Chris Harris Feels Rehab is Going Quickly, Ahead of Schedule?

Chris Harris tackles +Chargers RB, Danny Woodhead in
NFL playoffs Divisional Round +Denver Broncos victory.
(Denver Broncos - AP)

The Denver Broncos sorely missed Chris Harris in the Super Bowl drubbing they absorbed at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks, but the productive young cornerback says he's "ahead of schedule" after partially tearing his ACL in January's playoff win over the San Diego Chargers.

Harris told MileHighReport.com this week that he's off crutches and "doing great" ahead of becoming a restricted free agent on March 11. The knee injury will prevent a lucrative, long-term deal, but The Denver Post expects the Broncos to drape Harris with a one-year, second-round tender, a strategy that typically prevents opposing teams from stealing away an RFA.

Cited as a Making the Leap candidate last July, Harris delivered in full this past season, finishing as one of the league's higher ranked cornerback by many analyst of the game and under the radar. One announcer that seems to really really like Harris, is Phil Simms from +CBS Sports Network that gets several of the broadcasts for the Broncos games since CBS carries AFC teams/games per their TV contract with the +NFL with three interceptions and 13 defensed passes.

Few regard Harris in the company that +BRONCOS CR3W does. When he took over the slot DB position last year  Only seven cover men rattled quarterbacks into a lower passer rating than the 64.9 mark Harris yielded in coverage.

With fellow cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie set to become an unrestricted free agent and Tony Carter looming as another RFA, the Broncos have plenty to ponder in the secondary.

While the aging Champ Bailey boasts a Hall of Fame resume, Harris -- today -- is Denver's best corner. While the young RFA won't get the contract he hoped for this spring, he almost certainly will have the chance to play for a big-money deal with the Broncos heading into next offseason.

Broncos WR, Eric Decker, is not all About the Money regarding NFL Contract, Future

Market For Eric Decker

Adam Caplan and Billy Devaney discuss the market for free-agent WR Eric Decker

Eric Decker says money won't be the only factor when it comes to his decision on whether to re-sign with the Denver Broncos.

"It's not all about the money for me. It's about going to work every day and having fun and enjoying my job," the veteran receiver said on SiriusXM NFL Radio.

AP Photo/Paul Spinelli

Eric Decker, set to become an unrestricted free agent next month, made 87 receptions for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns with Denver last season.

Expected to be one of the top unrestricted free agents available when the market opens March 11, Decker thrived in the Broncos' record-setting offense led by Peyton Manning last season, catching 87 passes for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns. He hauled in 85 passes for 1,064 yards and 13 scores in his first season with Manning in Denver.

Decker, 26, said in the interview that he enjoys the culture around the Broncos and has not closed the door on remaining with the team.

"If we can get on the same page, I will welcome a call from the Broncos, but I need to do what is best for my family," he said.

Decker offered similar thoughts at the end of the season when he cleaned out his locker.

"There is a side of playing football and there is the business side," Decker said. "That's something that obviously I'll have to have conversations with my representation. I want to do the best thing for my family and myself. This is an organization that any player wants to come to. I mean, they treat you first-class. It's a winning organization. They've built a culture here that is phenomenal. I would love to play here. Unfortunately, that's something that isn't always in my control. You've just got to take it in stride and again, have those conversations, see what the next couple of months will bring."

This is the first foray into free agency for Decker, who could have the franchise tag used on him. But that may be unlikely because Demaryius Thomas, widely considered to be the club's No. 1 receiver, and tight end Julius Thomas are entering contract years in 2014, which means the team will have to set aside money to ensure neither reaches free agency.

Information from ESPN.com Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold was used in this report.

Safety, Louis Delmas, to Visit Dove Valley and the Broncos

Former Lions S Louis Delmas will be lining up more visits after the combine. Atlanta and Denver among the interested teams
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) February 17, 2014

Here is a piece from last year's off-season when the Lions looked to allow him become an unrestricted free agent from +NFL.

Today's edition of the tell-em-why-you-mad-son file features Detroit Lions safety Louis Delmas.

The will-be free agent was in Detroit for a physical Friday -- at the request of the Lions -- and dropped the week's best analogy on Detroit Free Press reporter Dave Birkett.

Offseason Forecast: Lions

"I almost feel like a girlfriend waiting at home that's got a boyfriend that's cheating on her," said Delmas, who would prefer to remain a Lion. "But it is what it is. I'm trying to see if I can stay at home and get a couple more years out of him.

"The Lions are cheating on me. They're going to the club every damn night and staying out late night, trying to come back home to Daddy. But it's all right."

Delmas isn't bitter or upset about the situation, and he has no expectations from the Lions. "If something could get done today," Delmas said, "something would have got done two months ago." He believes eight teams will be interested in his services, but Michigan is home.

Delmas has been the full-time starter since he was drafted out of Western Michigan in 2009, but missed 13 games the last two seasons with knee issues. Detroit needs all the talent it can get in the defensive backfield, but availability is the major concern.

