The executive who lured Peyton Manning to Denver?

Or the executive who helped Indianapolis move on from Manning?

The honor of Sporting News’ Executive of the Year was really a two-man race between Denver Broncos executive vice president of football operations John Elway and Indianapolis Colts General Manager Ryan Grigson.

And it’s Grigson who takes home the honor, edging Elway by a 9-to-8 vote.

As I wrote earlier this month, my vote was for Elway—by a smidge. Turns out, I was right about the close vote…just not as correct with my winner, though I had a hunch all along Grigson would win. (Just as I think Adrian Peterson will win MVP, despite my case for Peyton Manning.)

Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider finished third with three votes. Washington Redskins general manager Bruce Allen and Houston Texans general manager/executive vice president Rick Smith each received two votes.

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Broncos’ John Fox, Jack Del Rio fined for berating officials in Atlanta - All these years, John Fox had stayed out of trouble.  Then along came a crew of replacement officials.  For the first time in his 24-year NFL coaching career, Fox has been fined by the league office. Fox, the Broncos’ head coach, was docked $30,000 and his defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio was fined $25,000 for their demonstrative protests of how the replacement officials were calling the game last Monday in Atlanta.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Mark Kiszla: Fan from Mexico sees his favorite Broncos team, but not a victory - All the way up in Section 505 of the stadium, discontented Broncomaniacs could see what apparently eludes Denver coach John Fox: There’s no reason to have Peyton Manning as quarterback if your offense is so boring it can put a crowd of 76,566 to sleep.  Juan Naranjo traveled 1,002 miles from Mexico to watch his favorite NFL team play. But down at midfield, the Broncos were going nowhere.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Broncos list Willis McGahee, Nate Irving and others as “day to day” – When John Fox comes to his Monday press briefing and announces he has no update to the injury report, that means none of the players injured in the previous day’s game suffered season-ending injuries.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Next Day Notebook: Denver Eyes Kuper Comeback - The return of a team captain to Denver’s offensive line could be near.  Guard Chris Kuper has been out since Aug. 14 after suffering a forearm injury during a training camp practice. During Monday afternoon’s press conference, Head Coach John Fox said the staff will “have a look-see” at Kuper to determine his status for this weekend’s game against the Oakland Raiders.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

John Fox Press Conference - After watching game film, Head Coach John Fox talks about Sunday’s game against Houston.  Watch video from Denver Broncos >>>>

Rod Smith’s Ring of Fame Induction - Wide receiver Rod Smith is inducted into the team’s Ring of Fame during halftime of Sunday’s game.  Watch video from Denver Broncos >>>>

Broncos Report Card: Poor timing and communication still hindering performance - The phrase “work in progress” is heard often in regard to the Denver Broncos, and is a catch-all justification for the timing problems, drops and breakdowns for an offense adjusting to QB Peyton Manning – and Manning adjusting to his post-surgical limitations.  But it became clear Sunday that the defense is adjusting, too. It has seven starters who were not in the starting lineup at the end of 2011, and Sunday night against the Houston Texans, the unit was plagued by missed assignments that directly led to two first-half touchdowns.  Read more from CBSSports.com >>>>

Broncos far from a finished product - These new-look Denver Broncos are on the right track. But they are far from a finished product. Peyton Manning and the Broncos teased the home crowd in an impressive season-opening win over Pittsburgh two weeks ago. However, Sunday, fans were given a dose of reality.  For the second straight week, Manning and the Broncos were given a stern, painful lesson by one of the better teams in the league. The Houston Texans showed the Broncos they have a ways to go if they think they can hang with the top playoff contenders.  Read more from ESPN >>>>

Denver Broncos are not Playing Complimentary Football - Following the Denver Broncos loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday, there are two schools of thought as to what is wrong. The first one is that Peyton Manning and the offense are not pulling their weight, and are completely out of sync. The second thought is that the defense for the Broncos is the problem, so which school of thought is correct? They are both right, and here’s why.  Read more from Rant Sports >>>>

