T-minus four days until the NFL trade deadline.

And maybe just as many days Pro Bowl wide receiver Brandon Lloyd has a Bronco.

Citing multiple NFL sources, The Denver Post reports Lloyd is on the trading block, and a handful of teams – including Carolina and Tennessee – are interested.  Neither the Broncos nor Lloyd are commenting.  Players are right now on a four-day break and return to practice Monday, and this will inevitably something John Fox is asked about.

Insiders speculate Denver will want a third- to fifth-round draft pick for Lloyd.

Don’t expect a deal this weekend; the Broncos are off, but chances are, talks won’t intensify until after Week 6 is over.  Even then, it’s no guarantee anything happens.  The NFL trade deadline usually ends with a whimper rather than a bang.

Denver has been down this road before.  Remember August?  The Broncos tried to ship Kyle Oton to Miami, but that fizzled out, which begs the question:

Is Lloyd the only offensive player on the trading block?

Brandon Lloyd's days as a Bronco could be numbered. (personal photo)

My guess is yes.  Miami had its chance on Orton two months ago and passed.  Instead, the Dolphins settled on Chad Henne, who is now out for the season, but quickly filled that vacancy by signing ex-Dolphins QB Sage Rosenfels.  Besides, Orton hasn’t exactly played himself into “tradeworthy” status this season, at least for what Denver would want in exchange, and then there’s learning a whole new offense.

And, maybe most obvious of all, Tim Tebow is the starting quarterback…for now.

Beyond Lloyd and Orton, who else makes the trade discussion?  I can’t name any serious contender.

Do I want to see Lloyd play elsewhere?  No, but I understand the business side of things.  He’s a free agent next season (as is WR Eddie Royal), has no contract extension in place just yet, and Denver does have other receiving options.

Still, I’m reluctant to call Demaryius Thomas a viable “option” until I see him play a significant stretch of games without injury.  Hasn’t happened yet.

Lloyd did miss a game this season with a groin strain, and his numbers are down so far, but he remains one of Denver’s most reliable players.  Even if the Broncos make offense scheme adjustments to better suit Tebow’s talents, opposing defenses will still make covering Lloyd a priority.  Can you say that about another Denver wide receiver?  Eric Decker may become the focus of double coverage.  Doubtful for Royal, and again, Thomas is such an unknown.

Who would become the Broncos No. 1 receiver?  If Lloyd leaves, it’s just another offensive question that needs an answer.

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @Aerys_Broncos and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.

DHF Home

What an inauspicious start to the week.

Translation: not a heckuva lot is going on.

Still, to keep you coming back for more, I have some noteworthy stories in the pipeline.  If I told you what they were right now, I’d have to kill you.  No one wins in that scenario.

Until then, here are some Broncos-related headlines to tide you over.

The Denver Post profiles how the recent NFL Draft Class of 2011 will help the Broncos.

Bleacher Report celebrates the ongoing career of veteran safety Brian Dawkins.

Miami fan site PhinPhanatic looks at some likely (eventually) quarterbacks on the trading block or free agent market, including Denver’s Kyle Orton.

Remember Peyton Hillis?  Yeah, I know.  It’s a touchy subject for Broncos fans, and Crave Online is just adding salt to the wound.

USA Today reflects on the successes and failures of the 2008 NFL Draft.  It was Mike Shanahan’s final draft as head coach of the Broncos.

Another gorgeous Colorado weekend is behind us, but fear not; we’re a mere five days away from its return.

You know what’s here every day?  Broncos headlines, courtesy DHF:

The Denver Post profiles Julius Thomas, one of two tight ends drafted by the Broncos.  Thomas was a standout on the Portland State basketball team, who decided to play football after a seven-year layoff.

Boston Herald wraps Tim Tebow’s weekend golf tournament.

Greeley Tribune previews an upcoming event at Invesco Field.  Coaches for Charity is put on by the Fisher DeBerry Foundation.  Former Broncos wide receiver Ed McCaffrey is Master of Ceremonies for Friday’s event.  For more information visit Coaches for Charity’s website.

Football News Now reports Eagles safety Quintin Mikell’s time in Philadelphia is likely over.  The upcoming free agent, whenever that happens, could land with a number of teams, including the Broncos.

We have a clearer picture of which free agents the Denver Broncos want to retain.

Of course, with the NFL labor negotiations at an impasse, all of this is moot.

