Possible Von Miller helmet recovered by NFL as part of ongoing investigation By Nicki Jhabvala Denver Post March 21, 2017 The NFL is investigating the burglary of a Broncos helmet that was recovered as part of the ongoing investigation into Tom Brady‘s stolen Super Bowl jerseys, the league confirmed.

The helmet could “potentially” have belonged to outside linebacker Von Miller. “We have been in contact with NFL security regarding a Denver Broncos helmet that could potentially belong to Von Miller,” the Broncos said in a statement. “As it is an ongoing investigation, we will refer all additional questions and inquiries to the NFL.” Monday, the NFL confirmed it located two Super Bowl jerseys belonging to Brady. Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported the same suspects, said by the NFL to be credentialed international media, were believed to have taken the Broncos helmet from Super Bowl 50. “Through the cooperation of the NFL and New England Patriots‘ security teams, the FBI and other law enforcement authorities, the Super Bowl LI jersey worn last month by MVP Tom Brady has been recovered,” the NFL said in a statement. “Also retrieved during the ongoing investigation was the jersey Brady wore in the Patriots’ victory in Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks in 2015. “The items were found in the possession of a credentialed member of the international media. Due to the ongoing investigation, we would refer any additional questions to the FBI.” The jerseys were found in Mexico, according to Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, and are now with the NFL in Boston to undergo testing for authentication. A man said to be involved is Mauricio Ortego, the former director of Diario La Prensa, a newspaper in Honduras. The paper released a statement in Spanish on Monday that said Ortega resigned March 14 and that the paper, as loosely translated, was surprised and disappointed to learn of his involvement. The Houston police report for Brady’s Super Bowl LI jersey listed its estimated value at $500,000. The exact value of the helmet that was stolen isn’t known, but for comparison, the Broncos helmet that was stolen from a July 31 training camp practice at the team’s facility in Englewood was valued at more than $400.

Broncos Mailbag: Is DeMarcus Ware bound for the Broncos Ring of Fame? By Nicki Jhabvala Denver Post March 21, 2017 I’ve seen multiple mock drafts that have us taking an offensive lineman. Would we benefit more from that, or possibly drafting a running back or a playmaker? — David, Richmond, Va. David: Depends on what the Broncos do (or don’t do) between now and the draft. The free-agent market for tackles was relatively weak to begin with and is now pretty scarce. The draft class for tackles isn’t great either, but the Broncos need a starting left tackle and there are three players who are billed as immediate-impact players. Ryan Ramczyk, Garett Bolles and Cam Robinson have separated themselves from the pack in the class of 2017, and the Broncos have had informal visits with all three at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. The Broncos also have returning players who can swing to left tackle if needed, including Max Garcia, Michael Schofield and Ty Sambrailo. But the Broncos are on the search for a true starter and if they don’t find one on the open market, then they’ll shift focus to the draft. They could also look to add a running back in later rounds, but because the tackle depth is weak, they likely won’t find a starter past the first round. If the Broncos lose out on Tony Romo. Any chance the prodigal son — Jay Cutler — comes home? — Tony Ellsworth, Bellevue, Neb. Tony: Not seeing it. Hi Nicki, a lot of people want to see Tony Romo in a Broncos jersey (I’m not one), but my question is this: if Dallas is on the hook for his $19 million salary either way, why not just keep him as a backup in case Dak Prescott get injured? Is Dallas’ financial responsibility voided if he signs with another team? Thanks! — Dave, Denver Dave: Romo has three years remaining on his contract, so if he stays in Dallas beyond this season, the Cowboys will continue to pay and exorbitant amount to a backup quarterback. He is due $14 million in salary for 2017, but has a dead money value of $19.6 million. So if they release him, that much counts against their cap. Now, it either counts in full this season and they reap a $5.1 million savings from his full $24.7 million cap hit, or they can spread that $19.6 million over two seasons by making him a post-June 1 release. The latter would save them more this season, but they wouldn’t be able to use the cap space until June 1. If a team agrees to trade for him — I don’t know which team would give up assets to take on a 36-year-old QB with his injury history and current contract when it’s believed the Cowboys will release him — then Dallas is still on the hook for that $19.6 cap hit.

Again, that’s not salary. That’s cap space the team has to allocate to a player if he’s released. And it’s no small chunk of change, but it is smaller than the cap charges he carries over the final three years of his deal: $24.7 million, $25.2 million and $23.7 million. Is DeMarcus Ware a Broncos Ring of Famer? Even though he was only here for three seasons, he was a vital part of the team’s Super Bowl-winning season. — Jean M., Cheyenne, Wyo. Jean: I would think so. Players are eligible for the Ring of Fame five years after retirement (the lone exception was John Elway), so Ware can’t be considered until 2022. Ware joined the Broncos in 2014 as the backbone of Elway’s new defense and, although injuries hindered his time here, he earned two of his nine career Pro Bowl selections and totaled 81 tackles and 21.5 sacks, including the 2015 postseason, when he had 3.5 sacks to help the Broncos win Super Bowl 50. He retired at No. 8 on the NFL’s all-time sack list (138.5) and his 0.78 sacks per game sit at No. 3, behind Hall of Famers Reggie White (0.85) and Lawrence Taylor (0.79). His numbers say a lot, but his leadership in the locker room, especially in helping Von Miller evolve into a force on the edge, and in the community cannot be overlooked either. Last year he was voted the team’s Darrent Williams Good Guy Award, and given the outpouring of support he received after announcing his retirement, it’s clear to see was a deserving recipient. I would expect to see his bust outside of the Broncos’ stadium eventually.

