Denver Broncos place linebacker Joe Mays on injured reserve. (personal photo)

Middle linebacker Joe Mays’ 2012 season is officially over.

The Denver Broncos played Mays (ankle) on season-ending injured reserve Tuesday.  Mays suffered a fracture left fibula just above the ankle on a special teams play in Sunday night’s game against the New Orleans Saints.

Interestingly (at least to me), the Broncos did not promote linebacker Mike Mohamed from the practice squad, instead adding safety Duke Ihenacho to the active roster.

Denver also signed cornerback Mario Butler to the practice squad.  An undrafted free agent from Georgia Tech, Butler was signed by the Dallas Cowboys in 2011, since splitting time between the practice squad and active roster.

Mays is the eighth Broncos player placed on IR this season, joining Jeremy Beal, Philip Blake, Quinton Carter, Mario Fannin, Jason Hunter, J.D. Walton, and Ty Warren.

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The Denver Broncos have released their first preseason depth chart.

Keep in mind the depth chart will change before the Sept. 9 season opener, but here are a few interesting nuggets:

• Caleb Hanie is currently listed as the Broncos’ backup quarterback.
• Lance Ball is the second-team running back behind Willis McGahee.  Rookie Ronnie Hillman – and not Knowhson Moreno – is third-team.
• Rookie DT Derek Wolfe is listed as second-string defensive end.  As I tweeted at the Broncos’ July 28 training camp practice, I noticed Wolfe lining up both at end and interior.
• Suspended LB D.J. Williams is listed as first-team just ahead of Wesley Woodyard.
• Eric Decker (punts) and Lance Ball (kickoffs) are listed at first-team returners.

View the depth chart on the team’s website >>>>

Broncos Sign Veteran Linebacker

The Broncos have added some depth at linebacker with the signing of free agent Keith Brooking.

The five-time Pro Bowler is entering his 15th NFL season.  He played most recently with Dallas, and before that Atlanta.  The Denver Post reports Brooking will begin practicing with the Broncos Saturday.

Injury News

Denver has placed newly signed safety Jim Leonhard on the physically unable to perform list.  Meanwhile, the Broncos tweeted earlier today that RB Mario Fannin has been placed on Injured Reserve because of an Achilles tendon injury.

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Woody Paige: Peyton Manning clearly all well and good for Broncos - WHAM!  On the first play of the Broncos’ scrimmage Saturday afternoon, Peyton Manning flung the football more than 50 yards toward Demaryius Thomas.  The Broncos didn’t get the points on the play, but 41,304 orangeclads got the point right away.  Peyton is going deep in Denver.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Broncos star LB Miller wants more of everything in second year - For all the spectacle-wearing, sack-dancing, award-winning fun Von Miller had as a rookie for the Broncos last season, he is working on something bigger.  More sacks. More defensive snaps and tackles. More fashion-forward eye-glass frames to add to his ever-growing collection. The completion of his new house in Denver, and, for this former Texas A&M poultry science major, the purchase of his first two-dozen chickens.  As Miller moves into year No. 2 in the NFL, he’s hoping to prove he’s more than just a pass-rush demon and sidekick to Elvis Dumervil.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Broncos RB Mario Fannin out with torn Achilles tendon - Mario Fannin has the most unfortunate professional statistics line: two training camps, two season-ending injuries, zero NFL preseason games.  Almost exactly a year after suffering a season-ending knee injury, Fannin tore his Achilles tendon Saturday during the team’s scrimmage.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Broncos’ Mike McCoy, a former San Marin standout, relishing the chance to work with Peyton Manning - Mike McCoy’s dreams of playing quarterback in the NFL never materialized. Now, his job is to coach the surefire Hall of Fame QB, Peyton Manning — known for always wanting to be in control. Awkward?  Not at all.  ”I’ve been very fortunate to be around some very good players before,” said McCoy, the former star QB at San Marin High, now the offensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos. “But, yes — I’m sure when I look back, I’ll say that the chance to be around a player like this was special, that it doesn’t happen very often.”  Read more from Marin Independent Journal >>>>

Should the Denver Broncos Trade Ryan Clady Before NFL Free Agency? - Business in the NFL can largely turn into a game of chicken when it comes to contract talks. Left tackle Ryan Clady and the Denver Broncos appear headed in that direction with no new deal and free agency creeping closer.  Read more from Gather >>>>

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Mark Kiszla: Professional athletes need more common sense - For a bounty hunter or a bootlegger, carrying a weapon in the car makes sense to calm the paranoia. For Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil, a gun stashed in the glove box would present a clear danger to his NFL season, his lucrative career and maybe even his freedom.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Elvis Dumervil’s arrest latest stain on Denver Broncos’ image - Not even the celebrated arrival of superstar quarterback Peyton Manning can spare the Broncos from their seemingly continuous run of off-the-field embarrassments.  The latest incident involves Elvis Dumervil, the Broncos’ popular defensive end who only three years ago was the NFL sack champion and honored by Denver media with the Darrent Williams Good Guy Award.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

