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Apparently, Matt Leinart is not a slam-dunk to sign with the Oakland Raiders as their backup quarterback.

The Associated Press is reporting Jim Sorgi will have a workout with the Raiders on Tuesday. Leinart is considered a favorite to land the job because he played for Oakland offensive coordinator Greg Knapp last year in Houston and he backed up Oakland quarterback Carson Palmer at USC.

Sorgi hasn’t played in the NFL since 2009. He backed up new Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning for six seasons in Indianapolis. It is not out of the question that Oakland will look at other backups.

I’d be surprised if Sorgi was signed over Leinart if they are the only two options Oakland is looking at.

Brandon Stokley is back with the Denver Broncos.

The veteran receiver has been expected to sign with Denver since Peyton Manning signed with the team four weeks ago. The two played together in Indianapolis and are close friends. Manning stayed at Stokley’s house when he visited Denver last month and the two have been working out together this year.

He is the second weapon Denver has signed that has played with Manning. Former Colts’ tight end Jacob Tamme inked with Denver last month. Stokley visited the Broncos -- whom he played for from 2007-09 -- on Monday and his agent tweeted Monday that he will sign with the team.

Stokley will turn 36 in June and he played just two games last season, with the Giants. He is near the end of his career. But he has a great chemistry with Manning and he can teach the Denver receivers how to adjust to playing with Manning, so he will have a role.

Stokley is considered to be one of the best slot receivers of all time, and he is great with other young athletes playing that position. I think he can have a huge impact on Denver receivers Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas.

Decker and Stokley already have a relationship. When Decker suffered a serious foot injury in college, Stokley served as a mentor and sounding board for Decker because Stokley successfully returned from the same injury. The two have continued a friendship, so Stokley’s influence in the Denver locker room will extend beyond Manning.

Philip Wheeler spent his first day with the Oakland Raiders on Monday and he already felt comfortable.

Wheeler -- who started 24 games in the past four seasons with the Colts – signed with Oakland on Friday. The Raiders started their offseason conditioning program on Monday.

Wheeler appears ready to become an important piece of the fabric of the Oakland defense. He indicated in a conference call with media members he is ready to become a bigger part of his team's defense. Wheeler is expected to play strongside linebacker and replace Kamerion Wimbley, who was a salary-cap cut.

“I feel like this is the best situation for me,” Wheeler said. “I think, these coaches here, they were pretty adamant about the way they’re running their defenses. It’s a defensive head coach, he has a defensive mind, and I wanted to come to a place that would take defense a little more serious.”

The Colts were long an offensive-minded team. Wheeler called himself a versatile player and he thinks this new Oakland defense "caters" to linebacker. Wheeler had one sack last season, but he said he expects to be given a chance to pass-rush more in Oakland. He is acquainted with Oakland defensive coordinator Jason Tarver, who played a role in Wheeler signing with the Raiders.

“Coach Tarver told me there was going to be a lot of blitzing, just a lot of mixing up things, not just standing still in Cover 2 like I did in with the Indianapolis Colts for awhile,” Wheeler said. “Nothing against that, we had a great offense that kept the lead a lot. We were able to sit back in Cover 2 and rush the passer a lot because teams had to catch up, and we had two great defensive ends that did that. But I also like to rush the passer and everything from the linebacker position and coach Tarver told me that it would be some of that going on.”

Wheeler also said Twitter recruitment by several Raiders’ fans helped his decision to come to Oakland on the one-year deal. He was also talking to the Dolphins and the Colts. He said he gained about 2,000 Twitter followers last week.

“That kind of helped me in my decision because it showed me how big of a football city this is and how much they paid attention to football instead of going somewhere else,” Wheeler said. “Indianapolis, it was pretty good football city, but the fans, they didn’t get more involved in media, and just showing us how much they care about the game. I always wanted to play in a big football for a legendary team, something like that and that kind of helped me choose Oakland.”

Former Indianapolis Colts general manager and current ESPN analyst Bill Polian explains quarterback Peyton Manning will fit with the Denver Broncos in this Insider piece.

