Good Morning, Broncos fans! Poor Mike Pettine.
As he's rightly pointed out, he is fortunate to be one of just 32 people currently employed as an NFL head coach.
But even upon his hiring, it was very public news that he wasn't the Browns' first choice.
And a month later, we're still learning about Cleveland's coaching search dalliances.
Still, it gets worse.
According to Pat Kirwan, when Pettine took the job, then-CEO Joe Banner ensured that the team's coordinators would report directly to him, rather than to Pettine.
This might be the most bizarre of all recent developments out of Cleveland.
We're talking about a head coach's most immediate and important subordinates; in this case, they essentially would have held power over Pettine.
This might call Al Davis to mind, but at least the Crypt Keeper was a coach, and a successful one, at that; Banner has never coached football at any level.
Anyone still wondering why Adam Gase and Josh McDaniels famously pulled their names from contention?
Broncos
Louis Vasquez underwent LASIK surgery earlier in the month.
According to MHS, the Broncos are hot for Alabama LB C.J. Mosley and may be willing to move up from #31 to get him.
In terms of fantasy value, PFF says Danny Trevathan is on the rise.
Combine
Michael Sam had an underwhelming performance at the combine.
Chris Burke discusses the top cornerback prospects.
Combine notes from Doug Farrar, Bucky Brooks, Matt Bowen, Robert Mays, Tony Pauline, and John Clayton.
Mike Tanier ranks the most common and annoying cliches uttered at the combine.
Naturally, Drew Magary and PFT Commenter have differing takes on Jadeveon Clowney's perceived effort.
Transactions/Rumors
Oakland signed CB Taiwan Jones to a three-year extension through 2017 and is expected to re-sign Charles Woodson, whom the Broncos could have used in 2013.
Tennessee has a new deal with RB Jackie Battle; Carolina cleared some cap space with a trio of restructurings.
Although Kansas City is reportedly trying to re-sign LT Branden Albert, Miami and Arizona are said to have serious interest in signing him as a free agent.
Jerrah Jones acknowledges that cap problems may lead Dallas to cut LB/DE DeMarcus Ware.
The Jets are seen as a potential landing spot for Philly QB Michael Vick.
Bart Scott reportedly chose CBS over reuniting with Pettine in Cleveland.
Where might noted dickhead Greg Schiano end up? New England, of course.
Harbaugh/Niners/Browns
According to Mike Silver, Jim Harbaugh showed no interest in a move to Cleveland, but the Niners would have accommodated him if he had.
Bill Barnwell considers everything we know about the reported negotiations and discusses what Harbaugh deserves to be paid, or be worth in a trade.
Ashley Fox thinks Harbaugh is responsible for San Francisco's remarkable successes over the past few years, and that the team needs to pay the man.
Analysis
OTC's Andrew Cohen lists players who figure to soon become cap-related casualties.
Offseason plans for the Jets (Tanier, Edholm), Kansas City, Jacksonville, Cleveland, and Jacksonville; cap issues for the NFCN teams.
Count former Giants LB Carl Banks among those who would love to see the N-word wiped out from the lexicon.
Bigotry/Bullying
Some bigoted asshole lobbyist wants to ban gay players from joining the NFL; KSK reacts.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals and the SB 49 host committee are opposing Arizona's latest bid to prove themselves the worst state in the nation. As for this notion that people should be able to discriminate against LGBTQ because of their own religion, that was basically the same argument for segregation and bans on "interracial" marriage (whatever that means), among other attempts to oppress minority groups.
CO native John Denney, who is Miami's long snapper and union rep, apparently thinks Jonathan Martin is the one to blame for everything wrong with his team.
Given their backgrounds, it's a bit suprising to learn just how big of a role Mike Pouncey and John Jerry played in Martin's torment.
Miscellany
Christmas Ape interprets PK's MMQB column/Johnny Football suckfest.
RIP legendary comedic director and actor Harold Ramis, who passed at 69.