quinton Carter – returned to practice on Monday after missing time for a variety of reasons. Porter, who missed most of last week’s practices with an illness, was a full-go on Monday.  Rookie linebacker Danny Trevathan had been kept out of practice since the first preseason game in Chicago, where he suffered an ankle injury. He, too, fully participated in the shells-and-shorts practice.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Quick Chance For Redemption - In terms of points allowed, the Broncos first-team defense turned in its second strong performance in a row Saturday night against Seattle.  The starting unit followed up a suffocating preseason opener in Chicago by limiting the Seahawks to just 103 total yards and three field goals before halftime. But linebacker Joe Mays wasn’t the least bit pleased with the unit’s performance. Mays was particularly disappointed in how he and his teammates struggled to stop the run as Seattle picked up 76 yards rushing on 17 carries in the first half, finishing the game with 228 yards on the ground.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Projecting the Denver Broncos’ Final 53-Man Roster After Preseason Week 2 - The Broncos’ preseason game number two is in the books and players on the bubble for the final roster are fighting for their NFL lives.  While it is still too early for definitive decisions on some of these guys, coaches and front office staff are getting good looks at their play on the football field. For those in the third and fourth spot down the depth chart, one great play can be the difference-maker between playing football this season or not.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Denver Broncos: Run Defense Continues to Look Suspect in Loss to Seahawks - Denver Broncos fans were clamoring for John Elway and Co. to draft a defensive tackle inside to stop the run and generate pressure up the middle on opposing quarterbacks. All last season the team struggled against stopping the run, especially in the middle of the defense.  In a pre-draft press conference, John Elway told reporters that defensive tackle, a most obvious need, appeared to be the most likely spot to use the team’s first draft pick.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Denver Broncos Positional Analysis: Tight Ends/Fullbacks - With the second preseason game for the Denver Broncos now in the rear view mirror, it’s time to get back to our analysis of the positions. Today we combine two of them, the tight ends and the fullbacks. The tight ends are going to be a big part of a Peyton Manning led offense, and the Broncos signed two veterans in free agency that should have an impact.  It starts with Jacob Tamme, Manning’s teammate with the Indianapolis Colts. Tamme had a rough game on Saturday night versus the Seattle Seahawks but it was just that, a rough night. Tamme is a proven pass catching tight end who had his best season in 2010 while playing with Manning. The former Colts need to continue to work on their timing but with three weeks to go before the regular season, they should be able to get things cleaned up.  Read more from Rant Sports >>>>

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Broncos slip to 9th best Super Bowl odds - It seems the Peyton Manning hysteria was rubbed off some. The Broncos, tied for the fifth-best Super Bowl odds in the days after they signed the free-agent quarterback, now are tied for ninth-favorites to win it all in 2012.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Q&A with Jack Del Rio - After nine seasons as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jack Del Rio joined the Broncos in late January to run the team’s defense.  It’s the first time Del Rio has been a defensive coordinator since 2002, when he worked with then-Head Coach John Fox in Carolina.  Now reunited with Fox, Del Rio said he’s looking to bring some of the “Orange Crush” mentality back to the Denver defense. He spoke with DenverBroncos.com about his move to Denver, his relationship with Coach Fox and the benefit of being a former player.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>  

Denver Broncos Predictions: 7 Key Players to 2012 Season’s Success - The Denver Broncos hope to build on the success of an AFC West crown and a divisional playoff run with a very different roster heading into 2012.  The shift at quarterback from Tim Tebow to Peyton Manning is the most notable development in the proactive offseason by the franchise’s front office.  Beyond Manning’s acquisition, other new arrivals and key returnees from injury will hold the immediate future of the organization in their hands.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>> 

The Broncos 1st Round Draft Pick History – A first round pick in the National Football League can make or break a draft for a team and specifically a General Manager. Why? Because this selection is supposed to become a Pro Bowl caliber player and better be a starter as a Rookie. A top ten pick had better be a difference maker or a play-maker to boot. The kind of player that the opposing team has to account for in their game plan.  Today, we will study how the Denver Broncos have done with this selection in the franchise’s history.  Read more from Mile High Report >>>> 

Will McCoy, Del Rio follow in Allen’s footsteps? - After recording an 8-8 record and a playoff berth last season, Denver’s top two 2011 coordinators — Mike McCoy and Dennis Allen— suddenly became head coaching candidates.  The Oakland Raiders were granted permission to interview both coaches (and they ended up hiring Allen) and the Miami Dolphins considered signing McCoy.  Read more from Bronco Talk >>>>

Jets, Redskins, Broncos face playoff run setbacks - Forget Eli Manning vs. Tom Brady. Super Bowl XLVI pitted the New York Giants and the league’s worst rushing attack against the New England Patriots and their 31st-ranked defense.  You don’t often see that, but even championship teams have a weakness.  Winning franchises learn to mask their faults, but this is dangerous territory. Opponents are mining for every advantage.  Here’s a look at five teams with every reason to talk playoffs, save for this one nagging — potentially fatal — weakness.  Real more from NFL.com >>>>