Here is a taste of Polian’s thoughts: "I'd bet that the offense will take off in the second half of the season, making the Broncos legitimate championship contenders."

I agree that there will be an adjustment period for everyone, but if Manning is healthy, the Broncos will be in good shape. Meanwhile, the Broncos reportedly began shopping quarterback Tim Tebow at the NFL Combine, well before Manning was available in free agency. It’s another sign the Broncos had no interest in continuing with Tebow as their starter.

In other AFC West news:

Former San Diego receiver/return man Bryan Walters has signed with Minnesota. The Chargers cut him earlier this month.

The sad tale of former San Diego quarterback Ryan Leaf has taken yet another turn.

It looks like the Oakland Raiders have their starting strongside linebacker.

In signing Philip Wheeler, Oakland has addressed its last starting spot. Considered a player who has yet to reach his full potential, Wheeler is more of a run stopper than a pass-rusher. He had one sack last season. The linebacker position was slow in free agency as a whole and Wheeler didn’t generate much interest. He visited Miami as well as Oakland.

Wheeler replaced the released Kamerion Wimbley, who had strong pass-rushing ability. He had 16 sacks in two seasons in Oakland.

Wheeler had 84 tackles last season in 11 starts. He has just 24 starts in four NFL seasons. Thus, Oakland must hope he can adjust to being a full-time starter.

I would think the position will still be a priority early in the draft. However, signing Wheeler opposed to taking a chance on a rookie taken later in the third round to start immediately was the right course of action by the Raiders.

“We’re excited to add another veteran to complement our talented linebacking group,” Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie said in a statement released by the team. “He gives us a lot of athleticism and versatility. He’s a player that can do a lot of things.”

With limited cap room, the Raiders probably will not do too much more in terms of signing players until after the draft, although if it sees a bargain such as Wheeler perhaps it will pounce.

Oakland Raiders receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey tweeted a picture Tuesday of three teammates (including quarterback Carson Palmer) and a fifth man, in what appeared to be in a workout setting.

The man?

Terrell Owens.

Yep, the 38-year-old receiver who has fallen off the radar of NFL teams. Does the group photo mean Owens is on the way to signing with the Raiders?

Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves here. Owens and Palmer played together in the past and are friends. It might have been just a matter of Owens being in Los Angeles and getting together with the group.

Plus, players don’t make personnel decisions in the world of Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie. He has other things to worry about other than signing Owens. And the Raiders have a crowded receiving group. If Owens signs with the Raiders, I would think it would be down the road.

My guess is that Heyward-Bey is sitting back and smiling, knowing his tweet caused a slight ruckus.

In other AFC West news:

Raider Nation is recruiting Indianapolis linebacker Philip Wheeler. Wheeler started 11 games last season and has started 24 of 61 NFL games. He has not been highly sought-after in free agency.

Peyton Manning's mentor said the quarterback has played simulated games and he is ready to go for the Broncos.

I have fulfilled my jury duty commitment, so let’s catch up on some AFC West notes:

Jacksonville owner Shahid Khan said Tim Tebow did not want to come to the Jaguars and that’s why he was traded to the Jets last week. Tebow reportedly felt as if the Jets wanted him more than the Jaguars did. Tebow is from Jacksonville.

New Denver and former Indianapolis tight end Jacob Tamme said in a radio interview that the presence of Peyton Manning played a big role in his signing with the Broncos.

Manning got some throwing reps in at a Denver-area high school on Monday with several of his new teammates. Due to CBA rules, the players currently have to work out on their own without the guidance of coaches. The Broncos will assemble as a team for some offseason workouts April 16. Still, Manning is clearly focused on getting acquainted with his new teammates as soon as possible.

The Broncos are visiting with Pittsburgh reserve quarterback Dennis Dixon. His visit started before Denver signed QB Caleb Hanie. Hanie has the inside track to back up Peyton Manning in Denver, but the Broncos are still interested in signing Dixon to compete with Hanie during training camp.

