Jim Rome: John Elway backs Peyton Manning

Playoff Failure Spelled end to Fox-Broncos Marriage:

Playoff failure spelled end for #JohnFox #Broncos #BroncosCR3W #NFL http://bit.ly/BrnCR3W4SB50

Broncos CR3W supports Elway on this extremely difficult decision: "Hear Here" ;-b

To The Duke Of Denver: aka John Elway,

BroncosCR3W, Broncos Country, United In Orange are 100% behind your decision and statement regarding Pat Bowlen and the level of team and quality quality, winning football, and organization does not accept divisional round home losses street defending home field all year.

There is a standard set by the very one that made this call. 5 SB trips spoiled Broncos CR3W because of the greatest QB in NFL history.

If some find this difficult to believe, we are so lucky as fans and supporters to have a man run the organization to a set of expectations and winning championships. Go cheer for Oakland if you don't want a level of accomplishment to be a failure.

He (Elway) went through the same type of situation until we got a great aggressor and play caller behind Mr. Elway in HOF coach Mike Shanahan as well as Gary Kubiak. Gase is to be that guy or like we said Todd Bowles in the rant post earlier.

ELWAY: “I thank John Fox for his many contributions during his four seasons as head coach.” [http://t.co/5Unl79Ots5] pic.twitter.com/qvcuHdcdzH

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 12, 2015

In a statement from Elway: “John Fox and I met for more than an hour on Monday afternoon to discuss the 2014 season and our goals for the future. During our open and candid conversation, it became clear that it was best for both the Denver Broncos and Coach Fox to move on and make this change.

“On behalf of the Broncos, I sincerely thank John for his many contributions during his four seasons as head coach. He helped establish a positive, winning culture for this team and deserves a lot of credit for the Broncos’ turnaround. 

“While we have made significant progress under Coach Fox, there is still work to be done. I believe this change at the head coaching position will be in the best interest of our long-term goal, which from day one has been to win World Championships. 

“Our organization is fully dedicated to reaching Pat Bowlen’s high standards for his team as we begin the process of finding the next head coach to lead the Denver Broncos.”

This is an omen to make the tough call, Mr. Elway! Want a Coach that plays to win instead of 'not to lose?'

Todd Bowles will change the mentality of this team to play like it had nothing to lose instead of the other way around. Cannot win playing for the beautiful Lombardi trophy, on your heels, not to make a mistake out of being on the attack. Or? Do you want to play to win the Lombardi in the only way you can. Attacking the other team? John Fox is not your coach to win with all the chips out. Belichick will completely do anything new in order to advance in playoffs. Harbaugh, Paganos. If not Bowles, then Pagano, the +Chargers DC, if not him, then Mike McCoy, who we really want back in the organization would be worth the compensatory picks. Dan Quinn, the +Seattle Seahawks DC.

Love ya Foxy, but two playoff divisional round losses in MILE HIGH and the team played timid, not to make mistakes, instead of putting the inferior team on its heels on the road, the stakes rise and the Broncos seem like they are just trying to sneak it out instead of crushing the team across the line of scrimmage. Bowles exemplifies that perfect!

If Elway is paying attention. He failed on the OL personnel moves (lack of). Exposed in center of line since NE loss. Peyton was always throwing before he wanted to because of the rush, blitzes almost exclusively in the area of 2 gap DT's.

Every coach would line up to have the reigns to this team. +BRONCOS CR3W wants a coach that isn't afraid of losing and plays to win. Not playing games to 'not to lose.' The Baltimore heart crushing loss 2 years ago is another perfect example. 39 seconds left and we kneel on it to go into OT despite having the best record in the NFL and highest scoring offense. Three conservative post season losses and two at home and one in SB, please please go get the Cardinals DC, Bowles or someone with a similar philosophy in regards to getting after the opponent. Dropping Von Miller is great but the fact he wasn't rushing the #1 passing QB this season more often than not, says everything we need to know about JDR and John Fox's approach.

They approached the season with all this talent thinking to not get to fancy with schemes and/or plays because of the talent, but there comes a point where vanilla and 3 and outs effect this club and then they play tight. Need someone that makes this roster play loose and aggressive! Someone to fortify and stop the blitzes that Peyton would burn teams for doing if an offensive line does a great job. Have to expect the defensive holding and pass interference to be overlooked in the playoffs and run the damn ball down the Colts throats. This game should be the end of this staff, as harsh as that sounds. If we want this club to do damage in the post season, there has to be a different coach and mentality...

He is the most promising coordinator in the game. What he does with that defense and going after it. He'd rather foo down paying on the attack than sit on his heels. Sounds like the opposite of the current coach in Denver.

We want an aggressive mentality, like NE or SEA, that pulls it all out when it's all on the line. Defense was trying to keep teams in front of you. Bowles, wants to move the ball backwards, even with his defense.

Coaching and addressing the OL are musts or they'll have the same results. Bless Trevathan, Irving, and Brandon Marshall back to health. That heart, edge, emotion of Trevathan was evidently missed by this unit all year. Similar to Beadles edge playing left guard, Woodyard's leadership was sorely missed. OL was exposed more following the Super Bowl.

Regarding, the Coach, we need a younger gamer that BRINGS IT on gameday. Maybe somebody that relates to the younger players, too? I think the sign is blaring from my take regarding the last 3 losses in AFC Playoffs. Note have seen the pattern 3-straight times. A team timid, and not with it all out on the line. It's the best way to lose big games. Team collapses in the spotlight following their coach into battle.

Need a new message in that locker room. Fox and JDR just kept saying, go ahead Andrew, pick us apart despite are insane size, speed on defense, we'll play on our heels.

Setting this, Elway had no choice not to change the environment at the teams facilities & headquarters.

