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The Denver Post is reporting that the New England Patriots have claimed injured Denver safety Josh Barrett off waivers.

I wonder if that helps Josh McDaniels' and Bill Belichick's relationship. It is rare for teams to claim injured players off waivers. Barrett is a strong special teams player, who has some experience at safety.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen points out some of the reasons why there is renewed hope in Oakland these days.

Oakland coach Tom Cable, in a radio interview, talks about all the improvements he believes his team has made.

In an interview with Fanhouse, Kansas City guard Brian Waters had some harsh words for NFL Commissioner’s Roger Goodell’s stance with players regarding his role in labor talks.

"I mean, that's almost like a slap in the face to our intelligence," Waters said. "We know the owners are paying him. Don't take us for granted as far as our understanding of what's going on here."

Water is a bright, classy guy. If he shows public fire, he must really mean it.

While there is injury despair in Denver, there is a bright spot in training camp.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen Sunday reported that the NFL will require Oakland coach Tom Cable to undergo an evaluation by a doctor and psychologist as part of its investigation into allegations of assault made by Oakland defensive assistant Randy Hanson.

Also, Mortensen reported Kansas City running back Larry Johnson may be leaning toward not fighting the team if it decides to deactivate him or pursue other discipline after his one-game suspension ends Monday.

The future of Johnson, who is 75 yards away from becoming Kansas City’s all-time leading rusher, in Kansas City could depend on how young running backs Jamaal Charles and Kolby Smith perform Sunday at Jacksonville.

New Kansas City receiver Chris Chambers is active and will play some today. Chambers was claimed Tuesday after he was cut by San Diego.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

Interesting move by Chiefs coach Todd Haley. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that Haley took his coaching staff off the practice field Friday after a sloppy session by his 0-4 team.

Haley borrowed a page from mentor Bill Parcells with the move. It caused the players to take control of the practice and be more accountable. So far, it seems to be working. The Chiefs were leading Dallas 10-3 at the half.

There is more smoke to the Mike Shanahan-to-Washington talk. I truly believe he will end up in D.C.

Fox Sports reported Sunday that the Raiders are calling teams offering virtually everyone but the team’s young players who have potential in a trade. Does that mean star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha could be acquired by the Oct. 20 trade deadline?

Asomugha is 28 and he is in the prime of his career. I couldn’t see Oakland trading him. But I can see Oakland looking to get rid of other veterans in the next nine days.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Because most trades occur before the draft, the market for a number of vulnerable AFC West players has diminished. Let's take a look at where those situations stand:

Larry Johnson, running back, Kansas City: The Chiefs have had plenty of time to make a move on Johnson. But I get the feeling he will stay. Johnson's agent, Peter Schaffer, has said repeatedly that Johnson wants and expects to be in Kansas City. The Chiefs didn't do anything in the draft that would indicate Johnson will be traded and he has been working out with the team.

Michael Bush, running back, Oakland: Bush's name was connected to trade talks earlier this offseason. However, ESPN's John Clayton reported during the draft that the Raiders were calling teams about Justin Fargas. Bush, Fargas and second-year player Darren McFadden make up a crowded backfield. Still, Oakland can make it work with the three backs. I don't expect Bush or Fargas to be traded this year.

Michael Huff, safety, Oakland: Clayton also reported that Huff is on the market. There likely won't be a market for him even if Oakland continues to shop him. The fourth-year defensive back has been a major disappointment.

Brian Waters, guard, Kansas City: This is the player who I think can still be traded. He has asked to be dealt and he didn't go to the team's voluntary minicamp earlier this month. Waters has some value.

Tony Scheffler, tight end, Denver: Scheffler likely will not be traded. There was some talk over the weekend of movinghim, but I think the team would rather keep him.

Derrick Burgess, defensive end, Oakland: ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported prior to the draft that the Raiders were shopping Burgess. Then, the Raiders drafted three defensive ends. His chances of sticking in Oakland, whether he gets cut or traded, haven't increased.

Jarvis Moss, linebacker, Denver: I confirmed Moss was being shopped for a late-round draft choice during the weekend. There were no takers. Moss was the No. 17 pick in 2007. He has been moved to linebacker from defensive end and he is now a third-stringer. He has little chance of making the team.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that a Jay Cutler trade could happen as soon as Friday. Blame the expedited process on the presence of the Washington Redskins in the mix. The Redskins are one of the most aggressive teams in the league and if they want Cutler, they will push the matter.

