Denver Broncos organized team activity puts education to practice By Troy Renck DenverPost.com May 26, 2015 Education turns to application Wednesday. The NFL turns the offseason into an alphabet soup of workouts and meetings. But Wednesday the Broncos will hold their first organized team activity, or OTA. When they line up against each other in helmets — no pads are permitted — the questions will begin on the ETA for the comfort level in coach Gary Kubiak's new blended offense and defensive boss Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme. When the Broncos hired Kubiak in January, skepticism began that Peyton Manning would struggle to adjust to a revised system. He finished last season in a slump, delivering 11 touchdown passes and eight interceptions over the final eight games. He never appeared comfortable under center and lacked confidence in deep throws. Manning responded with vigor this offseason. His strained left quadriceps healthy and mind uncluttered, Manning embraced the challenge of learning the new language and plays in the Broncos' playbook, which includes a zone-blocking run game and roll-out passes (though none to receiver Demaryius Thomas, who is not expected to attend until training camp as he seeks a long-term contract). "(Manning) will come up with a page of questions, and ask, 'What's this? Why are we doing that? What is the footwork here?' " offensive coordinator Rick Dennison said. "He's not debating points. He just wants information. It's great give-and-take. I will then ask about why they ran a certain play and what he would like to do in certain situations." Manning begins the first of 10 OTAs on the long brick road to what he hopes is history. No 39-year-old quarterback has won a Super Bowl. Manning will attempt to accomplish that in an offense that will feature his strengths and accessories to help the running game, like pistol formations and a mobile pocket. "Ball is ball. You attack and do a lot of things the same way. A lot of people call things differently. It was a big challenge to figure out how they called things, how we called things and how are we going to meet somewhere where we are all going in the same direction at the same time," Kubiak said. "We made up a lot of ground quickly." The Broncos will emphasize the run, Kubiak desiring a team strong from the inside out. C.J. Anderson tops the depth chart at running back followed by Montee Ball, who is expected to play at a more comfortable 210 pounds, and Ronnie Hillman. Pressure will define Phillips' defense. His units blitz in a variety of ways, "so you don't know where it's coming from," said rusher DeMarcus Ware, who averaged 15 sacks in four seasons under Phillips in Dallas. Wednesday will also shed a sliver of light on the depth chart. Will Darian Stewart man free safety? Who will fill in at inside linebacker with Danny Trevathan (left knee) and Brandon Marshall

(Lisfranc in right foot) rehabbing from injuries? And given the off-field issues surrounding Antonio Smith, how will the defensive line rotation take shape with Sylvester Williams, Marvin Austin, Vance Walker and possibly a surprise such as Kenny Anunike? "I just know as far as the defensive linemen, we've got a lot of new terminology and plays. It's tough kind of forgetting what you did in the past and doing what your coaches (ask) and what is required for the team to be successful. You can tell everyone is starting from square one," Walker said. "It's not necessarily a bad thing. It's a fresh start." Broncos a-ok for OTAs The Broncos will hold their first of 10 organized team activities Wednesday. It will begin the gradual process of answering questions about the new schemes and depth chart. NFL reporter Troy E. Renck addresses four important questions: 1. How will Peyton Manning look? He's 39, leaving him facing skepticism about his arm strength and durability, challenges he has embraced this offseason. 2. Who will start on the offensive line? Shelley Smith leads a pack at left guard where Ben Garland is in the mix. Rookie Ty Sambrailo will receive a chance to start at right tackle, and Michael Schofield enjoyed a terrific offseason. 3. Who at linebacker? Todd Davis, Lamin Barrow, below, Corey Nelson, Steven Johnson and Reggie Walker will receive extra reps with Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan recovering from injuries. 4. What's up with Antonio Smith? The team could take a proactive stance and ask him to tend to personal matters while it gathers more information about the child-abuse allegations against him.

CTE "warning signs" existed before Rob Lytle's death in 2010 By Terry Frei DenverPost.com May 26, 2015 Former running back Rob Lytle, the Broncos' second-round 1977 draft choice who played seven seasons for the team before injuries forced his retirement, died of a massive heart attack at age 56 in 2010. His son, Kelly, has written a book, "To Dad, From Kelly" about their relationship. He noted this week that the family's donation of his father's brain and spinal column to the Boston-based Sports Legacy Institute came early in the study of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Doctors told the family four years ago that Rob had "moderate to severe" CTE. "Knowing that, a lot of the struggles he had later in his life started to make a lot more sense," Kelly Lytle said. "We didn't attach the two because we didn't know that much, but as you look back on it now you start to see where those warning signs were in existence." When he died, Rob Lytle was working as a bank vice president in his hometown of Fremont, Ohio. Lytle's widow, Tracy, is part of the class-action lawsuit against the NFL, with a settlement recently approved by federal judge Anita Brody. Tracy, Kelly and the Lytles' daughter, Erin Tober, are on the SLI family advisory board. Rob Lytle was involved in one of the most famous plays in Broncos history, against the Oakland Raiders in the 1978 AFC championship game. He revealed in an April 2007 interview that he had suffered a concussion against the Pittsburgh Steelers the previous week. He said he briefly blacked out when Raiders safety Jack Tatum hit him on his carry from the Oakland 2-yard line. Lytle lost control of the ball and the Raiders recovered, but officials ruled his forward motion was stopped before the fumble. (Jon Keyworth scored for Denver on the next play, and the Broncos won 20-17 to advance to their first Super Bowl.) "Honest to God, I don't even remember the play," Lytle said, laughing in 2007. "I told you what happened the week before. So I must have had a bad concussion. I had headaches and stuff, but those were the days that you didn't ... well, it was a different era. I went over the top and Tatum hit me. I can't tell you (anything) other than what I see on film, because I was out." After his retirement, Lytle worked in the family business in Fremont, for a trucking company and for a construction company involved in the building of Sports Authority Field, before going into banking. Kelly, 32, lives in Cleveland and works for Findaway, a digital content company. Kelly said that in the time before increased focus was placed on CTE, the family didn't make the connection, but that his father started to display uncharacteristic behavior. "The one that stands out the most to me was in November 2008 ... he was honorary captain at the University of Michigan-Northwestern game," Kelly said. "We were talking to a few alumni, former players and school administrators. ... The way he was speaking wasn't being offensive, but I would say

