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Vic Fangio looks to set the tone as Broncos offseason program kicks off By Ryan O’Halloran Denver Post April 3, 2019

Broncos coach Vic Fangio was asked last week what his message will be when he addresses the players upon Tuesday’s start of the voluntary offseason program.

“You’ll have to be in the room to find out,” he said, knowing full well an invitation to the media wasn’t in the offing.

Given time to consider a deeper answer, Fangio said he was “sure” multiple points will be presented in his first full-squad meeting since being hired in January.

“But I’m not stressed about it or anything,” he said. “The messages are the messages that I’ve conveyed to the players over the years. Now I’m just talking to the whole team instead of half the team.”

That has and will be Fangio’s spin when discussing his transition from defensive coordinator to the big chair. He now speaks to the whole team. He now leads the entire coaching staff. He now spends more time with the front office. But speeches are speeches.

The Broncos are permitted to start their eight-week offseason program two weeks early because Fangio is a new coach. Tuesday will include introductions to new coordinators (offense) and (defense) and the position coaches, a team meeting and weight room work.

What will Fangio’s presentation sound like? Depends on his tact. Each new coach wants to introduce his thoughts on the team culture he wants to build. And depending on the coach, it could start this month.

“Every coach is different,” Los Angeles Chargers coach said. “For some coaches, the first speech is the ‘State of the Union.’ For me, we were still a long way from that first game. I didn’t want to peak too soon.”

Two years ago, coach Doug Marrone held his first team meeting. He had been an assistant on the team for two seasons, including the interim coach for the final two games of 2016. But he wanted to get his point across despite a familiarity with much of the roster.

“You want to really create whatever standard you want,” Marrone said. “Make sure they know what’s expected of me, what’s expected of them and let’s work together on what’s expected of us.”

Rapping his fist on the table in front of him for emphasis, Marrone added: “If you walk in and you’re standing up there and saying, ‘This is what we’re doing!’ — I don’t think it’s that dramatic that you need to get them all fired up on Day 1.”

Beginning with Day 1, though, Fangio will be looking at several key issues.

1. Rapport with Flacco

Everything on offense will start with new , acquired from Baltimore for a fourth- round draft pick last month. Although Fangio will be calling the defensive plays and he and Flacco were in the same building in Baltimore (2008-09), the offseason program will be important to establishing the important /quarterback relationship.

2. Building the offensive line

The Broncos are committed to veteran Ron Leary at left guard, but that leaves center and right guard open for competition among a group that includes Connor McGovern, Elijah Wilkinson, Sam Jones and Don Barclay. Only so much can be evaluated with no pads on, but new offensive line coach Mike Munchak will be able to get a vibe on who could potentially be the best scheme fit during the on-field workouts. And, after the draft, multiple rookies could be added to the mix.

3. Progress of injured players

The list of players who sustained season-ending injuries in 2018 and could be limited this off-season is long and significant: Leary (Achilles), Phillip Lindsay (wrist), receiver Emmanuel Sanders (Achilles), (foot) and Isaac Yiadom (shoulder) and tight ends Jeff Heuerman (lung/ribs), Jake Butt (ACL) and Troy Fumagalli (sports hernia). The reports Fangio should want to receive in early June is that those players will be available for the start of training camp, even if they were spectators during OTAs and the mini-camps.

4. New coach, new starts

Last year was a lost season for defensive end DeMarcus Walker and safety Su’a Cravens. Walker, a 2017 second-round pick, was a healthy scratch throughout the season because the Broncos dressed only five defensive linemen for games. Cravens missed the first half of 2018 after knee surgery and was a healthy scratch the final three games when the coaches had enough with his mistakes. Can their careers be salvaged by the mostly new staff?

Broncos offseason program Per the collective bargaining agreement, teams split up their offseason program into three phases:

Phase 1 (two weeks): Activities are limited to strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation. Only members of the strength-and-conditioning staff are permitted on the field to lead drills. are allowed to throw passes to teammates if they are not covered by a defender. Helmets are prohibited.

Phase 2 (three weeks): On-field drills with coaches are allowed and plays can be run but not offense vs. defense or kicking team vs. return team. Helmets are prohibited. Teams with new head coaches can hold a three-day voluntary veteran mini-camp (April 16-18).

Phase 3 (four weeks): Teams are allowed to conduct 10 organized team activities (OTAs) during the first three weeks. Team offense vs. team defense with helmets are allowed. Teams can hold a three-day mandatory mini-camp. The Broncos’ OTA dates are May 13-14, 16, 20-21, 23 and 29-31. Their mini-camp will be June 4-6. Analysis: Chris Harris skipping Broncos offseason program as he seeks a new contract isn’t a big deal … for now By Ryan O’Halloran Denver Post April 3, 2019

Broncos Chris Harris’ timetable for a contract extension: Right now.

General manager John Elway’s preference: Not yet.

That represents the root of why Harris elected to stay away from the start of the Broncos’ offseason program Tuesday. He will not be fined because participation is voluntary.

Following a Pro Bowl practice in January, Harris told The Denver Post he had “a lot of juice left. I’m not close to being done. (I’m) definitely open to an extension, whenever they call me.”

That call to start serious talks has yet to materialize and staying home was Harris’ non-verbal protest. He saw the Broncos sign cornerback/safety Kareem Jackson and cornerback Bryce Callahan, who will make $11 million and $7 million this year, respectively, and is likely wondering, “What about my money?”

A source said Elway and coach Vic Fangio weren’t caught off guard by Harris’ absence.

So is this a big deal or no deal?

Not a big deal — it’s the first week of April. Not a ‘no deal’ — it’s a distraction. But it is a little deal … that could become a major deal.

A new coach trying to create a new environment needs total buy-in from his best players, a category Harris belongs in after appearing in his fourth Pro Bowl. Linebacker was in attendance but understood Harris’ stance.

“It’s optional, right?” Miller asked rhetorically.

Miller has experience missing the offseason program, but comparing his and former receiver ’ situations to Harris’ is inaccurate.

Thomas (2015) and Miller (2016) were placed under the franchise tag and declined to show up for the offseason program as a part of their quest for long-term contracts, which they signed in the days leading into training camp. They were coming off their rookie deals.

Harris, who turns 30 on June 18, has one year remaining on his second Broncos contract. According to Spotrac, his cap number of $8,766,668 this year is 24th among cornerbacks.

He is probably underpaid. Fifteen cornerbacks have a cap number of at least $10 million this year.

He should not be ticked about the Jackson and Callahan signings. Jackson is on his third contract, which Harris will be next year.

He probably deserves a new deal because his play suggests it. But this is the NFL — deserving something doesn’t mean much. Before free agency, salary cap expert J.I. Halsell projected a three-year contract averaging $14.25-$15.5 million per year for Harris.

Elway’s stance on a Harris extension has been consistent this offseason.

“We’re going to get through the draft before we think of (any extensions), including Chris Harris,” he said on March 24.

Elway has three options:

1. Let Harris play out his contract, a signal the Broncos, right or wrong, view him as more of a sub- package player than every-down performer starting in 2020.

2. Wait until after the draft to start talks with Harris’ camp.

3. Trade him.

What could the Broncos command for Harris via trade?

“Probably similar to what (Aqib) Talib got them last year,” a league source said. “Maybe a little more.”

The Broncos flipped Talib to the Los Angeles Rams for a fifth-round pick. If that is the potential return, they should keep Harris. Plus, it would be difficult to replace him.

If Harris shows up for the voluntary mini-camp in two weeks, it would serve as an act of good faith. Everybody in the building knows that when he shows up, he’ll be ready to add to his 19 and 80 pass break-ups and provide leadership to merit having a “C” on his No. 25 jersey.

