Broncos strength coach Luke Richesson wants players to ...

Broncos strength coach Luke Richesson
wants players to finish strong

By Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post
July 11, 2012

Even with all the cutting-edge equipment, scientific research and advances in
technology that surround Luke Richesson in the Broncos' strength and conditioning
center, there is still room for a little of the old-school approach.

There is still room for the idea that yes, eating breakfast matters. And lunch,
dinner, two snacks and getting enough sleep.

"Some of what we do is based on the latest research, new ideas, but some of what
we do isn't necessarily rooted in some grand scientific theory," said Richesson, in
his first season as the Broncos' strength and conditioning coach. "It's 'Hey, did you
eat breakfast today? Did you eat at regular intervals? Did you put the kind of food
in you that will help you?'

"These guys are Ferraris. They are not work trucks. To be their best, they have to
maintain themselves at all times. That's part of our message as we get our program
going here to try to do our part to get this team where everybody wants it. And we
know our challenges to do that."

Richesson said two of the biggest challenges are avoiding what has become a
routine late-season swoon and finding ways to take advantage of playing at
Denver's mile-high elevation. While playing at altitude has certainly helped the
home team through the years — the Broncos have won 75 percent of their
December home games in the franchise's history — Richesson believes there may
be another side to the coin. He believes there is plenty of research, to go with his
experiences as performance director at Athletes Performance Institute in Phoenix, a
noted facility that has many current and future NFL players among its clients, that
revealed living day-to-day at altitude has some impact as well.

"I think it's clear, the research is clear, it's more difficult to consistently maintain
maximum performance, maximum output at altitude," Richesson said. "There's the
build-up of (carbon dioxide) when you train that your body has to deal with, and we
have less oxygen. So, to that end we have to make sure everything else in the
program is in order. Even the simple things like meals, sleep, what we eat, take on
a greater importance."

To that end Richesson has outfitted all of the Broncos players with heart monitors
— they look like electronic harnesses — to wear during workouts. Richesson and his

staff can then track each player's heart rate, using a hand-held device, at any point
during a workout. All of the information is also collated and stored on computer.

Richesson said the devices also enable his staff to measure a player's overall
progress over time and to monitor his recovery times from each part of the
workouts in real time.

"They know right away how you did two weeks ago and two minutes ago," Broncos
defensive end Elvis Dumervil said. "Even one day to the next. They see what's
going on with you while you're going through it."

"The numbers don't lie," Richesson said. "If you see significant changes with
athletes of this caliber in one-minute recovery times, two-minute recovery times,
you know something's up. In almost every case, when you ask after seeing the
numbers dip, something has impacted their diet, sleep schedules or there is an
injury issue. We want to know, to be able to compare and track heart-rate
performance at every level."

Richesson said he also believes it is possible to overtrain, something you don't hear
much about in an era in which the benefits of intense training are preached. Even
with elite athletes, he said, there is a point of diminishing returns.

The Broncos have revamped their weight room in recent weeks, have incorporated
additional activities into their workouts — some drills based on mixed martial arts
— and removed some of the more traditional free weights to replace them with
pneumatic machines, which use air pressure to create resistance.

The new machines also measure, and display, a player's output during workouts in
real time. And all of that information can be stored for comparison over time too.

It's all part of an effort to reverse the fact the Broncos are 26-76 in December
regular-season road games in their franchise's history — that's just a 25.5 percent
winning percentage. In the last three seasons alone, the Broncos have gone 1-3, 1-
6 and 0-4 overall down the stretch and not finished above 8-8 in any of those years
even as they won the AFC West title in 2011.

"Our goal is to get our guys in position to finish the race," Richesson said. "We want
to jump from the gate, and we want to have something left to finish the race."

Peyton Manning buys Denver area
mansion for $4.5 million — for a deal

By Lindsay H. Jones
The Denver Post
July 11, 2012

With only two weeks to go until the start of training camp, Broncos quarterback
Peyton Manning has found his new home.

Manning finalized the purchase of a seven-bedroom home in Cherry Hills Village on
Tuesday, according to a Denver real estate source.

Manning purchased the home for $4,575,000. The home was originally listed in
March 2011 at $5.25 million.

Manning's new home, according to the listing through Fuller Sotheby's International
Realty, is more than 16,000 square feet and sits on 3.37 acres. It includes seven
bathrooms, separate media and billiard rooms, a "safe" room and an elevator.

Manning, who will move into the home with his wife, Ashley, and their 1-year-old
twins, signed a five-year, $96 million contract with the Broncos in March. His $18
million salary for 2012 is guaranteed, but he will need to pass a physical next March
to earn the next $40 million (paid over two years) of the deal.

The Broncos report to training camp at Dove Valley on July 25, with the first
practices scheduled for July 26.

Manning's commute to Broncos headquarters at Dove Valley is about 10 miles and
at least 20 minutes — depending on traffic.

Worst ESPY ever: 49ers playoff beats
Cards World Series Game 6 for Best
Game

By Mike Klis
The Denver Post
July 11, 2012

I was surprised to learn the ESPY Award show celebrated its 20th year tonight.
Because as God as my witness, tonight was the first time I watched it.

I care about Lombardi and MVP trophies, not ESPYs. Anyway, like the Academy
Awards show, which is the only awards show I’ve ever watched, I had a problem
with one of the categories.

The Best Game went to the 49ers’ playoff win against the New Orleans Saints.
Granted, great game. Great, great game. But all that did was give the 49ers one
more week. They lost in the NFC championship the next week to the New York
Giants.

The St. Louis Cardinals’ comeback win against the Texas Rangers in Game 6 of the
World Series was the best baseball game I’ve ever seen. And I’m a Cub fan who sat
three rows behind the Cubs’ dugout in the 1984 Sandberg Game.

Little Leaguers playing an imaginary game in their backyard couldn’t come up with
what David Freese did in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series.

The Cards were down 3-2 in the best of seven series and down to their final strike
in Game 6. Twice. Freese tied it with a two-out, two-strike, two-run triple in the
ninth; Lance Berkman tied it with a two-out, two-strike single in the 10th and
Freese won it with a leadoff homer in the 11th.

And then the Cards won Game 7 to win it all. That’s what made their Game 6 win a
slam dunk as Best Game of whatever time period ESPN was using.

