Bill Kollar, Broncos d-line coach, wears passion on sleeve, bears any challenge By Troy Renck DenverPost.com May 30, 2015 A little past 10 a.m. on Thursday, a few beads of sweat trickling off his forehead, Bill Kollar walks into the lobby at Broncos headquarters. He is there for an interview. He has been in front of the recorder before. He has a funny story about that. "So this guy called me up in 1975 or so. He says, 'Go downtown (in Cincinnati) and take a picture with a bear for 50 bucks.' So I show up at this hall, and there's 50 people or so talking about how some guy is going to wrestle a bear," Kollar said. "I said, 'Wrestle a bear? What?' And then I realize he's talking about me." What happened next explains why Broncos boss Gary Kubiak desperately wanted Kollar to coach his defensive line. Kollar demands effort, doesn't put up with any, well, you know what, and coaches like his hair is on fire (if he had any). Back to Cincinnati. Standing on a 4X4 loose rug, Kollar faced off with the bear. At 6-foot-3 and 255 pounds, Kollar was already a Tiger (technically a Cincinnati Bengal), so he figured he could trade a few headlocks with the beast. "The bear is wearing a muzzle. They take it off. And he grabs a bottle of Coke and drinks the whole thing," Kollar said with a straight face. On a sugar high, the bear charged Kollar, shoving him to the ground. Kollar, now peeved with cameras rolling, bull rushed the bear. The bear toppled over, leading to cheers and a proposition. "They asked if I could take on a 9-foot Kodiak the next weekend in Columbus," Kollar said. Kollar wisely moved on, finishing his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In Abe Gibron, his line coach, he found a kindred spirit and a blueprint. Gibron coached with passion, losing his voice at practice. Kollar appears to be losing his mind at times. He screams words of encouragement, blending teaching technique with veins-popping noise. "I always start out by telling them, I am going to be on your (backside). I am doing it for one reason: to get you to be as good a player you can be. I have guys say all the time that 'I hear you yelling at me in my sleep.' That's just the way it is. It's an automatic deal," said Kollar, 62, who is credited for speeding up reigning NFL defensive player of the year J.J. Watt's learning curve. "They either get it and do it the right way, or they are gone. That's just the way it is, dude." Pull into the Broncos' parking lot, and you can hear Kollar before you see him. Talk to NFL insiders, and they wonder if Kollar could become the Broncos' most important offseason addition. He is challenged to wring out the potential in Sylvester Williams and Marvin Austin, while continuing Malik Jackson's ascension toward stardom.

"He's a serious guy, but he likes to have fun," Jackson said. "He's going to make you get your work in and make sure that we're the best defensive line in the league. That's what I'm learning. You have to have a great work ethic with him. If you don't and you're not willing to learn and go out there and produce, you're not going to play for him." Williams received advice from Kollar months ago. It helped convince Williams to spend the bulk of the offseason in Denver training. The Broncos are counting on him to start at nose tackle, filling the enormous void left by the departure of Terrance Knighton. "I'm excited to play for him," Williams said. "I think he can be a great guy. Like I said, he's got a lot of history in the NFL. What we noticed right away is that he is going to get us a lot better, and that's exciting." Talk to Kollar and it becomes a trip into grainy black-and-white film. He is no-nonsense; as sympathetic as a parking ticket and as blunt as a hammer. He represents a stark contrast from last year's Denver coaching staff. Success can be reached through different paths. Kubiak has compiled a group whose passion manifests in volume — and sometimes requires earmuffs for those easily offended. "Bill is loud," said defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, "but he's got a great knack for getting on people, getting them to go harder, but for them to like him. Normally a guy that's as loud as he is, that hollers at you, you think 'Wow.' They know it's in their best interest when he gets on them. Everybody coaches different ways, and I think his style is really good. It fits well with those guys." Kollar left the Houston Texans on good terms. Texans coach Bill O'Brien granted the parallel move, which placed Kollar near family. One of his sons, Chad, a former SMU player, lives in Denver with his wife and two young children. Kollar loves to play with the grandkids. He is in his 60s, but he doesn't lack energy. And, yes, he has a funny story about that. "I have never had a cup of coffee in my life," Kollar said. "I have a soda now and then, but not that Red Bull stuff. All that caffeine with the way I am, my head might explode." The Kollar file Bill Kollar brings fire to the coaching staff and real-life experience. He played nine years in the NFL as a defensive lineman, and moved seamlessly into three decades of coaching. His résumé: Denver Broncos: Defensive line coach, 2015 Houston Texans: Defensive line coach, 2014; assistant head coach/defensive line, 2009-13 Buffalo Bills: Defensive line coach, 2006-08 St. Louis Rams: Defensive line coach, 2001-05 Atlanta Falcons: Defensive line coach, 1990-2000

