Churchill Downs requesting for some of Welker's winning's (money) back..?

Best of Luck, +BRONCOS CR3W believes onus is on Churchill Downs, do not worry Mr. Welker is at least our impression here...

Churchill Downs wants big bucks back from Wes Welker

+FOX Sports

Original Photos: twitter.com/JeffNovak

Wes Welker just handed everyone $100 bills - RELATED

California Chrome's victory in the Kentucky Derby provided some big bucks on a bet for +Wes Welker, according to TMZ.com.

The +Denver Broncos wide receiver was at Churchill Downs for the first leg of the Triple Crown. The report says Welker sent a member of his entourage to the window to collect. He received $57,193.90.

The track, however, now says that the tote machine malfunctioned, causing an overpayment of $14,858.55.

And to prove you can't win for winning, Churchill reportedly wants its money back.

TMZ reports that the track has reached out to the person who received the winnings and asked for the extra dough back.

Images of Welker passing some Benji's out after the Kentucky Derby

+NFL +Denver Broncos WR +Wes Welker with some fresh winnings at the Kentucky Derby +Texas Tech University

Photo Courtesy: @Jeff Novak

Welker Sharing Benefits of Sports: Athletic, Health Education, Lifestyle

Broncos' Welker shares benefits of sports

+Wes Welker paying a visit to +Texas Tech University, his alma mater and
dropping insight with the head coach, Kilff Kingsbury (twitter.com/weswelker)

Contributions, H/T

By BARRY WILNER 

(AP Pro Football Writer)

The Associated Press Sports 

NEW YORK (AP) -- Wes Welker recognizes all the benefits he's gotten from sports. He believes anyone can prosper from them.

So the star receiver of the +Denver Broncos has joined the Global Alliance for Health and Performance, a movement to promote and develop a healthy, high-performing lifestyle using best practices from sports.

''I've experienced all the ups and downs firsthand,'' said Welker, heading into his 11th +NFL season despite being undrafted out of Texas Tech in 2004. ''Understanding all the emotional hits and how to come back from them, as well as the physical. No one ever really talked to me about it, now it all kind of makes sense to me.

''I understand the edge you have to have on the field and the energy you get from it, and from just working out. Bringing that energy to whatever you are doing, every single day.''

The aim of the alliance is to make that happen for everyone, from elite athletes to the guy who sits on his couch on Sundays watching Welker catch touchdown passes.

Jack Groppel of Johnson & Johnson's Wellness and Prevention and co-founder of the Human Performance Institute recruited Welker. Groppel believes the benefits from learning how professional athletes not only train and recover, but harness that energy can provide lessons for everyone.

''We've learned how athletes are merging energy and performance better,'' Groppel said. ''About their emotional toughness, their resilience. How focused they are. They are aligned to a mission and it really matters to them.''

Being active is critical, whether it's Welker working out on his own or with the team or the average Joe and Jane getting some exercise. Groppel notes how studies show students who get up from their desks to perform some physical activities, whether at recess or during gym time, perform much better afterward.

The alliance calls that ''taking a page from the sport science playbook to improve health and productivity.''

His program emphasizes daily progress and how to achieve it, rather than simply getting through the day and on to the next one. Athletes tend to have an achievement mindset all the time, and others can learn from it.

Welker is more the ''everyman'' who succeeded among superstars in the sport. At 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, he's hardly imposing physically. He had to prove himself just to make an NFL roster with +Chargers , then in +Miami, +New England Patriots, and built himself into a solid contributor.

Then he went to New England and became a pass-catching machine, an All-Pro and a regular in Super Bowls - three so far.

Fans can relate to Welker like few other NFL players, and may embrace his message about what keeps him physically, mentally and emotionally sharp.

''Physically being trained, my body gives me confidence mentally, too, when I feel that way,'' he said. ''You get the mindset that 'nobody can touch me.'

''Emotionally, you understand how to regulate your emotions. If I dropped that pass, OK, it happened, now we won't let it happen again and you are on to the next play.

''There are peaks and valleys and you handle that by staying on your task through preparing physically, mentally and emotionally. Remember what is your 'North Star,' why you do what you do.''

Of course, most people won't succeed on Welker's level, but there's plenty to achieve from sports in general.

''Healthy behaviors are created with every individual on a team, which then creates a healthy organization,'' Gropper said. ''There's so much we can learn from sports and the science of sports.''
---

Welker being very charitable at Kentucky Derby. Of course, he's a Denver Bronco! The Man, Wes Welker!