he was very much socially awkward, bordering on the offensive. It was one of those things where you're trying to nudge somebody or get their attention with your eyes, and get them to stop talking on that subject because it's just not right. He looked at me, and I'll never forget how he looked at me. I could tell there was no recognition behind his eyes — no recognition of the social context and how he was, I guess, inappropriate." Lytle suffered a stroke two months later, Kelly said. "I kind of attributed what I saw that day to, 'Oh, his body was wearing down, he had this stroke coming up,' " Kelly said. "But, really, I look back on it now, and it was just one of many signs of how his brain was struggling." Kelly said his father, who loved children, also started around that time to shy away from holding his granddaughter, Audrey. Still, he was working as a bank executive when he died. Kelly Lytle said SLI officials contacted the family in the aftermath of Lytle's death, explained their study and asked for the donations, and that the CTE diagnosis came back several months later. "(Doctors) said to us, 'Your dad must have been a hyper-intelligent individual,' " Kelly said. "They said the reason for that was because of what we told them and the fact that he still was able to hold down a day-to-day job without any negative reports from it. He had been able to mask it. They were shocked that with as far along as the CTE was, that he was more or less able to compensate and mask it with the normalcy of his day-to-day life. "The implication from that, though, was that at some point, whether a year later, six months later, or five years later, there was a cliff moment that would have occurred, at what point Dad might not have been able to tie his shoes or might not have known his way around his hometown anymore, things like that." Lytle also suffered multiple injuries and underwent many surgeries in his playing days, but his son emphasized Lytle loved the game, and wasn't bitter about being on the field when Tatum hit him on the famous play. "He understood that football was such a violent game and that by playing it he was putting his body and his mind and everything at risk," Kelly Lytle said. "For him that was kind of the acceptable collateral damage because he loved the game so much that he wanted to be part of it." In his book, which started as a cathartic series of letters to his late father, Kelly said he regretted not being able to sit down with Rob and ask: Was it worth it? "While he was alive, the answer undoubtedly for Dad was, 'Yes, it absolutely was worth it,' " Kelly said. "He loved every second of every practice of every game. ... I wanted to picture my dad saying, 'You know what, Kelly, if I could do it over again, I'd do things differently.' But I don't think that would be the case. I think so much of his makeup and who he was, was tied into his love of football and how much that game meant to him."

Broncos will keep a close eye on Shane Ray's health By Jeff Legwold ESPN.com May 26, 2015 There are plenty of ways to gauge the Denver Broncos' expectations for rookie outside linebacker Shane Ray. First off, they traded up five spots in the first round of the NFL draft to select him at 23rd overall. The Broncos said they had Ray pegged 10th overall on their draft board. And on Tuesday, the Broncos went on their annual golf outing, usually a festival of rental clubs and large men in golf carts who may or may not have played a round before. Ray found himself in quarterback Peyton Manning’s group. Manning typically has a rookie in his group for the outing, more about some get-to-know-you time rather than much about golf. Manning has often called it a team-building time with some fun thrown in, as well as dispensing some advice to some of the team's newest arrivals. The Broncos begin their first set of OTAs (organized team activities) Wednesday, which brings with it the first 11-on-11 work of the offseason. There are still no pads and no tackling -- not until training camp, by league rules -- but it is the opening set of workouts with full personnel groupings. Ray just completed his first full week of work with the Broncos since returning to the team May 18. Ray had attended the team’s rookie minicamp the weekend following the draft -- he did not practice -- but because the University of Missouri’s graduation was not until May 18, by league rules Ray could not attend any other team functions until then despite entering the draft as a junior. Ray’s participation in the offseason program has been monitored closely because of a toe injury. He suffered what he called a "variation of turf toe" on his right foot in Missouri's bowl game. Ray did not work out at the scouting combine in February and was limited at least some in his on-campus workout in the weeks before the draft. Broncos coach Gary Kubiak has said Ray’s pre-draft workouts affected the player’s ability to heal and that the Broncos would be careful in the coming weeks in how they pushed him before training camp. "From my understanding, and I’m not an expert on it, but it’s my understanding as he went through everything, all the workouts and stuff, that when he got to the draft he could have rehabbed better or been on a better program," Kubiak said recently. "Obviously, now he’s with us and I promise you he’ll be around the best. He’ll definitely benefit from it." Ray, DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller -- the veterans both Pro Bowlers last season -- give the Broncos three edge-rushers for defensive coordinator Wade Phillips to move around the formation. Ray said he’s just getting to know Ware, but that through a former teammate he has interacted with Miller even before the Broncos drafted Ray.

