Denvr_Sports_Insider's Blog

The Broncos interviewed Cowboys assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Jason Garrett at Dove Valley on Tuesday as owner Pat Bowlen carried on his conversations with a myriad of prospects.  Just minutes after concluding his meeting with the Broncos' brass, Garrett stopped to talk with FOX31's Josina Anderson to exclusively discuss how his interview went.

 

Garrett not only talked about the interview, he gave his thoughts on myriad of topics ranging from Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler to his thoughts on reports that former Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan may takeover the helm in Dallas in 2010. 

 

Here's a part of the transcript from their interview.  Also posted below will be both the broadcast version and raw version of their exclusive session.  Just click the button to play the video.

 

Anderson: [After introduction] First of all we want to ask you how did it go, and how would you sum it up in your own words?

 

Garrett:  It was a great day.  It was a great day.  Anytime you have the opportunity to interview for the head coaching position with an organization like the Denver Broncos it's exciting.  It's easy for me to see why the Broncos have been so successful.  There are real quality people in this organization.  It was an exciting chance today to visit with them.

 

Anderson:  Obviously you played as a quarterback in this league, and the Denver Broncos have a great quarterback here in Jay Cutler, what aspects of his game do you feel needs the most improvement, or with your expertise you could improve his game?

 

Garrett:  He is an exciting player.  I got to know Jay when he was coming out of college.  I was in Miami as the quarterback coach, and we were interested in him.  I spent some time with him.  There is no real surprise to me that he has done as well as he has-as quickly as he has.  He is a guy who's got great, in my mind opinion, mental and physical toughness to go along with the tools that he has that are obvious to anybody who watches him play.  I just think what he needs to do is continue to play.  It's a challenging position for him to do as well as he has done so quickly-it's impressive.  But still, with more game time and more opportunities to take snaps in this league, he will continue to learn and grow.

 

Anderson:  Now obviously you are a highly touted coordinator.  Obviously there has been a lot of buzz about you.  But this particular season the [Cowboys] offense did digress from 3rd to 13th in the league.  There was some criticism from the star players on the team, be it T.O, and Tony Romo as well.  How would you address those concerns with Bronco fans with you being a candidate coming into the head position for this organization?

 

Garrett: I think there were some expectations with our team this year and anytime you have expectations and you don't completely live up to them I think there's frustration. One of the reasons Terrell Owens is such a good player, and Tony Romo, and Jason Witten, and some of the other guys we have is that they have tremendous pride in being as good as they can be individually-and also how we can be as a team.  At different times this year we were dealing with some injuries, and ultimately we didn't play as well as we needed to play.  I think some of the frustrations came out after games.  One of the things that I was impressed by was for the most part everyone continued to work hard, and continued to compete. Even though everything wasn't perfect, I felt like guys were striving to do things that right way.  Like with any team you have to address those things head on.  You try to improve those things in the offseason and you go forward.

 

Anderson:  Obviously it's ironic with Mike Shanahan having been the former coach here.  Does the talk about him possibly taking over the job, the helm in Dallas bother you at all?

 

Garrett:  Not at all.  I have great respect for him.  He's obviously been a great coach really one of the best coaches in our league for a long long time. I've gotten to know him a little bit, and I'm just impressed by everything that he has done.  He certainly had a great run here, and he's going to coach again in the NFL. He is going to be successful.  What I've tried to do, and this really goes back to my time as a player, you try to take full advantage of the opportunities that you've had each and every day-whether it's as a player, or it's as a coach.  You just try to be the best that you can be, and continue to do that on a consistent basis and things tend to work out in the end.

 

Click the videos below for both the broadcast and raw versions of the interview.

Broadcast interview


Airport interview


Whole unedited interview

There is a lot of buzz about Raheem Morris.  Morris was recently promoted to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator position after making a name for himself within the ranks as their defensive backs coach and assistant.  Now, fresh off the hot seat of being interviewed by the Denver Broncos Monday for their head coaching job, Morris told FOX31 Sports exclusively how it went.

 

After dinner with the Broncos’ brass at Del Frisco’s, Morris sat down with Fox31’s Josina Anderson for a quick one-one-one sit down in between his evening meetings.  Here is a part of the transcript from their interview.  Play the video below to watch both the raw and broadcast versions.

 

Anderson: [After Introduction] So who was there, and how did it go?

 

Morris:     It went well.  The owner, Mr. Bowlen was there along with the two Goodman's (both Jim and Jeff), Mr. Ellis (Joe), and Mr. Alexander.  They were all in there [with] pretty extensive questions.  They did a great job.  I just think it went well.  I don't really have much to say about it other than that.  Got no real feed back from those guys.  Just a great opportunity for myself, and a great opportunity for the town of Denver.

 

Anderson:  What do you think makes you the better candidate for the job over guys they are interviewing like the Steve Spanuolo's (Giants defensive coordinator), like the Josh McDaniels (Patriots offensive coordinator), and like the Jason Garrett's (Cowboys offensive coordinator) who also reportedly is supposed to interview tomorrow?

 

Morris:  You never want to say that you're better than anybody.  All those guys are great coaches or they wouldn't be in the situation.  You hope to be better that day. It's just like a football game. We're all competing.  We're all interested in the same things.  They're interviewing us; we're interviewing them.  We are just trying to set ourselves up to have us much success as we can.  I look forward to it.  It's great.

 

Anderson:  How do you speak to your critics too that say that: this is just a Rooney Rule interview; that you are too young for the interview; that you've only been a newly named coordinator for over a week or so?  How would you speak to those critics and say you know what I am ready for this job?

 

Morris:  You really don't.  You just let your work speak for itself.  You go do the best job you can do, and that's all you can do.  There are always going to be critics.  There's always going to be people that have a reason for whatever is going on.  You don't really worry about that.  That's gray matter.  I'm way too mentally tough to deal with that.

 

Broadcast Interview


Whole unedited interview

League sources confirmed to Fox 31 Sports that Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is in Denver today to interview with the Denver Broncos for their head coaching position.

