Happy Friday, Broncos fans! Obviously, there's a lot to dig through in the Wells Report, and the folks over at Deadspin are doing the heavy lifting.
Here's one particularly telling passage:
Approximately one week after Martin left the team, on November 3, 2013, Incognito wrote nearly identical text messages to Pouncey and another lineman: "They're going to suspend me Please destroy the fine book first thing in the morning."
Broncos
Montee Ball says he learned during his rookie season that teamwork is far more important in the NFL than in college, and he's ready to carry the rock "every time" in 2014.
This has been going on for several years now, and we've applauded it for quite some time, but Jeff Legwold appears to have just noticed that Denver doesn't really give out big signing bonuses anymore.
Also, Leggy still thinks it's weird that a 26-year-old running back is kind of old.
News
Detroit released WR Nate Burleson and S Louis Delmas; the move frees up more than $11M in cap space, but they may need a lot more to get Ndamukong Suh extended, given how much leverage he possesses.
A Bengals cheerleader has filed a class-action suit against the team over some disgusting employment practices which sadly don't surprise us in the least.
The latest twist in the LOLBrowns/Josh McDaniels story is that McDaniels turned down Cleveland's request for a second interview. Huh?
Michael Sam
Although Michael Sam found support in the Missouri locker room after he came out, it wasn't smooth sailing the whole way.
Old friend and NFLPA president Domonique Foxworth says the league is ready for an openly gay player, and that the union began preparing for one years ago.
KSK takes down Peter King's weak mailbag defense of his own handling of the Sam story.
Analysis
Here are the offensive players that Andy Benoit expects to have breakout seasons in 2014.
Gil Brandt thinks Peyton Manning has another two years atop his game, but would rather have a rising youngster as his quarterback.
Chase Stuart's era-adjusted analysis of great running back seasons reminds us why Peyton - and not Adrian Peterson - should have been the MVP in 2012.
Rosterbation/Mockery
The Sports on Earth guys have Denver taking Missouri DE Kony Ealy or Clemson corner Bashaud Breeland at #31 in their first mock draft; Rob Rang updates his big board.
Although Oakland has so much cap room they can probably sign both players quite easily, the PFF guys consider a potential choice between LT Jared Veldheer and LB Lamarr Houston.
Chris Burke lists his top eight candidates to be franchise tagged this offseason; there are, of course, no Broncos.
Doug Farrar and Rivers McCown discuss the offseason issues facing the AFCS teams; Dan Pompei takes a shot at an offseason blueprint for Detroit.
Judy Battista explores the pre-combine work aimed at improving prospects' 40 times; Gil Brandt considers the importance of speed for cornerback prospects.