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John Elway the quarterback won two Super Bowl rings with Alex Gibbs directing his offensive line. Now, Elway the executive hopes Gibbs can help the Denver Broncos win another ring.

The Broncos have brought Gibbs out of retirement to serve as a consultant for their offensive line. He will work with offensive line coach Dave Magazu. The two have worked together in the past.

The team is bringing in Gibbs, 72, primarily to work with the younger linemen, those players who often don’t get a lot of repetitions. Gibbs will be in charge of helping them with technique.

Gibbs is known as an authority on the zone-blocking scheme. He was the Broncos’ offensive line coach from 1995 to 2003, when the team excelled using the scheme. Denver now uses more of a power-blocking scheme with some zone-blocking influences. That will not change.

Many fans were surprised when the Denver Broncos took Wisconsin tailback Montee Ball over Alabama running back Eddie Lacy in the second round of the NFL draft.

So, it was no shock that the question was broached when Denver decision-makers John Elway and Matt Russell held a conference call with some fans Tuesday.

“We liked both these backs, we had them very similar on the board," the Denver Post reported that Russell said during the call. "The issue with Eddie Lacy was we were worried about a toe injury that he had, which is probably what caused him to slip. And we really felt great about Montee Ball. We feel we have a career back in Montee Ball."

Elway told fans that Ball reminded him of the running back Elway won two Super Bowls with as a player -- Terrell Davis. Interestingly, Ball said at the NFL combine that the player he modeled his game after was, indeed, Davis.

In other AFC West notes:

The Chargers have “parted ways’ with one of the undrafted free agents they had agreed upon a deal with.

NFL.com took a look at Oakland’s draft.

Here is a look at the mandatory minicamp schedule for all NFL teams. All four AFC West teams will hold the camps in June.

 

The Denver Broncos are adding an interesting name in the front office.

The NFL Network is reporting the Broncos are adding former Philadelphia and Cleveland executive Tom Heckert to the front office, the team did not renew the contract of personnel man Keith Kidd. Heckert will likely fill Kidd's role.

Heckert will not have a position of major power in Denver with John Elway leading the football operations and Matt Russell also playing a key role.

But Heckert does give the Broncos value because of his experience as a decision maker. He was a longtime successful personnel man in Philadelphia and he spent the past three years as the general manager in Cleveland.

The AFC West added quarterbacks Saturday.

Oakland took Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson in the fourth round, and in the seventh round the Chargers added Southern Utah’s Brad Sorensen and Denver picked Miami-Ohio’s Zac Dysert.

Sorensen, who originally went to BYU, is big, smart and productive. He does have some field limitations and he is already 25. There were some thoughts the Chargers would draft Philip Rivers' potential replacement this year. I don’t think Sorensen is that guy. He is a potential backup, though.

Denver’s decision to draft Dysert will make people wonder about Brock Osweiler, who Denver drafted in the second round last year. It shouldn’t, Denver loves Osweiler. If Dysert ever leapfrogs him, it would be a surprise.

But Denver likes Dysert’s skills and executive vice president John Elway covets arms. He figured taking a seventh-round flier on Dysert was worth it.

Now it is up to these young quarterbacks to show their new AFC West teams they were worth the picks.

» NFC draft analysis: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South


Leave it to Manti Te'o to overshadow the No. 1 pick in the draft.

The 2013 NFL draft began when the Kansas City Chiefs took athletic Central Michigan tackle Eric Fisher with the No. 1 pick. It was a great pick, and Fisher has a chance to be a stalwart for years to come.

However, the selection of Fisher was not the story of the draft weekend in the AFC West. The headline-stealing pick came about 24 hours and 37 picks later when the San Diego Chargers, who had been very quiet this offseason, shook up the draft by taking the polarizing Notre Dame inside linebacker Te’o in a trade up.

Te’o was a highly-rated player, but was involved in a bizarre hoax involving a dead girlfriend who, it turned out, did not exist. While Te’o will be remembered for the hoax, he will now try to make a name in the AFC West.

I thought all four teams in the division (the worst division in the NFL last year) made savvy choices. When the draft grades pour in, and they will, I expect solid grades for all four teams.

In the meantime, let’s look closer at the division’s draft:

BEST MOVES

It’s difficult to beat what new San Diego general manager Tom Telesco pulled off in the second and third rounds. After taking Alabama right tackle D.J. Fluker with the 11th pick in the first round, Telesco came back firing Friday with the trade up to acquire Te’o and the third-round selection of California receiver Keenan Allen.

