Broncos' Knowshon Moreno Back To Starting RB?

The NFL is still in lockout mode, but teams are still preparing for the season. For the Denver Broncos, the running back position is one the team will need to deal with once free agency starts. For months, the team and the media have hinted at the team looking for a new running back to become the starter and allow Knowshon Moreno to be a third-down back.

But according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, the team will now look at a second back who is a "1B"-type of back to pair with starter Moreno. Apparently, Moreno has slimmed down during his workouts this offseason and is ready to prove he can reach the level of production expected of the No. 12 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Much speculation had been on the team signing Fox's running back from Carolina, DeAngelo Williams, but the Panthers are going to try hard to re-sign him when that 72-hour window of exclusivity opens.

For more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report.

Denver Broncos Training Camp Could Start July 28 If New CBA Ratified This Week

July 28. It's the date many a Broncos fan has been waiting to hear for months. No, it's not the date when the NFL Lockout will end, which is presumably July 21. Rather, July 28 will be the day the Broncos open up training camp in Dove Valley, reports the Denver Post's Mike Klis, should a new deal be reached this week.

But, again, a new Collective Bargaining Agreement does need to be struck, and it's looking more than ever as coming this week on July 21, when the owners hold league meetings. One would hope that the owners are all on the same page right now on a new agreement and won't put a hold on anything.

Once that deal is in place, the Broncos have a number of moves to make in free agency and in signing their rookies. And soon enough, the Broncos will take the field against the Dallas Cowboys for a preseason game. Sure, it's preseason, but it's better than months more of endless negotiations.

The NFL is almost back. Can you feel the excitement building?

For more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report.

Broncos' John Fox Looks For Value In Free Agency

Denver Broncos head coach John Fox has his lists and he's checking them twice. No, he's not Santa Claus, but he will be mining the free agent pool for talent once the NFL league year starts up. Whether that's at the end of July or later has yet to be settled. But, as Woody Paige reports in the Denver Post, Fox knows who he wants to go after once that period does start. However, don't expect the Broncos to make any big splashes:

"I want to rebuild this team through the draft, though. You pick your spots (in free agents), fill in places of need. They don't have to be high- priced talent. There are players on our lists who are quality veterans and can help us win, and they don't have to cost a ton of money[,]" [Fox said.]

Fox would prefer to build his team through the draft, and the Broncos failed to do that at the end of the Mike Shanahan era. The draft picks McDaniels are still unsettled, but it's far too early to give up on any of them.

What Fox is saying about free agency could be equated to: "The later rounds of the draft are where you solidify the team." This new free agency era will an interesting test case to see how well Fox can adapt to a team that still has plenty of room to improve.

For more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report.

Denver Broncos Could Look At Marion Barber III If Released

With the Denver Broncos in need of a running back to pair with Knowshon Moreno, who will play in a reduced role, much speculation has been placed on head coach John Fox bringing in DeAngelo Williams, his former running back in Carolina. But add Marion Barber III into the possible pool of players the Broncos could look at once free agency starts.

Recent reports have the Dallas Cowboys releasing Barber to avoid paying him $5 million he is owed for the 2011 season. The Denver Post's Mike Klis somewhat addresses Barber as a Broncos target, but he is mostly interested in making up for the mistakes of the 2005 draft, namely selecting Maurice Clarett with the final pick of the third round. Barber was selected the next day in the fourth round.

The 28-year-old back has his best season in 2007 with 975 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He became the starter for the team in 2008, but did not take his game to the next level. In 2010 he fell behind Felix Jones and reached just 374 yards on the ground.

Could Denver rejuvenate a career that is on the downside right now?

For more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report.

Broncos' Player-Led Camp Merges With Others, Waits For Resolution On NFL Lockout

If the NFL Lockout ends soon enough, training camps may be able to start on time and preseason games won't need to be canceled. But that's if a new collective bargaining agreement is in place within a week or so. If not, teams and players will begin to feel the real impact of a lockout.

