Just wants his pockets to weigh more - Four 8-8ish teams get in? Not for the fans that is for sure. They'll say so...

And Certainly Not for the Players safety which is "supposed to be their highest objective and priority..? Still do not see this. Heads Up Program deepen his pockets, outside of his salary, already, too. Other than that, the players will make more money also. Most would probably not want to do so and stick to 16 game season.

That is just our gut on the little we've heard from some players about it, but it won't really matter. The money will most assuredly be on the table, presumptuously. We do not believe in diluting the playoffs, but we do agree with record gets home field before division winner.

Although it would probably not garner as solid as ratings. Instead of diluting the top end. Have a seminfinals between the 4 worst teams and they play to see who get the 1st overall pick. Conceptually its off with their mode of thought with the worst record receiving the number one, but the winner is awarded it. Just trying to think of what to give the commissioner in order to not do this. Expanded season plus explanded playoffs. Perhaps these teams will be (weird saying it) 10-8? Maybe that makes iit simply 'okay.'

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell answers questions during a news conference at the NFL football annual owners meetings

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says it's possible the playoffs could expand next season.

Goodell said Wednesday at the spring meetings that ''it's not out of the question.'' He says he ''wouldn't rule it out, but I wouldn't say that's the direction we're heading.''

The owners discussed adding two playoff teams to the current 12, one in each conference. The topic is certain to come up when Goodell meets with the players union April 8, and again at the owners' May meeting in Atlanta.

Goodell adds that there was a ''tremendous amount of interest in this, possibly even to the point of support.'' He believes it will make the late-season division and wild-card races even more compelling.

Adding two postseason games also would increase TV revenues. 

How does Broncos QB, Peyton Manning, Read a Play

Break It Down: How Broncos QB Peyton Manning reads a play

AFC WEST, DENVER BRONCOS, SUPER BOWL XLVIII

BY CHRIS BURKE

When it comes to making pre-snap reads, there may be no one better than Peyton Manning. (Julie Jacobson/AP)

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Watching Peyton Manning play the quarterback position is a singular NFL experience. The audibles, the line adjustments, the constant motion of his feet after the snap — it’s all very distinctive and can be incredibly difficult to deal with for opposing defenses.

“He knows what he wants to do when he goes to the line,” Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Brandon Mebane said this week. “He knows what he’s looking for. He knows what his options are and everything like that. I think he’s just great at what he does.”

In hopes of providing a little more insight into Manning’s game, I asked Denver third-string QB Zac Dysert at one of this week’s media sessions to walk me through one of the Broncos’ key completions from the AFC title game win over New England. He agreed, though he was understandably a little guarded about specific play calls and audibles with Super Bowl XLVIII just around the corner.

The play in the spotlight: a 2nd-and-20 from the Denver 10 late in the first half. The Broncos led 10-3 at the time, but New England was threatening to get the ball back with promising field position before halftime. Instead, Manning rifled a 26-yard completion to Demaryius Thomas and then took his team down for a field goal.

A refresher on the pass:

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The Broncos initially lined up with Eric Decker and Wes Welker to Manning’s left and Thomas and RB Montee Ball to his right. Ball (boxed in orange below) was split out to the far right sideline. As linebacker Dont’a Hightower (white box) started to make his way out to cover Ball, Manning waved

Ball into the backfield.

This was all part of the play call, as opposed to being a Manning audible — Manning eventually faked an inside handoff to Ball before dropping to throw.

“Some stuff’s called, some stuff he’ll do on his own,” Dysert said of Manning’s pre-snap routine. “He’s just trying to get every kind of indicator he can, something from the defense that tells him what they’re doing.”

-------------
Pictured below is how the Broncos and Patriots actually lined up for the snap (you’ll notice Ball now next to Manning).

The Patriots had a four-man line, press coverage outside on the Broncos’ three receivers, two linebackers and two deep safeties. Hightower slid back into his usual spot after Ball motioned; Manning, meanwhile, pointed out Collins as a possible blitzer.

“Where the linebackers are can dictate where the safeties are going to go,” Dysert said of the process at this point, “but it just helps you, little things that help you identify the coverage before the snap.”

---------------

Often the main focus for Manning before the snap: safeties. Here, both of New England’s safeties were at least 12 yards off the line of scrimmage.

“He’s [looking] more at the safeties than linebackers,” Dysert said. “Pretty much at the snap is where they’re going to move. You can identify just by the positions of the linebacker where they’re going to go. Maybe if [the safeties] are backed up, you can plan for blitz … things like that.”

