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With Peyton Manning coming and Tim Tebow going out, the Broncos still are not settled at the quarterback position.

Who is going to be Manning's backup?

Denver could always opt to keep Tebow, but ESPN has reported the team will try to trade him. They may even release him if they don’t find a trade partner.

The matter of Manning’s backup is significant. Manning passed the Broncos’ physical and he has been cleared to play in 2012 after missing all of last season with a neck injury. But there has to be a backup plan.

There aren’t too many great options out there. The top backup options are Byron Leftwich, Matt Leinart, Charlie Batch Donovan McNabb, Vince Young, Billy Volek, Josh Johnson and Dennis Dixon. Of that group, I think Volek -- who was released by the Chargers last week -- could be the best option. He is a serviceable player in a pinch.

Denver could always draft a quarterback to groom behind Manning. Manning, who turns 36 Saturday, probably has at least three solid seasons remaining in him if his neck holds up.

It might be a little early to draft a quarterback in the early rounds and I think Denver is now out of the Brandon Weeden mix. Denver has closely scouted him, but he will be 29 during the season. There is little chance Denver will take a quarterback who may not be in the position to start until he is well in his 30s.

Last week, we looked at rookie quarterbacks who may be a good fit for the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs.

Both teams are expected to add a quarterback during the offseason. Let’s take a look at the current unrestricted free agents, who could intrigue either team. The list doesn’t include the Colts’ Peyton Manning. But once he is cut, expect both teams to at least consider signing him with the Chiefs being the more likely of the two teams.

Jason Campbell: I could see the former Raiders starter in Kansas City. He played for Chiefs’ quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn for two years in Washington.

Dennis Dixon: He could be a backup option in Denver if the Broncos are looking for a mobile quarterback.

David Garrard: He may be rusty after sitting out the 2011 season and he won’t be a top option. But he is an experienced backup that could fit in with either team.

Chad Henne: There has been talk Denver will be interested and he could push Tim Tebow. Kansas City could also be interested. He played for new Kansas City offensive coordinator Brian Daboll last season.

Shaun Hill: I could see him being on Denver’s list as a backup.

Josh Johnson: Denver could look at him as a backup to Tebow.

Byron Leftwich: Like Garrard and Hill, he is an experienced backup who could be interesting for Denver if other options don’t develop.

Kyle Orton: If he doesn’t get a better option, Orton could come back to Kansas City and try to take Matt Cassel's job.

Brady Quinn: I doubt he returns to Denver, but if other options don’t pan out in Kansas City, he could be looked at as a backup. He played for Chiefs’ coach Romeo Crennel in Cleveland.

Sage Rosenfels: Put him in the Garrard, Hill, Leftwich category for Denver.

Vince Young: Giving Tebow a similar backup would be compelling and you never know, maybe the light would finally come on for Young in Denver.

Jason Campbell in Kansas City? Vince Young in Denver? According to these predictions, yes, that’s where these free-agent quarterbacks will land.

Campbell could be an interesting option for the Chiefs. He would reunite with Jim Zorn, who is Kansas City’s quarterbacks coach. Zorn was Washington’s head coach in 2008-09 when Campbell was the starter. The Chiefs’ brass has said Matt Cassel will get competition this season. Fellow free agent Kyle Orton finished the season as Kansas City’s starter.

Cassel, Campbell and Orton are all comparable players and it comes done to personal preference. Perhaps Campbell would be intrigued by playing with Zorn. I’m sure, like Orton, Campbell would rather sign where he is the unquestioned starter, but that may not be possible.

Meanwhile, the Young connection to Denver would be interesting as a backup to Tim Tebow. Both players are mobile and teams like their backup to have a similar game to their starter for continuity.

Free agency starts March 13. Will these quarterback parings happen? We’ll see, but it’s interesting to consider in mid-February.

In other AFC West news:

San Diego general manager A.J. Smith talks about the team’s plans in free agency.

Kansas City coach Romeo Crennel is counting the days until he can get his team on the field.