Purdue University: Defensive line and special-teams coach, 1988-89 University of Illinois: Defensive line and special-teams coach, 1986-87; graduate assistant, 1985 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Defensive assistant and special-teams coach, 1984

Renck: Denver Broncos' offensive line must prevent hits on Peyton Manning By Troy Renck DenverPost.com May 30, 2015 When left tackle Ryan Clady limped off the field Wednesday, he created an ache at Broncos headquarters beyond his swollen left knee. Clady's absence raises the question about the initial plan for the Denver offense. The idea of three-wide receiver formations featuring Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Cody Latimer appears tenuous given objectives and personnel. This isn't an issue about Peyton Manning's protection. Don't fret about that. He remains sack proof. No other NFL quarterback has been under less pressure over the last four seasons than Manning, according to Football Outsiders research. And it's hardly a new trend. Manning avoided sacks with undrafted centers and, for six games in 2003, a rookie left tackle named Makoa Freitas. It appears Manning is immune to sacks. Two central goals exist for an overhauled Denver offensive line that will have a minimum of three new starters this season: prevent Manning from taking hits and excel at run blocking. The fear of having rookie Ty Sambrailo or second-year pro Michael Schofield operating as Manning's bodyguard at left tackle is understandable. But Manning releases the ball in 2.5 seconds or less on average. Even if he's under center, which might happen less now, the football exits in a blink. What Manning can't withstand is edge pass rushers tackling his knees and wrapping his ankles. Manning possesses terrific feet, but he uses them to plant in order to throw the ball, not to escape the pocket. There's a reason only three quarterbacks have started every regular-season game at age 39 or older. Manning provides sack relief. He needs the group in front of him to minimize the hits he takes. That becomes more realistic if the Broncos can run the ball well. Mark Schlereth, a former Broncos guard, described the ideal zone-blocking offensive line operating as links in a chain. To work well, the linemen must move together. Timing, as such, represents the single positive of Clady's injury. The Broncos have the bulk of OTAs, multiple film sessions and their entire training camp to find the right fit to establish a ground attack. It could mean that today's starters change in three weeks, or by the end of August. Offensive coordinator Rick Dennison and line coach Clancy Barone won't panic. Dennison, in particular, has helped turn undrafted players into impact performers in this scheme. Providing schematic tweaks could help. The Broncos already planned to use the fullback in this offense, with James Casey or Joe Don Duncan. Adding another tackle to fortify the blocking up front isn't a crazy idea. It might undermine Latimer's statistics in the passing game, at least early in the season. He has improved as much as any young Broncos player over the last calendar year, and will eventually benefit from this offense.

But this could be Manning's last season. He is here to produce wins, championships, not Xbox statistics. The numbers with Denver have been terrific, but have left the Broncos short of their goal the past two seasons. Manning will do his part to limit sacks. It's what he does. The offensive line must help by minimizing contact on Manning and creating a physical presence up front to create chunk plays in play action. Footnotes. Cowboys running back Joseph Randle, on DeMarco Murray rushing for 1,845 yards last year: "He left a lot of meat on the bone." What bone? A Fred Flinstone brontosaurus steak? Randle needs context, or a clue. ... The Texans will be featured on HBO's "Hard Knocks" series this summer. Houston owner Bob McNair wanted this to happen in years past, but Gary Kubiak convinced him to hold off. It's a great watch, but coaches understandably don't like it because they feel it creates a competitive disadvantage. ... The new "Entourage" movie planned to use a scene with Peyton and Eli Manning but it never worked out, creator Doug Ellin told the New York Post. Tom Brady stepped in seamlessly.