There are several other teams in the hunt and the Broncos are going to consider several offers. Mortensen reports Denver is looking for two first-round picks for the 25-year-old Pro Bowl quarterback.  Interestingly, Mortensen reports Denver isn't necessarily looking for a quarterback in return.

Maybe Denver isn't thrilled with the quarterbacks available in a deal, starting with Washington's Jason Campbell. But someone will have to emerge as Denver's quarterback in a post-Cutler lineup.

Could the Broncos really be thinking about using backup quarterback Chris Simms? I know new Denver coach Josh McDaniels believes in his system, but if he is going to trade a talent like Cutler, he better have a solid Plan B. Perhaps Denver will use a draft pick on a quarterback if a signal-caller isn't brought in through a Cutler trade.

Meanwhile, the Denver Post is reporting that McDaniels is holding a team meeting Thursday, his second since March 16. Sources in Denver have said the Cutler situation is a major topic, as expected, in the Broncos' locker room. McDaniels clearly feels like he has to take control of this issue with his players before it gets any further out of control.

It is another reminder of how crazy this situation has been. McDaniels has been on the job for less than three months and he is already in damage control.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Here is a timeline leading to the stunning events in Denver resulting in the team publicly saying it will pursue trading quarterback Jay Cutler:

Dec. 30: Denver owner Pat Bowlen fired head coach Mike Shanahan after 14 years. Bowlen says he will take control over the organization in which Shanahan was reputed as having complete control. Cutler publicly expressed displeasure in Shanahan's firing.

Jan. 11: The Broncos hired New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to replace Shanahan. The 32-year-old first-time head coach was chosen over six other people who were interviewed partly for his ability to take Cutler to the next level.

Feb. 5: While at his first Pro Bowl in his three-season NFL career, Cutler expressed excitement in working with McDaniels and said the two sides have had productive meetings.

Feb. 28: Word spread that the Broncos considered trading for Matt Cassel and dealing Cutler in a three-way trade. Sources close to Cutler said he was infuriated and wanted to be traded after hearing the news.

March 8: Cutler and the Broncos' brass had a conference call that didn't go well.

March 14: Cutler and his agent Bus Cook met with McDaniels and Bowlen in person. It didn't go well.

March 15: Cutler tells ESPN's Chris Mortensen he wants to be traded.

March 16: Cutler does not show up to the team's offseason workout program.

March 24: McDaniels told a large media throng that Cutler is his quarterback and he expected Cutler to be his quarterback despite the team getting messages from other teams about interest in the quarterback.

March 31: Bowlen puts out a statement saying the Broncos will pursue trading Cutler because he will not communicate with the team.

	Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
	Quarterback Jay Cutler was unhappy about his name being mentioned in trade talks.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

No matter whom you side with, or whether the Broncos' fractured relationship with franchise quarterback Jay Cutler gets repaired, the Josh McDaniels era in Denver has started on shaky ground.

No team in the NFL has dealt with such unnecessary controversy this offseason.

The entire organization must learn from this. Under the tandem of owner Pat Bowlen and coach Mike Shanahan, the Broncos were known as a team players wanted to play for.

After the McDaniels-Cutler fiasco, that could change. Denver may not be looked at as such a desirable destination after McDaniels engaged in trade talks for Cutler last week, reportedly having considered bringing on board Matt Cassel, who played for him in New England.

The Broncos have announced they will not trade Cutler now and the two sides are expected to communicate soon in an attempt to mend fences. Even if Cutler and McDaniels, who Cutler has maintained were building a strong, new relationship, can find a common ground, it will hover over the 32-year-old coach as he tries to turn around Denver, which stumbled in the final two seasons of the Shanahan era.

	NFL.com Video
	The best moments from Jay Cutler in 2008.

Denver must learn a valuable lesson from the saga. Things like this just can't happen again. Yes, it could all end well, but this was a serious warning sign for a team that is trying to restore its winning ways.

Here are three areas Denver must pay attention to as it tries to move forward from this public relations disaster.

Bowlen must take charge: Bowlen is not used to being in the spotlight for such drama. It mus be eating at him.

Bowlen has a reputation around the league as being one of the better owners. He is smart, gives his team what it needs to win and his main business interest is the Broncos. He loves his team and he is a daily presence.

