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New Denver cornerback Drayton Florence said reuniting with former Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio was one of the reasons why he signed with the Broncos on Thursday.

Del Rio is Denver’s new defensive coordinator. Florence played for Del Rio in Jacksonville in 2008.

“Yes, the familiarity always is good when you’ve played for somebody and you know how they work,” Florence said in a conference call with reporters. “The system, the language is going to be familiar. So it was a good fit.”

In other AFC West news:

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the Chargers have signed two of their draft picks: tight end Ladarius Green, taken in the fourth round, and guard Johnnie Troutman, taken in the fifth. Troutman is expected to miss the entire season due to a pectoral injury he suffered prior to the draft. The Chargers have signed most of their draft class.

The Raiders will try out a few players this weekend at their minicamp. So far, no names of note are on the tryout docket.

The Chiefs announced additions to their personnel department. Jim Nagy was promoted from regional scout to national scout. Kansas City hired former Patriots national scout Kyle O’Brien as a regional scouts and scouting assistant Ryne Nutt was promoted to an area scout.

The Chiefs will announce plans for their 50th anniversary season in 2012 at a press conference next Tuesday.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported Monday that the Chargers are trying to trade up to take Alabama safety Mark Barron.

For what it’s worth, I heard the rumblings a couple of times, too. Barron looks likely to go in the 12-to-16 range in the first round, meaning that there isn’t much of a chance he will be around when the Chargers draft at No. 18. A trade up could cost a third-round pick and the No. 18 pick or a similar package.

If Barron is the apple of Chargers general manager A.J. Smith’s eye, a trade is likely necessary. We all know Smith is not scared to move up. He’s done it before and I can see him doing it again.

In other AFC West news:

NFL.com reported that the Broncos could still trade for Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel. The Broncos reportedly tried to get Samuels last week, but talks with Samuel about a new deal stalled; perhaps they will reignite. The price for Samuels is expected to be a late-round pick.

The NFL boosted the number of roster spots for the beginning of training camp from 80 to 90. That means each team will probably sign more undrafted free agents. The in-season 53-man roster remains.

Jacksonville cut safety Darcel McBath. He was cut by Denver last year being a second-round pick in 2009. Josh McDaniels’ first draft in Denver was a disaster.

Will the Chiefs draft a receiver with Dwayne Bowe's future unsettled?

The Chargers began their offseason program Monday.

The Raiders had a solid turnout at a voluntary minicamp. These are considered voluntary, but teams highly encourage players to attend, so attendance is usually pretty strong.

There is increasing buzz that the Kansas City Chiefs might try to find a way to draft Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Tannehill is considered a draft riser. The Chiefs have closely investigated him in recent weeks, and because the team doesn’t think it has many pressing holes, the time might be right to grab a quarterback. I think the Chiefs will draft a quarterback early in the draft, but Tannehill is the only attainable quarterback available who could challenge to take Matt Cassel’s job away. Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. thinks Tannehill could eventually make the Chiefs a special team .

Getting Tannehill might not be easy. The Chiefs would be extremely lucky if he fell to them at No. 11. The more likely scenario would require the Chiefs moving up to get him.

There has been a lot of speculation that the quarterback-needy Dolphins will take Tannehill at No. 8. New Miami offensive coordinator Mike Sherman was Tannehill’s college coach.

So, if the Chiefs really want to get Tannehill, they might have to jump up to No. 7. However, Cleveland could also take Tannehill at No. 4. Last week, Colts’ owner Jim Irsay tweeted that Tannehill is a draft gem, and teams might have to trade up to No. 3 with Minnesota to get him. The Eagles and Seahawks might be among the teams interested in trading up to take Tannehill.

I’m not sure the Minnesota scenario will be necessary to get Tannehill, but quarterbacks create unique scenarios.

Moving from eight spots from No. 11 to No. 3 would cost multiple first-round picks, and that might be too pricey. However, if Tannehill is on the board at No. 7, Kansas City could try to move ahead of the Dolphins and take him for a much more reasonable price. The Jaguars have the No. 7 pick.

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.

Well, now it’s official. Tebow-mania is dead in Denver.

Ending an intense day of renewed trade talks with the New York Jets and renewed talks with Tim Tebow’s hometown Jacksonville Jaguars, the Broncos have sent Tebow to the Jets. This time it seems it’s for good.

The same trade parameters remain. The Jets get Tebow and a 2012 seventh-round pick. The Broncos get 2012 fourth- and sixth-round picks. The holdup was a $5 million bonus payment. The Broncos and Jets have decided to split it down the middle, so the Jets owe the Broncos $2.5 million. Bringing Tebow-mania to Broadway should make up for it by morning.

