Broncos' John Fox signs new contract, can make AFC West history

The Denver Broncos announced on Saturday that head coach John Fox has signed a new, three-year contract with the team. The new deal will keep Fox in Denver through the 2016 season.

“We are pleased to reach this agreement with John Fox, who has played a key role in the success and improvement of the Broncos during the last three seasons," Broncos general manager John Elway said in a statement. "While our team has made progress each year under Coach Fox, we both understand that there is still work to be done for us to reach our ultimate goal."

According to reports, Fox's three-year deal is worth $16.5 million. It's not a lucrative deal—eight NFL coaches earn more than $6 million annually—but it shows that Denver is committed to Fox.

With Denver the favorite to win the AFC West again in 2014, Fox is on track to become the first coach in AFC West history since John Madden to win four consecutive division titles. The San Diego Chargers were the last team in the division to claim four straight titles (2006-2009), but that was under two different head coaches—Marty Schottenheimer and Norv Turner.

It's been thirty-eight years since Madden led the Oakland Raiders to five consecutive division titles from 1972-1976; no AFC West coach has won more than three-straight since then. Fox is primed to be the first, owning a 34-14 record with the Broncos, including a 26-6 mark over the last two seasons.

Denver is hoping the third time will be the charm for Fox, who has reached two Super Bowls—XXXIII with the Panthers in 2004 and XLVIII with the Broncos in 2014—in the last decade. Fox is just the sixth coach in NFL history to have led two different teams to a Super Bowl.

The Broncos last Super Bowl victory came in 1999 when then-quarterback Elway led the team to a 34-19 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII. Mike Shanahan was Denver's coach at the time.

Week 8 Notes: King Claimed by Panthers; Broncos Sign Chad Bumphis

(Tavarres King)

The Denver Broncos have signed rookie wide receiver Chad Bumphis to their practice squad unit, the team announced on Tuesday. Bumphis fills a practice squad spot that was formerly occupied by rookie receiver Tavarres King.

King has been on Denver's practice squad for the first six games of the season before the Green Bay Packers tried to sign him to their active roster. To prevent Green Bay from signing him, the Broncos activated King to their 53-man roster one week ago today.

Just days after activating King, however, the Broncos waived him to make room for Von Miller, who was returning from suspension, on the active roster.  King was then claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers.

It is unclear why the Broncos prevented King from signing with the Packers and then waived him—it may have been that the team was expecting King to clear waivers so they could re-sign him to their practice squad. He didn't clear waivers, so the Broncos went with Bumphis, who caught nine passes for 138 yards in preseason with the Miami Dolphins.

New Broncos practice squadder Chad Bumphis played 81 snaps in preseason (+2.0) with Dolphins. 97% of routes run from the slot.
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) October 22, 2013

On a different note, the Broncos have declared this week "Orange Sunday" and are encouraging fans to wear orange when Denver hosts the Washington Redskins at home on Sunday. This week's game will mark Mike Shanahan's first return to Denver since being fired as head coach in 2008. Shanahan's Redskins are 2-4.

Film Room: Cornerback Nigel Malone vs. TCU (2012 Season)

The Denver Broncos claimed rookie cornerback Nigel Malone off waivers on Thursday.  In the East-West Shrine Game in January, Malone shined, returning an interception 30 yards for a score.

Below is film of Malone from last season against Texas Christian University:


Malone's Wildcats won the game, 23-10.  Read my observations from the film after the jump.

Denver Broncos Claim Rookie Cornerback Nigel Malone Off Waivers

After learning on Wednesday that cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will miss four-to-five weeks with a high ankle sprain, the Denver Broncos turned to the waiver wire to bring in additional depth.

The #Broncos have been assigned CB Nigel Malone via waivers from Pittsburgh.
— Denver Broncos (@DenverBroncos) August 1, 2013

The team signed Nigel Malone (5'10", 180 pounds), an undrafted rookie out of Kansas State University that was waived by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday.  In his final two seasons, Malone recorded 12 interceptions as a Wildcat.

The Broncos are already deep at the cornerback position, so Malone will face an uphill battle to make the final roster.  For now, he will provide camp depth in the secondary.

Denver Broncos Sign Free-Agent Center Ryan Lilja to One-Year Contract

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is going to be reunited with one of his former offensive lineman.

No, not Jeff Saturday.

Ryan Lilja (31, 6'2", 290 pounds) spent five seasons (2004-09) with the Indianapolis Colts as a guard, winning a Super Bowl (XLI) along the way. On Wednesday, Lilja agreed to terms with the Broncos, team executive John Elway announced.

In 2010, Lilja signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he spent the last three seasons.  Following the Chiefs' dismal 2012 season, Lilja retired.  But when given the chance to reunite with Manning and perhaps win the starting job in Denver, he agreed to come out of retirement.