OL was a bust and Elway thought it would not backfire, but Beadles was missed terribly. Got to get Bowles!!

Only "pro" from losing is that he is still available and interviewing. Not for long. Think of the mindset the Pats play with, while it feels very different under Fox. Great guy but not a playoff coach that will go full assault. He is too conservative. Defense was in prevent from the start. Look what happened when pressure was brought with turnovers. Blown call on fumble in third was huge and those 4 pts the Colts got from the refs. Still, we think this can be a blessing on disguise. Never really felt like Fox was the coach to take team all the way. Always had doubts, regardless of success, with Fox doing the necessary risks and tough calls to go on the aggressive.

Why isn't this team on the aggressive from the opening kick??? This faction of Broncos CR3W doesn't want to go through a full off-season, draft, and great record, playoff berth, only to see them play cautious and on their heels against a team that will take that game because they are there "TO WIN." Bowles is the perfect guy at the perfect time for this team to embrace his traits and concepts.

Todd Bowles, looks to be the former Defensive Coordinator of the +Arizona Cardinals shortly, with an Head Coach position likely to be offered by a number of teams. (Photo Courtesy - +Sports Illustrated - IMG)

Fox, Coordinators Enjoy a Night to touch on all things Broncos

Fox, Coordinators Talk All Things Broncos

Gray Caldwell

Editor, DenverBroncos.com / Team Media

Follow Gray on Twitter

The "A Night with the Coaches" event took place Tuesday night at +Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

Coach John Fox, #Broncos coordinators took part in A Night with the Coaches @SportsAuthField: http://t.co/iYspaAgwNv pic.twitter.com/6TQQYHjt3l
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 14, 2014

DENVER -- On Tuesday evening, Sports Authority Field at Mile High got a little taste of football.

Thanks to +U.S. Bank and +Del Frisco's, Broncos suite holders and sponsors got a chance to spend "A Night with the Coaches."

Head Coach John Fox, Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio, Offensive Coordinator Adam Gase and Special Teams Coordinator Jeff Rodgers each chatted with emcee Dave Logan and took questions from the crowd at the exclusive event. +NFL, AFC West Division, Denver Broncos Coaches and two Broncos HOF Members were all there.

Topics broached included Denver's additions through free agency and the draft, a Week 3 matchup with Seattle, construction at the team's Dove Valley headquarters and even pushing back the extra point. Broncos signed Fox to 3 year extension this offseason.

Original Photo Courtesy & Rights: Denver Broncos (AP)

Below are the highlights from the night's Q&A.

JOHN FOX
Related: John Fox Photo Gallery +Denver Broncos.com

On bouncing back from last season: 

"When you don't win your last game -- there's only one team that gets to experience that, and we want to be that team. That's our goal. That's really our No. 1 goal. It starts the minute that game's over. Whether it was the first year -- losing in the playoffs at New England -- whether it was two years ago losing at home against Baltimore or whether it was losing the Super Bowl -- I know that was a big disappointment for everybody in this room -- but you learn from it and you try to improve from it. We've worked very hard. I think it's probably been the most productive offseason. I think our team is even more hungry than it was the previous two years. Luke Richesson, our strength coach, has told me, 'Coach, I've never in my years as as strength and conditioning coach seen a team work this hard.' So our guys are at it already and have been for the last three weeks. We're in what we call Phase Two. Our coaches have them now, and it's an incredibly good group. I think we've improved the talent level. We've gotten a lot of the injured folks we lost along the way a year ago back, and I think people will like what they see."

On whether the matchup with Seattle is Denver's biggest regular-season game in 2014: 

"It'll be a very important game. I really can't think of a much bigger stage than to lose to Baltimore in the playoff game here at home a year ago and then to open the NFL season on Thursday night in front of the world -- that was pretty big. But they all count the same. I know it sounds like coachspeak, but it's really true. They don't count as two losses; you don't get two wins. It's one game. I don't think that early in the season it's going to define our season. They're all big -- you only get 16 of them. Down the road, they have implications. Just like every year, this year our goal will be to win the AFC West, to win our division, because when that happens you're guaranteed a spot in the playoffs. Again, this year -- just like every year -- we'll try to create home-field advantage, which I think was a huge thing this past season. Then, ultimately, winning and hoisting that Super Bowl Lombardi Trophy, and this year it will be in Arizona, is our goal."

RELATED: A Night with the Broncos Coaches (Video)

JACK DEL RIO
RELATED: Broncos DC, Jack Del Rio on FA additions, Rookie Class

On free agency:

"I had a wish list. I said, you know, if I could make it happen it would be a dominant rush end, a strong safety that will come up and really strike fear in an offense and really be a tone-setter, and a premium corner. I said, that would be my wish list. There's no way we'll get that done, but I'd love to see that happen. Any way you can make that happen, Mr. Elway? But John pulled it off! You've got to be kidding me! That was outstanding! But no, it was a great collection. Our offseason has been one where, as Coach Fox said, as a football team we want to improve. Every year you look to improve. We made a choice to go after a couple star players and made it happen. I'm not sure how we pulled it off, but that was a good get. And that was the beginning, because we obviously had the draft as well. But those free agents coming in here, they're all mature guys, they've all kind of cut their teeth already, they're all proven players in this league and they're going to plug in real well for our defense."

On adding that much talent:

"When you have guys like DeMarcus (Ware) and Von (Miller), if you have just one, they can slide protection to that guy. When you have two, it makes it very difficult to slide protection. And if you're too busy fanning out to protect them both, then you're vulnerable to things up the middle and other places. It gives you an opportunity to put more pressure on the offense. And then from a coverage standpoint, having a guy like Aqib (Talib), he's a premium corner. He's a guy that can go out and match up on the top wideout of any other team. So having that kind of guy on the roster allows you to then put a player of his caliber across from a talented wide receiver and not feel the need to provide a safety over the top all day."