So long, Tebow-mania. It’s been something else.

Here’s my reaction to the trade when the news first broke Wednesday morning.

I will be back with more coverage of this story later.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Jacksonville Jaguars are trying to steal Tim Tebow now that the Broncos-Jets trade has hit a snag. The Rams are also in the mix. I think, regardless of what happens, Tebow will be traded.

Jacksonville is Tebow’s hometown and ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that Tebow asked Broncos VP John Elway to try to deal him to the Jaguars. He may get his wish.

UPDATE: Schefter is reporting the trade will come down to either the Jets or the Jaguars.

There is apparently solid interest in Tim Tebow around the NFL.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter has just reported that Jacksonville, Green Bay, Miami and the Jets have all either internally discussed acquiring Tebow or have discussed it with the Broncos. Schefter described the Jets as being a long shot.

He’d probably have the best chances to play in Jacksonville (his hometown) and Miami. He’d be a backup with the Packers, but the Packers are known for developing quarterbacks and it could be a good spot for him.

Denver is bent on trading him and doing it soon. It seems like they have a market.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported the Denver Broncos have already received calls from teams about quarterback Tim Tebow.

Schefter said it is a sign the Broncos should be able to move him while ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that Tebow will likely be released if the Broncos can’t find a trade partner.

Jacksonville, Miami and New England are among the teams interested in Tebow. He will likely be brought in as a backup anywhere he goes. Denver could get a mid-round pick in return, but don’t think the Broncos will sweat the compensation much. I think they just want to move on.

The Dolphins have an extra-round round pick it acquired from Chicago for Brandon Marshall, so it could give Denver a solid offer. Ironically, the Broncos drafted Tebow with their No. 25 pick after they traded Marshall to Miami two years ago. Tebow succeeded Marshall as No. 15 in Denver.

Schefter made a point that I agree with. He said several owners in the league may be interested in acquiring Tebow because of ticket sales and the popularity it could create. Tebow sells and the Broncos are hoping they find a buyer as they hand their offense to Peyton Manning.

Hall of Fame quarterbacks rarely lose in the clutch.

The Duke did it again in Denver.

On the biggest day in Denver Broncos history since John Elway won his second straight Super Bowl 13 years ago, Elway displayed his acumen as an NFL executive by landing perhaps the biggest free-agent prize in NFL history.

Peyton Manning is going to be a Denver Bronco. Just as important, Tim Tebow is likely going to be a former Denver Bronco.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen have reported that Manning has instructed his agent to complete a deal with the Denver Broncos, and Manning told the San Francisco 49ers and the Tennessee Titans of his decision to play elsewhere. Mortensen reports that working out the contract details is a formality.

According to Schefter, Manning’s head was leading him to San Francisco, but his heart was with Elway and the Broncos. The relationship between Elway and Manning is a major reason Manning is going to play in the Rocky Mountains. Legendary quarterbacks like to hang out with one another.

When he arrives in Denver, Manning -- who the Broncos are confident will be able to bounce back from a neck injury that cost him the 2011 season -- will enjoy the presence of a kindred spirit unlike any he’s had before in an NFL building. Manning knows Elway will understand everything he is thinking, and Elway will do everything it takes to make Manning successful in Denver.

Landing Manning became a quest for Denver’s organization last month when it became clear that Manning would be released by the Colts. It was obvious Elway was never completely comfortable moving forward with Tebow as the starter even though Elway and head coach John Fox said Tebow earned the right to go to training camp as the starter.

One of the reasons the Broncos had planned to stick with Tebow was they didn’t have any other viable options. The Broncos are not in the position to draft Stanford’s Andrew Luck or Baylor’s Robert Griffin III, and no other rookie prospect appears ready to take over a team. The free-agent class offered no major upgrades.

Then Manning became available, and everything changed.

Manning offered Denver the perfect escape route from Tebow-mania. Because Tebow was a huge fan favorite, the Broncos knew it would be difficult to part ways with him. But who can argue with the Manning-Tebow swap? Tebow-mania is dead in Denver. Manning-mania is taking over.

Expect the Broncos to try to trade Tebow. The Florida legend could attract interest in Jacksonville or Miami. Mortensen also said New England (where former Denver coach Josh McDaniels, who drafted Tebow, is the offensive coordinator) could be interested. Mortensen said Tebow could be released if Denver can’t find a trade partner.

Even though Manning, who turns 36 on Saturday, is not going to be a long-term fixture in Denver -- I’d expect three solid seasons from him -- the Broncos are more than comfortable going all in on Manning and moving away from Tebow.