"When I got drafted here, he texted me and told me how excited he was, and I, of course, said the same thing," Ray said. "To be able to learn from him and DeMarcus, I just think this is a great opportunity for me." Ray played more as a defensive end at Missouri and will play in one of the outside linebacker spots in the Broncos’ 3-4 defense, likely as Ware’s backup initially at weakside outside linebacker. Ware, who will turn 33 years old in July, played 68.9 percent of the defense’s snaps last season. That was the highest total among the team’s defensive linemen and the Broncos’ desire is to improve Ware’s productivity and impact by using Ray to divvy up the snaps. Ware had just two of his 10 sacks in 2014 over the regular season’s last eight games and was asked to play over 70 percent of the defense's snaps in four of the team's last five games. Ray’s type of injury can have a significant impact on a player’s ability to cut and come out of a three-point stance. He is expected to wear an orthotic in his right shoe to avoid re-aggravating the injury. He has repeatedly said he believes he will be fully ready to go by training camp and that he is ready to play a linebacker’s role, including dropping into coverage. “I don’t think it’s going to be a big adjustment at all," Ray said. "Like I said, even before the draft, I’ve played linebacker before. Switching to outside linebacker is not a very difficult task for me. It’s really more so learning the system, learning the plays and I think I’ve been doing a pretty good job of getting it down."

7 questions entering Broncos OTAs By Mike Klis 9 News Sports May 26, 2015 There can be confusion with the Denver Broncos' offseason schedule because of all its firsts. The first time the 2015 Broncos gathered as a team was April 13. But that was just two weeks of strength and conditioning. Besides strength and conditioning coach Luke Richesson, no other coaches were allowed. The first time the 2015 Broncos' veterans practiced as a team was April 28. But no rookies were allowed. Shane Ray, Ty Sambrailo and the gang weren't drafted yet. The first time the 2015 Broncos' veterans and rookies – the full squad – practiced was May 4, only it was all individual drills and walkthroughs. The offense practiced against nobody – or "air" as teams call it. The Denver defense also practiced against "air." And now Wednesday is another first – the Broncos will hold their first of 10 organized team activities, otherwise known as OTAs. This is Phase III of the NFL's offseason program. Mixed in is a three-day mandatory minicamp. Between the 10 OTAs and three-day minicamp, the 2015 Broncos will have real practice for the first time, as real as practices get that is, with helmets, but no pads or contact. But there is 11-on-11 play, so Peyton Manning's offense will line up against Von Miller's defense. Offseason sessions are closed to the public. The media can view them every now and then. Fans can't start watching until training camp in late-July, which will be another first for the 2015 Broncos. Until then, here are seven questions the Broncos hope to answer during the four-week, OTA/minicamp sessions: 1. How is Peyton's arm? Dissect this team every which way possible. Gary Kubiak and the new coaching staff. Wade Phillips and the new 3-4 defense. The losses of Julius Thomas, Orlando Franklin, Terrance "Pot Roast" Knighton, Manny Ramirez and Rahim Moore. For all the storylines, the 2015 Broncos are much like the 2012, 2013 and 2014 Broncos – highly dependent on Manning's ability to play quarterback. Through his first two-and-a-half seasons with the team, Manning was teetered between very good and sensational. Runner-up in the MVP balloting in 2012; runaway MVP in 2013; arguably the first-half MVP in 2014.

But Manning slumped in the second half of last season, first as he struggled to find a rhythm in a suddenly transformed run-oriented, under-center offense. Then because of a strained right quad that prevented him from having the necessary power behind his throws. His legs are healthy now, but they are also 39 years old. If he returns to his 37-year-old form of 2013, the Broncos will contend for the Super Bowl. If he plays like he did in the second half of his 38th year, the Broncos will still contend for the AFC West title, but they will be considered long shots to get past the likes of the Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs. 2. What to do about Antonio Smith? The Broncos could use Smith the veteran defensive lineman with proven production in their new 3-4 front. The Broncos don't need Smith's ongoing distraction. Seven weeks after signing Smith to a relatively modest one-year, $2-million contract, it was revealed he is under investigation in Fort Bend County, Texas on a complaint of alleged sexual assault of a minor. No charges have been filed but the Sheriff's Office there completed its investigation in February and passed on its findings to district attorney, John Healey. It's now up to Healey to decide whether to indict Smith on charges through a Grand Jury, or dismiss the case. The Broncos have two options: Allow Smith to continue to carry on as he ordinarily would because unlike the high-profile NFL cases of Ray Rice, Greg Hardy, Adrian Peterson and Ray McDonald no charges have been filed. Or two, excuse Smith from OTAs for personal reasons until District Attorney Healey takes the next step in the investigation. 3. Who fills in for Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall? The Broncos made two terrific linebacker discoveries in the past two seasons when Trevathan, a sixth-round pick in 2012, and Marshall, an undrafted player cut by Jacksonville, emerged as tackling machines. But entering the 2015 offseason, neither inside linebacker in the 3-4 alignment is healthy. Trevathan is close to recovery but the Broncos are understandably cautious after he suffered not one, but two fractures in separate incidents in the same left knee cap area last season. Marshall is recovering from a Lisfranc tear in his right foot. Todd Davis, signed off the waiver wire from New Orleans as an undrafted rookie last season, is expected to get one inside linebacker spot this offseason. The other will be a competition between Steven Johnson, Corey Nelson, Lamin Barrow and Reggie Walker. 4. Who plays left guard, center and right tackle? When Manning lines up his first-team offense Wednesday, his five-man line is expected to be, from left to right, Ryan Clady, Ben Garland, Gino Gradkowski, Louis Vasquez and Chris Clark.