Punt-returning competition heats up for Broncos By Nicki Jhabvala DenverPost.com May 30, 2015 The Broncos’ offensive line has garnered the most attention for its flux and position battles. But the competition is heating up elsewhere, too. For special teams coach Joe DeCamillis, creating competition at punt return has been a point of emphasis. And so far he’s tested six players at the position: veteran receiver Jordan Norwood, second-year receiver Isaiah Burse, futures signee Kyle Williams, waiver claim Solomon Patton, safety Omar Bolden and receiver Emmanuel Sanders. “More than anything else you’ve got to get a returner and that’s something competition-wise right now that we’re going through,” DeCamillis said. “That’s what these OTAs are for, that’s what training camp will be for. And then we’re going to try to do certain things, conceptually, that help the guys, whatever they can do best. If we’ve got a guy that’s a speed guy, we need to get him outside more, we’re going to do that. If we’ve got a guy that’s more of a middle of the field, take one cut and go, we’re going to do that, too. “We’ve got to find what our guys do best. And we’ll do that as we go forward, but I think in this stadium I know you have to be a really good punt-return team. I know that. We’re not probably going to get a lot of kickoff returns as you get in other places. We’ve got to be a great punt-return team because a lot of times when teams come in, they’re going to out-kick their coverage, and we’re going to have opportunities. We’ve got to make the most of those opportunities.” Last season the Broncos tied for fourth in the league in total punt-return attempts (41) but ranked 20th in average yards per return (7.2). In the last three seasons, they have not ranked higher than No. 18 in average yards per return. Burse led the Broncos with 29 returns for 211 yards (7.3 avg.) in 2014. When he was waived in December, the Broncos slotted in Wes Welker, who totaled 74 yards on 11 attempts (6.7 avg.) Bolden didn’t return a single punt in 2014, but said he hopes he’ll get a chance to do it more in 2015. “I’m going to go on and say that is my job,” he said. “I want it and I want it bad. I want to lead the league in kick return yards. I’m trying to score a lot of touchdowns for the team and have exciting plays for us on special teams.”

Punt-returning competition heats up for Broncos By Staff DenverPost.com May 30, 2015 Denver Post beat reporters look at the team they cover and how close it is to winning a championship. Colorado Rockies Record: 21-26 Last playoff appearance: 2009 Championships won: None Trending: Treading water. The Rockies have averaged 69 wins the past four seasons. They're on pace for 72 wins this year. Talent level: The Rockies have a top-five lineup when everyone is healthy and hitting, which hasn't happened often this season. The Rockies are struggling on the mound — again. Their bullpen, drastically improved from last season, still ranks near the bottom of the league in ERA and WHIP. And their starting rotation is a mix of unproven up-and-comers and over- extended veterans. Ownership: No other team owner in Denver is more criticized than Dick Monfort. His notorious "If product and experience that bad, don't come!" e-mail missive to a fan last year might finally be taking hold. Attendance is down this year and fans appear to have all but given up. In best-case scenario, how far from winning it all? Say the Rockies add two top- of-the-rotation starting pitchers and two flamethrowing relievers before next season. Also, Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez return in top shape. And the Giants, Dodgers and Padres don't spend the Rockies off the map. The Rockies could qualify for the postseason in 2016, and once you get to the postseason, anything can happen. Is it realistic? No, but the Kansas City Royals used a stellar bullpen and a creative, athletic offense to get to the World Series last year as American League champs. The Rockies had a World Series run in 2007 with a competent bullpen and an amazing string of late-season wins. So it's possible. But your eyeglasses have too much purple tint if you think the Rockies are going to contend anytime soon. Nick Groke, The Denver Post Denver Broncos Record: 12-4 in 2014 Last playoff appearance: 2014 Championships won: Two Super Bowl titles, 1997 and 1998 seasons Trending: Down. Because they employ a 39-year-old quarterback and a new coaching staff with an unproven offensive line, the Broncos have lost their spot among the AFC's elite teams. For now, the Patriots and Colts have moved ahead of them.