The results of this meaningless award did show how much the NFL rules in
American sports. But the Cards were robbed. Which doesn’t exactly make up for
Ernie Borglio.

Tim Tebow, Peyton Manning: Broncos
embarrassment of riches

By Mike Klis
The Denver Post
July 11, 2012

Watching the ESPYs tonight made me wonder what the Broncos did to deserve first
Tim Tebow and now Peyton Manning as the face of their franchise in back-to-back
years.

Manning was a study in dignity and grace as he introduced a stirring tribute to
legendary University of Tennessee basketball coach Pat Summitt. It was great to
hear Summitt’s short speech which had zero signs of early onset Alzheimer’s.

The 80-yard touchdown hook up from Tebow to Demaryius Thomas on the first play
of overtime to beat the heavily favored Pittsburgh Steelers in a first round playoff
game received the ESPY Best Moment award. Which, whatever. But when Thomas
declined to speak, Tebow handled his speech with aplomb.

Most notably, Tebow thanked his former teammates. “”Take care of them, Peyton,”
Tebow said.

Here’s a guy who all but single-handedly carried the Broncos to their first playoff in
six years and his reward was to become the first player kicked out the door. And
Tebow was nothing but gracious towards his former team.

I ask again: What did the Broncos do to deserve these two guys?

Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams flunked
second doping test, court documents say

By John Ingold
The Denver Post
July 11, 2012

Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams — who is facing a six-game suspension for a
failed performance-enhancing drug test — also flunked a second test a month later,
according to documents filed in his court case challenging the suspension.

Williams also was involved in an incident during a third test in which a bottle fell from
his waist area while he was providing a urine sample, according to the documents.

The information adds broader context to Williams’ suspension, which the linebacker is
currently appealing to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver. Last month, when a
federal judge rejected Williams’ request to overturn the suspension, she sided with the
National Football League’s argument that “subsequent incidents demonstrated
[Williams'] ‘common scheme or plan’ to manipulate tests.”

But Williams’ attorney says the details also provide further examples of the NFL’s
slapdash prosecution of the case. Peter Ginsberg, Williams’ attorney, said the NFL never
pursued disciplinary action against Williams for the second test. And, he said, both
Williams and a Broncos trainer refuted the suggestion that the bottle incident was
anything fishy.

“This other allegation unfortunately reflects the irresponsible way the NFL is going
about its business these days,” Ginsberg said this week. “The NFL made the suggestion
but offered no evidence, refused to present anyone involved in either this specimen
collection process or the testing of that specimen and simply made an allegation that
has made its way into the evidentiary record and the media.”

“It’s the wrong way to go about addressing a serious matter.”

For those unfamiliar with the case, let’s start at the beginning.

Last August, Williams provided a urine sample to an NFL-approved drug tester.
According to a February letter rejecting Williams’ first appeal of his suspension, that
sample was divided in two. One half was sent off for testing for performance-enhancing

substances. The other half was sent off to be tested as part of the NFL’s “substances of
abuse” program. Williams, according to the letter, was at an “intervention stage” of the
program and, thus, subject to random testing.

According to the letter, Williams didn’t know the urine sample would be used for testing
in both programs.

When the sample was analyzed for performance-enhancing drugs, testers flagged it
because, as one toxicologist later wrote in an e-mail (see page 96 of this court exhibit),
“The specimen does not contain any endogenous steroids. The profile is not consistent
with a normal, healthy male urine specimen.”

As the February letter explains, endogenous steroids are naturally produced by the
body and found in human urine. Their absence in the sample caused testers to conclude
that Williams had provided non-human urine. The distinction wouldn’t have been made
in a “substances of abuse” test because such tests do not look for endogenous steroids.
Instead, the “substances of abuse” test would likely report a negative result for drugs.

(Side note: There is a semi-underground industry devoted to producing synthetic urine
that can be used to beat drug tests. The court documents do not make clear whether
Williams is accused of using these products.)

(Second side note: Up to this point, the sequence of events is nearly identical to that of
former-Bronco Ryan McBean, who initially joined Williams in challenging his suspension
but later dropped his half of the lawsuit and agreed to a reduced suspension.)

As the investigation of the August test continued, Williams provided a urine sample in
September for another test. In that test, too, toxicologists concluded the sample was
not human urine. (This is referenced in the February letter, as well as the NFL’s motion
for summary judgment in the subsequent court case.)

Then, during a test in November, one specimen collector said he saw Williams appear to
drop a bottle during the test. As detailed in the February letter, Williams then appeared
to kick the bottle toward his locker. Because the collectors were not allowed to enter
the locker room, one went to ask a trainer to retrieve the bottle, according to the letter.

Williams and head trainer Steve Antonopulos later returned with a brown bottle.
Antonopulos said he saw Williams take the bottle from his locker and give it to the

collectors. One collector — who was new to the job — said the bottle he saw fall from
Williams’ waist area was opaque and clear-colored.

“My only reaction was just that that wasn’t the bottle that I had saw,” the collector
testified, according to the February letter.

Williams said the bottle contained something legal that he used for energy and said it
fell from his pocket during the test, according to the February letter. He said he
accidentally kicked the bottle when turning to hand the collector his urine sample — he
didn’t intentionally kick it.

“The evidence is clear,” hearing officer Harold Henderson wrote in the February letter,
“that Williams was involved in three separate incidents of attempted substitution of a
specimen.”

Ginsberg, though, has blasted the NFL’s collection and testing procedures. In the
lawsuit — filed in March after administrative options ran out — Ginsberg argued that
Williams had never failed a test before and said the NFL’s chain-of-custody policies are
so shoddy that it is impossible to tell whether the sample tested was actually Williams’.
He argued that there is conflicting information about who signed for the FedEx
shipment containing Williams’ sample and when that shipment arrived.

Ginsberg said Henderson was a biased arbiter because, not only is he a longtime NFL
league-office employee, but also he had improper communications about the case with
another NFL executive.

Ginsberg also noted that the specimen collector who handled the August test has since
been fired. Ginsberg said this week that the collector was fired for failing to follow the
verification and security procedures for test samples. The February letter said he was
fired, “based on the samples [he] collected which were found by the laboratory not to
be consistent with human urine.”