He must become a bigger presence. In fact, Bowlen must live up to his own words. It starts with him. He seemed to get that when he fired Shanahan. He made a point to say that he would be making the final call on matters.

Under Shanahan, it was well known in league circles that Shanahan ran the show in Denver. Bowlen is a quiet, shy, nice man who has believed his football people should run the football side.

Still, many thought Shanahan took advantage of his ultra-long leash and there were no checks and balances in Denver the past couple of years. Bowlen seemed to sense public perception by making a point of saying he'd be more involved after firing Shanahan.
But, the word around Denver was that McDaniels, 32, was given the keys to the house in the early stages of his Denver tenure, just as Shanahan was.

Now that this Cutler situation has blown up in Denver's face, perhaps Bowlen truly will take charge.

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Here's an idea:

How about a Jay Cutler-for-Matt Cassel trade?

By now, the football world knows that the Broncos were involved in talks about getting Matt Cassel from New England before the Patriots traded Tom Brady's injury replacement to Kansas City. The Broncos' motivation was to reunite former New England offensive coordinator and new Denver head coach Josh McDaniels and Cassel.

Then, Denver, as ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports, may have sent Cutler to Tampa Bay.
The Broncos are now in a bind. Cassel is out of the picture and Cutler is upset that the Broncos entertained the thought of dealing him. Cutler would like Denver to deal him.

The Broncos can do one of two things: Try to mend the issue with Cutler or deal him. The problem is, Denver has no other quarterback options if it trades Cutler.

So maybe the Broncos go back to the root of the issue and offer Cutler to Kansas City for Cassel if McDaniels really would prefer Cassel. In most NFL circles, the younger, more experienced Cutler is considered a better player than Cassel.

Yes, Cassel fits the Patriots Way that McDaniels appears to be so consumed by and he runs the same system as McDaniels, but Cutler is the better player. Perhaps Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, another Patriot disciple who also lives the Patriot Way, would see a bargain and make the swap.

After all, talents like Cutler don't get shopped every day. Then, everyone would be happy. McDaniels gets to be back with Cassel and the Chiefs would get a very good player from one of their rivals.

Makes sense, right? But, of course, this likely won't happen because it all is so absurd.

But then, this whole saga has been absurd.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Its official.

The Broncos have announced the hiring of New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as head coach to replace the fired Mike Shanahan.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported the story Sunday night.

The team will hold a news conference at 7 p.m. ET to introduce McDaniels. At 32, McDaniels is the youngest head coach in the NFL. Shanahan was in Denver for 14 seasons.

	Greg M. Cooper/US Presswire
	ESPN's Chris Mortensen is reporting that Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will be hired as the new head coach of the Broncos.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

The Denver Broncos are banking on Josh McDaniels to be a better offensive coach than Mike Shanahan.

At least that's what this hire, reported by ESPN's Chris Mortensen, implies.

McDaniels, New England's 32-year-old offensive coordinator, is considered one of the best young offensive minds working in the league today. Shanahan -- fired by Denver less than two weeks ago after 14 years -- is one of the best offensive minds the NFL has ever seen.

Because Denver's defense was Shanahan's eventual demise, many expected Denver would hire a defensive-minded coach. Three of the seven candidates interviewed in Denver were defensive coaches.

But in the end, Denver is staying with offense.

It is another reminder that Denver owner Pat Bowlen just wanted to make a change. He needed fresh blood to give his organization a new message.

McDaniels is as fresh as it gets. Now, can he get more points out of an offense that ate up yards but didn't score as much as it could have in 2008?

There is no doubting McDaniels' ability. New England has been excellent with him. The final proof that he is ready to be a head coaching candidate was when backup quarterback Matt Cassel blossomed into a standout after starter Tom Brady was lost for the season in Week 1.

The Broncos have a franchise quarterback in Jay Cutler. Perhaps McDaniels was chosen because the team's brass believes he can help Cutler improve. The team was originally thinking about keeping passing game coordinator Jeremy Bates. But he is a similar coach to McDaniels, a young passing-game guru. It is not known if Bates will be kept.

Run game coordinator Rick Dennison, one of seven candidates for the head coaching job in Denver, is interviewing Monday in San Francisco for the 49ers' offensive coordinator job.

While McDaniels will clearly be in the charge of the offense and refreshing the atmosphere that got stale under Shanahan, he will need to address the defense. The Broncos have gone 24-24 over the past three seasons.