Talent level: Pro Bowlers adorn the roster on both sides of the ball. Peyton Manning remains among the quarterback elite. He falls out of bed and wins 11 games. The defense boasts a potential MVP candidate in edge pass rusher Von Miller and one of the NFL's best tandems at cornerback in Chris Harris and Aqib Talib. The success of the team could depend on answering questions on the defensive and offensive lines. Ownership: The team's ownership remains in trust since Pat Bowlen publicly revealing that he is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Bowlen's motto has long been "be great at everything." The goal hasn't changed with team president Joe Ellis running day-to-day operations. In best-case scenario, how farfrom winning it all? The Broncos possess elements common in championship teams. Ownership is all in. Denver has a bold general manager in John Elway, who is every bit as driven to win the Super Bowl as an executive as he was as a Hall of Fame quarterback. Manning receives the benefit of the doubt — as he should — given his Hall of Fame résumé, maniacal work ethic and attention to detail. But the Broncos' questions on the offensive line make it impossible to argue that they are better than they were in Manning's previous two seasons. The window isn't closed on this group of Broncos, but only slivers of light are leaking through. Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post Denver Nuggets Record: 30-52 in 2014-15 Last playoff appearance: 2013 Championships won: None Trending: Down. After winning 57 games and finishing third in the NBA's Western Conference standings in 2012-13, the Nuggets have fallen on hard times, having won a total of only 66 games the past two seasons. They fired Brian Shaw in March after a season and a half with him as their coach, and are looking for a new coach. Talent level: One look at the ESPN player- efficiency ratings tells the tale. The highest-rated Nugget is point guard Ty Lawson, who checks in at No. 60 in the NBA. Kenneth Faried, a forward, is two slots after that at No. 62. Lawson and Faried have proven to be good players, and Faried is just scratching the surface of the player he can be. But the overall talent on the team needs upgrading. Denver owns the No. 7 pick in the NBA draft June 25. Ownership: Stan Kroenke owns the Nuggets, and his son Josh runs the team. Basketball is in their blood, and they have a strong desire to win. They have shelled out big bucks for players in the past. In best-case scenario, how far from winning it all? In a perfect world, the Nuggets would get LaMarcus Aldridge and Kevin Love in free agency, add them to the player they draft seventh overall, and get on the fast track to being a contending team. But that's not going to happen.The Nuggets have a few obstacles ahead of them. First, they play in the Western Conference, which is always ultra-tough. But they have the additional challenge of finding the right fit at coach, of remaking the roster and getting all of those new pieces to work and grow together. A return to the playoffs might be at least two seasons away, much less any kind of run to a championship. Christopher Dempsey, The Denver Post

Colorado Avalanche Record: 39-31-12 in 2014-15 Last playoff appearance: 2014 (eliminated in Game 7, first round) Championships won: Two Stanley Cup titles, 1996 and 2001 Trending: Sideways. The Avs were a surprise playoff team a year ago, and a disappointment this past season when they failed to return. They have approximately $10 million to spend in free agency or trade by not re-signing unrestricted free-agent defensemen Jan Hejda and Ryan Wilson and forward Daniel Briere. Those players are not expected back, and Colorado will sign at least one high-priced defenseman. Talent level: The Avs were the only NHL team with six 50-point scorers, but had none reach 60. It's difficult to understand why the power play was mostly poor despite a wealth of excellent offensive players. Colorado needs to get better defensively — primarily moving the puck out of the D zone and up the ice. Ownership: Josh Kroenke is spending — the Avs had one of the top-five rosters at times last season. Standout forwards Gabe Landeskog and Matt Duchene and goalie Semyon Varlamov are locked in long term. The Avs likely will be among the league's biggest spenders again; Kroenke appears committed to producing a playoff team. In best-case scenario, how far from winning it all? The Avs need to consistently win the shots-for, shots-against battle before they can advance to the second round of the playoffs. They spend too much time defending and not enough time in the offensive zone. The difference from the 2013-14 playoff season and this past season was a drop in goaltending and power-play percentage and a record number of injuries. Those things will straighten out on their own, but the blue line must get better for Avs to truly be a title contender. Mike Chambers, The Denver Post Colorado Rapids Record: 2-3-7 entering Saturday Last playoff appearance: 2013 (eliminated in first game) Championships won: One, in 2010 Trending: Only one way to go, and that's up. Things are bound to improve, because the Rapids have been playing better than their results might suggest and they just brought in two new strikers from abroad with solid pedigrees. Talent level: The Rapids have created plenty of scoring opportunities. The problem has been "finishing," which means cashing in on those chances. If new strikers Kevin Doyle and Luis Solignac can score some goals, this team could become competitive. The back line and goalkeeping has been good; the midfield is solid.