Likely the last chance Williams has to avoid suspension before the NFL season begins
rests with the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Williams has requested a sped-up timeline
for that appeal, and his attorneys have already filed a 57-page brief summarizing their
arguments. A response from the NFL is due by the end of the month, but the case has
not yet been set for argument.

Peyton Manning presents Pat Summitt
tribute at ESPY Awards

By Lindsay Jones
The Denver Post
July 11, 2012

Peyton Manning wore an orange tie on stage at the ESPY Awards tonight.

He might be wearing orange this fall for the Broncos, but tonight, that orange was
all about the University of Tennessee. Manning was at the Staples Center to
introduce Pat Summitt, the winner of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the annual
sports awards show.

The tribute to Summitt, the legendary college basketball coach, was easily the
highlight of the awards show.

In case you missed it, here is the Pat Summitt tribute, detailing her career and her
battle with early onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Peyton Manning buys $4.5
million mansion

ESPN.com
July 11, 2012

New Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning shouldn't have a problem getting
comfortable in his new city.

According to the Denver Post, Manning has purchased a 16,000-square foot, seven-
bedroom home in the Denver area for $4.5 million.

Manning, who signed a five-year, $96 million deal with Denver in the offseason,
played the first 13 seasons of his career in Indianapolis before missing 2011 after
undergoing multiple neck surgeries.

AFC West links: Exit Cutler, enter Peyton

ESPN.com
July 11, 2012

Denver Broncos

Was Demaryius Thomas a big fan of former Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow? "The
only thing I can say is it was fun while it lasted. He helped my career out, that was
my best year since I've been in the league," Thomas told NFL.com's Dan Hanzus.

Had Josh McDaniels not chased off quarterback Jay Cutler, the Broncos would not
have been in the market for Peyton Manning, says the Denver Post's Mike Klis.

Offensive line coach Dave Magazu talks with DenverBroncos.com about the
progress of the group and how the team's new quarterback changes things for his
position group.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs appear to be interested in several prospects, including Josh Gordon and
Larry Lumpkin, both players who could go in the supplemental draft.

Oakland Raiders

General manager Reggie McKenzie is the one who chose safety Tyvon Branch as the
Raiders' franchise player, and McKenzie is the one who should work to get a deal
done, writes Chris Shellcroft of Just Blog Baby.

San Diego Chargers

While recovering from a torn pectoral muscle, rookie guard Johnnie Troutman says
the injury won't discourage him from getting on the field.

The Chargers opened up Week 1 of the 2011 season with a fourth-quarter
comeback victory against the Vikings. Follow along as the team's official website
takes a look back at last season.

Report: Broncos' D.J. Williams flunked
second drug test, didn't use human urine

By Josh Katzowitz
CBSSports.com
July 12, 2012

Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams was suspended by the NFL for six games in March
for violating the league's substance abuse policy. In response, Williams filed a
lawsuit that said his specimen was mishandled so badly that the collector eventually
was fired.

But according to court documents collected by the Denver Post, Williams actually
flunked a second drug test a month later, and that, in a third test, a bottle fell from
his waist area while he was collecting his urine sample and Williams attempted to
kick it away.

Basically, the NFL has said that Williams was trying to manipulate the test multiple
times.
Williams' response, via his attorney Peter Ginsberg: the NFL never disciplined
Williams for the second test. And as far as the bottle incident?

“This other allegation unfortunately reflects the irresponsible way the NFL is going
about its business these days,” Ginsberg said. “The NFL made the suggestion but
offered no evidence, refused to present anyone involved in either this specimen
collection process or the testing of that specimen and simply made an allegation
that has made its way into the evidentiary record and the media.”

“It's the wrong way to go about addressing a serious matter.”

It's also been presented in court that Williams might not have used human urine in
his tests.

From the Post:

When the sample was analyzed for performance-enhancing drugs, testers flagged it
because, as one toxicologist later wrote in an e-mail … “The specimen does not
contain any endogenous steroids. The profile is not consistent with a normal,
healthy male urine specimen.”

As the February letter explains, endogenous steroids are naturally produced by the
body and found in human urine. Their absence in the sample caused testers to
conclude that Williams had provided non-human urine. The distinction wouldn't
have been made in a “substances of abuse” test because such tests do not look for
endogenous steroids. Instead, the “substances of abuse” test would likely report a
negative result for drugs.

(Side note: There is a semi-underground industry devoted to producing synthetic
urine that can be used to beat drug tests. The court documents do not make clear
whether Williams is accused of using these products.)

In February, hearing officer Harold Henderson said, “The evidence is clear that
Williams was involved in three separate incidents of attempted substitution of a
specimen.” Ginsberg has said Henderson is biased because he's a longtime NFL
employee.

TomKat have nothing on NFL breakups

By Alex Marvez
Fox Sports
July 11, 2012

Tom Cruise isn’t the only one who may now regret jumping on a couch.

Just like with Cruise’s recent split from wife Katie Holmes, NFL divorces can prove
heartbreaking for those involved. Players form close bonds with franchises and/or
teammates, only to have those relationships sometimes end in heart-wrenching
fashion.

There are NFL breakups that can unfold relatively smoothly like the dissolving of
TomKat. On the opposite end of the spectrum are those that end with a Hulk
Hogan-Linda Bollea type of bitterness that gets played out in public.

Here’s a look at 10 of the biggest NFL “divorces” since Cruise and Holmes were
married in November 2006:

Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers
Time together: 16-plus years
How they met: Favre was acquired by the Packers in a 1992 trade with the
Atlanta Falcons.
The memories: Too many to mention, as Favre became Green Bay’s most iconic
quarterback since Bart Starr in the 1960s. He also broke most of the NFL’s career
passing records while leading the Packers to victory in Super Bowl XXXI, another
Super Bowl appearance the following year and nine other playoff appearances.
What caused the split: Despite his stature with the Packers, Favre’s waffling
during the 2008 offseason about whether he would continue playing prompted
Green Bay to move on with Aaron Rodgers. Favre’s bitterness about what happened
helped fuel him to play for three more years, including the final two with NFC North
rival Minnesota in 2009 and 2010.
Irreconcilable differences?: No, despite how messy the Favre-Packers spat
became during his playing days. The franchise doesn’t want to remain on bad terms
with Favre as he nears Pro Football Hall of Fame induction. Favre also realizes it’s in
his best interest to salvage his Green Bay legacy by letting bygones be bygones.
Expect the two sides to reunite within the next few years so Favre can have his No.
4 jersey retired, receive a fitting sendoff and get the chance to thank Packers fans
before making his Hall speech in Canton, Ohio.

Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts
Time together: 14 seasons
How they met: The Colts made Manning the No. 1 pick in the 1998 NFL draft.
The memories: Manning quarterbacked Indianapolis to victory in Super Bowl XLI,
another Super Bowl appearance three seasons later and nine consecutive playoff
berths (2002-10).

What caused the split: Four neck surgeries that left Manning’s NFL future in
doubt, especially with him being set to collect a $28 million roster bonus in March
while he was still recuperating. The Colts also had their sights on a younger trophy
bride — Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck — as Manning’s heir apparent in the
2012 draft. Manning is now re-starting his NFL career with the Denver Broncos at
age 36.
Irreconcilable differences?: Although there was some public chirping between
the two sides in January and February, this divorce couldn’t have gone more
amicably. Manning and Colts owner Jim Irsay appeared together in a joint news
conference announcing his release, ensuring the two will remain on good terms
after parting ways.

Terrell Owens and Tony Romo
Time together: Three seasons
How they met: Owens signed as a free agent with the Cowboys during the 2006
offseason. Romo became Dallas’ starting quarterback six games into that season.
The two instantly clicked, with Owens catching nine passes for 107 yards against
the Carolina Panthers in Romo’s first NFL start.
The memories: With Romo at the helm, Owens enjoyed one of his best seasons in
2007 with 81 receptions for 1,355 yards and 15 touchdowns. Owens was so upset
when Dallas lost its first playoff contest, to the New York Giants, that he became
emotional while defending Romo in the postgame news conference. “That’s my
quarterback!” Owens blubbered while wearing dark sunglasses to hide his tears.
What caused the split: Owens believes he was spurned by Romo as tight end
Jason Witten became his favorite receiving option during the 2008 season. T.O.
complained about the situation, which created locker-room friction. After the
Cowboys failed to reach the playoffs, Owens was released in the offseason.
Irreconcilable differences?: The Cowboys lost No. 3 wide receiver Laurent
Robinson to Jacksonville in free agency but have no interest in re-signing Owens,
who remains an unrestricted free agent. Owens didn’t help himself in April by
ripping Romo during an interview with a Dallas radio station. “Man, that's a guy I
shed tears for, I went to bat for,” Owens said on KESN-FM. “Then, obviously,
ultimately I’m not in Dallas anymore. I know he definitely had a hand in that.”

Lane Kiffin and Al Davis
Time together: 18 months
How they met: Hoping to recapture the magic of Oakland’s glory days under John
Madden in the 1970s, Davis wanted a youthful head coach to rejuvenate his
declining franchise. Kiffin, who was offensive coordinator at the University of
Southern California, became the youngest coach in modern NFL history at 31 years
old when hired in January 2007.
The memories: Like his predecessors, Kiffin couldn’t get the Raiders headed in the
right direction, with a 4-12 record in his first year. He quickly butted heads with the
headstrong Davis and failed to develop quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who was the
No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft.
What caused the split: After a 1-3 start to the 2008 campaign, Davis fired Kiffin
for, among other things, “propaganda and lying.” “I didn’t hire the person I thought
I was hiring,” Davis lamented, while also announcing that Kiffin would not be paid

the remainder of his coaching salary because of insubordination (an arbitrator later
upheld that decision). In April 2011, Kiffin told ESPN that it was “almost impossible”
to win in Oakland with Davis running the team and the owner’s decline was “sad to
watch.” The Raiders still haven’t finished above .500 since the 2002 season.
Irreconcilable differences?: Davis died in October 2011 without having made
peace with Kiffin, who is now USC’s head coach.

Donovan McNabb and Mike Shanahan
Time together: One season
How they met: Upon taking Washington’s head-coaching reins in 2010, Shanahan
wanted a replacement quarterback for incumbent Jason Campbell. McNabb was
available via trade because the Philadelphia Eagles wanted to move on after 10
seasons. Despite the rarity of interdivision NFL deals, McNabb was acquired for
second- and fourth-round draft picks.
The memories: McNabb did get some revenge against the Eagles by leading
Washington to victory at Philadelphia in Week 4 of the 2010 season. McNabb,
though, soon began a steady decline that resulted in his benching by year’s end.
What caused the split: After a decade playing under Eagles head coach Andy
Reid, McNabb wasn’t comfortable in the West Coast-style offense run by Shanahan
and his son Kyle, who was Washington’s offensive coordinator. McNabb and the
Shanahans also never developed the trust factor between a quarterback and his
coaches that is necessary for sustained NFL success.
Irreconcilable differences?: Although he didn’t fare any better during the 2011
season with Minnesota, McNabb continues to bad-mouth Shanahan. In March on
ESPN, McNabb expressed strong doubt that rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III will
succeed with the Redskins because “a lot of the time, ego gets too involved when it
comes to being in Washington.”

Randy Moss and the Minnesota Vikings
Time together: 26 days
How they met: With Minnesota struggling during what would become quarterback
Brett Favre’s final season in 2010, Vikings owner Zygi Wilf green-lighted a trade
designed to provide the offense with more firepower at wide receiver. The Vikings
thought Moss would thrive by returning to the Vikings — where he played his first
seven NFL seasons — after wearing out his welcome with the New England Patriots
earlier in the season.
The memories: Moss had 12 catches with two touchdowns in his first three games
with the Vikings before being held to one reception for eight yards in his return to
New England. Moss ranted afterward about not being used properly by Vikings
coaches and expressed how much he missed playing for the Patriots.
What caused the split: Moss’ antics following the Patriots loss were the final
straw for Vikings coach Brad Childress, who also was upset with how the wide
receiver was carrying himself inside team headquarters. For instance, Moss had
reportedly caused a scene by insulting the caterers during lunchtime. Childress
wanted to get rid of Moss so badly that he cut him without first informing Wilf. That
rash action helped seal Childress’ fate with the Vikings. He was fired several weeks
later.
Irreconcilable differences?: The Vikings needed receiving help entering this

offseason but expressed no interest in Moss, who returned from a one-year layoff
to sign with San Francisco.