“We all know what type of pro Chris is, on and off the football field,” Miller said. “Whatever he’s going through right now, I support him 100 percent. When it’s time to go, he’s going to be ready to go.”

Broncos’ Von Miller bulks up 10 pounds to become “a totally different player” By Kyle Frederickson Denver Post April 3, 2019

Broncos linebacker Von Miller added about 10 pounds this offseason, bulking up to 245, in an effort to help reshape his game under new coach Vic Fangio.

“It’s a totally different player being 245 to 235,” Miller said. “It’s a totally different game.”

The Broncos opened their voluntary offseason program Tuesday and Miller’s altered physique was a big topic of discussion. He even joked: “It’s not really a big deal. We’ve gotten five questions on it (laughing).” That’s only because Miller’s confidence hasn’t changed.

The seven-time Pro Bowler opted to stay in Denver for the majority of his winter training regimen with a strict focus on nutrition. Miller, who crafted a diet to play at roughly 238 pounds last season, said the extra weight doesn’t impact his quickness or technique. There’s just one big positive.

“It’s when you get locked up with an offensive lineman and wherever you’re able to go with that,” Miller said. “At 245, you can go just a little bit further with that. So 245 is where I wanted to be at.”

There isn’t a secret number to success, though, considering Miller checked in at 236 pounds for the Broncos’ 50 championship run. But the prospect of evolving has Miller excited. Coach Fangio met with the team Tuesday in a group setting for the first time since his introductory news conference in January. Miller relayed Fangio’s message.

“It was just technique, assignment and really just keep everything simple — but it’s easier said than done,” Miller said. “He’s an outside linebacker guru, and he’s up next with me.”

Miller is bulking up to make an even bigger difference.

“I wanted to really focus on my nutrition and working out,” Miller said. “Really stack days and get my body weight back up to where it’s supposed to be. I feel like I did that up until this point.

“It’s not a lot, but I need that 10 pounds.”

Five sign tenders. Defensive tackle , linebacker Joe Jones, receiver , safety Dymonte Thomas and offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson signed their free agent contract tenders on Tuesday. Harris, who was placed under a second-round restricted free agent tender, will make $3.095 million this year. Jones, Patrick, Thomas and Wilkinson were exclusive rights free agents, meaning they could not sign with another team once offered a deal by the Broncos.

Fangio's first team speech: 'The message was strong' By Mike Klis 9NEWS April 3, 2019

A week ago at the NFL head coaches’ breakfast in Phoenix, Vic Fangio sandbagged his upcoming first speech in front of the team.

I’m not stressed about it, he said. Haven’t given it much thought, he added.

And then at 8 a.m. sharp Tuesday morning at the UCHealth Center Training Center auditorium, Fangio delivered a 20-minute presentation that was organized, no-nonsense and emphasized the importance of meetings and attention to details.

“Man, he did really good,’’ Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders said in an interview with 9NEWS. “The message was strong. It was about the team is bigger than yourself. Pretty much, leave your ego at the door. We got to be technique sound. Talent is all good but at the same time if you’re not technically sound, what good does it do if you’re not disciplined?"

“Then he talked about how we won the Super Bowl but it’s been three years that we haven’t had successful seasons so it’s time to turn it around.’’

Fangio also showed video of various mistakes committed by the Broncos and other teams to demonstrate how one penalty can cost a team a game, and sometimes even a season.

“Same guy that everybody saw in his (introductory) press conference (January 10) was the same guy that we saw this morning,’’ Broncos’ star pass rusher Von Miller said in his media gathering Tuesday. “That’s a compliment. You don’t want this guy to be in the press conference, then he gets in front of the team and is this guy, then when you’re one-on-one with him he’s this guy. It’s not the case with Coach Vic, and I knew that from all the players that he’s coached that I’m familiar with.”

Chris Harris Jr. skips Day 1 of Broncos' offseason program By Mike Klis 9NEWS April 3, 2019

The Broncos began their offseason conditioning program Tuesday without Chris Harris Jr., sources told 9NEWS.

The team’s star cornerback is planning to stay away from the Broncos’ offseason conditioning and practices, at least for now. Presumably, Harris is sending the message he wants management to revisit his contract. After the team picked up his $1 million option earlier this month, Harris has one year and $7.9 million left on his contract.

The offseason program is considered voluntary with the exception of the veteran minicamp from June 4- 6, so Harris’ absence is not officially considered a holdout. However, Harris has never missed a voluntary workout before and his no-show suggests he would like his contract extended sooner rather than later.

Harris would be the first Broncos' player to miss the team's offseason program since Von Miller in 2016.

“It’s optional, right?'' Miller said. "This is an optional period to be here. We all know what type of pro Chris is on and off the football field. He’s going to be ready to go whenever he’s here, and if he’s not here, he’s still going to be ready to go. We’re talking about ‘Strap Harris.’ He can be on Mars and he’s going to be ‘Strap Harris.’ He’s going through whatever he’s going through right now and I support him 100 percent. When it’s time to go, he’s going to be ready to go. There’s really not too much you can say about that. It’s his ninth year coming up and whatever he has to do to get ready, I’m for it.”

Broncos management met with Harris’ agent Fred Lyles during the NFL Combine a month ago and both sides agreed a contract extension needed to be worked out but the team wanted to first get through free agency and the draft.

The Broncos then went to work on free agency by signing 31-year-old defensive back Kareem Jackson to a three-year contract that averaged $11 million a year, and “slot” corner Bryce Callahan to a three-year deal worth $7 million a year.

While Broncos general manager John Elway has consistently said he wants to get through free agency and the draft before revisiting Harris' contract, the cornerback -- whose four Pro Bowls are four more than what Jackson has received -- wants to get the deal done now.

One potential impediment: The Broncos have just $11.77 million in cap space and about $5 million of that is slotted for their No. 10 overall draft pick.

The Broncos would appear to have four options with Harris:

1. Work out an extension.

Harris is finishing his second contract with the team. In December 2014, he signed a five-year extension worth $8.5 million per year that Harris.

That deal now ties him for the league’s 23rd-highest-paid cornerback. And his $7.9 million payout for 2019 ranks 29th. Thirteen cornerbacks will make at least $10 million in 2019, including former teammate Bradley Roby, who got a one-year, $10 million contract with Houston.

2. Hold firm and hope Harris reconsiders.

With Jackson and Callahan on their roster, the Broncos could encourage Harris to honor the final year of his contract and use the leverage of free agency after this season.

3. Amend his 2019 payout.

Last season, the Broncos added a $3 million incentive package on top of Harris’ $8.5 million payout. He wound up earning an extra $500,000 -- $200,000 by recording three interceptions and $300,000 through the combination of playing at least 65 percent of the snaps and the team winning six games.

He was on pace to earning more incentive money until a hairline fracture in his fibula forced him to miss the final four games.

4. Trade him.

This may be the least likely option as its unlikely the Broncos could get fair value in return for a player of Harris’ caliber, especially with the first phase of the offseason trading period passed.

If the Broncos did decide to go the trade route, they would probably get more value in return by dealing Harris before or during the April 25-27 draft. Rosters become pretty well set after the draft.

Harris is a self-made star who was undrafted out of Kansas in 2011. He made the Broncos’ roster as a special teams standout and No. 5 cornerback behind Champ Bailey, Andre Goodman, Cassius Vaughn and Jonathan Wilhite.

Harris wound up starting four games in the nickel defense his rookie year, then became a full-time starter in 2012 when he replaced an ailing Tracy Porter in game 6 at San Diego.