Broncos projected 2017 depth chart following early free agency period By Cameron Wolfe Denver Post March 21, 2017 As the football world waits for Dallas to make a decision on quarterback Tony Romo, the Broncos have remained true to their priorities and valuations in adding key pieces on both the offensive and defensive line. Training camp is still four months away, as general manager John Elway pointed out last week, so more moves will likely be made. But following the first week and a half of free agency, there’s finally a rough structure of what the 2017 Broncos will look like prior to the draft. The Broncos have positions of strength and depth like safety and outside linebacker. But like always, most of the attention is drawn to the scary holes in spots like left tackle. Here’s a look at our projected Broncos depth chart if the season began Monday: QB — 1. Trevor Siemian; 2. Paxton Lynch Siemian did nothing to lose his job to a first-round pick who still has plenty to learn about the NFL game. If there’s no Romo, Lynch will have to chase Siemian down with improved awareness and comfort within offensive coordinator Mike McCoy‘s system. If Denver is smart, the decision on a starter will come sooner than the third preseason game like last season. RB — 1. C.J. Anderson; 2. Devontae Booker; 3. Kapri Bibbs; 4. Bernard Pierce; 5. Zac Brooks Anderson expects to be a full-go before the start of minicamp in early June. He’s still the lead back unless somebody takes it from him. Booker is promising, but still has room to grow. A better offensive line and new system should open up more holes for the Anderson-Booker duo to become a top-15 rushing attack. FB — 1. Andy Janovich; 2. Juwan Thompson Denver intends to use a fullback, which will excite Janovich and Broncos fans. He may need to bulk up a bit to survive the pounding he’ll take at the position. WR1 — 1. Demaryius Thomas; 2. Jordan Taylor; 3. Cody Latimer; 4. Marlon Brown; 5. Mekale McKay WR2 — 1. Emmanuel Sanders; 2. Bennie Fowler; 3. Kalif Raymond; 4. Hunter Sharp Thomas and Sanders are among the NFL’s best receiver duos, but the Broncos still need a reliable slot receiver to take pressure off of them. Latimer, Fowler and Taylor could be battling for one or two roster spots this summer.

TE — 1. A.J. Derby; 2. Virgil Green; 3. Jeff Heuerman; 4. Henry Krieger-Coble; 5. Steven Scheu; 6. Austin Traylor Tight end is a position to target in the draft as the core group disappointed for the second straight season. Derby has promise. Green and Heuerman may find themselves on the roster bubble with a bad summer. LT — 1. Donald Stephenson; 2. Ty Sambrailo LG — 1. Max Garcia; 2. Billy Turner; 3. Connor McGovern C — 1. Matt Paradis; 2. James Ferentz; 3. Dillon Day RG — 1. Ronald Leary; 2. Michael Schofield RT — 1. Menelik Watson; 2. Justin Murray There’s a strong possibility this won’t be the depth chart to open the season as the Broncos are still seeking a true left tackle. The interior of the line looks solid with starters and depth. The tackles are mired with uncertainty. Are they better at this point on paper than last season? Maybe, but not by much. DE1 — 1. Derek Wolfe; 2. Adam Gotsis; 3. Bobby Richardson; 4. Iosia Iosia NT — 1. Domata Peko; 2. Kyle Peko DE2 — 1. Zach Kerr; 2. Jared Crick; 3. Travis Raciti Denver did well adding depth and competition at defensive end. Kerr currently gets the edge at the other starting defensive end spot now, but with a strong summer Gotsis or Crick could nab it from him. The Broncos need to draft another nose tackle in case the older Peko doesn’t have much left and the younger Peko is too small. OLB1 — 1. Von Miller; 2. Shaquil Barrett; 3. Vontarrius Dora OLB2 — 1. Shane Ray; 2. Kasim Edebali WLB “WILL” — 1. Brandon Marshall; 2. Corey Nelson; 3. Quentin Gause SLB “MIKE” — 1. Todd Davis; 2. Zaire Anderson; 3. Kevin Snyder Ray will do fine replacing DeMarcus Ware on the field. Miller and Ray may soon be the best passing rushing duo in the NFL possibly totaling 25 sacks next season. Denver may go another round with the Marshall-Davis combo though Nelson may see more reps as a coverage linebacker. Barrett, Edebali and Anderson are good depth. CB1 — 1. Aqib Talib; 2. Bradley Roby; 3. Taurean Nixon

CB2 — 1. Chris Harris; 2. Lorenzo Doss FS — 1. Darian Stewart; 2. Justin Simmons SS — 1. T.J. Ward; 2. Will Parks This is still the Broncos strongest group. Can they have the top passing defense for three straight seasons? Denver will likely draft depth at cornerback as Aqib Talib gets older and a hole opened up with Kayvon Webster‘s departure. K — Brandon McManus P — Riley Dixon LS — 1. Casey Kreiter; 2. Jeff Overbaugh Barring injury or significant regression, McManus, Dixon and Kreiter should all return to their starting roles in 2017.

Did John Elway call for support of Neil Gorsuch on official Broncos letterhead? By Hugh Johnson Denver Post March 21, 2017 There was a moderate firestorm on Twitter Monday when Gazette statehouse reporter Peter Marcus tweeted a photo of a letter from Broncos general manager John Elway asking members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to confirm President Donald Trump’s supreme court nominee Neil Gorsuch. The most noteworthy part of Marcus’ report is that Elway’s message seems to be written on the Denver Broncos‘ official letterhead. The photo quickly became a topic of discussion, inside and outside Broncos country. Elway, a once-rumored Republican candidate for Colorado governor in 2018, called Gorsuch a man of “tremendous intelligence, character and fairness.” He added that “Neil is a big Denver Broncos fan, and I can tell you that I’m a big fan of his.” The Broncos, however, said Elway’s letter was not written on official team letterhead. Broncos vice president of public relations Patrick Smyth tweeted that it was Elway’s letterhead and not the Broncos, noting the watermarks in the left margin of the photo. @psmyth12 Not Broncos letterhead. Was written on John's personal letterhead (see left margin) & his endorsement is independent of the Denver Broncos.

