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Keeping Tabs on the AFC West: Did the Denver Broncos upgrade when Mike McCoy left town?

This week, in Keeping Tabs on the AFC West: why Mike McCoy's successor in Denver might be an upgrade, how the Chiefs could set a world record this season and the awesomeness that is Chris Kluwe using Google glass to record himself punting.

USA TODAY Sports

Welcome back again to Keeping Tabs, where Bolts From the Blue aggregates the news from around the division into a single post for your reading ease and convenience. With training camp starting up around the league this week, I thought there was no better time than now to start this segment back up again - and hopefully this time it'll stay for good.

Denver Broncos

The Pick Six

  1. Broncos fans should admire and appreciate Peyton Manning's greatness for all it's worth while it's still unfolding before their eyes.
  2. Former running back Terrell Davis is making his return to the NFL - only this time around he'll don a suit and tie instead of a helmet and pads.
  3. Denver had significant interest in Will Witherspoon before the veteran linebacker re-signed with St. Louis this past week.
  4. Brian Shrout of Mile High Report makes the case for why there's a good chance Mike McCoy's successor in Denver is an upgrade.
  5. The two Broncos executives who were arrested for drunk driving this offseason have been suspended by the team - one for a month, the other indefinitely.
  6. Left tackle Ryan Clady wasn't sure whether he would get a long-term extension done with the Broncos before the deadline.

Under Review

A Fanpost on Mile High Report hints that in order for the Broncos to go on a deep run in the playoffs, they must become a little more balanced on offense. There's little doubt that a better running game in Denver wouldn't hurt, however is it really necessary? This is a team that was one fluke play from the AFC Championship Game last year - and then they went and added Wes Welker to the mix this offseason. That alone should allow Peyton Manning to tie defenses into even bigger knots than he did last year, which is a scary, scary thought. I think they'll be just fine, running game or not.

Muffed Punt

Von Miller could be facing a four-game suspension after he reportedly tested positive for two banned substances. At first, I was pretty happy about this for obvious reasons until it was reported that one of the substances possibly was molly. Now we all have to deal with the jokesters on Twitter reminding us of that one terrible song for the next couple months. Fan-freaking-tastic. (And if you don't know what song I'm talking about, keep it that way, trust me.)

That's what she said:

"I know I did nothing wrong."

- Von Miller, responding to the reports about his suspension.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Pick Six

  1. Rookie safety Sanders Commings broke his collarbone in the Chiefs' first training camp practice on Tuesday.
  2. Chiefs players will get a paycheck for their time in training camp; it just won't be what they're used to.
  3. Tight end Tony Moeaki and wide receiver Donnie Avery were cleared for practice on Monday after being sidelined all offseason.
  4. Chiefs fans have the battle cry in full effect as they fight for a chance at the world record for the loudest crowd at a sporting event.
  5. Cornerback Brandon Flowers believes the Chiefs can be the best secondary in the NFL this season.
  6. It was an all-around tough season for the Chiefs in 2012, but Brady Quinn had no problem finding some positives to take away from it.

Under Review

The No. 1 overall pick Eric Fisher still remains deadlocked in contract negotiations with the Chiefs. The holdup is reportedly over offset language, which would give the team a credit on any guaranteed money still owed to Fisher in the amount he receives from another team if he's cut. Although this seems like a ridiculous thing to fight over since it's exceedingly rare that a team would give up on such high pick so soon, it would be bad business for the Chiefs not try to limit their risk. And this is all just a business, after all, lest we forget.

Muffed Punt

Former Chiefs running back Larry Johnson avoided jail time after he was accused of domestic violence. He received probation, community service, mandatory counseling and a slap-on-the-wrist fine, which all seems to be a little light considering the crime and his history with this sort of thing. In any case, hopefully this marks the end of Johnson's run-ins with the law, especially in regards to domestic violence.

That's what she said:

"I can't give you a time."

- Andy Reid, on when Eric Fisher's deal might be done.

Oakland Raiders

The Pick Six

  1. The Raiders signed DJ Hayden and Menelik Watson on Thursday, who were the last two players left to be signed from the team's 2013 draft class.
  2. Levi Damien of Silver and Black Pride believes the Raiders should sign linebacker Joe Mays, who was released by the Broncos earlier this week.
  3. Former Broncos GM Ted Sundquist remembers the exact moment that the Broncos-Raiders rivalry escalated to its present-day level.
  4. Raiders fans are praying that Von Miller's suspension holds up so they can at least have some glimmer of hope of defeating the Broncos this season.
  5. The Raiders are holding their own version of American Idol this season.
  6. Jason LaCanfora tells why the only option for the Raiders to get a new stadium in the Bay Area might be to ask the 49ers to share.

Under Review

Cornerback Tracy Porter wasn't happy this week when number 24 was, in his words, "taken from [him] and given to [Charles Woodson]." Now, usually it's customary in the NFL for players to negotiate and reach some sort of deal - ordinarily involving money - in a number dispute. If we take Porter at his word, it doesn't seem like that really took place here, and if not, then he has plenty reason to be a little upset. It's reasonable to suspect, however, that this isn't really the whole story and negotiations actually did take place but Porter stupidly played hardball with Woodson and forced the front office to step in. Either way, there should be plenty of awkwardness for DB drills during Raiders training camp.

Muffed Punt

Now, I usually like to include something negative in this section (and usually that's pretty easy with the Raiders), but I ran across this video and just had to include it here. It's Raiders punter Chris Kluwe using Google glass to record his typical practice routine. Enjoy.


How awesome would it be if a quarterback wore that gadget for a passing drill?

That's what she said:

"[I]t's just the principle and the way it was handled."

- Tracy Porter, on the number 24 controversy in Oakland.