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Denver Native (Carol)
10-23-2010, 10:06 AM
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_16411477

If Broncos players didn't understand the gravity of their livelihood before meeting with union chief DeMaurice Smith, they do now.

The unambiguous message at the players-only meeting Wednesday afternoon was to prepare to be locked out next year.

"We talked over all the scenarios and why we feel the way we do," said Kyle Orton, the Broncos' player representative. "And we showed what their actions have been in the last year-and-a-half. And to us, all signs are pointing toward a lockout."

Perhaps the biggest reason players fear they are in danger of not playing next season is that the owners hired Bob Batterman as their lead negotiator for the upcoming collective bargaining talks. It was Batterman who was the NHL owners' chief negotiator during the season-canceling lockout of 2004-05.

NFL players believe the owners will prevent the 2011 season from happening until the players give back concessions on the percentage of revenues they receive, currently 59.5 percent.

Injury update.

After missing the first two practices this week, slot receiver/returner Eddie Royal returned for the walk- through Friday to test his injured groin. Royal is listed as questionable to play Sunday against Oakland, as is defensive end Kevin Vickerson (groin) and cornerback Champ Bailey (ribs). The most likely to play from the list of questionables is Bailey.

Among those definitely out are strong safety Brian Dawkins (knee), outside linebacker Robert Ayers (broken foot), right cornerback Andre Goodman (quadriceps) and special- teams standouts Wesley Woodyard (hamstring) and Darcel McBath (ankle).

London can wait.

Near halftime of the Broncos' game Sunday, the 49ers will be flying to London in preparation for their game against Denver on Halloween. The 49ers will play an early game Sunday at Carolina and take off from there to spend the week in London.

The Broncos have taken a contrary tack, deciding to practice here Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before taking off Thursday evening for London, with a Friday morning arrival.

"We really want to have a solid week this week where we weren't worried about travel plans before the game against Oakland — preparing to pack and do all those kinds of things logistics-wise," Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said.

"There are a lot of things you can do, a lot of options, but ultimately we chose to try to have the three most productive days that we could here (next week) and understand that we're going to have to endure the time change once we get over there."

atwater27
10-23-2010, 10:14 AM
Anybody on BF gonna try out for the Broncos when this happens? I salute you if you do!