"Just so you know, they moved [Raheem Morris'] ]interview to today.  He's just landed, [about a half an hour ago], the source said.

Originally Morris' interview was scheduled for Wednesday.

Morris was named the Buccaneers' defensive coordinator on Christmas day last year.  Previously Morris was their defensive backs coach.

The Broncos have reportedly already interviewed Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, and Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

I’m not sure which of these facts speaks more about the opportunities African Americans can have in society now to ascend to the apex of their professions: Barack Obama winning the Presidential election, or the surprised reaction to Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Raheem Morris receiving an interview to be head coach of the Denver Broncos?

Despite the capability of both men, the criticism of inexperience was and is raised in both cases. One weathered the storm; the other still awaits “judgment.”

I don’t bring this up to compare politics to sports, but rather to underline how poignant it is that skepticism still exists in this invigorated atmosphere of change.

Take the initial reaction some NFL players and insiders had upon learning Morris is on the Broncos’ short list of head coaching candidates.

“Are you [edit] me? If anyone can change that organization it’s him. This guy is a forward thinker. He is qualified in the sense of giving a team a fresh look,” said Simeon Rice a former Bronco and Buccaneer.

“Are you for real? That would be a good look,” said Broncos running back Andre Hall.

“Please, I don’t care if Colorado voted for Barack Obama, this is and will always be a Republican state. There is not going to be a black face as the head of our team. You know how they play these politics,” said an offensive starter who asked not to be cited.

“He deserves a chance. We’ll see if [Broncos owner Pat] Bowlen has the balls to back up all that Rooney Rule talk,” said another NFL agent who also wished to remain anonymous as well.

Perhaps the answer to my leading question is in the overriding optimism and unbridled joy the individuals interviewed for this piece went on to express later about Morris’ chance to make his case to Bowlen?

Or perhaps it lies in the fact that Bowlen is one of five original owners that comprised the NFL’s diversity committee that supervised the implementation of the Rooney Rule they all concluded needed to exist in the first place.

In 2003, the NFL established the Rooney Rule requiring all NFL teams to interview at least one minority for an open head coach position. The implementation of this rule occurred after a report by Johnnie Cochran and Cyrus Mehri entitled- Black Coaches in the National Football League: Superior Performance, Inferior Opportunities- determined in part that in 2002, 70 percent of the players in the NFL were black, but only six percent of NFL head coaches were African American. The report emphasized that, “black NFL head coaches are held to a higher standard than their white counterparts, and are consequently denied a fair chance to compete for head coaching jobs.”

Now, six years later, despite Bowlen’s original seat on the diversity committee and despite the era of an invigorated sense of racial progress, questions surface about whether the Broncos' owner is bringing Morris to Dove Valley Wednesday to satisfy this rule in letter or in love.

Not just because Morris is black, but because Morris is both black and-as critics say-was only named defensive coordinator this past Christmas. Some of my white colleagues in the business whose opinion I respect point to his resume (listed below) as evidence that Morris’ job titles and experience show that he is not yet ready to be head coach.

My answer: There are plenty of employees of all colors and creeds in this country whose talent supercedes their titles. Not having the title, yes, can be for a lack of not yet deserving it, but in other cases it can be for a lack of not yet having received the opportunity as well.

Those who actually know Morris, and those who have been coached by him are more qualified than myself or my colleagues to speak on this matter.

They say, a paper resume isn’t what makes Morris.

“What people don’t realize is that when coaches go into these kind of interviews they aren’t doing a power point presentation of their resumes; they are presenting and impressing with their philosophies. Sometimes they will be asked to draw up there X’s and O’s on the white board and explain their theoretical game plans and strategies,” said another NFL agent who wished not to be cited as well.

“Morris can go in there and blow the socks off the Broncos with all that alone. He’s a football guy with an untouchable connection to the players of today; and from what I hear, they need a man just like Morris in Denver. They don’t need a cookie cutter to solve that mess of a performance they had in San Diego, “ the same agent continued.

This season, there’s been a swell to the buzz about the up and coming talent of coach Morris which Bowlen’s advisors have likely apprised him of.

Here’s a real quick overview of Morris’s track record in resume form.

MORRIS AT A GLANCE:

* 1994-97…Hofstra, player
* 1998…Hofstra, Graduate Assistant
* 1999…Cornell, Defensive Backs Coach/Special Teams Assistant
* 2000-01…Hofstra, Defensive Backs Coach
* 2001…New York Jets, Defensive Minority Internship
* 2002…Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Defensive Quality Control Coach
* 2003…Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Defensive Assistant
* 2004-05…Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Assistant Defensive Backs
* 2006…Kansas State, Defensive Coordinator
* 2007-08…Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Defensive Backs Coach
* 2008…Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Defensive Coordinator
(signed a 2 year deal Dec.25, 2008)

Now here’s his track record in testimonial form.

Former Broncos safety Nick Ferguson was in his sophomore season with the Jets when Morris was there working in a quality control capacity.

“At that time [Morris] was gaining experience in seeing how an organization was run from the ground up. He was there in camp to give guys individual attention and polish players. Trust me you need that,” Ferguson said to FOX 31 Sports as part of multiple telephone interviews conducted on Thursday and Friday.

Ferguson, the current Houston Texans safety spoke from the perspective of knowing both the candidate, and the Bronco organization which unceremoniously replaced him with Hamza Abdullah without much personal explanation or statistical support at the time.

From that standpoint, Ferguson revealed where he feels Morris can make a difference where perhaps Mike Shanahan did not.

“For my time being around him in New York, I found [Morris] to be a very honest guy. I was trying to make that team. He was honest in telling me where I was, and telling me what I needed to do to make the team. It’s the same thing with Bill Parcells. That’s why I love Bill. He will tell you whether you improved, or whether he thinks you suck. As a player, honesty is big. Don’t feed me no bull.”

Ferguson said while there are many coaches who approach their job like a job, Morris’ over-commitment to individually instruct players was evident even back then.