Von Miller's Super Bowl 50 helmet may have been found with Brady's jerseys By Jeff Legwold ESPN.com March 21, 2017 The Denver Broncos have been in contact with NFL security to try to see if the helmet linebacker Von Miller wore in Super Bowl 50 is among the items recovered by police and the FBI along with the jersey worn by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in Super Bowl LI this past February. The NFL and the Houston Police Department announced Monday morning Brady’s stolen jersey had been recovered. That jersey and a jersey Brady wore in Super Bowl XLIX were recovered in the possession of an unidentified member of the international media. The investigation was led by the FBI. The Broncos have been notified that Miller’s helmet may also be among the items that were recovered, according to team spokesman Patrick Smyth. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy also confirmed a Broncos helmet was retrieved as part of the investigation. The jerseys, and possibly Miller’s helmet, were recovered in Mexico. Miller had 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles (one was recovered by Malik Jackson for the Broncos’ first touchdown) and was named the MVP of the Broncos’ 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers on Feb. 7, 2016. The NFL was trying to authenticate the items as of Monday. Both the jerseys and the Broncos helmet have been returned to the United States to be examined. Earlier in the day, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo took to Twitter to announce the potential recovery of Brady’s jerseys. In a statement, the NFL said: "Through the cooperation of the NFL and New England Patriots' security teams, the FBI and other law enforcement authorities, the Super Bowl LI jersey worn last month by MVP Tom Brady has been recovered." Brady noticed his jersey was missing just after the Patriots' 34-28 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. In its report, the Houston Police assigned a value of $500,000 to the jersey, the same number sports auctioneer Ken Goldin, who has sold game-used Brady jerseys before, said he believed it would be worth if it were to hit the open market. This past summer, an Arvada, Colorado man was cited for stealing a Broncos player's helmet during an autograph session after one of the team’s training camp practices that was open to the public. The helmet was returned to the team in September. That helmet was valued at $400, but Miller’s Super Bowl helmet would likely have a far greater value as a collectible piece of memorabilia if it were on the market.

Troy pro day, and tackle Antonio Garcia, of great interest to Broncos By Jeff Legwold ESPN.com March 21, 2017 With just over a month to go until the NFL draft, on-campus pro days are in full swing. The Denver Broncos have dispersed their scouts both near and far to monitor players. But this week there are several campus tours that will be of particular interest for the Broncos. On Tuesday, for instance, Troy will conduct its on-campus pro day. Troy’s event is tucked into a schedule that also includes Boston College, North Carolina and UCLA. The Broncos will have plenty of interest in UCLA linebacker Takkarist McKinley -- though the pass-rusher figures to be long gone by the time the Broncos pick at No. 20 -- and cornerback Fabian Moreau. But Troy is where a player who would be a nice fit in their 2017 draft class is scheduled to go through the paces. Tackle Antonio Garcia didn’t surrender a sack this past season in more than 900 snaps. Garcia, who checked in at the scouting combine at 6-foot-6 and 302 pounds, is a left tackle prospect who may need a little time before he’s ready for an NFL starting lineup, but his size and athleticism are an attractive combination for a team like the Broncos who have an opening at left tackle. The Broncos got a long look at Garcia at the Senior Bowl, where he fared well. And he didn't allow any sacks against Clemson, the eventual national champion, this past season as well. His work against a strong Clemson defensive line has been cited by scouts in recent weeks. At the moment, the Broncos consider Garcia a prospect who would need a little time before he’s ready to start. If they drafted Garcia, they would need a bridge player -- or at least a bridge plan. The Broncos don't have a surefire player to line up at left tackle and have publicly tinkered with the idea that either Donald Stephenson, who had a disappointing season at right tackle in 2016, or Menelik Watson, who has never played more than 12 games in a season because of injuries, could be a solution. If they did select Garcia, he could simply show them in the weeks and months that follow the draft that he's ready. But the biggest question is whether he'll have the ability, after having played his college career at under 300 pounds, to add the upper body strength he’ll need to fend off edge rushers who bull-rush him. Of the tackles on the board, Wisconsin’s Ryan Ramczyk, Utah’s Garett Bolles and Alabama’s Cam Robinson are considered the most ready to play as rookies. Ramczyk is coming off hip surgery, however. There are some personnel evaluators, however, who believe Garcia might eventually turn into one of the best tackles available in this draft. With a 5.15 40-yard dash, a 31-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot broad jump at the combine, Garcia showed plenty of athleticism for a player of his size. He projects into the second round at this point.

NFL officials with combined 60 years of experience retire By Staff Associated Press March 21, 2017 Three NFL officials with a combined 60 years of experience have retired. Head linesman John McGrath, line judge Tony Veteri, Jr., and field judge Bob Waggoner are leaving the league. They will be honored next month at the NFL Referees Association's annual meeting. McGrath leaves the field after 15 NFL seasons, working one Super Bowl and 11 playoff matches. Veteri spent 25 NFL seasons as an official, worked one Super Bowl, a Pro Bowl and 17 playoff games. Waggoner was a 20-year NFL official who worked two Super Bowls. "These men have had extensive and impressive careers in NFL officiating," said Scott Green, NFLRA's executive director. "We have been fortunate to have them as colleagues and friends. They will be missed on the field, but will always be a part of our fraternity."

