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Not that they were worried about it, but the Denver Broncos can breathe easy -- Tracy Porter will not pay any price for the New Orleans Saints’ bounty scandal.

The NFL suspended four players for their participation in the Saints’ bounty program. Porter was not one of the four players, and the league has indicated no other players will be suspended. Porter, a starting right cornerback who has played his four-year career with the Saints, signed with Denver in March.

His name never publicly came up in any of the bounty talk. However, as a starting defender on the team, there was always a chance the NFL could investigate him. The Broncos were confident Porter didn’t have any involvement in the scandal.

When he signed with Denver, Porter said: “It’s something that the league felt they had evidence on. The thing that I will say about it is that the whole label of bounties is absurd. There was definitely no bounty on any player out there in the game. We were just playing football.”

News that New Orleans general manager Mickey Loomis was allegedly able to listen on opposing coaches could be annoying to Kansas City Chiefs fans.

The Saints beat the visiting Chiefs, 27-20, on Nov. 14, 2004 at the Superdome. The Saints won the game in the fourth quarter and overcame a 10-point deficit in the game. A week later, Denver crushed the Saints, 34-13, at the Superdome. Those were the only games at the Superdome spanning the 2002-04 seasons. ESPN’s “Outside the Lines’ is reporting that Loomis had the ability to listen to opposing coaches in his suite at the Superdome spanning those seasons.

In other AFC West news:

Boise State outside linebacker Shea McClellin may be on the Chargers’ radar at No. 18. I could see him being a potential target in a trade-down situation.

The Oakland Tribune has an interesting look at Raiders’ owner Mark Davis.

The Broncos’ playbook has a modern look.

Let’s look at one road trip fans should take to see their favorite AFC West team in 2012:

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots, Oct. 7

Why: New England is beautiful that time of year and seeing Peyton Manning-Tom Brady live is a priceless experience.

Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers, Nov. 1

Why: Start a long weekend in a great city with a cool intra-divisional Thursday night game.

Oakland Raiders at Broncos, Sept. 30

Why: I know many commenters on this blog are planning this trip. Hope to see you there.

San Diego Chargers at New Orleans Saints, Oct. 7

Why: A Philip Rivers-Drew Brees matchup in a tremendous city is a hot ticket.

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.”

The Denver Broncos’ decision to bring in former New Orleans cornerback Tracy Porter in for one year for $4 million means a few things:

Andre' Goodman is probably out of the picture. The Broncos were looking for an upgrade at right cornerback. Porter, 25, is considered a decent No. 2 cornerback and should be a good complement to Champ Bailey.

It likely means the Broncos will not continue to pursue Pittsburgh cornerback William Gay. It was probably an either/or situation and Porter is considered the better player.

Even though Porter is signed for just one year and Bailey will turn 34 in June, the Broncos will probably draft a defensive tackle or a cornerback in the first round. Why? It’s more of an immediate need. I could still see cornerback being addressed early in the draft and maybe Denver will look for some more depth in free agency.

Oakland wanted Porter, but he was a bit too pricey. Porter played for new Raiders coach Dennis Allen in New Orleans.

I caught up with Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. to get this view on the Porter signing. Williamson thinks Porter is the best of three starting cornerbacks who have joined the AFC West in free agency. Oakland has brought in Ronald Bartell and Shawntae Spencer.

Here are Williamson’s thoughts on the Porter signing: “He’s a real good addition. He’s a strong No. 2 cornerback opposite Champ. Porter isn’t overly strong or physical, but he can play man coverage and he is a playmaker on the ball. I am shocked he lasted so long. I would put him ahead of a fully healthy Bartell and certainly over Spencer.”

The man who ruined Peyton Manning’s most recent Super Bowl appearance will join him in a quest for another championship.

According to an NFL source, Denver has signed New Orleans cornerback Tracy Porter to a one-year, $4 million deal.

Porter is best known for intercepting a Manning pass and returning for a touchdown to seal the Saints’ victory over the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV in 2010. Manning signed with Denver on Tuesday.

Porter will start opposite Champ Bailey in Denver. I’ll be back with more thoughts on this story later.

It will be lost in the specter of Peyton Manning’s arrival and Tim Tebow’s departure, the loss of Brodrick Bunkley is significant in Denver.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Bunkley has signed a five-year, $25 million deal with the Saints with $9 million in guaranteed money. It is a pricey deal, but he’s a valuable player.