“He would stay after with me to work on certain techniques and catching the ball and things that were weaknesses for me at the time. In this day and age you need coaches who have played the position or understand what the players are going through. Raheem is one of those guys. Raheem is a teaching guy. He will say this is the type of technique you need to play this defense, and more importantly why.”

Former Broncos wide receiver Brian Clark, and current Tampa Bay Buccaneer echoed that same sentiment.

“Rah’ knows his stuff, and you feel comfortable with him. I’m not quite sure about how serious [the Broncos] are about him, but he does fit the mold of being a head coach. That’s just my personal opinion,” said Clark.

It is interesting how the people in the trenches of a country, or similarly the un-glorified players in the foxhole of a team can perhaps, without an agenda, best reflect the real truth in the character of an individual around them, and perhaps give root to the tree that was purposed to change the scene-so to speak.

“When I first got to meet Raheem it was more on the football side; I never really got a chance to sit down and talk with him. Later on, I got to see another side of him. One thing that’s huge with the players is for coaches to be approachable and personable. People out there shouldn’t belittle that. Players need to feel like you can talk to a coach man to man-even though he is your boss- without feeling less than, or insignificant. One thing about Raheem is that his players have a high level of respect for him, but they still can speak to Rah’,” said Clark.

It is interesting how this intangible is so easily looked over in the hiring process, or minimized in comparing Morris to other Caucasian head and assistant coaches perceived also by some to have achieved their job titles too early.

One colleague who’s opinion I again respect but don’t ways agree with has justified Jim Zorn’s ascension to Redskins head coach from being the Seahawk’s quarterbacks coach over Morris hypothetically becoming the Broncos’ head coach after being the Bucs’ defensive backs coach that was recently named defensive coordinator.

Why?

Because my colleague said Zorn’s resume as an NFL player gives him the edge in credentials over Morris who “just played for Hofstra.”

Well there are plenty of “A” list players that weren’t and aren’t genius coaches: ask Kevin McHale, Mike Singletary, Isiah Thomas, and Magic Johnson to start.

So that bullet point projects no guarantee in the category of coaching performance.

Sometimes your better coaches are players that didn’t ascend as high on the depth chart nor in their playing careers for that matter. Namely: Bill Belichick (Wesleyan University-Center/Tight End); Bill Parcells (University of Witchita-Linebacker. *Parcells was drafted by the Lions but never played a single NFL game); Joe Gibbs (San Diego State University-Tight End/Offensive Guard/Linebacker).

I could go on and on.

Here’s how Clark feels about Morris’ readiness.

“Whenever I had questions about running routes from a db’s perspective in a certain kind of coverage, [Morris] gives me real good credible answers; and I talked to him a lot about that issue this season. You can see he has a strong understanding about the defense. He understands X’s and O’s. He is a good counter strategist for offensive players like myself, and he fits the bill.”

Now Clark concedes that at the age of 32, Morris’ youth will be questioned as it was with Barack Obama, and as it was recently with Lane Kiffin. But Clark doesn’t concede that Morris’ age should stop him from getting the opportunity, as it didn’t in Obama’s and Kiffin’s case either.

Now Kiffin enters the discussion because of his similarities to Morris in age and credentials prior to becoming an NFL head coach.

When Lane Kiffin was hired by the Oakland Raiders on January 23, 2007, he became the youngest head coach since the formation of the modern NFL. Yet, Kiffin received this opportunity after working only as a Graduate Assistant at CSU, quality control coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and yes finally ascending through the Trojan ranks to become offensive coordinator at the USC.

In this case, my colleague lends more blue chip credit to Kiffin’s USC experience in comparison to Morris’s experience as a defensive coordinator at Kansas State, because it’s the mighty USC.

Point well taken, if it was only the University that makes the coach.

I submit that the USC “blue chip” experience line is blinding Kiffin’s end result in Oakland which was a 5-15 record over two seasons.

So when we’re comparing apples to apples with the same opportunity of coaching NFL talent and not Kansas State football talent to USC’s football talent, then we can see.

Besides Mike Tomlin would make the better argument when it comes to the topic of young head coaches.

The African American Steelers head coach became the youngest head coach not only in the NFL, but in all four major league sports at the time he was hired at the age of 34. Tomlin’s Steelers were 10-6 in his first season, and 12-4 this past season.

Now granted, Tomlin was a defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings before he was hired as head coach in Pittsburgh. However, Tomlin was coordinator for just one season.

Yes, that’s more than Morris, but it’s still only one.

Besides, between 2002-2005, guess who held various defensive titles along side Tomlin, when Tomlin was a rising defensive backs coach for Tampa Bay?

That’s right Morris.

Obviously the argument of age is a legitimate point that can stand on it’s own if you’re looking at age alone. But I submit that perhaps that view is myopic and narrow-minded.

I for one like to gather more information and more of a person's story. I’m inclined to hope that Bowlen is the same way, and won’t cut off his own nose to spite his face at the risk of his wallet.

Here is more foxhole testimony.

“Obviously experience is a question mark because he is a young guy. People will question whether he has seen enough football to be put in a head coaching position, but young people like Morris will prove you wrong,” said Clark.

This season alone, the Buccaneers’ defense finished 9th, the Broncos’ defense finished 29th. Certainly a lion’s share of Tampa’s superior overall defensive ranking should be credited to the legendary defensive mind of Monte Kiffin. But, certainly Morris learned a thing or two working in action along side of Monte as well.

Not to mention Morris is the one with the ear of the players.

Besides this season, there were several times Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden gave Morris the opportunity to address the entire team in preparation for upcoming games.

Clark continued to stress Morris’ preparation and his attention to detail-citing one game as one example.

“When we played the Saints that’s obviously a heavy passing team. Rah’ told all his players his mindset was that [Drew] Brees was launching a personal attack on the defense if he felt he could run up the score on them. On the sidelines he said, I can’t repeat the language but to paraphrase he said, ’if these guys think we are that soft and we are that sorry to win this game by passing, they obviously don’t know who they are messing with.’ Jo, you could see it in his eyes, veins bulging, blood rushing; and the guys responded to it. At the end of the game I remember Jermaine Phillips caught the interception to seal the deal. Rah’ went nuts. But Rah’ wasn’t so much happy about the interception as he was that Jermaine let the Saints know that if they play the Bucs they are going to have to find another way to beat us because it’s not passing.”