But for the Denver Broncos, like many other teams, voluntary camps continue through the summer. And after last week, the camp safety Brian Dawkins organized has ended and transitioned into part of a camp run by Loren Landow, who oversaw the original workouts, reports the Denver Post.

Landow, the article states, was really encouraged by the work of the offensive lineman. Having consistency on the line will be an issue for the Broncos when they enter camp since they struggled with that early on in the 2010 season. With the loss of Ryan Harris and the addition of Orlando Franklin at right tackle, getting in sync will be a top priority.

This Camp Landow is a mix of Broncos players as well as players and free agents who are located in Denver as well as undrafted free agents waiting to get their shot at an NFL roster.

For more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report.

Can The Denver Broncos Solve Their Roster Issues After Lockout?

When they drafted linebacker Von Miller with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos left a huge hole in their defensive line. Can they fix that once league business picks up? That's what Gregg Rosenthal of Pro Football Talk leads off with in his checklist for moves the Broncos need to cover after a new CBA is agreed upon. He goes on to make seven on-field issues and one off-field issue.

Aside from the defensive tackle issue, another major issue Rosenthal finds is that of safety Brian Dawkins. Yes, the team did draft Rahim Moore and Quinton Carter, but they'll need to learn from Dawkins for at least a season before the Dawkins era ends.

Most of the other concerns are well-tread ground: running back (DeAngelo Williams to pair with Knowshon Moreno, right?), make the defense run smoothly in a 4-3 base. Rosenthal wants the wide receivers healthy with Demaryius Thomas out for several months and Eddie Royal coming back from hip surgery, but the emergent Brandon Lloyd, Jabar Gaffney and Eric Decker as well as rookie tight ends Julius Thomas and Virgil Green actually give that group some depth.

And we can't be left without a mention of the Kyle Orton-Tim Tebow debate. Rosenthal falls on the side of "Don't trade Orton unless you are getting a 'decent' draft pick." He thinks a third-rounder will get it done, but other indications are that the Broncos want to start at a second-rounder and go higher.

He closes with the suggestion that John Elway needs to be out in front of whatever happens this season, but I doubt we'll hear more blame pushed onto Josh McDaniels should this team struggle in 2011.

Broncos' Brady Quinn Helps Rookie Julius Thomas Prepare For Transition To NFL

The Denver Broncos' issues at tight end are well known. Daniel Graham was released in March and the current tight ends on the roster, Dan Gronkowski and Richard Quinn, combined for nine receptions in 2010. So it was no wonder that the Broncos drafted a couple of tight ends in the 2011 NFL Draft. Julius Thomas and Virgil Green will both look to capitalize on this turn of events.

As Mike Klis of the Denver Post reports, Thomas is taking full advantage of the situation by becoming the first rookie to participate in the players' unofficial workouts. In fact, he's working closely with backup quarterback Brady Quinn in order to start the transition to the NFL game, including staying at Quinn's home in Denver. Does Quinn think Thomas can find success in the league?

"He's going to have a quick learning curve," Quinn said of Thomas. "We were going over the plays at the house this morning and you saw his ability out there today. I don't think Antonio Gates took a long time, so I think you'll see Julius play right away."

We'll hear Antonio Gates' name thrown out there quite a bit because, like Gates, Thomas played basketball in college (Portland State). But temper that enthusiasm, as Klis does, because Wesley Duke was in a similar situation a few years ago. Duke played in three games during the 2005 regular season for the Broncos, tore ligaments in his knee in 2006 and has not been heard from on an NFL field since then.

Still, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound tight end who can catch passes? The Broncos could really use one right about now to help whoever wins the quarterback job.

