Kiszla: Broncos need to address unacceptable drunken driving arrests

By Mark Kiszla The Denver Post July 10, 2013

The Broncos have a drinking problem.

Matt Russell and Tom Heckert are team executives entrusted in the front office with guiding the Broncos down the road to the Super Bowl.

Russell and Heckert have been arrested during the last month on drunken driving charges.

There will be no self-righteous wagging of the finger by me at the NFL franchise whose every move affects the heart of Denver. But the sobering truth is: The Broncos must do something more than say they're sorry.

"My expectation is the discipline will be severe," Broncos president Joe Ellis told The Denver Post.

While Russell and Heckert will get the opportunity to state their cases in court, the discipline must come first from the Broncos, not the league office or the legal system.

To be certain, there will be demands of zero tolerance shouted, pressuring the Broncos to fire Russell and Heckert. I get that. The Broncos get it.

The anger and shame within the team's Dove Valley headquarters is so loud it rattles the walls.

Russell, however, has done football in Colorado proud since he was an All-America linebacker for the CU Buffs in the 1990s. Would firing him do more to serve justice, or appease our sense of outrage?

But the Broncos do face a tough choice at the intersection where loyalty and practicality collide.

Suspending Russell without pay for at least three months while the top aide to John Elway deals with the legal fallout seems within reason, especially if Russell was sincere when saying: "I'm ashamed that I represented this region and the Broncos' organization in the matter that I did." Here's the tricky part. If Russell misses a major chunk of time during the football season, can the team effectively cover his responsibilities for day-to-day personnel operations on the pro level and preparation for the NFL draft in his absence?

Heckert has not been on the job in Denver long enough to build goodwill or trust.

Dismissing more than 20 years of work in the NFL for a dumb mistake would seem harsh. Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand, however, was suspended 30 days and fined $100,000 in 2010 after he plead guilty to driving while impaired. Heckert should expect similarly stiff punishment.

After the final session of minicamp in the middle of June, Broncos coach John Fox lingered on the practice field before heading out for the six weeks of down time on the NFL calendar that causes concern the period of rest and relaxation could turn into trouble for young athletes.

"This is the time of the year," Fox told me, "that you don't ever want to see a player's name in the headlines unless he wins the lottery."

Fewer than 48 hours before Fox expressed his apprehension, Heckert had been arrested in Parker under suspicion of DUI.

The Broncos have a drinking problem.

First and foremost, it's a safety problem.

The Broncos are lucky nobody on either side of the steering wheel was killed. And these cases cannot be dismissed as boys gone wild. Russell is 40 years old. Heckert is 45.

It's a serious football problem.

A team with legitimate championship aspirations could well be handicapped by a huge hole in the front office left by Russell, the Broncos' director of player personnel, and Heckert, hired in May as the director of pro personnel.

This is also a personal problem, capable of igniting deep-rooted empathy or vein- popping disgust, with that harsh swing of emotions possible within the same breath.

If the arrest report on Russell proves to be correct, his Fourth of July weekend unfolded like a movie script so bad that David Spade would reject it as preposterous. Alongside an open container of alcohol while driving before sundown Saturday, Russell allegedly ran his Toyota Tundra into a car in the Colorado mountain town of Frisco, then kept going until his trip came to an abrupt stop further down the road when he rear-ended a police vehicle. The Broncos have a drinking problem.

"One episode is too many. Two is ridiculous," Ellis said.

At the league meetings held in Arizona during March, commissioner Roger Goodell announced the NFL was going to expand its partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving in the wake of Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Josh Brent being charged with intoxication manslaughter stemming from a December crash that killed teammate Jerry Brown.

"We are very proud about this relationship and are working to educate our executives, our players and everybody about the dangers of drunk driving and what we need to do to be responsible role models in this area," Goodell said.

MADD president Jan Withers gave a talk from the heart to NFL leadership, which included representatives from the Broncos. In 1992, her 15-year-old daughter, Alisa Joy, was killed by a car driven by an underage drinker.

The Broncos have a drinking problem.

The Broncos cannot get back on the road to the Super Bowl until they deal with it. Another Broncos exec facing DUI charges; Tom Heckert arrested in Parker

By Mike Klis and Ryan Parker The Denver Post July 9, 2013

Tom Heckert, the Broncos' director of pro personnel, is facing DUI charges from a June 11 arrest in Parker, the Douglas County Sheriff's office said Tuesday.

Heckert joins Matt Russell, the Broncos director of player personnel, in facing DUI charges. Russell was arrested Saturday night in Summit County after allegedly hitting two cars, one of them a Breckenridge police car.

Heckert, 45, was arrested June 11 at 10:15 p.m. near South Chambers Road and East Main Street. Police say he possibly had been weaving out of his lane, according to Douglas County Sheriff's spokesperson Ron Hanavan.

Heckert joined the Broncos on May 7 after previously serving as the Cleveland Browns general manager.

The Broncos released a statement late Tuesday afternoon about Heckert's arrest, acknowledging they had known about it for weeks.

"We were made aware of the matter involving Tom Heckert immediately after it occurred and promptly notified the league office. His arrest is extremely upsetting, and this situation is being handled internally as well as in coordination with NFL policies.

"Tom's actions are obviously part of a disturbing pattern of irresponsible behavior that we are aggressively addressing within our organization. One member of the Broncos arrested for driving under the influence is one too many. This type of behavior puts innocent people at risk and cannot be tolerated."

Heckert was charged with driving under the influence and reckless driving. His first court date in Douglas County was Monday, according to police — the same day news broke of Russell's arrest.

Heckert is scheduled for another pretrial court appearance on Aug. 30 with his lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, according to the Associated Press.

Heckert released a statement through the Broncos saying: "I am extremely disappointed that in my short time with the Broncos I have made such a serious mistake. My actions last month have brought embarrassment to the organization, and I fully understand the consequences that are involved. I am truly sorry and take complete responsibility for this situation.

"Although I have let many people down, I will learn from this and work toward regaining the trust that I have lost."

Broncos executive vice president John Elway hired Heckert this spring. He was in charge of scouting current NFL players and was to oversee advance scouting of Broncos opponents.

The Broncos, in their statement, added:

"While our team and league supply plenty of resources to prevent these situations, it is clear we need to do better.

"We are thoroughly reviewing the procedures we have in place and will do whatever it takes to enhance their effectiveness going forward."

Both Russell, who was hired in 2009 to oversee the Broncos' college scouting department, and Heckert face possible heavy discipline from the team and the league in addition to any legal consequences.

The NFL's personal conduct policy applies to front office executives as well as players, and Commissioner Roger Goodell has stated he wants to stiffen the penalties for first-offense drunken driving cases. Penalties could range from stiff fines to suspensions and even banishment from the NFL.

Heckert is entering his 23rd season in the NFL. He started as a scout for the Miami Dolphins in 1991. What, if any, punishment should NFL give Broncos executive Matt Russell?

By Mark Kiszla The Denver Post July 9, 2013

Matt Russell has made football in Colorado great, from his days as a decorated linebacker for the CU Buffs to his role building the Broncos into a Super Bowl contender as an executive with the local NFL team. In the mountain town of Breckenridge over the Fourth of July weekend, Russell was arrested on multiple charges, including DUI and careless driving, after his truck collided with a police SUV.

So how does the NFL respond? Commissioner Roger Goodell is often applauded for protecting the league shield, when he suspends players for off-field trouble. Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall was fined more than $50,000 and missed a game in 2008 due to suspension. Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand was suspended for 30 days and fined $100,000 after he pleaded guilty to driving while impaired in 2010. While Russell has apologized, punishment from the league seems likely. What should it be? Listen to Peter Burns of Mile High Sports Radio and I discuss it here:

Tailgating and alcohol are almost as much a part of the NFL’s game day experience as stadium video boards and cheerleaders. So do you view Russell with compassion, or anger?

APNewsBreak: 2nd Broncos exec facing DUI charges

By ARNIE STAPLETON The Associated Press July 9, 2013

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) -- A second Denver Broncos executive is facing drunken driving charges, The Associated Press has learned.

Tom Heckert, the Broncos' recently hired director of pro personnel, was arrested in Parker on the night of June 11 and charged with driving under the influence and careless driving, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Department.

