Broncos players to wear special cleats in Week 14

Broncos players will wear special cleats in Week 14 to show support for special causes.

Denver Broncos players will participate in “My Cause, My Cleats” this week when they face the Houston Texans on the road.

The NFL has been doing this once a season since 2016 to give players an opportunity to “showcase the charitable cause that is most important to them for a national audience” through custom-designed cleats.

“A lot of people have something they have a cause for and something that they have aspirations to help or bring awareness for,” Broncos cornerback Chris Harris said Tuesday.

“This is just a great job by the NFL being able to allow us to do this and allow us to have something to stand for and something to represent this weekend. I’m glad they started doing that, for sure.”

The complete list of Denver players that will be wearing custom cleats this weekend can be seen below:

Player	Non-profit organization(s)/Cause(s)
Brandon Allen	Alzheimer’s Association
Jeremiah Attaochu	Glory’s Hope Sickle Cell Foundation
Quinn Bailey	Pat Tillman Foundation
Andrew Beck	America’s Gold Star Families and Texas School for the Deaf
Garett Bolles	National Center for Learning Disabilities
Fred Brown	The Nephrotic Syndrome Foundation
Bradley Chubb	The Chubb Foundation
Todd Davis	A-Plus Living Foundation
Duke Dawson Jr.	International Children’s Anophthalmia & Microphthalmia Network (ICAN)
Nico Falah	USC Caruso Catholic Center
Noah Fant	Open Door Mission
Royce Freeman	CASA of Imperial County
Troy Fumagalli	Alzheimer’s Association
Adam Gotsis	Around the Campfire
Hamilton, DaeSean	Susan G Komen and Sewall Child Development Center
Chris Harris Jr.	The Chris Harris Jr. Foundation
Davontae Harris	The Wichita Kid Foundation
Shelby Harris	SHARE
Jeff Heuerman	Muscular Dystrophy Association
Alijah Holder	American Foundation For Suicide Prevention
Justin Hollins	Alzheimer’s Association
Kareem Jackson	The Kareem Jackson Foundation
Ja’Wuan James	Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Andy Janovich	Hunting with Soldiers
Josey Jewell	Logan’s Hope
Alexander Johnson	Alzheimer’s Association
Joseph Jones	Gamer’s Outreach and KICKcancER
Casey Kreiter	Zach Johnson Foundation
Ron Leary	Ron Leary REACH Foundation
Drew Lock	Leukemia Research Foundation
Trey Marshall	Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
Connor McGovern	TNT Kid’s Fitness and Gymnastics
Brandon McManus	Project McManus
Von Miller	Von’s Vision
Corey Nelson	National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
Will Parks	Philadelphia CeaseFire
Tim Patrick	Sarcoma Foundation of America and Sickle Cell Disease Association of America
Mike Purcell	Wounded Warriors Project
Malik Reed	Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Dalton Risner	RisnerUP Foundation
Austin Schlottmann	Adam’s Angels and Special Olympics Brenham
Justin Simmons	Fuel Up to Play 60
Deyon Sizer	JED Foundation
Diontae Spencer	Everytown USA
Courtland Sutton	A Precious Child
Shakial Taylor	American Diabetes Association
Colby Wadman	Shriners Hospitals for Children — Northern California
Josh Watson	Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Elijah Wilkinson	Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver
Juwann Winfree	Team Winfree Youth Foundation
Billy Winn	The Lupus Foundation of America
Derek Wolfe	Beaver Local High School
Isaac Yiadom	1Mission

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Ranking the top 25 potential free agents for 2020

Dak Prescott, Jadeveon Clowney, Cam Newton and Jameis Winston highlight the list of impending NFL free agents for the upcoming offseason.

Broncos vs. Texans will be a revenge game for Bradley Roby

Texans cornerback Bradley Roby will want to prove Sunday that the Broncos should have re-signed him, according to ex-teammate Chris Harris.

Texans cornerback Bradley Roby will face his former team — and former teammate Chris Harris — when Houston hosts the Broncos on Sunday. While they are opponents on the field, Harris and Roby remain friends off the field.

Harris said he has taken Roby under his wing and worked out with him during the offseason. Roby has missed five games with injuries this season but he returned to action last week and he intercepted quarterback Tom Brady in Houston’s 28-22 win over the Patriots.

“He was having a great season before he got hurt,” Harris said Tuesday. “Unfortunately, I think he missed a month of football. He came back last week and had a great game.

“My trainer has been down there every week getting with him and making sure he’s getting healthy and ready to go. They made sure Roby was ready.”

Harris said he believes Sunday’s game will be personal for Roby.

“I know ‘Rob’ is going to come up and try and show that we should have kept him,” Harris said.

Denver opted not to re-sign Roby earlier this year and he received a one-year, $10 million contract from the Texans. The 27-year-old cornerback has totaled 28 tackles, one sack, one interception and one forced fumble this season.

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First glance at the top 2020 free agents

Dak Prescott and Jadeveon Clowney highlight the list of potential free agents for 2020.