On the defensive scheme:

"The idea is to not let the quarterback get comfortable. What helps a quarterback not be comfortable is to have corners that can cover and defensive ends that can rush. Then they make every design that you have look a lot better -- that's just the way it is. So good coaching goes hand-in-hand with good players, and then you can have great production. We expect to be a great defense."

ADAM GASE

On adding Emmanuel Sanders and the growth of Montee Ball:

"We were extremely happy Emmanuel (Sanders) lasted as long as he did in free agency. We were a little bit surprised -- he was our top guy. It was one of those dialogues back-and-forth with Coach Fox, John Elway -- I'd get a text every once in a while, 'Hey, I think Emmanuel's back in this.' When we signed him, that was a big signing for us and filled a big void for us. We see him being a big contributor. We have four veteran guys at the wide receiver position that we're very excited about, then obviously the young guy (second-round pick Cody Latimer) is coming in. Then with Montee (Ball), he developed probably better than any other player that we had last year as far as making huge strides. Montee came in, it took him a minute to realize what was going on -- that's why Knowshon (Moreno) played so much earlier. We balanced it out, then Montee really came on and was big for us late in the season, and in the playoffs he was really good. He really carried a big load for us."

"We expect big things from him this year."

JEFF RODGERS

On pushing back the extra point:

"They're going to tinker with it a little bit in the preseason. We'll see how it goes. I'm not sure it's going to change the game as much as it may change some head coaches' decision-making in the preseason to maybe try out a few two-point conversions. We'll see if we can an extra period during practice to work on those things. We'll see. I really don't think it will change all that much, but certainly with rule changes, fourth down seems to be a focus."

On the team's returner in 2014:

"There are some guys we have on our team who have done it. Emmanuel Sanders has done it. +Wes Welker has done it. Omar Bolden was our returner at one point. Andre Caldwell went to the house against Tennessee and it got called back. There are some options with guys who have played in this league. (Bradley) Roby, our first-round pick, has done kickoff return. We picked up a free agent that we liked, Isaiah Burse from Fresno State, who had some production. So there are some options. We'll see how it plays out."

"It'll be an exciting battle for us in training camp."

A couple Denver Broncos Icons, Hall of Famers, came by as well. (Floyd Little & "Zim")
Original Photos Courtesy and Rights: +Denver Broncos

Fox Understands Higher Results are Wanted

Fox understands Broncos want more - Doubt he would get the gig if he didn't think so - +BRONCOS CR3W 

H/T +ESPN.com  

Three consecutive AFC West titles, back-to-back 13-3 finishes and a Super Bowl are certainly cause for pause in a business where getting any of that done is difficult at best.

But the +Denver Broncos didn’t re-up head coach John Fox because that was enough. The team slid another contract in front of Fox because they think there’s more to be done and that he understands that.

“We’ve got work to do,’’ Fox said.

Or as executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway put it; “We like the direction, we like where were are compared to where we were, but we’re here to compete for world championships, this year, next year, every year. People keep telling me we’re acting like we want to win now. I want to win now, but I want to win every year and we’re going to try to make decisions that are the best for the Denver Broncos to make sure we can.’’

When the Broncos and Fox/Fox's agent Bob LaMonte finished the negotiations for Fox’s deal -- which now runs through the 2016 season and puts him in the $5 million a year club -- the message got through. Both sides had a chance to give and take in the give and take.

The message that, despite how folks outside the Broncos’ Dove Valley complex feel, this it isn’t just about this year. The good the Broncos have done since the 4-12 finish in 2010 is, well, good, but not everything they want for owner Pat Bowlen.

AP Photo/Paul Spinelli 

Recently extended head coach 

John Fox knows his boss John Elway wants more 

from the Broncos than just Super Bowl appearances.

“I couldn’t be happier being part of this organization,’’ Fox said this weekend. “We’ve made some strides, but we’re not a finished product by any means. And we talked about winning championships, we’ve won three AFC West championships, one AFC (title), but now the goal, and always has been, bringing a Super Bowl championship back to Denver.’’

So, in the end the Broncos wanted Fox to hear the message that three consecutive division titles is a quality run, but the team’s decision-makers would still like a little more. Especially since the Broncos have let two opportunities to put another Super Bowl trophy in Bowlen’s lobby slip away in the last two seasons.

The kind of opportunities many teams haven’t even seen once, let alone have repeated in a 12-month span.

Fox understands where the Broncos are coming from and conveyed that in his discussions with Elway after the 35-point loss in Super Bowl XLVIII. After all, Fox would like to put a Super Bowl ring on his own finger as well.

And Fox, having lived through a miserable season in his final year in Carolina when he was also in the last year of his deal, wanted a little more stability in his pocket when dealing with the players in his locker room, the meeting rooms and on the practice field. He also got a nice raise and will get a bonus if the Broncos do win a Super Bowl on his watch.

“We’re ready to get to work and happy it worked out, and it worked out for both sides,’’ Fox said. “ … We’ve got things to do now and over the long haul.’’

Will Montgomery signs with the Denver Broncos (former Washington Redskins' Center)

Denver Broncos agree to terms with free agent center, Will Montgomery 

Kyle Bisio

Denver Broncos Examiner

April 2, 2014

The Denver Broncos continued their free agent shopping spree by signing center Will Montgomery to a one-year deal on Tuesday, April 1. The former Redskin fortifies the Broncos offensive line and replaces the void left by Zane Beadles, who signed a large contract with Jacksonville when the free agency began.