Police: Brady's missing Super Bowl jerseys tracked to Mexico By Mark Pratt and Peter Orsi Associated Press March 21, 2017 The mystery of Tom Brady's missing Super Bowl jersey led police all the way to Mexico, and authorities were investigating a former tabloid newspaper executive's possible role in the theft. Police and the NFL announced Monday that Brady's jersey, which disappeared from the locker room after the Patriots' 34-28 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons last month, had been found in Mexico. The NFL said the jersey was in "possession of a credentialed member of the international media." U.S. and Mexican officials have not yet identified the suspect, but the name of a former newspaper director circulated widely in Mexican news media and on social networks. The newspaper's owner, Organizacion Editorial Mexicana, issued a statement saying the director had resigned from La Prensa on March 14 for "personal reasons." The company learned only Monday of his possible involvement in the jersey case, it said. The paper said that if the accusations are true, it "strongly condemns" that the employee used his position "to obtain a media accreditation to be able to access the field of play, news conferences and probably other areas of NRG Stadium." The company apologized and said its leaders had been unaware of "the regrettable and reprehensible actions (he) presumably committed," and said it had not been contacted by Mexican authorities about the case. No arrests had been made as of late Monday. The Associated Press is not identifying the director because he has not been charged. Brady, in a statement emailed to the AP from his agent, Don Yee, expressed gratitude to investigators but said he hadn't yet been reunited with the jerseys. "I am happy my jerseys from SB 49 and SB 51 have been recovered, and I want to thank all of the law enforcement agencies involved," Brady said. "I know they worked hard on this case — and it is very much appreciated. Hopefully when I get the jerseys back I can make something very positive come from this experience." The missing jersey — and the subsequent investigation — captivated Patriots fans and social media for several days after the Super Bowl. "If it shows up on eBay or something, somebody let me know," Brady said after the game. Houston police investigators relied on a tip from an informant to trace the jersey, estimated to be worth about $500,000, to Mexico.

It wasn't the only piece of memorabilia recovered. Police also located a Brady jersey that had gone missing after the Patriots' 2015 Super Bowl win over the Seattle Seahawks. A Super Bowl helmet belonging to a Denver Broncos player also was found, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. Houston police chief Art Acevedo proudly congratulated his team on finding the jersey, but was equally quick to say it wasn't a "top priority" in a city with violent crime. He described the theft as the only blemish on an otherwise successful Super Bowl. "You don't come to Texas and embarrass us here on our home turf," Acevedo said. A Patriots spokeswoman said the team had no comment. The jerseys are in the possession of the NFL and FBI in Boston, and law enforcement was working to authenticate them, the chief said. "We are highly confident that these are the jerseys," Acevedo said.

NFL notifies Broncos of 'potential' stolen Von Miller helmet after locating stolen Tom Brady jerseys By Troy Renck KMGH March 21, 2017 The search for missing Super Bowl 51 memorabilia is over, but the case may have widened as the NFL confirmed a stash of gear has been located outside of the country. Some of that memorabilia includes a Broncos helmet, potentially from Super Bowl 50. The Broncos said in a statement it could "potentially" belong to Von Miller, the Super Bowl 50 MVP. “We have been in contact with NFL security regarding a Denver Broncos helmet that could potentially belong to Von Miller. As it is an ongoing investigation, we will defer all additional questions and inquiries to the NFL," the team said in a statement. Stolen items were located in the possession of a "credentialed member of the international media," according to the NFL following an intense investigation by Houston Police and the FBI. Those items were returned to the NFL, which assigned personnel to the investigation. "We are reviewing a Broncos' helmet that was retrieved as part of the on-going investigation," the NFL said in a statement. Houston Police said Monday they did not make the case a top priority, but commended officers who invested countless hours and developed sources who led them to a credential holder in Mexico. Investigation began immediately following Super Bowl 51, as Brady could not locate his jersey — which Police valued at $500,000 — after placing it inside his bag. Police in Houston only confirmed locating the Super Bowl 51 jersey, along with a second Tom Brady jersey stolen from Super Bowl 49. They would not confirm any other located items. The FBI declined to comment to Denver7, citing an ongoing investigation, however Mexican newspaper La Prensa announced a public apology on Monday after connecting the dots between the case and one of their editors. La Prensa officials said they accepted the resignation of the newspaper's director, Martín Mauricio Ortega Camberos, a week ago, but only just connected his resignation to the investigation after police revealed new details. In a release, La Prensa editors apologized for Camberos' alleged conduct while he held La Prensa media credentials.

The editorial board wrote that if true, the board "strongly reprimands the conduct of (Camberos), who taking advantage of the position he held, used the newspaper La Prensa to obtain accreditation of the media and access to the field of play press conferences and probably other areas of NRG Stadium." La Prensa officials called the revelation a "surprise and embarrassment" to the newspaper, saying they will cooperate with police to help take legal actions if necessary. It's not yet known if the suspect is in custody or what charges he may face.