The news comes one day after Broncos director of player personnel Matt Russell apologized for his arrest over the weekend on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Broncos spokesman Patrick Smyth said the Broncos are aware of this other matter involving Heckert and would provide comment shortly.

A pretrial conference is scheduled for Aug. 30 for Heckert. His lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, wasn't available for comment.

Broncos Executive Vice President John Elway hired Heckert on May 7. In his new role, he works closely with Elway and Russell, who faces multiple charges, including driving under the influence and careless driving resulting in injury after police said his 2008 Toyota Tundra crashed into a Breckenridge police SUV on Saturday night.

Heckert, who turns 46 on July 17, joined the Broncos after serving as general manager of the Cleveland Browns for the last three seasons. His responsibilities in Denver include scouting current NFL players and will include overseeing the advance scouting for Broncos opponents.

Both Russell, who was hired in 2009 to oversee the Broncos' college scouting department, and Heckert face possible heavy discipline from the team and the league in addition to any legal consequences.

The NFL's personal conduct policy applies to front office executives as well as players, and Commissioner Roger Goodell has stated he wants to stiffen the penalties for first-offense drunken driving cases.

Penalties could range from stiff fines to suspensions and even banishment from the NFL. In 2010, Detroit Lions President Tom Lewand was suspended for a month and fined $100,000 by the league after he pleaded guilty to driving while impaired.

Russell was arrested over the weekend after allegedly hitting two vehicles in Summit County in separate crashes, the second of which injured a Breckenridge police officer, who was treated at a hospital and released.

Heckert is entering his 23rd season in the NFL. He started as a scout for the Miami Dolphins in 1991. Before his three-year stint with the Browns beginning in 2010, Heckert spent nine seasons with Philadelphia, including his final four years (2006- 09) as the Eagles' general manager.

Three of those seasons (2006-08) were spent working with Russell, who was a college scout for the Eagles during that time.

Heckert's father, Tom Sr., spent more than 20 years as an NFL player personnel executive. Second Denver Broncos executive arrested, charged with DUI

By John Breech CBSSports.com July 9, 2013

Tom Heckert, the Denver Broncos director of pro personnel, is facing a DUI charge stemming from a June 11 incident in Parker, Colo., according to the Associated Press. Heckert is the second Broncos executive in as many days to have a DUI charge come to light.

Matt Russell, the Broncos director of player personnel, was charged with DUI after allegedly crashing into a police cruiser on July 6 in Breckenridge, Colo. News of Russell's incident broke on Monday.

Heckert's arrest occurred after only a month on the job. The Broncos hired the former Browns general manager on May 7. Heckert has also worked in the front officer for the Dolphins and the Eagles.

Like they did following Russell's incident, the Broncos released a scathing statement:

We were made aware of the matter involving Tom Heckert immediately after it occurred and promptly notified the league office. His arrest is extremely upsetting, and this situation is being handled internally as well as in coordination with NFL policies.

Tom's actions are obviously part of a disturbing pattern of irresponsible behavior that we are aggressively addressing within our organization.

One member of the Broncos arrested for driving under the influence is one too many.

This type of behavior puts innocent people at risk and cannot be tolerated. While our team and league supply plenty of resources to prevent these situations, it is clear we need to do better.

We are thoroughly reviewing the procedures we have in place and will do whatever it takes to enhance their effectiveness going forward.

Heckert also released a statement through the team: I am extremely disappointed that in my short time with the Broncos I have made such a serious mistake," he said. "My actions last month have brought embarrassment to the organization, and I fully understand the consequences that are involved. I am truly sorry and take complete responsibility for this situation.

Although I have let many people down, I will learn from this and work toward regaining the trust that I have lost.

Both Russell and Heckert could face penalties under the NFL's personal conduct policy, which applies to both players and front office personnel.

Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand was suspended for 30 days and fined $100,000 by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell following Lewand's guilty plea to driving while impaired in 2010.

Eleven cases where extension can be best for player and team

By Pat Kirwan CBSSports.com July 9, 2013

The draft picks are all signed. It's time for clubs to turn their attention to young veterans to extend. The personnel people around the league are looking closely at the Victor Cruz deal the Giants put together and wondering how it may apply to their players in similar situations.

I went through every roster, targeting players I would attempt to extend right now. The risk of injury is always a good reason for certain players to talk with their club. The team shouldn't want to get into a situation next year where they have to fall back on the franchise tag to retain the services of a bright young player who will be on the verge of free agency in 2014. When both sides have something to gain there's a chance a deal can get done.

The 11 players I identify here as priority signings all come from the draft class of 2010 and were not first-round picks. Consequently they all signed four-year deals and are looking at the last year of their contract. There is also enough on- and off- field information to do a deal. Club executives who claim they want to see a little more before they do a deal will usually pay a lot more at the end of this season to retain the services of the player.

Of course there's always the risk of injury and the club would get left holding a bad deal, but that's the case with every player. If clubs go down the road of the franchise tag it will be a significant salary cap hit, restrict the club from tagging another veteran and potentially lose the player in two years. It happened to the Panthers when they tagged Julius Peppers twice and couldn't get a deal done. Most of the players on my list are 25-26 years old and tagging them in 2014 and 2015 would still put them on the open market before they hit 30.

Some players who fit the profile received long-term deals before they could ever reach free agency. The Steelers wrapped up wide receiver Antonio Brown, the 49ers locked up linebacker Navorro Bowman and Seattle inked safety Kam Chancellor, to name a few, but there is more work to be done.

The first two players on my list are in situations that relate directly to the new Cruz contract and Cruz has been a great performer for the Giants with 168 receptions and 19 touchdowns over the past two seasons. 1. WR Mike Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Williams has started 47 of his 48 NFL games with 193 receptions and 23 touchdowns. He is in the last year of his rookie deal and scheduled to make $1.4 million. I would think the Cruz deal would be appealing to him.

2. WR Eric Decker, Denver Broncos: Decker has been productive with Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning throwing the ball. In the past two seasons he has started 28 of 32 games and caught 129 passes with 21 touchdowns. Last season in the playoffs against the Ravens he caught six balls for 84 yards. He is in the last year of his contract and scheduled to make $1.3 million.

3. TE Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints: Graham might be the most dangerous receiving tight end to come along in a decade. In the Saints' offense, there is no stopping him. He is in the last year of his four-year deal at $1.3 million. When you consider he already has 215 receptions and 25 touchdowns in 46 games just get ready to make him the highest-paid tight end. The Patriots' deal with Rob Gronkowski might be low.

4. DT Geno Atkins, Cincinnati Bengals: He's in the last year of his rookie four-year deal and many consider him the best 4-3 defensive tackle in the game. Using a franchise tag next year would start the meter running on losing the player after 2015. He is scheduled to make $1.4 million this season. With 20 sacks and six forced fumbles in the past two years, why wait? The Bengals have the salary-cap space to do a deal now.

5. TE Dennis Pitta, Baltimore Ravens: Pitta is not in the same league as Graham but he's good enough for the Ravens to put a $2.02-million tender on him. In the past two seasons he has 101 receptions and 10 touchdowns. In six postseason games, he has 21 receptions and four touchdowns. With Anquan Boldin no longer in a Ravens uniform, Joe Flacco will count on Pitta even more.

6. DE Greg Hardy, Carolina Panthers: Another 2010 pick in the last year of his contract, which pays $1.35 million. In 2012 Hardy had 11 sacks, 60 tackles and two forced fumbles. In his three years he has 18 sacks and six forced fumbles. If he gets to the market after 2013 and has a similar season to last year he will get paid.

7. CB Alterraun Verner, Tennessee Titans: He didn't really become a 16-game starter this past season but he has played enough in his first three years to accumulate 215 tackles, six interceptions, 28 passes defended and two forced fumbles. He is scheduled to make $1.32 million this year and be a free agent in 2014. Young corners with starting experience are hard to find and he will look like an upgrade in 2014 to a number of teams. 8. LB Perry Riley, Washington Redskins: Like Verner, he is scheduled to make $1.32 million in the final year of his rookie deal. Like Verner he is emerging as a solid starter and he has the numbers to back it up. In the past two seasons, Riley has started 24 games, had 183 tackles, 4½ sacks, 11 passes defended and three fumble recoveries. Check the Redskins' win over the Ravens last year if you aren't familiar with Perry Riley. He had 15 tackles in the game.

