Jay Cutler has diabetes ...
... but his career is not imperiled. The Broncos' quarterback was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, and will have to take daily injections.
... but his career is not imperiled. The Broncos' quarterback was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, and will have to take daily injections.
...
We'll take a few days to chillax over spring break and be back with news around the NFL, including a trip next week to the annual owners meetings, which are always chock full of stuff. Click here and scroll down to see several entries on topics that will be discussed.
In the meantime, Tom Rock will provide some football blog entertainment in between college hoops and the opening of the baseball season.
Oh, and condolences to the Best household, which saw all their hoops dreams go up in smoke over the weekend.
Sure seems that way now that eight office employees have been laid off. It's very unusual in a league flush with cash.
The layoffs included Paul Kirk, the Broncos' director of media relations and Andrew Mason, managing editor of DenverBroncos.com.
"It's a very, very difficult day when you have to eliminate jobs," Joe Ellis, the Broncos' chief operating officer, told the Denver Post. "Especially when loyal, hardworking employees are involved. But our industry is like many others, where downsizing and layoffs are required to make the business more effective."
According to the Post, the first hint the Broncos were hurting financially came when three of coach Mike Shanahan's top assistants — defensive head coach Jim Bates, offensive head coach Mike Heimerdinger and general manager Ted Sundquist — departed and were replaced in-house.
Maybe it's another reason the Broncos are reluctant to pull the trigger on a trade for Jets defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, who is looking for a new contract before agreeing to any deal. Another complicating factor is the bone-on-bone condition in one of Robertson's knees. Robertson has failed two physicals - one in Cincinnati and one in Denver - but teams are occasionally willing to overlook some medical concerns if they feel he can last a year or two. Evidently, not so with D-Rob.
Our man Jeff Legwold of the Rocky Mountain News writes that Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers, the subject of much speculation in recent months because his contract expires after next season and because he hasn't lived up to expectations in Carolina, was seen at a Denver Nuggets game last night.
Hmmm.
The Broncos are in the market for defensive linemen, and they've had discussions with the Jets about Dewayne Robertson. But Peppers could be another option.
Then again, he might just be a Nuggets fan. Wink-wink.
You might remember the Giants last year pursuing Broncos linebacker Al Wilson in a potential trade. The deal was eventually scuttled because the Giants discovered a problem with Wilson's neck during a physical.
Wilson is now reportedly filing a grievance against the Broncos based on his contention that the Broncos failed to treat him properly from a medical standpoint when he was injured late in the 2006 season.
Wilson is healthy again and pursuing his options as a free agent. But if he wins his case against the Broncos, it could result in a significant financial windfall.
Interesting stuff.
Kinda cool that the Broncos signed free agent linebacker Boss Bailey, who now gets to play alongside his brother, Denver cornerback Champ Bailey.
It's not the first pair of brothers to play for the Broncos. They're the fourth overall, and third to play at the same time. The others: Dave and Doug Widell (1990-92) and Eldon and William Danenhauer (1960).
The Broncos have released receiver Javon Walker, who never really fit into the offense after being dealt from Green Bay and battling through knee issues.
Where will he end up? Don't be surprised to see the Eagles kick the tires.