John Elway gets behind fourth-quarter drive for Neil Gorsuch's Supreme Court bid By Joey Bunch Colorado Springs Gazette March 21, 2017 As the Senate Judiciary Committee began confirmation hearings for Judge Neil Gorsuch's nomination for the U.S. Supreme Court Monday, Denver Bronco John Elway threw in his support for the Coloradan on Broncos letterhead. The letter was addressed to the Senate Judiciary Committee. "A native of Colorado, Neil has demonstrated tremendous intelligence, character and fairness while serving more than a decade on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit," wrote the former quarterback turned general manager and executive vice president for football. "His credentials, integrity and sound moral compass are major reasons why he has already received so much bipartisan support for the nomination." Patrick Smyth, the Broncos' vice president of public relations, said in a Tuesday afternoon tweet that the letter was written on Elway's personal letterhead, citing the left margin, and that "his endorsement is independent of the Denver Broncos." Elway has dabbled in politics before, supporting conservative candidates and last fall expressing his concern about ColoradoCare and other issues. He has been coy about his interest in future public office, however. Elway's letter got a shout-out during Monday's hearings, when Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner noted that Gorsuch could be the second Coloradan to serve on the high court, joining Byron White, who was an All-American at the University of Colorado before playing in the NFL. Gorsuch would be "the only Coloradan serving on the Supreme Court who did not break the NFL rushing record," Gardner said. "But the good news is that he does have the endorsement of No. 7, John Elway, of the great Denver Broncos."

Reports: Leaping ban, full-time refs, shortened overtimes among NFL competition committee proposals By Staff USA Today March 21, 2017 When the NFL's annual spring meeting begins next week in Phoenix, the competition committee could give owners several notable rule changes to consider. Among the proposals the committee will put forth are a ban on defensive players leaping over the line of scrimmage on field goals and extra point attempts, shortening the overtime period to 10 minutes and the implementation of full-time officials, according to multiple reports. All 32 NFL owners will vote on any proposed rule change, with 24 votes required for passage. The NFL Players Association lobbied for the ban on allowing players to vault over the offensive line to block kicks, according to The Washington Post. Defenders are currently permitted to jump over their opponents on such plays so long as they do not land on another player or use their hands or arms to gain leverage. The action has been a source of extended controversy, with Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians calling leaps "bad for football" after Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner blocked one field goal and helped force a miss on another in a 6-6 tie in October. “The jumping over on the field goal, I think, is just leading to a really dangerous play for everybody,” Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle and NFLPA president Eric Winston told The Post at the NFL scouting combine. “If you jump over the center, the jumper is in a really bad spot. He can land on his head. I think the guys that are getting jumped over are going to end up getting hurt, with those guys landing on them." Among the other proposals on the docket according to The Post were automatic suspensions for players on particularly egregious hits and having replay rulings determined by league officiating members in New York. The competition committee is also pondering an overtime period reduced from 15 minutes to 10, NFL Network reported. Designating officials as full-time employees, a longstanding talking point within the NFL, also is under consideration, according to ESPN. USA TODAY Sports' Tom Pelissero reported in February that the competition committee was also looking at clarifying its celebration rules after a spike in "demonstration" penalties last season.

Tom Brady's stolen Super Bowl jersey found By A.J. Perez and Linda Burbank USA Today March 21, 2017 Tom Brady’s missing jersey from Super Bowl LI has been found in Mexico, along with the jersey the New England Patriots quarterback wore in the Super Bowl two years earlier, Houston police chief Art Acevedo told reporters on Monday. The NFL said in a statement that investigation from the FBI, NFL security and Texas law enforcement officials discovered the jerseys in the possession of a “credentialed member of the international media.” Acevedo said efforts are underway to authenticate the jerseys, which are "in the hands of the NFL and FBI" in Boston. Executive Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Lowery told USA TODAY Sports "there have not been charges or an arrest in the matter involving the recovered jerseys" since the authentication process has not been completed. Brady discovered the jersey was missing shortly after returning from the 34-28 overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons to the Patriots’ locker room following his post-Super Bowl media obligations. It was previously unreported that Brady's game-worn jersey from Super Bowl XLIX had gone missing. "I am happy my jersey from SB 49 and SB 51 have been recovered, and I want to thank all of the law enforcement agencies involved," Brady said in a statement released via his agent, Don Yee. "I know they worked hard on this case - and it is very much appreciated. Hopefully when I get the jerseys back I can make something very positive come from this experience." The NFL also reached out to the Denver Broncos regarding a recovered helmet that might belong to Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller. “We have been in contact with NFL security regarding a Denver Broncos helmet that could potentially belong to Von Miller," the Broncos said in a statement. "As it is an ongoing investigation, we will refer all additional questions and inquiries to the NFL." Acevedo said recovering the jersey was "not the highest priority" of his department. "I told them not to burn the midnight oil," Acevedo said. "If it was that important (to the NFL), you'd have better security measures inside the locker room. By the same token, it's Texas. We have a lot of organizational pride. Our mayor and our (city) council put a lot of effort in welcoming the world to the city of Houston. The only blemish was the theft from the locker room."