Immediately after the Allen choice, ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said Telesco drafted three first-rounders. That view was later echoed by fellow ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper.

I expect both Te’o and Allen to contribute immediately. Allen, who has had some manageable knee issues, is a sure receiver who gives the offense-needy Chargers a serious weapon. Philip Rivers has seen several top weapons leave in free agency in recent years. He gets a gift in the form of Allen.

RISKIEST MOVES

It wasn’t all perfect for the Chargers. They entered the draft, as they entered free agency, with left tackle as their greatest need. It is still a major need.

In some ways the Chargers can’t be blamed for not addressing the position this weekend. Only three left tackles were considered sure instant starters -- Fisher, Luke Joeckel and Lane Johnson -- and they were all off the board in the first four picks. So the Chargers really didn’t have a chance to get any of them. Still, it is risky for the Chargers to come out of this draft without a left tackle. They may have to pursue Baltimore free agent Bryant McKinnie as a short-term rental.

The Raiders also did well in the draft overall. But they did not get a sure pass-rusher. Oakland had a paltry 25 sacks last season. They need a pass-rush burst somewhere. But the Raiders had so many holes, they simply couldn't fill all of them. Oakland has to figure something out on defense, or progress will be delayed.

MOST SURPRISING MOVE

In a mild surprise, the Raiders took Houston cornerback D.J. Hayden. He is a fine player, and the Raiders maintain they would have taken him at No. 3 had they been unable to trade down with Miami and take him at 12. Now, that would have been a surprise.

Leaguewide, Hayden was expected to be taken in the 15-25 range, but several teams really liked him. The last time he was on a football field was November, when he tore a major vein that pumps blood to the heart. Such injuries are most common in auto accidents and have just a 5 percent survival rate. Still, Hayden has been cleared. I expect him to be a great immediate help for the Raiders, who badly need star power at the position.

FILE IT AWAY

Denver first-round pick Sylvester Williams is going to be an instant standout. The North Carolina product was expected to go much higher than No. 28. He is disruptive and athletic. He fits in with a young, talented Denver defense. John Elway scored on defense with his first two top picks in Von Miller and Derek Wolfe and he did it again with Williams.

 
Remember a couple of years ago when the defensive tackle position was a problem for the Denver Broncos?

Not so much anymore.

The Broncos continued to get bigger in the middle of the defense Thursday night when they took advantage of an unexpected fall by North Carolina defensive tackle Sylvester Williams.

“That is a steal in the first round,” ESPN analyst Todd McShay said on the air of Denver getting Williams with the 28th overall pick in the draft.

The Williams choice was typical of the John Elway regime. The Broncos took the best defensive player on the board. Elway’s mantra is to let the board come to him, and that’s what happened when Williams dropped to Denver.

Williams, who was expected to be picked in the 18-25 range, is disruptive and athletic. He has a chance to boost Denver’s rotation immediately. Denver also signed Terrance Knighton in free agency; he and Kevin Vickerson will help, too. Denver’s run defense should rapidly improve with the additions of Knighton and Williams.

Denver was expected to take a pass-rusher to make up for the loss of Elvis Dumervil. The Broncos could take one later in the draft or sign a veteran such as Dwight Freeney or John Abraham. In the meantime, Robert Ayers and Derek Wolfe will be asked to assist star Von Miller.

While Denver’s defense is not complete, the Williams pick does significantly improve the unit, which finished last season No. 2 in the NFL.

Denver Broncos executive vice president John Elway said Monday he is comfortable with keeping the No. 28 pick in this week's NFL draft because of the overall depth of the draft.

Elway told reporters the Broncos could decide their own first-round fate, but he is fine with staying put.

“I think we’re open to anything,” Elway said. “That’s really where we’re going to go. Again, this is always so fluid. Plus, going up -- it’s expensive to go up. That’s not saying we wouldn’t take a chance if there was somebody there to be able to go up to. So, I think that you look at the depth of this draft and there are a lot of good football players in this draft. As I stand here now, we’ll get a good football player at No. 28. That’s our plan right now. We’ll see how things go from here through the rest of the week.

