Broncos’ Robert Ayers had hand in fateful play vs. Ravens in playoffs - Q: With the recent attention on Robert Ayers, now that (Elvis) Dumervil is gone, could you help me with two conflicting assessments about Ayers’ role in (Ravens quarterback Joe) Flacco’s game-tying touchdown that knocked the Broncos out of the playoffs this past season? 1.) He almost saved the season by sacking Joe Flacco, but was a split second too late. He’s a game changer the Broncos can count on in 2013. Or 2.) He left his assigned lane to try another route to give Flacco an open lane to take the extra steps forward he needed to complete a long touchdown pass. His grasp for glory was just as harmful to his team as was Rahim Moore’s ill-conceived, and ill-timed, attempt at an interception. Which is correct and what does it say about the Broncos’ chances of every player executing their assignment in 2013? Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Raiders sign CB Tracy Porter –  The Oakland Raiders have signed free agent cornerback Tracy Porter, adding an experienced starter to an untested unit. General manager Reggie McKenzie announced the move Wednesday. Read more from the Associated Press >>>>

Broncos Position Breakdown: Wide Receiver - Once Wes Welker signed his two-year contract last month, the Broncos’ top tier of wide receivers was set — for this year, at least. The front-line trio of Welker and holdovers Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker has no discernible weakness. Each has a unique skill set, and Welker’s specific role as a slot receiver will allow Decker to play exclusively as an outside receiver, according to Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway in a Monday afternoon radio interview on KOA-AM 850. Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Our Greatest Latest Picks - Draft mania continues in the NFL among the millions of fans, with countless stories being produced by local and national press. I thought we might take a slightly different perspective on the draft today. Most of the attention centers, rightly so, on the first, second and third rounds of the NFL draft, since that is where the best known players are most often selected. Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Wes Welker, Peyton Manning dined - Wes Welker said Wednesday in an ESPN Radio interview he’s had a chance to speak with both his new quarterback, Peyton Manning, and his old one, Tom Brady, since his decision to leave theNew England Patriots to sign with the Denver Broncos. Read more from ESPN >>>>

Commentary | Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie expects big things with Denver Broncos - When Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie arrived in Philadelphia two years ago, along with a package of highly touted free agents, the Eagles were anointed a dream team. The dream, unfortunately, turned into a nightmare with longtime Eagles coach Andy Reid getting fired and Mike Vick looking more like an albatross than a franchise quarterback. Read more from Bradenton Herald >>>>

2013 NFL Mock Draft: Scotty’s Denver Broncos Mock Draft - The Broncos have been enjoying a pretty successful offseason. Outside of a Fax Machine mishap, the Broncos added plenty of talent via Free Agency. They added guardLouis Vasquez, receiver Wes Welker, defensive Tackle Terrance Knighton, cornerback Domonique Rodgers-Cromartie, and Inside linebacker Stewart Bradley. Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

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No “Elvis has left the building” joke here, but really, that’s what has happened.

The defensive end is now a member of the rebuilding Baltimore Ravens, putting Denver Broncos are on the lookout for a replacement. It seems the favorite is Dwight Freeney, Peyton Manning’s ex-teammate. The Broncos met with Freeney and former Falcon John Abraham last week.

Read more: Dwight Freeney at top of Denver Broncos’ wish list >>>>

Read more: John Abraham Is Dumervil’s Best Replacement >>>>

Pass rusher Dwight Freeney remains unsigned. (courtesy Jeffrey Beall)

The Broncos still haven’t made their move, but it’s not cause for concern—at least at this position—just yet. We’re now two weeks into free agency, and there are multiple skilled pass rushers still available, and compared to Dumervil’s original 2013 salary of $12 million, available on the cheap.

Even so, the natives are getting restless, so Denver need to act soon…

Because we don’t want to have to hear about Plan C.

Other Headlines:

• Bleacher Report: Predicting the Denver Broncos’ Starting Lineup Post Week 1 of Free Agency
• Bleacher Report: John Elway and Denver Broncos Deserved to Lose Elvis Dumervil
• ESPN: Raiders interested in Tracy Porter
• FanSided: Denver Broncos Rumors: Team Expected To Draft Cornerback In First Two Rounds
• Fox Sports: Will Bears, Broncos pay for losses?
• Mile High Report: Top 5 Denver Broncos games to look forward to in 2013
• Predominantly Orange: Offseason Upgrades To Denver Broncos Home Stadium
• ProFootballTalk: Ravens bracing for Week One trip to Denver, Pittsburgh, or Chicago
• Rant Sports: Denver Broncos Need Robert Ayers to Step Up

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Assuming we live on another day – and I fully suspect we will – here’s to what I normally do this time each day: Delve into Denver Broncos headlines.

