Broncos head out early for trip to New England for Sunday’s game - The Broncos are ready. So ready, they’re bussing out at 1:30 p.m. MDT Friday for their team flight to the Boston area.  Most teams leave the day before the game. But Broncos coach John Fox likes to get out of the house. Whenever possible, he likes to leave two days early.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Champ Bailey says Broncos have a whole new attitude this year - Champ Bailey usually moves on quickly from football disappointments in his quest for the first Super Bowl trip of his decorated career. But there is a little something from last January’s crushing 45-10 playoff loss in New England that remains a sore point in his mind as the Broncos prepare to return to Foxborough, Mass., this weekend.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

John Fox vs. Bill Belichick: Not matchup Broncos fans want - For the Broncos to beat New England, they must overcome a huge mismatch nobody in Denver wants to talk about: Bill Belichick vs. John Fox.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Helmets Off: Jacob Tamme - Tight end Jacob Tamme is thrilled to be in Denver, re-united with his former quarterback and finding a niche in the new-look Broncos offense.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Get to Know: Linebackers Coach Richard Smith - Linebackers Coach Richard Smith talks about Von Miller’s development from his rookie season and the linebacker’s role in the success of the team’s run defense thus far.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Patriots Week – Friday: Fox - John Fox outlines the week’s final injury report before the team travels to New England.  Watch more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Denver Broncos Much Improved Since 2012 NFL Playoffs vs New England Patriots - Game between the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots have been lopsided in recent years. In the 2012 NFL playoffs, the Broncos took a 45-10 thumping from the Patriots. There have been many changes with the Broncos and the game should be much different this time around.  Read more from Rant Sports >>>>

10 reasons why you love Peyton Manning and hate Tom Brady - Let’s face it.  It doesn’t matter that Manning has beaten down the Denver Broncos far more consistently throughout his career (he’s got a 6-2 record) than Tom Brady (he’s 3-5).  Read more from KDVR >>>>

The Biggest Bronco of Them All. A Talk With Floyd Little - Floyd Little was one of the greatest running backs to emerge from the AFL-NFL merger, getting what was an expansion franchise in the Denver Broncos on the path to what is now one of the strongest brands in the NFL. Little was really the third link in an unparalleled chain of running backs at Syracuse University that included Jim Brown and then Ernie Davis, both of whom were instrumental in getting him to play for the Orangemen.  Read more from Big Lead Sports >>>>

Patriots vs. Broncos: 3 Players to Watch on Denver - When the NFL released its 2012 schedule a few months ago, fans across the country circled this week’s match-up on their calender: Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos taking on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots—a rivalry renewed.  Read more from Pats Pulpit >>>>

Manning and Brady renew classic rivalry - Future Hall of Fame quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning renew their rivalry on Sunday when the New England Patriots host the Denver Broncos in week five.  Read more from Chicago Tribune >>>>

Denver Broncos: The Good, Bad and Ugly of the First 4 Games - The Denver Broncos have showed us a mixed bag in terms of performances through the first four weeks of the 2012 season. Their 2-2 record is an indication of just how up and down it has been.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>> 

Broncos will learn Sunday if all their work to close the gap with Patriots has paid off - After giving up 86 points to the Patriots last year, the Denver Broncos realized just how far away they were from becoming a championship contender.  Following the Broncos’ 45-10 loss at New England in the playoffs, coach John Fox pledged, “We will do everything we can to get better.”  Read more from the Associated Press >>>>

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Peyton Manning mask is added to The Denver Hospice fundraiser - Denver Broncos quarterbackPeyton Manning went to Coors Field on April 29 to cheer on his buddy, Todd Helton, when the Colorado Rockies went up against the New York Mets.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Broncos: One big question - Did the Broncos improve enough on defense?  Yes, it’s all about Peyton Manning in Denver. If the quarterback is healthy, the Broncos should score a lot of points and be in position to win a lot of games.  But if the Broncos are going to be to a true contender in the AFC, they must improve on defense. Denver made solid strides last season on defense — it went from No. 32 to No. 20 in total defense. Still, improvements are needed heading into 2012.  Read more from ESPN >>>>

Head coach power rankings - Let me start by stressing the fact that these rankings are merely a jumping-off point for a regular feature that we’ll be running during the 2012 season.  Many of you will find arguments for why certain head coaches deserve to be ranked higher while others should be slotted lower. This is expected and, in fact, encouraged. I’ve taken various bits of criteria into account for what you’re about to read, but keep in mind that these are power rankings.  Read more from National Football Post >>>>