“Since I have been doing this in the last three years, there have not been 32 first-round grades, if you understand what I’m saying. You look at 20, 21, 22, 23 first-round grades probably given out every year. So then when you get past that point, you’re looking at second-rounders where those guys are going to have the impact on your also, just not the first-round grades. The depth of the draft is going to determine what you do there at 28, where we are. But, we also think with this year’s draft—as I’ve said, we don’t look at it as there are a ton of impact guys, but there is a lot of depth to it and a lot of real good football players. That’s what we feel like at No. 28, we’re going to be able to get a pretty darn good football player.”

Last year, Denver drafted down from the bottom of the first round into the second round and took defensive end Derek Wolfe, who had a strong rookie season. I think Denver will have a lot of options at No. 28 and I could see the Broncos either decide to stay there or perhaps trading down a bit if the price is right.

Move on Lamar Odom and Kris Humphries, the Denver Broncos have their own reality television star.

Receiver Eric Decker and his fiancée, country singer Jessie James are going to star in an upcoming E! Reality show chronicling the couple’s march to the altar. It will be called: "Love and Other Contact Sports: Eric and Jessie".

Monday, Denver executive vice president John Elway told reporters in Denver that the team is fine with Decker’s off-field endeavor.

“He came in and talked to me the other day about it, so I gave him [my] blessing,” Elway said. “To each his own. I don’t think that’s going to affect him. I know Eric Decker and how hard he works and what football means to him.”

Decker tweeted Monday that the show will not be a professional distraction.

In other Denver news, Denver safety Quinton Carter's felony casino cheating charges from a recent arrest in Nevada were dropped.

Mel Kiper is all in on the Kansas City Chiefs.

In this Hot Button topic, Kiper and Todd McShay debated which teams that pick in the top five in this week’s draft -- Kansas City, Jacksonville, Oakland, Philadelphia and Detroit --- are ready to make a quick turnaround in 2013.

Kiper picked the Chiefs. McShay went with the Eagles.

The Chiefs, who have the No. 1 pick in the draft, went 2-14 last year. However they have upgraded at several areas and are poised to get better in the draft. I can see why Kiper went with Kansas City.

Please take the SportsNation poll that is part of the above link to express your thoughts on the topic.

In other AFC West notes:

Denver running back Willis McGahee said in a radio interview he is healthy and ready for the 2013 season.

John Elway a Raider? Yep, it almost happened.

 

For those wondering if John Elway’s role as the Denver Broncos’ executive vice president of football operations is a short-term endeavor, stop.

Denver president Joe Ellis said the legendary quarterback, who is entering his third season as the team’s top football decision-maker, is not going anywhere.

“He’s dug in,” Ellis told reporters Friday. “I went up and visited the draft meetings just to see the interaction and see how they were working in the room. They’re in there early in the morning until early evening with a lot of conversation. John’s listening, hearing everybody out. There’s good dialogue between he and Coach Fox, back and forth, some of the assistant coaches, some of the personnel people. I run out of gas after about an hour and a half -- my attention span isn’t quite as good as theirs when it comes to analyzing players over and over. But they’re doing a lot of hard work. I don’t see him wavering with that at all. I think he’s very good about delegating and listening, but also strong enough and confident enough in his knowledge and his opinions to have the courage of his convictions and make good decisions on behalf of the organization, as I said, short-term and long-term. I believe he’s going to be here for a while.”

Elway has been widely considered a smashing success since taking over as a rookie decision-maker two years ago. Denver has won the AFC West title in both of Elway’s years with the team, and he is the primary reason why Peyton Manning signed with the team last year. Ellis said he has no doubts about Elway.

"Somebody asked me, ‘Are you surprised at how well he’s doing?’ My answer to that would be I’m surprised that people are surprised that he’s doing that well, because he brings a lot to the table. He brings leadership, competitive fire -- he’s one of the most competitive guys you know -- wants to win in the worst way, a lot of intelligence, knowledge, and he brings an outside business perspective to it, which is very, very rare. He’s fully vested in the organization and the community. He understands all about the fans and how much this team means to them. He’s disciplined. It’s very, very noticeable in meeting with him and talking with him. He sticks to his plan. He stays disciplined. Teams get in trouble in this league when they sway from their plan and sway from what is their discipline. I know Pat (Bowlen) feels very, very confident that John will not do that. We’re lucky to have him here.”