At the moment, the 2020 free-agent class looks stellar. It’s loaded with current, former and potential franchise quarterbacks and one big-time wide receiver

It also has some strong pass rushers. There are a few solid offensive linemen and a smattering of talented players at other positions. There could even be some big additions that could be added to the list if their current teams decide to let them go.

Hypothetically, this could rank as the best free-agent class ever. But let’s keep in mind that much can change between now and the official opening of free agency in March.

When it comes to the very top players on the list, their current teams are going to fight like heck to keep them with new contracts. That’s especially true with the quarterbacks.

Think about this for a second – who’s the last true franchise quarterback to switch teams in free agency? I say Drew Brees, who went from the Chargers to the Saints in 2006. Even then, the circumstances were unique. Brees had a severe shoulder injury and there was uncertainty if he would be able to play again. Plus the Chargers had Philip Rivers waiting in the wings. The Saints took a gamble on Brees and it paid off hugely.

But, again, that kind of thing is rare. The list of free agents will look much different in March than it does now.

Still, it’s fun to look at who is scheduled to be available in free agency. Here’s a list of the top 25 players, who, at the moment, are supposed to be available in March and it includes a couple of guys who are likely to be added to the list (Cam Newton, for example) who are likely to be released by their current teams and join the free-agent pool.

25. Brandon Scherff, G, Washington Redskins

Interior linemen seldom get big money in free agency. But Scherff could be the exception. He’s a dominant run blocker and those are hard to come by.

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Broncos CB Chris Harris was still working with Texans’ Bradley Roby this past offseason

Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. took Houston Texans cornerback Bradley Roby under his wing when they played together in Denver.

Houston Texans cornerback Bradley Roby may not be a member of the Denver Broncos anymore, but he’s still incontact and learning from one of their best, cornerback Chris Harris.

Harris, a four-time Pro Bowler and 2016 All-Pro, has acted as a mentor to Roby, who the Broncos took in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

“Roby, he’s been with me all offseason,” said Harris to Broncos media on Tuesday. “I’m definitely taking Roby under my wing the last couple of years. I’ve been with him all offseason.”

Roby parted ways with Harris and the Broncos in the offseason, signing a one-year, $10 million deal with the Texans in March. Despite his residence being in Houston now, Harris keeping tabs on Roby, even sharing the same trainer.

“He was having a great season before he got hurt,” said Harris. “Unfortunately, I think he missed a month of football. He came back last week and had a great game. My trainer has been down there every week getting with him and making sure he’s getting healthy and ready to go. They made sure Roby was ready.”

Roby has acted as the Texans’ primary slot cornerback while taking snaps at the outside if necessary. He has performed well in the role, despite missing five games with a hamstring injury. On Sunday, in a 28-22 win over the New England Patriots, he picked off and sacked Tom Brady.

On the season, Roby has allowed a 74.5 passer rating, per Pro Football Reference, a massive upgrade from his 113.8 allowed one in 2018 with the Broncos. Quarterbacks are 26 for 45 for 282 yards, a touchdown and an interception passing on him.

Roby doesn’t wear blue and orange anymore, but, perhaps, their best cover-man’s skills and talents are rubbing off on him. On Sunday, he will get the chance to show that to Denver directly. when the 8-4 Texans host the 4-8 Broncos.

6 things to watch in Chargers vs. Broncos

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out six things to watch when the Chargers take on the Broncos in Week 13.

The Chargers return to action on the road as they’re set to take on the Denver Broncos following their bye.

Here are six things to watch in Sunday’s bout.

1. Will Philip Rivers turn things around?

Rivers isn’t having the season that he was anticipating in the final year of his contract, as he’s tossed 14 interceptions, seven in the last two games. The veteran quarterback is eager to overcome his woes, but it won’t be easy facing a Broncos defense that picked him off twice in their first meeting this season. In his last three games against Denver, Rivers has thrown three touchdowns and six interceptions.

2. Offensive tackle situation

Despite playing their best game with two backup tackles in Week 11, we saw Rivers look uncomfortable and rushed, largely due to the fact that he doesn’t trust them. If the Chargers want the most out of Philip Rivers, he has to trust the guys up front, and that means that his security blanket will have to be playing — left tackle Russell Okung. Okung and right tackle Sam Tevi are both questionable. Regardless, stopping linebacker Von Miller will be key to their victory since the offense has struggled recently.

3. Change at quarterback

The Broncos will likely have their third quarterback change this season, as rookie Drew Lock is set to take over under center. Lock is coming back from a thumb injury, which landed him on the injured reserve to start the season. In the three preseason games he completed 31-of-51 passes for 254 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Lock should have a warm welcoming from the presence of defensive ends Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, who face an offensive line that’s struggled to find consistency.

4. Derwin James and Adrian Phillips

The Chargers officially activated James and Phillips off the injured reserve on Saturday, which means that they will play tomorrow. With James back in the lineup, he will take over for Jaylen Watkins at strong safety. Phillips will resume his duties as the team’s dime linebacker. As for Watkins, he will still get snaps. It’s possible they could put him in the slot, and utilize Desmond King outside.