The addition of Montgomery will shake up the Broncos’ offensive line much like last year. A slew of injuries forced Denver to place certain lineman into positions of unfamiliarity, which ended up paying off in the regular season as the Broncos allowed an +NFL low, 20 sacks. One of those key transitions was forced upon Manny Ramirez who moved from guard to center; and for the exception of the Super Bowl, Ramirez performed very well as if he’d been a center his whole life. Ramirez is expected to move back to guard alongside Louis Vasquez with Orlando Franklin and Ryan Clady as the starting tackles.

Montgomery has played in the NFL for nine seasons and was originally drafted by Broncos head coach John Fox when he was with the Carolina Panthers in 2006. The 31-year-old didn’t start many games until his last three full seasons with the Redskins, blocking for Robert Griffin III in his stellar rookie season. Montgomery has also started multiple games as a right and left guard, adding to the versatility of Denver’s offensive line.

Without a doubt, the Denver Broncos have made the biggest splash in the free agent market since signings began on March 11. With a disappointing Super Bowl loss still looming, the Broncos began revamping their defense by signing T.J. Ward, Aqib Talib and DeMarcus Ware in the first 24 hours of free agency. As wide receiver Eric Decker received his big payday with the New York Jets, the Broncos signed Emmanuel Sanders, a receiver of equivalent capability to compliment the Broncos’ high-octane offense.

Montgomery fills out the depth chart for the Broncos’ offensive line needs, Denver now looks to the draft to replace those lost in free agency. It is most likely that the Broncos will take a middle linebacker with the 31st pick in May’s draft since Wesley Woodyard signed with the Tennessee Titans. With Knowshon Moreno in Miami, Denver’s starting running back nod goes to Montee Ball for the time being. Although Talib was signed to a 6-year contract and Chris Harris Jr. signed his restricted free agent tender yesterday, don’t be surprised if the Broncos select another cornerback in the draft. Would not surprise us to see a couple secondary players drafter, and not just one. Plus several rookie free agents will get phone calls and a couple will be in Dove Valley vying for a spot just like CJ Anderson last year and even Chris Harris 3 years ago as undrafted players to make the +Denver Broncos.

The aggressiveness in the early stages of the 2014 season show that the Broncos hope to not only get back to the Super Bowl, but win it. Still recovering from a disappointing performance against the Seahawks, Broncos fans can rest easy knowing that John Elway and the Broncos’ brass want another Lombardi trophy sooner rather than later.

John Fox: Denver Broncos 3 Year Contract Extension

Report: Broncos agree to 3-year extension with coach John Fox

NFL

BY BRENDAN MALOY

Coach John Fox has a 28-12 record since joining the Broncos. (John Leyba/ Denver Post)

The Denver Broncos have agreed to a three-year extension with head coach John Fox, reports Jay Glazer of Fox Sports.

Fox has led Denver to a 34-14 record since joining the team in 2011, and took the team to the Super Bowl last season.

The coach missed several games in 2013 after undergoing heart valve replacement surgery. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, who also signed an extension with the team this offseason, served as interim coach while Fox was hospitalized.

The new deal will being this season, cancelling the final year of Fox’s existing contract with the team.

Reports: Seahawks agree to contract extension with head coach Pete Carroll

Pat Bowlen and Elway do not Know any Other way. Let's not call it "all in"

Broncos Head Coach: John Fox welcomes DeMarcus Ware

Coach Fox welcomes 7-time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Ware to #Broncos. Watch press conference LIVE: http://t.co/DNzjJ10j7f pic.twitter.com/pyIuzubcHO

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) March 12, 2014

Montee Ball to be Denver Lead Running Back?

With Knowshon Moreno prepared to test the open market, the Denver Broncos are fully prepared to get younger at running back.

Mike Klis of The Denver Post believes the team will furnish second-year runner Montee Ball with "the first chance" at becoming their lead back in his second season.

As +BRONCOS CR3W wrote in an earlier articles about this scenario with Montee Ball taking the lead role as Broncos RB next season.

Montee Ball being met by Coach John Fox after his 1st career
rushing TD as a rookie last season for the +Denver Broncos
Photo Courtesy: Denver Broncos (AP)

That scenario makes plenty of sense for Denver's offense after the way Ball closed last season.

After failing to top 40 yards rushing from Week 4 through Week 12, the rookie exploded for 117 yards on the ground at nine yards per clip against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13. He closed the year by topping 70 yards twice down the stretch, and stealing carries away from Moreno deep into the postseason.

Ball went from averaging 6.6 carries over his first 11 games to 9.1 over the final eight, including Denver's Super Bowl run. After averaging three yards or fewer per tote in seven of his first 10 outings, Ball rumbled for five-plus yards per attempt in five of his six final regular-season appearances.

Broncos CR3W also put a piece together about Fox's faith in Hillman as a +NFL & Broncos RB.

Denver also has young C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman to feed the rock to, but Ball is an ideal candidate to take the lead and eclipse Moreno's 241 carries from 2013.

Broncos general manager John Elway said at the combine that he'd like to take pressure off Peyton Manning with a more powerful run game. In an offense that gives backs plenty of appealing looks from defenses wedded to stopping the air attack, Ball is a candidate for a breakout campaign.

H/T to +NFL - link here: Links of two articles: H/T +BRONCOS CR3W 

Free Agency Spotlight: Eric Decker

By Jeff Legwold | ESPN.com (original linked)

The +Denver Broncos and Eric Decker have done the obligatory opening moves to the free-agency dance.

Decker approaches the open market as an unrestricted free agent and Broncos head coach John Fox and executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway have each said they would like Decker back.

Decker has had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons as the Broncos' No. 2 guy at the position. He knows their offense and understands what needs to be done at the line of scrimmage during the pre-snap. He had 11 drops in 2012 and seven this past season to go along with 24 touchdown catches during that span. Of course Fox and Elway want him back.

