This comes as little surprise, and confirms most speculation, but the Denver Broncos are taking calls on wide receiver Brandon Marshall after the disgruntled fourth-year player asked to be traded in June, Adam Schefter reports on his Twitter page. Schefter indicates the Broncos aren’t actively making calls, but are willing to listen to offers.

If the right offer comes along (Schefter speculates a first-round draft pick would do it), the Broncos would likely execute a trade.

Schefter’s always spot-on, especially when it comes to the Broncos. Again, little surprise, but it does confirm most people’s speculation about how the Broncos are handling the BMarsh situation. Still, unless someone makes a significant offer, the Broncos plan to sit on Marshall.

photo by Thad Roan

I’m still coming down from my third annual trip to Bonnaroo festival. A four day music extravaganza in Manchester, Tennessee that included Bruce Springsteen, Beastie Boys, Nine Inch Nails, David Byrne, Wilco, Erykah Badu, TV on the Radio, The Mars Volta, Girl Talk, two Phish shows and too many others to name. Coincidentally Phish will be playing a four-show stint at Red Rocks Amphitheatre later this summer. Coincidentally, a group of Broncos traveled to Red Rocks a few weeks back to participate in some alternative conditioning. The concept of the Denver Broncos working out at one of the most heralded concert venues in the United States was too much for me. What a perfect opportunity to write that live music post I’ve been wanting to. The post that Kyle told me was a stretch, but if I could find a way to connect music and the Broncos, to go for it. Thank you strength & conditioning coach Rich Tuten, you have given me inspiration. And an easy in.

I know the Red Rocks work out is a weak link, but these next few weeks are part of the dead zone for football news. I suggest we share stories of the other connections we may have. (more...)

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Remember Back in 2007 Brandon Marshall was pulled over for suspicion of DUI? Well here’s the police report folks. According to the police report Marshall repeatedly asked for his lawyer over and over and the officer let him know each time that he could not have one yet. According the police report this prompted Marshall to say,

“That’s b******t, that’s a lie. Why aren’t you guys out there looking for William’s killer? I hate Denver, I hate this city, I hate f***ing city.”

Marshall was then escorted to the police headquarters where he blew a .116 BAC, which is over the legal limit.

No one can be positive that this actually happened the way it did but never the less another document has shown up unveiling Marshall’s character for yet another offseason. Remember the 911 tapes last year? Sheesh. Either Brandon Marshall makes a ton of mistakes or he is the most unfortunate man ever. If it’s the latter, Brandon Marshall has more unfortunate events then Lemony Snicket himself. Also drinking and driving is no joke, I and many others out there have lost close friends and family members to it.

This all did happen in the past but makes it a little more clear why Marshall wasn’t hesitant to ask for a trade. This doesn’t mean he’s always hated Denver, I’m sure his angry drunk venting was all just that but those are things you just can’t say. (more...)

Patriots receiver C.J. Jones surveys the field as he runs back a kickoff during practice at Gillette Stadium. (Boston Herald/Matt Stone)

C.J. Jones, wide receiver most recently of the Kansas City Chiefs, was awarded to the Denver Broncos Wednesday off waivers. The third-year player out of Iowa and the Canadian Football League rejoins Broncos Head Coach Josh McDaniels after he worked with McD on the New England Patriots practice squad in 2007.

Jones (5-11, 195) was released by the Patriots in 2008 and spent the rest of the season out of football. The Chiefs signed him in March 2009 and released him on June 19.

A special-teamer in the CFL, Jones returned nine kickoffs for 236 yards (26.2 avg.) and six punts 55 yards (9.2 avg.) in 2005 for the Montreal Alouettes. As a senior at Iowa, Jones set an Orange Bowl record when he returned the opening kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown against USC.

Jones must be resilient; he’s been bouncing in and out of the NFL since 2003 and has yet to tally a regular season reception. He definitely has ‘camp body’ written all over him, but for the time being, welcome to the Broncos! Press release after the jump. (more...)

Denver Broncos center Casey Wiegmann released the following statement Wednesday following the tragic shooting of his high school football coach:

“I was extremely saddened to hear the news this morning about the passing of Coach Ed Thomas. He was a great Christian man. I learned a lot from him, both as a player and a man. Last year, you could see exactly what the football program means to Aplington-Parkersburg in the way the community pulled together to restore the football field after the tornado. That is a reflection of Coach Thomas. I cannot begin to count the number of lives he affected in this community. I know I carry many of the lessons I learned from him with me every day. My family and I pray for Coach Thomas’ family.”

Read more on the story here. Our thoughts and prayers to the Thomas family.