Many scouts thought Bunkley was a key to Denver’s defensive success last year. An underrated player, he was a major cog in the middle.

This is a blow for a defense that must continue to get better. The Broncos needed to add to the position even if they brought back Bunkley. Now, they need several additions to the spot. They need to bring back Marcus Thomas and make other additions. Among the free-agent defensive tackles available are Antonio Garay, Aubrayo Franklin, Trevor Laws and Pat Sims.

Expect Denver to take a defensive tackle (it’s a strong class) with the No. 25 pick. The last time Denver took a defensive tackle in the first round was in 1997 when they took Trevor Pryce. Meanwhile, the Broncos, who are in talks with several defensive free agents, need to continue to get the overall unit better.

NFL.com reports Jacksonville will be strong players for Tim Tebow in the trade market. Jacksonville is his hometown and new Jacksonville owner Shahid Khan has said he would have drafted Tebow in the 2010 draft.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported Jacksonville, Green Bay, Miami and the Jets all have interest in Tebow. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen said a deal could be done Wednesday or Thursday.

As expected, Colts’ tight end Jaocb Tamme and center Jeff Saturday are set to visit the Broncos. Both played with new Denver quarterback Peyton Manning in Indianapolis.

UT San Diego reports Kansas City running back Jackie Battle has left his visit with the Chargers without a contract. The Chargers are considering four players to replace Mike Tolbert as the backup running back. Meanwhile, the paper is reporting defensive lineman Luis Castillo has been offered a contract to return. He has also visited the Chiefs and New England.

The Denver Post reports the Broncos are working to get a deal done with defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley. He is a priority in Denver and I think re-signing him is a must. New Orleans is in on Bunkley as well.

The market for Oakland running back Michael Bush -- the best available free agent in the AFC West in my mind -- continues to plod along.

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.

It was almost 12 hours ago when I first reported that San Diego Chargers running back Mike Tolbert has signed a four-year deal with the Carolina Panthers. I ended the short post by saying I would have more on the story later.

I should have indicated it would be much, much later. I guess I got sidetracked by another little story that developed in the AFC West.

Anyway, without further ado, here are some thoughts on Tolbert’s departure:

I don’t like it.

Last month, I wrote the Chargers couldn’t afford to lose another running back. Last year, they saw Darren Sproles go to New Orleans and he was missed. So will Tolbert.

He is a stud in short yardage, he has nice hands, he is a fine blocker, and he is great on special teams. Winning teams have players like Tolbert.

Ryan Mathews will need a new complement. Two names to keep an eye on are Kansas City’s Jackie Battle and Oakland’s Michael Bush. Bush is getting interest from the Bengals, Bears and Seahawks. Perhaps the Chargers will join the party. Other running backs available include Cedric Benson, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Brandon Jacobs, Ryan Grant and Joseph Addai.

The Chargers will see a lot of familiar faces when they play the NFC South in 2012. They will see Tolbert and Sproles as they will see recently departed star receiver Vincent Jackson in Tampa Bay and will face former backup running back Michael Turner when they play the Falcons.

The Chargers' last real priority in-house free agent is defensive tackle Antonio Garay.

Peyton Manning has reportedly told the Broncos, 49ers and the Titans he will sign early next week. We will see. He is reportedly throwing for the Titans on Saturday. He threw for the Broncos on Friday and he threw for the 49ers earlier in the week.

UT San Diego reports Chargers’ running back Mike Tolbert is talking to the Steelers and the Panthers. He is on an undisclosed visit on Saturday and there is a chance he will sign a new deal Saturday. It appears Tolbert will not return to San Diego. If he is, indeed, gone from San Diego, the Chargers will miss him.

CBS Sports is reporting Denver defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley will visit the Saints. The Broncos want Bunkley bad. Losing him would hurt Denver because it needs another defensive tackle as well. I would be surprised if Denver doesn’t make a competitive offer to retain Bunkley.

There has been some speculation Oakland could pursue Houston center Chris Myers, but he signed back with the Texans.

Dennis Allen has finally landed Ronald Bartell.

Three years ago, when Bartell was last a free agent, he visited the Saints and struck up a relationship with Allen, then New Orleans' secondary coach. Bartell ended up re-signing with the Rams.

Friday, however, Allen and Bartell united. The Raiders signed Bartell to a one-year deal. Bartell, 30, will be one of Oakland’s starting cornerbacks. The Raiders will continue to look in free agency for another starting cornerback and have been in the mix for the Saints' Tracy Porter, who has played for Allen.