Manning, slow-starting Broncos search for answers - The Broncos changed quarterbacks, tight ends and offensive emphasis this offseason. But one thing hasn’t: They’re still a fourthquarter team that expounds most of its energy getting back into games when the scoreboard dictates that their situation is helpless.  The difference is the holes the Broncos have tried to climb from the last two weeks. They’re not down one or two scores, as they were before the Tim Tebow-led rallies against the Dolphins, Jets, Chargers and Bears last season. They have fallen into 20-point holes, plagued by a balky passing game prone to errant passes and drops.  Read more from Sporting News >>>>

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Yeeeeeah, buddy.

Training camp is here.

Broncos’ Champ Bailey gets ride of his life in Thunderbirds’ F-16 - As Lt. Col. Jason Koltes zipped up his G suit, smiling at the prospects of another dance across the sky, he looked at Champ Bailey standing a few feet away and made a prediction.  ”It won’t be like anything he has ever experienced; the ride of his life,” Koltes said. “We’re going to put him through the wringer. There’s nothing like it.”  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Broncos OL Chris Kuper will have practice limited at training camp - Maybe if it was just one torn ligament or one broken bone or one screw, Broncos’ starting right guard Chris Kuper would have been fully recovered by the first day of training camp Thursday.  But there were multiple torn ligaments in his left ankle. And multiple fractures in his lower left fibula. And seven screws and a plate that is keeping it all together.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Broncos happy to have Jack Del Rio, but his stay could be short term - Today’s question about the Broncos comes from Michael Newcomer in Sacramento, Calif.  Q: Will the Broncos try to convince defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, a former NFL head coach, to stay here more than one season?  A: Del Rio is the Broncos’ seventh defensive coordinator in seven years. The previous six: Larry Coyer, Jim Bates, Bob Slowik, Mike Nolan, Don Martindale and Dennis Allen. Allen now coaches the Oakland Raiders.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

‘Anything We Can Do to Help’- Colorado has experienced more than its share of adversity in the past few months, whether it was the wildfires that ravaged the state or the tragic shootings that took place just last Thursday in Aurora.  That’s why the Broncos have made sure to do anything they can — no matter how small — to help raise spirits in their community.  ”Obviously the Broncos are a big part of the community here in Denver,”Elvis Dumervil said. “People love the Broncos, and we try to reciprocate that same feeling by giving back.”  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

2012 Game-by-Game: Week 15- Over the next week, DenverBroncos.com will continue to preview the team’s 2012 schedule, including a look at the last time the teams faced off, what to watch for this season and more.  In Week 15, two teams with at least one playoff win in 2011 square off in a late-season matchup.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

2012 Game-by-Game: Week 16 - DenverBroncos.com continues to preview the team’s 2012 schedule, including a look at the last time the teams faced off, what to watch for this season and more.  Below is a closer look at the Broncos’ Week 16 matchup with the Browns.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Denver Broncos: Who Cannot Get Hurt in 2012 - With only a few days left before training camp and the start of the 2012 season, the Denver Broncos are gearing up for, hopefully, a long and fruitful season. The Broncos have had a big summer, signing Peyton Manning and re-signing other key players such as Matt Prater to multi-year deals.  The Broncos are a favorite to win the division, but only one thing could hold them back: health. The talent and strength is there, but can the key players stay healthy all season? Below are a few players the Broncos cannot afford to lose in 2012.  Read more from the Bleacher Report >>>>

AFC training camp story lines: Peyton Manning commands most attention - After missing all of last season, Peyton Manning is ready for training camp. This time, he will report for work with the Denver Broncos instead of the Indianapolis Colts.  Manning will be ready when Broncos veterans report Thursday. NFL fans also are eager for action as camps open across the NFL this week.  Read more from Sporting News >>>>

Broncos New Safety Says Manning Almost ‘Isn’t Human’ - A big crowd was on hand at the Tavern Downtown Monday night to see CBS4′s sports show Xfinity Monday Live.  “People must be sensing football season is right around the corner,” said host Vic Lombardi at the start of the show.  Read more from CBS Denver >>>>