In that game, Harris finished off a Broncos comeback from a 24-0 halftime deficit with a 46-yard pick six against .

Possibly working against Harris in negotiations is he will turn 30 on June 18 and his coming off a season- ending injury. Then again, age didn’t stop the Broncos from giving Jackson a fully guaranteed $23 million in the first two years of his deal.

Harris has four Pro Bowl appearances to Jackson’s none. And Harris recovered from his leg fracture in time to play in the Pro Bowl in January.

Besides his four Pro Bowl berths, Harris was a first-team All Pro in 2016.

Harris had been working out in the Dallas-area with trainer Ronnie Braxton, who also works out former Bronco cornerback Aqib Talib, and stretch coach Adam Ster.

So even if he stays away all spring, Harris should be in top condition. He will continue to keep his body in shape while the rest of the Broncos’ team train at UCHealth Training Center. The players reported Tuesday morning for new head coach Vic Fangio’s first team meeting before engaging in cardio and muscular training with strength and conditioning coordinator Loren Landow.

The Broncos haven’t had a player skip offseason workouts since Von Miller received the franchise tag in 2016. Miller wound up getting a six-year, $114.5 million contract later that summer that made him the league’s highest-paid defensive player.

Broncos notes: Sutton embracing expectations as Flacco's No. 1 receiver By Mike Klis 9NEWS April 3, 2019

No receivers were added in free agency. Emmanuel Sanders is recovering well from left Achilles surgery but he won’t be ready to practice until training camp.

New Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco must get to know and in a hurry.

Ready or not – and in the final month of his rookie season last year he was not -- Sutton is the Broncos’ No. 1 receiver, at least through this offseason.

“I’m excited going into this season knowing that I am going to get to be the No. 1 and I’ll get all of the looks and all of the pressure,’’ Sutton said in his press conference Tuesday. “I’m excited about that. I want my teammates to look to me as that leader and that guy that is going to assume that role and take it and go with it as long as I possibly can.”

It was noteworthy that Sutton was called out as the Broncos’ first offensive player to meet the media on the first day of the team’s offseason program. The honor is ordinarily bestowed upon the top veteran stalwarts. Von Miller was the no-brainer defensive choice. On offense, Demaryius Thomas and Matt Paradis are no longer around. Sanders is rehabbing. Flacco just had a press conference, as did tight end Jeff Heuerman.

And so Sutton was the choice, not through the process of elimination but as a sign the Broncos want him to step up. Need him to step now.

Sutton had spectacular flashes last year and finished with 42 catches for 704 yards and four – respectable production for a rookie. But when Sanders’ Achilles gave out in practice after the Broncos had won three in a row but had four games remaining, his void was not adequately filled.

Sutton, a second-round selection out of SMU last year, moved up from No. 3 to No. 2 receiver after Thomas was traded at midseason, then from No. 2 to No. 1 in the final four games after Sanders’ injury.

The Broncos lost all four of their remaining games as Sutton averaged just 3.5 catches and 36.5 yards.

“There were a lot of learning lessons,’’ he said. “A lot of what was expected of a No. 1. I’m taking all of those lessons that I learned from those last four games and taking them into this season and taking those expectations and going to run with them.’’

What exactly, were those lessons?

“The No. 1 role, you can’t go into a game and have one or two catches,’’ he said. “You have to go into a game and be ‘that guy’ every day. That is something that I know, and I accept that role.’’

Sanders update

If Sanders recovers, he’ll likely return as the Broncos’ No. 1 receiver. And so far so good in his recovery, although he’s still a couple weeks away from running.

“I feel good,’’ he said. “I’ll definitely be ready to go for sure.’’

Ready to go by training camp?

“Yeah, that’s the goal,’’ he said.

Risner, Jones visit Broncos, Thorson to workout

Offensive line prospect , the pride of Wiggins, will take a top 30 pre-draft visit with the Broncos at team headquarters Wednesday.

Offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello won’t be there to shake his hand. Scangarello will be in Chicago working out Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson on Wednesday.

Risner is a projected second-round pick who played right tackle for Kansas State but could shift to guard or center at the NFL level.

The Broncos also recently brought in Ohio State defensive lineman Dre'Mont Jones for a visit. He's 6- foot-3, 281 so he'd project as 3-4 defensive end with the Broncos.

Jones broke out as fourth-year junior last season with 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss.

It's a bigger, stronger Von Miller in 2019 By Mike Klis 9NEWS April 3, 2019

He’s been bigger some years, lighter in others. This season, Miller wants to play about 10 pounds heavier.

“It was never bad, just wasn’t what I wanted it to be," Miller said. “I was 238 or 236. It’s not bad, but I want to be 245 or 248. I’m right back at that now. Being 238 last year, I felt like that was a good weight for me. I played in the Super Bowl at 236, so I felt like that was a good weight for me.

“I just experimented a little bit. It was good, but when it comes to technique and skill, you can’t really put 10 pounds on. You have to have it, or you don’t. It’s a totally different player from being 245 to 235. It’s a totally different game. I just wanted to get back to 245, and I’ve been doing it that way."

Wait a minute. He was 236 in and wants to add weight? If he was 236 when he had two, strip sacks that led to two Broncos touchdowns in a 24-10 Super Bowl win against Cam Newton and Carolina, why add weight?

“I feel like for me, the difference between 235 and 245 is not really get-off," said Miller, who has 98 1/2 career sacks in the regular season, an average of 12.3 per season. “It’s not really speed. It’s not really getting hurt or getting injured. It’s not really agility or anything like that, or my moves. It’s when you get locked up with an offensive lineman and where you’re able to go with that."

“(At) 235, you can go a certain direction with that when you’re locked in with an offensive lineman. (At) 245, you can go just a little bit further with that -- 245 is where I want to be at. It’s still not much. It’s only 10 pounds. It’s not a lot, but I need that 10 pounds.”

Harris not at start of Broncos' offseason program By Jeff Legwold ESPN.com April 3, 2019

Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris Jr. did not report Tuesday to the ' offseason program as he and the team began what could be a contract standoff.

With a new coach in Vic Fangio, the Broncos were one of the first teams in the league to begin their voluntary offseason work this week. Harris made his fourth Pro Bowl this past season (as an injury replacement).

Harris and linebacker Von Miller are the longest-tenured Broncos players -- Miller as the No. 2 pick of the 2011 draft, while Harris made the team that season as an undrafted rookie.

Entering the last year of a $42.5 million deal signed in 2015, Harris, who would be an unrestricted free agent after the 2019 season, has made no secret he is seeking a contract extension.

"It's late in my career and I can't waste any years anymore," Harris said earlier this offseason. "It's time for me to win. I always wanted to retire here and finish my career here, but I'm ready to see what changes and things we do.''

The Broncos have finished 6-10 and 5-11, respectively, in the last two seasons -- the team's first back-to- back seasons with double-digit losses since its AFL days in the 1960s. Harris' value as a defensive back who can line up in the slot, on the outside or even play safety if needed was easy to see this past season.

The Broncos had clawed their way back to 6-6 last season with a Dec. 2 win in Cincinnati, but Harris suffered a fractured lower leg in the game. He then missed the last four games of the season, the Broncos lost all four and coach and most of his staff were fired the day after the regular season ended.

Harris worked diligently during the team's fade down the stretch, and said he "definitely" could have played in the regular-season finale -- Dec. 30 against the Los Angeles Chargers -- if the Broncos had remained in the playoff race. Harris did play in the Pro Bowl.

