The Denver Broncos take to the practice field for their first training camp workout today, and there are storylines aplenty to be found at Dove Valley for the defending AFC West Champions. Peyton Manning will lead his first official practice as the Broncos’ quarterback, putting the team squarely into the NFL’s spotlight. There’s also some upheaval on the defensive side of the football due to some unwelcome off-the-field issues. Longtime starting linebacker DJ Williams won’t be practicing with the first team defense at camp, as the Broncos prepare to be without the veteran for the first six games of the season due to his suspension for violating performance enhancing drug policy. The Broncos made a couple of roster moves on the eve of camp yesterday. They released rookies Eric Page and Coryell Judie, both of whom were dealing with injuries.

Junior Taylor Martinez was among three Big Ten quarterbacks who completed the Manning Award Watch List, the Allstate Sugar Bowl announced on Wednesday. Overall, Martinez is one of 25 quarterbacks on the watch list.

Martinez has been one of the nation’s best dual-threat quarterbacks the past two seasons, accounting for 5,559 yards of total offense to rank third on Nebraska’s career list. In addition to being a candidate for the Manning Award, Martinez also earned a spot on the preseason watch list for the Davey O’Brien Award

In 2011, Martinez set a school record for total offense by a sophomore totaling 2,963 yards and accounting for 21 touchdowns to rank third in the Big Ten in total offense per game. He threw for 2,089 yards and 13 scores while completing 56 percent of his passes. Martinez also rushed for 874 yards and nine touchdowns, including a trio of 100-yard efforts, to rank ninth in the league in rushing. He guided an offense which was 15th nationally in rushing while going 9-4 and earning a bid to the Capital One Bowl.

The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that includes the candidates’ bowl performances in its balloting. Ten finalists for the award will be announced on Monday, Nov. 26, and the winner will be announced on Wednesday, Jan. 9.

— Matt Smith, Nebraska Sports Information

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Alex Morgan scored twice, Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd had a goal apiece and the U.S. women’s soccer team rallied from an early deficit Wednesday to open its Olympics with a 4-2 win over France.

The Americans trailed 2-0 after 14 minutes, allowing more goals they had allowed in any game since the World Cup final loss to Japan last year.

But Wambach answered in the 19th, Morgan in the 32nd, Lloyd in the 56th and Morgan again in the 66th in an Olympic soccer tournament that began two days before the opening ceremony and 400-plus miles away from London. Soccer is one of two sports that starts early so it can play a full slate of games.

The Americans next play Colombia on Saturday. The French will face North Korea.

LONDON (AP) — Two-time Olympic fencing champion Mariel Zagunis will carry the U.S. flag in the opening ceremony of the London Games.

The U.S. Olympic Committee says Zagunis won a vote of the 529-strong team ahead of Friday’s ceremony.

Zagunis says she is “extremely humbled by this incredible privilege.”

She was the first American to win a fencing gold in 100 years at the 2004 Athens Games.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – The demolition of Rosenblatt Stadium, the longtime home of the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., has begun.

A large backhoe began knocking down pillars at the stadium entrance on Wednesday. Rosenblatt was home to college baseball’s premier event from 1950 to 2010, but has stood mostly idle the past two years.

Russ Mapes was among some 50 people who showed up to pay their final respects. The retired police officer watched his first game at the stadium in the early 1960s. He took a few pictures and left before the backhoe showed up. He said he couldn’t bear to watch.

The Omaha Zoo Foundation bought the property to expand the adjacent zoo. The series is now held at a new ballpark downtown.

NEW YORK (AP) – The semifinals and final of next year’s World Baseball Classic will be played at San Francisco’s AT&T Park.

First-round games will be played at Chase Field in Phoenix and Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Ariz., Major League Baseball said Wednesday. Salt River Fields is the home of Spring Training games for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Second-round games will take place at Marlins Park in Miami.

Japan, which won the first two tournaments in 2006 and 2009, has threatened not to participate because its demand for a larger share of revenue hasn’t been met.

NEW YORK (AP) – Hideki Matsui was been cut by the Tampa Bay Rays.

The 38-year-old Japanese star was designated for assignment on Wednesday to clear a roster spot for infielder Ryan Roberts. The Rays have 10 days to trade Matsui, release him or place him on waivers.

He is hitting .147 with two homers and seven RBIs in 95 at-bats.

Baltimore obtained Roberts on Tuesday from Arizona for minor league second baseman Tyler Bortnick.

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Minnesota at Chi White Sox 1:10 p.m.
Kansas City at L.A. Angels 2:35 p.m.
N-Y Yankees at Seattle 2:40 p.m.
Detroit at Cleveland 6:05 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Baltimore 6:05 p.m.
Oakland at Toronto 6:07 p.m.
Boston at Texas 7:05 p.m.

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Washington at N-Y Mets 11:10 p.m.
Chi Cubs at Pittsburgh 11:35 p.m.
Atlanta at Miami 11:40 p.m.
Milwaukee at Philadelphia 12:05 p.m.
San Diego at San Francisco 2:45 p.m.
Cincinnati at Houston 7:05 p.m.
L.A. Dodgers at St. Louis 7:15 p.m.
Colorado at Arizona 8:40 p.m. (LISTEN LIVE on ESPN Radio 1410)