5. Slowing down Phillip Lindsay

The Broncos may take a little bit to get into a groove in the passing game with Lock making his debut, which means that they will resort to their offensive playmaker to find success. Lindsay had his best rushing performance of the season, amassing 111 yards rushing and 147 total yards in Week 5. But the Chargers have been stout against the run in their last three games, allowing 84.3 rushing yards per contest.

6. Wide receiver-cornerback battles

All eyes will be on wide receiver Keenan Allen and cornerback Chris Harris Jr. as Allen is looking to bounce back from his underwhelming performance in which he only had four receptions for 18 yards. But the matchup between WR Courtland Sutton and CB Casey Hayward deserves your attention.

Sutton finished with four receptions and a touchdown for 92 yards in the first meeting. He currently has 16.6 yards per catch, ranking 10th in the NFL. Meanwhile, Hayward has allowed only one catch over the last four games and has given up a reception on just 47.2% of his targets this season.

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4 key things to know about Chargers vs. Broncos

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lists the four most important things to know about the Chargers’ opponent in Week 13.

Fresh off their bye week, the Los Angeles Chargers (4-7) will look to get back on track after losing their past two consecutive games in a matchup against the Denver Broncos (3-8).

Here are four key things to know prior to the Week 13 bout.

Decision on quarterback is up in the air

The last time the Chargers played the Broncos, veteran Joe Flacco was behind center. That won’t be the case this weekend as Flacco is currently nursing an injury, which has put him out for the past few weeks.

In place of Flacco has been Brandon Allen, who is 1-2 since taking over as Denver’s starter. But rookie Drew Lock, who has returned from the injured reserve, could make his professional regular season debut.

Lock has practiced the past three weeks, but the Broncos have continued to roll with Allen to ensure that the first-year player’s thumb is feeling 100%.

“We’re going to up Drew’s reps this week extensively in practice, see how he does with this, and then make a decision prior to the game. The earliest (the decision) would be made would be later in the week, right up until the game,” coach Vic Fangio said.

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Broncos’ Chris Harris no longer has ‘advice’ for Josh Allen

Following Week 12’s 20-3 Bills victory over the Broncos, cornerback Chris Harris no longer seemed to want to joke around when it came to discussing Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

Despite Thanksgiving being only a few days away, one Denver player is eating a bit of crow rather than turkey on Sunday.

Following Week 12’s 20-3 Bills victory over the Broncos, cornerback Chris Harris no longer seemed to want to joke around when it came to discussing Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

On Monday, Harris chatted with local reporters and was all smiles talking about Allen and the Bills.

“If I can give him a little advice… I don’t want to actually,” Harris said with a grin and chuckle. “I’m going to say all positive about him today.”

Perhaps it was best that Harris kept that advice to himself, as he ended up getting beat on a 34-yard deep throw from Allen to wide receiver John Brown, that put the Bills up 20-3 in the third quarter:

This is what everyone has been waiting for. #Bills pic.twitter.com/CHZDySn4Ut

— Bradley Gelber (@BradleyGelber) November 24, 2019

After the loss, Harris was asked point blank what advice it was that he wanted to give to the quarterback.

“That [expletive] is over with now,” Harris said straight faced in front of his locker.

When asked about the throw that beat him, Harris dismissed it as more of his error, than it being a great play by Allen, or Brown.

“They had run that play like 10 times,” Harris said. “I was just pressing, trying to make a play for our team… so, that’s all it was.”

When John Brown was asked about the TD score, he seemed to sing a different tune.

“He’s a great DB, he reads concepts,” Brown said after the game.

“Every time we came to the flat, you know, he was jumping inside preparing for the slant, or the curl route. I went to the coaches and I told them, you know, double move and you know it was a great call, at the right time.”

While the win put the Bills at 8-3 for the first time since 1996, quieting a player that talked some smack before the game had to be the cherry on top.

As Jalen Ramsey learned first-hand last season, if you’re a DB going up against Allen and the Bills, you might be better off saving the trash talk for after the game.

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It’s time to vote your favorite Broncos players to the Pro Bowl

Fan voting for the 2020 NFL Pro Bowl is now open. The polls will close in mid-December.

Fan voting for the 2020 Pro Bowl opened Tuesday.

Fans, coaches and players will each account for one-third of the voting. The AFC and NFC will each be represented by 44 players. Fan voting will conclude on Dec. 12 and the Pro Bowl rosters will be announced on NFL Network on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. MT.

Fans can vote for their favorite players at NFL.com/ProBowlVote.

The Denver Broncos were represented by three players in last season’s Pro Bowl: outside linebacker Von Miller, long snapper Casey Kreiter and cornerback Chris Harris. Running back Phillip Lindsay was also voted to the All-Star game but could not play due to injury.

Miller totaled two tackles and Harris intercepted a pass in the AFC’s 26-7 win over the NFC in the 2019 Pro Bowl.

Denver’s most deserving player this season might be safety Justin Simmons, who has played 1,582 consecutive snaps and is tied with inside linebacker Todd Davis as the Broncos’ leading tackler (53). Simmons has also broken up nine passes and totaled two interceptions this year.

The Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The game will begin at 1 p.m. MT and will air on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ABC and Disney XD. Tickets start at $45.

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