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Broncos Mailbag: Denver fans, was pain of McDaniels worth Manning? - Mike, with all the drama the Broncos have gone through since Mike Shanahan’s firing, I think it’s time to re-evaluate the Jay Cutler trade and the impact it’s had on the makeup of this year’s team. I feel we have a better chance to win a Super Bowl now (I’m optimistic about Peyton Manning’s neck), than if we had held on to Cutler. But I’m not sure it was worth three years of pain and mediocrity. Was it? –Nick, Richmond, Va.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Position Preview: Offensive Line - The 2011 Broncos ran the football as well any as unit in team history. Denver rolled up 164.5 rushing yards per game a season ago, easily the best mark in the NFL, behind a young but durable group of offensive linemen that started all 16 games. The group got better as the season progressed, gaining 190.4 yards per game over the final 12 games of the season.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Q&A with Dave Magazu - During the 2011 season, the Broncos offensive line plowed the way for 2,632 rushing yards — a franchise best.  Leading that unit in his first season with the Broncos was offensive line coach Dave Magazu, who joined the Broncos from Carolina after John Fox was named Denver’s head coach in January.  This year, the offensive line returns all five starters from a year ago, when the group became the only offensive line unit in the league to open every regular-season game with the same five individuals.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Report: Adams would have given Peyton $25 million – As part of his reporting on the tenuous Drew Brees franchise tag situation with the New Orleans Saints, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen rolled out this little side nugget – that the Titans were willing to give Peyton Manning $25 million per season to come back to Tennessee.  Read more from National Football Post >>>> 

NFL Pick: Denver Broncos 2012 Season Preview and Prediction AFC West - Overview: The Denver Broncos went from being near the top of the order in the NFL draft to winning a first round playoff game but apparently the plan wasn’t moving fast enough for them as they changed courses and are headed in a new direction, a direction that disregards the future in exchange for winning now. Of course the big question in Denver and everywhere else is, can the Broncos win now?  Read more from Sports Chat Place >>>>

AFC injury rehabs loaded with superstars, big unknowns - It is hard to overstate the importance of Peyton Manning’s health to the Denver Broncos.  Right now, Manning’s backups are Caleb Hanie, Brock Osweiler and Adam Weber. Enough said.  The Broncos are gambling they can keep Manning on the field, even though he missed all of the 2011 season following multiple neck surgeries, the most significant being a cervical neck fusion procedure last September. The less Manning gets hit, the more likely he plays 16 games. Take a closer look at the Broncos, and Manning, and you will find several reasons why the Broncos feel comfortable gambling on Manning’s health.  Read more from Sporting News >>>>

Kansas City Chiefs Schedule Preview: Week 12 vs. Denver - The summer walk-through of the Kansas City Chiefs schedule continues today with a look at their Week 12 home game against the Denver Broncos.  Please see the link at the bottom of the page for the previous 11 game previews. Even though this game is on November 25 it will be the first time the Chiefs & Broncos have hooked up in 2012, with the season finale being in Denver. This is a good schedule spot for the Broncos. While they are coming off what’s currently expected to be a nationally televised game against the San Diego Chargers at home, the following week is a home date with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Peyton Manning and his teammates aren’t in the kind of sandwich spot that invites a look-ahead. For their part, while the Chiefs come off a difficult home game with the Cincinnati Bengals, this is the middle round of a three-game home stretch that will likely determine the Kansas City season. It’s unlikely either team will get looking ahead or be out of gas.  Read more from Rant Sports >>>>

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Happy Independence Day!

As you’d imagine on a holiday, it’s a light day of Denver Broncos headlines, but don’t worry; DHF has a post coming up later today.