Broncos receiver Wes Welker randomly passes out $100 bills at Kentucky Derby

Contribution

BY CHUCK HICKEY

Photos from @MarcBlandford

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Denver Broncos receiver +Wes Welker won big at the Kentucky Derby on Saturday and was happy to share the wealth.

For the Win has the story of Marc Blandford, who was watching celebrities leave Churchill Downs after Saturday’s 140th Run for the Roses when Welker was coming down an escalator with a friend and police officer and holding a large stack of money.

“I said ‘Wes Welker, how ya doing?’” Blandford said.

After that, Blandford tells For the Win that Welker started handing out $100 bills to the group Blandford was with.

@JaredStillman pic.twitter.com/yKQZRbStcO
— Marc (@MarcBlandford) May 5, 2014

“He said he just won the Kentucky Derby and proceeded to walk down the line until the police officer stopped him,” Blandford said. “I think six of us ended up with $100 bills.”

“Everyone was pretty much freaking out,” Blandford added.

Wes Welker handed out $100 bills after winning big at the Kentucky Derby, fans say

By NINA MANDELL

Marc Blandford has been watching celebrities exit the Kentucky Derby for the past decade, but Wes Welker may be the most memorable of them all.

Blandford was at his usual perch when the Broncos’ player came down with a friend and a police officer, carrying a huge stack of money, he said.

“I said ‘Wes Welker, how ya doing?’” Blandford said.

The next thing he knew, Welker was handing the people in the group Blandford was with $100 bills.

“He said he just won the Kentucky Derby and proceeded to walk down the line until the police officer stopped him,” he said. “I think six of us ended up with $100 bills.”

While handing out $100 bills may not be a usually smart thing to do, Welker signed a two-year $12 million deal with Denver in 2013. Which means that for him, making a few fans’ day, may be priceless.

“Everyone was pretty much freaking out,” Blandford added.

Jeff Novak, who also said he’s been a longtime celebrity watcher at the Derby, said Welker seemed ecstatic.

“He just won probably hundreds of thousands of dollars so he just started handing money to people like it was no big thing,” he said.

Courtesy of Jeff Novak (@Jeff_Novak)

Courtesy of @Jeff Novak

Denver Broncos' Wes Welker Autographs Girl's head in Support of her Cancer Battle

A girl battling cancer got some star-studded support at an event in Aurora, and she has head autographs to prove it.

Brian Hernandez from the Denver Channel 
+7NEWS KMGH

AURORA, Colo. - A girl battling cancer got some star-studded support Tuesday at an event at Children's Hospital in Aurora, and she has autographs on her head to prove it.

Delaney Clements, 11, is fighting stage IV neuroblastoma, a cancer that attacks nerve tissue. Her treatments made her hair fall out.

But at a celebrity chef cooking event at the hospital Tuesday, actor Jeffrey Donovan of the TV show "Burn Notice," and Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker, spent some time with Clements and shared their support by answering her request for autographs by signing their names on her head.

Clements told 7NEWS she plans on never washing her head again.

Last week, Clements' friend Kamryn Renfro, 9, shaved her head to show her support.

"I did it because she is my best friend and I didn't want her to be the only one laughed at," Renfro said.

However, the charter school Renfro attends, Caprock Academy, originally said the haircut violated the school dress code. The school had asked the girl to stay home until her hair grew back, but the Board of Directors reversed that decision following a flood of nationwide feedback.


"I think it is ridiculous that that happened," Clements said. "I'm just so happy that there is somebody there for me."

"It was the right thing to do for her and it just made me feel good," Renfro said.

Renfro joined her friend at the event Tuesday which also featured celebrity chef Ming Tsai.


TAGS: +Wes Welker +7NEWS 

Per Request: Broncos CR3W "WR Heaven" A few Pix - Collages

S/O to Emmanuel Sanders for breaking out the great phrase once joining the +Denver Broncos, +BRONCOS CR3W put together a collection just for Baybay, +Wes Welker, Julius Thomas, Bubba Caldwell, and Emmanuel Sanders. Another 1 or 2 to have a chance at joining at least, if the TE is mixed in. Will be interesting who the others are that make it, and prove their talent, heart whence the chance comes. +The brand new Broncos FA's in the +NFL.

I dance not 2 show up opponents but 2 celebrate the findings of the end zone! Can't wait 2 find it again soon. Love! pic.twitter.com/iwI6OtvOYW

— Emmanuel Sanders (@E_Sanders88) February 2, 2014

Sanders in "Wide Receiver Heaven"

Agreed, Mr. Sanders, no doubt you have landed yourself in a primo spot. +Denver Broncos and Mile High equal "Wide Receiver Heaven." What? With joining the NFL Record Setting Offense of +NFL history in regards to scoring, passing and receiving statistics. Some of the +BRONCOS CR3W posts as we experienced such historic accomplishments, albeit probably short-term due to a longer season and the general speed of offensive plays and play selection. A topic even, Mr. Peyton Manning himself has essentially proclaimed. That still doesn't diminish the upside of being a speedy WR coming into his prime and joining forces with the Broncos offense.