We'll see if Friday's physical alleviated any of those worries.

UPDATE: NFL.com's Albert Breer reported Friday night, per a source involved in the situation, that Delmas has an offer from the Lions but will hit the free-agent market and weigh his options.

Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.

Link and video clip on NFL.com:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-path-to-the-draft/0ap2000000147229/Will-the-Lions-focus-on-their-secondary-in-the-draft

Praters Week 14 Kicks are in Canton, Ohio, NFL Hall of Fame

The shoes @Broncos K Matt Prater wore on Dec. 8 when he booted a @nfl-record 64-yard FG has arrived in Canton! pic.twitter.com/XQuBmh5DKj

— Pro Football HOF (@ProFootballHOF) February 17, 2014

Broncos Off Season Outlook on Fox Football Daily

The usual bulletin points: Window is closing (aren't all teams' window's closing technically0? Will they be able to afford Decker? Peyton and Broncos are 'kind of' the favorite's by default because of the AFC. When normally they have no further idea about what they are speaking about than even us?! :D haha GO BRONCOS! Elway has this on lock!

Montee Ball Ready for Role

Montee Ball ready to take over Denver's backfield

Broncos running back Montee Ball never had much of a chance to be the primary rusher for the team in 2013 because of Knowshon Moreno's exploits. But Moreno might be on the move this spring, and that would open up the chance at getting the primary workload.

Ball would jump at that chance.

"I do want to be a starter, and yeah, I want the football every time," Ball told the Denver Post. "I think I'm going to have a great offseason, and I'm going to have a better season next year for sure."  

Montee Ball runs vs the +Chargers in the AFC
Divisional Round playoff win.
Photo Courtesy: Denver Broncos (AP)

Ball might have to work on his pass protection, a huge deal in Denver since Peyton Manning is the quarterback, and he also has to hang on tight to the football after fumbling twice in his first 31 carries. But Ball knows he can take what he learned this season and apply it to what he does in the offseason to become a starter.

"It was a very unfortunate situation for us, obviously, in the Super Bowl, but it gave us a lot to work for," Ball said. "We understand how much it took to get there, and for me as a rookie, it was great to be a part of the process leading up to the Super Bowl, because I truly understand what it takes. And I'm going to play a huge role in next year's success, and I'm really looking forward to it."

Denver Broncos CR3W Off-Season Timeline

Denver Broncos 2014 offseason calendar 

H/T to +NFL +Denver Broncos +CBSSports.com +Mile High Report  

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Key dates on the Denver Broncos 2014 offseason calendar, and for most of the NFL, most important event of the offseason doesn't have a publicly-known date.

That is the physical of Peyton Manning for his neck fusion, where it will be determined if the quarterback can not continue to do as he intends, play for the Broncos in the NFL. Manning said the 43-8 Super Bowl loss didn't "change anything" as far as his intent to play, so the only thing potentially holding him back from returning to the Broncos in 2014 would be an unexpected physical result some point in March.

Nearly everyone expects Manning to be cleared to play, but the completion of this physical will allow Denver and all of +BRONCOS CR3W to ante up for high hopes next season.

Feb 3 - Waiver system begins for 2014 with a 24-hour claiming period. Players with four or more accrued seasons are not eligible for the waiver system until after the trade deadline.

Feb 17 - Mar 3 - Franchise tag period. Teams have until 4:00 p.m. March 3rd to designate franchise or transition players.

February 19 - 25 - Mock drafts get shaken up as the Scouting Combine takes place in Indianapolis.

Mar TBD - Peyton Manning undergoes his neck physical, likely before March 11th.

Mar 8 - Negotiation period for 2014 free agents. NFL clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become UFAs upon the expiration of their 2013 contracts.

Mar 11 - Free agency begins at 4:00 p.m. EST (2:00 p.m. Mile High time). Trading period begins. All teams must be under the 2014 Salary Cap. All teams must submit qualifying offers to their Restricted Free Agents prior to 4:00 p.m. This marks the beginning of the League Year.

Mar 23-26 - NFL Annual Meeting (source +CBSSports.com). 2014 NFL Draft compensatory picks will be awarded - Broncos are not expected to receive any.

Apr TBD - The 2014 NFL Schedule is expected to be announced.

Apr 21 - Broncos offseason workouts can begin, running through May.

May 2 - Deadline for Restricted Free Agents to sign Offer Sheets.

May 8-10 - The 2014 NFL Draft. Broncos are set to draft 31st.

May TBD - Rookie minicamp.

May 19-21 - NFL Spring League Meeting in Atlanta.

May-Jun TBD - Organized Team Activities (OTAs).

Jun TBD - Mandatory minicamp.

Jul 15 - If the Broncos franchise tag a player, this is the last day they can sign him to a long-term deal; otherwise the player must finish the 2014 season on his one-year deal.

Jul TBD - Usually starting in very late July, Broncos training camp begins, running through August.