Kyle Orton's Price Tag Too Hefty For Broncos To Move In Trade

Even with an apparent resolution coming to the NFL Lockout, it still appears that free agency and the trading period will come far too late for the Denver Broncos to seriously look at trading Kyle Orton. Jason La Canfora of NFL.com doesn't see the Broncos moving him with their asking price of a second-round pick:

The skinny: Despite Tebow mania sweeping the country and a segment of the Broncos' fanbase, Orton by far gives the team its best chance of winning games now ... something the Broncos haven't done an awful lot of lately. It would take a lot to pry him away (starting in the second-round level) and team officials doubt that kind of demand will be there. If it materializes, the Broncos will listen but I'd be surprised given this unusual offseason if he's not their opening-day starter.

La Canfora has been chasing this angle for the last several months so this comes as no surprise. How exactly does Orton "by far" give the Broncos "its best chance of winning game now"? He never seems to answer that. That isn't to say that Tim Tebow would be able to give the Broncos the best chance to win, but the team hasn't done much winning with Orton either.

The Broncos need to fix the defense if they really want to win.

Tim Tebow Hosts Private Workouts With Broncos Receivers, According To Report

A couple of weeks ago, Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow arrived in Denver to take part in workouts organized by safety Brian Dawkins. Occupied with previous engagements, Tebow missed the first week, but he had been known to hold his own workouts while in Jacksonville, FL.

Now ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Tebow has flown in to Jacksonville several of his wide receivers to work together. Those receivers are Brandon Lloyd, Jabar Gaffney and Britt Davis. Eddie Royal was still recovering from hip surgery and couldn't make it, though he did attend a workout in Denver with Dawkins' group. Second-year-to-be receivers Eric Decker (previous commitment) and Demaryius Thomas (injury) did not participate either.

Schefter also reports that workouts will pick up in Arizona for two weeks. With no end in sight to the NFL Lockout, Tebow can use all the practice he can get with his receivers so he can enter camp (if there is one) to win the quarterback battle.

For more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report.

Broncos Looking For High Selection In Any Kyle Orton Trade, But Not Actively Seeking Deal

It's assumed that the Denver Broncos will trade quarterback Kyle Orton once the league starts up again and there is a free agency period. According to NFL.com's Jason La Canfora, the Broncos aren't actively seeking to trade Orton and expect him to be the team's starter in 2011. At least that's what the people in the organization he's talked to have said. And if the Broncos were to trade Orton it's not what most teams would be willing to give up:

If the right call comes in and the offer is strong, it will be considered, according to sources. But the idea that a third- or fourth-round pick might get it done is woefully misguided. A high second-round pick that converts to a first-rounder based on production, now that could be a different story.

All this seems to be idle speculation at this point. And who exactly are his sources inside the organization? This just sounds like it could be emanating from a pro-Orton camp.

Until the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals rules on the legality of the injunction or the NFL and the players reach a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Orton front remains in a stalemate.

Tim Tebow, Kyle Orton At Brian Dawkins' Practice; WR Eddie Royal Participates As Well

With the Brian Dawkins-led players-only workouts a few weeks old, quarterbacks Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow were both there on Tuesday, reports 104.3 The FAN. There's nothing earth-shattering about that, but more importantly, injured wide receiver Eddie Royal participated in Monday's conditioning session, reports Mike Klis of the Denver Post.

Royal underwent hip surgery in February and was expected to take part in drills around this time of the year back then. With Brandon Lloyd the No. 1 receiver, Royal, Jabar Gaffney, Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas will all battle it for placement on the depth chart once training camp starts.

Decker and Thomas were rookies in 2010 and will look to have a larger impact this coming season. While both can return kicks, Royal has had more success at that. Gaffney, meanwhile, is a solid possession receiver, though replaceable by the other receivers.

For more on the Broncos, visit Mile High Report.

Broncos' Knowshon Moreno Appears To Be Situational Back In John Fox Offense

When Josh McDaniels drafted Knowshon Moreno with the 12th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the team should have picked up a running back who was going to be a future Pro Bowler. Instead, the Broncos have failed to receive that kind of production out of the back in two seasons so far.

According to the Denver Post's Jeff Legwold, Moreno will no longer be the featured back on the team; instead, he will be used as a situational back, mostly on third downs. In his rookie year, Moreno compiled 947 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, but regressed in 2010. That was partly due to injury early in the season and a fluctuating offensive line that settled after a few weeks.