Manning Camp marks eighth year in area - When the Manning Passing Academy first landed in Thibodaux and on the campus of Nicholls State University in 2005, Eli Manning was entering his second season as quarterback of the New York Giants.  At the time, his much more famous brother Peyton Manning was heading into his eighth season as the quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts.  Read more from Houma Today >>>>

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Q&A: Trio of Oregon Ducks not worth a shot from Broncos - Today’s question about the Broncos comes from Tom McCarthy in Portland, Ore.: Q: I think there are three Oregon Ducks players in this year’s draft that the Broncos should consider taking. LaMichael James would be good, but he has already been discussed in a couple of Denver Post articles, so I’m curious what you think about quarterback Darron Thomas and cornerback Cliff Harris? … Do you think Denver should consider Thomas or Harris and, if so, at what point in the draft would you consider taking them?  Read more from The Denver Post >>>>

Baylor’s Ganaway an intriguing big back for Broncos’ draft - This draft is filled with smaller running backs — fleet, athletic players who are what most NFL offenses would look at as part-time, change-of-pace players.  Which is why a team like the Broncos, looking for a bigger back, will have far fewer targets on the board.  Read more from The Denver Post >>>>

Decker Encourages Healthy Lifestyle - Wide receiver Eric Decker spent Friday morning with DPS students to talk about the importance of eating breakfast and exercise.  Watch video from Denver Broncos >>>>

Unfair to criticize Allen in Saints’ scandal - Where does Dennis Allen stand in the New Orleans Saints’ bounty scandal that has rocked the NFL?   He stands in Oakland, focused on revitalizing the Raiders. End of story.  Unless more information comes out (and it seems like the NFL’s investigation was pretty thorough) that implicates Allen, I don’t expect him to face any punishment for being a part of the scandal. Allen was an assistant coach with the Saints from 2006-10. According to the league’s investigation, Saints players were given cash bonuses for hits that caused opposing players to leave games from 2009-2011. Allen was the Saints’ defensive backs coach in 2009 and 2010.  Read more from ESPN >>>>

NFL Rumors: Denver Broncos Are a Perfect Landing Spot for Released CB Chris Carr - The Baltimore Ravens have recently announced the release of two marquee players today when it parted ways with veterans Chris Carr and Lee Evans.  While Lee Evans seemed to regress this season with the Ravens, Chris Carr battled injuries all season long, was due quite a bit of money in 2012, and had a few younger, up-and-coming cornerbacks breathing down his back for playing time.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Trade Tim Tebow? Only At Your Own Peril - The Denver Broncos haven’t done much in the way of bold moves ever since John Elway and John Fox assumed their current roles as executive vice president and head coach. That’s not their style. They didn’t blindside everyone by selecting a quarterback in the 2011 draft, instead opting for Von Miller with the No. 2 overall pick.  Read more from SB Nation >>>>

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Broncos still forming plans for QB — Tebow included - When John Elway steps in front of those armed with notepads, digital recorders and cameras, the topic of conversation will eventually turn to quarterbacks.  It often happens right from the opening question.  Read more from The Denver Post >>>>

Allen believes Miller’s talent off the charts - Having seen Broncos linebacker Von Miller’s rookie season up close as Denver’s defensive coordinator, new Oakland coach Dennis Allen knows Miller figures to be a thorn in the Raiders’ side for years to come. At least, Allen said, if Miller does his part.  Read more from The Denver Post >>>>

2012 NFL Scouting Combine: Day Three - It’s day three of the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine here at Lucas Oil Stadium, and it’s going to be another busy one.  Defensive linemen and linebackers are scheduled to step to the podiums today, including a number of players that “experts” predict could head to the Broncos in this April’s draft.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

League May Alter Format for Overtime - Two years after it changed the overtime rule for the postseason, the N.F.L.’s Competition Committee is discussing changing the format for regular season games, too. The league values consistency in its rules — one league executive could not think of another rule that was different in the regular season and the postseason — and momentum seems to be for the rule to be voted on at the league’s annual meeting in late March.  Read more from New York Times >>>>

2012 NFL Mock Draft: Denver Broncos to Take a Defensive Tackle in First Round? - With free agency just around the corner and the 2012 NFL draft nearly 60 days away, the Denver Broncos are preparing to embark on what should be an interesting offseason.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

NFL rookie Orlando Franklin attributes success to hard work – and mom - Despite being a rookie, Orlando Franklin started every regular season and playoff game this past season on the offensive line for the National Football League’s Denver Broncos.   Read more from Inside Toronto >>>>

Phil Anderson: Turning the other cheek - We saw it with Tim Tebow, of the Denver Broncos, this past fall and early winter.  Now we’re seeing it again with Jeremy Lin, of the New York Knicks.  Read more from Topeka Capital-Journal >>>>

Brady Quinn: Another Victim of Tebowmania - While the NBA season and “Linsanity” are dominating the sports world, NFL training camps are just a little more than five months away. And that can only mean one thing: the return of Tebowmania.  Read more from Neon Tommy >>>> 

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