Decker has said he wants to be back. With Peyton Manning as the team’s quarterback, the Broncos -- even with an increased commitment to the running game in 2014 -- will throw a lot. And the team expects to be in the Super Bowl hunt again. Of course Decker wants that.

Eric Decker caught 87 passes for 1,288 yards and 

11 touchdowns last season with the Broncos.But the Broncos have 

a price and Decker has a price, and the two aren’t expected 

to be the same unless there is a substantial change of

 heart on either side. 

Original Photo Courtesy of: AP Photo/Paul Spinelli

Fox has called free agency “like going shopping without price tags. You need to get price tags before you start buying stuff," he said. "... That's what we're in the process of doing now."

The Broncos have two of the four wide receivers they carried on the 53-player roster this past season up for free agency -- Decker and Andre Caldwell. But Decker, Demaryius Thomas and +Wes Welker had 93.7 percent of the team’s receptions at wide receiver.

The offense was a three-man show at the position with tight end Julius Thomas and running back Knowshon Moreno options No. 4 and No. 5, respectively. Caldwell had 16 catches and three touchdowns.

Much of the issue for Decker's potential return to the Broncos is simply bad timing. The Broncos -- even with the salary cap at an all-time high of $133 million per team this season with $150 million per team on the not-so-distant horizon -- are already looking at their free-agency docket a year from now.

Demaryius Thomas will be poised for the open market after the 2014 season, as will Julius Thomas, Welker and linebacker Von Miller. Demaryius Thomas is the team’s No. 1 wide receiver and will have to be a top priority. Julius Thomas, if he has another stellar season in 2014, won’t be far behind.

Welker will take some consideration depending on how things go in 2014. Miller, too, has some questions to answer. How Miller conducts himself, as well as how well he recovers from recent ACL surgery, will factor into whether or not the Broncos roll up the wheelbarrow to make him one of the team's highest paid players four or five seasons into the future.

Then there is the matter of what every team just saw in Indianapolis at the league’s scouting combine. Personnel evaluators saw a group of big, physical and blindingly fast receivers. There is both depth and impact to be found.

Now, showing up and producing at wide receiver has consistently been a difficult affair for NFL rookies. They are not used to the physical play from the defensive backs, not used to working when the definition of "open" is a step instead of yards.

And any potential rookie receiver won’t be used to what’s being asked of them in the playbook. On the Broncos they have to be ready to think fast, work on the fly with most of the calls made at the line of scrimmage and do it for a future Hall of Fame quarterback whose career clock is winding down. Patience and hand-holding will be in short supply.

Not many rookie receivers are going to be built for all that.

The Broncos will have to use some draft capital at the position because Decker will be able to get more money elsewhere. This figures to be his best chance at getting a big contract and it is a fairly shallow class of wide receivers in free agency. Unless he wants to leave money on the table, or the Broncos are unexpectedly willing to put more on the table, he’ll be in somebody else’s uniform next season.

The Broncos will take a look at the rest of the players available, but injury concerns trail many of the more prominent names at the position. There is a handful of slot receivers, but that's a job title already filled in Denver's huddle. It’s why the healthy and likely undervalued Golden Tate is worth a long look, especially given his special-teams abilities.

The Broncos figure to dive into the draft at wideout, but must not only find an athlete ready to contribute as a rookie, but a player mentally ready for what they will ask.

John Fox says Hillman still has Potential

By Jeff Legwold

INDIANAPOLIS -- First, Ronnie Hillman was awarded the Denver Broncos starting running back job.

Then Hillman had some trouble hanging on to the ball -- including a late fumble in Indianapolis that effectively stifled a comebacker attempt -- as well as the job. The Broncos' third-round pick in the 2012 draft moved down the depth chart and, from the team's perspective, didn't exactly respond to the demotion as they had hoped, or maybe even expected.

Broncos have seen flashes of what Hillman can do. In Week 3
he ran for 66 yards (team high) and a TD on 9 carries.
About 7.3 yards/carry Photo Courtesy: AP

So much so Hillman was a game day inactive five times during the regular season as well as all three of the Broncos' playoff games, including Super Bowl XLVIII. He has just two games with more than 10 carries -- 11 carries for 36 yards in the team's win over Philadelphia to go with 12 in the regular-season finale in Oakland -- and after Oct. 20 Hillman had a seven-game stretch when he did not have a carry.

That run included four games when he was an inactive, a game he played in without a carry and a game in which he was in uniform but did not get on the field.

Thursday at the NFL's scouting combine, Broncos head coach John Fox expressed at least some optimism Hillman could rebound in the manner Knowshon Moreno did from both injuries and a demotion. Moreno had his first 1,000-yard rushing season in 2013.

"He's had no issues running the ball, he put it on the ground a couple times, like they all do, early in the season and really was in the mix," Fox said. "And we had some other guys -- C.J. Anderson, Montee Ball and Knowshon -- and the way it kind of works out sometimes, there's only so many can get a uniform on game day. He's in that mix, I think he's a tremendous talent, he does give us great explosion as a runner, particularly to the perimeter."

With Moreno an unrestricted free agent who will likely see bigger offers elsewhere, Hillman will get an opportunity through the offseason program to show how he will rebound from his bumpy ride in 2013. Ball is expected to be elevated into the No. 1 role if Moreno moves on and would push for more carries than the 120 he got this past season even if Moreno re-signed with the team.

That leaves Hillman, Anderson and any other future editions to the depth chart to carve up the carries that remain. Hillman and Anderson are the only other backs, other than Ball, currently under contract for next season. 

"I know (Hillman) will work really hard this offseason and try to develop and get ready for next year," Fox said.

