Peyton Manning Era Begins in Denver

The Peyton Manning era is officially underway in Denver. According to NFL Network's Michelle Beisner, Manning was the first person to report to Broncos' headquarters this morning for the first day of voluntary workouts.

John Elway wins again with Peyton Manning signing

John Elway just pulled off what may be his greatest football accomplishment yet. And that's saying a lot.

Elway, a two-time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Famer, managed to rid theBroncos of Tim Tebow without turning a legion of rabid Tebow fans against him and the franchise. He did it by signing former Colts quarterback Peyton Manning to a five-year, $96 million contract.

Report: Brandon Lloyd Traded to St. Louis Rams

With a Tuesday afternoon trade deadline looming in the NFL, the Denver Broncos have sent WR Brandon Lloyd to St. Louis Rams for a sixth round pick, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

The Rams are 0-5 this season and desperately need a playmaker at wide receiver. Lloyd meanwhile, is in a contract year and will look to cash in with the Rams.

Lloyd will be reunited with Josh McDaniels, who is the Rams offensive coordinator and Lloyd's former head coach in Denver last season. Lloyd flourished in McDaniels offense, leading the NFL in receiving yards with 1,448 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2010.

Lloyd, who is 30, has 19 catches for 283 yards and zero TDs this season.

Fantasy impact: Lloyd's arrival in St. Louis improves Sam Bradford's stock and Steven Jackson should get a bump too. Lloyd's arrival also means Mike Sims-Walker is likely out in St. Louis and Mark Clayton's sneaky value is all but gone. As for Denver, look for Eric Decker to get more targets and keep an eye on the return of Demaryius Thomas. Thomas is returning from an Achilles tear suffered during the offseason. Thomas is worth a look in most leagues, but don't expect immediate success - considering the severity of his injury.

NFL Lockout's Impact On The Denver Broncos

With new head coach John Fox and John Elway now running the show, look for changes in the offense. However, with a veteran at the quarterback and a solid group of wide receivers, Denver's offense will come together sooner rather than later. Denver's best decision this offseason was to keep Kyle Orton and name him their starting quarterback. Tim Tebow is simply not ready to take over the starting job full-time. The key to Denver having early success after a lockout will hinge on its running game and defense. Look for the Broncos to upgrade its defense through the draft.

2011 NFL Schedule: Denver Broncos

(All Times ET)
Sept. 12 Oakland, 10:15 p.m.
Sept. 18 Cincinnati, 4:15 p.m.
Sept. 25 at Tennessee, 1 p.m.
Oct. 2 at Green Bay, 4:15 p.m.
Oct. 9 San Diego, 4:15 p.m.
Oct. 16 BYE
Oct. 23 at Miami, 1 p.m.
Oct. 30 Detroit, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 6 at Oakland, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 13 at Kansas City, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17 N.Y. Jets, 8:20 p.m.
Nov. 27 at San Diego, 4:15 p.m.
Dec. 4 at Minnesota, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 11 Chicago, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 18 New England, 4:15 p.m.
Dec. 24 at Buffalo, 1 p.m.
Jan. 1 Kansas City, 4:15 p.m.

2011 NFL Draft: Telling moves by Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos?

The two teams atop the 2011 NFL draft board made significant moves today that could impact the draft. The Carolina Panthers, who hold the first overall pick, placed the franchise tag on center Ryan Kalil. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos signed cornerback Champ Bailey to a new four-year contract. Both decisions could change the teams' strategy on draft day.

For the Panthers, the decision to franchise tag Kalil means 24-year-old defensive end Charles Johnson, who had 11.5 sacks in 2010, will become a free agent. If Johnson leaves Carolina, the Panthers may look to draft a defensive end with the first pick. If that is the case, DE Da'Quan Bowers from Clemson would be the favorite to go first in the draft, replacing current favorite Auburn's DL Nick Fairley. There is an outside shot DE Robert Quinn from North Carolina could jump up draft board after the combine.

As for the Broncos, re-signing Bailey to a long-term deal likely takes CB Patrick Peterson of LSU out of the picture as a possible #2 pick. Also, with Fairley back in the picture, the Broncos may target him to shore up their interior defensive line.

Of course, complicating all of this is the expiring Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The current CBA is set to expire after March 3, 2011 and until a new deal is reached, free agents will be forced to sit and wait for a new CBA.

The NFL draft is April 28-30, 2011.

Denver Broncos re-sign Champ Bailey

The Denver Broncos weren't going to let Champ Bailey test the free agent market and today they signed the Pro Bowl cornerback to a four-year deal.

John Elway, the Broncos' new chief of football operations, announced the move on Twitter.

Bailey, who turns 33 in June, will reportedly make between $43 million and $47 million over the next four years. The deal makes Bailey the second highest paid cornerback behind New York Jets Darrelle Revis.

Last season, the Broncos ranked near the bottom of the league in most defensive categories.

Tim Tebow: The odd man out for the Denver Broncos?

Could Tim Tebow be on the way out in Denver? According to the NFL Network's Michael Lombardi, Tebow is "a man without much support in Denver" now that Josh McDaniels is gone.

With a new regime, which includes new head coach John Fox and former Broncos great John Elway, now leading the Broncos, Tebow's status is very much in question. Despite starting the final three games of the 2010 season, Tebow hasn't convinced the new Broncos brass that he's the long-term solution at quarterback.

If you've listened to the Broncos talk this offseason, it sure sounds as if Kyle Orton will remain the starter for another season.

2011 Fantasy Football Scouting Report: Tim Tebow, QB, Denver Broncos

2010 Stats (9 gms)	654 yds.	5 TDs	3 INTs
2011 Projected	2950 yds.	16 TDs	16 INTs

Tebow's fantasy football outlook is still a big known now that training camp has begun with Kyle Orton still Denver's starting quarterback. If Tebow is the starter in Denver this year, look for him to be a dual threat quarterback with the ability to run the ball with success (projected: eight rushing TDs). If Tebow becomes the full-time starter in Denver, look at him as a possible sleeper option at quarterback. 

2011 Fantasy Football Scouting Report: Kyle Orton, QB, Denver Broncos

2010 Stats	3653 yds.	20 TDs	9 INTs
2011 Projected	4010 yds.	23 TDs	11 INTs

Orton remains on the Denver Broncos and will compete with Tim Tebow for the starting job, if he stays in Denver. Orton is listed as the Broncos starter, but still could be dealt to a different team. Whether Orton stays in Denver and remains the starter, or is traded to another team, he does have fantasy value. Consider him a solid QB2 where ever he ends up.