Ownership: MLS created the "designated player" salary exemption in 2007 so Los Angeles could sign English superstar David Beckham and other teams could bring in other high-priced international talent. It took six years before the Rapids signed their first DP, but they have signed two since February (Doyle and Juan Ramirez). Team president Tim Hinchey says the Rapids have "significantly grown" ticket and sponsorship revenue in recent years. That has helped convince ownership to spend more on players. "Josh (Kroenke) has been more involved in the last six months than he's been in my four years (here)," Hinchey said. In best-case scenario, how far from winning it all? Soccer is a funny game. A team can control a game for 89 minutes and lose. A team can get hot at the end of a season, get on a run in the playoffs and win a title, as Colorado did in 2010. If Doyle and Solignac are the real deal, this team could be dangerous. If not, it might continue to sputter in the doldrums. John Meyer, The Denver Post

Broncos' young offensive linemen must learn on the job and be quick about it By Jeff Legwold ESPN.com May 30, 2015 When the Denver Broncos selected tackle Ty Sambrailo in the second round of this year’s draft and center/guard Max Garcia in the fourth round, one of the big reasons was because they had plenty of brains to go with the brawn. Coach Gary Kubiak called them "quick studies ... guys who were way ahead of the curve mentally" when it came to the Broncos’ scheme on offense. Guard Louis Vasquez has said Ben Garland, who the Broncos are working at left guard to see if he can make the leap into the starting offense, "is smart, really smart," that Garland understands the Broncos' new offense. And with left tackle left tackle Ryan Clady's injury, the Broncos now find themselves staring at the possibility of four new starters on the offensive line. And as many as three of those new starters have not been full-time players before in the NFL. Oh, and they will be protecting a 39-year-old, Hall-of-Fame bound quarterback in Peyton Manning, who likes to keep things moving at the line of scrimmage with several audibles on the same play. Sambrailo is working at Clady’s left tackle spot, Garland, who spent two years on the practice squad after serving two years of active duty in the Air Force, is working at left guard and second-year player Michael Schofield is one of the options the Broncos will consider at right tackle. Sambrailo is roughly three weeks into his NFL career, Garland played just 47 snaps last season -- 36 in the regular-season finale against the Oakland Raiders -- and that constitutes all of his NFL playing time to this point. Schofield, after being a third-round pick last season, was a gameday inactive every week of the 2014 season. So, quick learners are a must right now if the Broncos are to assemble an offensive line that can protect Manning and carve out the kind of room Kubiak wants in a pumped-up run game. "At the end of the day ... they have to produce," Vasquez said of the potential newbies. "... It’s up to them to pick up the slack that’s there and not have that drop-off in production." Kubiak has said he assembled a coaching staff of "good teachers," and they’ll have to be, particularly offensive line coach Clancy Barone and assistant offensive line coach James Cregg. Offensive coordinator Rick Dennison has also been a long-time offensive line coach, including during Kubiak’s tenure as Broncos’ offensive coordinator when both were on Mike Shanahan's staff. Dennison said the Broncos will continue to work through different combinations on the offensive front deep into training camp and in the preseason games. Kubiak has said in a perfect world the Broncos would know shortly after the start of training camp in late July how things would shake out.

But with just three weeks’ worth of organized team activities remaining -- and none of those practices can include players in pads -- the teaching moments for the Broncos will have to come fast and furious. And in Thursday’s OTA practice, Kubiak gave several veteran players the practice off, so "you’re getting look at your younger players." Kubiak said that was something the team would do several more times moving forward through the offseason work and into training camp. "We’ll throw them out there, let them compete and let them play, pick the best five," Dennison said. "The best five is who does the best job. We can say all we want about this or that or the other experiences, but it’s whoever plays the best and does the best job for our team. That’s what we’re going to do." Vasquez, who suddenly finds himself as the only locked-in starter in the group, said he knows pretty quickly if a young lineman is ready for a starting role. And that it’s clear even in the huddle. "Not to get flustered, if you have a bad play, leave it behind," Vasquez said. "Because if you let it drag on to the next play, it’s just going to be a bad series ... if he can keep his composure, especially when things start to heat up and the game moves a lot faster, for him to slow it down for himself, not to panic."

Broncos spend off-day on paintball field for charity By Josh Mosher 9 News Sports May 30, 2015 Broncos players traded in blocking, catching and tackling for army crawls, sharpshooting and different helmets, playing paintball to benefit linebacker Stevie Johnson's Faith Motivated foundation. "It means a lot to tell you the truth," said Broncos linebacker Stevie Johnson. "To see all the Broncos fans and my supporters to come out here to have some fun. We've got the grill going, music playing, we're playing paintball and it's just a big cookout." The fire definitely translated to the field. "It's so much fun," added Johnson. There are kids running everywhere shooting each other. It's like Call of Duty---taking a video game and turning it into real life. What do your teammates think of all this? "They're having a blast," said Johnson. "A lot of them didn't know if they were gonna come out because they were all sore, but now that they are out here playing it's a great time." "It was good," said Broncos defensive lineman Malik Jackson. "I just made sure I was on Ben Garland's team because of his military background. I needed to make sure I was with a guy that knew what he was doing." Most importantly, it was a chance to interact with fans, allowing them to see the faces that hide under the helmets on Sundays. "I didn't realize I was that cool," said Johnson. "When I showed up and realized all the people that were here that this was a good deal. I was really excited that people came out and that people wanted to support my vision and help the community. I'm very blessed that they're here. When the Broncos came off the paintball field, they earned new fans to watch them run out on the real field this upcoming season. That's if, they weren't fans already.