Osweiler, Hillman only two unsigned Broncos - With the Broncos making Matt Prater the NFL’s fifth highest-paid kicker Monday, the team now has just two contracts left to settle — those of rookies Brock Osweiler and Ronnie Hillman.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

2012 Game-By-Game: Week 3 - In Week 3 of the 2012 season the Broncos return home to host one of Peyton Manning’s more familiar foes, the Houston Texans.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Denver Broncos: 5 Little-Known Players Who Will Turn Heads in Camp - The Denver Broncos are due to open up their training camp for the upcoming season on July 26, 2012, in Englewood, CO.  We’re all aware of the main players on the team such as Peyton Manning, Elvis Dumervil, Willis McGahee, Von Miller and Champ Bailey.  But what about some of those players who are not known to fans?  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Peyton Manning Injury Watch: Rust Might Be Denver Broncos QB’s Biggest Enemy - No NFL injury has been talked about more over the past few seasons than Peyton Manning’s neck injury. It required four surgeries, including stem cell treatment, and he missed all of 2011.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Matt Prater and Connor Barth’s contracts compared - The Denver Broncos announced Monday that they had reached a four-year contract with franchised kicker Matt Prater. According to Mike Klis of The Denver Post, the contract is worth $13 million, or $3.25 million per season  That’s just shy of the $3.3 million per year average of the contract that franchised Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Connor Barth received last month, but it still places Prater in the top five among current kicker contracts.  Read more from NFL.com >>>>

Five teams that should reap most from full offseason - Last year’s NFL lockout forced teams to fast forward into the season.  Not this year. We’ve had a full offseason of free agency, minicamps and organized team activities. If you’re a new coach, new coordinator or a rookie, you can’t use a lockout as an excuse.  Here are five teams that should benefit greatly from having a full offseason.  Read more from Sporting News >>>>

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Photos: Rod Smith of the Denver Broncos elected to Broncos Ring of Fame – Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith, who set every major receiving record with the club from 1994-2007, has been elected the 23rd member of the team’s Ring of Fame.  View gallery from the Denver Post >>>>

Bolden First Draft Pick to Sign - The first of the Broncos’ 2012 NFL Draft picks has signed with the team.  Cornerback Omar Bolden, drafted in the fourth round, put pen to paper on Thursday.  Selected at pick No. 101 overall, Bolden amassed 138 total tackles, five tackles for loss, 21 pass breakups and seven interceptions in his career at Arizona State.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Miller, Thomas, Franklin Pick Up National Recognition - Von Miller received another honor on Wednesday, adding to the recognition he’s received following his 11.5 sack-season in 2011.  Former NFL scout and current NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah published his list of the top 10 players under the age of 25 today and included Miller, who is 23 years old.  “Miller didn’t waste any time making his presence felt on the Broncos defense,” Jeremiah wrote. “He posted 10.5 sacks in their first 11 games before suffering a broken right thumb. He finished his rookie season with 11.5 sacks and was honored as the Defensive Rookie of the Year. He is a very versatile defender. He excels as a pass rusher because of his suddenness off the ball and his ability to bend around the edge. He is also athletic enough to drop in zones or run with tight ends down the seam.”  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Peyton Manning: Why Star Quarterback Won’t Find Success with Denver Broncos – In easily the biggest move of the NFL offseason, sure-fire Hall-of-Fame quarterback Peyton Manning left the Indianapolis Colts, where he had spent his entire NFL career, to go to the Denver Broncos and avoid a rebuilding phase.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Denver Broncos’ Omar Bolden Impresses in Camp: Could He Be Champ’s Replacement? - Omar Bolden fell to the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft at the 101st pick overall. Lucky, for the Broncos, only a year ago, he projected to possess first-round skills.  Broncos head coach John Fox raved about the rookie on Denver’s local 850 KOA AM radio station: “He definitely looked like a first-round type of talent in our mini-camp.”  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Denver Broncos: How Does Knowshon Moreno Fit into the Team’s Plans? - The 2011 season was a tumultuous one for Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno.  He played in only seven games and lost his starting job to Willis McGahee before tearing his ACL in a game against Kansas City in November, ending his season.  Then in February, he was charged with DUI, careless driving and having no proof of insurance.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Broncos’ Knowshon Moreno facing trial in alcohol-related driving incident - Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno will be fighting for a job this summer. Come October he will have another battle — in court over an alcohol-related driving arrest.  Moreno, an erstwhile backup to Broncos feature back Willis McGahee, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges resulting from a Feb. 1 incident in Denver. His case is scheduled for trial on Oct. 3.  Read more from Sporting News >>>>