Broncos president of football operations/general manager John Elway has said on multiple occasions he would like to try to work out a new deal for Harris after the draft. Harris' representatives and Elway did meet at the scouting combine in February. Harris, who has played in 123 games over the last eight seasons, is not expected to report to the team, however, without a new deal. He is the last remaining defensive back from the team's "No Fly Zone'' secondary that was a key part of the team's defense on the way to a Super Bowl 50 win.

The Broncos signed two defensive backs in free agency -- Kareem Jackson (three-year deal for $33 million) and Bryce Callahan (three-year deal for $21 million). The offseason workouts, per the league's collective bargaining agreement, are voluntary. The only part of the offseason work Harris could be fined for missing is the team's mandatory minicamp in June.

As Broncos begin optional workouts, Chris Harris Jr. opts to hold out for new deal By Nicki Jhabvala The Athletic April 3, 2019

Half-filled trash bags and bins of worn cleats cluttered the Broncos’ locker room. It was New Year’s Eve 2018, the culmination of another playoff-less season in Denver. The Broncos’ head coach, Vance Joseph, was fired that morning and their players awaited the inevitability that many of them would be gone in months, if not sooner.

Cornerback Chris Harris Jr., wearing a long-sleeve T-shirt that bore his nickname “Strap,” wasn’t one of those expected to leave. He has long been an anchor of the defense and has one year remaining on his contract.

But as the Broncos underwent more change and frustration, he publicly pondered his future.

“I want to win, so whatever situation is best for me at the time,” he said at the time. “… It’s late in my career and I can’t waste any years anymore. It’s time for me to win. I always wanted to retire here and finish my career here, but I’m ready to see what changes and things we do.”

The message was clear.

After four years of playing on a team-friendly contract, Harris wants a new deal that matches what he believes his value is on the field.

Tuesday, as Broncos players returned to the team’s facility for the start of their voluntary offseason workout program, Harris voluntarily stayed in Dallas, where he has been working with his long-time trainer, Ronnie Braxton.

Harris’ absence sent yet another message: he wants to be paid or sent somewhere he can get paid.

At the NFL scouting combine, Harris’ agent met briefly with the Broncos to lay the foundation for talks about a new deal, but no terms or a timetable were discussed. Throughout the offseason, general manager John Elway has said repeatedly that such discussions will be put off until May.

“We’re still concentrating on what we’re doing,” Elway reiterated at the league’s annual meeting in Phoenix last month. “We’re going to get through the draft before we think of anything, including Chris Harris. Any guys that are on our team — I know there’s been a lot of talk — but we’re going to get through the draft before we talk about any extensions on any of our guys.”

Elway has said that the Broncos would like to get a deal done with Harris. He is not only one of the Broncos’ most-tenured players, but still one of their most valuable, along with linebacker Von Miller.

Harris is also one of only five undrafted cornerbacks in history to make multiple Pro Bowls (four) with their original team and is the only player in the NFL with multiple interceptions in each of the last seven seasons. His 80 career pass-breakups rank as the third most in Broncos history, while his four pick-sixes are tied for the second most.

Last year, despite missing four games because of a leg fracture, he recorded 49 total tackles, 10 pass- breakups and tied for a career-high three interceptions. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed the lowest passer rating (63.6) in coverage in the AFC West.

Harris remains the leader of the secondary, which is undergoing its latest iteration with the arrivals of corner/safety Kareem Jackson and nickel corner Bryce Callahan.

“Between Chris, Bryce and Kareem, we have guys who play corner or nickel and in Kareem’s case, possibly play safety,” coach Vic Fangio said. “It’s always good to have versatility when you’re putting the thing together because there are basically five starters in the secondary with the nickel position being a starter. Invariably through the season, somebody may get hurt for a game or two so that versatility will help us survive those moments.”

The newest pieces to the Broncos’ secondary afford them more options in the defensive backfield, but they have also drawn more attention to Harris’ situation.

Jackson and Callahan are set to earn $11 million and $7 million, respectively, in average annual salary, while Harris is due $8.8 million this year, including his $1 million option bonus. That means their potential No. 2 or No. 3 corner (Jackson) will be making more in average annual pay than their No. 1 corner.

In 2014, Harris accepted a five-year, $42.5 million deal to remain in Denver. He would have received more on the open market but said at the time that it was important for him and his family to stay in Denver. He has since landed a Super Bowl ring with the Broncos and a reputation as arguably the top slot corner in the league.

When asked about the market for Harris, CBS salary cap expert Joel Corry and OvertheCap.com’s Jason Fitzgerald said Casey Hayward’s three-year, $34.25 million extension will likely serve as Harris’ floor in negotiations.

“Hayward is at $11.5 million,” Fitzgerald said in a roundtable for The Athletic. “You have Darius Slay at $12 million and Malcolm Butler at $12.3 million per year. (Harris) is probably going to be in the $12 million range. It’s not his first run in free agency, so I’d be surprised if he gets into the 13s, 14s. But you never know.”

Harris certainly isn’t the first Broncos player to hold out in search of a new deal. Miller and Demaryius Thomas both stayed away from the facility as they negotiated new contracts. But their situations were different.

Miller and Thomas completed their rookie deals and fifth year and were among the top free agents, in search of their first major contracts. The Broncos franchise-tagged both while continuing to discuss long- term deals — and agreements were reached at the 11th hour for both.

“I mean, it’s optional, right? This is the optional period to be here,” Miller said. “We all know what type of pro Chris is on and off the football field. He’s going to be ready to go whenever he’s here, and if he’s not here, he’s still going to be ready to go. We’re talking about ‘Strap’ Harris. He could be on Mars and he’d still be Strap Harris.

“He’s going through whatever he’s going through right now and I support him 100 percent. But when it’s time to go, he’ll be ready to go.”

Harris, however, is not a free agent. He’s also not seeking his first major deal. He has a year left and is out for his third contract with the Broncos — a rarity.

The Broncos value Harris and have said they plan to discuss an extension with his agent. But as his team begins to work toward a comeback, Harris’ uncertainty will serve as a backdrop.

Chris Harris Jr. skips start of Broncos offseason program By Arnie Stapleton Associated Press April 3, 2019

The Vic Fangio Era began in Denver without one of the Broncos' best defenders and a potential contract standoff looming.

"Yeah, I won't be there," cornerback Chris Harris Jr. texted The Associated Press before the Broncos became the fourth team to start their offseason program.

Entering the final season of a five-year, $42.5 million deal he signed in 2015, Harris is due $7.8 million in 2019, after which he'd become an unrestricted free agent.

One of the NFL's most versatile defensive backs, Harris first raised the prospect of a stare-down with general manager John Elway four months ago after the Broncos missed out on the playoffs for the third consecutive year.

"It's late in my career and I can't waste any years anymore," said Harris, who turns 30 in June. "It's time for me to win. I always wanted to retire here and finish my career here, but I'm ready to see what changes and things we do."

Those changes included Vance Joseph's firing and safety Darian Stewart's release, which left Harris as the last remaining original member of the "No Fly Zone" defense that helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50.

Elway, who signed two defensive backs in free agency, has said he would like to work out a new deal with Harris after the draft later this month.

Elway signed cornerbacks Bryce Callahan (three years, $21 million) and Kareem Jackson (three years, $33 million) in free agency last month. Jackson's deal includes salaries of $11 million in 2020 and $10 million in 2021, and he turns 31 this month.

Jackson was the best cornerback on the market, and pairing him with Harris gives Fangio enviable flexibility in coverage as both cornerbacks can line up in the slot, on the outside or even at safety.