9. LB Sean Lee, Dallas Cowboys: Lee missed 10 games last year but he is the leader of the defense. New defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin will rely heavily on Lee to run his defense. In his past 21 starts, Lee has been in on 105 tackles with five interceptions and 10 passes defended. He is only scheduled to make $630,000 this season and he knows about injuries, which should motivate him to sign a deal.

10. OT Rodger Saffold, St. Louis Rams: Saffold has played left and right tackle and he will only make $655,000 this year. He has started all 35 games he has been healthy enough to play and he has given up 15 sacks -- or a sack every other game. He doesn't deserve elite tackle money but the Rams can't afford to lose him.

11. OG Jon Asamoah, Kansas City Chiefs: Guards on bad teams like the Chiefs fly under the radar for fans but not pro personnel directors. In his 31 starts since being drafted in 2010, Asamoah has given up just five sacks and he's a solid power run blocker. When Andy Reid was in Philadelphia he locked up players like this early in their careers. Big Jon has one year left at $1.32 million and the Chiefs have some cap space.

Any of these players who make it to free agency next year will be on the top of most personnel boards because of age and production. The teams that own their rights now need to lock them up and not start over at their position. Signing any of these 11 players is a win-win for the club and the player. NFL Roundup: Lions, Stafford near deal on extension

By Yahoo! Sports - The Sports Xchange July 9, 2013

Quarterback Matthew Stafford is close to a three-year contract extension worth $53 million that will keep him with the Detroit Lions through the 2017 season.

The deal, according to multiple reports, could be finalized Tuesday and is worth approximately $76.5 million over the next five seasons -- including the remaining two years on his rookie contract. Of that total, $43 million is guaranteed.

Stafford was scheduled to count $20.8 million against the salary cap in 2013, but the bonus money should bring immediate relief the Lions can use to shift their attention to a negotiations ongoing with defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh on a long-term deal. Stafford, 25, is one of four quarterbacks who've amassed 5,000 passing yards in a season (Dan Marino, Drew Brees, Tom Brady).

---The Jacksonville Jaguars signed 2013 fifth-round pick Denard Robinson to a deal, making the former Michigan quarterback the sixth of eight players drafted to receive a contract.

All players under contract are scheduled to report to training camp July 25.

Robinson played in 49 games at Michigan, and finished his career with the most rushing yards by a quarterback in NCAA history with 4,495. He's the fourth player in NCAA history to throw for 2,000-plus yards and rush for 1,000-plus yards in a season, and he did in 2010 and 2011.

---Left tackle Ryan Clady and the Denver Broncos are progressing in their race against the NFL clock to reach a long-term contract extension.

Clady, a three-time Pro Bowl blocker and the blindside protector for Peyton Manning in Denver, wants a new contract, but declined a deal offering $10 million per season. A free agent entering the offseason, the Broncos used the franchise tag to retain Clady when contract talks halted. He'll earn $9.8 million in 2013 if the two sides can't strike a deal before the NFL-imposed July 15 deadline.

Clady would be in elite territory alongside Cleveland Browns All-Pro Joe Thomas as the league's highest-paid left tackles if he completes a deal that would reportedly be worth $11.25 million per season for five years. ---A group of Seattle Seahawks fans is trying to make CenturyLink Field the loudest stadium on Earth.

Volume 12, which isn't officially associated with the Seahawks, is organizing an effort to break the Guinness World Record for "loudest crowd roar at a sports stadium" during the Sept. 15 home opener against the San Franscisco 49ers. Guinness has approved the group's attempt to set the new world record, Volume 12 said on their Facebook page.

The current Guinness record for is 131.76 decibels, which occurred during a soccer match at the Ali Sami Yen Sport Complex Turk Telekom Arena on March 18, 2011, in Istanbul, Turkey.

---On Monday, New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft referred to a letter sent before the 2010 draft by then University of Florida tight end Aaron Hernandez. Less than two weeks after receiving the letter, the Patriots selected Hernandez in the fourth round of the NFL draft.

Hernandez is currently under arrest and being held without bail in Massachusetts in connection with the June 17 murder of semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd. He is also being investigated for a possible connection to a 2012 double homicide in Boston. Hernandez, who received a $39.8 million, five-year contract extension last August, was cut by the Patriots within 90 minutes of his arrest and before he was arraigned.

In his first public statement since the homicide, Kraft said Monday that if Hernandez is convicted, "I've been duped and our whole organization has been duped." NFL Power Rankings: Do the Detroit Lions Have a Top 5 Offense?

By Nick Kostora Yahoo! Sports July 9, 2013

COMMENTARY | The Detroit Lions have the type of offensive potential that has to make fans absolutely salivate with excitement. The star power is clearly in place with Calvin Johnson, Matthew Stafford and Reggie Bush leading the charge, but is the group ready for primetime?

Becoming an elite offensive unit takes more than just great pieces, it takes a complete puzzle. Stafford has thrown for over 10,000 yards over the past two seasons, but the rushing attack has been stuck in neutral and really held the team back from gaining positive momentum. The addition of Bush should alleviate some of the problems, but there are plenty of other quality offenses in the NFL that want a spot in the top five.

When breaking down these offenses it is important to note that we are not just looking at the best individual quarterbacks or running backs, but the overall offenses that are the most talented and potent.

5. New Orleans Saints

The offensive firepower in New Orleans is well-known and well-documented. This team scores points in bunches, but has often been forced into shootouts because of less-than-stellar defensive play in recent years. However, there is no denying what Drew Brees and his teammates are capable of.

The passing attack ranked first in the NFL last season, averaging 312.3 yards through the air per game. Brees threw for a staggering 5,177 yards and 43 touchdowns and had seven receivers with multiple touchdown receptions.

Is there any reason to think this juggernaut will slow down in 2013? Not particularly, as all the key players return. The only thing holding New Orleans back from a higher ranking is the stagnant rushing game. The Saints cluttered backfield saw no player rush for more than 602 yards last season (Mark Ingram) and no one average more than 37.6 yards on the ground per game (Ingram.)

Chris Ivory seemed to be the most promising running back on the depth chart, but he is no longer on the roster. We all know what Brees, Marques Colston and Jimmy Graham are capable of, but a better running game is required to move up these rankings.

4. Detroit Lions

Yes, the Detroit Lions do make the countdown and they do so in the No. 4 spot. Some may scoff at such a high ranking, but keep in mind that the Lions passing attack was second only to the aforementioned New Orleans Saints in yards per game last season.

The chemistry between quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Calvin Johnson is among the best in all of football. Johnson frequently draws double coverage, but the Lions have numerous other weapons to handle the load.

However, the addition of running back Reggie Bush is what truly elevates this offense into the top five. The Lions have lacked a competent rushing component for years, with Mikel LeShoure leading a mediocre unit last season. Bush will provide levity and legitimacy, having rushed for over 2,000 yards over the past two seasons and having the type of versatility that makes opponents cringe.

Defenses can no longer immediately drop defenders into coverage and avoid loading up the box because Detroit can and will employ a quality rushing attack. LeShoure will also benefit from not having to shoulder a great number of carries each and every week.

Detroit still has to prove it can score consistently, but this offense is ready to explode at this point.

3. Atlanta Falcons

It is easy to get excited about that Lions offense, but it falls far short of what the top three units have to offer. In the third spot we look at an Atlanta Falcons offense that only seems to get better with each passing season.

Having quarterback Matt Ryan throwing to Pro Bowl targets in Julio Jones and Roddy White is one thing, but then knowing one of the greatest tight ends of all- time is on the roster in Tony Gonzalez and sprinkling in a consistent 1,000-yard rusher in Steven Jackson is almost unfair.

Yes, Gonzalez is likely playing in his last season, but he had 930 yards receiving and eight touchdowns a year ago. Gonzalez has not yet shown any type of skills regression, and neither has the soon-to-be 30-year-old Jackson. The former Ram has been brought in to rejuvenate the rushing game and hopefully continue his streak of eight consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Where exactly is the weakness in the Falcons offense? There isn't one. The team scored at least 23 points in 13 games last season and now looks even stronger. Games against the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers in 2013 should provide the type of offensive showdowns that fans crave.