Steven Johnson a "Mike" fit in Broncos' 3-4 defense By Mike Klis 9 News Sports May 30, 2015 Steven Johnson wasn't necessarily raised to be a Denver Bronco, even if he is pleased life worked out that way. Johnson's roots as an inside linebacker were with the 3-4 defensive alignment. There is the "Mike" linebacker in the 4-3 and "Mike" linebacker in the 3-4. There's enough difference for Johnson to prefer one over the other. Now that the Broncos are switching to the 3-4 for the first time in Johnson's four-year term with the team, he believes his fit has cinched. "I played 3-4 in college, 3-4 in high school and now, playing it in the league, I'm like 'Oh, shoot, I feel like I'm in high school again,''' Johnson said Friday following the Broncos' third organized team activity (OTA) practice session. "It's cool. I haven't played it in a while but I think just me realizing that I'm better in a 3-4; when I go out there I'm just able to make plays and understand what my coaches are telling me to do and doing it to the best of my ability." Johnson is playing in the NFL – making it to the all-important second contract – despite ability that has always been questioned. He didn't play much football until his senior year in high school in Wallingford, Pennsylvania. When no college scholarships were offered, he spent a year at a Pennsylvania prep school, where he was playing well until he tore up two knee ligaments. The best offer he could get then was an invitation to walk on at Kansas. He eventually became a starter for two awful Turner Gill-coached teams that went 3-9 and 2-10 in Johnson's junior and senior seasons. Playing inside linebacker on last-place Big 12 teams will keep you busy -- Johnson led the Jayhawks each season in tackles – 215 combined. A tad undersized as NFL middle linebackers go at 6-1, 237 pounds, and not the fleetest afoot, Johnson went undrafted in 2012, signing with the Broncos as a college free agent. Overachievers like Johnson, though, are why football invented special teams. After 2 ½ seasons as one of the Broncos' top three special teams players, Johnson got his first chance to start at middle linebacker halfway through last season, when Nate Irving went down with a season-ending knee injury. Johnson did OK, starting eight games including the Broncos' playoff loss to Indianapolis. But by his own admission, he needs to play better if he wants to seriously challenge Brandon Marshall for the inside "Mike" linebacker position in 2015. (Marshall is currently healing from right foot surgery but is expected to return by training camp). "To tell you the truth, going against Cincinnati last year on Monday night, I learned a lot," Johnson said. "I got beat one-on-one. I missed a couple tackles versus some really good tight ends like Jermaine

Gresham and stuff like that. And I was just like, 'You know, this is a time where certain people can hold their head and really go into the gutter or they can bounce back and become better individuals.' And for me, I believe I've done that. I was battling through a high ankle sprain and I finished off the season strong even though we lost. I wish we could have had that game back but when we played the Colts I really tried to put it out there for my teammates and try to get us to the Super Bowl. But this year, we focus on getting better each and every day and I think this coaching staff has done a great job of pushing us on the practice field because it's certainly different from what it used to be."

Bengals' Devon Still asks for prayers for sick daughter By Joe Kay Associated Press May 30, 2015 Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Devon Still is asking for prayers for his daughter, Leah, who's had a setback in her fight against cancer. The 5-year-old girl went into a hospital on May 5 to start the process of getting a stem cell transplant. The 4-to-6-week process involves high doses of chemotherapy at the outset. Still posted on social media late Friday that Leah "hit a pretty serious complication," with her liver affected by the chemotherapy. "They caught it early so hopefully it gives the doctors a better chance of stopping it from getting aggressive," Still posted. "As you can imagine our minds are all over the place but we're going to try and remain positive!" The girl was diagnosed with cancer a year ago. Doctors removed a tumor from her abdomen, and she started getting chemotherapy to kill cancer cells in her bone marrow. She's being treated on the East Coast, and the Bengals have supported Still's decision to miss organized offseason workouts in Cincinnati to be with her. Still agreed to a one-year contract to stay with the Bengals in March. His daughter's fight against cancer has gotten international attention. The Bengals donated $1.3 million from sales of Still's jersey to research and treatment of pediatric cancer. The donation was made during a Thursday night game at Paul Brown Stadium last season, with Leah and former Mount St. Joseph freshman basketball player Lauren Hill in attendance. Still befriended Hill, who also raised money for cancer research. The 19-year-old basketball player died last month from an inoperable brain tumor.