With mandatory veteran minicamp two months from now and the start of training camp more than 100 days away, Harris' absence Tuesday didn't raise many eyebrows.

"I mean, it's optional, right?" said linebacker Von Miller , who skipped the Broncos' offseason program following his Super Bowl MVP performance three years ago during a contract stalemate. "We all know what type of pro Chris is on and off the football field, and he's going to be ready to go whenever he's here. And if he's not here, he'll still be ready to go.

"We're talking about 'Strap' Harris. So, he can be on Mars and he's still going to be 'Strap' Harris," added Miller. "He's going through whatever he's going through right now and I support him 100 percent. But when it's time to go, he's going to be ready to go. This is his ninth year coming up and whatever he has to do to get ready, I'm for it."

Harris is coming off a stellar 2018 season despite missing the last month with a broken right leg.

The only NFL player with multiple interceptions in each of the past seven seasons, Harris picked off three passes, returning one for a , and broke up 10 passes in a dozen games last season before getting hurt at Cincinnati on Dec. 2.

The Broncos lost each of their last four games during Harris' absence. He returned a month later to play in his fourth Pro Bowl, intercepting a pass in the AFC's 26-7 victory.

Broncos' Von Miller embraces new coach, new routine By Troy Renck KMGH April 3, 2019

Von Miller remains the Broncos best player. Tuesday, he stepped in front of the media, talking about his fourth coach in six seasons.

At age 30, his youth has disappeared. He is entering the prime of his career with a new white Lamborghini -- a birthday gift from his parents last week -- and clear road to improvement. He sees better play with added weight under new boss Vic Fangio, who addressed the team for the first time as optional workouts began at UCHealth Training Center.

“His message was about technique, assignments. Keep everything simple. It’s easier said than done. It’s about intensity and effort,” Miller said. “He’s an outside linebacker guru and next up for me.”

Fangio will see more of Miller than the highlights revealed last season. While notching 14.5 sacks, his most since 2014, and 27 quarterback hits, his highest since 2015, Miller played between 236 and 238 pounds.

He has added muscle this offseason, leaving him at roughly 245 pounds. His goal is to sit between 245 and 248 with a specific purpose in mind.

“It’s not really about get off, speed, getting hurt, agility or movement. It’s when you get locked up with an offensive lineman and what you are able to do with that,” Miller said. “At 245 you can go a little further with that. It’s not a lot, but I need that 10 pounds.”

Fangio insists the Broncos are better off than when he arrived in Chicago in 2015, pointing to Miller, among others. He mentioned the possibility of lining up second-year pro and Miller on the same side to stress the offense.

“For me I have said it three times before this, I feel like I am a coach’s dream. Whatever you ask me to do, I will do it,” said Miller before continuing on how he and Chubb can become more disruptive. “We can be better. More sacks, more tackles, more plays, being more dominant in more games.”

It’s hard to see the Broncos defense improving without star cornerback Chris Harris Jr. He skipped the first day of voluntary workouts as he seeks a new contract with one year remaining on his current deal.

Miller missed the entire offseason program in 2016, including mandatory practices, before agreeing to a six-year deal worth $114.5 million. I asked him how teammates view Harris’ absence.

“It’s optional, right? It’s an optional period to be here. We all know what kind of pro Chris is on and off the football field. He’s going to be ready to go whenever he’s here,” Miller said. “And when he’s not ready he’s going to be ready to go. He can be on Mars and he’s ‘Strap’ Harris. I support him 100 percent.”

Miller continues to nip and tuck at his offseason methods. He has spent the bulk of the past two months in Denver. He is seeking more consistency in his routine, determined not to miss a single workout.

“It’s good to be back in facility. I would say good to be back home, but I’ve been here. I got really familiar with Denver and the things to do. I really wanted to focus on me and not travel so much. I wanted to stay in the same spot and focus on my nutrition,” Miller said. “I am focused on stacking days, no matter what time I have to work out (sometimes at 2 a.m.). And I think I have done that.”

Chris Harris elects not to report for OTAs, wants new contract By Troy Renck KMGH April 3, 2019

Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. ranks among the most accomplished Broncos players over the last nine seasons. He would like a contract extension to reflect his value at his position. As such, Harris told Denver7 he skipped the Broncos’ first day of optional workouts on Tuesday.

This is not considered a holdout because the workouts are not mandatory until June 4-6. Tuesday featured coach Vic Fangio addressing the group, followed by workouts with strength and conditioning coach Loren Landow.

Harris' situation has been percolating for months. As first reported by Denver7, Harris representatives met with the Broncos at the combine regarding a new deal. Both sides expressed mutual interest, leaving Harris optimistic. His desire has long been to retire a Bronco. However, the Broncos prefer to table the issue until after the draft. They have $11 million remaining in cap space, much of which is earmarked for the draft class.

This does not mean a deal cannot be reached. Harris, who turns 30 on June 18, is seeking a third contract with the team, a scenario played out last by Hall of Famer Champ Bailey. Harris has forged a Ring of Fame career with Denver, morphing from an undrafted free agent into a four-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro in 2016. Harris will make $8.9 million in the final year of his contract. He received a $1 million option bonus earlier this month, so he has $7.9 million remaining in compensation.

It leaves multiple scenarios. Harris can remain absent as he seeks a new deal with the Broncos not budging. Denver could attempt to add more money to his final year, as it did last season, resulting in $500,000 in incentives reached. They could bridge the gap on a contract extension. And, in a less likely path, the Broncos could considering trading Harris during the upcoming draft.

The Broncos invested in revamping their secondary this offseason. They signed cornerback Kareem Jackson to a three-year, $33 million deal with $23 million guaranteed. They followed with addition of slot corner Bryce Callahan on a three-year, $21 million contract with $10 million guaranteed.

9News first reported Harris would not attend on Tuesday.

Von Miller represents the last Broncos player to exercise leverage in the offseason. Miller sat out until training camp before agreeing to a six-year deal worth $114.5 million in July 2016. Harris remaining in peak condition is not a concern. He trains relentlessly in Dallas in the offseason.

Eight years and one Super Bowl MVP later, the Broncos' world still revolves around Von Miller By Paul Klee Colorado Springs Gazette April 3, 2019

It’s Von Miller’s world.

The Broncos are just rotating around it.

Hire a coach who specializes in pass rushers ... check. Keep the band together even when Super Bowl 50 is old news ... done that. Unwrap a $500,000 Lamborghini Aventador for his 30th birthday ...

“My dream car,” Vonnie Football said.

Yep, it’s good being Von.

Can Von make the Broncos good again?

Like the Nuggets with Nikola Jokic and the Rockies with Nolan Arenado, the Broncos consider how it impacts Miller on every decision they make. From hiring a strength and conditioning coach who is BFF with Von, Loren Landow, to bending to his contract demands after the Super Bowl 50 season, the apple of John Elway’s eye wears a cowboy hat and, for reasons unknown, carries around a laser pointer.

On the road back to relevancy, the Broncos need Miller at the wheel. Hard to believe, but the 2019 season is Von’s ninth in the NFL. Time flies when you’re having fun. No one has more than Von. Now it’s time for the best Bronco to turn in his best year yet. All-Pro. All-World. All of it.

“I’ve said it three times before this (one for each coaching change): I feel like I’m a coach’s dream. Whatever you ask me to do, I’m going to do it,” Miller said Tuesday at UCHealth Training Center. “Whoever’s coaching me — whether that’s the position coach or the head coach — I try to make their job easier. Try to take me out of the equation. I’m going to always do what I’m supposed to do.”