There’s no doubt Carson Palmer was the best available quarterback for the Oakland Raiders, who are trying to keep their playoff hopes alive in the aftermath of losing Jason Campbell, possibly for the season, to a broken collarbone.

But the question that will define the Raiders for the next few years is: Is Palmer worth the steep price the Raiders paid Cincinnati to get him?

The Raiders sent the Bengals their first-round pick in 2012 and a conditional pick in 2013 -- a pick that will be a first-rounder if the Raiders win the AFC title game this season or next. (If they don't, the 2013 pick is a second-rounder.) That is a huge commitment for a player who will turn 32 this year, hasn’t played since last season and has been in decline.

Yet the Raiders, who had Vince Young as their backup plan to Palmer, think Palmer is the best quarterback for them as they move forward. A lot of it has to do with the familiarity between Palmer and Oakland coach Hue Jackson. Jackson coached Palmer both at USC and in Cincinnati.

Palmer has a big arm, and he’s accurate. He should benefit from the Raiders’ athletic group of young receivers. Plus, Oakland has the NFL’s best rushing team.

But can he still be productive?

Palmer, who has completed 62.9 percent of his career passes, struggled in 2010. He threw 20 interceptions. His 23 turnovers were the fourth most among all NFL quarterbacks, according to ESPN Stats & Information. His last statistically strong season was in 2007, the season before he missed 12 games with a serious elbow injury. Jackson last coached Palmer in 2006.

Palmer’s completion percentage, yards per attempt, yards per game and touchdown-to-interception ratio have slipped in the past three years, according to ESPN Stats & Information. From 2004 to '07, Palmer threw 104 touchdowns. He has thrown 50 touchdown passes the past three seasons combined. Palmer's Total QBR for 2010 was 46.2, good for 25th best in the NFL.

Since 2008, Palmer has struggled against seven or more defenders in coverage, according to ESPN Stats & Information. He's averaged 6.5 yards per attempt in those situations, which is 29th best in the NFL.

Campbell was efficient in the Raiders' offense because he was a good game manger and didn’t make many mistakes. Palmer will have to improve on his recent spate of poor decision-making. The trade is risky considering the price it cost Oakland -- veterans such as Kyle Orton and Donovan McNabb likely could have been had for much less.

Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. doesn’t think Palmer is a top player anymore.

“Palmer does fit the offense, and I think he might, might, be an upgrade over Campbell,” Williamson said. “But I think Oakland way overpaid for an older quarterback that really has not played well for the past few years. He used to be an elite passer, but I haven’t seen that in quite a while. He doesn’t move well. I do think a change of scenery will help him. But he also had led the league in near-interceptions, and his decision-making is just average. He isn’t close to what he once was.”

Let’s catch up on some AFC West happenings that occurred during the flurry of Oakland activity:

The Chargers signed pass-rusher Travis LaBoy to a two-year deal. He was with new San Diego defensive coordinator Greg Manusky in San Francisco. LaBoy is a good, situational player. It’s a nice pickup. He is the second former 49er the Chargers agreed to terms with this week. Inside linebacker Takeo Spikes was added Tuesday.

More talk that the Broncos-Dolphins trade talk involving quarterback Kyle Orton is dead for now. It looks like Orton will be in Denver, unless another team's starter gets hurt.

Denver prized rookie linebacker Von Miller suffered a minor injury and had to leave practice. He is day-to-day.

Keep on an eye on former New England defensive tackle Ty Warren in Kansas City. He played for Chiefs’ general manager Scot Pioli and Chiefs’ defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel with the Patriots. He could be a good rotation player.

In addition to Nnamdi Asomugha, the Eagles brought in former Raiders’ returner Johnnie Lee Higgins.

The Football Outsiders analyze the Asomugha signing.

The Jets brought out the big guns for Asomugha and still couldn’t land him.

Vince Young will not be coming to the AFC West.

The Chiefs re-signed running back Jackie Battle, tackle Ryan O’Callaghan, tight end Leonard Pope and they announced fullback Mike Cox signed his restricted free agent tender and safety Reshard Langford signed his exclusive rights free agent tender.