2012 Game-by-Game: Week 11 - In Week 11 of the 2012 season the Broncos will host the Chargers in the second game of the season series.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Q&A with Cory Undlin - Defensive Quality Control Coach Cory Undlin sat down with DenverBroncos.com to talk about his experience working with Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio, his role on the Broncos coaching staff and the Super Bowl run he enjoyed with the Patriots in 2004.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

A Bronco’s Blessing - Running back Mario Fannin is trying to earn himself a role in the Broncos backfield while battling back from an injury that ended his 2011 campaign before it began.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Positive Developments of the Denver Broncos’ Offseason - There have been many positive developments for the Bronco during the offseason—both big and small. Obviously, the biggest was the addition of Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning; but smaller developments have also played out this summer.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>> 

Denver Broncos Preview: Offseason Woes - The Denver Broncos defense has many bright spots that leave offensive lines and opposing quarterbacks trembling at the onslaught in front of them. DE Elvis Dumervil has been the brightest of them all and now the Broncos might very well be forced to go without him as he is charged with felony assault. With the Denver defense looking stout with players such as long-time stalwart CB Champ Bailey and LB D.J.Williams as well as new stars Dumervil and LB Von Miller, defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio was poised to reincarnate the “Orange Crush” defense of the 80′s and early 90′s.  Read more from Rant Sports >>>>

Tamme Continues His Work For Wounded Vets - Kentucky has not found a suitable replacement for Jacob Tamme since he graduated. The last true threat at tight end was the former Boyle County star, who’s played for the Indianapolis Colts since leaving UK.  Read more from WLEX >>>>

The MVP - The Broncos have a new MVP.  He’s more important that Peyton Manning. He’s arguably more valuable than any single player. He’s simply the best at allowing other Broncos to do what they do best. And though he doesn’t affect the Broncos salary cap, it’s quite conceivable that he’s the highest paid player on the team.  He’s Harvey Steinberg.  Read more from Mile High Sports >>>>

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Kiszla: Broncos are better off without Tim Tebow in town - Nothing against 80-yard touchdown passes or the Bible, but Broncos Country is a better place without Tim Tebow.  Peyton Manning has turned Denver back into a real football town.  The circus has left town, and the name of its pet dog has been changed from Bronco to Bronx. Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Mario Fannin intrigues Broncos with speed, receiving ability at RB - Today’s question about the Broncos comes from Bud Brown:  Q: I was wondering about Mario Fannin. It seems like there was talk of him being one of the best backs in camp last year for his tough running. I know he got injured and missed the season last year and I believe he has a little bit of an issue staying healthy. But do you think the Broncos feel they have a possible wild card at the running back position if this guy can stay healthy this year? It made me wonder when they went after Ronnie Hillman.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

8 Greatest Undrafted Denver Broncos in Franchise History - With camp officially underway, it’s time for the guys that got overlooked on draft day to stand out, impress and hope to make the squad.  Some of these guys use going undrafted as fuel to propel them to highly successful NFL careers. The Denver Broncos have proven successful at finding these hidden gems throughout franchise history.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Denver Broncos: Reviewing Their 2012 NFL Draft - You may have heard about a prominent free-agent quarterback that signed with theDenver Broncos. On March 24, the Broncos signed Caleb Hanie, who started four games at quarterback for the Bears last season.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Denver Broncos Must Figure Out What to Do with QB Brock Osweiler - He had to go with his gut. John Elway was in a bit of a predicament on draft day. Do we plan for the future or shoot for immediate help.  Elway stole the headlines of free agency by wooing Peyton Manning. This also gave him the perfect excuse to rid himself of Tim Tebow – whom he was clearly reluctant to support.  The problem with acquiring the future Hall of Famer Manning is three-fold. One – he has a limited number of years left. Two – he is coming off of four neck surgeries. The most immediate problem? Elway said it himself at the Manning press conference. “There is no Plan B!”  Read more from Broncos 101 >>>>

Three Denver Broncos named in NFL Network’s top 100 players in 2012 - Each year, the NFL Network takes on the arduous task of ranking the top 100 players in the National Football League, and the 2012 version of the list features at least three Denver Broncos.  Players 100-51 have already been named, with 10 new names debuted each Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network, culminating with the No. 1 current player on June 27.  Read more from Examiner >>>>

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Update: Kyle Orton arrived at Dove Valley sometime after 10 a.m. – perhaps for the final time.

Talks to send Orton to Miami have entered the “serious” stage, according to The Denver Post.  This morning, NFL Network’s Michelle Beisner, who’s at Dove Valley, said the deal could be done by day’s end.

Orton said nothing as he left the team’s training facility this afternoon.  Players have a few hours off before a mandatory 4 p.m. team meeting.