The Broncos are 0 for 3 in playoff appearances since they made Miller the face of the franchise with a team-record $114 million contract soon after he was named Super Bowl MVP.

Who wouldathunkit?

But if the greatest defensive player in franchise history is telling the truth, there’s still time to make that contract worth it. For the first time in a long time, Miller spent the offseason living and training on the south side of Denver, minus a private jet or three. And his chiseled physique looks like something cut from a Marvel comic.

Miller is striving to play at 245 pounds, a jump from the 236 where he had 14.5 sacks last season. (“I need that 10 pounds,” he said.) Through his various social media platforms we know Miller hasn’t been averse to hitting the gym, even at times when bars are closing.

“My whole mindset was not to miss a day,” he said. “So whether it’s 2 a.m. or 8 a.m. I have to get the workout in.”

Miller is destined to park a bust in Canton, alongside and Champ Bailey. The Broncos parked his locker right next to Joe Flacco’s. Is it just me, or is it tough to see Flacco cruising down Colorado Boulevard in the Lamborghini gifted to Miller by his family?

”He (Flacco) is the same guy that we thought he was going to be,” Miller said. “He’s taller than what he looks like on the field. He’s like 6-5 or something like that. That’s always good.”

Beats the shortchanging of fans last season at Mile High. This offseason has been addition by subtraction. The unceremonious exit of Vance Joseph was a move toward maturity. Clipping linebackers Brandon Marshall and Shane Ray immediately strengthened the locker room. (Marshall managed a one-year deal with only $495,000 in guarantees in Oakland, according to 9News’ Mike Klis. Meantime, it’s April and Ray has yet to find a team that thinks he’s worth his hefty asking price. Contrary to popular belief, both dragged the Broncos down.) They jettisoned Case Keenum in favor of Flacco.

But the entire orange-and-blue operation still revolves around Von Miller. With that in mind, the birthday boy shared his thoughts on ...

- Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris Jr., who opted to skip the optional workouts that began Tuesday as he holds out for a contract extension: “It’s voluntary, right? This is an optional period to be here. ... We’re talking about ‘Strap Harris.’ He can be on Mars and he’s going to be ‘Strap Harris.’ ... When it’s time to go, he’s going to be ready to go.”

- Vic Fangio, the new coach in town: “He’s all about technique, assignment, intensity and effort. I like that. He’s an outside linebacker guru, and he’s up next with me.”

- His first season as a 30-something: “Whenever you see a pass rusher just play third down or pass-rush situations then it starts to go downhill. I’m still playing every down. I’ve still got a long way to go. When I start playing (only) third downs, then OK.”

- The Lamborghini: “It was good to get that for my birthday.”

Vroom, vroom. The ‘19 Broncos need the fastest, smoothest, quickest, strongest Von yet.

A better Von Miller? That's the goal for Miller, HC Vic Fangio By Aric DiLalla DenverBroncos.com April 3, 2019

As Head Coach Vic Fangio spoke at his introductory press conference in late January, outside linebacker Von Miller sat near the back of the room and formed his initial impressions of his new leader.

On Tuesday morning, as the Broncos reported for their voluntary offseason program, Fangio addressed his team rather than the media. Miller’s intuitions about his coach were proved correct.

“I was here for the press conference, and same guy that everybody saw in the press conference was the same guy that we saw this morning,” Miller said Tuesday. “That’s a compliment. You don’t want this guy to be in the press conference, then he gets in front of the team and is this guy, then when you’re one on one with him he’s this guy. It’s not the case with Coach Vic, and I knew that from all the players that he’s coached that I’m familiar with. I knew he was that type of guy, and he was definitely that today.”

Miller said Fangio stressed keeping “everything simple” during the team’s first meeting of the offseason program. If Miller and the Broncos can do that, they should find success in Fangio’s system.

“Coach Fangio, he’s all about technique, assignment, intensity and effort, and I like that,” Miller said. “He’s an outside linebacker guru, and he’s up next with me.”

Fangio will seek to get the most out of Miller, who said he doesn’t anticipate that being an issue.

“I feel like I’m a coach’s dream,” Miller said. “Whatever you ask me to do, I’m going to do it. Whoever’s coaching me, whether that’s my position coach, the head coach or whoever, I try to make their job easier than what it is.”

If Miller can improve in 2019, he could make Fangio’s job as a first-time head coach a lot easier.

But what does better even mean for a player of Miller’s caliber?

After all, he already owns three first-team All-Pro selections and Super Bowl 50 MVP honors. And it’s not like Miller has slipped. In 2018, he posted the second-highest season sack total of his career.

There’s more to achieve, though.

“I guess more sacks, more tackles, more plays and being able to be dominant in more games,” Miller said. “That’s better. If we’re able to do that, then we’ll be better.”

Miller will aim to add 10 pounds to his frame to help achieve those goals. Though he said he played Super Bowl 50 at 236 pounds, he wants to get up to 245 pounds to better take on offensive lineman.

And while 10 pounds may not seem like much, “it’s a totally different game” for a player like Miller after adding that amount of weight.

“I feel like for me, the difference between 235 and 245 is not really get-off, it’s not really speed, it’s not really getting hurt or getting injured, it’s not really agility or anything like that, or my moves,” Miller said. "It’s when you get locked up with an offensive lineman and where you’re able to go with that. [At] 235, you can go a certain direction with that when you’re locked in with an offensive lineman. [At] 245, you can go just a little bit further with that — 245 is where I want to be at. It’s still not much. It’s only 10 pounds. It’s not a lot, but I need that 10 pounds.”

Miller added more than a few pounds in the offseason. When he turned 30 last week, his family surprised him with a Lamborghini.

“The Lamborghini is my dream car,” he said.

Just don’t worry about Miller being on the wrong side of 30. Combine his workout plan with Fangio’s scheme, and it’s easy to imagine Miller thriving for many more years.

Besides, Miller said there’s an easy method to tell if a player is still in his prime.

“Whenever you see a pass rusher just play third down or pass-rush situations, then it starts to be downhill,” Miller said.

“I’m still playing every down. I’ve still got a long way to go.”

Shelby Harris signs RFA tender; four other Broncos sign ERFA tenders By Aric DiLalla DenverBroncos.com April 3, 2019

Defensive lineman Shelby Harris has signed his restricted free-agent tender and will remain with the Broncos for the 2019 season, the team announced Tuesday.

The Broncos placed a second-round tender on Harris in March, which means if another team offered Harris a contract, the Broncos could have opted to match the deal. If Denver chose not to match the offer, the team would have received a second-round pick compensation.

Harris, who has spent the previous two seasons with the Broncos, recorded 1.5 sacks and 39 tackles in 2018. He snagged an in the end zone in the final minute of a Week 12 game against the Steelers to seal a win for the Broncos.

In 2017, Harris started six games and recorded 5.5 sacks and 34 tackles.

“I think he can play anywhere along the defensive line for us hopefully,” Head Coach Vic Fangio said about Harris in late March. “I think D-linemen are interchangeable. I think the days of a nose tackle and an end — to me, they’re all tackles. They play from lining up on this tackle all the way to that tackle and anywhere in between. They all have to react to the same type of blocking schemes and the same type of blocks to be able to pass rush. To me, they’re defensive linemen. Period. End of story.”

Exclusive rights free agents linebacker Joe Jones, offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson, Tim Patrick and safety Dymonte Thomas also signed their tenders on Monday.

Von Miller gives his perspective on Chris Harris Jr.’s situation with the Broncos By Zac Stevens BSN Denver April 3, 2019

The Broncos are back.

On Tuesday, the Denver Broncos reported for the first day of their voluntary offseason conditioning program, the first team organized activity of the season.