Early, I mean early, morning AFC West notes:

Here is a report that says Vince Young is almost a slam-dunk to join the Eagles. ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Thursday he thought Oakland could be a good spot for Young.

What does Denver cornerback Champ Bailey think of the idea of Nnamdi Asomugha and Darrelle Revis teaming with the Jets: “That would be crazy,” Bailey said. “I don’t think that’s legal.”

Here’s a prediction that Asomugha will become a Jet later Friday. Wherever he goes, let’s hope this saga ends shortly.

The San Diego Union Tribune reports Chargers’ third-round pick Vincent Brown has signed.

Meanwhile, the Vikings’ continue to be connected with San Diego receiver Malcom Floyd. He is not expected to return to the Chargers.

John Fox will see a familiar face Friday.

It was a lively first day of camp for the Raiders.

Mike Tolbert will sign his tender in San Diego on Friday.

We have to wonder whether Johnathan Joseph's agreement with Houston means Oakland free-agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is headed to the New York Jets or elsewhere. The Texans were considered a favorite along with the Jets to land Asomugha.

The Texans’ agreement with Joseph means Houston didn’t feel like it could get Asomugha. The Jets reportedly want to hear an answer from the top free-agent prize, one way or another. Here is a thought that Asomugha is holding the Jets hostage. It seems like the Jets are getting antsy and they might soon decide to move away from Asomugha if he doesn’t come to a decision soon.

Of course, as long as he is still out there, the Raiders still have a chance. Could Asomugha be waiting to see whether the Raiders can clear the cap room to sign him? Who knows, but the longer this drags on, the more reasonable a question it becomes.

Meanwhile, no surprise that Kansas City cut receiver Chris Chambers and cornerback Jackie Bates. They clearly weren’t in the team’s plans. Chambers played well when the Chiefs claimed him in the second half of the 2009 season off waivers from San Diego. But he didn’t do much last season.

Greg Olsen's trade from Chicago to Carolina means another tight end is off the market. This hasn’t been a hot market for tight ends, so that is good news for the Raiders, who are trying to keep Zach Miller.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting freshly cut Vince Young wants to play for the Eagles. Earlier in the day, Schefter listed the Eagles and Raiders as potential suitors for the former Titans quarterback.

With Vince Young being cut by Tennessee, naturally, the talk turns to where he could land.

Naturally, the Oakland Raiders are being mentioned as a possible landing spot. On ESPN’s “NFL Live,” Adam Schefter said Philadelphia and Oakland are possible suitors for Young and he could be in a new uniform in the next 24-48 hours. Schefter said both jobs would be as a backup.

I could see why the Raiders are connected to Young. Oakland owner Al Davis loves athletes and he has no problem giving talented players a second chance. So, it would be an interesting scenario to see Young come to the Silver and Black to back up Jason Campbell. The Raiders’ current backup is Kyle Boller, who has the support of coach Hue Jackson.

What do you think? Would you like to see Young in an Oakland uniform? Fill up the comment section below with your thoughts.

The Oakland Tribune has reported the Raiders have signed second-round pick Stefen Wisniewski and have just one more pick to sign, third-round pick Joe Barksdale. He is in Napa and waiting to sign. The Raiders start practice this afternoon. Wisniewski, Oakland’s first pick, is expected to start at center.

He is the nephew of former Oakland offensive lineman Steve Wisniewski, who is an assistant offensive line coach in Oakland. The family has been waiting for this reunion to officially start.

In other AFC West nuggets:

ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on "SportsCenter" the New Orleans Saints could make a run at versatile San Diego running back Darren Sproles now that they traded Reggie Bush to Miami. Sproles would fill Bush’s role in New Orleans.

I haven’t heard Sproles’ name much in the past two days, but because of his ability to rush the ball, receive the ball and return it, he does have value. The Chargers are getting tight against the cap after all their moves and they were resigned to letting Sproles leave. But if the market doesn’t develop for him, perhaps San Diego will revisit him. Yet, the opening in New Orleans could change Sproles’ market quickly.

As expected, Tennessee will cut quarterback Vince Young on Thursday. I could envision his name connected to Oakland in a backup role. But the Raiders do like Kyle Boller.