Quick aside: I spent about 45 minutes last night on Wikipedia reading List of dates predicted for apocalyptic events, and guess what?  Not a single prediction has actually come to fruition.  Moving on…

In an unsurprising development, the Broncos’ continued success has shined the spotlight on offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio as possible head coaching candidates in 2013.  McCoy interviewed with the Miami Dolphins last offseason, and was also rumored as a candidate for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders.  As for Jacksonville, Del Rio was head coach there for nine seasons before joining the Broncos.

So it seems the Broncos’ revolving door at DC could extend another year, because, let’s face it, there will be some job openings here in a few weeks time.  And McCoy, who was credited last season for overhauling a playbook midseason to accommodate Tim Tebow, did another drastic makeover in 2012 for Peyton Manning.  There aren’t two more different quarterbacks.  Seriously.

Other Headlines:

• Associated Press: Health, depth both key to Denver Bronco’s success
• Bleacher Report: Denver Broncos’ Backfield Trio Will Key Postseason Success
• CBS Denver: Bad Cleveland Browns Bring Remarkable Rookies To Face Denver Broncos
• Denver Broncos: Strength Versus Strength
• Denver Broncos: Broncos Bracing For Weeden
• Denver Post: Robert Ayers’ progress with Broncos skewed by draft slot, new coaches
• Denver Post: Peyton Manning knows what this year’s rookie QB class is going through

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Welcome to Quarter Calls, DHF’s quarter-by-quarter breakdown of each Denver Broncos game. Instead of a live game thread, Quarter Calls is a quick-hit summary of the big story of each quarter. It can be a general mood or theme, play, penalty, injury, whatever.

If you prefer real time analysis and commentary, follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter. As always, I’ll be tweeting throughout the game.

Go Broncos!

Pregame: Denver Broncos inactives: Lance Ball, Bubba Caldwell, Caleb Hanie, Chris Kuper, Tracy Porter, Sealver Siliga, and Julius Thomas

Baltimore Ravens inactives: Ed Dickson, Dannell Ellerbe, Ramon Harewood, Jameel McClain, Bernard Pollard, Deonte Thompson, and Marshal Yanda

1st Quarter

(11:40 a.m.) How the Broncos are only up by three points is beyond me.

Seriously, the Denver defense has looked amazing, already forcing one Joe Flacco fumble in addition to series after series of stalled drives.

So how is it the Broncos have only mustered a field goal?  The offense has benefited from excellent field position and are facing a Ravens defense decimated by injuries.

One thing is for sure; depleted or not, Baltimore boasts the league’s best red zone defense.  The Ravens somehow find a way to ratchet things up a notch when the opponent is driving.

I have liked Peyton Manning throwing downfield.  I’ll like those play calls even better once Denver actually connects on one.  Attempts are one thing. Completions are another.

Best play of the quarter honors go to Knowhon Moreno for his hurdling prowess.  What makes it even sweeter is that he cleared Ed Reed.

2nd Quarter

 (12:22 p.m.) Thank you, Chris Harris, for making the play of the game.

How huge was his 98-yard interception return for a touchdown?  Aside from being the longest in franchise history for the regular season, Harris’ play was a huge point swing.

The Ravens’ offense, which had struggled for most of the first half, suddenly assembled a solid drive, and were just yards away from making a 10-0 game a 10-7 game in the half’s closing seconds.  Instead, because of Harris, the Broncos are now leading 17-0.

So firing Cam Cameron has paid dividends for the Ravens so far, no?  Actually, no, not at all.   Jim Caldwell seems to be a nice guy, but does he really strike anyone as a significant upgrade?

3rd Quarter

(1:19 p.m.)  Total domination.

The Broncos are showing why they are the superior team.  The offensive scored two touchdowns, while the defense continues to wreak all sorts of havoc on Flacco’s offense.  Perhaps surprisingly, the Broncos have yet to register a sack, but the effective pass rush has disrupted the quarterback all game long.

Score: 31-3

4th Quarter

(2:06 p.m.) With the game out of hand, there wasn’t much of interest in the 4th quarter…

Other than the Denver Broncos earning their ninth-straight win of the 2012 season, a longest active win streak in the league.