From this group, only Clady and Vasquez are secure. They're making a combined $15 million this season. They also have a combined three first-team All Pro selections. Garland is competing with veteran Shelley Smith at left guard. Smith, from Colorado State University, is the favorite to eventually start, but Garland, from Air Force, is getting an honest look. Gradkowski, acquired from Baltimore, is trying to hold off Matt Paradis and fourth-round rookie Max Garcia. Second-round rookie Sambrailo is already pushing Clark at right tackle. Michael Schofield, a third-round selection in 2014, is expected to get reps at both right tackle and left guard. 5. Does Kubiak adjust his offense for Manning or does Manning adjust for Kubiak? The offseason is for trial-and-error. Kubiak's offense traditionally has featured a huddle with the quarterback under center, zone running and play-action passing. Manning is arguably the best no-huddle, line-of-scrimmage operating quarterback who ever lived. He also prefers operating from the shotgun and using the running game only to help his receivers catch their breath. A logical compromise would be to have Manning relearn the quarterback position from under center but still give him the cerebral freedom to run his offense at the line of scrimmage. As for those rollout throws – that's what Brock Osweiler and the second-team reps are for. 6. Can Cody Latimer fill the offseason void of Demaryius Thomas? Manning's No. 1 receiver is an offseason holdout. The problem isn't necessarily the $12.82 million salary Thomas is guaranteed to make once he signs his franchise tender. The problem is his contract ends there. The two sides figure to re-start contract extension talks with the hopes of reaching an agreement by July 15, the deadline for teams to reach a long-term agreement with franchise-tagged players. Latimer, a second-round draft choice in 2014 who had but two catches as a rookie, is a long ways from equaling Thomas' production, which was an average of 99 catches the previous three seasons. But with Thomas out, Latimer and veteran Andre "Bubba" Caldwell will get some much needed reps opposite Emmanuel Sanders, who was the Broncos' No. 2 receiver last year. 7. How will Shane Ray fit in? The Broncos' first-round draft choice must first work his way back into shape. He hasn't participated in many football drills since suffering a severe big toe injury during Missouri's Citrus Bowl game on Jan. 1.

As Ray does work himself back into shape, the Broncos have to figure out how to work him in along with two other pass-rushing outside linebackers – Miller and DeMarcus Ware. Miller and Ware combined for 24 sacks in 2014. Ware and Miller have 176 combined sacks in their career. Ray ranked third among NCAA Division I players last year with 14.5 sacks.

Joe Horn on draft-day hugs: Roger Goodell 'will rip their throat apart' By Mike Triplett ESPN.com May 26, 2015 Former New Orleans Saints receiver Joe Horn offered one of the strongest rebukes yet of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, calling him "the devil" and saying he doesn't like to see rookies hugging Goodell on the stage during the NFL draft. Horn, who was one of the league's more brash, outspoken personalities when he played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Saints and Atlanta Falcons from 1996 to 2007, made his comments in a wide-ranging interview with TheFootballGirl.com. "Here's what I don't like. I don't like what Roger Goodell is doing. He has so much power that he can almost shut people down. I just don't like him," said Horn, who went into his rant on Goodell when asked for his thoughts on the current state of the NFL. "And I don't like that on draft day these kids don't know that they're hugging the devil. I hate to see kids that are lost and then happy but they really don't know that the man they're hugging will rip their throat apart. If he has an opportunity to take money from them, or there's a situation where they're guilty before they go to court, he'll rip them apart. And there's nothing no one can do about it. If the owners are happy with Roger Goodell, the fans, the media, no one can take his job from him. I hate it." Horn was fined $30,000 under previous commissioner Paul Tagliabue for his infamous 2003 touchdown celebration with a cell phone hidden in the padding of a goalpost. He was fined at least $37,500 in his career. Among other topics in the interview, Horn also said he's not mad at New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for trying to "get ahead" if he had a part in deflating footballs. Horn, however, said he has "disrespect" for Patriots coach Bill Belichick and thinks he should be suspended for a year for his part in Deflategate, because Belichick "knows what everyone is doing."

Bell: Jerry Jones isn't 'buying bonds' in Cowboys' high-risk, high-reward offseason By Jarrett Bell USA Today May 26, 2015 The topic was risk, and while explaining the thinking attached to some of the Dallas Cowboys' eye-popping offseason decisions, Jerry Jones caught himself. "There are no cookie-cutters here," the team's owner told USA TODAY Sports during a recent phone interview. "I've talked about the players, but I should be careful to talk about the names. Everybody has different circumstances. But in the end, each situation will stand on its own." The names. Greg Hardy, whose appeal hearing of a 10-game suspension stemming from a domestic assault case is set for Thursday, was signed by the Cowboys as a free agent. Randy Gregory, whose stock plummeted after he failed a drug test in February at the NFL scouting combine, was drafted late in the second round. La'el Collins, who went undrafted as authorities in Louisiana questioned and cleared him as a suspect in the slayings of his ex-girlfriend and the child she carried, was lured as a college free agent. The cases are undoubtedly separate, as Jones mentioned. Yet the names attached to them have the common link of being affiliated with the Cowboys, who have sent a distinct message about how they are willing to do business in the name of chasing another Super Bowl trophy. Amid a sensitive climate in the NFL, with more focus than ever on domestic violence and a revised personal-conduct policy, the Cowboys have set themselves up for serious second-guessing. "We're not buying bonds here," Jones said, repeating a favorite mantra. "Risk takes on a lot of different forms, be it financial, the draft slot, something physical. I felt this was the time to be aggressive. Any pick you make, or any player you sign, something can go wrong." Just ask the Chicago Bears. In March, the Bears signed defensive end Ray McDonald despite his two arrests last year related to domestic violence. Monday, the Bears cut McDonald after another arrest in San Jose on suspicion of domestic violence and child endangerment. The Bears were targets of extreme criticism for signing McDonald in the first place, and no one comes off looking as bad as team chairman George McCaskey — who initially balked, then approved of general manager Ryan Pace signing McDonald. On top of that, after the deal was struck, McCaskey made a fool of himself by maintaining that it wasn't important to speak to the alleged victims from McDonald's cases. Though authorities didn't pursue charges in the first of McDonald's cases, they have yet to determine if charges will be pursued in the second case. The Bears, nonetheless, ignored the red flags.