But eventually McDaniels kept going away from the run, forcing Kyle Orton to throw and throw and throw some more. Moreno had just two 100-yard rushing games in 2010 (106 yards, 161 yards), but over the final three games of the season he had just 17 carries for 65 yards

Legwold suggests the Broncos will look at possible free agent-to-be DeAngelo Williams to be the feature back once the league's labor issues are resolved. This has been suggested for months now since Williams was Fox's running back in Carolina.

For more on Moreno and the Broncos, visit Mile High Report.

Denver Broncos Sever Ties With Local CBS Station, Look Toward NBC

On Monday afternoon, it was announced that KCNC-4 will no longer be the lead broadcast station for the Denver Broncos. The most likely destination for Broncos coverage may be KUSA-9, but no deal is in place yet.

However, this will not affect game coverage of the Broncos. All 12 Broncos regular season game will still be shown since that is covered under the national CBS contract to televise AFC games. According to Tim Wieland, CBS-4's news director, there will still be 75 other Broncos programs on the CBS air waves.

Minnesota Vikings Interested In Kyle Orton, According To Report

When the Minnesota Vikings drafted Christian Ponder with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, it looked like Ponder would be the starter from the get-go. It made sense. Brett Favre is gone and Joe Webb isn't a viable option, even in the short-term.

According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen (via Pro Football Talk), the Vikings are interested in acquiring Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton. Supposedly the Arizona Cardinals have already talked with the Broncos about a deal for Orton. With Tim Tebow the presumed favorite to win the starting job under center, teams with rookie quarterbacks or looking to upgrade their current situation will inquire about Orton once trades can actually happen.

Orton, Kevin Kolb and even Carson Palmer will be hot commodities on the trade market. Kolb should draw a nice return, while Palmer wants out of Cincinnati, but owner Mike Brown doesn't want to trade him. The Broncos may look for a second-rounder, according to NFL.com's Jason La Canfora:

“But the idea that you can get Orton for a third- or fourth-round pick, I don’t necessarily believe that’s the case. That’s not what I’m hearing. If you start talking about second-round value that moves up, then maybe the Broncos start thinking about it."

However, La Canfora went on to caution that the team won't look all around to trade him, since the team may believe he is the answer to winning. We shall see.

For more on the Broncos, head over to Mile High Report.

Tim Tebow Joins Brian Dawkins' Workouts Group

After missing the first week of informal workouts held by Denver Broncos safety Brian Dawkins, quarterback Tim Tebow arrived in Denver and participated in Thursday's practice. Tebow had been under fire over the last week for not coming to Denver and practicing since he is largely expected to be the leader of this team going forward.

Tebow went under center and worked on exchanges with center J.D. Walton, something Tebow has also worked on in Jacksonville this offseason. How well Tebow adapts to working under center will go a long way in helping his long-term success.

Before Dawkins organized the workouts, quarterback Kyle Orton came under criticism for not being like the Saints' Drew Brees, who helped organize his team's workouts. Orton has participated in these workouts as well, but there's a growing sense that he will be traded if a new season starts relatively on time or slightly thereafter.

For more on the Broncos, head over to Mile High Report.

Kyle Orton Awaits Future Along With Kevin Kolb, Carson Palmer

When the next NFL season begins, one of the main story lines that will grab headlines early on is the possible trades of three quarterbacks. The Denver Broncos' Kyle Orton is joined by the Cincinnati Bengals' Carson Palmer and the Philadelphia Eagles' Kevin Kolb as the big three quarterbacks on the market.

Orton's story is well known, as all indications are that the Broncos want Tim Tebow to be the starter (but he'll need to compete for it). John Elway and John Fox continue to present a united front in saying every quarterback, including Brady Quinn could be the team's starter. The Eagles have a resurgent Michael Vick, making Kevin Kolb expendable. Carson Palmer is fed up with Cincinnati and a massive change is already taking place there. The Bengals selected WR A.J. Green with the No. 4 overall pick to replace the departing Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens and then picked up TCU QB Andy Dalton in the second round.

