Day 64 of the NFL Lockout, but who’s counting, right?

Helmet rankings? Really?

Same story.  Same long, agonizing story.  I’m ready to move on.  If there’s any consolation to this dog and pony show, it’s knowing many sportswriters – even the folks at ESPN – are grasping at straws these days.

C’mon, ranking NFL helmets!?!  Has it really come to this?

Yes, yes it has.

You can read ESPN’s power rankings here.  The Broncos didn’t crack the Top 10, though with judging criteria weak at best, what does that even mean?  Perhaps worse than the vacuous poll is the “Another Perspective” sidebar, penned by no other than – get this  a “Project Runway” contestant.

Are you flippin’ kidding me?  I.  Don’t.  Care.  Yet I write about it, so what does that make me?

I need to move on.  I just dedicated 125 words to critiquing a non-story, thus making it a story.

We begin our Denver headlines tour with a double dose of Bleacher Report, including this piece about why Tim Tebow should be named Broncos starting quarterback.  Plus, can Brandon Lloyd duplicate his 2010 success in 2011?

Bolt Beat is out with its Hate List.  Being a Chargers’ fan site, you know there are some Denver ties making the cut.  Read more on #10.

In a sure sign it’s sweeps, KOAA in Colorado Springs is holding a “Sports Celebrity Apprentice.”  The contenders, including former Broncos assistant Troy Calhoun and player Justin Armour, will anchor a sportscast.  Winner will be announced next Monday.  I’m not sure what the prize entails…maybe just bragging rights and some mad teleprompter reading skills.  **Personal editorial: It’s harder than it looks.**

Football News Now reports Kyle Orton could return to the NFC North – as quarterback on the Minnesota Vikings.

Tim Tebow will never live down his friar haircut. The Stir ranks it among the worst in sports history.

The Sporting News profiles veteran Brian Dawkins.

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

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Headlines, get your headlines here!

Not Broncos-related, but this is certainly worth mentioning – ESPN reports the Vikings may be doing what many young families do every day: leave the city for suburban life.

The Denver Post ran an Associated Press story on the losers in the NFL lockout.  Technically, that answer is anyone who likes football, but this story highlights rookies and new coaches.

Here’s another AP story about football helmets, and their not-so-safe features.

Opposing Views profiles former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan and his decisions as Redskins coach.

A member of the Broncos staff is helping out his alma mater, according to Newswire.

The oddsmakers have a list of rookies most like to nab DOY honors.  Among the favorites, Von Miller reports Doc’s Sports Service.

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

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For the first time since 2004, the Denver Broncos will open the season at home against divisional rival Oakland.  Even better, it’s on Monday night, extending Denver’s MNF streak to 20 straight years, longest in the league.

Oh, and Jay Cutler will be here December 11.

Without further ado, here is the complete 2011 Denver Broncos schedule:

• September 12: Broncos vs. Raiders 8:15 p.m. (Monday Night Football)
• September 18: Broncos vs. Bengals 2:15 p.m.
• September 25: Broncos at Titans 11 a.m.
• October 2: Broncos at Packers 2:15 p.m.
• October 9: Broncos vs. Chargers 2:15 p.m.
• October 16: BYE
• October 23: Broncos at Dolphins 11 a.m.
• October 30: Broncos vs. Lions 2:05 p.m.
• November 6: Broncos at Raiders 11:05 a.m.
• November 13: Broncos at Chiefs 11 a.m.
• November 17: Broncos vs. Jets 6:20 p.m. (Thursday night)
• November 27: Broncos at Chargers 2:15 p.m.
• December 4: Broncos at Vikings 2:05 p.m.
• December 11: Broncos vs. Bears 2:05 p.m.
• December 18: Broncos vs. Patriots 2:15 p.m.
• December 24: Broncos at Bills (Saturday) 11 a.m.
• January 1: Broncos vs. Chiefs 2:15 p.m.

**For a complete 2011 schedule, visit the NFL’s website.

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**This is the second in a two-part story.  If you missed Friday’s Part I, go here.**

The 1987 Indianapolis Colts are proof a team can go worst-to-first during a season impacted by a labor dispute.

Are you taking notes, Broncos front office?

It is possible.

Let’s face fact; a lot has changed in the NFL since 1987.  Parity is now a league hallmark, courtesy salary cap and free agency.  In fact, the worst-to-first plotline is somewhat expected.

In the past four NFL seasons, five teams went from basement dweller to divisional king in just one season:

2007

• AFC North: Cleveland – 4-12 in 2006 to 10-6 in 2007 (T-1^st with Pittsburgh, though the Steelers won the tiebreaker)
• NFC South: Tampa Bay – 4-12 in 2006 to 9-7 in 2007

2008

• AFC East: Miami – 1-15 in 2007 to 11-5 in 2008

2009

• NFC South: New Orleans – 8-8 in 2008 to 13-3 in 2009

2010

• AFC West: Kansas City – 4-12 in 2009 to 10-6 in 2010
  

  The ongoing lockout is hampering the Broncos chances of pulling off the worst-to-first in 2011. (personal photo)

**Honorable mention goes to Tampa Bay, which finished at 10-6 in 2010 – good enough to win the lousy NFC West, but only third best in the ultra-competitive NFC South.

If this pattern holds true, at least one team will complete the worst-to-first run in 2011.  Of course, that’s assuming there is a collective bargaining agreement and further assuming that happens sooner rather than later.  Who are this year’s contenders?  Let’s look at Denver’s competition, and for added effect, my thoughts on the feasibility of such a jump:

AFC East: Buffalo – Only if the Patriots and Jets move to the CFL, and even then, the Bills would need a miracle to finish ahead of Miami in the league’s lone two-team division.

AFC North: Cincinnati – The Bengals are an utter mess, and much like the AFC East, it’s really a two-team race, Carson Palmer or not.

AFC South: Tennessee – Indianapolis isn’t planning the CFL move, right?

NFC East: Washington – Plausible, yet doubtful.

NFC North: Minnesota – Excuse me while I laugh…

NFC South: Carolina – Do I even need to answer this one?  Still laughing…

NFC West: Arizona – Oddly enough, given the overall suckitude of this division, a turnaround is entirely doable.  Oy vey.

Denver plays the AFC East and NFC North in 2011, arguably two of the most stacked divisions, but so do the other AFC West teams.  The Broncos can certainly improve on their 4-12 record, but I wouldn’t expect much beyond that.   Please prove me wrong, Denver.  Please.  Just know the odds are quite long.

If the current labor dispute stretches into August, it dramatically cuts a team’s ability to shop the free agency market.  Free agency has established itself as a prominent theme in the current ‘Everybody-Has-A-Chance’ NFL, but teams needing that help the most may not find it this time around.

Denver needs that fair chance at rebuilding, an opportunity that’s slipping away each day.

I think we can all agree on that.

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