2. Green Bay Packers

Speaking of those Green Bay Packers, they are a worthy inclusion on this list in the second slot. Some will make the case that the Packers belong atop the rankings, and it is easy to see why. Aaron Rodgers is arguably the best quarterback in the NFL and last season he completed 67 percent of his passes en route to 39 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Rodgers is the type of signal-caller that can elevate the play of those around him. The Packers best receiving target in recent memory, Greg Jennings, was hurt for most of last season, but Rodgers still found three targets to amass at least 700 yards receiving and seven touchdowns (Randall Cobb, James Jones, Jordy Nelson.)

Jennings has now moved on to the Minnesota Vikings, but James Jones and Randall Cobb are one of the best young receiver duos in football, Jordy Nelson is as reliable as he has ever been and Jermichael Finley looks like he might actually (finally) be fully healthy.

Plus the Packers have made a real commitment to developing a balanced offense. The team attacked the lack of rushing talent on the depth chart by nabbing two of the most talented running backs in April's draft. Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin will compete for carries and elevate this offense to even higher heights in 2013.

1. Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos offense is going to be scary-good this season. It is too early to be predicting a Super Bowl berth or anything of that nature, but these Broncos certainly have all the necessary components offensively.

There were obviously risks to bringing in Peyton Manning last season, (risks Denver had to be willing to take) but he has proved healthy and just as dominant as ever. Manning threw for 4,659 yards, 37 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2012. He began to build chemistry with the receiving corps and had nine games of at least 300 yards passing.

But Manning is not just throwing to a set of mediocre wideouts. Instead, he has one of the most talented groups in all of football. Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker each had over 1,000 yards receiving and at least 10 touchdown receptions in 2012. Now, the Broncos have given Manning another exciting weapon in the form of Wes Welker.

Welker, known as one of the best slot targets in the NFL, will help spread the field so that Decker and Thomas can get space on vertical routes. He will also provide a sure-handed target for Manning to throw to on intermediate routes and when the pocket collapses.

Denver took Wisconsin running back Montee Ball in the second round of the draft and also has a rejuvenated Knowshon Moreno in the backfield. Together, these two backs should provide enough balance to maintain the Broncos edge as the most talented offense in the NFL. Clady, Broncos progressing toward contract

By Yahoo! Sports - The Sports Xchange July 9, 2013

Left tackle Ryan Clady and the Denver Broncos are progressing in their race against the NFL clock to reach a long-term contract extension.

Clady, a three-time Pro Bowl blocker and the blindside protector for Peyton Manning in Denver, wants a new contract but declined a deal offering $10 million per season. A free agent entering the offseason, the Broncos used the franchise tag to retain Clady when contract talks halted. He'll earn $9.8 million in 2013 if the two sides can't strike a deal before the NFL-imposed July 15 deadline.

Clady would be in elite territory alongside Cleveland Browns All-Pro Joe Thomas as the league's highest-paid left tackles if he completes a deal that would reportedly be worth $11.25 million per season for five years.

The Broncos would be required to include a 20 percent salary bump if Clady is retained via the franchise tag again in 2014 at what would be a one-year, $11.8 million deal. However, both sides are said to prefer a multiyear agreement.

Clady has been idle most of the offseason, recovering from right shoulder surgery, and might not be back on the field until August 15.

Report: Another Broncos executive facing DUI charges

By Scooby Axson Sports Illustrated July 9, 2013

Denver Broncos director of pro personnel Tom Heckert was arrested last month in Colorado and charged with driving under the influence and careless driving, reports the Associated Press.

Heckert was hired by Broncos Executive Vice President John Elway on May 7 and he is the second Broncos executive is facing drunken driving charges. Heckert, 45, joined the Broncos in May after serving as general manager of the Cleveland Browns for the last three seasons.

The news comes one day after Broncos director of player personnel Matt Russell apologized for his arrest over the weekend on suspicion of driving under the influence.

The league’s policy on personal conduct applies to front office executives as well as players, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said he wants to stiffen the penalties for first-offense drunken driving cases.

The team released a statement Tuesday calling Heckert’s arrest “extremely upsetting.”

“Tom’s actions are obviously part of a disturbing pattern of irresponsible behavior that we are aggressively addressing within our organization.

“One member of the Broncos arrested for driving under the influence is one too many. This type of behavior puts innocent people at risk and cannot be tolerated. While our team and league supply plenty of resources to prevent these situations, it is clear we need to do better.

“We are thoroughly reviewing the procedures we have in place and will do whatever it takes to enhance their effectiveness going forward.”

Heckert also released a statement:

“I am extremely disappointed that in my short time with the Broncos I have made such a serious mistake. My actions last month have brought embarrassment to the organization, and I fully understand the consequences that are involved. I am truly sorry and take complete responsibility for this situation,” he stated. “Although I have let many people down, I will learn from this and work toward regaining the trust that I have lost.” Tom Heckert is second Broncos exec charged with DUI

By Chris Wesseling NFL.com July 9, 2013

A second Denver Broncos executive is facing drunken-driving charges.

One day after director of player personnel Matt Russell apologized for his weekend arrest, a Douglas County Jail spokesman told NFL.com and NFL Network that Broncos director of pro personnel Tom Heckert was charged with driving a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving a vehicle with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08 or more and careless driving June 11 in Parker, Colo.

The Associated Press first reported the arrest, which occurred just over one month after Heckert, the former Cleveland Browns general manager, was hired by John Elway, the Broncos' executive vice president of football operations. Heckert is scheduled for a pretrial conference Aug. 30, according to The AP.

Heckert and the Broncos released statements Tuesday, after the news became public, and president Joe Ellis told The Denver Post that he expected severe discipline for Heckert and Russell because of behavior that is "inexcusable, unacceptable and completely embarrassing."

"Executives in our company are held to a higher standard," Ellis said. "That's a mandate handed down from the commissioner. One episode is one too many. Two is ridiculous. I understand the outrage in the community, I understand the outrage of the fans. It's justified. We have an obligation to do the right thing. And we will.

"The anger and disappointment -- I don't know how else to describe it. We'll deal with this the right way, and we're in the process of doing that. My expectation is the discipline will be severe."

The NFL's personal-conduct policy extends to front-office executives, as evidenced by Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand's one-month suspension and $100,000 fine in 2010. Heckert, Russell and the Broncos face potential discipline from the league.

We look forward to the start of the season, when players and executives are preoccupied with football. Which NFL records could be broken in 2013?

By Chris Wesseling NFL.com July 9, 2013

On Tuesday's edition of NFL Network's "NFL Total Access," the cast debated which records could be broken during the 2013 season.

Here is our take on the issue, in descending order of records most likely to be broken.

1. Career game-winning drives -- 51, Dan Marino: Peyton Manning needs two to tie and three to break Marino's record. Manning has averaged 3.5 drives per season and now has one of the strongest receiving corps of his career with the addition of Wes Welker. The only question is if the Denver Broncos' stout defense will leave enough comeback opportunities.

2. Career non-offensive touchdowns -- 19, Deion Sanders: Devin Hester is sitting on 18 after being held out of the end zone last season. Is he past his prime at age 30? After a two-year drought from 2008 to 2009, Hester was downright dominant as recently as 2010 and 2011, totaling six return touchdowns and posting the two highest punt-return averages and the highest kickoff-return average of his career.

3. Single-season sacks -- 22.5, Michael Strahan: J.J. Watt came within two sacks of the record in his second season while playing with an elbow that had all of the ligaments torn. Aldon Smith (19) and Von Miller (18.5) weren't far behind. In an era when the record for pass attempts is broken on a semi-annual basis, there obviously are increased opportunities for sacks. My pick is Miller.

4. Single-season quarterback rushing yards -- 1,039, Michael Vick: Robert Griffin III might be superhuman, but he's not going to top last year's total of 815 yards on a freshly rebuilt knee. New Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula doesn't want Cam Newton leading his team in rushing again this season, which leaves Colin Kaepernick as Vick's biggest threat. Kaepernick already owns the single-game quarterback rushing record after gashing the Green Bay Packers' defense for 183 yards in the playoffs last season.

5. Single-season completion percentage -- 71.2, Drew Brees: Brees, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan all have a shot at the record if things break right this season. If you believe Brees' record is safe, keep in mind that Alex Smith -- of all quarterbacks -- managed to come within one percentage point of the record in 10 games last year.