Emmanueal Sanders, newly acquired Broncos WR, signing on board with "Wide Receiver heaven"
Photo Courtesy: +Denver Broncos ( +The Associated Press )

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Sunday afternoon, Emmanuel Sanders was officially introduced to, as he called it, "wide receiver heaven."

"To play with Peyton Manning is like wide receiver heaven," Sanders smiled. "I feel like he's one of the greatest quarterbacks to play the game. Definitely I look up to him a lot in terms of his preparation, and I know that he's going to make me a better player whether it's mentally and physically. I know that I'm in a great environment."

WR Heaven Welcomes you Mr. Emmanuel Sanders

At the start of free agency, Sanders told his agent, Steve Weinberg, that depending on what happened with former Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker -- who signed with the New York Jets as an unrestricted free agent -- he would love to play with Manning.

"I told Steve to make sure he called over to the Broncos and let them know that I'm interested," Sanders recalled. "So we started the free-agency process, but every day I was asking Steve, 'Did they call? Did they call?' And they finally called."

When the numbers Sanders was asking for matched up with what the Broncos were willing to offer, there wasn't much else to think about.

"This is the team that I wanted to go to during free agency," Sanders said. "Yesterday was probably one of the best days of my life."

Now that he's in Denver, Sanders just wants to fit in with an offense he watched set NFL records in 2013.
-----
Elway Crossing off List of High Priorities
-----
"I remember sitting at my house like, 'Man, that's what I want to be a part of someday,'" he said. "They had a really good season last year. Hopefully we can repeat the same thing but this time finish it off."

Executive Vice President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway said when introducing Sanders that the receiver will "add a tremendous amount to the offensive side" of the football. After the press conference concluded, Elway elaborated.

Best of Emmanuel Sanders, 2013

"He'll fit in great," Elway said. "He can play inside or outside. He'll be inside, he'll be outside. He's explosive and really does a good job after he catches the ball."

"He was the guy that we had targeted from the very get-go and we were fortunate enough to land him."

When describing his own game, Sanders said he doesn't like to label himself just an inside or outside receiver, to Elway's point.

"I'm going to always try to be versatile," he said. "I just like the craft of being a receiver."

But what is about him that helped him cause 15 missed tackles, which according to +Pro Football Focus was fourth-most among +NFL wide receivers in 2013?

"My game is I like to get the ball in my hands. I like to run after the catch. I feel like from a speed perspective, I like to go down the field," Sanders said. "I feel like I've got the all-around package, even from a run perspective. I'm going to give it my all from a blocking perspective, because I know if I'm blocking downfield, that allows the running back to take the ball 80 yards. Like I said, I just want to win."

The wide receiver said that Manning texted him as soon as he decided to sign with the Broncos, and he's already gotten a coveted invite to Duke University to work out with the quarterback and his top targets.

And he hopes that he will add a new type of threat to the receiving corps, making it tough on defense that try to focus on slowing down a big, physical receiver like Demaryius Thomas.

"Now that I'm on the other side, a speed guy, a quick guy, a run-after-the-catch guy, it's going to be hard," he said. "It adds another dimension to your offense."

It's no secret that the Broncos have a World Championship on their minds entering 2014. After falling in Super Bowl XLVIII, the team wants to make sure it doesn't come up short this coming season.

Sanders know's exactly how the players feel. After all, he was on the losing end of a Super Bowl in his rookie season, and broke his foot in the process.

"I remember 2010, I ended up breaking my foot in the Super Bowl," Sanders said. "And the only thing that I remember from the Super Bowl is walking off that field and seeing the confetti fall and seeing the Green Bay Packers celebrating. I said, 'You know what? Someday I've got to get back here and I want the confetti falling down on me.' My ultimate dream is, I just had a son, and I want to go hoist that Lombardi and have my son run onto the field.

"This is a place that can make that dream come true."

Emmanuel Sanders Presser: "Wide Receiver Heaven" Video

http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Sanders-in-Wide-Receiver-Heaven/fbabcd0f-2e6f-4438-8367-3fe38ab9d7b7

+NFL (twiiter)

Patriots Owner Deflects Blame on Agent as to why Welker was not re-signed

David Butler II / USA TODAY Sports
What led to the departure of Wes Welker (pictured with Patriots owner Bob Kraft last season)
from New England?