Denver Broncos - "Current State" - 2.23.14

Team Report - DENVER BRONCOS
The SportsXchange

INSIDE SLANT

Sure, Denver Broncos coach John Fox is dealing with the frustration that one can expect to extract from losing in the Super Bowl by a lopsided margin. But 18 days after the humbling 43-8 shellacking to the Seahawks, he wasn't moping about what contributed to the result.

"As you look back, get a chance to look at the tape and expound on that, I think we're capable of playing better," Fox said. "Not taking anything away from them, they had a lot to do with it. It was disappointing that we didn't play better."

"It's a team thing," Fox later added. "And they had something to do with it. Give them credit. We were just awful. I think we could have executed better. But (the Seahawks) had a little to do with that. And they did that against New Orleans twice. That's a pretty good outfit."

But Fox understood the Broncos were complicit in their own demise.

One area of consternation revolved around the Broncos' short kickoff to Percy Harvin to open the second half, which he fielded on the bounce and returned 87 yards for the touchdown that effectively ended Denver's realistic hopes of a comeback.

Fox said the kickoff was intentionally pooched. It bounced at the 13-yard line, but went straight up, allowing Harvin to get under the football and immediately sprint forward.

"It was an aggressive call. But it was a great call. It was a great kick. Just a (bad) bounce for the good guys," Fox said. "If the ball bounces anywhere other than how it did, we've got a 90 percent chance of getting it, so that would have been a nice way to start the third quarter, is by recovering a muffed pooch kick, which it was perfect, but the ball bounced straight up to him."

Once Harvin took off, the Broncos' wave of injuries exacted another toll: a chain-reaction of personnel shifts that began with the loss of several key starters and ended with shuffled special teams that resulted in three kickoff returns of at least 88 yards allowed by the Broncos from December onward.

"And then we missed five tackles," Fox said. "That (the personnel shuffling) is not an excuse. It's just what happened."

"But we didn't play well."

They didn't, but there isn't cause for panic, even though the roster will undoubtedly change in the coming weeks. With pending unrestricted free agents like running back Knowshon Moreno, wide receiver Eric Decker, guard Zane Beadles and linebacker Wesley Woodyard, the Broncos will absorb a personnel hit.

But with players like left tackle Ryan Clady, linebacker Von Miller, defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson, defensive end Derek Wolfe, cornerback Chris Harris Jr. and safety Rahim Moore expected to return from various injuries, the Broncos will get an upgrade from their Super Bowl roster even if they don't add an unrestricted free agent.

"You know, I don't know if I'd say we have a lot of high needs, but obviously every team has needs. We will get some guys back, which should help," Fox said. "I feel good about where we are and the way John (Elway) has maneuvered it moving forward. Now it's just a matter of time."

And that time is ticking down. Free agency hits March 11. Elway just signed a three-year extension, through 2017, and his next task is talking with John Fox's agent, Bob LaMonte, about the coach's extension. The two sides plan to meet at the combine.

"I want to get him done," Elway said. "I'm going to sit down with his agent while I'm here. I'm going to sit down with him, see where we come out and what they're thinking."

But what Elway and Fox are thinking is clear: as bad as the Super Bowl was, their team isn't in need of a gutting.

"It was very disappointing the way we played in the Super Bowl, but looking back not to let what we did in the Super Bowl cloud what we did this season," said Elway. "It was a tremendous year."

NOTES, QUOTES

ESPN.com Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold explains why Denver gave new contracts to 

            defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and general manager John Elway

--The Broncos have 18 players due to become unrestricted free agents, a group that includes a two-time 1,000-yard receiver (Eric Decker), their leading rusher (Knowshon Moreno), a team captain the last five seasons (Wesley Woodyard), a Pro Bowl guard (Zane Beadles), their best defensive back last season (Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie) and their leading sacker in 2013 (Shaun Phillips).

Don't expect any of them to receive the franchise tag. And don't expect Decker to be re-signed, either, given the other contracts the Broncos have and will have among pass-catchers.

"I think they have to hit the market. And the market sets those (terms)," said general manager John Elway. "So, especially when you look at where we are and what we have coming up -- Julius and (Demaryius), both Thomases are up next year. And Wes (Welker) is, too. All that plays into it."

Decker said he would entertain discussions of a return to the Broncos, but more than likely he will test the free-agent market by doing what is best for his family.

"I would like to figure something out and stay here, but at the same time, my priority is taking care of my family and making sure I set myself up the right way," Decker said Tuesday on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "If we can get on the same page and if we can understand one another, that would be awesome, but a lot of that control is not in my hands. So I'm just going to enjoy these couple of weeks off and see what it brings."

Decker hinted he may be willing to take less money for the right situation.

"The best offer to me isn't necessarily the most money," he said. "For me, am I going to have fun going to work every day? That doesn't add up to any dollar amount, that's priceless. The situation, the city, the organization itself from the top down, the owner, the GM, the coaching staff, the culture they've built in the locker room, all that's going to play into my decision."

Decker could receive one of the more lucrative contracts once the new league year begins next month.

Decker, who turns 27 in March, set career highs with 87 catches for 1,288 yards in 2013. He also had 11 touchdown receptions.

Elway said he will work to re-sign Decker. "We'd love to have Eric back, and I know Eric has made the comment that he'd like to be back, but it's just a matter of he's got to do what's best for Eric, too, and vice versa," Elway said. "That's why we go through this process. Then once we get closer to free agency, we'll have a better idea where everything's going."

--Coach John Fox was optimistic about the prognosis for cornerback Chris Harris, Jr., who underwent surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament on Feb. 6.

"Chris's (situation) was a little unique, because it wasn't completely torn," Fox said. "They said he could have played. But the problem is that if you further injure it, you could get meniscus damage."

Harris avoided that by being placed on injured reserve, and given the nature of his injury, the Broncos are optimistic he can be ready in time for training camp, even though it begins just six and a half months after he was injured on Jan. 12 against the Chargers.