It took until late in the 4th quarter, but Denver finally got its first sack of the game, courtesy rookie DT Derek Wolfe.  Robert Ayers and Elvis Dumervil also registered back-to-back sacks in the game’s final two plays.  The offense took a few shots downfield, but mainly was impressive in its ability to kill clock through a sustained running game.  A few lapses in concentration allowed the Ravens two touchdowns, but it hardly mattered as the Broncos wrapped this one up midway through the third quarter.

The Broncos head home with their first victory against the Ravens in Baltimore.  Denver also is finished with road games this season, going 6-2.  The Broncos conclude the regular season against the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs.

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Denver Broncos right guard Chris Kuper and linebacker Wesley Woodyard, both nursing ankle injuries, are listed as questionable in the team’s latest injury report.  Both were limited in Friday’s practice.

Defensive end Robert Ayers did not practice today due to a non-injury matter.

Denver Broncos Official Injury Report

Baltimore Ravens Official Injury Report

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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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In less than three days, the AFC West champion Denver Broncos will play at Oakland against the Raiders.

With such a short turnaround between games, it’s not your typical week in and around Dove Valley.  For starters, the first injury report is already out for both teams.  Curiously, neither team practiced today, so this injury report is the hypothetical “if there had been practice today” type of thing.  Among the highlights:

For Robert Ayers is back in Denver after missing much of last week due to the death of his father. According to the team, WR Matthew Willis (knee) and LB Wesley Woodyard (ankle) would have been held out of practice, and WR Brandon Stokley, who was inactive Sunday, would have participated on a limited basis.

Even though Denver has clinched a playoff spot, the Broncos know there’s room for improvement.  Head coach John Fox addressed the team’s turnover ratio, saying it’s not up to snuff with the NFL’s elite.  Fox used the 2003 Carolina Panthers, a team he coached to the Super Bowl, as an example:

“That’s a big reason why we reached the Super Bowl.  The important thing is getting in the tournament and then playing really well when you get in. … We want to start building for that and we want to start this week against Oakland.”

Other Headlines:

• Bleacher Report: Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders preview
• Denver Post: Sports Authority Field at Mile High is Peyton Manning’s house, so play by his rules.
• Rant Sports: Demaryius Thomas is an elite wide receiver.
• USA Today: Some of Tim Tebow’s ex-Broncos teammates are speaking out anonymously about the quarterback…and agree with the New York Jets.

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Courtesy NFL.comFollow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @DENHorseForce and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.

Nothing, doggone it.  Absolutely nothing.

Okay, let’s back up a bit.  In his Monday column, the Denver Post’s Woody Paige gave the Denver Broncos defense a nickname, a name near and dear to my heart:

The Broncos now have the unified strength of the Horse Force defense and the Orange Stampede offense.

My initial reaction, as the creator of Denver Horse Force: That’s great!  I love it!  But after reading the comments section it seems some of you Broncos fans out there dislike the name.  To each his own, but I respectfully disagree.

The newest Denver Bronco is speaking out about his gig.  Running back Jacob Hester had been out of work since being released by the San Diego Chargers in the preseason.  He worked out with a few teams…and waited until he got his chance.  He’s ready to embrace his new home:

“Being with one team your whole career, and then all of a sudden that ends, and for 11 or 12 weeks you kind of head home, not really knowing.  You do the workouts, whatever, and hope to get in a good situation. And luckily I fell into a great one.”

Other Headlines:

• Bleacher Report: Don’t be concern about the Broncos’ narrow victory in KC.
• Denver Post: A strong running game is the Broncos’ defensive weakness.
• Denver Post: DE Robert Ayers was excused from the team to be with family after the passing of his father.

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According to Denver Broncos head coach John Fox, defensive end Elvis Dumervil is “day-to-day” with a shoulder injury.  Dumervil had an MRI exam Monday morning on his left shoulder, and luckily for the Broncos, didn’t reveal any muscle tearing.

Good news: No significant shoulder injury for Denver Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil. (personal photo)

Dumervil was hurt in the first half of the Broncos’ 36-14 victory against the Carolina Panthers.  Robert Ayers played well in Dumveril’s absence.  Ayers finished with five total tackles, including a sack and two tackles for loss.

Williams returns

Linebacker D.J. Williams’ nine-game suspension is officially over.

Williams was suspended six games for violating the league’s substance abuse drug policy for allegedly providing a “non-human” sample.  He was later given a three-game suspension in connection to a DWAI conviction.

But it’s unclear what type of shape Williams is in…or how quickly he’ll be infused in the Broncos defense.  Wesley Woodyard has excelled in Williams’ absence, and it makes little sense to demote Woodyard.

What are Denver’s options?  Read here >>>>

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