Texans or Broncos: What’s the better fit for Tony Romo? By Cameron DaSilva FoxSports.com March 21, 2017 The Dallas Cowboys are all but certain to cut ties with Tony Romo this offseason, ending his 13-year run with America’s Team. When he does inevitably move on from Dallas, he’ll have a handful of suitors, but the most likely landing spots by far are the Texans and Broncos. Both have a need at quarterback and have the cap space available to fit Romo’s salary. By landing him, each team would become an immediate Super Bowl contender, assuming he can stay healthy. So which team is the better fit for Romo? We broke it down in 10 parts. Offensive line: Texans The Texans didn’t have a great offensive line in 2016, but it was far better than Denver’s. The Broncos struggled to protect their quarterbacks last season, surrendering 40 sacks, which was the ninth-most in the NFL. The Texans, on the other hand, allowed just 32 sacks – 12th fewest in the league. Denver also let Russell Okung walk in free agency, leaving a hole at left tackle. The Texans have Duane Brown, who allowed just one sack all season. That’s the type of protection Romo needs. Not what Denver has to offer. With his injury history and fragility, Romo has to be able to stand upright in the pocket, otherwise he’ll be in danger of missing significant time. Defense: Broncos Both teams have terrific defenses. The Texans were first in yards allowed last season while Denver was fourth, despite Houston allowing nearly two points more per game. The loss of cornerback A.J. Bouye significantly hurts the Texans, even if they are getting J.J. Watt back in 2017. Denver’s defense is elite from the defensive line all the way back to its safeties. And at cornerback, the Broncos are more loaded than any team in the NFL. Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Roby give them arguably the best trio around. The defense doesn’t have a direct impact on Romo’s play, but if you watched the Cowboys for the past five years, you’ll understand how much it can help a quarterback. Remember the shootout Romo lost to Peyton Manning and the Broncos in 2013 when the Cowboys put up 48 points? Dallas had no defense. Wide receivers: Toss-up This is a coin flip. The Broncos have savvy veterans in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, but Houston’s core of young receivers includes DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller and Braxton Miller. The Texans have more explosive playmakers on the outside, but Fuller and Miller are relatively unproven as consistent receivers up to this point.

The potential is greater in Houston, but Romo knows what he’s getting in Denver. Thomas is a big possession receiver with good speed, whereas Sanders can win on underneath routes out of the slot. Regardless of which team he (potentially) goes to, Romo is going to have a strong group of receivers. Coaching staff: Texans Had Gary Kubiak still been in Denver, the Broncos would have gotten the nod here. Unfortunately, he suddenly stepped away from coaching, giving way to Vance Joseph as the new head coach. It’s not that Joseph isn’t a good coach, but he’s a defensive guy. Coordinator Mike McCoy has a strong grasp of the offense, but he’s also in his first year with the Broncos. Bill O’Brien will call plays for the Texans this season, which would be a good thing for Romo. He has a good understanding of Houston’s offense and has a track record of getting the most out of quarterbacks – with the exception of Brock Osweiler, of course. Ultimately, it comes down to Romo being more comfortable with a veteran offensive coach over a rookie who’s only been on the defensive side of the ball. Fan base: Broncos When it comes to fan bases, there’s no doubt Houston’s is growing. However, there are far fewer Texans fans than there are Broncos supporters. The Broncos have a huge following all across the country, which is something the Texans don’t have. Heck, there’s often a great deal of Cowboys gear being sold in Houston throughout the year. Romo would bring more fans to Houston, but he would be revered in Denver much like the way Peyton Manning was when he came over from the Colts. Broncos fans would fall in love with Romo and support him through thick and thin. Texans fans would probably do the same, but on a far smaller scale. Location: Texans Romo has roots in Texas. He has two kids with a third on the way, and uprooting them to flee for another city will be hard enough. Moving his family to Denver would be infinitely harder than it would be to move them four hours away to Houston. Keeping his family in the Lone Star State would be a huge win for Romo. In addition to staying close to his current home, Houston’s conditions are far better than Denver’s. The Texans play in a dome, as do the AFC South rival Colts. The Titans are a fair-weather team, and the Jaguars play in sunny Florida. That’s 11 games Romo will play in relatively good weather, compared to having to play in snowy Denver and freezing Kansas City nine times a year. Romo isn’t young anymore, and playing in ideal conditions could certainly lengthen his career. Front office: Broncos The Broncos have one of the best front offices in the league. John Elway is the mastermind behind it all, consistently showing the ability to lure big-name free agents. Elway would make sure Romo had the supporting cast he needed to succeed in Denver, and though I don’t doubt Rick Smith would do the same in Houston, Elway has a better track record. This probably isn’t as important as the other factors because of the fact that Romo’s stay would likely be short, but it is worth mentioning. Path to the Super Bowl: Texans

This comes down to which teams Romo will have to face on a potential path to the Super Bowl. It was also the easiest category to choose. The AFC South consists of the Colts, Jaguars and Titans, who combined to win 20 games in 2016. The Broncos, on the other hand, have to go through the gauntlet known as the AFC West. The Chiefs, Chargers and Raiders won 29 games combined last season, which doesn’t even include Denver’s 9-7 record. It was arguably the best division in the NFL, and it’s only going to get tougher. The Raiders are loaded again with Derek Carr coming back from injury, the Chargers will be healthy again, and the Chiefs are always contenders out West. It’d be far easier for Romo to nab a division title with the Texans than it would be with the Broncos, and it’s not even close. Running game: Texans When C.J. Anderson went down with an injury last season, the Broncos’ offense took a hit. They finished 27th in rushing compared to eighth for the Texans, who have Lamar Miller as a staple in the backfield. Anderson is expected to be healthy next season, but he’s never rushed for more than 1,000 yards in a season and has just 19 career starts. With Denver’s offensive line looking a bit suspect, there’s no guarantee he’ll be a consistent threat out of the backfield. In Miller, the Texans have a do-it-all back. He can be a home run threat, run between the tackles and catch passes as a receiver. He rushed for 1,073 yards in just 14 games last season after surpassing 1,000 yards in 2014 with the Dolphins. If he gets a consistent workload, he can be a perennial Pro Bowler for the Texans. He’d help Romo greatly, much as DeMarco Murray did in 2014. Legacy: Broncos What was Peyton Manning’s legacy before he went to Denver? He was often viewed as a surefire Hall of Famer who failed in the postseason. With the Broncos, he made it to two Super Bowls, winning one, and cemented his place as an all-time great. That second championship did wonders for his standing in NFL history, putting to rest the claims that he couldn’t get it done when it mattered most. If Romo were to go to the Broncos and win a Super Bowl, it might be enough to get him into the Hall of Fame. That doesn’t mean his legacy would be diminished by winning one in Houston, but there’s a certain aura about winning a ring with the Broncos under the watch of John Elway. Final tally Texans: 5 Broncos: 4 Tie: 1 By this scientific breakdown, the Texans are the better fit for Tony Romo. All that's left is for the Cowboys to set this whole thing in motion. Your move, Jerry.