Matter of fact Simeon Rice told FOX31 Sports that if Bowlen hired Morris as head coach, a certain future Hall of Famer and former Bronco and Buccaneer maybe both enticed and invited to come out of retirement.

“John [Lynch] may even come back. I’m telling you, you guys would love [Morris] out there. He is cool. He is a fresh look, and he is the closest thing to Tomlin out there-and Tomlin is a damn good coach in a new league,” said Rice.

When asked whether Denver is ready to have a black coach as the head coach Rice said,

“It has nothing to do with the black or white card as much as it has to do with age. But with Raheem, he is a leader. A guy like Raheem is going to address things earlier. Older coaches take a longer time to get over themselves sometimes. The only problem he might run into is managing a bunch of individuals because he is so young. But I don’t think he will have that character issue in Denver.”

That’s right because with the defection of certain players, this Denver Broncos team is closer than ever to becoming a quality character team with maturity. From everything I hear, it sounds like Morris has enough credibility to lead this team, and more importantly inspire these players to bleed for him. Now, if you don’t believe these Denver Broncos need inspiring, and don’t need a fire lit under them, check the film of their last three games in which they were outscored by a combined 58 points. Particularly, take a look at the last 52-21 loss against the Chargers in a must win situation.

A must win situation.

A must situation, that ended with a result that had an abundance of age and experience presiding over it.

Now…

Imagine a young Morris running up and down the sidelines, as head coach no less, when the Broncos were down by multiple digits and there was still time to come back if they just believed, if they had the heart, had their minds right, and didn’t play so defeated.

Don’t tell me Morris wouldn’t have been the individual to fearlessly get in the face of that defense, man to men, and unremittingly soldier and shoulder them up to disallow the mistakes of the offense from effecting their own momentum.

Exactly.

Pat Bowlen himself said that, “It was time for a change.”

Change.

Change has been the operative word for this day and age.

Change has been the operative word to progress situations and circumstances that have long stood they way they are-unchallenged, unquestioned, and without reform.

It can be very easily to listen to the status quo.

But, I challenge Bowlen to disregard those who truly don’t know Morris and tear down his credentials on the surface.

I challenge Bowlen rather to reach deeper and be encouraged by someone he himself truly knows and trusts-the owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers Dan Rooney. The man for whom yes the aforementioned Rooney Rule was named after, and the spirit of which led to the hiring of Mike Tomlin.

Not because Mike Tomlin is black, but because Mike Tomlin can.

Not everyone will agree that Bowlen should do the same thing, in this situation.

We all have a diverse set of respectable opnions.

But I believe, yes Bowlen can, and yes Bowlen should.

CLARIFYING DEANGELO HALL’S REDSKINS FUTURE

Source: No deal expected soon. No franchise tag for Hall.

by Josina Anderson

 

With reports indicating that negotiations have supposedly already begun to extend his stay with the nation’s capital team, it appears Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall has emerged as an attractive commodity.

This, after exiting the depths of the abyss otherwise known as the “Blackhole” in Oakland as a former Raider.

We all know that Oakland threatens to become a graveyard for any player bold enough to don the black and silver with Al Davis’s gold in hand; actually a seven-year, $70-million contract in Hall’s case.

Unfortunately Hall’s “case” almost became legendary overnight-after week one no less.

Plenty of witnesses exist between Oakland and Denver alone that will testify to Washingtonians everywhere the atrocity of a performance Hall had at Eddie Royal’s “coming-out” clinic.

As the tale goes, the Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver shook Hall so bad en route to a 9 receptions, 146 yard lesson, one could almost hear the rustling from the re-read of  Hall’s contract from the stands.

After hanging on in Oakland for eight more games, Hall became the first player to get kicked off of Davis’s ship this season before the Redskins came knocking with a pair of plastic arm floaters.

It might not have been as sexy as Pamela Anderson running to his rescue, but you can trust a reporter in Colorado that the end result was the same.

After attending the last Redskins game against the Eagles this past Sunday, I can tell you now there is a buzz about Hall’s contribution to the team-especially as they consider among him Fred Smoot, Shawn Springs, Carlos Rogers, which combination of these corners should stay.

Hall’s five interceptions and 67 total tackles (combined from both Oakland and Washington) leads all cornerbacks on the team, and his eight total tackles led all Redskins in their latest game against the Eagles.

Suffice it to say now, Hall’s actually in a position to negotiate his future. 

(Eddie Royal try not to smile)

However, no substantive communication has occurred between Hall and the franchise yet, despite other intimations elsewhere.  This, according to the same first-hand source in Hall’s camp.

“There has been no definitive conversations with the team yet.”

Hall recently talked to media in the Metropolitan area, and perhaps gave an impression that talks with the Redskins were on the verge of being more urgent or imminent than they are according to the source.

"I wouldn't have came here if I thought it was just gonna be for eight games. You know, I came here with the intent and the mind-set that I was gonna be here for a long time. And that's kind of the approach I've been taking," said Hall recently.

In response to Hall’s comments, the source phoned FOX31 Sports Friday afternoon.

“That’s just him talking to reporters who are asking if he will be back. Yes DeAngelo said he wants to be back. I know he told some folks his agent talked to the Redskins.  However [the media Hall talk to] just took it and ran with it like negotiations have started.”

With Hall being set to become a free agent in March, you don’t have to graduate from Harvard Law School to understand Hall would undermine his own leverage by cutting down the competition to get him if he decided to return to the Redskins right this minute. 

However, as to when Hall will actually pull the trigger on a decision in the off season (especially as Rogers is reportedly seeking an extension himself) is admittedly fluid.  Yet, this source has one of the closest clues.

“There won’t be a deal to get done anytime soon.  As of today, my estimation right now is before free agency, or it might even carry into free agency.