Over at SBNation.com, Joel Thorman believes that all three quarterbacks should be traded. Breaking it down, he has Kolb to the Cardinals, something that has been speculated already, and Carson Palmer to the Seahawks, who look to be parting ways with Matt Hasselbeck. As for Orton, Thorman throws darts at the board and stick one with the Miami Dolphins. Chad Pennington? Chad Henne? Tyler Thigpen? Orton would certainly be an upgrade, but Thorman is likely low in his estimate of a third-round pick for what the Broncos would want back.

For more on the Broncos, head over to Mile High Report.

Brady Quinn In Broncos Quarterback Mix With Kyle Orton, Tim Tebow

Lost in the Kyle Orton-Brady Quinn debate over the Denver Broncos starting quarterback position has been Brady Quinn, acquired from the Cleveland Browns for running back Peyton Hillis in March 2010. Right now, the Browns have received the better end of that deal, gaining a 1,000 yard rusher. And Hillis, well, he's going to be on the cover of Madden 12. All the Broncos have to show right now is Quinn on the sidelines for all 16 games

But according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, John Elway and John Fox have told Quinn that he will be in a position to compete for the starting quarterback's job in training camp (whenever that happens). Whether we want to take this at face value is another matter. All the hints provided so far have Tim Tebow the preferred starter and Kyle Orton being traded once the lockout ends. So that would leave Brady Quinn as the backup in that scenario.

We'll keep hearing these types of statements until the lockout ends and training camp or the regular season begins. The longer a season is not played, the better the chances are for Kyle Orton to be under center once a season begins.

For more on the Broncos, head over to Mile High Report.

Richard Quinn Reportedly Broncos Leading Candidate For Tight End

The Denver Broncos selected two tight ends in the 2011 NFL Draft, Julius Thomas of Portland St. and Virgil Green of Nevada, to help a position that saw its starter, Daniel Graham, be released in early March. While both rookies figure to compete for playing time, Pro Football Weekly reports that Richard Quinn may have the inside track on the starting job. This is likely because Quinn is a blocking tight end, something John Fox utilizes in his offensive schemes.

Quinn was selected in former coach Josh McDaniels' first draft in 2009. He traded two third round picks to acquire the last pick of the second round (and a fourth round pick) to draft Quinn. As things turned out, Quinn was used sparingly and he didn't record his first NFL catch until Week 15 of the 2010 season.

Julius Thomas and Virgil Green are more pass-oriented tight ends and could be quite useful in the red zone. But will Thomas be in the mold of Antonio Gates, who turned his basketball skills into stardom on the gridiron, or will he be more like Wesley Duke, who suffered injury before the start of his second season.

But the Broncos definitely do need more production out of the position. Who will step up?

Denver Broncos Offseason: Brian Dawkins Talks About Coordinating Voluntary Workouts

On Tuesday, the Denver Post reported that Brian Dawkins had successfully organized a voluntary set of workouts for the Denver Broncos. Dawkins has always been an insanely hard worker and well-respected leader, so it’s not surprising that he was the one to spearhead the activity, even if he is just in his second year with the Broncos.

The veteran team captain joined The Drive on 104.3 The Fan on Tuesday to explain how and why the idea came about, what the dozen or so Broncos players in attendance did during the sessions, his thoughts about where things stand with the lockout, and his reaction to the Broncos drafting two safetys during the 2011 NFL Draft.

What prompted him to spearhead the Broncos’ training efforts?:

“During the offseason, for as long as I’ve played this game and most of us have played this game, and most of us have played this game, there have been specific things that are done during the offseason to make sure we’re conditioned. … This year, because of the lockout, that’s not in place. … As I looked at things as they were going on and the judgments got pushed back further and further, I just wanted to have a place for guys to be able to come if you can make it.”