The Broncos tired of the weight of the focus being solely on Tebow. They also were weary of his inability to become a pure pocket passer. Now, instead of having to wait on and answer questions about Tebow’s development, Denver can toss Manning a ball and let him take over.

While Elway was a huge factor in Denver's landing Manning, do not underestimate the role of Fox. He is a player-friendly coach who will allow Manning the freedom to do what he likes. Fox and Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy proved last year with Tebow they are flexible enough to allow the quarterback to dictate the offense.

The option offense is out. The line-of-scrimmage artistry of Manning is in.

Expect the Broncos to aggressively add some pieces who will fit with Manning. Denver’s offense was more run-oriented with Tebow. Now, it will be more passing-oriented. Expect the Broncos to reach out to Manning’s former center, Jeff Saturday, and perhaps tight ends Dallas Clark or Jacob Tamme. I wouldn’t be surprised if another receiver was added even though Manning was intrigued by the idea of working with young receivers Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker.

Fox needs to continue to improve the young defense. The Broncos have been in talks with several defensive free agents, and with Manning all but secured, Fox can focus on beefing up that side of the ball.

The Broncos were often the center of the NFL universe last season with Tebow, and they should be again for a completely different reason. Expect Denver to get a full allotment of prime-time games in 2012 as the football world wants to see whether Manning and Elway can chase a combined fourth Super Bowl ring.

There’s a new franchise star in Denver, and it's only fitting that the greatest Bronco of them all is the reason why.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting Kansas City quarterback Kyle Orton will visit the Cowboys.

He would back up Tony Romo in Dallas. This is surprising to me. I would think Orton could get a chance to compete for a starting job elsewhere. But for his first visit to be a place where he would be a backup is an indication he may not currently have better options.

The Chiefs have said they would like to keep Orton and have him compete with Matt Cassel. To me, that seems like a better option than in Dallas for Orton.

Also, Miami quarterback Chad Henne is going to visit Jacksonville, Schefter reports. There has been some talk he could interest the Chiefs and Broncos. Also, if Henne ends up in Jacksonville, that could take a potential spot away from Tim Tebow in Jacksonville. The Broncos would likely call the Jaguars about Tebow -- who is from Jacksonville -- if the Broncos land Peyton Manning.

The San Diego Chargers have figured out one of their issues on the offensive line. The team announced center Nick Hardwick has signed a three-year deal.

It is not a surprise that Hardwick is coming back. He is the anchor to the offensive line, and he wanted to return. Yet, there were some question marks, because he nearly got to the start of free agency, which opens at 4 p.m. ET.

The team will now try to sign receiver Vincent Jackson, tackle Jared Gaither, running back Mike Tolbert, defensive tackle Antonio Garay and some outside free agents. The team had about $20 million in cap room before the Hardwick deal. Terms of his deal are not currently known. Signing Hardwick is a good start to free agency in San Diego.

Meanwhile, former Chargers special-teams ace Kassim Osgood is being released in Jacksonville. The Chargers love him, and their special teams suffered when he was gone. I could see the team making a run at him.

UPDATE: The Chargers announced they have cut cornerback Dante Hughes, linebacker Everette Brown, linebacker Nate Triplett and receiver Bryan Walters. No surprises there.

Weekend mail call:

James from Colorado wants to know what quarterbacks could replace Tim Tebow as the Broncos’ starting quarterback without fan scrutiny.

Bill Williamson: Of the quarterback available this year, I think it is small group. I think there’s Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III and that’s it. Luck and Griffin are out of the picture. Yet, the Broncos are trying aggressively to make Manning Tebow's successor. I think would be accepted, even by Tebow’s most ardent supporters. They would have to understand. Any other of the available quarterbacks would likely invoke some sort of backlash.

James from Azusa, Calif., wants to know if the Raiders could sign a backup quarterback.

BW: Kyle Boller was connected to former coach Hue Jackson. I think the Raiders will look to move on. There is a chance Terrelle Pryor could become the No. 2 quarterback. Still, I would expect a veteran to come in to produce competition for Pryor. There are several backups available. If new Oakland coach Dennis Allen liked what he saw of Brady Quinn in practice when both were in Denver last year, the Raiders could be interested.

Tyler from Denver wants to know if there is any way Jacksonville would trade the No. 7 pick to the Broncos for Tebow.

BW: New Jacksonville owner Shahid Khan has said he would have drafted Tebow, who is from Jacksonville. Tebow would surely sell tickets and he would be a shot in the arm for the struggling franchise. But the Jaguars just drafted Blaine Gabbert with the No. 10 pick last season. If would be very surprising to see the Jaguars give up the No. 7 pick for Tebow. If they were interested, I’m sure it is something the Broncos would be willing to do, especially if they land Manning.