John Elway endorses Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee but not on official Broncos letterhead By Eric Edholm Yahoo.com March 21, 2017 Denver Broncos executive John Elway wrote a letter to urge the Senate Judiciary Committee to confirm Colorado’s Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. Gorsuch is President Donald Trump’s nominee for the open seat and — if appointed — would give the court a 5-4 edge of conservative justices appointed by Republican presidents to four liberal justices, making it a politically crucial nomination. There had been reports that the endorsement was written on official team letterhead, but this was denied by a Broncos team spokesman. @psmyth12 Not Broncos letterhead. Was written on John's personal letterhead (see left margin) & his endorsement is independent of the Denver Broncos. https://twitter.com/MediaMarcus/status/843879278815121409 … The stick-to-sports crowd will have fun with this one. More and more, it seems it’s tougher to separate the two. Elway lauds Gorsuch’s “tremendous intelligence, character and fairness,” as well as “his credentials, integrity and sound moral compass” as reasons why he thinks Gorsuch would be a good justice in our country’s highest court. Added Elway: “Neil is a big Denver Broncos fan, and I can tell you that I’m a big fan of his.” For years, Elway has been active in politics and was said for years — before reentering the NFL with the Broncos’ front office — to be a possible candidate for several high offices, even being asked a few months ago if he plans to run for governor of Colorado in 2018. That said, he typically has kept a lower profile when it comes to throwing out public support, and the presence of a big orange horse on his Gorsuch letter raised a few eyebrows and questions. Any perceived ties to Trump’s presidency, even if privately supported, are touchy turf these days for sports figures. The New England Patriots — namely Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft — have done what they can to distance themselves from Trump’s politics, even with some personal ties between the men. It will be interesting to see if Elway comments publicly on his Gorsuch endorsement. Of course, Elway’s contract soon runs out and has yet to be extended. Perhaps a career in politics isn’t the craziest thing for his future.

When NFL Contracts Want a Pound of Flesh By Andrew Brandt MMQB March 21, 2017 Some observations from the past week, using my experiences to add some perspective…

The Weight of Expectations

I cringed when I saw reports that Eddie Lacy’s deal with the Seahawks includes weight clauses, with maximum earnings of $385,000. I get that he has struggled with weight (he reportedly weighed in at 267 last week), but I learned the hard way—as an agent and team executive—that these clauses are counterproductive and detrimental to a player’s health.

In the days, hours and even minutes before scheduled weigh-ins, I discovered that players would sit in saunas and steam rooms, run on the treadmill in rubber suits and, among other tactics, use diuretics to drain water weight. Whether they made their target weight or not, these methods would deplete them of strength and glycogen storage for days or weeks to come. Teams should have evolved their approach by now; they could use measurements for body fat or take DEXA scans, which measure bone density. These methods would be more productive and beneficial for both the team and player. This is an area ripe for change.

Packer Principles

The Packers said goodbye to Eddie Lacy, Jared Cook, Julius Peppers, TJ Lang and JC Tretter in free agency this offseason. The departures have prompted the same question I’ve heard for almost 20 years: Why isn’t Green Bay more aggressive in retaining players or adding new ones? I always answer this question by asking another: “What part of Ted Thompson do you not understand?”

I have known Ted since the day I started with the Packers, in February 1999, when Ron Wolf told me to sit in an office with a white-haired guy who didn’t say much (that would be Ted). Ted believed then, as he does now, that free-agent waters are dangerous. He wonders, as I always did, about players whose incumbent teams did not go to great lengths to sign them. The Packers’ resisted paying “retail” for the players mentioned above, yet gave a stunning deal to linebacker Nick Perry and surprised us with a top-of-market contract for tight end Martellus Bennett. We were always willing to pay to retain core players and even shock the league now and then with a marquee free agent, such as Charles Woodson and Julius Peppers.

Many teams seem to change plans and spending patterns from year to year; the Packers are who they are. What part of Ted Thompson do you not understand?

Marshawn Matters

Having sat for years between John Schneider and Reggie McKenzie, now the general managers for the Seahawks and Raiders, I feel like I should broker a Marshawn Lynch trade between the two. They were

former colleagues of mine in Green Bay, and I remember how frustrated both were when the Bills drafted Lynch ahead of us in the first round of the 2007 draft.

A trade, of course, isn’t as easy as it may seem. Lynch had an existing contract when he retired, which was tolled (frozen) when he went on the Seahawks’ reserve/retired list. Lynch can petition for reinstatement, at which time the Seahawks have to either activate him to their 90-man roster or release him. Although the Seahawks would not want to keep him, because he has a high salary and no interest in playing for them, Seattle could activate him to engage in trade negotiations. They could also release Lynch from the reserve/retired list, allowing him to do what he pleases. It will be intriguing to watch two general managers who are as close as any in the NFL potentially working out this transaction.

Funny Money

As Peter King pointed out yesterday, NFL free agency has reduced to a crawl barely 10 days into it, even with teams having roughly $750 million in collective salary cap room available. A couple points to reset any spending expectations here:

First, spending minimums are accounted every four years, with the most recent accounting having been completed after last season. They must spend 89% of the cap over a four-year inspection period, but the next accounting is after the 2020 season.