Pelissero: Observations from NFL's first full week of OTAs include Peyton, Peterson By Tom Pelissero USA Today May 30, 2015 Parting shots from the first week of NFL-wide organized team activity practices: Peyton will survive Important context to the Denver Broncos' loss of Pro Bowl left tackle Ryan Clady for the season: quarterback Peyton Manning is, in many ways, his own pass protection. In the 16 seasons he's been on the field, Manning-led offenses have ranked fourth or better in fewest sacks allowed 14 times. That includes a No. 1 ranking in 2013 (when Clady missed 14 games with a Lisfranc injury), and another in 2014, when the Broncos shuffled line combinations and a quadriceps injury hindered Manning down the stretch. Two driving forces behind Manning's brilliance are his knack for adjusting before the snap and getting rid of the ball quickly. He always has played above the level of his O-line, and he'll have to do it again this season. Losing a player of Clady's caliber never helps, of course — and pass pro is only part of the job description. The Broncos will plug in rookie Ty Sambrailo, a second-round draft pick from Colorado State, and hope for the best. But even at age 39, Manning is as equipped as anybody to make it work. Peterson had a point Adrian Peterson's 17-tweet rant on league economics Thursday went off the rails so quickly, that one valid point got lost: When a team cuts a player, it's accepted as a matter of course with an overpriced or depreciating asset. So why are players routinely crushed by fans and media for holding out if they want their contracts upgraded (or, in Peterson's case, guaranteed)? The game is too brutal and careers too short not to cash in any time you can. And the only leverage a player under contract has is the threat of withholding his services. If a player wants to risk hefty fines, that's his right, just as it's a team's right to dump him and not pay another penny if the guarantees are up. Peterson is 30 years old. The Minnesota Vikings star isn't going to find much sympathy when he's due $13 million in 2015, on the largest running back contract in football, after missing most of last season (while largely on paid leave) in the wake of a child injury charge.

But neither he nor any other player should hear the tired "honor your contract!" shtick. Very few are valuable enough to extract a new one anyway. Jets have right idea The New York Jets' insistence that their starting quarterback job is Geno Smith's to lose shouldn't be taken as blind faith from a new regime. With a veteran behind him, it only makes sense to throw support behind the 24-year-old Smith, maximize his first-string reps in the offseason and see what they have. Ryan Fitzpatrick has been in the league for a decade and made 89 starts. He's on his sixth team, including three seasons as a Buffalo Bill with Chan Gailey, who's now the Jets' offensive coordinator. If anyone is ready to step in with limited offseason turns, it's Fitzpatrick — and that's exactly what will happen come August or September if Smith fails to show enough signs he can leave his days as a turnover machine behind him in Year 3. Fitzpatrick isn't the long-term answer. If there's even a sliver of hope Smith could be, this is the sensible approach. Guarantee this On the list of Philadelphia Eagles story lines, a high-paid newcomer making a roundabout Super Bowl guarantee may not even crack the top 10. In a span of five months since they missed the playoffs, coach Chip Kelly has taken over the personnel operation; traded his Pro Bowl running back and signed two replacements; been accused of racism by the jettisoned running back; watched his top receiver leave town (again); traded his quarterback for another who's coming off a major knee injury; declared an open competition for the QB job even though the new guy is due almost $13 million; signed Tim Tebow … you get the idea. So, when cornerback Byron Maxwell (signed in March to a six-year, $63 million deal that included an eye-popping $25 million fully guaranteed) tells The MMQB "we're gonna go" to the title game, it doesn't resonate quite the same way as Vince Young's infamous "dream team" remark about the 2011 Eagles. Right now, nothing seems out of the realm of possibility in Philadelphia — including that somehow, out of all the madness, Maxwell will end up being right. ***