"His (surgery) was not a complete reconstruct, so his was a little bit better off than some," said Fox. "Now whether that translates, I'm not a doctor, but I just know that wasn't as bad as some."

--The Broncos signed executive vice president of football operations John Elway to a three-year contract extension through the 2017 season.

In addition, the club has added general manager to Elway's title.

Said club president Joe Ellis in a statement, "Our organization is extremely pleased with the work John Elway has done in his three years since rejoining the Broncos," Ellis said. "He has demonstrated great vision and leadership in his role, assembling a championship-caliber team and positioning it for sustained success.

"We are very confident in the direction of the Broncos with John Elway leading our football operations."

--Elway wants to talk with cornerback Champ Bailey about his future, as well. Bailey is owed $10.5 million this year, including a $1 million roster bonus.

"We're still in the process of talking about that and seeing what we're going to do there," Elway said. "I'm going to sit down with Champ, first of all, and find out what he wants to do, and go from there."

In recent weeks, Bailey has expressed a willingness to accept a move to safety if that is what keeps him in the NFL for his 16th season this fall. But given his struggles with a foot injury last year that cost him 11 games and his up-and-down play when he returned, he is a prime candidate for a restructure or even a release if an accord cannot be reached.

Bailey said before Super Bowl XLVIII that he wanted to keep playing "'til I can't, or 'til I don't like it."

"I really don't know. I don't think about retiring," he added.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Those problems in Miami, those surprise me because I think that we never had those issues in Denver when it came down to the things that went on in that locker room and the things that were said. I think that every locker room that I've ever been in in the NFL and the guys I've been around have always respected the right of other players. There is a line you don't cross. I still believe that's the way the majority of the NFL is. This brings it to light a little bit to where it prevents it from happening again. But I don't think it's something that is ... rampant throughout the NFL." -- John Elway, on his reaction to the Ted Wells report about the Dolphins.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

FREE-AGENT UPDATE

S Mike Adams

DE Robert Ayers

G Zane Beadles

WR Andre Caldwell

WR Eric Decker

G Chris Kuper

LB Paris Lenon

RB Knowshon Moreno

DE Shaun Phillips

CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

LB Wesley Woodyard

TEAM NEEDS

MIDDLE LINEBACKER: Paris Lenon was a stop-gap replacement after Wesley Woodyard struggled to make plays there, and the Broncos would like to find an every-down option.

SAFETY: Mike Adams is a free agent, Rahim Moore is coming off compartment syndrome and Duke Ihenacho was inconsistent. Denver badly needs a playmaking safety.

WIDE RECEIVER: If Denver loses Eric Decker in free agency, they will need another veteran. They also need a developmental slot receiver to eventually replace Wes Welker.

Super Bowl XLVIII Storylines Start with Peyton Manning

10 Biggest Factors for Super Bowl XLVIII (ESPN - Clayton)

Who's No. 1? In Super Bowl XLVIII, aces are wild.

The Denver Broncos had the No. 1 offense in the regular season. The Seattle Seahawks had the No. 1 defense. Both teams were the No. 1 seeds in their conferences.

And the No. 1 story is Peyton Manning, returning to the Super Bowl for the third time and trying to earn his second ring. For the NFL, it doesn't get any better than that.

In the big picture, it's also an amazing shift. About four years ago, the AFC West and NFC West were the two worst divisions in the league. John Elway, who made the Broncos a Super Bowl contender as a player, has proved to be equally successful as a front-office executive.

He signed Manning, produced 13 regular-season wins in two consecutive years and now is hoping to get another ring.

Pete Carroll completely turned around the Seahawks, modeling the rebuild on his restoration of USC into a national power. He's going for his first Super Bowl win as a coach.

Here are the 10 most important questions for Super Bowl XLVIII.

Continue to Read article on ESPN...

Belichick Whines About Welker - Fox's Gatorade Bath: Broncos even Execute that With Precision

Great video clip from the link below that shows the precision with which the Gatorade bath dumped on Coach Fox is done with a great performance! Haha :D

Fox's Gatorade Bath

Not much to remark on this except the hit was entirely legal as confirmed with +FOX Sports, Mike Pereira as to it being completely within the rule book. Belichick and Saban reveal sour loser traits often. Onto Super Bowl 48 and the task at hand. Bill, Brady will be in Boston, and the furthest from the +Denver Broncos minds. Also want to point out the players the Broncos lost in their loss at Foxborough earlier this year. Didn't hear the Broncos make a whisper about how badly that game went down. Also how badly, Aqib Talib had been beaten by Thomas in the first quarter and a few times the ball didn't go his way. Lose with dignity Coach Bill Belichick.

Fox Recalls Simple Decision as Biggest of the Season, Let Alone, Perhaps, His Life.

Patriots, Broncos overcame plenty of obstacles

It's a wonder the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos made it this far. Bill Belichick's smarts and Tom Brady's tenacity always seems to trump tribulation. This season, they brushed aside the Tim Tebow distraction and overcame Aaron Hernandez's arrest and the losses of Rob Gronkowski, Wes Welker, Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo to put the Patriots (13-4) into the AFC championship for the third straight year.

''I'd have been 60 miles out in the woods,'' Fox said. ''They might never have found me.''

Of all the decisions coach John Fox made that kept the Denver Broncos rolling through a drama-filled season, one was an absolute life-saver. Instead of going out on his fishing boat for some solitude during his team's bye week, Fox decided to play 18 holes with some buddies some 200 yards from his offseason home in Charlotte, N.C. ''I'd have been 60 miles out in the woods,'' Fox said. ''They might never have found me.'' Fox had just seen his cardiologist in Raleigh, who told him he'd still be able to delay his heart operation until after the Super Bowl so long as he didn't feel faint or short of breath in the meantime.