Is it more about getting in shape than it is about trying to practice?:

“That’s what it is. I’m not asking these guys … about 7 on 7s, not about one-on-one-pass drills, one-on-one coverage, none of that. It’s what we would usually do if we were at the facility over there.”

How did he feel on draft weekend when two safeties were picked?:

“No different than when I was at Philadelphia when they drafted safeties there. The thing about it is, the longer I play, they’re going to draft young guys regardless. It’s a blessing for me to be where I am, doing what I do, the way that I do it. I won’t change who I am or the way that I prepare myself. I know players say this from time to time, but I really mean this, when I go into training camp, from Day One, I went in there saying, ‘I’m going to earn my job.’ That’s no different today.”

(Partial transcription via: SportsRadioInterviews)

Brian Dawkins Organizes Denver Broncos Workout

With the NFL Lockout still in place and the 8th Circuit Court needing until June 3 to decide the owners' appeal on the injunction, players are unable to work out at team facilities. However, that has not stopped players from organizing workouts with their teammates.

Safety Brian Dawkins organized a short-notice workout in Denver on Tuesday, which had 15 players attend, reports the Denver Post. Other players who attended included quarterback Kyle Orton, wide receiver Eric Decker and defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson. Orton will be in a quarterback competition with Tim Tebow, who did not attend. And as of now, Vickerson is a starter at defensive tackle.

However, given the number of players, they did not do an actual practice. But for those who did not receive them on the one day they could, playbooks were handed out. These players will need to be ready for John Fox's playbook whenever training camp or the season starts.

There is another workout scheduled for Thursday.

Cardinals Inquire About Kyle Orton, According To Report

While NFL teams still cannot trade with the lockout in place, Channel 3 Sports in Arizona has learned that the Arizona Cardinals and the  Denver Broncos have had "preliminary discussion" about quarterback Kyle Orton. However, this appears to be the Cards' fallback option as they would prefer to trade for the Philadelphia Eagles' Kevin Kolb.

ESPN's Adam Schefter believes the Cardinals are the favorite to land Kolb over the Seattle Seahawks, likely for a first-round pick in 2012 and another pick or a player. But if that falls through, the Cardinals would likely not need to give up as much for Orton. Until teams can trade players again, there isn't much going on here.

These early talks seem to indicate that the Broncos are leaning toward Tim Tebow as their starter, but even if Orton is not traded, Tebow will need to compete for the starting quarterback position in training camp (whenever that may be).

Visit Mile High Report for more on the Broncos.

Broncos Will Look For Running Back In Free Agency

The Denver Broncos have been criticized for not drafting a defensive tackle in the 2011 NFL Draft (and rightly so for the most part), which means they will rely on Kevin Vickerson and whomever else they sign on the free agent market (whenever that opens up). Another area that the Broncos will need to look at on the open market is running back.

In a conference call with the fans on Monday, head coach John Fox said that running back would be a key area to improve upon through free agency. In 2010, the Broncos' rushing attack struggled mightily. It finished 26th overall at 96.5 yards per game, well below normal for a team known for its running game. Knowshon Moreno struggled with injuries and when he was on the field never gained much traction. He finished the season with 182 rushes for 779 yards and five touchdowns. He has yet to live up to being the 12th overall pick.

One target for Broncos could be Fox's former running back with the Carolina Panthers, DeAngelo Williams. Depending on what happens with the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Williams could be an unrestricted free agent, making it far more likely for the team to pursue him. A running back tandem of Moreno and Williams could put the ground game back on track.

NFL Offseason: Rule Changes For Kickoffs, Replays Made

On March 16, NFL news not involving the lockout broke when it was learned that the league was looking into changing a few rules regarding kickoffs and replays. Almost a week later and those rule changes are now made good.

Kickoffs
Kickoffs will now be at the 35-yard line instead of the 30-yard line. This does not bode for kick returners like Devin Hester since touchbacks will become more prevalent now. One rule that was discussed but not adopted was moving the touchback line to the 25-yard mark. Had that one passed, one could almost imagine no kickoff returns unless the kicker messed up on the kick and had it land short of the end zone.