Wes Welker might still be in New England right now if his agent hadn't pushed the wide receiver to test the free-agent market, Patriots president Jonathan Kraft told reporters Saturday.

Kraft, son of owner Bob Kraft, said the +New England Patriots made Welker a sizable offer before he hit free agency, but Welker's agent turned the offer down. The younger Kraft contends that it was only when Welker wouldn't play ball that the team turned its attention to adding Danny Amendola.

"We still offered Wes before free agency started, more than he ended up getting in the open market," Kraft said, via the Boston Globe. "But once free agency started, we went out and signed Danny because he fit a construct that worked within our system, and we couldn't take the risk of losing both Wes and Danny. So it really wasn't as much about the money, it was about trying to do a deal with Wes before free agency started. His agent had a view of the world that we didn't think was realistic."

Welker is headed into the second year of a two-year, $12 million contract with the +Denver Broncos, after making $9.5 million on the franchise tag in his final year in New England. Kraft said that, had Welker stayed in New England, he would have fared better financially in the long run.

"We had actually offered Wes a deal the summer before that on a three-year basis would've left him in a financially better place than what he's gonna end up having been in over those three years," Kraft said.

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

+BRONCOS CR3W would rebut or at least like to do so, that in the honor of one-sided story's, we are inclined to believe +Wes Welker was done with the unknown and the games after being franchise tagged for one season. Only can endure so much from a love/hate type personality as Coach Belichick.

No Love Lost Between These Two (Welker, Belichick) Goes Without Saying

+Denver Broncos Wes Welker shakes hands with former coach, +New England Patriots Head Coach, Bill Belichick

To be fair, +Wes Welker fueled the animosity last year when he told Sports Illustrated that Belichick would rip him in front of his former teammates in New England. Welker said when he spoke with members of the Denver media, he was not worried about any backlash from his coach, but was always concerned about Belichick’s reaction in New England.

Their relationship did not improve when Welker applied a hit on New England’s Aqib Talib, which injured the cornerback’s knee and prevented him from reentering the game on Sunday. Talib reportedly does not have major knee damage, but his absence contributed to New England’s loss.

Those are just a few reasons why Belichick did not embrace Welker like they were long lost friends after the game.

To be fair, Belichick is not known for his warm and fuzzy moments. Belichick normally looks like he’s enduring an IRS audit whenever he is in public. He might be the life of the party behind closed doors, but portrays less personality than Ferris Bueller’s teacher when the cameras are on.

Welker may have expected a heartfelt moment with Belichick, but that was not going to happen

Denver Broncos 5 to Watch: Marshawn Lynch

Andrew Mason (Independent Columnist) DenverBroncos.com

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- As Marshawn Lynch goes, so go the Seahawks.

Since he joined the team five weeks into the 2010 season, he has played all but one game. In the 65 games (including playoffs) he's participated, the connection between his performance and that of the Seahawks is clear. Productive performance from Lynch turns an average ledger into one of the league's best -- the eighth-best record overall since he joined the team.

The Seahawks are …
11-1 when Lynch rushes for at least 120 yards, and 29-24 when he doesn't;
10-4 when he averages at least 5.5 yards per carry, and 30-21 when he doesn't;

+Seattle Seahawks #BeastMode RB,
Marshawn Lynch

9-0 when he scores at least two touchdowns and 28-10 when he scores at least once, and 12-15 when he doesn't score at all;
13-1 when he touches the football at least 25 times, and 27-24 when he doesn't, although this is misleading, as his touches are most often connected to the game situation.

The difference is stark in the postseason: when Lynch breaks the century mark in the playoffs, the Seahawks are undefeated, punctuated by his memorable performance in a wild-card stunner over the defending champion Saints there years ago. When he was held in check by the Bears a week later and the Falcons two years later, Seattle lost.

Lynch has recently earned more attention for his reticence at talking to the media, a marketable nickname ("Beast Mode") for which he owns licensing rights and his voracious consumption of Skittles than his actual running, and that's a shame. a

But he should be getting attention for his continued excellence -- and his persistent ability to avoid being brought down. According to ProFootballFocus.com, no running back created more missed tackles in 2013 than Lynch, who was credited with 75 on his 301 carries in the regular season. Lynch was second in the league in this statistic in 2011 and 2012, forcing over 50 missed tackles each season.

But the Broncos may be in position to stop Lynch. No one had more success at defusing Lynch in 2013 than the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, mostly because their defensive line, particularly their young tackles, was strong enough to win its share of one-on-one duels at the line of scrimmage.