Two Broncos Attending the 2012 NFLPA Rookie Premiere - The 16th-annual NFL Rookie Premiere officially begins today in Los Angeles, CA. and runs through the weekend. Thirty-six of the top 2012 NFL Draft picks, including Denver Broncos rookies QB Brock Osweiler and RB Ronnie Hillman will make their professional debut at the event sponsored by Nike.  Read more from Mile High Report >>>>

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Kickin’ it: In the playoffs, best bet is Tim Tebow to beat Peyton Manning - Crystal baller.  Many analysts, including the oddsmakers in Las Vegas, have portrayed the Broncos as Super Bowl contenders in 2012, entirely due to the fact the Broncos “upgraded” their quarterback position from Tim Tebow to Peyton Manning. With a dropback passer in 2010, the Broncos finished 4-12. My point is: The Broncos were undoubtedly a 4-12 (or so) team in 2011 without the miracle that was Tebow. Manning is probably the greatest regular-season QB in league history.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Klis: Former Broncos Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall reunited with Chicago Bears - There was a time when the trio of Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall and Jeremy Bates had the NFL in their collective palms.  Three games into the 2008 season, Cutler, the Broncos’ quarterback, and Bates, the team’s offensive pass coordinator, had the Broncos averaging 38.0 points per game. The 2007 New England Patriots, who finished 16-0, set an NFL scoring record that still stands at 36.8 points per game.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell talks safety, balance as litigation mounts  - Listen to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and it doesn’t take long for professional football’s top executive to talk about protecting “the shield” — the league’s red, white and blue logo.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

NFL Free Agency: Who Gave out the Best and Worst Contracts in 2012? - Following an insane free agency scramble, the Denver Broncos handed out the best contract when they signed one of the greatest free agents of all time, Peyton Manning.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

2012 NFL Free Agents: Predictions for Peyton Manning’s First Season with Broncos - Peyton Manning might be on the comeback trail from a very serious injury and an entire year off, but that doesn’t mean the expectations of his first season with theDenver Broncos should be any lower.  Manning is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history and even at 75 percent, he is still better than most play-callers in the league.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Report: Denver Broncos Began Shopping Tim Tebow at NFL Combine –  One of the biggest stories from the 2012 offseason was the Denver Broncos shipping Tim Tebow to the New York Jets after bringing Peyton Manning on board to be the team’s new starting quarterback. While the move came as no surprise after the signing of Manning considering the Broncos gave the future Hall of Fame quarterback a $96 million contract, it does come as a bit of a surprise that John Elway and company attempted to trade Tebow well before Manning even became available.  Read more from Rant Sports >>>>

Jets reportedly want leash on Tim Tebow’s ‘outside endeavors’ - If Tim Tebow’s introductory news conference raised a few eyebrows among his new teammates, imagine if the New York Jets’ backup quarterback had his own weekly radio spot.  That’s something Jets’ brass hopes to curtail, according to the New York Daily News.  The team has decided to limit Tebow’s “outside endeavors,” the newspaper reported, including a regularly scheduled radio appearance similar to starting QB Mark Sanchez’s on “The Michael Kay Show,” which aires in New York.  Read more from Sporting News >>>>

Ray McNulty: Jaguars didn’t really want Tebow - My theory as to the real reason Tim Tebow, given a choice by the Denver Broncos, decided he’d rather play in New York than in front of his hometown fans in Jacksonville?  He didn’t have a choice.  The Jaguars didn’t really want him.  They’ll never say so publicly. They can’t. They can’t risk further alienating an already-apathetic fan base that would’ve been energized by the rousing return of a home-grown football folk hero.  Read more from TC Palm >>>> 