How coaches, scouts and execs graded the NFL draft, including Broncos - After talking to some coaches, scouts and executives around the NFL, here’s how they graded each of the NFL teams, by tier, at the NFL draft (from the bottom up)…Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Bailey Impressed with New Uniforms - At the beginning of April, Champ Bailey donned the Broncos’ new Nike uniform as the NFL unveiled each club’s new look.  The Pro Bowl cornerback came away impressed.  “From the outside looking in, you might not see a whole lot (of difference),” Bailey said. “But the feel is different. And Nike is top-notch — you can’t get much better than that.”  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Draft Just One of Building Blocks - Everyone knows that the National Football League draft is a big key to the long term success of any team, but like any key, all it does is get you inside the room.  Too much is made by fans and press about instant success or failure of draft choices, but these comments often are based on what people think they know about the players. And quite frankly, with the exception of a very small minority of observers, most fans have not heard of most players.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Draft Picks Making Plays - The Broncos targeted these seven players for a reason, these highlights show you why.  Watch video from Denver Broncos >>>>

Peyton Manning dons new Denver Broncos jersey for DIRECTV commercial - Peyton Manning’s now a member of the Denver Broncos. Those words never look any less weird when I write write them, but it’s a truth that we’ve all got to get used to.  Seeing Peyton in his new Broncos uniform kind of helps, though, and we got a first look at Manning rocking Denver’s new orange jerseys on Monday, when the quarterback, his brother and Deion Sanders did a three-man interview with DIRECTV while on location for some sort of commercial shoot.  Read more from CBS Sports >>>>

Peyton Manning in His New Broncos Jersey. Plus, Exclusive Interview and Photos! - It’s been a busy offseason for Peyton Manning. We caught up with him when he joined Eli Manning and Deion Sanders on the set of the new DIRECTV NFL SUNDAY TICKET spot. We spent a few minutes chatting with all three and got an exclusive first look at Peyton Manning in his new Denver Broncos jersey.  Read more from DIRECTV >>>>

2012 NFL Draft Recap: How The ‘Denver Devils’ Fit The Broncos - With the 57th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos made quarterback Brock Osweiler the highest drafted Sun Devil since Zach Miller went 38th in 2007.  With the sixth pick in round four (101st overall), the Broncos went to the ASU well once again, getting a terrific value in cornerback Omar Bolden.  Read more from House of Sparky >>>>

John Hadl: Denver, Peyton Manning good fit - He’s such a regular guy that it can become easy to forget just how connected John Hadl, the Kansas University athletic department’s closer with big donors, is in the football world.  Read more from LJWorld.com >>>>

Denver Broncos Building Interesting Group Of Targets For Peyton Manning - When the Denver Broncos, they signed arguably the best free agent in NFL history. That’s certainly debatable, but there’s no doubt that Manning is one of the best to ever play his position, and if he can give the Broncos even a shell of what he used to be, it will turn out to be a historic signing.  Read more from With the First Pick >>>>

2012 NFL Draft Grades: Broncos and More Playoff Teams Who Drafted Poorly - The Denver Broncos were one of the several playoffs teams from a year ago who failed to address some of the serious needs on their roster heading into next season.  The draft is a great and inexpensive opportunity to really improve the weaknesses on your team, and failing to do so can have huge consequences.  Let’s look at three playoff teams who drafted poorly.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Floyd Little To Be Inducted Into Hometown Hall Of Fame - Denver Bronco great Floyd Little is already a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but now he will be a member of the Hometown Hall of Fame.  Little is set to be honored Wednesday, May 2 in his hometown of New Haven, CT as a Hometown Hall of Famer which is a national program put on by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate Insurance Company. The program honors the hometown roots of football’s greatest players with special ceremonies and plaque dedication events in local communities.  Read more from Predominantly Orange >>>>

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John Elway.  Gary Zimmerman.  Floyd Little.  Shannon Sharpe.

Will the next Broncos great to join the Canton fraternity happen in 2012?

Five Broncos are included in Pro Football Hall of Fame’s list of modern-era nominees for 2012 induction.

Wide receiver Rod Smith, who holds Broncos team records and is among the most accomplished undrafted players in league history, is a first-time nominee.  Safety Steve Atwater, running back Terrell Davis, linebacker Karl Mecklenburg, and coach Dan Reeves also made the list.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee will narrow the field of 103 candidates to 25 semifinalists, which will be revealed in November.  In early 2012, that list will be cut down to 15 modern-era finalists, who will join senior nominees – Steelers DB Jack Butler and Lions G Dick Stanfel – for voting.

The Class of 2012 will be announced in February 4, 2012.

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Happy Game Day Eve!

DHF will preview the Bengals vs. Broncos later today, but for now, grab your coffee and feast on these headlines.

DenverBroncos.com: Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen outlines what adjustments the Broncos defense needs to make to slow Cincinnati’s ground game.

DenverBroncos.com: Offensive Coordinator Mike McCoy offers an injury report and how the offense plans to avoid those third-and-long situations.