If any of Dallas' moves backfires, Jones knows the deal: It will be open season on him, too. No, the Cowboys didn't speak to the victim in Hardy's case, Nicole Holder, but Jones said the vetting process was extensive enough to warrant signing the defensive end. That and, of course, the opportunity to land a difference-maker to boost a woeful pass rush. If the signing of Hardy and the selection of Gregory pan out, the Cowboys will have significantly improved a defense that has been lacking playmakers. In Collins — whom Jones personally recruited after assurance from a lie detector test that concluded the player wasn't involved in the tragedy — Dallas will add a first-round talent to arguably the NFL's best offensive line. "It is really about the opportunity that presents itself, probably in every case," Jones said. "I'd like to tell you I sat down and strategized after last season. It's almost like the draft. Let's be real aggressive. "At this juncture, that has everything to do with where (Tony) Romo is, and the level of players we have." In other words, after winning the NFC East and advancing to the divisional playoff round last season, Jones is more willing to gamble on players with question marks because he's trying to win big again — and he'll take the heat that comes with that. We'll see whether Dallas' team chemistry, not to mention the franchise's reputation, will hold up with the newest additions. Jones, like coach Jason Garrett, thinks there are enough high-character veteran players in the fold to establish the team's identity. Perhaps the in-house support program Jones has established — complete with a psychologist, outside counselors, experts brought in for presentations and various life-management programs — will help. Maybe not. In 2012, despite the support programs, since-retired defensive tackle Josh Brent was responsible for the drunk-driving accident that cost the life of practice squad player Jerry Brown, who also was Brent's best friend. During the mid-1990s, when his team faced numerous off-the-field episodes, Jones enlisted former player and executive Calvin Hill as a consultant to develop the program. "That effort is more than just prescriptive oversight," Jones said. "I know when I make a decision I'm increasing my own personal workday." Jones is more hands-on than any other NFL owner, which is what you'd expect from someone who also doubles as his team's general manager. And, yes, Jones' work days are getting longer. His engagement has worked with Dez Bryant, the all-pro receiver who joined the team in 2010 as a first-round pick carrying baggage.

He is close enough to Bryant, that "I've been a signature on his bank account," Jones says. Perhaps Bryant will put his signature on a new long-term contract, a saga that has represented a different type of risk after the team designated the receiver as a franchise player in March. Then again, one risk leads to another. Jones said the biggest gamble of all this offseason might have been failing to keep reigning NFL rushing champion DeMarco Murray, who fled to the division rival Philadelphia Eagles. As it stands, the Cowboys will head into the season with veteran Darren McFadden and returning backup Joseph Randle as the top backs. "We'd love to have Murray," Jones said. "We had to take a little step back to go forward. We needed that cap room. That's risky. Yet it freed up the cap room that we could use to make other moves." And take other risks.

In Vikings-Peterson stare down, retirement card could come into play By Jason La Canfora CBSSports.com May 26, 2015 Ben Dogra is nothing but persistent. The powerful agent, never shy about playing the role of antagonist if he deems it required, has been plenty content to take a heel turn in the ongoing saga of Adrian Peterson vs. the Minnesota Vikings. It would come as no surprise if he continues to push whatever leverage the beleaguered star running back has. If that means continuing to make life uncomfortable for his past, current, and I suppose, future employer, then so be it. Never underestimate Dogra's will, especially in the current climate. This showdown with the Vikings comes in the wake of Dogra leaving his former mega-agency, CAA, under dueling allegations and joining another mega-agency, Relativity, at a time when the NFLPA is investigating Dogra for possible impropriety, and on the heels of top clients J.J. Watt and Trent Williams making changes in their representation. So if he has to go to war for Peterson, and extend this off-field skirmish through the summer, well, that's part of the gig sometimes. Few embody the mindset of the underdog the way Dogra does, and the Vikings seem to be catching him at a particularly prickly time. Misguided or not, his resolve is extreme, and Dogra -- who over the past 10 years or so I dare say no one has done more business representing NFL players -- isn't going to let the Vikings off easy. Peterson is uncomfortable with the idea of returning to the franchise and Dogra is never one to shy away from a fight. So, if it comes as news to anyone that Peterson isn't going to be showing up for OTAs and that he'll probably skip a mandatory mini-camp and that his presence for the start of training camp will be in question, I must ask -- have you not been paying attention? The stage for all of this was set back at the combine in a messy verbal exchange that Dogra instigated with a member of the Vikings' front office. And Dogra went around telling anyone who asked at the March owner's meeting in Arizona that his client wanted out of Minnesota. While Dogra has issued some moderately more amenable statements about Peterson's future in Minnesota after that, we've never seen an indication that Peterson was reporting at any particular time, and this was never going to be a perfectly clean return. Peterson still harbors misgivings about how some members of the team's brass handled his child abuse charges, he still wants to make his $13M he's due this season somewhere else, and Dogra still has plenty of time between now and Peterson's first game check to continue to put the Vikings on notice and try to force their hand.