Terrance Knighton may play an even bigger role in Super Bowl XLVIII than he did against the Patriots. Either he will draw double-teams, which frees up the linebackers to potentially have lanes they can fill, or he can break through to the backfield by winning one-on-ones. As long as Nate Irving, Danny Trevathan and Paris Lenon can be in position to make sound tackles, the Broncos' stout run defense could be the toughest that Lynch has seen in months.

But Lynch might be the toughest running back the Broncos have seen, as well, proving that the Broncos offense-vs.-Seahawks defense duel is not the only strength-vs.-strength matchup lurking on Groundhog Day.

(Original Link to this article, click here)

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.

Manning, Broncos Advance to AFC Title Game After Beating Chargers

Recap | GameTrax | Box Score | Play-by-Play | Drive Chart | Depth Chart

17

24

Chargers (10-8)

Broncos (14-3)

	1	2	3	4	Tot
Chargers	0	0	0	17	17
Broncos	7	7	3	7	24

Manning, Broncos advance to AFC title game after beating Chargers

The Broncos avoided a playoff letdown against the Chargers.

UPDATED JAN 12, 2014 10:33 PM ET

DENVER (AP)

Peyton Manning took a knee again, just as he had at the end of regulation exactly a year earlier..

Only this time, he trotted off to cheers, high-fives and smiles.

Manning welcomed Wes Welker back into the lineup with a touchdown toss Sunday and the Denver Broncosnarrowly avoided a repeat of their playoff slip from last year, advancing to the AFC championship game with a 24-17 win over the San Diego Chargers.

The Broncos (14-3) took a 17-0 lead into the fourth quarter before Chargers quarterback Philip Riverscapitalized on an injury to cornerback Chris Harris Jr. to stage a comeback reminiscent of Baltimore's shocking win 38-35 win in double overtime at Denver.

On that night, Jacoby Jones hauled in a 70-yard pass from Joe Flacco to tie it and Denver coach John Fox had Manning take a knee so the Broncos could regroup in overtime.

This time, Manning rescued the Broncos from the brink of another crushing collapse and sent them into the title game for the first time in eight seasons.

They'll host the New England Patriots (13-4) on Sunday.

Get ready for Brady vs. Manning once more.

In the most recent matchup of QBs with Hall of Fame credentials, Tom Brady and the Patriots rallied past Manning and the visiting Broncos 34-31 in overtime on Nov. 24.

"That's two of the greats," Eric Decker said. "It's going to be talked about a lot throughout the week."

"It's the Broncos versus the Patriots and certainly Tom and I have played against each other a lot," Manning said. "But when you get to the AFC championship, it's about two good teams that have been through a lot to get there."

The Chargers regretted not trying another onside kick after Manning converted a 20-yard pass to Julius Thomas on third-and-17 from his 20-yard line, the first of three third-down conversions on Denver's final possession.

In their playoff loss last year, they couldn't salt away a fourth-quarter lead, in no small part because of curious calls and inexact execution.

"I felt like that game last year forced us to address those types of situations all season long," Manning said. "We've worked on it in training camp, we've worked on it in the season. ... It was nice that all that hard work paid off for us."

Manning also hit Thomas on third-and-6 from his 45, then the Broncos iced it on Knowshon Moreno's 5-yard burst on third-and-1 with 1:12 left.

"When they got that first down I was jumping up and down," Broncos defensive lineman Malik Jackson said. "It was delightful."

San Diego coach Mike McCoy, who was Denver's offensive coordinator a year ago, was downcast in Denver once again, and so was Rivers, who had led his team to five straight do-or-die wins.

"If we got it one more time, I believe deep down we would've tied that thing up," Rivers said. "But we didn't. Those are all a bunch of what-ifs."

Manning ended a personal three-game postseason skid in winning for the first time since leading Indianapolis over the Jets 30-17 in the AFC championship game on Jan. 24, 2010.

Manning completed 25 of 36 passes for 230 yards and two TDs, numbers that weren't quite up to the standards he set during a record-breaking regular season when he established new benchmarks with 55 TD passes and 5,447 yards.

But it was windy and the Broncos were intent on establishing the run and controlling the clock, and they converted 9 of 13 third downs while holding the ball for 35 minutes.

After gaining just 18 yards on the ground against San Diego last month, the Broncos ran for 133 yards, including 82 by Moreno, whose 3-yard TD run put them ahead 24-7 with 8:12 left.

After that, things got interesting.