---------------

Hightower’s shift out to mark Ball tipped off Manning here, too, part of the reason the Broncos lined up with their running back outside of Thomas in the first place. With Hightower responsible for Ball and the Patriots playing tight on the remaining receivers, it allowed Manning to pick out Collins as a likely blitzer.

--------------
“We know they do a lot at the line of scrimmage, and our challenge for our own players is to make sure we take care of us first and our assignment,” Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said this week. His team faces the task of slowing Manning on Sunday.

Here, the Patriots left some gaps, which is a crushing mistake against Manning.

Ball released out of the backfield after the play-action, which drew Hightower up in coverage. Behind the Patriots’ collapsing linebacker, Thomas ran a deep slant route against cornerback Alfonzo Dennard. Meanwhile, most importantly, safety Kyle Arrington stepped up on the fake to Ball, then hovered around the 20-yard line as fellow safety Steve Gregory backpedaled.

That sequence was the key to this whole play, according to Dysert.

“You want to go away from rotation [of the safeties] most of the time. Whatever they do, you go off them and do the opposite of what they do,” Dysert said, pointing at Arrington’s positioning. “For Peyton, he probably just needs a little opening to make it through, he’s so accurate.”

------------------

The safety movement combined with a slip by Dennard left Thomas with some room downfield.

“He’s pretty open … good route by DT,” Dysert said.

----------------

“It doesn’t matter what the ball looks like, it’s always in the right spot,” Thomas said. “That’s the main thing with [Manning]. I still remember the first day I was throwing with Peyton, throwing the ball. It probably wasn’t the prettiest ball, but it was always in the right spot and it was easy to catch. I’ve never had a quarterback like that, so I enjoyed it.”

Also worth noting: Collins was a non-factor as a blitzer, even with Ball running a route (and thus being unavailable to help as a blocker). Denver’s line plus tight end Julius Thomas easily corralled the Patriots’ five-man rush, which provided Manning with a comfortable pocket.

And that’s a variable on this play that ties back to Manning’s pre-snap read and adjustments.

“As a talent evaluator for college and even free agency, the toughest thing to evaluate is process,” Denver QBs coach Gregg Knapp said. “‘Can the guy process in the pocket during the heat of battle?’ [Manning] might be one of the best I’ve ever been around that can process, ‘OK, I’ve got these tools to use, and in 10 seconds I’ve got to make a decision and execute in less than four.’

“That trait he has is so special because it’s not like he’s up there audibling all the time. It might look like it sometimes, but he likes to be given direction. You know, ‘Give me this play and maybe one adjustment.’ But then he also has a tool kit available that if he wants apply, say, ‘I’m going to use this play or this protection change.’ That’s easy to do as a coach. You can create a lot of that stuff in the classroom, but can a guy process and apply it? He does, impressively.”

Seattle will test Manning’s abilities Sunday. ”They’ll try to disguise things longer than other teams,” Dysert said.

The Seahawks' also do not shy away from using the incredible Earl Thomas as a single-high safety and cramming their other 10 defenders within a compacted area near the line. Being able to counter with his trio of receivers, two pass-catching running backs and tight end Julius Thomas should give Manning a chance to solve the Seahawks’ conundrum.

How successful Manning is may depend on how well he can diagnose situations before the snap. As Dysert, Knapp and plenty of Denver’s previous opponents have stated, few NFL QBs are better in that regard.

Denver Broncos' Defense Steps Up

#BRONCOSCR3W #BRONCOS

"POT ROAST" was the Special of the AFC Championship

Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning Enjoying Preparation Process

There are so many to point out, but a big reason why Peyton is who he is. He simply loves this game and every aspect of competition. Cannot argue against being the #GreatestEver, that's plain and simple. 
(Link to Video Below)

Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning enjoying preparation process

Peyton Manning drops back at +Houston Texans in Week 16.
The Week he broke +Tom Brady's TD record. Original photo (unedited)
courtesy of: +Denver Broncos 

Watch the video Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning enjoying preparation process on Yahoo Sports . Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning talks about preparing for the Patriots' athletic linebackers, his relationship with Tom Brady throughout the years, and the advantage of learning from John Elway.

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.

View gallery

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.''

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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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Related Stories

John Fox: Chargers showed running, defense win in the playoffs ProFootball Talk on NBC Sportsa
Team Report - DENVER BRONCOS The SportsXchange
Broncos lose injured cornerback Harris for playoff run AFP
Report: Chris Harris to have MRI on kneeProFootball Talk on NBC Sportsa
Peyton Manning: Tom Brady 'outstanding' but AFC Championship between 'two good teams' SB Nation

Five Key Matchups: AFC Championship Game

IT'S THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP BABY!!