Carson Palmer and Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown
Time together: Eight seasons
How they met: The Bengals made Palmer the top overall pick in the 2003 draft.
The memories: Palmer led Cincinnati to its first two playoff appearances (2005
and 2009) since the 1990 season. The 2005 Bengals might have made a deep
postseason run had Palmer not suffered a serious knee injury at the hands of
Pittsburgh defensive end Kimo Von Oelhoffen during a first-round loss.
What caused the split: After a 4-12 record in 2010, Palmer had become
exasperated by the direction he believed the Bengals were headed. Palmer told
Brown he would rather retire than continue playing in The ’Nati. Brown, who is
known for not being bullied by player threats, didn’t blink and instead drafted
replacement Andy Dalton. Palmer didn’t report to training camp and would have
withered on the vine had Oakland not made a sweetheart offer just before the trade
deadline last October.
Irreconcilable differences?: After an impressive rookie season, Dalton may have
a more secure long-term NFL future in Cincinnati than the 32-year-old Palmer with
Oakland now that the Raiders are under new management following the 2011 death
of owner Al Davis.

Bobby Petrino and the Atlanta Falcons
Time together: 11 months.
How they met: Falcons owner Arthur Blank wanted an offensive guru to replace
Jim Mora, who was fired as Atlanta’s head coach following a disappointing 2006
season. Petrino, who displayed such prowess in the college ranks at Louisville, was
hired in hopes his system would better utilize the athletic talents of quarterback
Michael Vick.
The memories: Petrino’s best chance for NFL success went up in flames when Vick
was indicted on federal charges related to dogfighting.
What caused the split: Believing he had little chance of righting the ship with Vick
in prison, Petrino abandoned the Falcons after a 3-10 start. He quit to become the
University of Arkansas’ head coach.
Irreconcilable differences?: No coach in Falcons history is as reviled as Petrino,
who announced his departure through a resignation letter rather than addressing
the team personally. Ex-Falcons safety Lawyer Milloy later said it was “karma” that
Petrino was fired by Arkansas earlier this year for lying to his bosses about an
inappropriate relationship with a female staffer.

Jay Cutler and the Denver Broncos
Time together: Three seasons
How they met: Then-Broncos coach Mike Shanahan chose Cutler with the 11th
overall pick in the 2006 draft.
The memories: The rifle-armed Cutler posted a pedestrian 17-20 record as a
starter but displayed the most upside of any Broncos quarterback since John Elway.
What caused the split: Josh McDaniels, who replaced Shanahan, flirted with
another quarterback. McDaniels inquired about acquiring Matt Cassel, who was one
of his protégés with the New England Patriots. The move broke the trust that Cutler

had in the Broncos' organization. When he refused to attend the start of offseason
workouts, Cutler was traded to the Chicago Bears in a deal that brought Denver two
first-round picks and replacement Kyle Orton.
Irreconcilable differences?: Broncos management quickly regretted giving the
overmatched McDaniels too much personnel power and fired him in less than two
seasons. Denver’s new regime is now banking on quarterback Peyton Manning
rebounding from his neck problems. Cutler remains with the Bears and is under
contract through 2013. A reunion seems highly unlikely.

Tim Tebow and John Elway
Years together: Two seasons.
How they met: Then-Broncos coach Josh McDaniels was so enamored by Tebow’s
potential that the former University of Florida standout became the No. 25 pick in
the 2010 draft.
The memories: No Broncos quarterback since Elway created more excitement and
lasting memories than Tebow, whose penchant for big plays in crunch time last
season overcame his woeful passing accuracy.
What caused the split: Elway, who is now the team’s top football executive, fell
head over heels for another. After touting Tebow’s potential late in the 2011
campaign, Elway showed how he really felt when Peyton Manning became available
in free agency. The Broncos traded Tebow to the New York Jets shortly after
Manning was signed to a five-year, $96 million contract.
Irreconcilable differences?: As long as Elway is running the Broncos, expect the
team to have a traditional quarterback under center. Tebow is unlikely to ever fit
that bill as he now projects to a jack-of-all-trades role with the Jets.

Report: Peyton Manning buys 16,000-
square-foot house in suburban Denver

SI.com
July 12, 2012

A Denver real estate source tells Lindsay H. Jones of the Denver Post that new
Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning finalized the purchase of a seven-bedroom,
16,000-square-foot mansion in suburban Cherry Hills Village on Tuesday.

According to the listing, the house has seven bedrooms, a media room, a billiards
room, a safe room and an elevator. It was originally listed at $5.25 million in March
2011, but Manning got it for $4,575,000.

The 3.37 acre property is about 10 miles and 20 or so minutes from the Broncos’
headquarters in Dove Valley.

Demaryius Thomas on Tim Tebow: ‘I
wish he would have stayed’

By Nate Davis
USA Today
July 11, 2012

The biggest play of WR Demaryius Thomas' young career, an 80-yard TD reception
to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime during the playoffs last season, came
courtesy of a pass from Tim Tebow.

And though Thomas is clearly jazzed about the prospects of playing with new
Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning, who's known for turning wideouts into stars,
he indicated it would've been nice to see Tebow remain as a backup in the Mile High
City rather than with his new team, the New York Jets.

"Me and Tim, if you look at our stats, we had a great year together," Thomas said
Tuesday night on NFL Network's NFL Total Access. "And I wish he would have
stayed around so maybe he could have learned some things from Peyton.

"But it's over with now, and we've got Peyton on our side, so I'm just looking
forward to the season."

Intentionally or not, Thomas has seemed to take subtle jabs at Tebow's passing
acumen during previous interviews this offseason and noted the drastic difference
in practices with Manning, the NFL's only four-time MVP.

"Pace is totally different, changing plays -- you've got to know what you're doing
when you're on the field (with Manning)," said Thomas. "I think that's the biggest
change."

As for the big change on the Jets' roster, Thomas didn't want to get drawn into a
debate as to when or if Tebow might supplant New York starting QB Mark Sanchez.

"Tim's a worker, he's a great player," said Thomas. "(But) I can't say much about
that because I really don't know."