It was being reported out of Denver on Sunday night that McDaniels could bring in longtime defensive coach and former NFL head coach Dom Capers to run the defense. A respected veteran hand like Capers could help McDaniels make the transition.

McDaniels, by all accounts, is a coaching star in the making. He now has the most closely watched job in the state of Colorado and he replaces a legend.

Easy? No. But neither was the idea of replacing Brady and McDaniels managed that.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

PITTSBURGH -- The flight here was full of both Chargers and Steelers fans.

And the plane erupted into cheers when it was announced from the cockpit that Baltimore Ravens knocked off the Tennessee Titans.

It was something San Diego and Pittsburgh fans could agree on this week. The Ravens winning the game was good for both the Chargers and the Steelers.

It means the winner of the AFC Divisional playoff game in Pittsburgh on Sunday will host the AFC title game next Sunday. The Ravens are the No. 6 seed in the playoffs. They beat the No. 3 seed Dolphins last week and then the No. 1 seed Titans on Saturday.

Yes, the Chargers can become the first 8-8 team to host a championship game. It will be an interesting day in Pittsburgh on Sunday where it is currently very cold but not snowing.

Meanwhile, ESPN's Chris Mortensen is reporting that New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Minnesota defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier may be the finalists for the Denver job. Both candidates were very impressive and team insiders believe both men would have success in Denver. The team is expected to make a hire within a week.

Meanwhile, it's being reported Denver defensive line coach Bill Johnson is moving to New Orleans.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

SAN DIEGO -- Chris Mortensen's report that LaDainian Tomlinson has a more serious injury than expected certainly puts his ability to significantly help the Chargers in their wild card game Saturday night against visiting Indianapolis in doubt.

Still, there is a chance Tomlinson will play. He will try to show the San Diego training and coaching staff he is able to play in pre-game warm-ups. Tomlinson hasn't practice all week. The Chargers will likely try to put him on the field to see how much he can play before backups Darren Sproles and Jacob Hester take a bigger role.

Remember, Tomlinson was injured last season in the playoffs. He had just two carries in the AFC title game against New England. Tomlinson caught grief for not playing with a knee injury while San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers played in the game despite a tearing his ACL the week before.

Tomlinson is a proud player and he admitted earlier in the year it bothered him that he caught heat for not playing much against the Patriots. He will try to play Saturday night. Have no doubt about that.

The Chargers also may be without star tight end Antonio Gates. He has an ankle injury. Like Tomlinson, Gates didn't practice all week. Both players were banged up against Denver last week.

Like Tomlinson, Gates was hurt for the playoffs last season and was unable to give his full effort. Thus, San Diego will again not be at full strength.

Tomlinson and Gates are coach Norv Turner's top options on offense. Now, quarterback Philip Rivers may have to rely on other players such as receivers Vincent Jackson and Chris Chambers as well as Sproles and Hester.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

-- The NFL hiring season is just about to commence and there are two intriguing stories already floating around involving leadership positions in the AFC West.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen is reporting that Bill Parcells could leave Miami. Even more interesting is that Mortensen lists the Raiders as one of the teams that could interest Parcells.

That would be wild, but it does make sense. Parcells long has had a relationship with Oakland owner Al Davis. Davis has said he would consider bringing in a personnel man in 2009.

Parcells has a track record of turning around teams and he'd be just what Oakland needs.
Still, there are many obstacles that would need to be maneuvered for this to happen. For a person of Parcells' stature to even consider Oakland is a big step for the team.

-- In Kansas City, Fox television reported that Chiefs owner Clark Hunt met with former Chiefs coach Marty Schottenheimer last week about the open leadership role in Kansas City.

The Chiefs are going to talk to many people in the next few weeks and it makes perfect sense that it starts with Schottenheimer. He is still very popular in Kansas City and his return would excite fans. I get the feeling the Chiefs are going to have a few tricks up their sleeves in the coming weeks.

-- The word in San Diego is that tickets for tonight's winner-take-all game are selling for in the $400-$500 range. Who says the economy is bad?

-- The latest game-time weather forecast for tonight's game in San Diego is for clear skies but it will be cold. The temperature is supposed to hover around 40 degrees during the game.

-- Davis is missing his first Raiders game in 29 years. Davis, 79, is dealing with knee and ankle issues.

-- NFC West blogger Mike Sando gives an interesting breakdown why John Parry may be officiating tonight's showdown in San Diego.

-- The Raiders are expected to act quickly in determining their next head coach.