Denver safety Renaldo Hill was not at the Broncos’ first training camp practice. It could mean the team is planning to cut him later Thursday.

Recently, the Oakland Tribune floated the name of Green Bay secondary coach Darren Perry as a possible candidate in Oakland as defensive coordinator. It had been reported that Philadelphia was going to be in hot pursuit of Perry after Green Bay plays in the Super Bowl next Sunday.

Now there is talk that Perry may not be the Eagles’ top target. So perhaps Oakland can get involved. Green Bay runs a 3-4 defense, as do the New York Jets. It was reported that Oakland was denied permission to talk to Jets’ secondary coach, Dennis Thurman. It will be interesting to see if the Raiders end up hiring a coach well versed in the 3-4. The Raiders have been running 4-3 defense as their base scheme with some 3-4 sprinkled in.

Oakland has several front-seven players who are natural fits for the 3-4. If Oakland doesn’t hire a defensive coordinator this week, it could be a sure sign the Raiders are waiting to talk to a Super Bowl participant such as Perry or Green Bay linebackers coach Winston Moss.

Meanwhile, I have received a lot questions from readers if Oakland could be interested in either Philadelphia quarterback Kevin Kolb or Tennessee quarterback Vince Young. ESPN has reported their respective teams would like to trade the players.

I don’t think the Raiders will try to trade for Kolb. He’d be expensive and the Raiders like Jason Campbell as a starter. If Young gets no interest as a starter, I could see the Raiders signing him as a backup if he was cut by the Titans.

The Tennessee Titans announced quarterback Vince Young will not be with the team in 2011.

Let’s take a look if he fits anywhere in the AFC West.

Denver

Depending on who is the new head coach, Young could possibly fit as a backup. It looks like Tim Tebow will be the starter and Kyle Orton will be traded. I could see the Titans making a run at Orton. So, with a backup job likely available, there could be interest in Young. He is a runner like Tebow, so it could be a system fit.

Kansas City

I think the Chiefs will move away from Brodie Croyle as backup, so there might be an opening. But I don’t see Young being a fit in this system.

Oakland

You always have to wonder about Oakland. Al Davis likes giving talented players a second chance. Oakland is hardly set at quarterback but Jason Campbell is probably a more stable fit for the immediate future than Young. Still, I wouldn’t be shocked if Young is wearing the Silver and Black in 2011.

San Diego

Backup Billy Volek may try to leave to pursue a starter’s job, so there may be an opening. But I don’t see the Chargers pursuing Young.

SAN DIEGO – San Diego has used the big play to take the lead against Tennessee. The 2-5 Chargers led the Titans 27-19 early in the fourth quarter,

But the Titans came back with a big play of their own as Vince Young hit Nate Washington for a 71-yard touchdown. The Titans went for two and failed, giving the Chargers a 27-25 lead with more than 11minutes to go.

San Diego took a 24-19 lead on a 48-yard touchdown pass from Philip Rivers to tight end Antonio Gates. Both players are having big games. Rivers has thrown for 258 yards through the first three quarters Sunday. He had thrown for 2,601 yards this season through the third quarter Sunday. No quarterback has thrown for more yards through the first eight games of the season.

Prior to scoring his touchdown, Gates was in the locker room, getting his foot re-taped. He has been dealing with a toe injury for the past two weeks.

Rivers’ touchdown to Gates came one play after backup running back Mike Tolbert had a 36-yard run. Tolbert is the game for rookie starter Ryan Mathews. He suffered cuts to his head and missed a couple of series. He returned in the fourth quarter,

Late in the third quarter, Tolbert was banged up and missed a few plays. On the next play, running back Darren Sproles busted out for a 32-yard run to give the Chargers the ball at Tennessee’s 40-yard line to start the fourth quarter.

If the Chargers are going to keep up their penchant for the big play, they might be able to end their three-game losing streak.

It will be interesting to see if former Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell gets any interest from teams now that he won’t be facing criminal charges after a July arrest. Russell has been working out with an NFL comeback in mind. There was some interest in him after he was cut by the Raiders and before his arrest. At this point, if Russell was going to garner any interest, it won't be until after the season.