The quarterback’s 2011 salary is just over $8.8 million.  Orton started most of Denver’s games the past two seasons, throwing for 41 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.

If Orton does land in Miami, that all but ensures Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb will remain in Philadelphia or end up with the Arizona Cardinals.

This trade needs to happen.  Now.

Jabar Gaffney was traded to Washington for DE Jeremy Jarmon. (Courtesy Jeffrey Beall)

Denver must free up money or get burned in this Black Friday of free agent activity.  Key players at the Broncos’ targeted free agency/trade positions of running back and defensive line will go elsewhere – or stay put.  Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams agreed to a 5-year year, $43 million deal earlier today.  Teammate DE Charles Johnson also reached a deal to stay a Panther.

So much for the Carolina to Denver pipeline.

Jabar Gaffney traded

The Broncos announced their first trade of the offseason, shipping wide receiver Jabar Gaffney to Washington for defensive lineman Jeremy Jarmon.

The third-year player out of Kentucky started just one game in his two seasons with the Redskins.  Jarmon’s career stats include 11 tackles and a forced fumble.

Will his addition be enough for the defensive-minded Fox?

If finding a solid running back is also atop the priority pyramid, it may have to be.

Undrafted free agent signings

The Broncos confirmed 17 undrafted free agents are now on the roster:

•  CB Brandon Bing, Rutgers
• DT Ronnell Brown, James Madison
• WR Mark Dell, Michigan State
• LB Derek Domino, South Dakota State
• RB Mario Fannin, Auburn
• WR D’Andre Goodwin, Washington
• T Adam Grant, Arizona
• CB Chris Harris, Kansas
• WR Jamel Hamler, Fresno
 State
• LB A.J. Jones, Florida
• LB Deron Mayo, Old Dominion
• T Curt Porter, Jacksonville State
• CB James Rogers, Michigan
• FB Austin Sylvester, Washington
• QB Adam Weber, Minnesota
• DT Colby Whitlock, Texas Tech
• WR Marshall Williams, Wake Forest

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Clanking weights.  Running sprints.  Meeting coaches, and of course, physicals.

Yes, Dove Valley is looking more like Dove Valley should in late-July.

With the lockout now a distant memory – or as distant as it can be after a good night’s sleep – Broncos players started arriving at Dove Valley even before it “officially” opened for business at 8:00 a.m.

Who was No. 1?

Tim Tebow was reportedly the first player to arrive, but The Denver Post reports center Jeff Byers, who spent last season on the practice squad, beat him by several minutes.

IKEA’s Grand Opening line this ain’t.

While Tebow’s arrival number is disputed, his future as starting quarterback is becoming clearer.  As reported this morning, Kyle Orton has gone from atop John Fox’s  “as-it-stands-right-now” depth chart to Grand Central Station of Tradeville.

Broncos Signings

Possibly preparing for life after Kyle, the Broncos need to add quarterbacks to the roster.

Look no further than wide receiver Eric Decker’s college teammate.

This morning on Twitter, University of Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber tweeted:

The Broncos have yet to release a compete list of undrafted free agent additions, but here is an unconfirmed and incomplete list from CBSSports.com Rapid Reports:

• Brandon Bing; CB (Rutgers)
• Bryant Browning; OG (Ohio State)
• Mark Dell; WR (Michigan State)
• Mario Fannin; RB (Auburn)
• Chris Harris; FS (Kansas)
• Patrick Hill; FB (Miami)
• Deron Mayo; DE (Old Dominion)
• James Rogers; CB (Michigan)
• Marshall Williams; WR (Wake Forest)
• Colby Whitlock; DL (Texas Tech)

Honoring Derrick Thomas

If you ask Von Miller, today was ‘surreal.’  Thanks to the team’s official site, we can count the ways together:

“It’s all so surreal. [1]  Just getting on that plane this morning and coming out here was so surreal. [2] Just seeing the lockout get lifted yesterday was surreal. [3] I’m sure the experience on Thursday will be surreal [4], seeing the fans and actually being here. It’ll be an experience that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Actually being on a pro team, this is all I wanted to do all my life. This is my dream, and to actually be able to live it, I really can’t explain it.”

Surreal Tally: 4

The second-overall pick in this year’s draft will wear #58 in tribute to a man who terrified Broncos’ offenses for years:

“I’m a big fan of Derrick Thomas and hopefully I can get some inspiration from that. He’s my favorite player.”

The team announced three other jersey numbers for rookies today: safety Rahim Moore will wear #26; tight end Julius Thomas will wear #80; tight end Virgil Green will wear #86.

RB Release

The Denver Post reports the Broncos will release running back Correll Buckhalter.  Finding another running back is a top priority this free agent season.  Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams is a strong candidate, as is Willis McGahee, who the Ravens plan to release.

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