Peyton Manning reportedly buys
$4.575M Colorado house

By Brian McIntyre
NFL.com
July 12, 2012

Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan is going to have find a new tenant for
his 35,000-square-foot mansion in Cherry Hills Village, Colo.. Its current occupant,
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, has found a new home.

Manning will remain in Cherry Hills Village, according to Lindsay Jones of The
Denver Post, plunking down $4.575 million for a 16,000-square-foot home that sits
on 3.37 acres and contains seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a media and
billiards room, as well as a "safe room" and, like Casa de Shanahan, an elevator.

Jones adds that Manning's home is 10 miles from the Broncos' Dove Valley
headquarters and has a commute time of approximately 20 minutes, depending on
traffic.

Manning signed a five-year, $96 million contract with the Broncos on March 21 that
includes $58 million in guaranteed money. Manning's $18 million base salary this
season is fully guaranteed, with the remaining $40 million becoming fully
guaranteed provided the 36-year-old passes a physical next March.

The 11-time Pro Bowl selection earned $26.4 million from the Indianapolis Colts in
2011, a season he missed after undergoing multiple surgeries on his neck.

D.J. Williams, Broncos LB, failed second
drug test, NFL says

NFL.com
July 12, 2012

Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams, who was given a six-game suspension
earlier this year for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substance policy,
also failed a second drug test in September, the Denver Post reported Wednesday,
citing court documents.

According to a letter to Williams rejecting his appeal in February (which was
obtained and posted by the newspaper), Williams submitted a urine sample that
was "not of human origin" during a test in September.

The letter also contains an account of a separate incident in which a bottle allegedly
dropped from near Williams' waist during a test. Williams then allegedly kicked the
bottle toward the Broncos' locker room; when a trainer and Williams went to get
the bottle for the person collecting the test, they allegedly produced a different
bottle.

According to the letter, Williams failed the initial test in August by producing a
sample that was missing endogenous steroids. The sample was judged to be not of
human origin, resulting in the suspension.

Williams tried to have the suspension overturned in court, but a judge dismissed his
complaint in June. Williams and his attorney, Peter Ginsberg, are appealing the
decision.

Ginsberg criticized the NFL's handling of Williams' case in comments to the Post.

"This other allegation unfortunately reflects the irresponsible way the NFL is going
about its business these days," Ginsberg told the newspaper. "The NFL made the
suggestion but offered no evidence, refused to present anyone involved in either
this specimen collection process or the testing of that specimen and simply made
an allegation that has made its way into the evidentiary record and the media."

Thomas wishes Tebow had stayed in
Denver

By Terry McCormick
National Football Post
July 11, 2012

Denver Broncos receiver DeMaryius Thomas said he wishes that last year's starter
Tim Tebow had stayed in Denver to be Peyton Manning's backup.

"Me and Tim, if you look at our stats, we had a great year together," Thomas said
Tuesday night on NFL Network's NFL Total Access via USA Today. "And I wish he
would have stayed around so maybe he could have learned some things from
Peyton."

The Broncos instead opted completely out of Tebowmania, shipping the left-hander
to the New York Jets in the off-season once they landed Manning.

Thomas and Tebow's time together in Denver proved to be short, but it did provide
one lasting memory - the 80-yard touchdown in overtime to beat the Pittsburgh
Steelers in the AFC Wild-Card Playoffs.

More home games could come with a
cost

By Frank Schwab
The Gazette
July 10, 2012

Not only will Notre Dame be coming to Falcon Stadium during the 2013 season, Air
Force will probably try to add more home football games to its future schedules.

The tradeoff to that plan could be fewer games against marquee nonconference
opponents on the road, which have been a regular occurrence since Troy Calhoun
became Falcons coach in 2007.

Right now, senior associate athletic director Jim Trego is working on filling future
schedules, something he put on hold last year until the Falcons knew their long-
term plans for their conference affiliation.

“I’ve been sitting back,” Trego said. “I’m starting to rev it up again.”

The future schedules are light in part because the Falcons and Oklahoma State
mutually agreed to drop a two-game series, Trego said. That leaves 2013 games
against Colgate, a Football Championship Subdivision team, and Notre Dame, and
not much else other than the annual games against Army and Navy.

The game against Notre Dame will happen in late September of next year, Trego
said. The Falcons played at Notre Dame last season. The schools had preliminary
talks about moving the game to Denver and Sports Authority Field, the home of the
NFL’s Broncos, but the game will be at Falcon Stadium.

“We decided it wasn’t who we are and it’s best if we keep it in front of our home
fans,” Trego said.

Trego said Notre Dame wants to play four games against Air Force so he is figuring
on two more games against the Fighting Irish down the road, though he’s unsure
what years those games might happen.

Not all big-name opponents are willing to do a home-and-home series, which could
lead to a change in philosophy for Air Force. Trego said he will be searching for
home-and-home series, and he mentioned Rice and Tulane as two teams he has
had initial discussions with. Those opponents are not as noteworthy as some recent
nonconference opponents like Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Minnesota or Michigan,
which Air Force will play this year. But all of those games came on the road.

Trego said different options will be considered, and traveling to play a big-name
opponent every few years (the games are lucrative for opponents because of the
guarantee money paid by the home team) is something that will be considered.

“If it’s an opportunity to take our kids to a place like Ann Arbor, Mich., you
periodically make that leap,” Trego said.

The reason the Falcons could look for more home-and-home series against teams
outside of power conferences is mostly competitive, Trego said. The Falcons play a
full conference schedule and have intense nonconference rivalry games against
Army and Navy. Air Force likes to schedule a FCS team for its opening weekend,
which leaves one open spot.

“Army and Navy are different to us than any other school, and then we have
conference play,” Trego said. “So we only have two games to play with. We have to
be careful how we schedule that game.”

PRACTICE STARTS SOON

Air Force will begin its training camp Aug. 3. Most practices are open to the public
and take place on the fields to the west of the Cadet Field House.

Peyton Manning pitching Buick Verano

By Peter C. T. Elsworth
Providence Journal
July 11, 2012

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning debuts Wednesday in a new spot for
the Buick Verano during ESPN's Espys Awards show, accoriding to Automotive
News.