Keenan Allen hauled in a 49-yard catch with Quentin Jammer in coverage on fourth-and-5 from the San Diego 25 with seven minutes left. That led to his second TD -- both from 16 yards -- that pulled the Chargers to 24-14 with 5:43 left.

"We got those two touchdowns in the second half, but it's unfortunate we didn't get started earlier," said Allen, who finished with 142 yards on six catches.

Decker then made his third big blunder of the day, flubbing the onside kick, which San Diego recovered, leading to Nick Novak's 30-yard field goal with 3:53 remaining that pulled the Chargers (10-8) to within a touchdown.

Novak followed with a pooch kick, and Trindon Holliday secured the ball at the Denver 27 with 3:51 left.

Manning's third-down brilliance kept the Chargers' offense on the sideline.

"Third-and-17, I was thinking we were definitely going to get the ball back," Allen said. "And we were feeling good on the offensive side, having the momentum. It was just unfortunate we didn't get it."

Notes: In the first half, Decker tripped at the San Diego 30-yard line after a 47-yard punt return. "I guess it was that invisible fence that got me." said Decker, who then let Manning's pass in the end zone bounce off his chest and into the arms of linebacker Donald Butler -- Manning's first red zone interception of the season. ... Welker wore an oversized safety helmet. ... Manti Te'o and Marcus Gilchrist sustained concussions. ... Denver did not punt for the first time in its playoff history and just the eighth time in NFL postseason history -- three of those came with Manning under center.

Broncos look to shore up third downs, wrap up No. 1 seed

Peyton Manning with +Wes Welker.
Photo Rights, Courtesy: USA Today Digital Media Properties

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — So what if he already has a shiny new touchdown record and a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning isn't cruising through Christmas Day or the final week of the regular season.

Rest of the article written by +Lindsay H. Jones at link below. H/T +USA TODAY Sports


Broncos look to shore up third downs, wrap up No. 1 seed

Peyton Manning with Mates after Setting Passing TD Record (Audio of call from KOA850)

Listen to the @850KOA call of Peyton Manning's record-setting 51st TD pass of the season: http://t.co/GOBXLvSp6j. pic.twitter.com/1DnfLauJbb
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 22, 2013

Welker Still Unavailable to Practice

+Wes Welker Has to go through Practice per Concussion (+NFL) Protocols in Order to Play on Sunday at +Houston Texans

 

+ESPN aka (Disney Sports), Mark Schlereth, discusses the concussion to +Wes Welker and the +Denver Broncos upcoming match up visiting the Texans this weekend.  

With the NFL's concussion protocols, players must participate in a couple practices. (The week of, of course). Welker being present cannot really be described properly, outside of being a major variable that teams will either double-team or be forced to shift a safety, defensive back, and/or backer his way because of the threat he presents as a receiver and even downfield blocking. Obviously, Welker brings a mental aspect with him in how he plays, adjustments, spotting a scheme or coverage for a hot route if there is a blitz or single coverage. Bubba Caldwell performed outstanding in week 15 vs. +Chargers with 2 TD receptions in the game. He has the ability to stretch the defense deep and can make some defenders miss in the open field.



Wes Welker after getting concussed versus the
+Tennessee Titans in Week 14 in the Mile High City.
Photo Courtesy: ESPN/Denver Post/Getty Images

Welker will be missed anytime, but the Broncos currently (knock on wood) are doing okay with health on the offensive side (outside of losing Clady for the year). The Broncos losses of Moore and Vickerson are proving to be the difficult adjustment or replacements. With a fully healthy Champ Bailey back in the secondary, that should help some, but they are without Kayvon Webster this week. Injuries are part of the sport (any sport) and sitting atop the AFC, with two games remaining, they are obviously handling it pretty well at 11-3. "Greek" the Broncos Head Athletic Trainer will certainly get Welker back at the proper time whenever he will be healthy enough to go again. Broncos, +BRONCOS CR3W, fans, and organization will be very happy when it does occur. Peyton Manning is superb at making adjustments and now that they have a short week that they are coming off of and Caldwell's play in the short week, and some fine tuning since, hopefully there is not a significant loss if Welker is unable to go.

Broncos CR3W is hoping that the defense rounds into shape a bit more. Really, what we are concerned with is 3rd Down and redzone efficiency on defense, forcing FGs over TDs and perhaps some takeaways. Included in special teams/defense category is the kick return variable as well that has really crushed the Broncos in all of their losses this year. Whether it is with special teams coaching or Holliday returning or the blockers, rushers; this group has got to make better decisions whether it is a simple choice of catching a punt or not, it is significant to rectify such aspects. Time for the best duo of kickers to stop carrying the special teams groups. Delve further into the upcoming matchup. Schaub is in as a starter and Keenum is out for Houston, which will make the Texans tougher more than likely.