Fantasy Football Preview: Is Knowshon Moreno Peyton’s New Weapon? -
Let me say this, it feels good to take a little break from draft analysis.  That being said, I have the distinct privilege to provide you guys with insight on Fantasy Football throughout the upcoming season.  Some of you enjoy Fantasy Football on different levels and for those who enjoy the dynasty format your league is likely starting to pick up.  Read more from  NFL Mocks >>>>

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Peyton Manning-led Denver Broncos the toast of the NFL - Not surprisingly, the idea of pursuing Peyton Manning was hatched in John Elway’s office.  It just wasn’t Elway who had the idea.  ”Joe Ellis was the first one to talk to me about it,” Elway said.  Ellis, the Broncos’ president, has been team owner Pat Bowlen’s right-hand man for years. Bowlen and Ellis went through a rough stretch in 2009 and 2010 after they made the fateful decision to replace Mike Shanahan with Josh McDaniels as coach and chief pooh-bah of the organization’s football operations department.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Kiszla: Peyton Manning and Todd Helton — best buddy system ever - Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and Rockies slugger Todd Helton are best friends forever. They love each other like brothers. Their friendship runs deep, but not quite as deep as a post pattern. And that might explain why Helton had to quit Manning’s football team, before the quarterback cut him.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Colorado Classics: Passing through Denver, former Broncos QB Jacky Lee didn’t stay long - Jacky Lee’s arrival in Denver as a new Broncos quarterback almost 48 years ago didn’t have the sensationalism of what occurred last week when Peyton Manning rode into town in his chariot and soon after had fans dreaming of Super Bowl championships.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Manning showed signs of wearing down before neck issues - The next chapter in the Peyton Manning story comes in April, when he reports for the Denver Broncos’ offseason program and acclimates himself to new environs for the first time since the 1990s.  The next question is which Peyton Manning will show up there?  Will it be the Manning of 2007? That might be tough to expect, given that the future Hall of Famer is now 36. And especially because the idea of Manning losing arm strength isn’t a new one.  Read more from NFL Network >>>>

Why Tim Tebow Will Make a Great Politician - When the Denver Broncos inexplicably drafted Tim Tebow in the first round two years ago, I made a bold prediction, immortalized on Twitter, that he’d be out of the league and running for Congress three years hence. I think my assessment of his football skills holds up pretty well, even if my timing was a bit overaggressive: He’s gone from starter to backup, so his career trajectory is clear enough. And I’m more certain than ever of his political skills, especially after yesterday’s33-minute solo press conference to introduce himself as a New York Jet to the local media.  Read more from Businessweek >>>>

Manning, Broncos a good fit - It probably didn’t go exactly like this, but if not, it was probably close last week in Denver when Broncos boss John Elway called in his former quarterback.  “Well, it was fun while it lasted Tim. But now it’s time to step aside and let the adults go to work.”  Read more from Jamestown Sun >>>>

Manning, Broncos could be in NBC’s Sunday night opener - Last season the major television networks were clamoring to get Denver Broncos and the ratings machine known as Tim Tebow in the most opportune NFL viewing slots. That thinking hasn’t let up in advance of the 2012 NFL season with Peyton Manning replacing Tebow as the Broncos’ starting quarterback.  Read more from Sporting News >>>>

Peyton Manning’s methodical job hunt - Peyton Manning sounded relieved. It was his first day at work on a new job, and in so many ways this moment took way too long to arrive.  He was a bit anxious, too.  Standing in a lobby on the second floor of Denver Broncos headquarters, Manning was clutching the bright orange jersey presented to him at an introductory news conference a couple of hours earlier. But now his blue, pinstriped jacket was off.  Read more from USA Today >>>>

John Fox confirms: Broncos will run their offense Peyton Manning’s way - The Denver Broncos received a great deal of justified praise for scrapping their traditional NFL offense and going with an option-variety set of schemes once Tim Tebow took over. By bending to Tebow’s strengths and limitations, John Fox’s team won a playoff game after a 1-4 start in Fox’s first season as head coach in Denver.  Read more from Yahoo! Sports >>>>