Perhaps more importantly, these minimums are based on the unadjusted cap ($167 million this year) rather than team adjusted caps that include amounts rolled over from previous years. In other words, to spend 89% of the unadjusted cap, approximately $150 million, teams with adjusted (true) cap exceeding $200 million (Browns, Jaguars, 49ers, Titans, etc) only have to spend about 75% of their cap for the minimum thresholds.

Ware Wisdom

A week ago Sunday I was in Austin, Texas, at the South By Southwest Conference. I was there to speak about sports and gambling, but I also had a chance to listen to an athlete panel that included DeMarcus Ware. He spoke compellingly about proper care and training both body and mind. He even dished some simple advice such as, “If your stomach hurts when you eat ice cream, then don’t eat ice cream.” As a fitness and nutrition nerd, I was in my element. The next day Ware retired, now keeping his elite fitness intact for himself, not for a team.

His retirement brings me back to the Packers’ War Room during the first round of the 2005 draft. Before selecting Aaron Rodgers later in the round, there was an audible groan when the Cowboys picked Ware, one of our targeted players. The NFL could be a different place today if somehow Ware had still been on the board when our pick came up.

Bang for the Buc

As readers of this space know, I have been critical of teams’ “credit card” salary cap management strategy of overusing prorated signing bonuses, whether initially in contracts or in future renegotiations. It is a vicious cycle that prevents teams from playing with a full deck in team building. I much prefer a proven “pay as you go” philosophy that 1) matches cap and cash as evenly as possible and 2) leaves behind little to no leftover cap charges when there might be a separation (which there always is). One team drawing my admiration here is the Buccaneers.

The free-agent contracts for DeSean Jackson and Chris Baker match cap and cash evenly—Jackson has $12.5 million this year in both categories, Baker has $6 million— and no (zero) proration. If they are “one and done,” before nonguaranteed salaries in 2018 and 2019, they will leave behind a no (zero) cap charge (by comparison, Tony Romo will leave behind $19 million on the Cowboys’ cap). Bravo to the Bucs; “pay as you go” keeps teams ahead of the curve in NFL cap management.

Good Luck Dwight

Like many others of a certain age who remember “The Catch” so vividly, my heart goes out to Dwight Clark, who publicly acknowledged his battle with ALS. I have seen the ravaging power of this disease up close with a former family member; with Kevin Turner, a face of the NFL concussion litigation who passed away this year; and with Steve Gleason, who turned 40 on Sunday.

Many may not remember, but Clark was general manager of the reincarnated Cleveland Browns, coming into the NFL as an executive in the same year I did, 1999, and serving until 2002. I always enjoyed being around Clark at league meetings, where he was an energetic and refreshing presence. As so many have already done, I’m wishing him strength in his battle.

Competition committee to propose 10-min overtimes By Staff NFL.com March 21, 2017 Is overtime about to get a makeover? When the NFL Competition Committee gathers for next week's Annual League Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, shortening the game's "fifth quarter" will go under the microscope. NFL Network's Judy Battista tweeted Monday that the committee will propose reducing both preseason and regular-season overtime periods from 15 minutes to 10 minutes. Postseason games would keep the traditional 15-minute time limit. Why the proposal? Battista reported the committee believes there is a "real disadvantage" for a team playing an entire 15-minute overtime period before having to turn around and play a Thursday night game the following week. The idea is simply in the proposal stage right now -- and not guaranteed to pass -- but it's certainly one of the more intriguing potential rule changes in some time. In addition, Battista reported the committee also will propose to have officials, probably the referee, to be phased in to full-time positions by 2020.

Tom Brady jersey culprit may have Von Miller Super Bowl 50 gear, too By Mike Florio Pro Football Talk March 21, 2017 Once is an accident. Twice is a trend. Three times is a way of life. The member of the international media who has emerged as a primary suspect in the Tom Brady jersey heist didn’t steal things only at Super Bowl XLIX and Super Bowl LI. The person apparently also stole things at the Super Bowl that occurred in between those two games. Via Jay Glazer of FOX, the culprit also may have stolen Broncos linebacker Von Miller’s helmet after Super Bowl 50. With three straight Super Bowls resulting in the theft of items from three straight Super Bowl MVPs, the question becomes whether MVPs or other key players from Super Bowl XLVIII or prior Super Bowls had things stolen. Whether Malcolm Smith, Joe Flacco, Eli Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Santonio Holmes, or any other MVPs, it makes sense to ask each of them whether they had anything bogarted from the Super Bowl.

John Elway endorses Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch By Darin Gantt Pro Football Talk March 21, 2017 As endorsements for lifetime appointments go, this could be even more significant than Tom Brady stumping for Jason Taylor to get to the Hall of Fame. Via Peter Marcus of the Colorado Springs Gazette, Broncos executive John Elway sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, endorsing conservative Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. Elway described the Colorado native as having “tremendous intelligence, character and fairness,” while pointing out that he’s a big Broncos fan — which is obviously important for people whose job is to interpret the Constitution. Though the letterhead has a huge Broncos logo across the top, the team was careful to point out that it was Elway’s personal letterhead and that the endorsement was independent of the team. Of course, that’s largely a moot point, for a few reasons. First and foremost, John Elway is the Broncos and the Broncos are John Elway. He’s the best player in franchise history and runs the place, so trying to draw a line between him and their functions seems irrelevant. And he’s long been involved in Republican politics, as have other team officials (including team president Joe Ellis who is nephew of former President George H.W. Bush and thus the cousin of President George W. Bush). So while the team might feel uncomfortable with a blatant political endorsement, it’s also a fairly obvious stance that he’d take. Being the boss apparently allows you to take such public positions without being labeled a distraction.