ESPN article linked to the video is available by clicking here.

Welker Out, Tamme Knows Manning will get the ball to Whomever gets Favorable Match up

Three big threats on offense that doesn't reveal a few
extra players that are skill position players that Peyton
Manning has to progress to as an NFL record setting side
thus far, this year. Photo Courtesy: DenverBroncos.com (AP)

Broncos Offense:

Serving up 

Several Weapons

DENVER (AP) - Peyton Manning has played the classic pick-your-poison trap all season, spreading the ball out evenly to his wide receivers while lighting up the scoreboard like no +NFL quarterback ever has.

Somebody is always singled up, and chances are that's where the ball's going, although Manning won't shy away from double coverage, either, if his man gets open.

Unlike many teams in today's air-it-out NFL, the +Denver Broncos don't have any primadonnas demanding passes and attention, preening for crowds and cameras. These Broncos are the antithesis of those high-maintenance superstars huffing back to the huddle to let the quarterback know just how open they were.

Manning has targeted Demaryius Thomas 117 times, Wes Welker 111 times, and Eric Decker 109 times.

Tight end Julius Thomas has been Manning's bulls-eye 69 times and running back Knowshon Moreno 58.

Those five players have caught 42 of Manning's 45 touchdown throws.

''The plays we call, there is a progression to each play, but the credit goes to the receivers for running full-speed routes,'' Manning said. ''When you run full-speed routes you're going to have a chance to get open. I think because they know we spread the ball around, guys are expecting the ball.''

+Chargers coach Mike McCoy, whose Chargers visit Denver on Thursday night, was on the other side of the equation a year ago as Denver's offensive coordinator and now he's the one trying to figure out ways to slow down Manning.

''With his football intelligence and the way he plays the game, he's going to take what the defense gives him,'' McCoy said. ''Whether it was in his early years in Indy, his late years in Indy, his time in Denver the last two years, he's going to more often than not find the open guy. It's not shocking at all the way he's spread the ball around and the success the entire offense has had because of the number of touches that each guy is getting.''

Five things to keep an eye on when the Broncos (11-2) try to improve to 11-0 against the AFC West under Manning when they host the Chargers (6-7):

BREAKING RECORDS: Manning is on pace to break several NFL records, including Tom Brady's mark of 50 TD passes and Drew Brees' record of 5,476 yards passing. And the Broncos are on pace to score a record 634 points.

''Yeah, the one we're concerned with is our win-loss record,'' Manning said. ''It tells you how competitive our division is that you're still having to take care of business each week.''

The Broncos lead the +Kansas City Chiefs (10-3) by a game.

WELKER OUT: Welker will miss this game after his second concussion in four weeks, but Jacob Tamme, Manning's former teammate in +Indianapolis Colts, is an able substitute in the slot.

Tamme was the odd-man out with the emergence of Julius Thomas, who broke Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe's single-season franchise record for tight ends with his 11th TD catch last week. But Tamme has 10 catches for 97 yards and a touchdown over the last three weeks.

''Obviously, Julius has played well this year, and Tamme hasn't had as much playing time, but he's had a great attitude,'' Manning said. ''And when his number has been called he's come in there and been outstanding.''

CHARGERS RECHARGED: The Chargers are as healthy as they've been all season, and last week they welcomed back outside linebacker Melvin Ingram, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in May.

+FOX Sports provides preview of Week 15: Broncos hosting Chargers

(This was not a video included in original AP story) Courtesy of: AP via Fox Sports

''Last week was a big step for him,'' McCoy said. ''He got 13 plays in the game. Now, he thinks he can play 100 plays. But that's just his attitude.''

FOX VS. McCOY: Broncos coach John Fox missed the first game between these teams because he was in a hospital in North Carolina recovering from heart surgery.

So, this game will be the first time McCoy will face his mentor.

''It's great to see him back out there. I wouldn't be here today without John Fox,'' said McCoy, who worked for Fox for seven seasons in +Carolina Panthers and Denver.

PLAYING WITH FIRE: The Broncos have fallen behind by double digits in each of the last two weeks before storming back to beat Kansas City 35-28 and Tennessee 51-28.

''Once we realize that there will come a week where our offense isn't going to put up 50 and we have to make a stand, then things will be better,'' defensive tackle Terrance Knighton said. ''Until then, it will be a dogfight.''
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Week 14 Ripples: Broncos vs. Titans

Broncos put up 51, clinch berth, Titans eliminated from berth

With Sunday’s loss in Denver, the +Tennessee Titans have been eliminated from the AFC South title race. Sitting at 5-8 the Titans have fallen to tenth place in the AFC, diminishing any hope of reaching the playoffs.