Furthermore, some who have talked to Peterson with regularity since his trip to the Commissioner's Exempt List, say he has ruminated on the possibility of retirement more than once, and has seemed less than enthusiastic about the prospect of playing professional football more than once. He has maintained a posture that he would go to great lengths to not have to play for the Vikings again. Multiple sources have told me that refrain dating back to the earliest weeks of his clash with the NFL when the police reports of his beating of his child appeared on the Internet. While some of this might be the usual rhetoric we hear in these types of clashes, I've always got the sense that Peterson would play most any card to try to wiggle free if at all possible. In the end, will it change anything? I can't fathom it will. The draft has come and gone, NFL teams have drafted a slew of young and cheap running backs in the interim and Peterson's contract continues to look like an outlying dinosaur. He is owed $45M the next three years despite being 30 and essentially being suspended with pay all of last season, and being in jeopardy of banishment from the NFL for another violation of the league's personal conduct policy. Couple that with Peterson already having a ton of carries and an ACL tear as tread on his tires. The market was never going to be robust for him, no one wanted him at his current salary and the prospect of the Vikings having to give up, say, two second-round picks and then pay Peterson more money than anyone in the NFL is making at his position always rendered a trade a long shot. Post-draft, it may be impossibile. Short of the Cowboys, whose recent dalliance with a host of broken-down or never-were running backs at a recent tryout speak to the voids remaining in their backfield, with Jerry Jones the ultimate wild card, I really can't see anyone matching up with a trade partner this late in the game. And that of course requires Minnesota to still part with the player -- they have been every bit as steadfast as Dogra in terms of not wavering in their stance to keep Peterson, grumpy or not -- which I wouldn't count on. So the end game is probably what it always was in this case -- Peterson creates an ongoing headache for the Vikings, works in aggressive and passive-aggressive ways through his agent to stir the pot, and maybe in the end gets a little richer for it. And maybe it goes into August, if not longer, before we get any resolution. I know as well as anyone that the new Collective Bargaining Agreement has some draconian financial penalties for players under contract who skip mandatory workdays. But I also know this league has an even longer policy of different policies for superstars. Many a team has waived all the fines and penalties at the end of a holdout in order to facilitate the star player returning to the field and if anyone would be fixated on that sort of deal, it would be Peterson/Dogra in this case. Ultimately, maybe Peterson gets new incentives added to the contract. Maybe he gets a portion of his massive 2017 salary -- not a penny of which is guaranteed right now -- guaranteed as of the first regular season game this September. Maybe he gets a year added on to the deal. Maybe it's a hodgepodge of all of the above. If he goes down, it won't be without pushing the issues. At this point he has nothing to lose (except for some cash, perhaps, but Peterson could always pull the retirement card if need be and remember he already got paid in full a year ago despite not having to subject his body to a game or practice after

Week 1). As for that $250,000 workout bonus Peterson's contract carries, you don't think Minnesota would throw that cash back in the pot in a month or two if that's what it took to get this thing done. If anyone thought Peterson's camp would be sweating that, again, they seem to have missed the tenor of this entire affair. He might as well continue to call the Vikings' bluff, because, again, they continue to proclaim they are perfectly willing to pay him what he's already owed for 2015 despite all he's put them through the past nine months or so. They never sought a cut in pay from him and if they're willing to put up with all of this and pay him this much, then if I am in his camp and the client is this unhappy, then why not keep the fight alive and see if maybe Minnesota caves some on the back end? It could mean Minnesota throws more cash and/or guarantees Peterson's way to finally end this drama before or during training camp. Being out $250,000 -- at least on paper -- probably only serves to make Peterson appear more aggrieved or bolster his arguments in that regard and he is anything but excited about having to be back in Minnesota as it currently stands. So why send the message that he is by running around in shorts for OTAs, and risking injury in the process? Bottom line is, if there is a pretty bow put atop this box of discontentment at some point, it will likely only come after further consternation. Dogra doesn't back down easy, or often. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer is not one to be trifled with. And Peterson, again according to some who have been in close contact with him, has seemed ambivalent at best about continuing his vocation after this ongoing ordeal. History will tell us, however, that money always talks and usually talks loudest and deadlines spur actions. And sometime right around when the Vikings come to camp we might finally see Peterson in the purple and yellow again, and perhaps even richer for it.

Andy Reid says Eric Berry has completed cancer treatments By Sam Cooper Yahoo.com May 26, 2015 It’s been six months since Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a form of cancer, and head coach Andy Reid said Tuesday the All-Pro is “doing well.” “He’s going to get his big end-of-the-school [year] exam down here. He’s been through all the treatments, so now the doctor is going to sit down with him and go over exactly what the results of all that are,” Reid said at the Chiefs’ first day of organized team activities, per the Kansas City Star. When the initial diagnosis came out last December, the team said that Berry’s diagnosis was “very treatable” and “potentially curable.” So far, so good, according to Reid. “Everything up to this point has been very positive from the doctor and from Eric,” Reid said. “So I think we’re heading in the right direction with that.” Berry, who turned 26 in December, originally complained of chest pain following the Chiefs’ game against Oakland in late November. Tests found a mass in his chest, shutting him down for the season. A week later, the diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma was confirmed. After news of his diagnosis was made public, Berry released a statement with an optimistic outlook for his recovery. “My family and I are very grateful for the amount of support we have received over the last couple of weeks. I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate all the words of encouragement, the blessings and well wishes. I want to thank the Emory University School of Medicine, along with Dr. Flowers and his team, for all of their hard work and effort in diagnosing and creating a plan for me to battle this thing. I will embrace this process and attack it the same way I do everything else in life. God has more than prepared me for it. For everyone sharing similar struggles, I’m praying for you and keep fighting!" In parts of five seasons for the Chiefs, Berry was named an All-Pro three times and registered 289 tackles, 31 passes defended and eight interceptions.