6. Single-season passing yards -- 5,476, Drew Brees: Matthew Stafford has averaged more than 5,000 yards the past two seasons, but that number isn't going to rise significantly with an improved Detroit Lions defense. The New Orleans Saints imported Rob Ryan to turn the defense around, but he's hamstrung by a dearth of edge rushers in his 3-4 scheme. With Jimmy Graham returning to full health and the potential for shootouts rising, Brees could make an assault on his own record.

7. Single-season yards per kickoff return -- 41.1, Travis "Roadrunner" Williams: When you read "Instant Replay" by Jerry Kramer and Dick Schaap on the Green Bay Packers' 1967 season, it seems that Williams is bringing back a kick for a touchdown every game. If the Seattle Seahawks strategically limit Percy Harvin to a dozen or so returns, he could threaten Williams' mark. Harvin averaged 35.9 yards on 16 returns last season.

8. Single-season rushing yards -- 2,105, Eric Dickerson: Adrian Peterson came up 9 yards shy of the record last season. His talent dictates a spot on this list, but history weighs heavily against Peterson's chances. The previous six members of the 2K club have averaged 1,072 yards the year following their historic campaigns. Barry Sanders has the highest "next-year" total with 1,491 yards. Of course, those other six are human whereas Peterson is an alien sent to destroy opposing front sevens.

*Since Matthew Stafford only would extend his records for career pass attempts (41.4) and completions (24.8) per game, he's disqualified from the above list. Are Cruz and Nicks the best receiving tandem?

By Adam Rank NFL.com July 9, 2013

Victory Cruz signed his deal with the New York Giants this week. Now, along with Hakeem Nicks, he gives his team one of the best receiving combinations in the league.

But is it the best?

Well, that's what I'm here for to help settle this dispute in the only way I know how. That's with a list because, well, I like lists. Raiders punter Chris Kluwe who joined us recently on the Dave Dameshek Football Program might not care for lists, or those who make them. But it's what I do.

And without further ado ...

6. Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson Here's something crazy, the Packers haven't had a 100-catch receiver in 18 years. That doesn't seem possible. Fellow Packers receiver James Jones believes Cobb can do it (he had 80 receptions in 15 games, but just 80 starts). Nelson is the key, though, as he started just 10 games last year.

5. Dez Bryant and Miles Austin Austin needs to stay healthy (a trend you'll find an awful lot on this list). But the sheer force of Dez ranks them high on this list. Bryant had 10 touchdowns in his last eight games and his overall receptions, yards and touchdowns have increased in each NFL season.

4. Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston Not sure what the NFL players thought when they left Graham of the Top 100 list for 2013, but he's clearly one of the best receivers in the game. Colston can burn fantasy owners with his inconsistency at times, but he's had close to 2,300 receiving yards since 2011.

3. Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks We all saw how much Nicks can do on the field with his great performance against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. Cruz is the only receiver in the league in each of the past two seasons with at least 80 receptions, 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. 2. Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker You might be surprised to find out Thomas and Decker don't rank in the top five in receiving yardage since 2011. Well, it's not so surprising when you remember Tim Tebow was their quarterback in 2011. The duo was fantastic in Manning's first season in Denver last year.

1. Roddy White and Julio Jones This duo is the most prolific receiving tandem in the NFL right now, at least in terms of yardage. The two have combined for 4,804 yards since 2011, as they outdistanced the second-place duo of Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson (though that was nearly all Megatron). The Atlanta duo will be in an even more explosive offense this year with Steven Jackson. Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants head now-or-never teams

By Gil Brandt NFL.com July 9, 2013

Things can change quickly in the NFL. Windows of opportunity seem to slam shut in the blink of an eye. One minute, you're riding high and planning for the playoffs; the next, you're scraping just to win a handful of games.

Several factors make it tough for good teams to stay good, including the salary cap and unrestricted free agency. Technology and the draft, meanwhile, help keep the playing field level by providing a means for bad teams to get better.

As the season approaches, I thought I'd highlight each team facing something like a "now or never" situation in 2013. These are the contenders for whom time seems to be running out -- teams that have a chance to make noise this year, but face serious questions in 2014. These squads had better take advantage of what might be their last, best shot to win for some time, because storm clouds are gathering. Teams are arranged according to the likelihood that hard times will come in 2014.

1) Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers' defense is getting older. The important trio of cornerback Ike Taylor (33 years old), safety Troy Polamalu (32) and linebacker LaMarr Woodley (28) is coming off a season in which each guy missed significant time. Of course, that didn't stop Pittsburgh from ranking first in total defense and sixth in scoring D, but it will be very difficult to maintain that performance level with such an old core. In March, meanwhile, Ben Roethlisberger turned 31, the age at which most quarterbacks hit the wall and begin to regress, especially when it comes to key metrics like completion percentage, interceptions and touchdown passes.

I think Pittsburgh is good enough to contend in 2013, but things promise to get more difficult in 2014, especially considering the competition in the AFC North. The Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals are both set with promising young quarterbacks in Joe Flacco and Andy Dalton, respectively, meaning they'll likely be even tougher to beat a season from now.

2) New York Giants

It's hard to believe Eli Manning is 32 years old, but it's true; he's one year past the age at which quarterbacks generally begin to lose effectiveness. Now, Manning's career trajectory won't necessarily follow that rule, given that he's managed to escape serious injury thus far -- healthier guys typically hit the wall later than oft- injured players -- but his age is still worth considering. Manning, of course, isn't the only member of the Giants getting up there in age; the defense is also older. How much longer will Justin Tuck (30), Mathias Kiwanuka (30) and Corey Webster (31) be able to play at a high level? Meanwhile, Chris Snee, the leader of the offensive line, is 31, while guard Kevin Boothe is 30. And New York has bare-bones depth at tight end; position coach Mike Pope needs to pull a rabbit out of his hat.

This franchise is extremely well-run, and the Giants usually find a way to get over the hump, but New York has important issues to consider in the near future. Looking ahead, the division race only figures to get more competitive as the Robert Griffin III-led Washington Redskins continue to establish themselves as contenders.

3) Chicago Bears

New defensive coordinator Mel Tucker will squeeze everything he can out of an aging defense that really has just one established young star in Henry Melton (26). Key defenders Julius Peppers (33), Charles Tillman (32) and Lance Briggs (32) are all over 30, while Tim Jennings will turn 30 in December. Offensively, the Bears figure to face plenty of questions in 2014, when receiver Brandon Marshall will turn 30 and quarterback Jay Cutler can become a free agent.

The NFC North, meanwhile, doesn't look like it will get much friendlier in the next few years. Still, forward-thinking general manager Phil Emery is a big plus for the Bears franchise.

4) New England Patriots

The Patriots face questions beyond their much-publicized issues at tight end. How much longer can Tom Brady, who will turn 36 in August, continue to play at a high level? New England's best defensive player, Vince Wilfork, will turn 32 in November. Bill Belichick is one of the best coaches ever, and he'll be able to shepherd this team through this season, but the 61-year-old is entering his 14th season at the helm in New England -- one year past what Al Davis considered to be the shelf life for an NFL coach. New England has dominated the AFC East in the Belichick era, but that should be a bit tougher to do in 2014, given the improvements being made by the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills.

5) Denver Broncos

The Broncos look to be in good shape for 2013, thanks to the additions of free agent receiver Wes Welker and rookie running back Montee Ball, but the age of quarterback Peyton Manning makes the future a bit murkier beyond that. By 2014, Manning will be 38 and starting his 17th year in the league. You have to wonder how long he can continue to excel. If Manning needs relief this year or next, who will the Broncos turn to? Current backup Brock Osweiler has raw talent, but lacks experience; I don't see a young quarterback on their roster who can step in and play well. Manning is still thriving, but think of Johnny Unitas and how he eventually fell off after leaving the Baltimore Colts for the San Diego Chargers at age 40.

On the defensive side of the ball, cornerback Champ Bailey is 35, while coordinator Jack Del Rio has to find someone to replace departed defensive end Elvis Dumervil, so that opposing offenses can't solely focus on outstanding pass rusher Von Miller.

6) Houston Texans

The Texans have an above-average chance of winning the AFC South and look like Super Bowl contenders in a wide-open conference race. They have a very good defense led by 24-year-old J.J. Watt, whom many think is the best defensive player in the NFL. They also have good, young running backs in Arian Foster (26) and Ben Tate (24), and a promising rookie receiver in DeAndre Hopkins.