More clarity was provided to FOX31 Sports about the timing.

“During the season there is always an incentive to get a deal done when a player is out there on the field because there is always risk of injury, and you want the player to be covered.  But after this Sunday, your leverage is free agency.  Why would you rush a deal when there is no more risk-outside of him doing something at home or on his own time that’s crazy.”

If you a Redskins fan, fan of former AFC West players, or just a straight-up fantasy nut, this is the best prognostication on Hall’s future available today heading into the end of the regular season.

Still, the source in Hall’s camp says he is not ruling out a return to the Redskins.

“He likes D.C. a lot but he is not going to take a huge pay cut to stay there.  He’s not going to go to the Lions-although that franchise will be back so who knows. If a lucrative offer comes from New England or Pittsburgh, I’m not going to say he would turn down money from a high caliber team on their level either.  Just know that he likes it there in Washington.”

Spoken like a true politician-or least a politician that can appreciate a comeback.

Despite the fact that Hall is 25, the fact that he's in position to evaluate his options (especially after watching his season-opening performance against the Denver Broncos) truly is just remarkable.

“He’s a different player. I think nobody in Oakland plays inspired.  He got his contract, and the coaches out there weren’t pushing him.  With Hall, he plays better with a team that is competitive.  The Redskins have the ingredients to win. The team is better.”

Hall’s success in the District of Columbia, Landover, Maryland, or Ashburn, Virginia (when you count the city he plays for, and where the stadium and facility are actually located) is attributable to a change in scheme, and a change in spirit.

“Hall likes to play a lot of man coverage with a lot of safety help which allows him to look into the backfield a little more and eye the quarterback.  Oakland wasn’t like that.  They had no pass rush, and he couldn’t thrive there.  But more so then scheme is probably the humbling experience when you go from the big Raiders contract to this deal with the Redskins.”

Hall, who walked away from Oakland with about eight million is currently signed to a one-year deal with the Redskins reportedly worth $492,000 dollars.  That figure is the prorated amount of the $1 million dollar base salary he was set to receive from the Raiders.

Now Hall is looking towards the future.  According to the source, Hall's offseason situation won’t be complicated by any selective tagging.

“They can’t franchise him. He has a no-franchise clause, so he will be become an unrestricted free agent.  Hopefully a sizeable deal will be nailed down in the next three months or so.”

If not sooner…..  

Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall is being featured in a new micro-reality series entitled, "This is B.Marsh."

The internet ‘webisodes’ were tri-launched simultaneously on msn.com, foxsports.com, and myfoxcolorado.com. The first episode in this series, which is being produced by Josina Anderson of FOX 31 Sports, captured Marshall as he endeavored into the world of professional modeling for the first time. His experience during the shoot was one Marshall wanted to document to show to give the public another perspective on his multiple talents and interests.

Episode Two shows the more 'everyday side' to Marshall as he invites to document the day he purchased his first Christmas tree ever. This Holiday is not only special for Marshall because he was named to his first Pro Bowl, it's also special because it is the first time the young Broncos star is celebrating a real Christmas with all the festive ornaments and trimmings.

Enjoy this latest episode, as you get an exclusive private peek into his holiday spirit, and the budding romance in his life with his new girlfriend Michi.

Click the play buttons below to watch the episodes.

Broncos defensive tackle Marcus Thomas will be recognized by Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter next Monday for his voluntary work in conjunction with the National Child Identification Program and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“It’s good. Anything I can do to help, I think it’s a good thing. I’m trying to do more positive things to help erase some of my own past mistakes,” Thomas said in a telephone interview Thursday with FOX 31’s Josina Anderson.

Thomas is scheduled to present the FBI with thousands of Child I.D. Kits during a press conference in which he will be recognized by Gov. Ritter on Monday December 8th at 11am.

"Marcus' decision to help fund this program comes at a crucial time,” Governor Ritter said in a emailed statement to FOX31 Sports.

“All across the state and country people are feeling the pinch of our current economic crisis - leading programs that rely on funding to suffer. Through his help, literally thousands of Colorado children will be safer, while their parents will have an extra sense of security that every parent desires."

Together with the NCIDP, 6,000 Child I.D. Kits will be provided to the Denver division of the FBI. Early next year, 56,000 Child I.D. Kits will go to kindergarten students across Colorado on Thomas’s behalf.

The NCIDP was created by the American Football Association in 1997 with the goal of fingerprinting 20 million children. The I.D. Kit allows parents to record these physical characteristics on identification cards they can present to authorities should their child ever go missing.

According to the NCIDP, 450,000 children run away each year, 300,000 children are abducted each year by a family member, and 58,000 children are abducted each year by non-family members.

The goal of this program is to provide 60 million children in the United States with these Kits in an effort to guard against these statistics.

Thomas’ agent, Richard Burnoski, helped his client link his love for kids with this national cause.

“Marcus has always had a passion for children,” Burnoski said.

“At the beginning of his career, I asked him 'when you are able to one day, what do you want to donate to?' He said something that helps children. So I started searching for things of that nature for him and I came across the Child I.D. Program.”

“Marcus really thought that was cool and started to help out on his own,” said Burnoski.

Now, through his voluntary work, Thomas will become the first NFL player to receive both the FBI Director’s Award and FBI Field Office Award.

Thomas will pay for half of the amount for this distribution effort, and the Child I.D. program will pay for the other half.

Each identification kit contains an inkless fingerprint card, a DNA collection envelope, and a laminated wallet card.

“I think this cause is very important. No child should ever be separated from their family. If what I’m doing can help solve that problem, I am all for it,” said Thomas.

Thomas, a fourth-round pick in the 2007 NFL draft from the University of Florida, is battling back from a series of off-the-field, drug-related incidents dating back to his college career.

His agent sees the upcoming recognition from Gov. Ritter as a sign that Thomas has turned a new corner in his life.

“I am very proud of him. I think his mother would be proud with everything he has gone though,” Burnoski said. “Marcus is a good person. This shows that he is a good person, and what type of heart he actually has.”