That is, except for Chris Harris Jr., who was a no-show as he seeks a contract extension.

“It’s optional, right? It’s an optional period to be here,” Von Miller said on Tuesday, downplaying the significance of one of Denver’s best players not showing up. “There’s really not too much to say about that. It’s his ninth year coming up, and whatever he has to do to get ready I’m for it.”

Harris Jr., one of the league’s top cornerbacks year in and year out, is entering the final year of his five- year, $42.5 million contract he signed in Dec. 2014.

Since then, Harris Jr.’s been viewed as one of the best values in the league, being the centerpiece of the No Fly Zone, while not making top dollar.

His $8.5 million per year average currently puts him as the 23rd-highest paid cornerback, and his $8.77 million cap hit in 2019 ranks as the 24th most among cornerbacks.

Last season, Harris Jr. was rated as a top-five cornerback in the entire NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.

The former undrafted free agent wants to be paid like the type of player he is, understandably so. Sixteen cornerbacks currently make at least $10 million per season, while the top five all make over $14 million per year.

The Broncos dished out $18 million per year to cornerbacks this offseason—$11 million per year to corner-safety hybrid Kareem Jackson and $7 million per year to Bryce Callahan, an expert in the slot.

Throughout the offseason, John Elway has maintained he won’t consider extending current players until after the draft.

By his actions, Chris doesn’t want to wait until the end of April.

“We’re talking about Strap Harris. He can be on Mars and he’s still going be Strap Harris. He’s going through whatever he’s going through right now. I support him 100 percent,” Von said, backing his teammate. “When it’s time to go, he’s going to be ready to go.

“We all know what type of pro Chris is on and off the football field. He’s going to be ready to go whenever he’s here and if he’s not here he’s still going to be ready to go.”

This isn’t a foreign situation to Von.

While franchised tagged after Super Bowl 50, in which he was the MVP, Von skipped the entirety of the offseason conditioning program as he negotiated a long-term deal for himself. While on the outside it may appear to be a stressful situation for the player, Von said it was anything but.

“For me? Nah it wasn’t stressful at all. It wasn’t stressful at all. I was chillin’,” Von said with a chuckle and a grin. “I don’t think it’s stressful.

In the end, it worked out for both sides as the two worked out the largest defensive contract in NFL history before the start of training camp.

“Whenever you go over negotiations and contracts it can always get stressful because that’s your career. This is what I do. I want to play football. Whenever there’s some uncertainty—whether it’s going to be this or that—that’s a little bit stressful. But staying at home while everybody else is doing OTAs here in Denver, nah it wasn’t stressful.”

From now through the end of May, the Broncos will have team organized workouts each and every week. They will all be voluntary.

However, from June 4-6, the team will hold their mandatory minicamp, the only mandatory portion of the offseason.

Until then, if Chris decides to continue to skip these workouts, he’ll only be missing voluntary work.

Opinion: NFL and its 'Legends' hit the mark with investment in youth and high school football By Mike Jones USA Today April 3, 2019

Willie McGinest saw what was happening to his beloved sport.

Youth football in his home town of Long Beach, California, was ailing.

Fathers-turned-coaches, sometimes fueled by egos and unfulfilled dreams, often mistreated players. Others with limited knowledge or old-school mentalities misdirected youth. A scarcity of resources and shortage of adequate equipment put the league’s athletes at risk.

So when the former linebacker’s friend and hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg founded the Snoop Youth Football League in 2005 as a remedy, McGinest wanted to help.

Michael Robinson, a former fullback, observed the same issues in his native Richmond, Virginia. Additionally, participation fees had risen excessively, driving away many children from single-parent homes. In response, he started his own youth league six years ago.

Conditions began to improve in their respective communities, but McGinest and Robinson know erosion of the youth game remains wide-spread.

The fear of long-term dangers associated with concussions also has led many parents to redirect their children to other activities.

Participation numbers on high school and youth levels have declined five straight years, according to a 2018 study conducted by the Aspen Institute Sports and Society Program. The study reports 20,893 students stopped playing high school football in 2017. Meanwhile, participation for football leagues among ages 6-12 decreased to just below one million – a 17.4 percent drop over a five-year span.

The decline has caused some to wonder about the long-term health of the NFL and predict that the game could one day become extinct.

McGinest and Robinson are intent on making football viable for future generations.

“I’ve been a part of youth programs for almost 17 years, and when you hear and see people trying to attack our game – it’s the best sport in the world,” McGinest told USA TODAY Sports last week. “So I’m passionate about it. I’m passionate about kids. I’m passionate about growing the game, and I’m passionate about preserving our game.”

The NFL shares that same focus.

In the last three years, the league has ramped up its efforts to improve safety, technique, instruction and the overall quality of play in the youth and high school ranks, helping the bid to preserve the future of the game.

McGinest and Robinson serve on the NFL Legends Youth Advisory Committee, which works closely with the league’s operations department in youth and high school football outreach. Other members of the committee include former players , Chad Pennington, Trent Dilfer, Maurice Jones-Drew, Jordan Palmer, Deion Sanders and Bobby Taylor.

A critical moment came in 2016, when Jeff Miller, now the NFL's executive vice president of health and safety initiatives, acknowledged a link between football-related head trauma and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

As the league sorted through a $1 billion concussion settlement with former players, the NFL began implementing rule changes intended to remove the use of the head as a weapon on the playing field to make the game safer.

Last year, the league’s owners approved a rule that subjects any player initiating contact with the helmet to ejection.

Current players called it virtually impossible to overcome the instinct to lower one's head when bracing for or initiating contact. League officials countered by saying it was time for players to learn a new approach.

But they also realized the need for uniformity on this front. NFL and NCAA officials met to ensure better alignment on player safety and helmet-to-helmet contact restrictions. NFL brass also devised plans for greater investments in the youth and high school games.

“There’s a trickle-down effect from what happens on Sunday afternoons to Saturday afternoons to Friday nights,” Roman Oben, a retired offensive lineman and the NFL’s vice president of youth and high school strategy, told USA TODAY Sports. “So we have a huge responsibility to not only understand that trickle-down effect, but to equip those who are doing the work in that high school or youth community.”

That responsibility includes the commitment of more than $20 million annually to youth and high school football programs, including roughly $9 million a year to USA Football – the non-profit organization that serves as the national governing body for amateur and, in partnership with the NFL, offers coaching clinics and youth developmental programs.

Last week during the NFL’s annual league meeting in Phoenix, Oben’s department welcomed in 60 area high school coaches. NFL coaches (Cardinals), Dan Quinn (Falcons), (Panthers) and Doug Pederson (Eagles) conducted sessions on defensive and offensive concepts. McGinest, Robinson, Brunell and Pennington also spoke.

“It was about the ability to pay it forward and totally emphasize fundamentals,” Quinn, who’s session focused on proper tackling techniques, told USA TODAY Sports. “I feel a responsibility for that because our game is the most visible, and it’s our responsibility to get it down to college, get it down to high school, get it down to the young football. … If we can keep instilling good habits and talking the same language, then that would be a huge impact.”

Say what you will about the NFL’s decision-makers, but in this area, the league is on the mark.

The problems observed by players like McGinest and Robinson are real, and so too are the concerns of parents who hesitate to let their kids play football.

As much as I loved playing football as a kid and enjoy watching and covering the sport now, I still steered my three sons to baseball, soccer and flag football. I can’t lie: My heart skipped a beat when my eighth- grader informed me last August that he signed up for his school’s football team. You can bet that I watched the first two days of tackling drills to see what kinds of techniques were being taught.