If Dixon is signed, Denver may still draft a quarterback to develop.

Center Jeff Saturday explained why he signed with Green Bay as opposed to Denver to reunite with Manning. Saturday told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he thought the Packers wanted him more than the Broncos did. Denver has third-year center J.D. Walton, who they are happy with. Denver looked at Saturday because of his comfort level with Manning.

In other AFC West news:

The Kansas City Star has a cool look at the Chiefs’ visit to Iowa’s pro day.

Silver and Black Editors reports defensive tackle John Henderson has retired. He was recently cut by the Raiders after two seasons with the team. He has experienced several injuries recently.

Denver free-agent defensive lineman Derrick Harvey has signed with Cincinnati. He was a non-factor in Denver last season.

Oakland is still in on Cincinnati defensive end/linebacker Manny Lawson. But so is Green Bay and Indianapolis.

New York Giants defensive lineman Dave Tollefson visited Seattle. Oakland has shown interest in Tollefson, but finances may be an issue. Tollefson is a Bay Area native and former Oakland practice squader.

Cincinnati re-signed defensive tackle Pat Sims, winding down the market at the position even more. Denver badly needs a defensive tackle. It will probably draft one at No. 25 in next month’s draft.

UPDATE: Not so fast. The folks who reported the Henderson story said they made a mistake and Henderson is not retired. Translation: If someone offers a Henderson a deal he likes he probably will consider playing. Two years ago, when he signed with the Raiders, Henderson did so in June and this year could be a similar situation.

UPDATE II: I just talked to Henderson’s agent, Joel Segal. Here is what he had to say: “John is absolutely not retired.” So, there you go.

Not many NFL players have something on Peyton Manning.

One of his new teammates does. However, in his first meeting with Manning on a personal level, cornerback Tracy Porter didn’t mention that connection.

Porter, who signed with Denver on Thursday, is best known for his interception return for a touchdown that sealed New Orleans’ win over Manning and the Colts in the Super Bowl in 2010. The two ran into each other at the Broncos’ facility during Porter’s visit. The interception was not mentioned.

“He was doing his workout and I was touring the facility and ran into him,” Porter told reporters in a conference call. “He knew who I was, I knew who he was and we had a brief conversation about the things we wanted to try to achieve here. We were on the same page.”

Porter said he is sure the famous play will come up at some point, but during the visit wasn’t the proper time.

Porter will be Denver’s right cornerback. He acknowledged that his Super Bowl score has put him on the NFL map.

“It definitely put a bigger spotlight on me and my career because that’s the stage that everybody tries to get to,” Porter said. “That’s the stage [where] everyone in the world is basically watching that game. If you make a big play in the game, everybody is going to want to know who that guy is that made the play. It definitely helped lift my career and helped put a spotlight on me so I can showcase my talents and catch the eye of everyone around the country that watches football.”

It’s been three days since Peyton Manning signed with the Denver Broncos and speculation began that he would be joined by multiple former Indianapolis teammates.

The opportunities are shrinking. Manning’s longtime center Jeff Saturday, who visited Denver on Wednesday, has signed with Green Bay, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

While the team is still working on Colts’ tight end Jacob Tamme, the Broncos did sign tight end Joel Dreessen on Friday. Dreessen is a good second tight end who had 28 catches last season.

If Tamme does sign that would likely mean Colts’ veteran Dallas Clark will not come to Denver. If Tamme signs elsewhere (Seattle is hotly pursuing him), perhaps Clark will be in the picture. Denver also wants to develop second-year tight end Julius Thomas.

Other former Manning teammates Denver could consider include running back Joseph Addai and receiver Brandon Stokley.

I don’t think the fact that Saturday is not coming to Denver is a huge loss. Sure, It would have helped Manning’s transition to the offense, but third-year center J.D. Walton is a solid player who did well last season. Manning and Walton will find a rhythm and Walton didn’t deserve to be replaced by a 37-year-old simply based on a previous comfort level.