In this making-of video, Manning talks about the Verano and how he "calls an
audible" using the voice-activated controls.

First he avoids some traffic using the navigation, then he changes the station by
yelling "hot route two," then, "tune XM 60 Outlaw," which really does sound like a
football call.

The former Indianapolis Colt quarterback previously pitched for MasterCard.

D.J. Williams accused of manipulating
three different urine tests

By Michael David Smith
ProFootballTalk.com
July 12, 2012

Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams, who is embroiled in a legal fight with the NFL over
his looming six-game suspension for violating the league’s policies against banned
substances, is accused of repeatedly attempting to cheat the drug testing system.

“The evidence is clear,” hearing officer Harold Henderson wrote, according to
documents obtained by the Denver Post, “that Williams was involved in three
separate incidents of attempted substitution of a specimen.”

According to the NFL’s version of events, Williams provided urine samples in August
and September that the drug-testing lab concluded were something other than
human urine. And in an incident in November, Williams was accused by the
specimen collector of having a bottle near his waist while submitting the test,
perhaps to pour clean urine from someone else into his sample. Williams then
refused to give the tester the bottle.

In that incident, the collector said he saw Williams drop the bottle while submitting
his urine sample. According to the collector, Williams then kicked the bottle into an
area of the Broncos’ locker room where drug testers were not allowed to go. When
the tester asked a trainer to go into the locker room and get the bottle, the trainer
and Williams returned from the locker room with a different bottle. (Williams claims
the bottle contained something legal that he uses for energy and it fell from his
pocket during the test, and that he kicked it into the locker room accidentally.)

If Williams was attempting to put something other than his own urine in his sample,
he wouldn’t be the first NFL player to do so. Most famously, former Vikings running
back Onterrio Smith, who was banned by the NFL for repeated violations of the
league’s substance-abuse policy, was once caught with dried urine and a
Whizzinator.

Obviously, urine testing only works if players are submitting their own urine. If
Williams tried to manipulate three drug tests, the NFL is right to treat him as
though he tested positive on three drug tests.

Position Preview: Special Teams

By Stuart Zaas
DenverBroncos.com
July 11, 2012

In the weeks leading up to training camp, DenverBroncos.com will take you inside
the roster, position-by-position. Next up in the series: special teams.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Throughout the Broncos’ playoff run in 2011, the team relied
on the consistent play from its special teams units.

Four of the team’s eight regular-season victories ended on the leg of kicker Matt
Prater, punter Britton Colquitt set franchise punting records and Denver tied for
second in the NFL with a pair of punt-return touchdowns.

Now in his second year as the Broncos’ special teams coordinator, Jeff Rodgers will
have plenty of new faces making up his different coverage and return teams.

That turnover is something he’s well accustomed to, as the 2012 season will be his
ninth year coaching special teams in the NFL.

“It’s the nature of the beast,” Rodgers said. “Every year you hope you stay healthy
and you hope you have the same group of guys, but inevitably it’s going to turn at
some point. Whether or not you get some of those guys back returning kicks or
whether they remain in their offensive or defensive role will change from year to
year. Sometimes you never get that guy back because maybe he gets hurt, or
sometimes you never get that guy back because somebody else gives him an
opportunity.”

This year, the most noticeable change will come at returner as Eddie Royal signed
with the San Diego Chargers in the offseason, creating an opening that will be filled
via competition in training camp.

Incoming players to watch in kick and punt return roles could include rookies such
as wide receiver Eric Page, who was an All-American kick returner at Toledo,
cornerbacks Omar Bolden and Coryell Judie and running back Ronnie Hillman.

There will be familiar faces in the kicking game as the team returns Prater, Colquitt
– who also serves as the holder – and long snapper Lonie Paxton.

“The longer those guys in the kicking game are together, the more comfortable
they get with each other,” Rodgers said. “You don't want to have too many moving
parts every year. Certainly to have all three of those guys back should provide
some continuity for us going forward. Those guys having a year to learn what our
expectations are as a coaching staff and how we practice and what we expect out of
them, certainly it will help.”

Also returning in 2012 is special teams captain Wesley Woodyard, who also sees
time on the defensive side of the ball as a linebacker.

Having Woodyard back gives Burns and Rodgers a veteran voice on the field for
younger players to learn from.

“There’s certainly some experience that he has being in certain situations,” Rodgers
said of Woodyard. “He came in as an undrafted guy and started on all four special
teams. There have been times where he had to start on defense and play in all the
kicking game phases. He’s got a valued opinion because he’s done it a couple
different ways. As coaches, you’re always trying to lean on those guys. He’s not shy
about sharing that opinion.”

MEET THE SPECIALISTS
Aaron Brewer: A rookie long snapper who signed with the Broncos as a college
free agent, Brewer was a four-time All-Mountain West Conference selection at San
Diego State University.

Britton Colquitt: A fourth-year punter from Tennessee, Colquitt is the franchise
career leader in gross (46.1) and net (38.5) punting average (min. 100 punts).

Lonie Paxton: Entering his 13th season in 2012, Paxton is a three-time Super Bowl
Champion who has participated in 131 career wins for his NFL career.

Matt Prater: Signed to a four-year contract this offseason, Prater ranks second in
franchise history in field goal accuracy having converted 90-of-112 (.804) attempts
in his five seasons with the Broncos.

Q&A with Keith Burns

By Stuart Zaas
DenverBroncos.com
July 11, 2012

Assistant Special Teams Coach Keith Burns talked about why OTAs are so important
to special teams, how being a former player helps him as a coach, and what it's
been like being involved with the Broncos for 16 years.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Entering his 17th year as a Denver Bronco, Assistant Special
Teams Coach Keith Burns has been with the franchise longer than any other coach
on the staff.

Burns, who played 11 seasons for the club and is entering his sixth as a coach, was
a key member of the Broncos’ teams that won Super Bowl XXXII in 1997 and
XXXIII in 1998.

During his playing career with the Broncos from 1994-98, 2000-03 and ‘05-06,
Burns led the team or tied for its season high in special-teams tackles seven times
and totaled 186 special-teams stops in 166 career games (3 starts) with the club

That translated into a special teams coaching position, where he along with Special
Teams Coordinator Jeff Rodgers helped the unit improve from No. 26 in the Dallas
Morning News’ 2010 special teams rankings to No. 10—a jump that represented the
second-largest improvement in the league.