According to Burnoski, the statewide distribution of kits will take place as early as March of 2009.

A day after the New York Giants revoked wide receiver Plaxico Burress’ privilege to play in the NFL for the remainder of this season, Antonio Pierce’s lawyer emphasized the Giants linebacker is cooperating with investigators.

“We are being fully cooperative with them on that,” said Pierce’s attorney Michael Bachner.

Bachner spoke to Fox31’s Josina Anderson in response to the latest reports from the New York Post that his client’s vehicle has been impounded by authorities to test for the presence of blood or gunpowder residue from Burress’ shooting last Friday at a New York club.

Bachner sought to clarify the connotation of his client’s car being impounded.

“Originally [Pierce’s vehicle] was impounded as part of the investigation.  The D.A’s office wants to inspect it.  It was in the possession of the New Jersey authorities. We consented to it just being transferred from New Jersey to New York to the D.A.’s office, and to the New York City police department for full inspection.”

Police investigators have revealed through sources their desire to hear Pierce’s account of Burress’ self-inflicted shooting last Friday night at the Latin Quarter, a nightclub and restaurant in Midtown Manhattan.

Various reports indicate police are looking into whether Pierce obstructed their investigation intentionally by allegedly putting Burress’ .40-caliber Glock into his Cadillac Escalade.

Despite these revelations now, Pierce told WFAN previously that, “I don’t see myself being arrested.”

Bachner has also emphasized that he is confident his client has broken no laws.  Bachner intends to persistently plead Pierce’s case to authorities, and let the public know that Pierce has nothing to hide.

“We did not require that they obtain a search warrant or anything like that. We consented to them taking it.”

Bachner later said, “They can search into whatever analysis they want to do,”

Carolina Panthers cornerback Chris Gamble is having a standout season, and now he's getting paid like it.

Sources told Fox31's Josina Anderson first late thursday morning that agent Carl Poston was working out an extension for the five year veteran, as Gamble was in the final year of his current deal.

"The absolute total amount that can be earned is $54.55 million dollars for the six year extension with $23 million in total guarentees, and specifically $16 million in guarenteed roster and signing bonuses. It's a  big deal," said one source with first-hand knowledge of the negotiations.

Gamble will sign the deal early Friday afternoon.

The 6'1, 200 pound corner out of Ohio State has shined this season with 65 total tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and one touchdown.

Gamble recorded 10 total tackles alone in the Nov.16 matchup against the Detroit Lions.

Gamble, who has been slowed by injuries over the past two seasons, is taking off this year. He's performed along side cornerbacks Ken Lucas and Richard Marshall and safeties Charles Godfrey and Chris Harris to form one of the most impressive backfields in the league.

Together they're helping the Panthers rank 8th against the pass, and 10th in total defense.

Sources confirmed to Anderson that Gamble was set to become a free agent on February 27th if the franchise elected not to re-sign him.

Gamble had made public statements expressing his desire to remain with the organization as questions swirled about his tenure with the team, and Marshall surfaced as a possible replacement to start.

The Broncos play the Panthers on Dec.14.

This is the local launch of "This is B.Marsh," an internet micro-reality series on Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall. The national launch premiered on foxsports.com tonight, and features a slightly different version than the cut posted here.

The concept behind this web show is to provide an exclusive peek into the life of an upcoming NFL star making headlines both on and off the field.

In just three short seasons, Brandon Marshall has already experienced the heights of being projected the next best receiver in the league, with the lows of all the controversies that occur when fame clashes with youth. The first episode broadcasts Marshall's first step into the world of the modeling profession. Stay logged to foxsports.com and this blog to see what's next.

Click 'Play' to watch the video and gain instant access into Marshall's public and private life.

For some of you, this maybe a moot question and subsequent point because of how poorly the 29th ranked Denver Broncos defense is playing. But, do you know who the leading defensive tackle on the team is? It’s Marcus Thomas.

At least in terms of tackling.

Okay, so what’s the big deal?

Well, that would be up to you, especially when taking into consideration that Thomas’s performance engenders an interesting discrepancy.

First and foremost, a look at how Thomas’s stats compare to the active Broncos at his position so far this season.

[08-09]
*Marcus Thomas: 9GS, 20TT, 0 sacks
Kenny Peterson: 1Gs , 15TT, 3 sacks
*Dewayne Robetson: 8GS, 13TT, 0.5 sacks
Nic Clemons: 0GS, 8TT, 0 sacks

Thomas and Robertson are currently the two starters at tackle for the Broncos. Thomas is in his 2nd season, Robertson his 6th. Thomas currently has a strained calf muscle, which sources tell Fox 31 he’s been reluctantly playing on. Robertson has dealt with a lingering knee issue since departing from the New York Jets.

According to the NFL players association’s website, Thomas’s base salary this season (not including bonuses) is $370,000 dollars, and Robertson’s is $900,000 dollars.

“Clearly Thomas is outplaying Robertson. Robertson is making about $ 11 million [his salary cap number] this year, and guess what Thomas is making $475,000. He’s outperforming everybody in his draft class [Jarvis] Moss, [Tim] Crowder, and he’s making this crazy little salary,” says a source with inside knowledge of Thomas’s situation.

Thomas’s stats, particularly in comparison to the other defensive players drafted with him in 2007, reveals substance to the aforementioned point-especially this year. However, Moss’ production relative to his starts should also be underlined; and so should Crowder’s statistical disappearing act this season as well. Both Moss and Crowder make more than Thomas when base and bonus salary are considered along with term of contract as well.

Marcus Thomas: [08-09] 9GS, 20 TT, 0 sacks
(4th round pick) [07-08] 5GS, 19TT, 0 sacks

Jarvis Moss: [08-09] 0GS, 9TT, 2.5 sacks
(1st round pick) [07-08] 1GS, 12TT, 1 sacks

Tim Crowder: [08-09] 0GS, 0TT, 0 sacks
(2nd round pick) [07-08] 1GS, 16TT, 4 sacks


Obviously, Thomas’s current contract was impacted by the drop of his draft stock. Many scouts considered Thomas to be first round talent, despite being drafted by the Broncos in the 4th round. His off-the-field issues played a part. In 2006, Thomas was suspended the majority of his final year at Florida after testing positive for marijuana, violating curfew and the agreement to attend rehabilitation class.