In another AFC West note:

Quarterback coach Steve Clarkson is working with Oakland backup quarterback Terrelle Pryor in addition to Tim Tebow. Clarkson told the San Francisco Chronicle that he thinks Pryor can develop into a quality NFL player.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. explains that both the Oakland Raiders and the San Diego Chargers face dilemmas in the first round. Kiper wonders whether the two rivals could work together on a trade involving the No. 3 and No. 11 picks.

Such a trade could benefit both teams, but would either team want to help the other? It’s all part of the drama that is the NFL draft.

Meanwhile, the NFL Network is reporting the Minnesota Vikings want to move up in the first round. The Vikings have the No. 23 and 25 picks in the draft. The reports state Minnesota wants to move up to get a receiver. That could be good news for the Chargers. The receiver run will likely start in the Nos. 11-15 range. So, perhaps the Vikings will be interested in San Diego’s pick. Still, it is unlikely the Vikings would send both of their first-round choices in a deal. But the Chargers could be interested in trading down if, as expected, the top three left tackles are off the board at No. 11.

In other AFC West notes:

A good omen for the Chargers? We’ll see.

The Chiefs’ draft plans and the Raiders’ offseason are discussed in this video.

Here is a look at an upcoming ESPN documentary on John Elway and his role in the 1983 draft.

I know there is a lot of buzz because the Denver Broncos reportedly had pre-draft visits with quarterbacks Zac Dysert (Miami-Ohio) and Matt Scott (Arizona).

Both players are considered mid-round prospects. I wouldn’t read too much into it as far as how these visits affect Brock Osweiler's future. The Broncos love Osweiler, who they drafted in the second round last April, and view him as an effective starter when Peyton Manning, 37, leaves the game in two or three seasons.

John Elway loves quarterbacks. This is his third year as at the helm and he has looked closely at quarterbacks every year. I expect him to continue to check out play-callers he may draft.

Remember, Elway had Gary Kubiak as his backup for the majority of his career as a starting quarterback. Kubiak was considered as one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league. So, he knows the importance of being stacked at the position.

Denver has other draft needs, but if the timing is right, I could see a quarterback being drafted at some point.

Meanwhile, Caleb Hanie is reportedly signing with the Ravens. He was the No. 3 quarterback in Denver (he was signed to be the backup). Denver had no intentions of bringing him back and his signing elsewhere has no impact on the team's draft plans.

Midweek mail call:

Logan Starks from Lincoln, Neb., wants to know if I think Alabama running back Eddie Lacy could be Denver’s choice with the No. 28 pick.

Bill Williamson: I think Lacy could certainly be a possibility. In fact, in my last mock draft, I have him tabbed to be Denver’s choice. But with Elvis Dumervil leaving, the Broncos will also be looking at pass-rushers. Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway is known for going for the best available player. But Lacy, I believe, will be in the conversation.

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Antonio Spellman from San Diego wants to know if I think the Chargers will add another running back.

BW: I think they could draft a running back in the mid-rounds. Ryan Mathews is the starter, but he has yet to prove he can stay healthy. He needs help. The team signed Danny Woodhead and he will have a role on third down and in the red zone. Ronnie Brown was brought back as a backup. The team claimed Fozzy Whittaker off waivers from Arizona. New San Diego offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt coached Whittaker and he likes him. But I can still see them adding another tailback into the mix.

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Md. Ellis from Council Bluffs, Iowa, wants to know what the Raiders should expect in terms of compensatory picks in 2014.

BW: Well, Raiders fans should hope not much. That would mean that the players who left in free agency fared better than the ones brought in. The comp pick formula is based on several things, including salary, performance and honors received by outgoing free agents weighed against the performance against incoming free agents. Yes, a lot of outgoing Oakland players got paid well this offseason opposed to several players who were signed by Oakland. But the incoming free agents will play a lot. So, if the Raiders get a slew of comp picks it will mean the incoming free-agent class didn’t fare that well.

The Elvis Dumervil saga is over. The Denver Broncos’ search for a pass-rushing complement to star Von Miller is not, though.

FaxGate has ended with Dumervil agreeing to terms with the Baltimore Ravens. Now, Denver will likely sign either Dwight Freeney or John Abraham.

We will be back with more thoughts later. Here is a statement from Broncos vice president John Elway in the meantime:

“As we have from the start of this process, we worked diligently over the last week to find a way for Elvis Dumervil to remain a Denver Bronco. Although we made multiple contract offers to Elvis after being forced to release him, we were unable to reach an agreement and are now moving forward without him.