Kansas City rookie rusher/receiver/returner Dexter McCluster is questionable to play against Buffalo on Sunday with an ankle injury. It wouldn’t be a shock if he didn’t play this week.

Denver receiver Eddie Royal practiced fully and he is expected to play Sunday against San Francisco at London. Meanwhile, Denver coach Josh McDaniels expects linebacker Robert Ayers to return sooner than later.

The San Diego Union Tribune is reporting that receiver Gary Banks will be signed to help the battered San Diego receiving crew on Sunday against Tennessee.

As expected, Tennessee starting quarterback Vince Young is expected to play against the Chargers despite knee and ankle issues. San Diego is 4-0 against the Young.

San Diego starting receiver Legedu Naanee took a step toward returning to the lineup after missing two games with a hamstring injury. He practiced on a limited basis Wednesday in preparation of Sunday’s home game against Tennessee.

Tight end Antonio Gates didn’t practice because of a toe injury. However, he played Sunday against New England after not practicing all week. I could see a similar plan this week. Naanee’s fellow starter Malcom Floyd did not practice because of a hamstring injury. He missed the New England game. Receiver Buster Davis, who started along with Patrick Crayton in place of Floyd and Naaane, didn’t practice Wednesday because of a ribs injury, but he missed some time last week as well.

Unless there are setbacks, I think the only of the above-mentioned players who is in danger of not playing against Tennessee is Floyd, who may need another week to recover. Kicker Nate Kaeding didn’t practice again with a groin injury and it looks like he may be replaced by Kris Brown for the second straight game.

• Denver receiver Eddie Royal continued to be out with a groin injury. Safety Brian Dawkins and cornerback Andre Goodman practiced fully for the second straight day after they each missed the past two games. They look like they should be able to face San Francisco at London on Sunday if they don’t suffer setbacks. Denver rookie cornerback Perrish Cox didn’t not practice Wednesday because of a concussion he suffered Sunday. He said this week that he didn’t remember the game, which is probably for the best.

• In Kansas City, rookie rusher/receiver/returner Dexter McCluster was limited in practice Wednesday with an ankle injury.

• Titans quarterback Vince Young practiced lightly Wednesday as he tries to come back from an ankle injury. It is still not known if Young or Kerry Collins will play at San Diego on Sunday.

• Buffalo coach Chan Gailey said he had no ill will toward Kansas City coach Todd Haley, who fired him as offensive coordinator in August, 2009. Gailey is now the head coach in Buffalo. The winless Bills visit Kansas City on Sunday.

Denver Broncos receiver Brandon Lloyd said what we were all thinking.

In a radio interview, Lloyd, who is No. 2 in the NFL in receiving yardage, likened the Broncos’ performance in a 59-14 home loss to Oakland on Sunday to a high school game.

“There’s really no excuse for getting blown up on like that. That’s a high school game,” Lloyd said. That’s not a professional football game and it’s embarrassing. It’s just not right and there’s nothing really much we can do about that today but learn from it. Maybe there’s something during the week that we did wrong as players and coaches and try to correct that moving forward.”

Lloyd was also complimentary of the Raiders, calling them a playoff team.

“You look at our division and you can’t look at the Raiders anymore and say ‘Oh, these guys have great talent and the best athletes in the world and they’re not good.’ We can’t say that because our division is so wide open because every team has an opportunity,” Lloyd said. "That makes the Raiders even more dangerous because not only do they have the best athletes in the NFL, but they have confidence and motivation. Now look at them: They’re a playoff team.”

In other AFC West midday news and notes:

• In a radio interview, former Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell and new mentor, former NBA player and coach John Lucas, discuss his past and future.
• Another look at the impact of the Chargers’ special-teams woes.
• The Broncos will face 49ers backup quarterback Troy Smith on Sunday in London. Starter Alex Smith has a shoulder injury.
• The Chargers are preparing to face either Kerry Collins or Vince Young at quarterback against Tennessee on Sunday.