But now, there is a sentiment that the time has come to acknowledge Thomas' present performance albeit on a team that has a rush, passing, and scoring defense ranked below 25th in the league.

“What people don’t realize is that not only was [Thomas] the first player to start in his draft class, but when he came in he beat out all these former first round draft picks: Gerard Warren; Sam Adams. He’s cleared up millions and millions of dollars in salary cap room for the Broncos, and he definitely deserves more than he is getting now. Obviously he didn’t get first round money, or second round money. You know how it is, these players are one play away from losing it all,” opined the source to Fox31’s Josina Anderson.

Matter of fact, the source was quick to point out that in their opinion Thomas’s current stats are on pace with last season’s Pro Bowl elections.

“Individually he is performing outstanding in a scheme where the tackles are supposed to hold up the guards and the linebackers get all the stats. There were two tackles that were in the Pro Bowl last year Vince Wilford [New England] and Albert Haynesworth [Tennessee], and Thomas has more tackles than both of them. But, it’s going unnoticed because of the [Broncos] defense's performance as a whole. He’ll never get a Pro Bowl vote because he is a 2nd year player on a bad defensive team.”

Right now, Thomas' 20 total tackles are ahead of Haynesworth’s (32 TT) Pro Bowl pace last season by two, but Wilforks’ (48TT) Pro Bowl pace last season is ahead of Thomas now by seven tackles.

Thomas, stats, undoubtedly do warrant note, including the fact that he is the only defensive lineman to have an inteception in each of the last two seasons. However, it should be emphasized tackle count is not the only Pro Bowl consideration. A search for a little more context reveals that Thomas’ 20 tackles total currently ranks 42nd in the league. This season’s leader, defensive tackle Shaun Rogers leads with 46 total tackles now.

Thomas is on a four year deal right now, but sources have told Fox31 sports that the sophomore is very hopeful for a contract extension for about two or three years at the end of this season.

Players must wait two full seasons before they can negotiate for an extension.

“He’s obviously playing better than Moss, and Crowder, and those guys are rich,” said the source.

This much is for sure, Thomas’s contribution in comparison to his own teammates is worthy of note, and it's right there in black and white warranting evaluation.

In case you wondering what Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall was doing after he scored the game winning touchdown against the Cleveland Brows thursday night, I can assure you he wasn't relieveing a case of jock itch.

Marshall was attempting to pull out a half black, and half white glove to wear as a sign of unity to honor the election of Senator Barack Obama. He was going to hold up his a fist, in a silent gesture of the progress he feels our multi-cultural society made on Tuesday night.

But in a split second moment, you may have noticed in the back of the endzone that wide receiver Brandon Stokley convinced him to think otherwise.

 Stokley felt the game was in the balance, and didn't want a penalty to hurt the team with a little over a minute to go in the game.

So most will think that was a great veteran move.

Sure, it is true that a possible 15 yard penalty good have cost the Broncos the win on the Browns last possession, but, Marshall's intent as he told Fox 31 sports before was not only pure-hearted, it was social-minded.

It's just too bad the game wasn't more decisive at the time Marshall scored to clear all paths of criticism.

Alot of youth in our country have been inspired by the election of Senator Barack Obama as the next President of the United States of America.

Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall  is no exception.

Many times during this season, Marshall could be seen wearing one of his favorite bejeweled black Obama t-shirts, whether out on the town, or hanging  with quarterback Jay Cutler at a high school football game.

Now tonight against the Cleveland Browns, Marshall plans on doning another clothing item in support of Obama on the national stage of Thursday night football.

That is if Marshall scores, and he feels comfortable there's a moment in the game he finds appropriate to the current score and atmosphere. 

Marshall told Fox 31's Josina Anderson, "my intent is not to draw selfish attention to myself, but to use this platform to make a political statement of hope and unity.  I'm inspired man."

"I think I'm going to do it if I get a chance," added Marshall.

Fox 31 sports will not reveal his idea.  But rest assure the surprise will be worth tuning in if he does it.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith was the first to report the Nuggets are expected to trade Nuggets guard Allen Iverson in exchange for home town star Chauney Billups and forward Antonio McDyess from the Detroit Pistons.

Espn is now confirming that the Nuggets have agreed in principle to make the trade which also includes center Cheikh Samb from the Pistons as well, although the deal has not yet been finalized.

Fox 31's Josina Anderson talked to an agent for one of the Nuggets starters who wished not to be named in this report but said, "this is a great trade for Denver. This trade changes the whole landscape for the organization."

When the source was asked why they felt that way, they replied, "what you are getting in return for Iverson is a steady point guard, character, and leadership with Billups. He's consistent, you know what you are going to get day in and day out with him."

Billups averaged 13 points, five rebounds, and seven assists for the Pistons this season.

As far as McDyess, the source told Anderson, "Antonio is very serviceable. He'll be a good forward for Denver. He's way more athletic than Juwan Howard. So this is not good for Howard."

McDyess averaged 8 points, and 5 rebounds for the Pistons this season.

When it comes to how the source feels this trade will make a difference for Denver they said, "to win games. This will definetly help in the win column. I am loving this trade."

The source told Anderson, if this trade gets finalized even as late as tonight, it's quite possible Billups may be ready to play for Denver against Golden State on wednesday.

We'll see...

Broncos running back Michael Pittman gave Fox 31's Josina Anderson a one-on-one interview in which he offered up the inside scoop on Denver's ground unit. Pittman discussed topics ranging from his status as a starter, to personal conversations with rookie running back Ryan Torain, and the bounty coach Mike Shanahan put out on his head. Here is there Q & A session.