Continue to read story, by clicking here:

Obstacles & Overcoming Them Could be what Broncos, Patriots Share Most with Success (AP)

Patriots, Broncos Overcame Plenty of Obstacles

By ARNIE STAPLETON (AP Pro Football Writer)

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) -- Embarrassing headlines. Sidelined superstars. Retooled offenses. Shredded defenses. It's a wonder the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos made it this far.

Bill Belichick's smarts and Tom Brady's tenacity always seems to trump tribulation.

This season, they brushed aside the Tim Tebow distraction and overcame Aaron Hernandez's arrest and the losses of Rob Gronkowski,Wes Welker, Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo to put the Patriots (13-4) into the AFC championship for the third straight year.

''I'm sure every team is probably at this point overcome a lot,'' Brady said. ''I know Denver has done a lot of those things, too. They've overcome a lot of things and injuries and so forth. It's just part of the NFL football season.

''To get out there and play 16 weeks and really see where you stand at the end of those 16 weeks, getting to the playoffs, play the best teams and see if you can advance. It's certainly not easy to do. It's very challenging.''

Nobody does it better than Brady and Belichick, the best quarterback/coach combo in history with a record 18 playoff wins.

View gallery

Denver Broncos head coach John Fox
speaks during a news conference
at the Denver Broncos NFL football
practice facility

After last year's stumble against Baltimore in the playoffs, John Fox andPeyton Manning also steered the Broncos (14-3) through a minefield to send Denver to its first conference championship in eight years.

''That shock of what happened against the Ravens contributed to this team being able to be as flexible as it has been and survive the adversity that it's gone through,'' said Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, who led the Broncos to back-to-back Super Bowls in the late 1990s and now leads them from the front office instead of the huddle.

After losing Elvis Dumervil in the infamous fax fiasco when his renegotiated contract didn't reach team headquarters in time, Elway hit the jackpot in free agency by signing Welker and Louis Vasquez on offense and Shaun Phillips, Terrance Knighton and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on defense.

They helped the Broncos weather an injury epidemic that claimed Von Miller, Kevin Vickerson, Rahim Moore, Derek Wolfe and Chris Harris while rendering captains Champ Bailey and Wesley Woodyard backups for most of the season.

Fox overcame his own heart operation that sidelined him for a month and even a player quitting on him at midseason, and Manning set a slew of records, including throwing for 55 TDs and 5,447 yards, to help the Broncos become the first 600-point team in league history.

View gallery

New England Patriots head
coach Bill Belichick listens to
a reporter's question
during a media conference.

The Broncos did it despite losing exceptional blindside protector Ryan Clady in Week 2 and being anchored by a converted guard who hadn't played a full season at center in 14 years.

So, Manning sits just one win shy of returning to the Super Bowl just two years after he was jettisoned by the Indianapolis Colts following four neck surgeries that strengthened his resolve but weakened his throwing arm.

''You don't take it for granted,'' Manning said, ''especially when you've been through an injury, been through a major change and you're in the home stretch of your career.''

Both the Patriots and Broncos have quarterbacks known as grinders, who elevate the play of those around them because of their meticulous preparation.

The head coaches have very different reputations.

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Denver Broncos head coach John Fox
watches practice at the NFL
Denver Broncos football training facility

Belichick is known as a mostly dour mad genius - even Manning called him ''the best coach that I've ever competed against,'' and Brady has high praise for the tone he sets.

''We're challenged here on a daily basis by Coach Belichick to show up, do the right thing, always put the team first and I think that's what this team has always been about,'' Brady said.

Fox is the ultimate player's coach whose bounce-off-the-walls energy and enthusiasm were very much needed after Josh McDaniels' troubled tenure - and Elway suggested those qualities only increased after he had his aortic valve repaired in November.

''He's got more energy than anybody I've ever seen,'' Elway said. ''That, to me, is the definition of John Fox: the energy level that he brings. He brings it to the practice field, and it's contagious. I think that's why he was a perfect fit for us.''

Rod Smith, who helped the Broncos win back-to-back titles in the late 1990s and will serve as their honorary captain Sunday, said he's not surprised these are the two AFC teams left standing, battered though they may be, rendering this game in many ways a skirmish among subs.

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''Honestly, you have two of the best organizations in football,'' Smith said. ''You have to give it up to Mr. (Robert) Kraft and you have to give it up to Mr. (Pat) Bowlen.''

The Patriots lose players left and right, but with Belichick they're always playing for trophies.

Elway has the Broncos doing the same thing again.

''Everybody thought it was a huge, horrible, financial disaster gamble with Peyton Manning,'' Smith said. ''And he's got those 92 touchdowns in two years. ... So, the organization has done a masterful job.''

---

View gallery

Denver Broncos quarterback
Peyton Manning speaks
at a news conference after
NLF football practice.

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning speaks at a news conference after NLF football practice in …
AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org
---
AP Sports Writer Howard Ulman contributed.
---
Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton

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Coach Fox of Broncos Proves his Flexibility

+Denver Broncos Head Coach, John Fox with
Champ Bailey (Yahoo Gallery)
Photo Courtesy: Marcia Jose Sanchez (AP)

Broncos' Fox proves his flexibility since return

Ever since returning from his heart operation last month, Denver Broncos coach John Fox seems like a new man. And sending in Matt Prater for a 64-yard field goal attempt on an icy afternoon in Denver. Or ordering his high-powered offense not to milk the clock with a big lead at Houston, where Peyton Manning broke Tom Brady's single-season touchdown record with a late score to cap a 37-13 rout. While Fox said his health scare did cause him to re-evaluate some things, he insists it didn't have a profound effect on his approach to his job.

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