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

The thought of both Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall wearing a different shade of orange and blue in 2009 is enough to make most Denver Broncos fans cringe. With the recent Marshall trade drama, the scenario isn’t entirely unlikely.

Cutler, now a member of the Chicago Bears, is aware of this. Never one afraid to speak his mind, Cutler spoke highly of Marshall in an interview with the Newport News (Va.) Daily Press Tuesday, sounding hopeful the higher-ups in Chicago would look at bringing in Marshall. Quotes after the jump. (more...)

Photo by Pei-Pei Ketron

Have a case of the Bronco Blues?
Does the possibility of losing two young Pro Bowlers in one off-season have you down in the dumps?

Broncos Nation, do yourself a favor and listen to this interview with Champ Bailey. Feel better knowing that we still have this man. A consummate professional. A leader on the field and in the locker room. Our young players have to look no further. The attitude and approach that Champ has taken with the changes the team is going through is superb, and simple when you stop and think about it.

After hearing the news of Brandon wanting a trade, like most of you, I felt sick, vomiting a little in my mouth. I felt lost. Disoriented, like the first time you play laser tag and don’t really know what’s going on, but pretend you do as to avoid humiliation. I needed a friend, or a big bowl of chicken soup with some saltines. Champ Bailey can be that friend. Champ Bailey can be those saltines.

Listen. Warm yourself up. Feel a little bit better Bronco Nation, just a little bit.

Jay Cutler launches a pass to Brandon Marshall. The Broncos might lose both players now that Marshall has asked for a trade. (Joe Mahoney/RMN Photo)

No matter your opinion of Jay Cutler and his exodus from Mile High Country, you’ll never convince me that the situation couldn’t have been handled better. Now, the Broncos have the opportunity to do just that.

Here we sit, three months later, and Josh McDaniels and Pat Bowlen are facing a similar situation with another young Pro Bowler, Brandon Marshall. Marshall has asked to be traded. Marshall has said his goodbye to the fans.

You know what I say? Let him talk. Keep #15 in Denver.

If you take McDaniels’ comments at face value, it appears the Broncos intend to do just that. “(We) are going to continue our dialogue with Brandon and his representative,” McDaniels told the Associated Press. “We look forward to having Brandon at training camp.”

This is the only resolution that comes with a happy ending in my mind. Trading Marshall comes with too much collateral damage - not only will it be hard to get equal value with draft picks, but trading two pouty Pro Bowlers at their behest sends the wrong message to the team. Don’t let the tail wag the dog, McD. Take control. (more...)

Denver Broncos fans can breathe a sigh of relief. At least one 2008 Pro Bowler will be returning to the team in 2009.

Center Casey Wiegmann, who announced he would consider retirement if left only with the final year of the contract he signed with the Broncos in 2008, signed a new two-year agreement with the club Wednesday, it was announced, locking up the Pro Bowler through 2010.

“We are very excited that we were able to negotiate an extension for Casey Wiegmann,” Head Coach Josh McDaniels said. “The professionalism and leadership he showed throughout this process was outstanding. He was here every day working hard during our mini camps and conditioning program. Maintaining the continuity of our offensive line was a big priority for us, and we are very fortunate to have a Pro Bowl center like Casey Wiegmann as part of this organization.”

The 35-year-old Wiegmann was scheduled to be paid the veteran minimum this season, around $800,000. Per club policy, terms of the new deal were not disclosed.

Wiegmann played exceptionally well last season. I’m thrilled he’ll be sticking around for at least another season. Press release after the jump.

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A year after joining the Denver Broncos‘ linebacker corps, Boss Bailey isn’t making the cut.

Multiple sources are reporting that Bailey has been released by the Broncos, putting a premature ending to a Bailey Brothers campaign that was expected to bolster the Broncos defense for years but lasted only six games. The seven-year veteran signed a five-year, $17.5 million deal with the Broncos in 2008, with $8 million coming in the first two years of the contract.

The Broncos also reportedly released linebacker and long-time special teams ace Louis Green on Tuesday. Green was a special teams standout after signing with the Broncos as an unrestricted free agent in 2004.

It must be noted that the Broncos have yet to confirm either roster move.

There’s a lot to take from these moves, assuming they’re true. First, the old regime really did have trouble evaluating defensive talent to sign and keep these veterans while the new staff cuts them before training camp. Second, the development of young guns like Elvis Dumervil, Tim Crowder, and yes, even Jarvis Moss at linebacker must be showing some promise for this coaching staff to feel comfortable enough to make these cuts. I can’t wait to see how the defense looks come training camp.