“Elvis was a team captain and a talented player who made a great impact during his seven seasons in Denver. I appreciate all of his effort on the field and the work he did in the community.

“I wish Elvis all the best as he continues his NFL career.”

Free agency is 11 days old, and the heavy lifting has been done. The Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs were among the busiest teams in the NFL this offseason. Elsewhere in the AFC West, the Oakland Raiders and the San Diego Chargers have taken more measured approaches because of salary-cap constraints.

There are still bargains out there, and I expect Oakland and San Diego to cherry-pick the remaining scraps in free agency to bolster their rosters. And then there's the draft, coming up in a little more than a month.

Let’s do a late-March checkpoint for each team:

Denver Broncos

Where are they strong? Denver doesn’t have many holes, and its offense got more potent with the addition of slot receiver Wes Welker. His signing was one of the stories of the offseason. He is a perfect addition and a new toy for quarterback Peyton Manning. Pair Welker with Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker and Denver has arguably the best group of receivers in the NFL. Denver added cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, defensive tackle Terrance Knighton and middle linebacker Stewart Bradley to a defense that finished 2012 rated No. 2 overall in the NFL.

Where are they weak? The Broncos could use a safety, some clarity at middle linebacker, perhaps another pass-rusher and a running back.

Biggest remaining question: Where is Denver going to go with the No. 28 pick in the draft? The John Elway regime is known for taking the best available player. If there is a safety such as Texas’ Kenny Vaccaro or a running back such as Alabama's Eddie Lacy available, I can see Elway pouncing. Either could come in and play a major role.

Kansas City Chiefs

Where are they strong? The new regime has done a nice job of beefing up, making the Chiefs better in a lot of spots. They were already good at linebacker; now they are strong in the secondary after adding cornerbacks Sean Smith and Dunta Robinson. Along with Brandon Flowers, this might be the best group of cornerbacks in the NFL. Throw in young safety Eric Berry and this is a powerhouse.

Where are they weak? You never want to go too crazy about a team coming off a 2-14 season, but the Chiefs don’t have a ton of holes. They have improved in key spots and don't have glaring holes. The biggest improvement, of course, was at quarterback, where Alex Smith takes over for Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn. Smith is not elite, not even close. Still, he is far from terrible. With that problem fixed, the Chiefs might look to get stronger on the offensive line, and they also could use another inside linebacker and another body on the defensive line. But that’s average stuff. Pretty good for a 2-14 team.

Biggest remaining question: Will the Chiefs trade left tackle Branden Albert? The franchised player could command a second-round pick in return. That would make up for the second-round pick Kansas City lost in the Smith trade. The Chiefs could be interested in such a move. If that deal happens, the team probably would take Texas A&M left tackle Luke Joeckel with the No. 1 pick and find an answer elsewhere for the hole at right tackle.

Oakland Raiders

Where are they strong? This team has talent despite the exodus the past two offseasons. I think the most interesting group right now is the linebackers after the addition of free agents Nick Roach, Kevin Burnett and Kaluka Maiava. The Raiders also have second-year player Miles Burris, who started as a rookie. The front seven will vary, but the Raiders are expected to remain a 4-3 base defense -- so there is some versatility on this unit.

Where are they weak? The Raiders have holes on both sides of the ball as they rebuild after years of wild spending by the previous regime. They need big help on the secondary and must continue to work on the defense as a whole. Tight end and offensive line are other positions of need.

Biggest remaining question: Second-year general manager Reggie McKenzie has added some nice pieces at bargain rates in free agency after seeing several good players leave. Can McKenzie continue to find more help? This team still needs six to nine starters.

San Diego Chargers

Where are they strong? This is a good team on defense. It was underrated last season, especially the front seven. The Chargers also have quarterback Philip Rivers. Yes, he has had some issues the past two years, but new coach Mike McCoy has often said the key is to build around Rivers.

Where are they weak? OK, well, the Chargers have to continue to build around Rivers. The offensive line still needs two or three starters, and another skill-position weapon is a must. Cornerback Derek Cox was a good get, but the Chargers need Shareece Wright or Marcus Gilchrist to take the next step at cornerback. Another safety might be needed, as well.

Biggest remaining question: How are the offensive line holes going to get fixed? The team probably will draft a left tackle with the No. 11 pick, but this unit needs to get better or Rivers will have no chance to succeed.