The Denver Post: Second-year WR Eric Decker was among the few bright spots in Monday’s season opener, and that just might be a preview of what’s still to come.

The Denver Post: Former Bronco Perrish Cox made his latest court appearance in connection to sexual assault charges.

The Roar: Why the Broncos must make a trade at quarterback.

New Haven Independent: Broncos Hall of Fame great Floyd Little now has an athletic center named in his honor.

BONUS: If you can’t get enough of my writing (and if you can, please keep it to yourself…I’m fragile), here is my guest column for IUSportCom (Indiana University’s student sports media site), because, despite what some may allege, IU football fans do exist.  I am one.  (A special thank you to my fellow Hoosiers for the opporunity.)

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Game Day!

For DHF’s game preview, go here.  The latest injury report, along with any last-minute news and notes, will be posted later today.

Now time for headlines…

From The Denver Post, the Broncos strengths (yay!) are outnumbered unfortunately by their weaknesses (boo!).

Speaking of strengths, how about Doom and Gloom?  The Denver Post lists the many reasons why Broncos fans should be thankful…an opposing offenses should not.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram profiles Miller, a native Texan who’s finally living his NFL dream.

DenverBroncos.com previews tonight’s MNF contest.

San Jose Mercury News take a look at Oakland’s defense – and its possible weaknesses in 2011.

Football News Now reports the Raiders are mum on their punt return plans.

Connecticut’s Post-Chronicle catches up with Hall of Famer Floyd Little.

ESPN the Magazine asked a simple question: “Do sports heal?”  Read on for a Broncos tie-in.

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Friday. Yes.

I’ll have my thoughts on the Broncos preseason opener later, but right now, it’s time for your breakfast headlines.

Invesco no more?  Turns out, Sports Authority is making a play for stadium naming rights. More from The Denver Post.

From Sporting News, a defense report from Broncos training camp.

Syracuse.com has a profile of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Broncos great Floyd Little.

South Carolina’s The Herald makes a Hall of Fame argument for Sterling Sharpe, the “best player” in the Sharpe family, according to Shannon.

Tucson Citizen wonders if ESPN is off with its first edition of Power Rankings for 2011.

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Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the weekend.

If you missed yesterday’s NFL lockout developments, ESPN has the skinny.

Broncos Hall of Famer Floyd Little remembers his fellow Syracuse standout and friend John Mackey, who died this week at the age of 69. Syracuse.com has Little’s reaction.

An Illinois girl’s Make-A-Wish “finalists” include going to a Disney resort of meet Tim Tebow.  Keokuk Gate City Daily has the story.

Colorado Springs Gazette has an update on Chris Kuper’s offseason and his growing desire to get back to football.

Former Broncos running back Maurice Clarett has a new football team – in the UFL.  NFL.com has more.

The Denver Post previews this year’s free agent market, if and when that happens.

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So...the snow is melting. (personal photo)

Greetings again from the DHF Western Bureau.

The Sporting News reports Broncos rookie linebacker Von Miller is learning the ropes of the 4-3 defense – from a member of the Texas A&M football family.

Hall of Famer Floyd Little tells The Denver Post it’s time to end the NFL lockout.

Also from The Denver Post, sentencing of witness in the Darrent Williams murder case is delayed (again).

A Cleveland native and columnist for Charlotte Observer reflects on dubious moments his hometown’s sports history.  The words “drive” and “fumble” come to mind.

Mississippi’s Laurel Leader-Call reports on a summer program that helps children improve their reading, writing, and sports skills.  The Broncos’ Correll Buckhalter is among those helping out.

A former Bronco met with students in Virginia, writes Manassas Patch.

NFL.com’s Albert Breer reveals his dream interviews, including one with John Elway.

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As once best said by the Canadian wordsmiths in ‘Loverboy,’ “Everybody’s working for the weekend.”

I better start from the start – with headlines – of course.

DHF update: After days of speculation, it’s now a done deal; KUSA is the new (old) flagship station of the Denver Broncos.  The Denver Post and the Broncos team site have more on the official deal.

DHF update II: Hall of Famer Floyd Little returns to Syracuse as the special assistant to athletic director Daryl Gross.  The Denver Post has more on the formal announcement and the symbolic timing.

Former Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith continues to make headlines for all the right reasons.  Yahoo! Sports is the latest to highlight Smith’s work to rebuild his college town of Joplin, Missouri.

So he lost in the first round of cover voting, but Tim Tebow is getting some special Madden 12 treatment.  His likeness is one of the few images unveiled before the video game’s release, writes GoMadden.com.

The Palm Beach Post reports NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will investigate last month’s stabbing of Brandon Marshall for possible violation of the league’s personal conduct policy.

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