Football – Page 82 – North Platte Post Archive

Reeves, Mingo, Upchurch to Broncos Ring of Fame

Posted on May 6, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Former coach Dan Reeves has been elected into the Denver Broncos’ Ring of Fame along with former halfback/kicker Gene Mingo and returner/receiver Rick Upchurch.

They will be inducted at halftime of the Broncos’ Sept. 14 game against Kansas City at Sports Authority Field.

This is the most inductions in a single year since 1988 when quarterback Craig Morton, wide receiver Haven Moses and kicker Jim Turner were elected.

Team owner Pat Bowlen created the Ring of Fame, which is displayed on the fifth level facade of the stadium, in 1984 to honor former players and administrators who played significant roles in the franchise’s history. There are 27 Ring of Famers including this year’s inductees.

Broncos Sign DT Marvin Austin

Posted on May 6, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos have signed fourth-year defensive tackle Marvin Austin, whose career has been beset by injuries since the New York Giants made him a second-round draft pick in 2011.

After starring at North Carolina, Austin missed his rookie season with a torn chest muscle before playing in eight games in New York in 2012.

He played in a total of three games last season for Miami and Dallas. The Cowboys released him after just one game and one tackle when he hurt his back in practice in November.

Austin (6-foot-2 and 312 pounds) has 10 career tackles.

Some NFL Retirees Fault Concussion Deal

Posted on May 5, 2014

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The proposed $765 million settlement of NFL concussion claims is under attack again, this time from retirees who say they would get nothing for their residual health problems.

Seven former players asked Monday to intervene in the court case in Philadelphia.

They say the plan doesn’t offer anything to men who can still work, but suffer from headaches, personality changes, and other side effects.

The group includes 2008 Pro Bowl player Sean Morey, now a sprint football coach at Princeton University.

The proposed $765 million agreement would give millions to men with Parkinson’s Disease and other serious neurological problems.

Senior U.S. District Judge Anita Brody fears the settlement is too small, but lawyers for both the NFL and the lead players’ group hope to convince her otherwise.

Broncos’ Welker Shares Benefits of Sports

Posted on May 4, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — Wes Welker has joined a movement to develop a healthy lifestyle for amateur athletes and couch potatoes, using best practices from sports.

The star receiver of the Denver Broncos is a member of the Global Alliance for Health and Performance, which he believes can make a difference in people’s lives.

Welker says he has “experienced all the ups and downs firsthand” in his career, and that it “makes sense” that people of all ages and various positions can learn to improve their fitness from what athletes do to stay in top shape.

Heading into his 11th NFL season, Welker recognizes the benefits he’s gotten from sports “mentally, physical, and emotionally.” He sees no reason why others, regardless of their athletic skills, can’t gain from the disciplines used by elite athletes.

Broncos Pick Up Von Miller’s Option for 2015

Posted on May 2, 2014

(AP) __ The Denver Broncos have exercised their 2015 option on pass-rusher Von Miller.

He now has two years remaining on his rookie deal. He’ll make $3.25 million this upcoming season and $9.754 million in 2015 if he’s on the Broncos roster next March.

Miller was the second overall pick in 2011, when teams were given the option of a fifth year for first-round picks as part of the transition to a rookie wage scale that was introduced with the current collective bargaining agreement that year.

Teams have until Saturday to exercise that option.

Miller was John Elway’s first draft pick and had 30 sacks his first two seasons, including a club record 18½ in 2012. But his 2013 season began with a six-game drug suspension, included several off-the-field distractions and ended with a torn ACL in December that sidelined him for the Super Bowl.

Manning Already Contemplating Rematch with Colts

Posted on April 26, 2014

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — When the NFL schedule-makers made things tough on the Broncos, Peyton Manning and his teammates went right back to work.

Manning said Saturday that almost as soon as they saw three playoff teams — starting with his former team, the Colts __ the NFL’s reigning MVP returned to the weight room for another session.

For Manning, there’s plenty at stake. Manning made an emotional return to the city he used to call home in October but departed with a 39-33 loss. He hadn’t come back to Indy until this weekend, though for a much different reason — to help raise money for the Peyton Manning’s Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent.

No Clear Consensus on Best Spring Game Format

Posted on April 26, 2014

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State let its players choose up sides for the Spartans’ annual spring football game, like a group of kids meeting up on the playground. Arkansas State auctioned off one of its coaching spots on eBay, allowing a fan to come in and call plays.

Oklahoma State scaled back its plans, inviting fans to watch a practice instead of a scrimmage.

Spring games have become offseason highlights in many parts of the country. Alabama and Penn State announced crowds of over 70,000 this year, and they certainly aren’t the only schools with fans who will turn out in droves for their football fix. But for coaches, these public scrimmages present an interesting challenge — in part because there seems to be no consensus on what format works best.

Broncos Close Training Camp to Fans, Open Stadium

Posted on April 25, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos are closing their training camp to fans this summer because of ongoing construction at team headquarters. Instead, they’ll have three open practices at their stadium.

The Broncos’ Dove Practice facilities are undergoing a $35 million face-lift that includes the installation of an indoor practice facility and renovations to the existing complex, a project that won’t be finished in time for training camp in July.

Team president Joe Ellis said the construction presents safety and logistical issues, so the team decided to close workouts and instead will host three practices at Sports Authority Field instead of one.

Those will be July 27 and 30 and Aug. 2 for the annual summer scrimmage.

Clady Blazing the Comeback Trail in Denver

Posted on April 23, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — As far as Peyton Manning is concerned, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders isn’t the only offensive reinforcement summoned to help Denver get another crack at winning the Super Bowl.

Manning suggested Ryan Clady is almost like a free agent acquisition since he hardly played last year.

The star left tackle suffered a season-ending left foot injury in the second week of the season, not long after signing a five-year, $52.5 million contract.

Now he’s on the comeback trail. Although he has no timeline for getting back on the field, Clady said he’s eager to return to form and make up for all that time he missed last year.

Broncos’ New Pass-Rush Tandem on Comeback Trail

Posted on April 23, 2014April 23, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Denver Broncos pass-rushers DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller are a lot alike. Both collect lots of sacks, hefty paychecks and plenty of accolades. The two are also on the comeback trail after offseason surgeries following a disappointing season.

Ware had his right elbow repaired in February, a few weeks before the Dallas Cowboys released him in a salary cap move.

Ware amassed a franchise-best 117 sacks for the Cowboys since getting drafted in the first round in 2005, but he got to the quarterback a career-low six times last season and missed games for the first time in his nine-year career with a thigh injury.

Miller’s season began with a six-game drug suspension and ended with a torn right ACL on Dec. 22. He finished with a career-low five sacks.