But that doesn't change the fact that two of Houston's most important offensive players -- quarterback Matt Schaub and receiver Andre Johnson -- will both be 33 by the time the 2014 season rolls around. In the meantime, the rest of the division will only improve, which means that this might be the Texans' last chance to make a meaningful playoff push for some time. Time isn't always the enemy for QBs over 35

By Elliot Harrison NFL.com July 9, 2013

First I heard it on the radio...

"...Peyton Manning can't hold up for another season."

Then, while making the rounds in the newsroom. "So the older quarterbacks are due for a letdown...right?" asked slash stated NFL.com Fantasy Editor Michael Fabiano.

Fabs was inquiring specifically about Manning and Tom Brady. A lot of people are these days, considering that both their clubs are dependent on, shall we say, a non- erosion of their franchise quarterbacks' skill set. And, obviously, if you are one of the 35 million or so people playing fantasy this year, you might have a vested interest as well.

So here's the deal fans, radio hosts, and fantasy owners: there is no substantive data to suggest these guys are going down, at least not when you consider modern NFL history.

By modern, let's just take a swing and say from the 1970 merger on. In fact, there is a mountain of circumstantial evidence that paints a pretty straightforward picture of what the 37- and 35-year old QBs will be doing. Look for both to have big seasons.

Each are Hall of Fame shoo-ins, so we should only hold up Hall of Fame-level guys as comparable examples, players who excelled from 35 (Brady's age) to 37 (Manning). Of the quarterbacks who've made the Hall of Fame that played the majority of their career after since 1970 -- or are locks like Kurt Warner -- almost all have had multiple prolific seasons past age 35. In fact, the guys who didn't had retired by 35.

Warren Moon set a completions record (404) at Brady's age. Take a more recent example: Brett Favre, who threw for over 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns at age 35 in 2004. The former Packer is an appropriate QB to cite in regards to Brady, as he had to turn to a couple of receivers that year who were yet to have much as far as skins on the wall is concerned. Donald Driver had one 1,000-yard season in five years up to that point, and was coming off a 621-yard campaign. Javon Walker was an unknown commodity. Both ended up being monsters in '04, combining for nearly 2,600 yards and over 20 touchdowns ... thanks to Favre.

Meanwhile, Manning's boss, John Elway, was awesome at 35 as well. Elway tossed 26 touchdowns en route to a 3,970-yard campaign in 1995 -- his second-highest total ever. Let me tell you, 4,000 then was equivalent to about 5,000 now, given the rules changes. Like Brady will have to do this year, Elway accomplished his season with a great tight end (Shannon Sharpe), and his best receiver being an on- the-downside-of-his-career Anthony Miller. Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey were nobodies at that point.

We can go back farther, if you'd like ... as in, back to the '70s. Roger Staubach led the NFC in passer rating in at age 35, finished third in the NFL in touchdown passes, and even ran for three scores. At 36 -- which Brady will turn this year -- Staubach led the NFL in passing.

In 1979, when Staubach was the same age Manning is now, the former Cowboys ace set career-highs in passing yards, touchdowns, while leading the NFL in passing with a 92.3 passer rating. That was the equivalent of well over a 100 passer rating these days, given the liberties defensive backs could take while the ball was in the air as well as the unnecessary roughness allowed to pass rushers. Quarterbacks got punished 34 years ago, and yet Staubach played his guts out at 37 years old.

He's far from alone. One year prior to Staubach's career season in '79, Fran Tarkenton came back from significant injuries to lead the NFL in completions, attempts, and yards at age 38! The only downside (the old minus two in fantasy) was that he inexplicably threw a lot of picks. It should be noted, though, that when Tark was Brady's ripe old age of 35, all he did was lead the league in attempts, completions and touchdown passes ... and win an NFL MVP. Point is, age wasn't a factor. The man was productive.

No quarterback was ever more productive than Dan Marino. Like so many quarterbacks that played at a premium level, as Marino's body wore down with an Achilles tendon injury and knee issues, as well as failing arm strength, the game slowed down. Why? Because of a brain that could process the equivalent of what a decade and a half of playing pro football teaches a player with the highest level of talent. Essentially, the decision-making is faster than ever.

It's like playing Madden. Once you've played the games for years, you just know what receivers will be open on what routes without having to think about it. You're on autopilot, and call plays with a handful of Cool Ranch Doritos like it's nothing.

Speaking of playcalling, it should be noted that Marino's numbers did go down, but only because Jimmy Johnson was insistent on running the football (and playing defense.) Even still, at 36, Marino finished third in the NFL in passing yards. At 37 he was seventh in touchdowns and passing yards.

Similar to Marino, Brett Favre's body finally started showing signs of wear and tear in 2008, when he was 39. Yet, in 2009, despite moving around like a calcified sleestak, the Vikings quarterback threw for 33 touchdowns, only seven picks, and set a career high with a passer rating of 107.2 -- the only 100 passer rating of his career.

So what does this all mean? Well, that no matter how unathletic Manning looks right now, he can still get the job done. His arm won't allow 50-yard throws. No matter, he'll get it done with touch, like a 37-year old Joe Montana did with the Chiefs in 1993, leading them to their first-ever AFC Championship despite only starting 11 games.

On that note, injury is always a concern. But going over the Hall of Fame caliber quarterbacks, only a few had major bouts with injury late in their career. For every Montana who missed some time, there's a Kurt Warner who started every game in 2008 at 37. He also threw for 4,500 yards and 30 touchdowns that season.

Injuries should actually be just as much a concern for the young quarterbacks who are getting all the publicity now. Colin Kaepernick, Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson and third-year vet Cam Newton all figure to go high in fantasy drafts this year, yet the slow-as-Danny Devito Manning could not only outscore them all, but lead his Broncos club to a better record. Part of that is because as much as those kids run with the football, they expose themselves to injury. Ask Robert Griffin III.

So whoever's saying these crusty Hall of Famers-to-be might slow down, tap the brakes. Hall of Fame quarterbacks of similar ilk to Manning and Brady in the modern era have mostly shown that only one thing truly slows them down in their late 30s: retirement. Affidavit: Denver Broncos exec Matt Russell had .246 breath-alcohol level during DUI arrest 2 Broncos officials face DUI charges

By Alan Gathright ABC 7 News July 9, 2013

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. - Denver Broncos executive Matt Russell's breath-alcohol level was three times over the threshold for a DUI violation when he crashed at an estimated 40 mph into the back of a Breckenridge patrol car parked on the roadside, according to new court records.

Russell, the Broncos' director of player personnel, was the first of two team officials to embarrass themselves and the team with news reports about their drunken driving arrests over the past two days.

On Tuesday, it was reported that Tom Heckert, the Broncos' recently hired director of pro personnel, was arrested in Parker on the night of June 11 and charged with driving under the influence and careless driving.

Russell is Heckert's boss.

According to the Colorado State Patrol, Russell was arrested on Saturday night after he hit two cars in Summit County -- one of them the Breckenridge police car.

Russell, whose 40th birthday was Friday, was driving a black Toyota Tundra pickup in Frisco when he collided with the first car, said State Patrol Trooper Nate Reid. Russell stopped and exchanged information with the other driver.

Later, Reid said, someone called the Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately tipline and reported a suspected drunken driver in a Toyota pickup heading south on Highway 9 from Interstate 70 toward Breckenridge.

A Breckenridge patrol officer had pulled over onto the shoulder of Highway 9, waiting for the Tundra to pass so he could make a traffic stop, when the pickup slammed into the back of the patrol car at about 40 mph, according to an arrest affidavit for Russell.

The officer was transported to a hospital with neck and back pain and a cut on his arm, the affidavit said. He was treated and released. In the affidavit, State Trooper Andrew Gasparovic wrote that Russell said he "had no recollection of the accident whatsoever." The trooper wrote that Russell's speech was slurred, he had a strong odor of alcohol, he was having trouble maintaining his balance and his eyes were bloodshot and watery.

Russell failed a voluntary roadside sobriety exercise. He then registered a .246 breath-alcohol content on a portable breath tester, Gasparovic said in the affidavit. The threshold for a DUI violation in Colorado is .08.

When the trooper asked how much alcohol Russell had consumed, he replied, "two green drinks," according to the affidavit. The trooper said he recovered a half empty fifth of Hiram Walker peppermint schnapps from the Tundra.