Michael Sam in Montreal: It’s All About Football By Greg Bedard MMQB.com May 26, 2015 Knew this was coming. I apologized in advance for the inevitable: when it comes to writing the behemoth that is Monday Morning Quarterback, I was bound to forget something. And I did. I completely whiffed on Michael Sam signing a two-year contract with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL. Considering The MMQB was the home of Canada Week last year, it basically was a cardinal sin. Sam was introduced to the Montreal media Tuesday, the same day players were taking their physicals for training camp, which starts today up there. One of the first questions was about whether or not Sam realized that Jackie Robinson started his professional baseball career with the Montreal Royals. In fact, Robinson broke the color barrier in professional baseball (the Major League color barrier would come later) playing for Montreal in Jersey City, N.J. Sam didn’t want to compare his situation, as the first openly gay professional football player, to that of Robinson. “I’m just here to play football,” Sam said. “I’m not trying to do anything historic, just trying to help the team win games.” I get why Sam is trying to take the focus off himself, but the comparison is apt. If Sam makes the Alouettes, he would be become the first openly gay CFL player to play in a regular-season game. And, like Robinson, Sam will have to succeed with Montreal if he is to get another opportunity to break the sexuality barrier in the NFL. The big question is, will Sam get another chance? I studied Sam after he came out to see exactly what kind of NFL draft prospect he was. My evaluation: “Sam would project to be no better than a mid- to late-round pick. He could go undrafted. To my eyes Sam is decidedly average, with nothing exceptional about his game—though he will be helped by the fact that this draft is not deep with pass rushers, and those are always needed.” So I was not surprised that Sam lasted until the seventh round of the 2014 draft, when he was taken by the Rams. In my opinion, Sam’s draft position was right in line with what he showed on film. It didn’t have anything to do with his sexual orientation. Sam was a slow, middling pass rusher who didn’t set the edge well in the run game either. But in his preseason appearances with the Rams, it was obvious to me that Sam had improved, especially with his speed off the line. Couple that with his knack for finding the ball (he led the SEC with 11.5 quarterback sacks and 19 tackles for a loss in ’13), and I thought Sam had shown enough to earn a place on a team’s practice squad. The Cowboys signed him, but he was released in October. That was Sam’s last time with an NFL team, which led him to the Alouettes. Sam said his sexuality was not a problem during his time in the NFL.

“When I went to the NFL and that locker room, they didn’t see me as a gay football player, they saw me as a rookie, and they treated me like a rookie,” said Sam, who admitted his 40-yard time of 5.07 seconds at the NFL’s veteran combine was “pretty bad.” Now that Sam will get a legitimate shot in the CFL (not saying he didn’t get one in the NFL, but now there will be no doubt), it’s up to him. He has to show speed and he has to be productive. Cameron Wake tallied 39 sacks and was named the league’s most outstanding defensive player in two seasons with the B.C. Lions from 2007-08 before getting a chance to be a star in the NFL with the Dolphins. If Sam can approach that kind of production, he’ll get another shot at the NFL. “I have no regrets whatsoever,” Sam said. “I’m happy with what I’ve done over the past year. I’ve helped so many people, given them so much inspiration. So I have no regrets. “All I know is I’m here now. (Playing in the CFL) means I only have two downs to sack the quarterback.” Onto your questions: * * * SCIENCE AND FOOTBALL. Your attempt at a scientific analysis of Deflategate was very incomplete. Please keep in mind that over the course of half-time, according to Exponent, the Colts balls will rise .6 PSI (or almost 5% of their pressure), and we know they were measured at the very end of halftime when they ran out of time. Not to mention, Exponent forgot to incorporate the effects of evaporative cooling on the footballs. Had they, it could have also helped the Patriots cause and explained the gap in pressure drop between the two sets of balls measured at two different times. You and Peter both should leave the science to scientists. Dangerous things happen otherwise! You should really update your column to remove that section. —Randy W. Yeah, I won’t be doing that. The point of putting in that section was to show that the whole “science” part of this is ridiculous, on both sides. How do you know when the NFL actually got around to testing the Patriots’ balls? What about the balls that were tested at the end, right before the Colts’ balls. You and whoever else can mock Exponent if you want, but the fact remains Dr. Daniel R. Marlow, a decorated physics scholar from Princeton, signed off on the science portion of the report. So you can’t just toss it out. The bottom line is, we’re talking about football. This isn’t a capital murder case. We’re not deciphering some complicated math proof. It’s football. The NFL itself (signed off by all the owners) lowered the bar on competitive rules violations because they shouldn’t need guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. I agree with them. If you don’t want to get busted, then stay clear of the gray line. Don’t go into the bathroom with the footballs and then lie repeatedly about it. Don’t text about pumping up footballs when your gameday duties shouldn’t ever involve the handling of footballs. Don’t call yourself the deflator, or joke about going to ESPN. And don’t decide you’re not going to fully cooperate, or withhold witnesses. Do everything by the letter, then you can tee up the science and take it for a ride, if you want. Be my guest. Until then, you have to deal with more than just the appearance of impropriety.

EXPECT BRADY TO FIGHT. You have to be kidding me trying to compare Robert Kraft’s position to that of Tom Brady’s. Kraft had many reasons to stand down but not Brady. As a team owner in the most successful sports league in the country, Kraft has billions of reasons to acquiesce and little legal recourse even if he did want to fight. For Brady this isn’t about four games or money; this is about his entire legacy. No doubt Brady is angry, and just like he’s ultra competitive on the field, I’m sure he’ll fight this battle to the very end with all of the means at his disposal. How great would it be if Roger Goodell offers a reduced penalty and Brady tells them to take a hike while he fights for full vindication. —Michael C., Harrison, N.Y. It wasn’t a comparison between Kraft and Brady. I think it’s apparent to everyone that they are two distinctly different situations, especially in terms of recourse. But I think you’re fooling yourself if you don’t think his own legacy was chief among Kraft’s reasoning for not taking it further. Also, I do not share your optimism that Brady will take this all the way to the end, especially once the games start. Maybe he will. I might believe that more if Brady ever states his unequivocal innocence, something he didn’t even do during his press conference, interview with Bob Costas before the Super Bowl, and last public appearance at Salem State. If I was completely innocent, I would say it at least once, clearly, for the record. WEIGHT ROOM INJURIES. Why doesn’t anyone ever look into what happened when a player suffers an injury in the weight room? Will Beatty is out until October and that’s all we get? Has weight room training for some teams changed in the past 30 years? —Donald C. Couple thoughts on that. For one, plenty of injuries happen in the weight room and/or preseason training. And we’ve seen more and more pectoral injuries in recent years, be it in the weight room or on the field. So it didn’t strike me as a shock. There are a variety of reasons for it (performance enhancing drugs, guys getting too big, not enough stretching, just plain bad luck), but maybe it could be looked into more. And in case you’re hinting at potential neglect on behalf of the Giants, Beatty is ably represented by the NFLPA and veteran agents Alan Herman and Jared Fox of Sportstars agency. If something was amiss, they would be on it. There are avenues of recourse. P.S. Thanks for all the great Toronto tips. Looking forward to the trek. It was brought to my attention that the Women’s World Cup will be going on, so we might alter our plans. Too bad we’re just missing the Pan Am Games. Boy, Canada is busy, eh?

