Good Morning, Broncos fans! A week ago, we speculated that Denver's cap space had slipped to around $15M after allowing for incentives and escalators triggered during the 2012 season.

Turns out our number was a bit optimistic, as according to PFT, the Broncos currently have $14.1M in available room, which is down from the $18.5M they had just a month ago.

To be crystal clear, this is a 2013 figure, meaning anyone schedule for unrestricted or restricted free agency is not included on the Denver payroll. Re-signing any or all of Brandon Stokley, Tony Carter, Britton Colquitt, Mitch Unrein, Justin Bannan, Kevin Vickerson, David Bruton, Dan Koppen, and Jason Hunter will eat away at that $14.1M figure.

Re-signing Ryan Clady or applying the franchise tender to him (very likely to occur) would swallow the majority of it.

Cutting or renegotiating the contracts of D.J. Williams and Joe Mays would provide the team more breathing room, while releasing Matt Prater would do more for the 2014 cap ($3.8M) than the 2013 one ($250K) but provide an immediate cash savings of $2.25M.

That last factor should not be taken lightly, because Pat Bowlen does not act like a cash-rich owner; cash considerations have tended to outweigh cap ones for several years now at Dove Valley.

We'll be studying cap issues, including the most basic details, in the coming weeks and months. As always, feel free to drop us any questions.

Broncos

Chris Harris thinks he proved in 2012 that he's an elite cover man and versatile defender, and he aims to become a leader in the Denver locker room.

Gordon McGuinness considers the team's offseason needs and suggests Pats WR Wes Welker, Ravens LB Dannell Ellerbe, and LOLJets G Brandon Moore as potential solutions. Moore, who was on the receiving end of the play that re-dubbed the Sanchize as Buttfumble, earned a stellar overall +21.3 grade from PFF in 2012. That grade dwarfs those given Denver's interior linemen, and is on par with the greatness of Clady and Orlando Franklin.

Meanwhile, Welker and Ellerbe figure to command more cash and cap space than the Broncos would appear to afford, barring something crazy like a release of Champ Bailey.

FWIW, quarterbacks under Greg Knapp's guidance have fared much better when he's their QB coach rather than their coordinator.

AFCW

Mike McCoy's overhaul of the San Diego coaching staff is now complete and included a 67% turnover.

Since nobody wants to pay good money to watch them play football, the Raiders are planning to cover up more seats at the Coliseum, including an area hilariously dubbed, "Mt. Davis."

Here are PFF's looks at the offseason needs of the Chargers Chiefs , and Raiders

News

The Giants cut RB Ahmad Bradshaw and DT Chris Canty; Philly signed former CFL DE/LB Chris McCoy and released T Demetress Bell; Vikings center John Sullivan underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee; Packers WR Donald Driver retired.

Cincy promoted Huebris Jackson to coach running backs and act as a special assistant (whatever that means) to Marvin Lewis; San Francisco blocked New Orleans from interviewing old friend Ed Donatell for their DC vacancy.

Before there was the Buttfumble, there was the FG snap that doinked off the head of Jets punter Louie Aguiar, who is now their special teams coach.

Our thoughts go out to Niners TE Delanie Walker, who tragically lost his aunt and uncle at the hands of a drunk driver just hours after they had attended the Super Bowl.

Analysis

Ravens LB Brendon Ayanbadejo commendably wrote an editorial calling for his fellow America professional athletes to stand up to homophobia and provide allies for their gay teammates to come out.

Looking back at the 2012 season, Mike Silver backs up Ayanbadejo and declares that parity is alive and well, there are lots of SB-capable QBs around, and the idea of momentum is a crock of BS.

Deadspin ranks all the Super Bowls by their watchability, with Denver/Green Bay coming in at #6, and Denver/Atlanta at #26.

Alex Marvez examines the tasks facing the league's new head coaches, under the ridiculous notion that they're already on the so-called hot seat.

Sam Monson breaks down Dennis Pitta's picturesque Super Bowl touchdown.

Jason Lisk studies the nauseating overuse of the term elite quarterback over the years.

Here are the 333 prospects who were invited to attend the national combine; Bucky Brooks ranks his top five prospects at each offensive and defensive position, and he mocks Florida DT Sharrif Floyd to the Broncos at #28.

Chase Stuart sifts through retired numbers and players whose deaths ended their NFL careers.