Russell was arrested, checked out at a hospital, then booked into the Summit County jail on investigation of DUI, careless driving resulting in injury, having an open container and driving without proof of insurance.

Russell was released from jail after posted $1,000 bond the next day.

Russell expressed regret for his "poor judgment" and apologized to the team, Broncos fans and the National Football League for "this inexcusable mistake," according to a statement released by the Broncos on Monday.

"Our organization is extremely disappointed and concerned with the incident involving Matt Russell," the Denver Broncos said in the statement said. "We immediately expressed our disappointment to Matt, and he is fully aware of the seriousness of this situation. This type of behavior is unacceptable and very troubling. We expect better from all employees, particularly those in leadership positions." Broncos expect “severe” discipline for executives’ DUI arrests

By Michael David Smith Pro Football Talk July 9, 2013

Two executives in the Broncos’ front office have been arrested for drunk driving, and the team is expecting significant consequences.

Broncos President Joe Ellis told the Denver Post that Matt Russell and Tom Heckert, the top two personnel people under John Elway, have embarrassed the team with their arrests.

“This type of behavior is inexcusable, unacceptable and completely embarrassing,” Ellis said. “It’s embarrassing for us as a franchise, it’s embarrassing for [Broncos owner Pat] Bowlen, it’s especially embarrassing for our fans. We don’t tolerate it and we’re not going to. . . . My expectation is the discipline will be severe.”

Lions President Tom Lewand was suspended for three weeks and fined $100,000 by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for his own drunk driving episode in 2010. That may be about what Goodell is planning for the two Broncos executives, although it’s possible that the Broncos could give Russell and Heckert additional punishments.

Ellis said that if Broncos fans are angry, they should be.

“One episode is one too many. Two is ridiculous,” Ellis said. “I understand the outrage in the community, I understand the outrage of the fans. It’s justified. We have an obligation to do the right thing. And we will.”

The right thing may be lengthy suspensions for both Russell and Heckert.

Broncos break out another strong statement

Posted by Darin Gantt Pro Football Talk July 9, 2013

For the second time this week, the Broncos have had to issue a stronger version of the normal “we’re aware of the situation” statement so many teams use when a player gets in trouble.

This one, in response to the DUI arrest of personnel man Tom Heckert, is just as stern in tone as the one sent out after director of player personnel Matt Russell’s DUI from the weekend.

“We were made aware of the matter involving Tom Heckert immediately after it occurred and promptly notified the league office,” the team’s statement read. “His arrest is extremely upsetting, and this situation is being handled internally as well as in coordination with NFL policies.

“Tom’s actions are obviously part of a disturbing pattern of irresponsible behavior that we are aggressively addressing within our organization.

“One member of the Broncos arrested for driving under the influence is one too many. This type of behavior puts innocent people at risk and cannot be tolerated. While our team and league supply plenty of resources to prevent these situations, it is clear we need to do better.

“We are thoroughly reviewing the procedures we have in place and will do whatever it takes to enhance their effectiveness going forward.”

The Broncos added a statement from Heckert as well, who accepted responsibility for the arrest.

“I am extremely disappointed that in my short time with the Broncos I have made such a serious mistake,” he said. “My actions last month have brought embarrassment to the organization, and I fully understand the consequences that are involved. I am truly sorry and take complete responsibility for this situation.

“Although I have let many people down, I will learn from this and work toward regaining the trust that I have lost.”

He’s not the only one who’ll have to do that. Owner Pat Bowlen needs to make sure this trend stops now, and executive John Elway needs to be the one enforcing it.

Because front office members are subject to the same personal conduct policy as players, they will doubtless get an assist from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in spreading that message as well. Broncos pro personnel director Tom Heckert charged with DUI

Posted by Michael David Smith Pro Football Talk July 9, 2013

For the second time in as many days, news has broken that a member of the Broncos’ front office was arrested for drunk driving.

This time it’s Tom Heckert, the Broncos’ director of pro personnel. According to the Associated Press, Heckert was arrested on June 11 and charged with driving under the influence and careless driving. That news comes a day after the news that Broncos director of player personnel Matt Russell was arrested for a DUI over the weekend.

It is unclear why Heckert’s arrest is just coming to light now, four weeks later, and it is also unclear whether the Broncos knew about it before it came to light today.

The Broncos hired Heckert on May 7. Heckert was fired by the Browns in December at the end of his third season as Cleveland’s general manager.

Russell and Heckert could both be fined and suspended by the NFL. If their suspensions were to coincide during training camp, that would put a serious dent in the Broncos’ front office at a busy time for NFL personnel departments. Lewand suspension could be indicator for Russell

By Darin Gantt Pro Football Talk July 9, 2013

It was obvious from yesterday’s other-than-boilerplate statement that the Broncos were seriously disturbed by the arrest of director of player personnel Matt Russell.

But any punishment from his boss isn’t all Russell has to worry about, as team officials fall under the NFL’s personal conduct policy just as players do.

Russell was arrested over the weekend for DUI after hitting two cars, one of them a marked police car.

As mentioned by the Denver Post in their summation of Russell’s bad weekend, the precedent for his punishment could come from the 2010 arrest of Lions president Tom Lewand.

Lewand was originally suspended 30 days and fined $100,000, but that suspension was shortened to 21 days by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell when Lewand took “all the necessary steps.”

There are obviously steps in Russell’s future.

And while Lewand occupies a higher rung on an organizational ladder than Russell does, it’s clear that the Broncos personnel man is going to have a chance to sit in front of Goodell, as so many players have. Statements from Broncos and Heckert

By DenverBroncos.com July 9, 2013

The Denver Broncos and Director of Pro Personnel Tom Heckert released statements Tuesday.

DENVER BRONCOS:

“We were made aware of the matter involving Tom Heckert immediately after it occurred and promptly notified the league office. His arrest is extremely upsetting, and this situation is being handled internally as well as in coordination with NFL policies.

“Tom’s actions are obviously part of a disturbing pattern of irresponsible behavior that we are aggressively addressing within our organization.

“One member of the Broncos arrested for driving under the influence is one too many. This type of behavior puts innocent people at risk and cannot be tolerated. While our team and league supply plenty of resources to prevent these situations, it is clear we need to do better.

“We are thoroughly reviewing the procedures we have in place and will do whatever it takes to enhance their effectiveness going forward.”

TOM HECKERT:

“I am extremely disappointed that in my short time with the Broncos I have made such a serious mistake. My actions last month have brought embarrassment to the organization, and I fully understand the consequences that are involved. I am truly sorry and take complete responsibility for this situation.

“Although I have let many people down, I will learn from this and work toward regaining the trust that I have lost.” New Tempo Demands Conditioning

By Brandon Moree DenverBroncos.com July 9, 2013

Strength and Conditioning coach Luke Richesson has been working to get the Broncos ready for a faster pace.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – During the 2013 offseason program, much of the chatter was concerned about tempo for the upcoming season even though opening day was still several months away.

"Tempo is important to everything, no matter what the sport,” Head Coach John Fox said during minicamp. “We're just tinkering with some ideas and things to do to maybe increase the tempo. We'll have to vary that depending on who we play and where we play them.”

Before the Broncos can reach full speed, the strength and conditioning staff has to lay the foundation upon which a faster offense can build. That’s a process that begins in the offseason.

“For us, the front of your body is for show, the back of your body is for go,” Strength and Conditioning Coach Luke Richesson said. “We put a lot of emphasis upon the hamstrings, the glutes, the lower back, the back, the triceps. They’ll get the right training to make sure that they’re going to address those needs.”

Several players talked about the conditioning demands of the new tempo during minicamp. Wide Receiver Demarius Thomas said that conditioning was his “main focus” in the summer.

Fellow wideout Eric Decker said that the new tempo should give the offense an added advantage, especially at home, as they keep the defense on the field and prevent them from getting different substitution packages on the field.

Secondary Coach Cory Undlin has seen that added intensity affect his unit’s competitiveness in the offseason.

“Every one of our guys in the back is getting tested and they’re competing at a very high level every single day,” Undlin said in June. “Especially with this tempo that they’re doing, they’re not stopping. I think if you asked any of those guys, they wouldn’t want it any other way.”