Burns took the time to talk to DenverBroncos.com about why OTAs are so
important to special teams, how being a former player helps him as a coach, and
what it's been like being involved with the Broncos for 16 years.

What it is like to have worked for the organization as both a player and a
coach?
“The organization itself is second to none. I think that’s from the top to the bottom,
from (Broncos Owner and CEO) Mr. Bowlen to the janitor. Having been around this
organization, there’s no comparison. I’ve always loved the fans here, even in my
playing days. Just the respect that they have for the game and the enthusiasm that
they bring to the stadium on Sunday. The way this organization is run is second to
none. That’s one of the reasons why I’m still here. For me, there is no other
organization.”

What is it like working with Executive Vice President of Football Operations
John Elway after playing with him?
“It’s great, even from day one when I knew he was coming back. You look at his
competitiveness, he brings that to the table alongside of his personnel and his
insight. He got a lot of that from his dad. He’s always been around footall. It’s in his
blood to be around football. That’s just another added dimension that he brings to

the organization. Everybody knows his competitiveness as far as wanting to win. If
any organization can have a guy like that on their staff, we’re blessed. He has
taken the bull by the horn. Starting with (Head Coach John) Fox and getting the
staff together, things are getting back to the way that they used to be when John
was playing.”

What is it like to be coaching special teams on a staff that includes
Linebackers Coach Richard Smith, who was your special teams coach for
the Broncos?
“It is ironic for my first special teams coach to be back, now coaching for the
Denver Broncos. It is funny, but he taught me a lot. I learned a lot from him. I can
always lean back on him if I have any questions. Between me and Jeff, if we don’t
feel comfortable or have a good idea of it, he’s always another guy on the staff that
we can always lean to because he has been in our shoes. It’s always good but him
being on the staff just lets you know how long I’ve been around. I wouldn’t say that
it makes me feel old but I can say that I have basically come full circle.”

Why are OTAs and minicamps so important to special teams?
“It’s always different when you have so many new guys. That’s the difference
between offense, defense, you have your regular guys coming back, most of your
starters coming back and you have to plug in a new guy here and there. But with
special teams, the turnover is so overwhelming, number-wise, you have to try to
get that continuity early. It’s all about getting the guys to understand the system
we’re trying to install. I think having the OTAs that we’ve had allows us to do that
and try to get the young guys up to breast in a hurry to be able to be successful
and have an opportunity to make the team.”

How does your experience of playing on special teams in the NFL help you
as a coach?
“Special teams is pretty much where I hung my hat. So I try to get to know all of
the young guys and give them a tidbit here and there just to keep them into the
game. It’s always good for them to know just as much as I know thinking they’ll be
able to help themselves when they get out there."

From Helmets to Headsets

By Sam Davis
DenverBroncos.com
July 12, 2012

DenverBroncos.com takes a closer look at some interesting connections between
members of the coaching staff.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Broncos Assistant Special Teams Coordinator Keith Burns
was once one of the premier special teams players in the NFL.
He played 13 years in the league and 11 with the Broncos, leading the team in
special teams tackles in seven of those 11 seasons.

Now, as a member of the Broncos coaching staff, Burns is working next to the man
who showed him the ropes as a rookie back in 1994. He is now colleagues with
former Broncos special teams coach and current linebackers coach, Richard Smith.

Smith coached Burns in Denver through his first three seasons in the league.
Sixteen years later, they've come in full circle.

"It was ironic for my first special teams coach to be back, now coaching for the
Denver Broncos," said Burns, who totaled 186 special teams stops in 166 career
games. "It's funny, but he taught me a lot. I learned a lot from him. I can always
lean back on him if I have any questions. Between (Special Teams Coordinator Jeff
Rodgers) and I, if we don't feel comfortable or have a good idea of it, he's always
another guy on the staff that we can lean on because he has been in our shoes."

Burns, now in his sixth season as an NFL coach, said he stayed in touch with Smith
throughout his playing career, even after 1996 when they no longer shared the
same logo.

Now, Smith is glad his former pupil his back on his side.

"I think he's going to be great," Smith said. "He was a really good football player
and his personality was very contagious. I watch him coach on the field. He coaches
hard and the players respect him. I'm just glad that he's here with the Denver
Broncos and I think he has a bright coaching career ahead of him."
Burns and Smith aren't the only former player-coach duo that has reconvened back
in Denver.
Assistant Secondary Coach Sam Garnes played safety for the New York Giants from
1997-2001. His defensive coordinator? Current Broncos Head Coach John Fox. Also
on that coaching staff for a time was Broncos Running Backs Coach Eric Studesville.

While playing on Fox's defense, Garnes knew he wanted to coach after his career

was over with.

"When I played, I always felt like I was a leader," Garnes said. "It was easy for me
to separate myself from other players. I always felt like the next step for me was to
go into coaching. Stay in football, something I loved."

Much to Garnes' delight, he's back on Fox's sideline.

"(Fox is) honest and he wants to win," Garnes continued. "He's good with the
players but that doesn't mean he's just nice all the time - he wants to win and he's
going to help put the coaches in position to do whatever they need to do to allow
the players to be successful. That's what I love about playing and coaching with
him."

Garnes spent five years playing for a defensive coordinator he respected, all the
while knowing he planned on becoming a coach. So it's not surprising to learn that
pieces of his coaching persona have been borrowed from Fox. But what truly
defines him as a coach, Garnes said, is learning from the mistakes his former
coaches made - not just what they did right.

"When I played I just had several things that occurred that stick out in my mind,"
he said. "Coaches have that effect on players. When you have something good, you
remember it, and something bad, you remember it. I use both to my advantage. I
try not to do things I didn't like as a player, and I do all the different things I've
witnessed playing with certain coaches, like Coach Fox."

Though their paths were different, Burns and Garnes are now putting on a headset
with the same men for whom they once strapped on a helmet.

For Burns, it's great to be working side-by-side with the man who helped jumpstart
his playing career. But what's even greater, he said, is that the two of them are
right back where it all began.

"The way this organization is run is second to none," Burns said. "That's one of the
reasons why I'm back here. For me, there is no other organization."