In other news:

Yes, the Broncos’ trade of Tim Tebow to the Jets has been delayed by protocol. But, don’t be fooled. Tebow will be a Jet.

New England signed Denver free-agent fullback Spencer Larsen. Denver didn’t have much interest in bringing him back.

Kansas City right tackle Barry Richardson has visited the St. Louis Rams. He has been replaced by Eric Winston, who is a major upgrade from Richardson.

Denver is visiting with Houston tight end Joel Dreessen. He is a Colorado native. Denver is also talking to tight end Jacob Tamme, who played with Peyton Manning in Indianapolis.

The Houston Chronicle is reporting Dreessen said he will choose between the Texans and Broncos by Friday morning. It will be interesting to see if Denver would want Dreessen and Tamme. The Broncos also have second-year players Julius Thomas (who they are high on) and Virgil Green, who faces a four-game NFL suspension for using a banned substance.

Meanwhile, cornerback William Gay visited the Broncos on Wednesday. The Broncos are bringing in Tracy Porter on Thursday. I think one of the two have a good chance to be signed.

In other AFC West news:

Because of the money Oakland paid Khalif Barnes, there is good reason to think he will start in 2012 ahead of second-year player Joe Barksdale.

Oakland fans must check out this video about Sebastian Janikowski.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Drew Stanton had a chance to be Kansas City’s backup before signing with the Jets. The Chiefs have since signed former Denver backup Brady Quinn.

NFL Network reports the Chiefs are visiting with cornerback Chris Carr. He would fill a depth role.

The Raiders have re-signed right tackle Khalif Barnes. He started all 16 games in Oakland last season. The team may opt to give second-year player Joe Barksdale a chance to start. Barnes will provide excellent depth and insurance if that ends up being the case.

NFL Network reports the Raiders brought in former Packers defensive back Patrick Lee on a one-year deal. He played for new Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie with the Packers. This move was strictly a depth and a special-teams signing.

The Colts have signed Oakland free-agent center Samson Satele. He was expected to return to Oakland. The Raiders are expected to move left guard Stefen Wisniewski to center and play former right guard Cooper Carlisle at left guard. Newly signed Mike Brisiel will play guard. Former Colts’ center Jeff Saturday is visiting Denver this week andmay be reunited with Peyton Manning.

In other AFC West news:

ESPNChicago.com is reporting Denver is visiting with former Chicago backup quarterback Caleb Hanie. The Colorado State product likely would be the No. 3 quarterback in Denver.

Former Kansas City receiver Joe Horn said the Chiefs had a bounty program when he was there and he said every NFL team has a program. I would be shocked if the NFL investigated the Chiefs based on Horn’s comments. He played for the Chiefs from 1996-99.

The Denver Broncos have dusted off No. 18.

Thanks to Frank Tripucka. Last week, Tripucka, 84, said his number had been retired long enough and he’d gladly let Peyton Manning wear the number if the Broncos signed Manning.

Manning is a Bronco and No. 18 is his.

Manning wore No. 18 in his 14 seasons in Indianapolis and the team retired the number when he was released earlier this month. There had been talk Manning would wear his college number, No. 16, in his new spot.

But No. 18 it is.

While there has been talk the Denver Broncos may bring in some former Indianapolis Colts teammates to make Peyton Manning comfortable, they also may bring in the man who delivered Manning his greatest professional blow.

The Broncos are set to visit with New Orleans cornerback Tracy Porter on Wednesday, according to an NFL source. He is visiting with the Titans on Tuesday.

Porter is best known for returning an interception for a touchdown against Manning in the Super Bowl in 201o. It sealed an upset win for the Saints over the Colts.

In Denver, Porter would likely replace Andre Goodman at right cornerback and play opposite Champ Bailey. Putting Porter on his side would likely be fine with Manning.

Oakland also had interest in Porter -- Oakland coach Dennis Allen coached Porter in New Orleans -- but those talks have stalled after the Raiders signed Ronald Bartell and Shawntae Spencer.