Tom Brady skips media session at Best Buddies charity event By Will Brinson CBSSports.com May 30, 2015 With the NFL having handed down punishments for the Patriots in the Deflategate scandal, the world is still waiting to hear from one more person: Tom Brady. Keep waiting, world. On Friday, Brady was at an event for Best Buddies, a charity he works closely with, and usually speaks to the media during halftime of the event. Per Doug Kyed of NESN.com, Brady ditched the media session, declining to speak to the press assembled. We have heard from Bill Belichick and backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, but the Pats starting quarterback didn't speak after OTAs on Friday. It's no real surprise he wouldn't talk at the Best Buddies Football Challenge either. Brady has been quiet throughout the Deflategate investigation. After the Ted Wells report was released, Brady's agent Don Yee did all of the talking. Brady hasn't spoken since the league handed down his four-game suspension on May 11. He will appeal the decision, with the date for that appeal reportedly set for June 23. At some point Brady will have to talk to the press about his punishment, but it's pretty unlikely we see him speak before his appeal is heard. And even then he's only going to issue Belichick-ian lines anyway.

Kubiak wants Peyton practicing under center By Michael David Smith Pro Football Talk May 30, 2015 In the latest sign that new Broncos coach Gary Kubiak will make significant changes to the offense, quarterback Peyton Manning has been spending his time under center at Organized Team Activities. Kubiak said he knows Manning can run an offense in the shotgun, but he wants Manning to get work under center, and that’s the priority right now. “That’s kind of the plan. We’re going to do that initially,” Kubiak said. “We know the other end of the stick (shotgun) is fine; that’s something that he’s been doing forever. So we’re going to spend a lot of time under center initially in our process and how we’re going to go about our teaching. We have a nine-day installation period that we have, so he’s going to be under [center] for a good three days before we move back, but he’s been very responsive, and he’s working extremely hard.” Manning said he’s fine with making changes in Kubiak’s offense. “Whatever they ask me to do, I feel like I can do it,” Manning said. During his first three years in Denver, Manning was given free rein to run the show on the Broncos’ offense. But he won’t be given quite the same free rein this year. The Broncos are still Manning’s team. But even more, the Broncos are Kubiak’s team.

Veteran Colquitt chooses to lead by example By Allie Raymond DenverBroncos.co May 30, 2015 Entering the 2015 offseason as the longest-tenured specialist isn’t something that punter Britton Colquitt expected or thought about. “It’s not something you think about all the time,” said Colquitt of his veteran status. “I guess I don’t feel that old.” Colquitt might not be ‘that old’, but with 80 regular-season and seven postseason game appearances under his belt after seven years with the Broncos, the punter has more than enough experience to help lead the group of young specialists. “I try to lead by example,” said Colquitt. “I’ve got to really work hard, show what it means to be a pro. I’m still learning that. I still look for more ways that I can do things to make me a better player and just try to lead by example.” With the addition of first-year Special Teams Coordinator Joe DeCamillis, Colquitt’s experience is invaluable to the specialists. His professionalism and attitude hasn’t gone unnoticed by DeCamillis. “The biggest thing is… you want to see to a pro... and I think he is,” said DeCamillis of his first impressions of Colquitt. “He’s done a great job so far. It’s a different system for him, it’s a little bit different – what we’re asking him to do - and he’s bought in completely so far. So we’ve got to keep him on that path and so far he’s been hitting the ball excellent.” The franchise career leader in gross (45.5) and net (39.0) punting average, Colquitt is already feeling comfortable under the direction of DeCamillis. “It’s going really good, he’s a great guy, a great coach obviously, he’s been around a lot of years, so he knows what he’s doing,” said Colquitt. “With us, the specialists in particular, he’s big on working and looking at film and stuff like that and that’s something that at our position you could easily get away from. “He’s a coach who’s there pushing you, but also is cool off the field and just a fun guy to be around. So I think he’s definitely going to make an impact and guys are already starting to buy into his ideas.” Each year as a Bronco, Colquitt not only gains more experience, but also becomes more comfortable. When asked what differences he’s noticed this offseason in comparison to 2014, Colquitt says it hit him this year that Denver feels like home. “I feel like now that I’ve been in Denver going on seven years, its feels more like home,” said Colquitt. “Like I’m a real part of this organization, whereas before, you’re kind of just hoping. It’s not that I’m complacent, I just feel like I have more pride in this team and more of a reason to want to help us to do well and win.”