With that added intensity and competiveness, endurance is at a premium. That’s one of the main aspects that Richesson and his staff are working to improve. “With our altitude, with the tempo that we work at, and the amount of volume that we do, a lot of it becomes managing fatigue,” Richesson said. “That means making sure we have in place regeneration protocols, the right soft-tissue, the right flexibility, and making sure that we’re prescribing the right stability exercises. Also, power. Those would be the biggest things that we’ve addressed.”

Richesson added that up through the end of minicamp, their regimens were strength- and power-based and he and his staff were trying to have the players’ conditioning levels where they could compete in OTAs, not necessarily for four quarters of football. That kind of conditioning starts after minicamp ends.

The strength and conditioning staff doesn’t have individual programs for every player for the time off between minicamp and the start of training camp, but they do provide general guidelines. He did mention that while the program might not be specific to one individual, they do provide individualized heart rate zones and strength and power numbers for each exercise. Since different athletes will have access to different types of facilities, the exercises need to be replicable in different gyms.

“We’re making sure that they’re ready to step into training camp and compete with everything they’ve got,” Richesson said. Q&A With Strength and Conditioning Coach Luke Richesson

By Stuart Zaas DenverBroncos.com July 9, 2013

Strength and Conditioning Coach Luke Richesson talks about getting the team ready for the 2013 campaign.

Editor’s note: DenverBroncos.com sat down with the assistant coaches to talk about their position groups before the coaches left Dove Valley for vacations in mid-June.

Last year was your strength and condition program’s first year. Is more efficient this year now that you don’t have to install your system from scratch? “For sure. I think the big thing is that guys understand the methodology. They understand the mindset, they understand the expectations. Although we add to the blueprint, the foundation is still the same. Absolutely, it was a good, clean transition into year two.”

Were you happy with how the first year went? “Overall, yes. If you look at just the realm of strength and conditioning, I thought it went well. Obviously, there are areas of improvement that we’ll be looking to target. I think understanding the expectations of how to train in-season – I think that’s a big area that I think most teams are looking to improve. I think our guys did an excellent job of working all the way up until the end.”

How was it working with Peyton Manning last year as he was coming back from an injury? “I think the big thing for Peyton last year was that we were all getting to know each other and understanding, with his injury to his neck, what he was physically incapable of doing. If you look at last year to this year, it’s really not even the same guy. If you had to put a term to our level of training, he was at a lot of foundation- type work, almost physical therapy-type rehab exercise. Whereas this year, there’s no limitations. He’s full-blown training, and it shows in his strength. His strength is significantly up from last year.”

Ronnie Hillman’s weight is significantly up from the end of last season. How did you and your staff help with that? “Well, that was a goal throughout the year, and I think a big part of it was understanding nutrition. Again, he was a younger guy who had never played professional football. He was the youngest player in the NFL last year – and still is one of the youngest. At the end of the year, he was high 170s. He showed up in April at 184. He just clocked out at the end of minicamp at 195 pounds. The exciting thing is that you can tell there’s been a mentality switch of what it takes to be a pro. I don’t think the weight issue will be an issue moving forward. He grasps it, he understands that you have to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. You can’t miss meals. It’s a full-time job and he’s done a very nice job of addressing that so far.”

Von Miller is another guy who has said he wants to play a little bit heavier than he has in the past and he will come back before camp a little bit earlier to work out with you guys. What’s your approach with him? “Last year, during the downtime that he had for five weeks, he wanted to get away and do some things like yoga. I think he now understands that was not the way to prepare for an NFL season. I think the thing about Von is that he’s still young himself and he’s still raw in his development. By midseason or the latter part of the season, he got up around 250 and he found that he was more explosive and powerful. I think he likes that feeling, so getting his strength numbers up and addressing his lean mass – the amount that he carries – I think that’s something he’s keenly aware of. I’m excited that he’s staying with us this summer so we can make that push for him.”

What’s the key for adding weight, but still maintaining speed and quickness, for guys like Von or Ronnie? “It’s a two-fold approach. One, the methodology. Some guys will go about putting size on and they’ll do it with a bodybuilding program where they focus on arms and shoulders. For us, it’s about where you’re getting your wheelhouse, your power. For us, the front of your body is for show, the back of your body is for go. We put a lot of emphasis upon the hamstrings, the glutes, the lower back, the back, the triceps. They’ll get the right training to make sure that they’re going to address those needs. The second approach is nutrition. That means making sure that they understand what their body is going to respond well to, the timing of meals and how much they need to eat. It’s not just focusing on the days they train, but also the weekends. What are they eating on the weekends? I think guys who have trouble maintaining weight, not eating enough on the weekends is a cause, so that’ll be big for those two guys.”

With the offense picking up the pace a little bit this year, a lot of players have talked about conditioning. Have you guys altered your program at all to help them get up to speed? “With our altitude, with the tempo that we work at and the amount of volume that we do, a lot of it becomes managing fatigue. That means making sure we have in place regeneration protocols, the right soft-tissue, the right flexibility, and making sure that we’re prescribing the right stability exercises. Also, power. Those would be the biggest things that we’ve addressed.” What kinds of programs do you put together for the guys over break between minicamp and training camp? “Up to this point, we were strength and power based. We were really trying to get our guys as strong as we could and as powerful as possible. We had their conditioning at a level where they were healthy and could compete in OTAs, but the goal was not to have them ready to play four quarters of football. So now, we’ll transition into more football conditioning. You’ll see even better drops in body fat. We’re making sure that they’re ready to step into training camp and compete with everything they’ve got.”

Do you create individual programs for this time or general guidelines? “There are general guidelines. It’s difficult because you don’t know what guys are going to have access to. But within that, they do have individualized heart rate zones, individualized strength and power numbers for each exercise. For the most part, it’s a general plan and it’s something that can be easily repeated throughout different gyms.”

How has having a full staff to work with the players helped with accomplishing results? “With a staff of four people, I really hope that we’re setting a trend in the NFL. Jason George, Anthony Lomando and Mike Eubanks have been with me for a while and really help us execute our program at the level we expect. We’re able to provide quality training and make sure that everyone is doing the exercise correctly. Plus we’re able to give more personalized and individualized attention to all the players. Without having Jason, Anthony and Mike, I don’t think that the system would be the same." 2013 Media Guide Now Available Online

By Brandon Moree DenverBroncos.com July 9, 2013

Compiled by the Denver Broncos’ media relations staff, the 2013 Denver Broncos Media Guide is now available online. It can be accessed here.

The guide is 688 pages and is packed with profiles of players and coaches, game summaries, all-time results and the team’s complete record book.

The cover this year commemorates the 30th season with Pat Bowlen as the owner of the club. Miller Weighs in on Philosophical Debate

By Stuart Zaas DenverBroncos.com July 9, 2013

Before breaking for the end of the Broncos’ minicamp and OTA phases of the offseason program, linebacker Von Miller took some time to give his take on an age-old debate: Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

Miller, who seems uniquely qualified to answer the question based on his background as a poultry science minor at Texas A&M University, said he thinks it was a chicken that came first.

“I think it’d have to be the chicken,” Miller said. “You need something to protect the eggs. You just can’t have eggs there. I’m sure there are a lot of theories out there of where stuff comes from. For me, I think it was some form of a chicken or something that had to lay the egg first. It just depends upon how you look at it. Is the glass half full or half empty? For me, it just makes sense for a chicken to come first.”

Miller purchased his first flock of chickens this offseason:

Von Miller ✔@MillerLite40 Our very first flock!!!! pic.twitter.com/myGKKJ6Z3W

As for the perception that calling someone a chicken means they are a coward, Miller cried fowl (pun intended).

“If I called you a chicken it’d be like an insult,” hesaid. “But if you actually raise a chicken – they are pretty brave. They have probably the most courage out of any animal in the animal kingdom.”

He’s so fond of the bird that he even got one tattooed on his leg:

Von Miller ✔@MillerLite40 "Chicken Fred" S/O josh! @ Love & Hate Elite Tattoo Shop http://instagram.com/p/ZE590_G0JR/

“It’s a rooster,” Miller said of his new ink. “In today’s world, somebody calls you a chicken and you take offense to it. But roosters, if you sit and watch them, their personalities are outstanding. They run the yard. If you’d just sit there and watch them, they’ll change your mind about being called a chicken.”