The Broncos placed a second-round tender on linebacker Wesley Woodyard. (Courtesy: Jeffrey Beall)

Yesterday, the Broncos extended qualifying offers on five restricted free agents: right tackle Ryan Harris, kicker Matt Prater, defensive tackle Marcus Thomas, defensive end Kevin Vickerson, and linebacker Wesley Woodyard.  The Broncos also placed second-round tenders on Prater and Woodyard.  Should either sign with another team, that team must give the Broncos a second-round draft pick, which is unlikely to happen.

Harris, Thomas, and Vickerson become unrestricted free agents once a new collective bargaining agreement is in place.  Because of that, the NFLPA considers the Broncos’ actions yesterday futile.  Pointless or not, Denver’s announcement indicates which players are worth keeping, and which are free to test the free agency waters – whenever that happens.

• Kyle Eckel – FB (unrestricted free agent): Did you even know Eckel was on the Broncos roster?  I didn’t, but after some research, I learned he was signed by Denver last offseason, and placed on Injured Reserve.  He didn’t see a second of playing time in 2010, so I feel confident in my assertion that he’s gone.

• Ronald Fields – NT (unrestricted free agent): The Broncos are rebuilding a lousy defense, but does Fields fit into the equation?  My Magic 8-Ball says “outlook not so good.”

• Ryan Harris – T (unrestricted free agent): Denver wants to see Harris’ development under John Fox, so it makes sense to keep him around for at least another season.

• Laurence Maroney – RB (unrestricted free agent): Adios, Laurence.  This relationship is over.

• Ryan McBean – DE (exclusive rights free agent): Is McBean a free agent?  I continue to find contradictory information, and I have yet to befriend anyone in Denver’s front office (all in due time) to get a definitive answer.  I’m honestly ambivalent on his future in Denver

• Matt Prater - K (restricted free agent): I doubt another team will sign Prater and send a second-round draft pick to Denver, so Prater stays on Denver’s roster.

• Marcus Thomas – DT (unrestricted free agent): Denver is reportedly trying to hammer out a deal with Thomas.

• Kevin Vickerson – DE (unrestricted free agent): Denver was apparently pleased with Vickerson’s play in 2010, because the Broncos are said to be working on a contract extension.

• Wesley Woodyard – LB (restricted free agent): Like Prater, I can’t imagine a team will sign Woodyard and surrender a second-round draft pick to the Broncos.  That’s a hefty price for a part-time starter.  Woodyard brings energy to Denver’s defense and is a special teams captain.  Keep him.

It’s a sunny yet gusty Sunday afternoon outside Invesco Field, and fans bedecked in Broncos gear, have setup shop in the parking lot.  Some even have signs.  It’s nothing out of the ordinary, except Denver’s season ended six weeks ago.

The star attraction today is 10-time Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey.  Fans united in solidarity with a simple message: re-sign the star.

“We’re here to show support for him and the love we have for him,” said Chris Flores, a lifelong fan who organized the Champ Bailey Rally via Facebook.  It’s great to have a player like that on the team.”

Rally organizer Chris Flores is interviewed by a Denver television station. (personal photo)

News broke Wednesday that Denver had resumed contract negotiations with Bailey, the first positive step since talks ended abruptly last fall, though the time apart has done little to change Denver’s reported offer.  The rumored four-year, $40 million deal is essentially what Denver offered and pulled from the table months ago.  Bailey wants more security, and perhaps in response to Denver’s proposal, put his Littleton home up for sale days ago.

Flores, a seven-year season ticket holder, admits the chances of Bailey staying in Denver are slim.  ”A lot of things are working against going to keep him. We would love for him to stay here, but it’s out of our control,” he said.

That “Bailey is gone” sentiment is the general consensus among fans.

Josh Baerga, also a season-ticket holder, believes Bailey is looking for something Denver can’t offer anytime soon – a realistic shot at the Super Bowl.  ”He deserves to go to a championship team and he’s not going to get that right now,” Baerga said.

Broncos fans rally in support of Champ Bailey. (personal photo)

The Broncos have until February 24 to put the franchise tag on the all-pro cornerback.  Bailey is Denver’s lone player seriously considered worthy of the franchise tag, but at a cost of $14 – $15 million in 2011, indications are the Broncos will pass.  If that plays out, Bailey would become an unrestricted free agent, and once the collective bargaining agreement is resolved, could sign with any other team.

“I want to keep Champ,” said fan Maria Ortiz.  ”I don’t think he’s staying.  It’s sad.”