Bartell said he is looking forward to playing for the new Oakland coach. Bartell also played for Oakland defensive backs coach Clayton Lopez in St. Louis.

I caught up with Bartell on Friday evening. He is excited about the opportunity to work with familiar faces.

“This is the perfect match for me,” Bartell said. “I know some of these guys and I feel comfortable with what they are doing. I really look forward to the opportunity to playing in Oakland.”

Bartell, who has 66 NFL starts, missed all but one game last season with a neck injury. He said he is completely healthy.

“I’m looking forward to stabilizing the position for Oakland and showing everybody how effective I can be when I’m healthy,” Bartell said.

The Oakland Raiders have joined the free-agent pickup party.

After cutting seven players in salary-cap dumps, Oakland added former St. Louis cornerback Ronald Bartell and former Houston guard Mike Brisiel on Friday.

Let’s be frank. These signings aren’t going to cause a wave of worry in the NFL as neither is an upper-echelon player. But they fill holes in Oakland and that’s important.

Bartell missed all but one game last year with a neck injury. He has started 66 career games. He will start for Oakland, which entered the day with no experienced starters at cornerback. The Raiders have also shown interest in New Orleans cornerback Tracy Porter, who played for new Oakland coach Dennis Allen when Allen was the Saints’ secondary coach.

I could see the Raiders trying to sign Porter to pair with Bartell. The Raiders, who have lost veterans Nnamdi Asomugha, Stanford Routt and Chris Johnson since last July, are rail thin at the position.

If Porter isn’t signed, Oakland could switch safety Michael Huff to cornerback, but the Raiders would have to come up with a replacement for Huff. Second-year cornerbacks DeMarcus Van Dyke and Chimdi Chewka will also get the chance to develop.

Brisiel will start at guard. Former Houston offensive line coach Frank Pollack was hired for the same job in Oakland this year and the Raiders are going to employ a zone-blocking scheme, which Houston ran. Brisiel is known as a tough, smart player, but he has had injury issues. Oakland could still potentially add to the offensive line at guard or center. Second-year guard Stefen Wisniewski could be moved to center.

The Raiders have several holes, because of their salary-cap moves, so expect more signings. Because the Raiders have limited cap space, expect the next moves to be of the modest variety like Friday's signings. But if the Raiders can continue to find experienced starters, they will be better off for it.

NFL Network is reporting that the Denver Broncos and the Tennessee Titans are not just competing for Peyton Manning, but also for Atlanta pass-rusher John Abraham.

Abraham will turn 34 in May, but he can still be effective. He had 9.5 sacks last season. He is a consistent pass-rusher who has 112 sacks in 12 NFL seasons. He's reached double digits in sacks in three of the past five seasons.

Adding Abraham to a pass rush that includes Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil would give Denver one of the very best pass rushes in the NFL.

In other AFC West news:

NFL Network is reporting the 49ers will sign Oakland special-teams ace Rock Cartwright, pending a physical. Cartwright was a pivotal part of the Raiders’ locker room. The loss would sting some.

In addition to visiting with former St. Louis cornerback Ronald Bartell on Thursday, the Raiders are showing a lot of interest in New Orleans cornerback Tracy Porter. That makes total sense. He played for new Oakland head coach Dennis Allen in New Orleans. Porter is visiting Cincinnati. Expect the Raiders to express interest in several cornerbacks. It’s their biggest need area.

In a news conference to introduce Robert Meachem, Chargers coach Norv Turner said the former New Orleans Saint is a No. 1 receiver and that’s the plan in San Diego. Meachem was signed to a four-year, $25.9 million deal on Tuesday night, hours after former San Diego No. 1 receiver Vincent Jackson bolted for Tampa Bay on the strength of a five-year, $55.5 million deal.

Meachem was a rotational player in New Orleans, but he has 4.3 speed and he is strong in the vertical game which is a focus in San Diego with Norv Turner and quarterback Philip Rivers. If Meachem can stay healthy, he should make an impact. He is not Jackson, but he can help this team. It's clear Turner is expecting big things from Meachem.

Another cornerback is off the market when Richard Marshall signed with Miami. Opportunities for Oakland are getting fewer. The Raiders do have interest in St. Louis’ Ronald Bartell.

Former San Diego left tackle Marcus McNeill will visit the Lions on Thursday. He was cut because the team owed him a large roster bonus and there were concerns about his neck injury that ended his season prematurely in 2011.