Peyton Manning in 7 degree wind chill sliced up a
good Titans secondary for 397 for 4 TDs.
Photo Courtesy: DenverBroncos.com (AP)

Peyton Manning, a familiar foe of the Tennessee Titans as a former member of the +Indianapolis Colts, led the charge drowning Tennessee’s season. The +Denver Broncos offense managed to score an impressive 51 points hosting the Titans in Game 13's matchup.

Despite leading at the half, 21-20, the Titans were unable to control Manning and the Denver offense allowing the Broncos to enter Tennessee territory on every drive of the game. Completing 39 of 59 pass attempts, Manning threw for 397 yards and four touchdowns with no turnovers. Denver’s scoring total was the highest of any team on Sunday, a day that featured 90 touchdowns around the league, which is the most in NFL history while 59 pass attempts is the most ever by Manning in a single game. Adding to Manning’s impressive performance, kicker Matt Prater ended the first half with a 64-yard field goal breaking the previous record for longest field goal in NFL history of 63 yards shifting the momentum in favor of the Broncos.

Clinching a playoff berth, Peyton Manning was able to silence critics who continue to bash Manning for his poor performances in cold weather following a shootout loss to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Knowshon Moreno (27), Denver Broncos RB
vs TEN in Game 13.
Photo Courtesy: DenverBroncos.com (AP)

Granted, Denver has been a one of the top teams all season, Tennessee seemed confident and in great position to challenge the AFC leading Broncos out of the gates. Scoring a touchdown on their first two drives and forcing Denver to go for it on two fourth down situations, it seemed as if “Fitzmagic” and the Titans could pull off the upset. However, the Broncos looked like a totally different team in the second half.

In most of the Tennessee losses this season, one aspect of the Titans game has lacked whether it was special teams, the ground game or poor defensive play. In Sunday’s loss the Titans were unable to find their rhythm in any aspect of the game.

Ryan Fitzpatrick only completed 13 of 24 pass attempts for a mere 172 yards with his lone touchdown coming in the third quarter on a 41 yard bomb to rookie wide out Justin Hunter who continues to be a bright spot for the Titans. Fitzpatrick also threw an interception leading to a Knowshon Moreno touchdown extending Denver’s lead to two scores.

To coincide with the irrelevant passing game, the Titans could not get the ground attack going in the second half. Shonn Greene and Chris Johnson scored a combined three rushing touchdowns in the first half but only managed to gain 46 yards each on the day. Recording 254 total yards, the Denver Broncos were able to more than double this amount recording 551 total yards and doubled the Titans’ time of possession as well.

Though only recording 46 yards rushing, Greene’s performance served as a reemergence for the veteran back after a season tainted by injuries. However, the same cannot be said for Chris Johnson who continues to struggle for Tennessee. Averaging 3.8 yards per carry and recording three touchdowns on the year, Johnson has been on the hot seat for the past several weeks. Sunday’s performance might have been the nail in the coffin for Johnson’s time in Tennessee, fumbling after being hit by Von Miller, which put the game out of reach for Tennessee. Von Miller has started to create havoc for opponents recently and if the Broncos can secure the ball as they did and force turnovers as they did, they are pretty hard to beat even if they lose the turnover edge. Against the usual percentage of winning when the takeaway battle is won or lost.


           CBS Fantasy Football Today Set Recaps the +Denver Broncos hosting the 
                                            +Tennessee Titans for Week 14

Johnson has expressed interest in staying in Tennessee next season, but reports have said otherwise. At least not under he current cap hit and contract. The Tennessee Titans have been reported as saying that they will release Johnson at the conclusion of the season along with firing head coach, Mike Munchak, and declining Jake Locker’s 2015 option. These claims put Tennessee in immediate contention in the quarterback market looking ahead in his year’s draft and free agency. Though Tennessee was forced to work with the cards that were dealt to them this season, it was a tough one for Titans fans to endure. With a fully loaded draft class, this may be the time for Tennessee to revamp. Starting fresh with a new coach and starting quarterback might be the pick-me-up the Titans need. With three games left to play, the Titans return home to face the streaking +Arizona Cardinals and finish up with a pair of divisional matchups with the +Jacksonville Jaguars and +Houston Texans who have both previously beaten Tennessee. Because the playoffs are out of the question, Tennessee is playing for a draft pick to bolster their resurgence in 2014