-- Here's a heart-tugging story on the health of Chargers' owner Alex Spanos.

-- According to ESPN's Stats & Information, the Broncos have a minus-47 points differential and are on pace to have the worst points differential of any division winner if they win tonight in San Diego.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

• For those Chargers fans who are upset San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers didn't make the Pro Bowl, stay patient. His trip to Hawaii may be imminent. With Jets quarterback Brett Favre talking about his shoulder injury; it may just be a matter of time before Favre bows out of the Pro Bowl. Favre usually bails out of the Pro Bowl. Rivers is the first alternate and will go to the Pro Bowl if someone withdraws.

• ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported this week that Arizona offensive coordinator Todd Haley could be on the Raiders' list of potential coaching candidates. Haley certainly fits the criteria. He is a young and offensive-minded coach. Other potential candidates could include Jim Fassel, Dennis Green, Kevin Gilbride and Jim Haslett.

• The Raiders, who end their season at Tampa Bay, have lost five straight season finales. They are tied with Buffalo for the second longest streak. Dallas has lost eight straight season enders.

• Denver tight end Nate Jackson is getting into the music business in the offseason. Jackson is a lead singer in a band.

• A San Diego linebacker got the Denver rivalry cooking by calling Denver quarterback Jay Cutler "a punk."

• Here is what Cutler had to say today, via the Broncos' PR department, about his expected reception in San Diego on Sunday: "It probably won't be pleasant. I don't think it is going to be with the holiday spirit at all. I don't think they like me, which is fine. It adds to the game, the excitement and the rivalry with us. It is going to be a good one. I think these two teams probably dislike each other. I know our offense probably doesn't like their defense and probably vice-versa. I think it is becoming a good rivalry between us. We are both younger teams and they are playing really well right now. Philip (Rivers) is playing well, and it is going to be a good matchup."

• Still, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who has a well-documented rivalry with Cutler, downplayed any issue with Cutler in a quote courtesy of the Chargers' PR department: "No, there really isn't. It got a lot of attention about a year ago actually, but there's really nothing there."

• Also, courtesy of the Chargers' PR department, San Diego star running back LaDainian Tomlinson's thoughts on official Ed Hochuli and his role in Denver's controversial win over San Diego in Week 2: "I think he'd rather be part of it, refereeing in it. But no, I think Ed, I really believe that he's probably happy that this is a game that's going to mean something, that whatever happened at the beginning of the year, it doesn't mean anything now. I really believe that's the way he feels."

• Former Raiders coach Jon Gruden didn't talk badly about his time in Oakland with Bay Area reporters Wednesday.

• Denver signed running back Steve Baylark and receiver Matt Willis to the practice squad.

• Kansas City coach Herman Edwards says the Chiefs will be competitive in 2009. The real question is will Edwards be in Kansas City to see the improvement?

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Here are some random AFC West notes:

• According to ESPN's Stats & Information, the Chargers became the third team in NFL history to win two games by one point each against the same team in the same season. San Diego beat Kansas City 22-21 on Sunday and it beat the Chiefs 20-19 at home last month. The last time it happened was in 1986 when the Chiefs pulled the trick on the Chargers.

• Also from ESPN's Stats & Information: Sunday's loss was the first time Kansas City ever squandered an 18-point lead in the second half. It was the second time Kansas City lost an 18-point lead this season. It did it against Tampa Bay last month. Prior to this season, Kansas City blew only one 18-point lead in its history. It came in 2005 against Philadelphia.

• Congratulations to Chargers' running back LaDainian Tomlinson. He tied Marcus Allen with his 123rd rushing score on Sunday, which is second place in NFL history. He trails Emmitt Smith by 41 scores.

• Chris Mortensen's report on ESPN that Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride is on the Oakland's radar makes great sense. He is a successful offensive coach and Raiders' owner Al Davis loves offensive coaches, especially ones with winning pedigrees. His last 11 head coaches were offensive-minded coaches. St, Louis interim coach Jim Haslett's name has also surfaced but he is a defense-first coach.

• The Chargers, who have put just four players on the injured reserve this season, will have a banged up Tampa Bay team Sunday in a game the Chargers have to win. Star linebacker Derrick Brooks may to play because of a rib injury. Buccaneers' coach Jon Gruden said Monday he will decide on whether Jeff Garcia can play or whether to start Brian Griese again on Wednesday.