INDIANAPOLIS — Ten things from the NFL Scouting Combine:
1. The Broncos continue to wait for an official announcement on the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game (Aug. 1) and chiefly their opponent. “I’m not a part of that decision (to play), but itap probably a safe bet we’ll be in it,” coach said. “Every time an owner has gone in, that team has played in it.” Owner Pat Bowlen and cornerback Champ Bailey are in this year’s inductee class.
2. Fangio was Chicago’s defensive coordinator last year when the Bears played the Hall of Fame Game against Baltimore. “Honestly, I look forward to it,” he said. “It gives us an extra week of camp and gives us more chances to prepare for the season. We’ll use it to our advantage.”
3. Playing Aug. 1 would allow the Broncos to report to camp on July 16. They would probably adjust their offseason schedule to end in early June instead of mid-June. For a 90-man roster that is expected to have many new faces, the extra game will be a valuable evaluation tool for management and the coaching staff.
4. Fangio wants to have a joint practice with a preseason opponent. “I like to do those,” he said. “We have a thing or two we’re working on. I’m confident we’ll have one at least and I’m not against having a second.” Once the preseason schedule is released this spring, teams can start planning for the joint workouts. The Bears visited the Broncos last August.
5. Stop the presses — Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray is taller than 5-foot-9. Murray checked into the Combine at 5 feet, 10 1/8 inches and 207 pounds. His hand size is 9 1/2 inches.
6. Oakland coach Jon Gruden on the AFC Westap quarterbacks: “(Joe) Flacco’s coming to town in Denver and he’s a World Championship quarterback. We know what (Patrick) Mahomes just did (in Kansas City) and is still very dangerous (for the Chargers). Defensively, we have to improve at all three levels and offensively we have to improve as well.”
7. Gruden and Raiders general manager Mike Mayock are publicly committed to quarterback . “Yeah, he’s our franchise quarterback, yes,” Gruden said. “Try to make that clear.”
8. Which general manager will feel the heat from ownership to offer a second-round pick for disgruntled Pittsburgh receiver ? Thatap what Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert is waiting to find out. He had made it clear he will not give away Brown. “We will only make a trade if it benefits the ,” Colbert said. “(Brown) knows that. His representation knows that. It has been clearly explained. We are willing to take a look and if there is something that can be done to benefit both sides, then great. If not, then we’ll deal with that when we get there.”
9. Having survived the firing of coach Todd Bowles, Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan has a new coach (Adam Gase), a second-year quarterback to build around () and money to spend (more than $100 million in cap space per Spotrac). “I think we’ll be very active in free agency,” Maccagnan said. “There are a lot of different players out there we feel very strongly about (that) can help us.”
10. Seattle safety Earl Thomas, last seen by Broncos fans intercepting a pass in last year’s opener, will hit the free agent market. Seahawks general manager John Schneider said there has been no communication between the sides. Schneider said he understands Thomas’ frustration in not getting a long-term deal. “Itap business,” he said. “He’s a free agent and he’s going to test free agency so we’ll see what happens. … He’s going to be one of those dudes thatap up on the Ring of Honor (after he retires).”