Here are some highlights (guess what the vast majority of the questions were about) from our AFC West chat, which was held earlier Thursday:

DENVER

Andrew from Maine: If the Broncos are able to persuade Peyton Manning to Denver, what do you think the trade value of Tim Tebow is to a team like Jacksonville?

Bill Williamson: I don't want to say Tebow would certainly be traded if Manning is brought in, but I think the Broncos should ask the Jaguars if they have any interest

KANSAS CITY

Lars from KC: So looks like the Chiefs are not so married to Cassel. If the Chiefs should fail in their bid to entice Manning to KC, will they aggressively pursue the # 2 pick for Griffin in the draft? What do you think KC's chances percentage wise is they go into the season with a new QB?

BW: I think the Manning deal is a different animal. Unless a team is totally set at quarterback, I think they should look at him. That is what Denver and the Chiefs are doing. If the Chiefs don’t land Manning, I think Cassel is still the favorite to be their quarterback. The Chiefs will add to the position in some form, but if it's not Manning, Cassel will get a chance to remain the starter.

OAKLAND

AJ from Oakland: Who will be the Raiders head coach in 2013? Or are those days over?

BW: Mr. Dennis Allen ... yes, those days are over. I think he will be there, at least, three years. That is the normal timeline for coaches these days and I think the Raiders are operating under normal timelines these days.

SAN DIEGO

James Simpson from Kansas City: Which team in the AFC WEST do you see being the most aggressive in free agency and why?

BW: I think we will see a lot of movement, but I think San Diego will be the most aggressive because they have the biggest mix of in-house needs and outside needs. So, the Chargers will be making noise out of sheer necessity.

The Denver Post reports the Broncos have signed former Jacksonville starter Jason Hill. He started 10 games for the Jaguars with new Denver defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. Hill had 25 catches those starts. He was cut later in the season.

Hill has a chance to be a rotational receiver in Denver. I still think Denver will look to add receivers, but Hill provides some depth.

Meanwhile, Denver signed guard C.J. Davis. He did not play in 2011, but he was with Carolina -- under Denver coach John Fox -- in a reserve role for parts of the 2009 and ’10 seasons. He will compete to be a bottom-of-the roster player in 2012.

In other AFC West news:

• Here is another mock draft that has the Chiefs taking Alabama running back Trent Richardson at No. 11. The two questions are, will Richardson drop past the top 10 and would the Chiefs bypass other needs to put Richardson and Jamaal Charles in the same backfield? It will be fascinating to see if this potential pairing gains traction as the draft approaches.
• Denver leader John Elway talks about the team’s plans for free agency.
• UCLA offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone discussed working with Denver quarterback Tim Tebow this week. Mazzone coached San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers in college and Rivers is expected to join the workouts later this week.

Here are some thoughts on Denver coach John Fox's quick hiring of former Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio to succeed Dennis Allen, who has been named Oakland’s head coach.

Nice score: Many Denver fans might have upset that Allen left; however, Del Rio is a terrific hire by the Broncos. Fox said Wednesday that he was in no hurry to find a replacement for Allen, but the quick hiring of Del Rio shows Fox felt great about this move. Though Del Rio had been on the market for several weeks, this reconnection between Del Rio and Fox — Del Rio was Fox’s first defensive coordinator in Carolina in 2002 before becoming Jacksonville head coach in 2003 — should ease the mind of Denver fans.

Seven is not a problem: Though Del Rio is Denver’s seventh defensive coordinator in seven years, this shouldn't be an issue due to the compatibility between Del Rio and Fox, who has a defensive background himself. Del Rio knows that this is Fox’s team and it is his defense. Allen deserves a lot of credit for turning Denver’s defense – the worst in the NFL in 2010 – into a competitive group. But the coaching started with Fox. He will continue using his system.

Fox loves familiarity: Fox closed the deal so quickly with Del Rio that there wasn’t time to find other candidates. Clearly, Fox focused on his former assistant as soon as Allen took the Oakland job. That means Fox is confident in his new choice.

More experience than Allen: Allen, 39, got the Oakland job after one year’s experience as the Broncos coordinator. Del Rio, 48 and coming off nine seasons as a head coach, is much more seasoned.

Recruiting means something: Even though Denver improved as a defense under Allen, it still needs to reload. Perhaps Del Rio will turn for help to a pair of defensive ends he coached in Jacksonville — Matt Roth and Jeremy Mincey, both free agents.