AFC Championship: 5 Key Matchups by the +Denver Broncos

*Click on Graphic to Link to 1st slide on +Denver Broncos website*
- Parental Advisory for a few implied words below -

All in all, savor this moment and accomplishments. Lifelong Denver fans from here since '77, '83, '88 (Uncanny how much those seasons meant to the history of the beloved Denver Broncos). We have had the fortune of making 6 Super Bowl trips. The Divisional Round has proven 'dicey' in franchise history, but the AFC Title Game at Mile High has proven to be a big factor for the Broncos historic success once the Lamar Hunt Trophy is up for their taking. Attending the game or not attending, please be safe, win with grace ;) and take defeat like a civilized person. ** If alcohol lessens that ability, than simply do not drink. Now to leave off on an uplifting note: And CHEER, make sure your voice is lost, AND get pretty f****ng LOUD if there was a day to do it. No matter score, situation, make Sports Authority Field at Mile High RUMBLE everytime #12 takes the field. Make sure their practices were not a recreation of the stadium noise by any stretch of the imagination. Psss - bass, lower sounding frequency is the most effective sound when attempting to communicate (over it) despite not necessarily revealing increased decibel levels. "O" or "U" > than say, a higher pitched 'ahhhh...' Now let's go help our boys kick some BostonBradyBelichick @$$!!!

Original post linked below or on picture:

Five Key Matchups: AFC Championship Game

Final Four Fox Sports Discusses Championship Weekend

Broncos CR3W is Excited to get +New England Patriots for an odd, rare Visit to Mile High 

(something of which should be inquired as to how the 'schedule' (Mr. Goodell, Kraft) has +Denver Broncos going to NE next season for 3rd straight season.

Back to THE task at hand of course. Only thing that focus is on is the Patriots and what can be done to limit them better on defense, especially regarding 3rd down efficiency. Broncos showed that moving the ball is possible from the earlier meeting and we surely hope that the stripes from the +NFL are up to the task. Especially regarding #PASSINTERFENCE that the Patriots get away with but their opponents do not. If Talib is grabbing, rubbing down, arm-barring, holding, pulling, running through WRs, TEs, RBs is not being flagged every time the ball is thrown his way, then their opponent should never get a flag as well. Hopefully they officiate this game correctly and call the Pats D for their holding, chucking, illegal contact, pass interference AND holding on their O-Line, the Pats should expect a pretty mad Broncos team that blowbacks the reality of an even field without refs making things happen. Allow the players to play with movement they intended the rules to be made. What did the city of Denver or the Broncos do to former Colorado alum, +Ephraim Salaam is it #ManningEnvy and #CryBradyHeroism. He never rides the back of Manning. He really is not very good at giving insight behind the obvious viewer. Thompson talks about Seattle like a litlle girl. Need to get Conway and Arrington in on better segments. It is an irony that the Patriots ground game is not discussed regarding the Colts defense, Bills when running the ball lately and an inept Colts run game, Bills offense. 30th in the NFL vs run. Moreno went for 240+ on a career high. Think the Broncos will force the Patriots to either stick to 7 in the box or committing an eighth and then Denver has the 4 Horsemen plus the best screen game in the league and an extremely versatile running back that brings the ideal type of mentality to that offense and team. Keep up the last 3 games emphasis! #Broncos #Chargers #SDvsDEN #NFLPlayoffs #AFCChampionship.

Perfect Call & the Perfect Play in that Situation (Peyton Interview with Sal Palaontonio for +ESPN)

Shaun Phillips' & Comrades Mentality: Chargers at Broncos

San Diego at Denver Preview: Coach Billick

Eric Weddle presents a challenge to all QB's. Weddle is such a smart and impactful player & rarely makes a mistake or shows his hand pre snap. Peyton has been able to study the Chargers line up and execution. Pretty sure the Broncos intend on their RBs being an impact more than the Chargers.

BTV Daily: Round 3

Baybay (Demaryius) Thomas (left)
and Eric Decker (right)
Photo Courtesy: The Denver Post (AP)

SDvsDENIII (Chargers at Broncos: Part III) - AFC Divisonal Round. Chargers (6) at Broncos (1) - BroncosTV Daily touches upon San Diego coming into town to face the Broncos for right to play in the AFC Championship game. Go Orange! Go Broncos! Mile High Magic!

* Link available on (linked text above) *

Divsional Playoffs: Chargers vs Broncos (CBS Sports Video)

+CBS Sports Network Video Preview of the +Chargers at +Denver Broncos for the

+NFL Playoffs, AFC Divisional Round Playoffs Preview

Can't Wait for this Sunday at 2:40 p.m. MST