Replays
All scoring plays will now be reviewable by the booth instead of just in the final two minutes of each half. There was a possibility of eliminating a team's third challenge if the previous two challenges were in favor of the team, but it was defeated. According to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, Broncos head coach John Fox and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick led the fight to keep that rule in place.

Field Color
The field color for any NFL playing surface must be a shade of green. This is likely a result of Boise State having a blue field and Eastern Washington a red turf.

But without a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, these rule changes are just floating out there right now.

Broncos, Kevin Vickerson Agree To Two-Year Deal, According To Report

Just a day after they placed a $1.2 million "original round" tender on Kevin Vickerson, the Denver Broncos appear to have reached a two-year deal with the defensive tackle, according to ProFootballTalk. No details yet on the contract. Vickerson started in 12 of his 15 games this season and compiled 33 tackles, two sacks and one interception.

With the NFL owners and the players union agreeing to a 24-hour extension to reach a new collective bargaining agreement, teams are quickly re-signing many of their restricted free agents before a possible lockout starts.

The Broncos placed tenders on kicker Matt Prater, tackle Ryan Harris, defensive tackle Marcus Thomas and linebacker Wesley Woodyard. Thomas has already let it be known that he will test the free agent market when a new CBA is reached. A new agreement is expected to eliminate restricted free agency for players with four or five years experience in the NFL.

Jamal Williams, Justin Bannan Released By Denver Broncos

One day after they cut ties with tight end Daniel Graham, the Denver Broncos released defensive linemen Jamal Williams and Justin Bannan. Both players were signed as free agents during the 2010 offseason. Williams started all 16 games at nose tackle for the Broncos and will turn 35 in April. With the Broncos moving back to a 4-3 defense, Williams did not fit the scheme.

The same goes for Bannan, who started 16 games at defensive end and had one sack. Bannan, like Graham, played his college ball for the Colorado Buffaloes. While Graham was a first-round pick by the New England Patriots in the 2002 draft, Bannan went in the fifth round to the Buffalo Bills. He eventually moved to the Baltimore Ravens in 2006.

These moves save the Broncos $1.5 million in bonus money and $7.7 million in salary.

Will the team now use the No. 2 selection on a defensive lineman?

Broncos Extend Qualifying Offers To Five, Including Ryan Harris, Marcus Thomas

John Elway announced today that the Broncos extended qualifying offers to the following restricted free agents: right tackle Ryan Harris, kicker Matt Prater, defensive linemen Marcus Thomas and Kevin Vickerson and linebacker Wesley Woodyard. However, these tenders could mean little for all of the players except for Woodyard. One of the future Collective Bargaining Agreement clauses may eliminate restricted free agency for players with four or more years in the NFL. Only Woodyard has less than four seasons in the league.

However, if that isn't the case, the Broncos are covered at tackle with Harris, who started 11 games for the team and had an ankle injury. Prater missed the end of the season with an injury, which led the team to go with Steve Hauschka. Marcus Thomas has already let it be known that he will test out free agency.

According to Mike Klis, Prater and Woodyard had second-round tenders placed on them and the other three had $1.2 million "original round" tenders extended.

Broncos Release Tight End Daniel Graham

With NFL teams releasing players before roster bonuses are due, the Denver Broncos released tight end Daniel Graham on Wednesday afternoon. According to the Denver Post's Mike Klis, Graham was due a $1 million bonus and would have made $4.2 million in 2011 had he stayed with the team.

Taking to Twitter after the news was released, John Elway wrote: "We're thankful for everything Daniel Graham did for the Broncos and the Denver community. Tough to let him go. We wish him the best."

Graham, who played his college ball for the Colorado Buffaloes, joined the Broncos in 2007. In 63 games, he amassed 102 receptions for 1,072 yards and seven touchdowns. He was also served as the team's top blocking tight end.