The league and the Legends advisers don’t dismiss such reservations.

Said Robinson, “I understand because I’m a parent first and foremost, so I do understand. But No. 2, because I’m in this business, I understand the numbers. The No. 1 youth concussion sport is girls' soccer. … The NCAA, it’s wrestling that’s No. 1. So to hear that some players are taking their kid away because of that, it does hurt. But that’s why we’re out here telling our story and educating people.

“I don’t believe our game has a concussion problem. I believe our game has a coaching problem,” added Robinson, who wants to see states mandate certifications for youth football coaches.

McGinest agrees.

“We want to start teaching them the right way from the beginning so once they get to the league, they’ve learned the right way,” he said. “Shoot your hands, hands up, knees bent, keep the right posture, keep your head out of the play, use your shoulder pads, wrap up. … We want to implement the verbiage, the technique.”

Altering tackling technique represents the most obvious points of emphasis. But last week’s coaching clinic covered a variety of topics, including how improve the quality of instruction, how to scheme more effectively, how to better structure practices.

According to high school coaches like Brock Farrel of Highland High (Gilbert, Arizona), the NFL’s efforts are making a difference. He said he observes improved safety and quality on all youth levels.

And that’s exactly what the NFL wants and needs for the sake of every player on every level – and not just for the sake of future pro stars. It’s bigger than the game itself.

“The sport, football, is the carrot because we instill so many other things in these kids once we get them,” McGinest said. “Teaching them about being accountable, being a good teammate, sportsmanship, being disciplined. ... These are life skills and life lessons you can apply to your life once you move on in your life and onto the next stages.”

Chris Harris will not report on first day of workouts By Kevin Patra NFL.com April 3, 2019

The Denver Broncos will begin offseason workouts without top corner Chris Harris Jr.

The cornerback skipped the first day of offseason workouts on Tuesday, NFL Network's James Palmer reported, per a source informed of the situation.

Harris enters the final year of his contract, slated to make $7.8 million in base salary with a $100,000 workout bonus. Turning 30 in June, Harris is hoping for a contract extension. The Broncos would like to address any potential new deal after the draft, per Palmer.

Ranked as the No. 3 corner in the NFL by Pro Football Focus in 2018, Harris' salary places him tied for 23rd at his position.

A stingy corner who excels against slot receivers, Harris is the Broncos' top defensive back. This offseason, Denver added veterans Kareem Jackson and Bryce Callahan to its secondary. Harris, however, remains the vital cog.

Workouts at this stage are voluntary. Harris is not subject to fines for skipping. The lockdown corner is using his only leverage at this point -- withholding services -- to signal to the Broncos he'd like a new deal now rather than later.

Von Miller is bulking up to be a “different player” By Darin Gantt Pro Football Talk April 3, 2019

Not only does Von Miller want to become more of a vocal leader, he wants to become more of a Von Miller.

The Broncos outside linebacker said at the start of offseason workouts Tuesday that he’s added 10 pounds this offseason, getting up to 245.

“It’s a totally different player being 245 to 235,” Miller said, via Kyle Fredrickson of the Denver Post. “It’s a totally different game. . . .

“It’s when you get locked up with an offensive lineman and wherever you’re able to go with that. At 245, you can go just a little bit further with that. So 245 is where I wanted to be at.”

Miller played at 236 during the Broncos’ Super Bowl run, but said he wanted to evolve as a player under new coach Vic Fangio.

“I wanted to really focus on my nutrition and working out,” Miller said. “Really stack days and get my body weight back up to where it’s supposed to be. I feel like I did that up until this point.

“It’s not a lot, but I need that 10 pounds.”

And there are plenty of people out there who would be willing to share 10 with Von, if he needed help keeping pounds on.

Courtland Sutton ready to assume No. 1 receiver role By Charean Williams Pro Football Talk April 3, 2019

The Broncos went into last season with Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders as their starting receivers. They traded Thomas during the season, and Sanders tore his Achilles’ late last season and continues to rehab.

That left rookie Courtland Sutton to assume the No. 1 receiver role in the final four games of last season. He averaged 6.3 targets, 3.5 catches and 36.5 yards per game.

“The No. 1 role, you can’t go into a game and have one or two catches,” Sutton said Tuesday, via Mike Klis of Denver’s 9News. “You have to go into a game and be that guy. I accept that role.”

Sutton, 23, finished his rookie season with 42 receptions for 704 yards and four touchdowns. The Broncos expect more from him this season.

“It’s a little different,” Sutton said of expectations for his second season, via video from Kyle Fredrickson of The Denver Post. “Coming in as a rookie, you’re just trying to feel it out. You don’t know what to expect. There’s nothing you can really dive through to say this is how I’m supposed to come into it. But having a year under my belt, I know what to expect from myself and what my teammates expect from me. I’m excited going into this season, knowing I’m going to get to be the No. 1. I’m going to get all that look and all that pressure. I’m excited about that. I want my teammates to look at me as that leader and that guy who is going to assume that role and take it and go with it.”

Chris Harris not at first day of Broncos workouts By Josh Alper Pro Football Talk April 3, 2019

Broncos General Manager John Elway said at the Scouting Combine that the team has not given any thought to extending cornerback Chris Harris‘ contract and would wait until after the draft to consider that option.

It appears Harris wants to push the issue onto the team’s radar ahead of that point.

Mike Klis of KUSA reports that Harris did not report to the team’s facility for Tuesday’s start to their offseason program.

Players are not required to take part in this phase of the offseason calendar, so Harris faces no penalty for failing to take part in the workouts. Harris has not skipped this stage of work in past seasons, which adds to the likelihood that his contract is the reason for his decision.

Harris is in the final year of his contract and is set to make a salary of $7.8 million, which is less than newcomer Kareem Jackson is set to make in the first year of the three-year contract he signed as a free agent last month. He also has a workout bonus of $100,000 that he’d put at risk by continuing to stay away from the team’s offseason work.

NFL needs to pay its referees more money By Mike Florio Pro Football Talk April 3, 2019

It’s not supposed to work this way.

Referees shouldn’t be leaving football to enter broadcasting prematurely. They are, in whole or in part because the NFL doesn’t pay referees as much as the NFL should.

It’s been a common complaint. People connected to the league believe the league doesn’t value these jobs the way that the NFL should, resulting in multiple referees choosing in recent years to leave the game prematurely. As noted by Peter King on Monday after the NFL announced that John Parry was retiring for a gig with ESPN, seven of 17 referees have retired in the last 13 months. Although some surely would have retired anyway, some surely would have stayed if the money was better, because money is always a factor when making decisions like this.

The money surely needs to be better. Would a player still in his prime ever stop playing because he could make more money in the broadcast booth? No player would, and no referee should, either.

After Gene Steratore, Jeff Triplette, and Terry McAulay joined CBS, ESPN, and NBC, respectively, in 2018, many assumed that no other TV jobs would be available any time soon. But with the supply of potentially TV-ready referees far outweighing the demand, ESPN was able to dump Triplette for Parry.

As legalized gambling spreads, the stakes will only get higher for the NFL. Beyond having good procedures in place to rectify errors, errors need to be minimized. Better referees are much more likely to make fewer mistakes. Thus, better referees need to be making enough money so that they’ll choose to stay put.

Interestingly, the networks aren’t shying away from hiring active referees, even though doing so could cause the NFL to view those networks as something other than good partners. Ultimately, the market needs to operate freely; if the networks can make attractive offers to referees, the NFL should be able to make much better offers, given that referees are far more critical to football games than rules consultants are to the broadcasting of them.