Josina: The Broncos are coming off the bye week, and you are coming off two starting performances with the injury to running back Selvin Young. You rushed for 88 yards against the Patriots, and 109 yards against the Jaguars, albeit efforts that were squandered in losses due to turnovers. So with running back Ryan Torain preparing to make a hype debut and Young healing up, what is the likelihood Mike Shanahan will name you as the starter the rest of the season given you own dominant ground performances?

Michael: I go week to week. I try to perform to the best of my ability out there on the football field. I do believe that if I keep performing the way I have, I will be the starter for the rest of the year. But, it’s really up to my coaches. I will play whatever roll they ask. I am not the player to sit back and cause controversy amongst the team because I am not starting. Right now I am having a good time being on a new team. I finally got my chance and an opportunity to start, and I’m just trying to make the most of it.

Josina: What do you think about the irony in the timing of the rookie Torain nearing his debut, right at the time that you are riding this momentum off your own performances?

Michael: Well look, competition is always great. I have never been a selfish player. Ryan is my teammate, and he’s trying to do all he can to help the team also. And Josina, the majority of the time in my career I have shared the ball with people in Tampa-so I’m used to it. As long as we win, stats to me isn’t really that big to me.

Josina: So you sit in running backs row in the locker room, with ample time to run into Torain. Has he come up to you for any advice while he has been rehabbing the elbow he dislocated in camp?

Michael: Ryan comes to me all the time, and talks about my experiences and different things I have been through in my 11 years-cause you know I am an old man. I have just been trying to guide him through the process he’s been going through with his arm when he’s gotten down on himself. But we are really close. We go out and hang together. I go to his house and hang, so there will never be any controversy between me and Ryan. All the backs have a good relationship.

Josina: Is all the advice you give him professional, or is some of it personal?

Michael: I talk to him about some of my rough times, and how I matured into the man I am today. Then on the professional side, I talk about how it’s important to be coachable and what it takes to stay in the NFL. There is only three running backs in my draft class that are still even left: me; Ahman Green; and Fred Taylor. He kind of looks at me like an older brother type.

Josina: Keeping in mind the PG-13 rating of this blog, what personal advice have you specifically given to Torain when it comes to handling the league, money, and woman off the field?

Michael: Well it’s men conversation of course. A lot of it is about women. You know when I went through it I was single at the time, and I was running with a lot of these young women. I’m not saying that’s what Ryan is doing because he is concentrating on football, but I just try to talk to him about the big picture-like how it is in the NFL, and how people try to get at you. Because when I came out, I really didn’t have anybody to mentor me. I had to learn the hard way. I got arrested a couple times, and I was just making bad mistakes. I just had to mature into the man I am today, and learn how to pick and choose my battles. I was never ever a bad kid, I just made the wrong decisions. So when I come at Ryan, I talk to him about getting out of, or avoiding certain situations so what happened to me wont happen to him. I can’t get too juicy on the details cause you will write it.

Josina: I know Ryan told me he’s been benching like crazy. From what you can see, does it look like he has the strength to be ready this Sunday against the Dolphins?

Michael: Ryan looks good. We are about the same size weight wise. I am about 225, he is about 225. His arm is coming back. You know, it’s not where he wants it to be because he’s still wearing that brace of course. He is a little rusty, being out almost a year because he got hurt in college. But, he has done well this week in practice. He’s trying to get his wind and conditioning up of course. But overall he’s doing a good job, and I hope he has a good game this weekend if he plays. A lot of media and fans want to see what he can do. I think people will be surprised.

Josina: So speaking of advice, when Andre Hall had those two fumbles on national television did you say anything? One player told me off the record that he literally had to shout and curse at him to tell Andre to stop sulking. With Shanahan’s history of releasing backs, I’m sure Hall had to be worrying.

Michael: Coach Shanahan probably came down on him, but I really didn’t come down on him. I knew Dre from a long time ago. I knew Dre from when he first got out of college. I took Andre under my wing back there in Tampa Bay. He’ll tell you the exact same thing; I was always like a big brother to him. I was always there to lift up his spirits. I did the exact same thing on Monday night when he fumbled twice. I wasn’t one of the guys who was disappointed in him because I am a running back. At that time, that is the worst feeling in your life cause you feel like you let down everybody. You already feel bad, so you are not trying to make the kid feel worse. So I just went over there, put my arm around him and told him it will be alright. At the same time I knew it wasn’t alright because I would take it hard too. I just told him to shake it off, everybody knows what you can do, and have a better game next week. I talked to him on the plane ride home. You know at first he was really quiet, but then he started to come around again and talking; obviously he was pretty shook up about it.

Josina: And then there is Mr. Young who keeps bragging about his thanksgiving cooking skills. He’s a name we are not hearing as much. What is going on with him?

Michael: He practiced a little bit this week, and worked though the groin injury. I believe myself that he is not 100 percent. Selvin would have to speak on that in greater detail. For me, outside looking in, I don’t think he is 100 percent. But everybody knows what Selvin can bring. We all saw him in the first game before he got hurt. We got four good quality backs that can step in and make plays. I think Selvin at this time is still battling his injury, and I think he is still hurt.

Josina: From your veteran perspective, what is the worst thing hindering this offense that was so explosive early on, and is now more inconsistent?

Michael: Honestly Jo, it’s the turnovers. Really that’s it. If you look at the games early on where we scored a lot of points, we rarely did that. In the past 2 weeks we are doing it way too much. We showed we can move the ball early. As players we can’t throw interceptions or fumble the ball. We are beating ourselves.

Josina: So has Shanahan struck the fear of God into the team as far as threatening the next fumbler, or interception thrower?

Michael: No. I respect coach Shanahan to the fullest. He’s great. But you know in practice coach Shanahan put out a little bounty saying if you get the ball from Pitt, or any of the running backs, I’ll give you 200 dollars. He has a little bounty on us. You know 200 dollars will go a long way in this economy right now and some of these guys fresh out of college. Please! Now I got more scratches on my arm from practice and guys trying to get the ball. Hey, Shanahan is doing all the right things to get us back on track.

Josina: I’m sorry, but 200 dollars has to be the cheapest bounty on the face of this earth.

Michael: Whatever man (laugh). It’s all good.