Philip Rivers wants to finish career with Chargers By Chris Wesseling NFL.com May 26, 2015 Philip Rivers placed his San Diego future in question two months ago when he rejected the notion of signing a contract extension with the Chargers. Now there's reason to believe Rivers will stay with the organization under a new long-term deal, as NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport recently suggested. Although Rivers said Tuesday that there is "nothing new to report" on contract talks, he added, via U-T San Diego's Michael Gehlkin that it would be "awesome" to finish his career with the Chargers. As we pointed out last week, it would now be a surprise if Rivers doesn't retire in a Bolts uniform.

Broncos have call to make on Antonio Smith this week By Josh Alper Pro Football Talk May 26, 2015 The arrest and release of former Bears defensive end Ray McDonald became the big story in the NFL on Monday, but McDonald wasn’t the only defensive lineman to land in the news for the wrong reasons recently. Last week, word broke of a child abuse investigation concerning Broncos defensive lineman Antonio Smith in Texas. The complaint against Smith was made last November and is reportedly “sexual in nature,” but no arrest has been made and no charges have been filed since the police sent the results of their investigation to the Fort Bend County district attorney in February. The lack of charges or an arrest make Smith’s situation a different one from the one that led to McDonald’s departure from Chicago, but the Broncos still face a decision about Smith’s status. The team says it learned of the investigation last week and they’ll have to decide if they want to have Smith at this week’s organized team activities in light of the information they didn’t have when they signed Smith to a one-year, $2 million deal this offseason. Denver could excuse Smith from the practices as they gather information about the allegations against Smith, something that would probably have already happened via a trip to the Commissioner Exempt list if Smith had been arrested or charged with a crime.

Broncos tee off before OTA's By Christine Williamson DenverBroncos.com May 26, 2015 The Broncos players and staff took to the golf course on Tuesday for some team bonding before the start of OTA’s this week. The golf outing served as a way for the team to build their off-the-field relationships and relax before the pace kicks up on Wednesday morning. “Usually going into training camp you’re all tense the day before and you don’t sleep well but this is a way to get guys out there and relax,” says safety David Bruton Jr. “We get to know each other as teammates, not just on the field but as people outside of work.” “I think when you think about football, it’s a team sport and you have to have events during the offseason that build that team camaraderie,” said linebacker DeMarcus Ware. “It’s not just about the X’s and O’s it’s about the family time and getting to know guys after taking the helmet off.” While the trip was a way for the players to bond and get their mind away from the football field, they didn’t necessarily leave their competitive nature on the gridiron. “It’s competitive no doubt,” said Ware. “I mean, some guys can’t even golf and they look like they are expert golfers, me being one of those guys. I’m going to compete regardless.” “It’s frustrating, I’m not going to lie, but I love the competition,” said Bruton Jr. “I have my moments of greatness – sometimes I’m LeBron and sometimes I’m some scrub.”

Prepped for Wednesday OTA start By Allie Raymond DenverBroncos.com May 26, 2015 After months of workouts and training, the Denver Broncos will don helmets for the first time in the offseason and return to the practice field for the start of its organized team activities on Wednesday. Phase three of the Broncos’ offseason schedule OTAs will run until Friday, May 29. The team will then break for the weekend and return to Dove Valley for Monday and Tuesday training. The first session of OTAs marks the first time the Broncos defense and offense will line up in head-to-head drills under the instruction of first-year head coach Gary Kubiak. In addition to a collection of new coaches, Denver will also usher in its 2015 draft class led by first-round pick Shane Ray. Wednesday’s practice is set to be Ray’s first outing as a Bronco after suffering a foot injury in his collegiate finale. DenverBroncos.com and BroncosTV will bring all Denver fans live online coverage surrounding the start of OTAs. BroncosTV will broadcast all Kubiak and coordinators press coverage live on DenverBroncos.com, where fans can also find commentary following each session. All three practices this week are slated to end around 1:30 p.m. with BroncosTV broadcasting all press conferences including Kubiak immediately following practice on Wednesday. Offensive coordinator Rick Dennison will be available to the media on Thursday after practice and on Friday defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis will be available. Select players will also be on hand after each practice. OTA WEEK ONE MEDIA SCHEDULE: WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 1:30 p.m. Gary Kubiak available to media 1:30 p.m. Select players available to media THURSDAY, MAY 28 1:30 p.m. Offensive Coordinator Rick Dennison available to media 1:35 p.m. Select players available to media FRIDAY, MAY 29 1:30 p.m. Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips available to media 1:35 p.m. Special Teams Coordinator Joe DeCamillis available to media 1:40 p.m. Select players available to media