Dan Gronkowski and Richard Quinn, a second-round draft selection of Josh McDaniels, will now vie for the starting position. Drafting a tight end later in the draft is not out of the question.

Broncos Interested In Oshiomogho Atogwe, According To Report

The Denver Broncos are interested former Rams safety Oshiomogho Atogwe, who was cut after the St. Louis Rams did not want to pay him an $8 million bonus, reports ESPN's Bill Williamson. Because he was released, Atogwe is allowed to sign with another team. In addition to Denver, his former teams the Rams remain one of four teams who are reportedly pursuing him.

A third-round pick by the Rams in 2005, Atogwe has 22 career interceptions, 16 forced fumbles and 339 tackles. The Broncos could use a player of Atogwe's abilities. The Broncos had only 10 interceptions in 2010, tied with the Colts for the second-worst in the league, and 14 forced fumbles, tied with three other teams for 22nd best in the league.

Bob Sanders, who was recently released by the Colts, has not yet been connected by Broncos, but he is also another defensive back they could pursue. Though known as one of the games hardest-hitters, he has been plagued with injuries throughout his seven-year career. Both Atogwe and Sanders turn 30 this year, but the former is the better bet to have an impact on the field more often.

John Fox: Kyle Orton Is Broncos Starter For The Moment

During the media buildup for the Super Bowl, Denver Broncos executive vice president of football operations John Elway announced that Kyle Orton would start over Tim Tebow if a game were played that day. Fast forward to today with the NFL Combine starting and we hear head coach John Fox saying much the same thing: Kyle Orton is the Broncos' starting quarterback.

But digging into Fox's comments, one sees a more nuanced approach to what is actually happening. Fox even includes Brady Quinn in the discussion to be politic, but the important thing to note are his qualifiers in regards to Orton being the starter: "Today," "Right now." Just as Elway said earlier, Fox is also setting things up for a competition in training camp between Orton and Tebow.

One should keep in mind that during Elway's opening press conference in December he said he would only hire a coach who wanted to work with Tebow. However, not starting Tebow isn't necessarily a bad thing: Philip Rivers sat behind Drew Brees for two seasons before becoming the starter. While Orton is no Brees, there's something to be said about learning from the sidelines, especially for a quarterback like Tebow.

John Fox Announces Broncos Will Go To 4-3 Defense

What has been quietly talked about since John Fox was hired has become official: the Denver Broncos will use a 4-3 defense as its base option. John Fox confirmed that with the Denver Post earlier this week. The team had played a 3-4 defense under former head coach Josh McDaniels, but it never had the talent to succeed. As witnessed this year, the Broncos were at or near the bottom of every defensive category.

Now it will be up to Fox and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to build a new defense. With Elvis Dumervil and Robert Ayers likely to play on the line again, that is the first step. The No. 2 pick will also help determine the tenor of this new defense. Even with the likely departure of Champ Bailey, this move to a 4-3 front will highly influence the team's No. 2 overall draft pick. The selection of a defensive lineman over a cornerback like LSU's Patrick Peterson may be more likely.

But as with most moves happening right now, the real question is, will his happen in 2011 or 2012?

Denver Broncos Offseason: Eddie Royal Reportedly Out For Six Months

Lost during last night's Super Bowl 45, Vic Lombardi reported that Denver Broncos wide receiver Eddie Royal underwent hip surgery recently and will require six months of rehab to get back onto the field. Given the uncertain state of the NFL's labor situation, Royal may not even see the gridiron in 2011. But if the owners and the players union do reach a new labor agreement, Royal could return to practice in August. He'll be behind his teammates, so a late start to his season is possible.

Royal, a third-year player, played in all 16 games in 2010, but he had a nagging hamstring injury throughout the fall. He had 59 receptions for 627 yards and three touchdowns, playing mostly out of the slot in three-wide receiver sets.

Demaryius Thomas, a first-round rookie in 2010, never quite had an impact for the Broncos in 2010, but Royal's recovery could open a spot for Thomas to make an impact in 2011.