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Free agents put young Broncos’ jobs in jeopardy - Von Miller may have led the Broncos in sacks in 2011 and been named the league’s defensive rookie of the year, but at least some of the team’s draft class from last April has felt the sting of the team’s free-agency splurge this spring.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Broncos sign Caleb Hanie to be Manning’s backup - When evaluating Caleb Hanie, the Broncos saw something on film that wasn’t visible through production.  Hanie, 26, will be Peyton Manning’s backup quarterback after he agreed to terms on a two-year contract Saturday with the Broncos.  Undrafted in 2008 out of Colorado State, Hanie has played little in his four NFL seasons, but he did not get two substantial opportunities.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Tamme Talks Manning - Having spent the past four seasons in Indianapolis with Peyton Manning, newly acquired tight end Jacob Tamme knows what it’s like to play in Manning’s preferred hurry-up style of offense.  Tamme, who agreed to terms with the Broncos earlier in the day, spent the first three years of his career catching passes from Manning. In 2010, which was their last year playing together with Manning as the quarterback, Tamme set career highs with 67 catches for 631 yards and four touchdowns.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Peyton Manning may not pay off big as a Denver Bronco - The news moved fast across the Twitterverse.  Peyton Manning was negotiating to play in Denver with the Broncos.  And while fans of the team undoubtedly celebrated, making money off Manning will be difficult.  Read more from USA Today >>>>

COLUMN: Tebow’s presence will do more harm than good for Jets - Once former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning decided he was going to sign with the Denver Broncos, the question immediately became one about the future of last year’s Broncos quarterback, Tim Tebow.  Tebow, probably the league’s most talked-about quarterback and one of the most polarizing figures in all of sports, started the final eleven games of the regular season, and led Denver to an 8-8 regular season and a playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Read more from Chickasha News >>>>

Broncos free agent Brian Dawkins undecided about returning - Denver Broncos safety Brian Dawkins remains undecided about whether he wants to return for a 17th NFL season, FOXsports.com reported.  Dawkins, 38, is unsigned for 2012, but the report said the Broncos have stayed in contact about the possibility of re-signing him. Dawkins missed two of the final three regular-season games and both playoff games with a neck injury last season. He also missed five games in 2010.  Read more from Sporting News >>>>

Broncos, Redskins stand out as big offseason winners - The New Orleans Saints and New York Jets stood out as teams having a rough early offseason, but now it’s time to look at the feel-good stories that have developed between Super Bowl XLVI and the 2012 NFL draft.  When looking at the big winners so far, it’s important to consider them in relation to the team that just won the Super Bowl. The New York Giants sustained the trend of needing an elite, clutch quarterback to raise the Lombardi Trophy.  Read more from Sporting News >>>>

Tim Tebow: How Trading Him Affects the Broncos’ 2012 NFL Draft Strategy - As exciting it was for Denver Broncos fans to witness the franchise’s first playoff win since 2005, this was a team already in transition prior to the Peyton Manning acquisition. You don’t often go from the No. 2 overall draft pick to a divisional playoff game.  Priorities change when you pick up a future Hall of Fame QB who wants to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in New Orleans next February. Instead of looking for long-term prospects, the Broncos want players who can step in immediately.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Antonio Cromartie clarifies tweets - With Tim Tebow on the verge of finally becoming an official member of the New York Jets, cornerback Antonio Cromartie says the multitalented quarterback can help after all.  ”He’s a guy that brings a different atmosphere to the locker room and the huddle,” Cromartie told the New York Daily News on Friday. “We were missing that last year — a guy that can take control and do the things that we need to. (General manager Mike Tannenbaum and coach Rex Ryan) feel like he can come in and bring us that spark on offense when he’s in certain packages.”  Read more from ESPN >>>>

On Peyton Manning’s 36th birthday, a few gift ideas - Peyton Manning turns 36 years young on Saturday.  The Denver Broncos haven’t asked our advice on this (or anything, for that matter), but we’ve gone ahead and drummed up five highly rational gift ideas for their star quarterback (and no, Mr. Bowlen, the $18 million guaranteed you just parted with does not count).  Bottom line: All Manning wants is redemption. Another Super Bowl. Another two. Not some turtleneck wrapped in a dumb box.  Read more from NFL.com >>>>

Forget hoops, NFL has March Madness - March Madness is all about the NFL this year.  From Peyton Manning in Denver to Tim Tebow in New York.  From Sean Payton getting suspended for New Orleans’ bounty system to Saints players awaiting possible punishment for participating in it.  Read more from Charlotte Observer >>>>

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Famed CSU, Denver athlete Lonnie Wright dies at 67 - Lonnie Wright, 67, who became a special athlete in the area in college, pro football and pro basketball, died Friday morning at home in South Orange, N.J., from congestive heart failure. He was 67.  Wright came west from his home in New Jersey in 1962 to attend Colorado State University to play basketball.  But playing basketball in college was just a part of the story he wrote in his adopted state before returning to the East Coast.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Fresh cornerback Tracy Porter thinks Broncos offer championship opportunity - The newest Broncos defensive back is looking for a fresh start and a chance at another Super Bowl ring.  And, as cornerback Tracy Porter passed newly-signed quarterback Peyton Manning in the team’s Dove Valley complex Friday, he said he felt Denver could give him both of those things.  ”This team definitely has the qualities to get back to a championship and that’s something I definitely want to be a part of,” Porter said.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Tim Tebow adjusts to life in the New York spotlight - Thanks for the memories.  That was Tim Tebow’s message to the Broncos and the team’s faithful as the ultra-popular quarterback added another twist to the wild ride that has been his NFL career. Tebow’s fresh start began with a trade to the Jets on Wednesday. By the time the move was 24 hours old, Tebow was the most discussed athlete in New York.  Read more from the Denver Post >>>>

Rice Takes: Getting One of the Greats - The Broncos are the center of attention in the NFL right now.  In the span of two days, they signed a Super Bowl champion and 4-time MVP quarterback and traded a young quarterback whose popularity easily outpaces his productivity.  What a start to the offseason.  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Porter: ‘A Good Situation’ - One day after signing with the Broncos, cornerback Tracy Porter participated in a conference call with the local media. He credited the team’s coaching staff and championship aspirations as a major factor into his decision to sign with Denver.  “After going around visiting teams, I felt like first and foremost Denver put me in a good situation – coming in and being able to help the team win,” Porter said. “From the start, I really enjoyed the coaching staff, spending time with those guys.”  Read more from Denver Broncos >>>>

Pat Robertson delivers a blindside hit trying to help Tim Tebow - Tim Tebow Pat Robertson Peyton Manning Tebowmania Denver Broncos 911 Haiti earthquake deal to the devil.  I like Tim Tebow. I like him so much, I wish other people who like him would shut up.  Read more from Sporting News >>>>

Peyton Manning: Will the Denver Broncos Cut Their Star QB After One Year?  - Don’t be surprised if the Denver Broncos cut Peyton Manning after one season.The new Broncos quarterback is coming off multiple neck surgeries that derailed his 2011 season. Now in Denver, Manning says he is healthy and is ready to get back on the field.  There are high expectations for the Broncos going into the 2012 season. After winning the AFC West and a playoff game last season with Tim Tebow, fans expect that Manning will be able to take the team even further, perhaps to a Super Bowl.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

Denver Broncos: Did Peyton Manning Acquisition Kill Tim Tebow’s Legacy? - Prepare yourselves for a bold statement. In some Broncos fans’ minds, Tim Tebow will always be the greatest Broncos quarterback in the team’s history.  Shocking, right? It is, but it’s also true.  In truth, the people who feel that way may not have been Broncos fans before Tebow’s arrival in Denver and likely will not be again after his departure, but the magic of Tebow is that all of these people are now NFL fans and will follow their man’s career in New York.  Read more from Bleacher Report >>>>

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